Cover Image: 1922

1922

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Member Reviews

Thank you to Oldcastle Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of 1922 by Nick Rennison.

The book is an interesting read with snippets of information about historical events. It was a quick read for me and I enjoyed learning more about certain events all occurring in 1922.

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Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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"1922: Scenes from a Turbulent Year" by Nick Rennison is a fascinating deep dive into the events that shaped a pivotal year in history. Rennison's writing is engaging and informative, providing a rich tapestry of cultural, political, and social history that brings the year to life. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the rise of fascism in Italy to the discovery of King Tut's tomb, and provides insightful analysis and context for each. While the sheer breadth of the subject matter can sometimes feel overwhelming, Rennison's skillful storytelling keeps the reader engaged throughout.

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Published just in time to greet 2022, this popular history book looks at the one hundred-year anniversary of this eventful year from the early twentieth century. Already singled for being an usual time, the 'Roaring Twenties' and the 'Jazz Age' stood between two World Wars and the collapse of old empires and the start of the new.

The book is divided into twelve chapters, one for each month, and starts with an overview summary of the main events of the month. Then the information is discussed in more detail alongside other notable information. This obviously includes major world happenings: countries that gained independence, like Egypt, major new discoveries, assassinations, elections and appointments. But it also looks at film, literature, radio and the newly formed BBC.

The significance of the year is, to a large extent, viewed with our hindsight. Who would have thought that the hyperinflation in Germany would have led where it did, that a relatively unknown pollical party leader wrote a book while in jail that would spark a new ideology, and Italy's new dictator would leave his mark in the future. There was a new urgency - people no longer lived by the morality that went before. Life had suddenly grown up, freedom and extravagance was the new language. The Great War had changed everyone's perspective in just about every way.

This is a fun book to read, presented in easy calendar chunks, with all of the fascinating events laid out in a tabloidesque way. To see one year portrayed like this really brings it home. What a time to be alive.

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This was a really fun snapshot of history from 100 years ago. Rennison's delightful prose brings to life many significant events from the year 1922, some of which we can still feel the impact of today. Moving through the year month by month, Rennison highlights key events and famous figures - some you will have heard of and some you likely won't! Featuring Hollywood scandals, feats of exploration, political machinations and influential works of art, there is something of interest for everyone in this book. I was impressed by how much I didn't know about what happened in 1922, but also how many of the events still resonate today. An enjoyable slice of history, especially for anyone interested in the roaring 20s.

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Having spent three quarters of 2020 getting to know roleplaying characters who live in 1922, followed by falling in love with Boardwalk Empire, needless to say I find the 1920s fascinating. Came across this book on Netgalley, which is all about the year 1922. How could I resist?

It's not a book meant to be academic, so it's not a deep dive into the year in question, full of foot notes and such. It's fun and easy to read, and offers more of a taster of what was going on around the world. There's a list at the back of the book if you want to learn more.

It's fascinating how many things happened in that one year that we still know about today. Like, the Irish Civil War, that started. They found Tutankhamun's grave - who hasn't heard of Tutankhamun these days? The Soviet Union was founded, and so on. Things that have reverberated through time. Other things are more specialist knowledge, admittedly, but is interesting to read about regardless.

The book is split into twelve chapters, one for each month. It starts off with a little summary and then gives you a chronological run-down of events in that month. Some are only about a half-page long, others run for several pages, because they need more context, or there's simply much more to say about them. At times I would have wished for something to have been expanded on that wasn't, but you can't have everything.

It's about events all over the world as well, so it isn't about just one country. 2022 has so far turned out to be eventful, but mostly for all the wrong reasons, so it's nice to be able to read about a time when life was simpler. I don't know if 1923 was as fascinating, but if Nick Rennison would write a sequel, I'm more than happy to read that one as well.

4 out of 5 flappers.

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As Nick Rennison makes clear in this masterful history, 1922 was quite the year, the consequences of which have rippled down to the present day. Rennison has both a great eye for detail and a pleasingly engaging writing style, and he describes momentous events such the fall of empires, the formation of nations and mass cultural movements in a way that enlightens and entertains. This is one of the best and most readable histories of recent years, and it’s an absolute must for those looking to learn more about the Roaring Twenties.

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Excellent overview of 1922 , covering loads of different subjects including the Soviet Union , jazz and prohibition

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Thank you NetGalley and OldCastle books for the chance to read and review this book!

1922 is a short but interesting read that really sums up what the year 1922 would have felt like to someone living through it! It's interesting how much racial violence came up in the book.

I don't think a reader will find everything included in this book interesting, that being said I would give it to anyone who likes history because Nick Rennison is a good writer.

Of course, I did feel like the book focused on some countries more than others.

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There are many adjectives to describe the year 1922 – significant, pivotal, turbulent, ground-breaking – and key events happened in so many areas – literature, music, technology, science, medicine. Nick Rennison takes us through the year in a month-by-month survey chronicling some of those events, both large and small, significant and not so significant, in a wonderfully entertaining and informative book that is a joy to dip in and out of. He’s chosen an eclectic mix of subjects, some more obviously important than others, but these bite-sized chunks set the year in context and are a marvellous stepping off point for the reader’s own research. A great read.

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In 1922 the world was emerging from a global pandemic and was ready for change. Sound familiar? 1922: Scenes from a Turbulent Year by Nick Rennison takes on a month by month journey through 1922 looking at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the rise of fascism, the birth of Modernism and the BBC. The changes that happened 100 years ago resonate still. 2022 looks to have aspirations to follow suit.

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I really enjoyed this approach, looking back over just one year with a global perspective. It's easy to forget how much stuff can happen in a year, and Rennison explores the major events of 1922: the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the aftermath of World War I, the waning light of the British Empire, the beginning of the Soviet Union and Mussolini coming to power in Italy. Rennison considers the impact of the Spanish Flu pandemic as well as the changes brought in by the Roaring Twenties. It was a wild, strange, overwhelming year— and setting the entire story of one year gives a refreshing insight to the things we know happened afterwards. Watching in slow motion the 'future' unfolding' makes for a truly fascinating read.

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1922 was a year of great turbulence and upheaval. Its events reverberated throughout the rest of the twentieth century and still affect us today, 100 years later. In a sequence of vividly written sketches, Nick Rennison conjures up all the drama and diversity of an extraordinary year.

1922 takes a month by month look at what was happening in the world 100 years ago. It looks at popular culture, conflicts, crimes, inventions and many more areas of social history. What made this book so brilliant was the small details that were added about each event. Really worth a read, especially to draw comparisons between then and the present day and note the emerging patterns of history.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

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I thoroughly enjoyed reading 1922. Each chapter is a month in the year, giving snapshots into events across the political, social, economic and cultural landscape. It jumps across nations and at that time empires as well. Consequently, providing insight into the thinking and people's of the time - some you may have heard of. This is a great introduction and there's a lot of scope for the reader to delve deeper into areas of particular interest elsewhere (starting with the bibliography). I'd definitely read more of Nick Rennison's work and would welcome similar tiles.

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I enjoyed reading about events of 100 years ago, some of which I had only studied briefly at school and many more I had never even heard about.

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This is the type of book I really love! Packed full of fascinating facts and information, easy to read and lots of moments that make you think, ‘I didn’t know that’.

1922 takes a month by month look at what was happening in the world 100 years ago. It looks at popular culture, conflicts, crimes, inventions and many more areas of social history. While it does mainly focus on the Western world there is also a few mentions of Asia too. I found myself swinging between thinking I can’t believe that only happened 100 years ago (the creation of insulin, the start of the BBC and jazz becoming a big thing) to surprised at how much has also changed in the last 100 years (aeroplanes becoming the norm, the ease of so many things). What made this book so brilliant was the small details that were added about each event. Really worth a read, especially to draw comparisons between then and the present day and note the emerging patterns of history.

I really hope this is the start of a series that will look back 100 years each year. I really loved it and shall be sending this out as Christmas presents.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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A year at a glance, sorted by months, old news told in an entertaining way. Some stories were better known than others, the collection covers a variety of topics from political turmoil to aviation, from women's football to literary movements. Some bits were so short that I wondered why the author bothered to put them on the page in the first place. I always enjoy Nick Rennison's books but I in this case I am not sure what the whole point of the book was.

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1922 is a very important year in the XX century history and it's somehow similar to the times we're living.
There's plenty to learn form this book, a chapter for each month. Facts from different fields.
It's well researched, well written and compelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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1922 was a busy year. Nothing stood still. Great change was on the horizon and new ways of thinking, new art and music forms were breaking through, the film industry was pushing through its scandals and experiencing growth. It wasn't only in the arts that things were changing, the shape of countries was also changing as well as their politics as well as leaders who had ideals, inspired from the past and their 1922 present. Nick Rennison in his book about this year informs in an interesting snippets that make me think of newsreel articles in some ways. Each part isn't overly long and yet has enough depth to pique interest and there are many events that occurred that readers may not know about this period of history. Each part, as well as being short is split into each month of the year.
This is a book that people ought to read as the impact is everlasting. By impact I don't mean it is all negative, there's positives too. It shows more that each year doesn't live in isolation of the year previous or what comes after.

There is clearly a lot of research in documenting a lot of what happened in 1922 and then to write it in a way that doesn't feel too text book like and is actually interesting enough to make you continue reading past the first pages to find out what else happened from the well-known and the perhaps lesser-known.

The book tells a bit of The Spanish Flu and its effects, which no doubt will bring people to think about the present times (at time of writing this blog post). It also documents the deaths for many reasons - from illness to assassination, of prominent people such as Shackleton, Alexander Graham Bell and more. There are people who I certainly haven't heard of and yet made an impact on the world and there are many people who I have heard of who also have made a lasting impact on the world. The book respectfully tells the truth about them and means people aren't forever forgotten about, whether they were good people or not.

There are a number of murders woven into months where there was better news such as the emergence of people who were to become sportstars and film stars of their time and their achievements as well as all the above in the blurb and so much more...

There is also political turmoil in a few countries in the world, including Russia, China, Italy as Fascist (far right) and Communist (far left) had emerged and getting stronger, especially Communism. It's interesting for those who don't know some of the smaller details that had a huge impact and both exist today, sometimes strong and powerful, some politicians on the edges and getting closer to far right or far left politics in the world. The countries still don't stand still as the fall of empires occur and near the end of the year, the formation of the USSR.

Jazz had emerged and the Roaring Twenties was starting to really flow and The Jazz Age had well and truly arrived and the changing dancing styles as older figurations of dancing started to completely transform into something more energetic and, considered by some, quite outrageous.

This is a book that will interest people who like history, are interested in the 1920's or just wondering what was happening in 1922 to expand their knowledge. There's something in it for all adults as so much was happening that lots of wider topics such as music, film, politics, famous people are covered and so much more... There is much people of any age can learn about.

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1922: four years after the end of the Great War (World War I) & several years before the start of the Great Depression. Around the world, empires fell & new governments came into being, countries fought for independence, & fascism began to rise. The US was under Prohibition, & the Jazz age took off as younger people threw off the views of their parents & grandparents, a time which became known as the Roaring Twenties.

This was an interesting read as there were some fascinating true crime cases that I had never heard of. It's more of a 'whet your appetite' kind of read than one which delves deeply into things, & I was left with the feeling that I would need to read up on some of the things mentioned. Personally I would have liked a conclusion chapter to tie things up as it just finishes with a final short piece on the formation of the USSR. Overall view - it was interesting but I would have liked more analysis.

Thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Oldcastle Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

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