Help me pick some literature!!

[Pimppeter2]

I have to read two books and write a 5 page review on them over this summer. The books are required by my A.P European class. I could easily go to the library, sit down with the choice list, and look for what I want and rent it. The problem is, I'm leaving the country within the next two weeks. I'm gonna be gone all summer. I really need to pick up 2 of these 6 books. I haven't read any of them, and since some of them are well know, and since I know us escapians are vivid readers. I plead for help. Help me chose 2 out of these 6 books. Keep in mind that I am only judging these books by their cover, so my intrest level isn't as important as your opinions (those who have read them)..

First on the list

A Distant Mirror by Barba Tuchman

Spoiler: Summary

Summary A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century, published in 1978, is a work by American historian Barbara Tuchman, focusing on life in 14th century Europe. To provide a central figure in her sweeping narrative, Tuchman chose the French nobleman Enguerrand de Coucy, partly because he lived a relatively long life and could therefore stay in the story during most of the 14th century. (De Coucy was born in 1340, seven years before the Black Death began in southern Italy. He died in 1397.) But he was chosen mostly because he was in the forefront of action tied, as he was, to both France and England. De Coucy was a French noble, but he married a daughter of Edward III of England. The book covers the cataclysms suffered by Europe in the 14th century: the Hundred Years' War, the Black Plague, the papal schism, pillaging mercenaries, and popular revolts, including the Jacquerie in France, ruthlessly suppressed by de Coucy and his contemporaries, the liberation of Switzerland, the Battle of the Golden Spurs and peasant uprisings against laws that enforced the use of hops in beer. However, Tuchman does not just focus on political and religious changes. She begins her book with a discussion of the Little Ice Age, a change in climate that lowered the average temperature of Europe until the Eighteenth Century. Tuchman also takes care to describe the lives of the people, from nobles and clergymen, right down to the peasantry.

My intrest level = 3.5/5
This book does sound pretty good. I don't understand if it's a non fiction autobiography, or a novel told from this man's perspective. Has anyone read the book and could give a recomendation.

Next

Peter the great by Robert K. Massie

Spoiler: Summary

SummaryAgainst the monumental canvas of 17th- and 18-century Europe and Russia unfolds the magnificent story of Peter the Great, impetuous and stubborn, generous and cruel, tender and unforgiving--one of the most extraordinary men in history. "As fascinating as any novel and more so than most."--New York Times Book Review.

My intrest level = 3/5
I like this book becuase It's about Peter the great, and guys named Peter are cool (see what I did there?) But, this book seems like just a boring Autobiography of a man who wasn't terribly intresting (to a 15 year old). I mean, westernization, take out esteniztion and swich the r and the a, then you have a good book. (see what I did there?)

Next

Catherine the great by isabel de Madariaga

Spoiler: Summary

SummaryFor nearly two hundred years the Empress Catherine II of Russia (1762-96), or Catherine the Great, as she is known, has had a very bad press as a German usurper from a minor ducal family, without any claim to the Russian throne. Women on the throne were an anomaly and it was expected that they would rule through favourites or husbands. But Catherine had blotted her copy book in a more serious way: she had mounted the throne as the result of a military coup d?etat in June 1762, over the body of her murdered husband, Peter III, the grandson of Peter the Great. From Catherine?s point of view at the time it was a question of ?who whom?, as Lenin later put it. Peter was supposed to have been about to repudiate her, disinherit her son and marry his mistress. Catherine?s many friends in the army joined in a plot to de-throne Peter and seized power with her full approval and participation. She circumvented the men who helped her to seize the throne in 1762 and was wise enough never to enter into a publicly ....

My intrest level = 1.5/5
I have to say the truth, this sounds boring. Just like the Peter book. The theme is good, but I doubt I want to read this. If I wanted to know about the plot to overthrow Peter, I would just read his book. Am'right?

Next

A Tale of 2 cities by Charles Dickens

Spoiler: Summary

SummaryTale of Two Cities (1859) is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. It depicts the plight of the French proletariat under the brutal oppression of the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, and the corresponding savage brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution. It follows the lives of several protagonists through these events, most notably Charles Darnay, a French once-aristocrat who falls victim to the indiscriminate wrath of the revolution despite his virtuous nature, and Sydney Carton, a dissipated English barrister who endeavours to redeem his ill-spent life out of love for Darnay's wife, Lucie Manette.

My intrest level = 3.5/5
This book sounds tempting, but at the same time a little mundane and boring. It's classic, which is a major bonus for it, but if anyone has read it, please comment on it!

Next

The French Revolution by J.M Thompson

Spoiler: Summary

SummaryThis masterly book provides a vivd account of the French Revolution. J.M. Thompson brings to life as no other historian before or since the events of the time and the aspirations, hopes, and fears of those who lived through it.

My intrest level = 4/5
The FR is def a period I like. It's chaosy and cool and kickass. This book looks sweet, but a recomendation would help.

Lastly

Twelve Who Ruled by R.R Palmer

Spoiler: Summary

Summary Anyone who had business with the government of the Reign of Terror directed his steps to the Tuileries, an old palace of the kings of France on the right bank of the Seine between the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, in which then as now children played and chestnut trees blossomed in April.

My intrest level = 4/5
Same as above


Closing thoughts
Right now, I want to say Im looking for a winning combination of Peter, 2 cities, and a FR book.

I only want 1 FR book. Twelve who ruled sounds cool though.

So anyway fellow lovers of books. Help a guy out.

 

[JMeganSnow]

Skip the Dickens if you can, he kills off the only worthwhile character in that novel. He always does this. I've never read anything he wrote that had anything resembling an actual plot--most are insipid morality tales, and bad ones at that.

 

[Arsen]

These books look boring.

And minus Dickens who the Hell are these people?

 

[Berethond]

You should see if you can read Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton.
It's about Vikings who meet with Arabians.
It's based off the only surviving manuscript that deals with Viking culture.

 

[MarxistMan]

Yeah, stay away from Dickens.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Skip the Dickens if you can, he kills off the only worthwhile character in that novel. He always does this. I've never read anything he wrote that had anything resembling an actual plot--most are insipid morality tales, and bad ones at that.

Spoiler

Sydney, right? I was pretty sad about that.

I gotta agree. The book sorta picked up in the last third, but on reflection, there were really only two worthwhile moments. The aforementioned character (sad as I was, I admired the heroic sacrifice) and the fight between Madame DeFarge and Miss Pross. That was awesome.