The History Book Club discussion

Thanks John for mentioning Hornfischer's books. I have wanting to read about the War in the Pacific, and looking for some good books.

James D. Hornfischer

You're welcome. This is the first book of his that I have read. I will be adding the rest to my to-read list for sure.

I am currently reading Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire. Enjoying it so far.

by Amanda Foreman

I read that a couple of years ago, Ragan and really enjoyed it.

Jill wrote: "I read that a couple of years ago, Ragan and really enjoyed it."

She definitely led an interesting life. Her involvement in politics has been especially interesting to read about.

I am currently reading Sapiens - a brief history of humankind

Hello, Kaushik! That book has been on my to-read least for a while now, and has also become part of my personal book collection.

Please, mind the proper citation format when mentioning books:

by Yuval Noah Harari

I've really been interested in the history of the American West lately so I decided to read Across the Wide Missouri by Bernard DeVoto. I had a bit of trouble with his style for the first two chapters but have finally settled in and am enjoying the book.

by Bernard DeVoto

Believe it or not, have never read any Hemingway. No time like the present! Starting off with a short one.
by Ernest Hemingway

Most of the way through this...

Defying Hitler

That looks like an interesting book. BTW, don't forget your citations.

by Sebastian Haffner

Just started this one...

by Elizabeth Jane Howard

It reminds me of Downton Abbey, but it's set in WWII.

I'm reading a really good book about Eddie Rickenbacker by John F. Ross. I think this is going to get me onto a WWI kick.

by John F. Ross(no photo).

Rickenbacker was a major presence in both World Wars......first as an Ace in WWI, and then personally leading the first bombing of Japan in WWII. One tough fellow!!!

I am struggling with one of my current books, Hitler's Willing Executioners. It is extremely dense and very controversial. It is not an easy read but I am making progress. Has anyone else read this and, if so, what was your opinion?

by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen

I just finished reading Isabella the fair, a historical fiction piece. In my opinion, it didn't do justice to the "she wolf of France".

Don't forget your book citations, Tea.

by Darcy Lambrecht (no photo)

John wrote: "I'm reading a really good book about Eddie Rickenbacker by John F. Ross. I think this is going to get me onto a WWI kick.

[bookcover:Enduring Courage: Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of ..."

I'm very interested in this John, looking forward to seeing what you think.

Jill wrote: "Rickenbacker was a major presence in both World Wars......first as an Ace in WWI, and then personally leading the first bombing of Japan in WWII. One tough fellow!!!"

He certianly was a tough customer. Both the racing and the flying were extremely dangerous at the time.

Might you also be thinking of Jimmy Doolittle in regards to the bombing of Japan? He was another tough customer. That makes me think of another book that I want to read soon. I actually had it in my hand at the bookstore last night but decided against it at the last minute.

by Winston Groom

I was thinking of Doolittle on the Japan raid....that was a glitch in the memory banks!!!! I knew better since I have read about it enough times. Don't you hate to do that?

Jill wrote: "I was thinking of Doolittle on the Japan raid....that was a glitch in the memory banks!!!! I knew better since I have read about it enough times. Don't you hate to do that?"

I do! My wife thinks that i have those glitches frequently.

Reading to review :
by Robin Neillands

Reading first so I can watch the movies on Blu-Ray second :
by J.K. Rowling

Dimitri, I'm also planning on marathon reading/watching Harry Potter through December.

by J.K. Rowling

Just cracked this open this morning - captured my attention right away and only a few pages in. Anyone read this yet?
by Jill Leovy (no photo)

I just started this book today. It is very interesting so far. The U.S. edition came out last month.
by David Cesarani (no photo) (my copy says 1933 - 1949)

Look like an interesting book, Karen. BTW, put your book citation at the end of your post for easier reading. Thanks so much.

by Jon E. Lewis

As it turns out, all those myths of the Old West are an excellent framework for the real history, which is incredibly harsh.

After reading so many good reviews, I just started:

by Donna Tartt

Happy New Year! Squeezing in a little reading between college football bowl games. Ushering in 2017 with a book about sports. Whatcha y'all reading?
by Johnette Howard (no photo)

Happy New Year to you too, Alisa!

I'm just about to start All the president's men.

by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward

Samanta that's a great book. Way to start the year!

Thank you, Alisa! It's a subject I'm completely clueless about, so I'm hoping to learn something new.

Just started this, about the events at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during and the days following Hurricane Katrina. Anyone else read this? Yikes -
by Sheri Fink

I am currently reading three books. The first is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. It tells the story of a murdered family and the subsequent investigation into their murders. I'm well over half done with it and have fallen in love with Capote's style.

I'm also reading The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo by Tom Reiss. The book blends the story of General Alex Dumas (father of novelist Alexandre Dumas, who used his father's story as inspiration in his own writing) with a discussion of French society and race during the 1700s. I'm only about a quarter of the way through, but I'm enjoying it.

Lastly, I'm reading The Bear and the Nightingale, a fantasy novel by Katherine Arden set in 14th-century Russia. I've only just started, but I love the author's voice.

by Truman Capote
by Tom Reiss
Alexandre Dumas
by Katherine Arden

Excellent Angie and you are doing your citations so well too.

Alisa wrote: "Just started this, about the events at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during and the days following Hurricane Katrina. Anyone else read this? Yikes -
[bookcover:Five Days at Memorial: Life and D..."

I read it and loved it. However, it was extremely disturbing.

I'm reading by Thomas Hardy

I somehow never read Hardy before. It was quite scandalous for its time.

Hello Katy - glad you are reading Hardy.

Here is how your citation should look - you almost have all the bits and pieces.

by Thomas Hardy

Bookcover, the word by, then the author's photo if available, and finally the author's link

I am reading a quick one in memory of a pop icon, before returning to presidential biographies.

by Carrie Fisher

Very good - let us know how you find the book

Katy wrote: "Alisa wrote: "Just started this, about the events at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans during and the days following Hurricane Katrina. Anyone else read this? Yikes -
[bookcover:Five Days at Memori..."

Judging by the first few pages, disturbing indeed.

I seem to have a knack for tapping into extremely emotional books lately. It's not intentional, I can assure you. Ah well, good writing tells a story and where people are involved, particularly families, there is bound to be emotion.
by Frank McCourt

I just picked up by Robert K. Massie. non-fiction

I ordered this last week as I wanted to read more about a family that I was already really interested in, and I cant wait to read it. I was so excited over the weekend waiting for the book to arrive in store! I felt like I was a kid again, too excited to get to sleep on Xmas- eve! (Hopefully it is not a 'heavy book' with lots of statistics, and vague or boring information)

Question to all: Do you get excited when you order a new book? Or when you are coming to the end of your current book that you are reading, and start thinking about the new book that you are going to purchase and read? Hopefully it isn't just me! :0

Am currently reading Arthur Young's Travels in France during the years 1787,1788, 1789.Arthur Young's Travels in France During the Years 1787, 1788, 1789

The book I 'm reading did not come up so I clicked on the one above which seems to be the same content, but a different version.
Am also reading Towards the French Revolution by Gottschalk and Lach. It is a second hand book printed in 1973.

Someone has underlined in pencil in the above book, which I find slightly irritating. However, I find Gottschalk a wonderful historian and am just pleased to find a copy in whatever state it is in!

Rarely read two books at once, but one of these is more like a series of short essays, which makes it perfect for reading short sections.
by Barbara Holland
by Kent Hartman (no photo)

What a find Alisa.

Carol - let me help you.

by Arthur Young (no photo)

When the author's photo is not available - you simply add (no photo) at the end. The book cover comes first, then the word by which you add manually, then the author's photo if available and then the author's link.

I could not find the second book - something seems to be off with the title.

Have nearly finished reading 'Letters of Mrs. Adams, the wife of John Adams, Vol. 2'. Have already read the 1st vol. She writes in a clear and succinct way. I like to hear a voice from the actual era. You know it is authentic then.
Sorry Bentley, the book did not come up so unable to put the cover etc again. 3 other books did but not the one I am reading.