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greybeard49's review
4.0
I have read all of Harris's books and really enjoyed them. Particularly liked those set in ancient Rome. He has a wonderful way of placing you in the period. He is able to subtly incorporate this into his books without detracting from his very well constructed plots.
This book covers a four day period around the Munich Agreement prior to the declaration of the war with Germany. The author's coverage of this cataclysmic event and his portrayal of the central protagonists (Chamberlain, Hitler, Daladier, Mussolini etc) is masterful. His plotline involving Legat, his hero on the British side and his German friend Hartmann is not quite so strong. I found it just a little contrived at times. Overall still excellent.
Quality writing - always exciting and clever.
If you have not read him you are in for a treat.
This book covers a four day period around the Munich Agreement prior to the declaration of the war with Germany. The author's coverage of this cataclysmic event and his portrayal of the central protagonists (Chamberlain, Hitler, Daladier, Mussolini etc) is masterful. His plotline involving Legat, his hero on the British side and his German friend Hartmann is not quite so strong. I found it just a little contrived at times. Overall still excellent.
Quality writing - always exciting and clever.
If you have not read him you are in for a treat.
darnellbrandon's review against another edition
2.0
This just didn't do it for me. When you have something as well-known as "Peace in our time," you need more than the events to maintain tension, and the author tried way too late in the story to add that in, and in the end, the intended plot twist(s) just came off as really contrived and unconvincing.
He did a much better job setting an interesting story in the context of a well-known historical event in "Pompeii," a book I really enjoyed. Read that one, because it's really good.
If you know nothing about the lead up to World War Two, maybe this will be worth an extra star or two.
He did a much better job setting an interesting story in the context of a well-known historical event in "Pompeii," a book I really enjoyed. Read that one, because it's really good.
If you know nothing about the lead up to World War Two, maybe this will be worth an extra star or two.
james303's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A well-written historical page-turner. Legat and Hartmann are central characters on the outside of proceedings; Harris conveys them as most relatable. A key historical event portrayed with intrigue and an impressive feel of authenticity.
heleneindk's review
4.0
A bit boring as seemed mostly like a historical reenactment of a meeting pre we2
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
Set over four days, this is the story of the signing of the Munich Agreement in September 1938. It's told from the perspectives of two civil servants, one on the English side and one on the German side, who knew one another six years previously when they attended Oxford together. At that time, Paul Hartman was cautiously optimistic about Hitler and his ambitions but in the years since he has become a secret member of the anti-Hitler resistance. He hopes to use the Munich meetings as an opportunity to warn the British - via his old friend Hugh Legat - about the extent of Hitler's ambitions.
There was a lot of research that went into this novel and it shows - it feels like a very faithful record of the various conversations and meetings that went on over those four days. The book takes a while to get going and I was starting to get a little bored with it, but once everyone arrives in Munich the pace picks up. Even though you know how the meetings will conclude, there is genuine tension as Legat and Hartman try to connect.
It wasn't my favourite Robert Harris book by a long shot, but I did enjoy this insight into a key event leading up to WW2. I also couldn't help but ruefully note commonalities between Hitler and a particular US President, which I am sure wasn't accidental on the part of the author.
There was a lot of research that went into this novel and it shows - it feels like a very faithful record of the various conversations and meetings that went on over those four days. The book takes a while to get going and I was starting to get a little bored with it, but once everyone arrives in Munich the pace picks up. Even though you know how the meetings will conclude, there is genuine tension as Legat and Hartman try to connect.
It wasn't my favourite Robert Harris book by a long shot, but I did enjoy this insight into a key event leading up to WW2. I also couldn't help but ruefully note commonalities between Hitler and a particular US President, which I am sure wasn't accidental on the part of the author.
nayles's review against another edition
2.0
I’m at Page 235....and I can’t go on...it’s like wading through cement. Dull. So far - a thousand indistinguishable characters, a brewing World War and some incidental adultery. This is not doing it for me. I’m walking away. I may come back to this when I’m feeling less dramatically dispirited.
I think it’s made worse after reading Archangel...which was fascinating and The Fear Index...which was terrific!
I think it’s made worse after reading Archangel...which was fascinating and The Fear Index...which was terrific!
gula's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0