A memoir of the author's childhood up to about the age of 14. She is the white daughter of European-white parents, but her father apparently wanted toA memoir of the author's childhood up to about the age of 14. She is the white daughter of European-white parents, but her father apparently wanted to be close to black culture, so lived in a black neighborhood, had black friends, played dominoes, listened to soul music, and had black girlfriends. At school, Wolff is mocked for being white and clueless, but later on she scores highly on some aptitude tests and is moved to a private school with rich, white students, who find her mannerisms a little strange, Through it all, Wolff must deal with her father, who comes across in the memoir as a loving but hard-ass loser who can鈥檛 finish projects or hold down a job. When he marries a girl only ten years older than Mishna, the stepmother demands Mishna get a job at the age of 14, despite her maintaining a 4.0 at school and being involved in several extracurriculars.
I picked up this book because I thought it might have something interesting to say about race in America, how Wolff was too white for the black kids and too black for the white kids, but it only very briefly touches on race. Why was her father so interested in a culture that wasn鈥檛 his own? What kinds of cultural barriers were erected by her living in the neighborhood? These questions aren't answered or even addressed. Is race a huge factor in her social standing? Not really, she makes friends in both schools with no more trouble than most quiet, introspective kids. It is a funny memoir in parts, but in other parts I had to put it down briefly, the demands her father and stepmother putting on her so hostile as to edge on to emotional abuse. This isn't a book about race or culture; it's the memoir of a girl living in a poor neighborhood, who went to a rich school. It's told in an episodic manner, with the stories not building on each other or leading to any real insights. It certainly must also be at least a little fictionalized, as her lengthy conversations at the ages of 10-14 can鈥檛 be all that accurately recorded years later....more
The author, a veteran of the hotel business, having worked his way up from valet to housekeeping management to front desk by giving service above and The author, a veteran of the hotel business, having worked his way up from valet to housekeeping management to front desk by giving service above and beyond, shares his experiences in upscale hotels in New Orleans and New York City. He learns how to placate upset guests, make a special occasion perfect, or serve petty revenge to screamers He also learns to make sure the bellman is taken care of, and increase the flow of the crucial tip pipeline. He dispenses advice for travelers on how to get a good room or an extra perk (most of the advice involves giving the front desk agent money), and recounts what happened when his hotel was bought by a corporation that valued the bottom line over service. There are amusing anecdotes and salacious stories from the industry aplenty, from the bellman who can tell a hundred from a one dollar bill by touch alone, to meeting a shellshocked Brian Wilson to finding a bag of sex toys belonging to a frequent guest. Tomsky is a decent writer with comic timing (the appendices are particularly funny), and manages to come across as both self-deprecating and dignified as he tells his story. ...more
This is a survey of myths about English words and phrases, mostly debunking common but incorrect ideas about etymology, from debunking the famous "X wThis is a survey of myths about English words and phrases, mostly debunking common but incorrect ideas about etymology, from debunking the famous "X words for snow," to various incorrect nautical origins of phrases, to unearthing lesser-known facts such as the origins of "hip hip hurrah" and "picnic." It's written in an erudite but clear and accessible style; it's a series of sections, like short articles, with almost no narrative linking them.
Even for someone like me who has read extensively on language and to whom the "X words for snow" myth and the Elizabethan e-mail hoax are obviously foolish old hat, there is much to learn here. The story of how "OK" derived and the ridiculousness of legends such as the Spanish Chevy "No va" fiasco are the most interesting to me, but everyone, neophytes and language mavens alike, can find oceans of interesting information. Just don't ascribe oceanic origins to everything....more
This book is a sort of continuation of the ideas described in the author's excellent Moneyball. One day, a review of that book opens Michael Lewis' eyThis book is a sort of continuation of the ideas described in the author's excellent Moneyball. One day, a review of that book opens Michael Lewis' eyes to the Nobel Prize-winning work on behavioral psychology by Israeli-American psychologists Danny Kahneman and Amos Tversky, who decades earlier had explained some of the reasons behind the poor decision making explored in his book. Intrigued, Lewis decides to write a biography of the psychologists, with a special focus on their personalities and close, intimate professional relationship and friendship. After briefly describing each man's time in Israel, including their impressive professional and military achievements, Lewis concentrates on their work at Hebrew University. Seemingly very different (Danny being scattershot in his thinking, pessimistic, and conflict-averse, while Amos was a fighter, disdainful of social mores, and imperious), they improbably joined at the hip and began writing papers literally together, side by side at a typewriter. At first their papers didn't make much of a splash except by angering the economists whose idea of the public as rational actors they attacked. But as their ideas became more accepted and influential, their career arcs differed and the two, at one time so intertwined in academic and platonic love, drifted apart.
This isn't a perfect book. There is a first chapter that focuses in detail on a basketball manager who must choose a new prospect and then is never heard from again. Possibly this episode is meant to serve as an example of the kinds of thinking that Kahneman and Tversky explored, but since Lewis never returns to it or draws any lessons from it, it's not clear to me why it was included at all. Also, Lewis spends a great deal of pages on minutiae of his subjects' lives (and the lives of some people in their orbit) that don't have much relevance to their later work, which is nice for color but gives the book the feel of having been needlessly padded. But none of that spoils the fun; this is a fascinating look at how two geniuses worked together and came up with groundbreaking ideas about how humans think. We value losses and gains differently, even when the percentage outcome is equal; we rely on mental shortcuts rather than data; we are influenced by availability and recency bias; we consistently choose options based on a misunderstanding of probability, creating stories rather than evaluating odds. In the "undoing project" of the title, Kahneman realized that when people regret an event, they tend to undo the event in their mind not wholesale but tend to imagine the things that closely imagine reality (that Hitler was a painter, not that he was born a female, for example). In short, people need a story to decide; they decide emotionally, not rationally. Lewis brilliantly weaves K&T's story together with their work, using some of their conclusions to analyze how the two may have made decisions as they drifted apart. This book succeeds resoundingly despite its flaws, a compulsively readable and fascinating biography of both two men and of behavioral economics itself....more
This readable and insightful book combines scientific research, historical analysis, and personal anecdotes to make a strong case for recognizing, accThis readable and insightful book combines scientific research, historical analysis, and personal anecdotes to make a strong case for recognizing, accepting, and nurturing the quieter, or introverted, personalities among us. Cain cites, among dozens of others, Jerome Kagan's studies on temperament, which show how introverted and extroverted traits are biologically rooted in sensitivity to stimuli, and Anders Ericsson's research on expertise and deliberate practice, which emphasizes the importance of sustained, focused, and 鈥� most importantly, for this purpose 鈥� isolated effort in achieving mastery in any field. Cain highlights this work to counter the myth that extroverted traits like charisma and social dominance are essential for success. She argues that introverts are not anti-social at all, but differently social, and shows how both introverts and extroverts seek out and are supported by different external conditions (in her metaphor, introverts, like orchids, thrive under specific, supportive conditions but falter in the wrong environments). She also points to historical figures such as Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi as examples of introverts who changed the world, emphasizing the power of quiet strength.
I liked this book's clear, firm messaging. Building off the psychological and sociological studies, Cain has advice for work leaders, parents, and teachers. She advises organizations to rethink open-plan offices and team brainstorming sessions, as these often stifle introverts' creativity. She stresses the importance of creating spaces where independent and solo thinking is valued, citing, for example, Steve Wozniak's hours of isolated work in making the home PC. Parents are encouraged to respect their introverted children鈥檚 natural tendencies, avoiding over-scheduling and teaching them that their quieter ways are a strength rather than a flaw. For educators, Cain emphasizes the need to avoid bias toward extroverted students in classrooms. I myself have definitely been guilty of advising children to "talk more in class" without trying to reframe any biases. Why see the quiet kid as shy, someone who needs to break out of their comfort zone? Yes, they need to engage in the world, but why not first value their wisdom in analyzing a situation, being reflective, not just leaping in? This is an essential shift in outlook for anyone who wants to nurture confidence in young children. Overall, this book is an inspiring call to embrace the full spectrum of human temperaments, offering practical strategies to empower introverts and build more inclusive environments in homes, schools, and workplaces....more
Let me preface this review by saying I am a dyed-in-the-wool Dylan fan. I have all the albums, I know most of the words, I've seen him in concern a doLet me preface this review by saying I am a dyed-in-the-wool Dylan fan. I have all the albums, I know most of the words, I've seen him in concern a dozen times, I've been listening for over thirty years now. That doesn't mean, however, that I regard everything the guy does as gold. This book, for example, has a disappointingly low words-to-weight ratio. The sixty-something song selections are generally presented with a two-part commentary. The first part consists of a few disjointed, poetic paragraphs full of imagery and very, very loose interpretations. The second section usually is more down to earth, with some (but not much) historical information about the artists or Dylan's thoughts on them, or related themes.
I could actually do entirely without the first parts, the trying-too-hard Tom Waits-esque stream of consciousness tough guy sections that precede the sections more closely related to the song. Written in the second person and most definitely assuming you, the reader, are a male, they are off-putting and entirely uninformative. These were possibly written by Eddie Gorodetsky, the alleged ghost writer of Dylan's Radio Show patter. A representative example: "Last night he listened to jazz on the radio, Mingus, Brubeck, and Monk, and fell asleep at a traffic light, wondering about utopia, a land he's heard about in a dream." This irrelevancy is in the section on Jackson Browne's "The Pretender." Or what about this gem inspired by "El Paso:" "The cowboy chosen one, bloody mass sacrifice, Jews of the Holocaust, Christ int he temple, the blood of Aztecs up on the altar." The book goes on and on like that, line after line. I don't even want to mention, but should, the parts dreamily reciting the slaughter of priests and babies, the slitting open and rape of "a little girl" 鈥� this ostensibly about Webb Pierce's "There Stands the Glass." What the hell, Bob? The bottom line is that for most of the songs listed in this book, you will learn nothing at all about them other than their titles and performers. Dylan does talk about the performers themselves here and there. If you want to experience some lyrical dream-text sort of but not really inspired by song titles, this is the book for you. For me most of the value of this book lies in the list itself: just look up the songs and give them a listen. Dylan writes early on, "Knowing a singer's life story doesn't particularly help your understanding of a song," but let's face it, the song becomes much more interesting when we do. That's why it's so frustrating that so few of these chapters actually say anything. When Dylan does go into the history of the song, as in the Johnny Paycheck chapter, or holds forth about war in the chapter on Edwin Starr's "War," the book succeeds. The contrast between these few interesting chapters, and the dross of the preponderance, is disheartening. However, I will concede that, even if it's only tangentially related to song, there's some charm in reading Dylan wax rhapsodic about old movies or the perils of translating literature....more
Astrophysicist Katie Mack, interested in the end of all things, explores the four main ways current science thinks the universe might happen: the Big Astrophysicist Katie Mack, interested in the end of all things, explores the four main ways current science thinks the universe might happen: the Big Crunch, a sort of reversal of the Big Bang, Heat Death, the Big Rip (in which the expansion of the universe tears apart the fabric of reality), and Vacuum Decay. She also ventures into the theory of a cyclical universe and then concludes with a chapter on what we as a species, or indeed as perhaps the only representative of sentience in the universe, can or should do with this eschatological knowledge-slash-guesswork. She strives assiduously to be both accessible and light in her prose, with a few references to pop culture and many winking footnotes. I give her credit for that, but still, to me, as a highly-educated layman gifted with some degree of perspicacity but having little science beyond biology and no physics expertise, most of this book was hard to follow beyond the broad strokes. I admit that to me, the final chapter was the most interesting, as it dealt with more philosophical questions of how we should live. In the end, though Mack did her best to spread her obvious enthusiasm for her pet subject, her book did not get me interested in the end of all things. The questions of how, and even of what we do in the face of utter final obliteration, just don't seem important to me in the context of our brief lives here on earth....more
The author, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, makes the case for empathy as a characteristic that can be cultivated, rather than a fixThe author, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, makes the case for empathy as a characteristic that can be cultivated, rather than a fixed trait. Using many often fascinating anecdotes, such as the radio play that helped heal Rwanda's national wounds, the reading program that cuts down on violent offenders' recidivism, the use of VR goggles that help autistic children read and respond to emotions, and increasing marginalized peoples' contact with their majority counterparts, Zaki shows that empathy can be fine-tuned. It's definitely an interesting book 鈥� the anecdotal experiments and programs are interesting and even uplifting 鈥� but I (and the work group I read it with) found it to be perhaps not a successful one in its mandate. It doesn't really have a lot of nuts and bolts, street-level, hands-on activities for people such as teachers or leaders to do that can help increase empathy. Yes, there are some suggestions such as having a feeling of perspective (caring for future generations), awe, and gratitude that help build empathy, but I think I was looking for more concrete steps for the "building empathy" that the subtitle says. A well-written and interesting work, with stories that resonate, but maybe not the handbook for change one might have hoped....more
This memoir begins with Amy as a young law student with a bright future, whose life is abruptly altered when she is diagnosed with a severe heart condThis memoir begins with Amy as a young law student with a bright future, whose life is abruptly altered when she is diagnosed with a severe heart condition at the age of 24. She undergoes a heart transplant, which saves her life but also thrusts her into a world of chronic illness and permanent uncertainty. Amy's journey is one of survival and resilience as she navigates the challenges of living with a transplanted heart. The memoir delves into her emotional and physical struggles, including the rigorous medical regimen she must follow, the constant fear of organ rejection, and the impact on her relationships with her husband and friends. She strives through it all to maintain a semblance of normalcy and to find meaning in her life beyond her illness.
Silverstein's narrative is honest and unflinching when it comes to her condition. She shares the struggles and fears that come with medical trauma. Neither does she shy away from detailing the harsh realities of her condition, including the physical pain and the psychological toll it takes on her as she comes to terms with her new identity as a "sick person." Her writing is vivid and clear as well as frank. At times, however, I felt the unrelenting focus on illness was overwhelming, even tiring. As a fellow "sick person," I found my sympathy over-taxed at times, although of course everyone's journey of health is different. I also found myself wishing Silverstein had an editor to help her show her self beyond the heart condition so that readers could empathize a bit more with what she lost, or prove that there is life beyond one's health condition. And maybe to make Silverstein seem less judgemental of the medical professionals who saved her life? Those negatives aside, it's a decent memoir of resilience and hope, well written and worth a read, even if only for vicarious curiosity....more
A collection of fourteen essays, incitements he calls them, written in a lyrical prose, Gay is a poet first and foremost, almost stream of consciousneA collection of fourteen essays, incitements he calls them, written in a lyrical prose, Gay is a poet first and foremost, almost stream of consciousness you might say, by which you might infer thoughtless but really means some of the deepest thoughts about the deepest things. Ross is chasing joy, and finding joy in unlikely as well as likely things, such as basketball or skateboarding or community gardens or laughter or even grief, or going wireless and just being, just enjoying the world, the air and nature, living it's called. This is one of the most impactful collections of essays I have ever read, we go on this journey of wondering together with Ross, we laugh and we cry, the grand ideas are all here in the quotidian routines, and you end up wanting to read every book he cites, listen to every song he mentions, because Ross has got his toes so deep in the earth he鈥檚 growing roots, seeing life warts and all and still finding joy even through the injustice and horror and pain, humanity it's called....more
This is a full 390 pages of bibliophile delight: a review of world literature by region; the germ of this idea apparently came from the COVID pandemicThis is a full 390 pages of bibliophile delight: a review of world literature by region; the germ of this idea apparently came from the COVID pandemic. Damrosch is an erudite and confident reader and an excellent essayist. He speaks so eloquently and alluringly of each of the books that it makes you want to read them all. How many have I read? Well several are collections of poems, two are the Bible, one is a book of drawings, and some are things that I have dipped into and out of over the years such as the Divine Comedy. Aside from those, more or less thirteen; it鈥檚 not an exact count. I am very much intrigued by exotic works I have never heard of, despite my own life in books: Miguel Astorius' The President; the Chinese novel of reincarnation, Life And Death Are Wearing Me Out by Mo Yan; The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas; Solomon Rushdie's story collection East/West; Margaret Atwood's The Penelopiad; and Brazilian novelist Clarice Lispector, whom I have never heard of, sounds like a brilliant short story writer. And then, of course, there are the books I know, but never got to, standing silent, and rebuking, unread: The Adventures Of Ah Q, The Decameron, Journey To the West, Tristan Shandy. So, ultimately, what is this book for, besides admiring the erudite prose? Obviously, for inspiring you, driving you to rouse yourself to go out and read the classics and the hidden gems of world literature. Damrosch clearly loves literature and his descriptions are as tantalizing as a brilliant chef's plates. On the minus side, Damrosch could shut up once in while about his relatives, Helen and Leopold, who invented something and worked with Mahler and illustrated science journals and founded Juilliard. Thanks for the bio, nepotism baby, but let's focus on the books....more
In her trademark style that blends irreverent, playful humor with a deep commitment to thorough research and immersion, Roach explores the ways in whiIn her trademark style that blends irreverent, playful humor with a deep commitment to thorough research and immersion, Roach explores the ways in which science has aided the United States armed forces to sleep, drive, eat, kill, recover, and a die. She accompanies a nuclear submarine crew to observe first hand how little sleep these essential sailors get; investigates new developments in armor; witnesses a penile transplant (it wouldn't be a Mary Roach book without a little squirm-inducing vividness); tells the story of olfactory warfare in the United States, from its suspiciously scam-like origins to today's Stench Soup; and finally, observes a video call in which autopsies are reviewed for accuracy in order to improve their efficacy. It's an amazing book; Roach is unique, I think, as a science writer who writes in jaunty, readable prose, and can make you laugh out loud, while also tracking down the most unbelievable, outr茅 bits of lore or history, even when the subject is as solemn as this one. Somehow, she manages to get across her total respect for what the brave soldiers and diligent military scientists do, without ever losing the opportunity for a winking, genuinely funny aside. Highly enjoyable, highly informative, highly recommended to anyone who is willing to know more about the sometimes literally gory details of military technology....more
In this memoir, Jacob Tobia details their journey of understanding and embracing their non-binary gender identity. The book explores Tobia's experiencIn this memoir, Jacob Tobia details their journey of understanding and embracing their non-binary gender identity. The book explores Tobia's experiences growing up in a society that demands and is comforted by rigid adherence to expected gender norms. But Tobia liked Barbies and toy soldiers, dresses and cargo shorts. What is a confused, gender-fluid boy from North Carolina to do? Tobia takes the reader on a journey from their Methodist upbringing, to Duke University (which leaves them with mixed feelings), and, incredibly, to the White House to tell their story. For Tobia, the journey included a lot of bullying and misdirected rage before they came to accept their entire, authentic self. Fortunately for Tobia and the reader, they're able to write about it with dignity as well as self-deprecating humor.
The book delves into Tobia's struggles with identity, societal expectations, and the path to self-acceptance. Their writing style is breezy, engaging and, dare I say it, sassy; the content is candid and tackles the rather complex issues of being non-binary with a wisdom that belies their youth. It's rare that a memoir manages successfully to be so many things: funny, poignant, a call to action, accessible, and wise. Indeed, one of the book's main strengths is its accessibility; Tobia writes in a way that is relatable and easy to understand, making the concepts of gender fluidity and non-binary identity approachable for a wide audience. The memoir's structure, organized around key moments and themes in Tobia's life, allows for a cohesive and immersive reading experience. Tobia's vulnerability in sharing their journey allows outsiders to empathize and learn, fostering a greater understanding of what it means to live authentically in a world that often demands conformity. And failing that, Tobia would like to see drag queens tearing down Confederate monuments. I'm on board!...more
This is a largely captivating collection of essays (many previously published) on outdoor life, in which the author shares his adventures and reflectiThis is a largely captivating collection of essays (many previously published) on outdoor life, in which the author shares his adventures and reflections on nature, wildlife, and the human relationship with the natural world. He writes a great deal about fly fishing, but also hiking, mountain-climbing, wildlife photography, and running. The book is divided into three sections: "South," which details some experiences in South America; "North," which is mostly about tracking wildlife in the Alaskan wilderness and what oil exploration will do to these beautiful refuges (as of 1984); and "Home," which contains essays that take place in the lower 48 and Baja California. His writing is infused with a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a thoughtful consideration of how humans interact with and impact the environment.
I had never heard of the writer, but I enjoy travel writing, and Vintage Departures is a reliable imprint for travel writing. Not knowing anything about the book, I was surprised to find that it was essays rather than a fluid, continuous story. As a result, the pacing is uneven, veering between reflective, Thoreau-like musings and vivid, Krakauer-like adventure, but I enjoyed the diversity of flow. I also appreciated that his essays are not just descriptions of his travels but also thoughtful meditations on broader environmental themes. One of the strengths of the book is Kerasote's ability to weave personal anecdotes with broader ecological insights. Indeed, the final piece, in which he details the dissolution of his marriage because her desire to dance professionally didn't mesh with his itinerant, running/climbing/fishing lifestyle, is one of the strongest of the book, having real emotional impact. Finally, I was impressed with his refreshingly honest, self-effacing accounts of climbing a mountain with two fellow backpackers and running a marathon in the desert outside of Phoenix. These are visceral and pulse-pounding, an eye-opening portrayal of the physical toll such feats take on even a well-seasoned human body. Overall, Kerasote effectively communicates the sense of wonder and respect he has for the natural world, encouraging readers to reflect on their own relationship with nature. It's too bad that much of the world that he depicts has now been gamified, hyped, drilled, and fracked....more
The writer Michael Ruhlman goes through the curriculum at the Culinary Institute of America, as an observer and writer but also as a full-fledged partThe writer Michael Ruhlman goes through the curriculum at the Culinary Institute of America, as an observer and writer but also as a full-fledged participant in the intense process, from wrestling with the perfect roux and brown sauce, to understanding what makes a great bread, to taking his lumps as a waiter, to manning the grill station at one of the CIA's in-house restaurants. It provides an insider's view of the rigorous training and dedication required to become a professional chef. Ruhlman describes the demanding schedule, the hard-edged instructors, and the high expectations placed on students. He learns foundational skills, knife techniques, basic cooking methods, and then progresses to advanced techniques. He experiences firsthand the challenges of creating complex dishes, managing time effectively, and working under pressure.
In this compelling narrative, Michael Ruhlman in part demystifies the world of professional cooking by laying bare the exacting regimen of the curriculum and showcasing some of the most passionate teachers, unyielding in their pursuit of total perfection. Somewhat paradoxically, he makes the world of professional chefs metaphysical and orphic, concluding more than once in his book that there is something illusive, intangible, about what makes a great chef: more than just passion or zeal, a sort of connection to the kitchen and to the food that grants an understanding that seemingly can't be taught. Showcasing eccentric characters, a burning curiosity about the pursuit of excellence, and an honest portrayal of the steep learning curve he faces, Ruhlman's account is as fascinating as a novel....more
Straightforward memoir of a writer at the Boston Phoenix, who having spent her 20s as a journalist and editor decides she needs to be out doing somethStraightforward memoir of a writer at the Boston Phoenix, who having spent her 20s as a journalist and editor decides she needs to be out doing something more concrete. Stumbling on an ad posted by a woman journeyman carpenter looking for a helper, MacLaughlin applies, despite not knowing the first thing about tools or woodworking. She is accepted anyway, and this leads her into a life which might not be quite a calling, but definitely draws her in and gives her the satisfaction she seeks. There are no surprises in this memoir, but it is a good rumination on learning something new, and all the various changes life might bring. She studied classics in college, and in her book occasionally shoehorns in a few classical references that only occasionally seem forced....more
To commemorate Shakespeare鈥檚 450th birthday, the Globe Theatre undertook an unthinkable challenge: to take "Hamlet" to every country on the planet, noTo commemorate Shakespeare鈥檚 450th birthday, the Globe Theatre undertook an unthinkable challenge: to take "Hamlet" to every country on the planet, no matter how far-flung or desolate, in order to share Shakespeare's masterpiece with the entire world. Dromgoole, the Globe鈥檚 artistic director, took on this mad challenge and oversaw its realization, but only went to a few of the locations in person. In this book, Dromgoole tells the story of the tour, both what he saw firsthand and what he heard about; but he interweaves anecdotes about the cast, crew, and the problems they faced with ruminations on everything from stagecraft to women鈥檚 roles in Shakespeare鈥檚 time to the play鈥檚 characters as fully fleshed-out people.
At first, I was disappointed to read that Dromgoole only went on a few of the trips, and I thought maybe he should鈥檝e had a co-author, probably one of the actors, so he could talk about the entire trip, as well as his own thoughts. After all, as he writes, "every airport, and there were several hundred, was an event in itself.鈥� So I regretted that there's no first-person account of all these no doubt exciting, hilarious, sad, exciting, poignant moments in the book. But then I realized this is not a book about the trip, but more an erudite and well-written book about "Hamlet," the play, in the world. He uses the visits he was lucky enough to be on to expound on various aspects of the play and of life. For example, in Saudi Arabia, he talks about how women have sometimes played the role of Hamlet and talked about withholding freedoms. He uses war-torn Columbia and Ukraine as a springboard to talk about whether Hamlet is a play about a revolutionary or conservative. He is an extremely learned and witty author, who does a fantastic job talking about stagecraft 鈥� he is full of hot takes on how properly to stage "Hamlet" 鈥� the pursuit of acting, Shakespeare鈥檚 world, his life, the prince Hamlet as an exuberant life affirming renaissance man, and everything else touching on the theater. Not pretentious at all, but warm and deeply informed about a great number of subjects, like talking to a buddy who's lived in the theater all their life. A real wordsmith, he clearly evokes all, from a vibrant market in Quito to a sandstorm at a refugee camp in Jordan. I love this book for what it is, but I still hope one of the actors writes their own book detailing the airports and hotels which "could鈥檝e been demarcated with one to five cockroaches rather than stars."...more
Tara Westover tells the story of growing up in her survivalist, fundamentalist Mormon family, struggling with a desire to know more about the world, sTara Westover tells the story of growing up in her survivalist, fundamentalist Mormon family, struggling with a desire to know more about the world, suffering traumatic physical abuse from her older brother and criminal neglect by her parents, trying to keep in good graces with the family despite it all, and finally going to BYU, then Cambridge on a full scholarship until finally earning a doctorate at Harvard. As a child living close to the mountains of southern Idaho, she didn't have a birth certificate until she was nine and never went to see the doctor (nor did any other family member, despite horrific injuries including burns and cuts to the bone). She didn't go to school and worked in her father's scrap yard with heavy machinery. Her father was a paranoid who ranted about the Federal Government, Randy Weaver, and the Illuminati, and had the children prepare bug-out bags and weaponry for the coming Days of Abomination. Her life is one of whiplash-inducing dichotomies: she didn't see the point of the weaponry, but enjoyed shooting guns; her father did let her sing in school musicals, but called her a whore for rolling up her sleeves while working; her brothers and sisters were tight-knit, but her older brother had episodes of brutal, misogynistic violence; they knew almost nothing of the outside world (in one memorable scene, Tara does not recognize the word "Holocaust" in a college class), yet often took vacations to Arizona; and so on.
This is a breathtaking memoir, one of the best I've ever read, so beautifully written and as nail-biting, jolting, and suspenseful as a novel. The first part, about her childhood, is heartbreaking and powerful, a savage indictment of narrow-minded fundamentalism and the violence against women that it engenders and even encourages. The second part, in which Tara goes out into the world and learns about Europe, anti-Semitism, the evils of slavery, high hemlines and everyday, caffeine-drinking Mormons, is not as outrageous but equally interesting if not more so. It's fascinating to see how Tara's brain expands, as she struggles to unmoor herself from her family's teachings which stick despite everything. She sees a girl with a dress that falls above the knee and decides the dress is whorish 鈥� but then hears it's a gift from the girls' father. How can it be whorish and the gift of a loving father to a daughter? This is the only way the zealot can become free 鈥� by physically coming face to face with the contradictions of their thought. The third part, in which Tara tries to become her own person and keep her place in the family, is the saddest, as she learns that this is not possible; her father requires a lack of independent thought in order to be allowed into the fold. In this age of the memoir glut, where everyone thinks their story needs to be told no matter how mundane, this book is an inspirational and necessary spotlight on the dangers of fundamentalist thinking and the power of the independent spirit....more
This is a collection of three previously-published (or spoken) pieces and lectures, revised and updated, about Israel's futtranslated by Jessica Cohen
This is a collection of three previously-published (or spoken) pieces and lectures, revised and updated, about Israel's future co-existing with Palestine. An open-minded, deeply moral, and erudite man, Oz uses logic, Scripture, Jewish law, and ethics to dismantle the idea that Israel must destroy the Arab world to exist. He addresses his book to zealots of all stripes, no matter what flag they fly or God they pretend to worship, though the second essay is particularly addressed to Jewish fanatics who are ignorant of the deep-rooted culture of learning through humanist dissent and disputation in their own history. In one of the most stark anecdotes in the book, Oz recounts how a friend of his tries asks a casual Zionist fanatic how exactly all the Arabs will be killed: by committee? By volunteers? Door to door? Who will round up the infants left at home once the parents are killed? Sadly, few zealots will deign to open such a wise book as this, though it's needed more than ever, and not just in the Middle East....more
Nearing his fifty-first birthday, veteran CNN correspondent Tom Foreman is reluctantly persuaded into running a marathon by his elder daughter. As he Nearing his fifty-first birthday, veteran CNN correspondent Tom Foreman is reluctantly persuaded into running a marathon by his elder daughter. As he trains, he reminisces about his high school long-distance running experiences (and the lengths he'd go to avoid practicing). As the training hours grow longer, and the trails rougher and darker, he wonders what he's gotten himself into, and whether he can do it at all.
Unlike what we see in a lot of runners' memoirs, Foreman's experiences are relatable, showing the various struggles long-distance running brings, from just finding the hours in the day, to reducing time with family, to deciding what to eat and drink, how to handle injuries, and getting lost. That said, however, he isn't an absolute beginner. The blurb about "half-hearted couch potato" on my edition is misleading; like apparently all those who turned to running late in life and did well, Foreman is no newbie, being an exceptional long-distance runner in high school. Still, he definitely pushes his body to near-limits considering his age and the running hours he puts himself through. Running is hard on the body, even dangerous, but Foreman successfully communicates the thrill of pushing oneself, improving, and reaping the benefits of all the effort. Like the best writing about human endeavor, it inspired me to try more as well. There are no big reveals or epiphanies in this memoir, but it's well-written and fun to read, with a healthy dose of self-effacing humor ("I had the flexibility of a stepladder") and interesting anecdotes about his work as well....more
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