The History Book Club discussion

Radiah, this is your thread for 2020. I have included the link to the required format thread and an example. If you had a 2019 thread - it will be archived so when you get the opportunity move over your completed books and formats to the 2020 thread - but we will allow time for you to do that.

Please follow the standard required format below - I hope you enjoy your reading in 2020. Here is also a link for assistance with the required guidelines:

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2020
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

IMPORTANT - THE REVIEW SHOULD BE SHORT AND SWEET - THERE ARE NO LINKS OF ANY KIND IN THE BODY OF THE REVIEW ALLOWED. NONE. DO NOT REFER TO ANY OTHER BOOK IN YOUR BRIEF REVIEW. THE ONLY BOOK CITED IN YOUR REVIEW IS THE ONE YOU ARE REVIEWING - NO OTHERS. ALL LINKS TO OTHER THREADS OR REVIEWS ARE DELETED IMMEDIATELY - THERE WILL BE NO WARNING. WE CONSIDER THIS SELF PROMOTION AND IT IS NOT ALLOWED AND IS IN VIOLATION OF OUR RULES AND GUIDELINES

Radiah, you are ready to go for 2020. We now have a special perk where we can list the books we want to read for the 50 Books Read in 2020. You also now have a Personal Reading List thread where you can keep track of what you want to read; and/or what you have completed etc for the challenge. These of course can be carried over to the next year's personal reading list if you do not complete your 2020 To Be Read list. You would simply do an edit, copy and paste.

JANUARY

1. by Catherine Huang (no photo)
Finish date: January 2020
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: B
Review: They started with the explanation of the Art of War in battlefield terms before breaking down how it can apply to women using it in the workforce. I thought moost of the advice is pretty much common sense but I suppose the writer was trying to reach a wide audience. Would recommend if you felt you were going nowhere career-wise.

2. by Thomas Harrison (no photo)
Finish date: January 2020
Genre: History
Rating: B
Review: Received the book as a gift and it is simply marvelous. The photographs were wonderful to peruse.

3. by Michelle Obama
Finish date: January 2020
Genre: Autobiography
Rating: B
Review: This is a very difficult book to get my hands on from the library. I had to wait 4 months! Having said that, it was a good read from a woman whose honesty I really appreciated in this book. It was interesting to get her perspective of supporting her husband running for office and as someone who had to prove herself worthy to people in some way.

FEBRUARY

4. by Andrew Roberts
Finish date: February 2020
Genre: Biography
Rating: B
Review: For a rather ingenious military mind, Napoleon has been ridiculed in popular culture for reasons I didn't quite understand. Here in this book, the author attempts to highlight the lasting impact that Napoleon has left on France and the world. I found it clear, if a little dry to read and Napoleon's military genius shines in this book.

Good Morning, Radiah, isn’t this a marvelous book? I understand your difficulty in getting hold of a copy. I waited nearly six months for the opportunity to check it out of the public library! Who knows, she may even become a candidate for the Vice Presidency this fall!
Regards,
Andrea

by Michelle Obama

5. by Abd al-Rahman Aydarus (no photo)
Finish date: February 2020
Genre: Sufism
Rating: A
Review: As far as sufism texts go, this one is weighty even if it is thin. Well-written and has a heavy introspective load.

Andrea wrote: "Good Morning, Radiah, isn’t this a marvelous book? I understand your difficulty in getting hold of a copy. I waited nearly six months for the opportunity to check it out of the public library! Who ..."

Hello Andrea, it was quite a revelation from a professional woman thrust suddenly into the public eye. It would be very interesting to see what she can bring if she ran for public office.

Tom wrote: "For goodness' sake how do I add a picture?"

Hello Tom, click add book/author, click add: cover instead of title.

I actually had never heard of Andrew Roberts before I read his biography of Napoleon but similarly, his biography of Napoleon requires little prior knowledge. I shall look up Lord Salisbury's biography. Thank you!

Radiah, although I feel that Ms. Obama’s reluctance to take on another political position is genuine, she would probably prove to be a very successful candidate! What do you think?
Regards,
Andrea

by Michelle Obama

Andrea wrote: "Radiah, although I feel that Ms. Obama’s reluctance to take on another political position is genuine, she would probably prove to be a very successful candidate! What do you think?
Regards,
Andrea
..."

I'm not in a place to comment about her suitability as I'm not American myself. I do believe she could be successful in anything she puts her mind to, though judging from the underlying voice of tenacity and determination that comes through her writing. Do you think she would run for public office, Andrea?

Radiah, I just don’t know. If I were in her shoes, I’d worry about putting “my girls” back into the fishbowl of public life in America. But, if your country really needs you, you go. Ask any soldier, any politician, any patriot.
Regards,
Andrea

by Michelle Obama

Wow what a great conversation and interaction and I am late to the party.

First - Radiah my dear friend - we love your posts.

Andrea wrote: "Radiah, I just don’t know. If I were in her shoes, I’d worry about putting “my girls” back into the fishbowl of public life in America. But, if your country really needs you, you go. Ask any soldie..."

That is an interesting perspective, Andrea. Perhaps she will rise to the challenge, if presented with it.

Thank you Tom for your post. You are on Radiah's thread not Nadiah (smile) - I know she will forgive you (lol).

Radiah - your thread is a hit - thank you for your indulgence regarding the activity on your thread (lol)

You actually entered a genre which was brand new for me - Sufism - (I had to look it up)! Getting back to your 50 Books Read in 2020 post.

I tried to clean this up for you.

Bentley wrote: "Radiah - your thread is a hit - thank you for your indulgence regarding the activity on your thread (lol)

You actually entered a genre which was brand new for me - Sufism - (I had to look it up)! ..."

Thank you Bentley :)

APRIL

6. by Chris Sharp (no photo)
Finish date: April 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: B
Review: An interesting perspective for a fantasy novel - the main character is a troll and there are no pesky humans around. I liked the protagonist.

7. by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Finish date: April 2020
Genre: Autobiography
Rating: B
Review: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is a name many might not know, but he is well-known in India as the country's chief of defense research and development. Growing up as a poor minority Tamil Muslim, he worked his way up to eventually oversee the development of satellite launch vehicles.

What struck me coming through in his autobiography is his love for India, for Indians and his determination that his contributions to his country will leave a lasting impact and put India on the world map technologically. His enthusiasm, his positivity and confidence in what Indians can achieve given the right opportunity is evident through the book. I found his story and words inspiring and his legacy even more so.

Good Morning, Radiah, Mr. Kalam sounds like a very admirable man. We need more of his type in government, not just in India.
Regards,
Andrea

Thank you for your wonderful reviews Radiah

Radiah, I am archiving this thread. I have set up a new thread for you in 2023.