TheRepentent wrote: » His Sci-fi is excellent but I never liked his non-sci fi so go figure
GLaDOS wrote: » Have you read any of his other work? Find it hard to imagine him writing Sci Fi!
Ipso wrote: » Has anyone anyone read Red sky in the morning, by Paul Lynch. I saw it described as No country for old men, set in the West of Ireland in the 1930’s.
Dial Hard wrote: » Started The Familiars by Stacey Halls yesterday. Too early to make much of a judgement yet.
rushfan wrote: » The Stolen Village. Excellent book.
In June 1631 pirates from Algiers and armed troops of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, led by the notorious pirate captain Morat Rais, stormed ashore at the little harbour village of Baltimore in West Cork. They captured almost all the villagers and bore them away to a life of slavery in North Africa. The prisoners were destined for a variety of fates -- some would live out their days chained to the oars as galley slaves, while others would spend long years in the scented seclusion of the harem or within the walls of the Sultan's palace. The old city of Algiers, with its narrow streets, intense heat and lively trade, was a melting pot where the villagers would join slaves and freemen of many nationalities. Only two of them ever saw Ireland again. The Sack of Baltimore was the most devastating invasion ever mounted by Islamist forces on Ireland or England. Des Ekin's exhaustive research illuminates the political intrigues that ensured the captives were left to their fate, and provides a vivid insight into the kind of life that would have awaited the slaves amid the souks and seraglios of old Algiers. The Stolen Village is a fascinating tale of international piracy and culture clash nearly 400 years ago and is the first book to cover this relatively unknown and under-researched incident in Irish history.
Noel Some Cornbread wrote: » Finished Company Commander by Russell Lewis. A fantastic book, some of which I could relate to my first tour of duty in Lebanon way back in 1988, ie war and its effects on the soldier, esp after the soldier returns home but his thoughts are still back 'in country'. I contacted the author via facebook, never thought I'd get a reply and got into a really good chat. A book which will live with me for awhile. After reading the preview for The Stolen Village I couldn't wait to start it. Well its started Right from the first page it grips you.. Good one Rushfan, a thumbs up.
Noel Some Cornbread wrote: » Nearing the end of The Stolen Village now, not a brilliant read but not bad either. I never knew about piracy in the 1600's and just how big a business it was along the southern coast of Ireland, or how it scourged the sea's from Iceland to Ireland, England and around to southern Europe and north Africa so its been educational in that regard. Because of the above I done a fair bit of research on what I was reading and the book appears to have a few historical inaccuracies. But its a good read all the same. Now a request. I loved the TV series The Tudors, I only caught up on it after watching The Crown ~ which led me into The Tudors. I'm looking for something along the line of The Tudors, but not a history book. Something along the lines of the historically accurate novels the likes of which Conn Iggulden would put out, ie Wars of the Roses but about the Tudors. Henry VIII and his wives.. I've a soft spot for Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.Any recommends?.
buried wrote: » Did you ever read 'A Journal of The Plague Year' by Daniel Defoe, M?
Cheshire Cat wrote: » Have a look at Philippa Gregory's books. She wrote "The Other Boleyn Girl". The Constant Princess is about Catherine of Aragon. https://www.philippagregory.com/books/the-constant-princess Lisha was faster!
Noel Some Cornbread wrote: » I haven't, but I'm just reading a review of it now.
buried wrote: » Journal of The Plague Year is really really good. Defoe writes it a good 60 years after the event but he must have interviewed somebody who went through the hell-scape during the year 1665. Its the closest thing to be actually witnessing the historical reality and horror of what was going on, albeit through DeFoe's fictional narrator that goes through this event. It is so cool. It's written in the grammar language of the time but it sucks you in big time so you just pick it up and totally adds to the visual realism of what you are reading and seeing. So good. Huge recommendation from me anyways if you want some entertaining visceral narrative history job!
Noel Some Cornbread wrote: » Nearing the end of The Stolen Village now, not a brilliant read but not bad either. I never knew about piracy in the 1600's and just how big a business it was along the southern coast of Ireland, or how it scourged the sea's from Iceland to Ireland, England and around to southern Europe and north Africa so its been educational in that regard. Because of the above I done a fair bit of research on what I was reading and the book appears to have a few historical inaccuracies. But its a good read all the same. Now a request. I loved the TV series The Tudors, I only caught up on it after watching The Crown ~ which led me into The Tudors. I'm looking for something along the line of The Tudors, but not a history book. Something along the lines of the historically accurate novels the likes of which Conn Iggulden would put out, ie Wars of the Roses but about the Tudors. Henry VIII and his wives.. I've a soft spot for Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Any recommends?.
GLaDOS wrote: » I just finished the Wasp Factory by Iain Banks. I would have it up there with one of the best books I've ever read, and I don't say that lightly.
quickbeam wrote: » Philippa Gregoy’s series aren’t that historically accurate if that’s what you’re after. I like the CJ Sanson, Shardlake series. It’s fiction though but mixes in real Tudor people into the story. It starts a bit later on the period though. During Henry’s marriage to Jane Seymour IIRC in the first book. I like Conn Iggulden. Just finished Stormbird and thought it was excellent.
Noel Some Cornbread wrote: » I'm looking for something along the line of The Tudors, but not a history book. Something along the lines of the historically accurate novels the likes of which Conn Iggulden would put out, ie Wars of the Roses but about the Tudors. Henry VIII and his wives.. I've a soft spot for Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.
Noel Some Cornbread wrote: » Accuracy or inaccuracies in an historic novel doesn't bother me a whole lot.
quickbeam wrote: » ???? Anyway, my Shardlake recommendation still stands. I have the Emperor series in my to read list too. I look forward to it if the WotR series is anything to go by.
