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nick_tucci's review against another edition
3.0
The book is very insightful although it only gives a brief summary of each recipient. It's a good book to read if you are looking for more books to pursue.
gpettey19's review against another edition
3.0
It's a no for me, dog. Super Euro-centric content and colonialism apologist vibes.
I did enjoy the mini-bios format, but wish it highlighted different people. I also found MacMillans's brief commentary on the interplay and tensions between historians and biographers fascinating and would be interested to read more on that topic.
History does not, however, offer clear guidelines for us as we make decisions in the present or blueprints as we try to anticipate the future. We have seen what can happen when leaders and opinion-makers say confidently that they are drawing on lessons from the past. The protean nature and scope of history means that people, for good or for evil, can find justification or prior examples for whatever they want to do. History and its people offer only a more modest insight and some modest encouragement: that we are all creatures to a certain extent of our own times, but that we can transcend or challenge what limits us.
I did enjoy the mini-bios format, but wish it highlighted different people. I also found MacMillans's brief commentary on the interplay and tensions between historians and biographers fascinating and would be interested to read more on that topic.
History does not, however, offer clear guidelines for us as we make decisions in the present or blueprints as we try to anticipate the future. We have seen what can happen when leaders and opinion-makers say confidently that they are drawing on lessons from the past. The protean nature and scope of history means that people, for good or for evil, can find justification or prior examples for whatever they want to do. History and its people offer only a more modest insight and some modest encouragement: that we are all creatures to a certain extent of our own times, but that we can transcend or challenge what limits us.
dashadashahi's review against another edition
3.0
MacMillian covers a variety of historical figures in a, mostly, interesting narrative. My favourite part of the book was not the major sections written on these figures such as William Lyon Mackenzie King or Joseph Stalin. Rather, I enjoyed the sections at the beginning of each chapter where MacMillian discusses the theme of that chapter, for example hubris or ambition, and brings up lots of characters and mini-stories. This lays the groundwork for the chapter to come. Although once the chapter moved on to the main figures I found myself often bored, especially if it was on an individual I had previously read about because there is largely not new information, the research appears more synthetic than analytical. Nonetheless, I did find parts interesting and some of the chapters more valuable than others. For example, her section on British women in Indian was very insightful, perhaps because of all the research, she did on the topic for a previous book based on that topic.
Some people will get more out of this book than others and MacMillian achieves what she seeks out to do.
Some people will get more out of this book than others and MacMillian achieves what she seeks out to do.
textpublishing's review against another edition
5.0
Hitler, Stalin, Thatcher, Woodrow Wilson, Otto von Bismarck...
In History's People, Margaret MacMillan investigates how individuals have shaped the world through particular personality traits: persuasion and the art of leadership, hubris, daring, curiosity and observers.
MacMillan's fascinating discussion of the various and varied influential personalities throughout history is the subject of this year’s Massey Lectures—an annual Canadian lecture series given each year by a different scholar of note. Past deliverers of this series include some varied and influential personalities as well: Martin Luther King Jr, Doris Lessing, Noam Chomsky, Ronald Wright (A Short History of Progress) and Margaret Atwood.
‘MacMillan is a superb writer who can bring history to life.’ Philadelphia Inquirer
‘Stylish, intelligent, insightful, History’s People cements MacMillan’s reputation for both eminence and elegance.’ Clare Wright
In History's People, Margaret MacMillan investigates how individuals have shaped the world through particular personality traits: persuasion and the art of leadership, hubris, daring, curiosity and observers.
MacMillan's fascinating discussion of the various and varied influential personalities throughout history is the subject of this year’s Massey Lectures—an annual Canadian lecture series given each year by a different scholar of note. Past deliverers of this series include some varied and influential personalities as well: Martin Luther King Jr, Doris Lessing, Noam Chomsky, Ronald Wright (A Short History of Progress) and Margaret Atwood.
‘MacMillan is a superb writer who can bring history to life.’ Philadelphia Inquirer
‘Stylish, intelligent, insightful, History’s People cements MacMillan’s reputation for both eminence and elegance.’ Clare Wright
impalalove's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars!
I definitely enjoyed this book better as compared to MacMillan's [b:Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World|26348|Paris 1919 Six Months That Changed the World|Margaret MacMillan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924766s/26348.jpg|833092]. For one thing, this is about the people that MacMillan would like to have a conversation with, which was a rather intriguing concept and prompted me to give the author another chance. And I'm glad I did.
While insight of the historical figures was good, History's People better once they moved on from the well-known politicians, and I enjoyed learning more about the historical figures that needed to be just as important to history as the politicians. But really, it was about how people were created by the circumstances facing them, and may not have the same values that we hold today; but tells a lot about who they were by how they reacted to the environment around them.
As MacMillan tells us near the end (rather fittingly):
Also, as a fellow history geek, I had to laugh with this:
I definitely enjoyed this book better as compared to MacMillan's [b:Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World|26348|Paris 1919 Six Months That Changed the World|Margaret MacMillan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924766s/26348.jpg|833092]. For one thing, this is about the people that MacMillan would like to have a conversation with, which was a rather intriguing concept and prompted me to give the author another chance. And I'm glad I did.
While insight of the historical figures was good, History's People better once they moved on from the well-known politicians, and I enjoyed learning more about the historical figures that needed to be just as important to history as the politicians. But really, it was about how people were created by the circumstances facing them, and may not have the same values that we hold today; but tells a lot about who they were by how they reacted to the environment around them.
As MacMillan tells us near the end (rather fittingly):
Spoiler
History and its people offer only a more modest insight and some modest encouragement: that we are all creatures to a certain extent of our own times, but that we can transcend or challenge what limits us.
Also, as a fellow history geek, I had to laugh with this:
(And, I must confess, there is always something pleasurable in doing what one ought not to do in ordinary life, and that is read the private letters and diaries of others, all in the name of research.)
mactammonty's review against another edition
4.0
Is history about events or people? Do the people in the past shape the events, or does the events shape them?
Margaret MacMillan argues that it is both. It is important to understand how people, because of the times they live in shape history. That those times shape people. That by studying the diaries, letters and other written materials of individuals we can better understand the times they lived in.
I have read Lady Simcoe's diaries, and [b:Roughing It in the Bush|162862|Roughing It in the Bush|Susanna Moodie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348569861l/162862._SY75_.jpg|1948024] by [a:Susanna Moodie|94474|Susanna Moodie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1426267949p2/94474.jpg], that are mentioned in this book. They both have given me more insight into their time in Ontario. A personal look into the past, of places that I know intimately today. It breeds a deeper understanding, and empathy for our ancestors and others hardships.
Her book has also given me a list of primary sources, such as essays, diaries etc. to add to my TBR.
Margaret MacMillan argues that it is both. It is important to understand how people, because of the times they live in shape history. That those times shape people. That by studying the diaries, letters and other written materials of individuals we can better understand the times they lived in.
I have read Lady Simcoe's diaries, and [b:Roughing It in the Bush|162862|Roughing It in the Bush|Susanna Moodie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348569861l/162862._SY75_.jpg|1948024] by [a:Susanna Moodie|94474|Susanna Moodie|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1426267949p2/94474.jpg], that are mentioned in this book. They both have given me more insight into their time in Ontario. A personal look into the past, of places that I know intimately today. It breeds a deeper understanding, and empathy for our ancestors and others hardships.
Her book has also given me a list of primary sources, such as essays, diaries etc. to add to my TBR.
diannel_04's review against another edition
2.0
This book was okay. It chronicles historical figures by dividing them into categories ie. Margaret Thatcher, Stalin, Hitler and Woodrow Wilson all fall under the category of Hubris.
There really wasn't much to learn from this book as each person was given only a few pages.
I didn't find it as interesting as her other books but I don't regret reading it.
There really wasn't much to learn from this book as each person was given only a few pages.
I didn't find it as interesting as her other books but I don't regret reading it.
cb_reads_reviews's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve gone back to revisit Margaret MacMillan’s 2015 Massey Lecture, “History’s People”. I read it when it was first published with my book club, but never listened to it. I’m glad I did. MacMillan has a wonderful storytelling quality and is a fantastic speaker. I wish I’d had her as a professor in university. Thankfully, she has published a number of books, “Paris 1919” and “The War that Ended Peace” among them, very enlightening books about a tumultuous and complex time in human history.
With “History’s People,” the subject of her 2015 Lectures, MacMillan explores various qualities of the people who make history: persuasion and leadership, hubris, daring, curiosity, and observation. Employing exemplars from William Lyon Mackenzie King, Stalin, Ada Lovelace, Lady Simcoe, Victor Klemperer among so many others, she looks at the importance of the records left behind, journals, diaries, and letters - while carefully noting the influence of environment and external events, cautioning against the presentist mindset and also against the tendency towards making predictions from the past. The use of history as sign posts (to paraphrase), “Caution, danger ahead!”, “Slippery in winter”, is a practical one.
As an avid armchair historian, I appreciate the telling of history as fun and entertaining, while being important and informative. That we should understand our past so that we may better understand our present and future.
With “History’s People,” the subject of her 2015 Lectures, MacMillan explores various qualities of the people who make history: persuasion and leadership, hubris, daring, curiosity, and observation. Employing exemplars from William Lyon Mackenzie King, Stalin, Ada Lovelace, Lady Simcoe, Victor Klemperer among so many others, she looks at the importance of the records left behind, journals, diaries, and letters - while carefully noting the influence of environment and external events, cautioning against the presentist mindset and also against the tendency towards making predictions from the past. The use of history as sign posts (to paraphrase), “Caution, danger ahead!”, “Slippery in winter”, is a practical one.
As an avid armchair historian, I appreciate the telling of history as fun and entertaining, while being important and informative. That we should understand our past so that we may better understand our present and future.