When author Bill Bryson stumbles upon a secret door in the attic of his 18th century home that leads to a space so small as to be unusable, he laughs to himself about the eccentricities of Victorian craftsmanship. This momentary distraction, coupled with a nearby farmer’s discovery of a centuries-old Roman pendant on his property,…
Tag: history
Review: Nothing Daunted
In the summer of 1916, best friends Dorothy Woodruff and Rosamond Underwood are feeling a little trapped. Their post-college graduation tour of Europe has them chafing at the idea of attending New York’s teas and balls, and angling for eligible husbands. To their parents’ consternation and mild concern, the ladies accept the two teaching positions…
Review: The Alchemyst
All twin siblings Sophie and Josh wanted to do was find summer jobs to earn money to buy a car. But when an evil-looking man and his creepy grey henchmen blow up the bookstore where Josh works, the 15-year-olds come face-to-face with a world they never knew existed. Nick Fleming, the bookstore’s owner, is not…
Review: Murder at Monticello
The only remarkable thing about the village of Crozet is its nearness to Monticello, the historic home of Thomas Jefferson. Many of the town’s inhabitants proudly trace their ancestry back to Jefferson’s mother, father, or the US President himself; although he’s been deceased for more than 150 years, they’re still dedicated to preserving his home…
Review: The Letters of John and Abigail Adams
There are many accounts of the American Revolutionary War, but a lot of them seem confined firmly to the genres of biography and historical fiction. The best way to read about history is through the eyes of those who actually experienced it. The Letters of John and Abigail Adams was published originally in 1876 by…