History: Actual, Fictional and Legendary discussion

David Gemmell - Ravenheart. Pure genius!

Father, Son & Co. by Thomas J. Watson Jr.

This is a very revealing and poignant autobiography by the son who succeeded his father (Thomas Watson, Sr.) as the head of IBM in 1956 and led it for the next 14 years. Watson, Jr. later served as U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union in the Carter Administration.

This is one of the BEST books of its kind that I've read in quite a while.

I'm reading/almost finished:

Peter Heather - The Goths; very fact-packed if a little too academic in style
Michael Kuwolski - Rome's Gothic Wars; Excellent flowing narrative and oozing detail.

Two top reads if you're a late Rome/Gothic origins geek

G

I'm currently reading the novel Life Before Man by Margaret Atwood.

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a discussion Margaret Atwood gave at BORDERS.

Having just worked my way through a bunch of Nevil Shute's books, I've started on a series that my fellah inherited from his father. It's actually a boy's series rather than adult but, due to the subject matter and the fact that the series was written back in 1919, I figured it might be an interesting read. It's called AIR SERVICE BOYS. It's long the lines of the Hardy Boys fly with the Lafayette Escadrille. What is interesting to me is the use of language since a modern reader gets a real sense of the slang of the early part of the 20th Century. It's also intriguing that the French are viewed as tremendous friends and allies while the British are treated with respect but some coolness. Germany, of course, is painted in villainous hues with spies and saboteurs and mean aviators.

So far, it's a fun read as well as an interesting peek into a very different era in U.S. History and how the citizens viewed their country and others around them. Not a must read, by any means, but an enjoyable breather from more complex stories.

I have sixty pages left before I am done with Obama's The Audacity of Hope.

Just about to start The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science, which looks very interesting.

A few days ago, I returned to reading Churchill's Sacrifice of the Highland Division: France 1940 by Saul David, which I had "rediscovered" in a box when I was doing inventory of some of the books from my library that I had to place in a storage center last December. It is a very poignant and sobering account of an aspect of the French campaign of May-June 1940 in which, even after it had become clear to Britain that France was headed towards defeat, she nevertheless sent (after the evacuation of a large part of the British Expeditionary Force [BEF] from Dunkirk) an infantry division back to France in a futile effort to bolster French forces against the Wehrmacht.

I'm about halfway through Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

I seem to be on a epic sea voyage theme this summer. I started with by Nathaniel Philbrick. I am now reading by Caroline Alexander. I have just ordered by Caroline AlexanderCaroline Alexander. Is a cruise in my future? Hopefully, not ill-fated!

I recently read three books that deal with early 20th century stuff. They were all very enjoyable reads.

I just finished Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World today. I enjoyed the book (4/5 stars) and learned a lot. My review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

I recently finished East of Eden (My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... enjoyed this one too - rated it 4/5 stars.

And one more - It Can't Happen Here - another 4/5 stars. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Next up this month: Light In August and Doctor Faustus: The Life of the German Composer Adrian Leverkuhn as Told by a Friend . Hopefully I will finish both by the end of the month!

Currently reading Eavesdropping on Jane Austen's England, which is fascinating.

Last night, I returned to reading "The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve" by G. Edward Griffin. In view of the present budget impasse in the U.S. (in which a hard right wing faction of Congress is, in effect, holding the country hostage), it makes for very sobering reading.

I'm reading Robin Hood: A Mythic Biography which is an excellent analysis of all the various Robin Hoods in the context of the periods in which they were created by their authors.

Just finished 1913 - Der Sommer des Jahrhunderts (the English title is "1913: The Year Before the Storm"). Interesting. Sometimes very amusing.

Currently reading Paris.

Just finished Twilight of the Belle Epoque: The Paris of Picasso, Stravinsky, Proust, Renault, Marie Curie, Gertrude Stein, and Their Friends Through the Great War, which was excellent.

I'm in the midst of reading "Dancing in the Sky: The Royal Flying Corps in Canada" by C.W. Hunt. It is a history of the air training scheme that was developed by the British in Canada in 1917 to redress the high losses in aircrews it had sustained the previous year on the Western Front (which created a pressing need for more pilots). One of the spillover effects of the program helped to lead to the acceleration of the U.S. Army Air Service (and its naval equivalent) --- as well as the development of Canadian aviation. Interesting stuff.

Has anyone read Bridge On the Drina????

I'm reading Hidden by Catherine McKenzie. I got it free from Kindle First and am enjoying it so far.

I am currently Reading Alexander by Theodore Aryualt Dodge. It's a bit dry, as one may expect from a historical novel. At least I expect that the majority of my peers would find it to be excruciatingly boring. I think this is simply because they perhaps lack imagination. I like it however so far, especially the brief description of ancient battles.

Reading stuff like the aforementioned makes the younger, unbroken parts of my mind "Oh this is SO COOL!" *sighs
My present circumstances may be vapid and boring, but with books my mind can go places that my person cannot. Places that hold far more interest, therein which I may truly feel alive. Rather than just drawing air and biding my time.

Please inform me if the Monolouging was Ill Placed for this forum.

Well said, reliving well documented history enlivens a long dormant part of me ( maybe one was there in an earlier time). A similar book is "The California Trail" by George Stewart, turgid, enlightening and factually researched for over 60 years, he recreates the 1,950 mile journey from Independence, Mo to Sutter's Fort (Sacramento) during the short span of history (1842-1849) when some 150,000 immigrants walked that distance in 5-8 months (that is those that made it and most did). Get a good topographical map of California and this book and consider the life of walking 12-14 miles a day for 3-4 months. Many considered the California Trail a "good vacation".

I just joined as saw your recommendation, will get the book soon. Thank you, and when was the "Jekyll..." book written?

Ancient Egypt is my middle name! I think I have watched every show on it at least 3/4 times, I have read a dozen of Pauline Gedge's books based on it.I highly recommend her. My fascination took us to Egypt, which now seems like a dream. I have many items depicting Egypt (some from Egypt). I have written a novel that takes place there, but have done nothing so far. I do have 4 books coming out (my children's one already is), so I think it's on the back burner now.I definitely have to convince my publisher! Almost anything else ancient attracts me too.

A few days ago, I began reading "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" by Dr.Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, whom I met at a reading she gave at a local independent bookstore. I was even fortunate enough to get her autograph on my copy of the book. So far, it's a very thought-provoking book and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Native American culture and history.

Cool!!

KOMET wrote: "A few days ago, I began reading "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" by Dr.Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, whom I met at a reading she gave at a local independ..."

Thank you!! I've been looking for a book about this!

Carolcares4u wrote: "Ancient Egypt is my middle name! I think I have watched every show on it at least 3/4 times, I have read a dozen of Pauline Gedge's books based on it.I highly recommend her. My fascination took us ..."

I think another author mentioned this in another post, but Waltari's "The Egyptian" is amazing. I loved how he kind of created a language/terminology for things...like "break a jar" meant to get married. :) Do you like pre-history as well? Like Jean Auel's stuff?

Have not read this author (Auel). Is it related to the movie at all? I looked,and yes, now I want to read Waltari's book. (ancient Egypt had no marriage as we know it. No ceremony.) I tried to respond to the other post, but for some reason it wouldn't let me. I have read several books on Cleopatra too, and her twins. I also like old England and their tales.

Carolcares4u wrote: "Ancient Egypt is my middle name! I think I have watched every show on it at least 3/4 times, I have read a dozen of Pauline Gedge's books based on it.I highly recommend her. My fascination took us ..."

I've yet to read Gedge, but definitely will. And I'm hooked on every TV show about ancient Egypt as well...can't get enough of it. I've never visited but someday hope to. In the meantime, I've only written about it. I guess I'm living in Egypt vicariously through my fiction. Thanks for the tip...you're the third person to recommend Gedge today!

Sara wrote: "Carolcares4u wrote: "Ancient Egypt is my middle name! I think I have watched every show on it at least 3/4 times, I have read a dozen of Pauline Gedge's books based on it.I highly recommend her. My..."

If anyone was going to know what to recommend, I knew someone here would. I'm glad I posted my request!

Ed wrote: "Silvana wrote: "I just finished Homage to Catalonia, hopefully I have the time to make a decent review because the book deserves it."

Looks like another book for my TBR list. I'm humbled at the d..."

I started Homage to Catalonia this summer. I didn't finish it, but it's terrific. Would make a great group read.

I'm currently reading The Founding of Christendom: A History of Christendom, Vol. 1 by Warren H. Carroll, The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity by Robert Louis Wilken, A Division Of The Spoils by Paul Scott, The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe by David I. Kertzer.

It's a bit heavy on the religious side this month, but not always.

ambitious, I hope u read the previous 3 parts of the Jewel in the Crown Paul Scott,it's an awesome History of India. PBS did a special in the 80's, one of the best shows ever on TV, 12 parts I think, I'm reading Staying on right now which is about a old couple who stayed after partition, also Paul Scott

Yes, always ambitious. I already bought the first three and am loving the fourth. I also bought the TV series. I'd seen parts of it before. Will do Staying On afterwards. I got these because I know so very little about India. I have to look up the meaning of the English phrases constantly, but I'm learning tons and it's a great read. Did you ever read A Passage to India by E.M. Forster? Just curious how that compares.

My local PBS station re-ran Jewel in the Crown this summer - still a very fine series.

yes, loved Passage to India too, yes, the Brits in the 2 books are the 'same' people, horrible people who denigrated Indians, Muslim & Hindu, & felt superior to them. I think (personal opinion) these people had their moment of glory in the British Empire and then their arrogance & sheer stupidity brought them down. The class system at work in Britain at that time is probably responsible. The people who had little status, blood or connections, ie. the idiot younger brother of an aristocrat with nothing to inherit or someone who had been successful in sordid business ventures, might see it as an opportunity to be 'someone', to have a life lived under the hot sun in sexually charged exotic locales, have an important title and the power to direct brown/black/red/yellow people... these people were expendable, generally considered unworthy of any special consideration, required direction in all things and existed only to gratify the egos of the Brits.
What's fascinating about the 2 authors is that they have characters, usually young women who see the superficiality of their status and are open to experience with the 'natives' and understand that no race is superior to any other.
You'll love Mrs. Moore in Passage to India.

Beverly wrote: "Having just worked my way through a bunch of Nevil Shute's books, I've started on a series that my fellah inherited from his father. It's actually a boy's series rather than adult but, due to the ..."

Town like Alice..one of my favourite love stories, I guess because of the heroine's idealism, does what has to be done...

Ronja wrote: "I'm currently reading All the Light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr, set in WWII. So far (ca. 80 pages) absolutely fantastic."

This is on my To Read list. I keep hearing rave reviews. Can't wait to start it.

I'm currently reading The Fetch and Bewitching Season. Up next I have A Brief History of Montmaray I'm wondering about other peoples' opinions on it.

Is 'The name of the Rose' by umberto eco worth reading?...

Yep.

Now reading The Wrath and the Dawn.

Harikrishnan wrote: "Is 'The name of the Rose' by umberto eco worth reading?..."

Oh yes!!! a wonderful wonderful book.

Name of the Rose is also only about two dollars for Kindle right now.

Harikrishnan wrote: "Is 'The name of the Rose' by umberto eco worth reading?..."

I read it. It was okay. The two main characters felt too consciously close to Holmes and Watson for me to enjoy it fully. The treatment of the period is very good. I'd recommend reading it, as it's much superior to most historical fiction.

> Having just worked my way through a bunch of Nevil Shute's books...

I loved Shute's "Pied Piper" story. Beautifully written, and a look at WWII events from an unusual perspective. But Shute was good an unusual perspectives.

Ronja wrote: "In case anyone is interested in the 100 Years War: The History of it written by Jonathan Sumption is amazing. They are very hefty tomes (Trial by Battle, Trial By Fire, Divided Houses and Cursed Ki..."

Sumption's a sound historian and a good writer. His book on pilgrimage is highly readable, and so is his book on the Albigensian Crusade. Pretty good work for a lawyer.

For Egyptophiles. I did just order- from Argentina- the book, "The Egyptian" by Walteri. Hard back. Finally found it. I don't know the condition, but I assume it has to be readable. With shipping and all it came to $45. Eager to read it.