Excellent. There is always more than one side to a story, and it's important to consider. Excellent. There is always more than one side to a story, and it's important to consider. ...more
If you like history and you believe God takes an interest in the United States, then you will find this book very interesting. Many of the references If you like history and you believe God takes an interest in the United States, then you will find this book very interesting. Many of the references are specific to the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Well researched and entertaining - Mr. Ballard shares his theory that George Washington was called of God to lead during the Revolutionary War and after. ...more
Very well researched and well written history of laws that intentionally created segregation. Both major parties are complicit. Some of the things I wVery well researched and well written history of laws that intentionally created segregation. Both major parties are complicit. Some of the things I was aware of, a few surprised me. The only quibble I have with the book is the author's feeling that more regulation and more government will fix the issue created by... the government. I would support a systematic review of all statutes and regulations, looking to see if the existing law either benefits one group over another, or specifically harms a group of people based on race, or any other thing. It's a great project for all the lawyers we have piddling around capitols everywhere....more
I picked this up because of the title, but it really is an interesting story. I think the first half was the best, very information dense. I am not suI picked this up because of the title, but it really is an interesting story. I think the first half was the best, very information dense. I am not sure if the second half was less satisfying simply because there wasn't as much information, or because the author wasn't sure how to wrap things up. Still, well worth a read. ...more
I listened to this on audible. IWF book club Inspiring book about how Senator Ernst went from farm girl to Senator. I was impressed by her grit and detI listened to this on audible. IWF book club Inspiring book about how Senator Ernst went from farm girl to Senator. I was impressed by her grit and determination, and her openness about real life struggles. ...more
A very useful book. O'Reilly stays fairly neutral, which I appreciate. If you've ever wondered who President Trump is, what might motivate him and whyA very useful book. O'Reilly stays fairly neutral, which I appreciate. If you've ever wondered who President Trump is, what might motivate him and why he does the things that mystify and perplex many, this is a great read. ...more
This is a fantastic overview of ancient history, written in a narrative style, with plenty of footnotes and notations. I particularly liked how the hiThis is a fantastic overview of ancient history, written in a narrative style, with plenty of footnotes and notations. I particularly liked how the history was presented along a timeline. The reader learns what is happening in India, China, Mesopotamia, etc. concurrently, which places events in historical context. Susan Wise Bauer is an intelligent and humorous writer. Highly recommended....more
I joined a book club sponsored by the Independent Women's Forum. This was the inaugural read. I honestly didn't know much about Nikki Haley prior to rI joined a book club sponsored by the Independent Women's Forum. This was the inaugural read. I honestly didn't know much about Nikki Haley prior to reading this book. She wasn't really even on my radar until the "Bless Your Heart" tweet, which gives me great delight even now. This isn't a political book, in the sense that it's really about her personal experiences as governor of South Carolina, and as Ambassador to the UN. She talks about what it's like to have jobs where there is "no line for the ladies room," and how to gracefully assert herself in a room full of men. She wrote a very emotional chapter about the 2015 church shooting. She talked about meeting refugee women in places like Syria and the Sudan. She talks about her parents and their experience as immigrants from India. She talks about what they taught her that helped her meet extraordinary challenges. Also, I learned a lot about how the UN works. It's a great read. Even more fun, Ambassador Haley joined the book club meeting for about half an hour today. She answered questions, told us that she hasn't put on makeup for weeks, and talked with us about how to push through the fear and be who we want to be. She shared a great story about her first committee meeting as a SC state legislator (don't quote me on the meeting, I might have that wrong). They sat down for the meeting, and one of the men in the room asked her to get coffee for the committee chair. She said "I'd be happy to." She leaned forward to the phone on the table, called her assistant and politely asked her to get coffee for the committee chair. They never asked her to get coffee again. The woman is bona fide....more
This is a super quick read, and quite interesting. Horowitz outlines the accusations made against him. He describes a loophole in our justice system tThis is a super quick read, and quite interesting. Horowitz outlines the accusations made against him. He describes a loophole in our justice system that allows people to falsely accuse someone in court documents (as long as they don't make the same accusations publicly) and then leak that information to the media. They can't be sued, but they can sue the accused for defamation if that person calls them a liar or vigorously denies the accusation. He shows how this can undermine legitimate claims, and turn the #metoo movement into a racket instead of a movement that truly helps victims. Good read....more
Natan Sharansky was a pretty regular Jewish guy, living in the Soviet Union. He gradually became more aware of the unfair treatment of Jews, includingNatan Sharansky was a pretty regular Jewish guy, living in the Soviet Union. He gradually became more aware of the unfair treatment of Jews, including refusal to allow them to emigrate to Israel, job preference given to non-Jews, etc. He became active in the Zionist movement, and was eventually arrested on false charges of treason. He tells of his activism, arrest, trial and imprisonment. His moral courage in prison was impressive. He refused to cooperate with the KGB, spent many more days in the punishment cell than was "legal" for protesting the mistreatment of other prisoners or demanding his legal rights. He engaged in a hunger strike for over 100 days in protest of their refusal to allow him to send letters to his family or receive letters from them. It's a great story of courage and resilience in the face of extreme persecution....more
I listened to this on Audible. The Souls of Black Folk is a collection of essays and one fictional short story. The essays range from historical analysI listened to this on Audible. The Souls of Black Folk is a collection of essays and one fictional short story. The essays range from historical analysis to sociology to anthropology. W.E.B. Du Bois made study of the condition of blacks in America his life's work. He made major contributions to the development of the NAACP and other organizations. In these essays, he discusses the failings of Reconstruction policy and the negative impact those failings had on race relations. He shows clearly the roots of the inadequacies of the criminal justice system, particularly in the South. Prior to the Civil War, the police or sheriff's deputies in the South existed primarily to manage the slave population. This did not change materially after the war, and it is easy to see how some areas continue to struggle to reform. I learned so much, and I have a lot to think about. I feel inadequate to the task of reviewing this. I do believe it's a very important thing to read....more
A different perspective on the rise of Hitler and the early years of his government. Larson tells the story from the point of view of the American ambA different perspective on the rise of Hitler and the early years of his government. Larson tells the story from the point of view of the American ambassador to Berlin - mostly through the eyes of the ambassador's daughter. In her own right, she was an interesting character. She mingled with all sorts of people. She was initially impressed with the Nazi party and Hitler's Youth and the energy of the movement. Over time, she became disillusioned. Like most important historical books, this is an excellent read, but not an easy one. ...more
An excellent read. Philbrick shows how the weather played a pivotal role in turning the tide of the Revolutionary war, with three large Caribbean hurrAn excellent read. Philbrick shows how the weather played a pivotal role in turning the tide of the Revolutionary war, with three large Caribbean hurricanes causing the French to bring their naval ships to the Chesapeake. He also highlights the less than cordial relationship between American and French leadership. The only disappointment was that the book was shorter than it looked - lots of footnotes and references at the back....more
This book made me angry. Daily we have evidence of serious malfunction in our justice system. If even half of what is in this book is true, heads shouThis book made me angry. Daily we have evidence of serious malfunction in our justice system. If even half of what is in this book is true, heads should roll. On both sides of the aisle. ...more
A collection of speeches given at university graduations, historical societies and before Congress, Mr. McCullough reminds us of our history and core A collection of speeches given at university graduations, historical societies and before Congress, Mr. McCullough reminds us of our history and core values. Excellent series of short pieces. ...more
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