tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post8574367968702365035..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered by Laura Auricchio Brian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-6063153280718281102015-02-08T15:39:40.271-05:002015-02-08T15:39:40.271-05:00Hi Emma - Your comment is so interesting and it fi...Hi Emma - Your comment is so interesting and it fits with the points made. <br /><br />I think that Lafeyette will likely always be mostly remembered for his actions in America. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28984804972228689032015-02-08T14:59:07.959-05:002015-02-08T14:59:07.959-05:00Hi Brian,
I'm not good at history and the Fre...Hi Brian,<br /><br />I'm not good at history and the French Revolution is a particularly complex period. <br /><br />I can only confirm that to me, Lafayette is the one who went to America to help with their revolution.<br />That's what he's known for. I have absolutely no idea of how he behaved during the French Revolution and I don't recall hearing anything about him in history class.<br /><br />Emma<br /><br />PS: To other visitors who might read this: I'm French. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-82519198363193524412015-02-07T14:24:25.727-05:002015-02-07T14:24:25.727-05:00Hi Naida - Indeed Lafayette's optimism is one ...Hi Naida - Indeed Lafayette's optimism is one of the things that makes him so appealing. I find think some figures in history who exhibit such optimism do so because they never really encounter truly harrowing times, Lafayette maintained his attitude through some very dark days.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-83683475055740606882015-02-07T12:14:59.023-05:002015-02-07T12:14:59.023-05:00Lafayette is not one I know much about, but this b...Lafayette is not one I know much about, but this biography sounds interesting. You've got to love those 'never-say-die optimists' and how they altered history for the better. I always appreciate when the author does their research too. Glad you enjoyed it!<br />The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54800662781363370772015-01-31T08:11:33.810-05:002015-01-31T08:11:33.810-05:00Thanks Maria.
As you know I make alot of typos :...Thanks Maria. <br /><br />As you know I make alot of typos :)<br /><br />One of the reasons that Lafayette is such an interesting character to me is this contrasting way that we look at him.<br /><br />I would love to know what you thought if you read this.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-7250169609957256312015-01-31T00:22:54.584-05:002015-01-31T00:22:54.584-05:00P.S. Ooooh, a typo! I meant to write, "....I ...P.S. Ooooh, a typo! I meant to write, "....I had no idea that Lafayette WASN'T...."<br /><br />(It was really my mischievous little BOT who typed in my comment, believe it or not....lol. )Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-7514639930435841852015-01-31T00:13:26.795-05:002015-01-31T00:13:26.795-05:00Excellent review as always, Brian! I love your obj...Excellent review as always, Brian! I love your objective, detailed analysis of a book, which always includes those nuances that are so important.<br /><br />For instance, I had no idea that Lafayette was (and isn't) held in high esteem in France, in contrast to his popularity with Americans. Very interesting! <br /><br />Alas, I am not exactly a history buff, as you are, so I don't know much about this great hero of the American and French Revolutions. Therefore, based on your enthusiastic endorsement of this short biography, especially for beginners, I will most likely begin my further acquaintance with Lafayette by delving into Auricchio's work.<br /><br />Thanks for your interesting thoughts!! : ) Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-60123842119212237612015-01-28T19:36:34.094-05:002015-01-28T19:36:34.094-05:00Hi Heidi - I think that Lafayette's actions du...Hi Heidi - I think that Lafayette's actions during the French Revolution were mostly noble too. They were however in the end, mostly ineffective.<br /><br />The Key to the Bastille being in Mount Vernon is such an interesting historical tidbit.<br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-1961909972897662262015-01-28T15:12:11.340-05:002015-01-28T15:12:11.340-05:00You're right--we Americans do tend to gush ove...You're right--we Americans do tend to gush over Lafayette. My daughter does after reading all of her young adult nonfiction books about him. Plus, we saw the key to the Bastille that Lafayette sent to George Washington during the French Revolution. My daughter thought he was a hero. Indeed, I don't think I've ever read anything negative about him. This book sounds great.Heidi’sbookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15647096496574605262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54752018739828376112015-01-25T01:09:03.837-05:002015-01-25T01:09:03.837-05:00Hi Lainy - I would say that it is not bad at all ...Hi Lainy - I would say that it is not bad at all that you have not heard of it. <br /><br />I am really into The American Revolution so for me it is an important book. For the general reader I think that Lafeyette is of interest mostly because he provides a connection between the American and French Revolutions.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-76652292019995180042015-01-24T19:11:06.311-05:002015-01-24T19:11:06.311-05:00Is it bad that I haven't heard of this? I do ...Is it bad that I haven't heard of this? I do enjoy a biography now and again although it isn't my first choice of read. Sounds very interesting and one I may have to look out for. Thanks for bringing it to my attention and reviewing.<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-994471642428342492015-01-23T21:24:57.072-05:002015-01-23T21:24:57.072-05:00Hi Deb - Thanks for stopping by and thanks for you...Hi Deb - Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your kind words.<br /><br />I really do read a lot of historical biographies. I find that it is a great way to absorb history.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54606557963780593712015-01-23T21:20:44.125-05:002015-01-23T21:20:44.125-05:00Hi Caroline - Though nit the longest I do think th...Hi Caroline - Though nit the longest I do think that this is the best biography of Lafayette that is readily available in English. I would think that there may be some good ones in French out there.<br /><br />I am fascinated by the American and French connection that Lafayette embodied. I would love to know what your thoughts are if you read this or any other Lafayette biography.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-55779045393126349082015-01-23T12:40:37.848-05:002015-01-23T12:40:37.848-05:00What a thorough and thoughtful discussion of this ...What a thorough and thoughtful discussion of this biography! I can definitely see the value of reading scholarly biographies after the Selma film controversy. One wants to know the truth (or as close as anyone can come to it).Deb Atwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17952385670651888660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54039853833040999032015-01-23T10:31:40.213-05:002015-01-23T10:31:40.213-05:00You make this sound really good. I like to start w...You make this sound really good. I like to start with a shorter biography and when I'm really interested I can always read more. I do tend to prefer biographies of artists though. Writers, painters and musicians and I'd really love to read a Freud biography but Lafayette - due to the French angle - would interest me. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-3485298605998908792015-01-22T05:31:10.030-05:002015-01-22T05:31:10.030-05:00Hi Jane - Thanks for the good word. The entire Ame...Hi Jane - Thanks for the good word. The entire American - French dichotomy of views is indeed fascinating. Of course his actions and their results were different in both nations. <br /><br />I have heard it suggested that Lafayette's personality, extremely outgoing, emotional, and optimistic, appeals to the American psyche more. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-1341037596339168992015-01-21T21:09:40.402-05:002015-01-21T21:09:40.402-05:00Excellent book review, Brian. I am fascinated by ...Excellent book review, Brian. I am fascinated by Lafayette too, though I have yet to read a bio of him. This seems like a good place to start. <br /><br />I find it so interesting that in France he is considered an American hero, but not in his own country.<br /><br />Definitely going on the list--thanks for a thoughtful, though-provoking review.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-72717891923195467232015-01-21T11:35:11.182-05:002015-01-21T11:35:11.182-05:00Hi Sharon- though this is less detailed then Unger...Hi Sharon- though this is less detailed then Unger's book, it is a better history as it is less biased.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-1232007054770857652015-01-21T11:33:21.849-05:002015-01-21T11:33:21.849-05:00Hi Harvee- if one is into this period, it is a fas...Hi Harvee- if one is into this period, it is a fascinating book.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-75219706168443961602015-01-21T10:55:57.204-05:002015-01-21T10:55:57.204-05:00I had forgotten about Lafayette and the last revie...I had forgotten about Lafayette and the last review you had written of him. A good reminder that I need to read about him, although it sounds like perhaps this biography is not as thorough as the last one you wrote.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-54562581486269873392015-01-21T08:49:26.904-05:002015-01-21T08:49:26.904-05:00Sounds like a fascinating historical biography!
H...Sounds like a fascinating historical biography!<br /><br />Harvee<br><br /><a href="http://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Book Dilettante</a>Harveehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03490108303790217277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-5343772803498256182015-01-21T05:53:23.427-05:002015-01-21T05:53:23.427-05:00Hi Suko - Thanks for the good word.
I find that...Hi Suko - Thanks for the good word. <br /><br />I find that sometimes the blog readers miss things. <br /><br />I would say that not too many people have read biographies of Lafayette. In terms of the American Founders he did have less of an impact as compared with the better known people.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-79143216279638361002015-01-20T23:01:22.543-05:002015-01-20T23:01:22.543-05:00Brian Joseph, I almost missed your new post. (My b...Brian Joseph, I almost missed your new post. (My blog roll is slow to update some of the Blogger blogs.) I have not yet read any biographies of Lafayette, "The Marquis". This biography does sound excellent, even though it is perhaps short. Wonderful review! Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-25566806552574083702015-01-20T13:18:49.266-05:002015-01-20T13:18:49.266-05:00Hi Delia- I think that there are many areas that w...Hi Delia- I think that there are many areas that we curious readers need to read more of. There really is too much to read and not enough time to do it in. We cannot get to everything!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-45935406370659363842015-01-20T13:16:18.623-05:002015-01-20T13:16:18.623-05:00Hi Tracy- This really is a great all purpose histo...Hi Tracy- This really is a great all purpose history of Lafeyette. I definitely recamend it for anyone who wants to know more about him.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com