Joan of Arc was really one of the most unusual historical figures. It is startling to learn that she is one of the most documented figures of the middle ages. For all that, like many famous people, the legend is better know than the reality. Over time people reinvent Joan of Arc to fit in with their needs for a certain type of hero or certain reinterpretation of history.
The author goes back to original sources and meticulous research.
Joan wasn't a peasant or a shepherdess, not really, although she was from a modest background.
She did hear voices and was very religious. She did persuade nobles and the Dauphin (King) to follow her lead or at least let her get on with what she wanted to do, although only up to a point. She was highly intelligent and her achievements changed the course of history.
Strangely, the main offence she was convicted of at her trail was the wearing of mens clothing.
The Virgin Warrior - the life and death of Joan of Arc by Larissa Juliet Taylor ISBN 978-0-300-16895-2
Showing posts with label Book reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book reviews. Show all posts
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Thursday, 6 June 2013
RIP Tom Sharpe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jun/06/tom-sharpe-dies
I will always be grateful to Tom Sharpe for his "Wilt" books and 'Indecent Exposure' which brought me many many laugh out loud moments.
I will always be grateful to Tom Sharpe for his "Wilt" books and 'Indecent Exposure' which brought me many many laugh out loud moments.
Monday, 18 February 2013
Quick Reads
"Quick Reads are brilliant short stories by best selling authors and celebrities"
Well for once the hype is true.
The quick read I have just finished is one of 53 listed. Short books of about 100 pages priced at £1 to encourage people to read.
I have read all six Dr Who ones and several of the others, all have been excellent.
Well for once the hype is true.
The quick read I have just finished is one of 53 listed. Short books of about 100 pages priced at £1 to encourage people to read.
I have read all six Dr Who ones and several of the others, all have been excellent.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Defiance - Jewish Resistance in WWII
Defiance - The true story of the Bielski Partisans - by Nechama Tec ISBN 978-0-19-538523-6
In 1942 a small group of Jewish resistance fighters escaping Nazi persecution established a community in the forests of western Belorussia. Within 2 years they numbers more than 1200 men, women and children. It was the largest armed rescue of Jews by Jews in the war.
The leader of the Partisans - Tuvia Bielski emphasised that saving Jewish lives as being more important than killing Germans.
The book chronicles the reality of living in very difficult circumstances, the huge achievements by those living in the community and the challenges they faced. It is not a well know part of history and deserves to be better known.
Defiance - was the basis for a film staring Daniel Craig - aka James Bond. The film is not very historically accurate - as is the way with most films
that try and condense events of two years into 2 hours.
In 1942 a small group of Jewish resistance fighters escaping Nazi persecution established a community in the forests of western Belorussia. Within 2 years they numbers more than 1200 men, women and children. It was the largest armed rescue of Jews by Jews in the war.
The leader of the Partisans - Tuvia Bielski emphasised that saving Jewish lives as being more important than killing Germans.
The book chronicles the reality of living in very difficult circumstances, the huge achievements by those living in the community and the challenges they faced. It is not a well know part of history and deserves to be better known.
Defiance - was the basis for a film staring Daniel Craig - aka James Bond. The film is not very historically accurate - as is the way with most films
that try and condense events of two years into 2 hours.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Library Books - June 2011
The mystery of Lewis Carroll - by Jenny Woolf 2010 ISBN 978-1-90598-68-6
Probably the best book to read about Lewis Carroll aka Charles Dodgson.
It clearly and authoritatively sets the record straight. The new information she uncovered about his finances and falling out with the Liddells is particularly interesting. It has probably been said that more nonsense has been written about Lewis Carroll than appears in his books - if not it should have been :-)
Pete and Dud - An Illustrated Biography by Alexander Games.
Conventional wisdom is that Peter Cook and Dudley Moore were very funny in the 1960's and never really reached those heights again. This book tries to argue that perhaps some of the Derek and Clive stuff was very funny - but misses the point that conventional wisdom could be right and it doesn't really matter. Where conventional wisdom might be wrong is in arguing that Peter Cook in particular wasted his comic potential, whereas anyone who achieved so much is surely allowed a bit of slack !
The book is a good attempt to paint a warm and human picture of two complex and very different individuals.
Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star by Rick Wakeman - This book has me laughing out loud with genuinely funny stories from his life. True I don't think I've ever listened to any of his music, but as when the old lady asked him if he had made any discs, he replied yes, 136, she said "Have you sold all of them yet". Full of self-depreciating humour like the time he did a signing in Woolworth's and no-one turned up !
Probably the best book to read about Lewis Carroll aka Charles Dodgson.
It clearly and authoritatively sets the record straight. The new information she uncovered about his finances and falling out with the Liddells is particularly interesting. It has probably been said that more nonsense has been written about Lewis Carroll than appears in his books - if not it should have been :-)
Pete and Dud - An Illustrated Biography by Alexander Games.
Conventional wisdom is that Peter Cook and Dudley Moore were very funny in the 1960's and never really reached those heights again. This book tries to argue that perhaps some of the Derek and Clive stuff was very funny - but misses the point that conventional wisdom could be right and it doesn't really matter. Where conventional wisdom might be wrong is in arguing that Peter Cook in particular wasted his comic potential, whereas anyone who achieved so much is surely allowed a bit of slack !
The book is a good attempt to paint a warm and human picture of two complex and very different individuals.
Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star by Rick Wakeman - This book has me laughing out loud with genuinely funny stories from his life. True I don't think I've ever listened to any of his music, but as when the old lady asked him if he had made any discs, he replied yes, 136, she said "Have you sold all of them yet". Full of self-depreciating humour like the time he did a signing in Woolworth's and no-one turned up !
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