Louis reviewed Enemy of All Mankind by Steven Johnson
Great rhythm of storytelling
5 stars
The book dives back and forth between on-the-ground details, royal and government dynamics, and global trends. Smooth transitions.
Published Feb. 27, 2020 by Riverhead Books.
The book dives back and forth between on-the-ground details, royal and government dynamics, and global trends. Smooth transitions.
I can't think of any other history books that I've read unrelated to a class, and while this book is excellent, I'm pretty sure consuming history in this way must not be my thing.
I liked the history of piracy and the explanations of the connections between England, the East India Company, and the Indian Ocean. I learned quite a bit, but I struggled to stay engaged. I'm not sure why.
I found the chapter on the trial to be the most surprising. I literally gasped at one point and now can't believe I didn't see it coming.
Do I recommend this book? Yes. Can I say it will stick with me and is one of my personal favorites? No.