Though the Holiday Season was busy, I was able to attend a Book Sale in Metuchen just before Christmas. I got there early and pretty much had the freedom to wander around and pick up what I wanted. I spent $12 and had to borrow a bag to carry them to the car. So many books, so many genres. Here are the one's I read this month.
Miscellaneous
Confederates - Thomas Keneally ($.50/$3.50, copyright 1979, 437 pages, Paperback)
I don't usually pick up historical fiction but this grabbed my attention. This is not your typical Civil War Novel. There are no happy endings here, and no escape from the inevitability of this nightmare. The Confederate army we meet consists of ragged and hungry teachers, musicians, small farmers, orphaned children, men in their 60's, conscripts, and even the sorely ill and walking wounded, who share their stories and simple dreams as they trudge resignedly and painfully across Virginia toward their destiny at Antietam. Keneally, from chapter to chapter, paints a compelling picture by showing us what various characters are going through while still giving us what I think is an historically accurate depiction. I enjoyed it.
The Death Of The Detective - Mark Smith ($.50/$1.95, copyright 1973. 636 pages, Paperback)
This book drew me in. On the surface the plot is very familiar: a grizzled detective named Magnuson is summoned to a friend's deathbed only to find him murdered, and he must solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice. The difference is that there is no mystery for the reader. From the opening pages we know there is an escaped mental patient looking to take vengeance on his intended victim. Magnuson, theorizes vast conspiracies and multiple suspects with imagined motives for the killing, and all the while the reader knows that he is wrong. This vast novel is full of characters, each of them has their own history that, once revealed, can change the entire way they are viewed. The character of Tanker is the best example of this but I won't get into that. he is easy to write off as a young street punk, but in the space of a few pages his back story makes him into a tragic figure. I enjoyed it.
Series
The Insidious Doctor Fu Manchu - Sax Rohmer ($.25/$.40, copyright 1913, 191 pages, Paperback)
I'm a big fan of Pulp Fiction and have a collection of Doc Savage and the Shadow. I was lucky enough to pick up several volumes of Sax Rohmer's Fu Manchu series at the book sale. This is the first and introduces the main characters - Nayland Smith and his good friend Dr. Petrie . Smith brings Petrie into an adventure revolving around the figure of a mysterious Chinese doctor named Fu-Manchu, the evil genius at the center of a plot to subjugate the white races to oriental domination. As the plot unfolds these two Englishmen, encounter many of Dr. Fu-Manchu's terrifying agents, including numerous representatives of a mysterious Asiatic strangler cult. I really enjoyed this.
I still have quite a few books left over so I'm ready for February.
Talk to you then.
Keep reading.
Monday, January 29, 2018
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Chapter Ninety
It's December so the weather has been a little erratic. We've had some days that were above average temperature-wise and days like today (and for the rest of the year) that are below freezing. We've had a few snow falls but nothing too bad, and I had a stomach virus that kept me home for a week. It's a good thing that I can always rely on my TBR pile and my bookshelves.
Miscellaneous
Ben Hur - Lew Wallace ($.50/$1.99,copyright 1996, 382 pages, Paperback)
I'm pretty sure that I picked this up at a Library sale in Woodbridge about 2 or 3 years ago along with several other books. It wound up in my TBR (To Be Read) pile because the other books I bought were more interesting. Being stuck at home, it caught my attention. It was published in the 1880's but I think it really became popular after the 1960 release of the Charleton Heston movie. It is the story of two childhood friends who become enemies. Judah Ben-Hur and Messala spent their younger days trying to outdo each other. As tensions grew they parted ways only to meet one day - years later - under very bad circumstances. Wallace does a great job depicting how Ben-Hur's life long quest for redemption leads to salvation and conversion to Christianity and how the restoration of his name and life comes on the day Christ Himself is crucified. I enjoyed it.
Off The Shelf
It's cold here so I just turned up the thermostat. I've thrown another blanket on the bed and stacked up a few extra books on the night table. There's snow in the forecast but I hope it won't be bad.
The New Year starts next Monday. I hope you all have a great one and that you find some time to ..
Keep reading.
Miscellaneous
I'm pretty sure that I picked this up at a Library sale in Woodbridge about 2 or 3 years ago along with several other books. It wound up in my TBR (To Be Read) pile because the other books I bought were more interesting. Being stuck at home, it caught my attention. It was published in the 1880's but I think it really became popular after the 1960 release of the Charleton Heston movie. It is the story of two childhood friends who become enemies. Judah Ben-Hur and Messala spent their younger days trying to outdo each other. As tensions grew they parted ways only to meet one day - years later - under very bad circumstances. Wallace does a great job depicting how Ben-Hur's life long quest for redemption leads to salvation and conversion to Christianity and how the restoration of his name and life comes on the day Christ Himself is crucified. I enjoyed it.
Off The Shelf
The Source - James A. Michener ($3.95/$3.95, copyright 1965, 1088 pages, Paperback)
This book has been with me for a long time. It was an assignment for an English Class back in the mid-'60's and I've carried it with me through several moves over two different states. It's a fascinating, fictitious history of Makor, a city in Israel, from prehistory to modern times. The intro takes us to an archeological dig in the '60's that turns up artifacts in an ancient mound. Then, starting with the deepest, oldest artifact and moving forward in time, in successive chapters , Michener chronologically describes the inhabitants (who are often descendants of characters in earlier chapters) and events in and around the city over thousands of years. In this way, he tells the fascinating story of the people who populated that particular area and delves a bit into the interaction of the various, diverse religious groups. I enjoyed it.It's cold here so I just turned up the thermostat. I've thrown another blanket on the bed and stacked up a few extra books on the night table. There's snow in the forecast but I hope it won't be bad.
The New Year starts next Monday. I hope you all have a great one and that you find some time to ..
Keep reading.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Eighth Anniversary Edition!
Eight years. That's a long time. A lot has happened and I have to say that the good has outweighed the bad ( and there has always been a book or two to get through the bad). Lately, I've found myself looking for specific titles so I've been buying more from a couple of on-line discount sites but I still go on a Library run every week or so. You never know what you'll find.
Non-fiction
Ghost Soldiers - Hampton Sides ($14.95/$4.29, copyright 2009, 334 pages, Trade Paperback)
Recently, I've been picking up some Non-fiction books - specifically Histories. This is a great war story that traces American GI's from the Bataan Death March through their internment in the Japanese prison system. It is a gripping and well written story that begins with the massacre of American prisoners at Palawan and ends with the eventual liberation of several hundred during a daring raid on the prison at Cabanatuan. Knowing that 500 prisoners were at the Philippines camp, the US Sixth Army unleashed what is perhaps the war's most dramatic rescue mission in early 1945. Hampton Sides is a good writer who knows how to keep a story moving. He weaves back and forth between the prisoners and their Ranger rescuers without breaking the story pace. He also traces the history of the prisoner's experiences under Japanese authority. The sadistic barbarity with which the captors treated American prisoners is amazing for its uniformity. The threads of the story come together nicely with a climatic battle scene that glued my attention to the pages. I enjoyed it.
The Murder of Napoleon - Ben Weider and David Hapgood ( $3.50/ $.50, copyright 1982, 256 pages, Paperback)
I first read this book back in the mid-90's. I don't know where that copy is but I picked this one up at the Library in Metuchen. It's common knowledge that Napoleon Bonaparte died while imprisoned on the island of St. Helena. Until very recently, it was widely believed that he died of stomach cancer, which was prevalent in his family. This book investigates the case made by Swedish dentist who began to suspect something else. Along with Ben Weider, the two delved into sources of available information regarding Napoleon, his imprisonment and those close to him. The authors present a very likely scenario of what really happened based on results of this investigation. A likely suspect to the murder as well as a motive are also named. I know that this review is a little vague but I didn't want to give anything away. It's written in a way as to make the scientific details understandable and they did a good job with the characters. It was OK.
Miscellaneous
Totals
Non-fiction
Ghost Soldiers - Hampton Sides ($14.95/$4.29, copyright 2009, 334 pages, Trade Paperback)
Recently, I've been picking up some Non-fiction books - specifically Histories. This is a great war story that traces American GI's from the Bataan Death March through their internment in the Japanese prison system. It is a gripping and well written story that begins with the massacre of American prisoners at Palawan and ends with the eventual liberation of several hundred during a daring raid on the prison at Cabanatuan. Knowing that 500 prisoners were at the Philippines camp, the US Sixth Army unleashed what is perhaps the war's most dramatic rescue mission in early 1945. Hampton Sides is a good writer who knows how to keep a story moving. He weaves back and forth between the prisoners and their Ranger rescuers without breaking the story pace. He also traces the history of the prisoner's experiences under Japanese authority. The sadistic barbarity with which the captors treated American prisoners is amazing for its uniformity. The threads of the story come together nicely with a climatic battle scene that glued my attention to the pages. I enjoyed it.
The Murder of Napoleon - Ben Weider and David Hapgood ( $3.50/ $.50, copyright 1982, 256 pages, Paperback)
I first read this book back in the mid-90's. I don't know where that copy is but I picked this one up at the Library in Metuchen. It's common knowledge that Napoleon Bonaparte died while imprisoned on the island of St. Helena. Until very recently, it was widely believed that he died of stomach cancer, which was prevalent in his family. This book investigates the case made by Swedish dentist who began to suspect something else. Along with Ben Weider, the two delved into sources of available information regarding Napoleon, his imprisonment and those close to him. The authors present a very likely scenario of what really happened based on results of this investigation. A likely suspect to the murder as well as a motive are also named. I know that this review is a little vague but I didn't want to give anything away. It's written in a way as to make the scientific details understandable and they did a good job with the characters. It was OK.
Miscellaneous
The King Must Die - Mary Renault ($13.00/$.50, copyright 1958, 332 pages. Trade Paperback)
I picked this up at a Library sale about 2 years ago because it looked interesting and I've always wanted to read one of Renault's books. Here, she tells the story of Theseus as if he was a real person, not a mythical character, using history, archaeology, and a deep understanding of the cultures of the period to place him in a realistic context. I knew nothing of his history but her descriptions bring the period vibrantly to life in ways consistent with the historical record. From his lifting of the stone to find his father's sword to his becoming King of Eleusis, Renault writes with elegance and a fine appreciation for the details of daily life, the art of the period, and the pantheon of gods thought to control men's destinies. Still, it reminded me a bit too much of the Arthurian legend. It was OK.
I picked this up at a Library sale about 2 years ago because it looked interesting and I've always wanted to read one of Renault's books. Here, she tells the story of Theseus as if he was a real person, not a mythical character, using history, archaeology, and a deep understanding of the cultures of the period to place him in a realistic context. I knew nothing of his history but her descriptions bring the period vibrantly to life in ways consistent with the historical record. From his lifting of the stone to find his father's sword to his becoming King of Eleusis, Renault writes with elegance and a fine appreciation for the details of daily life, the art of the period, and the pantheon of gods thought to control men's destinies. Still, it reminded me a bit too much of the Arthurian legend. It was OK.
I'm pretty sure I haven't read as many books this year, and I'm pretty sure I've spent more, but I've tried a few more genres and I've enjoyed the experience. (Again, there have been books that I tried but didn't like and I don't mention those). Here are this years numbers:
Miscellaneous -
19 Books, $227.86 cover price, $56.44 actual cost
Off The Shelf -
5 books, $33.05 cover price, $31.80 actual cost
Series -
4 books, $57.93 cover price, $$3.00 actual cost
Non-fiction
2 books, $18.45 cover price, $4.79 actual cost
Overall Total For 2017
30 books, $337.29 cover price, $96.03 actual cost
Eight Year Totals
324 books, $3212.75, $354.93
That's it for now. I'm looking forward to Year 9 and the upcoming Christmas Season.
Be good, Enjoy, and ...
Keep reading.
;
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Chapter Eighty-nine
It's October and the leaves are dropping but they haven't started to change color yet. Halloween is less then a week away and I noticed that there are fewer, less elaborate, outside displays this year. I have no idea what my Granddaughter's costume will be. I've been tempted to ask but I want to be surprised. This month, I bought the books I'm posting about from online, discount sites (this is what you have to do if you want something specific). I actually have a Holiday-related book to tell you about.
Miscellaneous
"I Heard You Paint Houses" - Charles Brandt ($15.95/$5.65, copyright 2004, 307 pages, Trade Paperback)
I came across an article about Martin Scorsese's movie "The Irishman" (due out next year) starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci and it was being filmed here in New Jersey. I looked into it and found out that it was based on this book about Frank Sheeran (DeNiro), the Irish gangster, who carried out more than twenty executions on the orders the Italian mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and the Union Leader Hoffa (Pacino). The title, supposedly, were the first words Hoffa spoke to Sheeran and means to kill a man. After the tense beginning, the book goes back in time to capture Sheeran’s life and you see how his experiences during World War II, his entry into the Mob, and his climb up that ladder shaped his life. This was all interesting but then Brandt speculates about the Kennedy Assassination and Hoffa's disappearance. Also, he's written most of this as a first-person narrative that I didn't think rang true. It was OK.
We're entering the Holiday Season and Thanksgiving is just about a month away. I don't know what the plans are but I'm sure my immediate family will be together. For now, I just got another book in the mail that I'll be checking out tonight. Enjoy and ...
Keep reading.
Miscellaneous
The Halloween Tree - Ray Bradbury ( $5.50/$4.29, copyright 1972, 145 pages, Paperback)
For years I would read Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" every October. Then my Granddaughter was born and I wound up reading books like "Where's Baby's Pumpkin" and "Daniel Tiger's Halloween". As she's getting older, I began to look into other books for her and found this for me. It's more of a Young Adult Book and deals with Tom Skelton and his friends getting ready for "Trick or Treating". But then their friend Pipkin is snatched away and Tom and his eight friends have to go looking for him. Bradbury uses the mysterious Mr. Moundshroud to teach the boys about Halloween across the ages. The writing is classic Bradbury but is aimed at a younger audience - poetic with a touch of Dr. Seuss. It's short and it's fun and I enjoyed it.
For years I would read Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" every October. Then my Granddaughter was born and I wound up reading books like "Where's Baby's Pumpkin" and "Daniel Tiger's Halloween". As she's getting older, I began to look into other books for her and found this for me. It's more of a Young Adult Book and deals with Tom Skelton and his friends getting ready for "Trick or Treating". But then their friend Pipkin is snatched away and Tom and his eight friends have to go looking for him. Bradbury uses the mysterious Mr. Moundshroud to teach the boys about Halloween across the ages. The writing is classic Bradbury but is aimed at a younger audience - poetic with a touch of Dr. Seuss. It's short and it's fun and I enjoyed it.
I came across an article about Martin Scorsese's movie "The Irishman" (due out next year) starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci and it was being filmed here in New Jersey. I looked into it and found out that it was based on this book about Frank Sheeran (DeNiro), the Irish gangster, who carried out more than twenty executions on the orders the Italian mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and the Union Leader Hoffa (Pacino). The title, supposedly, were the first words Hoffa spoke to Sheeran and means to kill a man. After the tense beginning, the book goes back in time to capture Sheeran’s life and you see how his experiences during World War II, his entry into the Mob, and his climb up that ladder shaped his life. This was all interesting but then Brandt speculates about the Kennedy Assassination and Hoffa's disappearance. Also, he's written most of this as a first-person narrative that I didn't think rang true. It was OK.
We're entering the Holiday Season and Thanksgiving is just about a month away. I don't know what the plans are but I'm sure my immediate family will be together. For now, I just got another book in the mail that I'll be checking out tonight. Enjoy and ...
Keep reading.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Chapter Eighty-eight
It's September and it's been kind of a weird month. I'm back to watching my Granddaughter twice a week but I go over later in the morning. She's going through Potty Training and my Son-in-law (who works nights now) gets up early so the routine doesn't get disrupted. I had some car trouble early on and wound up having to replace the Ignition Cylinder. Then, my Debit Card was declined and I found out that someone tried to use it in China so I had to replace it. Still, frustrations aside, I did manage to get some reading done.
Miscellaneous
The Gates Of The Alamo - Stephen Harrigan ($7.99/$.50, copyright 2000, 732 pages, Paperback)
The story of the Alamo is one that most Americans know because of the countless books and films on the subject. Rather then give a straight-forward history, Harrigan shows it to us through the eyes of fictional characters - Edmund McGowan, a loner dedicated to botanical research; Mary Mott, a widowed innkeeper trying to keep what remains of her family together; and her son Terrell, who grows and matures into manhood as the novel evolves. It's a blend of historical research and fictional imagination that should satisfy all who are interested in the topic. Another plus, we get both sides because the author has included the Mexican perspective from the fictional Telesfero Villasena up to Santa Anna himself. Harrigan doesn't sugar-coat anything and gives us Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, William Travis, and Davey Crockett with all their faults exposed. I have to admit that I put this down a few times because the lead-up got boring at times and I didn't like the wrap-around. All in all, it was OK.
The Club Dumas - Arturo Perez-Reverte ($14.95/$1.00, copyright 1995, 362 pages, Trade Paperback)
Several months ago, when the weather was bad, I wound up rereading - and enjoying - the Musketeer Trilogy by Alexander Dumas (my Chapter Eighty-two). When I found this at a Library Sale shortly after that I snatched it up but have been hesitant to read it in case it didn't measure up. Turned out it was better then I expected.The main character is Lucas Corso, a Detective who works in the world of rare book collectors. Here he's trying to find an original manuscript of "The Three Musketeers" and winds up tracking the life of Dumas and exploring many of his works. Perez-Reverte throws in another search for a rare book from 1666 that may have been co-written by Satan. Then he stirs in secret societies, satanic rituals, exotic locals, femme fatales, quirky and memorable supporting characters, supernatural guardians and pacing that moves along very quickly. I enjoyed it.
October is just around the corner. The leaves are falling and it's getting cooler out. The days are getting shorter.
Halloween is just a month away so that might influence next month's choices. Until then ...
Keep reading.
Miscellaneous
The Gates Of The Alamo - Stephen Harrigan ($7.99/$.50, copyright 2000, 732 pages, Paperback)
The story of the Alamo is one that most Americans know because of the countless books and films on the subject. Rather then give a straight-forward history, Harrigan shows it to us through the eyes of fictional characters - Edmund McGowan, a loner dedicated to botanical research; Mary Mott, a widowed innkeeper trying to keep what remains of her family together; and her son Terrell, who grows and matures into manhood as the novel evolves. It's a blend of historical research and fictional imagination that should satisfy all who are interested in the topic. Another plus, we get both sides because the author has included the Mexican perspective from the fictional Telesfero Villasena up to Santa Anna himself. Harrigan doesn't sugar-coat anything and gives us Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, William Travis, and Davey Crockett with all their faults exposed. I have to admit that I put this down a few times because the lead-up got boring at times and I didn't like the wrap-around. All in all, it was OK.
The Club Dumas - Arturo Perez-Reverte ($14.95/$1.00, copyright 1995, 362 pages, Trade Paperback)
Several months ago, when the weather was bad, I wound up rereading - and enjoying - the Musketeer Trilogy by Alexander Dumas (my Chapter Eighty-two). When I found this at a Library Sale shortly after that I snatched it up but have been hesitant to read it in case it didn't measure up. Turned out it was better then I expected.The main character is Lucas Corso, a Detective who works in the world of rare book collectors. Here he's trying to find an original manuscript of "The Three Musketeers" and winds up tracking the life of Dumas and exploring many of his works. Perez-Reverte throws in another search for a rare book from 1666 that may have been co-written by Satan. Then he stirs in secret societies, satanic rituals, exotic locals, femme fatales, quirky and memorable supporting characters, supernatural guardians and pacing that moves along very quickly. I enjoyed it.
October is just around the corner. The leaves are falling and it's getting cooler out. The days are getting shorter.
Halloween is just a month away so that might influence next month's choices. Until then ...
Keep reading.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Chapter Eighty-seven
We're in the last weekend of August. We've had some days with heavy rain, some days with scorching heat and - now - we're experiencing some much cooler weather. I didn't have to babysit this month but I did volunteer to dog-sit for a few days so the kids could take the baby on a vacation. I had more time then usual on my hands so I dug into a couple of books that I'd ordered from a Discount Website that I like.
Miscellaneous
I have been a big fan of The Marx Brothers for most of my life. I have always been partial to Groucho (as I think most people have) and I even have the live 2-album, recording of "An Evening With Groucho". This book is kind of a "greatest hits" volume. It includes favorite scenes from "Animal Crackers", "Monkey Business", "Horse Feathers", "Duck Soup", "A Night at the Opera", and "A Day at the Races", among other films. There is also some material from his radio and TV appearances and a whole section devoted to his correspondence with others. All of this is funny but, in my opinion, reading the movie dialogue isn't as enjoyable as watching the Brothers perform. It was OK.
We're now in the count down to September and Labor Day - the last great "Summer" holiday. I hope you all get to enjoy that long weekend but don't forget to ...
Keep reading.
Miscellaneous
Up In The Old Hotel - Joseph Mitchell ($14.00/$4.29, Published 1992, 716 pages, Trade Paperback)
I came across a reference to this book a month or so ago and was so interested that, when I found a copy on one of my favorite websites, I ordered it. Joseph Mitchell was a writer for the "New Yorker", a magazine that I've never actually read. His writings about New York and it's minor denizens have been published in 4 separate books - "McSoreley's Wonderful Saloon", "Old Mr. Flood", "The Bottom of the Harbor", and "Joe Gould's Secret"- the copyrights ranging from 1938 up to 1992 - which have all been collected in this volume. Every story in this long book is worth reading. Mitchell often chose to write about people on the margins of society -- a homeless beggar like Joe Gould, a bearded lady, the hard-drinking Hugh Flood -- but he never did so in a patronizing manner. He shows us what's below the surface of things -- old abandoned hotels, the oysters on one's plate, the raving lunatic on the street corner -- it's all fascinating and available to anyone who's willing to look. I have to say that it took me a couple of weeks to get through this because I could only get through one or two of Mitchell's stories before I had to put it down and think about what I'd just read. I enjoyed it.
The Essential Groucho - Stefan Kanfer, ed. ($12.00/$4.29, copyright 2000, 252 pages, Trade Paperback)I came across a reference to this book a month or so ago and was so interested that, when I found a copy on one of my favorite websites, I ordered it. Joseph Mitchell was a writer for the "New Yorker", a magazine that I've never actually read. His writings about New York and it's minor denizens have been published in 4 separate books - "McSoreley's Wonderful Saloon", "Old Mr. Flood", "The Bottom of the Harbor", and "Joe Gould's Secret"- the copyrights ranging from 1938 up to 1992 - which have all been collected in this volume. Every story in this long book is worth reading. Mitchell often chose to write about people on the margins of society -- a homeless beggar like Joe Gould, a bearded lady, the hard-drinking Hugh Flood -- but he never did so in a patronizing manner. He shows us what's below the surface of things -- old abandoned hotels, the oysters on one's plate, the raving lunatic on the street corner -- it's all fascinating and available to anyone who's willing to look. I have to say that it took me a couple of weeks to get through this because I could only get through one or two of Mitchell's stories before I had to put it down and think about what I'd just read. I enjoyed it.
I have been a big fan of The Marx Brothers for most of my life. I have always been partial to Groucho (as I think most people have) and I even have the live 2-album, recording of "An Evening With Groucho". This book is kind of a "greatest hits" volume. It includes favorite scenes from "Animal Crackers", "Monkey Business", "Horse Feathers", "Duck Soup", "A Night at the Opera", and "A Day at the Races", among other films. There is also some material from his radio and TV appearances and a whole section devoted to his correspondence with others. All of this is funny but, in my opinion, reading the movie dialogue isn't as enjoyable as watching the Brothers perform. It was OK.
We're now in the count down to September and Labor Day - the last great "Summer" holiday. I hope you all get to enjoy that long weekend but don't forget to ...
Keep reading.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Chapter Eighty-six
July is winding down. We've had a mixed bag weather-wise. Some pleasant days, a couple of heat waves, and some rain - especially this morning as I was driving around. I spent time with my Granddaughter and then spent the afernoon in front of my bedroom fan reading the following.
Miscellaneous
Memoirs of Vidocq: Master of Crime - Francois Eugene Vidocq ($9.86/$18.00, copyright 2003, 365 pages, Trade Paperback)
I first came across a reference to this book several months ago and, thanks to the Internet, I was able to get a copy pretty quickly. Vidocq was a reformed criminal who became a police spy, eventually becoming head of the Sûreté , and finally a private investigator. It's filled with all sorts of adventures and is set during the late 1700's in France. How much is fact, how much fiction? Who knows? What is known is the influence Vidocq had on modern policing and the crime novel. Hugo, Balzac and Dumas pere knew Vidocq. His memoirs provided the inspiration for some of their greatest novels and characters including Hugo’s Javert and Jean Valjean and Balzac’s Vautrin. Moreover, Poe’s Dupin (Murders in the Rue Morgue) was modeled on Vidocq, and Conan Doyle referenced the great French detective in his Sherlock Holmes stories. All that being said, I found the book disappointing. Vidocq used several different ghost-writers so the narrative is disjointed and the First-person approach becomes annoying. It was OK.
Miscellaneous
Memoirs of Vidocq: Master of Crime - Francois Eugene Vidocq ($9.86/$18.00, copyright 2003, 365 pages, Trade Paperback)
I first came across a reference to this book several months ago and, thanks to the Internet, I was able to get a copy pretty quickly. Vidocq was a reformed criminal who became a police spy, eventually becoming head of the Sûreté , and finally a private investigator. It's filled with all sorts of adventures and is set during the late 1700's in France. How much is fact, how much fiction? Who knows? What is known is the influence Vidocq had on modern policing and the crime novel. Hugo, Balzac and Dumas pere knew Vidocq. His memoirs provided the inspiration for some of their greatest novels and characters including Hugo’s Javert and Jean Valjean and Balzac’s Vautrin. Moreover, Poe’s Dupin (Murders in the Rue Morgue) was modeled on Vidocq, and Conan Doyle referenced the great French detective in his Sherlock Holmes stories. All that being said, I found the book disappointing. Vidocq used several different ghost-writers so the narrative is disjointed and the First-person approach becomes annoying. It was OK.
London - Edward Rutherfurd ($.50/$7.99, copyright 1997, 1124 pages, Paperback)
Back in the mid '70's, I came across Rutherfurd's "Sarum" - his fictional recreation of the history of England. It was over 1,000 pages but it was so interesting that I couldn't put it down. I came across "London" at a Library sale back in May and have put it down a few times since then but I've always gone back. This is the story of the evolution of the city. It begins before the time of the Roman occupation, when the Celts ruled the land, and ends in 1997. London grows from an abandoned outpost, to a medieval marketplace, to the metropolis it is today. Rutherfurd - much like James Michener - uses several families as the center of his novel, and we follow along as their descendants, from generation to generation, evolve with the city itself. They are all clearly defined and he fits the characters perfectly with each era. It's a long book and, in my opinion, there's some sections that could be trimmed. Still, I enjoyed it.
Next up is August. I'm guessing that there won't be much of a change in the weather pattern.There are a few books on the table but there's always new ones that pop up. Until then ..
Keep reading.
Back in the mid '70's, I came across Rutherfurd's "Sarum" - his fictional recreation of the history of England. It was over 1,000 pages but it was so interesting that I couldn't put it down. I came across "London" at a Library sale back in May and have put it down a few times since then but I've always gone back. This is the story of the evolution of the city. It begins before the time of the Roman occupation, when the Celts ruled the land, and ends in 1997. London grows from an abandoned outpost, to a medieval marketplace, to the metropolis it is today. Rutherfurd - much like James Michener - uses several families as the center of his novel, and we follow along as their descendants, from generation to generation, evolve with the city itself. They are all clearly defined and he fits the characters perfectly with each era. It's a long book and, in my opinion, there's some sections that could be trimmed. Still, I enjoyed it.
Next up is August. I'm guessing that there won't be much of a change in the weather pattern.There are a few books on the table but there's always new ones that pop up. Until then ..
Keep reading.
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