Subjects:  1. 1755-1793    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. France    7. France - History    8. France - History - Revolution And Napoleonic Empire (1789-1815)    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. Louis XVI, 1774-1793    12. Marie Antoinette,    13. Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France,    14. Queens    15. Royalty    16. Women    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (7)

Biased?!!!
Yes, it is a shock therapy book. It is filled with some of the most cruel and bloody imagery. But this shock therapy is needed, both in Russia and in the West. Because that imagery is not a figment of somebody's imagination nor is it some particularly violent page of the world history book long turned over and forgotten. It's reality. It's happening right now, right at this moment. Even now, 3 years since the book's last interview with Akhmed Zakaev took place. And virtually nobody outside of Chechnya has a good idea what is going on there.
Flawed But Few Alternatives
In looking for substantive reporting on the Chechnya conlict, one quickly finds that there is simply not much out there of note.Titles tend to range from academic histories of the region to cursory reporting (though in the last year or so, this seems to be changing a bit).It was with this in mind that I picked up this book.While the author clearly has invested her time and labor in the region, the book does not have any coherent narrative flow and doesn't provide much background or context for the events being covered.Also, one gets the sense that the translation may be much too literal, losing the author's passion and intended meanings in the process.It is a disciplined read, but given the paucity of alternatives, probably worth the effort if you are interested in the conflict and the region.

Propoganda
Expecting to learn the truth about the Chechen War from Anna Politkovskaya is like expecting to learn the truth about the Iraq War from Michael Moore. Very biased and propogandic account by a Liberal reporter who has claimed to want to be the "Russian Michael Moore." Anna tries to make excuses for the terrorist acts committed by Chechen Jihadists. Too much has happened since she wrote this book, and there is no sympathy for Wahabbi terrorists who strap suicide belts on brainwashed women and send them into restaurants, subways, concerts, airplanes, and kindergardens. If you want to know the real facts about Chechnya, read a book by an American counter-terrorist expert, Wolves of Islam. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chechnia (Russia)    2. Chechnëiìa (Russia)    3. Civil War, 1994-    4. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Journalists    10. Personal narratives, Russian    11. Press coverage    12. Revolutionary    13. Chechnya    14. European history: from c 1900 -    15. History / Russia (pre- & post-Soviet Union)    16. Interdisciplinary Studies    17. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    18. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (2)

great book, buy it!
honestly, i didn't pay any attention at all in my ap euro class. but a month before the test, realizing i didn't know anything, i bought this. though it doesn't cover all the facts in enough detail, if you know this book you can still pull off a 5, and who can remember all the details anyway? the practice tests are easily the best availible too. and trust me, if i can scrape a 5 with this book, so can you!

So So
It's a great book, however, the facts are too consice. It would be great if it had more meat, however, the practice tests are great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advanced Placement    2. Advanced placement programs (Education)    3. Europe    4. Europe - General    5. Examinations    6. Examinations, questions, etc    7. History    8. Study Aids    9. Study Guides    10. Test Prep    11. Study Aids / Advanced Placement   

Reviews (2)

Vive La Marthe
On October 7 and 8, 2006, C-SPAN 2 featured this book and author on Book TV. The author, now in her mid 90s, spoke in impeccable English for about one hour without notes. Because she used the active voice, her adventures were easy to follow. It was a tour de force.
A tale of courage and hope
This is a story of great personal courage in the midst of horrible tragedy. It is the story of Marthe Cohn who was born in the city of Metz, raised in a devout German- speaking Jewish religious household. Circumstances including the loss of her fiance led her to become a fighter in the French Resistance. Courageously she worked behind enemy lines to provide vital intelligence for the Allies.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Holocaust    5. Political    6. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (6)

The recipient loved it
I bought this as a gift for a friend who helped a great deal with my wedding, advising me of dress styles, hair styles, fashion from this era, dances, music, food, and everything in between, as well as arranging all the flowers for the wedding!She was a godsend!When I gave her the book, her jaw dropped and she was so excited to get it... she said she had been wanting it forever.As I consider her quite knowledgeable about the subject matter of this book, and as it came highly recommended by her, I would say that it's a great book to have if this is something you are interested in as a serious hobby or more.

The best place to start for Elizabethan Costuming
This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of Elizabethan Costuming.It mainly contains all of the details of Queen Elizabeth I wardrobe but it has unique points in the society that surrounded the dresses.This book helps to explain the Gloriana image that became so popular and it helps us to understand all the little details that went into the dress of the period.Detailing costumes using portraits and explaining how the fashion progressed makes this book a must for anyone interested in Renaissance Faires and the nobility.The only drawback is that very very few of the portraits and pictures are in color.I think a total of about 7 are in color the rest is in black and white. The only way to make this book more appealing and usable would be to put all of the portraits and pictures in color, but that would make the book even more expensive.After this must have book the 2nd on the shelf should be a J. Hunniset book (the lady who did all the costuming for Elizabeth R and The Six Wives of Henry the VIII produced by BBC).Next, any Janet Arnold book.Last, would be the Norris book:Tudor Costuming and Fashion (although most of this book is very outdated it is nice to look at).All of these are must haves and will make a well rounded library.Dispite the high price of the book it is worth posessing.Enjoy.

Such An Amazing Resource!
For the historical costumer focused on 16th century clothing, this is the "bible" hands down.Big, expensive, and filled with the usual detail that is the hallmark of Janet Arnold, this is one very worthwhile investment for the serious costumer. This book has one tiny drawback, in that it focuses entirely on women's fashion in the 16th century as viewed through the wardrobe accounts of Queen Elizabeth I and some of her contemporaries.Therefore, it has nothing to say on the topic of men's clothing, which is an unfortunately neglected aspect of 16th century research.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1533-1603    2. 16th century    3. Clothing    4. Costume    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Design - Textile & Costume    7. Elizabeth    8. Europe - Great Britain - General    9. Great Britain    10. History    11. Hobbies/Crafts    12. Performing Arts    13. Queen of England,    14. Reference    15. Sewing    16. Sources    17. Theater - Stagecraft    18. British & Irish history: c 1500 to c 1700    19. Fashion design    20. Social history    21. United Kingdom, Great Britain    22. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (19)

A deeply touching book about the fragility of civilisation and progress
This is not a history book or a classic autobiography, but a reading of the author's time, as seen through his personal experiences with his own writing and with European intellectuals. Zweig captures with much nuance the end of a certain kind of European civilisation after World War I erupts, and how it impacted disastrously on society, individuals, and the post-war intellectual climate. Writing the book during the height of Nazi power, the author's words are an appeal to humanity, civility and decency at one of the lowest points in European history. At the end of the book, one cannot but feel that a delicate soul like Zweig's could not be able to resist the brutality of the times. It comes as no surprise to read that a year after finishing the book, he committed suicide. An intelligent, touching book, which excels at giving a sense of what it felt to live in the first decades of the 20th century as a writer and intellectual. It will also be a fascinating book for anyone familiar with Zweig's literary output.

One of the 20 best books ever writen in Brazil.
I'm a (unemplyed) agronomist and I live in Brazil.I read this book translated to portuguese, some years ago.This book was writen(at least the end part) by a european jew refugee, here in Brazil.In fact, the author died by suicide, after ending this great book.
belief
A lot has been said about the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the description of the pre II WW period in Europe and the raising of Nazism being the background of this writer's autobiography. But, although fascinating and complex, Zweig' s explanation of that context offers more than a purely historical analysis.
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Subjects:  1. 1881-1942    2. 20th century    3. Authors, Austrian    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. General    8. History - General History    9. Literary    10. Zweig, Stefan,    11. World history    12. Zweig, Stefan   

Reviews (1)

BOOK REVIEW:`Bad Faith' Reminds Us How Anti-Semitic Many French Were in 1930s, WW II; Catholic Hierarchy Force Behind Jew Hatr
By David M. Kinchen
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Subjects:  1. Antisemitism    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Europe - France    8. France    9. France - History    10. Historical - General    11. Historical - Holocaust    12. Holocaust    13. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    14. Public officers    15. Vichy    16. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

Reviews (7)

Perfect downplay of Italian Renaissance art.
As a coffee table book- it is OK- big and colorful pictures.... Too colorful!For example, a large-scale view of a painting has a black and yellow palette, but the detail is blue and red.As a professional reference- it is as bad as bad could be. No professional artist would ever have their work photographed with flash!!! But in this book there are plenty of those. Paintings have flash spots - unbelievable!
Amazing Detail often refered to set
This is a stunning two volume set.The amount of detail in both the written word and stunning photographs brings Florentine art to life.The text covers not only the technical aspects of the art and architecture but also the socio-political environment in which the art was created.These discourses can be a little dry but they are enlightening.The photography will certainly recapture ones interest when the text gets a little dull.

A Rare and Treasured Treat
Talk about magnificently beautiful! THE ART OF FLORENCE does full justice to its subject -- and it's a lot cheaper than plane fare to Italy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. European    4. History - General    5. History - Renaissance    6. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    7. Italy    8. Sale Books   

Reviews (7)

"Civic-ness" and Democracy
In the early 1970s, political power was decentralized in Italy.The power once held by the central government in Rome was reallocated to the newly created regional governments. Constitutionally, the regions possessed similar political institutions.However, the regions varied socially, economically and in political context.Putnam, seeing a ready laboratory for social science, chose to study the role of environmental factors on institutional performance in the new regional governments.Institutions serve as Putnam's independent variable, while a number of environmental factors act as the dependent variables.As such three main research questions emerged; 1) how does institutional change affect identity, power, and strategy of the regional political actors, 2) how is institutional performance a function of history, and lastly 3) which features of social context most powerfully affect institutional performance (8).
A Classic Text of Modern Political Science
Robert Putnam's work has become a Political Science classic.His work is part of new area of research -- civic participation.During the past decade, this area has exploded from obscurity twenty years ago to being one of the most popular fields today.Putnam's works have had a profound impact on many other areas in the Political Science world, from local governance to international political theory.Regardless of whether you agree with his theories, if you are at all interested in Political Science, it is a must read.Moreover, either "Marking Democracy Work" or "Bowling Alone" are becoming standard texts used in most 100 & 200 level undergraduate courses.

trite conclusions, flawed methodology... but engaging prose
It's unfortunate that given the opportunity and resources to study the birth and development of regional government in Italy over the course of twenty years, the best conclusions Putnam was able to draw from his observations are hackneyed paraphrases from Tocqueville. Most of his most careful fieldwork yields results that are stultifyingly obvious; and it's hard not to think that his questions and indicators were not deliberately chosen to demonstrate foregone conclusions. Probably most irritating to me is Putnam's irresponsible use of history as a tool for proving continuities that are largely imaginary.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. History & Theory - General    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Central government    8. Italy    9. Local government    10. Political Science / History & Theory    11. Political Science and International Relations    12. Political science & theory    13. Political structures: democracy    14. Sociology    15. c 1970 to c 1980    16. c 1980 to c 1990   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Commercial - Fashion Design    5. Fashion    6. Fashion design    7. Gucci (Firm)    8. History    9. Italy    10. Photography Of Specific Subjects    11. Subjects & Themes - Fashion    12. Art / Fashion   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Budapest    3. Eastern Europe - General    4. Exiles    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Hungary    9. Jews    10. Jews, Hungarian    11. Modern - 20th Century    12. United States    13. History / General   

Editorial Review

In this delightful and illuminating look into a crucial but little-known "hinge" of history, Thomas Cahill takes us to the "island of saints and scholars," the Ireland of St. Patrick and the Book of Kells.Here, far from the barbarian despoliation of the continent, monks and scribes laboriously, lovingly, even playfully preserved the West's written treasury.When stability returned in Europe, these Irish scholars were instrumental in spreading learning, becoming not only the conservators of civilization, but also the shapers of the medieval mind, putting their unique stamp on Western culture. ... Read more

Reviews (232)

history with flavor
Anyone who over-reacted to this book considering it bigotry should lighten up. The title indicates that it has a Irish focus and that it is bravado in its very nature.This is a great story that should not be treated as a the most accurate take on all of civilization and mankind. It has the flavor of the Irish in the very words of the book and the telling of the story. So often do people criticize anything that has any flavor or opinion, but it is so easy to do that. We are not all world historians who get off on reading just the facts. Just as in reading Vasari's "Lives of the Artist's" nobody should complain about how he goes on and on and on about how Michelangelo was God's gift to the world, rather we should have a laugh be entertained and learn a few things about the nature of humanity. Good Read.

Readable, Anecdotal and Enjoyable
Always amazes me to ponder how a single person can change the course of history, as Thomas Cahill shows. For example, if St. Patrick hadn't returned to Ireland to found monasteries, we would be reading a different history of continental Europe. In fact, there might not be a Europe. Really enjoyable book with interesting anecdotes. Very readable, except for occasional flights of political correctness. Makes me want to find out more about Medieval Europe.
Bad Bigoted History.
Read the top most "helpful reviews of this shockingly offensive pamphlet." I am sure you will find the one star reviews far more honest and detailed than the "Naive positive reviewers." There are always people who will whitewash bigotry if it supports their own ethnic delusions of grandeur. I am the third Asian person to boycott this author. I have noticed that many others agree with us. THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 400-1400    2. Books    3. Civilization    4. Civilization, Classical    5. Europe - Ireland    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Ireland    10. Learning and scholarship    11. Medieval, 500-1500    12. Study and teaching    13. History / Ireland    14. History of specific racial & ethnic groups   

Reviews (31)

AP European History Students: Please Read!
I just got my AP exam scores today for the 2005 examinations and I am proud to say that I got a 4 on the exam thanks to this book and the Princeton's Review Book. This book has a really good and easy to understand review for each of the topics tested on the AP exam and it really helps alot!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
I was in an AP class. I did not put my full effort into the AP Euro class and was scared right before the AP. Right about a month before the test I bought this book and read it all the way through. The day before the test I reviewed what I felt were the top 5 most important subjects (French Revolution, WWI, etc.) Needless to say, to my surprise I got a 5 on the test. An I truly would have to say that 85% of that grade came from reading this book.

Partition of Lithuania
I have found one error in this otherwise excellent book, an error that has been repeated in many other books of modern European history.When discussing the partitions of Poland the author discusses the partition of Lithuanian territories as though these territories were a part of Poland.He states that Byelorussia and Polish Ukraine were ceded to Russia by Poland.This is not true.The fact of the matter is that Byelorussia and parts of the Ukraine were ruled by Lithuania and not by Poland.There was a Lithuanian Ukraine but there never was any such thing as the Polish Ukraine.Hopefully these matters will be resolved in later editions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1492-    2. Europe    3. Europe - General    4. History    5. History, Modern    6. History: World    7. Study Guides    8. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    9. History / Europe / General   

Reviews (85)

Born In William Wallace's Blood
If you enjoyed the movie Braveheart (the 1997 film epic based on the life of Sir. William Wallace, perhaps Scotland's greatest hero and most significant historical figure) you'll enjoy the first part of this book. William Wallace and Scotland's 13th century Peasant's Rebellion is the stuff of great legend, and John J. Robinson's Born in Blood (as well as Braveheart)immortalizes the legend and the man.
A fascinating book
This is a fascinating and well researched book - not only on the subject of the Freemasons, but also on the evolution of government from the feudal system into modern democracy. Author John J. Robinson (a non-mason), provides an un-biased history of the Freemasons and those who have sought to oppress or slander them throughout the centuries.

Second part is better
The book is a bit of a tough read during the first half, which discusses the Knights Templar.Great info, but a challenge to read without wanting to skip a page or two every now and then.The second half regarding the Freemansons is very interesting and eye opening.I would by the book alone for the Fremason section. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Freemasonry    2. Freemasons    3. General    4. Great Britain    5. History    6. History - General History    7. Religious Cults    8. Rituals    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Templars    12. Freemasonry & secret societies    13. History / General   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - General    2. Foreign Language Study - General    3. General    4. History - General History    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Spanish: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)   

Reviews (4)

Not nearly as good a book as I'd hoped
I've just gotten this book so I'm still reading it but I've already spotted some things I don't like about it. The writing style isn't what I'd expect from an experienced writer, large parts of the book consisting of page long paragraphs- it's as if she went into a trance and the stuff just streamed out. You do find a lot of information and a large number of footnotes indicating that the author used just about every Diana book you already own as research material. I don't guess it's a bad book, just so hard goingwith those looooong paragraphs!
first real biography of Diana, Princess of Wales
This is the first proper biography of Diana, Princess of Wales, as opposed to memoirs by former employees (Jephson, Wharfe, Burrell) or more or less ax-grinding efforts by journalists (Morton, Seward, Junor). Bradford, an experienced biographer, has produced a sound and workmanlike book, and without sacrificing balance or accuracy or contending that the late princess was a flawless biped makes the best pro-Diana case to date.
Superlative biography of a truly remarkable woman
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and found it an extremely well researched and thoughtful biography of the late Princess of Wales. Diana's life is chronicled from her life as the youngest daughter in an influential, aristocratic British family to her untimely death in Paris in 1997. Diana indeed was from a notable family and of which she was rightly proud. The ill fated union of her parents is described as well as the impact of their turbulent divorce on their young children, especially Diana. Diana was said to be very much influenced by her paternal grandmother whose charitable works and compassion were passed on to her granddaughter (Diana's paternal grandmother looked remarkably like Diana as well--one of the portraits shown in the illustrations demonstrates this--it is a rather striking resemblance).
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Subjects:  1. 1961-1997    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Diana,    7. Great Britain    8. Great Britain - History - 20th Century    9. Historical - British    10. Monarchy And Aristocracy    11. Princess of Wales,    12. Princesses    13. Rich & Famous    14. Royalty    15. Women    16. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Reviews (36)

CAVEAT: Victor Hanson is NOT a "military" historian.
Victor Hanson is NOT a "military" historian. Hanson is an excellent classical historian - but not a "military" historian. Unfortunately, he has been passing himself off as a "military" historian for years without challenge. After 28+ years of active duty military service, and a personal library of more than 1000 rare ans standard military titles - I find Hanson's "military" analyses highly flawed, shallow, and amateurish at best - and that is exactly what I find again in this book.One should read Hanson for his classical historian abilities - but not for his "military" analyses.
Lessons to Learn
I consider myself very lucky to have found this book right after reading Barry Strauss' history of the battle of Salamis. This work provided me with the subsequent history of Greece after a brief moment when all Greeks were united at Salamis in 480 BC under the brilliant and sly Themistocles to repel the vast Persian hordes and huge naval fleet of the King of Kings, Xerxes.
Organization sets it apart from other histories
Probably the most striking aspect of this book is the way the author chose to organize the history of the war into categories:
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Subjects:  1. 431-404 B.C., Peloponnesian War    2. Ancient - Greece    3. Greece    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History - Military / War    7. History: World    8. Military - Other    9. Military History - Ancient    10. Peloponnesian War, 431-404 B.C    11. History / Ancient / Greece