Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

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General Discussions > What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?)

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message 4251: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments I have been told that. Repeatedly!

I think I must needs go check your books now. I'm thinking my tbr is about to explode :/


message 4252: by happy (last edited Feb 25, 2014 11:34PM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Exponentally :)

These are the two I picked up

Das Reich The March of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Through France, June 1944 by Max Hastings

Bomber Command by Max Hastings


message 4253: by Allison (last edited Feb 26, 2014 12:09AM) (new)

Allison | 1704 comments I was just looking him up! I got Winston's War Churchill, 1940-1945 by Max Hastings off your "read" list. I'm thinking I will wait until tomorrow to go thru your "to be read" list. Give my tbr a break ;)


message 4254: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments In my not so humble opinion, he is one of two or three best military historians writing today. I recently finished his look at the beginnings of WW I and thought it was excellent

Catastrophe 1914 Europe Goes to War by Max Hastings

Now back to our regularly scheduled discussions of Historical Fiction, before Dawn or Teri smack on the hand 3 times with a wet noodle :)


message 4255: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) happy wrote: "Sounds interesting - her The Guns of August is the starting point for anyone looking at the beginnings of the Great War

I am also starting a WW I NON FICTION book

July 1914 Countdown to War..."


Added The Guns of August, it sounds like it will be a good companion piece to the one I'm reading now!

And your currently reading sounds quite interesting.


message 4256: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Derek wrote: "Not HF, but I'm reading Storm Front, which is a lot of fun, and Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism which is well....kind..."

I keep thinking I need to try a Dresden book.


message 4257: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Allie wrote: "I was just looking him up! I got Winston's War Churchill, 1940-1945 by Max Hastings off your "read" list. I'm thinking I will wait until tomorrow to go thru your "to be read" list. Give my tbr..."

I own this one, haven't quite managed to read it yet but it looks really good!


message 4258: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) happy wrote: "Now back to our regularly scheduled discussions of Historical Fiction, before Dawn or Teri smack on the hand 3 times with a wet noodle :)..."

Don't worry, this in one of those exempt threads! :)


message 4259: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Allie wrote: "I think I must needs go check your books now. I'm thinking my tbr is about to explode :/"

happy is one of my sources for good non-fiction too. :)


message 4260: by Linda (last edited Feb 26, 2014 12:33PM) (new)

Linda (ladylawyer8650) | 1702 comments Feud by Derek Birks
Enjoying this read!


message 4261: by Jon (last edited Feb 26, 2014 12:44PM) (new)

Jon As it seems to be WW2 night, I can highly recommend Cornelius Ryan's three books:


A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan

The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan

The Last Battle by Cornelius Ryan

Simply gripping.


message 4262: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments Added. Thanks Jon!


message 4263: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments The Fault in Our Stars by John Green


This is a "buddy" read with one of my daughters.


message 4264: by Allison (last edited Feb 26, 2014 04:18PM) (new)

Allison | 1704 comments That books been pretty popular. She will probably want to see the movie that's coming out too!


message 4265: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (caveatlector) Looks like a good choice Bobby!


message 4266: by C.P. (new)

C.P. Lesley (cplesley) | 564 comments I've been preoccupied with juggling the History Challenge, the TBR Challenge, and New Books in Historical Fiction—as well as revisions on my own book. But I just finished The Janissary Tree and am about to start Sworn Sword (finally).

Jane, do let us know what you think of The Tartar Steppe. I've been curious about it.


message 4267: by Jane (last edited Feb 26, 2014 05:26PM) (new)

Jane | 3480 comments I think this is one of the most amazing books I've ever read! There's not much 'action'; a young man has just been commissioned into the army [of an unknown country, unknown time period] and serves at a fort at the border of a steppe [actually rocky desert] from which Tartars across the border are expected to attack... it's dripping with atmosphere.

My review should be here: I gave it 5*****. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 4268: by C.P. (new)

C.P. Lesley (cplesley) | 564 comments Great review. Thanks for the link!


message 4269: by [deleted user] (new)

Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts. Only about half way through, but I can't say enough good things about this book. If you like to laugh, and at the same time learn some things about the transition of Eastern Europe from communism to capitalism, read this book.


message 4270: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments This is an enjoyable historical mystery:

All Roads Lead to Murder A Case from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger by Albert A. Bell Jr. All Roads Lead to Murder: A Case from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger Albert A. Bell Jr.. It's odd getting used to two people from history, Pliny the Younger and Cornelius Tacitus, as detectives. They're both smart, intelligent, and engaging.


message 4271: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments Derek wrote: "Ballad of the Whiskey Robber: A True Story of Bank Heists, Ice Hockey, Transylvanian Pelt Smuggling, Moonlighting Detectives, and Broken Hearts. Only about half way through, but I can'..."

I was just looking at that! Its like A & M members have been reading my mind...


message 4272: by [deleted user] (new)

You didn't know I was psychic, Allie? ;) It's a very entertaining book. It's also teaching me a lot of things about Hungary & Romania.


message 4273: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments Derek wrote: "You didn't know I was psychic, Allie? ;) It's a very entertaining book. It's also teaching me a lot of things about Hungary & Romania."

Ah! That explains it!


message 4274: by Betty (last edited Feb 28, 2014 08:38PM) (new)

Betty (betty30554) Trying to get my reading list caught up here:
The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell - This is the most recent of the Saxon series. 5 stars. I got the impression that Cornwell may be trying to wrap this series up.
Constantinopolis by James D. Shipman - A slightly different presentation of the fall of Constantinople in 1453 (this version came VERY close to making me cry). 4 stars.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - The first one of her's that I have read. 3 stars.
Caesar's Sword by David Pilling - The african campaign, early A.D.
Before Bethlehem - 2 stars.
Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and the Fianna of Ireland - Interesting and entertaining Irish mythology, but don't expect a quick read. Still 3 stars.
Wolves of Rome by Christopher Lee Buckner - 3rd Century B.C., Hannibal's invasion of Italy from a centurion's perspective. Definitely a strong 4 star read.


message 4275: by Darcy (new)

Darcy (drokka) | 2675 comments A note on Cornwell's Saxon series: I believe others felt the same as you regarding The Burning Land, but altered their perceptions once they read the newest in the series The Pagan Lord. That and in an interview Cornwell's stated he had no plan in wrapping it up any time soon. Which of course was received with great applause. :)


message 4276: by Betty (new)

Betty (betty30554) Darcy wrote: "A note on Cornwell's Saxon series: I believe others felt the same as you regarding The Burning Land, but altered their perceptions once they read the newest in the series [book:The Pagan Lord|1785..."

Had not heard aabout the new book. I am so glad he is not ending the Saxon books - gotta admit I really like Uhtred.


message 4277: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Sir Gawain and the Green Knight


Had this on my TBR list for a long time. Finally found a copy.


message 4278: by Erica (new)

Erica | 77 comments I'm reading The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great , not that far into it but enjoying it so far. Also reading Wolves of Rome that I downloaded on my kindle for free. It's very well written.


message 4279: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments I've just started Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier Night Train to Lisbon / Pascal Mercier: contemporary, set in Switzerland and Portugal.
I read All Roads Lead to Murder: A Case from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger quickly--light historical mystery.


message 4280: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments Linda wrote: "Finished FEUD, Posted review on Amazon and Goodreads."

Feud (Rebels & Brothers 1) by Derek Birks


message 4281: by Suzanne (new)

Suzanne (suzanne_d) | 34 comments Well, I got away from HF for a while and have been working through the Phil Rickman back catalogue for a bit - he's often tagged as a 'horror' writer but I find his books (especially the Merrily Watkins series) to be more in the order of mysteries with a supernatural edge. But now I am back to HF and about halfway through The Pagan Lord. I must admit I found it slow going to start with it but now it is into the swing of the story I'm enjoying it more.


message 4282: by Chris (new)

Chris | 1 comments I'm about 60% of the way through reading 'The Monuments Men'. I saw the movie two weeks ago. Great story.


message 4283: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I went a took in the movie last weekend - I enjoyed it alot more than I thought I would - Bill Murray is looking old!

Now I HAVE to read the book :)


message 4284: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments Chris wrote: "I'm about 60% of the way through reading 'The Monuments Men'. I saw the movie two weeks ago. Great story."

Want to see the movie so bad! But I hang out with losers who want to see chick flicks instead of good movies lol. Book went into my tbr.


message 4285: by Jack (new)

Jack Rieger I have not bought the pagan lord yet but soon I will right now I am reading Heretic also by Bernard cornwell


message 4286: by C.P. (last edited Mar 03, 2014 07:30PM) (new)

C.P. Lesley (cplesley) | 564 comments Sixty percent or so through Sworn Sword and enjoying it very much.

Sorry I've been so absent the last few weeks. I was sick, then preoccupied with revisions, but things should ease up now. It would be nice if we could have three whole days without snow....


message 4287: by Missy (last edited Mar 03, 2014 09:15PM) (new)

Missy G | 16 comments "Currently reading 3 books trying to determine which I shall continue to read, The Secret diary of Anne Boleyn, The Queens Bastard,Dreaming the Eagle,oh,and,The Kings Concubine.Any suggestions? I really love Bernard Cornwell, I enjoy Philippa Gregory as well...


message 4288: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments This one: The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn so you can tell me how it is ;)


message 4289: by Missy (new)

Missy G | 16 comments Allie, you got it! Lol


message 4290: by Allison (new)

Allison | 1704 comments Yay! :)


message 4291: by happy (last edited Mar 04, 2014 01:09AM) (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Finished July 1914: Countdown to War - good look at the diplomacy that occured between the assissination of Franz Ferdinand and the outbreak of WW I - slightly revisionistic I rated it 4 stars maybe a touch higher

Currently reading one from one of my guilty pleasure authors - W.E.B Griffin

Covert Warriors (Presidential Agent, #7) by W.E.B. Griffin


message 4292: by Jesse (new)

Jesse happy wrote: "Finished July 1914: Countdown to War - good look at the diplomacy that occured between the assissination of Franz Ferdinand and the outbreak of WW I - slightly revisionistic I rate..."

Nice happy! Finished that one last year myself. Have you been following this entire series? The reviews for the most rceent installment have been extremely poor. Apparently, Griffin decided to try his hand at satire and it did not really conect with his usual target audience.
Anyway, enjoy Covert Warriors, it is a good one.


message 4293: by Bobby (new)

Bobby (bobbej) | 1375 comments The Ten Thousand A Novel of Ancient Greece by Michael Curtis Ford
and
Goat Mountain by David Vann


message 4294: by Linda (new)

Linda Enjoying Sharpe's Tiger


message 4295: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments Jesse wrote: ...
Nice happy! Finished that one last year myself. Have you been following this entire series? The reviews for the most rceent installment have been extremely poor...


I've read just about everything Griffin has written, except for the police series. Somehow I got behind on this series. I have the next volume on hold for me at the library.


message 4296: by Jesse (new)

Jesse The Judas Strain (Sigma Force, #4) by James Rollins Just started this one last night


message 4297: by Jane (new)

Jane | 3480 comments Started Electra by Henry Treece Electra / Henry Treece.
Enjoying it so far, imaginative retelling of the Electra myth, and if the rest is as good as the classical Greek plays or R. Strauss's opera, Elektra, I'll be pleased indeed.


message 4298: by Simona (new)

Simona | 1453 comments Linda wrote: "Enjoying Sharpe's Tiger"

...and who is your gorgeous new avatar?


message 4299: by happy (new)

happy (happyone) | 2782 comments I'll finish Covert Warriors tomorrow - I'ts been a little uneven, I think Griffin has lost something with the transition to his son.

Up next is either

Dominion by C.J. Sansom or
In the Garden of Beasts Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson

both are due back to the library at the same time :)


message 4300: by Jesse (new)

Jesse happy wrote: "I'll finish Covert Warriors tomorrow - I'ts been a little uneven, I think Griffin has lost something with the transition to his son.

Up next is either

[bookcover:Dominion|157709..."


Let me know if you start Larson, I have it on my shelf but have not pushed myself to start it yet. Would be interested in your thoughts and if I should move it up in my Que.


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