A wonderful book. Powerful in its intensity. Here we view the horrors of genocide through the eyes of an eleven year old boy in Burundi. Gabriel recouA wonderful book. Powerful in its intensity. Here we view the horrors of genocide through the eyes of an eleven year old boy in Burundi. Gabriel recounts his experiences twenty years after witnessing the murders and brutality that took place in his home country of Burundi and its neighbor Rwanda in 1994. Faye claims the novel is not autobiographical, but is based on his experiences at the outbreak of the civil war. And what terrible experiences they are. This slim novel carries a heavy punch. I can't recommend it enough....more
The second leg of the Liberation Trilogy. Atkinson continues to impress with his ability to put all of this information down without overwhelming the The second leg of the Liberation Trilogy. Atkinson continues to impress with his ability to put all of this information down without overwhelming the reader. The maps certainly help, but Atkinson knows how to construct a narrative and the writing is a real pleasure. That's probably what makes this work stand out: not many history books are so beautifully written.
As expected, a lot of dark episodes on these pages. War is certainly an ugly thing. You have to give Atkinson a lot of credit, he does not glorify the war and he does not unconditionally praise the Allies in their conquest of Italy. General Clark, Alexander, Patton...they are all given their due when deserving but their errors are not overlooked.
This may actually be better than An Army at Dawn, which won the Pulitzer.
Good news for any Atkinson fans out there: he is currently working on a Revolutionary War trilogy. Hopefully we will see the first book soon....more
Another piece of impressive work by Hampton Sides. Alternating chapters jump between the Bataan Death March/Camp Cabanatuan and the rescue effort thatAnother piece of impressive work by Hampton Sides. Alternating chapters jump between the Bataan Death March/Camp Cabanatuan and the rescue effort that takes place a couple of years later.Sides introduces us to some memorable characters; from Army medics, chaplains, POWs, Philipino rebels and even a female US spy. Even in these dreary settings, Sides is able to introduce the occasional slice of humor to provide a reprieve from the dark details of camp life and Japanese brutality. And let's be honest, some of these scenes are rough. It's amazing that any of those POWs made it out alive.
A dark read at times but Sides really does an amazing job with this story. Well structured, well written, and an unforgettable story....more
This one is special. Loved the first person plural that Jensen incorporates for most of the book. Multi-generational novels can be challenging, but JeThis one is special. Loved the first person plural that Jensen incorporates for most of the book. Multi-generational novels can be challenging, but Jensen managed to turn this into the books strength. Jensen, who is from Marstal himself, places his hometown at the center of the world: and the adventures of its citizens are a pleasure to read. Marstal is at constant war with the sea; the sea which provides its livelihood but steals the lives of loved ones.
"We, The Drowned" starts off with a bang with the battle in the fjord, but the sailing scenes with Albert in part I, and the WW II adventures of Knud Erik in part III are the highlights. The middle section is landlocked and slow paced, but is also critical in setting up the amazing part III.
The translator deserves a shout out too, because this reads like it was written in English. More translations of Jensen please. This one is a candidate for the hall of fame shelf. Can't recommend it enough.
While difficult to read at times, "Congo" is a horribly mesmerizing account of the last 150 years of Congo's history. From Leopold II and early coloniWhile difficult to read at times, "Congo" is a horribly mesmerizing account of the last 150 years of Congo's history. From Leopold II and early colonialism to present day conflicts, life in the Congo has been an endlessly bloody affair.
Reybrouck's book is an important work. He uses memories and anecdotes of natives to tell the country's history. Most histories, particularly African histories, have been written by the colonizers. As Reybrouck says, "All I know is that I would rather talk to normal people than with politicians, that I learn more from anecdotes than from rhetoric." This book uses this approach with great success.
The violence in these passages is brutal, but "Congo" is a special book that brings these atrocities to light and takes a good hard look at the long term implications of colonialism....more
I received a copy from Alfredf A. Knopf through the goodreads giveaway program.
A remarkable book. "Warlight" centers around British espionage during aI received a copy from Alfredf A. Knopf through the goodreads giveaway program.
A remarkable book. "Warlight" centers around British espionage during and immediately following WWII, but the focus of the book is on memories and our inability to piece the puzzle of the past together to form a comprehensive understanding of where we come from. Ondaatje's writing is wonderful; the pace of his prose works beautifully with the slow pace of the novel.
The story unfolds gradually, with bits and pieces revealed only in fragments- and the big picture never becomes fully clear. Our memories are never perfectly clear- they are shadowed in darkness as a result of time and incomplete perspective. It is like you are looking back on your life in the darkening light of dusk- or as Ondaatje prefers, through the shroud of warlight.
There's no way in hell this doesn't win the Booker.
UPDATE: Of course it doesn't even make the shortlist....more
How is it possible for love to exist in a world, or more specifically, in a country built on war and hate? That is the question Powers poses in his seHow is it possible for love to exist in a world, or more specifically, in a country built on war and hate? That is the question Powers poses in his second novel. And what a special novel it is. The writing is beautiful, the characters are beautiful, and the story is both beautiful and horrible. A Civil War novel that does not paint with a broad brush. This is not a novel about two warring factions: it is a novel about individual actors who are fighting to find love and happiness.
Some samples that I hope will provide a taste of why this book is so great:
“ You think you’ll never love another thing in this world. And somehow it is there again. It comes from nothing and from nowhere. It comes from less than nothing. How does it happen? It is the only miracle.”
“You want to have a debate about justice? You’re a young man yet, Colonel. Open your eyes. Tell me what it looks like. Come back in five years, in ten, in a hundred, and tell me what you’ve accomplished. In the meantime, I will take what I need.” “You will take what you want.” “You act like there’s a man anywhere on earth who can tell the difference.”
The best book I have read this year. I can’t recommend it enough. ...more
A well constructed narrative using the diaries and letters of three of the expedition's members. Hansen's book about the 18th century Danish expeditioA well constructed narrative using the diaries and letters of three of the expedition's members. Hansen's book about the 18th century Danish expedition to Yemen does start off a little slowly, with a focus on the strained relations of two members of the party which grows tiresome by the time they leave Cairo. Once they reach their destination though, the book picks up steam and becomes a pleasure to read. The dangers of 18th century travel are evident in the trials faced by expedition members, and Hansen expertly recounts experiences and cities visited during the 6 years of travel.
The best part of the book was the chapter dedicated to Niebuhr's return journey, particularly with regards to his stop in Persepolis and Aleppo. Hansen closes the book with a lovely testament to Niebuhr's high character. A worthy ode to a man deserving of remembrance.
The final 2/3rds of the book is five star material, but the slow start requires a four star rating. A high four star rating though. Excellent book....more
“Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War” is a thorough study of how Jesse James became the man he was and why his legend grew beyond mere outlaw sta“Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War” is a thorough study of how Jesse James became the man he was and why his legend grew beyond mere outlaw status.
Stiles dives deep into the Missouri political picture before, during and after the Civil War. The divisiveness of the citizens led to a steady stream of violence and conflict between Confederate supporters and Union loyalists. This was the toxic atmosphere Jesse grew up in and largely explains his anger and vengefulness towards fellow Missourians and anyone else who represented ideals that did not align with his own.
This is not a romantic retelling of Jesse James’ exploits. Robberies and murders are covered, but the majority of the book focuses on Missouri as a whole in order to understand how a man like Jesse James become so revered and hated. The final chapters cover Jesse’s demise, with the final chapter focusing on what makes Jesse different from other famous outlaws of that time. This is the highlight of the book.
Stiles is the best biographer working today and this first book of his shows the talent that has since led to two Pulitzer Prizes for the author. 4-5 star range, but I’m going with 5 because I don’t think we will ever see a more objective analysis of Jesse James and what his legend tells us about our history as a nation. ...more
Johnson was a poet first and foremost, and it shows in his fiction writing, particularly so in this impressive collection of five short stories. ClearJohnson was a poet first and foremost, and it shows in his fiction writing, particularly so in this impressive collection of five short stories. Clearly, Johnson imagined life as an attempt to navigate the darkness and pitfalls that are inevitably encountered on one's path through this world. This theme is the connective tissue that binds these five stories together, and coupled with Johnson's talent for imagery and perfectly crafted sentences, I was left shaking my head in wonder and jealousy.
The title story and "Triumph Over the Grave" are personal favorites. I know of no other writers who can illustrate the mind's capacity to wander tangentially quite like Johnson. Delillo maybe, but he's a distant second.
The final lines of "Triumph Over the Grave" sent a few chills up my spine:
"The world keeps turning. It's plain to you that at the time I write this, I'm not dead. But maybe by the time you read it."
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