The History Book Club discussion

Here is your new thread for 2014. Happy reading!

Mike wrote: "02. by Tom Clancy

Date Finished: January 2014
Genre: Thriller
Rating: B+
Review: Decades ago, when he was a young ..."

I am of two minds about Clancy. I disagree completely with his politics, but he does tell a good story.

As usual, you are off to a flying start!!!!!

Thanks for the review, Mike. This book has been on my shelf for ages. I think it's time to move it forward in the queue.

You are, once again, a reading machine!

Mike, I think you read in your sleep!!!

What they said. I'm way impressed. You might want to correct the date on message 18 - 2014 instead of 2013.

Please tell me that you are retired and an insomniac. Otherwise I'll feel like a total reading slug.

Mike wrote: "16. by Ruth Rendell

Date Finished: January 2014
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: On Valentine's Day, four mem..."

Oh my, that does sound good!

Mike wrote: "16. by Ruth Rendell

Date Finished: January 2014
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: On Valentine's Day, four mem..."

I really liked that book as well, Mike. And the reason that drove Edith to murder is very unusual but the author makes it believable. Rendell is one of my favorite British crime novelists. Have you read The Rottweiler?......it has murder, of course but also a lot of whimsy.

by Ruth Rendell

Mike wrote: "17. by Ian Rankin

Date Finished: January 2014
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Rebus is back on the for..."

I like this series so I will have to pick this one up.

My gosh, you're almost halfway there and it's only the end of January!

He did this last year, Kressel. He is a reading machine!!!

Mike wrote: "25. by C.J. Sansom

Date Finished: February 2014
Genre: Mystery/Alternate History
Rating: B+
Review: 1952. Twelve years h..."

I just received this book in a giveaway - glad to see your review, Mike.

Mike wrote: "25. by C.J. Sansom

Date Finished: February 2014
Genre: Mystery/Alternate History
Rating: B+
Review: 1952. Twelve years h..."

You might enjoy seeing how another author handled a similar premise - England caving early in WWII. Len Deighton wrote a book called SS-GB that takes place in 1941, a year after the British government is taken over by Nazi Germany, rather than long after the fact. Sadly, in this version, Churchill is executed before he can form any kind of resistance.

by Len Deighton

Mike wrote: "28. by

Date Finished: February 2014
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B+
Review: 1950s Dublin. When a b..."

If you like mysteries set in Ireland, you might like The Ghosts of BelfastFascinating and well done, but very dark indeed.

SYNOPSIS
Fegan has been a “hard man,” an IRA killer in northern Ireland. Now that peace has come, he is being haunted day and night by twelve ghosts: a mother and infant, a schoolboy, a butcher, an RUC constable, and seven other of his innocent victims. In order to appease them, he’s going to have to kill the men who gave him orders.

As he’s working his way down the list he encounters a woman who may offer him redemption; she has borne a child to an RUC officer and is an outsider too. Now he has given Fate—and his quarry—a hostage. Is this Fegan’s ultimate mistake?


by Stuart Neville.

I am not sure how you pronounce your last name, but if it is the way it sounds....

Mike Gabor
Reads more.

Mike wrote: "25. by C.J. Sansom

Date Finished: February 2014
Genre: Mystery/Alternate History
Rating: B+
Review: 1952. Twelve years h..."

Added it to my tbr. Sounds awesome!

I read that book last year, Mike, and Bethancourt reminded me of a modern day Lord Peter Wimsey. I have only been able to find three books of the series, all of which I have read. A comfortable little mystery.

Trick of the Mind is the one I haven't read. There may not be any more than four.

by Cassandra Chan

This looks cool. Added to my TBR pile

Good, Mike, adjust citation in message 75.

Mike wrote: "59. by Kostya Kennedy (no photo)

Date Finished: March 2014
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: A
Review: A superbly written and well bal..."

I agree totally with your thoughts that Pete Rose should not be banned from the Hall of Fame. Granted, he should have not been gambling on games but he played ball like a champ and the Hall of Fame honors athleticism, not personal failings. It would be akin to denying the honor of breaking the four minute mile to Sir Roger Bannister because he once forged a check (just to keep the record straight, Bannister never forged a check).

I grew up about three miles from the World's Fair site. I MUST read this.

That is a Rankin book I seem to have overlooked. Thanks for the tip, Mike.

Ian Rankin

Fabulous progress Mike and great job on maintaining the standards and format.

Here is the standard.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

You are a ball of fire. Great progress and a great job.

Mike wrote: "73. Harold Schechter

Finish Date: April 2014
Ge..."

Thanks for the recommendation on that book, Mike. Looks like a goodie!!!

Sounds interesting, Mike but you grade of "C" may keep it off my huge tbr list.

Can you imagine the number of letters they get every week threatening the President?

Mike, great reviews.

Great review Mike on a not so great book I imagine.

Let us know how that one goes.

That look terrific, Mike. I love the old ball parks since I remember sitting in Forbes Field watching my beloved Pirates. Looks like something for the TBR list.

Mike wrote: "104. by Jo Nesbø

Finish Date: May 2014
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Hole suspects a link between a menacing letter ..."

Totally agree with your review. Wait until you get to
by Jo Nesbø.
He just keeps getting better in the Harry Hole series. As for your other review of
by Jo Nesbø,
I also agree 100%. He wrote another stand alone a few years ago and I didn't enjoy it either.

Roll on, Mike!!!!

Mike wrote: "108. by Glenn Greenwald

Finish Date: May 2014
Ge..."

Awesome! Added to my "to read" list.

Mike wrote: "

111. by James Oswald

If this author writes like Rankin I will be looking for his books since the Rebus series is one of my favorites. Thanks for the tip, Mike.

Ian Rankin

Good progress thus far Mike - you have 155 views of your thread (that means that 155 folks have read your reviews so far here on the History Book Club)

And you just keep them coming - great job Mike

I thought I was obsessed with the Rex Stout books, Mike but you are running me a tight race with the Jo Nesbo!!!!

Jo Nesbø

You are really cooking Mike.

I love those mysteries too Mike.

Brilliant progress for 2015 Mike - we have set up your new thread for 2015.

Same to you Mike