Hi all,
My favorite fiction book of 2008, was the last one I completed in 2008 - Imperium. It was well written, with an engaging voice about a subject I knew very little about. Yes, I knew Cicero was a great orator but that was all I knew. The voice, pacing and subject matter kept me engaged from beginning to end and kept me wanting more.
My favorite non-fiction book of 2008 was 1812 The War That Forged a Nation. Again, it was a book written about a subject matter that I knew the gist of, but not in depth. The author kept the novel engaging, setting up battles and important moments as scenes in a good novel.
(See my earlier posts on reviews for both books.)
For 2009, I've already completed two novels: Watchmen and World War Z.
Watchmen is a graphic novel - meaning comic book style - and has a movie coming out in a month. I'm not sure how they're going to make a two hour movie out of it, unless they cut out loads of back story. And some of it can be trimmed. Also, some of the material is pretty horrific, so I imagine they'll have to tone down some scenes. But I was glad I finished the book. It wrapped up very nicely, and the characters were all done very well.
World War Z is a zombie novel. I say this because in general I do not like zombie movies or books. What attracted me to the novel - aside from my brother's insistence that I give it a try - was that it took place after the "zombie wars" and discussed specific countries responses to the zombies, how they spread and people's moral failings. It said a lot about people and society in general. I enjoyed it.
Here's to reading many great books in 2009!
Showing posts with label War of 1812. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War of 1812. Show all posts
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
War of 1812
1812: The War that Forged a Nation by Walter Borneman was a very interesting and well put together read. Nothing like relearning one's American History.
Byproducts of the War of 1812 included the composition of the Star Spangled Banner, the USS Constitution being nicknamed 'Old Ironsides', the American victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans, the burning of Washington DC by the British, discussion of secession by the Northeastern United States from the Union. A few of the notable Americans during the war were Andrew Jackson, the Pirate Lafeyette, Winfield Scott, Admiral Perry, Dolly Madison, James Monroe and many others. The subjects I mention above are only a few of the events and people the average American vaguely remembers from grade school - like me. Borneman does a good job fleshing out these iconic events and names, and relating them to the modern reader as to why these people and events were so significant. His discussions of battles and their imports were my favorite parts. They were well described and Borneman had plenty of maps throughout the book.
My only gray comment is a couple of the backstories were placed awkwardly just before a few of battles, while at other times, a general's or commander's name would be thrown out there and I had forgotten if the man was British or American and would have to go back a few pages to find out. But these were very minor flaws that happened very infrequently.
A very good book for anyone wanting a refresher on one of the most important events in our young nation's history.
Byproducts of the War of 1812 included the composition of the Star Spangled Banner, the USS Constitution being nicknamed 'Old Ironsides', the American victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans, the burning of Washington DC by the British, discussion of secession by the Northeastern United States from the Union. A few of the notable Americans during the war were Andrew Jackson, the Pirate Lafeyette, Winfield Scott, Admiral Perry, Dolly Madison, James Monroe and many others. The subjects I mention above are only a few of the events and people the average American vaguely remembers from grade school - like me. Borneman does a good job fleshing out these iconic events and names, and relating them to the modern reader as to why these people and events were so significant. His discussions of battles and their imports were my favorite parts. They were well described and Borneman had plenty of maps throughout the book.
My only gray comment is a couple of the backstories were placed awkwardly just before a few of battles, while at other times, a general's or commander's name would be thrown out there and I had forgotten if the man was British or American and would have to go back a few pages to find out. But these were very minor flaws that happened very infrequently.
A very good book for anyone wanting a refresher on one of the most important events in our young nation's history.
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