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pilgrimbookstore89's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
A must read for every Filipino.
earlapvaldez's review
5.0
Though a starter in doing history, his critical essays are worth reading to get an idea of how we should understand our history as a people, especially during the "peak moments" of our nationhood.
santino1215's review
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
5.0
Book 1 out of 200 Books (currently reading up to 200 books)
"A Question of Heroes" by Nick Joaquin
I wanted to take a break from reading books because I do feel tired so let me start this kind of challenge by rating the books that I Have read, ever since I started reading in the Year 2019.
"A Question of Heroes" follows a series of essays and other writings by Nick Joaquin, that tackles about the Questioning or the wondering of heroes of the Philippines at all.
From wondering what the nationality or blood compactness of Father Jose Burgos, one of the three priests martyred in Bagumbayan in the year 1872, to the Political quagmire that Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was facing in the midst of a wartime crisis between 1899- 1901.
This book, as I wanted to rate this 3 or 4 stars, though because of its importance, I shall give it 5 stars. This book was difficult to devour, devour because all I ever wanted was to actually corroborate the information that I have on on our national heroes, as Filipinos. The tragic events of Philippine history would eventually be modeled and continued by present day Filipinos if they continue to repeat the mistakes of the past.
I wanted to express my gratitude to Nick Joaquin for writing this behemoth of a prose of a book. It would have taken years just so corroboration of historical facts yield to new discoveries in our history as Filipinos. The prose was straightforward and easily understandable for a history book. I was surprised at first that is because this book doesn't have citations and an index for other books and references but that is alright for me as an ordinary reader. Nick Joaquin's Picturesque of describing events in this book is so lugubrious yet delightful you could mistake this book's essays as novels if you haven't an ounce of context of what this book really is about.
This book should be read by Filipino students who love and gave their time to learning History and this book does serve as a Preamble to the convoluted world, understanding, studying and writing of Philippine History.
"A Question of Heroes" by Nick Joaquin
I wanted to take a break from reading books because I do feel tired so let me start this kind of challenge by rating the books that I Have read, ever since I started reading in the Year 2019.
"A Question of Heroes" follows a series of essays and other writings by Nick Joaquin, that tackles about the Questioning or the wondering of heroes of the Philippines at all.
From wondering what the nationality or blood compactness of Father Jose Burgos, one of the three priests martyred in Bagumbayan in the year 1872, to the Political quagmire that Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was facing in the midst of a wartime crisis between 1899- 1901.
This book, as I wanted to rate this 3 or 4 stars, though because of its importance, I shall give it 5 stars. This book was difficult to devour, devour because all I ever wanted was to actually corroborate the information that I have on on our national heroes, as Filipinos. The tragic events of Philippine history would eventually be modeled and continued by present day Filipinos if they continue to repeat the mistakes of the past.
I wanted to express my gratitude to Nick Joaquin for writing this behemoth of a prose of a book. It would have taken years just so corroboration of historical facts yield to new discoveries in our history as Filipinos. The prose was straightforward and easily understandable for a history book. I was surprised at first that is because this book doesn't have citations and an index for other books and references but that is alright for me as an ordinary reader. Nick Joaquin's Picturesque of describing events in this book is so lugubrious yet delightful you could mistake this book's essays as novels if you haven't an ounce of context of what this book really is about.
This book should be read by Filipino students who love and gave their time to learning History and this book does serve as a Preamble to the convoluted world, understanding, studying and writing of Philippine History.
jasonrcf's review
5.0
Nick Joaquin’s A Question of Heroes pushes back strongly against the institutionally augmented narratives and themes that run through Philippine history, both deflating the hagiographies popularly championed by many a nationalist historian, and introducing a new way to fit them into a grander and more complex story of revolution that does not end with the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan in 1901, but further down the line with the death of Artemio Ricarte in 1945.
I’m really glad that I was able to read many other history books before this one, especially the works of Teodoro A. Agoncillo (to whom Joaquin often seems to be directly rebutting), because it helped me appreciate just how subversive and fresh Joaquin’s writing was (and still is), and especially how important it is to have well-written and researched retorts or counterbalances to narratives so entrenched and established that we've ended up taking them as fact.
Fascinating stuff, really glad that this and Culture and History continue to be reprinted every few years.
I’m really glad that I was able to read many other history books before this one, especially the works of Teodoro A. Agoncillo (to whom Joaquin often seems to be directly rebutting), because it helped me appreciate just how subversive and fresh Joaquin’s writing was (and still is), and especially how important it is to have well-written and researched retorts or counterbalances to narratives so entrenched and established that we've ended up taking them as fact.
Fascinating stuff, really glad that this and Culture and History continue to be reprinted every few years.
kateislaaa's review
4.0
Informative. Intriguing. Engaging.
While reading this book I would remember the old days when I had to report in front class the life story of one Philippine hero with photo at hand. Back when no one would even dare to question the facts as written on history books. Heroes are heroes because they died for the Inang Bayan. In the idolatry we forget that heroes are humans too. Flawed, weak, and selfish. And this Nick Joaquin book gave me the balance I need to view them as humans not gods. Though I'm not really a Nick Joaquin fan, I must admit this is a great read.
While reading this book I would remember the old days when I had to report in front class the life story of one Philippine hero with photo at hand. Back when no one would even dare to question the facts as written on history books. Heroes are heroes because they died for the Inang Bayan. In the idolatry we forget that heroes are humans too. Flawed, weak, and selfish. And this Nick Joaquin book gave me the balance I need to view them as humans not gods. Though I'm not really a Nick Joaquin fan, I must admit this is a great read.
darlingbudsofrae's review
4.0
My dumb mind celebrated National Heroes' Day waaayy too early (like two months early) so here I am. RTC.
daniaustria's review
5.0
Were History taught to be examined and not memorized, I would've engaged with it more. (Better late than never?)
Ours is a country given to (being ruined by?) idol worship; this book challenges that culture. In reality, our heroes were all too human—not always valiant, not all total romantics about the idea of a free nation. To uncover and accept their faults do not take away from their worth in history; it makes them richer subjects for study. (It makes them, dare I say, "relatable". I am a millennial after all.)
If anything, I just wish Joaquin used footnotes for reference as some of the "revelations" were a bitch to fact-check, but he is quick to tag rumors as they were. (Should you pick it up, remember that this is a book of essays and not a textbook.) A must-read!
Ours is a country given to (being ruined by?) idol worship; this book challenges that culture. In reality, our heroes were all too human—not always valiant, not all total romantics about the idea of a free nation. To uncover and accept their faults do not take away from their worth in history; it makes them richer subjects for study. (It makes them, dare I say, "relatable". I am a millennial after all.)
If anything, I just wish Joaquin used footnotes for reference as some of the "revelations" were a bitch to fact-check, but he is quick to tag rumors as they were. (Should you pick it up, remember that this is a book of essays and not a textbook.) A must-read!
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