JF, I don't recall Dawson's name, but unless the books are on my shelf, I probably wouldn't.
Gee, I have lots of books on the shelves, but there are many more that I have read where I can't even remember the authors. I will mangle a few titles here and hope they are still available.
Chris Scarre's "Chronicle of the Roman Emperors" is an excellent survey of the empire before the fall of Rome, the city.
John Julius Norwich's "Byzantium" is a trilogy that is the best thing written on that much misunderstood empire.
Steven Runciman's "A History of the Crusades" is a three volume history of that very odd time in the Middle Ages. Great heroism and chivalrous manners combined with the worst barbarism. Amazing stuff here.
Russell F. Weigley's "The Age of Battles" is the best thing around for the period from the 1600s until the fall of Napoleon. It helps you understand why the Germans developed their militaristic attitudes. Before they did, they were basically punching bags for the greater powers around them.
A.N. Wilson's "God's Funeral" is a very different sort of book. An intellectual history that covers one of my favorite subjects: what intellectuals did when most could no longer function as Biblical fundamentalists. What happens when faith is lost? The fact is, most suffered a loss that other philosophies could not replace. I have lots of ideas in this area, but I'll let anyone interested read Wilson first, as he is smarter and more studied than I am.
I also read a lot about the 100 years war and the 30 years war. Biographies of Edward III (Packe's is the best) and Henry V cover the first and C.V. Wedgwood' book of the same name covers the latter. These are books that will make you happy we live in this age, though I've always had a romantic illusion about sword fighting and muskets. Hence part of the reason for my monikor. <g> |
