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#OffMyShelf “Historical”

Not for the easily offended. Flashman is a terrible, amoral person. He‘s just incredibly lucky. Expelled from Rugby, he joins the army and ends up in Afghanistan, right in time for the first Anglo-Afghan war. I may continue with the series since Zelig-like, he is always at an interesting historical moment. The author is obviously a historian at heart. And I don‘t think the author endorses Flashman‘s behavior. Far from it.

#WhereAreYouMonday

I‘m with Flashman on the 1842 retreat from Kabul of the British Army. He is really is a terrible person but one does get a good feel for the historical situation reading this book.

If I could rate this book infinite stars, I would.THe opening lines of Emily WIlson's translation of 'THe Odyssey', “Tell me, O Muse, of a complicated man“would not go amiss as an epigraph for this.Read if it you're not a fan of Kipling(I wasn't,I'm now a devotee),or if you're a fan.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7578201795

Madame Elysé spoke for three minutes and forty-seven seconds. The silence that followed seemed interminable. As I stood at the podium, a gentle sound filled the Great Hall of Justice, the sound of tears.
I waited to address the Court.
Later, after the morning session was over... Madame Elysé... turned to me.....

'May I ask a question?'
'Yes.'
'Why did it take so long for us to come to The Hague?'

Informative. Mostly focuses on India and China (and colonialism) but also covers a lot of time and a few other places.

#Jewelry. #CoverStories

@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

A well researched book on the opium plant and its impact on all aspects of society during the eighteen and nineteenth century. It was this plant that provided a lion share of the capital needed for European colonization. A lot of the wealthiest Americans made their fortune from this trade before they diversified into other ventures.

I did not expect this book to be as dark and witty as it was. A portrayal of the Indian mutiny on the fictional town of Krishnapur.
It is from the viewpoint of white men but in bits shows that the author had an understanding of the complications of the British empire.

#LiteraryCrew discussion time! I have 5 questions posted as spoilers. These can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or searching the group hashtag.

Please feel free to visit the questions whenever you like. This time, there are several links for more information.

December‘s book is Kaia Alderson‘s Sisters in Arms. The official post will go up tomorrow!