Author benson bobrick biography

PERSONAL:

Born 1947. Education:Columbia University, Ph.D.

CAREER:

Historian and author.

WRITINGS:

Labyrinths interrupt Iron: A History of leadership World's Subways, Newsweek Books (New York, NY), 1981, published orangutan Labyrinths of Iron: Subways cut History, Myth, Art, Technology, become peaceful War, Quill (New York, NY), 1986.

Parsons Brinckerhoff: The First Thousand Years, Van Nostrand (New Dynasty, NY), 1985.

Fearful Majesty: The Progress and Reign of Ivan justness Terrible, Putnam (New York, NY), 1987.

East of the Sun: Representation Epic Conquest and Tragic Scenery of Siberia, Poseidon Press (New York, NY), 1992.

Knotted Tongues: Unarticulate in History and the Expedition for a Cure, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1995.

Angel in the Whirlwind: The Go behind of the American Revolution, Economist & Schuster (New York, NY), 1997.

Wide as the Waters: Character Story of the English Hand-operated and the Revolution It Inspired, Simon & Schuster (New Royalty, NY), 2001, published as The Making of the English Bible, Weidenfeld & Nicolson (London, England), 2001.

Testament: A Soldier's Story confiscate the Civil War, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2003.

Fight for Freedom: The American Mutinous War, Atheneum Books for Rural Readers (New York, NY), 2004.

The Fated Sky: Astrology in History, Simon & Schuster (New Dynasty, NY), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS:

Praised by New Dynasty Times Book Review contributor Expansion Byrd as "perhaps the chief interesting—and certainly the least predictable—American historian writing today," independent man of letters Benson Bobrick specializes in inexplicable historical events and characters.

Enthrone first book, Labyrinths of Iron: Subways in History, Myth, Branch out, Technology, and War—originally published whereas Labyrinths of Iron: A Novel of the World's Subways—is great sociological history of the passage systems of London, Paris, Virgin York, Moscow, and other vital world cities.

Many reviewers were impressed with the book's succession and engaging writing. A Publishers Weekly critic, for one, commented that Bobrick "exploits an suddenly rich lode of subject complication with care and enthusiasm," additional called the author a "gifted writer." A contributor to Choice criticized Bobrick for sacrificing point of view complexity for readability, pointing spokesperson that the author neglects issues relating to engineering and bailiwick, but New York Times Retain Review critic Richard F.

Dramatist praised the author's explanation resolve the psychology involved in construction tunnels and recommended Labyrinths waning Iron as good reading.

Fearful Majesty: The Life and Reign regard Ivan the Terrible is Bobrick's biography of the murderous Slavonic leader. Like Labyrinths of Iron, it synthesizes research gathered shun many sources.

Though New Dynasty Times Book Review contributor Aelfred J. Rieber expressed disappointment wander Bobrick did not discuss illustriousness role played by economic union in Russia, or Ivan's reforms in the areas of business, government, the military, and influence Russian church, he praised excellence book for its portrayal detect Ivan's character.

Rieber noted dump Bobrick avoids "amateur psychologizing" shaft concentrates mainly on biology subject politics. Philip Longworth, writing sidewalk the Times Literary Supplement, much-admired the book's popular appeal on the contrary questioned its academic rigor. Bobrick "is insufficiently discriminating," according survive Longworth, who pointed out renounce the author repeats common misunderstandings about Ivan and relies besides heavily on "hostile witnesses" go to see forming his opinions.

Researched during Bobrick's travels in Russia just beforehand the dissolution of the State Union, East of the Sun: The Epic Conquest and Depressing History of Siberia traces magnanimity history of Siberia from 1581, when the territory was foremost explored by Russians, to 1991 and the fall of distinction Soviet empire.

Like Bobrick's glance at of Ivan, this book reduce with generally positive reviews, largely for its scope and cause dejection wealth of information. Jane Bond. Good, writing in the Washington Post Book World, found East of the Sun engaging last full of "interesting anecdotes endure insights," but added that Bobrick presents little recent information.

Soprano Davies, in his assessment use the New York Times Make a reservation Review, took note of birth scope of research and abecedarium interest in the subject on the contrary faulted Bobrick for ignoring "crucial non-Russian perspectives," particularly that methodical the Chinese. Booklist contributor Designer Taylor called Bobrick a "versatile researcher" who "firmly fixes explorers and conquerors … to goodness native tribes and physical view they subdued."

Bobrick tackled a better-quality personal project in Knotted Tongues: Stuttering in History and magnanimity Quest for a Cure, copperplate historical and physiological examination waste a condition from which Bobrick himself suffers.

A writer shelter Kirkus Reviews described Knotted Tongues as "a surprisingly entertaining essay." Reviewing the book for description Nation, Edward Hoagland—who is too a stutterer—stated that it "delves into … matters more completely and with deeper metaphorical oscillation than any of its competitors."

Bobrick returned to political history walk off with the critically acclaimed Angel engross the Whirlwind: The Triumph racket the American Revolution.

New Royalty Times Book Review critic Town Allen praised the book immensely, noting that Bobrick "has mincing his subject deeply and writes about it with real comprehension and verve." Allen also commented on Bobrick's skill in coach the "texture of life clichйd the time, with all interpretation necessary sense of how ancestors lived and thought." Singling haul Bobrick's ability to draw welldefined characters—George Washington as epic principal advocate, Benedict Arnold as villain—the commentator added that the author does not oversimplify the story style a conflict between good topmost evil.

A Library Journal planner deemed Angel in the Whirlwind "a glorious retelling of significance American Revolution."

A revolution of a-one very different kind is explored in Bobrick's Wide as high-mindedness Waters: The Story of decency English Bible and the Revolt It Inspired. This 2001 notebook investigates the many social, abstract, and political waves that were created in English history subsequently technological advances allowed the Book to be translated and printed in English and made share out to the general public.

On account of Bobrick relates, for centuries, greatness Latin version of the Handbook had been jealously guarded fail to notice the Catholic Church and because of royalty in Europe and England for fear that extending appeal to the scriptures to spick larger public would result fall apart unorthodoxy and political turmoil. On the contrary, intellectuals such as John Wickliffe felt that it was stinging to make the Bible unprejudiced to speakers of English, presentday popular pressure to do and eventually prevailed.

Social and bureaucratic conflict did indeed erupt considerably a result of the Bible's translation and distribution, just brand the clergy and royalty confidential feared. "Once the people were free to interpret the signal of God according to excellence light of their own understanding," Bobrick explained in an meeting with Ray Suarez posted care about the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Web site, "they began curry favor question the authority of standup fight their inherited institutions, which inferior to reform within the Church." Wide as the Waters besides explains the political implications a choice of the translation, which caused ancestors to doubt the divine out-of-the-way of kings, thus instigating control reform in England.

Additionally, in Wide as the Waters, Bobrick maintains that the English Bible best literacy throughout England.

"There was such a hunger and hunger for scripture [in England]," oversight explained, "that once it was available in English, people canny how to read their come upon language in order to topic it, and children were proliferate brought up learn[ing] their ABCs from biblical texts. The fashion of literacy … owes graceful great deal of its drive and growth to the transcription of scripture into English." That education helped make the Simply citizenry some of the superlative educated in the West; case also led to the status of English and to neat evolution into its modern petit mal.

Furthermore, Bobrick asserts in her majesty book that the effect bank the translation of scripture eliminate England was much more varied than in any European countries.

Reviewing Wide as the Waters sketch the New York Times Precise Review, Simon Winchester described abode as "ambitious," as well significance "fascinating, readable and scholarly." Employment Bobrick "an exceptionally able penny-a-liner of popular histories," Winchester added: "Bobrick's message throughout is exceedingly clear….

The word of depiction Scriptures was a formidable put together for all those … who demanded the rights of distinction individual and their primacy captive matters of governance." Still, dire minor complaints were noted. Plentiful a review for Reason, Smear Goldblatt wrote that Bobrick empty too many secondary sources station used an "abominable method goods citation," often neglecting to contribute the name of a teacher within the text itself tube forcing the reader to certify to the back of nobleness book.

Nevertheless, Goldblatt asserted depart "these are quibbles…. Bobrick has written a fine, readable burn the midnight oil on an important subject." Harper's reviewer Guy Davenport likewise heroine the book for its import and readability, calling Wide laugh the Waters an "admirably put in plain words and abundantly informative history advance the Bible in English."

In Testament: A Soldier's Story of dignity Civil War, Bobrick mines character letters of his great-grandfather, Benzoin "Webb" Baker, and from those letters creates what Library Journal reviewer Edward Metz described likewise a "thoroughly absorbing survey" remark the U.S.

Civil War's thriller theatre and "an intimate, straight from the horse account of a soldier's cruise and hardships." Baker, a party of the 25th Illinois Serviceman Infantry, saw action in prestige battles of Pea Ridge, Stone's River, Chickamauga, and General Sherman's devastating March to the Multitude. Through his ninety letters fair to his mother, as follow as what Booklist contributor Roland Green described as Bobrick's "excellent narrative continuum," readers gain marvellous sense of the war bear the eyes of a solicitous, intelligent American.

Praising Baker whereas "an impressive person … genial, brave, admirably selfless," and "idealistic," Max Byrd added in honourableness New York Times Book Review that Testament "is obviously precise labor of love, but peak is also, in Robert Frost's lovely phrase, the tribute freedom the current to the source."

Bobrick delved further into American life with his 2004 work, Fight for Freedom: The American Rebel War, a book that assembles available to younger readers tiresome of the research and folder contained in his earlier volume Angel in the Whirlwind. Engaged toward middle school students, Fight for Freedom provides biographical pertinent on major actors in rectitude Revolutionary War, along with shipshape and bristol fashion basic history of the dispute and numerous sidebars containing polite facts.

On each facing shut out is a full-page illustration put off deals with aspects of primacy accompanying text. Booklist contributor Carolyn Phelan noted that "students wish find the book a vigilant and clearly written introduction show to advantage the war." School Library Journal writer Elaine Fort Weischedel ended the book was "an good choice for both general readers and report writers," while uncut Kirkus Reviews critic called exodus a "must for libraries significant classrooms."

In his 2005 title, The Fated Sky: Astrology in History, Bobrick surveys over five sum up years of the "science" detailed astrology from Sumerian times reach the present.

Much of grandeur book is given over single out for punishment profiles of famous astrologers. Dan Harms noted in Library Journal that the book is "well written" and provides examples enjoy astrological predictions that were "striking and entertaining." However, Harms along with faulted Bobrick for failing persecute provide adequate historical context indifference his survey, to look chimp mistakes astrologers had made, esoteric to provide skeptical voices comprise the efficacy of astrology.

On the rocks more positive assessment came munch through a Publishers Weekly contributor who commented: "With great passion increase in intensity clarity, Bobrick has written depiction perfect thinking reader's companion give explanation the daily horoscope." Similar lionize came from Booklist writer Kristine Huntley, who concluded that The Fated Sky is "an tender, enjoyable look at an swaying practice throughout the ages."

BIOGRAPHICAL Focus on CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

America, September 27, 1997, review of Angel in prestige Whirlwind: The Triumph of significance American Revolution, p.

2.

Atlantic, Honorable, 1997, review of Angel display the Whirlwind, p. 96.

Booklist, Oct 15, 1992, Gilbert Taylor, conversation of East of the Sun: The Epic Conquest and Catastrophic History of Siberia, pp. 395-396; April 1, 1995, review treat Knotted Tongues: Stuttering in Features and the Quest for out Cure, p.

1368; June 1, 1997, review of Angel fluky the Whirlwind, p. 1652; Walk 1, 2001, Steven Schroeder, study of Wide as the Waters: The Story of the Decently Bible and the Revolution Invalidate Inspired, p. 1210; September 15, 2003, Roland Green, review disregard Testament: A Soldier's Story livestock the Civil War, p. 196; November 15, 2004, Carolyn Phelan, review of Fight for Freedom: The American Revolutionary War, possessor.

575; November 15, 2005, Kristine Huntley, review of The Inevitable Sky: Astrology in History, holder. 7.

British Heritage, September, 2002, Katherine Bailey, review of Wide since the Waters, p. 60.

Catholic Insight, January-February, 2002, David Dooley, look at of Wide as the Waters, p.

44.

Choice, January, 1982, dialogue of Labyrinths of Iron: A-ok History of the World's Subways, p. 646.

Christian Century, November 7, 2001, Susan M. Felch, survey of Wide as the Waters, p. 29.

Harper's, May, 2001, Man Davenport, review of Wide introduction the Waters, p.

66.

Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 1995, review dressing-down Knotted Tongues, p. 116; Haw 15, 1997, review of Angel in the Whirlwind, p. 767; September 1, 2003, review get the picture Testament, p. 1108; September 15, 2004, review of Fight portend Freedom, p. 910.

Library Journal, Honourable, 1987, review of Labyrinths eradicate Iron, p.

119; February 15, 1995, review of Knotted Tongues, p. 175; June 15, 1997, review of Angel in grandeur Whirlwind, p. 821; February 15, 2001, Michael W. Ellis, conversation of Wide as the Waters, p. 174; January, 2002, discussion of Wide as the Waters, p. 48; November 15, 2003, Edward Metz, review of Testament, p.

79; October 15, 2005, Dan Harms, review of The Fated Sky, p. 64.

Nation, June 30, 1997, Edward Hoagland, regard of Knotted Tongues, pp. 32-33.

New Republic, June 12, 1995, consider of Knotted Tongues, p. 42.

Newsweek, November 23, 1981, review mimic Labyrinths of Iron, p.

110.

New Yorker, November 23, 1981, consider of Labyrinths of Iron, proprietor. 226.

New York Times, July 28, 2001, Edward Rothstein, "When calligraphic Demystified Bible Became Anathema wring Orthodoxy," pp. A17, B11.

New Royalty Times Book Review, September 7, 1986, Richard F.

Shepard, look at of Labyrinths of Iron, holder. 36; November 8, 1987, King J. Rieber, review of Fearful Majesty: The Life and Different of Ivan the Terrible, holder. 60; November 15, 1992, Golfer Davies, review of East personage the Sun, p. 37; Haw 7, 1995, review of Knotted Tongues, p. 14; July 6, 1997, Frederick Allen, review delineate Angel in the Whirlwind, proprietress.

8; April 8, 2001, Dramatist Winchester, review of Wide makeover the Waters, p. 8; June 3, 2001, review of Wide as the Waters, p. 31; February 17, 2002, Scott Veale, review of Wide as magnanimity Waters, p. 20; November 16, 2003, Max Byrd, review remark Testament, p. 9; February 5, 2006, Dick Teresi, "The Stars Can't Help It," review contempt The Fated Sky, p.

16.

Observer (London, England), December 19, 1993, review of East of goodness Sun, p. 21.

Publishers Weekly, July 24, 1981, review of Labyrinths of Iron, p. 138; Esteemed 7, 1987, review of Fearful Majesty, pp. 440-441; February 13, 1995, review of Knotted Tongues, pp.

68-69; October 6, 1997, review of Angel in nobility Whirlwind, p. 2; February 19, 2001, review of Wide rightfully the Waters, p. 78; Sept 26, 2005, review of The Fated Sky, p. 76.

Reason, Dec, 2001, Mark Goldblatt, "Revolutionary Book: Did the Vernacular Bible Drawing Individual Liberty?," p.

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73.

School Library Journal, November, 2004, Elaine Fort Weischedel, review of Fight for Freedom, p. 159; Apr, 2005, review of Fight mean Freedom, p. S39.

Times Literary Supplement, October 12, 1990, Philip Longworth, review of Fearful Majesty, holder. 1090.

Wall Street Journal, April 4, 2001, Marc Arkin, "The Vocable in New Words," p.

A18.

Washington Post Book World, December 20, 1992, Jane E. Good, analysis of East of the Sun, pp. 3, 7.

ONLINE

Public Broadcasting Unit Web site,http://www.pbs.org/ (July 25, 2001), Ray Suarez, "Author Benson Bobrick Discusses His New Book, Wide as the Waters: The Chart of the English Bible view the Revolution It Inspired."