The History Book Club discussion

Currently reading.

by Thomas E. Ricks

I managed to get a copy of this book that just startted reading...
by Jean Lartéguy

Currently reading: by Tim Weiner

Very jealous Tom that you have a copy of The Centurions by Jean Lartéguy.



by Jean Lartéguy

Mike, you should love that book.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Very jealous Tom that you have a copy of The Centurions by Jean Lartéguy.



by Jean Lartéguy"

Wow, very jealous here too. Rumor has it that it will be reprinted, but .... http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/cu...

Reading The Sign of Fourby

I love the Holmes books, Farrah.

When mentioning a book/author, please use the citation guidelines. It includes the book cover, author's photo (if available) and author link. The book you mentioned should look like this:

by Arthur Conan Doyle

sure will, Thanks!

You are almost there, Farrah. Don't forget to cite the book cover as noted in message 1573.

This link will give you the guidelines and the mechanics of citations.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Thanks for your post Nancy.......it is not necessary to put the author avatar if a photo is unavailable. The author link is sufficient.
I know what you mean when you start bringing your French back from the memory banks. I didn't realize how much I had forgotten!! Keep it up!!

I am in the middle of a history of the Habsburg dynasty, the longest reigning royal house in European history. It is interesting but doesn't offer a lot of new information....it is almost gossipy and speaks of individuals' reactions which the author could not possibly know. It reminds me more of historical fiction.

The Habsburgs(no cover available) by Dorothy Gies McGuigan

I had a few days or a week between "scheduled" books here and thought I might tackle my tbr shelf. I fInished one and picked up "Steve Jobs," the biography by Walter Isaacson (2011) which I purchased by accident and decided to keep. I thought I'd read a couple chapters and put it away until next time.

Wrong!

Isaacson has produced a very thorough, well sourced, and accessible examination of the life of a ... well ... of an odd duck genius who managed to do what he wanted to do - "change the world" - in spite of some serious personality "issues."

I started yesterday, had a bunch of errands and chores today and even so I'm now on page 231 out of 598 (not including the index) and going strong.

by Walter Isaacson

I'm impressed, Becky. I didn't have a particular interest in reading the book but you have started me wondering if maybe I should. Thanks for the tip.

by Walter Isaacson

Just finished this. I was looking more for a military history but this is more of a political history overview. It ends with the ratification of the constitution. Readable and interesting but not what I thought it was going to be.

by Gordon S. Wood

Jill wrote: "Nancy.....that sound absolutely fascinating. It will have to go on my TBR list which is getting out of control!!!! The British Raj fascinates and although I was aware of the Edwina/Nehru love affai..."

Based on Nancy's recommendation, and my basic interest in India and Britain, I am reading this book. by Alex von Tunzelmann

I have to say (and I am a little less than halfway through) that at this point it has so much more information on the transition from Empire to Independent country than I expected. I am really happy to be reading it. Thank you!

I am about 40% through "MEN AT WAR". Scanning the reviews (only 1) and ratings it appears that this book has escaped the radar of my friends and the members in the History Club. For folks, who enjoy war stories, it’s magnificent!

Ernest Hemingway was a unique character and it is interesting to note that among all of his accomplishments he was the proud editor of “MEN AT WAR: The Best War Stories of All Time” comprised of 82 individual short war stories from around the world starting with the Biblical days of David and Goliath to early World War II with the books 1942 publication date. Hemingway also penned the introduction and three of the war tales. Included within the book is Stephen Crane’s unabridged “Red Badge of Courage”. A few of the other notable authors with a story or more are Julius Caesar, Theodore Roosevelt, William Faulkner, John W. Thomason Jr., Count Leo Tolstoy, Rudyard Kipling and Winston Churchill.

Through the ages many military officers have carried a book or two with them in the midst of war and I have always been intrigued by the selection of some individuals. I was initially drawn to “Men at War” as WWII USMC Capt. Andrew A. “Ack Ack” Haldane chose to pack this hardcover 2 ½ lb. book with over 1,000 pages on his mission to the South Pacific islands. Author E. B. Sledge mentioned in his book “With the Old Breed” that Haldane, his company CO, who was KIA at Peleliu, had inscribed A. A. Haldane in his copy of “MEN AT WAR”.


by Ernest Hemingway

Best new (2012) book I have read in military (plus business innovation) history is Greg Crouch, "China's Wings." Excellent research, good writing, and dramatic story of commercial airline founded in China by Pan Am. Illustrates the intersections between nations, political factions, and cultures before and into WW ll. A great read by a talented, authoritative young author.

Sue Ann wrote:

Thanks, Sue Ann. Don't forget to add a author photo (when available) and always a author link:

Gregory Crouch

Currently reading by Deborah Blum. It's really quite fun - mostly about various murderers and how they did their dastardly deed by poison, but a fair amount of forensics history as well. Blum writes very well and the structure is designed to maintain interest moving quickly from murder to chemistry to New York society back to murder again and so on.

Becky wrote: "Currently reading [bookcover:The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York] by Deborah Blum. It's really quite fun - mostly abou..."

I really enjoyed that book too, Becky. I thought that the explanation by chapter of each type of poison was an interesting way to present the information....but it was never boring. I hadn't realized that poisoning was such a pervasive method of murder except of course by the Borgias. Good book.

Remember all the murder mysteries by Agatha Christie and others where the murderer used poison? Gone now, I think. Sad.

by Agatha Christie

Oh yes, and remember all those stories where someone used the "perfect" poison, which left no trace!!! Forensics has certainly put paid to that concept.

I just finish Water for Elephants, definitely reccommend it! Before that I was reading Galilieo's Daughter, which was also a fantastic read. I learned so much about him and his trials with the church. I just started Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.

All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren..... about 75 pages in.... loving it.... so southern.....

Crystal wrote: "I just finish Water for Elephants, definitely reccommend it! Before that I was reading Galilieo's Daughter, which was also a fantastic read. I learned so much about him and his trials with the chu..."

Crystal, don't forget to add your proper citation:

Book cover, author photo, and author link:

Sara Gruen

Gary wrote: "All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren..... about 75 pages in.... loving it.... so southern....."

Gary, same thing, a proper book citation. Thanks.

Book cover, author photo, and author link:

Robert Penn Warren

Bryan wrote: "Gary wrote: "All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren..... about 75 pages in.... loving it.... so southern....."

Gary, same thing, a proper book citation. Thanks.

Book cover, author photo, and au..."

I honestly don't know how to do that.... thanks.....i guess...... lol.

No problem, Gary, here is the link to help you out:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Bryan wrote: "No problem, Gary, here is the link to help you out:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2..."\\



omg. so complicated. sheesh!

The moderators are here to help, Gary. Use that thread to practice if you like :-)

Gary, it may look complicated on the written instructions however it is easy once you have done it a couple times. Let us know if you need a hand.

Sometimes it takes a minute to get the hang of it, Gary but then it becomes second nature.

I'm new here. so I'd thought I'd toss out a few books that I have recently read or am currently reading. I got an ebook reader for my birthday in February (Nook) and I have recently discovered how to use the public library online. I've been reading a number of recent popular books that are fun or interesting but I don't want to spend money on.

I just finished Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy. Interesting ideas. I had not realized just how stratified the economy had become.

I am also reading The Travels by Marco Polo. This is definitely not a book to breeze through. As far as I'm concerned the only reason to read it is to find out exactly
where he went (or at least as close as possible). I started with a paperback with no footnotes, realized I needed footnotes because the geographic and personal names made little or no sense, got the 100 plus year old 'definitive' annotated version as an ebook (super cheap!), read the several hundred pages of introduction, then realized that if I really wanted to understand where Marco had been I was going to need some good maps. I bought a Central Asia map, read that part, waited a few months, then finally ordered two China maps. I should be able to finish this summer.

If anybody has any suggestions as to more recent annotations of Marco Polo, or other resources, please let me know!

by Christopher Hayes

by Marco Polo
by (no image) Henry Yule (Translator)

Hi Lori, i read this book by Laurence Bergreen some time ago on Marco Polo. I thought it a decent account.

Lori wrote: "I'm new here. so I'd thought I'd toss out a few books that I have recently read or am currently reading. I got an ebook reader for my birthday in February (Nook) and I have recently discovered how..."

Way to go Lori with the great post! That’s the way to pitch in and contribute. Many colleges and universities have also scanned older books onto the internet for free access. Some are definitely classics.

Lori, great job on the post and thanks for sharing! Looks like some good stuff.

I'm reading by Helen KellerI'm taking ASL 1 a beginner course in American Sign Language and culture. I'm HOH and hoping to become a interpreter.

Krystal....don't forget your author link.

i realized that after I posted and edited it. Sorry i haven't been on in awhile. i've been busy and just forgot.

Tracey wrote: "I am reading Don't Know Much about GeographyDon't Know Much About Geography: Everything You Need to Know About the World but Never Learned. It is informative, I have a few issues with it, however."

Tracey.....Please refer to our guidelines regarding the citation of a book that you mention. They can be found at:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

They require the book cover, author's photo (if available) and the author's link. The book you mentioned should look like this:


by Kenneth C. Davis

Please correct your post #1609 and thanks for your participation.

Thanks! I've added it to my To Read list. My maps arrived in the mail and I will probably start reading again this week.
Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu by Laurence Bergreen

Lori, thank you for your post. There is no need when there is a book cover to also include the book title. Good effort with the citation though - thank you for your efforts. If you are concerned that the title is not showing up - you can do the following and it is much more readable.

Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu

by Laurence Bergreen

Noam Chomsky: Was There an Alternative (2011), the expanded version of 9/11

I was looking at the library to see if I could find any of Chomsky's linguistic books, but all I came up with was this book. I can only say that this book has given me a totally different view of historical incidents of the last 20 or 30 years. At the time they were happening I guess I was too busy with other aspects of life to be too analytic about the news, especially concerning the U.S. Canada was keeping me occupied enough. I'm catching up on some of these occurrences through this book and getting a possible different view of U.S. actions and politics.

Thanks, Sigrun. Don't forget to add the proper book citation.

Click "other editions" in your add book/author search and it is found there. If you have any questions, let one of us moderators know.

Noam Chomsky

I have an interests in the Kennedys, and am just starting this book. The look on RFK's face says it all! Has anyone read this & what did you think? Jeff
Shesol

Hi Jennifer:

I bought this book while I was at the LBJ ranch in Texas. I have not read it yet, but I have heard from scholars that it is quite good. Let me know how you liked it.

Nice job on the citation. If you don't see a photo for an author, leave it out. Also, add a line break (return key) so the book does not appear on the same line, but on the bottom, like:

Jeff Shesol

I'm reading a library book . .
by Hilary Mantel

and listening to an audiobook . . .
by Isabel Allende

I have to get these finished before starting the readers group discussion I signed up for that begins in Sept.

Nancy wrote: "Spending hour after hour reading Mme Bovary in French. It took Gustave Flaubert 5 years to write the book. It feels like it will take me equally as much time to read it!


I know what you mean, Nancy. I did the same with Cyrano de Bergerac a couple of years ago..it totally exhausted me!!!
Good job with the citations but it is not necessary to add a link to the book when the book cover is available.


by Edmond Rostand

That book has gotten some great reviews here in the HBC....I need to take time and read it. But my TBR list is overwhelming.
Great job with the citation.