Posted on 03/05/2005 11:22:06 AM PST by Tanniker Smith
Also enjoyed Michener. I was in southern Spain in the mid 70's when I read Iberia. It was actually more of a travelogue.
Two passages stick with me even after all these years. He states that if you invite a Spanish family to dinner, do NOT serve them corn. It is an insult. Spaniards believe that "only pigs and Mexicans eat corn."
The other was sort of a sweeping opinion of the country. He said - "Spain. Five thousand years of tradition unmarred by progress."
Kind of the way I though of it when I was there.
Have you ever tried to deprogram a young liberal?
Another good historical novel I really liked was The Journeyer by Gary Jennings, about the life of Marco Polo. It was extremely gory, as all Jennings' novels are, but fascinating.
Interesting insight into Spain. I didn't finish Iberia, I found it dull. But being there would definitely change one's perception, I'm sure.
My absolute favorite alternate history (time travel, actually) of all time is Time and Again by Jack Finney. I you haven't read that, it is a must read, IMO. Takes you back to gaslight-era New York City via the Dakota Hotel.
My other favorite alternate history is the Eden series by Harry Harrison, the series based on the premise that dinosaur and human species developed in parallel and come into competition for dominance in ancient times.
Thx for the recommendation. Never been a Civil War buff, but maybe I'll have to try it.
BTW, another good historical novel: Lion of Ireland, about Brian Boru, the first king of Ireland.
I like Anya Seton as well. Haven't tried John Jakes.
I also like Mary Stewart a lot. Her Merlin trilogy was wonderful.
At Amazon.com you can buy the paperbacks for about 80 cents.
They have a lengthy list, as well.
I also buy books at www.zooba.com.
They have all the new best sellers....some skimpy historicals.
Lots of craft books there.
All they charge is $9.95 and that includes the shipping...when I finish a new book I sell it at Amazon.
Which Anya Seton book do you like the best? My favorites are "Green Darkness" and "Catherine".
Auel's first two books, Clan of the Cave Bear and Valley of the Horses were very good.
Ditto on anything by Leon Uris although I've read that the last novel he published wasn't so good--I've avoided reading it because I don't want to be disappointed.
Paul Scott's Raj Quartet is awesome. I'm currently reading M.M.Kaye's The Far Pavillions--very good. I also liked her Shadows of the Moon.
Enjoy John Jakes.
Also Colleen McCullough's work except I didn't much care for A Creed for the Third Millinieum.
Byzantium (Stephen Lawhead) is very good.
Ken Follet--Pillars of the Earth.
I've read two Edward Rutherford novels: Sarum and London and both were very good.
Ken Follet--Pillars of the Earth....I loved that book!
Thanks for the ping.
If you are interested in the life of Christ and his apostles, I highly recommend "John, Son of Thunder" by Ellen Gunderson Traylor.
It is a spiritually inspired novel about the apostle John.
I would say "Green Darkness" is my favorite. I may have read Catherine, but I don't recall it to memory right now.
I loved both those M.M Kaye books you listed. She was really, really good.
Any recommendations?
I happen to be re-reading (read it years and years ago) Grandmother and the Priests.
Some of my favorite Taylor Caldwell books are:
-A Pillar of Iron--about Cicero
-The Earth is the Lord's--about Ghengis Khan (don't tell Kerry)
-The Arm and the Darkness--about the Hugenots and Catholics
-Several novels set in 1800s America---The Trilogy starting with Dynasty of Death is very good. Also
-This Side of Innocence.
-Dear and Glorious Physician--about St.Luke
-Great Lion of God--about St. Paul
-I, Judas---about Judas
-two of her works that are not historical fiction but I like are
-Wicked Angel--a bad seed story and
-The Devil's Advocate--that I think some freepers might like--a story of a future America that has fallen under totalitarian rule and how some are fighting against it.
She really did write many novels set in or beginning in America that I can't name off the top of my head but the detail of the country during that time has always interested me.
Please add me to the book club list, thank you :)
My favorite book is "...And Ladies of the Club" by Helen Hooven Santmyer.
It starts just after the end of the Civil War and is set in a small town in Ohio.
And the "Club" of the title is...a book club!
Many of the ladies are...Republican!
Quite a bit of political observation and discussion is in this book along with battles of the Civil War (especially later in the book when a character takes to telling children his war stories in detail).
I've read the book 3 or 4 times and never fail to have a good cry at a couple points, too. The characters are so well drawn you become immersed in their interaction and drama. Highly recommended.
Thx for the recommendation. I've never read that one, I'll have to try it sometime. That one should keep me busy for a while, if I remember correctly it's very long.
I have read all of Ken Folletts books...he even writes me!
I think my fav was Eye Of The Needle.
Did you read The Hornet...that one really had me turning pages FAST!
Please add me to ping list : )))
Currently reading The Purpose Driven Life ( in 40 days) and looking for something good in fiction : )
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.