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Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Huntn
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I just began reading Swarm (Star Force series, book 1), by B. V. Larson. It is the first book in a series of 12 and I really like it so far.
Just started this:
I read "Bobby Fischer goes to war" a long time ago, and it did a decent job. Let's see if Frank Brady is up to the task of what is arguably one of the most difficult bios that can be written. Brady also profiled Fischer in an older book, Bobby Fischer: Profile of a Prodigy, a book I read in my teenage years which contains most, if not all of Fischer's games.
I finished Brady's "Endgame". Oh my what a well written, insightful, informative adventure in the story and the mind of one of the most controversial public figures it was. I give this book an A+, a 10/10, 5 stars. I could not put this one down, and I loved that it actually killed a few urban legends on the chess champion all while adding new material that most people don't know.
I can't suggest this book enough.
Lately I've begun reading Sam van Schaik’s Tibet: A History. As a child I thought even the 1920s, the years spoken of fondly by my great great aunts, were all just so much ancient history. I have to laugh at that now while reading my way past the 1020s in van Schaik’s account of Tibet.
I’m only up to the chapter on Keepers of the Flame, 797-1054, somewhere around 20% of a 300 page book. It’s fascinating but not exactly a page turner. In some ways it’s reassuring to realize that modern times are hardly the wellsprings of, let’s say, factional conflicts.
For me it's the perfect book to get from mid-January to the day the groundhog seeks his shadow and the calendar for spring. I’ll be sorry to have reached the last of its pages, I think. It’s becoming a sort of background companion to my meditative moments in the meantime.
I’m only up to the chapter on Keepers of the Flame, 797-1054, somewhere around 20% of a 300 page book. It’s fascinating but not exactly a page turner. In some ways it’s reassuring to realize that modern times are hardly the wellsprings of, let’s say, factional conflicts.
For me it's the perfect book to get from mid-January to the day the groundhog seeks his shadow and the calendar for spring. I’ll be sorry to have reached the last of its pages, I think. It’s becoming a sort of background companion to my meditative moments in the meantime.
Lately I've begun reading Sam van Schaik’s Tibet: A History. As a child I thought even the 1920s, the years spoken of fondly by my great great aunts, were all just so much ancient history. I have to laugh at that now while reading my way past the 1020s in van Schaik’s account of Tibet.
I’m only up to the chapter on Keepers of the Flame, 797-1054, somewhere around 20% of a 300 page book. It’s fascinating but not exactly a page turner. In some ways it’s reassuring to realize that modern times are hardly the wellsprings of, let’s say, factional conflicts.
For me it's the perfect book to get from mid-January to the day the groundhog seeks his shadow and the calendar for spring. I’ll be sorry to have reached the last of its pages, I think. It’s becoming a sort of background companion to my meditative moments in the meantime.
Some years ago, I did a bit of reading on various religions, - a kind of intellectual and spiritual journey, though that makes it sound 'heavier' than it was, although intellectual inquiry and spiritual curiosity did prompt the theological and philosophical tourism.
Anyway, my reading included a very nicely written history of Buddhism, and yes, having contemplated some of the core ideas - and found them rather attractive - I do recall my surprise at the accounts of internecine conflict and faction fighting that bedevilled Buddhism at that time.
Jim Butcher's Storm Front. Recommended for both the books and the TV show, it helped while away a couple of lonely hours. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
I guess I'm a little late to this thread. I was an Eragon thread though the last book in that series wasn't terribly satisfying, IMHO.
I am currently reading Tom Clancy's True Faith and Allegiance. Clancy, Cussler, and Coonts - Always good reads.
Jeff
Currently reading on a 9.7" iPad Pro with True Tone ... really liking the True Tone.
Ah, right. Then, that will have to appear on my reading list. Thank you.
I just finished A Rising Thunder, excellent book. I'm now in the process of determining the best way to move forward with this series and the conflict with the Solarian League. Apparently there was no direct sequel that was written. See the Honor Harrington thread in this forum for more.
Just this week finished Hilary Mantel's A Place of Greater Safety. I have read it, at an estimate, about 10 times.
For me it is the perfect blend of subject (French Revolution) and author.
Next up:
In Search of Sir Thomas Browne by Hugh Aldersey-Williams
For me it is the perfect blend of subject (French Revolution) and author.
Next up:
In Search of Sir Thomas Browne by Hugh Aldersey-Williams
Loved Hilary Mantel's "A Place Of Greater Safety". A fantastically good book.
Actually, I read it 15 years ago - a former student of mine had recommended it very passionately to me, surprised that I had never heard of her (which I hadn't until then); he gave me his copy to read and I was absolutely captivated - a brilliant book.
Since then, of course, I have read both "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up The Bodies" - both stunning works, - with meticulous history and an intelligent interpretation - and was privileged to see the stage adaptation of both "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up the Bodies" - (retitled "Wolf Hall I & II" for Broadway) by the RSC when they played at the Aldwych in 2014.
My wife and I watched most of the first episode, but it moved very slowly. I am currently reading it, but haven't made up my mind yet.
Which book are you discussing?
Wolf Hall?
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Was there a series about (or adapted from) the Jonathan Strange book?
Glad to hear you found it "A Place of Greater Safety" a worthwhile read as well.
Yes, the Wolf Hall books are excellent — and as with "A Place of Greater Safety" I think it is her ability to convince of the humanity to be found even in some not very agreeable people. Empathy for Robespierre and Cromwell.
I hope the final part of the trilogy ("The Mirror and the Light") will be as good. Can she pull it off ("Most gracious Prince, I cry for mercy! Mercy! Mercy!") and win the Booker for all three? That would be a feat!
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Heresy alert!
I am not convinced by "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell". I find it just too self important. Far longer than it need have been and the "magic" wears off for me. Also I am instantly suspicious of a book that arrives with fanfare and hype attendant.
I did watch the series. In fact I'd say the BBC series probably did as good a job as you could do with the material.
But I would still recommend anyone try it.
Though I suspect it is very much in the "Moby Dick" mould where it is more claimed to have been read than ever actually finished. It looks good on a bookshelf.
I'm almost done reading the "Mistborn trilogy" by Brandon Sanderson
In my opinion it's an American version of the "Lord of the Rings", but with major differences obviously. As long as the book doesn't have a stupid ending it's a pretty good read.
In my opinion it's an American version of the "Lord of the Rings", but with major differences obviously. As long as the book doesn't have a stupid ending it's a pretty good read.
I actually think that she can - her mastery of the sources and ability to interpret them and link them is impressive.
Most of the professional historians specialising in that field have (now, belatedly) acknowledged that her reading of the importance of the Cardinal Wolsey-Thomas Cromwell relationship or connection (which they had all missed the full significance of) - as mentor, role model, employer, - is spot on.
Likewise, Thomas Cromwell's strained relationship with Norfolk is well sketched in the books, as were his genuine friendships with both Thomas Cranmer, and Thomas Wyatt.
I would be very surprised if Hilary Mantel had not come across an account of an extraordinary dinner attended by Henry, Cranmer, Norfolk and Thomas Cromwell (in Cranmer's house) in the summer of 1539 where Norfolk and Thomas Cromwell had a blazing row about Wolsey (this dinner - and the heated argument - is described in a biography of Norfolk).
Re "Most gracious Prince, I cry for mercy! Mercy! Mercy!" this can be interpreted a number of ways. Some sources argue that Cromwell the bully turned into a craven coward when facing death.
I don't think this is quite the case: Rather, I think it comes from two - three - things: Firstly, TC knew that Henry loved to think of himself as merciful, and loved displays of supplication that fed this self image.
More to the point, I think that the "mercy" TC sought was not reprieve - that wasn't Henry's style, - but, rather, that TC was also trying to ensure that he himself did not receive the manner and means of death reserved for commoners - (hanging, drawing and quartering), but rather, would be dispatched by the swifter - and less humiliating - form of execution reserved for the aristocracy (beheading).
And, I expect that he was trying to ensure his family's position after his death.
Furthermore, it is telling that he wasn't actually put on trial - in fact, and in law, the case against him was nonsense - but, had he been, I'd imagine that he would have given a very good account of himself in his own defence.
No, I don't think that it is an American version of The Lord Of The Rings; the magic system alone is entirely original and internally logically consistent, while the story - especially the first book - is excellent, with well sketched characters, and a thought provoking narrative arc.
Thank you for your most excellent reply. As a History teacher (if I remember correctly) you have the advantage over me.
My "favourite" periods of history seem to coincide with my love of the music composed in that period. So late 18th C through to and including WWI.
I came to Tudor history relatively late, but am picking it up as I go along in years.
Yes, exactly that! How will Hilary Mantel play it out. I agree, that cry for mercy is not about cowardice (though who would not want to stave off the promise of excruciating pain). I agree his family's future probably would be the most important thing — he always had his eye — at least this fictional TC — on the longer game.
Imagine what a piece of drama "The Trial of Thomas Cromwell" could have made.
Thank you for your most excellent reply. As a History teacher (if I remember correctly) you have the advantage over me.
My "favourite" periods of history seem to coincide with my love of the music composed in that period. So late 18th C through to and including WWI.
I came to Tudor history relatively late, but am picking it up as I go along in years.
Yes, exactly that! How will Hilary Mantel play it out. I agree, that cry for mercy is not about cowardice (though who would not want to stave off the promise of excruciating pain). I agree his family's future probably would be the most important thing — he always had his eye — at least this fictional TC — on the longer game.
Imagine what a piece of drama "The Trial of Thomas Cromwell" could have made.
But even reading some of the work of historians in this era makes you realise that sometimes, they really don't "join the dots" or link up stuff that is lying under their noses. Hilary Mantel has been exceptionally good at that - her historiography is meticulous, as is her respect for her source material.
And personal relationships (messy, complicated, not always strictly rational) inform political and historical acts, and decisions every bit as much as do ambition, greed, belief systems, ideologies, and philosophies, something also not missed by Hilary Mantel.
It wasn't just the fact of the Anne of Cleves marriage that (ultimately) sank Cromwell, and it wasn't just that he delayed "uncharacteristically" - as one source I seem to recall reading tried to suggest - in trying to extricate the King from this marriage. Rather, it seems to me, this was a situation where the alternatives were even more unpalatable, and that, as a consequence,- for possibly the first time in his life - he couldn't see a way forward without putting himself in mortal peril.
Needless to say, he (TC) could have engineered a dissolution of the Cleves marriage - none better - as he, in fact, eventually did, and from his cell in the Tower - for Henry, sadistic to the end, kept him alive long enough to tidy up the loose ends of the Cleves marriage. Indeed, Anne of Cleves herself is one of the very few people from that entire era to emerge with credit, honour, wit, life, liberty - and a secure income - all intact - she outlived the lot of them, dying happy and wealthy.
No, Thomas Cromwell's first problem was that Henry had already fallen for Catherine Howard - another of Norfolk's nieces - and releasing him from the Cleves marriage would free him to marry Catherine (as happened), and thus, put Norfolk - who by 1540 was an implacable and increasingly powerful enemy of TC's - into an exceptionally influential position in Court and Government, and in a position to ally himself with Stephen Gardiner - who had long loathed Cromwell (as Mantel also makes clear).
The other problem for TC was that Henry had decided that the Reformation (welcome sums of money and filling of state coffers aside) had gone on long enough; liturgically, and theologically, he was never a radical - he had just wanted a dissolution of the Catherine of Aragon marriage which the Pope - under the thumb of Charles V (who was also Catherine's nephew) and who had sacked Rome in 1527 - was in no position to deliver.
So, by 1540, the 'conservatives' were once again, in the ascendent, and reformers - and here, I think, Mantel is right, as well, TC was genuinely on the side of religious reform - were compelled to reverse course, or, at the very least, be less visible and vocal.
And, while, by April 1540, TC had indeed been elevated to the 'high' peerage when he was made Earl of Essex, what has attracted less attention is that he seems to have been compelled to surrender - or divide up the powers of - the "secretaryship" (the old "Master Secretary" post that was the source of his power and authority) at around the same time. He also seems to have lost the services of his loyal protégé, Rafe Sadler, (who was kept with the secretaryship) at precisely the same time, which must have had the effect of exposing him and eroding his power base, and his control of the Commons - for the first time ever - had become less secure.
Certainly, contemporary documents - and diplomatic reports - again, Mantel is very good on Eustace Chapuys - describe Cromwell as "tottering" to his fall from around Easter 1540, at exactly the time when he had been elevated to the earldom of Essex.
I cannot imagine that Hilary Mantel will not have found a way to tie together all of this; Norfolk and Cromwell had publicly fallen out at that dinner - over Wolsey - in 1539, and, while having two of his most powerful subjects at daggers drawn must have been somewhat uncomfortable for Henry (who has been given far too easy a historical press to my mind), he seems to have tried to have kept both of them on board for a number of months, and yet, within two years, he had discarded the pair of them, both - ostensibly - over failed marriages, the Cleves debacle for Cromwell, and the Howard disaster which, in turn, led to Norfolk being cast into complete disgrace (and eventually, after the execution of Surrey, his son, imprisonment in the Tower, where he survived Henry by the narrowest and luckiest of margins).
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Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave
Written By Himself
Written By Himself