Current Read Prepublication: Rome's Revolution by Richard Alston

This Book has been Archived. Read Review Here.

Currently, we have onboard:

Rome's Revolution 

Death of the Republic & Birth of the Empire

by Richard Alston

Publisher: Oxford University Press

I have the prepublication uncorrected copy, which I will be reading and posting a review about here and on NetGalley. The book is set for publication in June of this year. Stay tuned.

Rome's Revolution: Death of the Republic & Birth of the Empire

By Richard Alston

Publisher: Oxford University Press

"Many thanks to the publisher for approving my request for this book, which does not launch until June."

Status Updates:

March 13, 2014- So far, I am interested in the author's idea, but I'm having a bit of an issue keeping up with his train of thought, as he bounces and has a very bad habit of repetitive sentences.

March 10, 2014- "Working on my review for this book, I currently have mixed feelings, but that is due to technical details within the writing structure. The book itself is rather interesting and presents a refreshing look at the subject."

March 10, 2015- C. J. L is 16% done with Rome's Revolution: Working on my review for this book, I currently have mixed feelings, but that is due to technical details within the writing structure. The book itself is rather interesting and presents a refreshing look at the subject.

Current Read: Isabella the Warrior Queen

I read a lot of books, and I always try to bring you a review on whatever it is that I'm reading. Currently I have my eyes set on a book I've wanted for a very long time, "Isabella the Warrior Queen" by Kirstin Downey.

Retailing at $35, I'm hoping for this book to be everything I envision; a strong portrayal of a woman who steps into the role of a King and leads the greatest kingdom the world had ever seen.

I wanted to offer a bit of background history on this topic, as many individuals who enjoy reading about history, focus on England, Rome and Egypt. These are all favorite topics of mine, but I have a special place in my heart for Spain in its glory.

Check out the blog soon for my background explanation before I do a review on this book.

*********************************************************

Isabella: The Warrior Queen

By. Kirstin Downey

Publisher: Nan A. Talese

"To the queen who's roots cemented my own bloodline, and to the author who recognized her greatness"

Chapter by Chapter Status Updates: Get Chapter by Chapter Reviews and Status Updates as I Read:

• Chapter One: A Birth Without Fanfare

General Status Updates:

March 26, 2015- Around page ten in chapter one, the author goes into the influence Greek culture had on the Spanish territories and the ancestral ties it has to Rome, with both Hadrian and Trajan being born near Seville, however, as she continues she flies off into a complete history lesson of the Roman Empire and Christianity. For the next 15 pages, (and rest of the chapter), the author spends all her time talking about Constantine's decision to make Christianity permissible, the invasion of the Visigoths and 4700 other historical events that really go off topic.

I understand that she is trying to set a background for Spanish life, Isabella's love of the Christian church, and the fact that she sponsored and helped produce a history book about Spain's past, but 15 pages of Roman, Islamic, and religious history is excessive for a book about the Queen of Spain in the 1400-1500s.

March 25, 2015- The author has researched this book very well, offering a multitude of notes for each chapter accounting where the current information was found. An expansive bibliography also stands out, transforming this book from a mere biography to a stand-alone historical reference for Mediterranean history.

© C. J. Leger January 28, 2015

Video Book Review of World History by Philip Parker

Where do I start? I have been asking myself why no one has made a widely sold book that spans the entirety of our human history and explains it all. That was until I found, and fell in love with, Phillip Parker's version, published in 2010 by Sterling Publishing.

Unlike most history books which only cover specific eras in great detail, this title brings us all the way back to the prehistoric age and covers the first ever recorded humanoid, Australopithecus; and travels down to Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus, before covering the well known Neanderthal.  The book spends less time detailing aspects of each era and can be used more like a timeline guide for history; speaking of which, the book does include a handy timeline conveniently placed at the commencement of the book and a reference guide towards the end; detailing every war, battle and ruler on respective tables.

In my personal opinion, this book is the perfect companion piece to any history text book used in college or high school. Most classes have a standard text book and a companion book to go with it; this book could eliminate all other companion books used for history courses, as it covers every era and presents all the reference guides one would ever need.

However, I'd also recommend this book for those not currently enrolled in a course, and seems to be the perfect alternative for someone who is interested in history, would like to know how and when certain things happened, but doesn't want to spend too much time figuring it out.

On average, the book spends 1-4 pages on each civilization which is divided into 3 sections for each historical occurrence for that time period. But as the book is a reference for the whole of human history, it covers each culture various times throughout, as the centuries progress. It is divided into 7 main chapters that begin with the prehistoric world and ends in the modern world.

An example of its breakdown is seen clearer in the chapter labeled "The Classical World" which spans between 400 BCE to 600 CE, in which Celtic and Germanic Europe, India and The People of Steppes are all covered in 6 pages as follows:

Celtic and Germanic Europe 

• The Celts'
• Successor States to Rome

People of Steppes

• The Scythians
• The Huns
• The Kushans

India

• Chandragupta and the Rise of the Mauryans
• Ashoka and Buddhism
• Gupta India

Before entering into a periodical, 2 page centerfold examination of other interesting occurrences or relevant information, not directly covered in the book. There are a few of these that give the reader a bit more reference to understand what they are reading. This book is perfect for the person looking to get their information and go; all of these events were covered in just 8 pages and gave me the meat and potatoes of what I wanted and needed to know.

It covers the discovery of the Americas, all it's voyages and details the great navigators of the time. Later on the modern world is covered, including the current world wars and conflicts. Everything you would ever want to know, about any time in history, is covered in this convenient 512 page book, that is small enough to fit in any small bag or purse.

The book comes complete with visual guides, pictures and captions relevant to the current text and opens with an explanation of what the meaning of history is.

Overall I would recommend this book, which I purchased at Barnes and Noble, and would recommend it as an essential companion piece to any history course.

Purchase the book at Barnes and Noble 
Purchase World History on Amazon
Purchase World History on AbeBooks
ISBN 9781435138957

Book Review: World History by Phillip Parker

Where do I start? I have been asking myself why no one has made a widely sold book that spans the entirety of our human history and explains it all. That was until I found, and fell in love with, Phillip Parker's version, published in 2010 by Sterling Publishing.

Unlike most history books which only cover specific eras in great detail, this title brings us all the way back to the prehistoric age and covers the first ever recorded humanoid, Australopithecus; and travels down to Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus, before covering the well known Neanderthal.  The book spends less time detailing aspects of each era and can be used more like a timeline guide for history; speaking of which, the book does include a handy timeline conveniently placed at the commencement of the book and a reference guide towards the end; detailing every war, battle and ruler on respective tables.

In my personal opinion, this book is the perfect companion piece to any history text book used in college or high school. Most classes have a standard text book and a companion book to go with it; this book could eliminate all other companion books used for history courses, as it covers every era and presents all the reference guides one would ever need.

However, I'd also recommend this book for those not currently enrolled in a course, and seems to be the perfect alternative for someone who is interested in history, would like to know how and when certain things happened, but doesn't want to spend too much time figuring it out.

On average, the book spends 1-4 pages on each civilization which is divided into 3 sections for each historical occurrence for that time period. But as the book is a reference for the whole of human history, it covers each culture various times throughout, as the centuries progress. It is divided into 7 main chapters that begin with the prehistoric world and ends in the modern world.

An example of its breakdown is seen clearer in the chapter labeled "The Classical World" which spans between 400 BCE to 600 CE, in which Celtic and Germanic Europe, India and The People of Steppes are all covered in 6 pages as follows:

Celtic and Germanic Europe 

• The Celts'
• Successor States to Rome

People of Steppes

• The Scythians
• The Huns
• The Kushans

India

• Chandragupta and the Rise of the Mauryans
• Ashoka and Buddhism
• Gupta India

Before entering into a periodical, 2 page centerfold examination of other interesting occurrences or relevant information, not directly covered in the book. There are a few of these that give the reader a bit more reference to understand what they are reading. This book is perfect for the person looking to get their information and go; all of these events were covered in just 8 pages and gave me the meat and potatoes of what I wanted and needed to know.

It covers the discovery of the Americas, all it's voyages and details the great navigators of the time. Later on the modern world is covered, including the current world wars and conflicts. Everything you would ever want to know, about any time in history, is covered in this convenient 512 page book, that is small enough to fit in any small bag or purse.

The book comes complete with visual guides, pictures and captions relevant to the current text and opens with an explanation of what the meaning of history is.

Overall I would recommend this book, which I purchased at Barnes and Noble, and would recommend it as an essential companion piece to any history course.

Purchase the book at Barnes and Noble 
Purchase World History on Amazon
Purchase World History on AbeBooks
ISBN 9781435138957