Sunday, July 18, 2010

Thanking the Editrix

I am past the Bad Sweden and Gates of Vienna chapters in James Michner's Poland. The bad Sweden chapter contains some interesting plot and characters that go into the next chapter. The Gates of Vienna chapter is masterfully done.

I am now beginning the section with Catherine the Great manipulating the last Polish King. I expect a lull for 200 pages. The great part about Michener is that he does surprise you and make lesser history interesting.

4 comments:

Ducky's here said...

The partition of Poland was "lesser history"?

What are the criteria for "lesser history"?

beakerkin said...

The partition of Poland does not have the drama for historical fiction reading purposes. Of course we will get to my favorite part Poles kick commie clowns butts in 1920.

SecondComingOfBast said...

I disagree. The subject of the partition of Poland, set as a backdrop for an historical novel would, if done correctly, possibly make for riveting reading.

Ducky's here said...

So history is ordered by whether or not it excites you as a reader?

Is that the answer?

Does Michner go into the slaughter of the Polish Home Army while the Russians sat at the outskirts of Warsaw before pushing on to Berlin? You'd probably get a woodie from that story.