The Gene: An Intimate History
Book
Selected as a Book of the Year by The New York Times, The Economist, Independent, Observer and Mail...
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Judah's Wife: A Novel of the Maccabees (The Silent Years #2) in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Judah's father Mattathias decides to move his family from Jerusalem Modein to flee the punishment for defying the decree. By defying the decree, it begins a war that will cost many their lives. Before his death, Mattathias commands Judah to continue the war, otherwise, the Jewish lineage and their lands would be annihilated. Leah wants peace and wrestles with her husband's decision to be the commander of the army. Will there ever be peace?
This is the incredible chronicle of the Maccabees, told through the wife of Judah, who learns what courage and sacrifice are all about.
The author Angela Hunt has done an incredible amount of research and has produced a powerful history lesson entwined with her own creative writing. The author has a way of captivating the reader's attention while teaching us historical content. I like the way the author writes her novels through the eyes of people that were actually there, teaching us history through their eyes.
This is an excellent read, especially for those who love history.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Bird Cloud: A Memoir of Place
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Annie Proulx, one of America's finest writers, invites us to share her experience in the building of...
Black German: An Afro-German Life in the Twentieth Century
Isabella Image and Eve Rosenhaft
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This is the first English translation of an important document in the history of the black presence...
Who Built Scotland: A History of the Nation in Twenty-Five Buildings
Alexander McCall Smith, James Robertson, Alistair Moffat and Kathleen Jamie
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Experience a new history of Scotland told through its places. Writers Kathleen Jamie, Alexander...
Mariposas Nocturnas: Moths of Central and South America, a Study in Beauty and Diversity
Emmet Gowin and Terry Tempest Williams
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A stunning portrait of the nocturnal moths of Central and South America by famed American...
Assassinations, Threats, and the American Presidency: From Andrew Jackson to Barack Obama
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Throughout American history, Presidents and Presidential candidates have faced countless...
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Rose of Sarajevo in Books
Jun 18, 2018
I received, Rose of Sarajevo by Ayse Kulin, for free in exchange for a review from goodreads. I knew very little about the Balkans crisis prior to reading this book but now I feel that I understand some of what the people experienced and how families were torn apart for a crisis that is deep within the roots of the people. For the first part of the book the story appeared to creep along the pages as the author explained the reason for the war and give the backstory. Once the necessary explanation was completed the story took off and captivated me as the reader. Violence occurs. A town is destroyed. Heartbreak. Death. And finally, family members leaving to fight a war that so many see as senseless.
At the beginning Nimeta (the main characters) appears to be a woman is strong, dedicated, journalist whose a mother, a daughter, and a wife. She has done everything correct just as is expected of her until she meets Stefan who she unexpectedly fall in love with. She has to make the decision of doing what is right and doing what her heart says.
As a person who loves historical novels, this book was perfect. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about history, especially a part of history that is not discussed much.
ClareR (5874 KP) rated The Animals at Lockwood Manor in Books
Apr 3, 2020
This is no fast-moving thriller, but it is creepy, haunting (in fact, is Lockwood Manor haunted?) with a malevolent undercurrent. It’s like the Manor itself is alive. It’s also a story of secrets: family secrets and secret love.
This was a pleasure to read; it’s richly descriptive language described the house, people and the time in history beautifully. If you enjoy a creepy, slow burner, you’ll love this book. I did.
The Sowreys: A Unique and Remarkable Record of One Family's Sixty-five Years of Distinguished Service
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A fascinating look into the extraordinary history of the Sowrey family; an RAF dynasty whose service...