5 comments about Churchill: A Study in Greatness.

1. A compact biography (384 pages) by Oxford Historian Geoffrey Best is far and away the best I have read on Churchill. The many facets of Churchill's life are covered in a series of essays from the author. Best summarizes Churchill's life with clarity and high degree of accuracy.
   
   If you're looking for a comprehensive study on Churchill, this isn't it. You won't find page after page of stilted verbiage here, but you will find a well written presentation of this fascinating man, perhaps the savior of England. If it is possible to write a detailed account of such a varied figure within the brevity of such a small volume, the author has done so admirably.
   
   Though the author clearly admires the subject, this isn't just another "I love Churchill" book. Best gives a fair and balanced account of many areas where Churchill may have erred, such as Gallipolli. The book is fair, and it is no-nonsense, to the point, without a lot of ambivalent inflection.
   
   I have a number of volumes on the life and times of Churchill. I may go to other volumes for research purposes, but this is probably the most enjoyable read I have encountered on the man.
   
   Monty Rainey
   www.juntosociety.com



2. Not a true biography but more than just a compilation of essays concerning Churchill's life and times, the author provides us with a 300+ page synopsis/chronology with a sprinkling of his thoughts, insights and conclusions. I found nothing new or "earth-shattering" here. On the other hand it makes a nice supplement, (i.e. much like Meachem's book on FDR and Churchill), to biographys/books I have read. If you are looking for a full-fledged bio start elsewhere, (Manchester or Gilbert), and if your interest is piqued as mine was, come back to this one.



3. A very readable book that provides balanced and insightful coverage of the whole of Churchill's life. I would highly recommend this book either to those who have not previously read much about Churchill or equally to those who have read other Churchill biographies or war histories and wish to take a fresh look. Of particular value is the way that the author take the occasional opportunity to dispel certain myths and revisionist ideas about Churchill.



4. Best nos presenta una panorámica de la vida de Churchill. Algunos capítulos están mas inspiradoa que otros. Trata de mostrar una perspectiva imparcial del personaje aunque claramente se comprueba que le admira grandemente, pero no tanto como a su esposa Clementine. La extensión de la parte que corresponde a la segunda guerra mundial es mucho mas amplia (quizás la mitad del libro). Casi no responde las preguntas o dudas sobre asuntos controversiales que existen sobre la vida de este personaje.
   
   Como se comprende, al escribir sobre Churchill es necesario mostrar una parte de la hisoria de GB y del mundo pero esta se queda corta a veces para ayudar a comprender a cabalidad la circunstancias que rodearon a los hechos.
   
   En general el texto es bueno, muy bien redactado, fácilmente comprensible. Algunos artículos mas inspirados que otros pero todos interesantes.



5. this book by geoffrey best will rank as one of the greatest book ever written about churchill full of wise summations and not too long thi work is recommended by the churchill society . for sure one of the very best one volume work

2 comments about Victoria an intimate biography.

1. The author does an excellent job of detailing Queen Elizabeth's life, from girlhood to her death. Throughout the book are the Queen's own letters, furthing our insight into this dynamic female ruler. After finishing this book, I felt as though I knew Her Royal Highness personally!



2. Very, very detailed account of the life of Queen Victoria. I appreciate the author's effort, but this book is a failure!

   This book TRIED to be a political AND intimate biography but it just didn't work. The reader is overwhelmed with minor details about the politics of Victoria's reign without getting the big picture. All the details are wonderful, but the author writes in such a confuzing manner that it's hard to follow everything. In the end, we are left with a vague idea about the events of her reign.

   There was an alarmingly small amount of information on Victoria's personal relationships. I don't know what else to say because I honestly can't recall learning anything new! Stanley ignored Victoria's family and it makes for horrible reading.

   Honestly, this book is a very boring read. Do not waste your time even trying to consume and understand this "intimate" biography.

2 comments about In the Footsteps of William Wallace.

1. There have been many books written on William Wallace and all provide a look into the history of Scotlands greatest hero.In the back of my mind I have often tried to imagine a picture with those written words and now the reader can get that "In the Footsteps of William Wallace". Each part of the life of William Wallace and the history of the "Wars of Independence" are described and images are provided in related photographs and maps...a most excellent book for those with an interest in this great hero!!



2. The combination of Alan Young's writing and Michael Stead's picture help bring to life and make Wallace more of a tangible person in my mind's eye. Mr. Young's biography is a nice and balanced presentation of the facts of a man with enormous strengths and some faults. I have seen the movie Braveheart and read many of the other books which make Wallace an almost unbelievable hero. This book brings balance to the history and tells of a passionate patriot dedicated to his life's end to his country and its people. This presentation make's him more of a real man and real hero to me. Wallace did his best as he got caught among the church and the Noble families' power plays. The Stewarts, Bruces and Comyns all support themselves, family interests and lands many times before their country. But not Wallace. He had nothing to loose but his life and a Nation to gain, for which he paid the ultimate price. He went from outlaw, to Knight to Guardian of Scotland to outlaw and finally wrongly executed by Edward I. Wallace is a true Martyr and patriot. This book is a fine balanced historical tribute to William Wallace.

No comments about Breaking With Communism: The Intellectual Odyssey of Bertram D. Wolfe (Hoover Archival Documentaries).

2 comments about Duncan Grant: A Biography.

1. In many ways the painter Duncan Grant is one of the most intriguing members of the Bloomsbury group. A homosexual, he was lover to many of the celebrated male members of that circle: Lytton Strachey, Maynard Keynes, etc. Yet he also chose to live for 40 years with, (& father a child by), the painter Vanessa Bell. Frances Spalding has perviously written an admirable bio of V. Bell, & Grant's family asked her to tackle Grant, with lukewarm results. To me, the process of painting is unexplainable, the best attempt ever written, to my mind, is Maugham's "Moon & Sixpence,"; Spalding's attempts at describing Grant's artistic processes fall flat, & frankly are boring. More interesting to me are the almost incredible personal events that swirled around Grant; That notable procession of lovers, the extraordinary relationship with Bell, the bizarre fact that Grant had affairs with his Daughter's uncle, future husband, & lover! What did Duncan Grant have that so many people wanted? What did he really think of the curious relationship between himself & Bell & their daughter Angelica (who did not know till she was 18 that she was his daughter.) Why would a woman like Vanessa Bell essentially give up her sexual life to live with Grant? And why did Grant, an enthusiastic homosexual, choose to devote a major portion of his life to this woman? Spalding had complete access to Grant's papers & letters, but her feeble attempts to explain Grant's character (beyond his apparent physical beauty, he is called "charming" so many times that I lost count) are pallid. Prehaps, in the end, apart from Grant's enormous talent for painting-and we get a rather niggardly peek at the work-there was no "there there." Read Spalding's "Vanessa Bell: A Biography" for a sharper view of the people & events surrounding Grant's unusual life, "Duncan Grant" is a disappointment.



2. Marvellous, Spalding's skill is to sketch out the intricate emotional web against the bright bold untouchable figure of the artist. Her achievement is to let that sense of a man living with a craft shine through on every page: the result in an exceptionally honest and warm portrait. Her tone is objective but sympathetic and generous. This biography accomplishes what is, or should be, the biographer's highest goal: it does not come between the reader and the subject.

No comments about William Pitt the Younger (Lancaster Pamphlets).

No comments about The Hunt For Rob Roy: The Man And The Myths.

1 comments about Jacques Coeur: Entrepreneur and King's Bursar (Library of World Biography Series) (Library of World Biography).

1. Jacques Coeur was one of the more influential persons of his era, and did much to organize State finances for the King of France following the victories of Joan of Arc. In fact, King Charles VII is often called "the well served" because of the efforts of both Joan and Jacques Coeur.
   
   Reyerson's book is the first study in English to appear in some time. While a small book, her efforts are unusually methodical, apparently taken from the original source documents as often as possible. She is also current with the research of other scholars into Coeurs' business activities and eventual downfall. This is seemingly a requirement of most historical research, but the breadth of Coeur's activities and the partisanship of commentators on his activities can often complicate the subject for a reader in search of objective treatment.
   
   An especial skill of Reyerson seems to be the ability to reasonably extrapolate Coeur's business relationships from his activities. His diplomatic activites to the Papacy from the King of France, his actions as a magistrate settling cases of marque, and his trade and diplomatic activites are all carefully scrutinized. Because of Coeur's unique circumstances (especially his escape and flight from France), the usual records of these types of records, such as they existed, are often missing: this has likely hindered researchers in one of the more interesting eras of medieval France.
   
   Kathryn Reyerson's book will be especially helpful to students of the early Renaissance and/or late medieval France who seek a well documented but brief introduction to this remarkable personage.

No comments about Just The Way It Was: Tommy Dan Tims Derrinageer, Ballinaglera</p>A true story of a traditional farm life in County Leitrim, Ireland.

1 comments about The Fast Set: Three Extraordinary Men and Their Race for the Land Speed Record.

1. Really interesting and well conceived book, written in an easy-to-read style ... but I found myself putting the book down and firing up the internet to see an image of what he was talking about ... time after time ... e.g. racetracks, cars etc
   I know its not meant to be an encyclopaedia but it needs more photos and illustrations - then it would be a lot better and get the "4" it probably deserves.
   Don't read it in bed, you'll drive yourself nuts getting up to go to your computer to find photos of what you're reading about. Read it at your desk, preferably next to your computer ... and you will enjoy it.