The History Book Club discussion

Gyoza, this is your thread for 2019. I have included the link to the required format thread and an example. If you had a 2018 thread - it will be archived so when you get the opportunity move over your completed books and formats to the 2019 thread - but we will allow time for you to do that.

Please follow the standard required format below - I hope you enjoy your reading in 2019. Here is also a link for assistance with the required guidelines:

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2019
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.

IMPORTANT - THE REVIEW SHOULD BE SHORT AND SWEET - THERE ARE NO LINKS OF ANY KIND IN THE BODY OF THE REVIEW ALLOWED. NONE. DO NOT REFER TO ANY OTHER BOOK IN YOUR BRIEF REVIEW. THE ONLY BOOK CITED IN YOUR REVIEW IS THE ONE YOU ARE REVIEWING - NO OTHERS. ALL LINKS TO OTHER THREADS OR REVIEWS ARE DELETED IMMEDIATELY - THERE WILL BE NO WARNING. WE CONSIDER THIS SELF PROMOTION AND IT IS NOT ALLOWED AND IS IN VIOLATION OF OUR RULES AND GUIDELINES.

Gyoza - if you are looking for your 2018 thread - it has been archived

Here is the link if you would like to add any other books you completed in 2018.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

This thread is your 2019 thread - Happy Reading in 2019

FEBRUARY

1. by Leo Tolstoy
Finish date: February 25, 2019
Genre: Russian Literature, Fiction, Novels
Rating: B
Review: Resurrection is not developed to the same level as Tolstoy's other major novels, but it's still a great read nonetheless. It's a pity Tolstoy didn't develop this one further. A young aristocrat comes to realize the terrible consequences of his youthful actions towards a lower class young woman who had been employed at his aunts' house, and tries his best to make amends when he meets her again by chance in later life.

This book shares many themes also explored in his other novels and short stories, such as the contrasts between the social classes in Russian society, the importance of leading a virtuous life, and the necessity of repentance and redress towards those we have wronged.

Nice review, Gyoza.

Thanks, Lorna!

2. by Continental Congress (no photo)
Finish date: February 26, 2019
Genre: Politics, American History
Rating: A-
Review: I read this as background preparation for a read-along for the Federalist Papers. Short, sweet, to the point, and clearly written, even for non-lawyers. Should be required reading for all American citizens and students of American history.

MAY

3. by Charlotte Brontë
Finish date: May 16, 2019
Genre: British Literature, Novels, Fiction
Rating: A
Review: I read this in high school for the first time and have revisited it more times than I have revisited the author's better known works. And I seem to understand more and more of it as I get older.

In many respects, the heroine Lucy Snowe is similar to Jane Eyre: poor, not so pretty, without family, and needing to make her own way alone in the world. Both are quiet, unobtrusive young women who try to disappear into the background of the society they are in as is suited to their temperament and low social station, while regretting and sometimes envying the more outgoing, fortunate ladies who play a more active role in it. Both are shrewd observers of the people around them. Lucy, however, is a more guarded narrator than Jane. She reveals things to the reader in her own time and you are reminded that she is in full control of the story—making you sometimes question how reliable, complete, or objective her point of view is.

The story is a lot more complex than Jane Eyre and the situations Lucy finds herself in are more realistic than the ones in Jane’s life. No wicked aunts, insane wives, mysterious locked doors, or tormented, moody gentlemen here, so those who like the Gothic element in Jane Eyre and come to Villette looking for more of the same will be disappointed. Maybe this is why this book is relatively neglected; it does not make the same strong dramatic impact. However, if you are looking for a story you can lose yourself in with sympathetic and lifelike characters and reflections on problems even more widespread today than in Charlotte Bronte’s time (such as loneliness) then this is a great choice.

Good work, Gyoza, but in message 6 the citation should look like this -

by Continental Congress (no photo)

Thanks Vicki--all fixed.

Thank you for your wonderful reviews Gyoza.

JULY
4. by Taylor R. Marshall
Finish date: July 7, 2019
Genre: History, Religion, Politics
Rating: B+
Review: I learned a lot reading this book. It is about the people, intellectual movements, and groups that brought about such dramatic change in the Catholic world and how the faith is practiced. I was induced to learn more about this subject since the testimonies of the former papal nuncio, Abp. Carlo Maria Vigano about ex-Cardinal McCarrick and others were released last year. Very informative and concise given the complexity of the subject matter.

I listened to the audiobook, which was quite well done (although the reader could've used some extra coaching on pronunciation of certain words and names IMHO).

5. by Thomas Sowell
Finish date: July 8, 2019
Genre: History, Politics, Culture, Economics
Rating: A-
Review: Another example of the kind of clear, dispassionate thinking I always appreciate in Thomas Sowell. His arguments and rebuttals of opposing views are well reasoned and supported by evidence. In this book, he focuses on debunking the premise that differing rates of achievement among groups of people (whether grouped by race, sex, religion, or nationality) is necessarily the result of prejudice from the surrounding society.