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Richard Lawrence Ollard (1923–2007)

Autor/a de Pepys: A Biography

18+ obres 425 Membres 5 Ressenyes

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Obres de Richard Lawrence Ollard

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Patrick O'Brian: Critical Essays and a Bibliography (1994) — Col·laborador — 95 exemplars

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Reading this marvelously written biography of a seventeenth-century English naval officer, I was reminded of Patrick O'Brien's fictional Jack Aubrey. On looking up the author, Richard Ollard, I learned that writing history was a sideline for him, as he is best remembered as the preeminent book editor of his time. Among the authors to whose works he stood as godfather was -- Patrick O'Brien.
 
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sonofcarc | Hi ha 1 ressenya més | Jul 17, 2022 |
I will start this review by saying it is an extraordinarily researched book. I am also not the intended audience: it is written for a reader or scholar well-versed in the time period of Charles I, Cromwell, and the Restoration. On the other hand, it gives a good foundation for a casual reader, even if the references to the Battle of Edgehill, for example, are brief. It provides the necessary moments in time and persons involved to pique interest.

Ollard's basis for this book is drawn on the different portraits of father and son, provided in different sections, and what those forms and figures say about the men. Charles I assumption that he need not learn statehood, until the death of the Prince of Wales, as well as the flamboyant Charles II from his exile at the Court of Louis XIV, are examined from portraiture as well as from history. I find that mesh of research materials intriguing: how does the King present himself as a painting subject, given what we know from his historical record?

While I usually give high marks to a well-researched and innovative historical work, the circular language in here, the multiple "he's" in a sentence when there are multiple subjects, and the meandering sentences made it a difficult read. Hence only 3 stars.
… (més)
 
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threadnsong | Jul 19, 2020 |
This is a well written biography. It is, perhaps, a little short on detail: for example, the hostile critical reception of many of Rowse's books is given insufficient attention. Mr Ollard is in danger of being a tad over-indulgent towards the angry old man that Rowse ended up being, preferring to concentrate on the positive side of his subject's personality.
 
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jcolvin | Oct 12, 2019 |
Mens cujusque is est quisque.
 
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P.S.Dorpmans | Aug 2, 2016 |

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Obres
18
També de
1
Membres
425
Popularitat
#57,429
Valoració
½ 3.5
Ressenyes
5
ISBN
41

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