Scan barcode
gilroi's reviews
534 reviews
Medicus by Ruth Downie
2.0
How disappointing! Really, I can't buy a book about the evils of slavery and human trafficking-- and that was undeniably the point of the brothel characters-- when the main character has a slave who learns to love him and stand by his side.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
5.0
I hate American history.
My experiences with it in high school were poor. I just always found it boring. It's just not my thing. I wasn't expecting to make it through this tome, especially considering I listened to it through audible. Thirty-five hours of American history!
I was riveted and absolutely loved it.
Chernow is an incredible talent. All my complaints about his style (occasional over-editorialization) are middling at best compared to the incredible breadth and depth of his research, his ability to balance history with philosophy, and his obvious fondness for the subjects he presents. Chernow makes the characters jump alive on the page, and even though I knew the outline of Hamilton's tragic life, I was still surprised and excited for the next chapter to unfold. I can't recommend this book enough, even with the length. Impeccably written with a lovely style, the words really come alive with the aid of Scott Brick's reading. Even if you're not big on American history, or are just sick of hearing about this guy because of the musical, give the book a try.
My experiences with it in high school were poor. I just always found it boring. It's just not my thing. I wasn't expecting to make it through this tome, especially considering I listened to it through audible. Thirty-five hours of American history!
I was riveted and absolutely loved it.
Chernow is an incredible talent. All my complaints about his style (occasional over-editorialization) are middling at best compared to the incredible breadth and depth of his research, his ability to balance history with philosophy, and his obvious fondness for the subjects he presents. Chernow makes the characters jump alive on the page, and even though I knew the outline of Hamilton's tragic life, I was still surprised and excited for the next chapter to unfold. I can't recommend this book enough, even with the length. Impeccably written with a lovely style, the words really come alive with the aid of Scott Brick's reading. Even if you're not big on American history, or are just sick of hearing about this guy because of the musical, give the book a try.
The Perfect Wagnerite by George Bernard Shaw
4.0
I think this book is, more than anything else, a fascinating snapshot into the world of literary criticism in an age gone past. I'm not sure how relevant it will be to someone who considers themselves a Wagnerian (I, myself, do not, I just really like the Ring Cycle). The theories Shaw proposes are rich and fascinating, but he undercuts them through his own need to prove that Wagner himself would agree. This is an aspect of being a Victorian writer, however, who existed before the principal of the death of the author concept. As such, one of the premier English-speaking authors of our time makes what we now consider an elementary mistake in literary criticism.