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jenniferroach's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
This is an engaging and well constructed look at partnerships though the ages - of various different types - business partners, amanuensis, artistic, romantic, platonic - who all became something greater or at least different to the individuals on their own. A great jumping off point to discover interesting people that you want to read more about too.
******copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review - even if somewhat belated!*****
******copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review - even if somewhat belated!*****
marcys_books9's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book compiles all the famous and noteworthy couples of history, and Newman analyses each one to show how they’ve made an impact, how they worked together, or how they’ve become notorious.
This couldn’t have been an easy task. Not only does Newman select some interesting pairs in a large span of history, but she also has a wide variety of dynamics and people, some of whom I had never heard of before reading this. I appreciated that it wasn’t only romantic couples that were the focus, and it would’ve been very easy to just stick with that and call it a day, but she actually took the time to focus on great friendships, rivalries, and professional teams up, and it kept the reading experience fresh and more interesting. Newman divides the dynamics into different chapters, from Commitment, Communication, Competitiveness, Serendipity, Love etc, so there is a wide range to choose if you’re only in the mood for certain types of dynamics.
One of the interesting ones that stuck with me was Henry Cavendish and his friendship with Charles Blagden. I didn’t know much about either of them before reading this book, and it was fascinating how two very different people could work so well together, and how their friends was beneficial for their scientific endeavours, and just how much that partnership helped to cement their names in history, especially when Cavendish isolated himself often and was suspected to have Asperger’s syndrome. There were so many fascinating couples, like the slaves who ran away from their master, feral children , even Beyoncé and Jay Z — there is so much to sink your teeth into, and it was written in an easy to read and accessible way.
However, one of the issues I do have was that the switch between different pairs became more sporadic towards the end. The beginning had more time to analyse in depth, but then it felt like Newman was pressed for time later on and had to rush and move on. Also, more pairs were interesting than others. There were a few duds I wasn’t that invested in, and some only had a short paragraph or two before they were left behind for something more substantial.
Overall this is an well researched book that holds a lot of admiration for the people Newman writes about. It gives you an insight into the not often explored upon dynamics, and it shows that sometimes it takes more than one person to make history. I highly recommend this who wants a more wider and unique insight into historical pairs.
This book compiles all the famous and noteworthy couples of history, and Newman analyses each one to show how they’ve made an impact, how they worked together, or how they’ve become notorious.
This couldn’t have been an easy task. Not only does Newman select some interesting pairs in a large span of history, but she also has a wide variety of dynamics and people, some of whom I had never heard of before reading this. I appreciated that it wasn’t only romantic couples that were the focus, and it would’ve been very easy to just stick with that and call it a day, but she actually took the time to focus on great friendships, rivalries, and professional teams up, and it kept the reading experience fresh and more interesting. Newman divides the dynamics into different chapters, from Commitment, Communication, Competitiveness, Serendipity, Love etc, so there is a wide range to choose if you’re only in the mood for certain types of dynamics.
One of the interesting ones that stuck with me was Henry Cavendish and his friendship with Charles Blagden. I didn’t know much about either of them before reading this book, and it was fascinating how two very different people could work so well together, and how their friends was beneficial for their scientific endeavours, and just how much that partnership helped to cement their names in history, especially when Cavendish isolated himself often and was suspected to have Asperger’s syndrome. There were so many fascinating couples, like the slaves who ran away from their master, feral children , even Beyoncé and Jay Z — there is so much to sink your teeth into, and it was written in an easy to read and accessible way.
However, one of the issues I do have was that the switch between different pairs became more sporadic towards the end. The beginning had more time to analyse in depth, but then it felt like Newman was pressed for time later on and had to rush and move on. Also, more pairs were interesting than others. There were a few duds I wasn’t that invested in, and some only had a short paragraph or two before they were left behind for something more substantial.
Overall this is an well researched book that holds a lot of admiration for the people Newman writes about. It gives you an insight into the not often explored upon dynamics, and it shows that sometimes it takes more than one person to make history. I highly recommend this who wants a more wider and unique insight into historical pairs.
rachael_45's review against another edition
4.0
Duos or couples throughout history be they romantic, colleagues, friendships or family was explored in this book. Some I had heard off others I hadn't.
I was at times left wanting more information about the couples, it felt like it was just getting interesting and then it ended. The introduction to one couple to another could be abrupt and a bit disjointed.
Overall I enjoyed this book, 3.75 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review
I was at times left wanting more information about the couples, it felt like it was just getting interesting and then it ended. The introduction to one couple to another could be abrupt and a bit disjointed.
Overall I enjoyed this book, 3.75 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review
prettydifficult's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
shubheksha's review against another edition
Super boring collection of scattered random stories that are hard to relate to.
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