A little heavy on the apocalyptic language and definitely written in the rhythm of a fire siren with regards to the subject, I do think this couldA little heavy on the apocalyptic language and definitely written in the rhythm of a fire siren with regards to the subject, I do think this could have been way better. Sometimes it's a little repetitive or uses language picked up directly from academic studies, which don't seem to fit in with the general tone. It is outdated and some information found in here can be directly crossed off due do subsequent investigations. Worth a try. ...more
Loved it! Detailed history, many many accounts of particular skirmishes, battles or company stories mixed together with long analyses of operationsLoved it! Detailed history, many many accounts of particular skirmishes, battles or company stories mixed together with long analyses of operations and logistical details make for a very good read. Almost equal focus given to the Western and Eastern fronts, which I enjoyed. Completely worth the read for any history nerd. ...more
Balanced. Focused. Well researched. Three ways of describing this book. Without assigning blame on any part (a task which I must admit, looksBalanced. Focused. Well researched. Three ways of describing this book. Without assigning blame on any part (a task which I must admit, looks Herculean), this rather long book takes you through the process of how, why, when and who made Brexit happen. It looks at media coverage, campaign financing, politicians who were involved (and why they were involved). It covers the things we've seen on the telly and the ones we're not really supposed to know, the back stabbings, the ruthlessness, the power struggles. I commend the author for being able to write this in such a clear voice, as the resulting book is worth everyone's read. ...more
Big history book treating big historical points in a big way. Often painted in broad strokes, as they are necessary to encompass such long spans ofBig history book treating big historical points in a big way. Often painted in broad strokes, as they are necessary to encompass such long spans of time. I'm not entirely sure it's a "new history of the world"... but hey, titles have to be catchy in the mass market world. Recommended to any history buff. ...more
Absolutely stunning. Jaw-dropping in its scope and written to cut you to the bone with its honesty, this has been one of the best books I've *ever*Absolutely stunning. Jaw-dropping in its scope and written to cut you to the bone with its honesty, this has been one of the best books I've *ever* read about conflict and what that does to humanity. Due to the experiences of the author and his life lived at the front line, his tone can at times be acid when he addresses the reader with regards to those he holds responsible for the murder and maim he has witnessed. But he is the voice of reason, the echo of morality in a world which wishes to dismiss the fact that humanity is in possession of a conscience. Some of the stories in this book will break your heart; the vivid descriptions of war, death and useless suffering are enough to make one want to forget these things are happening *every day*. Please read this, no matter if you are a history buff or not. If you're a human being, you should care about what Fisk has to tell us. ...more
This is not necessarily an alternative history of the 20th Century. It's just a history of the period which focuses on philosophical/artistic conceptsThis is not necessarily an alternative history of the 20th Century. It's just a history of the period which focuses on philosophical/artistic concepts more than on military/political ones. Enjoyable and easy to read, it does provide some insight into the previous Century. I would recommend it as a fast walk through for any history nerds. ...more
An incredibly detailed and sometimes very hard to push through read. It is rewarding if you have patience with it, and I imagine it feels much like anAn incredibly detailed and sometimes very hard to push through read. It is rewarding if you have patience with it, and I imagine it feels much like an encyclopedia to someone who is more familiar with the subject. Would recommend to any proper history nerd. ...more
În primul rând n-am cum să fiu complet obiectivă, nici dacă aș vrea. Autorul este fostul meu profesor de istorie din liceu. Astfel, tot ce scriu înÎn primul rând n-am cum să fiu complet obiectivă, nici dacă aș vrea. Autorul este fostul meu profesor de istorie din liceu. Astfel, tot ce scriu în continuare trebuie luat cu un gram de sare.
Nici prea scurtă, nici prea lungă, cartea trece prin biografiile a trei președinți americani care definesc anii 60 ai Americii (Kennedy, Johnson și Nixon), precum și câteva mișcări sociale și culturale critice ale deceniului, cum ar fi mișcarea pentru drepturi ale americanilor de culoare sau mișcarea hippie. Având în vedere agitația acestor ani, autorul reușește un rezumat concis și la obiect al faptelor, fără să piardă analiza de subiect. Întoarcerea la perspectivă este făcută ușor și fluid, demonstrând o înțelegere a subiectului care este clar că întrece ce putem vedea în lucrarea de față. Ca cititor, aș fi preferat mai mult detaliu - deși înțeleg nevoia de a scurta anumite explicații și demonstrații, de mai multe ori finalul capitolelor părea puțin grăbit, iar explicațiile tăiate cam din scurt. În special când vine vorba de diferența în numărul de pagini acordate biografiilor președinților în comparație cu paginile acordate mișcărilor sociale, aș fi preferat o împărțire mai corectă și poate un studiu mai intes pe cele din urmă. Personal, tind să cred că mobilizarea oamenilor pentru anumite cauze în anii 60 a fost mai importantă decât cei trei șefi de stat sub care acestea s-au întâmplat - dar poate asta este doar credința mea.
În final, o lucrare concisă, căreia nu îi poți reproșa niciodată că se abate de la subiect, și din care poți extrage cu ușurință informațiile pe care încearcă să ți le ofere. Bravo, Horia! ...more
I love a big history book. Something that reaches beyond what its own grasp is. It's impossible to write one without omitting 90% of what humanity'sI love a big history book. Something that reaches beyond what its own grasp is. It's impossible to write one without omitting 90% of what humanity's been through, because there's just too much to touch on. But when it's done well, it feels like a fantastic roller coaster ride through our shared world, our past and how we've come to the present. While these works tend to be very long and require a patient and attentive reader, I think they provide you with something priceless: perspective. History books tend to narrow themselves down to a single moment, a war, a king's rule, a treaty, a disaster; big history books give you information about the same things, but they integrate facts within a grander, broader picture. Perspective, for someone who studies history, is way more important than knowing all possible knowable details about one single subject. I recommend this to every history nerd out there. ...more
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