Books - What Are You Reading / What Do You Recommend?

[cstone]

I just finished this quick read. For anyone who is interested in the 12th century Levant, the second crusade and Saladin, I would recommend this book. Absolutely a revisionist look at a French crusader who is almost universally reviled by modern historians. Just seemed like another man of his times to me but I am only an amateur historian.

God's Wolf: The Life of the Most Notorious of All Crusaders: Reynald de Chatillon by Jeffrey Lee

https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Wolf-Not.../dp/B01FTAQ0BS

[CS1983]

I just finished this quick read. For anyone who is interested in the 12th century Levant, the second crusade and Saladin, I would recommend this book. Absolutely a revisionist look at a French crusader who is almost universally reviled by modern historians. Just seemed like another man of his times to me but I am only an amateur historian.

God's Wolf: The Life of the Most Notorious of All Crusaders: Reynald de Chatillon by Jeffrey Lee

https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Wolf-Not.../dp/B01FTAQ0BS

You may enjoy this channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpi...5EZeLTftxv9qGw

As best I can tell, the channel is secular and uses primary source documents to draw historical conclusions. They have several videos on Reynald, not all flattering.

[cstone]

You may enjoy this channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpi...5EZeLTftxv9qGw

As best I can tell, the channel is secular and uses primary source documents to draw historical conclusions. They have several videos on Reynald, not all flattering.

Thank you.

I am not primarily interested in the crusades but realize that regardless of how I as a 21st Century American view 12 Century history, a significant portion of the world truly believes that the crusades have never ended. Knowing how that history plays into the beliefs and propaganda of many today helps me understand why some things happen.

I am listening to one of the episodes from the channel now.

[def90]

For outdoors writing anything by Steve Rinella, just finished "American Buffalo", great book!

A few other recent reads:
Sebastian Junger "Tribe", Dan Flores "Coyote America" great book on the history of the Coyote, Douglas Farah and Stephen Braun "Merchant of Death" true story of gun runner Viktor Bout after the fall of the USSR, "Lord of War" is based on the books main character.

[fj605]

I'm about half way through The Hanoi Commitment by Capt. Jim Mulligan. He tells his story of the 7+ yrs he spent as a POW in Vietnam.

[cstone]

Grant by Ron Chernow

https://www.amazon.com/Grant-Ron-Chernow/dp/159420487X

Chernow wrote the Alexander Hamilton biography that inspired the musical. I find Chernow a bit wordy but easy to read. Grant is a fascinating man during interesting times.

[Ah Pook]

The Picayune's Creole Cook Book, circa 1910. The quintessential creole cookbook.

[Irving]

Some friends were recently making fun of me for only reading fiction novels. I told him to give me some suggestions and both of my friends had read a lot of Gladwell books. So I randomly picked "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking." by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm only about 25% of the way through it and don't want to make judgement yet.

[cstone]

I've enjoyed the Malcolm Gladwell books I've read. His Revisionist History podcast is interesting as well.

[Irving]

Some friends were recently making fun of me for only reading fiction novels. I told him to give me some suggestions and both of my friends had read a lot of Gladwell books. So I randomly picked "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking." by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm only about 25% of the way through it and don't want to make judgement yet.

I've enjoyed the Malcolm Gladwell books I've read. His Revisionist History podcast is interesting as well.

I posted late last night, and only now realized how funny my response was about not wanting to make an early judgement about a book that is all about the power of snap judgments and initial impressions.