Fascinating Eyewitness to Historical events
925538
Eusebius's History of the Church is a must-read for any student of the foundation of the Christian religion throughout the World. Eusebius is like a modern day reporter covering key historical events through research, first had accounts, and eyewitness accounts from the people who were there, including himself.

He covers the incredible cruelty of Rome in its multiple persecutions of Christians throughout the Roman empire through the time of the Emperor Constantine when Christians were finally recognized as a legitimate religion and very close to the state church of the Roman Empire.

As is often the case with free books, this FREE Kindle edition was not particularly well formatted and I probably should have taken off another star for that. In addition,

Eusebius's presentation was a bit strange with some very long chapters and some chapters which were only one or two paragraphs. And there were lots of holes in some of his stories. Nonetheless, it was a good read by a recognized historian who was there when many of the events he describes actually happened.
616313
This fascinating true story was a quick read because I couldn't put it down.  Ansie Lee Sperry relates her bicultural upbringing in both Hong and the U.K.  Then as a young woman she jumps into volunteer work in Guizhou while the Japanese bomb away.  Her years incarcerated as a prisoner of war in the Philippines brings an unexpected reality to life during World War Two.  Her story is very engaging; it's well-written and well-illustrated with many photos.  Ansie Lee Sperry has been adventurous, amazingly resourceful, and ahead of her times.
3195443
I loved the detailed description of events as they developed the historical and religious context, with copious references to other related documents that support the writer's own unique view of the history.
977280
This book has all the excitement you would associate with an event like this, yet manages to avoid the tone that could be somewhat offputting to many young (and older) readers. Woollett has carefully researched this event and traces the story and the investigation in great detail; she also does a great job of placing it in its historical context. Some of the facts just blew me away. The fact that flammable liquids were used to waterproof a tent, the lack of inspection, etc. Wow!
The well-chosen (and never grisly) photographs really help young readers to imagine what this world looked like in times past. I would recommend this to any young reader who likes history, is interested in circuses, or in investigation.
4916915
A facinating and alternative perspective on a critical day in European history.
1026410
This book grabbed my interest from the very first paragraph. Telling of a little known event in such a descriptive way it compelled me to read on.  The book is not only facts in history, but they are well told in a story format by a very skilled storyteller.
2126765
I loved the multiple points of view from which the story is told, all circling nearer in time to this one surprising event.
3169207
It is always interesting to read the first person accounts of historical situations. It is often much more enlightening than later "interpretations of history. This was no exception. Very readable.
4073891
These stories about the Spafford family and the American Colony are packed with testaments of the great faith of this family and their friends who sacrificed so much to serve others despite their own conditions. This is an interesting, personal account of life in the holy city from Bertha's perspective. She also delves into her family's history and events that occurred before her own birth (the famous story of her four sister's ill-fated voyage, the Chicago fire, etc). I'm just fascinated by the stories and the history. There is an innocence in Bertha's stories. My copy is an old hard bound version, not the new paperback. I can see, however, why there was a desire to get these stories reprinted and available for distribution. A worthwhile read that will take you back in time!
4915981
This well written, thought provoking history brings the events of the time to life in a way that allows the reader to participate. Through the accessible style of the author, we share in the triumphs and travails of the very real people who devoted their time and energy to the founding and growth of the UFW.  It is clear that Ms. Pawel has thoroughly researched and brought a fascinating perspective to the subject; one does not have to be an historian to thoroughly appreciate this book.
1548318
I found the intertwining of facts with the invention of daily events to be fascinating.  The author makes history come alive like few others I have read.
1712199
Fifteen minutes recounting a miraculous incident in a woman's past.
3176595
Beautifully written and well documented, the book provides a detailed narrative of a fascinating family history. It chronicles the personal struggles of an Austrian Jewish family, especially a young boy and father, whose lives were radically altered by the Nazi invasion of their country. It also weaves together compelling historical glimpses into the father's experience as a WWI POW in Russia, an architectural exploration of the style and works by Adolf Loos, and the world of a being apprentice for Frank LLoyd Wright at Taliesin just before he died.  It is a wonderful "goulash" of personal memoir, Holocaust survival tales, family bonds, early history of Aspen, Colorado, and even European family culinary delights.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.
3172182
Despite the opinion of previous reviewers, the accounts detailed in this book are substantiated with physical evidence, objective opinion, and coorabertating witnesses, both on the Loyalist and Republican side.  I  wonder at those who would speculate on the exhumed corpses that Mr. Bruce  located, it trepidaciously hearkens to those who might deny the exhibits of  governmental genocide carried out by the Nazi's.  This is a fascinating  account, told with a naivet in narration that bespeaks its truthfulness.  Mr. Bruce is not an educated or particularly well read man, but his honesty  eclipses his prose for a dramatic account of unchecked power.
3243051
I've been educated by My Second University! Not only does the book tell a story that cried out to be told, it is fascinating reading. I had to keep reminding myself that these events occured in my lifetime and not in the middle ages. What a courageous man of faith Stanciu Stroia was! I'm grateful that the authors shared family photos in the book; it so helped to personalize the whole reading experience.
1531791
Fascinating. Larson captures this incredible time in American history in a way that makes you wish you could have been there to watch the events unfold.
4173386
When I was young I remember watching "You Are There", a TV show hosted by Walter Cronkite. Each week the show would feature an event from history, treated as if television reporters were there interviewing the participants. I wish my high school history classes were as interesting as that show!

Reading "Death in the City of Light" reminded me of an episode of "You Are There". The author's descriptions of events are narrated so well that it's easy to imagine standing in a crowd of people watching as a house of horrors is investigated; lurking in back alleys trying to escape from Paris; reading about the investigation in the papers; observing the interrogation of suspects; and of course being packed into the courtroom for the trial.

At times the amount of detail becomes a bit overwhelming, and sometimes repetitive. There are descriptions of the disappearance of individuals or families that start to sound alike after a while. But of course they were alike, and that's what investigating serial crimes is about. There is also a lot of detail in the trial. At times is seemed that the author was presenting the court transcript verbatim!

This isn't always an easy book to read. It's not "pop history". But it is a fascinating presentation of a dark period in the history of Paris, and it is well worth the effort.

This book really made me feel the way I did when Walter Cronkite introduced an episode with the words, "Everything is just was it was then ... but You Are There!"