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It occurred to me that I know next to nothing about the Bolshevik Revolution, so I'm currently reading A People's Tragedy, by Orlando Figes. It's over 900 pages, and thus a real wrist-bender, even in paperback.
I'm only about 150 pages in, but it's incredibly well-written, and nowhere near so ponderous to read as it is to hold while reading. And despite being totally new to the subject, I've yet to have a moment where I didn't understand what was going on because Figes assumed the reader would know more than they do. It's a place and time I knew almost nothing about, but he makes it so clear and vivid, I don't feel lost at all. In fact, he makes me want to read more about Russian history when I'm done with this one (someday), and read more of his books.
It occurred to me that I know next to nothing about the Bolshevik Revolution, so I'm currently reading A People's Tragedy, by Orlando Figes. It's over 900 pages, and thus a real wrist-bender, even in paperback.
I'm only about 150 pages in, but it's incredibly well-written, and nowhere near so ponderous to read as it is to hold while reading. And despite being totally new to the subject, I've yet to have a moment where I didn't understand what was going on because Figes assumed the reader would know more than they do. It's a place and time I knew almost nothing about, but he makes it so clear and vivid, I don't feel lost at all. In fact, he makes me want to read more about Russian history when I'm done with this one (someday), and read more of his books.
Highly recommended, so far!
I don't know when I will have it in me to tackle this (900 pages oh my. ...) but this is quite the recommendation so will add it to the ever growing list.
I just finished This Tender Land last night, and I give it 5 stars. I really loved it. The story telling, the writing, was superb. Usually although I am an avid reader, I get a bit confused with characters and their names but this one was so well done and I really was hooked. Not my usual genre or story line but this was great.
I have about 3 books available on kindle from the library all at once so not sure what will be next. I think I will start Olive Again.
I bought that and was looking forward to reading it—but the plot and diaglogue are just so lame—
I stopped once and went back but couldn’t get over how it was so heavy handed
Maybe Child’s brother wrote most of it Since his name is on the cover but I think it is just a sad end to a great series...
Maybe Child is busy with the new series
Very disappointed...
Started reading the series sent in Henry II’s reign about the “Mistress of the Art of Death”, by Ariana Franklin
A female doctor/forensic investigator raised by two Jewish doctors in Salerno is sent to England to discover who is murdering children in Cambridge and blaming the Jews—taken from historical fact transposed into historical fiction
While the responsible party is pretty easy to anticipate the description of the way of life and attitudes of the people is engaging
Starting book 2 tonight
I bought that and was looking forward to reading it—but the plot and diaglogue are just so lame—
I stopped once and went back but couldn’t get over how it was so heavy handed...
I love it and read to the half-way point before putting it down yesterday. I may finish it today!
I bought that and was looking forward to reading it—but the plot and diaglogue are just so lame—
I stopped once and went back but couldn’t get over how it was so heavy handed
Maybe Child’s brother wrote most of it Since his name is on the cover but I think it is just a sad end to a great series...
Maybe Child is busy with the new series
Very disappointed...
Same here.... too 'formulaic', and the plot lines ( of the last couple of books ) are just not believable.
Reacher was born in 1960 ( apparently ) but he can still kick the crap out of 6 opponents half or a third of his age ?. Loved the character in the early books....not so much nowadays.
I'm 80% through this latest book, but I'm not enamoured with it....
The 2084 report : an oral history of the great warming / James Lawrence Powell, 1936-, c2011, Atria Books.
Subjects
Global warming -- Fiction.
Human beings -- Effect of climate on -- Fiction.
Notes
First edition published in 2011.
Summary
"This vivid, terrifying, and galvanizing novel reveals our future world after previous generations failed to halt climate change-perfect for fans of The Drowned World and World War Z. 2084: Global warming has proven worse than even the direst predictions scientists had made at the turn of the century. No country-and no one-has remained unscathed. Through interviews with scientists, political leaders, and citizens around the globe, this riveting oral history describes in graphic detail the irreversible effects the Great Warming has had on humankind and the planet. In short chapters about topics like sea level rise, drought, migration, war, and more, The 2084 Report brings global warming to life, revealing a new reality in which Rotterdam doesn't exist, Phoenix has no electricity, and Canada is part of the United States. From wars over limited resources to the en masse migrations of entire countries and the rising suicide rate, the characters describe other issues they are confronting in the world they share with the next two generations. Simultaneously fascinating and frightening, The 2084 Report will inspire you to start conversations and take action"-- Provided by publisher.
Length
224 pages ;
The author suggests (in the book - as a model that Sweden set, & France followed, & Japan tried to follow) that a crash program of switching to nuclear power generation might stave off the worse effects of global warming. But time is short, & there's still a reflex rejection of nuclear power plants. The clock is ticking ...
It's an interesting book, telegraphic - presented as a series of interviews with people who were on the frontlines as global warming spiraled out of control. It is not comforting reading.
It occurred to me that I know next to nothing about the Bolshevik Revolution, so I'm currently reading A People's Tragedy, by Orlando Figes. It's over 900 pages, and thus a real wrist-bender, even in paperback.
I'm only about 150 pages in, but it's incredibly well-written, and nowhere near so ponderous to read as it is to hold while reading. And despite being totally new to the subject, I've yet to have a moment where I didn't understand what was going on because Figes assumed the reader would know more than they do. It's a place and time I knew almost nothing about, but he makes it so clear and vivid, I don't feel lost at all. In fact, he makes me want to read more about Russian history when I'm done with this one (someday), and read more of his books.
Highly recommended, so far!
What a coincidence that I'd see this thread and read your post. Just yesterday, I finished watching two videos on the Romanovs, the Last of the Czars, etc., and starting thinking that I know next to nothing about the Bolsheviks and need to read up on them. Thanks for this recommendation. 900 pages is a lot but well-written historical narratives are worth it.
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