Welcome to the MOSL Book Challenge


Showing posts with label Eleanor Herman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eleanor Herman. Show all posts

Friday, March 31, 2023

Tim Reads March

Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 by Simon Winchester (416 pages)

A fascinating look at the earth shaking explosion of a volcano on the island of Krakatoa. This indepth look at the history of the island and the impact it’s (and more importantly its main volcano) had on the world. It shows the problems caused by the explosion, its impact on the weather, global trade, etc.

Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis (380 pages)

A look into the life of George Babbit, he lives a boring life, has a boring family, and tries and fails to add enjoyment, excitement, and class to differentiate him from his boring neighbors and coworkers. A fun book that toes the line of enjoying the characters and hoping they all fail.

The Royal Art of Poison: Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicines and Murder Most Foul  by Eleanor Herman (320 pages)

Historical figures are murdered in a variety of ways, mainly poisons, and this book features a few notable examples. Looking at what was used to kill them and the impact their deaths had on their kingdoms, countries, and the entire world this book does a great job showing how just a drop can change everything.

Madam Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York's Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist by Jennifer Wright (352 pages)

A biography of a woman who went from an immigrant to a self taught surgeon who became one of New York’s most well know (or reviled depending on your views of her profession). She became the target for newspaper tabloids, lawsuit happy foes, and Matthew Comstock (who as always sucks the worst)

The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium  by Barry S. Strauss (376 pages)   

Marc Anthony & Cleopatra vs. Octavian, winner not only inherits the mantle of the recently murdered Julius Caesar but gets to decide the future of Rome. Octavian (later Caesar Augustus) wins (spoiler) and this book takes us through the gory (and snake bitey?!?) ends of Anthony and Cleopatra.