No comments about The Chronica Maiora of Thomas Walsingham (1376-1422).

No comments about Latitude and the Magnetic Earth (Revolutions in Science).

1 comments about Montrose.

1. This well-written book documents the life of James Graham, Marquess of Montrose, in the 1600's. It is indeed a page-turner: the crisp writing is full of factual references but never burdened by them, like the photos, period paintings and documents illustrating the book, they enhance and support the narrative. It is free of ornamental flourishes or fawning, relying only on exposition of facts and quality writing.

   Rarely do I agree with the marketing hype that usually makes up the front flap of a books dustjacket, but in this case, I agree wholeheartedly:
   "This remarkable story of a great romantic hero separates the facts from legend and yet still manages to capture brilliantly all the excitement of the tale, of gallantry and heroism, of conspiracy and intrigue, of massacres and tragedy, set against the magnificent scenery of seventeenth-century Scotland."

   At least as thrilling as the story of William Wallace (alongside whom one of Graham's ancestors had fought two centuries earlier), this book is a very exhilarating tale of a remarkable person.

1 comments about Acting Up.

1. An excellent insight into the brain of David Hare, this book is a very honest account of his experiences as both playwright and performer on his most recent piece, Via Dolorosa, which played in London and on Broadway in 1999. Definitely worth a read, and an excellent present for anyone involved in theatre in any way - sure to provoke a response!

No comments about Gladstone and Women.

1 comments about Granuaile: Sea Queen of Ireland.

1. This book is written by an Irish author and is very factual. Though interesting it is a very historical reading.

No comments about Edward Gibbon, Luminous Historian: 1772-1794.

No comments about The Hour and the Woman: Harriet Martineau's "Somewhat Remarkable" Life.

No comments about The Facts of Life.

5 comments about Defy the Darkness: A Tale of Courage in the Shadow of Mengele.

1. There is no shortage of writing about the Holocaust, fortunately, because nothing so evil should ever be forgotten. In addition to the dry historical accounts, we have many novels, military assessments and first-person accounts.
   What Joe Rosenblum gives us is a closeup look at his hometown of Miedzyrzec, Poland, as it is swallowed up by the Nazis, the effects on its mostly Jewish population and the terrible events that upend and destroy his family. Equally important, he tells us how he survived his hellacious odyssey through Nazi death camps, his techniques for survival and the pure luck that kept him from destruction.
   I found the writing a little choppy and some of the material was a bit repetitious. The book sometimes read more like an interview with someone eager to spill out the details before it's too late. So what? This is not literature, this is humanity, set down on paper so that we'll all remember and, if we're lucky, have just a little of the courage of this survivor.



2. This book was a page turner that I could not put down. It went straight to my heart and I wondered if I could do the same things to survive. Joe's thoughts and actions were absolutely amazing, thinking about my 14 yr old nephew the whole time. Unimaginable acts of bravery and the things he has to overcome just to stay alive. Giving kindness to anyone he could even though it could mean death in an instant. Watching and telling his stories of death all around him and of his family. The work he had to endure, the pain, and the hopes to keep him going.

   This book is an excellent read and really opens your eyes to his life and the lives around him.




3. This book is fantastic. Joe Rosenblum's story is inspiring. I have shared this book with many people and every one of them found the book intriguing. Mr. Rosenblum went through hell and emerged a hero and a very decent man. Very well written with co-author Mr. Kohn.



4. Defy The Darkness is the story of the author's (Joe Rosenblum) life before, during, and after World War II. After the Germans invaded Poland, he was, due to his Aryan looks, able to survive by working on the farm of a Polish family who were very kind to him. As a result, he was able to bring food to his own family which helped to prolong their lives. Rosenblum was a very remarkable man. He took his father's place on various slave labor details, he spent time with Russian partisans, and he survived around eighteen months in Birkenau at a time when the average person might have survived eighteen minutes. He had wits; he had strength of character, and, as with most camp survivors he had, as odd as this may sound, luck on his side. The two most indelible images in the book; the gauntlet that the prisoners were continually forced to run at Majdanek, and the prisoners at Birkenau stuffing whole frogs in their mouths due to their incredible hunger. This is a story that had to be told and a book that must be read.



5. Anyone who questions that the holocaust ever happened should read Defy the Darkness. I come from a family of camp survivors. I thought I knew the extent of what went on there, but what I knew did not even crack the surface of what my ancestors experienced, as describe by the author. I honor Joe Rosenblum and acknowledge his courage, wisdom, and tenacity to live through an experience that no one in this lifetime should ever have to live through. The writing of this book is superb. Actually, this is the best book I've ever read on the subject. I wish that I could meet Joe in person and hug him. What an amazing man!