Posted on 09/27/2013 12:03:41 PM PDT by Hugin
Hi everyone,
Recently I've found myself with a lot of spare time on my hands, so I've been doing a lot of reading, and I'm looking for recommendations. I'm not looking for anything heavy, but basically escapist fiction, with my favorite genre being historical fiction. I've read everything by most of my favorite authors; Bernard Cornwell (Sharpe's Rifles, Saxon Tales, etc.), Conn Igulden (Emperor, Genghis series), Stephen Pressfield (Gates of Fire, Afghan Campaign, etc.), and also Michael Crichton. So I'm looking for recommendations and who better to ask than Freepers?
Oh yeah, that’s right. Says it right there on the “about the author” section on the jacket... well if you find a 1st edition :)
John Jakes is a great historical fiction writer. You might also try WEB Griffin.
The Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser. Great escapist reading. If not familiar, Flashman is a complete cad inserted into every major historical event in British history. He is a consummate coward and all round anti-hero who always manages to land on his feet. Or how about Hornblower and his career in the Royal Navy by C.S.Forester.
If you like an historical angle, I’d recommend Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt series (he’s expanded into other series with co-authors, but I’ve only read a few of them).
Personally, I’m nearing the end of Westlake’s (as Richard Stark) Parker series. These are like potato chips. Very easy to pick the next one up right after finishing the prior one.
I’ve also been working my way through the Matt Helm series. Very enjoyable, though I tend to go in spurts of three or four at a time.
Oh, and I should have mentioned Cussler’s newest series, Isaac Bell. I have read most of those, and they’re good fun. Unlike his other series, they’re actually set in the past.
If you like stories set around the turn of the Century, I would also have to recommend the Issac Bell series of books by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott. Good clean detective stories set in the 1910’s (the Wrecker and the Spy and my favorites).
If like railroad stories I would recommend The Boomer by Harry Bedwell. The story follows a Boomer telegraph officer who travels across the U.S having variety of adventures and meets different people. The book is light hearted without being over comical. It follows The characters are brought to life so well by the time you finish you will swear you know them personally. I have read it many, many times; truly a classic in my opinion.
The Flashman novels of Georgee MacDonald Fraser are tongue-in-cheek adventure yarns set at the height of empire in the eighteenth century, and are irresistable. Pick one up and begin the first paragraph, and you’ll be a fan for life.
And quite appealing to the conservative mindset, too.
Here are some recommendations of books of that genre which I have enjoyed:
Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series (e.g., "Master and Commander"). Naval adventures and espionage in the early 19th century.
Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City" (1890s Chicago), "Thunderstruck" (1900 London), and "In the Garden of Beasts" (1930s Berlin).
Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" and "The Angel of Darkness" (1900 New York).
Read Kenneth Roberts and Robert Lewis Taylor over 40 years ago and still remember plot line and characters. Particularly recommend Oliver Wiswell, which is an American Loyalist’s take on our Revolution.
If you like escapism, may I recommend three authors?
SM Stirling, John Ringo, David Weber.
Try NY Times bestselling author Vince Flynn’s novels about the CIA and special ops agent Mitch Rapp. Very interesting plots and plenty of action that hold your attention. I’m reading my fourth one now. I have enjoyed them very much.
Recommended by Rush Limbaugh who knew the author personally. Sadly, Vince Flynn died young before his time this last spring.
Shipkiller by Justin Scott. Widely regarded as one of the best modern maritime, sailing books ever written
http://www.amazon.com/Shipkiller-Novel-Justin-Scott/dp/1605984655/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380338687&sr=1-1
Any of the Hammond Innes books. I particularly liked Campbell’s Kingdom and the Wreck of Mary Deare but all of his books were good.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_3?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ahammond+innes%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A2656022011&page=3&keywords=hammond+innes&ie=UTF8&qid=1380339178
Any of the James Doss series particularly the Charlie Moon portion. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=james+doss&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ajames+doss
Jan De Hartog, most particularly The Captain and The Commodore which are about sea tugs.
http://www.amazon.com/Jan-De-Hartog/e/B001IOBP4C/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1380339622&sr=1-2-ent
Almost forgot the Bernie Gunther series set in Germany during the rise of Hitler. Particularly read the Berlin Noir package: March Violets; The Pale Criminal; A German Requiem which are three sequential chronological books.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=bernie+gunther+in+order&sprefix=bernie+gunther%2Cstripbooks%2C200
I’m sorry, making Caesar and Marcus Brutus childhood friends doesn’t even approximate history. There was contemporary gossip that Caesar was Brutus’s father.
bm
Don’t read trash. Most people do. Most people recommend trash.
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