Category Archives: History

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Biography, book review, History, Non-Fiction

DANGEROUS SHALLOWS -REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

TitleDangerous Shallows: In Search of The
Ghost Ships of Cape Cod
AuthorEric Takakjian & Randall Peffer
PublisherLyons Press (January 24, 2020)
FormatPaperback, Kindle
Pages272
Language:English
ISBN # 10 / 131493042300 / 978-1493042302

AUTHORS

Find out more about Eric Takakjian on his linkedin page here. He can be found on Boston Sea Rovers here. Finally you can find some information on Eric at Doug Grad Literary Agency, Inc. here.

You can find some information on Randall at Doug Grad Literary Agency, Inc. here. Randall Peffer gives a 90 second video biography here.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE

This book is for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a sailor, a diver, a history buff, an adventurer, or you just like a good thriller; this book has it all.

SYNOPSIS

Dangerous Shallows: In Search of The Ghost Ships of Cape Cod is a superbly written book that grips the reader from the very onset. Eric Takakjian takes the reader from the earliest of times in relation to diving techniques to modern mixed gasses. He intersperses his experiences with spellbinding tales of sunken ships and the events that led up to their tragic fates.

Eric explains in terms that are easy to understand all of the intricacies of diving and especially deep diving. He guides us through the uses of mixed gas to get to exceptionally deep wrecks and the troubles associated with each dive. He brings into view the price of miscalculation and bad circumstance and the lethal effects associated with deep diving. Intermixed is his own journey as a USCG crewman through his marriage and operating his own dive company while looking for those “virgin” wrecks.

Dangerous Shallows covers a myriad of different vessels and reasons for their current predicaments. The wrecks that Eric explores cover centuries of accidents, war, and depression. He takes the time to relate to the reader exactly what he sees and feels as he dives the wrecks. While swimming over the wrecks, he takes the reader back in time and makes the reader feel as if they are there for each vessel’s demise. The reader can feel the panic, the elation, the fear, or the determination of the people associated with each vessel.

Included within the book are the stories of his own trials and tribulations. He talks about the hardships keeping “virgin” wreck locations secret and the betrayal of “friends” who want to use his work for their own gains. He explains the research he, his wife, and friends undertake to locate and find each lost vessel. Eric describes the dangers each particular dive has; from currents, to sharks, to visibility issues, to the “bends.”

The author interfuses pictures and illustrations throughout the book. The color and black and white photos enhance the readers perceptions of the boats and the wrecks. Some of the photos are historic as are the schematics.

CONCLUSION

This book is thrilling, mysterious, and intriguing. Even if you don’t know much about diving and especially deep diving, this book easily explains the terms and conditions. The stories of the individual wrecks are told in vivid detail.  The reader can easily feel as if they are right there with him on this journey of discovery. I heartily recommend this book for everyone.

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Eric Takakjian and Randall Peffer, NetGalley, and Lyons Press for affording me the opportunity to review Dangerous Shallows: In Search of the Ghost Ships of Cape Cod.

book review, History, Non-Fiction

THE LOUVRE – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

The Louvre: The Many Lives of The World’s Most Famous Museum
TitleThe Louvre: The Many Lives of
the World’s Most Famous Museum
AuthorJames Gardner
PublisherAtlantic Monthly Press (May 5, 2020)
Pages416
LanguageEnglish
ISBN # -10 / ISBN # -13 0802148778 / 978-0802148773

AUTHOR

James Gardner is a prolific art critic. He is widely published with articles that have appeared in such diverse publications as: The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the New Republic, and the Spectator Magazine. He is presently an editor at The Magazine Antiques and has a half a dozen other manuscripts in publication.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

The Louvre: The Many Lives of the World’s Most Famous Museum is a serious book for those who adore the history, the spectacle, and the beauty of France’s most notable museum. If you enjoy history, art, sculpture pomp and circumstance of the land dating back some 7,000 years, then this could be a read you would enjoy.

SYNOPSIS

The history of The Louvre is only overshadowed by the history of Paris itself. Gardener ferries us skillfully through the sometimes-complex chronology of The Louvre from the past to the present.  Gardner guides us across the chasm of time beginning with the earliest inhabitants of the land to the stunning awe-inspiring beauty of today’s architectural masterpiece. The cast of historic characters remains every bit as interesting and notable as the iconic landmark itself. Some of the distinguished individuals within the pages are: King Philippe Auguste, Charles V, Louis XVI, and Napoleon to name but a few.

Across centuries from 7,000 years ago through the construction of a fortress in 1191, Gardner imbues us with a very intimate knowledge of the legend that is The Louvre. He takes us through the Reign of Terror, the Napoleonic period, the Commune, and on to recent history.

Gardner’s work is a masterpiece resplendent with facts, details and an appreciation of the museum. The author ends with the knowledge that The Louvre is now more popular than ever and its visitor levels are a very healthy 8 million most years.  

CONCLUSION

Contained within the pages of this volume are some black and white photographs, plates and illustrations. Furthermore, there is a list of endnotes and a Bibliography. I had anticipated a directory of detailed references, but I was disappointed.

Sadly, at the time of writing this review the Museum has been closed for several days as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak that is spreading across the globe. No doubt this will reduce the number of visitors annually, unless circumstances change.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank James Gardner, NetGalley, and Atlantic Monthly Press for affording me the opportunity to review The Louvre: The many Lives of the World’s Most Famous Museum.

book review, History, Litercurious Archives, Litercurious Archives, Military History, Military Intelligence, Non-Fiction, World War 2

Ian Fleming SOE And Operation POSTMASTER – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

TitleIan Fleming and SOE’s Operation POSTMASTER
AuthorBrian Lett
PublisherPen and Sword Military (February 19, 2020)
FormatKindle, Paperback
Page272
LanguageEnglish     
ISBN-10 / 131526760681 / 978-1526760685

AUTHOR’S BIO

http://www.brianlettauthor.com/about.html

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

Anyone who enjoys history or WWII military operations.

SYNOPSIS

Ian Fleming and SOE’s Operation POSTMASTER: The Untold Top Secret Story, is a historical look at just one of the Special Operations Executive’s (SOE’s) missions in West Africa. The author draws parallels between this mission, the makeup of the SOE, and Ian Fleming’s James Bond series.

The story follows a small group of soldiers from Dunkirk through special operations training to mission “Operation Postmaster.” Brian Lett explains how Ian Fleming was involved with the SOE, how he knew the individuals involved, and how he incorporated certain characteristics from each member into his fictional character James Bond. Brian breaks down the makeup of the SOE and the code words and letters utilized during the time and how Ian Fleming incorporated those into his series.

Operation Postmaster is the tell of a small group of highly motivated soldiers from all walks of life and multiple nationalities banding together to accomplish a single goal. These soldiers trained in England and Scotland, and then went to work on the Spanish island of Fernando Po, now known as Bioko, off West Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. The story describes the trails and tribulations that the SOE went through just to be able to do their job. From the pushback of the Admiralty, to the international political scene.

The detailed planning, the timely execution, and the personal fortitude of the men is quite evident. The fact that they received almost no help from their own military only added to the tale. The British General Officer Commanding (GOC) West Africa Command refused to support the mission. The only way they could accomplish this mission was to get help from the Governor of Nigeria.

CONCLUSION

Operation Postmaster is sometimes thrilling, but for the most part it just tedious. This is in no part due to the author, but due to the lack of support from the British military. In order to tell the story, the author has to incorporate the long delays, the trials, and tribulations that the men had to go through. When the story really picks up it is very good. Overall, I found it an interesting read but one I could do without. The whole operation just seemed a waste of resources for little gain and the possible international ramifications. The way the story is told it seems that the whole operation was just to prove that the SOE could “do it.”

Although there are similarities between the code names of the soldiers and Fleming’s books, there is no evidence that he used this particular mission to from his James Bond 007 series. It is evident that he used his experiences working with the SOE for the background of his series, but I believe the author put too much emphasis on this one mission. My greatest disappointment is that Ian Fleming, although promoted heavily on the dust cover, features less than I expected.

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: The Author, NetGalley, and the Publisher, for affording me the opportunity to review Ian Fleming and SOE’s Operation POSTMASTER: The Untold Top Secret Story.

book review, History, Litercurious Archives, Non-Fiction, Political Science

TYRANTS – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

TitleTYRANTS
AuthorProfessor Waller R. Newell
PublisherCambridge University Press (September 26, 2019)
FormatKindle, Hardcover
Page273
LanguageEnglish     
ISBN #1108713912   

Tyrants: Power, Injustice and Terror will appeal to anyone interested in the danger posed by tyranny and terror in today’s world.

Tyrants, by Professor Waller R. Newell, (Sept. 26, 2019) Loc 2.

AUTHOR’S BIO

https://carleton.ca/bhum/people/waller-newell/

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

Tyrants is a must read for all those studying political science.

SYNOPSIS

Tyrants, by Professor Waller Newell is an encyclopedic panoply of absorbing facts relating to despots from ancient history to present days autocrats. Waller categorizes the various kinds of tyrannical systems together with their characteristic methodologies and potential risks each poses to the society and the wider world. Tyrants spans over 2,000 years of anarchic insanity posing under the guise of political change. Professor Newell describes succinctly how tyrannical systems grow, often seeming to be ineffectual to their rise and through their inevitable fall. The pattern repeating itself again and again against the tapestry of human history. As time and technology progress the number of victims arising out of tyranny increases to terrifying levels. Newell mentions the usual suspects, Hitler, Stalin, and, Alexander the Great as well as those from the distant past.

From the onset I was surprised to observe the subject to be compelling, fascinating, and enthralling. I commend Professor Newell for taking a complex and sensitive subject and making it accessible and interesting. I felt that Newell argued well that tyrants represent an existential threat to the existence and continuation of democratic systems.

Professor Newell manages to take us from the tyrannical archetypes and through his extensive academic knowledge and skills to reveals the very heart of tyrants at their worst. Newell states from the beginning that his purpose is to prompt the current generation to realize that tyrants are not gone never to return. They are very much alive, well and living alongside us today and that they present a terrifying threat to societies across the globe.

The work is scholarly but not academic, and this is an excellent choice as it gives the greatest number of readers the opportunity to ingest this warning from history. Tyrants is particularly important due to the absence of literature covering this topic.

CONCLUSION

Tyrants is a primer for those who wish to read Professor Newell’s earlier masterpiece Tyranny. Both manuscripts will give the reader a superior knowledge of the danger that still exists in our world today; as well as the historic context against which to illuminate the cliff edge that faces civilization. This tome is concisely written and researched with inspirational interpretations throughout. I found it a compelling read even though the topic is serious.  Tyrants by Professor Newell is the author at his best.

FURTHER READING

Poverty Isn’t the Root Cause of Jihadist Terrorism. Here’s What Is.

https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/understanding-tyranny-and-terror-the-french-revolution-modern-islamism

https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/133995/plato-aristotle-tyranny-assad

OTHER WORKS BY THIS AUTHOR

His books include Tyrants: A History of Power, Injustice and Terror (forthcoming from Cambridge University Press), Tyranny: A New Interpretation (Cambridge University Press), The Soul of a Leader: Character, Conviction and Ten Lessons in Political Greatness (Harper Collins 2009), The Code of Man: Love, Courage, Pride, Family, Country (Harper Collins, 2003), What Is A Man? 3000 Years of Wisdom on the Art of Manly Virtue (Harper Collins 2000), Ruling Passion: The Erotics of Statecraft in Platonic Political Philosophy (Rowman and Littlefield 2000) and Bankrupt Education: The Decline of Liberal Education in Canada (University of Toronto Press 1994, with Peter C. Emberley).

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

My sincere thanks go to: The Author, NetGalley, and the Publisher, for affording me the opportunity to review Tyrants.

book review, History, Non-Fiction

Sir Francis Bryan – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

TitleSir Francis Bryan: Henry VIII’s Most
Notorious Ambassador
AuthorSara-Beth Watkins
PublisherChronos Books (February 1, 2020)
FormatKindle, Paperback,
Page176     
LanguageEnglish     
ISBN #1789043417 ISBN 13(978-1789043419)

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Sara-Beth Watkins is a successful and popular author. She is an autodidact and grew up in Surrey, England. During her childhood she was drawn to the subjects of history and writing. Following a career as a tutor of the written word, she branched out to professional writing. Her early works were successful, and they focused on self-help. The success of her initial releases inspired here to combine her childhood interests and the result has been an avalanche of superb historic works of littérature. 

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

Those who enjoy historic literature in general or Tudor history, in particular, may enjoy this manuscript. Scholars or academics studying college courses in history may find Sir Francis Bryan very useful. 

SYNOPSIS

Sir Francis Bryan is a comprehensive and detailed life of a Tudor aristocrat. The period referred to by the title is from 1490 when Francis Bryan was born to his death in 1550. The volume explores the life and times of Bryan; his heritage, Knighthood, and other heraldic awards acquired during King Henry’s monarchy and thereafter. 

Bryan was a loyal functionary of not just one monarch but several Royal Houses during his lifetime. He was very well rewarded for his friendship and his loyalty. However, the rewards were all too often depleted by the demands placed upon him by the very sovereign that accorded them to him. ‘The Field of the Cloth of Gold (June 1520)’ is where Bryan paid more than the King for the much-heralded celebration. A celebration that preceded The Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530’s.

Watkins has managed to take a character and present the man behind the myth. There is a genuine sense of him, his personality and his human failings. We are left in no doubt that he was a ‘man’s man’ that is to say someone who works hard, plays hard, and likes to chase the ladies. 

Bryan lived at a time in English history that saw momentous constitutional and religious changes. A period of great upheaval, wars, religious inspired pogroms and strife. It was a time that friendship nor marriage alone could guarantee your safety. It is safe to assume that Bryan was blessed with what would be labeled today as a considerable degree of social intelligence. He navigated his way successfully across several monarchs’ rule, and survived.

Whilst Watkins has provided us a comprehensive and detailed biography through extensive research, she has avoided the licentious and depraved aspects of Bryans life’s choices. There is a hint of his lascivious tastes, but an accurate account is missing. There is no doubt as to Bryan’s skills in diplomacy, aided by his knowledge of several languages, “savoir faire” in his mandated tasks. Bryan cleverly negotiates the daily dangers of court life and of managing the expectations of his close friend and King. He used his personality, confidence, intelligence and elan, to communicate truth to power and maintain his head. 

Watkins has produced a concise and broad ranging personal history in a succinct format. The book holds together well, and it is suffused with material. 

CONCLUSION

There is a significant skill in writing historic biographies and maintaining a pace that holds the reader’s attention. This skill is even more admirable when taken into consideration the vast gaps in the historic record for a person’s daily life experiences. This lack of accurate information is true even of those in close contact with the monarchs. 

Sara-Beth Watkins has managed to write yet another captivating, informative and entertaining read. 

Sir Francis Bryan includes monochrome pictures, references, a bibliography and an Appendix. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My sincere thanks go to: Sara-Beth Watkins (Author), NetGalley, and the Publisher (Chronos Books) for affording me the opportunity to review Sir Francis Bryan: Henry VIII’s Most Notorious Ambassador.

book review, History, Non-Fiction, Science

NAPOLEON’S BUTTONS – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

Napoleon’s Buttons, Penny Cameron Le Couteur, Ph.D. & Jay Burreson, Ph.D.
TitleNapoleon’s Buttons
AuthorPenny Cameron Le Couteur, Ph.D. & Jay Burreson, Ph.D.
PublisherJeremy P Tarcher; Reprint edition (May 24, 2004)
FormatKindle, Paperback, Audiobook     
Page384     
LanguageEnglish     
ISBN #10-1585423319   ISBN #-13 (978-1585423316)     

“for this physicist, reading Napoleon’s Buttons was like being a kid accidentally locked overnight in a candy store. The treats? Lots of neat chemistry that I should have known but didn’t (having had awful college chemistry teachers), a whole bunch of entertaining anecdotes, and not a few breathtaking historical generalizations.”

David Goodstein, American Scientist

AUTHOR(S) BIOs

Dr. Penny Le Couteur, Ph.D., was born in New Zealand and attended the University of Auckland. She attained her Ph.D. from the University of California in Santa Barbara. Dr. Le Couteur has been teaching chemistry for over three decades. She was recognized as an outstanding educator of chemistry in Canadian Collages. She was formerly The Head of Capilano’s Chemistry Department as well as the chair of Pure and Applied Sciences.

Dr. Le Couteur currently works as an award-winning professor in the Dean of Arts and Sciences office at Capilano College, British Columbia, Canada. She currently resides in North Vancouver, Canada. 

Doctor Jay Burreson, Ph.D., is the co-author of Napoleon’s Buttons: How Seventeen Molecules Changed History. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Hawaii. He worked as an Industrial Chemist for Mag Tech in Oregon, USA. Currently, he is a Fellow of Marine Natural Products at the University of Hawaii, USA.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

This title was initially intended for gifted students age 14-18 years old. Astonishingly, it has been favorably received by a considerably more diverse audience from children to adults. This scholarly work will appeal not only to those with an academic background, but also to those with little or no background in chemistry.

SYNOPSIS

Napoleon’s Buttons is a refreshing read that combines not one but two disciplines: organic chemistry and associated history. The book was authored with the intention of it being an introductory primer for students of organic chemistry with-in the age range of 14-18 years old. However, this text has proven to be a hit with adults as well. 

The authors have taken the subjects of chemistry and history and melded them together to produce a compelling combination. The prose are skillfully written in a coherent and  accessible style with plenty of illustrations, formulae, and comprehensive end of chapter summaries. In my humble opinion, these summaries are irreplaceable as they allow the reader to glean the bulk of the information in the chapter in a convenient bite-sized manner. The chapters cover various molecules, complete with a concise anecdotal historic context for each. They included isomers and chirality concepts in an intelligible manner for those unfamiliar with the terms.

Central to the success of this volume is the historic connections of the various interactions between historical influences, social and cultural pressures, and the political forces of the time. In the case of olive oil, all those factors were changed through the popularity of the resultant product.

THE PERIODIC TABLE

Image gallery image
Image gallery image

CONCLUSION

Pros

Students will find the script to be compelling reading on a number of levels. The formulae are aptly described and easy to understand. The context strengthened the subject considerably. The science described in this text is similar to The Scientific American and not as demanding as The New Scientist Magazine. The combination of story telling and the scientific underpinning makes this book a fascinating and engrossing read.

Cons

Although the title suggests that there are only 17 molecules discussed, there are more. In addition, I question why a glossary was not included in a text meant for teenagers. Although the first chapters provide a brief introduction to chemistry, I feel a more comprehensive introduction would have been helpful for all those who have no prior knowledge of the scientific discipline. This would be incredibly beneficial for those with little or no instruction in the use or knowledge of chemical formulae. 

FURTHER READING

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Chemistry

American Scientist, July-August, 2003, David Goodstein, review of Napoleon’s Button: How Seventeen Molecules Changed History, p. 370.

Booklist, May 1, 2003, Gilbert Taylor, review of Napoleon’s Buttons, p. 1561.

Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood, Dr. Oliver Sacks M.d., Link: Here Vintage; Reprint edition (December 11, 2013)

Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2003, review of Napoleon’s Buttons, p. 363.

Library Journal, May 15, 2003, Wade M. Lee, review of Napoleon’s Buttons, p. 120.

Chemical and Engineering News: Link: Here (October 6, 2003), Louisa Dalton, review of Napoleon’s Buttons.

The Violinist’s Thumb, Sam Keen: Link: Here Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (July 16, 2013)

Seeds of Change by Henry Hobhouse [No Kindle Ed.] Link: Here Counterpoint; Reprint edition (November 22, 2005)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Chemistry/Resources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organometallic_chemistry

INTERACTIVE PERIODIC TABLE LINK: Here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Chemistry

book review, History, Military History, Military Intelligence, Non-Fiction, World War 2

Battle of Britain Broadcaster – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

Battle of Britain Broadcaster: Charles Gardner Radio Pioneer & WW2 Pilot, Robert Gardner
Title Battle of Britain Broadcaster
Author Robert Gardner
Publisher Air World (September 30, 2019)
Format Kindle, Hardcover
Page 272
Language English
ASIN: B07YCTPNJB

Author’s Bio (from Amazon)

“Robert Gardner worked as a journalist for four years before moving into public relations with the British Aircraft Corporation becoming Head of Publicity and later Vice President of British Aerospace and BAE Systems. Robert Gardner, who is now retired, was appointed MBE in 2001.”

Who is the Target Audience?

The Battle of Britain Broadcaster: Charles Gardner, Radio Pioneer and WWII Pilot will appeal to anyone interested in British WWII history. History students will find the contents of this book revealing and a genuine look into the times of Britain’s greatest conflict.

Synopsis

The Battle of Britain Broadcaster is unlikely to be a populist favorite. I felt whilst reading this book that it was a publication too late in the day to ever be truly popular as it might have been. That being said, the book is resplendent with fascinating nuggets of intelligence on a myriad of subjects. I found the involvement of Gardner with Lord Mountbatten on the matter of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip Of Greece when he was attending The Naval collage at Dartmouth at the age of 18 and the Princess was a mere 13 years of age to be most revealing. Gardner managed to go far on a Gammer School Education and reached the dizzying heights of the Ministry of Information and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). During his service to King and Country he established many of the principals of broadcasting that the BBC uses today.

Conclusion

I really did want to love this book, but it never really happened. It felt trapped in the past like a man living off of bygone glories. People in today’s Britain are more concerned with right now rather than with the future or the past. For this publication; the Britain of World War 2 and the Britain of the Eurozone of today are literally worlds apart.

Acknowledgement

My sincere thanks go to: NetGalley and Air World for affording me the opportunity to review Battle of Britain Broadcaster: Charles Gardner, Radio Pioneer and WWII Pilot.

Art & Design, book review, History, Non-Fiction

Manet and Modern Beauty – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

Manet and Modern Beauty, Scott Allan, Emily A. Beeny, and Gloria Groom (Ed.)
TitleManet and Modern Beauty: The Artist’s Last Years
EditorsScott Allan, Emily A. Beeny, and Gloria Groom (Ed.)
PublisherGetty Publications 1st Edition (25 Jun, 2019)
FormatKindle     
Page400    
LanguageEnglish     
ISBN #1606066048 ISBN #-13 (978-1606066041)     

The editors of this work should be proud. They have managed to create a work of art that Édouard Manet would have considered a fitting epitaph. The publication is dripping with beautifully reproduced works by the brilliant and talented Manet.

Who is the Target Audience?

This book is a must have for anyone who enjoys the Impressionist period of Modern Art. I would especially recommend this volume to students of art history or those with a love of the Impressionist Movement. There is so much information in the book that it could reasonably be considered as an encyclopedia of the artist and his works.

Synopsis

The contents are arranged in an organized fashion with accompanying high-quality photographic images of Édouard Manet’s paintings, sketches, personal letters, and more; much more. The Editors include a useful chronology dating from 1876 until Manet’s death in 1882. You can expect to learn about his background, his years at the Salon (Portrait of Antonin Proust, 1880. Cat. 22). We also learn details of his personal challenges experienced shortly before his tragic death. It is evident from Manet’s works included herein that Velasquez was one of his major influences. I believe that is most evident in Manet’s oil painting on canvas entitled A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, 1881. The Editors have made it easy to reference the illuminations.

The aspect of the book I enjoyed the most is the personal letters which Manet illustrated with wonderful watercolor sketches. Sketches that elevate an otherwise mundane note to a whole new level (See the Chapter entitled: Manet’s Little Nothings). After reading this “Manet Encyclopedia” I have a more complete understanding of the man and his work. I found the Chapter on Manet’s methods and Materials to be interesting and educational; as any artist would. By viewing the artists’ palette, we can see the insight for the paintings he created. There are close up images of individual brushstrokes revealing some of his methods in applying oil paint; an aspect that I found to be very helpful. I adored the summary of pigments detailed in a table complete with abbreviations, techniques employed, and references. There is even a color chart detailing individual colors that Manet used in his palette. Keep a look out for the Chapter on Manet’s private selection of personal letters 1878-83, for a genuine insight into the mind of the artist. It’s appropriate that the chapter of personal letters is followed by Plates that include a Portrait of Édouard Manet, 1867 (painted by Henri Fantin-L’atour) See Cat. 1. The Plates are resplendent with painting after painting. I laughed when I saw his painting of a brioche with a rose in it. This image in particular speaks of the artist’s outlook on life. I have yet to see a better painting of Irises in watercolor than the one contained in this tome.

Conculsion

The book concludes with a Catalogue of the Exhibition – 1866. Manet was at the height of his power as is evident from the contents of the catalogue. The Editors generously provide us high-quality images of the paintings from the 1866 exhibition.
This is the seminal work in my opinion of the late years of Édouard Manet and is a fitting epitaph to the great artist. I have no compunction in recommending this work of editorial art to you.

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: NetGalley, and J. Paul Getty Museum for affording me the opportunity to review “Manet and Modern Beauty.”

book review, History, Non-Fiction, True Crime, Women in History

According to Kate – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

According To Kate: The Ledendary Life Of Big Nose Kate, Love of Doc Holiday
Title According to Kate: The Legendary Life of Big Nose
Kate, Love of Doc Holliday
Author Chris Enss
Publisher TwoDot (October 1, 2019)
Format Kindle, Hardcover     
Page 184     
Language English     
ISBN # 1493037730 ISBN-13 #: (978-1493037735)       

Author’s Bio

Chris Enss is a prolific and professional writer with decades of experience and more than 40 titles on the subject of the historic West. She holds numerous awards as well as being a New York Times Best Seller. 

Who is the Target Audience?

History buffs and those with a penchant for Western History are likely to enjoy this presentation. In addition, those whose interests range from women’s history and biography may also find the book an enjoyable read.

Synopsis

The title revolves around the real-life adventures of Kate Elder the amour of the notorious Doc Holiday. The Wild West was an unforgiving environment for women, and it appears to have taken a rare toughness of mind and character combined with smarts to exist among the rough and tumble men. Enss shows the other, softer side of Kate Elder aka Big Nose Kate. Kate was gifted in many crafts. In writing this book Enss has given Big Nose Kate an epitaph she missed in the days of old. 

Enss work shines from her masterful and crafted prose and her obvious respect for her subject. The familiarity Enss has of the life and times of the Old West is clear. According to Kate is a pleasant and interesting read about a character that history almost forgot. A female that although long dead is brought to life again through the professional writing skill of Enss. I did feel at times that the pace of the book was a little too slow. 

Conclusion

The story written by Enss revolves around the female character of Big Nose Kate, aka Kate Elder, the sometimes wife of Doc Holiday. She lived in the tumultuous times of the 1800s in places such as Tombstone, Arizona, among many others. 

Overall, the book is worthy of your time.

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: NetGalley, and the Publisher, TwoDot for affording me the opportunity to review According to Kate: The Legendary Life of Big Nose Kate, Love of Doc Holliday.

book review, History, Military History, Military Intelligence, Non-Fiction, Political Science, Reference Works

VICKSBURG – REVIEW

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Litercurious Book Review

Vicksburg: Grant’s Campaign That Broke The Confederacy, Donald L. Miller
Title Vicksburg
Author Donald L. Miller
Publisher Simon & Schuster (October 29, 2019)
Format Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook     
Page 688     
Language English     
ISBN # 1451641370 ISBN -13   (978-1451641370)     

Author’s Bio

Professor Donald L. Miller is an established author of history related books since 2006. His earlier work: City of the Century: The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America is an award-winning publication. I am familiar with City of the Century, and Vicksburg is at least equal to or better than that book.

Who is the Target Audience?

This masterly study is an important read for those students of United States Civil War, those who enjoy Military Strategy and US Local History of the Civil War period. 

Synopsis

This book is written by Professor Emeritus Donald L. Miller and is already heralded as a potential best seller. Vicksburg possibly being a best seller doesn’t surprise me, because having read this rare gem I also hold that opinion. Miller guides us through the evolution of strategies used by Grant, Porter, and Sherman. The campaign at Vicksburg was the singular pivotal event leading to the final minutes of the South at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

Vicksburg was thought to be completely impregnable due in part to: environment, geographic, natural and geological factors. Grant together with both of his cohorts Porter and Sherman managed to solve a seemingly impossible puzzle in breaching the unreachable. It wasn’t without losses, however, and illness and disease took their toll.

The retelling of the events leading to the conquest of Vicksburg is a compelling tale fixed in history, but now brought to life for a new audience. It is well paced, easy to understand and contains a plethora of facts. It is so well written that many people who usually don’t enjoy these subjects may find they do enjoy Miller’s style of writing.

Conclusion

I have no reluctance in highly recommending this book. It is likely to be an award-winning book in my opinion. I received this as a reviewer for NeGalley but I will be purchasing a copy because I like to support great writers. Don’t wait till it sells out, get your copy as soon as you can. 

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: The Author, NetGalley, and the Publisher Simon & Schuster for affording me the opportunity to review Vicksburg.