It never rains, but it sure can pour.
02-27-21, 12:07 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
It never rains, but it sure can pour.
I got two books of historical fiction today from the library. Day of Atonement by David Liss, which takes place during the Spanish Inquisition, and none of the mild versions either. It starts in Spain.
The other is A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee, which takes place in India during the British Raj.
The third book, that came today, is Intimacy or Integrity by Thomas Kasulis, got a used copy from Amazon. It's meta, it's about philosophy, esp. the differences between East and West, and all that that implies. I've never been into Asian philosophy, and a guy that had studied phil in So. Korea suggested it.
Most of the time, when I read, I am still reading the Expanse, and I still can't say enough good about it. I am also reading the autobiography of a diplomat, Chris Hill. It's good and informative, but diplomacy is a world unto itself. So it's also frustrating because I always feel like the door is being opened for a good look, but the really good stuff remains discreetly off stage. I kinda knew that going in, if discretion isn't a habit, a diplomat will find himself teaching in a community college in the Midwest.
Sometimes life throws you a curveball. Still, most of life's problems are considerably less pleasant.
David Liss can be dry, but his scholarship is outstanding, and his insights can be revelatory. I can warmly suggest the Coffee Trader.
The other is A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee, which takes place in India during the British Raj.
The third book, that came today, is Intimacy or Integrity by Thomas Kasulis, got a used copy from Amazon. It's meta, it's about philosophy, esp. the differences between East and West, and all that that implies. I've never been into Asian philosophy, and a guy that had studied phil in So. Korea suggested it.
Most of the time, when I read, I am still reading the Expanse, and I still can't say enough good about it. I am also reading the autobiography of a diplomat, Chris Hill. It's good and informative, but diplomacy is a world unto itself. So it's also frustrating because I always feel like the door is being opened for a good look, but the really good stuff remains discreetly off stage. I kinda knew that going in, if discretion isn't a habit, a diplomat will find himself teaching in a community college in the Midwest.
Sometimes life throws you a curveball. Still, most of life's problems are considerably less pleasant.
David Liss can be dry, but his scholarship is outstanding, and his insights can be revelatory. I can warmly suggest the Coffee Trader.
Last edited by late; 02-27-21 at 06:57 PM.
02-28-21, 11:54 PM
#2
Clark W. Griswold
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Originally Posted by late
I got two books of historical fiction today from the library. Day of Atonement by David Liss, which takes place during the Spanish Inquisition, and none of the mild versions either. It starts in Spain.
I actually might have to check those books out or get them for someone I know who would really enjoy stuff like that.
03-01-21, 06:07 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by veganbikes
I certainly didn't expect that...LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
I actually might have to check those books out or get them for someone I know who would really enjoy stuff like that.
The Liss book has been a bit disappointing so far.
Rising Man is a detective/political intrigue mystery. It's an interwar book (set after WW1). That's an entire area of literature with good books like Testament of Youth, Brideshead Revisited, The Great Gatsby, The Sun also Rises.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Engli...nterwar-period
I am hoping Rising Man gets better as we get deeper into the mystery. It's already improved over the formulaic beginning.
If you haven't read Killer Angels, that's my fave. A good book to read after that is Gone for Soldiers.
In the Garden of Beasts by Larson is set in the first couple years of the rise of the nazis. It's really good.
03-01-21, 08:20 PM
#4
Clark W. Griswold
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Originally Posted by late
What sort of preferences in historical fiction appeal to you?
The Liss book has been a bit disappointing so far.
Rising Man is a detective/political intrigue mystery. It's an interwar book (set after WW1). That's an entire area of literature with good books like Testament of Youth, Brideshead Revisited, The Great Gatsby, The Sun also Rises.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Engli...nterwar-period
I am hoping Rising Man gets better as we get deeper into the mystery. It's already improved over the formulaic beginning.
If you haven't read Killer Angels, that's my fave. A good book to read after that is Gone for Soldiers.
In the Garden of Beasts by Larson is set in the first couple years of the rise of the nazis. It's really good.
The Liss book has been a bit disappointing so far.
Rising Man is a detective/political intrigue mystery. It's an interwar book (set after WW1). That's an entire area of literature with good books like Testament of Youth, Brideshead Revisited, The Great Gatsby, The Sun also Rises.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Engli...nterwar-period
I am hoping Rising Man gets better as we get deeper into the mystery. It's already improved over the formulaic beginning.
If you haven't read Killer Angels, that's my fave. A good book to read after that is Gone for Soldiers.
In the Garden of Beasts by Larson is set in the first couple years of the rise of the nazis. It's really good.
I haven't read Killer Angels yet but have seen Gettysburg more than enough times. It is on the list of books I do want to read and probably in the house somewhere.
