I Listened to The Bitter Truth by Evanescence

It’s been a long time since there was a body of work released by Evanescence that contained completely new material. It’s been ten years in fact, but it was well worth the wait. 

The Bitter Truth is a very good album, and it met my expectations and then some. It has the same gothic aesthetic quality and superb lyricism as much of Evanescence’s prior music, while also making the 12 tracks feel fresh and exciting to listen to. Some of my personal favorites include Take Cover, Part of Me, Wasted On You, Use My Voice, and Yeah Right. 

I truly missed Evanescence during their absence. That being said, The Bitter Truth is a triumphant return for this band. I don’t have anything else to say besides this: if you’re a fan of Evanescence, then I can’t recommend The Bitter Truth enough.     

Review: Aristocracy by William Doyle

Title: Aristocracy 
Series: A Very Short Introduction #251
Author: William Doyle
Source/Format: Purchased; Paperback
More Details: Nonfiction; History
Publisher/Publication Date: Oxford University Press, USA; November 28, 2010

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

Aristocracies or nobilities dominated the social, economic, and institutional history of all European counties until only a few generations ago. The relics of their power, in traditions and behavior, in architecture and the arts, are still all around us. This engaging Very Short Introduction shows how ideas of aristocracy originated in ancient times, were transformed in the middle ages, and have only fallen apart over the last two centuries, following the outbreak of the American and French Revolutions. William Doyle, an authority on eighteen-century European history, here strips away the myths in which aristocracies have always sought to shroud themselves, but he also astutely delineates the true sources of their enduring power. Their outlook and behavior affected the rest of society in innumerable and sometimes surprising ways, but perhaps most surprising was the way in which the centuries-old aristocratic hegemony crumbled away. In this Very Short Introduction William Doyle considers why this happened and what is left today.

I’ve been into history lately, and one of my recent nonfiction reads was Aristocracy by William Doyle. It’s a part of Oxford’s A Very Short Introduction series, which has been publishing since 1995. There are a number of titles I want to read from this series, but my first foray into it was with Aristocracy.

“Aristocracy is a word coined in ancient Greece. Originally it meant not a group of people but a form of government: rule by the best. But who were they?”—pg.1, Aristocracy, William Doyle.

Aristocracy was excellent, and it was way more informative than I originally thought it would be. It was a short book at just one hundred and two pages. Even so, it was a precise summery of the roles, privileges, and powers of the aristocracy through the ages. In its five chapters total, it covered everything from the way titles were obtained (or lost), as well as the eventual decline that came with changes to the public’s perception of the aristocracy.

I honestly had a great time with this read. The compact format didn’t require too much commitment, but it was a fascinating read regardless. 

The Friday 56 (199) & Book Beginnings: Aristocracy by William Doyle

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Aristocracies or nobilities dominated the social, economic, and institutional history of all European counties until only a few generations ago. The relics of their power, in traditions and behavior, in architecture and the arts, are still all around us. This engaging Very Short Introduction shows how ideas of aristocracy originated in ancient times, were transformed in the middle ages, and have only fallen apart over the last two centuries, following the outbreak of the American and French Revolutions. William Doyle, an authority on eighteen-century European history, here strips away the myths in which aristocracies have always sought to shroud themselves, but he also astutely delineates the true sources of their enduring power. Their outlook and behavior affected the rest of society in innumerable and sometimes surprising ways, but perhaps most surprising was the way in which the centuries-old aristocratic hegemony crumbled away. In this Very Short Introduction William Doyle considers why this happened and what is left today.

Beginning: "We use the words aristocracy and aristocratic all the time."

56: "Nobility is a tissue of minute differences lovingly treasured, each one affording grounds for a sense of superiority of inferiority."

Comments: Aristocracy was an interesting read, and I plan on eventually reading a few more titles from this series. What are you reading this week?

Music Monday (156): Bree Runway, SWV, Tony Toni Toné

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: A month ago, Bree Runway released a song called Hot Hot, and I like it.

 

Andrea: Hi all! Lately, I've been listening to  Let's Get Down by Tony Toni Toné and I'm So Into You by SWV.  

What are you listening to this week?

Music Monday (155): Tommy Newport, EarthGang, Digital Underground

  Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Recently, I was searching for new music by some of my favorite artists, and I noticed that EarthGang released a new song with Tommy Newport. It's called Stargazer, and I really love it. 

 

Andrea: This week I am listening to The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground.

RIP Shock G

August 25,1963 - April 22,2021

What are you listening to this week?