P.S. Forgot (as usual *sigh*)

How are the new bookshelves? Wow!! How many books did that hold? I am so jealous!! I got all these new shelves about a year ago, filled them almost immediately and now I am up to doubling books onto them. I have to stop buying books; bit like stopping breathing!

:)

L.

posted by Lman at 2:50 am (EST) on Apr 24, 2008

Hi David, oops, sorry ROCKDADDY!,

How gorgeous - we girls are just too cute for you boys, aren't we?

Don't worry about the 'silences' - I haven't seemed to have had much time lately either. It is nice to catch up on books when one can, without troubling reading time either. I hope your mum-in-law is better.

Quick update on the Plaidy books - they are on a list at one of my stores and they promised to check out their warehouse but, knowing them, it will take a while. I am so disappointed I haven't found any. I had no idea how many books she wrote!! But they did say they had seen a couple on your list so I am keeping hopeful.

I have been keeping away from this site more, and hence have been reading more! I am reading a really delightful book now and then I am trying my first Ishiguro. I am considering reading some more Laura Joh Rowland too. Or start on the I.J. Parker ones - I am missing some ancient Japanese flavour!

I have had the lucky opportunity of a four-day weekend this weekend so, as it is still raining (we are officially in a record period of number of continuous days of rain in 80 years!!) I am going to read and read, watch some AFL (go Swannies!) and read. Bliss!.

Enjoy yours too,

Lyn

posted by Lman at 2:46 am (EST) on Apr 24, 2008

We're back to sharing 80 books alright - I did add a slew of sci-fi, fantasy and historical fiction, which explains the jump from 76 - I just noticed on the Bug Collectors Group that the Books you Share feature was having problems
I'll try that ABC site again re. HMAS Sydney
Thanks
Donogh

posted by Donogh at 4:35 am (EST) on Apr 21, 2008

Somehow LT only says we share 1 book, although subject-wise we have a lot of overlap.

Unfortunately the link to that HMAS Sydney documentary (you left on Ammianus' page) won't work for me (outside Australia)

Cheers
Donogh

posted by Donogh at 9:06 am (EST) on Apr 18, 2008

Thanks forthe SYDNEY note, sounds like what I read in "The raider Kormoran" by the captain Theodore Detmers. Well, hopefully, folks finally have some closure. Regards fm Maryland, A

posted by Ammianus at 7:01 am (EST) on Apr 16, 2008

Wow! Over 1000 entered now! I blinked and you had entered so many! And we are still the only members with Bull Dancers - or with taste. :) That is a really good read too, IMHO.

Haven't found any Plaidy books yet :( I am doing the rounds of my stores this week so I will check them out; I will ask if they come in much and may put them on a waiting list. Such fun - I love searching for books for others as much as for me. Trouble is, I look in different sections of the store and find all these interesting books I would never have noticed before - and have to get them too! Even more fun!

It is getting cold now; not as cold in the morning as Canberra though. Brrr!

Lyn

posted by Lman at 7:13 am (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

Hi Mac
I see yall've put a judge on the case of the HMS Sydney. Interesting! Cheers, A

posted by Ammianus at 5:26 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

OK - I am making a list and I will look out for them. I am not sure if any of those were there, but I will look around my other stores too. What fun!!!
If you don't look you won't find - or some such profoundly appalling cliché :)

I am watching out for The Hell Screen too; I check The Book Depository avidly each time I visit, even though I know it is not coming out for a few months (sad - huh). I got my last two I.J. Parker books from there at a very reasonable price. Hope the exchange rate sticks too. I'm still confused about the order in which to read them though - have you read them yet? They are a definite for me for this year!!! And it is nearly April!

I'll let you know immediately if I find one of these books - more excuses to go looking in book shops; as if we need one??!! I am not sure if I will find any, so don't be disappointed...

L.

posted by Lman at 1:38 am (EST) on Mar 26, 2008

BTW, I have seen lots of Jean Plaidy books in a cheap book store near me (new). If there are any you are having trouble finding send me a list and I will see if they are available; and then I can get them for you. Please don't worry about money or such, just let me know and I will look for you.
L.

posted by Lman at 11:20 pm (EST) on Mar 21, 2008

Hi David,

Happy Easter!!

How was the book fair? I was jealous when I read that - and how wonderful getting hold of the Children's Encyclopaedia too. I love finding books from my childhood as it makes me realise that my joy now is a direct result of that. And now your daughters will have it too! I have a Treasury of Children's Poetry which takes me back and revives my dwindling memory of the classics...and my Winnie the Pooh books. I'm a 'Pooh" child!!!

As to all things 'Samurai' - I'm fast becoming a fan!! I check out your library quite a bit to get some ideas on those.

Was the finding of the HMAS Sydney significant to you war-gamers? I'm glad that it was found - especially for the relatives of the men on board. And to add to the knowledge of WWII.

Enjoy the weekend,

Lyn.

posted by Lman at 11:13 pm (EST) on Mar 21, 2008

hiya: when reading Catain Detmers The RAIDER KORMORAN, he and his officers seemed amazed that the Sydney would approach close enough for them to engage. Sounds like torpedoes to the bow did her in. Ugh, too bad. Regards fm windy as heck Maryland!

posted by Ammianus at 3:32 pm (EST) on Mar 20, 2008

Guess yall are awash in news on teh HMAS Sydney & the Kormoran!

http://airminded.org/2008/03/17/out-of-the-depths/

posted by Ammianus at 4:43 pm (EST) on Mar 19, 2008

I admire your incredible use of tags, but after seeing your profession, that is more understandable! (grin) We share quite a few books, as I have listed only my historical mysteries online, and I will DEFINITELY be scrounging your list for more historical fiction (and non-) and fantasy. Some may be difficult to come by here in the US, however, as are some of the UK books I look for and the (Australian) Arthur Upfield mysteries I like. We (hubby is also a huge Scottish history fan) love Dorothy Dunnett, Bernard Cornwell, the late GM Fraser, and especially Nigel Tranter. The latter is often very hard to find here, and we usually have to order from the UK.

I note you do not have the P.F. Chisholm series about Sir Robert Carey during the border wars, starting with "A Famine of Horses." You would enjoy them very much, I believe. On our latest trip to Scotland in December, I visited the Armstrong museum in Langholm and was able to relate a lot of what I'd read about the Reivers to the items there. Excellent place.

Thank you for sharing your library,
mcfitz

posted by mcfitz at 12:34 pm (EST) on Mar 16, 2008

Hi
Thanks for the tip on the bookfair, I thought it was next weekend for some reason!
I went today and was a bit disappointed on the historical fiction front.
Did you get all the good ones yesterday?! Just stirrrrring.
I did pick up a few...my husband briefly put the full green bags on the back of the wheelchair, almosted tipped over backwards, i could picture myself stranded like a turtle on its back :-)
Just exhausted myself with the LT entering.
Enjoy it on Sunday if you go....

Cheers
kim

posted by KimB at 4:21 am (EST) on Mar 8, 2008

Hi Macbeth

This winter have been fairly "warm", 3-8C usually, it dipped below zero tonight.
No snow to speak of this year, but lots and lots of rain.

Yes I agree that the Persians for various reasons was unable to develop heavy infantry that could slug it out with the hoplites, but they should be able to do something about it.
Ie light infantry with heavy javelins, throwing sledges, spikes thrown on the ground in front of the phalanx, anything to break up their formation.
They usually outnumbered the opposition but repeatedly failed to make an impact when faced with heavy infantry.I just find it a bit strange.

Ardagor

posted by Ardagor at 9:36 am (EST) on Mar 3, 2008

Hello David,

I see your catalogue is increasing nicely - how many Samurai books have you got - hey? :)

We now share one more book as I finally got Bridge of Birds today. I am so excited as I didn't think it was ever going to come. That may be the first and last order from Betterworld for me! I stuck my nose in the first few pages - always a fatal flaw in my character - and was intrigued so much I had to force myself to stop as I want to finish the book I am reading and I have very little to go. As it is 1440 pages long I think you may understand where I am coming from here...

BTW, have you been watching Underbelly? I am not a big fan of Channel 9 shows but this is intriguing, especially as it is still playing out in the courts; not so much ancient history, but very much local history, yes? (Sigh, there is always a smart Alec around)

I hope you are well and all your girls, happy Autumn - bloody hell! Already!

L.

posted by Lman at 4:32 am (EST) on Feb 29, 2008

Hi Macbeth

I like Shadows in the Desert. Very interesting and literally packed with information. Take some time to digest it all.
Strange how similar in some cases the situation for the mongols and ancient persia (ca 500 BC) was. Both relied heavily on very good organization and massed archery, winning countless victories. And both fell apart when their tactic did not work anymore.
I wonder why the Persians did not develop some way to handle the Greek heavy infantry. They must have realised their favorite tactic or showering the enemy with arrows simply did not work against the bronze armor and solid shields of the hoplites.

Yours Ardagor

posted by Ardagor at 3:26 pm (EST) on Feb 27, 2008

Yep,the life line book fair is the go, I'll be trying hard to get there :-)

posted by KimB at 8:56 pm (EST) on Feb 21, 2008

Hello David,

Yes, I was fast getting them on. I just placed most of my Medieval books since I am still thinking over becoming life member. I would hate to do all that work and the program cease to exist. Is there some way to download ones' collection to save it? The fact that I had already begun listing my books with Mirocsoft Works made it was easy to transfer into librarything.

I see you are a wargamer. I have been wargaming for some time myself. I enjoy a few periods including Medieval, WWII, and Napoleonics. I would be interested in some ancient games. What rules do you find best?

Take care David...you have a very impressive collection and I envy you.

Cheers
Gary

posted by gihk at 7:38 am (EST) on Feb 19, 2008

I agree that the knights of islam was very good.
I do not think it was lack of horses that defeated the mongols at Ayn Jalut, their small steppe ponies could only keep up in combat about 8-10 minutes and not carry a fully armored warrior.So they had to remount in battle, every warrior was supposed to have 5 horses. They plundered grain from local farmers when not enough fodder was available, this worked for a season or two at least.
So they rained arrows upon the enemy and fell back when necessary to resupply and remount, then close for the kill when the enemy was a mess. This worked wonders against all other enemies. The mamelukes was different, they was excellent bowmen themselves and heavy cavalrymen. They could inflict more damage on the mongols from range then they got in return and was completely superior in close combat. That is the impression that I got anyway.

posted by Ardagor at 12:52 pm (EST) on Feb 13, 2008

Hi. It's currently snowing, again, in Nova Scotia. More snow is coming on the 10th, so I'm quite tired of winter and waiting hopefully for spring.
I'll be sure to check out your catalogue for those historical novels.

posted by scribe77 at 9:59 am (EST) on Feb 7, 2008

Hi David,

Thought I would wait a little to update you about Betterworld - have to say I am not sure if I would recommend them as much as "The Book Depository" as I am still waiting for my book to arrive. :( But the exchange rate is so good at the moment that it is hard NOT to buy from overseas!

I am like you though, I had three great used book stores which kept coming up with my 'genre' books, with a condition like new, and half the price. So I rarely bought from anywhere else. But then my favourite closed and everyone else, in all likelihood, found the other two - so it was harder to find books I wanted. And then I found all these on-line sites which gave me books at similar prices, but brand new. I highly recommend "The Book Depository" as they have the British versions and FREE shipping. So, if the pound is on a good exchange they are fabulous. I have found a few of my most wanted there too, though not always. The URL is www.bookdepository.co.uk. And I belonged to TSP until Doubleday snaffled them, and then I hated it and left!! I still buy a lot from my 2 used shops.

I am glad you didn't get the Massey books as I am not sure they are all that good. I am getting the first one soon but I have a few others (like a 1000) that I want to read first!!

Are you getting drowned up your way? It is raining and raining and raining here... talk about extremes. I hope it is falling over the rivers and catchments areas too.

I looked up Maureen Ash - by the sounds of your note it seems like her books are good. It is a quandary we face: once liking an author who writes copiously, it is then hard on the pocket book; no? Not a bad quandary really...

Take care, stay dry,
L.

posted by Lman at 6:08 am (EST) on Feb 4, 2008

RE Tamburas & Renault: Sheesh, looking at your added titles is like a walk down Memory Lane! I remember finding TAMBURAS in an old drug store when I was a kid, great read! Renault's FUNERAL GAMES remains one of my favorite titles. REgards from Maryland! A

posted by Ammianus at 8:03 am (EST) on Jan 29, 2008

Hello Macbeth

A little late, 4 months or so...
I bought Knights of Islam because i have been interested in the Mamelukes for a long time due to their strange political organization and solid military, in terms of training, equipment and organization.

Yours Ardagor

posted by Ardagor at 5:33 am (EST) on Jan 27, 2008

Hi David,

How are you? Me? I'm so happy; I just ordered a copy of "Bridge of Birds" (thanks to this site, the talk threads and one of your friends, aluvalibri) for a quite reasonable price. I wanted my own copy and now I can look out for the other two. I think the second is harder to find but then I was having trouble finding the first. BTW I got it off this site BetterWorld.com which has gasp second-hand books too! The exchange rate against the USD is good at the moment so that helps and you can get a feed to check if a book you want has come in. Brilliant. You probably already know about this site but I was very pleased to find it.
Then I can chat about one of your favourite books with you, err..once I have read it. I think it may rise to the top of my TBR list.

Between that and the Book Depository and my used book shops I'm not going to be able to stop buying books, am I. *head droops in despair*

*heart and soul is very happy*

Hope you are well and it is not too hot. Huh - summer sure has arrived!

L.

posted by Lman at 9:10 pm (EST) on Jan 12, 2008

Thanks for accepting my friends invitation.
You wanted to know what prompted me to add you as a friend? Well, we have similar interests. We both like the same history, and I noticed you have several books on King Arthur in your library. Arthurian legends are a big interest of mine. I'm actually writing a fiction book based on the legends.

posted by scribe77 at 9:34 am (EST) on Jan 9, 2008

Nothing...that is what I can tell you about Sujata Massey! I think they are probably more about the last 100 years than medieval Japan - too early for your tastes perhaps? I got 'Samurai's Daughter' as I thought it was a stand alone - sigh. But of course not...AND I think the books need to be read in sequence as the plot follows on. Thus I am hunting a series once again; and I have no idea if I will even like them all. The weird thing is that her books keep coming up on the suggestions from this site for Rowland books and some others of mine. Now you know why I smiled to myself about your Jacq comment. We all do it - though I seem to do it repeatedly, but then I usually enjoy the books; so alls well that ends well.

Enjoy your the rest of your weekend. It is raining here - there goes the cricket.

posted by Lman at 2:37 am (EST) on Jan 5, 2008

Thanks for your kind wishes.

Hope you had a very merry chrissy and all the best for the new year.

Hope you find many wonderful books to read.

:-)

posted by KimB at 6:09 pm (EST) on Jan 4, 2008

Thank you for your greeting. I hope you had a good Christmas, and also offer my best wishes for you & yours in 2008. I've had yet another health problem rear up, which has kept me from getting much done, so my hopes for the New Year have already had a bit of a setback. Rather disappointing.

posted by Mezz at 8:27 am (EST) on Jan 3, 2008

Happy New Year to you and your family too David!

Santa was good to you too. I love finding a bargain, with rewards or whatever, in this country-of-over-priced-books. I had to look up those books - totally ignorant about this genre - but I am learning fast, thanks to you! I see some very interesting books here in your catalogue.

I was considering reading the Kylie Chan trilogy soon - they look interesting and she is Australian also. Have you read any of those? I have started collecting Sujata Massey books now. Have you heard of her? I seem to be mad for books about medieval Japan???!!! What is that I wonder? I was recommended those because of a Laura Joh Rowland query. The Viking Empires sounds fascinating though. Maybe you can write some reviews; we have so much spare time in our lives, NOT - as neither of those have one.

BTW - I laughed more at the beer joke as I hadn't heard that one before. Very clever. Probably true. Ooops! Oh, and I'm not sure why you keep buying Christian Jacq books either - but I do things like that all the time!
:)

posted by Lman at 5:08 am (EST) on Jan 3, 2008

Hi Mac! Sounds like your weather's as crazy as ours; wind blew today like crazy (or Kansas). Looks like you did well for Xmas!!! I'm hoping that rain there is a good thing? I;m slugging away with 6th ARMY GROUP (not like to win a Pulitzer). Regards, A

posted by Ammianus at 8:49 pm (EST) on Jan 2, 2008

Happy New Year mates!
My wife & I are just coming out from a long bout of some kinda flu and 2 weeks of holiday company. I hope Santa treated you well, I received an armload of books (Rome, ACW, Napoleonics, WWI, WWII, scifi)…which I’m currently plowing through. Among them were several from the “print on demand” publishers which provide hard to find monographs (WWI in East Africa). I received & read that old classic GOSHAWK SQUADRON by Derek Robinson (better than BLUE MAX to me). Adrian Goldsworth’s CANNAE is a quick read. Sloan’s ULTIMATE BATTLE (Okinawa) is a collection of oral history anecdotes not an operational study but a good one of that genre. I recommend the new STALINGRAD by Michael Jones, lots of new research & analysis incorporated (and corrects some myths along the way). I also finished McCullough’s final Masters of Rome volume: ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, not up to her others in my opinion. Also the newest from Dan Abnett’s “Gaunt’s Ghosts” series, ONLY in DEATH, gripping space opera! I was also surprised to find that my (American) football team, the Redskins, somehow slipped into the playoffs. We’ll see how long that lasts! Well, I’ll be interested in checking to see what yall have added to your collections. I hope 2008 is a banner year for stocking your shelves with goodies. Regards from a damp Maryland, Ammianus
PS. Glad you liked ATTILA, I find Ceclia Holland to be awfuly good historical novelist (especially The FIREDRAKE)

posted by Ammianus at 8:10 am (EST) on Jan 1, 2008

Hi David,

Bloody hell! I've got a huge list from you now! :) I really want the Hughart books, they sound so interesting. I find it interesting also that, even if I have absolutely no knowledge of the subject, how a well researched book comes across so much better; subconsciously we must realise the underlying truth??? I like seeing a bibliography to validate the story - but then I'm a bit weird that way! And I find fantasy has to be the same to have a plausible concept.

I enjoyed Shinju very much - clever writing too, in painting a picture of the society through all the inhabitants of the book, and in stunning detail. I couldn't tell you if it is a true picture but it was fascinating. I am looking forward to the rest of this series, if I can find some time to read!

Bendigo boy huh? Or is that the in-laws? Nice place - don't know it well but all the people I have met from around there are very nice. Can you tell me the Queensland joke too please?

Forget Santa - I bought myself some books for Xmas!! Such a good excuse!

I hope you get lots too - wherever they come from. After all these years getting a book as a gift has never failed to excite me. Whatever, I hope you have a lovely holiday time. Please stay safe on those roads, and as I'm sure you have been a good boy (giving me all those wonderful suggestions), Santa should have lots of nice presents with your name on them.

Merry Christmas and may 2008 find you and your family happy, healthy and yur shelves full of books!

~Lyn

posted by Lman at 5:26 am (EST) on Dec 18, 2007

Hi David

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too - thanks for the good wishes!

all best, Sarah

posted by ariadne02 at 9:25 pm (EST) on Dec 17, 2007

Dear David,
thanks for the wishes!
The very best to you and your loved ones for a wonderful holiday season and a new year full of happiness, health, and prosperity.

Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 9:31 pm (EST) on Dec 16, 2007

Hi David,

Luckily I live in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney and we missed out on all the hail this time - last time Sydney had a comparable storm (1999) we did cop it. I got a brand new car body out of that!

I don't know Barry Hughart, but I'm checking him out now!! Is he one of your favourites or is 'Bridge of Birds' the only one of his to read? I have a coupon from Borders - a good one - so I am looking for that this weekend. One of my other friends on LT loves Terry Dowling too - hmmm - I am seriously being pushed in that direction now.

I have read a few of Christian Jacq but not his latest - are they good too? I am reading 'Shinju' and it is brilliant. My aim is to finish it this weekend while watching the cricket - BLISS!!! And then I can start the next one.

I have read the first three of The Otori and I am looking forward to the last two. I enjoyed them very much but I do like stories with ancient cultures or similar plot basis, especially when they are well researched and thus very believable. I loved Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series because she researched Australia in the 1930s and I learnt so much about our country, which interested me as much as the story!! I'm sadly lacking in historical knowledge due to an emphasis on Geography NOT History in my schooling. That is regretful now.

Enjoy your weekend - hopefully you are not working.

Lyn

posted by Lman at 6:24 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2007

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll check it out. You probably already know that "Tom Rynosseros" is from "Tom O' Bedlam" a poem the Wikipedia says "is the name of a critically acclaimed anonymous poem written circa 1600 (it can be definitely dated back to 1634) about a Bedlamite."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_O'Bedlam

posted by Hoagy27 at 9:32 am (EST) on Dec 9, 2007

Hi David,

LOL!! I thought you would think I am mad and never want any contact again!!! And now you want to befriend this mad woman!! Hmmm. Seriously that was lovely.

I want to read the Hugh Cook books again and finish the series since you have refreshed my memory. I just loved the convolution (?) of those stories. And you haven't read our shared book! Isn't it wonderful having all these books still to read - and now I want to read books I have already read. But I have decided on Shinju next. I will now be checking out your library for books similar to Bull Dancers - I wish I had studied Ancient History at school and then gone on to mythology and Greek and Roman interesting stuff (technical term there)as I find it intriguing.

Did you like Lian Hearn's books? I did!

Bye for now - look forward to more chats...

Lyn

posted by Lman at 4:31 am (EST) on Dec 7, 2007

Forget that bit about new member, and Happy First Anniversary instead!!! THAT was a 'senior' moment.

And I have just realised why your name was familiar - I loved The Bull Dancers of Knossos - I love those sort of books. Alas it is still just you and me...

posted by Lman at 4:37 am (EST) on Dec 6, 2007

P.S> - forgot to answer your question (old age creeping in - again)

I read the Hugh Cook books a long time ago - found them very interesting and altogether totally different to anything else I had read then (or since for that matter). I am still not sure I understood them and I'm not sure if I finished them - I think I got the last two a while later. They are on my 'to-be-read-again-one-day' list definitely as I may enjoy them more in my dotage and I would like to finish the series(??).

NO ONE I knew ever liked them or understood them. What about you?

L.

posted by Lman at 4:13 am (EST) on Dec 6, 2007

Well hello MacBeth!

Your suggestion is quite eerie as I have been contemplating what to read next. I was given the Rowland books by a friend in the States (DerBuecherwurm on LT)- ALL TEN!! We have a book "club" and read books together (send each other books we can't find in our respective countries) and she has read the first three, so I was wanting to catch up so we could read the rest together.
Now, with your encouragement, I have decided it will be 'Shinju' next, and probably a few more after!

I see you have only recently joined this illustrious site: so welcome! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do - I will let you know what I think (I am writing a review for each book I read now too). It is lovely to find fellow Australians here too!

Any other suggestions are very welcome...

Lyn

posted by Lman at 4:05 am (EST) on Dec 6, 2007

Hiya pal, see my Antietam note in American Civil War group. Cheers, A

posted by Ammianus at 6:48 am (EST) on Nov 19, 2007

Hi fromy rainy Maryland. LOL RE your football comments; here we just say we're in a "rebuilding" decade. Wife's sick and playing hooky from school today (she teaches the gifted & talented). Yesterday we had fun assembling furniture (WHO writes those directions?!). Cheers, A

posted by Ammianus at 8:06 am (EST) on Nov 12, 2007

Hi pal,
my unfortunate football team is the Washington Redskins, who were whipped again today. Consistent inconsistency
is their bane. I recommend almost all of C.Holland's works. FIREDRAKE is excellent. Until the Sun Falls is one you should pick up, great storytelling of the Mongol invasion of Eastern Europe. Rex Warner's translation of Caesar's Commentaries was one of the first "adult" histories I read as a kid. The old Classic Comic Books version had prepped me for it. I'm off tomorrow for Veterans Day. Hope Santa has your Xmas list well in hand. Regards, A

posted by Ammianus at 10:09 pm (EST) on Nov 11, 2007

Hiya Mac, ltns,
I see you're a CEcelia Holland fan. FIREDRAKE & ATTILA are 2 of my favs as is KINGS in WINTER. Cool, crisp day here in Fall-like Maryland, good football weather! Cheers, A

posted by Ammianus at 9:20 am (EST) on Nov 11, 2007

Hi Macbeth,

Thank you! I took a look at the titles we have in common, and there are some semi-obscure ones in there - the two by Alan Savage, some of the PC Dohertys, and a couple novels about Japanese history. Judging by your ratings, I think it's fair to say you've read more of your library than I have of mine!

Sarah

posted by ariadne02 at 9:17 pm (EST) on Oct 19, 2007

thanks old man! I have really enjoyed LT's "connection news" feature, seeing what you, Rudel, Shrike, Donough et al are adding; unfortunately it means I have to buy more books! I read Cleo's Kidnappers, interesting, but more of a 2.5 star, I thought. I look forward to C McCullough's Antony/Cleo, that was a great series, wasn't it? Oldsarge comes up with some good titles as well. RE Landwaster, I've done business with Jeff Caruso and found him very pleasant to deal with (alas I have an army of his, LIR, yet to paint!). Well, have a great weekend. Regards, A

posted by Ammianus at 10:27 am (EST) on Oct 7, 2007

Thanks for your comment, Mac. You have an impressive list of history books (one of my general interests) there. I do like the historical detective stories too, but a) I'm trying to not collect too many books & other 'gomi' (libraries have been very useful); b) there is only just so much time we all have to live (something that my nose has been rubbed in since the turn of the century). So I am trying to specialize to some extent in local and Australian history, plus some things that might help understand how the world runs in general. My interest in things mediaeval does sneak in, however, dating from a childhood fascination with the times of the Wars of the Roses.

Altho' I read The Guns of August many years ago, the book that spurred my interest in looking through Barbara Tuchman's other work was The March of Folly. Very highly recommended. It's a shame she's not around to bring some of her insight into more recent history.

I have wondered if I should try to have a special tag for library books I've read but don't own. For example, I've read the first 3 or 4 of Colleen McCullough's Roman books, which I see you have some of. (My Amazon wish list is here, and I worry it's deceptive to see them in the listing.)

posted by Mezz at 11:47 am (EST) on Sep 19, 2007

Macbeth,

I see you've recently added Black Lotus (A Sano Ichiro Mystery) Laura Joh Rowland. I've never heard of Rowland or the series but I see you've marked it 5 stars and selected Googled reviews seem to like it. Do you think it's something I could recommend to my mother-in-law who is an avid reader of mysteries? I, on the other hand am not a huge fan of the mystery genre... I like mysteries fine but I don't chew up one after another like she does. I'm sure she's never read any of these (she keeps a list so she doesn't read the same book twice). What would you suggest I tell her about this that might peak her interest?

Regards,

hoagy27

posted by Hoagy27 at 9:15 pm (EST) on Jul 31, 2007

Macbeth,

So that's what Sumption’s been up to. When I read his books I had a hard time believing that the guy who wrote such good history could do anything other than study history all the time! Guess I forgot about John Buchan.

All this socializing is new to me. Librarything is the only "social website" I do and that only because it is such a great way to catalogue my library. I’ll get used to this “friends” concept.

BTW: I liked your “Queensland” joke so well I’ve told it several times. Come to think of it, I better ask you what it is about “Queensland” that makes is a foreign country from the rest of Australia.

Hoagy

posted by Hoagy27 at 11:23 am (EST) on Jul 28, 2007

Hey I just ordered 'Shadows in the Desert' from Amazon. I have been looking to sink into some good Persian history for a while so the recomendation was very timely. Plus I just got a new job and have plenty of subway reading time now. Thanks!

posted by gradvmedusa at 3:40 am (EST) on Jul 26, 2007

Mac,

I got hooked on Barbara Tuchman’s writing with The Guns of August. I devoured her next two books as soon as I could get my hands on them and when she published A Distant Mirror in 1978 I was overjoyed! The combination of Tuchman’s lucid prose and the history of the 14th century was right up my alley!

I enjoyed the narrative nature of Norwich’s Byzantium books. Since I had been reading several books written by historians who eschew the narrative approach his trilogy was like a blast from the past. I was thrilled when an aunt (who writes historical fiction) told me that Norwich had written a history of the Normans in Sicily. I could hardly rest until I tracked down a copy.

But, as they say, you can’t win ‘em all… I really hated Rathbone's The Last English King. I simply cannot abide the jokey, elbow-jabbing, anachronisms that proliferate in his work. I wanted to enjoy it but I just couldn’t finish it. The final straw was the appearance of the Bob Dylan cipher-character. Groan!

While we were in Scotland, we visited friends who live in the Outer Hebrides. The people and geography of the islands were wonderful! I highly recommend including them on any itinerary… but then there is so much see and do!

So Border Reivers in your family history ‘eh? …and Kerrs to boot! I see you and I share Frazer’s Steel Bonnets. I made sure I read it before we went to Scotland.

Regards,

Hoagy27

posted by Hoagy27 at 11:33 pm (EST) on Jul 19, 2007

Mac,

I really enjoyed reading the first two volumes of Sumption's 100 Years War history and was very please when I saw the Wikipedia article about Sumption that mentioned the third volume.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Sumption

I see you have The Normans in Sicily by John Julius Norwich, I’d be interested to know what you think about it. I’d also like to know what you thought about The Last English King by Julian Rathbone.

So have you visited Scotland? My wife and I visited a few years back and loved it. It is where much of my ancestry comes from.

Hoagy27

posted by Hoagy27 at 11:16 pm (EST) on Jul 18, 2007

You mentioned in the Historical Fiction: Roman Empire discussion that Iron Hand of Mars is your favourite Falco. You might be interested to know that BBC Radio is broadcasting a dramatised version over 6 weeks from April 6th. I assume the broadcast will be available over the internet.

posted by Robertgreaves at 8:37 am (EST) on Mar 25, 2007

I'll finish Graff up this evening and on the whole I found it well worth my time. There's a nice balance between military details and operations, the social context of the period, and historiographic analysis of the sources.

posted by Shrike58 at 7:41 pm (EST) on Mar 15, 2007

Just had a look at your collection, very nice. Lots of interesting titles on Byzantium that I will look into adding to my reading list.

posted by gradvmedusa at 6:37 pm (EST) on Feb 19, 2007