THE EUROPEAN GRAND TOUR 2025 - PLANNING THREAD
Talk75 Books Challenge for 2024
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1PaulCranswick
January : Prelude - Europe in the 19th Century (European Literature of the 19th Century)
February : The Journey Begins - A Wider Scandinavia (Books by authors from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland)
March : Into the Red Zone - Books from authors from Countries which were part of the Warsaw Pact)
April : Scimitar and Cross - Books from authors from European Countries within the Ottoman Empire
May : Interlude - Non National Languages - Books originally written in European languages that are not tied to a particular nation i.e. Yiddish, Regional languages such as Catalan, French, Spanish and Portuguese outside their borders including Latin America, Africa etc)
June : Caesar to Meloni - Books written originally in Latin or Italian.
July : The Germanic World - Books written by authors writing in German from Germany, Austria, Switzerland
August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month - Books by authors from the Benelux countries (Netherlands, Belgium. Luxembourg)
September : Interlude #2 - Books About Places in Europe (Travel, Non-fiction)
October : La Belle France - Books by Authors from France
November : The Iberian Peninsula - Books by Spanish authors
December : Welcome Back to the Future - Translated Literature in the 21st Century
2PaulCranswick
JANUARY 2025
Prelude : European Literature in the Nineteenth Century
Pretty wide choices:
Strindberg, Ibsen, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Hugo, Dumas, Verne, Zola, Flaubert, Salgari, Bazan, Multatuli and multiple Brits/Irish authors.
Prelude : European Literature in the Nineteenth Century
Pretty wide choices:
Strindberg, Ibsen, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Turgenev, Hugo, Dumas, Verne, Zola, Flaubert, Salgari, Bazan, Multatuli and multiple Brits/Irish authors.
3PaulCranswick
February 2025
Wider Scandinavia.
By slow boat to Iceland and its wondrous hot springs, the ferry down to Copenhagen, across to chilly Norway and then a jaunt through Sweden before settling in Finland for a busy February.
Wider Scandinavia.
By slow boat to Iceland and its wondrous hot springs, the ferry down to Copenhagen, across to chilly Norway and then a jaunt through Sweden before settling in Finland for a busy February.
4PaulCranswick
March 2025
The Warsaw Pact
All the countries of the former Cold War cabal! USSR (Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, the others are in Asia), Poland, Czechoslovakia (Czechia & Slovakia), East Germany (specific to the period of the pact only), Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania)
The Warsaw Pact
All the countries of the former Cold War cabal! USSR (Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, the others are in Asia), Poland, Czechoslovakia (Czechia & Slovakia), East Germany (specific to the period of the pact only), Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania)
5PaulCranswick
April 2025
The Scimitar & The Cross
Some double counting here as we re-trace the European parts of the Ottoman Empire - Turkey, Greece, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and the other Balkan states but also Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Hungary from March would also qualify.
The Scimitar & The Cross
Some double counting here as we re-trace the European parts of the Ottoman Empire - Turkey, Greece, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and the other Balkan states but also Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Hungary from March would also qualify.
6PaulCranswick
May 2025
Non-Native or Regional European Languages
Obvious examples:
Yiddish
Catalan
Basque
Welsh
Also
Spanish as spoken in Latin America
French as spoken in Canada, Mauritius, Guadaloupe, parts of Africa etc
English - Non-British Authors
Portuguese - Brazil, Mozambique, Angola etc
Non-Native or Regional European Languages
Obvious examples:
Yiddish
Catalan
Basque
Welsh
Also
Spanish as spoken in Latin America
French as spoken in Canada, Mauritius, Guadaloupe, parts of Africa etc
English - Non-British Authors
Portuguese - Brazil, Mozambique, Angola etc
8PaulCranswick
July 2025
The Germanic World
It is mid summer and what better than the high mountain clear air of Switzerland, Germany or Austria three countries with a German speaking tradition?
The Germanic World
It is mid summer and what better than the high mountain clear air of Switzerland, Germany or Austria three countries with a German speaking tradition?
9PaulCranswick
August 2025
The Anita Fameulstee Memorial Read - The Literature of the Benelux; the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg.
I didn't want to put up an image of our dear friend Anita as I don't have permission from her dear husband Frank to do so. Anita was so passionate about the writing which originated in her own language and I thought it proper to honour her memory by dedicating this months reads to my friend.
By the way I have used this image as it was used by Anita for her threads one year.
The Anita Fameulstee Memorial Read - The Literature of the Benelux; the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg.
I didn't want to put up an image of our dear friend Anita as I don't have permission from her dear husband Frank to do so. Anita was so passionate about the writing which originated in her own language and I thought it proper to honour her memory by dedicating this months reads to my friend.
By the way I have used this image as it was used by Anita for her threads one year.
10PaulCranswick
September 2025
Travel writing about European places or non-fiction writing about specific places.
Travel writing about European places or non-fiction writing about specific places.
12PaulCranswick
November 2025
From heady often fortified wines, delicious cheese, gazpacho and chorizo, flamenco, the Bullring and varied beautiful scenery; during November we will amble through the wonderful Iberian Peninsula comprising Portugal and Spain.
From heady often fortified wines, delicious cheese, gazpacho and chorizo, flamenco, the Bullring and varied beautiful scenery; during November we will amble through the wonderful Iberian Peninsula comprising Portugal and Spain.
13PaulCranswick
December 2025
European Literature in the 21st Century
Translated works of books written in this Century.
European Literature in the 21st Century
Translated works of books written in this Century.
14PawsforThought
Oh, Paul this looks great! I hope my current reading mojo holds up so I can take part in this.
One thing I’d add - while Greenland is autonomous, it is still a part of Denmark (as is the Faroe Islands) and all Greenlanders are Danish citizens so I’d say they should be counted for February, even if the island of Greenland is geographically closer to the Americas.
One thing I’d add - while Greenland is autonomous, it is still a part of Denmark (as is the Faroe Islands) and all Greenlanders are Danish citizens so I’d say they should be counted for February, even if the island of Greenland is geographically closer to the Americas.
15PaulCranswick
>14 PawsforThought: That's great Paws and yes, of course - The Faroes and Greenland are/can be counted here.
17PaulCranswick
>16 mnleona: Thank you Leona and lovely to see you stop by. Feel free to join in as and when anything takes your fancy.
18amanda4242
Already planning out my reading!
19m.belljackson
Great fun, Paul - will more Author recommendations be forthcoming?
20alcottacre
I am so looking forward to taking part in this! I just hope I can get hold of the books needed for every month (always a challenge in and of itself, lol).
21PaulCranswick
>18 amanda4242: I am expecting a bumper reading year which will have a little more flexibility than before. Planning always a must though!
>19 m.belljackson: You know me well enough, Marianne, that I will not be able to resist making suggestions!
>19 m.belljackson: You know me well enough, Marianne, that I will not be able to resist making suggestions!
22PaulCranswick
>20 alcottacre: I don't expect to have much trouble in getting books for the challenge, Stasia, as I have something of a stockpile already!
I look forward to your company as usual in the group as well as in the challenges. xx
I look forward to your company as usual in the group as well as in the challenges. xx
23m.belljackson
Not being of Deep Pockets, I am searching my shelves and may have 7 of the months, both new and for welcome re-reading (Henri Troyat!)
I'll order a new copy of Heidi; my daughter will lend her well worn Les Miserables;
I remembered that CYPRUS was long a part of The Ottoman Empire, and will move
to abe.com or Thrift for Virgil and Warsaw Pact ideas while waiting new author suggestions...
I'll order a new copy of Heidi; my daughter will lend her well worn Les Miserables;
I remembered that CYPRUS was long a part of The Ottoman Empire, and will move
to abe.com or Thrift for Virgil and Warsaw Pact ideas while waiting new author suggestions...
24PaulCranswick
>23 m.belljackson: You are right about Cyprus. It was in the Ottoman Empire for 307 years until it was ceded as a Protectorate to Britain in 1878 under the Cyprus Convention whereby Britain agreed in return to aid and defend the Turks in the event of Russian aggression. This was due to its significance in naval terms and the fact that the British Empire was predominant on the waves.
25amanda4242
>21 PaulCranswick: My planning consists of making sure I can find at least one book for every country. It's been a heck of a lot easier to find books for this challenge than it was for the African challenge!
26PaulCranswick
>25 amanda4242: Hahaha for sure!
27m.belljackson
Paul - do you get the SMITHSONIAN magazine?
If not, I can copy from the December 24 issue a description
from HAMID HEMAT, refugee from Kabul and curator in Connecticut's Wadsworth Atheneum>
regarding an ongoing "Divine Geometry" show featuring Islamic Art.
Likely there will be a catalogue in case you can't drop in before April 13, 2025.
If not, I can copy from the December 24 issue a description
from HAMID HEMAT, refugee from Kabul and curator in Connecticut's Wadsworth Atheneum>
regarding an ongoing "Divine Geometry" show featuring Islamic Art.
Likely there will be a catalogue in case you can't drop in before April 13, 2025.
28Whisper1
Paul -- count me in! This looks like a very fascinating journey. I deeply appreciate all the work you put into making this group a wonderful place! Many thanks for all these wonderful options.
>9 PaulCranswick: What a wonderful idea to keep our dear, sweet, intelligent, kind soul Anita!
Much Love and appreciation to you!
>9 PaulCranswick: What a wonderful idea to keep our dear, sweet, intelligent, kind soul Anita!
Much Love and appreciation to you!
29PaulCranswick
>27 m.belljackson: I don't subscribe to the Smithsonian, Marianne.
I subscribe to NYT, WSJ, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Spectator, New Statesman and Literary Review.
>28 Whisper1: Thank you as always dear Linda for your thoughtfulness and kind words.
I subscribe to NYT, WSJ, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Spectator, New Statesman and Literary Review.
>28 Whisper1: Thank you as always dear Linda for your thoughtfulness and kind words.
30m.belljackson
>29 PaulCranswick: Here's what Hemat said "I'm traveling 7,000 miles from my home country and I came here ((Wadsworth))
and found this amazing collection. He has "spent the past two years studying the delicate miniatures, medieval Qurans,
and ornate glassware for this "Divine Geometry" show" - many which have not been publically displayed before.
and found this amazing collection. He has "spent the past two years studying the delicate miniatures, medieval Qurans,
and ornate glassware for this "Divine Geometry" show" - many which have not been publically displayed before.
31thornton37814
I'm going to try to make notes and find things that will fit.
32Whisper1
Paul, I am VERY excited about the European Grand Tour! I Recently watched Net Flix documentary regarding the nuclear bomb and the focus on how this shaped/shapes the world. I believe there are ten segments, each one fascinating.
The first episode focused on the making of THE BOMB, the Trinity test, and lies told that Hiroshima had a large military population, and non military population was low! In fact, there was only a small military base --90-95 % of population was non military.
I learned a lie that I never heard before -- miles from the Trinity experiment, it was said that they were far enough in the dessert that no population would be impacted. There was a girls dance camp far from the Trinity site. When the fallout happened, the young girls remarked that it hurt to look at the sky. Then, when white flakes came down they danced around in them in excitement. They decided to go for a swim. What was normally very cold water, was hot! The bottom line -- only one of the girls lived to 30 years old, it is believed that all others died of radiation poisoning.
This episode set the stage for the Cold War. The remaining segments focused on the impact on Europe and the United States. There is a segment regarding the Chernobyl disaster and the fall out. What I also found interesting is that there was a focus on each Russian ruler matched to the American president and how each handled the very real threat of a nuclear holocaust.
The episode of Mikhail Gorbachev, who signed a landmark arms control treaty with President Ronald Reagan in 1987, was chocked full of knowledge. The two leaders maintained a warm relationship, helping to "thaw" the Cold War.
Like you and many others in our group, I find history fascinating. Thank again for taking your time in coordinating the topics to be discussed, and facilitating discussions. You do a lot for this group!!!
The first episode focused on the making of THE BOMB, the Trinity test, and lies told that Hiroshima had a large military population, and non military population was low! In fact, there was only a small military base --90-95 % of population was non military.
I learned a lie that I never heard before -- miles from the Trinity experiment, it was said that they were far enough in the dessert that no population would be impacted. There was a girls dance camp far from the Trinity site. When the fallout happened, the young girls remarked that it hurt to look at the sky. Then, when white flakes came down they danced around in them in excitement. They decided to go for a swim. What was normally very cold water, was hot! The bottom line -- only one of the girls lived to 30 years old, it is believed that all others died of radiation poisoning.
This episode set the stage for the Cold War. The remaining segments focused on the impact on Europe and the United States. There is a segment regarding the Chernobyl disaster and the fall out. What I also found interesting is that there was a focus on each Russian ruler matched to the American president and how each handled the very real threat of a nuclear holocaust.
The episode of Mikhail Gorbachev, who signed a landmark arms control treaty with President Ronald Reagan in 1987, was chocked full of knowledge. The two leaders maintained a warm relationship, helping to "thaw" the Cold War.
Like you and many others in our group, I find history fascinating. Thank again for taking your time in coordinating the topics to be discussed, and facilitating discussions. You do a lot for this group!!!
33Tess_W
>32 Whisper1: The percentage of "soldiers" might have been small, however there were about 45,000 top ranking military officials in that 350,000 person population. Hiroshima served as the 2nd Army Headquarters which was responsible for the entire defense of Southern Japan. The city was also a communications hub and nearly 1 million Japanese soldiers had passed through on their way out of Japan--it was used as a staging area. It was also a center for shipbuilding. Lots of heavy manufacturers in Hiroshima such as Hitachi and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. I have not yet seen the documentary because I don't get Netflix. However, for them to intimate that Hiroshima was not important, is just plain folly, IMHO.
As to the Trinity test area, that is also a gray area. I have included a picture of important political personages and military men who went to the desert to view a Trinity test. Please note that they do not have protective eyewear, clothing, or masks. Did the scientists not know about radiation? I would think they did--but they didn't even protect their own! After the bombing of Hiroshima, General MacArthur wanted to take his troops in the next day--he was commanded not to do so, but not because of any perceived radiation dangers.
As to the Trinity test area, that is also a gray area. I have included a picture of important political personages and military men who went to the desert to view a Trinity test. Please note that they do not have protective eyewear, clothing, or masks. Did the scientists not know about radiation? I would think they did--but they didn't even protect their own! After the bombing of Hiroshima, General MacArthur wanted to take his troops in the next day--he was commanded not to do so, but not because of any perceived radiation dangers.
34atozgrl
>32 Whisper1: >33 Tess_W: I would agree with that Tess. As for the Trinity test, I don't believe that was a deliberate lie. I'm sure they thought they were in a remote enough spot that the test would not affect any of the civilian population. I do know they were paying attention to the direction the winds were blowing. I am horrified to hear that there was a group of girls who were exposed and died as a result.
I will add that my father was one of the soldiers who viewed the Trinity test. He was in the army and had been pulled out of his unit and sent to Los Alamos because of his education. He eventually got a rare form of cancer himself. He would never talk very much about it because he did not know what had been declassified.
I will add that my father was one of the soldiers who viewed the Trinity test. He was in the army and had been pulled out of his unit and sent to Los Alamos because of his education. He eventually got a rare form of cancer himself. He would never talk very much about it because he did not know what had been declassified.
35m.belljackson
And this is why gods created men?
36Tess_W
>34 atozgrl: I do agree, Atozgirl. I don't think it was a blatant lie. I think it was a grievous error. Sorry to hear about your father.
38Matke
>37 Kristelh: I think they’re included in the March group.
39booksaplenty1949
>14 PawsforThought: Are there any Greenland authors? If there are, and they are currently writing, hope they have something to say about their country being sold to the US!
