Tag Archives: France

Agincourt

Posted on February 5, 2011 by smellincoffee

Agincourt© 2009 Bernard Cornwell451 pages “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers — for he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, be he ne’er so vile.  This day shall gentle his condition, and … Continue reading →

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A Far Better Rest

Posted on January 25, 2011 by smellincoffee

A Far Better Rest© 2000 Susanne Alleyn353 pages Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is the story of a family beset by revolution. Regarded as a classic of western literature,  the novel warns against the dangers of Revolution and … Continue reading →

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La Belle France

Posted on August 3, 2010 by smellincoffee

La Belle France: a Short History© 2005 Alistair Horne485 pages I have rarely enjoyed any book as much as La Belle France, a quick sprint through French history that begins in the Roman era. Initially focusing on a small town … Continue reading →

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Citizens

Posted on July 28, 2010 by smellincoffee

Citizens: a Chronicle of the French Revolution© 1989 Simon Schama948 pages Aux armes, citoyens, Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu’un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons! Mon dieu, this was a read. My first mentor and first college-level history professor recommended … Continue reading →

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Joan of Arc: the Legend and the Reality

Posted on March 16, 2010 by smellincoffee

Joan of Arc: the Legend and the Reality© 1959 Frances Gies306 pages Few historical characters, and no women, are more famous than Joan of Arc. Her name and story are known throughout the world. In the Middle Ages there were … Continue reading →

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A Life of Her Own

Posted on October 23, 2008 by smellincoffee

A Life of Her Own: the Transformation of a Countrywoman in Twentieth-Century France.Emilie Carles, © 1991Penguin Books — Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England This book came to me through one of my university courses. I picked it up on Tuesday intending to … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (28/2)

Posted on February 28, 2008 by smellincoffee

The History of the S.S. (G.S. Grabel)Washington’s Secret War (Thomas Fleming)The Trial of Madame Caillaux (Edward Berenson)Thomas Jefferson: Author of America. (Christopher Hitchens)How Few Remain (Harry Turtledove)Naturalist (E. O. Wilson)The Great War: American Front (Harry Turtledove) The first book I … Continue reading →

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This Week (Month?) at the Library

Posted on February 2, 2008 by smellincoffee

It’s been well over a month since I last sat down to write about the books I’m reading, for whatever reasons. I have gone through a few books in that time, although not as many as I would’ve liked or … Continue reading →

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