A Wild Trip Through Time and History
927718
I enjoed Hitler's Time Machine very much.  It is a clever, mind warping gallop through Science Fiction and History.  Very well written and thought provoking.  Made me want to be a time traveler.  Great reat.  P.N.
1045219
When DK and Smithsonian team up on a publishing enterprise, certain expectations of quality are activated, and this book doesn't disappoint. It is a large format coffee table book of about 450 pages, that is chock-full of fascinating stories and stunning illustrations. It features many of history's most famous travelers, like Marco Polo and Captain Cook, along with many who are less-known, including many courageous women who risked their lives in some cases to pursue their curiosity and document exotic or unknown places.

While organized roughly in a chronological/historical manner, beginning with the ancient world and the Minoans of 3000 B.C., this survey of travel doesn't try to weave a single narrative. Its approach is much more episodic and dips in an out of many cultures and the stories of particular individuals. Also as part of its exploration, it focuses on technological developments (such as the railroads) and social/economic changes (such as the invention of the "Grand Hotel") to explain the changes to travel over the centuries.

This is a fun book to dip into, read a mini-feature or two, and put down until next time. It's also a great way to explore travel with children who may have an interest in faraway places.
4492235
In this rather curious book, the author imagines being transported back in time, along with the reader, to a typical day in Ancient Rome in the year 115 CE. The day starts "a few hours before dawn" and ends at midnight. The author acts as a tour guide as he leads the reader through the streets and buildings of Ancient Rome. During this tour, the reader learns a great many things: the living conditions of the rich and the poor, eating and working habits, diet, social structure, family life, entertainment, moral values, superstitions, religion, sexuality, population statistics, monetary structure, etc. Some of the most important buildings and monuments are also explored, e.g., Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Baths, Trajan's Column, etc. This is all described with fascination, awe, passion and, occasionally, surprise - as though the author was also seeing these things for the first time. He asserts that the facts that he recounts are based on historical and archaeological evidence; however, details of most events observed and of most individuals encountered are mostly imaginary - probably to add a bit of life to the tour. The writing style is particularly friendly and accessible, clear and even sporadically gripping, e.g., the gladiatorial combats. The book contains many detailed descriptions. Although these are informative, some may be a bit monotonous to a reader who is not particularly interested in what is being described. There is very little here that an avid ancient history buff will not already know. Consequently, readers who are less familiar with Ancient Rome are likely to enjoy (and indeed be fascinated by) this book the most.
436613
An absolutely great read that had me turning pages (virtually of course) with haste to see where and what Martin would do next. I love a good time-travel story and the book managed to convey the mixture of confusion and nervousness that a modern day man would feel upon being transported to historical France. I'm already looking forward to reading about the further adventures of Martin.
3285389
impossible to put down, highly entertaining journey across generations, with unexpected turns leaving you on the edge of your seat all along
2772434
I didn't know what to expect from this book but I can tell you what I got - hours of reading pleasure and an entertaining and educational journey back in time.

Phoebe Wynne was hospitalized after being struck by a car on a highway in Virginia.  She is dressed strangely, speaks in an unknown language, and has evidence that she has been whipped on her back.  She is diagnosed with amnesia and referred to Shae Howard, a psychologist who specializes in hypnosis.  Lee Crowley, Shae's ex husband, is the police detective assigned to identify her.  From here the book goes back and forth between the 17th and the 21st centuries.  We learn bit by bit through the hypnosis sessions, Lee's investigation, and also through "the dreaming."

This is a fascinating, beautifully written book.  It is loaded with interesting facts about 17th century Virginia.  It is an intricate mystery and a tender love story.  I cannot praise it enough.  I will certainly look for more books from Kim Murphy.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3620597
I love historical fiction, and this book is time traveling at its very best. The author does an amazing job of taking you back to this fascinating time period immediately after the American Revolution in both Britain and the British-held colony of the Bahamas. Life on a British naval vessel comes alive, as does life onshore. The book is extraordinarily well researched, the characters just jump off the pages, and the action/adventure story line will keep you reading long after bedtime. One aspect of this book that will throw you for a loop is the dialog, which is all written in late 18th century phrasing, sprinkled with lots of slang spoken by sailors on British ships of the time. I found myself wondering what they were actually saying ... but that just added to the realism and thrill of this fantastic read!
4593003
This is an amazing collection of individual stories all tied together with a "running" thread.  There are several families whose lives become woven together and a location that changes and yet remains the same.  Each story in the book could stand on its own and yet read together, you feel as if you have watched time develop and change.

The characters are of all ages and sizes have unique personalities, and the author uses their different perspectives to tell the stories.  The background of each character is given in a way to not detract from the plot and yet it ties the individual stories together.

I particularly liked that the author also took the time to describe the Forest itself and its flora and fauna.  This really helped pull me into what I felt was the purpose of this book - the love for a group of people to a certain place.

I cannot image the research it took to write of so many time periods and to do it so well.  If you like a grand story and historical fiction, I greatly recommend this book.
737459
Really enjoyed this book! The main character travels through a literal adventure, but simultaneously makes an emotional and spiritual journey. The author takes us through a virtual trip to Italy and the southern part of Africa. Ms. Emery dishes up satisfying portions of history along with cultural and geographical facts, all woven together in one woman's journey to find herself, and to find meaning in her existence. A wonderful tapestry of story and interesting facts. This is the kind of book I'll recommend to any bibliophile.
1398750
As someone who studied history in college, I have read my fair share of history books over the years.  Unusual For Their Time was a page turner and has a niche of its own.  Part travelogue of the author's adventures and full of First Ladies history, this book was engaging and dynamic.  The storytelling had me feeling as if I was along for the ride and on the journey to the various locations.  It drew me in and left me looking forward to the second volume.
4311981
I feel very mixed about this book.  It details Patrick Leigh Fermor's travels in a fascinating region of Greece, and after reading it, I am left with a strong wish to go there myself to experience the strange towered vilages and the spectacular rugged coastline. It is also somehow nostalgic in that you know, as you read it, that this is a time past, and the reality now may well be very different. However the writing style is very mixed - there are soaring paragraphs that leave you breathless with wonder, and there is also a lot of convoluted writing, including massive digressions, which, while giving expression to the author's tremendous depth of knowledge, also leave you wondering where on earth you are. Many times I had to go back and reread to find where I was after such digressions. But there is no doubting Fermor's exceptional knowledge of and love for Greece and its history, and what an adventure to walk through such a relatively uncharted and mysterious region.
900679
This was a wonderfully surprising book. The author takes us on a journey encompassing over 100 years of history surrounding a violin and its owners. Moving from the beginning of the story, back and forth to the end, the characters are as well developed as the unexpected locations. London, Berlin, Sumatra, and Italy all play their role in the twists and turns that lead us to the ultimate discovery. The periods in Sumatra are particularly well-described and the sense of time and place is powerful. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
173690
This books starts with pre-history and goes into the realm of the not-too-distant future, and at every turn there are unexpected insights. Couldn't put it down.
2573145
A real page turner ! It's time travelling but the gist of the story is the human experiences through crises  that happen simultaneously 700 years apart ! It was very interesting to find that the 2 epidemics separated by 700 years had a real commonality in a church !
3793361
This story is an incredible journey back in time and yet totally current. Having been anxiously waiting the 2012 Venus Transit myself and being clouded out, reading about the struggles that those 18th century explorers endured was a breathtakingly alive experience. I read the book in two sittings...could not put it down. Well worth the time. I originally read it from my library but ordered my own copy to mark in and share with middle school students when school starts.
432227
Although the story takes place in modern day, be prepared to take a step back in history as the author takes you on a journey to Italy during the renaissance period. Jaya is torn between the traditional role of a history professor andher love of adventure. She cant resist the call of the past and the potential for making amajor art history discovery.
I hadnt read the previous books in this series, so Ienjoyed getting to know Jaya, her friends and the men in her life. I found it to bea well-writtenand even-paced read, with asurprising yet logical resolution.
The author has done a fine job weaving a tale offiction on the backdrop of historical facts. Her descriptions of Bomarzo and the Park of Monstersare vivid, making it another place to add to my to-be-visited list for Italy.
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
1584094
This is a superb and fascinating journey through the time , Michael Woods makes an exhaustive investigation about the Troy war , seeking restless the clues , the questions from fundamental places . The scenes are loaded with dyonisiac enthusiasm and linked by clever interviews and arresting landscapes .
The multiple issues derivated from the study , the analysis and the common sense all along these six chapters will let you in a reflexive state about the Troy war in itself and the timeless and countless historical references ; it is impossible for any human being who belings to the Western World not watching this extraordinary multidisciplinary document., because its consequences go far beyond the a simple historic search .