Oh my, but this book took a long time to get into gear. I almost gave up, especially when a particularly long-winded character made his appearance. BuOh my, but this book took a long time to get into gear. I almost gave up, especially when a particularly long-winded character made his appearance. But the second half helped to make up for the slow pace of the first half and made a big difference in my feelings about the book. I find myself recommending it to friends even though I could only give it 3 stars. I also warn them, as I warn you, that it definitely does not have a Hollywood-style happy ending. But it all makes sense. ...more
3.5 stars. I found myself going back and forth in my feelings about this short novel, a fictional account of one day in the life of six astronauts on 3.5 stars. I found myself going back and forth in my feelings about this short novel, a fictional account of one day in the life of six astronauts on the International Space Station. In the course of one day, the ISS makes 16 orbits of the Earth, and each orbit makes a chapter. The language is often poetic, even while tossing out little science lessons about both space and the Earth. If you're into plot-driven stories, this one is not for you, and I suppose that is why I wasn't completely captivated by it. Still, it won the Booker Prize and it is likely something a bit different from other books you've read. Two reasons to give it a shot....more
There are multiple definitions of the word "fantastic." It might mean tremendous or outstanding. Or, as in the case of this satire, it can mean fancifThere are multiple definitions of the word "fantastic." It might mean tremendous or outstanding. Or, as in the case of this satire, it can mean fanciful, unbelievable, or far-fetched. In this book, it seems that everyone lies, starting with the central character, Boyd Halverson, who decides to rob a bank one afternoon. Taking the teller hostage, he sets off across the country on a mission that we gradually learn more about. He is pursued by a "fixer" for a wealthy CEO who is now married to Halverson's ex-wife, the teller's less than reliable or law-abiding boyfriend, a police dispatcher from the town where it all started, and eventually the ex-wife herself.
Throughout the book, we are confronted by lies and partial truths from just about everyone, including allusions to the politics of the day and its tenuous relation to truth-telling....more
Frances Perkins has finally been getting her due in the last 20 years or so. The latest addition to scholarship about the first woman named to a post Frances Perkins has finally been getting her due in the last 20 years or so. The latest addition to scholarship about the first woman named to a post in the U.S. Cabinet is this book which focuses on one important aspect of Perkins' tenure: her efforts to rescue Jews from Nazi Germany before World War II. One storyline often told in the past was that America was simply unaware of the atrocities, murder and pain inflicted on European Jews. Bunk is a polite word for that theory. Brenner Graham makes it clear that there was a streak of antisemitism within the State Department and simply no interest in helping Jews who were desperate to escape. Even though immigration fell under the control of the Labor Department which Perkins led, she was thwarted time and again by Congress, the State Department and other actors in her efforts.
There is a particularly poignant chapter that provides the book with its title. In it, Brenner Graham shares letters that Perkins received from friends and family members asking for help in rescuing their trapped loved ones.
Another interesting side chapter doesn't involve fleeing Jews, but has appeal to many readers. That is the account of the escape of the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame. The real story may be less dramatic than the tale portrayed in the film, but it is still an adventure.
This is not a full biography of Frances Perkins. It does touch on her early life and many accomplishments within the Roosevelt administration. But the focus is on an aspect of her life that was so crucial and an excellent example of Perkins' character....more
Frederick Douglass was simply an amazing person, and this biography does an excellent job of telling his story. Is it perfect? No, but I gave the bookFrederick Douglass was simply an amazing person, and this biography does an excellent job of telling his story. Is it perfect? No, but I gave the book 5 stars anyway because it is so complete and draws on so many sources to explore all aspects of Douglass' life. I knew a fair amount about Douglass before reading this, but I learned that I only knew the outline. Blight really digs deep. A weakness to the book is one that every Douglass biographer would face - insight into what Anna Douglass, Frederick's first wife, was really thinking and feeling. It is a tragedy that she never learned to read or write so we know so little about her as a person other than her staunch support of Frederick. But at one point, Blight seems to be so desperate to include her thoughts that he publishes lines from a modern poet speaking in Anna's voice. But of course, it is pure conjecture on the poet's part and would have been better left out.
But that is a small quibble. Through speeches, letters, editorials autobiographies, and other sources Blight depicts Douglass from a very young age as a slave on a Maryland plantation, through his long career as an abolitionist and on through his time as the U.S. ambassador to Haiti. Throughout, Douglass finds a cause to support African Americans - emancipation, acceptance into the Union army during the Civil War, the right to vote, and ultimately simply the right to be full citizens in the face of the early days of Jim Crow.
In his 70s and 80s, he may have slowed down some, but he never stopped....more
I generally don't enjoy true crime books. But having lived In Cincinnati for five years and being a little familiar with the story of bootlegger GeorgI generally don't enjoy true crime books. But having lived In Cincinnati for five years and being a little familiar with the story of bootlegger George Remus, I was curious to see how the story is told in this book. In a word, melodramatically. Not exactly my favorite style - especially when the author dangles the possibility of even more illicit behavior between government investigators and prosecutors than any evidence suggests. ...more
So often I have read in Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ reviews, "I really wanted to like this book more." Well, here I am, repeating those words. I generally enjoy SteampuSo often I have read in Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ reviews, "I really wanted to like this book more." Well, here I am, repeating those words. I generally enjoy Steampunk works, and there was some genuinely clever and humorous writing and turns of phrases. But the whole did not surpass the sum of the parts in these three short novels set in an alternate Victorian era. Queen Victoria is temporarily replaced on the throne by a giant, experimental newt/human hybrid who bears an uncanny resemblance. A threat from the deep off the coast of Massachusetts thwarted by "Hottentots" from Africa and witnessed by the all-too racist scientist Louis Agassiz. A romance between Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman while they travel to another dimension and meet a future poet, Allen Ginsberg. If any of these scenarios grab you, go for it. They are clever, but failed to satisfy me.
Loading...
