I think the best book I've ever read about the 14th century (including the Black Death) was A Distant Mirror by Barbara TUchman. I've got a few of her history books, and they're all excellent.
Spike: Heard what happened up top, offing your dad and all. Don't know if you know this, but, uh…I killed my mum. Actually, I'd already killed her, and then she tried to shag me, so I had to-- Wesley: Thank you. I'm…very comforted.
'Lineage'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Kathy A - Nov 01, 2005 11:49:58 am PST #9365 of 10002
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
Matt the Bruins fan - Nov 01, 2005 1:34:39 pm PST #9366 of 10002
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
I think my bias against sword & sorcery protected me, actually.
Strega, did it unfortunately protect you from reading C.L. Moore's Jirel of Joiry stories? I thought they were masterworks - Red Sonja-esque on the surface, but they really explored themes of alienation and regrets over impulsive actions in a way that Howard never dreamed about doing.
Consuela - Nov 01, 2005 3:10:30 pm PST #9367 of 10002
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
I've read one by her that I enjoyed (except for some real creepy elements of anti-semitism). I can't recall the title offhand. She wrote like a million books, right? Do you have ones that you recommend?
Heyer? I don't recall any with Jews in them, but I'm hardly the expert. Betsy would have more comprehensive recs, but I'm very fond of The Masqueraders, which is one of those gender-swapping stories. Great fun. She's just fun, you know?
Strega - Nov 01, 2005 3:36:46 pm PST #9368 of 10002
did it unfortunately protect you from reading C.L. Moore's Jirel of Joiry stories?
I don't think I've even heard of them, so I guess so. It's not that I think the genre is inherently terrible, but the closer you get to pure fantasy the less it interests me for some reason. I did make an exception for Fafhrd & Mouser, though.
Of course, I still have a story you recommended years ago on my to-read list, because I'm that hopeless. Maybe I should start going to the library more often now that I've got free time again.
Kathy A - Nov 01, 2005 4:17:34 pm PST #9369 of 10002
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
CL Moore's great--the Jirel of Joiry stories are really excellent, but "Shambleau" totally knocked me out when I read it in college (SF/fantasy feminist lit class).
DavidS - Nov 01, 2005 5:18:21 pm PST #9370 of 10002
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
CL Moore's great--the Jirel of Joiry stories are really excellent, but "Shambleau" totally knocked me out when I read it in college (SF/fantasy feminist lit class).
I sent Teppy a whole collection of CL Moore's Northwest Smith stories.
Volans - Nov 01, 2005 11:02:46 pm PST #9371 of 10002
move out and draw fire
"Shambleau" is awesome.
I tried Doomsday Book a couple times, but couldn't get into it. Love A Distant Mirror, though. I adore Tuchman.
I've got two books going right now: Einstein's Clocks, Poincare's Maps and Banewreaker. I'm enjoying the first (and amusing my DH by reading to Mallory from it, giving him an early basis in relativity theory), but finding the second to be, well, I think the author's trying too hard.
Fred Pete - Nov 02, 2005 4:19:02 am PST #9372 of 10002
Ann, that's a ferret.
Another recommendation for C.L. Moore. Also, her husband, Henry Kuttner. And the numerous pen names (Lewis Padgett probably the most-used) that they used for collaborations ("Mimsy Were the Borogoves" probably their best, though it's definitely SF and not fantasy).
And for other not-well-remembered '40s SF, I'd heartily recommend Eric Frank Russell and, believe it or not, L. Ron Hubbard's pre-war work.
Steph L. - Nov 02, 2005 4:51:32 am PST #9373 of 10002
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe
CL Moore's great--the Jirel of Joiry stories are really excellent, but "Shambleau" totally knocked me out when I read it in college (SF/fantasy feminist lit class).
I sent Teppy a whole collection of CL Moore's Northwest Smith stories.
Yes, indeed. They were nicely dark.
Strega - Nov 02, 2005 6:47:01 am PST #9374 of 10002
(Lewis Padgett probably the most-used) that they used for collaborations ("Mimsy Were the Borogoves" probably their best, though it's definitely SF and not fantasy).
Aha! That is also on my to-read list. I don't actually know anything about it, but the title was enough.