Appearance
To Hell and Back With the Guards
This book is an excellent account of the trench warfare of World War 1. Norman Cliff entered the army at the age of 21 towards the end of 1914, immediately joining the Grenadier Guards. His love for his friends in arms is matched only by his resentment of the system to which so many would peril needlessly. Mr. Cliff would see action at Loos, the Somme (where he is wounded) and the muddy hell they called Passchendaele, he would also witness the German offensive in the spring of 1918 and fight right to the end of the war. Norman Cliff was a sensitive soul, so it is riveting to read his depictions of the total world of devastation that he lived in for over three years. He saw most of his friends die and was haunted by the scenes of butchery until his death at the ripe old age of 83. He wrestles with that subject in his book, why he was allowed to live and yet so many of his friends would die, eternally young. His work paints a realistic and disturbing visual picture of warfare, which stems from his natural story telling ability (he would become a reporter after the war and eventually a friend to none other then the Mahatma Gandhi). He became an extreme pacifist after the war, spending his time in the pursuit of peace, only to leave the world without realizing that dream. His book is not proliferated with boastful heroic deeds, but is a strict anti-war creed which displays combat as it truly is; filthy and hellish. Though hidden by the horrors of combat to the private soldier was Cliff's popularity with his fellow Tommies, and his blank refusal to promotion or commission, though offered to him several times. He survived virtually unscathed two of the most horrible battles of the war and was decorated for valor, and served in the toughest outfit that the British army had. This book should not be passed up, as it is a true classic. Though it is not widely known, I imagine that is because of the unenlightening way he portrays the royal family and his disgust of the men who started the war and then destroyed the peace that might have been at Versailles. A truly beautiful human being it is a pity there are not more like him, and his legacy is this book, which is dedicated as follows: "to all who strive for world peace and an end to wars".
The Eagles Daughter
Judith Tarr has written another brilliant book! This rich tapestry of a story covers the shaky Roman Empire in the West and the Bzyantine Empire in the East. Good storyline, setting, charactors. A book I highly recommend to anyone who adores historical fiction and shuge sweeping novels.
The Eagles Daughter
As I settled down to read about a little known period of history--the Byzantine Empire and Otto II--I purred with anticipation. The characters are well rounded. The story plot is solid. But missing is the breath of focus, the width of historical sweep that we readers of historical fiction have come to expect from other historical authors likes Margaret George and Mary Stewart. There are good heavy doses of minute period detail, yet they lack the ricness we want to feel. It seems to be written for someone already familiar with the period and tale. Not bad, but not great.
The Eagles Daughter
We need more books written on the Byzantine Empire this is was a very interesting period in time and I would love to learn more about it. I really enjoyed this book; very intersting, great charactors, and a fast read. I highly recommend this book.
The Eagles Daughter
Belongs in the historical romance category but keeps it's history honest. I give the author an A for adding an afterward that explains deviations from fact and provides an outline of the broader historical picture. I found it readable and am glad I bought it.
The Night Sky
Mary Morris provides an insight on motherhood and how it changes a woman's life. Not only emotionally or financially, but in society's change in perception of a woman who becomes a mother. I read the book when my daughter was about 3 and I could really relate to the main character. I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially to the career woman who has recently become a mother.