I haven’t done this in a while, but I thought I’d share what I’ve been reading lately. Maybe you like to read and will find these books interesting. Maybe you hate to read and will find this blog annoying. Either way, I’ve done my job.
On with the books:
Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Really interesting fictionalized account of the legendary samurai. I haven’t read that
much Japanese literature, but I do know a bit about the history of feudal Japan (the Edo period at least). This book is beautifully translated into English, is engrossing, engaging, and punctuated with satisfying violence. An epic is all respects.
A History of the English Speaking Peoples, Volume 1 – The Birth of Britain by Winston Churchill. I actually didn’t know Churchill was a writer, but apparently he wrote quite a bit, including an exhaustive history of England. I have always wanted to know more about the history of that country, but never knew where to start. Churchill’s Britain is pretty comprehensive, and follows the history of the settlers and re-settlers of the Island quite closely. Very fascinating and enjoyable.
The Medieval Warrior: Weapons, Technology, and Fighting Techniques, AD 1000-1500 by Martin Dougherty. This is my jam right here. I wish this book was around when I was a kid. It covers the tactics, types of soldiers, armor, weapons, machines, everything to do with medieval warfare. And its got illustrations! I can’t get enough of this stuff.
The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck. It’s basically Le Morte d’Arthur but in updated English, for us yokels. Wonderful and exciting.
Of course there is a stack of other books, I’ve been “nibbling” on, but have yet to sink my teeth into. If anything captivates me, I might share it.
Did you know Churchill was half American? His Mom was a rich American who came to England to marry a nobleman of the UK so he’d not lose his wealth and she’d give her kids a rich inheritance…kinda cool…