Spera Volume 3

author: Josh Tierney

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.29

book published: 2013

rating: 2

read at: 2013/11/30

date added: 2013/11/30

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Spera is a long running online comic and this graphic novel collects one of the adventures. The adventure has a cast of adventurers on a quest, and each chapter is illustrated by a different artist. The result is a sort of mixed result.



Pira and Lono are exiled princesses. They are accompanied by Yonder, who is a fire spirit that alternates between a bearded man and a large, flaming dog, Chobo, a fierce cat, and Adel a fellow adventurer. When Yonder is put under the spell of a water spirit and shrunk, the adventurers have to find a wood spirit who will help them to restore their friend.



Along with the main adventure, there are a series of shorter adventures, all done by different artists as well. The art varies in quality, as does the lettering. Some chapters are easier to read than others. It was a coherent enough series and I liked the adventure gaming touches, like ccg cards at the end of each chapter outlining a monster or creature encountered in the chapter. Overall, it was just okay. I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't feel compelled to read more in this universe.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/774688727?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Doctor Who Series 1: Winter's Dawn, Season's End

author: Tony Lee

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.31

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/27

date added: 2013/11/27

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

At Winter's Dawn begins a story with the 11th Doctor and his companions Amy and Rory. It's the wedding anniversary of Amy and Rory and they want to get away somewhere romantic. The Doctor has other ideas and whisks them away to Victorian England on the eve of the Great Exposition. They find things amiss in the crystal palace when they discover something that shouldn't be there. It ties in with a couple who think they have been communicating with the spirit world, but instead have been speaking with an alien being. The story concludes in Victorian England, but leads to a cliffhanger that is not resolved in this issue.



The backup story is a fun one. Amy decides the boys need a night out by themselves to drink a few beers and bond. This leads them to London in 1814. Amy sets out to sightsee and leaves the Doctor and Rory to their own devices. They decide to speed up the evening with the Tardis which leads to some pretty funny complications. Amy finds herself in the Great Beer Flood of 1814.



Writing by Andy Diggle and Brandon Seifert is very much in keeping with the characters and the stories are reminiscent of ones you might see on the show. The art by Mark Buckingham and Philip Bond is in 2 very different styles, but works for each story. Buckingham's almost seems like rotoscope work and Bond's is more cartoonish, but I liked both styles.



I was giving a review copy by IDW and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.







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Law of the Desert Born (Graphic Novel): A Graphic Novel

author: Louis L'Amour

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/26

date added: 2013/11/26

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Law of the Desert Born is a graphic novel adaptation of the story by Louis L'Amour. A murder in a western town brings out a posse, but there may be more to the story than there appears.



The story opens with Marone riding into town and shooting a man in what appears to be cold blood. The town sheriff gets a posse together, including a jailed man named Lopez, to track him down. Marone seems to always be one step ahead, but Lopez is a good tracker and has history with Marone, which is told in flashbacks. The story narrows the posse down until it's only a couple people fighting it out in a harsh desert environment.



The graphic novel adaptation is by Charles Santino from a script by Beau L'Amour and Katherine Nolan and is based on the famous short story by Louis L'Amour. The art by Thomas Yeates is black and white and reminds me of old western films from when I was a kid. Included with the graphic novel is a great essay about the story behind the story. It includes the history of the story and the iterations it's had. There is also biographical information about Louis L'Amour. I really enjoyed it.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Random House and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this fine graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/676105883?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files, Volume 1

author: Mike Costa

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.29

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/25

date added: 2013/11/25

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

When Chameleon returns from a mission with severe depression and PTSD, she has a hard time fitting back in with G.I. Joe. It doesn't help to be working with Tomax Paoli, the man she fled Cobra to escape.



Chameleon has to get it together when Flint finds out about a covert operation to infiltrate the new G.I. Joe wing in the Pentagon. Duke is not convinced it will happen until he is shown that it already has. Chameleon has to lead a team to stop a deadly attack on Washington D.C.



The story by Mike Costa is great, and I really like a lot of the recent G.I. Joe comics I've read. The story lines are quite mature and don't remind me of action figures or cartoons. Intense action, complex relationships and twisting storylines. Art by Antonio Fuso is sparse at times, but this plays nice with the story.



I was given a review copy of the graphic novel by IDW and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/689548288?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

I.T. Confidential

author: C.D. Rahm

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.50

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/11/23

date added: 2013/11/23

shelves:

review:

I.T. Confidential is a cynical and no holds barred look at being I.T. staff inside a typical company. The book mainly deals with the type of people you will be working with and what a workday might look like.



With chapter titles like "So You Want To Be in I.T" and "Embrace The Meeting" you kind of know what you are in for. There is no type of office worker that is spared, so the reader will be laughing and grimacing as they read this. It seems like a lot of the examples are from working in larger companies, but I still recognized myself and others in the characters in this book.



It's quite cynical and the author includes an anonymous interview as well as handy lists of commonly used phrases in company meetings and a list of books you can now dispose of ('Punch Cards: Tips and Tricks' for example). A fun, quick read for those with a darker sense of humor.



I was given a review copy of this book by BP Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/693157061?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Stumptown, Vol. 2

author: Greg Rucka

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.89

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/21

date added: 2013/11/21

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Dex Parios finally has her own private detective office in Portland and just in time for a new case to come along. When a guitar is stolen from the band Tailhook, Dex is on the case, but things aren't what they seem. Especially when the guitar's owner, Mim, doesn't want to go to the police.



There are skinheads looking for the guitar and DEA agents questioning Dex. When the guitar mysteriously shows up, that isn't the end of the case either. Things heat up and all is resolved as the mystery is uncovered.



It's a good mystery story by Greg Rucka, who also includes an essay on private eyes and how they have influenced him. The art by Matthew Southworth is good and shows the seamier side of Portland. Especially cool are the iconic train station and the Burnside Bridge which feature in the story. Dex is a capable detective that can hold her own amongst any other fictional detectives I've read. I'd like to read more stories featuring her.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/606069728?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Star Wars, Volume 1: In the Shadow of Yavin

author: Brian Wood

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.82

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/19

date added: 2013/11/19

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

This graphic novel collects Star Wars #1-6 and takes place right after the movie Star Wars: A New Hope. The Death Star has been destroyed, but so has Alderaan. The rebels are on the run because the Empire knows where their base on Yavin is. One of the problem I have with a lot of the tie in novels in the Star Wars universe is that they feature characters I'm not familiar with. This book features all the characters from the classic Star Wars movies and I loved it.



Princess Leia is sent on a mission with Luke and Wedge Antilles to find a new secret location for the rebel base, but their every move is anitcipated by the Empire. Han and Chewie are sent with a large sum of money to recruit help for the rebellion. Darth Vader, with the sting of defeat, is demoted by the emperor and sent to try to recover. There is spy intrigue, the sense of loss that the characters have suffered and a pretty good story. It doesn't complete in this volume, but it's quite a story.



The story by Brian Wood is great with all those great, classic characters. Leia is confident, Han is cocky, Luke is still discovering his force powers. Art by Carlos D'Anda is stunning and detailed. Covers are by Alex Ross and are his usual wonderful quality. There is a short back up story from an issue given out on Free comic Book Day on the assassination of Darth Vader and it's a good one.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.







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The Dragon's Boy

author: Jane Yolen

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.49

book published: 1990

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/16

date added: 2013/11/16

shelves:

review:

Young Artos lives in Sir Ector's castle and is shoved around by the other boys. One day, while tracking down a wayward hound, he discovers a cave that has a dragon living in it. The dragon offers him wisdom in exchange for pots of gravy and meat.



It's a grand tale of young King Arthur with some familiar characters. He doesn't become king by the end of this book, but he's well on his way to understanding how to lead people. He gains some understanding of himself and the people around him as well.



I enjoyed it and found it clever and engaging. The character of Artos changes quite a bit over the short length of the book and Yolen is a masterful storyteller. There are some nice surprises in the lessons that Artos learns throughout the book.



Included in the ebook is a note by the author about how the book got written along with a nice personal history of Jane Yolen with photographs. According to the author, she has a sum of books of 335. If you've never read anything by her, you owe a look at her work.



I was given a review copy of the book by Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/761989593?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next #1)

author: Jasper Fforde

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.92

book published: 2001

rating: 4

read at:

date added: 2013/11/16

shelves:

review:







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Orlando

author: Virginia Woolf

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.82

book published: 1928

rating: 5

read at:

date added: 2013/11/16

shelves:

review:







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Slaughterhouse-Five

author: Kurt Vonnegut

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.98

book published: 1969

rating: 4

read at:

date added: 2013/11/16

shelves:

review:







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Animated Life: A Lifetime of Tips, Tricks, and Stories from an Animation Legend

author: Floyd Norman

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.67

book published: 2012

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/15

date added: 2013/11/15

shelves: non-fiction

review:

An Animated Life is part autobiography, part guide to being an animator. Floyd Norman has worked at Disney studio, and with Pixar. He's run his own company and did the Mickey Mouse syndicated comic strip for awhile.



The book is full of his personal stories from the trenches. He worked in the Disney Studio as things were changing and worked on films like Jungle Book, Toy Story and The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, among others. He also spends a good chunk of the book instructing younger animators with the lessons he's learned along the way. Lessons like how important story is, and taking risks.



Mr. Norman seems like a very amiable person, and he never seeks to stooping to dishing dirt, even though he's probably got some stories. His willingness to be a mentor to a younger generation and to pass on his wisdom is a beautiful thing to see. Recommended for Disney animation fans and aspiring animators.



I was provided a review copy by Focal Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this marvelous book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/765155435?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Wolfhound Century

author: Peter Higgins

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.49

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/11/14

date added: 2013/11/14

shelves:

review:

Wolfhound Century by Peter Higgins reminded me of the work of China Mieville. I say that because I felt like I got thrown into a strange descriptive world without the clues to decipher what was going on. And yet, I couldn't stop reading. When it was all done, I enjoyed it, but it felt like the beginning of a series, and I still have questions.



It all takes place in a Soviet-like place that has been in a constant war with strange beings called angels. There is also a terrorist bombing as the book starts. There are secret police and an oppressive government. It all makes for an interesting setting for an SF novel.



It's a great read for people who like dense, descriptive writing, and short chapters push the story along at a brisk pace. The characters are interesting, and I'm interested to read more by Mr. Higgins.



I was provided a review copy by Orbit and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for giving me a chance to review this interesting debut novel.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/559881044?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

The Ophelia Cut (Dismas Hardy, #14)

author: John Lescroart

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.58

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/11/13

date added: 2013/11/13

shelves:

review:

The Ophelia Cut is the 14th book in the Dismas Hardy series. Dismas is a lawyer in San Francisco with a cast of family and friends from previous novels. Even though I haven't read any of the other books, I had no problem jumping in and reading this one. There was one event that was mentioned that happened in a previous book, but it just made me curious to find out more about it.



When Dismas' brother-in-law is accused of murder, and subsequently falls off the wagon, it's up to Dismas to put it all back together again. It turns out that Moses' daughter was seeing a young politician who liked getting a little rough with his dates. When he ends up dead, all fingers point to the father of one of his victims. But it turns out that there may have been other people who also wouldn't mind seeing him gone as well. Add to that a young man who may be in the witness relocation program and there are more than a few red herrings along the way. The drama culminates in a trial with Moses on the stand and Dismas doing all he can to keep Moses out of jail.



These are all likeable characters (with the exception of the murder victim) and Lescroart writes them well. They feel like real people with their fears and flaws. They lack the overvirtuous characterizations you see in most novels. I'm not familiar with the series, but I'd like to revisit these characters in the future.



I was given a review copy by Atria Books and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/583795515?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

My Brief History

author: Stephen Hawking

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.50

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/12

date added: 2013/11/12

shelves: non-fiction

review:

My Brief History by Stephen Hawking is exactly as the title implies. A short autobiography of the famous scientist told in his warm style. Included are personal photographs from his life that show him at all ages.



Chapter headings like Cambridge and Time Travel make it easy to tell what Mr. Hawking will be talking about. Chapters are about his personal life, but also discuss theories he has worked on. There is a chapter about the writing of the book A Brief History of Time. Stephen also discusses the problems with being famous and being in a wheelchair. The book finishes with an inspiring chapter on how to overcome limitations that you might have.



Most of the material and facts are known, but it's a good introduction to this amazing man and his work. Stephen's style of writing is good natured and friendly. I really enjoyed it.



I was given an review copy by Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/716531517?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Five Ghosts, Vol. 1: The Haunting of Fabian Gray

author: Frank J. Barbiere

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.38

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/11

date added: 2013/11/11

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Five Ghosts is a definite nod to the pulps of the 1930s and 1940s. Adventurer Fabian Gray has an accident that causes the ghosts of five literary adventurers to seal themselves to him (one is Sherlock Holmes, one is Merlin, one is Dracula). He can draw on their power as needed, but the ghosts can try to overwhelm him. As a result of the accident, his sister lies in a comatose state and Fabian is determined to right the wrong.



Fabian finds out that someone is after him, and he enlists unusual help. Along the way, he has to confront each of the five ghosts in a test in order to get them to help him. Fabian's sidekick is brainy, bespectacled Sebastian, who is there to guide him and look out for him.



The story by Frank J. Barbiere is very retro with cults and spiders and lost cities. The art by Chris Mooneyham is straight from the Joe Kubert School or Cartoon and Graphic Art where he graduated from. The art has strong lines and is great to look at.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Image Comics and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/733505994?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Harlem Street Portraits

author: Harvey Stein

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/10

date added: 2013/11/10

shelves: non-fiction

review:

Harlem Street Portraits represents 12 years of photos that Harvey Stein took on the streets of Harlem starting in 2002. These are stunning portraits in black and white and the subjects are mostly aware they are being photographed. Harvey takes the time to speak with his subjects before he takes their photo and that extra touch lends an extra air of vulnerability to his subjects.



The book includes two short essays by Herbert Boyd and Miss Rosen which discuss Harlem and photography. Harvey Stein discusses what his feelings were about Harlem before entering to photograph the people who live there. It's a snapshot of a neighborhood that is changing even as the book has been published. Changes that are possibly forcing some of the residents out.



The subjects are young and old. Hopeful and laughing, pensive and slightly suspicious. There is a weight and respect to the subject matter. The black and white lends dignity to it's subject. This is a work that will stand beside Mr. Stein's other work.



I was graciously given a review copy by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/705849775?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

East of West, Vol. 1: The Promise

author: Jonathan Hickman

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.99

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/11/09

date added: 2013/11/09

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

East of West Volume 1 collects the first 5 issues of the series by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta. It's best described as a Weird West tale in an alternate future where cosmic forces are battling each other.



In an alternate future, the US is divided into territories owned by different factions. The West coast is founded by Mao (not Chairman Mao) and the Golden Gate Bridge is conceived very differently. There are cities in canyons and towering spires and lots of desert. Into this rides Death with his 2 companions known as Wolf and Crow. He is being pursued by the other three members of the apocalyptic group (war, famine and pestilence) which are portrayed as children. Along the way, Death's wife makes an appearance.



To be honest, I was a bit lost at first. It's a volume 1, but it took me a bit to pick up the story thread. The story is so epic and the casualties so immense, that it lost some meaning for me, and the story does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. It's an interesting setup and I would like to see where they go with it. And the artwork by Nick Dragotta is really cool. I loved Death, Wolf and especially Crow as they were portrayed. He's created some iconic characters that I'd like to see more of.



I received this review copy from Image Comics and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/757117305?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

True Blood Volume 1: All Together Now

author: Alan Ball

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.58

book published: 2011

rating: 3

read at: 2013/07/04

date added: 2013/10/15

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

One night down at Merlotte's in Bon Temps, everyone in the restaurant is trapped by a creepy, tentacled imp spirit who feeds on shame. The spirit won't release everyone until they all tell a shameful recollection from their past. Since this is based on True Blood, the stories include those of vampires and shapeshifters.



The comic is based on the television series, which is based on the book series. The art used is a sort of vector stylized photo cartoon style, sort of like you can do to your Facebook profile photo. The result is that the characters look much like the actors they portray on the show. This works, but seems a little distracting to the ongoing story. That's probably just me, though.



The story works well as back story to some of the characters, and it's suggested by an idea from series writer Alan Ball. I don't know if these were separate issues before they became a graphic novel, but the chapters divide up by just ending, not building to a cliffhanger. It makes for a kind of broken reading experience to then flip through a few pages of issue cover art to get back into the story.



Most of the stories were interesting. A couple were less so. The imp shaloop character was well created and drawn, with tentacles shooting out of his coat and capturing people near him. The ending hints at a sequel.





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Super Boys: The Amazing Adventures of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster--the Creators of Superman

author: Brad Ricca

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.51

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/07

date added: 2013/11/07

shelves: non-fiction

review:

Super Boys is the culmination of 10 years research by Brad Ricca. The result is an excellent biography about the creators of Superman, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The book includes rare early artwork and stories from their days in high school. Through these, you can see the evolution of Superman.



Jerry just tried wanted to fit in. He wrote for the school newspaper under aliases. He wrote stories about the girls he liked. He wrote letters to the early science fiction magazines and he schemed to get rich writing. When he met Joe Shuster, he found someone who could illustrate his stories. The result, eventually, was Superman. It seems like the ultimate rags to riches story, and it was. Just not for Jerry and Joe. They gave away the creation through errors and spent years trying to get it back.



The book covers the hard years, with Joe working drawing less than admirable things, and Jerry working as a non-credited writer in comics. Towards the end of their lives they began to receive the recognition they so desperately wanted, but the money never rolled in like they dreamed. As the book closes, the family is still in the process of getting some of the rights back.



It's a great story about 2 guys living in Cleveland who create something so beyond them. Something that was breathed out of their fantasies and into ours. Very enjoyable and melancholy.



I received a review copy from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book.









via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/614288043?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Cyborg 009

author: F.J. DeSanto

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.71

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/05

date added: 2013/11/05

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Cyborg 009 is a reboot of the 1964 series by Shotaro Ishinomori that has a great modern sensibility while still honoring the past. A diverse group of cyborgs is created by the Black Ghost and they all have different strengths to bring to the team.



The newest member, Cyborg 009, discovers that his name was Joe and that he was in love with a girl. He breaks from the group and almost dies, but uncovers a plot by Sekar to build an army of cyborgs to take over the planet. Can Cyborg 009 (and 001-008) stop him in time?



It's all a lot of fun and I loved how unique each cyborg character was. The art by Marcus To and Ian Herring is a colorful western style that nods towards manga. The story by F. J. DeSanto and Bradley Cramp is one about what it means to be human and have friends to rely on. Nicely done.



I was given a review copy of this book by Archaia Entertainment and Netgalley in exchange for and honest review. Thank you for letting me review this.













via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/634556696?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss

Man v. Liver

author: Neil Hinson

name: Wayne

average rating: 2.03

book published: 2013

rating: 1

read at: 2013/11/04

date added: 2013/11/04

shelves:

review:







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Arrow Vol. 1

author: Marc Guggenheim

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.73

book published: 2013

rating: 3

read at: 2013/11/02

date added: 2013/11/02

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

Arrow Volume 1 is a tie in to the WB show Arrow that features the Green Arrow. The book features a number of mini-comics that tie in to episodes on the show. As such, there isn't really a cohesive storyline to this book since the comics are either prologues or add extra information to the individual episodes.



If you are a fan of the show, this book would probably go well with watching the episodes on dvd or on a streaming service. As a straight read this book doesn't make a lot of sense. It should be advertised as a companion piece. It's not a stand alone.



The art is good. It's nice to see Mike Grell's work again amongst the other artists in the book. I was a big fan of Jon Sable and this work shows the same gritty sensibility. The Marc Guggenheim scripts are good and tie right in to the show. I have seen most of the episodes that these stories tie into so it was nice to see some backstory that I know wasn't in the episodes. Think of it more like a dvd extra or cut scenes and you might enjoy it.



I was given an advanced reading copy by DC Comics and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this book for you.





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The Assassination of the Archduke: Sarajevo 1914 and the Romance That Changed the World

author: Greg King

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.04

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2013/11/01

date added: 2013/11/01

shelves: non-fiction

review:

With the 100th anniversary of the tragic assassination that some claim led to the First World War, this is a new look at the archduke and his wife from some recently uncovered sources. Traditional sources have told that Franz Ferdinand was miserly, standoffish and dark. This book, which is written with his descendants blessings may have a different agenda, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.



Franz Ferdinand was nephew to Habsburg emperor Franz Joseph. When Franz Joseph's son Rudolph committed suicide and Franz Ferdinand's father renounced his claim on the throne, this left Franz in line for the throne. Complicating this was his marriage to Sophie Chotek, who was not his royal equal, creating a morganatic marriage. This inequality was never accepted by the emperor and Franz Ferdinand was riled by it. He made royal friends in other countries where she was accepted as equal, but not in Austria. They had 3 children and spent much of their time away from Vienna and the rest of the royal family.



The journey to Sarajevo and it's aftermath are discussed, as well as the fates of the three orphaned children, who suffered the loss of their parents, but the misfortunes of World War II. I've been to the military history museum in Vienna where many of the artifacts of the assassination are on display. The slashed and bloodstained uniform Franz Ferdinand wore, the couch he was laid on after he was shot and the automobile he and Sophie were riding in, among other things. It's a somber display, but with the distance of history, events can seem blurry and out of focus. This book humanized the victims of that assassination in a new way. It's a well written book about an event that may have been the most tragic of the 20th Century.



I was given a review copy by St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me read this fine book.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/705849781?utm_medium=api&utm_source=rss