Destan
Citizen of Val Hor
Have tons of holiday money sitting on your countertops and not sure what to do with it? Already purchased the seventy-six new Wizards' hard covers? Trying desperately to find an excuse to remain anti-social and reclusive as we greet the new year?
Well, this post is for you.
Allow me to humbly submit the titles of some books I've thoroughly enjoyed over the years. I've re-read many of these, many times, and they still garner my affection. As always, your mileage may vary, but here's a personal reading list, for what it's worth (and it may not be worth much).
I'll try to stick to genres that may prove interesting for EN Worlders, and I'll only give the top five or so names of my favorites. The following books are strategically placed in every bathroom in my house - the highest form of praise I can give to their authors.
----------------------------------
NON-FICTION
A DISTANT MIRROR by Barbara Tuchman
A first-rate historical recounting of the Hundred Years' War. Loosely follows the French de Coucy family to give a humanist approach to the annals. Read about the plague first-hand, watch the English comes barreling into France with sword and fire. Appreciate the complexities of a Church-dominated region.
1066 by David Howarth
This is a short book and you can read it in an afternoon. But, what an afternoon is will be! An absolutely enthralling read. You're introduced to the small Saxon village of Horstede on January 1st, 1066. Then you travel through time, for the entire year, and see how England was conquered - for the first and only time - by a foreign foe. You might already know that King Harold died in the Battle of Hastings when William the Conqueror sailed from Normandy, but did you realize he had won a great victory against Danish Vikings only a ten-day prior? Can't recommend this one enough.
ROBERT THE BRUCE by Ronald McNair Scott
I've read as many books on medieval Scotland as I could find, and this one tops my list when it comes to readability and pure enjoyment. Scott makes the Bruce come alive in these pages, and does a superb job of painting the mist-shrouded hills of medieval Scotland. The map of historic Scotland/England, if nothing else, is worthy of your dimes.
EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY edited by John Carey
The perfect bathroom book. This is a collection of short, first-hand accounts throughout history. Dine with Atilla, watch the Greeks perish from the plague, witness the death and destruction at Crecy. This book puts the words in the mouths of folk who were there. Even reading about medieval crimes and punishments in a Dark Ages' London is fascinating. Good stuff.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT by Peter Green
Again, this is another topic I've read all I could get my hands on. No one, in my opinion, tells the amazing story of Alexander as well as Mr. Green. It starts with his father Phillip and ends with Alexander's death. The battles are detailed in good maps, and the whole tale flows incredibly well. You gain an all-new appreciation for what Alexander did; for example, he conquered present-day Afghanistan without air power, communication, or modern weapons. Really imparts a sense of awe as one follows the Macedonian army eastward - each ridge hid a land draped in mystery.
FICTION
THE ASSYRIAN by Nicholas Guild
I hesitate to put this one on the list, as it's damned near impossible to find. But, without a doubt, it's the best fiction I've ever read. The book details the life of the fictional Tiglath Ashur in a non-fictional Assyrian Empire. Be warned - this is an adult book. Violence, sex, and other mature themes run throughout. Simply amazing. There's a sequal, The Blood Star, but nothing compares to the original.
A GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin
My favorite of Mr. Martin's series, this puts an "adult" face on the fantasy genre. I had drifted out of reading fantasy years and years ago, but Thrones back me back with a vengeance. I'm happy I picked it up, on a whim, when it first arrived on shelves. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy.
A SONG FOR ARBONNE by Guy Gavriel Kay
I like most of Kay's work - especially the trio of novels following his Finovar Tapestry books. These include Tigana, A Song for Arbonne, and the Lions of Al-Rassan. His writing is what I enjoy most - historical fiction. He adds elements of fantasy to a very "real" world. Arbonne is excellent, and should serve to inspire DM's everywhere.
FALLS THE SHADOW by Sharon Kay Penman
I must admit - I don't like all of Ms. Penman's work. But I think she was inspired during the writing of Falls the Shadow. This book details the meteroic rise of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leceister, and his eventual doom. He was a landless younger son within France and managed to talk his way into an English earldom. Gives a good view of medieval Wales, as well. A little too heavy on the "romance" side for me, but nonetheless highly recommended.
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Okie doke, that's it for now. Everything above should be considered to carry the caveat "in my humble opinion." If you do pick one of these up, or if you have read any of 'em, I'd love to hear your own take.
Cheers,
D
Well, this post is for you.
Allow me to humbly submit the titles of some books I've thoroughly enjoyed over the years. I've re-read many of these, many times, and they still garner my affection. As always, your mileage may vary, but here's a personal reading list, for what it's worth (and it may not be worth much).
I'll try to stick to genres that may prove interesting for EN Worlders, and I'll only give the top five or so names of my favorites. The following books are strategically placed in every bathroom in my house - the highest form of praise I can give to their authors.
----------------------------------
NON-FICTION
A DISTANT MIRROR by Barbara Tuchman
A first-rate historical recounting of the Hundred Years' War. Loosely follows the French de Coucy family to give a humanist approach to the annals. Read about the plague first-hand, watch the English comes barreling into France with sword and fire. Appreciate the complexities of a Church-dominated region.
1066 by David Howarth
This is a short book and you can read it in an afternoon. But, what an afternoon is will be! An absolutely enthralling read. You're introduced to the small Saxon village of Horstede on January 1st, 1066. Then you travel through time, for the entire year, and see how England was conquered - for the first and only time - by a foreign foe. You might already know that King Harold died in the Battle of Hastings when William the Conqueror sailed from Normandy, but did you realize he had won a great victory against Danish Vikings only a ten-day prior? Can't recommend this one enough.
ROBERT THE BRUCE by Ronald McNair Scott
I've read as many books on medieval Scotland as I could find, and this one tops my list when it comes to readability and pure enjoyment. Scott makes the Bruce come alive in these pages, and does a superb job of painting the mist-shrouded hills of medieval Scotland. The map of historic Scotland/England, if nothing else, is worthy of your dimes.
EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY edited by John Carey
The perfect bathroom book. This is a collection of short, first-hand accounts throughout history. Dine with Atilla, watch the Greeks perish from the plague, witness the death and destruction at Crecy. This book puts the words in the mouths of folk who were there. Even reading about medieval crimes and punishments in a Dark Ages' London is fascinating. Good stuff.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT by Peter Green
Again, this is another topic I've read all I could get my hands on. No one, in my opinion, tells the amazing story of Alexander as well as Mr. Green. It starts with his father Phillip and ends with Alexander's death. The battles are detailed in good maps, and the whole tale flows incredibly well. You gain an all-new appreciation for what Alexander did; for example, he conquered present-day Afghanistan without air power, communication, or modern weapons. Really imparts a sense of awe as one follows the Macedonian army eastward - each ridge hid a land draped in mystery.
FICTION
THE ASSYRIAN by Nicholas Guild
I hesitate to put this one on the list, as it's damned near impossible to find. But, without a doubt, it's the best fiction I've ever read. The book details the life of the fictional Tiglath Ashur in a non-fictional Assyrian Empire. Be warned - this is an adult book. Violence, sex, and other mature themes run throughout. Simply amazing. There's a sequal, The Blood Star, but nothing compares to the original.
A GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin
My favorite of Mr. Martin's series, this puts an "adult" face on the fantasy genre. I had drifted out of reading fantasy years and years ago, but Thrones back me back with a vengeance. I'm happy I picked it up, on a whim, when it first arrived on shelves. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy.
A SONG FOR ARBONNE by Guy Gavriel Kay
I like most of Kay's work - especially the trio of novels following his Finovar Tapestry books. These include Tigana, A Song for Arbonne, and the Lions of Al-Rassan. His writing is what I enjoy most - historical fiction. He adds elements of fantasy to a very "real" world. Arbonne is excellent, and should serve to inspire DM's everywhere.
FALLS THE SHADOW by Sharon Kay Penman
I must admit - I don't like all of Ms. Penman's work. But I think she was inspired during the writing of Falls the Shadow. This book details the meteroic rise of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leceister, and his eventual doom. He was a landless younger son within France and managed to talk his way into an English earldom. Gives a good view of medieval Wales, as well. A little too heavy on the "romance" side for me, but nonetheless highly recommended.
-----------------------------------------
Okie doke, that's it for now. Everything above should be considered to carry the caveat "in my humble opinion." If you do pick one of these up, or if you have read any of 'em, I'd love to hear your own take.
Cheers,
D
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