Books matching: historical revisionism
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- #1
Save:The Flounder by Gunter Grass is a novel that reimagines the fairytale of The Fisherman and His Wife as an origin myth, exploring themes of patriarchy, feminism, and the role of women in history. Grass presents a massive creation myth through the eyes of reincarnated characters and the Flounder himself, serving as a fairy godfather figure. The book delves into speculative fiction, offering alternative histories that challenge the traditional narrative of progress driven by masculinity, while also critiquing reactionary politics and exploring a feminine literary aesthetic.
Grass's writing style in The Flounder is described as long, labyrinthine, and at times meandering, with elements of magic realism and fairytale reimagining. The novel is praised for its expansive journey, engrossing the reader in a world where history is reexamined through a feminist lens. Grass's exploration of female agency, patriarchy, and the reimagination of traditional stories make The Flounder a thought-provoking and complex read.
ILSEBILL PUT ON more salt. Before the impregnation there was shoulder of mutton with string beans and pears, the season being early October. Still at table, still with her mouth full, she asked, “Shou... - #2
Save:'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel is a dense and satisfying novel that brings to life the character of Thomas Cromwell amidst the fall of Wolsey and the rise of the Boleyns. The book delves deep into personal and political world-building, exploring mythologies of the Reformation and the complexities of 16th-century England. Mantel expertly crafts a meticulously researched story surrounding Cromwell, portraying him with care and attention to detail.
Felled, dazed, silent, he has fallen; knocked full length on the cobbles of the yard. His head turns sideways; his eyes are turned towards the gate, as if someone might arrive to help him out. One blo... 'When Women Invented Television' by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong is a compelling narrative that delves into the lives of four remarkable women who played pivotal roles in shaping the television industry. The book highlights the struggles and triumphs of pioneers like Betty White, Irna Phillips, Hazel Scott, and Gertrude Berg, shedding light on their groundbreaking contributions to television during a time when female creativity and enterprise were overshadowed by societal constraints and McCarthyism. Armstrong's writing weaves together the stories of these women in an engaging manner, offering readers a glimpse into the untold history of women's influence on early television programming.
Gertrude Berg entered a room like the prow of a ship, commanding attention to match her ambition. She wasn’t arrogant; she just carried her accomplishments with her. She dressed her matronly figure in...- #4
Save:'Forged' by Bart D. Ehrman delves into the deliberate falsification found in early Christian history, particularly focusing on the authorship of various books in the New Testament. Ehrman exposes the practice of writing under assumed names and the widespread forgery in the ancient world, challenging commonly accepted beliefs about the authenticity of biblical texts. Through extensive research and engaging storytelling, Ehrman reveals the discrepancies between claimed authorship and actual authorship, shedding light on the historical context and motives behind these falsifications.
WHENEVER I TEACH ABOUT FORGERY, I think back to my first lecture on the subject, twenty-five years ago now, at Rutgers University. As odd as this might seem, forgery was on everyone’s mind at the time... 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India' by Shashi Tharoor delves into the dark deeds and atrocities committed by the British Empire during its rule in India. Through detailed research and analysis, the author exposes how British colonialism hindered India's development, exploited its resources, disrupted local institutions, and caused widespread suffering among the Indian population. Tharoor discusses various aspects of British rule, including the impact on communities, economy, education, and governance, shedding light on the hidden truths of the colonial past.
Durant’s outrage – the conquest of India by a corporation – the East India Company – the deindustrialization of India – destruction of Indian textiles – extraction, taxes and diamonds – Clive and Plas...'Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution' by Stephen Knight is a compelling exploration of the infamous Whitechapel murders. Knight delves into the politics of the era and presents a theory that challenges conventional beliefs about the identity of Jack the Ripper. The book not only details the murders themselves but also raises intriguing questions about how the killer could have committed the crimes and evaded capture in the bustling streets of London.
- #7
Save:Contrary to common understanding, Christianity as we know it was not established fully formed in the first decades after the death of Jesus. Rather the growth, spread and eventual victory of the interpretation of the religion that we know of today was only one of several different factions often at odds with one another over very significant doctrinal and theological differences. His research details an early Christian world of confusion, with the words of the disciples who were with Jesus, and the apostles who preached and wrote about him, being taken and subjectively interpreted by a multitude of contemporary groups. Anyone who wants to understand the emergence of the New Testament as a canonical anthology can profit from reading this book. Ehrman expresses no curiosity about how Jesus spent the formative years before his baptism, no interest in how the Dead Sea Scrolls illuminate the Jesus story, no doubts about the miracles or the resurrection, and no awareness that the apostle Paul might have been moved by darker impulses beside evangelical zeal in his missions among the gentiles. One of Ehrman's best, I think. Thought provoking and speculative, yet grounded, this book explores alternative early Christianities before Proto Orthodox Christianity won the battle and shoved the rest aside. If you are looking for proof that Dan Brown got it right in the Da Vinci Code, this is NOT the book for you. But if you are looking for a serious, but readable tome on the varieties of Christianity in the years before the Council of Nicea, you could not do much better than Ehrman. It is only in the last third of the book that Ehrman attempts to justify his proposition of the proto orthodox. Crucial to this discussion is the authorship of the books of the New Testament. My main criticism of his book is that he seems totally uncritical about the orthodox faith that emerged from the history. A very enjoyable read and a fascinating insight into the beliefs of the early Christians before the Church finally decided what should and shouldn't be kept out of the New Testament. To literalist Christians, Ehrman's work will be shocking, even heretical. His scholarship is beyond reproach, however, and he goes to great lengths to explain how Biblical historians know what they know and on what evidence they base their inferences. Ehrman doesn't mince words when he discusses the forgeries both in and out of the Bible, so do be aware the topic gets plenty of ink. So what are the repercussions of the victory of proto orthodox Christianity How has our world been shaped by this Ehrman feels the significance of this victory can scarcely be overstated. It's hard to say whether I actually liked this book or not. I will say that it was exactly what I expected from Dr. Ehrman, being familiar with his writing. Ehrman has documented this development superbly. He highlights the uneven quality of the original texts, the controversies and corruptions that bedeviled their preservation and publication, and the personal failings and animosities that constantly threatened to derail the entire process of finding agreement on what should go into the canon. Ehrman is very good at speaking in plain and understandable language about topics that folks often try and make complex and hard to understand. A main point of this history is that the present form of Christianity, that we tend to think of as the 'right' or orthodox viewpoint, is merely the one that won the debates. Ehrman has done a convincing job of reverse engineering what these other groups believed. This book takes a broad look at the canon of the New Testament i.e. the process whereby books were gradually and then finally established by the 5th Century as the ones to be included therein and forms a study of the works that were left out and the various early Christian sects that supported them.
Ancient Christians knew of far more Gospels than the four that eventually came to be included in the New Testament. Most of them have been lost to us in all but name. Some are quoted sporadically by e... A Black Women's History of the United States by Daina Ramey Berry is a rich and insightful exploration of the history of Black women in America, spanning from 1619 to the present day. The book sheds light on stories that are often overlooked or not taught in traditional education, providing a deep dive into the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of African American women and their enslaved ancestors. The writing style is dense and fascinating, offering an expansive knowledge of history with abundant political and social context for each time period covered.
The book challenges the inadequacies of American public education in teaching Black history, especially the stories of Black women. It is described as a gem that everyone can benefit from reading, offering a different perspective on American history through the lens of Black women's experiences. Readers are left with a clear understanding of the significant contributions and sacrifices made by Black women throughout history, inspiring a deeper appreciation and awareness of their impact on shaping America.
THE EARLY HISTORICAL NARRATIVES of North America were not uniquely centered on Black women until now; instead, it was about discovery, colonization, and conquest. This history emphasized the “discover...- #9
Save:'Femina' by Janina Ramirez delves into the often-overlooked history of influential women in the Middle Ages. Through engaging storytelling, Ramirez sheds light on powerful female figures such as Bertha of Kent, thelfl d of Mercia, and Cynethryth of Mercia. The writing style of Ramirez is described as enthusiastic and enjoyable, making what could be a dry academic topic an engaging read. challenges the traditional narrative of history by exploring the roles and impact of women during this period, offering an alternative view of medieval history.
Ramirez's book uncovers the stories of remarkable women who played significant roles in shaping medieval history, from Christian princesses to Viking conquerors. By providing detailed accounts of these women's lives and achievements, Ramirez aims to highlight their importance and contributions that have often been omitted from historical records. The narrative weaves together historical facts with intriguing anecdotes, presenting a fresh perspective on the lives and experiences of women in the Middle Ages.
'One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America' by Kevin M. Kruse discusses the history of how corporate America attempted to dismantle New Deal reforms by creating a new free enterprise religion and eroding the separation of church and state. It explores the tactics used by corporate America to promote a new version of Jesus, one aligned with free enterprise and selfishness, while eradicating the Social Gospel Jesus of the New Deal era. delves into the role of prominent figures like Billy Graham in shaping American politics and the influence of religion on political movements, particularly in the post-war era.
IN DECEMBER 1940, MORE THAN five thousand industrialists from across America took part in their yearly pilgrimage to Park Avenue. For three days every winter, the posh Waldorf-Astoria Hotel welcomed t...
