It rained on and ruined my crossword puzzle book when I thoughtlessly left it outside one night. So I've been working through the stacks. Unfortunately, I haven't been exposed to a group that discusses the War of the Roses, 'Nam, Korea, or Plan Orange, so my motivation is minimal to read anything else. I have been tempted by 1776 (I think I have it somewhere around here, but I know I have books on Adams and Washington and Jefferson and Christophe Columbo), but the catch-up on this board alone will occupy at least the next year (unless I find my anacrostic book in the stacks).
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Just read about the Seminole Wars and also Geronimo's autobiography (Sun-Mon). Currently reading Michael Priest's, "Before Antietam: The Battle of South Mountain."
I've just come back from vacation, where I had time to read three good ones.
"Yiddish Civilization" about the Jews of Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages to the 1940s.
"Satyricon" a satire on Roman society written at the time of Nero. I don't know any Latin, and had a very readable English translation. Raw, but funny.
"Postwar" A history of Europe from 1945 to 2005. I'm half way through it. Great line by Charles de Gaulle, its the 50s and he's made a treaty with the traditional enemy, West Germany. "You are a great people," he tells the German crowd, and they cheer, "If you were a great people,"he then muttered to an aide, "you wouldn't cheer me."
Geronimo's autobiography was fascinating. He talked about how he was hardened by his father by running four miles daily up the mountain. He spoke of long treks with little provisions (they lived off the land as only an Indian could do). He spoke of hunting bear and lion with spear, bow & knife (too macho for me). He spoke of their raids into Mexico and fighting the Mexicans. My only complaint is that it is TOO short but that is the way of many Indians (laconic). It's a one day read.
London
by Edward Rutherfurd
Great book about the birth of the great city of London. From pre-Roman times thru today.
Heavy on details, but I like that sort a thang!
Just finished 1776, although I was interrupted a lot whilst reading it, so I had a hard time sticking to it. It is a good book, but a lot of bad news, one thing after another. If you have the Adams bio around by McCollough, I'd start with that as it is a real good read.
I am starting The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan, about the Dust Bowl as told through the stories of those who survived. I like that type of book as it adds some historical research to buttress the stories. The book starts out talking about Sheridan and his eliminate the Indian policy on the plains...
Also in the soon to be read stack, Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks (same author of March, which I am saving for up at the lake in two weeks). This is about the year 1666 which saw in England: the plague, the fire of London, and a war with the Dutch.
I sort of look over my list and go, hmm, nothing light and fluffy here. But reading about how others have had to suffer a lot in the past is a good reminder to be living an 'attitude of gratitude' for what I have.
__________________ "Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them. Make the best of them. Turn them to your advantage." - R. E. Lee
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