Book Description
If history scares you or bores you silly, that's probably because a teacher once required you to memorize a bunch of dates – when things like the Magna Carta and the Versailles Treaty were signed, for example. Admittedly, dates are a big part of history, but only because historical events happened in a certain order. If Columbus hadn't sailed the ocean blue in fourteen hundred and ninety-two, the Mayflower Pilgrims might not have looked west for a place to practice their Puritan religion almost 130 years later. The eventual outcome? No day-after-Thanksgiving mob scenes at the mall.
So you may be asking, "How can a 330-page book cover the complete history of the world?" The short answer is that it can't. To cover thousands of years in one book would be impossible. What is possible is a skimming of the surface of world history, which is what you'll find in World History For Dummies. This book provides a fun and friendly overview of the history of the world, providing glimpses into the major players and events that have made the world what it is today.
Because the history of the world is such a grand topic, a comprehensive list of what you'll find in World History For Dummies would be almost as long as the book itself. So here are a few highlights to pique your interest:
- Discover how to look at history from the historian's perspective
- Becoming civilized: The invention of writing and art
- Scientific developments that revolutionized the world
- Building empires: From Rome to Russia
- War and peace (no, not the Tolstoy novel)
- The development of the world's religions
- Overviews of the essential historical documents that you must know – from the Bible to the Bill of Rights
Anyone with at least a passing interest in history can find value in World History For Dummies – whether you're a student or a teacher in need of a broad historical overview, a history buff looking for new fascinating areas of interest, or if you just want to be the best darned Trivial Pursuit player in your neighborhood!
Customer Reviews:
Lots of help!.......2007-08-05
Since my knowledge of this subject is limited, it was nice to have a product that helped me while also being quite entertaining.
Juvenile!.......2007-03-18
This is a terrible book! The history parts are disjointed and badly arranged. The worst part of the book is the author's constantly referring to some movie on the historical topic at hand - and often the movies he mentions are junk movies. With so little space to cover world history, I can't believe he would waste so much on old Kirk Douglas movies, for instance!!
An okay book on a big topic!!.......2006-06-23
This book was okay. For the most part, it was good in covering certain subjects like warfare history and religion, but it also lacked in some areas. I did not like the dry humor that Peter Haugen uses, and I thought that the constant refering to similar subjects was also annyoing. That one thing really stopped the flow of thought and reading.
For example:
"Britian, Russia, Prussia... finished Napoleon at Waterloo, Belgium on June 18, 1815 (For more about Napoleon, see chapter 19)
And:
...Dealing in human merchandise before 1500 (See Chapter 7 for more on the Atlantic slave trade.)
That really breaks the flow of reading. For me at least. Haugen, I think, should have put a table in the back of the book that does that job.
But other than those few flaws, the book was good. Certainly for covering such a broad topic.
So an okay book!
I absolutely love this book........2006-05-13
I absolutely love this book. As a multiple-subject teacher who is teaching 7th grade medieval & renaissance world history plus 8th grade U.S. History, I needed to bone up on history, fast!
This book has four different histories of the world: events, ideas & beliefs, war, and key people. They are all sketchy, but provide an invaluable overview. In fact I found they had just the right amount of detail to allow me to finally get an overview that I can retain, which is what I desperately needed. The author's humorous and insightful point of view are helpful also.
Now when I read more detailed works, I have a "mental file cabinet" I can fit the information into. The book also has a short timeline accompanying every chapter, which was helpful in my picking some key events and dates to have my students commit to memory.
In summary, I've read or looked at many world histories, and this is one of my absolute top picks, especially for "beginners."
Insulting to Dummies.......2005-11-10
This book is an affront to Dummies. It is also below the standard set by the For Dummies series (Estate Planning for Dummies is excellent). A Dummy would be better advised to get a used copy of a world history textbook, for less money, and just read the table of contents. It's difficult to imagine who Haugen's target reader is, since even Dummies have choices.
Average customer rating:
- Indians?
- What about Influenza 1918?
- U.S. History for Dummies
- Bit Slanted Toward Popular/PC History
- An awesome book
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ASIN: 076455249X |
Book Description
Lots of people think that learning U.S. history is a punishment. It's a subject you had to take in school. You memorized a bewildering array of dates, absorbed definitions for terms like Manifest Destiny, and wondered if America really needed two presidents named Harrison. Historical figures were presented to you as if they were characters in a junior high school costume pageant, with their blemishes airbrushed out and personalities drained away in stodgy history textbooks.
History textbooks often overlook the fascinating moments of history. They present U.S. history as something dry and distant, all events and facts, and don't focus on what is really is: The story of Americans. It's the story of people – what they thought, did, and tried to do as they struggled to build a nation.
U.S. History For Dummies is not a textbook. It focuses on people – famous, infamous, and obscure. This book gives you a basic foundation of information about the history of the United States. Students and teachers can use it as a friendly, easy-to-understand overview of U.S history, and history buffs can use it as a reference to look up important facts, to settle debates, and to store up ammunition for future conversations with a know-it-all brother-in law!
Here's just a sampling of the topics covered in U.S. History For Dummies:
- Pre-Columbus: The earliest Native Americans
- The settling of the Pilgrims and the expansion toward the West
- The American Revolution and the establishment of a new government
- How the most influential presidents governed the nation
- The Civil War and the abolishment of slavery
- The development of modern industry
- Two World Wars and a Great Depression
- America matures through tragedy: The Kennedy Assassination, the Vietnam War, and Watergate
U.S. History For Dummies also includes Top Ten lists covering the best – and worst – presidents, inventions that changed the world, and events that defined American culture.
Customer Reviews:
Indians?.......2007-08-01
This was a nice review of American history but one distraction was present throughout: Calling Native Americans "Indians." Just seems that in this time of political correctness, the author might have corrected that, especially since he uses the term African-American.
What about Influenza 1918?.......2007-01-25
While this capsule of U.S. history makes for entertaining and at times informative reading, I was very disappointed that no mention was made of the devastation reeked by the 'Spanish Lady' and its effect on the outcome of WWI. The only indirect reference I was able to find was 'American losses (from World War I) - 48,000 killed in battle, 56,000 lost to disease' makes no mention of the disease or the effect of disease on the general U.S. population. The Spanish or 'swine' flu killed 500,000 people in the U.S. in less than two years (and over 50 million world-wide). This blatant omission makes me wonder what other momentous historical events were left out of this book? Perhaps no history book exists that objectively touches on all major historical events. The only antidote would be to read extensively and critically (when studying the history of a war one can only form a less biased opinion by reading the propaganda of both sides). Thus this book is not an authoritative overview of U.S. history but just a tongue-tickling appetizer. Five stars for being an easy and entertaining read, minus three stars for leaving out critical historical events.
U.S. History for Dummies.......2006-03-03
Good Book. I is very detailed with the necessary fact about US history that I require.
Thanks
Bit Slanted Toward Popular/PC History.......2005-09-19
My only complaint is what's in the title of my review. The history here is not groundbreaking but it is more than just the standard basics. Someone with a background lacking in historical knowledge can benefit from this book, and anyone who enjoys reading about history will be at home here. Nice brush-up for those who feel they'd like to update what they know in this subject. Compacts its information well into its space and breaks it down into chapters and sub-headings so certain eras can be focused on as needed. All but the most keenly educated historian can learn something from US History For Dummies.
An awesome book.......2005-09-07
This book is very interesting. It reads like a story. You just find yourself reading along and then you realize you've learned several facts of history. The book is written very well. There is plenty of interesting trivia and little known facts. It is well worth buying the book.
Book Description
At last, a plain-English guide to Freemasonry-the secret society that's reportedly at the center of Dan Brown's forthcoming novel The Solomon Key
With Freemasonry featured prominently in The Da Vinci Code as well as the hit movie National Treasure, it's no wonder that more and more people are curious about this ancient organization, and interest is sure to intensify when Dan Brown's new blockbuster appears. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites to the veiled symbols and their meanings. The book profiles famous Freemasons throughout history including many of America's Founding Fathers as well as prominent politicians and business leaders offers a balanced assessment of the many controversies and conspiracy theories that continue to swirl around Freemasonry. For anyone who wants an evenhanded overview of Freemasonry's past, present, and future, this guide is the key.
Christopher Hodapp (Indianapolis, IN) is a Mason who has traveled extensively reporting on Masonic practices in Great Britain, France, and elsewhere. He is currently a Past Master and a Master of his lodge. Hodapp edits the lodge newsletter and has written for the Grand Lodge magazine, the Indiana Freemason.
Customer Reviews:
An Exciting Delve Into Freemasonry.......2007-08-23
This book, which is the first one of three written by different authors and publishers in a similar style over the past couple of years, is a must read for anyone contemplating joining the Craft, so that he might ask intelligent questions of the Brothers he knows and who he will meet. It is wide-ranging in its scope and comprehensive in its coverage.
Great book .......2007-08-16
This book was great it gave a wonderful overview of freemasonry. I read this book before I was initiated. it is very well writen to the point and easy to understand. I recommened this book to anyone that is interested in joining the fraternity or if you are just interested in what it is about. For you Masons out there I have used this book for my friends and family that have asked me about Freemasonry. I gave it to a friend of mine who read it and after reading it has asked if he can join.
The Facts, and nothing but the facts..........2007-08-11
This is a great overview of the history of the Masons and all fraternal organizations and a good overview of the craft. I recommend it to all Masons and Mason-Wannabe's. A good read and great info!
Great resource for the aspiring mason.......2007-06-29
This book has been a great resource for me while learning about the history and structure of the Freemasons. About 4 months ago I finally took the step and petitioned my local lodge. Since then, I have undergone a background check, meet and greet, recommendation process, investigation by a 3 person committee and a ballot in open lodge at which point I was accepted into the fraternity. Since my lodge has "gone dark" for the next 2 months and I am awaiting my Entered Apprentice Degree, I wanted to take the time to study the history and trappings of the Craft WITHOUT ruining the surprise of the rituals. The Author took great care not to expose any Masonic secrets which meant that this was exactly what the Doctor ordered.
I have also purchased The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry (Complete Idiot's Guide to) and have found that to be an equally compelling read. You can't go wrong with either of these as far as I'm concerned.
An easily accessible text about the organization........2007-06-21
If you are interested in the Freemasons and are willing to accept that they are not to blame for everything from the great flood to 9/11 then you will find this an interesting look at the organization. Sometimes the truth is even stranger then the rumors and this will be the case as you explore there traditions and rituals of the group.
Book Description
A rip-roaring ride through the history of the Emerald Isle
Ireland’s story is an amazingly dramatic and intense one – and today the influence of Irish culture can be felt around the globe. This book helps you find out why, taking you on a rollercoaster journey through the highs and lows of Ireland’s past including invasions, battles, executions, religious divide, uprisings, emigration – and Riverdance!
Mike Cronin is a lecturer at the Centre for Irish Programmes, Boston College, Dublin. He has written 5 books on Irish history.
Discover:
-
When and how Ireland became Celtic
-
Ireland and Britain’s complex relationship
-
The evolution of Irish culture
-
How Irish emigration has affected the world
-
Northern Ireland’s rocky road to peace
Customer Reviews:
Great education.......2007-07-23
This book is a tremendous way to get quickly educated on Irish history. It is thorough and well-written.
irish history for dummies.......2007-01-15
Excellent, but not as good as An Idiots Guide to ireland.
Book Description
Bestseller! Now with extended coverage of modern British history
Britain's past brought right up to date
This book is a riotous, irreverent account of the people and events that have shaped Britain. Always get those kings and queens confused? Never sure what happened when? You need this book. Inside you'll find rip-roaring stories of power-mad kings, executions, invasions, high treason, global empire-building, and forbidden love - not bad for a nation of stiff upper lips.
Praise for British History For Dummies
"It puts the history of Britain into the sort of perspective I've always hoped for."
—Terry Jones, Monty Python star and co-author of Who Murdered Chaucer?
"Honestly—you can't beat British History For Dummies."
—Bernard Cornwell, author of the Sharpe novels
Discover how to
- Famous and infamous Britons
- Key royal, military, and cultural eras
- Power in Britain: Who lost it, who took it
- The rise and fall of Britain's global empire
- History as it connects to Britain today
Download Description
"A stirring trip through the essentials of British History.
Britain's past brought right up to date.
This book is a riotous, irreverent account of the people and events that have shaped Britain. It's a ""who, what, when, where and why"" that reads like a thriller and a comedy rolled into one. Inside you'll find rip-roaring stories of power-mad kings, executions, invasions, high treason, global empire-building and forbidden love - not bad for a nation of stiff upper lips.
Discover:
-
Famous and infamous Britons
-
Key royal, military and cultural eras
-
Power in Britain: who lost it, who took it
-
The rise and fall of Britain's global empire
-
History as it connects to Britain today
"
Customer Reviews:
Only a quick intro, and not much help for those who want more.......2007-10-11
I found this book to be a positive introduction to British history. It's challenging to move fast enough to cover such a wide topic while also giving enough detail to make it interesting. This book focuses more on the kings and queens than on the culture of England. What was most striking to me was how thin the bonds of empire can be within the British Isles and how central religion was to defining the nature of Britain. I wanted a little bit more detail on British imperialism. I felt that the last hundred pages or so were rushed. Also, I was annoyed by a lot of parenthetical asides (go back to my first sentence to see the challenge of writing this history, stuff like that). My biggest criticism of this book is that there is no bibliography. Now that I've gotten a quick intro to British history, I'd like to have something in the "Part of 10s" that the Dummies series offers that offers some further reading. I've taken a Complete Idiot's on the History of the Roman Empire, and I'm pleased that there's a bibliography in that book in case I want to read other works on the Romans aimed at a popular audience.
This is a decent book if you're looking to get a quick primer in British history, but I'm sure that there is better stuff out there. Gotta give this 2.5 stars.
Wonderfully entertaining- and you learn something too!.......2007-05-23
I wanted to read a general history of Britain, and that is just what I got. The book takes you from the very beginnings to present day and is a great overview of Britain's history. I really enjoyed reading it. It wasn't dry and boring, but very entertaining while giving you important info. I highly recommend it. In fact, I am ordering US History for Dummies and hope that it is just as good.
Best history book .......2007-05-16
If I had of had this book when in high school, I would have liked history. (History was not my favorite class in those days.)
god save the queen !!.......2007-03-17
as a non british person this book can make you a spesialiesd person in the british history . try and you will see
Informative yet humorous.......2006-11-04
What a wonderful survey course in British History! The author is an authority and provides just the right amount of information for a book "for the rest of us". I was interested in this history because I'm doing genealogy, and my ancestors came over with William the Conqueror and then the Scottish ones were among the Protestants who went and settled in Ulster. I wanted the historical background for this and I got it -- with a lot of humor along the way! This has got to be the first *history* book I've ever read that caused me to laugh out loud while reading!
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in an overview of British history from pre-historic times to the present.
Book Description
A fun, informative guide to Europe’s past and present.
The history of Europe is rich, complex, vibrant, and at times violent; it has influenced many countries throughout the world and has itself been influenced by many countries. In the light-hearted European History For Dummies, historian Sean Lang explores the countries, conflicts, people, institutions, disasters, and triumphs that have helped shape modern-day Europe, packing in tons of facts alongside the fun. Chapters range from "Celts without Kilts" and "What a Way to Run a Republic!" to "I Capture Quite a Few Castles," "Reformation Ruckus," and "The War to End All Wars."
Sean Lang, the author of British History For Dummies (0-7645-7021-8), is also a history lecturer, examiner, and writer.
Customer Reviews:
Making History Interesting!.......2007-05-20
I took AP European History. I used this "for dummies" book in order to prepare myself for the exam. It was one of the few books that I could read without falling asleep. If I would have had this book before I took the class to give myself an idea of where the class was going, I would have saved myself a lot of pain, trouble, and headache.
The most important aspect of this book are the interesting side stories about certain individuals. They make history more personable and sometimes funny.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in a *broad* overview of European History or for someone who is sick of the conventional history books.
Book Description
World War II was the most destructive event of the twentieth century. It was total war covering the entire globe, and the nations that fought it employed every available resource, harnessing both technology and people to one purpose. If you look at the world today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a country that was not affected by this war.
If you want to find out more about this war, without being overwhelmed, World War II for Dummies can help. Whether you’re looking for a way to enhance your appreciation of the events that took place or just want to refresh your memory without digging through countless volumes of World War II history, this book is right for you.
Accurate and easily accessible World War II for Dummies will help you explore a war that defined and shaped the world we live in today. You’ll discover all the players—individuals as well as nations—who participated in the war and the politics that drove them. Battle by battle, you’ll find out how the Axis powers initially took control of the war and how the Allies fought back to win the day. World War II for Dummies also covers:
- The origins and causes of World War II
- The rise of Hitler and the Third Reich
- How the war was handled at home
- Germany’s invasion of Poland, France, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and Luxembourg
- Great Britain’s refusal to surrender after forty-two days of German aerial bombardment
- The United States entrance into the war after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor
- The Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day)
- Germany’s last ditch effort to stop the Allies at the Battle of the Bulge
- The use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
World War II for Dummies is packed with fascinating anecdotes, interesting sidebars, and top ten lists, that clue you in on many of the issues of this war. This friendly reference gives you the scoop on everything from Pearl Harbor and the Holocaust to D-Day, Midway, and more.
Customer Reviews:
World War II for Dummies.......2007-07-27
I am reading the book now. So far, it is very interesting; I have learned many things, of which I not aware prior to beginning to read the book.
The shinny on WWII.......2007-05-23
"World War II for Dummies" is a wonderful reference for a thorough once over concerning the Second World War. In clear language it explains the causes for WWII, from the Allies humiliating punishment of Germany after World War I, the formation of the Nazi part, Japan's rising prominence in the Pacific, and some of the warning signs that some Allies missed or ignored concerning the dangers boiling in Europe in the 1920s and '30s (with the United States being especially guilty). It chronicles the rise of Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill, Benito Mussolini, Franklin Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin. Then it goes into detail of Germany's invasion of Poland, Britain's entry in the war, and Nazi conquering of France, a ages old enemy. It discusses the early battles, how the Allies were beat back, and how America slowly became involved in supporting the war. It then goes into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, America's declaration of war and it's gearing up for battle. The early North African and Italian campaign, the Pacific Island Hopping campaign, the D-Day invasion from Normandy, and the war for Europe. The book briefly details the major military figures, like George Patton, Chester Nimitz, Bernard Montgomery, and the Nazi's only real war hero, Erwin Rommell. There is a fascinating look at the civilian contribution to the war effort from Britain, America, Japan and Germany. I know a lot of people know much about WWII from TV, movies, History Channel's endless supply of documentaries, and of course our grandparents, the 'greatest generation'. The only small complaint I have is that sometimes, it just too dry, and now and then it's a bit of a chore to get through. That aside "World War II for Dummies" is a great resource for understanding the event that changes our world for better and worse.
no longer a dummy.......2007-03-09
I felt I didn't know enough about WWII and decided to get this book and read it. Now after having read the book, I feel that I have a good concept of the war as well as a general understanding of foriegn affairs and the part Americans have played in the world. If a mother of 4 like me can enjoy this book so can you. Very interesting, informative and will make any American proud.
World War II Condensed.......2006-03-24
Dr. Dickson covers a tremendous amount of ground in this excellent history. Many Americans have a casual knowledge of World War II, mostly centered around Pearl Harbor and D-Day. This books crams an incredible amount of detail about the war into a few short pages and covers many of the overlooked theaters of the war: North Africa, Italy, southwest Pacific and Burma. I highly recommend this book for high school and college students.
things i forgot.......2004-07-23
this book was so good because we did not go into depth in my history class so we did not learn of much of the pacific theatre of operations.we only learnt about island hopping and the atomic bomb.i really enjoyed the side pannels that explained stuff about certain people. this book was awesome
Book Description
"A must for anyone interested in the Roman Empire and its impact on world history."
—Tony Robinson star of Blackadder and Time Team.
This entertaining and informative guide introduces readers to the amazing world of ancient Rome and its emperors, epic wars, awesome architecture, heroes, and villains. With a complete rundown of Roman history alongside fascinating insights into the lives of everyday Romans, readers will discover the amazing people and events involved in the rise and fall of one of the greatest of all ancient civilisations and how its influence can still be felt around the world today.
Guy de la Bédoyère is a historian, archaeologist, and Roman expert, he is well known for his numerous books and appearances on TV, especially Channel 4’s Time Team.
Book Description
Explains his influence on the military, law, politics, and religion
Get the real story of Napoleon Bonaparte
Not sure what's true about Napoleon? This easy-to-follow guide gets past the stereotypes and introduces you to this extraordinary man's beginnings, accomplishments, and famous romances. It traces Napoleon's rise from Corsican military cadet to Emperor of the French, chronicles his military campaigns, explains the mistakes that led to his removal from power, and explores his lasting impact on Europe and the world.
Discover
- How Napoleon built — and lost — an empire
- The forces that influenced him
- Why he created the Napoleonic Code
- The inside story on Josephine
- How he helped shape modern-day Europe
Customer Reviews:
Couldn't put it down.......2006-12-21
I'm not a historian, I'm a musician who studied French in high school and college. I bought this book because I was curious about the relationship between France and Denmark during the Napoleonic years. I honestly could not put the book down and couldn't talk about anything other than Napoleon for several weeks after I read this book. Markham's conversational and humorous approach is very engaging and I found it so refreshing to hear something other than the British or American point of view.
This book is for more than just "dummies"!.......2006-02-18
The For Dummies series made a brilliant choice in choosing J. David Markham to write this Napoleon for Dummies. Although this book is by its nature a popular history, its author is nonetheless one of the world's most internationally recognized Napoleonic scholars. Markham's writing style is easy to read and he covers his subject in a way that is both informative and fascinating. He gives excellent coverage to the normal topics covered in a biography of Napoleon, and adds significant "in depth" discussion of other topics as well. Throughout it all, Markham gives the reader the best over-all portrait of Napoleon that I have seen in any biography of one of history's most interesting and complex leaders. Markham includes some 70 Napoleonic images from his personal collection of historical artifacts, which makes the book all the more interesting and useful.
In his book, Markham provides a concise overview of Napoleonic religious freedoms and liberties that focuses on the Concordat with the papacy and the promotion of Jewish freedom. He also discusses how Napoleon "tried to negotiate a peace with Great Britain [in 1811], anticipating that her difficulties with the United States might make her, finally, willing to come to terms with France," but again these negotiations also failed. Had Britain and France made peace, war with Russia might not have been necessary, as Russia would no longer find itself raising concerns over the Continental System. And so, Napoleon found himself in the unfortunate position of having to militarily enforce the 1807 peace agreement. We can see from the above series of events and diplomacy that while Napoleon long regarded Europe as a singular entity, his plan to unify Europe had an amorphous and constantly developing nature that could not have achieved a more definitive or concrete direction until after all of Europe, including England, would have been pacified in the years following the crucial year of 1812.
In that year, the notion of Napoleon as a sort of reincarnation of a certain Macedonian conqueror reemerged. David Markham explains that in 1812, "some thought Napoleon would not stop with Russia. These people believed that after Napoleon defeated Russia and once again secured Alexander's friendship, he would follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and march all the way to India." But as we know, in spite of Napoleon's battle victories and occupation of Moscow, peace overtures to Tsar Alexander and Field Marshal Mikhail Kutusov were met with silence, and 1812 proved to be a disastrous year for Napoleon.
Considering the title of my master's thesis (Napoleon's European Union: The Grand Empire of the United States of Europe), I especially appreciated Markham's succinct overview of Napoleon's vision of a United States of Europe in his chapter titled "Creating a New United Europe." The visual evidence includes a medallion showing "Napoleon (wearing the laurel wreath crown of the Caesars) and Charlemagne together" that is particularly revealing of Napoleon's effort to identify with past emperors in European history and synthesize elements of their imperial iconography.
I am especially pleased to see that Markham included sections on Napoleon's religious policies and vision of European unity (Napoleon for Dummies), as well as comparisons of Napoleon to earlier leaders like Alexander the Great (Road to Glory). I do hope that Markham gets to do a Julius Caesar for Dummies book as well, and it would be great if eventually they come out with for Dummies books on Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, and even Napoleon III! I think that when I am a professor I will indeed use this as a reference book for my students. It's easy and enjoyable to read and I think that it would work quite well, particularly for undergraduates. It must have been fun to write! I hope that it sells well!
A Winner.......2005-10-07
Napoleon for Dummies a real winner!
J. David Markham's latest book, Napoleon for Dummies, is the perfect book for someone who wants to get the lowdown on Napoleon. It combines outstanding scholarship (Markham is a top international Napoleonic scholar and award-winning author) with the easy reading style associated with the Dummies series, and takes the reader beyond the stereotypes and to the real Napoleon. If the rest of the biographies in this new series are anywhere as good as Markham's biography of Napoleon, then Wiley Publishers will have created a real winner.
The first thing you discover when you read Napoleon for Dummies is that it really isn't for dummies at all. It is for people who enjoy a good read and would like to find out more about Napoleon. As one would expect, Markham writes in an easy, accessible style that should appeal to all readers. The book is well-organized and easy to follow. In his introduction, Markham explains why we should even care about Napoleon, giving examples of why that great man was important both to people of his time and to those of us living in the 21st century.
In successive chapters, Markham traces Napoleon's life from his early days on Corsica to his career-ending defeats and exile. Throughout this discussion, Markham points out both good and bad decisions, and does not hesitate to call some of Napoleon's actions into questions. It is also clear, however, that Markham sees Napoleon as a positive force in history. But this feeling is based on careful analysis of Napoleon and his legacy, an analysis which is easy to read and important to understand.
Markham next turns to a discussion of some of the innovations associated with Napoleon. Now the book becomes a bit more like a traditional Dummies book, providing the reader with a ready reference to various aspects of Napoleon's contributions. Markham discusses such issues as Napoleon's military innovations, his approach to politics and governing, his economic and legal contributions, his promotion of religious freedom, his diplomacy and his contributions - intended and unintended - towards a united Europe.
For many people, the story of Napoleon is one of romance, and Markham does a wonderful job telling the story of Napoleon's loves. We learn of his two wives, Josephine and Marie Louise, and we also learn of Napoleon's earliest loves, his mistress in Egypt and, perhaps most romantic of all, of his Polish mistress.
In the tradition of Dummies books, Markham closes his discussion with several chapters in a "Part of Tens" section. These include interesting discussions of Napoleonic battlefields, additional references, a time line and maps. The chapter in this section that I found most interesting was the one where Markham discusses a number of pieces of advice that he would have given to Napoleon (with, of course, the great advantage of hindsight).
In short, if you want to read a really good book on Napoleon, or if you just want to read a really good book, I highly recommend that you try Napoleon for Dummies.
From Amazon.com
We always knew Canadian history could be fun, and Will Ferguson proves it in his second edition of Canadian History for Dummies. Approachable in the extreme, this text is fun because of Ferguson's undisputed gift for unearthing our national quirkiness and for illuminating those parts of our heritage that make us a unique people. At first the academic reader might register surprise at the choice of author for the Canadian history text in this wildly popular series, but this is truly a match made in editorial heaven. With his arrestingly titled Bastards and Boneheads and Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw, Ferguson has made a strong claim to being the light-hearted guardian of our national popular culture, and this book is true to form, with anecdotes, asides, bullets, and a fast-paced style this book makes Canadian history more user-friendly than ever before. Behind it all, however, is serious and comprehensive Canadian history. Ferguson acknowledges the help of Don Smith--one of our truly great academic historians and textbook authors--and his expertise is evident throughout. But, as headings like "Western alienation or that #%@!* Trudeau" (382) and "Pemmican--Delicious and Nutritious" show, this is Ferguson's book, featuring his unparalleled gift at striking just the right note --William Newbigging
Book Description
A wild ride through Canadian history, fully revised and updated!
This new edition of Canadian History For Dummies takes readers on a thrilling ride through Canadian history, from indigenous native cultures and early French and British settlements through Paul Martin's shaky minority government. This timely update features all the latest, up-to-the-minute findings in historical and archeological research. In his trademark irreverent style, Will Ferguson celebrates Canada's double-gold in hockey at the 2002 Olympics, investigates Jean Chrétien's decision not to participate in the war in Iraq, and dissects the recent sponsorship scandal.
Customer Reviews:
This guys' a really good writer (like he needs my approval)!.......2007-08-17
I can't believe a history book is so much fun to read. As a Canadian who has been living in the US for 45 years I thought I should try to be a little more literate about my native history. I felt he really cut through the BS and gave a fair look at Native, French and English sides of the story. It's actually a page turner, who would have though?
An Excellent Overview of Canadian History.......2007-06-17
I've been exploring Canadian history quite a bit over the past few years, starting with picking up "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Canadian History" by Ann Douglas and the CBC's "Canada: A People's Hisotry." I found Will Ferguson's "Canadian History for Dummies" to be a humorous, fact filled, and very current overview of Canadian history (I bought it six months after it came out). I find it to be a very welcome addition to my book collection.
Very Good, But Could Have Been Better........2006-05-07
I purchased this book because I've long wondered why that portion of Canada south of the St. Lawrence River didn't get lumped in with the U.S. colonies. That question was answered, along with a lot of others. Very enjoyable, clear, concise with a bit of cheek. Would have given it 5 stars except for one glaring shortcoming-- Where are the maps? This is after all a "Dummies" book.Its readers by definition aren't familiar with the places being discussed. Some maps would have been very useful to put the narrative information into context.
Very good for newcomers!.......2005-05-18
Feeling a little embarassed that I didn't know anything about Canadian history (I am from the US), I purchased the book while on vacation in Canada.
I found the book very informative. Remember it is a Dummies book, don't expect in depth analysis or tons of information but it is a great read.
I do think at times Ferguson is a bit anti-american. While I understand national pride and America's tendency to overlook or ignore our neighbors and allies, I didn't really understand some of the blatant anti-americanism. I found myself becoming defensive at times.
If you can get over this, I would recommend it to any American.
Fails to Convey Importance of Military History.......2004-10-16
I am reviewing this book from the standpoint of military history. With that in mind, I rate this book as a two. While it is written in a style conducive to imparting informaton to newcomers to the field, it unfortunately concentrates far too much emphasis on the wrong areas. I'm speaking specifically of the Second World War chapter; Canada played a vital role in three major operations in NW Europe - Normandy, the Scheldt and the Rhineland. Normandy is mentioned in passing and the latter two are not mentioned at all.
The focus of the chapter is on Dieppe - two entire pages. While Dieppe is of course a focus of national attention, it was not the only chapter in military history and the book is very misleading by suggesting that it was. Canada had five divisions in the field by 1944, fighting for 22 months in Italy and 11 months in NW Europe. Why a 9 hour battle would get two pages and some 33 months of fighting get only a brief paragraph describing the casualty rates in Italy is beyond comprehension.
A page is also devoted to Conscription - and the information presented is accurate and again, well written - but again highlights failed policy rather than successful military operations. Another two pages are devoted to the Internment camps and the Holocaust. Important subjects, but again done at the expense of our positive military achievements.
The Battle of Normandy destroyed the German Army in France beyond recovery. The Battle of the Scheldt cleared the waterways to Antwerp and allowed desperately needed supplies onto the continent at a location much closer to the front (the Allies were using more gasoline trucking supplies from the Normandy beachhead than the gasoline they were using for fighting). The Battle of the Rhineland paved the way for the final crossing of the last major obstacle to a general Allied advance into Germany itself. These were dramatic battles in which Canadians paid a grave cost and yet acquitted itself very well. None of this is mentioned in the book, and those truly ignorant of history - the people this book is aimed at - would have no clue what the Canadian military achieved and instead walk away with the understanding that Canada's WW II effort was largely a litany of failed political decisions, interspersed with the occasional massacre of our own men.
Disappointing, especially since other areas are covered in better detail by the same author. Perhaps the fault lies with the editor, but either way, I recommend caution in purchasing this book, especially if interested in military history.
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