3 ms·
This book is definitely an example where judging a book by its cover leads to very wrong conclusions. The cover looks silly and implies amateurly written dreck
by rmah 5y ago
This book is definitely an example where judging a book by its cover leads to very wrong conclusions. The cover looks silly and implies amateurly written dreck. But it's actually very well written. Interesting premise and gripping plot with compelling characters. Even a few surprises. It's a great book and one of the best of the genre, IMO. I highly recommend reading it.
- JPKab 5y agoLooking forward to reading it. My family on both sides come from West Virginia, and interestingly, all of Appalachia was settled by people fleeing the various religious wars in Europe in that time. Specifically, Appalachia was settled mostly by refugees from Ulster (primarily the Scots-Irish Presbyterians and other non-Anglican protestants who found themselves isolated in northern Ireland) and a smaller percentage of the settlers were Protestants fleeing the aftermath of the 30 years war in Germany. My family's ancestry reflects this. The echoes of those wars still carry on in the culture there. What was then known as Presbyterian (virtually zero relation to the current Presbyterian faith, and far more in line with evangelical Christians today) at the time shaped the culture to be hugely antagonistic to all forms of central authority. The Scots-Irish were particularly antagonistic to the British monarchy due to them being used to secure northern Ireland, and then in decades following being isolated from society due to laws treating non-Anglicans as second class citizens. The part of history I want to learn far more about is the 30 years war in Germany. My lack of knowledge on this subject was particularly embarrassing when I last went to Prague and was looking at the former seat of power for the Holy Roman Empire (one of many, since the capital shifted over the years to various cities). I had very little historical context for that part of Europe, which was frustrating.
- cafard 5y agoI think it is incorrect to describe the Scots-Irish as refugees. They mostly had some capital, didn't they? Also, I think that Albion' Seed suggested that the Scots-Irish emigration was much outnumbered by the entirely Scots emigration.
- JPKab 5y agoAppalachia was particularly favored amongst the Scots-Irish. Good point on the term "refugee". For the most part, they were certainly very poor, but I've never read Albion' Seed before. I have read a book that is considered an update on it, called Eleven Nations by Colin Woodward. I am curious as to what percentage were out of Ulster vs. from the borderlands.
- aidenn0 5y agoIf I had never heard the phrase "Thirty years war" before reading the blurb, will I be able to appreciate it?
- lnanek2 5y agoIt was an enjoyable read for me back as a kid even though I knew little history. It's pretty strong on the wish fulfillment end of things. E.g. big bad ass Americans go back in time and are better than everyone else. That sort of thing can still be fun, though, if you need to relax.
- mikewarot 5y agoI didn't even remember where the 30 years war was, and here I am recommending the series. The history is provided, you're not expected to know it.