The Flames of Rome by Paul L. Maier: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction, Reread, Religion)

Started: April 3, 2026

This is a reread.  I read this book before when I was in high school, as I've mentioned before on this blog here, here, here and here.

The Flames of Rome by Paul L. Maier: Book Review

Part 2: The Flames of Rome by Paul L. Maier: Book Review

Links to stuff mentioned:

* Pontius Pilate by Paul L. Maier: Book Review: https://youtu.be/w-SsjFvMO3Y

* Introduction to the New Testament by Dale Martin: Review of a Youtube Series: https://youtu.be/3dR3gdkBG74

* Claudius the God by Robert Graves: Book Review: https://youtu.be/NoHKNdijwso

* I, Claudius (TV Miniseries): Review: https://youtu.be/Ma2tUNBv0pM

* Oedipus by Seneca translated by David Anthony Turner: Review: https://youtu.be/lqHWF6Xf4UA

* Medea by Seneca translated by Frederick Ahl: Review: https://youtu.be/K082HrYQTEo

Related Playlists: 

* Book Review Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch7&si=EJ7CG8iO9IouNaYY

* Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6aPjnfogXT4vyaZ6934DkU&si=thpc_WSscVPUaJWr

* History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x52uI39vSXVrJvUFjdN9QkL&si=IkwsRH5HTXptL1kk

* Ancient History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7tomUoLdvaX2CsHML6AjHz&si=IOhaDc0RQGgVkRH6

* Religion Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4lHj0pF2kXoTPkm97Kajxe

* Rereads Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5dMXnK5v4Yc7a8MF5p32Bx&si=HJZkQ7gk8J-EXB9f

* Books I Read in 2026: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7YYl7seud9ov0n6dtdHzvj&si=iMERlWtiF0Rq2-uy

* My Favorite Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6y_ou1tIJAMLBfwYyxArww&si=poywaEzvbQlFE0Bl

* Paul L. Maier Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4W1D65LZDTgRqkY-oRQDAn&si=L1oky_F6yA7tkKDO

* The Flames of Rome by Paul L. Maier Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7UFmmIhFw18TCyOIzIxhwH&si=agW8aFy-xdKu9y68

I was able to read this book thanks to the Michigan statewide state-wide interlibrary loan service called MeLCat, which may be in danger thanks to a Presidential executive order.  If you, like me, enjoy using MeLCat, contact your local representatives and let them know. 

Augustus Caesar's World by Genevieve Foster: Book Review

(Book Review--History, Rereads, Young Adult Literature)

Started: January 27, 2026

As noted in the video, this is a reread.  I first read it in 7th grade.  But, since this is my first time reviewing this book on this blog, according to my new rules, it gets a video only review.

Augustus Caesar's World by Genevieve Foster: Book Review

Notes: As I mentioned in the video, this book is advertised as a history, but much of it reads as historical fiction.  So I'm also going to add it to my historical fiction index.  Also, as also mentioned in the video, a lot of this book is about religion.  So I'm also going to add it to my religion index.

I got caught off at the very end when my camera automatically shut off, but I had said most of what I wanted to say.

Links to stuff mentioned:

The Civil Wars by Appian of Alexandria: https://youtu.be/m3JWo23INT4

1st Maccabees: https://youtu.be/OrvSpjsbRas

2nd Maccabees: https://youtu.be/lHvJshvT7A0

Related Playlists:

Book Review Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch7

Books I Read in 2026: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7YYl7seud9ov0n6dtdHzvj&si=iMERlWtiF0Rq2-uy

Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6aPjnfogXT4vyaZ6934DkU&si=thpc_WSscVPUaJWr

History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x52uI39vSXVrJvUFjdN9QkL&si=IkwsRH5HTXptL1kk

Ancient History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7tomUoLdvaX2CsHML6AjHz&si=IOhaDc0RQGgVkRH6

Religion Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4lHj0pF2kXoTPkm97Kajxe

Rereads Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5dMXnK5v4Yc7a8MF5p32Bx&si=HJZkQ7gk8J-EXB9f

Young Adult Literature: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5xhu8yD4fcSu3Lw6jJNDxS

Pontius Pilate by Paul L. Maier: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction, Reread, Religion)

Started: September 17, 2025

This is a reread.  I read this book before in 9th grade, and have mentioned it before on this blog here, here and here.  But because this is my first time reviewing this book on this blog, according to my new rules I'm doing this as a video only review.

Pontius Pilate by Paul L. Maier: Book Review

Part 2: Pontius Pilate by Paul L. Maier: Book Review

Links to stuff mentioned:

* I, Claudius (TV Miniseries): Review: https://youtu.be/Ma2tUNBv0pM

* Claudius the God by Robert Graves: Book Review: https://youtu.be/NoHKNdijwso

* The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine: Book Review: https://youtu.be/ElY3IU4Oty4

* God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens: Book Review: https://youtu.be/QnNFh-Mn-Eg

To read the ancient sources on Pontius Pilate, go to this website here: https://www.livius.org/articles/person/pontius-pilate/

Related Playlists: 

* Books I read in 2025: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7Fev7Uv6_tzuSf84LtYwQu&si=Im1rdozRXrgGnr99

* Book Review Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch7&si=EJ7CG8iO9IouNaYY

* Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6aPjnfogXT4vyaZ6934DkU&si=thpc_WSscVPUaJWr

* History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x52uI39vSXVrJvUFjdN9QkL&si=IkwsRH5HTXptL1kk

* Ancient History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7tomUoLdvaX2CsHML6AjHz&si=IOhaDc0RQGgVkRH6

* Religion Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4lHj0pF2kXoTPkm97Kajxe

* Pontius Pilate by Paul L. Maier Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7tl6xDCpo_NFIM5HfS0J6m&si=FMua7iHEYQHjNJKV

* Rereads Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5dMXnK5v4Yc7a8MF5p32Bx&si=HJZkQ7gk8J-EXB9f

I was able to read this book thanks to the Michigan statewide state-wide interlibrary loan service called MeLCat, which may be in danger thanks to a Presidential executive order.  If you, like me, enjoy using MeLCat, contact your local representatives and let them know. 

Support this Blog:

Did you enjoy this review? Consider supporting me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/joelswagman

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/JoelSwagman

Check out this book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/48sBEsq    (This is an Amazon Associate's Link.  If you buy anything through that link, I get a commission.)

Shelly Swearingen and Steve Donoghue give their historical fiction recommendations for beginners.  

Should anyone need additional recommendations, check out my list (taken from this index here).  

Classified By Type

Based Strictly on Real Historical People and Events

300 Graphic Novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley ,

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel,

Alexander the Great Trilogy by Mary Renault

--Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault 

--The Persian Boy by Mary Renault, 

--Funeral Games by Mary Renault,

Alexander the Great Trilogy by Valerio Massimo Manfredi,

--Alexander: Child of a Dream by Valerio Massimo Manfredi,

--Alexander: The Sands of Ammon by Valerio Massimo Manfredi,
--Alexander: The Ends of the Earth by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, 
An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris,
Becoming Madame Mao by Anchee Min

Cicero Trilogy by Robert Harris

--Imperium by Robert Harris

--Conspirata by Robert Harris,
--Dictator by Robert Harris,
Claudius the God by Robert Graves ,
King Richard III by William Shakespeare ,
The Last Card by Hans Hellmut Kirst ,
The Last Shogun by Ryotaro Shiba ,

Masters of Rome Series by Colleen McCullough
--Caesar by Colleen McCullough

--The October Horse by Colleen McCullough

Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg by Kate Evans, (*1)

Thomas Cromwell Trilogy by Hilary Mantel

--Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel ,

--Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel ,

--The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel
The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks ,

Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong translated by Moss Roberts, 

Tyrant by Valerio Massimo Manfredi,

(For my definition of historical fiction, see HERE)

Fictional Characters and Historical Figures are Mixed Together

Flashman Series by George MacDonald Fraser

--Tom Brown's Schooldays

--Flashman
--Royal Flash
--Flash for Freedom
--Flashman at the Charge
--Flashman in the Great Game
--Flashman's Lady
--Flashman and the Redskins
--Flashman and the Dragon
--Flashman and the Mountain of Light
--Flashman and the Angel of the Lord 
--Flashman and the Tiger
--Flashman on the March
--Mr American by George MacDonald Fraser
--Black Ajax by George MacDonald Fraser

Kidnapped and Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson

Ninety-Three by Victor Hugo

Pompeii by Robert Harris,

Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

Rebels and Traitors by Lindsey Davis

Rosa by Jonathan Rabb

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson

The Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth

The Three Musketeers Series by Alexander Dumas

--The Three Musketeers 

--Twenty Years After

--The Vicomte De Bragelonne

--Ten Years Later

--Louise de la Valliere

--The Man in the Iron Mask

The Voice of the People by Jean Vautrin

The Werewolf of Paris by Guy Endore

Tides of War by Steven Pressfield

To Kill a Tsar by Andrew Williams

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Set During Historical Events or Time Periods, But Mostly Fictional Characters

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles,

All Quiet On the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Gilgamesh the King by Robert Silverberg,

Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King

Man's Fate by Andre Malraux, 

Sweden by Matthew Turner

The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz

--Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz

--Palace of Desire by Naguib Mahfouz

--Sugar Street by Naguib Mahfouz

The Debacle by Emile Zola

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

The Gods Will Have Blood by Anatole France

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

The Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

The Time of the Dragons by Alice Ekert-Rotholz

Inspired by Real History

Bakunin, An Invention by Horst Bienek 

Beloved by Toni Morrison (inspired by Margaret Garner)

Buddha by Osamu Tezuka ,

-- Buddha, Vol. 1: Kapilavastu by Osamu Tezuka

-- Buddha, Vol. 2: The Four Encounters by Osamu Tezuka 

-- Buddha, Vol. 3: Devadatta by Osamu Tezuka

-- Buddha, Vol. 4: The Forest of Uruvela by Osamu Tezuka

-- Buddha, Vol. 5: Deer Park by Osamu Tezuka

-- Buddha, Vol. 6: Ananda by Osamu Tezuka

-- Buddha, Vol. 7: Prince Ajatasattu by Osamu Tezuka

-- Buddha, Vol. 8: Jetavana by Osamu Tezuka

Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en (inspired by Xuanzang)
The Book of Daniel by E.L. Doctorow (inspired by Michael Meeropol and Robert Meeropol)

Shogun by James Clavell (inspired by William Adams)

(See also: Mythology)

Alternative History

1632 by Eric Flint

Anno Dracula Series by Kim Newman

--Anno Dracula by Kim Newman

--Anno Dracula 1918: The Bloody Red Baron by Kim Newman

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

U.S.! By Chris Bachelder,

Classified by Subject

The Bible

King David

The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks ,

Ancient Greece

Persian Wars

300 Graphic Novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley ,

Peloponnesian War

Tides of War by Steven Pressfield

Tyrant by Valerio Massimo Manfredi,

Alexander the Great

Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault 

The Persian Boy by Mary Renault, 

Funeral Games by Mary Renault,

Alexander: Child of a Dream by Valerio Massimo Manfredi,

Alexander: The Sands of Ammon by Valerio Massimo Manfredi,
Alexander: The Ends of the Earth by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, 

Roman Empire

End of the Roman Republic

Imperium by Robert Harris

Conspirata by Robert Harris,
Dictator by Robert Harris,

Caesar by Colleen McCullough

The October Horse by Colleen McCullough

Julio-Claudian dynasty

Claudius the God by Robert Graves ,

Imperial Period

Pompeii by Robert Harris,

British History

War of the Roses

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson

King Richard III by William Shakespeare ,

Tudors

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel ,

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel ,

The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel

English Civil War

Rebels and Traitors by Lindsey Davis

The Butterfly in Amber by Kate Forsyth

Twenty Years After by Alexander Dumas

The Vicomte De Bragelonne by Alexander Dumas

British Empire

Flashman Series,

Kim by Rudyard Kipling,

Burmese Days by George Orwell,

A Passage to India by E.M. Forster,

Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz

French History

Louis XI

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo

Louis XIII and Louis XIV

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas

Twenty Years After by Alexander Dumas

The Vicomte De Bragelonne by Alexander Dumas

Ten Years Later by Alexander Dumas

Louise de la Valliere by Alexander Dumas

The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexander Dumas

The French Revolution

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel,

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy,

Ninety-Three by Victor Hugo,

The Gods Will Have Blood by Anatole France

The Paris Commune

The Debacle by Emile Zola,

The Voice of the People by Jean Vautrin,

The Werewolf of Paris by Guy Endore,

The Insurrectionist by Jules Valles (possibly roman a clef memoirs)

Japanese History

Shogun Era

Shogun by James Clavell 

The Last Shogun by Ryotaro Shiba ,

World War II

The Last Card by Hans Hellmut Kirst ,

The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng

Student Movement 1960s

Sweden by Matthew Turner

(*1) Red Rosa is a graphic biography, but some scenes in the graphic biography are fictionalized, so as is the case with a lot of these comic book biographies, it's somewhere between history and historical fiction.

Historical Fiction Playlist HERE:

Gilgamesh the King by Robert Silverberg: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction)

Started: May 25, 2025

(This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.)

Gilgamesh the King by Robert Silverberg: Book Review

Links to some of my previous reviews that are mentioned: 

* The Epic of Gilgamesh: https://youtu.be/vl_3plhriFk

* The Golden Fleece by Robert Graves: https://youtu.be/NUX9EUTFJ3Y

* Akkadian Literature: The Classical Period 1850-1500 B.C. (from Before the Muses by Benjamin Foster): https://youtu.be/vzEm8Vl5LXM

* Babylon: Mesopotamia and the Birth of Civilization by Paul Kriwaczek: https://youtu.be/wGxf7nx4DsI

* Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire by Eckart Frahm: https://youtu.be/R8Igl5zP7iU

Related Playlists:

* Book Review Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch7&si=kiFeTonJJ3Ux5H1T

* Books I read in 2025: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7Fev7Uv6_tzuSf84LtYwQu&si=Im1rdozRXrgGnr99

* Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6aPjnfogXT4vyaZ6934DkU&si=thpc_WSscVPUaJWr

I was able to read this book thanks to the Michigan statewide state-wide interlibrary loan service called MeLCat, which may be in danger thanks to a Presidential executive order.  If you, like me, enjoy using MeLCat, contact your local representatives and let them know. 

Support This Blog: 

Did you enjoy this review? Consider supporting me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/joelswagman

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/JoelSwagman

Check out this book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/44uJf7z          (This is an Amazon Associate's Link.  If you buy anything through that link, I get a commission.)

Man's Fate by Andre Malraux translated by Haakon M. Chevalier: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction, Reread)

Started: March 11, 2025

This is a reread.  I originally read it back in college, as I mentioned in previous blog posts: here, here, here and here. However, since this is my first time reviewing this book on this blog, according to my new rules, it gets a video only review.

Man's Fate by Andre Malraux translated by Haakon M. Chevalier: Book Review

Links to things mentioned: 

* My review of Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell: https://youtu.be/1Y79H7QAfwU

* Christopher Hitchen's essay on Andre Malraux: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/10/books/review/10HITCHEN.html?pagewanted=all

Quotation from that essay: “Published in 1933, [Man’s Fate] did for fiction what Harold Isaacs’s “Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution” did for scholarship.  It pointed up the increasing weight of Asia in world affairs; it described epic moments of suffering and upheaval, in Shanghai especially (it was nearly filmed by Sergei Eisenstein); and it demonstrated huge respect for Communism and Communists while simultaneously evoking the tragedy of a revolution betrayed by Moscow.  Somewhat lushly Orientalist in its manner, the novel was ridiculed for its affection by Vladimir Nabokov and hailed as prescient by Arthur Koestler."

Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century (this book is number 5): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Monde%27s_100_Books_of_the_Century

Also, I didn't mention it in this video, but in "Has Steve Read it Season 2", Steve Donoghue gave me a facepalm for suggesting that there might be any books of Andre Malraux that he hasn't read, because Andre Malraux is one of the canonical authors of the 20th century.  See that video here: https://youtu.be/LhSS6P_NeKY?si=4GmrPQofyDMw92DD

Related playlists: 

* Books I read in 2025: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7Fev7Uv6_tzuSf84LtYwQu&si=Im1rdozRXrgGnr99

* Book Reviews Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch7&si=EJ7CG8iO9IouNaYY

* Rereads Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x5dMXnK5v4Yc7a8MF5p32Bx&si=HJZkQ7gk8J-EXB9f

* Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6aPjnfogXT4vyaZ6934DkU&si=thpc_WSscVPUaJWr

* Literature Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x4PjU8NX0_OGClFlA44DpdS&si=2x2pIzH3YCj-hcmI

Support this Blog:

Did you enjoy this review? Consider supporting me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/joelswagman

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/JoelSwagman

Check out this book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iGO5Tt            (This is an Amazon Associate's Link.  If you buy anything through that link, I get a commission.)

Pompeii by Robert Harris: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction)

Started: February 10, 2025

(This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.)

Pompeii by Robert Harris: Book Review

Links to things mentioned:

* My review of Imperium by Robert Harris: https://youtu.be/nh2LQXMPhIE

* My review of Dictator by Robert Harris: https://youtu.be/7sGTdy2LVmg

* My review of Chinatown: https://youtu.be/L8qTA3E-hko

* My review of An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2014/11/an-officer-and-spy-by-robert-harris.html

* My review of Conspirata by Robert Harris: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2014/09/conspirata-by-robert-harris.html

* Started: Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes by Richard LaFleur: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2025/01/started-sculptors-and-scribes-by.html

Related Playlists: 

* Books I read in 2025: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7Fev7Uv6_tzuSf84LtYwQu&si=Im1rdozRXrgGnr99

* Book Review Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch7&si=EJ7CG8iO9IouNaYY

* Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6aPjnfogXT4vyaZ6934DkU&si=thpc_WSscVPUaJWr

* History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x52uI39vSXVrJvUFjdN9QkL&si=IkwsRH5HTXptL1kk

* Ancient History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7tomUoLdvaX2CsHML6AjHz&si=IOhaDc0RQGgVkRH6

Support this Blog:

Did you enjoy this review? Consider supporting me on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/joelswagman

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/JoelSwagman

Check out this book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hP5LvD    (This is an Amazon Associate's Link.  If you buy anything through that link, I get a commission.)

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction)

On My Shelves: July 14, 2024

Started: The started post on this blog is October 21, 2024, but that's actually misleading.  I got only a couple pages into this book, and then almost immediately decided that I wanted to knock a few of the smaller books off of my reading list before tackling this one.  (This was in anticipation of having to get rid of all my books before going back to America.)  So I didn't really start this book until December 2, after having finished The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.

(This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.) 

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel: Book Review

Links to things mentioned:

* My review of Revolutions Season 3: The French Revolution by Mike Duncan: https://youtu.be/qZuznvi3ewU

* Book Street (where I bought this book): https://youtu.be/2bmHRkV8p_U

* This book is on my shelves: https://youtu.be/r_sLndJ5X0E

* My review of Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel: https://youtu.be/J0zNJfWetsc

* My review of Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel: https://youtu.be/rJVScfpXO9A

* My review of The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel: https://youtu.be/7zJBEMjUCwE

* If memory serves, the anecdote about Robespierre bouncing his godchild on his knee comes from Robespierre by S.L. Carson. My review here: https://youtu.be/NaBdoQC4ZHE

Related Playlists: 

* Historical Fiction Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6aPjnfogXT4vyaZ6934DkU&si=thpc_WSscVPUaJWr

* History Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x52uI39vSXVrJvUFjdN9QkL&si=IkwsRH5HTXptL1kk

* Hilary Mantel Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x70rzpl-KqeQOIy5urRdf3Z&si=lHIYKdSrpVUPo5EV

* Books I Read in 2024: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x6eX6Yrashm3yAKhc15_u5z&si=DF7IINbtWXEKuYtZ

* Book Review Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOY-0V_l_9x7dao6py7ODX_PkUvrAEch

Check out this book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/41VoUax    (This is an Amazon Associate's Link.  If you buy anything through that link, I get a commission.)

Tyrant by Valerio Massimo Manfredi: Book Review

Translated by Christine Feddersen-Manfredi

(Book Review--Historical Fiction)

On My Shelves: December 24, 2023

Started: September 1, 2024

(This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.) 

Tyrant by Valerio Massimo Manfredi: Book Review

Links to stuff mentioned:

* My review of The Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan: https://youtu.be/AufRVghX_4k

* My review of Tides of War by Steven Pressfield: https://youtu.be/AZlHZfaQ6PQ

* Alexander: Child of a Dream by Valerio Massimo Manfredi (Alexander Trilogy Book 1): https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2014/12/alexander-child-of-dream-by-valerio.html

* Alexander: The Sands of Ammon by Valerio Massimo Manfredi (Alexander Trilogy Book 2): https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2015/02/alexander-sands-of-ammon-by-valerio.html

* Alexander: The Ends of the Earth by Valerio Massimo Manfredi (Alexander Trilogy Book 3): https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2015/03/alexander-ends-of-earth-by-valerio.html

* Introduction to Ancient Greek History with Donald Kagan: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2016/01/introduction-to-ancient-greek-history.html

* 105 Carthage Enters the War by Ryan Stitt: https://youtu.be/MmincJLvbNE?si=AR9KQQ6qI8sb61QW

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: Book Review

(Book Review) 

On My Shelves: June 09, 2024

Started: June 14, 2024

(This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.) 

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: Book Review

Links to stuff mentioned:

* My review of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (our previous book club book): https://youtu.be/sJEswIJt8zU

* My review of War and Peace: https://youtu.be/4dtCa_0GbK8

* My progress on Mike Duncan's Russian Revolution series: https://joelswagman.blogspot.com/2024/04/started-revolutions-season-10-russian.html

Weekly Reading Vlogs:

June 16, 2024  A Gentleman in Moscow p.1-22

June 23, 2024  A Gentleman in Moscow p.22-76

June 30, 2024  A Gentleman in Moscow p.76-250

Playlist HERE: 

Tides of War by Steven Pressfield: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction) 

On My Shelves: September 17, 2023

Started: February 26, 2024

Finished: March 26, 2024

This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.

Tides of War by Steven Pressfield: Book Review

Links to Videos mentioned: 

* My review of The Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan: https://youtu.be/AufRVghX_4k

* The Alcibiades video by Overly Sarcastic Productions: https://youtu.be/kRLkjBUgB2o?si=Ab_yimF58KHrNZHu

Weekly Reading Vlogs: 

March 03, 2024 Tides of War p.1-142

March 10, 2024 Tides of War p.142-244

March 17, 2024 Tides of War p.244-270

March 24, 2024 Tides of War p.270-386

Playlist HERE:

Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong translated by Moss Roberts: Book Review

(Book Review--Classics, Historical Fiction)

Started: October 27, 2023 

--Finished Volume 1: December 13, 2023

--Finished Volume 2: January 26, 2024

--Finished Volume 3: February 11, 2024

--Finished Volume 4: February 17, 2024

(This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.) 

Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong translated by Moss Roberts: Book Review

See also my reviews of the individual volumes:

* Review of Volume 1

* Review of Volume 2

(I finished volumes 3 and 4 while away on Tet holiday, so I decided not to film individual reviews for those volumes.)

See also: Discourse of the Three Kingdoms Podcast: Mini-Review

The summary of the Three Kingdoms video that I mentioned: https://youtu.be/SFKMJmnYUTc?si=KWVfkEIxq9Col6OO

Weekly Reading Vlogs: 

October 29, 2023 Three Kingdoms Introduction p.1-20, p.1-35

November 5, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.35-108

November 12, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.108-224

November 19, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.224-302

November 26, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.302-386

December 3, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.386-456

December 10, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.456-502

December 17, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.502-542,597-612

December 24, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.612-678

December 31, 2023 Three Kingdoms p.678-780

January 07, 2024 Three Kingdoms p.780-820

January 14, 2024 Three Kingdoms p.820-910

January 21, 2024 Three Kingdoms p.910-1002

January 28, 2024 Three Kingdoms p.1002-1104, 1153-1158

February 04, 2024 Three Kingdoms p.1158-1238

February 10, 2024 Three Kingdoms p.1238-1646

February 18, 2024 Three Kingdoms p.1646-1684, p.1723-2340

Playlist HERE: 

The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel: Book Review

(Book Review--Historical Fiction)

On my shelves: August 20, 2023

Started: September 21, 2023

Finished: January 21, 2024

(This is my first time reading this book, so according to my new rules, I'm doing this as a video only review.) 

The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel: Book Review

* My review of Wolf Hall: https://youtu.be/J0zNJfWetsc

* My review of Bring Up the Bodies: https://youtu.be/rJVScfpXO9A

Weekly Reading Vlogs: 

September 24, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.1-54

October 1, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.54-94

October 8, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.94-112

October 15, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.112-142

October 22, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.142-180

October 29, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.180-216

November 5, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.216-268

November 12, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.268-330

November 19, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.330-352

November 26, 2023, The Mirror and the Light p.352-388

December 3, 2023, The Mirror and the Light p.388-392

December 10, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.392-414

December 17, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.414-416

December 24, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.416-440

December 31, 2023 The Mirror and the Light p.440-494

January 07, 2024 The Mirror and the Light p.494-498

January 14, 2024 The Mirror and the Light p.498-552

January 21, 2024 The Mirror and the Light p.552-757

Playlist HERE: