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Book Review: Charlemagne by in60Learning

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CharlemagneAbout the Book

Charlemagne’s name means “Charles the Great,” a title he earned after an impressive life filled with military conquests. After the fall of the Roman Empire, invaders came from all sides, and Charlemagne fought out of loyalty to his people and the Catholic Church. While he led many campaigns that helped to reunite Europe during the “Migratory Period,” Charlemagne primarily aimed just to claim land where he and his people—the Franks—could live in peace. His life inspired countless tales, including the legends that he was twenty feet tall, that he slept under the guard of 100 armed knights, and that he rose from the dead to aid in the Crusades. While these fantastical tales are false, the truth is equally fantastic: by the end of his life, Charlemagne had been king of the Franks, king of the Lombards, and the first emperor of the newly formed Holy Roman Empire.

Format: ebook (42 pp.)                   Publisher: in60Learning
Published: 3rd February 2018       Genre: Non-Fiction, history

Purchase Links*
Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find Charlemagne on Goodreads

My Review

We’re all busy people and it can be difficult to find the time – and sometimes a little daunting – to read a detailed biography or non-fiction book.   This is where new publishing brand in60Learning comes in.  They’ve launched a range of biographical and historical works that can be read or listened to in less than 60 minutes.   As someone who often bypasses non-fiction for precisely the reasons mentioned above, when Tyler from in60Learning approached me about reviewing one of their titles, I was happy to accept.  From their range of historical titles I chose Charlemagne, hoping to learn more about this influential figure in European history.

The subtitle of the book – Father of the Franks, Leader of the Lombards and Premier Holy Roman Empire – gives you an idea of the magnitude of the life the authors are seeking to cover.  The book was certainly packed with historical fact and the authors were careful to point out where there is conflict between historical sources.  I think a list of sources/references would be a useful addition to the book, adding to the credibility of the information contained in it.

I’ll confess that I did find the structure of the book not entirely logical with information about Charlemagne’s birth, marriages and so on placed towards the end of the book.  I felt it would have fitted better earlier in the book, perhaps in the form of a chronology. (However, to be fair, the Wikipedia entry follows a similar structure.)  Some of the sections could have had a little less detail for me – for example, those covering the Saxon Wars seemed very long – and I wasn’t completely sure if, in such a short book, a summary section was needed at the end.

Having said that, I certainly learned some things about Charlemagne I didn’t know, such as his contribution to the development of writing and education.  I was also intrigued to learn that he barred his daughters from marrying in case their husbands might become political rivals but turned a blind eye to their illicit affairs.  There were also some interesting nuggets of information that will definitely stick in my mind.  For example, that Charlemagne may have been six feet four inches tall and enjoyed sharing a hot tub with friends and family!

The concept of non-fiction books and audiobooks that can be read or listened to in less than 60 minutes is a fantastic one.  I think that a few tweaks to the format, such as the addition of references and suggestions for further reading, would enhance the value of these interesting little books to potential readers.

I’d like to thank Tyler at in60Learning for my review copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.  To see the full range of titles available from in60Learning visit their website.   If you sign up to their LearningList you’ll be kept up-to-date with new releases and you’ll also receive the first two chapters of Alexander the Great: Student of Aristotle, Descendant of Heroes as a thank you.

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Book Review: Manipulated Lives by H. A. Leuschel

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ManipulatedLivesAbout the Book

Five stories. Five lives.

Manipulators are everywhere. At first these devious and calculating people can be hard to spot, because that is their way. They are often masters of disguise: witty, disarming, even charming in public – tricks to snare their prey – but then they revert to their true self of being controlling and angry in private. Their main aim: to dominate and use others to satisfy their needs, with a complete lack of compassion and empathy for their victim.

In this collection of short novellas, you meet people like you and me, intent on living happy lives, yet each of them, in one way or another, is caught up and damaged by a manipulative individual. First you meet Tess, whose past is haunted by a wrong decision, then young, successful and well balanced Sophie, who is drawn into the life of a little boy and his troubled father. Next, there is teenage Holly, who is intent on making a better life for herself, followed by a manipulator himself, trying to make sense of his irreversible incarceration. Lastly, there is Lisa, who has to face a parent’s biggest regret. All stories highlight to what extent abusive manipulation can distort lives and threaten our very feeling of self-worth.

Format: ebook (273 pp.)     Publisher:
Published: 8th June 2016    Genre: Short Stories, Contemporary Fiction

Purchase Links*
Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find Manipulated Lives on Goodreads

My Review

In this collection of compelling short stories, the author puts the reader inside the minds of five people who have either suffered psychological manipulation at the hands of another or been responsible for it.  The book persuasively illustrates that anyone – young or old, male or female – can fall prey to manipulation.  For instance, in the story ‘Tess and Tattoos’, we meet Tess, a charming, kind old lady, who was unlucky enough to form a relationship with someone who abused her physically and psychologically.  Incidentally, I was so glad that Tess found a friend to provide comfort to her as she unburdens herself of her traumatic memories.

In all the stories, the reader is witness to the internal dialogue of the characters as they reflect on their experiences and try to make sense of how they were manipulated or, in one case, to justify (unsuccessfully to my mind) their actions.  At times, I felt this self-analysis seemed a little too like reading a psychology textbook.  I also found myself feeling rather worn down by the bleak nature of their experiences.  By the time I got to the story of ‘The Narcissist’, which I’ll confess I found quite disturbing, I felt myself in sympathy with the thoughts of his psychiatrist: ‘It is tiring, exhausting, and in cases like this, downright gruelling to observe the human mind at its worst.’

The author clearly has a gift for creating memorable characters, believable situations and stories that often have a surprising sting in the tail.  Readers with an interest in psychology or who like to inhabit the minds of characters (and don’t mind if some of these are unlikeable) will find Manipulated Lives a fascinating and compelling read.   I also think the book might be helpful for anyone trying to understand the experiences of someone who has been subject to coercive control or manipulation.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

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In three words: Dark, intense, thought-provoking

H A LeuschelAbout the Author

Helene grew up in Belgium where she gained a Licentiate in Journalism & Communication, which led to a career in radio and television in Brussels, London and Edinburgh. She now lives with her husband and two children in Portugal and recently acquired a Master of Philosophy with the OU, deepening her passion for the study of the mind. When she is not writing, Helene works as a freelance journalist and teaches yoga.

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