The Prague Cemetery

by Umberto Eco

A long, and sometimes confusing novel about late 19th century European history, confusing because it was hard to follow all the espionage and counter-espionage, secret societies and movements. Perhaps if I knew my European history from this era better I would have found the book more engaging. As I was the only aspect of the book I truly appreciated was its portrayal of how antisemitism was expanded and promoted and used as a political tool in the lead up to the 20th century.

I found Eco's use of the double narrator plot device somewhat pretentious and the conclusion of the mystery anti-climatic. This is not to say I didn't enjoy the book on some levels, but I would hardly call it "magnificent" as apparently the Sunday Times did.  I picked this book up in a Paris train station book store, it seemed an appropriate choice because we were heading to Prague that very day.  I was surprised when the story opened in the very part of Paris we had just stayed in during our vacation there (the Latin Quarter).  The book revealed some of the roots of antisemitism, but I still I think I learned more about that from our guide in Prague when we walked about the old Jewish Quarter. While there we took a peek in the Cemetery referred to in this book, but unfortunately we didn't actually go it - when I think back on that opportunity now I wish we had taken the time to go inside the cemetery and look around more closely.

Finally I think I didn't enjoy this book as much because none of the characters are really anyone worth rooting for, they are all rather despicable people - and I get weary of reading endless depravity.

Paris Revealed: The Secret Life of a City

by Stephen Clarke

I picked up this book in a Paris train station as we waited to board a train for Prague.  I only wish I had found this book before visiting Paris, rather than at the tail end of our time there. A fun look at some of the unique characteristics of Paris and its inhabitants. Written by a British author and humourist who has lived in Paris for many years and filled with keen observations that only an outsider who is really familiar with the subject can provide.  I particularly enjoyed the first part of the book with its look at Paris' pavements, metro and history.  It explained a lot of what we saw and experienced in our week in the city of light.  The second half of the book was still entertaining but not as relevant to our experience.

Juno Beach: Canada's D-Day Victory June 6, 1944

by Mark Zuehlke

A detailed account of Canada's involvement in D-Day. This is a piece of Canadian history that I think everyone should be more aware of. Having visited the Juno Beach Centre in France (where I picked up this book) I have developed a greater appreciation of the sacrifice of the young Canadian men in the push to liberate France from the Nazis. I also have a more vivid understanding of the horror and human cost of war.

Sometimes the details were overwhelming, trying to keep all the various military terms and troops sorted out in this large work, but Mark Zuehlke was also able to weave in many individual stories and incidents to keep the material interesting. I was proud of Canada when I finished the book, not because I glory in war, but because what the Canadian troops accomplished that day was astounding, and yet is little known in public memory.  I learned, for example, that even though the Canadian troops were last to land, and faced the most fierce resistance (other than what the American troops faced at Omaha beach), the Canadian troops pushed the furthest inland.  The Canadian troops were the first to accomplish one of the military objectives set forth that day, in spite of huge losses of soldiers on the Juno Beach.

Looking back on our recent European trip, I wish I had read this book before visiting the Juno Beach Centre, and I wished we had had more time to spend there.  Thanks to this book, Juno Beach is more than a vague idea of something that happened in World War II, and for that I am grateful.