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Gates
of Fire by Steven Pressfield I love historical fiction. So when a co-worker recommended this book, I ran right out and got it. And I'm really glad I did. The battle of Thermopylae was one of the most magnificent defeats ever suffered by any army; it made the legend of the Spartan warriors. Some histories have it that King Xerxes of Persian commanded an army of around 2 million men and were moving to attack the city of Thermopylae. Thermopylae was a port and situated behind a mountainous pass. 300 Spartan soldiers and about 3,500 allies, sworn to defend the City, stationed themselves at the pass and for a week, held off Xerxes' army. The story is narrated by the lone Spartan survivor of the battle and is told to King Xerxes of Persia. Mr. Pressfield brings not only the battle to life, but his characters as well. I found myself hoping against all odds that the Spartans might win this battle, so sympathetic are the characters. He describes the Spartan way without detracting from the story - rather, it allows the reader to understand why the 300 performed as they did. This book is a reads very quickly. It is compelling and I recommend it highly. |
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The
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver What was it like in the Congo in 1960? Barbara Kingsolver's novel of a missionary family gives the reader an idea. The family consisting of the Reverend, his wife and 5 daughters go to the Congo without sanction by his church in order to bring religion to the natives. The difference in cultures is stunning, and something that people who have never thought about going to Africa may never have thought of. The story is built around real events during the Congo revolution for independence. The writing is wonderful - each of the daughters has a section describing the events that were occuring in that era, and each daughter writes very distinctively and around the age group that you would expect. I didn't hate this book, but it isn't one of my favorites. It has, however, peaked my interest about what happend in the Congo in the 60's and before. This has led me to order several other books on the Congo. |
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VII by Leon Uris Uris A knighted doctor, Adam Kelno. A Pulitzer Prize winning author, Benjamin Cady. Kelno, after leaving the infamous Jadwiga concentration camp where he was imprisoned for years, has spent the last 20 years working with natives in Borneo, for which he received knighthood, and practicing medicine among the poor in London. Cady has written a prize-winning novel, "The Holocaust" concerning the plight of the Jews in German concentation camps during World War II. He lists Dr. Kelno as one of the prisoner doctors that committed horrible medical experiments on Jewish prisoners. Kelno is suing for defamation. Cady is determined to fight. Gripping, horrifying and terribly sad, this novel of a legal battle in England brings back in force the horrors of Nazi Germany's "Final Solution" while questioning everyone's humanity in the face of true evil. Read this book. I recommend it highly. |
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The
Persian Boy
by Mary Renault Yes, I know! I've read this book before. More times than you could imagine! I love this book. Mary Renault is a serious scholar of Alexander the Great but also writes historical fiction based on historical characters and events of the times. The Persian Boy is Bagoas, a Persian eunech. We follow Bagoas through his family's demise and his subsequent castration to his elevation as the Great King Darius' concubine. After Darius' assassination at the hands of traitorous friends, Bagoas is taken to meet Alexander. He becomes his lover and friend and follows Alexander until his death. This is a richly written novel, full of description and lively characters. It is one of my favorite novels of the last 10 years and I recommend it highly! |
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