A decent read. The detailed research made this accounting of The Great Awakening really quite interesting and enlightening. However, populism has riseA decent read. The detailed research made this accounting of The Great Awakening really quite interesting and enlightening. However, populism has risen and has fallen many times since and even now is ascending. Had more work been done in the postscript, this book would have gone from good to great. Maybe a part two in the offing. ...more
This is a good accounting of the glamorous and violent upper echelons of medieval England. It does drag a bit from time to time and sometimes suffers This is a good accounting of the glamorous and violent upper echelons of medieval England. It does drag a bit from time to time and sometimes suffers from name dropping, but overall a worthwhile read. ...more
Obviously, from reading the book, Davis and Graham seem to be kind compassionate people. These kind of leaders in churches today are not in abundance.Obviously, from reading the book, Davis and Graham seem to be kind compassionate people. These kind of leaders in churches today are not in abundance. That said, the authors have undertaken a limited study, that was actually quite revealing. It did reveal a great shift in attitude toward organized religion—a shift away. Unlike the authors, I believe most of this shift is permanent. ...more
Witty and easy to read, but a bit depressing. This book should be read by all, because history does repeat itself; today what we are seeing repeated iWitty and easy to read, but a bit depressing. This book should be read by all, because history does repeat itself; today what we are seeing repeated is frightening. ...more
This book is more like source material than a biography; that said, it is a very interesting and unique book. I would recommend it to anyone who wantsThis book is more like source material than a biography; that said, it is a very interesting and unique book. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about this fascinating historical figure. ...more
Yes this book is interesting and entertaining. Yes, there are a lot of easily read anecdotes—one might even think they had been researched, but how woYes this book is interesting and entertaining. Yes, there are a lot of easily read anecdotes—one might even think they had been researched, but how would one know? There are no notes or bibliography. One cannot imagine that the author was there for each of the events that occurred over hundreds of years. There is no way to determine how much of this was made up or how much is true. In fact there is one instance where the author states the anecdote is not true. He then relates it anyway. Fortunately, I paid nothing for this as it was picked up at a book exchange. It will now go back there....more
Read this while on vacation. This is standard Dan Brown fare. Much of it is predictable, but is a fine read if one wants to "escape". The nicest partsRead this while on vacation. This is standard Dan Brown fare. Much of it is predictable, but is a fine read if one wants to "escape". The nicest parts are his descriptions of settings in Barcelona and Madrid - makes one want to be there.
Merged review:
Read this while on vacation. This is standard Dan Brown fare. Much of it is predictable, but is a fine read if one wants to "escape". The nicest parts are his descriptions of settings in Barcelona and Madrid - makes one want to be there....more
A great book. Bown leaves nothing, including the good, the bad and the more mundane. Perhaps another chapter or two regarding what the company eventuaA great book. Bown leaves nothing, including the good, the bad and the more mundane. Perhaps another chapter or two regarding what the company eventually turned into—a retail enterprise. Otherwise, a great read....more
It is difficult to write a book on this subject that is still relevant with the passage of time. Many the author’s conclusions are still solid today aIt is difficult to write a book on this subject that is still relevant with the passage of time. Many the author’s conclusions are still solid today and his predictions are prescient. A good read. ...more
While any book written before October 7, 2023 is a bit dated, this book gives a great analysis of Israel and Palestine and numerous attempts to both aWhile any book written before October 7, 2023 is a bit dated, this book gives a great analysis of Israel and Palestine and numerous attempts to both achieve peace and derail any progress toward that goal. This is a book that needs to be written again and again. ...more
Researching and writing a history of law covering 4,000 years is a massive undertaking that could result in an entire shelf of books. The fact that thResearching and writing a history of law covering 4,000 years is a massive undertaking that could result in an entire shelf of books. The fact that the author managed this in one book is truly a literary accomplishment. This is a very readable book that should not be just, but studied. ...more
This is a fascinating book. Some of it was disturbing to read—especially the parts where people calmly and determinedly justified slavery and racism bThis is a fascinating book. Some of it was disturbing to read—especially the parts where people calmly and determinedly justified slavery and racism biblically, scientifically sociologically, anthropologically and any other means they could come up with. A lot here to mull over. ...more
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