The History Book Club discussion

Lisa, sounds like an interesting book. Let us know what you think of it when you get through it. I'm curious and have seen that book get a fair amount of attention lately. Good job with the citation.

by John Taliaferro (no photo)

The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream
I’m back on my semi-sequential read of American History. I just finished the American Presidents Series biography of Millard Fillmore –good book, but dreadful president. Before I read bios of Pierce and Buchanan (2 more at the bottom of the heap) I want something a little more entertaining, so tonight I turned to H.W. Brands' account of the California gold rush. If he can make Aaron Burr entertaining, I’m sure he can do the same with this promising topic.

by Paul Finkelman (no photo)

and by H.W. Brands

I might have to try the Brands book; it should be good.

The American President Series for Pierce should be solid, but if you want more in depth try:

by Peter A. Wallner (no photo)

(no image) Franklin Pierce: Martyr for the Union by Peter A. Wallner (no photo)

by Michael F. Holt (no photo)

by H.W. Brands

Just finished this and think it was excellent. The author interviewed World War I vets (all over a 100 at the time) about their experience. They are all dead now so this is the last first hand account of that war.

by Richard Rubin no photo

Thank you Patricrk

Patricrk wrote: "Just finished this and think it was excellent. The author interviewed World War I vets (all over a 100 at the time) about their experience. They are all dead now so this is the last first hand acc..."

Hi Patrick,
I finished this as an audiobook a few weeks ago and found it very interesting as well. I was looking for more info about WWI while we were doing a group read about Wilson.

by John Milton Cooper Jr. (no photo)

Currently reading
(no image) My Life by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder(no photo)Good so far!

edited to fix citation ^_^

George wrote: "I have been focused on the Colonial/Revolutionary period for the last several months, starting with:

by Walter ..."

Wow - terrific job George and brilliant citations. You are off to a great start.

Christy wrote: "Currently reading
My Life by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder No picture for either author or book. Good so far!"

Christy very good - you have come across one of the unusual citations and this is how we do it.

(no image) My Life by Erich Raeder (no photo)

But you were very close.

All better, except it feels to weird to leave off the Admiral's rank. We should have ranks like "Grand Admiral" in the US Navy. High Sea Lord is also nice, don't you think?

You are making me laugh.

I enjoyed this book. It shows just how much the world has changed in the last 100 years by looking at various cities around the world in the year 1913.

by Charles Emmerson

I finally finished the Cousin War series by Philippa GregoryI just need to finish my reviews for by Diane Chamberlain, , and all by Philippa Gregory

Right now I'm reading by Stephen King but am looking forward to getting by Vincent Bugliosinext week.

Nice, Doreen; I'm working on the Shining in the hopes of picking up the sequel.

by Stephen King

Bryan wrote: "Very close, Doreen. After you put in the author picture,

1. click "add book/author"
2. Go to author tab
3. On bottom, choose the link button
4. Click add next to the author

It is going to put..."

Thank you very much Bryan for all your help! It's been a challenging Polish day for me and my beloved Red Sox are on in 2 hrs. lol

Very welcome, I will delete some of these posts.

by Robert M. Edsel no photo Tells the story of the men who hunted for the stolen art treasures of Europe during the final days of World War II.

Very interesting book so far. I'm enjoying learning more about Queen Anne.

byAnne Somerset(no photo)

Over halfway through, and I'm fascinated, dismayed and heartbroken in equal measure.

The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, and Revenge

by Ira Katznelson no photo

Took awhile to slog through this but worth the effort. Ever wonder why the New Deal did so little for civil rights? This book explains the political realities of that time. How did American government become like it is? Read the book!

Finally finished The Alchemist which was dreadful and onto The Princes of Ireland

Allie wrote: "Finally finished The Alchemist which was dreadful and onto The Princes of Ireland"

I have
The Princes of Ireland on my TBR pile so I'd love to know what you think of it.

Bentley wrote: "I have a lot of books going on at the same time. And I have just started another book called Netherland. It is quite good and is by an Irish author of Irish/Turkish descent named J..."

I have read that Novel and I loved it not only because of Cricket, a Sport which serves the background in this novel and which I love dearly, but also because of great writing here.

Just finished reading by Bill Press. It is a fascinating read, well-written and regardless of your political affiliation a great read! For any who choose to read it, it will give you plenty of food for thought!

Linda wrote: "Allie wrote: "Finally finished The Alchemist which was dreadful and onto The Princes of Ireland"

I have
The Princes of Ireland on my TBR pile so I'd love to k..."

Its been slow going so far. Not sure if its due to my being only half interested or just not enough reading time yet. See your reading Russka: The Novel of Russia I think I'd agree with you about not being able to follow it because I don't know the names of places or anything about Russian culture. Loved London and planning on reading Sarum: The Novel of England because of all the recommendations I got.

Reading the ever fascinating Mr. Malcolm Gladwell's newest book, David and Goliath. Challenging the conventional beliefs and stirring up new and innovating ways at looking at things is what the author does best.

Reading A Wartime Christmas An easy read, with lots of short, interesting stories, mostly from the British perspective.

Allie wrote: "Linda wrote: "Allie wrote: "Finally finished The Alchemist which was dreadful and onto The Princes of Ireland"

I have
The Princes of Ireland on my TBR pile so..."

Thanks, Allie. When I'm next in the mood for a brick of a book I'll go with London.

Allie wrote: "Finally finished The Alchemist which was dreadful and onto The Princes of Ireland"

Thanks Allie and Linda. Don't forget to do a proper citation with book cover, photo, and links:

by Paulo Coelho

by Edward Rutherfurd

Hi Doreen, thanks for sharing with us. Don't forget to add a author to it:

by Bill Press (no photo)

Ahmed wrote: "Reading the ever fascinating Mr. Malcolm Gladwell's newest book, David and Goliath. Challenging the conventional beliefs and stirring up new and innovating ways at looking at things is what the aut..."

Thank you, Ahmed. Also, don't forget to add the proper citation, so we can click right over:

by Malcolm Gladwell

Becky wrote: "Reading A Wartime Christmas An easy read, with lots of short, interesting stories, mostly from the British perspective."

Great, Becky, don't forget to add the proper citation:

by Mike Brown (no photo)

Bryan wrote: "Hi Doreen, thanks for sharing with us. Don't forget to add a author to it:

[bookcover:The Obama Hate Machine: The Lies, Distortions, and Personal Attacks on the President---and Who Is Behind Them..."

Bryan, Bill Press is the author but there's no pic of him on this site.

That's fine, Doreen. If you find he does not have a image, add the author link. You will see that Mike Brown in message 2071 also does not a picture. This is why I add the (no photo) on the end to tell people there is no picture.

I hope this makes sense.

Bryan wrote: "That's fine, Doreen. If you find he does not have a image, add the author link. You will see that Mike Brown in message 2071 also does not a picture. This is why I add the (no photo) on the end ..."

No problem Bryan and thanks very much for the tip.

Linda wrote: "Allie wrote: "Linda wrote: "Allie wrote: "Finally finished The Alchemist which was dreadful and onto The Princes of Ireland"

I have
The Princes of Ireland on ..."

I found it a little slow going at first but loved it. I think most people start with Sarum: The Novel of England if they haven't read him before, it seems to be the favorite.

I might have to check it out, Allie, thanks.

For citations here, if a book has a cover, you don't need to put a title link, and you will need a author:

by Edward Rutherfurd

Just started reading by Vincent Bugliosi and I can't seem to put it down.

Great, Doreen, thanks. Good time with the 50th anniversary and all.

Bryan wrote: "Becky wrote: "Reading A Wartime Christmas An easy read, with lots of short, interesting stories, mostly from the British perspective."

Great, Becky, don't forget to add the proper c..."

The book I'm reading was written by Maria and Andrew Hubert.

Thanks, Becky, we need a author citation...I hope I got it right:

Maria Hubert (no photo) and Andrew Hubert (no photo)

Just finished by Eugene B. Sledge. Loved it!

It is a awesome book, Ctgt, I fully agree.

by Eugene B. Sledge

by Edward Samuel Corwin (no photo). Kind of a rough read but hope to read a more recently written copy in the future.

I'm about 2/3 through . It is an excellent overview of the events of 1914 - the slide to war and the cascade of idiocy that all the various parties participated in. Very eye-opening when you realize the extent and scope of the battles in manpower and casualties. They are much less recognized than many smaller events in WWII.

Hastings is very well known and praised for his other works such as , and (which is quite good).

I have begun The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany which I'm sure many of you in this group have read. Fascinating, to say the least.

by William L. Shirer

Thanks, Dean, my goal is to read it this year. Don't forget to add the author citation :-)

by Max Hastings

Donna wrote: "I have begun The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany which I'm sure many of you in this group have read. Fascinating, to say the least.

[bookcover:The Rise a..."

OMG Donna that's next on my to read list.

I'm Reading By: Glenn Beck. I also got one of his other books called Cowards on audio for a cheap price. I paid 8 bucks for both of them.