As you might
have known, I will be hosting a new challenge next year: History Reading Challenge 2014. Actually, history is one of the book genres I’ve been
dreading all these times. But lately my curiosity over histories has been
increasing; partly because The Well-Educated Mind, in which there are a lot of
reference of good history books. So, I was encouraging myself to create and
host this challenge. All but one book I have picked for this challenge are from
WEM’s recommendation, and the other one is related to my interest in ancient
Rome theme, particularly Cicero.
For now I
will take the Scholar level, and
plan to read at least these 6 books.
The
Professor and the Madman –
Simon Winchester
This one (I
will read Indonesian translated version) is the only existing history book in
my shelf before I decided on the challenge. I have been collecting the other
four one by one during the last several months.
Roman
Lives: A Selection of Eight Roman Lives – Plutarch
Actually The
Well-Educated Mind recommends reading both
Roman and Greek Lives, but being dreadful of histories, I’m not sure whether I
will enjoy Plutarch. So, I will try the Roman’s first (because Roman is always
my weakness :D), and if I like it, I might go for the Greek’s too.
Cicero:
The Life and Times of Rome’s Greatest Politician – Anthony Everitt
Among the
many Roman statesmen and heroes, Cicero is my favorite. This book is one of my
most exciting choices!
The
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire – Edward Gibbon
I have a
mixed feeling about this one. I bought it right after I decided on the
challenge, and have been my most exciting choice, but having browsed a few
first pages, I realized that this book would need a very thorough reading.
Hopefully I can enjoy it at the same time.
The
Prince – Niccolò Machiavelli
This one is
in my The Classics Club list, so….it’s killing two birds with one stone.
--LAST UPDATE--
I have finally decided the sixth book for this challenge:
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West – Dee Brown
Since reading Winnetou series, I have a tender spot in my heart about the Indian, so I think this book would be a perfect read for the challenge, to understand more about the Indian history.
If I still
have time, I might read Stacy Schiff’s Cleopatra
as well, and that means I can take an upgrade to the Historian level.
How about
you? Interested in reading histories? You are invited to join the challenge: History Reading Challenge 2014. You only have one history book on your bookshelf?
That’s OK, you can register in the ‘Student’ level, and can upgrade the level
later on if you like.
Sounds exciting! Count me in.
ReplyDeleteBauer has a rather broad interpretation of "history" which lead me to believe it's her catch all category for all the classics that she wasn't fond of and didn't want to read to many of. As such, her selections were rather limited. Instead of City of God--a thousand plus pages of often tedious early medieval christian aplogetics (which I am almost certain Bauer has never read)--take a look at a look at Herodotus' Histories or Xenophon's Persian Expedition (Anabasis) and see if you might like them better.
Yes, I was thinking about the thousand pages, that's why I haven't decided to read it or not. Thanks for the suggestion. And thanks for joining us too on board! The sign-up linky is in the main post.
DeleteAmazing choices, Fanda. I almost chose City of God, but decided against it. I cannot wait to read The Prince by Machiavelli. But that will be in a year or two, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting!
I really really want to read City of God, but with the thousands of page, it would be a very tough read! Maybe I'd just give Confessions a try first...
DeleteI must admit that I read the Confessions long ago and hated almost every minute--I was particularly exasperated at his catalog of infant sins. So I never got to City of God. However, I would probably do better now, and maybe someday I will try to appreciate it more.
DeleteThe Prince is pretty good. I always wonder if he got his reputation for evil machinations from rich aristocrats who were annoyed by his advice about not giving presents or favors to your aristocratic friends. If I were an Italian peasant, I'd much rather live under Machiavelli than many others--a lot of his philosophy consisted of "Let the common people live their lives, don't take all their stuff or oppress them or let them be victimized, and they'll like you fine."
Oh really? My friend told me Confessions is good; but maybe you won't like it if you don't like philosophies.
DeleteYou made me more excited to read The Prince!
I just saw Ruth's post on her blog, An Experiment with The Well-Educated Mind about this challenge and I think it sounds intriguing. I'm planning to read more history next year, so I'll have to mull this over for a bit and narrow down my book choices. Great challenge idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a "Well-Educated Mind'-er (working on the novels list right now!).
Nice to meet you Tonia! And it would be great to have you & Ruth on board too (as we are doing WEM together). I'm curious...will you pick histories from The Well-Educated Mind recommandation?
DeleteHi again! Just popping back over - I posted my history list. I decided against reading any of the books in the history section of WEM but I will be reading S. Bauer's Ancient history book!
DeleteHi, Tonia! I have read your post, your history choices are great especially the Susan Bauer's. Can't wait to read your thoughts on it!
DeleteLike Tonia, I saw the challenge on The Well-Educated Mind Blog too. I'm excited to start.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to read The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire but I think the unabridged version is looooong. One day when I have less responsibilities and more time I hope to tackle it. However, I have wanted to read The Prince so I may have to tack it on to my list.
I started the WEM list but stalled after Don Quixote ……… you were fortunate to find a reading partner; I'm still looking for someone read along with.
Actually I chose to read from the list randomly, and so far its OK for me. Following the list strictly makes me feel like I'm in school, and must read/learn things I don't like just so I can past the exam, LOL. I prefer to tackle it my way, and read books that I really want to read.
DeleteWow...seems Ruth has been acting like my PR for this event! Must thank her for it ;) Good luck with The Prince, I'll be reading it too.
I think Confessions has a much broader appeal than City of God. I can't guarantee you will like it, but I am certain the odds are better than with City of God. His range is broader and more human. He tells stories that are moving and thought-provoking and doesn't require any specialist knowledge (although it might be good to look up Manichaeism on Wikipedia first).
ReplyDeleteIt has been so appealing and influential over the years that a major city in California is named after his mother (Santa Monica) based on the stories of his mother in Confessions.
I see...that's interesting! And by the way, my copy of Confessions has just arrived... ;)
DeleteAaaaagh, I wanna read The Prince and Cicero.
ReplyDeleteI started reading Cicero's Defense Speeches and to my complete shock, I loved it. I'm going to re-read it (completely) in 2014 for a couple of my challenges.
DeleteOh, I haven't read Defense Speechess. OK, into the wishlist... ;)
DeleteI read Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee years ago and remember being very moved and outraged and frustrated and disillusioned and fascinated all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWow....I have picked the right book, then. My copy has just landed on my desk, and thanks to you, I can't wait to read it now. ;)
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