A fascinating glimpse
591916
Into the inner workings of the Nazi court and the way the German highest echelon was dysfunctional to a degree that should have led to its collapse much sooner.
2123109
This book presents fascinating details of life in Spain as it writhed with the dynamic of change, much of it seemingly self induced. In many parts the narrative glitters with assembled insight that surely exists nowhere else. In some (to me) it seems to get bogged down in detail that may or may not amuse particular readers. This is not necessarily a problem: Throughout the book, the details are so rich that even if only a quarter of them amuse, the book easily justifies its price-tag. And if time or attention span is an issue, just skip over a section until you find another vein to explore. Highly recommended.
3876265
"The Library: A World History" by James W.P. Campbell is a beautiful book. At 328 pages long, there is much to appreciate within, and if you are a bibliophile like I am, you will find yourself mesmerized. I spent a good portion of this afternoon (about four hours) reading and perusing this wonderful book that stitches together a compelling narrative about the history of libraries throughout time. Almost every page contains a full color photograph that captures the beauty of various libraries found throughout the world.

The author follows a chronological format in describing these libraries. The focus is not so much on the content of the libraries, although the photographs capture the tomes in all their glory, showcased in beautiful and majestic settings, but more on the history of the libraries and how they came into existence. As I am fascinated by history, I was particularly riveted by the chapter on the libraries of the ancient world, amazed at how the Library of Celsus (AD 135) in Ephesus, Turkey came to be; the ruins of the Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, Iraq, and also the chapter on libraries in the Middle Ages. The history behind each structure is compelling and spellbinding, and any booklover or student of architecture will find much to enjoy in this book.

There are interesting nuggets of information alongside detailed descriptions of history and architecture. For example, can you imagine that the Shiba Ryotaro Museum in Osaka, Japan contains the entire book collection of the famed author himself, all 20,000 volumes? Or the fact that the second Earl Spencer was a bibliophile himself and was one of the earliest English aristocrats to amass a large private book collection which was housed in his country estate. He went on to found the Roxburghe Club, which was an exclusive club for book collectors, and he eventually donated his book collection to the British Museum.

Here's the contents of the book for easy reference:
Chapter One: Lost Beginnings - Libraries in the Ancient World
Chapter Two: Cloisters, Codices, and Chests - Libraries in the Middle Ages
Chapter Three: Cupboards, Chains, and Stalls - Libraries in the 16th Century
Chapter Four: Walls, Domes, and Alcoves - Libraries in the 17th Century
Chapter Five: Angels, Frescoes, and Secret Doors - Libraries in the 18th Century
Chapter Six: Iron Stacks, Gaslights, and Card Catalogues - Libraries in the 19th Century
Chapter Seven: Electricity, Concrete, and Steel - Libraries in the 20th Century
Chapter Eight: The Future of Libraries in the Electronic Age

There are comprehensive notes, a bibliographical essay, and an index at the back of the book. The photographs by Will Pryce make this book an aesthetic piece of art, and I would go as far as to say, this is a must-have for anyone who has enjoyed the beauty of a book and who loves spending time in a library.
4704440
In this wonderful book, Christopher de Hamel makes the arcana of illuminated manuscripts exciting and accessible.  For each of his twelve studies, de Hamel gives us not just a description of the writing, construction, and illumination of the manuscripts, but also a tour of some of the great libraries where the manuscripts are housed.  Each chapter also serves as a detective story, as de Hamel detects and traces the manuscript origins and journey through time.  Christopher de Hamel is a delightful companion; we get a sense of the love he has for his topic and the immense curiosity he brings to the endeavor.  The book has thick paper, vivid typography, and is beautifully illustrated.  It is a tome to be savored.
1948860
This travelogue represent a versatile book that not only offers descriptions of some masterpieces of art, but also provides their interpretation - refreshingly unorthodox for the most part. The author draws the reader in with her explanations of works of the masters, and even some modern artists, through demonstrating communion and continuity in art, confirming the Latin expression "eadem sed aliter", i.e.the same but different way. Also deserving of attention are the very pithy discussions between the aothor/guide and her companions. Finally, of great interest are some personal memories. Perusing them enables one to immerse in the sort of very proper upbringing and education that the author had received, which enables her to wtite this unusual and interesting book.
306224
This delightful history has many beguiling elements - mystery, intrigue, exploration, and discovery during the 1760-1790's, when views of science and religion were undergoing rapid and dynamic changes.  The author, using a most convincing voice of the times, transports us to that era and the world as seen through the eyes and persona of Dr. Carolus Linneaus.  We are treated to a look back into how advances in science were conceived and how subsequent wide-spread acceptance of these advances  hinged on the power of individual scientists ` reputations, personalities, and connections.  I hope you enjoy this thought-provoking story as much as I did.
3602238
When at first blush you hear that this is a book about the making of a dictionary, you tend to be put off. If you can get past that initial reticence, you will be surprised, and rewarded with an interesting story. We take the dictionary for granted today, but someone had to start doing it, which did not happen until surprisingly recently in history. The fact that so much of one of the premier reference books in the English Language owes so much to an insane American Doctor just boggles the mind. The Sprightly paced, Winchester shows us the history of the OED without miring down as one would expect in a story of a reference book. It's a view into a piece of history that is relatively unknown to the general population, yet once you get into it, it is a fascinating tale.
4899252
Gary Rohrabaugh's book "Exploring Illusions" is a wonderful journey into the world of optical illusions. The author has a unique way of presenting his work that I felt as if I was right there, looking over his shoulder as the artwork was being created. Every step of the way is elaborate, you can really see the process of making an illusion, and that has an effect of understanding, as well. I used to look at some of optical illusions in newspapers and internet, but not always could I see the catch. This book gives an extraordinary opportunity to be a part of the process of creating magic. I felt as if a magician disclosed all his tricks to me. Tricks which I could not perform by myself but tricks outcome which I could perceive and observe with complete understanding of initial spark which ignited them.
The book is divided in three parts, and one of them is the retrospective of the authors Art of 1970ies where his story of optical illusions began. It gave me a new perspective on how powerful the illusion can be. It can deceive, as well as enrich. The last part of the book deals with vanishing points, isometric, geometric, orthographic and other methods, so this journey wasn't only informative, but a learning experience, too. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in broadening his/her horizons by exploring illusions.
1839144
This book provides an interesting view of life that could be useful to many people.
781488
This is not the type of book that I normally read; yet, I found the dynamics between the people in the book strangely fascinating. I know, at least peripherally, many of the people mentioned in the book, including the author, and was intrigued to get a better understanding of the situation, beyond what was reported in the newspaper. This book also provides a compelling word of caution for both parents and the educational system as to how a self-centered, insecure instructor can become involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student.
263338
Gilder's book is a surprisingly interesting read,a novel way to look at some basic human issues as they relate to prosperity and civilization.

Gilder addresses the essential division between the doers and the others, (a la Ayn Rand) interpreting them though the lens of their acceptance of Israel and Jews. It is a fascinating viewpoint and well presented. It is an 'in your face' approach that may cause some discomfort in some, even in Jewish people who might shy away from the approbation. His digressions into interesting historical accounts is also interesting, and eventually bolster his initial claim.

I was intrigued by his theory to explain the phenomenon of anti-semitism, an elusive concept which remains a mystery, no matter what the profered explanation. Still, it is a novel and refreshing way to interpret it and one can not help but agree.

A bold and innovative take on some deeply entrenched concepts. Well argued, well presented and fascinating to read.
2550556
The author provides a thoughtful and beautiful journey through the world that she sees. It is both seductive and compelling to this discerning reader, leaving me wanting more from her...hoping to travel along side.
3897830
Although written for an academic audience, the provocative ideas of this book will be of interest to much broader communities.  The author presents a wonderful and intriguing exploration of identity, mask, race and stereotype in his scholarly yet accessible portrait of the fascinating Bert Williams.  Through Williams, Chude-Sokei presents an unusual perspective of the West Indian in black and white America.  Playing with the layers of perspectives and stereotypes, he explores the cultural mixes and misses from the early 1900's that are still of relevance today.
727823
I found this book fascinating. The artists - including not only painters but also composers, writers and others - are a diverse lot, as are their habits,  and the histories give a rare insight into how these great talents went about their days. Each artist has only a page or two, so there isn't time to become bored with the daily-ness of it all.  Some folks that appear to be completely sane turn out to have some very peculiar habits, and some with apparently spontaneous and unfettered products are surprisingly disciplined. Great peek into the inner lives of artists of all types.
4875247
A simply fascinating book, extremely revealing.  The big picture that Harari paints is different than any overview of human history I have encountered before.  The writing is always engaging.  The limitations are that the author makes larger philosophical and political claims that sometimes are not either carefully conceived or backed up with the kind of comprehensive evidence that mark his other many astute observations.  This does not for one minute make the book less than extremely worth reading.
4054275
This is a completely wonderful creation!  Ostensibly about New York, but actually a celebration of the lives of so many great individuals, not only scientists, but also writers, doctors, travelers and others who have contributed so much to modern life and understanding. Many names I have known since childhood, but also so many new figures I had not encountered before.

Each person is illustrated with an interesting biography, often completed with a more personal anecdote about their life, rendering them in a much more human light than a dry description of their discoveries and work might do.  The accompanying photographs are splendid.  For the historical figures, these are often statues or cameos on walls (or gargoyles!), but for more contemporary characters, the photos are of the individuals themselves.  The Hargittais seem to have met everyone!

This being an account of a single city, many of the players overlapped with one another, attending (or founding) the same schools or universities, tutoring one another, or simply sharing a building.  These interconnections are fascinating.  Some of the group photos are a complete 'who's who' of the foundations of science.  There is the recurring thread of academics escaping Germany and eastern Europe.  One gets the feeling of the ongoing tradition of scientific and academic excellence and of a city that is a melting pot of ideas.

Greatly recommended!
229131
Susan Wyatts memoir, Arabian Nights and Daze, offers a fascinating glimpse into a world far from our own in time and space and culture. Accompanying her husband to Yemen with the Foreign Service in the early 1970s, she faced hardships and delights beyond anything shed imagined. Susan readily embraced her own role in this alien setting, working in the office and representing her country along with her husband. Her experiences there as a young wife and new mother offer meaning to a place that has become a source of fear in the US, given the part Yemenis played in the 9/11 attack and the continued influence of al-Qaeda in that country. Besides describing her own intriguing encounters, she gives added perspective on a country much changed since she first saw it. A delightful read, serving ample food for thought.