For the most part, I found this book sensationalist and shallow, but then I guess I should have figured that out from the cover - look it up and notice the location of the man's hand. That being said, I did learn a few non-sordid facts here and there.
I did not like the way the book is organized - more by subject than person or time period. Some people are thus mentioned more than once which got a little confusing.
It all seemed so out of context as well. As the British would say, "just the nasty bits" were covered without more for the most part. Some of the people covered were truly awful or had very bad luck generally, but for some this was only true a few times, yet the book might lead one to think this is all there was to their lives. The book might also lead some people to some false generalities like say that all the popes were lecherous murderers given how the book went on and on about some who were.
Maybe the author (Michael Farquhar) intended it all to be taken lightly, so no harm no foul you might say, but then so much of it was about deadly serious stuff. It all seemed depressing at best. So much like the usual fare on TV and in many mass type publications today.
There are also some clear errors - like on page 314 where the book tells readers that Cortes conquered the Incas in Mexico in 1521; the Incas were from Peru and never in Mexico to any extent that I ever heard, and I think it was Pizarro who did them in, while Cortes fought the Aztecs in Mexico. This is more than a mere typo.
I make it a habit to finish a book once I start, so I was very happy to get to the end of this one. I would skip it if I were you.
I did not like the way the book is organized - more by subject than person or time period. Some people are thus mentioned more than once which got a little confusing.
It all seemed so out of context as well. As the British would say, "just the nasty bits" were covered without more for the most part. Some of the people covered were truly awful or had very bad luck generally, but for some this was only true a few times, yet the book might lead one to think this is all there was to their lives. The book might also lead some people to some false generalities like say that all the popes were lecherous murderers given how the book went on and on about some who were.
Maybe the author (Michael Farquhar) intended it all to be taken lightly, so no harm no foul you might say, but then so much of it was about deadly serious stuff. It all seemed depressing at best. So much like the usual fare on TV and in many mass type publications today.
There are also some clear errors - like on page 314 where the book tells readers that Cortes conquered the Incas in Mexico in 1521; the Incas were from Peru and never in Mexico to any extent that I ever heard, and I think it was Pizarro who did them in, while Cortes fought the Aztecs in Mexico. This is more than a mere typo.
I make it a habit to finish a book once I start, so I was very happy to get to the end of this one. I would skip it if I were you.
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