I think people need to accept this book for what it actually is. It's not an authoritative history or cooking book - it sacrifices detail and specificI think people need to accept this book for what it actually is. It's not an authoritative history or cooking book - it sacrifices detail and specificity for the ability to cover more time and more topics.
I liked the interweaving of history with food, showing how French cuisine developed in lockstep with major historical events. Again, it's not some detailed insight into medieval French society and doesn't debate the reasons of major governmental collapses. It's supposed to be a general narrative that lets the reader enjoy a casual view of history while learning many new things about specific French wines, cheeses, and other foods. ...more
A very balanced, nuanced view into the reign of Henry VI. I especially appreciated the attempt to contextualize Henry's mental illness and enfeeblemenA very balanced, nuanced view into the reign of Henry VI. I especially appreciated the attempt to contextualize Henry's mental illness and enfeeblement in different periods of his life, discussing the human losses around him that most certainly affected him. I feel like most takes on Henry VI just say "well, he was mentally ill, not much else to it". But Johnson digs deeper into this, showing how after losing his father at 6 months old, he spent the entire rest of his life leaning on strong father figures around him to help him rule. Inevitably, each of these authority figures ended up dying in gruesome ways, and the effect of that on Henry's health cannot be dismissed.
My main gripe with this book though is that it skips around a bit at inopportune times. The worst example of this is jumping from his capture in 1465 to 1470. I understand there is a real lack of records or descriptions of this time in his life, but still... you know the climax of the story is approaching, and then *bam*, 5 year time jump with no detail in between. ...more
There's really no way you come out of this book without a negative view of Pius XII.
Throughout the book, I kept thinking of what Mike said to Walter There's really no way you come out of this book without a negative view of Pius XII.
Throughout the book, I kept thinking of what Mike said to Walter White at one point in Breaking Bad: "No more half measures."
The Pope essentially tried to both-sides World War 2, and play to a middle ground that really didn't exist. It's very clear why the Papacy followed the course it did during the war, and I also totally understand the decision from a pragmatic standpoint. However, when you compare Pius XII to his predecessor, Pius XI, Pius XII seemed like putty in comparison. He tried everything he could to avoid angering Mussolini (and by proxy, Hitler), and the most outraged he got over the killing of Jews was "well at least save these few, specific ones on the list we're giving you, they have some connections to us or were baptized Catholic". He wanted to broker a peace treat that was never going to happen, just so he could play the role of a hero.
At so many points, the Pope "stayed in his lane" and performed half-measures, and it just leaves you disappointed and disgusted. When you are the moral arbiter for billions, and God's chosen representative on Earth for those billions, you have a certain responsibility when it comes to the suffering of your flock. The Papacy is and always has been a flawed institution (it's human, after all), but when you look at Pius XII's abandonment of the Poles, abandonment of the Jews in Italy, and the abdication of any real strong moral action...it's depressing. Just half-measure after half-measure to make it look like he was doing something.
Of course, there's always the possibility that the negative view of Pius XII in this book is a product of bias from the author. I haven't read enough of Kertzer's other work to understand his whole philosophy and views, but I do understand that this book was largely based off of recently released documents from the Vatican library. When you read this book, you start to realize why the Vatican hid so many damning documents from release for decades upon decades. I just don't see how you can spin their actions during World War 2 positively.
As for the writing style and book itself, I thought it was fantastic. At one point you do start to get a little overwhelmed with the sheer number of names and characters entering the story. Overall though, a fantastic book that was easy to read, and one that I'm glad I read. This area of history was one that I haven't read much on, and I would wholly recommend this. ...more
I'm really disappointed by this. It just...wasn't written well. Several important events are quickly cited, and the ramifications of them are used to I'm really disappointed by this. It just...wasn't written well. Several important events are quickly cited, and the ramifications of them are used to discuss whatever was happening at that point. But what were those important events? An important church council in the 990s is mentioned, but we are never actually told what the council was about or what it decided! And this was (allegedly) a cornerstone event of early Capet rule!
As far as the other information included, it also seemed very confusing as far as what information was included and what was left out. It felt like the author got to the sons of Philip IV and decided to rush and wrap up everything as fast as possible. What did it mean for France when his sons died out, and control transferred to the House of Valois? Why was this important? We're left with "Charles IV died, the end", with no additional insight or commentary added. Was there a page limit she couldn't go past and felt the need to just cut everything off?...more
Another top-class piece of work by Dan Jones. His choice to write in the first person is a unique take on writing history, but one that more authors sAnother top-class piece of work by Dan Jones. His choice to write in the first person is a unique take on writing history, but one that more authors should try. When it comes to history, we tend to forget that these were real people, with real thoughts, beliefs, passions, and demons. By writing as accurately as possible from their viewpoint, it makes history feel more alive, and makes the lessons we can learn feel more applicable.
I think Jones also does a good job at showing how Henry V was so much more than just Agincourt. Agincourt was his greatest victory, but just one small step on the road to his apex. In reality, Agincourt didn't bring him close to the French crown, and so many other events out of his control had to happen so that his son could eventually be crowned King of France....more
At its core, this book had so much potential. The Adriatic is such a fascinating and forgotten region, I won't beat around the bush, this book sucked.
At its core, this book had so much potential. The Adriatic is such a fascinating and forgotten region, and there's so much rich history to tell. And what we got here was...I'm not really sure what it was. I think the author is guilty of trying to do much; it was part philosophy, part musing, part bibliography and book review, and part travel guide. And it didn't do any of these things particularly well (yes, let's hear another 5 pages about some obscure poet whose work is only tangentially connected to the place you are talking about). Unfortunately, it was also not written in a readable, approachable way, which sunk it even more....more
I've seen some pretty harsh and bad reviews of this book on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, but I found it a good read with a nice sprinkling of humor throughout. It's touI've seen some pretty harsh and bad reviews of this book on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, but I found it a good read with a nice sprinkling of humor throughout. It's tough to condense a long history of a complicated region down into one volume. Of course there's going to be context and nuance left out; that's just a necessity. If you see this book as what it actually is, not what you want it to be, it'll be a pleasant read. ...more
I certainly agree with a lot of the other reviews about the book lacking structure, but in the end I think the weight and importance of the stories heI certainly agree with a lot of the other reviews about the book lacking structure, but in the end I think the weight and importance of the stories helps to over come that.
The collection of stories certainly leaves you with a lot to think about. What stories do we tell ourselves about our pasts so we can live with ourselves? What role does sport have to all levels of society, especially during hard times or war? How will sport deal with shifting social values and the normalization of immigration and movement? Will sport combat anti-semitism or enable it?
Definitely weighty stuff, but I'm glad Kuper wrote the book when he did. In a few years, no one who lived through the Holocaust or World War II will be left. These stories have value, and need to be told....more
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