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_sparrow_hawk's review
2.0
Interesting topic, mediocre book. Too many errors (Samarkand is in modern-day Uzbekistan NOT Afghanistan), too much conjecture and lots of information that only very loosely tied back to the original subject. And, it was boring. I love micro-histories but this was was a real disappointment.
ms_dzt's review
4.0
It's amazing that the calendar, which we take for granted, had such a tumultuous history. And the we're still not exactly lined up! Duncan creates an inspiring narrative of intrigue and politics in defining our 365.24 days a year
dreamingdust's review
2.0
At first this was an interesting read, but as I read more the lustre has worn off. The author is focussing on his own narrative over historical detail and sometimes even facts.
This is especially egregious in the chapters about the early Middle Ages, wherein the fall of Rome is portrayed as hordes of bloodthirsty barbarians destroying something glorious without reason, while St. Augustine and the church hate time and science but need them to calculate Easter.
Someone got all their history from Gibbon's Rise and Fall. Very disappointing, am probably not going to continue reading.
This is especially egregious in the chapters about the early Middle Ages, wherein the fall of Rome is portrayed as hordes of bloodthirsty barbarians destroying something glorious without reason, while St. Augustine and the church hate time and science but need them to calculate Easter.
Someone got all their history from Gibbon's Rise and Fall. Very disappointing, am probably not going to continue reading.
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