No comments about Cleopatra (Mujeres en la historia series).

No comments about Daughter of Heaven: The True Story of The Only Woman to Become Emperor of China.

3 comments about Nicholas I: Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias.

1. This is a superb, well researched, highly organized, and very readable biography of an important Russian emperor. The author provides an indepth description and intelligent analysis of Nicholas' personality and character, the emperor's orientation to autocratic rule, Russian political, economic, social, and cultural history during his reign, and the importance of the political, economic, and social influences of Western European nations on Russia. Lincoln goes much beyond just presenting a chronology of events, by explaining why historical events happened as they did. The final epilogue nicely places the reign of Nicholas in the broader context of Russian history that preceded his reign and the events that would unfold subsequent to his time. My only slight criticism of the book is that maps were not included. Nevertheless, it is one of the best historical biographies I have ever read. Lincoln's larger worker, The Romanozs is equally terrific.



2. I would like to ask every person who read this book to help me find the german version of it. It would be very important for my father to have it. Maybe one of the readers knows where to find it. Thanks for your help...



3. Nicholas I has always had a bad press in Russia as well as abroad. The Russians considered his regime to be harsh, riddled with contemptuous foreigners, in short 'un-Russian'. This image was created by exiles such as Herzen and Bakunin, and reinforced in communist times. In the West, Nicholas rigorous opposition to political novelties like constitutions and republics did little to improve his public relations. Lincoln sets out to make clear what made this remarkable man 'tick'. He does that by commencing his biography with the Decembrist revolution, which gave a clear indication of the new tsar's state of mind. Time and again, the two key elements of Nicholas' reign are called to mind: autocracy and legitimacy. Lincoln has produced a convincing, and very well-written, biography of Russia's most important tsar of the nineteenth century. I am uncertain whether this or Nicholas V. Riasanovsky's _Nicholas I and Official Nationality in Russia_ is the best biography of this man, but Lincolns extensive references appear to tip the scale in his favour.

1 comments about Mary Queen of Scots: An Illustrated Life.

1. Elizabeth I, queen of England and cousin to Mary of Scotland, once referred to the Scottish queen as a "daughter of debate." It is difficult to imagine a more apt description of this enigmatic and ultimately illusive monarch. Was she a vixen or a victim, a canny politician or a tool for scheming nobles, a devout Catholic or a woman more concerned with pragmatism than piety? In this new and beautifully produced biography, British historian Susan Doran acknowledges the variety of opinions but adds nothing new to the discussion. Given the scope of the book--192 pages, over half of that devoted to illustrations and notes--this is hardly surprising. What Doran does very well, however, is provide an engagingly written introduction to Mary's history.
   
   Doran clearly lays out the basic issues of Scotland's 16th century politics: the conflict between kirk and church, the uneasy relationship with England, and the powerful, contentious nobles who bonded together in ever-shifting alliances. Matters became even more complicated when Mary began to seek a second husband, for any marriage alliance she formed had the potential to upset the balance among Scotland's nobles, and between Scotland and her powerful neighbor to the south.
   
   One of the reasons for Mary's enduring fascination is the unsolved mysteries that haunt her story. Who murdered her second husband, Henry Lord Darnley? Was Mary complicit? Was she involved in an adulterous affair with James Hepburn, the Earl of Bothwell? Was she abducted and raped by Bothwell, or did she marry him willingly? Doran does not address these controversies in detail. She cautiously absolves Mary of Darnley's death, but thinks it likely that Mary had some knowledge of a plot against him.
   
   The author concludes that Mary was significant not because of her achievements--which were admittedly few--but because of her dynastic relationship to the Guises in France and the Tudors in England. In fact, Mary's only enduring legacy was her son, James VI of Scotland and I of England. Yet Mary continues to fascinate, and Doran offers just information to satisfy a reader looking for an approachable overview.
   
   In addition to being a worthwhile introduction, this is a beautiful, high-quality book. The full-sized portraits--over twenty of them--are seldom seen in such rich and vivid color. The illustrations include a number of contemporary sketches, documents, and letters; in fact, there are perhaps a few too many letters--over twenty full page reproductions and ten partial pages. It is interesting to see Mary's handwriting and some of her famous ciphers, but thirty pages out of 192 seems excessive.
   
   Doran's notes for Further Reading, however, are a treasure trove. She mentions several biographies and books on general topics, then suggests books dealing with the issues, events, and people discussed in each chapters. On issues about which historians disagree, she frequently suggests books that give various viewpoints. It is this section, in addition to the well-written overview, that makes this book an exceptionally good starting point.

5 comments about Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Man of Style.

1. I was drawn to the tale of Beau Brummell because I had heard of him as some ultimate arbiter on men's formal clothing, style, inventor of the modern suit, etc.
   
   This book satisfied my curiosity to some extent. I only wish it had more illustrations of clothing at the time and how it evolved. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine what kinds of pants or neckties are being described since they are clearly different from what we see today.
   
   I was disappointed to learn that Brummell was a shallow celebrity, famous for being famous, Paris Hilton of his day. He ended up alone in an asylum and died of terminal syphilis - pretty sad tale overall.
   
   The books is a fascinating description of the social mores in London / Britain during Brummell's time, covering topics like sexuality, Lord Byron, the "public school" educational system, etc. I think this was in fact the book's strongest side.



2. I give this book a strong rating for a couple of reasons.
   
   First, the book compelled me to turn the page. Full of zest and anecdotes that brings the scenes to life, the story was interesting and lively enough that I wanted to see what came next. Second, the author cuts through the legends and delivers the facts behind the man. Where the man's reputation and tales grew over time, there was misinformation, and the author clarifies what is real and what was not. Third, the author presented a wonderful interpretation of Beau. Whereas other stories of BB tend to a biographical string of one event onto the next, the author explains their significance and highlights their interest. For instance, while Beau later wrote a book on male costume, the author explains how Beau's heart really wasn't into the work and the result was a lame book. Forth, the author makes smart conjecture, filling in the gaps and the rest of the tale of the Beau's life.
   
   So, if you're interested in reading about Beau, I'd make this your first book.



3. Whew! By the tale's end, the moral is pretty clear. And what a wild, awful ride it was.
   
   This archetypal dandy has to rank as a world-class obsessive-compulsive: three hours to wash, shave and dress, with two changes a day! These ritualistic ablutions would certainly have intrigued Proust and other celebrated male valetudinarians.
   
   A life of shopping, primping and whoring ended up exactly where one might expect -- a telescoping tragedy of ostracism, poverty, institutionalization and grotesque, siphyllitic insanity.
   
   Kelly's publishers should have relented and offered significantly more visual material. Snuff boxes and family pictures are great. What would have been better, though, would have been to document visually Brummell's distinctive (if terribly costly) contribution to civilization: the suit.
   
   Either that, or spare us the endless, excruciating details of his ignominious end!



4. BEAU BRUMMELL: THE ULTIMATE MAN OF STYLE comes from a biographer and actor who uses the memoirs, diaries and letters of Beau's friends as well as his own writings to provide an insider's look at the man who inspired the dandy. Despite his widespread fame, Brummell has not had his own serious biography until now: BEAU BRUMMELL delves into the man and his world, providing a racy and enlightening story of a famous public figure.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



5. Ian Kelly has written an excellent biography of a man who rose from obscurity to command the respect of English society. It's a fascinating study, well written & reseaeched. A highly intelligent man, in another era, Brummell might have achieved much more; but in Regency England, the strictures of a rigid class structure combined with disease and his spendthrift ways toppled him from the heights to a miserable end.
   
   One quibble; on a recent visit to the UK, I saw the English edition, which is nicely illustrated with color prints, and looks much more elegant than the North American edition. A book about Brummell should above all else be handsome!

No comments about A Letter to My Father: Growing Up Filipina and American.

3 comments about The Diary of Petr Ginz.

1. A very thought provoking account of the holocaust. At such a young age Petr inspires through his art, poetry, boyish nature and keenness to learn. Such a clever boy could have grown to be an amazing man and no doubt, if given the opportunity, would have contributed a lot to the world. Unfortunately he was murdered at Auschwitz at age 16 so we are left to a two year snippet of life as he saw it.
   
   His account of Prague during the occupation is very matter of fact, which is very poignant in itself, as it seems almost a natural state of being to Petr. His diary provides a unique insight into the systematic erosion of his rights and the rights of the Jewish community, and the seemingly endless transportation of his friends and family.
   
   Sad and cruel. But I'm glad the diary was uncovered and I was able to experience it is such a small way.



2. This book must be read by both young and old. It will touch your heart and soul. I was moved to tears many times while reading.



3. In reading numerous Holocaust accounts, one is struck especially by the tragic loss of young lives, who had yet to experience the richness of life...Petr Ginz is one such soul. The Diary of Petr Ginz is a chronicle of a 14 year-old boy's day-to-day life under Nazi occupation in Prague. The entries themselves are brief, but are accompanied by Petr's poetry and illustrations, a testament to this young boy's talent, and resilient spirit. His diary chronicles his life between 1941-1942, and ends in Aug 1942, prior to his being deported to Thereisienstadt where he was incarcerated for two years before being sent to a tragic end at the Auschwitz death camp. One can't help but feel a sense of impotent rage at the Nazi monsters that robbed so many innocent souls of a life meant to be lived, especially at the senseless killing of ones so young, and in Petr's case, and many others, possessing such talent that would have enriched the world. This is a remarkable diary, in the vein of the diary of Anne Frank, and other Holocaust diaries that prove the resilience of the human spirit during a dark period in history.

5 comments about Autobiography of Abbie Hoffman 2 Ed.

1. The first time you read the Autobiagraphy of Abbie Hoffman you will find it laugh out loud funny. The second time you read it you will start to notice how much of the advertising around us is based upon premises found in this book.
   
   The "monkey warfare" techniques outlined in this book have become a near manifesto for viral marketers and those involved in marketing from an "outside the box" perspective. The third and forth reads will start to uncover not only how to create images that support your premise but how to disseminate those messages through the "free media" in order to expand your marketing budget 3 fold while gaining goodwill, acceptance and understanding for your cause.
   
   While on the surface a great read about a great American the fact of the matter is that in both his Autobiography and "Revolution for the hell of it" Abbie teaches the methods behind his madness and shows the reader how to be a more effective communicator on all levels.
   
   Sometimes humor is stronger than chains, and new ideas are always better communicated with a smile than a smack.



2. All I can say is my ABBIE HOFFMAN book collection continues to grow since I first read THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ABBIE HOFFMAN. I can only wonder what ABBIE would be doing in todays times if he was still with us. Once you read this book, I will gurantee you will see the UNITED STATES of AMERICA as the two sided nation that it truly is. (PIG NATION) Damn ABBIE could come up with the greatest of catch phrases, and did he ever leave many for the world to think about. This book will suck you in and keep you reading till the end. And I bet you'll make time to read it many more times again. I cannot think of anyone who I would truly call an amazing person as I do ABBIE HOFFMAN. The book collection and movies about ABBIE will wake you, shake you, and encourage all those who read that we as individuals allow the injustices to rain upon us. But ABBIE leaves you with the power to want to stand up and grab your soapbox and head to the nearest corner. Awesome stuff! Enjoy the book and get ready to get pumped up as you read..



3. I came of age in the late 80s and the first time I heard of Abbie Hoffman was in a Rolling Stone article on the 20th anniversary of Woodstock. According to David Fricke, Hoffman was clubbed with a guitar by the Who's Pete Townshed after the former took the mike during the lenthty "Tommy" medley and spouted some obscenities in the crowd, saying that Woodstock was a "bunch of s--t while John Sinclair rots in prison." I next encountered this character when I read about the Chicago 7 trials, when Hoffman and his co-defendants made a mockery of the trial (and what gleeful mockery it was!) and the judge who was handling that controversial case.
   
   This book reveals much about who this sixties firebrand was, what drove him to do what he did, how the US government responded to sixties radicals like him (with hammer and tongs), and why he would eventually choose the life of an outlaw. Sadly, it also provides some valuable insights on why Hoffman would eventually take his own life. To his credit at least, he never became what he hated, something that cannot be said for the rest of his generation.



4. After seeing 'Steal this movie', I had no choice but to learn more about this incredibly crazy man. This book is amazing...it made me laugh out loud, think, ponder the idea of getting out there and causing a ruckus in the name of freedom. His writing flows...like old friends reminicing about their life changing experiences. What an insane, beautiful man. I can only hope that there will be more like him to come...our country needs a good jousting in the ribs!



5. Inspirational, funny, moving. A time machine to a place called the 60's. This will open eyes and minds, give new awareness. Not for the shallow or ignorant.

1 comments about The Colour Bar: The Triumph of Seretse Kama and His Nation.

1. I would highly recommend this book. I would go so far as to say it should be required reading in schools. Children need to know how things were to appreciate the world today. Today's world is not perfect but at least things are better.
   
   I was appalled at the attitude of the British government and its treatment of Seretse and Ruth Kharma.
   
   Susan Williams did a splendid job of writing and a thanks must go to all the people who helped in the research. It was considerable.
   
   I found the book so interesting I could hardly put it down. Only when the attitude of others was so poor did I take a break.
   
   I would have liked more detail about the private lives of the Kharmas, more about the children etc though I realize the subject was the colour bar and more their public lives.
   
   Today there is not a colour bar as such. Racism is more subtle. If only people could remember we are all God's children.
   
   I would like to close with a quote from his, "I have a dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr., "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character."
   
   To all Amazon's readers. Look in to your hearts.

5 comments about Linotte: The Early Diary of Anais Nin (1914-1920).

1. I had the distinct advantage when reading this chronologically first Nin diary of knowing little about her, and having never read any of her diaries or books. About half way through I ordered the other 3 early diaries, all 7 later diaries and the 4 volumes of unexpurgated material that represented diary materials left out of the ones she published during her lifetime. I am so looking forward to reading all of these in chronological order. In all of literature is there a more extensive, detailed look into another person's private life and thoughts? What an adventure this will be.
   
   This first volume covers Nin's entries from ages 11 to 17. The level of writing, description, and psychological insight contained here is astounding for a girl of pre-teen and teenage years. So amazing that I finally came to the conclusion that there is no way a 15 year old could come up with some of the subtle observations about human nature and behavior contained herein. No way. Apparently, Nin read her older diaries numerous times over the years. My guess is that when she went back to these diaries in her adulthood, at times she added comments and details not written originally. There is nothing wrong or disingenuous about that, especially since the apparent adult added material is so educational and perceptive. I do wish however, that the editor if possible, could have indicated what was the original material and what was added later on. Perhaps, it was not possible to ascertain when portions and additions were written. As a case in point, there is no way a 12 year old wrote this, "I forget the earth, I forget everything, and I soar into an infinite without misery and without end. When my free spirit escapes from the powerful claws of that mortal enemy, the World, it seems to me I find what I wanted." World-weary cynicism at age 12?
   
   This diary picks up speed being especially poignant as Anais experiences first innocent love. Surprisingly the story of her evolution never lags. The writing itself is miraculous, for any age. What an irony that this young girl often wondered how she might eventually write poems and novels to become a famous writer, and didn't have the slightest clue that that fame was being realized in the words she was writing at that moment in these diaries. She was to become the most famous, and infamous, diarist of the 20th century. Little did she see that, until decades later. The lesson seems to be to follow your instinctive creative impulses and desires, and if you do have any genius in you, it will show itself where your spirit leads your path. Instinct and interest are God's hands gently showing you the way.



2. I've never read one of Anais Nin's early diaries and I can tell from the very beginning that this volume is way different from her latest diaries. This volume acts like a transition between her young, unspoiled perspective upon life and her mature, sensual way of living.
   I enjoyed reading Anais Nin at the age of 24 - because she seemed rather naive and seeking answers, yet beginning to develop into the amazing woman she later became.



3. This book is pretty interesting if you've already read a good deal of Anais Nin's diary. Her early years are somewhat nondescript as European children go, however, so there isn't much here for the historian or for those who like their memoirs spicy and strange (cf Running With Scissors). If you are a serious Nin fan, you'll probably want to read this, but you aren't missing much if you don't. If you're not really a fan, you won't find much of interest here.



4. For fans of Anais Nin, this unedited early diary is a must. Written in the years immediately preceding the events revealed in her books HENRY AND JUNE and INCEST, this diary is the connecting link that reveals how a virtuous, loving wife became a wild adventurous. The writing is simply gorgeous; you'll be amazed at how polished and vivid her discriptions of life in Paris of the 1920s were (and yes, this book was printed AS IS from the original journals). Ironically, she describes her initial disgust with Parisian "sensuality," as well as her growing acceptance and eventual delight with the city. She describes her homes, friends, and her interest in Spanish dance. But perhaps most importantly, she describes her marriage to Hugh Guiler, a man she loves but who does not satisfy her physically. Read this book so as to understand how Anais was eventually driven into the arms of Henry Miller.



5. This volume of writing offers the careful reader glimpses of Anais Nin before she reinvented herself. Or does it? One can never be sure with Nin.

   The girl who became Anais Nin, scandalous diarist, was clearly highly articulate, and determined to live a life of Art and Passion, even when her mother was making her do housework as a teenager in their modest rental house in Queens. It provides a gentle introduction to her life and times, and a fascinating contrast to searing works such as _Incest_, taken from diary material written some twenty or so years later. One also gets some interesting views of early-twentieth century New York City.

   The book, taken in the context of Nin's later work, offers evidence that we become what we most want to be. Dreamer, beware!