Categotry Archives: Historical
Ask the Past: Pertinent and Impertinent Advice From Yesteryear
Humor
Hachette Books
2015-05-05
304
Want to know how to garden with lobsters? How to sober up? Grow a beard? Or simply how to make a perfect omelet? Look no further. Rather, look backward. Based on the popular blog, Ask the Past is full of the wisdom of the ages--as well as the fad diets, zany pickup lines, and bacon Band-Aids of the ages. Drawn from centuries of antique texts by historian and bibliophile Elizabeth P. Archibald, Ask the Past offers a delightful array of advice both wise and weird. Whether it's eighteenth-century bedbug advice (sprinkle bed with gunpowder and let smolder), budget fashion tips of the Middle Ages (save on the clothes, splurge on the purse) or a sixteenth-century primer on seduction (hint: do no pass gas), Ask the Past is a wildly entertaining guide to life from the people who lived it first.
Review:
Historian Elizabeth P. Archibald does a wonderful job in “Ask the Past” of showing that history can be fun and entertaining. Her collection of some of the best/worst excerpts from antique etiquette and advice books and pamphlets, along with accompanying illustrations, had me laughing so hard that I could not breathe. Her snarky “translations” at the end of each excerpt doubled the entertainment value.
Aside from being entertaining, her introduction breaks down her research methods in a way that will help novice historians learn how to take tiny bits of information and use it to get an overall picture of the society of the time.
Also, I would like to note that I am forever grateful to the person who established that it is not appropriate to attack someone who is defecating. Where would we be as a society if that was still an acceptable practice?
“Ask the Past” is the perfect gift for anyone old enough for fart and sex jokes made classier through Old English.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is an adult book, there is no content warning.
Wicked Women
Biography & Autobiography
TwoDot
2015-01-20
224
This collection of short, action-filled stories of the Old West s most egregiously badly behaved female outlaws, gamblers, soiled doves, and other wicked women by award-winning Western history author Chris Enss offers a glimpse into Western Women s experience that's less sunbonnets and more six-shooters. Pulling together stories of ladies caught in the acts of mayhem, distraction, murder, and highway robbery, it will include famous names like Belle Starr and Big Nose Kate, as well as lesser known characters."
Review:
“Wicked Women” is a fun read that also includes a wealth of little-known history. It’s obviously well-researched and written from a point of love of the wild west. The stories feature a wide variety of women whose stories will have you laughing and horrified, sometimes both at the same time.
I definitely recommend “Wicked Women” for anyone with an interest in women’s history, the wild west, or even history in general. It’s an easy read that can appeal to anyone.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
As this is a book meant for an adult, there is no content warning.
At the Water’s Edge
Fiction
2015-03-31
368
In this new novel from the author of Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen again demonstrates her talent for creating spellbinding period pieces. At the Water's Edge is a gripping and poignant love story about a privileged young woman's personal awakening as she experiences the devastations of World War II in a Scottish Highlands village. Madeline Hyde, a young socialite from Philadelphia, reluctantly follows her husband and their best friend to the tiny village of Drumnadrochit in search of a mythical monster--at the same time that a very real monster, Hitler, wages war against the Allied Forces. What Maddie discovers--about the larger world and about herself--through the unlikely friendships she develops with the villagers, opens her eyes not only to the dark forces that exist around her but to the beauty and surprising possibilities. From the Hardcover edition.
Review:
The beginning of “At the Water’s Edge” was only worth three stars, but the second half of the book redeemed it enough for me to round-up to four stars. It is well worth sticking it out through the sluggish beginning to see where the story leads.
As I said, the beginning was a bit sluggish, but I believe most of the problem came from the extremely irritating nature of the main character, Maddie, along with her husband, Ellis, and her friend, Hank. I can understand why the author portrayed her the way she did, but I feel like it may have been a better choice to soften Maddie’s character just a little, as it is very well possible that many readers will give up before learning more about why she is the way she is.
The plot is a unique one featuring the Scottish Highlands, WWII, high society, and the Loch Ness monster. Once all of these elements combine the pace picks up and “At the Water’s Edge” becomes nearly impossible to put down. I loved the way things unfolded, as well as the details of life during the war in that area of the world that were sprinkled throughout. As a historian, I appreciated that Sara Gruen made the facts fit with what the characters would know at the time, which were inaccurate in many ways, giving it a very realistic feel. I also highly appreciated the author’s note at the end clarifying the real facts and numbers that time revealed to be true.
Overall, in spite of the problems at the beginning, I can still recommend “At the Water’s Edge” for anyone looking for an engaging read. The reward is worth the trouble of getting there.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Content warnings are not included for books intended for adult audiences.
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography
Biography & Autobiography
2014-09-01
Laura Ingalls Wilder's unedited, and unpublished, draft of her autobiography that was written for an adult audience and eventually served as the foundation for her popular Little House on the Prairie series includes not-safe-for-children tales that feature stark scenes of domestic abuse, love triangles gone awry and a man who lit himself on fire while drunk off whiskey.
Review:
As with many readers, much of my early reading involved the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Of course, that world was also brought into our homes through the television series of the same name. It is not a stretch to say it has been a beloved staple of childhood for generations, including my own. Therefore, I was thrilled to get an advanced copy “Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Biography” through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
Here comes the honesty: this edition of “Pioneer Girl” is an absolute must have for all Laura Ingalls Wilder fans, fans of either form of Little House on the Prairie, as well as anyone interested in the history of the great plains. It is everything I hoped it would be and more.
The annotations are thorough and include little known facts about Mrs. Wilder herself, but also about the daily living of her time. Photos give a wonderful glimpse into the real people behind the stories and include such additions of schoolyard play in small towns. Her life comes alive in the minds of readers thanks to the photography and annotations.
Perhaps the biggest draw of “Pioneer Girl” is it was written as more of a diary of memories, skipping back and forth as her mind saw fit, and it was not changed as the Little House on the Prairie books were to add that little zing of which publishers are so fond. This is her story, stark, detailed, and wonderful, as she meant it to be.
I give “Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography” a hundred stars, but the rating system will only allow me to put five of them here. And don’t forget, this would make an excellent gift for the fans of Little House in the prairie in your life!
The Glass Magician
The Paper Magician, Book 2
Fiction
47North
2014-11-04
211
Now well into her apprenticeship with magician Emery Thane, twenty-year-old Ceony Twill is continuing to discover the joy of paper magic. She adores bringing her spells to life in surprising ways, from learning the power of distortion to creating a beloved paper dog. And she secretly hopes that the romance she foresaw blossoming between her and the peculiar yet strikingly handsome Emery finally becomes real. But when one magician with a penchant for deadly scheming believes that Ceony possesses a secret, he vows to discover it…even if it tears apart the very fabric of their magical world. After a series of attacks target Ceony, and catch those she holds most dear in the crossfire, she knows she must find the true limits of her powers…and keep her knowledge from falling into wicked hands. The delightful sequel to Charlie N. Holmberg's The Paper Magician, The Glass Magician will charm listeners young and old alike.
Review:
I enjoyed “The Glass Magician”, by Charlie N. Holmberg, far more than I did its predecessor, “The Paper Magician”.
The plot flows extremely well and is engaging from the first chapter, bringing more spark to the world established in the first of the series. I found myself fascinated with the inner workings of the magical world, all the way from the apprentices to the villains. All of them are intriguing, and I am looking forward to learning more of their stories in the next book. There is a surprise point of view changed for one chapter that I loved reading, as well.
The various forms of magic are clever and fun to read about, and much like choosing which house you should be in if you were to attend Hogwarts, I dare you not to give a good bit of thought to which material you would like to bond. The mix of the steampunk, fantasy, romance, and history works well together to make a world I think many readers would like to visit.
Highly recommended. Also, if you do not love Emery Thane, I do not think we can ever be friends.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Brief Language, Brief and Mild Sexual Situations, Violence
Waistcoats and Weaponry
Finishing School, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2014-11-04
304
Class is back in session... Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all. Gather your poison, steel tipped quill, and the rest of your school supplies and join Mademoiselle Geraldine's proper young killing machines in the third rousing installment in the New York Times bestselling Finishing School Series by steampunk author, Gail Carriger.
Review:
“Waistcoats and Weaponry” is the latest in the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger, and it is by far my favorite thus far.
The book begins with Sophronia’s second year at her finishing school for espionage. Many things have changed, not the least of which being the challenges that come with being older. Young men, potential sponsors, marriage, and prospective employment keep Sophronia on her toes.
As with the Harry Potter series, the topics explored in “Waistcoats and Weaponry” are geared toward a bit older set than the previous two of the series. While it is still suitable for middle readers, it should be noted that there is quite a bit more dealing with sex, though nothing is graphic. It also delves much more deeply into the matters of politics and the supernatural.
The adventure is darker, but still keeps the humor and detail that makes the series so enjoyable. I highly recommend “Waistcoats and Weaponry” to all of those who enjoy the first two of the Finishing School Series.
This review is based on an advanced copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence, Sexual Situations
Curtsies and Conspiracies
Finishing School, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2013-11-05
320
Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests? Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy--won't Mumsy be surprised? Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners. Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card. In this sequel to New York Times bestselling Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.
Review:
As with its predecessor, “Curtsies and Conspiracies” is about the life of Sophronia in a unique finishing school for espionage in Victorian England. It continues the Finishing School series in a way that leaves the reader looking for more.
“Curtsies and Conspiracies” is a wonderfully written adventure full of imagination and all of the wonderful imagery found in the best of steampunk novels. The characters are well-developed and relatable in spite of being set in an entirely different period of history. The one drawback is that while there is mystery, it is definitely setting the plot and character for advancement in the next book in the series. That provides a little less spark of the first one, but is necessary to further the character development.
The attention to the details of fashion and speech from Victorian England are so vivid that the novel also serves as a history lesson of sorts. The tongue-in-cheek humor about how things were done is delightful and shows how much society has changed over time. The strong female protagonist sets a good example, and this series remains an excellent introduction to steampunk that can be enjoyed by middle readers, as well as those far beyond the age of a finishing school student.
I highly recommend “Curtsies and Conspiracies”, with a word of caution that the language of the period may be a turn off for more reluctant readers.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence, Brief and Mild Sexual Situations
Etiquette and Espionage
Finishing School, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
2013-10-08
336
It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School. Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education. Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail's legions of fans have come to adore.
Review:
“Etiquette and Espionage” is a wonderful and whimsical introduction into the world of historical steampunk fiction for the middle reader.
Based around a floating finishing school that also trains young women to become spies in the Victorian era, the subject is rich before a single word was written. The attention to detail in describing the machines and general steampunk ideas is amazing and inspires the imagination.
Added into the plot is a great history lesson about the customs of the era mixed with a great deal of satire concerning the way a “proper lady” should dress and behave. I found myself laughing at several points in the adventure at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. To counter the customs of the day, the author presents a host of very strong female characters and how they are, in fact, equal to men.
There is fantasy type violence, though none graphic, and questionable morality that is presented in a tongue-in-cheek-manner that no reader after fifth grade will see as an example of appropriate behavior, making it a great read for those making the leap from children’s books to young adult. My only caveat is that the language is a bit difficult to get used to, so it is not a good choice for the more reluctant readers.
But don’t let the children have all of the fun. “Etiquette and Espionage” is a fun read for adults who are children at heart.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Violence
The Bully Order
Fiction
Harper
2014-09-02
400
Washington Territory, 1886 Jacob and Nell Ellstrom step from ship to shore and are struck dumb by the sight of their new home—the Harbor, a ragged township of mud streets and windowless shacks. In the years to come this will be known as one of the busiest and most dangerous ports in the world, and with Jacob's station as the only town physician, prosperity and respect soon rain down on the Ellstroms. Then their son, Duncan, is born, and these are grand days, busy and full of growth. But when a new physician arrives, Jacob is revealed as an impostor, a fraud, and he flees, leaving his wife and son to fend for themselves. Years later, on a fated Fourth of July picnic, Duncan Ellstrom falls in love. Her name is Teresa Boyerton, and her father owns the largest sawmill in the Harbor. Their relationship is forbidden by class and by circumstance, because without Jacob there to guide him, Duncan has gone to work for Hank Bellhouse, the local crime boss. Now, if Duncan wants to be with Teresa, he must face not only his past, but the realities of a dark and violent world and his place within it. Told from various points of view, Brian Hart's novel follows the evolution of the Harbor from a mudstamp outpost to a city that rivals the promise of San Francisco. The Bully of Order is a meditation on progress, love, and identity; a spellbinding novel of fate and redemption—told with a muscular lyricism and filled with a cast of characters Shakespearean in scope—where everyone is as much at the mercy of the weather as they are of the times.
Review:
This review is of a complimentary copy provided by Harper through the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
“The Bully Order” by Brian Hart is an unapologetic novel set on the coast of Washington State in the early 19oo’s. It is gritty and doesn’t shy away from just how brutal and miserable things were during that time in that area.
I really wanted to like this novel. The history is sound and a refreshing take on an era that is all too often romanticized. A few of the characters were engaging and made me want to know more about them. Unfortunately, those were the only redeeming qualities I found.
The beginning of the book is slow and filled with words that make it seem as though the writer went crazy with a thesaurus. It really bogs the flow down and makes it near impossible to get sucked into what may otherwise be a good story. The flips between points of view were enough to make me seasick. I stuck with it in the vain hope that it would get better, but the flaws pulled me too far out to ever really settle into the story.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Rape
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