In my previous post I had linked to the Internet Archive.
I recommend one book that you’ll find there, The French Revolution by the historian and satirical writer Thomas Carlyle. Besides the HTML version the IA also offers the book in a number of other formats.
Carlyle’s prose is very much a matter of taste. If you are interested in the subject matter and enjoy his eccentric and heavily metaphorical style of writing you are in for a real treat.
Ralf, I have that one on the shelf. I will get to it one of these days.
I would also recommend Hippolyte Taine’s contemporary account, also online.
Lex,
‘I’ll get to it one of these days’ is a daily thought of mine. I have had Churchill’s Marlborough and Gibbon’s Decline and Fall on the shelf directly over my bed for years, but so far I simply couldn’t get around to either of them.
Ahem,
thanks, Taine seems an interesting author.
Read Churchill’s My Early Life. It is not long and it is very good.
I am sure that it is very sure. I have browsed through Marlborough and certainly enjoyed the parts I read.
“I am sure that it is very good”, of course.
You really must read Gibbon.
Oh, I will, as soon as possible.
I am saving Gibbon for my retirement, if that ever happens. Also Macaualay. Churchill said his speaking and writing style was based on Gibbon and Macaulay.