“Killing Lincoln” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

Photo Credit: Richard Pilon (on Flickr)

This book is my answer to the question, “What’s so great about reading outside your comfort zone?” This. I got to read this. “Here, borrow my copy. Not the history reading type? Forget it, man – this is WAY too real to be history.”

Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Lincoln is anything but an old story. That would be like calling Nutella “just a hazelnut spread.” Au contraire, mes amis. It is delicious heaven-paste. And Killing Lincoln is not fairly described as “just an account” – it is more like a window with pages. Booth’s outrageous mindset is displayed clearly, murders realistically, and people, wholly.

The book successfully recaptures the chaotic atmosphere of the end of the Civil war, and places you inside it.You will flee the streets to avoid the post-war mobs, drunken with victory, or defeat, or just liquor. You will dodge the blows of an assassin in the night. And along with the masses, you will cry, “SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!” at the President’s window.

That man with the top hat, tall, skinny build, and commoner’s tongue will lead you out of years of evil into blessed peace. He’ll calm your doubts with quiet words, but urge you to be better than any before you. He will love his wife, his family, and his country like no President before him. And in the end, he’ll stand unshaken to stare into the eyes of Death.

I received this book as a gift from my grandparents for review. This in no way changed my opinion, or review, of the book. It only made it more clear to me how fantastic my grandparents are.

“A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens

Base Image Credit: LivingCraft.com

Novel Title: A Tale of Two Cities // Author: Charles Dickens // Publisher: Dover Publications // Editors: Paul Negri and Julie Nord

Favorite Quote: “He had expected neither to walk on pavements of gold, nor to lie on beds of roses: if he had any such exalted expectation, he would not have prospered. He had expected labor, and he found it, and he did it, and made the best of it. In this, his prosperity consisted.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

In part for the sake of clarification, and again in part for the sake of comic irony, I have decided to write this review as two reviews. One will be story focused, the other more technical. And of course, because it’s me, I’ll begin with story.

He is an average man in Paris, France, 1789. For years he has been oppressed- clothed in rags, over-worked, and under-fed. He spends each day trying to keep his children alive… but wishing that he could die. The government, separate from the people in all things except for the stealing of their goods, lavishes in luxurious homes, glutting on chocolates and other rich food, while he scrambles for the smallest scrap of meat or crumb of bread. How can he help but hear the silent echoes in streets, screaming dangerous words like Justice and Revenge?

The call to arms against the Marquis, an evil and foolish official, is stealthily taken up. Revenge comes fast, in the wake of much death and blood. But they who have been oppressed for so long are not easily satisfied. The hazy line between the afflicters and the afflicted all but vanishes, and once-peasants in new found seats of power become drunk in their retribution. La Guillotine rears her ugly head, and innocent men lose theirs.

In nearby England, a blameless captive of the French prison The Bastille, Dr. Alexander Manette is released, but his ransom price is heavy- his mind is all but broken. Only with the loving and constant nursing of his daughter Lucie and the help of an old banker is he able to recover. Meanwhile, Charles Darnay, a young immigrant from France, is put on trial for a crime that he did not commit. Proven innocent by a man (who looks curiously alike him, but could be no more different,) named Sydney Carton, he is freed to live another day.

Owing his freedom in part to Lucie, Darnay makes himself known to the Manette family, and spends more and more time with her and her father, as well as the banker (Mr. Lorry) and family friend Ms. Pross. But soon, family ties to France darkening his past, Darnay is called back to right the wrongs of his ancestors. He follows the call, unknowing of the angry citizens who intend to end his life.

Upon his arrival in Paris, Charles is immediately taken into captivity in La Force, a prison. Robbed of his rights, and forced to pay for his prison accommodations, he sends a letter to the Manettes for help. They arrive, along with Sydney Carton, in time to find that Charles Darnay is sentenced to a trial by the people, and likely following, a meeting with La Guillotine.

__________________________________________________

Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities was a thick, edifying, entertaining, and beautifully written novel. His placement and usage of words to convey specific emotions and hidden meanings made the story valuable, and more than worth reading.

My favorite part of Cities was what I interpreted as the main theme: Recalled to life. A passage quoted frequently, esp. towards the end, was this:

I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me in me, though he were dead, yet he shall live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. (John 11:25)

This was used perfectly in terms of sacrifice, new life, and redemption. Being a Christian, I can further appreciate how important this theme was, though from my readings of Dickens, I am unable to tell if he meant all the marvelous things he wrote down. But, in terms of truth, they were dead on.

Also, his writing of love, and the ties between love and sacrifice, was revealing. I think if he so desired, Dickens could have written an entire book on this subject in itself. One might even go so far as to say that he did. I suggest it for historic purposes, as well as for simple interest. But whatever you read it for, you can be certain it will change you, and I hope, for the better.

“West Oversea” by Lars Walker: A Norse Saga of Mystery, Adventure, and Faith

Reading West Oversea was a strange experience for me. This is, in actual fact, the second Norse Adventure/Historical-Fiction book that I had signed by an author that lives near enough to me that I could walk to their place of residence. (One being written by my grandfather, and now West Oversea by a librarian that lives across the street.)

That coincidence being out of the way, West Oversea by Lars Walker is one of the two best Norse Historical Fiction books I’ve ever read. 🙂 Being the story of several travelers, I feel obliged to give you a bit of a fractured narrative. Here goes:

***

“West Oversea.” For the Irish priest Father Aillil, these words meant the freedom of his sister, who was a thrall (thralldom being the Norse alternative to slavery) for most of her life. And all of his life he had thought of her, wishing he could have protected her from her captivity… When the opportunity came, he accepted with a rapidity that defied his land-lubber’s stomach. With him went an object of great power that gives him The Sight, the ability to prophesy. But will it show him things he is not meant to see?

Erling Skjalgsson leaves the land as well, driven out by a corrupt law and a brother he’d thought dead for years. With a demonic shape-shifter out for his wife and new-born child, he sets out for Greenland, searching for fortune, adventure, and a home. With a life of honesty-earned power and ease at his back, Erling the viking soldier takes to the seas. Yet a man may set out with one goal in his mind, the waters may differ…

Indeed, adventure, danger, fortune, and greater faith are found on the tides. And whilst the waters may differ, their God never will.

***

Norse historical-fiction, man. It’s good stuff. 😀 Rich with Norse Mythology, funny looking names, and Christian faith, it was a very interesting read. I loved Father Aillil and the rest of the bunch from the start to the end, and am of the opinion that the middle passed far too quickly. Honestly, I can’t wait for the next installment. Well done, Mr. Walker. (If interested, one might find Lars’ blog at http://brandywinebooks.net)

_____

4 of 5 stars

13+

“Gatekeepers” by Robert Liparulo :: Dreamhouse Kings

I thought that the Autumn leaves fit the season quite nicely.

“Gatekeepers” by Robert Liparulo succeeds to carry on the “Dreamhouse Kings” legacy; rife with suspense, beautiful mental imagery, and creepy old guys. (Seriously, there have been strange old guys in every book so far.) In my opinion, the book reads more than it should like an episode of the series than a whole in itself, but the picture that the series is painting over all is thoroughly enjoyable. (Read my reviews of book one, “House of Dark Shadows,” and book two, “Watcher in the Woods,” before you read this one.)

***

Xander found his mom. He left a message for her in the War portal, and she actually responded! Xander and David are ecstatic, but before they can do anything to help her, two cops are at their house and arresting their father, all while the vile Taksidian stands watching smugly.

Soon enough they are left alone in their house, with no protection but the lock on their door. (Which honestly hasn’t done them much good anyways.) With several portals into the King’s home, no room is safe. They try several methods- video surveillance, brute force (whatever force a wood club can offer), even bring in some people from the outside.

But nothing seems to work, and time is, ironically, running out. Can the Kings defend themselves from the city council, bent to the will of Taksidian? Why haven’t they found any rooms that lead to the future? Will the kids really find their mother, alive and well? All these questions are answered in “Gatekeepers.”

***

Once more: It was suspenseful, carried the story on well, and ultimately, it gave me the willies. 🙂 (If you want to read more about the series, head to the website. > http://dreamhousekings.com/) It was a little unrealistic as to the creation of the house, (“Me and my brothers built it” was the best definition given so far,) but I’m willing to forgive little details such as this.

—

 4 of 5 stars

13+

“Watcher in the Woods” by Robert Riparulo :: Dreamhouse Kings

“Watcher in the Woods.” *much shivering and shaking commences* Yikers. THAT’S a creepy title. Maybe even slightly creepier than “House of Dark Shadows.” Do you want to see something else that’s creepy?

Creepy Book Cover. WoOooOoOoo.

Yeah, that’s right- creepy book cover. Givers me shivers. However, contrary to the look of the cover and creepiness of the title, “Watcher in the Woods” actually seemed to tone down the creepy factor. I mean, the scariest thing they had in there was the guy standing in the woods at night. Otherwise it was the tank (weapon of mass destruction, not container,) that was following David around. Or maybe it was the-

***

Their mom is gone. The King’s try to go on with things normally, and look for her when they have time, but this one fact sticks its ugly head into everything they do. Her seat is empty at supper. She’s not there to comfort David when he breaks his arm. Nobody knows better than the King’s: nothing’s quite right without mom.

On top of all that, (Mom, kidnapped. Portals through time in the upstairs hallway,) school is starting, and Xavier and David’s dad is the principal. Friends don’t exactly come easy. And with their living in a “haunted house” in the small town of Pinedale, everyone keeps a good distance from them. Everyone, that is, except the class bullies.

But bullies are small potatoes compared to the watcher in the woods, tracking their every step. The portals, which seem to have a life of there own. The town council, that is majorly influenced by a businessman who wants their home. All of these threaten to tear the family apart.

***

Altogether, a good book. Not as intense as the last, though, but I’m still ordering the next one from the library. (Yeah, I’m cheap.) 🙂

—

3.5 of 5 stars

13+