The movie is better than the book in this case. Not because the book was bad. It is a great memoir and was made even better because the author himselfThe movie is better than the book in this case. Not because the book was bad. It is a great memoir and was made even better because the author himself narrated the audiobook. I just preferred how Spike Lee gave the movie such a cool edge while laughing at something as ridiculous as the KKK....more
Entertaining non-fiction at its best. Eric Jager has clearly managed to make historical content that may come off as dry to the masses very engrossingEntertaining non-fiction at its best. Eric Jager has clearly managed to make historical content that may come off as dry to the masses very engrossing. And he would know about dry as someone who (according to Google) sepcialises in Mediveal history at a university level.
The structure felt like a blend of dramatic re-enactments from a documentary which also has an expert slotting in to drop their two cents on the topic. Similar to that of Netflix's The Last Czsar's, but unlike that miniseries it spares the melodrama and keeps going with the facts. Perhaps the wannabe academic in me froths for this? Who knows.
A very solid book and its made me want to seek out Jager's other works in Mediveal history. It has awoken that student who once did history as a minor at university all those years ago....more
An absolutely harrowing yet beautiful account of Indochina during the Vietnam War and the aftermath. Reading it felt like reading a love letter to theAn absolutely harrowing yet beautiful account of Indochina during the Vietnam War and the aftermath. Reading it felt like reading a love letter to the region, yet a love letter that is so full of heartbreak and sorrow as well.
I recently went to Loas and Cambodia so I can understand why the author fell in love with both countries even in their war torn state. One minute he will be getting a scoop, the next a fight for his life along with other journalist during the fall of Phnom Pehn. I was enchanted by the texts but was also on the edge of my seat in certain parts because of the risks and uncertainty surrounding the war.
This one is definitely a favorite for sure....more
I saw the movie directed my Angelina Jolie and have always had an interest in Cambodia, especially during the Khmer Rouge period and then I visited CaI saw the movie directed my Angelina Jolie and have always had an interest in Cambodia, especially during the Khmer Rouge period and then I visited Cambodia it self this past September and pretty much came back and sought this book out straight away.
For such a tragic tale it was so hard to put down and I got through it in 3 days. Loung Ung writes in present tense which I found to be an interesting choice for a memoir, but it really makes you feel like that you are there with her and her family through such a difficult time. How she describes certain foods and certain events with such grace and clarity it transported me back to Cambodia during a time I wasn't even alive. A truly wonderful book and a must read if you have been to Cambodia or thinking of going to get an idea of the hell the Khmer's went through to truly understand The Kingdom of Wonder....more
I've had this book as long as I can remember. My mother bought for me a child and I've just read it now as a twenty one year old, due to the fact I haI've had this book as long as I can remember. My mother bought for me a child and I've just read it now as a twenty one year old, due to the fact I have a friend who was born and grew up in Sarajevo before arriving in Australia after the war finally was over. She say's she can't really remember what happened as she was so young, but I got a some what glimpse from reading this book how it would of been like for her and most notably her parents who are Muslim.
Though, it is not as amazing as the likes of Anne Frank's infamous diary of the Holocaust, it was still non the less a good read that every person in a comfortable life style such as myself should read to see how even getting bread is a miserable task, while I can simply just walk down to the local shop with out worrying about if I'm going to be gunned down.
As I kept reading, I could almost sense as if Zlata matures (which one would in a war situation) her first few entries are simple things that I have in my early diaries as an eleven year old, her entries soon (of course) become war related and concerns for her family and those around her.
Such an adorable little book! I know the basics of his holiness The Dalai Lama's life already but I bought this while at a Tibet festival at the BrisbSuch an adorable little book! I know the basics of his holiness The Dalai Lama's life already but I bought this while at a Tibet festival at the Brisbane Power House, as I love books in general and graphic novels (or, a manga, in this case) are easy to understand for younger readers. (like my future children perhaps)
Most of the story had the basis of the Martin Scorsese movie and a few other sources and I just read it on this lazy Sunday afternoon. Nice way to spend an afternoon I say. Cute little book, I liked it :)...more
Read this for university in rather quick haste, like most of my uni text's that's required for me to read. Will re-read again one day at a relaxation Read this for university in rather quick haste, like most of my uni text's that's required for me to read. Will re-read again one day at a relaxation paste. ...more
I didn't know much about Anna Leonowens, except the movie and musical of Anna and The King or The King and I, the lateExcellent, excellent, excellent!
I didn't know much about Anna Leonowens, except the movie and musical of Anna and The King or The King and I, the later being written by someone else. The former being based off of Anna's memoirs during her time in the Siam court, a book which I have read some time ago now and at the time thinking it was totally non fiction. Wow, was I wrong.
Anna was born and grew up in India and was a quarter Indian on her mothers side, unlike the portrait she painted about her self of how she was an English lady born in England who later on went to India along with the many other stories she told people. At first I didn't understand why she would do this, but now that I think of it, Victorian society is unforgiving and Anna lying about her past and up bringing would seem a better image for her self and children.
Most of the book is about her time in the Siamese court, which is of course, the time the reader would like to know about the most. I'm Thai myself and of course, took Thai history in school, but I learned so much more about King Mongkut's court in this little book more than any other Thai source I ever read in school. Fascinating to me. It also of course shows the king being human who is treated with a God like status. (like the modern monarchy of Thailand today)
Anna was a woman truly ahead of her time, while Victorian woman stayed home, she ventured the world and got stuff done! a real inspiration to me and (hopefully) other woman out there.
I found it interesting that the author used "I" refering to herself in parts of the book. A big "no no" as my history lecturer says. But I liked it, it gave it more of a story feeling to it, even though it was non fiction.
If you want to know about the real governess of The King and I, this is the book to go to....more
A good book. Everyone always has their focus on the girl herself: Anne Frank, and it was nice to have a book on her father, Otto.
It was interesting toA good book. Everyone always has their focus on the girl herself: Anne Frank, and it was nice to have a book on her father, Otto.
It was interesting to know about Otto's early life and his sojourn in New York, his relationship with Anne and Margot's mother, Edith. His life after the Holocaust (who knew the man liked travel? now I do) and of course, the editing and publishing of the diary. The details about the man who betrayed the people in the Annex and so on so fourth.
It was informative, but it was also quite 'dry' in my option and I found myself going "sorry...what?" though, that was only towards the end of the book. The first 180 or so pages were interesting.
If you want a book beyond Anne Frank, this is the prefect choice....more
This has got to be the most exciting non-fiction book I have ever read!
The book itself only takes place during the sinking of the Titanic (which tookThis has got to be the most exciting non-fiction book I have ever read!
The book itself only takes place during the sinking of the Titanic (which took about 3 or so hours) and the rescue effort of the Carphatia to the Titanic's small amount of survivors.
While reading this I felt like I was on board getting in to a life boat or drowning in the water that 'felt like millions of knives' or even part of the crew, it was that exciting! and I got through it very fast.
I also felt that man kind will never again dare to claim that we can triumph over nature. The sinking of the "unsinkable" Titanic made sure of that. Things happen for a reason.
I also enjoyed the fact of how disasters like this can bring out the best and worst in people, some fought like maniacs to survive, while some refused to leave and went down with the ship in a "gentlemanly" fashion. It reminded me a lot of the 2004 Tsunami disaster.
Excellent, excellent book! I highly recommended it, especially if your interested in the Titanic but its also just a good read in general, its easy to read and like I said: Very exciting and hard to put down!...more
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