Book Sixty-Three: A Voyage Long and Strange
Finished: December 25th
Pages: 445
While it took me a while to finish this book, it wasn't because I didn't find it fascinating. Tony Horwitz is fast becoming one of my favorite authors, much like his wife. I've already started The Confederates in the Attic, and find it just as well written.
The premise behind A Voyage Long and Strange is rather simple, but much more complicated when you think about the massive amount of research and preparation, not to mention time for travel. Mr. Horwitz begins his book at Plymouth Rock, the mythical birthplace of America, and then spends the rest of the book explaining just how mythical Plymouth really is. This exploration into the birth of America can be, at times, hilarious and often heart warming, while at other times you can't help but wonder at just how depressing the history of our nation really is. Horwitz doesn't seem to do anything by halves, taking up a trip that will cover all the various early explorations of America, from the Vikings to the Spanish to the French. It is a delightful way to look at history, and I must say that I probably would have done much better in history class if we had read this book instead of de Tocqueville.
I like narrative history so much more and can only hope to continue reading books this entertaining in the future.
Good Reading,
Caitlin
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we read confederates in the attic in my history of the south class. ironic since the book was SO interesting and captivating and the professor was NOT.
ReplyDeleteblue latitudes is fabulous, too.