Book reviews written by alcarun

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Displaying 1-10 of 80 reviews

All Hell Let Loose

by Max Hastings
- Rated 5 stars
“excellent overview of Second World War from the point of view of personal accounts”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
Villain

by Shūichi Yoshida
- Rated 4 stars
“a sad crime story in Japan, heavily toned in gray, very intricate and complex character descriptions, translation uses very pop English”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
The Genius in the Design : Bernini, Borromini, and the Rivalry That Transformed Rome

by J. P. Morrissey
- Rated 4 stars
“excellent account of the bitter, tragic feud between Bernini and Borromini, very good descriptive writing about Renaiisance sculpture and architecture e”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
The Forever War

by Joe Haldeman
- Rated 4 stars
“finally managed to read the entire novel. Can see where it set trends, which means it can look somewhat dated at this point, but still a good story e”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
A sudden terror : the plot to murder the Pope in Renaissance Rome

by Anthony F. D'Elia
- Rated 2 stars
“A pretty aimless book, I'm still not quite sure what the author's point was. A very good take-off point (the plot to assassinate a pope) but then after that start the book immediately starts meandering all over. Regrettable e”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
Venice

by Christopher Hibbert
- Rated 4 stars
“I've been reading and re-reading this book every so often over the last few decades and each time I've come away with new insight and information. Too massive to digest in one reading or session, very useful for those who love Venice and want to know more about its history and art. Note that Hibbert all but whitewashes Venice's most infamous act of treachery (the one that led to her rise), the Fourth Crusade redirect”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance

by Paul Robert Walker
- Rated 3 stars
“Brunelleschi vs Ghiberti, the cathedral dome vs the baptistry doors. Loads of interesting insights on the dawn of the renaissance in italy e”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
The Devil's Dozen

by Katherine M. Ramsland
- Rated 2 stars
“How could a book on sensational crimes and killers be so utterly pedestrian and boring? zzzzz e”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
Richard and John: Kings at War

by Frank McLynn
- Rated 4 stars
“very detailed, fascinating book comparing Kings Richard (the Lion Hearted) and his verminous brother John, and a backgrounder ont he notorious Angevins, the Devil's Brood. The author clearly plumps for Richard, though probably going a bit overboard. Uses modern language and references, gives engrossing insights and minutiae about the medieval era, with enough real plots to put stupid pseudo medieval fantasy serial novels (westeros HAHA) to shame e”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
Perfect Spy

by Larry Berman
- Rated 4 stars
“well written account of a little known story of the Vietnam-US war e”

alcarun wrote this review Friday, April 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )