Amazing history recounted in superlative writing.
588413
Mr. Erlichman, I want to congratulate you on this outstanding read.  I, myself was a University History major, 20 years ago.  I continue to study European History through literature and research.  I wish they had your book as required reading when I was a student-it would have been so enjoyable to read, analyze and discuss.  Glad I found it now.

I see that your have penned other fascinating historical accounts.  In fact, with great anticipation I look forward to reading your book "Camino Del Norte: How a Series of Watering Holes, Fords, And Dirt Trails Evolved into Interstate 35 in Texas" which I just ordered here on Amazon.

Incredible Read!
4011003
i did not always find the writing style to be my favorite, but i found the enlightenment of learning the history presented here to be amazing information, and well worth my time.
1234881
In this short book, Melton McLaurin has accomplished more than many historians accomplish in hundreds of pages.
In this book the reader is drawn into the complicated world of antebellum America.  In lucid prose, he simultaneously shows the ideology behind antebellum mastery, the connection between seemingly insignificant individuals and national politics, the hypocritical facade of the justice system, one woman's struggle to live under brutal oppression, and offers a compelling story that has a bit of mystery in it.
He accomplishes this monumental task with clarity and transparency despite substantial holes in the documentary evidence.  His work is a model to show how historians can write for a popular audience and not oversimplify, nor fictionalize, the past.
We cannot forget that America enslaved more than 4 million black people, tortured them, raped them, and stole their wages, then, after "freeing" them, forced them to live in apartheid-like conditions for nearly one hundred years. Every American must read books like Celia to confront their past. Even those who came more recently need to recognize that the wealth and the freedoms of the United States that drew millions to our nation, rests upon the back of four million unvoluntary laborers.
Read more, learn more, do more.
2311083
This well written account of a true story is excellent.  As a history buff, I find it fascinating, but I also believe that it is so entertaining that non-history buffs, who just enjoy a good story, will also love it.  Highly recommended.
195733
A lot of research has gone into writing such wonderful account of Roman times. The language flows smootly. Even though the description of events is not all true (as admitted) but they have been written with such a flair that reader goes along convinced at every step and feels as if he is a witness to what is happening. Highly recommended to both research scholars as well as to normal students of history. My compliments to the author.
4773247
The most amazing thing about this book was the incredible writing by the author.  His descriptive use of language gave so much depth to the story.
3764304
Really well written, reads very fluently. Relative to other historic books that sometimes can be really hard and tiresome to read, this book reads like a novel. Many historians write books that summarize information, without making it enjoyable to read. In my opinion, Robin lane fox succeeds in writing history very thrillingly and keeps the reader enchanted during the course of this great ancient story.
2223037
The greatest non-fiction writer of our time writes about the author of the greatest document ever written. This book can't be left unread.
701755
What a superb writer.  This is how to write history.  She presents a solidly researched and unbiased account of the outbreak of WW1 in such an engaging manner that it sometimes reads like a well-written novel.  Indeed, it is difficult to put this book down.
2784376
One must have a talent to write about history in such vivid and colorful style, being able to give an overview of all aspects of a period - wars, heroes and politicians of the epoch, way of living, arts, medicine,  customs, family etc. without becoming dry of language and just merely  reciting the widely known. Even if you think you knew a lot about Romans  and their ancestors, you fill find out many new facts. It is a civilization  which was brought to ruins by its own thirst for power, ambitions and  vice, but Christianity, to me personally, pales in comparison to its  grandeur and achievements... Definetely it is not a book you will gulp  overnight, but it will be bringing you many exciting hours of absorbing  reading.
1884936
Amazing writing, great story. Not surprising with Isabel Allende, of course. It gives glances of the fascinating historical context of Haiti and colonialism at the end of the XVIII century; while narrating the powerful story of Zarite.
2837826
Fascinating, superbly written. I'm flabbergasted by the detail of the source descriptions at the end. This book is the model for any biographer or historian. Should be read by anyone even vaguely interested in how Washington works. Brilliant descriptions of farm life before electricity and a necessary read for anyone interested in Texas history.
111741
As a history student I was used to books that you had to wade through. Unfortunately historians are rarely good writers too. Massie's Peter the Great is a breath of fresh air. It's not only informative and brilliantly  written with characters coming to life but also very difficult to put down.  I intend to read everything else Mr Massie has written.
4473974
superb writing and more than autobiographical it brings the time and place of his life and the history of the era into a focus that is worthy and rare.
837166
History woven into hugely readable and enjoyable format.
812394
THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WORLD is not only first-rate writing but a fine exposition of the links in ancient secret history to present day esoteric beliefs.

I admire the intelligent and grounded work of Mark Booth in his enthusiasm and respect for his subject. It is incomparably researched and vibrant reading.
808054
I have read many books on history and biography. Egan's work is probably the finest of them all, bar none. To amplify this, after I finished reading the book I turned to page one and immediately read it again.  It is that extraordinary.

Egan did such a magnificent job that sometimes I felt as though I was reading Charles Frazier's prose instead of history.  Yes, the storms came and continued coming for 5 years, but I found every page of his presentation of life on the Great Plains during the Dust Bowl captivating.  The manner by which he interwove politics, culture, pain, misery, knowledge, ignorance, optimism, pessimism, the human spirit, the lack of humanity, etc. was outstanding.  Yet making the reader feel emotionally and viscerally connected to the history is one of the more difficult things the historical writer can accomplish and Egan succeeded brilliantly.

In my opinion, this is a must read for anyone who reads. Period.