What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?) Showing 8,901-8,950 of 10,105

[Marilyn]

I, too, was brought up on the notion that Grant was a failure as a President and, like you, I quickly revised my opinion of him after reading this book. But, I also read his memoirs after reading Sherman’s. I think Grant got a raw deal. Yes, there was a lot of graft during his administration, but so was there, too, during Lincoln’s. It makes one sick to read about it while soldiers, Americans, from both sides were fighting and dying in that awful civil war. God forbid it should ever happen again. It’s because the Yankees won that they were able to hold this country together and later was able to help win the fight against Hitler.

[happy]

Oh yeah - their was lots and lots of graft - from his father to his brother, his sec of war it goes on and on. Even some of his actions as president would today be considered suspect at best ( he received a couple of homes from wealthy benefactors)

yet he was known for his personal honesty.

[Diego]

Just read The Lion Wakes and I'm very dissapointed, as I was really interested in this subject and series. I wanted to learn about the real "Braveheart". Pretty sure I'm not following up on this series or author again.

I don't know what is it exactly, but I can narrow it to two types of witing: the one that is meant to give an entertaining story and the one that pursues to delight the reader with intelligent words and rich vocabulary, putting the plot behind everything. I'm into the first one, and this book was in the second category.

It reminded me of Wolf Hall, too much characters, too much jumping from scene to scene; hard to tell who is talking to whom, and the authors give very little explanation of what's going on. Too much is happening, and at the same time, nothing interesting happens.

Even Ivanhoe, which I read a couple of months ago, turned out to be an easier read than this one. I can handle Wilbur Smith, which tends to be boring sometimes, dragging along on hunting an Elephant for 20 pages, but at least I can understand what's going on.

I had to kill this book after half way by reading only the dialogues and skipping most sentences, as I don't like to leave books unfinished.

Sadly, 1.5 stars from me to this book

[Jane]

Marilyn wrote: "Poor May! It sounds like this one really got to you. I had that happen to me when I read this book about a weak Roman garrison against the Germans (forgot the tribe at the moment). Anyway, the Roma..."

I had similar feelings about Eagle in the Snow: A Novel of General Maximus and Rome's Last Stand. If I remember rightly, it was an amalgamation of tribes who crossed the frozen river.

[Jerry]

Diego wrote: "Just read The Lion Wakes and I'm very dissapointed, as I was really interested in this subject and series. I wanted to learn about the real "Brav..."

There are several books or series that cover this period of Scottish history. Robyn Young’s trilogy might be a good start, but she cuts off at Bannockburn, to the best of my understanding.

As a Cumbrian, I have a strong interest in this time, particularly the post-Bannockburn years when Robert Bruce had a pretty clear run over the North of England while the reign of Edward II was mired in disputes that eventually erupted in the Marcher rebellion.

What fascinates me is the way first Scotland and later England emerged from some pretty dark times to achieve comparative success, the Scots at Bannockburn and Byland, the English at Halidon Hill and Crecy. Two minor knights played key roles in this evolution - William Wallace in Scotland and Andrew de Harcla in England. Wallace has been well documented, but not Andrew de Harcla yet. I’m working on him.

[Diego]

Jerry wrote: "Diego wrote: "Just read The Lion Wakes and I'm very dissapointed, as I was really interested in this subject and series. I wanted to learn about ..."

Thank you very much Jerry. I'll put Robyn Y. on my list

[Bobby]

The Book of M is written by the daughter of a good friend of ours, Lin Sue Cooney, who was a well-respected news anchor in Phoenix for many years. Seems odd to be reading a wonderful novel by someone who used to offer us cookies on a tray at Christmas parties at their home!

[Linda]

I am reading ROSS POLDARK. I am glad I saw the TV series first.

[Laura Tenfingers]

Diego wrote: "Just read The Lion Wakes and I'm very dissapointed, as I was really interested in this subject and series. I wanted to learn about the real "Brav..."

I had a tough time with this first book but absolutely loved the 2nd & 3rd of the series. Even more than Robyn Young's Bruce trilogy and defo more than Jack Whyte's.

[Allison]

Linda wrote: "I am reading ROSS POLDARK. I am glad I saw the TV series first."

What, why?! Ah crap. I need to watch the tv series too...

[Victoria]

I just finished David Malouf's Ransom after putting it aside at chapter 1 and procrastinating for years because I had trouble getting into it. Happy to say i am SO GLAD i gave it another go and perservered. It is a bit slow and under-stated for a battle of Troy story, but that's actually in the end what's so beautiful and brilliant about it. Who knew there was such a gentle, deep self-reflection story inside a war epic? Highly recommend.

[Jane]

Started The Falcon of Sparta.

[Jorge]

I just picked up Simon Scarrow's new roman one Day of the Caesars

[Tamara]

Victoria wrote: "I just finished David Malouf's Ransom after putting it aside at chapter 1 and procrastinating for years because I had trouble getting into it. Happy to say i am SO GLAD i gave it another go and per..."

Victoria, I also loved David Malouf's Ransom. I think it is one of the best re-tellings of the Trojan War I've read. I loved his depiction of Priam and the interaction between Priam and Achilles.

If you enjoy retellings of myth, I can recommend Bright Air Black by David Vann. A bit gruesome but a very powerful retelling of the story of Medea.

[Jane]

Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I just finished David Malouf's Ransom after putting it aside at chapter 1 and procrastinating for years because I had trouble getting into it. Happy to say i am SO GLAD i gave it a..."


Ransom was an A&M group read loser :( at one time,
2015 I believe.

[happy]

I've just started another WW II history -


I also finished a recent biography of Nikola Tesla



interesting look a Edison's direct compeditor in the understanding and adoption of Electricity.

[Victoria]

Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I just finished David Malouf's Ransom after putting it aside at chapter 1 and procrastinating for years because I had trouble getting into it. Happy to say i am SO GLAD i gave it a..."

Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I just finished David Malouf's Ransom after putting it aside at chapter 1 and procrastinating for years because I had trouble getting into it. Happy to say i am SO GLAD i gave it a..."

Tamara wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I just finished David Malouf's Ransom after putting it aside at chapter 1 and procrastinating for years because I had trouble getting into it. Happy to say i am SO GLAD i gave it a..."

Oh fab, thanks Tamara. I've read David Vann's Dirt and loved it, so totally up for another in his, yes, rather gruesome, style! Cheers for the tip.

[Bobby]

Just finished . Hang on tight if you go on this ride!

[Tamara]

Victoria wrote: "Oh fab, thanks Tamara. I've read David Vann's Dirt and loved it, so totally up for another in his, yes, rather gruesome, style! Cheers for the tip..."

You're welcome!

[happy]

I recently read a NF look at WW II at sea


good read, but some silly factual errors slipped by the fact checker. That bugs the heck out of me :)

Currently reading a NF look at one of James I/VI favorites/lovers George Villiers. Villiers rose from relative obscurity to become the King's favorite in the late 1610s and later Duke of Buckingham. When James passed away it was rumored that he had more than helped things along. So far it has been an interesting look at James' court and it's politics.

[Alice]

Just started by Karen Maitland. Set during the reign of King John. Good so far. My first book by Ms Maitland

[happy]

I recently finished this NF look George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. He was James I/VI's favorite/lover and put himself in charge of the Kings care during his last illness. He was subsequently accused of murdering James. (view spoiler)[Interesting but ultimately I don't think the author made the case the George deliberately killed James. (hide spoiler)]

Some interesting stories that I hadn't been aware of, including the assassination theories but just average 3.25 stars so I rounded down



Currently reading a fascinating NF look at Victorian Medicine and Joseph Lister ( who led the charge for antiseptic operating theaters and patient care)

I'm about 1/3 of the way through it and there are some really, really gruesome scenes (not for the faint of heart) Reading them makes me happy(pun intended) I'm not subject to 19th century medical practices!

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

I've got the second one on my Book Depository wishlist. Thought it might come in useful for my writing.

[happy]

I finished The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine

Great story. The author uses the Lister story to show the transformation of Surgery in the 19th century from a trade to a profession. Very gory in spots, but what a read. 4+ stars. Right now I've rounded down, but as I think about it, I might round up.

I also read a spy thriller by P.T. Deutermann



Set in modern day Washington D.C. It's a story of the take
down of the Chinese Intel network in DC and the Chinese reaction.

The GR reactions are all over the map (from 1 to 5 stars) I liked it and thought it was a solid 4 star read. Then again really like Deutermann's work.

Currently reading a new look at the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in July '45 just after she had delivered the Atomic Bomb parts to Tinian.

[Marilyn]

Finally got around to reading Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield thanks to Terri for helping me overcome my reluctance.

[May]

Marilyn, did you enjoy GATES OF FIRE? We have shared our copy w many friends!!

[Marilyn]

May, I have not finished yet. Some of the Greek words I get, some not. Have not got to Thermopylae yet.

[Allison]

Started A Plague on Both Your Houses by Susanna Gregory which is book #1 here on Goodreads but my book says right on the cover that it’s the third??

This better not be the third...I’m already 70 pages in.

[Jane]

Allie wrote: "Started A Plague on Both Your Houses by Susanna Gregory which is book #1 here on Goodreads but my book says right on the cover that it’s the third??

This better not be..."

What does it say on the title page or verso of the title page? I'd say either of them is more accurate.

[Jane]

Palast der blauen Delphine by Brigitte Riebe

ancient Crete, Ariadne/Theseus/ Minotaur myth.

[Dawn]

I can't find anything that says it's the Third book in the series. It's supposed to be the first, both by publication and chronological.

My copy of the book says it's the First.

[Allison]

Jane wrote: "Allie wrote: "Started A Plague on Both Your Houses by Susanna Gregory which is book #1 here on Goodreads but my book says right on the cover that it’s the third??

This..."

It says it’s the third chronicle of the Matthew Bartholomew series. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Allison]

Dawn wrote: "I can't find anything that says it's the Third book in the series. It's supposed to be the first, both by publication and chronological.

My copy of the book says it's the First."

Ok good.

Thanks!

[Bobby]

[happy]

I finished Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man

Good read. It is not just about the sinking and the deaths of appox 600 men in the water, but about the attempts of the survivors to get the Navy to undo the court martial of their Skipper, Capt Charles McVay for the loss of the ship. The last section is about the actual locating the wreck by Paul Allen's people in 2017.

a week 5 star read for me. The writing is a bit clunky in spots, but the story is that good.

My complete thoughts if anybody is interested

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

Currently I am actually reading some HF - a collection of 5 short stories by Michael Jecks, all set in the 1300s



very short - only 100 pages

[May]

I like Michael Jecks... which series are you reading?

[happy]

I really like him also. He was one the first Historical Mystery authors I read. I'm pretty much current on his serieses - seri?

I found the above on Thrift Books for like $1.99 and with a gift card my kids gave me for my birthday, bought it, along with some Edward Marston and Jeri Westerson novels that the library didn't have.

I've read 4 of the stories. While Sir Baldwin is in 3 of them, he is not the main character. Interesting to read about Sir Baldwin from someone else's viewpoint.

[May]

I’ll try to track it down... thanks for the suggestion

[Linda]

The Displaced: Fall of a Fortress - A Classic Historical Fiction Novel - Volume 1 by Freida Watt is the book I just opened. There were some good reviews.

To Bobby: Who dat?

[Jennifer]

I've just started 2 books (I always do this, start a couple and read the one that catches my interest first) Virgin to Victoria
by Trisha Hughes; and Blood and Ink by DK Marley. I've already read one of Marley's books and enjoyed it. She specializes in Shakespearean themes. Virgin to Victoria has started out very history-book-ish, but I don't mind that. We'll see! I just hit edit so I could add links to the books if anyone is interested, though I can't vouch for them yet. Virgin to Victoria Blood and Ink

[happy]

I finished For the Love of Old Bones: and Other Stories

Too short! Of the five stories 3 have Sir Baldwin as a character, but he is not the main character. All five are set in the 1300s. The last one is set at the beginning of the Black Death and is really sad.

All in all a weak 4 star rating

Currently read ( for a theme read in another group)



It a collection of first hand accounts from the men and, so far in a couple of accounts, their dependents of the Army that fought the Native Americans between the US Civil War and the end of the 19th Century. So far most of the accounts were written down between 30 and 40 yrs after the fact and the language concerning their opponents is decidedly NOT PC. I'm about 1/4 of the way through and it has been interesting.

One thing I found fascinating is that there were Active Indian War Veterans groups active well into the 1960s.

[Jared]

The Archer Series by Martin Archer - set directly after the 3rd Crusade - it tell's the story of an archer and his brother who overcome corruption and politics to start building an empire. Decent read but only in the 4th book.

[happy]

I finished INDIAN WAR VETERANS: Memories of Army Life and Campaigns in the West, 1864-1898

Let me start out with a disclaimer - this is NOT PC. There is no attempt at balance in the accounts. It is a collection of accounts, published mainly in Veteran's magazines, of the men, mainly enlisted (Pvts and Sgts) but with a few from jr officers and a even a couple from dependants, who fought the Native Americans between 1866-1898. Most of the accounts date from the 1920s and '30s.

My thoughts for those interested

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

I'm currenly reading an account of Thomas Jefferson and John Adam's friendship, estrangement and the renewal of their friendship after both had left politics.



After that I have a couple of Crispin Guest medieval mysteries on tap that I actually own

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4587...

[Linda]

I finished MOTH HORNET by Ken Follett yesterday and wrote a review on Goodreads. Even though the read was overly descriptive of peril after peril the protagonists found themselves in because they were not good spies, but study the importance of their mission, whether it was true or not. The book was a very good four star read in my opinion. Read the pro and con book reviews. The reviews usually dictate what I read. I am pleased that this was not the case in this book. The book was free when I ordered it.

[Linda]

Title correction: HORNET FLIGHT by Ken Follett.

[essie]

Alice wrote: "Just started by Karen Maitland. Set during the reign of King John. Good so far. My first book by Ms Maitland"

I love that book! I am also reading Maitland - The Plague Charmer. She is my favourite author, I would even say the best writer in medieval fiction.

[Linda]

I am reading OUR FATHER by James Farmer. The book/author search had over 100 hits, so I did not use it. The book is about Hitler in the time frame between the end of WWI and the start of WWII.

[Tamara]

I finished The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. It is a retelling of the Iliad mostly in the voice of Briseis, Achilles' concubine.

I posted my review in the Classical Antiquity thread.

[Ace]

Tamara wrote: "I finished The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. It is a retelling of the Iliad mostly in the voice of Briseis, Achilles' concubine.

I posted my review in the Clas..."

I have this one waiting to read Tamara.

[Tamara]

Ace wrote: "I have this one waiting to read Tamara..."

Great! Let me know what you think of it when you're done, Ace.