Review: Rival to the Queen

Rival to the Queen by Carolly Erickson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As far as historical fiction goes, Rival to the Queen by the renowned historian Carolly Erickson is a great escape for those in love with Tudor England. Granted, the facts have been changed (some drastically!), but Rival to the Queen is a quick and easy read that can fill the void of an idle afternoon with a lazy cat and a cup of tea.

Rival to the Queen opens with Lettice Knollys at the age of 16 with her family witnessing a traumatic execution of a family friend and tutor, Jocelyn Palmer, who incurred the wrath of Catholic queen, Mary Tudor. As the story progresses, Erickson compares the struggle of Lettice's Protestant family - even among fellow Protestants who persecute other Christians who do not subscribe to their specific and narrow beliefs, an excellent demonstration of the religious wrongs that played out during the Tudor dynasty. Fortunately for the Knollys family, when they run into trouble with their Lutheran friends and neighbors in Frankfurt, Germany, they are forced to return to England where Mary Tudor had conveniently died, clearing the way for the Protestant queen Elizabeth I to take the throne.

The story then leaves off the religious tension of the Tudor period and picks up with the rivalry between Elizabeth I and her cousin, Lettice. Elizabeth is described as a cunning, self-absorbed tyrant prone to having jealous fits. The examples of Elizabeth's character are at length and questionable. Although there are no doubts that Queen Elizabeth was such a tyrant, I somehow doubt that her reign was so focused on immature vengeance simply because a lady was prettier and receiving more attention. Lettice, in contrast, seems more mature at times and more royal than the queen, especially during the period when the queen and her cousin had fallen out over the love of the rogue Robert Dudley.

Since Rival to the Queen is fiction, Erickson takes liberties with the facts, much of which are minor details easily overlooked within this semi-romantic tale. If you love historical fiction and do not upset easily over inaccuracies, then this book is for you. If inaccuracies bother you as a reader, then step away from Rival to the Queen!



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Review: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari is not at all what I was expecting. Instead of an analysis or description of early Homo sapiens and an explanation of recent DNA findings, Harari focuses on a brief (under 400 pages) historical overview of human history. The first few chapters are interesting and discuss the early ancestors of humans with little evidence to back up Harari's conclusions, which is excusable since there is not much concrete information available; however, Harari continues with this approach throughout the entire book, even in sections where there is information available - much of which would contradict his findings and is probably the reason he did not bother with actual facts. Perhaps this was on purpose since Sapiens is intended for a general audience. Whatever the case, such generalizations rob the reader of an accurate representation of the historical periods and to those who lived through them. What is contained within the pages of Sapiens is not the whole story and should not be confused as such.

Yuval Noah Harari, a lecturer who earned a Ph.D. in history from Oxford, does not have a clear understanding of how to write a scholarly book. There is no clear focus and each chapter is full of commentary and ideological statements that cannot be backed up with evidence. This problem could be because Sapiens does not contain a thesis. The reader has no idea why the book has been written until they read the last chapter, where cyborgs and artificial life is briefly commented on with philosophical overtones.

Surprisingly, Harari does not seem to understand that history itself does not cause or allow for things to happen. Neither can the Agriculture Revolution or any other philosophy or idea. Sapiens is full of phrases like "The Agricultural Revolution enlarged the sum total of food at the disposal of humankind..." (79) and "Culture tends to argue.." (147), which any scholar, especially a historian, knows is not correct. It should be "the people of the Agricultural Revolution..." or "the [evidence] shows that their culture is...". The Agricultural Revolution can do nothing and culture cannot argue. These flaws in writing could easily be dismissed if the book was not full of such phrases.
I would not recommend this book to anyone with a serious curiosity about history and early humans, and I'm quite perplexed as to why Sapiens made the New York Times' list and has received so many stellar reviews. The book should be placed on the fiction shelf.

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Review: Exploring Exodus

Exploring Exodus by Nahum M. Sarna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beginning with the birth of Moses to the construction of the Tabernacle, Nahum M. Sarna gives a convincing literary interpretation of Exodus in Exploring Exodus. Sarna, a Professor of Biblical Studies at Brandeis University, gives a full account of the events found in the Book of Exodus and compares the culture and literature with those found in ancient Canaan and Egypt, which adds greatly to the understanding of the philosophy and religion that is developed by Moses and the Israelites.

Much of what Sarna has interpreted about the Book of Exodus is sound with convincing evidence to back up his statements; however, his assumptions about the timeline of events occurring during the Hyksos rule over Egypt was not convincing. Sarna mistakenly assumes that the event of the Exodus happened during the reign of Ramses II because of the listing of the cities of Pi-Ramses and Pithom being built by the Israelites, which is obviously anachronistic. Plus, Sarna's exposition about dating the events of the Exodus based on the genealogical record did not add up, especially when he does not include that some of the ancestors of the Israelites were not born in Egypt but in Canaan. For example, Judah's children were born before the famine, placing at least two generations in Egypt; another example is that Moses' mother is much older than his father who was actually her nephew - with these considerations, it is conceivable that four generations of Israelites lived in Egypt before the Exodus event.

Another troubling issue is the lack of historical record and archaeological data that could be used to better hone his arguments.  For example, Sarna states that state slavery was forced upon the male population, which is not true because there are Egyptian documents containing lists of the names of slaves in which women were among the names.

Outside of the above issues, Sarna brings to light the meaning behind the place names and the people for a more in-depth interpretation. In fact, his interpretation of the Burning Bush and why it was a sacred place is pure genius, and the discussion about the name of God gave me much to ponder about. The comparison of the plague account with the story of Creation is another example of why Exploring Exodus is a treasure. The explanation of the evolution of the Hebrew calendar is of great value as is the interpretation of the creation of the Tabernacle and its sacred object. Exploring Exodus is a literary interpretation that should be on the bookshelf of any serious biblical scholar interested in unraveling the philosophy and literary background of the Book of Exodus.


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Review: A Month in the Country

A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Month in the Country by J.L. Carson is not only a satire about manners and customs, but it is also prose verging on poetry. Set in the English countryside during the early twentieth century, Tom Birkin, a veteran of the Great War, leaves behind his hectic and broken life in the city of London and begins work revealing a medieval masterpiece hidden behind whitewash in an unassuming country parish. Birkin lives a Spartan existence while he resides in Oxgodby, and he becomes acquainted with a small circle of residents - each with quirks vaguely hidden behind appropriate yet absurd manners. As he reveals a painting based on the Last Judgment, Birkin evolves from an anxious man scarred by the war and an unhappy marriage to a man at peace with himself. As a survivor of the war, his experiences mirrored the hell he discovers in the painting. When his work is complete, the beauty of the masterpiece arises a cathartic peace that manifests itself physically when his facial tick ceases to contort his face. Birkin is not a religious man, but he sees how life continues to march forward despite the ugliness and the expectations of society. In every instance of death mentioned in the story, there is a common theme of the continuation of life. For example, the original medieval painter did not complete his masterpiece but fell from the scaffold to his death and yet the painting was completed. Another example are the soldiers who perished in the Great War and yet Birkin survived when so many others did not. When Birkin arrived at Oxgodby, he concludes that life is made up of small meaningless moments impacted by events out of our control:

"As far as I'm concerned he might just as well have gone round the corner and died. But that goes for most of us, doesn't it? We look blankly at each other. Here I am, here you are. What are we doing here? What do you suppose it's all about? Let's dream on.... I go to work at eight and come home at five-thirty.... Now you know all about me. Go away: I've forgotten you already.”

By the time Birkin leaves Oxgodby, he is more optimistic about life:

"If I'd stayed there, would I always have been happy? No, I suppose not. People move away, grow older, die, and the bright belief that there will be another marvelous thing around each corner fades. It is now or never; we must snatch at happiness as it flies."

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Review: Pharaohs And Kings: A Biblical Quest

Pharaohs And Kings: A Biblical Quest by David Rohl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pharaohs and Kings by David M. Rohl exposes the need for a re-evaluation of Egyptian chronology. Since the beginning of the science called Egyptology, sequential dating of the pharaohs has been problematic and shortsighted. The very idea that scholars in this field of study have never questioned the official historical timeline is disconcerting and unscholarly. I commend Rohl for picking up a conversation that is rarely discussed among Egyptologists. In his book, Pharaohs and Kings, Rohl uses archaeology to unravel the chaos of the official timeline, creating a “New Chronology” that is just as relevant as any other timeline offered over the previous century.

Rohl’s thesis, “The objective of this book is to argue straightforwardly that the narratives contained in the Old Testament are consistent with the general cultural setting revealed through Egyptian and Levantine archaeology - once the correct chronology is applied” (page 38), is a hefty objective, but he convincingly demonstrates evidence along with well-reasoned speculation to prove his thesis. Granted, the speculative portions of Pharaohs and Kings are hard to accept but, with luck, perhaps even the speculations will reveal the historicity of his claims in due time. 

Of course, there are some problems that are either unclear or should be reconsidered and re-interpreted. First, Rohl’s interpretation of the mass graves found at Tell ed-Daba at stratum G/1 is puzzling. He associates the mass grave as evidence of the last plague on Egypt, the death of the firstborn sons. If the site of Tell ed-Daba is where the Israelites settled while in Egypt, then one would think that you would not find graves like this. According to Exodus 11, the Israelites were spared from the horrors of the plagues on Egypt, so there should not be any mass graves discovered there if these are indeed the same Israelites of the Exodus. Also, I was not convinced by his evidence of interpreting the names of people in the Bible with corresponding names found in Assyria, Palestine, and Egypt. The premise it that the name meanings are the same so they must be the same person. This argument is compelling, but more investigating should be done to solidify the theory.

Much of Rohl’s interpretation of the biblical narratives are impressive for a scholar who claims to not be a Christian; although, I do take issue with a couple of statements made, especially about the age of the Patriarchs. There is no evidence to suggest that Moses was not 80 years old when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Rohl’s flippant opinions about the years mentioned in the Bible are concerning. There is no evidence to suggest that the information is wrong (except the point about how long the Israelites were in Egypt) simply because it is a “round” number. There is a lot of symbolism that takes place when discussing numbers in the biblical narratives but, at the same time, they are not rounded numbers either. Also, on page 321, Rohl says that Jacob is Abraham’s son, which is incorrect. Isaac was Abraham's son; Jacob is Isaac’s twin son (Esau being the other twin). When dealing with genealogy, attention to details such as this is crucial, especially when laying out a controversial thesis. If Rohl is wrong on simple biblical genealogy, is he also wrong about the Egyptian genealogy? Also, if you are wrong on the minute information, then you could be wrong about the big picture.


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Review: Wizard's First Rule

Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind is a hero’s quest in a game of good versus evil. Richard Cypher must save the world by keeping a magical box against the evil Darken Rahl. To help him with the quest is a wizard, Zedd, and a Confessor, Kahlan. Through a series of adventures and missteps, they work to put an end to Darken Rahl’s plans.

The characters in the story were fascinating and mostly realistic. My favorite character is Zedd the wizard. At times I had wondered if Zedd is based on someone Goodkind knows in real life, which could probably be said of most of the male characters in the story. The female characters seemed two-dimensional at times and could use a little more depth.

The story is written with special attention to detail. There were times when the details are so realistic that I could not read the scene and found myself skipping pages. For example, when Darken Rahl killed a boy in order to enter the Underworld, the details were incredibly graphic and was not at all enjoyable. I really did not need the scene played out in my head in order to understand that Rahl killed the boy in a ritual. Another excruciatingly graphic scene is when Richard is being tortured. The torture literally continues for several chapters. I thought I was going to have nightmares. Again, it was unnecessary to show me so much detail about the torture. This is one of those rare occasions when it’s okay to tell and not show. Nothing would have been taken away from the story if I was told the torture went on for so long without having to be there with the character while it was happening.

I would recommend this novel to any reader who enjoys fantasy and stories where the villains are truly evil and the heroes are exceptionally good with a warning about the intensity of the detail given during the story.

 

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Review: Introducing the Ancient Greeks: From Bronze Age Seafarers to Navigators of the Western Mind

Introducing the Ancient Greeks: From Bronze Age Seafarers to Navigators of the Western Mind by Edith Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Introducing the Ancient Greeks: From Bronze Age Seafarers to Navigators of the Western Mind by Edith Hall is an exceptional review of the impact of the ancient Greeks and clearly describes how these innovators gained their knowledge and scattered their culture abroad to what ultimately becomes known as the Roman Empire. Hall uses ten characteristics unique to the ancient Greeks and how each of these characteristics manifest themselves, especially in literature and archaeology. Hall begins the tale with the Mycenaeans who inhabited the island of Crete during the late Bronze Age and continues the narrative through the colonization of Asia Minor, the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the conquests of Macedonian and Rome. With each time period, she brilliantly connects the characteristics and shows how they evolve and developed over the centuries. The evidence does become rather slim after the conquests of Macedonia under Alexander the Great - almost as if the characteristics become diluted, as if the characteristics became a shadowy reflection of what the ancient Greeks ultimately become.

The most interesting aspects of Introducing the Ancient Greeks were the archaeology commentary. The ancient Greeks left a wealth of information in their pottery, palaces, and temples, giving scholars the foundation in which to understand how the ancient Greeks lived, which only highlighted the evidence of Hall’s thesis that many of the skills and ideas commonly associated with the ancient Greeks have roots in cultures that predate them.

My only complaint about the book is that there is no new information or new theory being presented. It is an ideal book for anyone who is new to the study of the ancient Greeks but those who have studied the culture would find that the book has nothing new to add to the history. If you are really into the ancient Greeks, you will enjoy the book just to reread the philosophy and mythology (who can really get tired of reading those?).


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Review: To Hold the Crown

To Hold the Crown by Jean Plaidy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To Hold the Crown by Jean Plaidy delves into the beginnings of the Tudor dynasty in England. The historical events are well researched and her assumptions about what happened to the two Princes in the Tower are logical; however, the characterization and dialogue are flat and confusing. For example, the Tudor children often have thoughts and conversations much too adult for the ages of three- and five-year-old children. The retelling of historical events can be difficult, but the author should maintain appropriate characterization in the narrative to make it more readable because these errors shakes the reader out of the story and interrupts the flow.

Since I am an avid lover of English history, especially the Tudor period, I found the retelling of the beginnings of the Tudor dynasty fascinating. The focus of the book is mainly on Henry VII, a miserly yet strong king who gained the crown through winning the battle of Bosworth. The story begins after his marriage to Elizabeth of York, which ultimately ends the bloody War of the Roses by combining the warring houses of Lancaster and York. Plaid describes the era with great detail and includes the important events of Henry VII’s reign, including the births/deaths/marriages of his children, the execution of traitors, the imposters who tried to seize his thrones, and political intrigue that encompassed the events of Tudor England.

I usually do not comment much on grammatical issues in book reviews, but To Hold the Crown has an overwhelming number of them. The grammatical errors are such in nature that the publishing company should have caught them before printing the books. For example, repeating words, no capitalizations at the beginning of sentences, and omitted words in sentences were frequently discovered throughout the text. At one point, I stopped reading to make sure I had not accidentally picked up a pre-published edition, which was not the case.

Since I am an avid lover of English history, especially the Tudor period, I found the retelling of the beginnings of the Tudor dynasty fascinating. The focus of the book is mainly on Henry VII, a miserly yet strong king who gained the crown through winning the battle of Bosworth. The story begins after his marriage to Elizabeth of York, which ultimately ends the bloody War of the Roses by combining the warring houses of Lancaster and York. Plaid describes the era with great detail and includes the important events of Henry VII’s reign, including the births/deaths/marriages of his children, the execution of traitors, the imposters who tried to seize his thrones, and political intrigue that encompassed the events of Tudor England.

I usually do not comment much on grammatical issues in book reviews, but To Hold the Crown has an overwhelming number of them. The grammatical errors are such in nature that the publishing company should have caught them before printing the books. For example, repeating words, no capitalizations at the beginning of sentences, and omitted words in sentences were frequently discovered throughout the text. At one point, I stopped reading to make sure I had not accidentally picked up a pre-published edition, which was not the case.

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A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy. It weaves fantasy, history, and magic into a fascinating tale of forbidden love between a vampire and a witch. Harkness's interpretation of history with sprinkles of magic creates a story that is believable and well researched. Her detailed descriptions of events and setting adds depth to the story. Often times her descriptions of Oxford made me think I was still there. If you are a writer looking for examples of good scene and setting descriptions, this book is full of them.

There were times when I thought the characterization was flat. At first, I did not like her characters, especially Diana Bishop but, as the novel progressed, so did the characters. Their actions began to make sense, but it takes almost 500 pages into the story for that to happen. There were also times when the vocabulary used was redundant (the vampire purrs too much). Harkness spends so much time and thought on background information but does not give the same attention to the foreground. The storyline is brilliant but the story itself is slow in its pursuit of the plot.

If you love history and fantasy with a lot of time on your hands, then this book is for you.

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Isabella: The Warrior Queen by Kirstin Downey

Isabella: the Warrior Queen by Kirstin Downey is a revisionist history of Isabella of Castille. In this work, an investigation of Isabella's role as queen demonstrates a woman's aptitude in governing and the lengths taken to disguise the power of a female sovereign. Not only did Queen Isabella competently rule Castille, but she left her mark on the political landscape of European royalty and contributed to the future of the New World. Downey beautifully explained Queen Isabella's impact. Beginning with her childhood and working her way through the events of Isabella's lifetime, Downey's extensive investigation of the background and culture made the story come alive. 

Downey is eloquent and thoughtful of her portrayal of Isabella, but she makes sweeping claims that make me question her sources. For example, there are frequent references to possible poisoning when someone dies during a time period when people often passed away from unknown illnesses. It might make for a more fascinating read but is not a scholarly approach, especially since there is no science to back up the claim. I also question her statements regarding the Muslim slave trade. The numbers seem rather high, especially given the time period. There had been a plague that swept through Europe, decimating the population of much of the continent. If the Muslims had captured as many slaves as claimed in Isabella, then there would not be anyone left in the cities and countryside of Europe. The Muslim invasion of the Christian world was greatly feared, but I sense some exaggeration in regards to the slave trade. 

The most fascinating aspect of Isabella is the portrayal of Isabella's marriage to Ferdinand. They were the ultimate Renaissance power couple, and Downey illustrates convincingly how Isabella was the real power behind the couple. Isabella wisely manipulated her hold on the power of Castille, participated in the wars against the Muslims and squashed civil unrest, supported overseas ventures in the New World, and created alliances with the most powerful nations in Europe through marriages with her children. One of the best evidence to support her claim of Isabella's authority is how Ferdinand reigned after Isabella's death.

Isabella: the Warrior Queen is a captivating story and one I would recommend. Downey gives an absorbing and stimulating account of Queen Isabella's life and is well worth reading.