The History Book Club discussion

Francie, here is your new thread in 2015. Happy reading in the new year.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2015
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.

Thank you, Bentley!

You are welcome Francie and Happy New Year.

Happy New Year to you, too!

JANUARY

1. by David Baldacci
Finish date: January 12, 2015
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B
Review: Two murders, one at a CIA training camp and one at a complex of geniuses, that only King and Maxwell can solve. Lots of twists, fun read.

2. by Daniel Okrent
Finish date: January 13, 2015
Genre: History
Rating: A
Review: Great book. So many things I learned about prohibition, not just Al Capone and the Untouchables. ;)

I really liked that book as well and was glad that Bryan hosted the Buddy Read on it.

Good stuff, you really saw how the Untouchables were pretty ineffective on the larger law enforcement war, but that won't make a great Hollywood movie ;-)

Perhaps not, but Ken Burns turned the whole book into an excellent TV documentary.

Here's something from the History Channel on prohibition:

http://www.history.com/news/10-things...

3. by Barbara Devlin (no photo)
Finish date: January 17, 2015
Genre: Historical romance
Rating: B
Review: Nice little romance. I think this is the first one I've read where the gallant gentleman had a few insecurities and even cried.

Good format.

Thanks

FEBRUARY

4. by Henry Green
Finish date: February 2, 2015
Genre: Classics
Rating: C
Review: This book is written with almost no articles or conjunctives making it a bit hard to read. It is almost all dialogue among management and workers in a Birmingham iron foundry and their families.

Sounds like a struggle to read that book, Francie.

How did you "live" through it - no pun intended (well maybe lol)

Jill, it was definitely a struggle. Kept hoping the story would rise above, but I have to finish a book no matter what.

Bentley, love the pun!

(smile)

5. by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Finish date: February 6, 2015
Genre: Children's Classic
Rating: B
Review: Beautiful story, great character lessons for children. Great illustrations.

6. by Freya Stark
Finish date: February 7, 2015
Genre: History, Travel
Rating: A
Review: Freya Stark takes you through her travels through Arabia, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Persia. Although she's traveling during the war, she describes everything so beautifully, making you want to visit each country with her. The writing is flowing and poetic. Fascinating book.

7. by Jonathan Darman
Finish date: February 22, 2015
Genre: History
Rating: A
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Darman's description of the personalities of these two men was very insightful to me. Especially concerning LBJ, I now have a different view of him than I did as a teenager in the mid '60s. Brought back memories of those turbulent times also. Great book.

In compliance with FTC guidelines, I received this book free through the History Book Club on Goodreads.

Good adds Francie

MARCH

8. by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
Finish date: March 3, 2015
Genre: Biblical History?
Rating: C
Review: I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It's reads more like a novel rather than history, with much added dialogue. But otherwise, it's entertaining.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding his books.

With good reason, I think.

I liked it (and his others) but I like that historical fiction feel to it. Like Jill said, they're pretty controversial, I assume because there are lovers and haters of O'Reilly (I don't listen to him outside of these books). I don't know how well his/Dugard's research is and honestly don't read it so much to make sure the facts are 100% verifiable. If you know the events of their books, then you pretty much know the story from beginning to end. I do think they do well with setting the scene and getting the reader to understand the events from the context of time.

I'm planning on reading Killing Patton soon. Thought it might be an interesting companion (or not) to the Ike book we're reading.

all by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
by Jean Edward Smith

On a personal note, Bill's picture is creepy. :-D

LOL, his picture is a bit strange.

Teri wrote: "I liked it (and his others) but I like that historical fiction feel to it. Like Jill said, they're pretty controversial, I assume because there are lovers and haters of O'Reilly (I don't listen to..."

I read Killing Lincoln a few years ago and enjoyed it much more. I got Killing Patton free from Audible. It might be next on my list.

both by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

We'll have to compare notes then. :-)

Definitely.

9. by Beverly Adam (no photo)
Finish date: March 8, 2015
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: C
Review: My mom was in the hospital at this time so I was reading very light romances, nothing to heavy to think about. This one was okay. I enjoyed the scenery, and the love story was sweet. I enjoy more mystery than this one offered.

10. by Renee Bernard
Finish date: March 18, 2015
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: B-
Review: I enjoyed this one a little more. There was mystery, revenge, suspense. A young girl groomed to take revenge on her guardian's nemesis, but love spoils the plans.

APRIL

11. by Agatha Christie
Finish date: April 2, 2015
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Oh, how I love Hercule Poirot. Poirot is on the hunt for an A.B.C. murderer, and although stumped in the beginning, he discovers the real truth. I was totally surprised to find out who the murderer was, just the way I like it.

12. by Stacy Schiff
Finish date: April 25, 2015
Genre: Biography
Rating: B
Review: The research was well done for this biography, and I appreciate the author's attempt to debunk all the myths surrounding Cleopatra. Some portions were a bit long and tedious.

I like Poirot too, Francie and the ABC Murders is one of my favorites. A fun read.

by Agatha Christie

MAY

13. by Parris Afton Bonds
Finish date: May 7, 2015
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: B-
Review: An English lady indentures herself to a colonial plantation owner in order to follow the man she loves to the colonies and soon becomes involved in a plot to snare the new American patriots in a trap. Good suspense.

JUNE

14. by Rick Atkinson
Finish date: June 6, 2015
Genre: WWII History
Rating: A
Review: Atkinson brings the war in Italy to life in this book. It still amazes me how much miscommunication was continuing even after gaining some experience in Africa. I have to wonder how some of the officers ever obtained the positions and rank they did.

JULY

15. by C.J. Archer
Finish date: July 25, 2015
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: B+
Review: Orlando Holt is sent to assassinate Lady Lynden, but first he must determine if she is guilty of the claims against her. Along with the romance story line, there is murder and deception. Nice mystery.

AUGUST

16. by Paul Scott
Finish date: August 22, 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: I love Paul Scott's writing. The story flows so well and I was totally entralled.

17. by Jean Edward Smith
Finish date: August 22, 2015
Genre: Biography
Rating: B
Review: I admit I didn't know much about Eisenhower, except for his role in the Normandy invasion. I learned quite a lot about him. How he rose through his military ranks surprised me. Interesting read.

SEPTEMBER

18. by Charles Dickens
Finish date: September 3, 2015
Genre: Classic
Rating: A+
Review: I love Charles Dickens. I know I've read several of his books over and over again. This was the first time I have read The Cricket on the Hearth, and once again, I'm taken in with the characters and the story. Loved this one.

19. by Michael Lewis
Finish date: September 10, 2015
Genre: Economics
Rating: C
Review: I really don't know much about the machinations of Wall Street, so I was a little lost with this one. I can say I was shocked at the high frequency rigging of the stock market.

20. by Alexander McCall Smith
Finish date: September 12, 2015
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: The main character Precious Romotswe is such a fun and gutsy investigator. The situations she gets involved in are at times funny and intriguing. Good book.

21. by Sharon Begley (no photo)
Finish date: September 18, 2015
Genre: Science/Neuroplasticity
Rating: C
Review: This book tells how we all have the power to change our brains by changing our minds. It tells of the Dalai Lama's influence on the research by the scientists involved, who prove that the brain can heal and renew itself. Some fascinating information.

22. by Jack Higgins
Finish date: September 24, 2015
Genre: Political Thriller
Rating: A
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Sean Dillon plans an attacked on the British was cabinet (based on a true event in February 1991) and Martin Brosnam is the only man who knows Dillon's character and what he is capable of. Edge of your seat reading.

23. by Jane Austen
Finish date: September 29, 2015
Genre: Classic
Rating: A
Review: Such a nice and romantic story. True Jane Austen.

Francie wrote: "23. by Jane Austen
Finish date: September 29, 2015
Genre: Classic
Rating: A
Review: Such a nice and romantic story. True Jane..."

My favorite along with P&P.

OCTOBER

24. by Barbara A. Shapiro (no photo)
Finish date: October 3, 2015
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A+
Review: I loved this book. You can almost see the colors described in the Degas painting and the story is enough to keep you waiting for what's going to happen next.

25. by Elizabeth Kolbert
Finish date: October 5, 2015
Genre: Natural History
Rating: A
Review: This book definitely makes you think about what is happening to the earth today. It's horrifying to think of all the animals that are slowing disappearing in our world. I would recommend everyone read this book.

26. by Jessica James
Finish date: October 9, 2015
Genre: Civil War Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: This is the story of two people on opposite sides of the war, who are both passionate about the causes they fight for, but fall in love in spite of their differences. Plenty of civil war history and even a few appearances by J.E.B. Stuart. Great story.