i am currently in the midst of Air Force by Ian Mcphedran. Very awesome book that details the new era in Australian Air power. Very detailed and reasearched with a righting style that keeps you interested. Very Recommended for the Aussies out there(Pitt..)
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it- George Santayana History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are- David C. McCullough Wars not make one great- Yoda
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Awesome Eagle Spear of Mars
(id: awesomated88)
posted 14 June 2013 07:37
EDT (US)
176 / 284
Now on to "In Defense of History" by Richard Evans. Already a great book, and although it delves into some deep historical debate, it is easily readable and great to see into the minds of some modern historians and their methods.
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it- George Santayana History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are- David C. McCullough Wars not make one great- Yoda
Aftermath HG Alumnus
posted 16 June 2013 05:59
EDT (US)
177 / 284
I've recently finished up The Alienist by Caleb Carr... it was fantastic. Highly recommended.
Can someone put me onto some good historical fiction, preferably of the Classical period? Want to start greasing my gears for Rome II.
Rome II doesn't take place in the Classical period, but in the Hellenistic one... As for fiction in the Classical period, Manfredi's novels "Tyrant", "The Lost Army" and the "Alexander Trilogy" may interest you...
Invincibility lies in defence, while the possibility of victory in the attack -Sun Tzu Akouson me, pataxon de (hit me, but first listen to me)-Themistocles to Euribiadis prior to the battle of Salamis.
Earl Scruffles Legionary
(id: generalscruff)
posted 19 June 2013 08:39
EDT (US)
179 / 284
Just finished "Guns, Germs and Steel".
I didn't like the first few chapters, I found them slightly grasping at straws, but it gradually got better as it went along and built up a good case, although I think Diamond exaggerates the importance of, say, the alignment of the major landmasses as factors.
I'm moving onto The Histories by Herodotus. Alex, you can help me here, although it's the English translation
But I won't go to England due to the prescence of scruffy in shottingham. - Scenter102 This is Scruff we are talking about. I can't think of anything I don't see Scruff doing just for the hell of it. - Agrippa 271 The cake was made by Scruffy and it was... a rude shape. - Liam monkey in a suit on a cycle - Scenter102 describing Scruffy
Aftermath HG Alumnus
posted 19 June 2013 08:52
EDT (US)
180 / 284
Goes to show exactly how much I know about the period! I'll check some of those out.
Any that you can also recommend from the 'Hellenstic' period () also? Preferably focusing on the Greeks rather than the abundance of Roman fiction there is.
Never seen any Greek fiction, but there's a load of Roman stuff. Have a look round Waterstones, they have some right gems in there
But I won't go to England due to the prescence of scruffy in shottingham. - Scenter102 This is Scruff we are talking about. I can't think of anything I don't see Scruff doing just for the hell of it. - Agrippa 271 The cake was made by Scruffy and it was... a rude shape. - Liam monkey in a suit on a cycle - Scenter102 describing Scruffy
DominicusUltimus Legate
posted 19 June 2013 11:40
EDT (US)
182 / 284
I agree wholeheartedly with Alex's post. 'Tyrant' was the first book by Manfredi that I ever read, but it was his 'Alexander Trilogy' that got me into writing and history in general.
I don't really have historical fiction books set from a non-Roman perspective during the Hellenistic Era. 'Hannibal: Enemy of Rome' by Ben Kane is switches between the Carthaginian and Roman perspectives of the events leading up to and including the early Second Punic War. I just got done reading all four books of the 'The Parthian Chronicles' by Peter Darman a few weeks ago. They're told from the first person perspective of a Parthian prince from the Third Servile War where he fights alongside Spartacus, to the Battle of Carrhae and the defeat and death of Marcus Licinius Crassus. I got them on e-book format from Amazon, and the writer could definitely use a better editor but they're a good read with a thorough look at the Roman and Parthian ways of warfare.
"Life is more fun when you are insane. Just let go occasionally".- yakcamkir 12:14 "It is not numbers, but vision that wins wars." - Antiochus VII Sidetes "My magic screen is constantly bombarded with nubile young things eager to please these old eyes. This truly is a wonderful period in which to exist! - Terikel Grayhair Angel of Total War: Rome II Heaven and the Total War: Attila Forums
Earl Scruffles Legionary
(id: generalscruff)
posted 19 June 2013 17:41
EDT (US)
183 / 284
In terms of historical fiction, I don't know of any good ancient world ones. My favourite historical fiction in general is The Flashman Papers series, Sharpe and the Anglo-Saxon series with Uhtred of Bebbanburgh
But I won't go to England due to the prescence of scruffy in shottingham. - Scenter102 This is Scruff we are talking about. I can't think of anything I don't see Scruff doing just for the hell of it. - Agrippa 271 The cake was made by Scruffy and it was... a rude shape. - Liam monkey in a suit on a cycle - Scenter102 describing Scruffy
Pitt Tribunus Laticlavius
posted 19 June 2013 18:39
EDT (US)
184 / 284
Aftermath, If you haven't been recommended it yet, you should check out the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough. There's some stuff from a Greek and Pontic viewpoint in the earlier novels, including the Mithridatic War and young Caesar in the eastern Mediterranean.
McCullough did an immense amount of research, apparently reading every relevant volume of the Loeb Library classics collection. She puts her own interpretation on some events where we simply have no idea what happened, but the books have a solid grounding in received history.
"Into the face of the young man who sat on the terrace of the Hotel Magnifique at Cannes there had crept a look of furtive shame, the shifty, hangdog look which announces that an Englishman is about to talk French." - P.G. Wodehouse, The Luck of the Bodkins
Ecthelion Legionary
(id: p90pro)
posted 19 June 2013 22:51
EDT (US)
185 / 284
I didn't like the first few chapters, I found them slightly grasping at straws, but it gradually got better as it went along and built up a good case, although I think Diamond exaggerates the importance of, say, the alignment of the major landmasses as factors.
Thanks alot for wrecking the end for me... Picked it up at a used store not very long ago.
No point in reading it now so I guess it's right on to The Collected Writing of Thomas Jefferson and The Writings of Thomas Paine
Sir, I have not yet begun to defile myself. Swallow my pride? No thank you, Im too full of myself. I bring you nothing but love and a shopping bag full of sexual depravity. I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. Tied with Meteora (****er) for Best Sig Award.
General Sajaru Tribunus Laticlavius
posted 20 June 2013 03:13
EDT (US)
186 / 284
I finally started reading We Were Soldiers Once...and Young.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." - Ronald Reagan "Judge them not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King, Jr. "Pick up a rifle and you change instantly from a subject to a citizen." - Jeff Cooper "I like my enemies like James Bond likes his martinis- shaken, not stirred." My first book, The King's Own
Awesome Eagle Spear of Mars
(id: awesomated88)
posted 20 June 2013 03:19
EDT (US)
187 / 284
I cant wait till Monday afternoon, when my exams finish and i may begin to read "With snow on their boots" by Jamie Cockfeild. It is about a Russian brigade on the Western front in WW1. should prove to be a good read..
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it- George Santayana History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are- David C. McCullough Wars not make one great- Yoda
Awesome Eagle Spear of Mars
(id: awesomated88)
posted 03 November 2013 06:37
EDT (US)
188 / 284
*cough cough* Wow, dusty.
Ok, so i am done my exams now and am getting into some good reading from my pile which has grown out of all proportion.
I currently have 3 different books on the go (started them but haven't finished due to time constraints). These books are Fromkin's "A peace to End all Peace", Herodotus, and Evan's "In Defence of History". Right now i am concentrating on Fromkin.
So here are my thoughts on Herodotus' Histories. After hearing so much of this work and learning sections of it for my classwork in Ancient History- i am enjoying it. Of course most of the work must be taken with a grain of salt, his account is interesting and so different from other stuff i have read before. It is clearly the instrumental and important work it has as a reputation for, and are a nice change of pace.
What are you all delving through or into?
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it- George Santayana History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are- David C. McCullough Wars not make one great- Yoda
Pitt Tribunus Laticlavius
posted 03 November 2013 06:45
EDT (US)
189 / 284
I haven't had time to read any books in what seems like ages. I've been dipping in and out of a few when I've had a spare couple of hours, but I can't finish anything.
The last thing I read was an essay out of Hobsbawm and Ranger (eds), The Invention of Tradition.
"Into the face of the young man who sat on the terrace of the Hotel Magnifique at Cannes there had crept a look of furtive shame, the shifty, hangdog look which announces that an Englishman is about to talk French." - P.G. Wodehouse, The Luck of the Bodkins
Alex_the_Bold Legionary
posted 03 November 2013 12:11
EDT (US)
190 / 284
Quoted from Awesome Eagle:
...Herodotus...
You mean you intend to read the entire "History" of Herodotus? That could take some time...
To return back to the topic, I'm currently reading Dente's Divine Comedy in Greek. An interesting story so far...
Invincibility lies in defence, while the possibility of victory in the attack -Sun Tzu Akouson me, pataxon de (hit me, but first listen to me)-Themistocles to Euribiadis prior to the battle of Salamis.
[This message has been edited by Alex_the_Bold (edited 11-03-2013 @ 12:51 PM).]
Awesome Eagle Spear of Mars
(id: awesomated88)
posted 03 November 2013 16:48
EDT (US)
191 / 284
You mean you intend to read the entire "History" of Herodotus? That could take some time...
Really? It is only a 400 page book with smallish writing. Not too bad- Unless i am missing something about Herodotus' Histories
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it- George Santayana History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are- David C. McCullough Wars not make one great- Yoda
Alex_the_Bold Legionary
posted 04 November 2013 10:35
EDT (US)
192 / 284
Well, it is divided in nine "books", but because my edition is a dual Ancient Greek/Modern Greek one it is much larger. However, if the last "book" in your edition is called Calliope and the last event described is the siege of Sestos, then you probably have the complete text...
Invincibility lies in defence, while the possibility of victory in the attack -Sun Tzu Akouson me, pataxon de (hit me, but first listen to me)-Themistocles to Euribiadis prior to the battle of Salamis.
Awesome Eagle Spear of Mars
(id: awesomated88)
posted 04 November 2013 14:33
EDT (US)
193 / 284
That's the one. I just have a pure English Penguin version..
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it- George Santayana History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are- David C. McCullough Wars not make one great- Yoda
Alex_the_Bold Legionary
posted 05 November 2013 15:14
EDT (US)
194 / 284
I've now started Dan Brown's Inferno and it is very interesting so far. Much better than Lost Symbol...
Invincibility lies in defence, while the possibility of victory in the attack -Sun Tzu Akouson me, pataxon de (hit me, but first listen to me)-Themistocles to Euribiadis prior to the battle of Salamis.
Awesome Eagle Spear of Mars
(id: awesomated88)
posted 27 November 2013 05:05
EDT (US)
195 / 284
Just Started Ben Kane's Hannibal: Enemy of Rome.
It seems intriguing- and i am eager to read more on the view of Carthaginians- since their viewpoint is often neglected in Histories due to mostly Latin sources remaining.
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it- George Santayana History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are- David C. McCullough Wars not make one great- Yoda
Pitt Tribunus Laticlavius
posted 27 November 2013 06:34
EDT (US)
196 / 284
I finished the new Discworld book Raising Steam the other day. I have to say I was quite disappointed with it. It's rather obvious Terry Pratchett isn't really writing them himself any more.
"Into the face of the young man who sat on the terrace of the Hotel Magnifique at Cannes there had crept a look of furtive shame, the shifty, hangdog look which announces that an Englishman is about to talk French." - P.G. Wodehouse, The Luck of the Bodkins
DarthDovah101 Legionary
posted 27 November 2013 09:58
EDT (US)
197 / 284
Is that the new Moist van Lipwig one? Damn, thought it would get better once they brought him back as he was my favourite character apart from Death.
Hannibal the Conqueror Legionary
(id: HannibalBarcaXXI)
posted 27 November 2013 10:44
EDT (US)
198 / 284
Reading some of Jiddu Krishnamurti's stuff, pretty amazing how this man started writing at the age of 14. His perspective on life is very interesting and is genuine.
"I long for Darkness." - Cormac McCarthy, The Sunset Limited.
"We are a species that ravages, plunders, kills, destroys, rapes and enslaves in the name of progress."
Aftermath HG Alumnus
posted 28 November 2013 06:13
EDT (US)
199 / 284
Been reading a lot lately.
Read the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. It was pretty good, another series that seems to be enjoying the success and popularity of the gritty Fantasy genre thanks to Game of Thrones/ASoIaF. The characters Joe created were fantastic, some of the best I have ever read though there are some familiar tropes, two of the best POV characters were; A Northern tribesman who is a great fighter, but he wants to be a better man. There is the promising young officer who was mutilated for years at the hands of the enemy and is a twisted cripple, death would almost be a welcome release for him. He is employed as a Torturer, for what he suffered robbed him of all compassion and other means of earning a living. I'm all for phyrric victories and even melancholic endings but this was a little too heavy handed in it's 'nothing ever changes' theme.
Also reading Ian Mortimer's 'Travellers guide to Medieval England' for my own purposes and research.
I've recently read "The Orpheus Descent" by Tom Harper. It was an interesting book, fast-paced with the main character experiencing a continuous dilemma...
Invincibility lies in defence, while the possibility of victory in the attack -Sun Tzu Akouson me, pataxon de (hit me, but first listen to me)-Themistocles to Euribiadis prior to the battle of Salamis.