We all know about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which obliterated several towns in southern Italy – such as Pompeii and Herculaneum.
My firsWe all know about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which obliterated several towns in southern Italy – such as Pompeii and Herculaneum.
My first Robert Harris novel and I enjoyed it. He integrated the factual aspects of this event with a cluster of characters which provided a personal perspective of this tragedy.
Attilius is our main character – he’s an engineer of the extensive, and remarkable Aqua Augusta, that provided water to numerous towns in southern Italy during this period. This aqueduct was an engineering masterpiece. As you’d expect, with Mount Vesuvius getting all excited and all, there was a great deal of subterraneous activity, resulting in water supply restrictions to towns, homes, and businesses.
Attilius is new to the area and must deal with local politics, he is viewed with suspicion. Particularly by Ampliatus – an ex-slave who has become a major player in local business and politics. Ampliatus is a nasty piece of work, but he has a beautiful daughter called Corelia. Attilius fancies her (of course) but he needs to sort out this water problem first. So, he heads towards Mount Vesuvius, with a team of recalcitrant characters, to determine the source of the problem with an aim to fixing it.
Well, we all know – Vesuvius blows her stack. There is nothing anyone can do, and this turns into a big-screen disaster movie. This is how it felt. Sure, the whole romance thing was a bit much for me – but I suspended corny belief, to ‘enjoy’ the spectacle. Harris really painted a colourful picture of the lives of ordinary people in antiquity. This I liked. This I liked very much.
I also enjoyed the appearance of the real character – Pliny the Elder (who was older than Pliny the Younger), he was an admiral and a genius naturalist. His observations of this event were later used by Pliny the Younger (who was younger than Pliny the Elder) as a contemporaneous account of this event.
Yes, this was good. Yes, this was exciting – a bit like Titanic, we know ‘she’ll blow’ but we’re invested in the stories of the characters. Poor Jack.
The first thing worth doing when reading a book like this is to check the credentials of the author.
Jonathan Walton hosts a podcast called “The QueenThe first thing worth doing when reading a book like this is to check the credentials of the author.
Jonathan Walton hosts a podcast called “The Queen of the Con: The Irish Heiress,” he’s also a con artist vigilante, who has taken down con artists and he’s also a regional Emmy award winner in the US (source Wikipedia).
This book neatly summarises the things to look out for if someone is trying to con you. These, Walton calls RED FLAGS:
For example:
RED FLAG #1: “I just want to help”. RED FLAG #4: “Isolation” RED FLAG #5: “I’m better than you”.
I’ve only listed three of the RED FLAGS – there are fourteen. Each RED FLAG has its own chapter, nicely explained by the author and with several real-life stories to illustrate each one. It’s amazing the gall of some of these con-artists, I don’t know how they do it. They leave a trail of destruction, broken people, and families. It’s horrible.
This is a fascinating read and if you’re interested in this topic you will find this worthwhile.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book, in exchange for my review.
I am terrified by this dark thing That sleeps in me; All day I feel its soft, feathery turnings, its Malignanty
This book made me laugh in places and cryI am terrified by this dark thing That sleeps in me; All day I feel its soft, feathery turnings, its Malignanty
This book made me laugh in places and cry. I sobbed. It’s not sadness that makes this reader cry, it’s examples of extreme empathy. This book has empathy in spades – it is a central theme.
Dr Rachel Clarke, started out as a journalist and decided to change paths to medicine, inspired by her GP father. She now works in palliative care in the UK’s NHS. What a noble profession.
Clarke describes her job as helping people with terminal illnesses live what remains of their life as fully as possible, and to die with dignity and comfort. She cites many real-life examples of this in action. It struck me how the patient, the dying person, is at the very centre of the decision-making process regarding their palliative care, if done properly.
Palliative care is medicine at its best, placing patient, not disease, centre stage
Clarke says the hospice she works in “has French windows, gardens, trees, Jacuzzis, massage, art and music therapy, ice cream and smoothies on tap. There’s even a secret stash of luxury bath bombs. They hold weddings, set up date nights, sneak in pets – there’s even a drinks trolley (proper drinks).” This is the UK’s NHS, no less. Universal healthcare.
Because what better way, for those who fancy a drink, of remembering normal life back home?
Of course, this isn’t all ‘beer and skittles. We hear stories of patients being terrified, relatives heartbroken, sadness abounds. I suppose the message here is – palliative care, should not contribute to this misery. True patient-centred care, taking care of the symptoms – such as pain and abject fear, all while treating the dying patient as a person is paramount. Spending time with the patient, talking to them, holding their hand – the so-called ‘small things,’ make all the difference.
I know I am dying But why not keep flowering As long as I can From my cut stem?
I don’t have any experience, professionally or personally with palliative care yet. However, this book was a real revelation for me. I have never feared death, only pain. It seems to me, I am lucky enough to live in country with a first-class health system. Now I know I will be okay.
I also gobbled up the author’s thoughts about immortality:
"The only immortality that matters to me is knowing my family and friends might still think of me occasionally." How beautiful.
Augustus by John Williams, is an epistolary account of the life of perhaps the greatest emperor of Ancient Rome. Born as Gaius Octavius he lived from Augustus by John Williams, is an epistolary account of the life of perhaps the greatest emperor of Ancient Rome. Born as Gaius Octavius he lived from 63 BCE – 14 CE. He ruled between 27 BCE – 14 CE. This book commences when Octavius was a boy, and the first letter is from Julius Caesar to Octavius’s mother, Atia – ordering her to send the boy to the military college at Apollonia.
We not only read the letters of people involved and close to the life of Augustus, we also read their memoirs, poems and official documents. The majority of these written accounts are by everyone other than Augustus. This way we see, how the world perceives the man. It is fascinating. Giants, such as Caesar, Agrippa, Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Piso, Seneca, Horace, Virgil and my favourite (swoon) Julia, Augustus’s daughter.
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Augustus…………….oh, err, I mean – the Beautiful, Julia the Elder ♥️
Notwithstanding the superb writing of Williams, at one stage I was a wee bit concerned this was more a story about Julia than Augustus. But John Williams eventually addresses this superbly, and this book well and truly deserves the title. Augustus’s wife, Livia is superbly cast as the pantomime villain, ably supported by her unpopular son, Tiberius.
If you have even the slightest bit of interest in this period of history, I strongly recommend you read this. It is a deeply immersive account of the man responsible for creating the Roman Imperial System. You will get a feel for how he did this. You will also see how his contemporaries feel and think about him (friend and foe), and importantly, you will take away some insight into the great man himself – how he lived, thought and loved. You may even reflect on your own life and loves – as I did.
These letters/writings, like any historical fiction, are based on real events and much is taken from real historical events. But they are fictional – like all good historical fiction, which breathes life into fascinating characters of the past – this is a brilliant way to learn about history.
The only slight misgiving I have is, the book does not cover the huge amount of changes Augustus implemented, to give the Senate and other officials the belief they still ran the show, when in fact he was the man in charge. He manhandled them with kid gloves – allowing for some atrocities of course. However, this book is not supposed to be a dry account of how good an administrator and leader he was – it is intended to be about him, the man. Other books serve that purpose.
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Augustus was a man of his time, and a colossus of antiquity.
5 Stars
My enjoyment of this book was increased many times over by fellow buddy readers Emperor Dave (who ran the group) and fellow Plebians Lisa and Debi – all threw around perspectives that always seem to pass me by and made this experience so much richer.
You know when you’re in the hands of a master when you are presented with a story that is so different to anything you’ve read before – AND the authorYou know when you’re in the hands of a master when you are presented with a story that is so different to anything you’ve read before – AND the author makes it stick.
This is a historical fiction love story AND a whodunnit AND an educational piece on Islamic, Frankish and Venetian art. The art component of this book was a surprise and was the reason for me reading this at a snail’s pace. It gets complicated, heavy at times, but fascinating. The miniaturist was the most fascinating member of the illustration team – these guys used the hairs from a cat’s belly for their brushes. I hope the cat wasn't killed in this process.
Each chapter is delivered as a first-person narrative. Which is brilliant, as you’re not sure who to trust. There are chapters narrated by a dog, a corpse, inanimate objects, such as a coin, or even a physical phenomenon like the colour red. Amazing.
We’re in 1591 Istanbul. The all-powerful Sultan has commissioned a bunch of artists, illuminators, calligraphers, miniaturists, and writers to create a book that depicts him and his reign in a different artistic style to that of traditional Islamic art.
This is controversial as Islamic art is not supposed to depict images in a realistic way – such as the European paintings we are familiar with – which can be almost photolike. The only one who can create real-life imagery is Allah. For mere mortals to do otherwise is blasphemous.
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An example of 16th century Islamic art. As you can see it’s hardly realistic. The creation of realism – well, that’s the job of Allah. Notice the lack of perspective. Da Vinci would be rolling in his grave
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An example of European art (realistic images) – this of Sultan Murat III – during whose rule, the events in this book take place
The first chapter of this books is narrated by a corpse. The product of a savage murder, he’s found at the bottom of a well. This chapter is called “I am a Corpse.” There’s the start of our whodunnit.
Concurrently, we have a man called Black, who returns to Istanbul after a twelve-year absence, and finds he is still attracted to a beautiful woman he knew when both were children, called Shekure. Shekure's husband has not returned from the battlefront for a four-years. Black is in love with Shekure and wishes to marry her. Shekure’s brother-in-law also has the same desires. Drama and intrigue ensue. There's the other complexity involving the challenges involved in divorcing a man who may still be alive.
There are over twenty narrators in this book. Believe me, it doesn’t get confusing, the format helps and creates a feeling of ‘being there’.
There’s one other thing about Pamuk, he can be bloody funny at times, and he also drops in the occasional explicitly erotic scene, something to keep the blood rushing through the reader’s veins. Not this reader of course, I’m above all of that!
Pamuk managed to keep the suspense building, keeping me guessing who the murderer was right to the very end, all while educating me about sixteenth-century Islamic art.
I really have too much to say – so I had better stop.
I highly recommended this book. I initially gave this four-stars, but after dwelling on how good this was for a couple of days, I had to re-grade it to a thumping fiver-stars!!!!
Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni is a WWII Historical Fiction, where we follow the protagonist, Sam, on his horrifying journey through the Pacific TheatrHold Strong by Robert Dugoni is a WWII Historical Fiction, where we follow the protagonist, Sam, on his horrifying journey through the Pacific Theatre of WWII. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour, Sam is sent to the Philippines where he is captured as a POW. This is where the true horror begins.
Having endured the brutality of the Japanese prison guards in various POW camps and the Bataan Death March he ends up on one of the notorious Japanese Hell Ship, the Arisan Maru. Locked in the hold of this floating prison, conditions were atrocious. Thousands of POWs had to endure, brutality, torture, hunger, water deprivation, bombing from the allies, heat, and even unthinkable cruelty between their fellow prisoners.
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The Japanese ‘Hell Ship,’ Arisan Maru
There is much more to the story after this, and you will need to read this book to find out more. Interestingly, The Rape of Nanking is mentioned, this, perhaps the most horrific Japanese atrocity of WWII, committed in China during this time.
Concurrently, we follow Sam’s hometown girlfriend, Sarah, who is blessed with outstanding talents in mathematics. A gift that enables Sarah to contribute to the allied war effort. They both wish to re-unite at the conclusion of the war.
I did not care as much for the personal relationship between Sam and Sarah as I did for the historical aspects of this story which were based on fact. Indeed, the author treats the reader to an afterward, notes and a bibliography – detailing the sources used to write this story. For me, this was the most fascinating part of the book.
3.5 stars for the fictional/romance story. 4.5 stars for the historical aspects.
A very convincing and solid 4 Stars from me.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review....more
I won’t lie. For the first few pages of this book, I wished the pictures of the dogs were photos rather than drawings. If the same feeling happens to I won’t lie. For the first few pages of this book, I wished the pictures of the dogs were photos rather than drawings. If the same feeling happens to you, I suggest you stick with this, as in time, the drawings really grew on me. I LOVED THEM!!
The author takes us through the history of puppers, various breeds, defining a breed, dog types and roles and then – we go through what seems like every dog in the world. Country by country, region by region. Even including street, village and wild dogs. Each accompanied by a delightful drawing.
I couldn’t leave this review without mentioning the first dog ever to be cloned. He was an Afghan Hound called Snuppy, he was born in 2005. He lived a 'normal' life for ten years. I’d never heard of Snuppy, here he is (was):
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Snuppy
If you love dogs, you might just enjoy this. I have no doubt you’ll learn something about our best friends too.
4 Stars
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review....more
This fascinating book explores sexual diversity and associated behaviours in nature. The author describes same sex relationships, sexual variation, anThis fascinating book explores sexual diversity and associated behaviours in nature. The author describes same sex relationships, sexual variation, and ambiguity within individuals.
This colourful book challenges the so-called normalcy of male-female sex and gender. Stephen Fry is quoted as saying “…this splendid book is a most useful settler of arguments and silencer of bigots”.
I found the chapter on Western lowland gorillas to be particularly touching. Here scientists have made innumerable observations of queer behaviours. Same sex encounters and relationships are commonplace, these relationships are often monogamous. In fact, same-gender acts are more intimate than heterosexual acts. They are invariably ‘face-to-face,’ - lesbian gorilla sex can last five times longer than heterosexual sex.
Green sea turtle sex determination is temperature dependant. It depends on the genetic responses to the temperature of their eggs. Bottlenose dolphins are famous for their same-sex activities, including penetration. I always thought their faces displayed a smug grin of happiness.
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Try and convince me that’s not a self-satisfied grin
The Glass eel, changes sex throughout its life. These creatures seem to appear out of nowhere in rivers and lakes. In fact, Aristotle, who was also a naturalist (I bet he was a good footballer too, you know – show off!), thought these eels spontaneously emerged from the mud, as they appeared to have ‘no sex’, no partner. Adelie Penguins and Black swans are loud and proud – and one will often see male-male partners raising the young.
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Bdelloid rotifers have been asexually reproducing for 40 million years
There are so many more examples in this book, including dinosaurs, trees, plants, insects, frogs, toads, and lizards. Did you know the Morpho butterfly can be divided down the middle (physically) when it comes to sex? One side male, the other female.
One thing I do know, and it also makes me incredibly happy is that many animals – particularly the higher order creatures. Have sex because it feels good. Not just because of reproduction. The description of gorillas having face to face, eye to eye intimate sex makes one’s heart warm.
In many ways, this book tells us more about our own sexuality and gender, than it does about our furry brothers and sisters. It’s all beautiful.
5 Stars
Bonus Material
I often hear a metronomic knocking on a door at the end of the hallway when watching TV. A few months ago – I discovered it was Meg (3-year-old sausage dog) pleasuring herself on Pup’s (9-year-old cattle dog-mixed breed) shoulder. Jesse is unfazed by this.
I used to put a stop to it by calling her. She would then guiltily skulk back to me in the TV room, while Jesse remained stationery and stoic lying on his side. Now my practice has changed. Why can’t she pleasure herself on her older brother’s (NB: Not related) shoulder??
So nowadays I will be watching a Swedish Noir crime series, to the regular thumping sound of Meg’s little head banging into the hallway door as she rams herself against Jesse’s shoulder.
Her stamina is stunning, as is Jesse’s patience – but at least they both seem to be enjoying themselves, and that has to be a good thing.
Imagine if you couldn’t stop yourself remembering everything? All day and all night, every day and every night. You even find yourself remembering timImagine if you couldn’t stop yourself remembering everything? All day and all night, every day and every night. You even find yourself remembering times when you were remembering a particular thing. Aaaarrrggghh!!!
This is the short story of a man called Funes, and the unnamed narrator describes the short life, and insatiable memory of this young man in Uruguay in the late 1800s. Funes can remember every fruit on a vine, every leaf, and the markings on each leaf on a tree. He also, devises his own language and numerical system – the systems currently used by everyone are too simple (of course).
There’s synaesthesia happening here too – this is when one of our senses can trigger other senses to come into play. Such as remembering a number as a colour, or a plant as a smell.
Poor Funes was debilitated by this condition. One may expect this ability would be beneficial. But this guy couldn’t communicate normally with anyone, he was in a world of his own, he couldn’t sleep – his mind was FULL.
Imagine that? Can our mind be full?
The irony here is, not all superpowers are beneficial. That’s my take home message anyway.
This is a fascinating short story and caused me to deep dive into lots of rabbit holes and read many analyses. Much of them over my head – this wee little beauty is certainly one for the mind.
If you do read it, and I recommend it, you may want to lie down afterwards.
It’s been a while since I’ve gobbled up an “Hourly History” and I’m happy I snaffled Isaac Newton – a lifetime, beginning to end on Kindle. Newton, a It’s been a while since I’ve gobbled up an “Hourly History” and I’m happy I snaffled Isaac Newton – a lifetime, beginning to end on Kindle. Newton, a man of very humble beginnings managed to significantly advance scientific thinking in areas such a Calculus, Gravity, Optics, and his legendary Laws of Motion over 300 years ago. I remember studying his Laws of Motion at school and university – and back then I was amazed at how someone from the late 1600s had the insight and imagination to create mathematical models to explain ‘simple things’.
Okay the elephant in the room – (spoiler here) – the apple didn’t fall on his head. But he was in a garden with another brainy guy when he asked this same guy “Why should that apple always descend perpendicularly to the ground?.”
”I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies but not the madness of people”
Sure, some of his work has been superseded – for example, Einstein’s work on space time and how it impacts gravity has occurred. But Newton’s work still stands up – it is still taught, and in so many ways is a great (and simple) way to learn about this wonderful world we are in, and how it works.
He did spend much of his time, later in his career thinking about, and working an Alchemy - Mmmmmm, well we all can’t hit the jackpot can we?
I have always admired the mind of people, back in the day – who could explain the world using mathematical formulae, I mean who does that? Thank god they did and do. We need more of a focus on non-applied courses at our Institutions of Thought. More theoretical scientists armed with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, and their mind. We need to create time and space for people to think. These people make a difference.
This was fun, educational, and interesting.
4 Stars
Bonus Material
Porton’s Law of Velocity:
If Body A is travelling faster than Body B, it is said to have greater speed
Christopher Hitchens’ intelligent, rational, anti-theistic and witty God is NOT Great - How Religion Poisons Everything, is quite simply brilliant. ThChristopher Hitchens’ intelligent, rational, anti-theistic and witty God is NOT Great - How Religion Poisons Everything, is quite simply brilliant. This critique of theisms is broad in scope and oh boy, does he deep dive.
For those who know Hitch, you will be aware he approaches this topic with the grace of a jackhammer. An extremely articulate sledgehammer.
This book contains nineteen chapters with titles like Religion Kills, Arguments from Design, The Nightmare of the “Old” testament, The “New” Testament Exceeds the Evil of the “Old” one, Religion as Original Sin, Is Religion Child Abuse? and much, much more.
No religion escapes Hitch’s wrath:
"…….unbaptized children were sent to “limbo” who can guess the load of misery that this ‘diseased’ theory has been placed on millions of Catholic parents over the years?"
"The Koran is borrowed from both Jewish and Christian myths"
"Meanwhile, the hoarse proponents of “intelligent design” would be laying siege to yet another school board, demanding that tripe be taught to children."
”The person who is certain, and who claims divine warrant for his certainty, belongs now to the infancy of our species.”
"One must state it plainly. Religion comes from the period of human prehistory where nobody—not even the mighty Democritus who concluded that all matter was made from atoms—had the smallest idea what was going on."
"whole towns were pillaged and massacred in what the Serbs themselves termed “ethnic cleansing.” In point of fact, “religious cleansing” would have been nearer the mark."
Regarding the Mormons "………angels coming from heaven to inscribe messages onto gold plates for Smith to find, as embarrassing."
Do you get the picture?
There’s room for humour too: "A Buddhist hot dog vendor, makes and gives a customer his hot dog. The customer gives the Buddhist his money and waits for his change. He waits and waits. Then he asks the Buddhist “Where’s my change?.” To which the Buddhist replied – “Change must come from within".
Back to the Catholics (We'll put the treaty between the Vatican and Hitler's Nazi Party aside):
"…….advice given by Cardinal Alfonso Lopez de Trujillo, the Vatican’s president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, carefully warning that all condoms are secretly made with many microscopic holes, through which the AIDS virus can pass"
Violence, oppression, misery, paternalism, and subjugation permeate these pages.
On a more contemporaneous note (my view here): It’s laughable the way protestant evangelicals in the US are backing a person like Donald Trump. If that doesn’t make Christians think, what would?
I loved this guy, and it is so sad we lost him, and his brilliant mind, to oesophageal cancer in 2011.
Ancient Egypt – A photographic History by Nigel Fletcher Jones is a feast for the eyes.
One thing that will strike you, well it struck me – is how anciAncient Egypt – A photographic History by Nigel Fletcher Jones is a feast for the eyes.
One thing that will strike you, well it struck me – is how ancient, Ancient Egypt is. This book is divided into chapters covering time periods starting at 6000-2666 BCE – covering prehistory, to early dynastic, and ending in the Greco-Roman period 332 – 395 CE, and seven other time periods in between.
For sure we learn about the main players and the history of these periods, however, due to the MASSIVE number of characters and events involved, these are dealt with at break-neck speed. Believe me, I thought there were periods of the Roman Empire that went through Emperors like Kleenex Tissues, the Egyptians put the Romans to shame at times.
But it is clear here, the focus is the wonderful photographs, and wonderful they are!!
Each page is blessed with one or more high quality photographs, some pages (including double pages) only consist of photographs. This is coffee table fare indeed!
Favourites:
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The Silver Coffin, tomb of Psusennes I, 1001 BCE. Discovered in 1939-40, in an excavation that recovered some of the finest pieces found since the excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb – this piece is magic isn’t it?
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Portrait of the boy Eutyches – a coffin painting on wood. Attached over the face of mummies buried in the ancient Egyptian tradition, the subjects are in Roman dress, and the inscriptions are in Greek – reinforcing the multi-cultural aspects of Roman Egypt. 100 – 150 CE.
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Statue of Thutmose III, a great military king. Also known as Thutmose the Great – he significantly expanded the Egyptian empire. Thutmose was the sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty and died around 1425 BCE – isn’t this a wonderful statue??
This is a 5 Star book for me – interesting history, combined with beautiful photographs. What more could one ask for?
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Note: This review contains 3 pictures. If you can't see them or can't see all of them, it's probably due to the phone app you're using - which is a shame because they're wonderful. Cheers Mark...more
Hay tantas personas en el mundo que hablan distinto! Pero todas sonríen igual. Eso recuerdalo siempre, hija
Meaning, there are so many people in thHay tantas personas en el mundo que hablan distinto! Pero todas sonríen igual. Eso recuerdalo siempre, hija
Meaning, there are so many people in the world who speak differently! But they all smile the same. Always remember that, daughter.
What a wonderful message. Too true. So good.
Perhaps humanity can remember this.
A wonderful children’s book in Spanish – I kind of got most of this journey of a little girl who discovers the world in front of her. The way a child can only discover the world.
Imagine if us oldies could re-discover the wonder of our world as a matter of course.
After two years of studying my arse off to learn this language – I was disappointed to not understand a number of las palabras aqui. But, it goes to show, how difficult it is to be fluent in a second language.
However, I did get the gist of this on first pass, and after more study, I understand this is a wonderful book for any little girl wanting to discover the world we live in.
The Byzantine Empire by: A Complete Overview of The Byzantine Empire History from Start to Finish by Eric Brown is a heroic effort. Why? The book is oThe Byzantine Empire by: A Complete Overview of The Byzantine Empire History from Start to Finish by Eric Brown is a heroic effort. Why? The book is only fifty pages and covers a period from the fall of the Western Roman Empire (in 500 CE) to the fall of the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire in Constantinople in 1453 CE.
That is a lot of time, a lot of wars, it involves countless emperors – and there is skullduggery on every page (almost). So, the action here comes at you think and fast. It is also confusing – but the presentation here is as straight forward as you can get. But you need to strap in.
I listened to this on the audio version, perhaps the hard copy has maps and timelines – I don’t know. I reckon that may help.
This is a good introduction. Also, it may be something to keep on hand when reading more detailed studies. So, if you have had your fill of Romulus and King Superbus from the Republican period, Augustus, Nero, and Hadrian from the Imperial period – you may want to dip your toe into the Byzantine period, this is a good introduction book for you.
Health Warning: As well as staying hydrated, looking after your gut biome, getting plenty of sleep and eating well – do not, I REPEAT, do not, read this in conjunction with other Byzantine material..
I made this mistake of trying a total immersion treatment on this topic. I read this book at the same time as listening to a Byzantine podcast and reading a Byzantine book. All moving at different chronologies. I have to say, I disappeared up my own backside a number of times, it was messy, I got my Justinian’s confused with my Basil II’s and was so confused where I was, I expected General George Patton to enter proceedings. Blood and snot everywhere.
If you want to start your learning of the already confusing (but fascinating) Byzantine Empire – just read this book on its own. Then drill down to what interests you. Do not gorge.
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Regards Markus Maximanius Maniakes the Hyperbolic, Pius III (July 2nd, 2pm, 623CE- July 2nd, 2.35pm, 623CE)
As an introduction, this audiobook is worth 4 Stars....more
Close Encounters with Humankind by Sang-Hee Lee, should have been right down my alley. But it was not. I must have my whingey underpants when writing Close Encounters with Humankind by Sang-Hee Lee, should have been right down my alley. But it was not. I must have my whingey underpants when writing this, as this is my second consecutive review with an underwhelming rating.
Okay, this book covers what one would expect in a book about anthropology, written by a paleoanthropologist. There is so much to learn about regarding early human life – chapters have captivating titles such as: Are we Cannibals? Who Were the First Hominin Ancestors? Asia Challenges Africa’s Stronghold on the Birthplace of Humanity. You get the picture? It is all good stuff.
However, I expected something a little more substantial. In my mind, this is more like pop-science. I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the statements made by the author here. Who am I to do that?
This reads a bit like Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything, but it is not as entertaining and certainly not as funny.
Having said all of that - this would be a good addition sitting on most coffee tables.
Japan’s Holocaust by Bryan Mark Rigg provides a forensic account of the atrocities committed by Japan during WWII. There is no need to detail the too-Japan’s Holocaust by Bryan Mark Rigg provides a forensic account of the atrocities committed by Japan during WWII. There is no need to detail the too-numerous accounts presented in this book, safe to say – they are horrific.
The author presents reasons for these atrocities. Japanese society was racist, militaristic and they possessed an absolute devotion to Emperor Hirohito. This belief in their Emperor was total, his line was said to have over 2,000 years of unbroken lineage to the Sun Goddess. The author also describes the violent culture behind such practices as ritualistic suicide and attritional warfare. The Imperial Japanese Army was obsessed with degrading anyone who did not share their beliefs. Atrocities against civilians, POWS and rape against women and children were the norm. The Rape of Nanking being the most notorious.
I was astonished by the never ending and unbelievably brutal violence, both in scale and type, committed against defenceless, innocent people protected by international law. The number of references cited by the author was very high, 1564 in total. In my view it was unbelievable Hirohito escaped the death penalty during the Japanese war crime trials. He lived until 1989, as Emperor and he even opened the 1964 Tokyo Olympics!
The author presents an argument to suggest the dropping of the two atom bombs by the USAF saved many lives, as terrible as those weapons are the death toll would have been significantly more if the Allies would have had to invade Japan and its Islands. The Japanese belief in attritional warfare, their unwillingness to surrender and the practice of suicide (troops and their own citizens) when defeat is imminent, would have made sure of that.
There is a massive message here – we must call out, act on and be aware of the absurdity and danger of all forms of fundamentalism.
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Hirohito – the grandfather of the current Emperor, Niruhito
Hirohito fits comfortably in the same company as Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong.
5 Stars (I upgraded my original rating on reflection)
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review....more
Pax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age by Tom Holland covers the Pax Romana era of ancient Rome. This period commences from the reign of Augustus andPax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age by Tom Holland covers the Pax Romana era of ancient Rome. This period commences from the reign of Augustus and ends at the death of Marcus Aurelius. So, we are talking about 27 BCE to 180 CE. This is considered the time the empire was at its greatest. Sure, there were wars and conflicts both within and without, but compared to the Republican period before, and the rest of the Imperial period after, Pax Romana was a time of relative tranquillity. The empire also covered the most territory at this time, during the reign of Trajan (the bloke I have an unhealthy fascination about), the Romans were – ‘large and in charge’, to be sure.
There were some notoriously bad emperors during this time – the likes of Caligula, Nero, and Domitian were strutting their stuff. There was also the incredible sh*tshow called, the year of the five emperors, following Nero’s death (Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian). However, on the other hand there was the period of the five good emperors – Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. For me, this is the true Golden Period. It is worth noting Pax Romana ended abruptly with the reign of Marcus Aurelius’ son – Commodus. He was certainly one of the worst.
Many significant events occurred, such as, the sack of Dacia, Jerusalem, Mt Vesuvius covering Pompeii and Herculaneum in ash, the conquest of those pesky Brits – so we see Hadrian’s wall. The stories relayed by Tom Holland (I listed to the audiobook) was riveting during the conquest of Jerusalem as was the account of Mt Vesuvius’ eruption..
However, I did find Holland’s delivery, overall, to be flat and a bit too academic for my liking. Maybe I am still under the seductive spell of Mary Beard? I listened to her audiobook Emperor of Rome a few months ago, an audiobook experience extraordinaire!!!! Unfortunately, Pax did not reach those heights. Pax also lacked a seamless narrative, I found it difficult to follow at times.
There is enough here to learn new material for those who love this topic (e.g. Pliny makes some memorable appearances), but for the newbie – I would suggest something a little more engaging.
Emperor of Rome by the wonderful Mary Beard is essential reading for lovers of Roman antiquity, but ALSO for those who are hanging out for an introduc Emperor of Rome by the wonderful Mary Beard is essential reading for lovers of Roman antiquity, but ALSO for those who are hanging out for an introduction to this incredible period of human history. This account covers the period from Augustus (27 BCE) to the teenage Elagabalus (reign ended 222 CE).
Usually, any account of the Emperors of Rome is chronological. You know, Augustus (the great), Tiberius (the miserable), Caligula (the nutter), Claudius (the unexpected), Nero (the ginga ninja – but also a nutter)….and so on. Well, Professor Beard here, tackles this lot of Emperors differently. That is, by Topic. Food, slaves, succession, administration and so much more.
The section on Imperial Dinners was brilliant. Caligula used to nip off with the wives of male guests, have sex with them, return the poor woman to the table and proceed to demean her and her husband. Elagabalus used to have colour themed dinners – the black ones were sure to scare the guests, he also introduced “whoopee cushions” to the world at his dinners – this gender fluid emperor was a genius!! Skin flint, Tiberius, served up yesterday’s leftovers for a ‘feast’ the following day – bahahaha. The fact is, Imperial dining is a particularly revealing lens into the world of the emperor from Sadism to generosity, luxury to terror. The imperial dining room was a site of danger as well as pleasure for the unsuspecting guests.
Poisoning had an uncanny close relationship to cookery.
There’s a chapter on the Job Description of an emperor. They had so much correspondence, it makes one wonder how they go through it. They probably had their minders reply to much of it. But one thing that struck me was the ‘light touch of power’ in the empire. There was only 1 administrator for every 300,000 people – amazing!
Succession was another wonderful chapter – the complexities involved. Also, the importance of adoption in determining who would be heir. Many, or most adoptions involved an emperor adopting an adult male as son. It does seem to me, that adoption (i.e.. selecting an individual with the right skill set) was far more successful in producing decent heirs than by birth. For example, the year of the 5 Good Emperors - Nerva (was appointed by the senate after Nero), Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, all adopted, were considered good, great, emperors. However, Marcus Aurelius allowed his biological basket-case of a son, Commodus, to take over after his death, and that ended in tears, to put it mildly.
The chapter on women was enthralling. Women of the Imperial House helped to both guarantee succession and simultaneously threaten to disrupt it. Messalina’s intrigues with one of her aristocratic lovers (for apparently she had many) who were apparently ready to stage a coup - resulted in her being put to death on her husband’s – Claudius – orders with him quipping – “Am I still Emperor, am I still emperor?” Brutal stuff.
The equally promiscuous daughter of Augustus, Julia, who was known for having a keen sense of humour only took on a lover when she was pregnant to her husband. She was quoted as saying “I never take a passenger on board, except when the hold is already full”. That is brilliant – I hope it’s true!
Interestingly, Mary Beard starts this book and ends it with a discussion on Elagabalus. He’s a little-known emperor. He reigned 218 CE – 222 CE. He was only a boy, aged 14 – 18 years during his reign. He was from Syria and came to be emperor due to some tenuous link with the royal bloodline. This young boy was responsible for a massive empire. Imagine that? I was squeezing pimples at that age and arguing with mum and dad about how long I could stay out with my mates - he was ‘large and in charge’ of an empire! He was also different, he dressed flamboyantly, much to the horror of the Roman Conservatives, he was a follower of the Sun God (hence the name), in fact he installed Elegabal as the chief deity, thus causing religious difficulties in Rome, not helped by his marriage to a Vestal Virgin!! Yes, a Vestal Virgin!!!! But importantly, Mary Beard paints a picture of a human being, a person, a young boy – probably gender fluid. Notably, he even asked one of his surgeons to cut him a vagina.
Mary Beard humanises these people. She brings them into your lounge room, she introduces us them as folks, and I love her for that. If you have even slightest inkling to know more about this crazy gang – read this. If you want an extra-sensory experience, listen to Professor Beard’s audiobook as I did – it is quite simply, magic.
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Elegabalus……poor lad (my opinion) – executed to make way for Severus Alexander.
The Wager is one of the most fascinating true stories you could ever wish to read. This ship was purchased from the East India Company in 1739 by the The Wager is one of the most fascinating true stories you could ever wish to read. This ship was purchased from the East India Company in 1739 by the Royal Navy. In 1741 it formed part of a fleet charged with the mission to sale around the Southern tip of South America (YIKES!!!!) and hang out in the Pacific Ocean to menace the Spanish fleets of the day.
The fleet consisted of six warships (of which Wager was one of the small ones) and two transport vessels. Before leaving Portsmouth, the Navy were required to recruit enough people to make up 120 odd crew. This was a feat in itself, it proved so difficult (with people deserting) they had to employ disabled and injured crew from other ships just returned from previous voyages. Many were stretchered on board no less! Anyway, the Captain of Wager, died before reaching Cape Horn and Lieutenant David Cheap, a young, stern, keen officer, was appointed as acting captain. Captain Cheap was later to become a much maligned (perhaps unfairly) historical figure – all due to the events that were about to unfold.
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OMG!!!
Upon passing through Cape Horn – which is known for the strongest of winds, massive waves, currents, and icebergs disaster struck. Wager had not travelled sufficiently far enough West before turning North (Captain Cheap was often blamed by his crew) and she struck ground within a group of remote and desolated island at the Western tip of Southern Chile and was shipwrecked.
Before the shipwreck of Wager, the sets this up beautifully by introducing us to the main players and detailing what life on a ship of that time was like. The politics, discipline, working the sails, duties, the food, the duties of the surgeon, all the dangers involved, the dreaded scurvy (oh dear!!) and lots more. By the time Wager reached the tip of South America, the crew were in no fit state to operate this ship – largely due to scurvy. The descriptions of the sufferers was horrible, even for someone who’s spent his life working with faeces, sputum, urine, and pus – I found it a bit much.
Once shipwrecked – there were instances of looting, fighting and conflict among groups, murder, mutiny even cannibalism was considered – imagine staring at your workmates with this in mind. The group split into groups, they tried to live off this barren land, and in effect they became walking skeletons, most died. I cannot describe that happens after the crew split into groups and decided on various courses of action to go home. You’ll have to read this to find out.
It is brilliantly written, it is the ultimate ripping yarn.
There is a lot to learn here, but at no stage did this book become an effort. It passed through me with ease. Highly recommended, you will not believe what happens.
5 Stars
Newsflash: I believe there's a movie either in production, or currently being made re theWager, starring Leo DiCaprio (as Cheap??) and directed by Martin Scorsese. Now wouldn't that be a treat?...more
Caligula by Suetonius is one entertaining read. It is worth mentioning the author here, as he writes in a style that anyone would find accessible and Caligula by Suetonius is one entertaining read. It is worth mentioning the author here, as he writes in a style that anyone would find accessible and entertaining.
Biographer of the first twelve Caesars, Suetonius, is the most utilised source of the life of Caligula (b. 12 AD d. 41AD) There are others, mainly Tacitus and Dio Cassius, but in the case of Tacitus his work is incomplete, and Dio wrote a few centuries later. Suetonius was a secretary for emperor Hadrian (reign 117AD – 138AD – he’s one of my favourites) and had access to all the records of previous Emperors. One thing about Suetonius that makes his work so accessible to anyone, is his writing. It is sensationalist, it almost reads like a London daily tabloid rag. It is said, he also relied on gossip and other informal sources, but historians (or the ones I listen to anyway) suggest he is an excellent source.
Gaius Caesar or, Caligula (emperor # 3), was well-bred to be sure, having direct links to both the Julio and Claudian bloodlines. Hi father was the pin-up boy Germanicus, who was touted to be Emperor one day, but a suspicious death in Syria put paid to that. Agrippina was Caligula’s Mum, Augustus his great grandad, Livia his great grandmother. Talk about royal blood!
Unfortunately, his two older brothers were executed, probably by the taciturn, perverted Tiberius (emperor # 2) – in fact, as a late teenager, Caligula was put under the care of Tiberius on the island of Capri. Sounds nice doesn’t it? Not until you know what went on in Tiberius’ lair – it really sounds like a horrible place to be. After his mum, Agrippina, was exiled and killed, this poor young lad was left with three younger sisters. All of whom he was later to have sex with. However, he was particularly devoted to Drusilla – to the point of deifying her.
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"The love of Caligula’s life – his sister Drusilla"
The first third of this biography covers Caligula’s childhood and the early part of him being emperor. He was initially popular, largely due to the unpopularity of the detested Tiberius. But things started to turn rotten soon into his brief four-year reign when he became uber-cruel and increasing extravagant with the Empire’s money.
Suetonius writes, only on page 20 of 50:
”So much for Gaius (Caligula) the emperor; the rest of this history must deal with Gaius the Monster”
What follows is quite simply a litany of atrocities. I won’t detail any of them here, many of you will be aware of much of his behaviour, but there will be others you will learn about fir the first time. If you want to know the details you may want to read this biography, it is as interesting as it is shocking.
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"Let them hate me, so long as they fear me"
Caligula was eventually killed by a mob of elites, in a stabbing frenzy. It seems Caligula’s total disrespect for the Senate and other powerful people was too much. His uncle, Claudius, succeeded him – reluctantly. It’s interesting to note that Caligula, liked to keep Uncle Claudius around his court, as a butt for practical jokes – his uncle had a bad limp, a speech impediment and was a bit of a nerd.
If you read this, I know you won’t regret it.
Simply brilliant.
5 Stars
Fun Fact Those of you who are interested, may note Caligula, as emperor #3 - and Tiberius as #2 - meaning Augustus was #1. Where does that leave Julius Caesar? Well he wasn't an emperor, merely a dictator - the joint was still a republic when he was large and in charge. But he paved the way for Augustus' impressive reign, perhaps the most impressive reign of all? ...more
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