Books of 2023

I've managed to read and listen to a lot of books this year, more than the previous ones, although many of these left less or no traces.

As of November, my brain refused to listen or read more and even books became part of my desire to declutter.

HISTORY BOOKS        

1. James Romm - Ghost on the Throne (audio)

A history of the events that followed Alexander the Great's death, the fight for power, empire and legitimization. Since I knew next to nothing about these events, I enjoyed it very much.

2. Norwich - History of Byzantium, vol 1, the Early Centuries

I did not read any of the classical history books that I've gathered this year. But I could not stay away from Roman history. For those wanting a balanced account of Eastern Roman history, Norwich's 3 volume are a must. Not just for the historical events and their insightful interpretation, but also for the beauty of the English language used. These should not be missed.

3. Jan Morris - The Venetian Empire

One of the highlights of this year. A historical travel guide, similar to Dalrymple book on Byzantium. A journey through Venice's former possessions and through their history under the Venetians. It is also an inward journey, from its Eastern possessions, back towards the city itself. Sensible, honest, introspective. I loved it!

4. Philip Daileader- Charlemagne: Father of Europe (audio)

I realized that I knew nearly nothing about a character that influenced Western European history. This (audio)book - structured as a course - provides all the basics.

5. Levi Roach - Empires of the Normans: Makers of Europe, Conquerors of Asia (audio)

The Normans left an impressive mark on the European and Mediterranean landscape, from their settling in France, expansion into Britain, conquest of Sicily, and the establishment of the Principality of Antioch, one of the Crusader States. While all of these are mentioned, the focus of the book is on the British Isles. The book provides a lot of context and a comprehensive look at their influence on European history.

6. Paul Strathem: The Artist, the Philosopher and the Warrior. The Intersecting Lives if Da Vinci, Machiavelli and Borgia and the World They Shaped

You might be surprised about the topic, but the three lives were intertwined, and the three characters did - in fact - meet at Cesare Borgia's court, where Da Vinci was employed as a military engineer and Machiavelli was a special envoy of Florence. The author provides the characters' biographies, the background and the follow-up to the events, and paints a vivid picture of a tumultuous period in the Italian renaissance.

7. Earnle Bradford: The Great Siege (audio)

A brief history of the failed Ottoman attempt to conquer Malta. Finding myself for the first time on the island, I wanted to refresh my memory of its epic history and role in the defense of Christendom. The book captured not only the events but also the spirit of the knights and the determination of the local population against the invaders.

8. Chris Wickham: Medieval Europe (audio)

An academic take on Medieval Europe: a systematization on major themes.

9. William Landon: Rise and Fall of the Borgias (audio)

Since I read about Cesare, I wanted a bit more about one of the most vilified families in history. This audiobook was structured like a revisionist historical course and is a balanced account of the Borgias' lives and time.

10. Liviu Cimpeanu - Cruciada impotriva lui Stefan cel Mare (The Crusade against Steven the Great)

A popularization book about the Teutonic expedition against Stefan cel Mare (Steven the Great), the most iconic ruler in the history of Moldova (and Romania). While the author is a historian, not a novelist, he did a pretty good job in setting the scene and presenting his discovery about the failed expedition.

11. William Dalrymple - Anarchy

After his travel book through the lands and history of Byzantium I had pretty big expectations. The book is chaotic, pretty much as the conquest of India was. Hence the title. Informative for someone who knew little about the process (like my self).

12. GJ Meyer - A World Undone (audio)

Since I wanted a comprehensive account of the First World War and Hasting's book only covered the first year (see below), Meyer looked like a good choice. I found his book fitting, especially regarding the Western front. However, when the book turned to the Eastern front and to events that I was more familiarized with, I discovered a lot of misinformation. I finished the book but started questioning almost everything I read in it.

13. Max Hastings: Catastrophe-Europe Goes to War 1914 (audio)

This book is supposed to provide an explanation of the events that led to the First World War. It's way too long and 'The Germans did it' could be the summary of it all. The anti-German and pro-British bias are so obvious it hurts. Sometimes, in the attempt to blame the Germans, the author goes to such lengths that he fractures logic.

14. Nandor Bardi and Judit Pal - Dincolo de transee (Beyond the trenches)

Another book about the First World War and how it was perceived by the Hungarians, based on a selection of diaries and memoires. The book was commissioned for the centennial anniversary of the Romanian Great Union, in 2018, but the Hungarian authors delivered about 3 years after that.

Both the war and the Romanian union were terrible blows for the Hungarians of the time and the selected testimonies illustrate that. They also show that on both sides of the trenches there were mostly people trapped in a game they came to embrace and turn into a life-or-death struggle.

15. James Barr: A Line in the Sand (audio)

With the events of 7.10, I wanted to learn more about the history of the British Mandate of Palestine and the origins of the Arab Israeli conflict. The book provided some of that but I can't recommend it due to three major flaws: 1) a clear bias against the West (it tries to portray the French as the main culprits, in order to excuse the Brits); 2) an obvious pro-Arab bias (stemming from the over-admiration for Lawrence) and 3) a conveniently early finish (which ignores the aftermath of 1947, mainly the first Arab-Israeli war of 1948 and the rejection by the Arabs of the 2 state-solution right at its inception). There are probably better books out there on the topic.

16. Antony Beevor: The Second World War (audio)

With the war in Ukraine prolonging, my interest in modern and contemporary history was reignited. I realized there was a lot I did not know, especially about the campaigns in Africa, Italy or the Pacific. After this gripping and gruesome account of the 2nd WW I am even more puzzled by the easiness with which humans seem posed to repeat those events.

17. Gunter Koschorrek: Blood Red Snow (audio)

This is the journal of a German soldier who joined the battle at Stalingrad, fought all the way back to Germany (including in Romania) and somehow managed to survive the onslaught. It's vivid and real, because it comes from a first line witness of the events. It is likely curated, because some of his scruples and political considerations seemed a bit out of place. Either way, it makes you realize the magnitude of destruction and the tragedy that engulfed people during those years.

18. David De Jong: Nazi Billionaires (audio)

An interesting premise, some good information, but also a lot of speculation. It seemed to me that the author focused more on appearances and opinions - what he thinks the businessmen who collaborated with Hitler's regime deserved - than with actual facts. There is a large degree of ambiguity, lots of moral judgement, but ultimately a letdown.

19. Graham Hancock - Fingerprints of the Gods (audio)

If you ever read and enjoyed Erich von Danicken, you'll enjoy this. An alternative take on ancient history, with missed continents, disappearing people and civilizations. I listened to it for fun. Some parts were interesting and plausible. Some were not. Ultimately, a waste of time.

SCIENCE-FICTION AND FICTION        

20. Isaac Asimov - Caderea noptii (Nightfall)

A reread to check if I still liked it. The book toys with the metaphor of Plato's cave. On a distant planet with many suns, humans are unused with darkness. An unexpected (though cyclical) eclipse occurs, causing mass-madness and utter destruction.

21. Andy Weir - Artemis

In the many discussions I had with Peter Drahos at EUI, it turned out we both enjoyed Sci-Fi, especially the wave focused more on Sci(ence), than Fi(ction). Weir is one of the best representatives of this genre (Project Hail Mary is the perfect illustration). Artemis does not follow suit. Although it involved a lot of scientific information about life on the Moon, the book was more of a crime novel located in space. It's a good book, it was just something different than (we) expected.

22. *** - Cornish Short Stories

A collection of short stories, all written by authors from Cornwall. Pretty good pieces and an enjoyable read for the few consecutive sunny days of the year in Copenhagen.

23. David Duchovny - Acumulare (Reservoir)

I know Duchovny from two of my favorite shows: the X Files and Californication. I found out this year that he also sings (and he does not sound bad at all) and writes. This was the only translation I found in Romanian. It's a small book, post-pandemic, and it was pretty good. I totally recommend it and I will definitely read more from him.

24. Mihai Radu - Repetitie pentru o lume mai buna (Preparing for a Better World)

I got this as a b-day present, with the author's autograph, from my best friend. I loved it. For Romanian readers who want to try something else than Cartarescu (:P), I strongly recommend it.

NON-FICTION        

25. Charles Geisst - Loan Sharks. The Birth of Predatory Lending

A very informative history of predatory lending in the US and the failed attempts of American regulators to tame it. Ironically, co-opting the banks in providing credit to consumers, did not solve the usury issue, but expanded it.

26. Anne Fleming - City of Debtors: A Century of Fringe Finance

Another book about consumer credit and attempts to address predatory lending. This one is focused on how the poor categories of consumers still managed to borrow money and the role played by New York City in the development of US consumer-credit regulation.

27. Mallory E SoRelle: Democracy Declined

Another highlight of this year. Despite the title, it is not a political science book, but one about consumer finance design and policy in the US. A fantastic read!

28. Charles R Geisst: Collateral Damaged

Along the same lines with SoRelle's Democracy Declined, Geisst's book explains how the Americans switched from a nation of savers to one of consumers and how the financial industry exploited in a series of events that went to the 2008 financial crisis.

29. Maurizio Lazzaroto - The Making of the Indebted Man

A philosophy book about debt. Very insightful.

30. Maurizio Lazzaroto - Governing by Debt

Another philosophy book about debt and how it is used as a control instrument of the masses for the benefit of the few.

31. William Magnuson - For Profit: A History of Corporations

The author presented his book at EUI, while I was there, although at that time I already had it. It's a selective account of various forms of companies, in various points in time, and how their quest for profit also served as a drive for innovation and prosperity. There's good and bad in corporations. There's always been and most likely will be. Recommended read.

32. Chris Miller: Chip War

Another highlight. If one wants to understand the geopolitical and economic struggle surrounding Taiwan and the risk that China might invade it, this is the book to read. And there's so much more in it.

33. JK Galbraith - The Affluent Society

This is a book that I started a while ago and finally got to read it all. It is one of the most famous books in contemporary economics (and not only) and one will easily understand why.

34. Yanis Varoufakis: Technofeudalism (audio)

Say what you want about the man, but he's definitely on to something here. The description of the current digital ecosystem where we all serve with our work and data the techno-capitalists is irrefutable. His proposals on how to fix it may be debatable, but in order to find a solution, we should first acknowledge the exact nature of the problem. I bought it as an audiobook (I did not have the patience to wait for a delivery and could not find it in the local stores) and enjoyed it even more because the author read it himself.

35. Houellebecq: Un pic mai rau (A Little Bit Worse)

I missed reading some Houellebecq, so the new translation provided the right excuse at the right time. I read it in a one-hour flight. It tells the story of how Houellebecq got himself (trapped) into a porn-film scandal and a trial to stop it from being broadcasted online. So far, he lost. The book presents an apologetic version of the events from Houellebecq's side. But even so, he clearly has no one to blame but himself.

36. Jordan Peterson: 12 Reguli de Viata (12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos) (audio)

This is a book that does not require introduction. In my case, it was long overdue.

CRIME        

38. Robert Galbraith - The Ink Black Heart

The sixth installment of JK Rowling's Strike novels is long and somewhat hard to follow because readers must go through the transcripts of an in-game chat room. It's very good, gripping, but somehow, I was a bit disappointed in the ending.

39. Robert Galbraith - The Running Grave

The latest novel of JK Rowling's crime series was the longest and the best I read so far. Until the ending. An amazing build up that somehow left me wanting. But the journey made it worthwhile.

40. Anni Taylor: Stranger in the Woods (audio)

A crime novel I listened to for relaxation and falling asleep. I remember almost nothing about the plot and the many twists. Only that an Australian woman takes a job in Scotland, to discover that she's been there before and she even had a child and an abusive relationship and so on, and so on... Fortunately forgettable.

41-44. Joy Ellis: The Guilty Ones; The Fourth Friend; The Stolen Boys; The Patient Man (audio)

Audible provides free access to a catalogue of crime novels. These books kept me engaged and entertained, but not enough to remember the plot. Read them on a beach or somewhere. Or skip them.

45. David Jackson: A Tapping at My Door (audio)

A crime novel that started well and ended so-so. A mixed bag. It was another free listen from Audible's catalogue, so I won't complain more.

46-49. Hellen H Durrant - Dead Wrong/Silent/ List/ Lost (audio)

Four crime books from Audible's catalogue, to pass time, relax the brain and fall asleep. They're short, entertaining, and forgettable.