The History Book Club discussion

Here is your new thread for 2013.

Our Format:

JANUARY

1. Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

Note: I will delete required format post once you get started.

JANUARY

1. Adriana Trigiani
Finish date: January 19
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B
Review: An epic tale spanning 30 years in the early 20th century that follows the lives of Enza and Ciro, who meet as poor teen-agers and emigrate separately to America. They eventually marry and build a life in Minnesota. The story begins when recently widowed Caterina, mother to Ciro and Eduadro, abandons the young brothers to the care of convent nuns. The beautiful, resourceful, and talented Enza lives in a nearby village. There’s an immediate connection when, at age 15, Enza and Ciro meet briefly. Circumstances intervene when Ciro is sent forcibly to America to apprentice as a shoemaker. Enza arrives a little later, eventually using her talent as a seamstress to work in costuming at the Metropolitan Opera.

I really liked the descriptive passages in the book- lush descriptions of northern Italy, details of the immigrant experience in New York in the early 1900s, including buildings, clothes, food, etc. Themes of family loyalty, perseverance in the face of hardship and tragic circumstances, the power of love and friendship – all are fleshed out in the storyline and cast of characters. However, so often, details that would more fully explain the motivations and feelings of the characters and add depth to the story are glaringly missing or given very short shrift. Some coincidental or fatalistic encounters between Enza and Ciro just aren’t believable.

This isn’t a perfect book; neither is it fatally flawed. Read it if you are in the mood for a big, juicy epic family tale that tugs at the heartstrings or like a book with lots of evocative, descriptive passages and period detail.

Excellent, Donna, put the month in bold and you got it. :-). Let me know if you need help on that, you can use the (click some html is ok) button.

Bryan wrote: "Excellent, Donna, put the month in bold and you got it. :-). Let me know if you need help on that, you can use the (click some html is ok) button."

Thank you, Bryan. I didn't know how to do that. Love learning new things!

2. by Annemarie Neary

Finish Date: January 21
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: This is a wonderful story about the struggles of Oskar, a reluctant German airman, and Elsa, his Jewish neighbor and sweetheart. The two are separated as pressures mount against German Jews and Elsa relocates to Ireland, a neutral country during WWII. Oscar makes an irrevocable deciscion in an attempt to find Elsa and reconcile with her. Through the experiences and emotions of Oskar, Elsa, and others with whom their lives intertwine, the author portrays what it must have been like for many everyday people living through this time in history. The writing is beautiful and concise and the story is compelling to the end.

3. by Jon Meacham

Finish Date: January 27
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: B
Review: To be added later

4. by Susanna Kearsley

Finish Date: January 29
Genre: Historical Fiction/Time Travel
Rating: B
Review: Grieving the loss of her sister, Eva travels from California to a seaside village in Cornwall, England, where they had spent many happy summers vacations. She is welcomed by her childhood friends to the historic manor house where her family had stayed. Disarmingly, she begins to find herself slipping back in time where she encounters some 17th century inhabitants of the house, including the charming Butler brothers, smugglers who are aligned with the Jacobite cause. Inevitably, Eva must decide where and with whom she really belongs.

This is a fun, romantic book that was hard to put down. I like Susanna Kearsley's writing and enjoyed this book immensely.

5. by Bill Bryson

Finish Date: January 31
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: B
Review: At Home is chockfull of fascinating and detailed information about the origin of, well, just about everything. Bryson uses the rooms of his English country house (a former rectory) to create an organizational structure for laying out all of his exhaustively researched facts. At times the connections are very tenuous and Bryson has to make them explicit for the reader. Because of this lack of connectivity, it's a difficult book to read straight through. However, it was interesting and very enjoyable when taken in small doses at a time.

I really like Bryson's books, My favorite is:

by Bill Bryson

Jill wrote: "I really like Bryson's books, My favorite is:

by Bill Bryson"

This was my first book by Bryson although I do have A Walk in the Woods on my TBR shelves. I enjoyed his writing and wit.
by Bill Bryson

FEBRUARY

6. by Andrew M. Greeley(no photo)
Finish Date: February 2
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Rating: B+
Review: With a backdrop of the 1920s Irish civil war but set in contemporary times, this is a very entertaining novel with romance, mystery, suspense and two very engaging main characters in Dermot and Nuala. Very good!

7. by Alan Bradley
Finish Date: February 3
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery (Flavia de Luce Novel #5)
Rating: B
Review: I have loved all of the Flavia de Luce mysteries but thought this latest one was a little thin. Also, Flavia does some scary things in this one that I can't imagine any 11-year-old doing - even the intrepid Flavia. But, it was still a fun read and there's a cliffhanger at the end, so I'll definitely be awaiting the next installment.

8. by Simon Mawer
Finish Date: February 6
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: This is a fascinating and suspenseful story about Marian, a young, French-speaking English woman who is recruited by the French Section of the Special Operations Executive to join the French resistance movement on the ground in occupied France. She soon discovers that at least part of the reason she was chosen was because of her closeness to Clement, a French scientist who could prove very useful to the war effort outside of France.

The writing is a little uneven but overall a solid novel with lots to recommend, all the more so because it's based on the fact that 39 women were sent into the field by the SOE between 1941-44, only 26 of whom survived the war.

9. by Jennifer Donnelly
Finish Date: February 14
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: This doorstopper has been on my TBR shelf for a while. It's a very readable rags-to-riches tale about Fiona and Joe, two beautiful, talented, ambitious young people who grow up extremely poor on London's East end and, well, let's just say they do very well for themselves. Lots of period detail, romance, melodrama, suspense, and a terrific ending. I enjoyed reading it and the pages flew by - biblio comfort food.

10. by Jhumpa Lahiri
Finish Date: February 15
Genre: Fiction
Rating: A
Review: This is a book of short stories, some that take place in India and others about Indians who have immigrated to America, so the cultural aspects are interesting. However, the universal themes of love, family, home (and being away from home), and community make the characters highly relatable. The arc of each story is perfect and the language beautiful without being the least bit pretentious. My favorite was the last one, "The Third and Final Continent." Excellent book to be savored.

Donna,
I like your eclectic mix of books. I love Bill Bryson.

Have you read Lahiri's THE NAMESAKE? It's also very good and was made into an excellent movie.

Jhumpa Lahiri

Ann wrote: "Donna,
I like your eclectic mix of books. I love Bill Bryson.

Have you read Lahiri's THE NAMESAKE? It's also very good and was made into an excellent movie.

[author..."

Thanks, Ann. For years I read NF almost exclusively so I'm enjoying branching out. Did not read the book but agree that the movie was excellent.

DonnaR wrote: "9. by Jennifer Donnelly
Finish Date: February 14
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: This doorstopper has been on my TBR..."

I just finished this! I was surprised to read that this was Jennifer Donnelly first novel. An easy read but quite the page turner.

11. by Nelson DeMille

Finish Date: February 17
Genre: Fiction
Rating: A
Review: A classic Russian spy thriller and so much more-not to be missed.

DonnaR wrote: "11. by Nelson DeMille

Finish Date: February 17
Genre: Fiction
Rating: A
Review: A classic Russian spy thriller and so much mor..."

Is this an old book? I vaguely recall reading it.

Yes, 1988.

Donna R - what an interesting collection of books read.

12. by Marita Conlon-McKenna

Finish Date: February 22
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: The Magdalen Laundries in Ireland were state-sanctioned work houses run by nuns where young girls and women were sent who had shamed their families, primarily by becoming pregnant out of wedlock. The "Maggies" worked for no wages in very poor conditions, enduring mistreatment and hardship. Marita Conlon-McKenna used her conversations with survivors of the laundries to create this well-written novel about the fictional character, Esther Doyle, and her experiences at the Sisters of the Holy Saints Magdalen Home for Wayward Girls and Fallen Women in Dublin. The Magdalen Laundries are much in the news in Ireland today as the head of the Irish Parliament has recently issued a formal state apology to the 80 living Magdalen survivors and the government has established a fund to provide financial compensation to these women.

Glad to learn of this author's short stories. Thanks

MARCH

13. by Edward Rutherfurd

Date Finished: March 3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: A lengthy saga about the history of Dublin and its surrounds from 430 - 1533 CE. Fictional families are linked through the centuries and interspersed with key historical events and people. There was some slow going in places for me, but overall a very engaging book that gave me a better understanding of the long-standing struggles between Ireland and England.

14. by Andrew M. Greeley(no photo)

Date Finished: March 5
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: This is the second in this history-mystery series which finds Nuala and Dermot back in Chicago. When Nuala has a vision of death and dying near the site of a former Civil War prison camp, the duo seeks to find the truth about an escape conspiracy and a missing letter from Abraham Lincoln. A fun read but I must say Nuala's unfaltering perfection is becoming a little grating.

15. by J.S. Dunn

Date Finished: March 18
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B
Review: The setting is 2200 BCE along the Boyne River valley in Ireland. Tensions mount when a group of war-like, metal-seeking intruders settle next to the Starwatchers, a peaceful community of astronomers and farmers. The beautiful and brave Starwatcher, Boann, is forced into marriage with Elcmar, the leader of the intruders. She manages to maintain a certain level of independence and is able to see that her young son, Aengus, is schooled in the knowledge of the Starwatchers. Her lover, Cian, joins the intruders in travels across the sea and, eventually, is able to aid from afar his struggling Starwatcher tribe.

The story combines archeological details about the process of copper smelting at the beginning of the Bronze Age with ancient Irish mythological figures and the purpose and meaning of ancient mounds and stone carvings. It is interesting speculative fiction based on scientific discoveries and mythological traditions. I found the story line less satisfying than the embedded historical information.

16. by Joseph O'Connor
Date Finished: March 21
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A+
Review: Star of the Sea is a literary, gothic-inspired novel about a ship carrying Irish immigrants to America in 1847 in the depths of The Famine. Among the passengers are a cobbled, mysterious loner referred to as “the monster”, a recently bankrupted, aristocratic landowner with his wife and children, their beautiful, enigmatic nanny, and an idealistic American journalist who is the chronicler of the tale. As the ship traverses the howling winds and stormy seas, past lives and secrets are revealed and we learn that someone is about to be murdered.

What a wonderful book! Once I had finished reading it, I wanted to start all over again.

17. by Colm Tóibín

Date Finished: March 27
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A+
Review: A lovely, literary book about the life of writer Henry James. The author used books and correspondences to capture the essence of James - his inner life, relationships, and the genesis of the ideas for his novels and characters. The book is not plot driven, but reads like a memoir told in the third person. It is very moving and contains some of the most beautiful prose I've read.

18. by Henry James

Date Finished: March 27
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: B-
Review: In this psychological thriller, a young governess, upon arriving at the country home of her employer, begins seeing apparitions. Before long, she suspects the two young children in her charge of being complicit in some form of evil. There has been much debate about the meaning of the ambiguous and unresolved aspects of this novella. I choose to take James at his word: "It is a piece of ingenuity pure and simple, of cold artistic calculation, an amusette to catch those not easily caught..."

Unfortunately, I found James's writing style as convoluted and difficult as I did when I first read him back in my college days.

Donna.....you are a brave woman. The Turn of the Screw is one of the few books that I just could not finish and I tried two different times. I realize that it is a classic but it was just too wordy and, as you said, convoluted, for me to enjoy it. So, good for you!!

by Henry James

Ha, thanks, Jill. A frustrating reading experience, to be sure.

19. by Madeline Miller

Date Finished: March 29
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B-
Review: This book tells a version of the story of Achilles and Patroclus and the beginning of the Trojan War. I enjoyed it once I got over the fact that it was not the book I thought it was going to be based on the advertising blurbs, especially those comparing the author to Mary Renault. Madeline Miller is talented and the book was entertaining but I prefer historical fiction that is a bit more nuanced and atmospheric.
Mary Renault

APRIL

20. by Laurent Binet translated from the French by Sam Taylor
Date Finished: April 2
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A+
Review: This book needs a long review to do it justice but I don't think most people read long reviews so I'll try to keep it short. I think the author's intent was to write a literay novel that retells a historical event that he cares passionately about while giving the reader much food for thought about how history is remembered and revised when it is retold in books and films.

He unravels the true story of two young resistance fighters, a Czech and a Slovak, who are recruited in London to parachute into Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and assassinate the man known as the “Butcher of Prague”, Reinhard Heydrich. Interwoven with this highly detailed and suspenseful story are Binet’s first person thoughts and the decisions he makes during the writing process. He seems to be commenting on what he sees as the dubious nature of historical fiction as a genre, the human tendency to create preferred stories from historical events in order to make a “better story” and whether or not any re-teller of history can be totally reliable, even eye witnesses. These interludes were distracting at times but mostly thought provoking. The historical events he describes are alternately horrific and inspiring and totally unforgettable.

21. by Anthony Shadid (no photo available)

Finish Date: April 18
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir
Rating: B
Review: TBA
Middle Eastern Challenge: Book 1, Lebanon

22. by Peter Troy

Finish Date: April 23
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: This is a wonderul Civil War era saga told from the voices of four people - Irish born Ethan, the beautiful and headstrong Marcella, and slaves Mary and Micah. All four become exiled from their childhood homes and traverse different paths until, gradually, the war and circumstances bring them together. Not without minor flaws but a beautiful story that is heartwarming and ultimately uplifting. I loved this one.

23. by David W. Lesch (no photo)

Finish Date: April 25
Genre: Nonfiction/Current Events
Rating: A
Review: I recommend this book to anyone who would like a concise, understandable review of the ongoing Syrian revolution. First, the author gives some brief background information describing the conditions in Syria and the rest of the Middle East that made it ripe for the uprising that began in the spring of 2011. Next he explains the response of Assad and his regime, the increasing violence, the nature of the opposition factions, and the reaction from the rest of the world through to the beginning of 2012.

Middle Eastern Challenge: Book 2, Syria

24.
by Bob Harper(no photo)

Finish Date: April 26
Genre: Nonfiction/Weight Loss
Rating: B
Review: Another plan for those of us on the unending search for the quick fix. This is a very low calorie diet plan (lots of lean protein and veggies) that is meant to be short term. Complete recipes are included for every meal and exercizes are described with photos. I think if I could do 1/2 of these things I would look better in three weeks

Calories in - calories out = you.

But there's also evidence that severe restriction of calories puts your body into "starvation mode" where it burns fewer calories. So, if we reduce "calories in" too much "calories out" goes down too.

This was probably an adaptation to periodic famine; in fact, some people think our tendency to overeat is also an adaptation to periodic famine. But, these days, at least for the vast majority of humans, there are no periodic famines.

Peter wrote: "Calories in - calories out = you.

But there's also evidence that severe restriction of calories puts your body into "starvation mode" where it burns fewer calories. So, if we reduce "calories in" ..."

That certainly is the common wisdom, Peter. Harper cites research that suggests a short term very low calorie diet promotes improvements in glycemic control that makes re-gaining the weight loss less likely over a six month follow up period.

DonnaR wrote: " April

20. by Laurent Binet translated from the French by Sam Taylor
Date Finished: April 2
Genre: Historic..."

Will definitely put this one on my TBR pile thanks to your review. Thanks!

Judy wrote: "DonnaR wrote: " April

20. by Laurent Binet translated from the French by Sam Taylor
Date Finished: April 2
G..."

It's been several weeks since I finished this book and I'm still thinking about it!

25. by author:Lindy Woodhead|670226](no photo)
Date Finished: April 29
Genre: Nonfiction/Biography
Rating: B+
Review: This book details the life and times of Harry Gordon Selfridge, an American-born retail magnate who created his eponymous store on Oxford Street in London in 1909. Selfridge was a true pioneer and the book is a fascinating look at his colorful life as well as a history of culture, consummerism, and women's fashion in early 20th century Britain.

I like the sound of that book, Donna. Will be looking for it. Thanks for the tip.

MAY

26. by Robert Harris
Date Finished: May 3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: Pompeii's aquaduct engineer mysteriously disappears and a young engineer is sent from Rome to replace him. Almost immediately he is forced to deal with dried up wells and a failing aquaduct as well as other unexplainable occurrences. Meanwhile, Vesuvius looms ominously in the background. Harris manages to create a nail biting drama about an historical event where we all know the outcome. It encompasses the two days leading up to the eruption and includes great detail about the aquaduct system and the science of volcanic eruptions.

DonnaR wrote: "26. by Robert Harris
Review: Pompeii's aquaduct engineer mysteriously disappea..."

Donna, this is one of my favorite books also. The parts about the aqueducts were really interesting. Glad I wasn't there. ;-)

27. by Robin Sloan
Date Finished: May 5
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: A young unemployed programmer finds work in a mysterious bookstore. Soon he and his side kicks are involved in trying to unlock the code to a 500-year-old manuscript. A funny, fresh book full of interesting and eccentric characters. It explores the tensions that arrise when new technologies threaten old ways. It's also about frienship, passion, and the love of books. It's a difficult book to describe but a fast and fun reading experience. Recommended!

28. by Oliver Pötzsch(no photo) and Lee Chadeayne (Translator)(no photo)

Date Finished: May 13
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Rating: B
Review: When children are found murdered in a small 1650s Bavarian village, witchcraft is suspected and a local midwife is made the scapegoat. Racing against time, Jakob, the village hangman, his daughter Magdalena, and the young physician Simon must try to find the real murderer before the midwife is tortured and sentenced to death. Embedded in this mystery with many twists and turns are well researched historical details. I was interested to find that the hangman, Jakob Kuisl, was a real person of whom the author is a descendant. A criticism is that the writing is repetetive and the story gets bogged down repeatedly. I kept thinking that the book was reading like a sceenplay and then discovered that the author is indeed a script writer. But despite these shortcomings, I am interested enough to continue on with this series.

29. by Nicole Krauss

Date Finished: May 17
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: A
Review: This story is told in two main voices. Leo is a Polish Jew who in his youth loves a girl and writes a book called "The History of Love." He escapes the Nazis but loses the girl and the manuscript. Alma is a 14-year-old girl who is named after Leo's lost love and the character in his book when her now deceased father purchases it in an obscure South American bookstore. There is a mystery of sorts as gradually the story of the lost book is revealed along with Leo's search for his lost son and Alma's search for a new love for her mother.

I think the book is brilliant and Leo has become one of my most memorable and loved book characters. I read it quickly and enjoyed the story immensely but definitely would read it again to delve a little deeper into some of the symbolism and literary references.

Christopher wrote: "You are making tremendous progress, Donna! Your reviews definitely provide a good sense of the content in the books you've completed. I think you will break 50 quite soon at this rate.

Don't forge..."

Thank you, Christopher. Just as a point of clarification, bolded month title goes only at the beginning of a new month, correct?