We are seven handsome and charming* guys who meet at a different restaurant every month or so, having read a book in common, and discuss whatever we want--generally the assigned book, but usually many other timely topics as well. We rotate the responsibility to suggest titles, but the group has the final say. Our book club rules: 1) Anything goes, fiction or nonfiction; 2) paperbacks are preferred; and 3) staying under 300 pages is desirable (N.B., we violate this one all the time). We rate all books and restaurants on a 5-point scale.

* All other adjectives were vetoed.

April 29, 2015

The Black Count by Tom Reiss (Nye's Polonaise)

The Black Count is the story behind the 18th century novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas.  It's a fascinating, engaging history covering the years surrounding the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon.  And, yes, Dumas' father was a swashbuckling black man born in Haiti who rose to be a top general in the Republican Army.  We gave this one a top rating.  The rest of our discussion focused on the Tesla motorcar and the foibles of the legislative session.  Nye's Polonaise was the same as ever.  As we remarked, "it is what it is."

Our next book is All the Light That We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  We also considered The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee and 1215: Year of the Magna Carta by Danny Danziger. We'll meet on Thursday June 18; Don will suggest the next book (if he's back in town).  Roger is next.
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