Beautifully written American novel about a Syrian refugee boy, who washes up on a beach in Greece, the only survivor of a shipwreck. He meets a teenagBeautifully written American novel about a Syrian refugee boy, who washes up on a beach in Greece, the only survivor of a shipwreck. He meets a teenaged girl, who helps him escape. The book is in alternating chapters, with one telling the story of the boy's background, and the next about his life in Greece with the girl. The book is beautifully written, with compelling characters, and a fascinating plot. I only wish that the author had developed the girl's character further, and written more about her background....more
This is a sweet novel set in 1950, about an English college student who meets CS Lewis when he terminally ill younger brother wants to hear stories frThis is a sweet novel set in 1950, about an English college student who meets CS Lewis when he terminally ill younger brother wants to hear stories from him. It suffers from the same problem as most books about Lewis do, that they mostly cover the same material, and don't bring anything new to the table. This book added a somewhat schmaltzy romance, which I didn't really care for. But, the main characters were appealing, so there's that....more
Set in the late Victorian era, this book tells the story of an English widow who goes to the countryside, just as a mythical serpent, which terrorizedSet in the late Victorian era, this book tells the story of an English widow who goes to the countryside, just as a mythical serpent, which terrorized the area during the Middle Ages, has returned. It is the type of story that I like, and I've enjoyed some of the author's other books and articles, but I was disappointed with this one. The author didn't conjure the right atmosphere for this type of story, and the characters were not well-drawn. I put it down to being the author's second book. Sometimes, second books are the disappointing ones of an otherwise storied career....more
This is a well-written historical study of Rwanda, with an emphasis on the Anglican Church's role in the country's development. The book starts with aThis is a well-written historical study of Rwanda, with an emphasis on the Anglican Church's role in the country's development. The book starts with a brief history of Rwanda, looking particularly at the ethnic distinctions between Tutsis and Hutus. The author then turns to European colonialism, and looks at how Catholic (Belgian and French) and Protestant (mostly British) missionaries came to the area. The author looks at how the missionaries interacted with political forces. The author then looks at Rwanda's independence struggle, the genocide of the early 1990s, and efforts at reconciliation. He also looks at the increasingly dictatorial regime of Paul Kagame. He looks at the increasing efforts of the Anglican Church in Rwanda to play a role in the West, largely by overseeing Western Anglican churches whose bishops were thought to have left the true faith. The author's overall conclusion is that religious efforts in Rwanda were closely tied to political leaders, and reflected these secular political leaders' wishes rather than the Gospel.
This book was interesting to me, because I didn't know much about Rwanda's history or contemporary politics, and it was a good introduction. I am also a member of an Anglican Church which spent several years under the leadership of a Rwanda (and other African) bishop. It was interesting to learn about this history, although a bit sad to realize that the Westerners' influence was not always salutory....more
Interesting mystery/thriller about a man who goes to teach at a preschool for children of asylum patients. However, he has an unhealthy interest in onInteresting mystery/thriller about a man who goes to teach at a preschool for children of asylum patients. However, he has an unhealthy interest in one of the patients, and seeks to enter the asylum. I read the author's Oland series (at least all of the books that were available in English) and really enjoyed them, but this one wasn't up to that level. It didn't reflect the author's deep knowledge of the setting and atmosphere, and was just a regular mystery/thriller. On that level, it was interesting, but definitely could have been better....more
Written by a journalist, this book tells the story of the elite Iraqi military units that infiltrated and destroyed ISIS. It is an excellent topic, buWritten by a journalist, this book tells the story of the elite Iraqi military units that infiltrated and destroyed ISIS. It is an excellent topic, but I thought having the story jump back and forth between different people, while well-intentioned, made the book hard to follow....more
This is an interesting history of Latin American immigrants in American cities, based on ethnographic studies of neighborhoods in Chicago and Dallas. This is an interesting history of Latin American immigrants in American cities, based on ethnographic studies of neighborhoods in Chicago and Dallas. The book bills itself as a history of how these immigrants helped revive American cities after their mid-20th century decline, but only the last third of the book is really about that. The author traces a longer history, ending with revival and gentrification. I wish the author had spent more time contrasting the two different environments, and providing more analysis of why they differed. However, it is still a good introduction to a topic about which not much has been written....more
This is a book of scholarly essays, written in the 1990s, that look at the period after the Civil War and how it set the stage for modern America. It This is a book of scholarly essays, written in the 1990s, that look at the period after the Civil War and how it set the stage for modern America. It is very well-researched and well-written, although it seemed to jump from topic to topic, and was very detailed in each essay, such that I found it hard to follow in some places. It definitely has a lot for the casual reader of American history, but also much more for those who are well versed in the time period....more
This book tells the story of a young Greek Cypriot man, and his Turkish Cypriot girlfriend. They are separated during the war, only to reunite in middThis book tells the story of a young Greek Cypriot man, and his Turkish Cypriot girlfriend. They are separated during the war, only to reunite in middle age. The chapters go back and forth in time, and some of them are told by a tree that the Cypriots plant when they escape to England. The story is beautifully told, with the author's signature knowledge of the place and its history. I thought the ending was somewhat anti-climactic, however, and could have been written better....more
This book is a comprehensive history and current overview of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. It is a valuable addition to the literatureThis book is a comprehensive history and current overview of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security. It is a valuable addition to the literature on Iran, as this ministry isn't written about as often as the IRGC and other parts of the government. At the same time, the author often gets sidetracked, and spends a considerable amount of time either speculating, or discussing other parts of the Iranian government, since this one has only limited material available. So, it is a necessary book on an important subject, but could have included much more material....more
This book is about a couple where the husband wants children, and the wife doesn't. The book is written with many (nine!) alternative endings. I was iThis book is about a couple where the husband wants children, and the wife doesn't. The book is written with many (nine!) alternative endings. I was interested in the story, but found the characters to be self-absorbed and irritating. I also found the different endings confusing, as they weren't in any kind of logical order. A good premise, but not executed all that well....more
This book begins in 1970, with a Saudi couple living in America and going to university. The woman eventually leaves the man, with their child, and heThis book begins in 1970, with a Saudi couple living in America and going to university. The woman eventually leaves the man, with their child, and he spends years looking for them. It seemed like an interesting premise, but I was disappointed in the novel. The author didn't seem to realize that Saudi Arabia wasn't super conservative in the early 1970s (particularly in Jeddah, where the main characters came from). That came in the late 1970s, after the Iranian Revolution. The couple also lived in an area near Cleveland OH, near where I am from. Again, I didn't think the author did a good job of capturing the area at that time. I also didn't find the character development to be that interesting....more
This book looks at how immigrants and natives to live and work together in a productive way. The author, while of French (and other) ancestry, currentThis book looks at how immigrants and natives to live and work together in a productive way. The author, while of French (and other) ancestry, currently lives in Britain, and most of his examples come from this context. He makes a very interesting point in the first chapter, that the British government pursued austerity after the Financial Crisis, but blamed most of the fall out on immigrants (or at least working class Britons did). I thought this was a really interesting point, and was disappointed that he didn't pursue it further. Most of the material in the book was anecdotal, but it did provide a good framework for looking at issues related to immigration....more
This book tells the story of a country weaver, who is driven from his small town by a false allegation of theft. He moves to a new town, and eventuallThis book tells the story of a country weaver, who is driven from his small town by a false allegation of theft. He moves to a new town, and eventually adopts an abandoned little girl. She changes his life, from a lonely miser to a father. His story is told in parallel with that of the dissolute local aristocrat. I really liked the character study, particularly as a beautiful story of adoption. The characters discuss religion; the main character was part of a small, insular sect, but seems to open up as he receives help from the local parish in his new role as a father. The book is filled with beautiful descriptions of country life. It reminded me a bit of Thomas Hardy. This is the first book I've read by George Eliot, but it likely won't be the last....more
Set in late 19th century England, this mystery begins with a seamstress employed by an aristocrat throwing herself from a high window, with a message Set in late 19th century England, this mystery begins with a seamstress employed by an aristocrat throwing herself from a high window, with a message written on her hand. After her death, an inspector, aided by a university divinity student, begins to look in to the mystery of several missing girls, who may be connected to the same aristocratic family. The book is beautifully written, but I found the plot a bit hard to follow. Characters were introduced without much background, and the story seemed to jump around a lot. Still, worth a read for fans of mysteries and/or Victorian novels....more
This beautifully written novel was published in the early 2000s. It was written by a former Algerian military officer. The story is set in Kabul underThis beautifully written novel was published in the early 2000s. It was written by a former Algerian military officer. The story is set in Kabul under the first Taliban regime in the late 1990s. It follows a middle class couple who are trying to cope with the new regime, as well as a brutal jailer, and his dying wife. Their lives intersect in surprising ways across the course of the book. The writing style is lyrical, particularly at the beginning. I thought the characters could have been drawn better, but the plot picked up as the book went on. The book was very moving, and timely given the return of the Taliban....more
This comprehensive history looks at 19th century Russia through the Bolshevik Revolution. It covers all the main aspects of this history, including poThis comprehensive history looks at 19th century Russia through the Bolshevik Revolution. It covers all the main aspects of this history, including politics, foreign policy, economics, and colonial expansion. Interestingly, the book covers areas outside of European Russia, such as the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Far East. It also looks at Ukraine and its separate identity (the book was written in the 1950s). I was familiar with much of this history from my academic background, but I still enjoyed reading the book....more
This book looks at international relations in Europe over the past 500 years. The author's theme is that when the continent is threatened by an outsidThis book looks at international relations in Europe over the past 500 years. The author's theme is that when the continent is threatened by an outside power, it is most united, but when it is at peace, it faces internal division. Very well researched and well written. It is a good introduction to the subject, and presents some new material as well that I haven't seen in previous treatments of this subject....more
This is a memoir by an immigrant from South Asia, who came to Detroit in the 1970s and built a business there. He is Muslim, and discusses his experieThis is a memoir by an immigrant from South Asia, who came to Detroit in the 1970s and built a business there. He is Muslim, and discusses his experiences in the US, particularly in terms of his experiences of local politics and leadership. It is an interesting story, but I found the writing style to be overly colloquial and simplistic, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I might have....more
This is a beautiful introduction to Christianity, that can be enjoyed by the seeker and the long-time Christian alike. In its simplicity, it repeats wThis is a beautiful introduction to Christianity, that can be enjoyed by the seeker and the long-time Christian alike. In its simplicity, it repeats well-known foundational aspects of Christianity. However, it is written in a very engaging style, that will be interesting to many readers....more
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