Genre: History

The Vikings by The Great Courses

Posted April 18, 2018 in Reviews // 0 Comments

Where I adored Myth in Human History, this set of lectures just didn’t do it for me. Professor Harl is clearly passionate about his subject, and has a lot of knowledge about Scandinavian history. Anyone interested in the Vikings and that period of history could learn a lot about it from Professor Harl, but this isn’t the type of lecture series you put on in your car and absorb as you navigate traffic. For this one, if you really want to take in the important stuff, you need to sit down with a pen and notebook and take notes. He spends […]

Lincoln’s Grave Robbers by Steve Sheinkin

Posted February 7, 2018 in Reviews // 0 Comments

So. This is a middle grade book, and I don’t think I realized that when I added it to my TBR. I left it because, darn it, the topic seemed interesting. And it was! Though I Googled it, and MG is ages 8-12 and I don’t know that it’s a good idea for an 8-year-old to read this book. Here’s the scoop. A bunch of counterfeiters wanted to get their buddy out of jail, so one of them decided it would be a good idea to steal Abraham Lincoln’s body and ransom it. Because, obviously, that would be my first thought […]

The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel

Posted December 8, 2017 in Reviews // 0 Comments

Hitler is claiming the great works of history. As World War II booms, mens lives are ripped away and the world hangs on the edge, wondering if the world of Nazism has yet been destroyed. One of the most notorious aspects of the German Reicht has been its dissolution of cultures – most famously and horrifyingly seen in its “death camps”. As terrible and tragic and unforgivable as this is, there is another aspect of culture that the Germans are gobbling up: art. The great works of the masters are being torn from walls, brought to the Reicht headquarters. […]

Rejected Princesses by Jason Porath

Posted October 12, 2017 in Reviews // 16 Comments

I finally finished this book and I wish I had more. I’ve been slowly making my way through this book all year and I want everyone who reads this review to know: it’s not because of the book. I struggle through essays and short story collections. This isn’t because they are horrible. It’s because they’re missing a consistent plot line. As far as short stories go? Rejected Princesses is awesome. I want to throw a little love at Jason Porath. Jason Porath is, in his own words, “A straight white dude from Kentucky.” He’s not a likely candidate to […]

Myth in Human History by The Great Courses

Posted July 28, 2017 in Reviews // 2 Comments

I feel like I’ve been talking about Myth in Human History in my catch-up posts forever! I finally listened to the final lecture last night and I’m excited to bring you my conclusion. I really, really enjoyed this lecture series. This is the second one I’ve tried – the first was “The Origin of Evil” and while the subject was incredibly interesting, I just has trouble listening to the lecturer. This was such a different experience, and I’m really glad I gave The Great Courses another try. Delivery ❤︎ Voth is detailed, passionate, and organized. He goes through the lectures […]