I think it is so important to ready history from the point of view of the people who didn't actually win. So often we read historical accounts from thI think it is so important to ready history from the point of view of the people who didn't actually win. So often we read historical accounts from the conquerors without having access to the POV of those who were conquered. It was refreshing to read the POV of the Indigenous populations of North America. I won't say that this was an enjoyable read - in fact it was pretty depressing. But I feel like I understand more about the movement west and the formation of today's US. ...more
This is an engrossing and engaging history about the town of Astoria on the Columbia River. This book was first recommended to 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
This is an engrossing and engaging history about the town of Astoria on the Columbia River. This book was first recommended to me by a fellow teacher, who said it was really interesting. Then, on a recent trip to Astoria, I stopped in at a bookstore thinking it would be a great read for the camping trip I was on. The woman who sold me the book raved about how much she liked it, especially since she wasn't that into history. I was really excited to read it at that point. Well, I wasn't let down. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. Not unlike all periods of history, there was conflict, drama, unequal fighting, death, mutiny, misunderstandings and revenge. We all know how this ended - the native groups were all but annihilated, with the survivors relegated to reservations in poverty or forced to make things work in the US, and so there is a bitterness that sits between the lines of the book. That being said, the stories of the hardships faced on the journey westward are still awe-inspiring. The wilderness itself was punishing, and the overland party was ill-equipped to manage the trip. The sea voyage was also difficult, with infighting and storms to contend with. Through both the overland journey and when the groups were in Astoria and trading, I got the impression that while some Native tribes saw the White explorers as people who were invading and needed to be "dealt with" and removed from their lands, while others were friendly until provoked to anger. Our explorers were also varied, with some who had respect for Native groups, while others were not, and everyone seemed to pay the price for those who were disrespectful. It was interesting to learn about the rush to claim the west coast of the North American continent for fur trading, and the number of pelts gathered was astonishing. I couldn't help but think about how these traders, voyageurs, trappers, etc. were actively destroying this beautiful place, before they even really had a chance to explore it. So we see how money and greed, fueled by capitalism, hurt and killed so many people and scarred a beautiful place, while the organizer sat in his home in New York, safe from the dangers of trekking through the wilds. The whole story is told in a conversational tone, which makes it easy and engaging. ...more
This was such a poignant book for me. I love Arthurian legends, I have since I was a kid. In college I really dove into Welsh mythology in the Middle This was such a poignant book for me. I love Arthurian legends, I have since I was a kid. In college I really dove into Welsh mythology in the Middle Ages, and learned so much about reality, fiction, and the real history of the time period. I have my own thoughts on the subject, mainly that Arthur was an ancient legendary hero or a god, who was remembered in the texts as a prince/king/symbol of British sovereignty. Many of the stories were re-written in the Late Middle Ages, and the stories reflect the contemporary ideals and issues. Guy Halsall takes the time to show the readers the early Middle Ages where the stories are supposed to have come from, allowing for us to really understand the power shifts and dynamics of the time period. The reader is able to reflect on the importance of critical thinking, understanding the events of the early Middle Ages in the context of place, and facts over fantasy. I think it is so important to understand that there are so many myths and legends that are not fact, but because they were good, important, relevant stories, that resonated with people in the time. Many of the stories, especially Geoffrey of Monmouth's, may be mostly made up by the author writing at the time, built from a hodge-podge of oral traditions. We don't know, and we can't know. The only thing we know for sure is that there is a tradition of stories that have evolved over the years to reflect the contemporary values. Halsall reminds us of the importance of separating discernable historical fact, and the use of literature to gage a culture's societal norms. Arthurian legend gives a great picture into what different cultures in the Middle Ages saw as important and exciting, but we must be careful not to confuse societal ideals and traditional stories with historical events. ...more
I have read several versions of this poem, and this is my favorite. Every time I read these, I am reminded that these are eulogies for men who lived mI have read several versions of this poem, and this is my favorite. Every time I read these, I am reminded that these are eulogies for men who lived more than 1400 years ago, who fought for their land, and who all died trying to keep it. It's incredible to read, and when I think about it, incredibly sad. The fact that this set of poems has lasted in the world this long is at once mind-blowing and humbling....more
I really enjoyed this one. Iam Mortimer write in an engaging, almost conversational tone, and did a great job with his research. The book was engagingI really enjoyed this one. Iam Mortimer write in an engaging, almost conversational tone, and did a great job with his research. The book was engaging and easy to get into....more
First, I am going to say this was definitely written for people with a background in medieval Europe, early modern Europe, maybe a little n4.5 stars.
First, I am going to say this was definitely written for people with a background in medieval Europe, early modern Europe, maybe a little near east/Egypt, etc. This was a book that builds on a basic understanding of culture and belief systems from ancient to early modern periods. That being said, it was well-researched, and well-written. Hutton tackled the varying ideas of what magic and witches were to different societal groups across the globe and different eras, culminating with the European witch trials that lasted until the middle of the eighteenth century. It was interesting to compare and contrast cultural differences and the shifts in those ideas throughout history. ...more
I got this book after taking the Jack the Ripper tour with Mick Priestley. I have to say, it was incredible to learn all of the extra information abouI got this book after taking the Jack the Ripper tour with Mick Priestley. I have to say, it was incredible to learn all of the extra information about the Ripper murders! Priestley explains that there were other murders happening at the same time: The Embankment Killer or the Torso Murders, that may or may not be connected to the Ripper. They were happening at the same time, in the same general area, but in a different way. He also talks about the possibility of eight victims instead of five (six if you include Martha Tabram, which Priestly seems to count). He gives solid evidence and reasons why he thinks there were eight victims, and who he believes the murderer is and why. He also talks about possible motives and really goes into detail about ritualistic murders, sexual murders, and how each of the women were found. He does this without lessening the importance of the women as people, and also explains that while they all lived in Whitechapel and were of the working class, not all of them were prostitutes. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the Jack the Ripper murders....more
I wrote my thesis on how Welsh bardic culture (and mythology) and warrior culture worked together during the Norman invasions in the Middle Ages. DuriI wrote my thesis on how Welsh bardic culture (and mythology) and warrior culture worked together during the Norman invasions in the Middle Ages. During the classes I took on the mythology, medieval literature, and the Middle Ages in general (there were so many), I read the historical background needed for this book, and I read most of the mythology in this book - although I think we skipped Finn Mac Cool. This book underlined a lot of the conclusions I came to in my thesis - the myths may have some ancient ties - perhaps some of the heroes are representative of some long-lost deities. However, these stories are medieval and they have medieval implications. They tell us all about what the learned cultures believed were important to tell, as well as what these societies thought of themselves and their own history. They also have some older pieces, but those are hard to really sift out of the medievalisation of the stories. I think that Mark Williams really did a great job illustrating this - we want these stories to represent the real mythology because it is fun, but we actually have little information to go one. The writing was engaging and kept me interested through the entire book. It is easy to understand, and the pronunciation guide at the back is super handy!...more
I enjoyed this book - it was interesting and informative. As a medievalist myself, I knew a lot of the names, places and practices, but (obviously) noI enjoyed this book - it was interesting and informative. As a medievalist myself, I knew a lot of the names, places and practices, but (obviously) not everything. I loved the way Eleanor Janega really showed how attitudes in the past, both real and imagined, can and do affect attitudes today. Janega points out the fallacies we believe today about the roles of women in the Middle Ages, and does so in a concise, factual way. She relates these attitudes and misconceptions to how we look at women and gender today and how our attitudes towards women, sex, sexual assault, and equality have changed for better or for worse, and also how they have not really changed all that much. This book is powerful because it requires the reader to think and consider these same issues today. ...more
This was a great book for anyone with a beginning or general interest in the Middle Ages. Matthew Gabriele gives us an great overview of the more impoThis was a great book for anyone with a beginning or general interest in the Middle Ages. Matthew Gabriele gives us an great overview of the more important points, in an effort to dispel the myth of the "dark ages" (a personal pet peeve of mine!). It was easy to read and digest, and the language was entertaining. I appreciated how Gabriele pointed out some of the other myths and medieval ideas/practices that had been taken out of context, especially the myth of a wholly white Europe - this hasn't been a thing for as long as people have been trading, so for millennia. There were other myths dispelled, like the myth of the weak woman (there were so many powerful and interesting women), and that there was any kind of real dark age at all. ...more
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