|
This is a very good, readable account of the reign of Justinian and Theodora. The author does a commendable job of providing a concise overview of the political, religious, social and economic issues of this era of the Byzantine empire. Architecture and art are also addressed. The author is clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter and knows how to tell the story in an engaging manner. He is adept at bringing many of the key individuals to life and describing the political, diplomatic and military activities among the Byzantine empire, the Persian empire, and western Europe. A nice set of illustrations and maps are also included. Highly recommended.
|
|
|
This is a highly absorbing account of the three voyages of Captain Cook. The author has done a very commendable job of describing all the people, places, and cultures that Cook and his crew encountered. His descriptions of the populations indigenous to the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Austrailia, the Pacific Northwest, etc., and of the geography of these places are well researched and fascinating. The interplay of cultures between the British explorers and those they encountered is emphasized with great effect. The personalities and motivations of the key figures, including Cook, are brought to life as well. The account of the voyages reads like an adventure story, while… Read more
|
|
|
This is an engaging historical novel of both Shanghai and China. The main plot and various subplots move along nicely, the main characters are interesting and generally well developed, moral issues related to imperalism are addressed, and the political and sociological background of the city and China are portrayed well. The author definitely captures the exotic mystique of the city during the early part of the 20th century. A definite read for those interested in historical fiction about Asia.
|
