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Following "how to think like Sherlock Holmes" by Maria Konnikova (pretty good!) I read Kareem Abdul Jabbar's first two novels about Mycroft Holmes (Sherlock's older brother). A diverse 19th century world, with all the same detecting and danger and ... Sherlock's still in school! The local library is open for lending again, you just have to put a book on hold and make an appointment to pick it up. Yay!
watch Konnikova's videos on youtube; her book is also good.
 
Just started this:

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Saw it recommended on my library's website and decided to reserve a copy. I was raised Catholic so I'm always interested in a book on the subject. :)
 
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It’s fiction. How much is based on fact I don’t know. Not started reading yet (although this afternoon, being cold and wet outside and me sat in front of a warm fire would be the perfect time to begin)

From the back cover.

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Several books by (the historian) Margaret MacMillan have been requested (by me) in the library; I received notification that one (History's People) is already waiting for me, while another (The War That Ended Peace) is currently "in transit".

As a second book - a recent publication on Pakistan - is also "in transit", I shall wait until they both arrive, which is when I shall pay the library a visit, and shall also take the opportunity to return two books by Nick Hornby (Juliet Naked, and Just Like You) that I have read and enjoyed.
 
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Reading and listening:

Reading this:

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Really impressed, strongly recommend it

Listening to this:

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Well, I tried to read it a few times many years ago and gave up each time. I think this is one of those rare books that's actually better to listen to. Firstly, all the pronunciation heavy lifting is done for you, which is a huge relief! And secondly, Tolkein's understanding of Anglo Saxon leaps out when you hear it read properly by some one who knows what they're doing as the rhythm etc means it has a Beowulf sort of feel about it. Something that I never picked up when stumbling through it myself.
 
Listening to this:

41SAdzmroEL._AC_UY218_.jpg


Well, I tried to read it a few times many years ago and gave up each time. I think this is one of those rare books that's actually better to listen to. Firstly, all the pronunciation heavy lifting is done for you, which is a huge relief! And secondly, Tolkein's understanding of Anglo Saxon leaps out when you hear it read properly by some one who knows what they're doing as the rhythm etc means it has a Beowulf sort of feel about it. Something that I never picked up when stumbling through it myself.

I've tried to read that a few times, and have never managed to get through it. Might have to try it as an audio book.
 
Several books by (the historian) Margaret MacMillan have been requested (by me) in the library; I received notification that one (History's People) is already waiting for me, while another (The War That Ended Peace) is currently "in transit".

As a second book - a recent publication on Pakistan - is also "in transit", I shall wait until they both arrive, which is when I shall pay the library a visit, and shall also take the opportunity to return two books by Nick Hornby (Juliet Naked, and Just Like You) that I have read and enjoyed.
Added to my "want to read" list.
 
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SPQR: A history of Ancient Rome (2015) by Mary Beard.
Quite a readable, entertaining, and interesting book of Ancient Rome. Mary Beard narrates the story of Rome from its unknown birth a few centuries BC to Emperor Caracalla (210's AD). It is obviously impossible to describe the complexity of Rome in just a few hundred pages (I mean, just the fall of the Roman Republic would require tomes over tomes), but Beard was able to capture the essence of it in a way that is very instructive. Although an introductory book, I think that some very basic prior knowledge of Rome might help the reader.

SPQR_A_History_of_Ancient_Rome.jpg
 
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SPQR: A history of Ancient Rome (2015) by Mary Beard.
Quite a readable, entertaining, and interesting book of Ancient Rome. Mary Beard narrates the story of Rome from its unknown birth a few centuries BC to Emperor Caracalla (210's AD). It is obviously impossible to describe the complexity of Rome in just a few hundred pages (I mean, just the fall of the Roman Republic would require tomes over tomes), but Beard was able to capture the essence of it in a way that is very instructive. Although an introductory book, I think that some very basic prior knowledge of Rome might help the reader.

SPQR_A_History_of_Ancient_Rome.jpg

That’s a great book. My high school Latin teacher recommended it to me.

Agree with both of you.

To my mind, this is an excellent book - well written, engaging and most interesting - and is one of the best books I have read on the subject.
 
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Agree with both of you.

To my mind, this is an excellent book - well written, engaging and most interesting - and is one of the best books I have read on the subject.
Honestly, I'd go as far as saying that she is the Barbara Tuchman of the Roman era rather than WWI, at least as it concerns for that specific book. Mine is a BIG compliment.
 
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