Mike's Book Challenge 2013

[Mike]

Young Stalin by Simon Sebag Montefiore
Completed on November 10, 2013
Rating: 3/5

Review: I learned a lot from this book, but it was one of the few history books that could not keep me wanting to come back for more. I don't fault the author, who obviously knows his stuff, but I think the story of Stalin's life before the Revolution is really one story told dozens of times. He led a group of thieves, stole money to give to Lenin and the Communist movement, was arrested and sent to prison or exile, and then escaped. That story had a whole lot of rinse and repeat in this book.

I really enjoyed the last 100 pages or so when Stalin is exiled for the last time before he returns home in time for the Bolshevik uprising and eventual takeover of power. The story really moved and I was fascinated to see the role that Stalin did play (not to mention the roles he did not). The other part of the book I really enjoyed was reading about the real disconnect within the Communist movement both in Russia (and Georgia) and abroad between the Bolshevik group and the Menshevik. It is amazing to see how the Bolsheviks took power even though they did not have massive popular support.

My guess is that if (and when) I read the sequel to this by Montefiore, I will enjoy that much more due to the constant action when Stalin was in power.

[Mike]

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Completed on November 16, 2013
Rating: 4/5

Review: A fantastic novel by a new author (for me) that had me turning pages for the past two days. This is a great fantasy story that creates a magic system that is both unique and fun to appreciate. The story does a great job of world building, and while the characters were at times typical of fantasy novels, I enjoyed getting to know them and form a connection with them. The end of the novel ties up pretty much all the loose ends of the story, but it also opens questions for future books. The final two in the trilogy are something to look forward to and I will most definitely be reading them.

[Mike]

Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva
Completed on November 21, 2013
Rating: 4/5

Review: This series about Gabriel Allon is likely my all time favorite series. I have enjoyed reading each book in the series and always finish one book looking forward to the next. What makes this series so enjoyable to me is how the author stays true to the characters, the history (and art) that is discussed and appropriate, and the fact that things do not always turn out the way the good guys planned it. This book has those three elements throughout and is another winner by Silva.

[Mike]

The Fallen Angel by Daniel Silva
Completed on November 29, 2013
Rating: 4/5

Review: I am sad to know that there is only one more book for me to read in this series (until next year I assume when Silva publishes the next one). This book has Allon yet again come out of retirement to help solve a murder. Naturally, that murder leads to terrorist activity that imperils Israel. I love how these books take us around Europe. I also love the continued storyline of the friendship between the Pope and Allon. Without giving away any spoilers, I like how this particular book death with both modern day politics and Biblical history. Great stuff as always!

[Mike]

The End: The Defiance & Destruction of Hitler's Germany 1944-45 by Ian Kershaw
Completed on December 1, 2013
Rating: 3/5

Review: A solid book of the history of the final year of World War II Europe with the focus completely on the German power structure. I learned a lot from the read, but really felt as though this book could have been written at half the length. It very much seemed that the story would repeat itself every chapter where the Germans suffered losses, some people wanted to give in, Hitler and the Nazi powers would not allow it, they killed all who opposed them, then they would again suffer losses. It was much too detailed for a popular history, but I am certainly better off for having read the book.

[Mike]

Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
Completed on December 5, 2013
Rating: 3/5

Review: It took me quite some time to get around to this book, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It was a fun read that, unlike the previous in the series, had a chronology it followed and an actual plot that had a start and an end. I though it was humorous and at times clever, although overall I have had enough of this series.

[Mike]

Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell
Completed on December 7, 2013
Rating: 3/5

Review: This book was awfully depressing. It tells the story of a poor white family in the South during the Depression. These people were dirt poor, uneducated, and treated each other poorly. There was literally nothing positive in this story, and although I understand that the author was telling the true of story of these types of people, it was still tough to keep turning the pages. I think it was the part that they are so completely uneducated and had no understanding of anything outside of their own insulated world. I am glad to have read it from a historical perspective, but did not enjoy it as literature.

[Mike]

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Completed on December 22, 2013
Rating: 4/5

Review: Another really great book by Khaled Hosseini. I love how this author is able to make the reader connect with his characters. And not in a superficial way but in a way that makes you feel as if you know these people. The history of Afghanistan, and other parts of the world in this book, is well done and educating for me as someone who has never studied that part of the world.

The only thing that is difficult for me reading his books is how depressing they can be at times. This is not a criticism as much as reality, but there were times when I finished a chapter and could not let go of how sad the story was. The author is true to the story, and I think he will continue to have success with his books moving forward.

[Mike]

Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 by Max Hastings
Completed on December 29, 2013
Rating: 5/5

Review: This was a fantastic book outlining the last years of the war against Japan at the close of World War II. Hastings is an outstanding military historian and I learned a great deal from this book. His writing style is unique in that it tells the story of the war by including literally hundreds of primary source documents from the guys on the ground and the political and military leaders from both sides. I enjoy the understanding I develop of what the fighting was really like, but will admit that at times it is difficult to remain focused when the dozens and dozens of characters names come and go. However, that is more my issue than the author's, and I could not recommend this book enough to people who want to learn about this particular part of history.

[Mike]

Grant by Jean Edward Smith
Completed on December 31, 2013
Rating: 5/5

Review: General Grant is moving up the ranks as one of my favorite historical people. This was an amazing book covering the full life of Grant from his early days, through the Civil War, his presidency, and his death. The narrative style is superbly done, and you can't help but respect and admire Grant throughout his life. The Civil War years probably take up about half of the book and these were easily the best parts. His presidency is covered topically and while interesting, it is not as fascinating as his years as the military man.

If there is a criticism of this book, it is that Grant more or less gets a free pass for his shortcomings as President. The author does not ignore his faults, but he brushes over them. I did not see this as a real negative to the book, but thought it worth mentioning.

Highly recommended!