Tag: history

Grant by Ron Chernow

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Grant

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA+, very little language, descriptions of war, racial violence
Length: 1,074 pages
Author: Ron Chernow
Publisher: Penguin Press
Release Date: October 17th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

 

MORE THAN A “DRUNKARD”.

Guys, look how long this book was. Holy moly. I know I said this when I read Hamilton, but I am not reading anything this long until KOA this October. I stand by this statement.

This book was so good. Ron Chernow once again eloquently pieces together the life of a true American Hero.

Grant was such a good person. It was his downfall at many moments in his life as he trusted quickly and couldn’t believe someone would go behind his back. His inherent belief in other’s though, gave so much color to his life.

He worked hard to keep America together through the Civil War, and even harder when President. It was amazing learning all of the facts about his life. How he didn’t really even want to be President, but also didn’t want to say no. Julia, his wife, was someone who stuck by Grant’s side always, and helped him through his drinking issues.

It was surprising as well that he really wasn’t so much of an alcoholic as his enemies desperately tried to convey to the U.S. So many stories were mostly conjecture, while so many more stories told of how he often turned his wine glass over at dinner parties to ensure he wouldn’t have any. Ironically enough, cigars were his real downfall.

ALSO, MY DEAR FOLLOWERS, THE “S” IN HIS NAME DOESN’T STAND FOR ANYTHING. For real. Probably one of the most surprising facts in this entire book haha.

Great read for older ages who have the attention span for a long haul [that I totally almost gave in, which is why it’s taken me so long to post again]. A tiny bit of language, and descriptions of the many wars he was apart of and the violence he witnessed. Also, quite a bit of racial violence as Grant dealt with the KKK and post Civil-war Southern issues.

Review: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

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Before We Were Yours

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Adult, no language, child violence/abuse/neglect, no love scenes
Length: 342 pages
Author: Lisa Wingate
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: June 6th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

TAKES A LOT OUT OF YOU.

Oh this book. Oh my heart. WHY ARE PEOPLE THE WAY THAT THEY ARE? It’s one thing to completely fictionalize something, but it’s another to know that it’s a historical fiction.

CRAP LIKE THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

Rill and her siblings are swept on the most horrible river of life. I was only moderately appeased by the end, because things yes, do end ‘well’, but then you remember once again all the trauma that they went through and it pulls on your heart strings again.

Be wary that this may be too much for some readers. Thankfully, things aren’t described in depth, but things are insinuated that makes you hug any small child you know tighter.

I enjoyed the perspective of Avery Stafford, but didn’t know if it was totally necessary. I felt it was more added to help give light to the shadows of the past which I do appreciate. There was just some bits that weren’t needed.

Better suited for someone a bit older, no language that I can recall. A lot of child abuse, neglect, and violence. No love scenes, a kiss.

Review: Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

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AH

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Teen+, a tiny bit of language, descriptions of violence, talks of romance
Length: 818 pages
Author: Ron Chernow
Publisher: Penguin Books
Release Date: this version: March 29th, 2005
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

 

I REALLY READ ALL OF IT.

This hands-down has been the longest book I’ve read in a while. I probably won’t read another one like this til KOA (Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas — told y’all I was obsessed).

I am a closet history buff and when I need something new I find the latest history based book on an interesting subject, and what is more interesting than ALEXANDER HAMILTON Y’ALL.

Oh my goodness. I can’t believe how much drama was occurring in the 1700s. I kept laughing to myself that if they had the media we do now, who knows what other juicy details would come out.

I have new respect for the plight that AH went through. Man, he had so much to overcome. Chernow represents him [AH] so well. I also have a new found disrespect for Thomas Jefferson (he’s the worst).

*finds soapbox* ALSO, YOU KNOW WHO ELSE IS THE WORST? AARON BURR. *climbs back-off because I can’t even*

And for Eliza to battle 50 years without Alexander broke my heart. Guys, this was love. For all that AH messed up, he got marrying Eliza Schuyler right. Don’t worry, General Hamilton got a lot of other things right too.

My intrigue really fell upon the stories about him. The political bru-ha-ha was tough at times to read, but whenever I learned stories from his children, Eliza, etc. it was special.

I’m amazed how put together and thorough this biography is. Chernow is able to tell Hamilton’s story and not bore you to death. This is the kind of history I enjoy.

A few minor curse words (mostly the use of scoundrel). Vaguely details the affair. Descriptions of the violence seen from Revolutionary War to his duel with Aaron Burr.