They are a fun group. I learn something every month. I'm not sure when but I think I will expand into another genre to get exposed to other stuff beyond history.
Did you ever read Patrick Wyman’s “The Verge”? It’s about Europe 1492-15?? (can’t remember the exact date) and each section is about a specific person/development, like accounting, printing press, Columbus. Really fascinating. I used to listen to his podcast Tides of History a lot.
No I am unfamiliar but thanks for the reference. I just finished a remarkable but challenging book titled The World: A Family History of Humanity by Simon Sebag Montefiore. It was an exhaustive history written from the perspective of families. It was great but dense and disjointed at times. I love the idea of history in terms of the breakthroughs and changes. That seems like a very good granularity. I am going to take a look for it. Might even try the Podcast. Thanks so much for all of your support through my writing. I appreciated it and it was the fuel for me to continue writing.
I just scanned an overview. The book sounds GREAT! Thanks for the tip!
Mark, I have to admit I'm sad you're leaving Substack. I hope we can still be in touch other ways. And I'm about to go through and purge some of my subscriptions, so I get it. But if you were staying, I'd keep you on the list!
I'm still working thru whether to take the whole Substack private or purge the content altogether. I think I will continue to write the book reviews but think it will be invitation only. I want to be intentional about the work to write a book and want less interruptions I think. I'll keep you posted.
I'm sure I made some mistakes, CK. But I'm glad I did a purge because with just about EVERYTHING in life I have to get rid of some good things so I can enjoy what is BEST.
My method was sort of looking through all the newsletters I subscribe to and if I felt like "WOW I WANT TO READ THIS!" I kept it, and if I did not have that feeling—zap!
That sounds like a great plan Anne. Hope it leads to enjoying the ones that are left more! I am at about 10 and will probably ditch a bunch soon. I seem to find new good stuff every time I purge.
What a way to end your Substack— with Catherine di Midici. Her family was ruthless and the only reason why their dynasty ended was because the last to the throne was a son who was gay and had no heirs. A blessing for the country. (His sister didn’t have kids either.) The number of Midici castles throughout Italy is astounding. They all seemed to be a stones throw from one another. We looked at one as a potential wedding venue but it was on top of a road and felt confining— probably a home built for a beloved servant. Hehe.
The book sounds fascinating. Thx for the review. I will miss your posts that were always terrific conversation starters. 🙏💜
Thanks for the always kind comments Carissa I appreciated the dialog. I thought of you as I wrote it as I knew you had such a great trip to Italy. I did a virtual tour of one of the castles and there is even a big room dedicated to the mistress of her husband. One leg of my wife's family escaped from France as Huguenots and got to England before the worst of the purges.
Yes -- Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies and the stories are the most fun. That leg of the family arrived on one of the last of the Mayflower series of ships in the late 1630s.
I had difficulty understanding what this rant was about. Even when my children were quite young we would joke with them and teach them about "context clues". This is near my last post on my Substack and this was the last in a series of what I tried to make as thoughtful book reviews. It is hard to connect what point you are trying to make. Your anger is corrosive. I hope you can find a way to settle your mind and manage to do that without poisoning the well for others. Please find someplace else to post. If you persist you will be removed, blocked and reported. The last thing I wanted to deal with as my posting ends was the need to moderate nonsense. Stop spewing filth.
Mark , Your book club is a marvelous group that wants to participate in personal growth. Im sure you are glad you have them.
They are a fun group. I learn something every month. I'm not sure when but I think I will expand into another genre to get exposed to other stuff beyond history.
Did you ever read Patrick Wyman’s “The Verge”? It’s about Europe 1492-15?? (can’t remember the exact date) and each section is about a specific person/development, like accounting, printing press, Columbus. Really fascinating. I used to listen to his podcast Tides of History a lot.
No I am unfamiliar but thanks for the reference. I just finished a remarkable but challenging book titled The World: A Family History of Humanity by Simon Sebag Montefiore. It was an exhaustive history written from the perspective of families. It was great but dense and disjointed at times. I love the idea of history in terms of the breakthroughs and changes. That seems like a very good granularity. I am going to take a look for it. Might even try the Podcast. Thanks so much for all of your support through my writing. I appreciated it and it was the fuel for me to continue writing.
I just scanned an overview. The book sounds GREAT! Thanks for the tip!
Mark, I have to admit I'm sad you're leaving Substack. I hope we can still be in touch other ways. And I'm about to go through and purge some of my subscriptions, so I get it. But if you were staying, I'd keep you on the list!
I'm still working thru whether to take the whole Substack private or purge the content altogether. I think I will continue to write the book reviews but think it will be invitation only. I want to be intentional about the work to write a book and want less interruptions I think. I'll keep you posted.
“Twelve more willing tweaks to what I believe rather than just repeating nonsense. Hooray!”
Hooray!
BTW I just unsubscribed to 50 newsletters. A massive purge! Still subscribed to more than 50 though.
How did you do it? It's tough. There are sooooo many talented writers, so little time.
I'm sure I made some mistakes, CK. But I'm glad I did a purge because with just about EVERYTHING in life I have to get rid of some good things so I can enjoy what is BEST.
My method was sort of looking through all the newsletters I subscribe to and if I felt like "WOW I WANT TO READ THIS!" I kept it, and if I did not have that feeling—zap!
That sounds like a great plan Anne. Hope it leads to enjoying the ones that are left more! I am at about 10 and will probably ditch a bunch soon. I seem to find new good stuff every time I purge.
What a way to end your Substack— with Catherine di Midici. Her family was ruthless and the only reason why their dynasty ended was because the last to the throne was a son who was gay and had no heirs. A blessing for the country. (His sister didn’t have kids either.) The number of Midici castles throughout Italy is astounding. They all seemed to be a stones throw from one another. We looked at one as a potential wedding venue but it was on top of a road and felt confining— probably a home built for a beloved servant. Hehe.
The book sounds fascinating. Thx for the review. I will miss your posts that were always terrific conversation starters. 🙏💜
Thanks for the always kind comments Carissa I appreciated the dialog. I thought of you as I wrote it as I knew you had such a great trip to Italy. I did a virtual tour of one of the castles and there is even a big room dedicated to the mistress of her husband. One leg of my wife's family escaped from France as Huguenots and got to England before the worst of the purges.
Escape from France! Is the story written down?
Yes -- Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies and the stories are the most fun. That leg of the family arrived on one of the last of the Mayflower series of ships in the late 1630s.
Very cool. Is wifey a member of the Daughters of the Revolution?
No. Probably a fun project though!
I had difficulty understanding what this rant was about. Even when my children were quite young we would joke with them and teach them about "context clues". This is near my last post on my Substack and this was the last in a series of what I tried to make as thoughtful book reviews. It is hard to connect what point you are trying to make. Your anger is corrosive. I hope you can find a way to settle your mind and manage to do that without poisoning the well for others. Please find someplace else to post. If you persist you will be removed, blocked and reported. The last thing I wanted to deal with as my posting ends was the need to moderate nonsense. Stop spewing filth.