Tag Archives: history

With the Old Breed

Posted on December 18, 2009 by smellincoffee

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa© 1981 Eugene B. Sledge326 pages The recruiting sergeant asked me lots of questions and filled out numerous official papers. When he asked, “Any scars, birthmarks, or other unusual features?” I described an inch-long … Continue reading →

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The Zinn Reader

Posted on November 21, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Zinn Reader© 1997 Howard Zinn668 pages When I pulled this book from the shelf, I did so with the intention of checking it out and reading it over the Thanksgiving holiday. I did not anticipate the book monopolizing my … Continue reading →

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Constantinople: the Forgotten Empire

Posted on September 19, 2009 by smellincoffee

Constantinople: the Forgotten Empire © Isaac Asimov 1970 289 pages The history of the eastern Roman empire, ruled from Constantinople, has long been a weak point in my own historical literacy. When I spotted a book on its history by … Continue reading →

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The Sons of Caesar

Posted on September 9, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Sons of Caesar: Imperial Rome’s First Dynasty© 2006 Philip Matyszak296 pages, 16 pages of plates. Most of my Roman reading has been set in the late Republic, although as a western student of history I have a working knowledge … Continue reading →

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A History of God

Posted on September 5, 2009 by smellincoffee

A History of God: the 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam © 1993 Karen Armstrong 460 pages I checked this out in early 2006 but quickly lost interest after encountering the Sumerian mythology that Armstrong introduces the book with. … Continue reading →

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The Japanese Experience

Posted on August 24, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Japanese Experience: A Short History of Japan © 1999 W. G. Beasley 299 pages, including glossary and index. I checked this book out in April 2007. I remember this well, because I tried reading it on April 22. It … Continue reading →

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A History of the Arab Peoples

Posted on August 17, 2009 by smellincoffee

A History of the Arab Peoples © 1991 Albert Hourani 565 pages, including appendices, maps, notes, and index. I picked this up (with both hands) to add historical context for my reading of The Essential Koran and to fill in … Continue reading →

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Securing Democracy

Posted on August 10, 2009 by smellincoffee

Securing Democracy: Why We Have an Electoral College © 2001 ed. Gary Gregg II 171 pages “The Framers of the Constitution would have been appalled at the notion that over time the presidency would become an objection pf partisan ambition, … Continue reading →

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Aristotle’s Children

Posted on August 7, 2009 by smellincoffee

Aristotle’s Children: How Christians, Muslims, and Jews Rediscovered Ancient Wisdom and illuminated the Dark Ages © 2003 Richard Rubenstein 368 pages That title is a touch misleading. While Rubenstein will mention Christians, Muslims, and Jews rediscovering ancient wisdom, he only … Continue reading →

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A People’s History of the American Revolution

Posted on June 30, 2009 by smellincoffee

A People’s History of the American Revolution: How Common People Shaped the Fight for Independence © 2001 Ray Ralphael 386 pages I look for some books, and some books happen to find me. This is one of the latter, as … Continue reading →

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