Reviews (8)

Fake memoir
This story was probably constructed from a number of real memoirs, other sources like films, and Jung's and the author's imagination.Helmut Jung may have been a soldier on the Eastern Front but what he claims to have seen there owes more to imagination - perhaps the author's - than reality.Units composed of seven foot Mongols? (p. 297).Really. In the fifty or so books I have read about the German-Russian war nobody else noticed such units. In the same chapter, a description of the capture of a group of female Russian soldiers appears to have been lifted from the film version of 'Cross of Iron'.There are numerous other elements traceable to other sources throughout ths ridiculous book. Avoid wasting money on this 'memoir'.You will learn nothing about the real experience of combatants on the Eastern Front that you haven't already read elsewhere.

A Work of Fiction
I agree with some of the other reviewers that this is most likely a work of fiction.There is no real information given about the supposed author, Helmut Jung, other than his "incredible" wartime exploits. There are too many mistakes in the book about Jung's training and service to believe this is anything more than a piece of fiction put together by the American writer...it doesn't read or feel right.Save your money and buy "Black Edelweiss" for a real biography of a German soldier.

The Jekyll and Hyde of german wwii memoirs
First of all, this book is 464 pages long, apart from a small paragraph about Mr. Jung at the end there is nothing else, you get what you pay for, 464 pages of reading material. There are also no photos. Now, this memoir is a rollercoaster of emotions, paradoxes, anomalities, irregularities and some simply senseless and hard to believe asseverations by Mr. Jung and the author, who should have at least researched a little bit more, edited a bit better and should have gotten himself a good grammar dictionary, unless that is, he chose to leave the book as it is to keep the element of reality present. At times Mr. Jung sounds so real and truthful you can't help but pity him at others you could swear he is a jew posing as a german soldier. Now I don't blame Mr. Jung for his mental lapses (most people don't remember what they did 2 weeks ago) so after so many years one can understand his memory lapses. However mistaking the 6th army for the 10th at Stalingrad is preposterous to say the least. His asseveration that the SS went around shooting wounded german soldiers from penal batallions is simply hard to believe. During the actions of our Blue division in Russia we had a squad of men assigned to follow up behind the main body of troops checking the russian dead behind us and making sure they stayed very dead, for these vermin were treacherous and they would fake death in order to shoot us in the back. The Waffen SS had a similar way of dealing with russians (read Blood Red Snow). Also we were forbidden from building fires at night no matter how cold it might be (this was a sure way to have snipers pick everyone off one by one, have our positions identified by artillery spotters), yet he claims they would build this huge fires and huddle around at night! The war in the east was a metaphysical encounter of extreme ideoligies, the far right on our side and the far left on theirs. We alone had the sole opportunity of stoppping the spread of communism within our grasp and were betrayed by the very western civilization we sought to safeguard and preserve for the new generations. One look at the map of Europe after wwii will tell you who really won and for what purpose the western powers really fought and shed so much young blood. Mr. Jung was as caught up in this hell as the rest of us were and like us he did what he had to do to survive, however a man should have convictions and a sense of belonging to his nation and while he did his share, he did it for himself... we did it for our people, our nation and for western civilization. To those of you who might find this offensive I remind you of the words Julius Streicher spoke to the hangman at Nuremberg in 1946, "someday the russians will do this very same thing to all of you". Time proved him right.
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Subjects:  1. 1926-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Campaigns    6. Eastern Front    7. Europe - Germany    8. Germany    9. Heer    10. Historical - General    11. Jung, Helmut,    12. Military    13. Military - World War II    14. Panzer-Division, 7    15. Personal narratives, German    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Biography: general    18. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)   

Reviews (8)

A Must Have!
First of all, please note that this is a coffee table-type book. It is oversized and oddly-shaped. So if that bothers you, steer clear.
Appropriate title!
I bought this book because my dad's side of the family is Irish and I'd hoped to one day go.The book is a gorgeous addition to my photography book collection...and my desire to go to Ireland has been upgraded from 'one day hope to go' to 'can't wait to go!'.
Absolutely Beautiful
The photos in this book are gorgeous. Anyone who has been or wants to go to Ireland should look at this book. Those who have never been will want to go when they see the beauty of the land depicted in this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Ireland    2. Historical sites    3. Individual Photographer    4. Photography    5. Travel    6. Travel - World/Europe   

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   

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   

Editorial Review

"Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood," writes Frank McCourt in Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Ethnic Cultures - General    6. Genealogy    7. General    8. Historical - General    9. Ireland    10. Irish Americans    11. Limerick (Limerick)    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Cholera    3. Diseases - General    4. England    5. Europe - Great Britain - General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Life Sciences - Biology - Microbiology    10. London    11. Scientists - General    12. British & Irish history: c 1700 to c 1900    13. History / Great Britain    14. Infectious & contagious diseases    15. London, Greater London    16. Personal & public health    17. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (20)

A BRILLIANT BIOGRAPHY - WELL DONE!
This is a brilliantly written biography of one of the most fascinating characters in history.Like most of Mnchester's work (I must admit to being a big fan), this is a very readable biography, well researched and holds the reader's interest from page to page.We see so much of Churchhill in his role as a WWII leader that we tend to forget there was a young man, living, learning and growing before the back and white films we see today.It is good to be reminded of this from time to time.It is also, for those interested, to learn how a world leader of Churchill's calibre came into being, how he developed and why he was the way he was.This work gives us great insight to those questions.Cannot recommend this work highly enough.

Insight Into A Great Man

Tale of a Giant Lives Up to Its Subject
Although William Manchester didn't live long enough to complete his biography of Winston Churchill, this first book of the proposed triology begins with Dunkirk and shows Churchill at his most magnificent before switching to his early years.Manchester's prose--eloquent, clear, moving, and witty--is a fitting vehicle for the story of a master of the English language, and the story itself is filled with amazing adventures and memorable anecdotes. This book and its sequel are the best of all the Churchill biographies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1874-1965    2. 20th century    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Churchill, Winston,    7. Europe - Great Britain - General    8. Foreign relations    9. Great Britain    10. Great Britain - History - 20th Century    11. Political    12. Politics and government    13. Sir,    14. Biography & Autobiography / Political    15. Biography: general    16. British & Irish history: from c 1900 -    17. Churchill, Winston    18. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Reviews (43)

Koestler Reveals Mistaken Heritage of Displaced Khazars
If some Chinese leaders decide to be Religious and
Khazar
The book delivered the information I was looking for.There were times that I got lost trying to follow the nomadic patterns of the tribe.Overall, the book is a good read, and I recommend it to others.

Historically Interesting, Conclusion Value Poor
From circa 700 ce to 1100 ce, there was a Khazar Empire that existed north of the Caucasus Mts between the Black and Caspian Seas, that controlled the Volga-Don River portage.They were a bullwark against tribes moving east to the Ukraine and the European plains; against the moslems moving north from Persia; and the Viking-Rus moving south from Muscovy/Kiev.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Judaism - History    4. Khazars    5. Medieval    6. Eastern Europe    7. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    8. Non-Classifiable   

Subjects:  1. Discovery And Exploration (General)    2. Europe - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    6. History: World    7. Reference    8. Renaissance    9. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    10. Europe    11. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    12. History / Renaissance    13. Social history    14. The Americas    15. c 1500 to c 1600    16. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (18)

" a state within a state,a virtual invisible government"

Eye Opening, Fun, Enlightening, Fun, Sad, Gruesome
Its given me so much incite into political workings, political networking, establishing connections, streetsmarts, collusion, and an interesting heritage.

Classic
When it comes to organized crime in the U.S., the talk is generally "Mafia this, Mafia that," and while La Cosa Nostra has certainly caused its share of mayhem, it's hardly fair to ignore the contribution other groups have made to the history of the American underworld.Tons of minority groups, white and otherwise--Blacks, Chinese, Russians, Armenians, Jews, and so on--have been involved in organized criminal activities to one degree or another, but as T.J. English points out in Paddy Whacked, the Irish have one distiction that can never be taken away: they got there first.English paints a vivid portrait of good old days that weren't always good, starting with the arrival of the first Irish immigrants after the potato famine of the 1840's and continuing through turbulent and violent times that saw the Irish emerge as a prominent force in the American criminal underworld as well as in American society as a whole.Paddy Whacked tells some highly unpleasant stories about Irish-American history, shedding light on inhuman poverty, ethnic and religious prejudice, violent gang wars, and large-scale political malfeasance, but that doesn't stop it from being mighty entertaining throughout, no matter what your background.If your view of the Irish is all shamrocks, leprechauns, and green beer on St. Patrick's day, this book should offer up some surprises, as much of what we associate with inner cities today (gangs, colors, drive-by shootings) had its roots at least partially in the Irish enclaves of the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Gangsters    3. General    4. History    5. History - U.S.    6. History: World    7. Irish-American criminals    8. Organized Crime    9. United States    10. United States - General    11. History / General   

Editorial Review

Melding superb research and the extraordinary expedition photography of Frank Hurley, Read more

Reviews (147)

An essential book
This is such a good book, because of the way it is written, and also because of the incredible adventure it describes.It is the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 expedition to Antarctica.Shackleton had been to the Antarctic twice before.The first time he accompanied Robert Falcon Scott in 1901 in an attempt to reach the as yet unclaimed South Pole and claim it for Great Britain.They were unsuccessful and came very close to losing their lives.The significant problems that went with traveling in the Antarctic were that no one lived there (and so no one was there to help if you got into trouble), nothing lived in the interior (no plants or animals to feed on), and the climatic conditions were horrific (snow, ice, wind speeds of up to 200 miles an hour and temperatures as low as -100 degrees Fahrenheit).Scott proved to be a very difficult man to travel with -arrogant, abusive and not particularly competent, which is not what you are looking for in the leader of such an expedition.The next time he journeyed south, in 1908, Shackleton, as the leader, chose his own men, and made his own mistakes, such as taking a team of ponies that were supposed to pull the sledges.The ponies were very ill-suited to such an environment and were eventually shot and eaten.This expedition was also a failure, but Shackleton had again learned a lot from the experience.By the end of 1912 the South Pole had been conquered by the Norwegian Amundson, and Shackleton's rival, Scott, had perished with all of his men only eleven miles from a supply depot that would have saved their lives.Now the only significant prize left to be achieved in the Antarctic was the traversing of the continent from one side to the other.Thus Shackleton's 1914 expedition was called the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Real adventure
It's a book that takes you to an incredible adventure. Photogrpahs make it even more exciting !

What an Adventure, and Pictures,Too.
I don't know why I keep reading these sagas of sufferring and adventure about polar expeditions,but I do.Of course, Shackleton's Anarctic expedition is one of the best of the bunch.
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Subjects:  1. (1914-1917)    2. 1874-1922    3. Discovery And Exploration (General)    4. Earth Sciences - Geography    5. Endurance (Ship)    6. Expeditions & Discoveries    7. History    8. History - General History    9. History: World    10. Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition    11. Polar Regions    12. Shackleton, Ernest Henry,    13. Sir,    14. Special Interest - Adventure    15. Travel    16. Biography: general    17. Geographical discovery & exploration    18. Ireland    19. Journeys    20. Shackleton, Ernest Henry    21. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (8)

A refreshing, compact look at Sephardic history
It has often been difficult for me to keep old textbooks.Oftentimes they're dry as toast and I can't wait to foist them off to the university bookstore again.However, I kept Gerber's book after my Spanish Jewry class ended.Simply put, it's a nice little treasure.
"Basta mi nombre que es Abrabanel."
THE JEWS OF SPAIN is an eminently readable and important survey history of the Ibero-Jewish experience from Biblical times. The Jews of Sepharad (Spain) are first mentioned in the Prophetic Book of Obadiah. From this beginning in antiquity, they can trace their history on Spanish soil right down to the present day.
True Experience
I am a Sephardic Jew,I have thought these thoughts and felt these feelings.I read the book and was surprised that my thoughts and feelings were far from uncommon among Spain's exiles and Jane Gerber captured it truly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Jewish - General    6. Judaism - General    7. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    8. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    9. Jewish studies    10. Judaism    11. Religion / Judaism / General    12. Spain   

Reviews (99)

Born Fighting and Unreconstructed!!!
As a proud Kentuckian, Presbyterian, and combat Marine this book has become my Bible.I can never thank James Webb for the inspiration that he has given me in my life with every book that he has written.This book though is one that stands apart.
Honor - Courage - Committment
If only more people were as proud of their heritage !
WOW!
What a thoroughly enjoyable read! Jim Webb has told the story of my people better than anyone I've read--there are a couple of other books that attempt what he so masterfully accomplished. I was pleased to learn that stubbornness, the willingness to fight when pressed, and honor were genetic---or at least hard-wired into the Scot-Irish people. An excellent review of our history, and of our people and how they came to be major players in establishing this Great Nation.
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Subjects:  1. Elements In The U.S. Population    2. Ethnic Studies - General    3. History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: American    6. Race And Ethnic Relations    7. Social History    8. United States - General    9. History / United States / General   

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. World - General    7. British & Irish history    8. British Isles    9. Europe    10. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)   

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. 19th century    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. George IV, 1820-1830    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. National characteristics, English    10. British & Irish history: c 1700 to c 1900    11. British Isles    12. History / Great Britain    13. History, World | British | 19th C    14. Social history    15. c 1700 to c 1800    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (5)

Great insight into Italy's past - and present
This book offers the best introduction available to the history of Italy.In less than three hundred pages, Duggan offers a concise summary of the past 1600 years of the peninsula.His focus in this book is on the multitude of efforts during this period to build an Italian nation out of the rubble of the Roman empire, a goal only achieved in 1860 and then in an imperfect, fragmentary form, with subsequent generations left with the more difficult task of creating a national identity.Duggan recounts this with insight and the result is essential reading, not only for students of Italy's past but for those seeking insight into the nation's troubled present as well.

Renaissance to the Republic
This book is great for the student or traveller wishing to get a quick overview of Italy, it's politics, and it's people.I read this on a plane from NYC to Rome and finished it.It is very easy to read.It really doesn't leave anything out either; the general history of Italy is covered.Also, the bibliography will point you in the right direction for additional reading.

Emminently readable and intereting outline!
The book is, as the title indicates, a "concise" history.Veryconcise, and incredibly well written! The authors cover a lot of ground,and so few words are devoted to character development or the broadercontext of historical events that one might expect the book to read like analmanac.But the Duggans do an amazing job of giving us an emminentlyreadable, interesting, and cohesive outline of Italy's political history. Through an excellent (almost poetic) economy of words, they have fullyrealized the book's potential. ... Read more

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

Reviews (13)

most definitely best for ap euro
This book by far was supremely more informative than either princeton review or REA. REA is simply practice tests, and even useless at that. Cliff notes is awesome and effective in that if often bulletpoints important details instead of a mindless paragraph format. Also, the compare and contrast of important aspects of history allow for indepth preparation for FRQs. Also, the timelines after each section allows the reader to organize important events in chronological order. RECOMMENDED!

A wonderfully organised study guide
This book is very easy to understand as well as being a great study guide. The fourteen chapters are set up with all terms defined, and although the review questions for each section were a little too easy, the practice tests appeared (as far as I can remember) similar to the test.
THE BEST
I love the way this thing is organized!! The charts were great and helped me sort thru endless facts. Cliffs covered all the important facts and was great for studying for essays/tests @ school. I read this thing religiously and got A's both semesters and a 5 on the AP test -so it works!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advanced Placement    2. Advanced placement programs (E    3. Advanced placement programs (Education)    4. Book Notes    5. Europe    6. Europe - General    7. Examinations    8. History    9. Study Aids    10. Study Guides    11. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    12. Study Aids / Advanced Placement    13. Study guides, home study & revision notes   

Reviews (2)

A great intro to British history
I bought this book to use in a class called England to 1688. So far, it has been a good source for me and has helped me to understand various aspects of British history with which I was not familiar.I only keep books from my classes that I find useful for my future scholarship.This is one I intend to keep.

Good overview of british history
It is very detailed and not at all uninteresting. It was one of the textbooks for my british history class.
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Subjects:  1. 1066-1485    2. Civilization    3. England    4. Europe - Great Britain - General    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. To 1066    10. To 1485    11. British & Irish history