Reading and Writing

As I writer and a student of history I enjoy reading all that I can to increase my knowledge and add perspective to events from the past.  I decided to share a few books I’ve read recently that have impressed me, and hope those of you who read my blog will also enjoy them.

The first book I would recommend is “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” by Alfred Lansing. Ernest Shackleton was an Antarctic explorer who set off from England with his crew on The Endurance, to complete the first Trans-Antarctic Expedition in the early 1900s. He and his crew left the day after World War I began, so they ended up at the bottom of the world with no communication with civilization. Their journey was filled with constant and unbelievable hardships, but with Shackleton’s leadership and the crew’s amazing physical endurance they all make it back safely. This is a remarkable and inspiring story.

Another book I really enjoyed was “Brothers” by Elise Holden. This book is not based on any particular historic event but it is filled with things that people interested in history love – graveyards, mysteries, wars and stories of long ago. “Brothers” is a fast paced book with well-developed characters. These characters draw you into the story and hold your attention until the very last page. This book reminded me that we are all connected to people we pass by each day and to others who may be in a different realm, but closer than we think.

The last book I’d like to mention is “A Life of Her Own: The Transformation of a Countrywoman in Twentieth-Century France” by Emilie Carles. This book is an autobiography about a woman who lived in the French Alps, became a teacher, and lived in very humble circumstances. Part of this book takes place during World War II so the effects of the war are realized as you learn about her like. Emilie’s book teaches self-sufficiency and gives the reader a glimpse into what daily life was like for people living during the early 1900s in France.