Bryan

Amazing account of The Troubles, a violent politico-military event which lasted from the late 1960's until the mid-1990's. It centers around the abduction, murder and disappearing of a widowed mother of 10, who was “disappeared” in the early 1970's. Seemingly balanced amongst the various participants of the war and emblematic of the fact that there isn't good vs evil in a revolutionary struggle and that all sides have at least figurative, if not literal blood on their hands.

Ordinarily not a big novel reader, let alone fantasy, but I was intrigued by the show on HBO and absolutely loved it. Additionally, the show did a fantastic job remaking the book; probably the closest I have ever seen. Since I ham now hooked, the balance of the series (4 books in total until next week when it moves to 5) will be added to my “To Read” list.

I leaned so much about the futility of World War 1 and the making of the modern Middle East. It is told through the perspective of 4 important characters in the formation, including T.E. Lawrence, Aaron Aaronson, William Yale and Kurt Proeffer. Each was representing a different interest. The story probably could have been improved if they were able to continue more story through Proeffer's character, especially later in the book. I also would have enjoyed hearing a French and Turkish point-of-view fleshed out. All-in-all, it was a very good detailing as to why things are as they are today. There is also an interesting discussion of how things likely were to have been the same, even if Lawrence & Faisal Hussein would have succeeded. Very interesting read and now more likely that I will actually start to read, “Seven Pillars,” which had been on my shelf for some time.