Category Archives: history

Disaster 1906

Posted on April 21, 2011 by smellincoffee

Disaster 1906: the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire© 1967 Edward F. Dolan Jr.172 pages If, as some say, God spanked the town For being over-frisky Why did He burn the churches down And save Hotaling’s whisky? -p. 175 Years ago … Continue reading →

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The Forgotten 500

Posted on March 18, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Forgotten 500: The Untold Story of the Men Who Risked All for the Greatest Rescue Mission of World War II© 2007 Gregory A. Freeman313 pages Throughout the Second World War, Great Britain and the United States engaged in a … Continue reading →

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The History of Japan

Posted on March 3, 2011 by smellincoffee

The History of Japan© 1918, 1947 Kenneth Scott Latourette282 pages ““Under a Wave off Kanagawa”, Katsushika Hokusai In Fall 2009 I took a class in Japanese history and enjoyed it tremendously, but given that it’s been well over a year, I figure I’m … Continue reading →

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With Wings Like Eagles

Posted on February 28, 2011 by smellincoffee

With Wings Like Eagles: A History of the Battle of Britain© 2009 Michael Korda322  pages “The odds were great: our margins small: the stakes infinite.” – Vice Air Marshal Keith Park, No. 11 Group. RAF. As far as drama goes, … Continue reading →

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The Outline of History

Posted on February 23, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Outline of History, Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind (Volume I)© 1920 H.G. Wells, revised edition by G.P. Wells and Raymond Postgate © 1970550 pages At the close of the Great War, people wondered how such a … Continue reading →

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The Near East

Posted on February 13, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Near East: 10,000 Years of History © 1968 Isaac Asimov 277 pages Come, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings. (“Richard II”, William Shakespeare) Civilization first began in the ‘land between … Continue reading →

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Electric Universe

Posted on January 31, 2011 by smellincoffee

Electric Universe: The Shocking True Story of Electricity© 2005 David Bodanis308 pages When you’re in the dark, and you want to see, you need Electricity, E-LEC-TRICITY! (School House Rock, “Electricity“) Every now and again, I misjudge a book and find … Continue reading →

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Beyond Band of Brothers

Posted on January 27, 2011 by smellincoffee

Beyond Band of Brothers: the War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters© 2006 Dick Winters and Colonel Cole Kingseed303 pages When I landed, the only weapon I had was a trench knife that I had placed in my boot. I stuck … Continue reading →

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The Rise and Fall of the Bible

Posted on January 23, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Rise and Fall of the Bible: The Unexpected History of an Accidental Book© 2011 Timothy Beal225 pages, not including index. Disclaimer: I read from an advanced review copy of the book, available through NetGalleys. No compensation for a review, … Continue reading →

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To End All Wars

Posted on January 14, 2011 by smellincoffee

To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918© 2011 Adam Hochschild480 pages Disclaimer:   I read from an advanced review copy of the book, available through NetGalleys. No compensation for a review, good or negative, was offered … Continue reading →

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