The GOT Book Club

[tsubaki]

So, a bit contrary to Clark's opinion? From my understanding he's describing him more as foolish than evil? Haven't finished the book though.

If Clark is excusing him by saying he was an idiot, then yes. Massie proves he was an idiot but also proves what a completely unpleasant human being he was, ranging from his utterances (Tangiers, the Hun speech during the Boxer rebellion, the Telegraph interview), to things like the treatment of his ministers and also taking in his anti-Semitism, his hatred of his British relatives but most especially the way that it was his personality that ensured that Britain ended up sticking with France and Russia during World War One.

 

[wm02]

The Black Count by Tom Reiss. Excellent book which follows the fascinating life of Alexandre Dumas' father who was a prominent general in revolutionary France

 

[summerisle]

If Clark is excusing him by saying he was an idiot, then yes. Massie proves he was an idiot but also proves what a completely unpleasant human being he was, ranging from his utterances (Tangiers, the Hun speech during the Boxer rebellion, the Telegraph interview), to things like the treatment of his ministers and also taking in his anti-Semitism, his hatred of his British relatives but most especially the way that it was his personality that ensured that Britain ended up sticking with France and Russia during World War One.

He was also responsible for what some historians call the first genocide of modern times. Almost forgotten now.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/histo...ally-gets-its-deserved-recognition-180957073/

 

[McBain]

 

[flo]

If Clark is excusing him by saying he was an idiot, then yes. Massie proves he was an idiot but also proves what a completely unpleasant human being he was, ranging from his utterances (Tangiers, the Hun speech during the Boxer rebellion, the Telegraph interview), to things like the treatment of his ministers and also taking in his anti-Semitism, his hatred of his British relatives but most especially the way that it was his personality that ensured that Britain ended up sticking with France and Russia during World War One.

To be fair he is not excusing him, he mentions some of the things you stated, it's just not his main theme in the sleepwalkers. I think he also wrote a biography, you might want to check it out.

What he disagrees with other historians is that he doesn't see Wilhelm as a warmonger.

 

[atrottel]

Just finished the Justin Cronin trilogy
(The Passage, The Twelve and City of Mirrors)
I found them difficult to put down - if you didn't like Stephen King's The Stand (which I actually think they are better than and I'm a fan of King's writing skills) I'd stay away, though.

Completely different style and topic, also just finished the first of Elena Ferrante's four Naples books My Brilliant Friend - about two friends growing up in the city, again excellent and again compulsive reading.

 

[wm02]

Just finished Das Reboot by Raphael Honigstein. Good read but just not as illuminating as expected. Started working through Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts. That will take a while

 

[COYBL25]

Just finished the Justin Cronin trilogy
(The Passage, The Twelve and City of Mirrors)
I found them difficult to put down - if you didn't like Stephen King's The Stand (which I actually think they are better than and I'm a fan of King's writing skills) I'd stay away, though.

Completely different style and topic, also just finished the first of Elena Ferrante's four Naples books My Brilliant Friend - about two friends growing up in the city, again excellent and again compulsive reading.

WHAT - when was the City of Mirrors out ?????????

Been waiting for over two years for it !

The Passage is one of the stand out scfi/horror books of the past decade. I've been flying the flag on here for it since it came out mate.

Ps - Film in the offing too.

 

[peteblue]

@chicoazul ...are there any good racist books or European election books we can discuss....now that he's fckd up the EU thread......

 

[atrottel]

WHAT - when was the City of Mirrors out ?????????

Been waiting for over two years for it !

The Passage is one of the stand out scfi/horror books of the past decade. I've been flying the flag on here for it since it came out mate.

Ps - Film in the offing too.

I think it was you that got me into it in the first place. I had City of Mirrors on pre-order so arrived a few days ago.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

@chicoazul ...are there any good racist books or European election books we can discuss....now that he's fckd up the EU thread......

This was my recent holiday read. Might tick your box.

 

[COYBL25]

I think it was you that got me into it in the first place. I had City of Mirrors on pre-order so arrived a few days ago.

Thanks mate. I've just ordered it. Cronin delayed its release until he was totally happy with it ( two years ).

I'm going to read all three books back to back now.

If they get the film(s) right, I think they could be the best scfi horror ever made.

 

[Philw]

Just finished the Justin Cronin trilogy
(The Passage, The Twelve and City of Mirrors)
I found them difficult to put down - if you didn't like Stephen King's The Stand (which I actually think they are better than and I'm a fan of King's writing skills) I'd stay away, though.

Completely different style and topic, also just finished the first of Elena Ferrante's four Naples books My Brilliant Friend - about two friends growing up in the city, again excellent and again compulsive reading.

WHAT - when was the City of Mirrors out ?????????

Been waiting for over two years for it !

The Passage is one of the stand out scfi/horror books of the past decade. I've been flying the flag on here for it since it came out mate.

Ps - Film in the offing too.

I think it was you that got me into it in the first place. I had City of Mirrors on pre-order so arrived a few days ago.

Thanks mate. I've just ordered it. Cronin delayed its release until he was totally happy with it ( two years ).

I'm going to read all three books back to back now.

If they get the film(s) right, I think they could be the best scfi horror ever made.

Remember this coming up a little while ago. Have read the first and have the second as an e-book, but got a long reading list to get thru first!

 

[COYBL25]

Remember this coming up a little while ago. Have read the first and have the second as an e-book, but got a long reading list to get thru first!

If I was you mate, I'd get the third book and then make room to read them one after another. There's too much going on in them to do it any other way imo !

 

[anjelikaferrett]

WHAT - when was the City of Mirrors out ?????????

Been waiting for over two years for it !

The Passage is one of the stand out scfi/horror books of the past decade. I've been flying the flag on here for it since it came out mate.

Ps - Film in the offing too.

Ooooh. Love The Stand. Thanks for the tip off. Will read these