One of my favorite authors from that time period. Maya Angelou wrote the foreword to this book, and it read almost like a "warning" to folks who like One of my favorite authors from that time period. Maya Angelou wrote the foreword to this book, and it read almost like a "warning" to folks who like Hurston. She seems to be writing almost to a white audience of her time. I probably would have gotten further had I not read the foreword. But the warning let me know what to expect, and I had to quit after 23%. It seemed to be a book intended (only my guess) to get white readers' eyes on her work. As a biography, even Angelou says it's not great.
I can tell this was far "ahead of its time" in terms of social mores and standards, considering it when it was written. However, it ends up having a bI can tell this was far "ahead of its time" in terms of social mores and standards, considering it when it was written. However, it ends up having a bit too much of the whiny aspect of Gatsby for my taste (and takes place during the same era). The protagonist is very flawed, which sometimes works and sometimes doesnt. Worth it to read some stuff from the time period that came into the public domain recently. And a great snapshot of what the wealthy were doing during that time. ...more
Finished the trilogy just to see what happened with the apocalypse. And hindsight, probably not worth finishing. Hence the lower rating. The story is Finished the trilogy just to see what happened with the apocalypse. And hindsight, probably not worth finishing. Hence the lower rating. The story is a solid three stars, but these setting just seemed to be an excuse. Still enjoyed it....more
As this book was written before the Vietnam war, "eerily prescient" is the best label you can put on it.
Having applied to the Foreign Service, I can As this book was written before the Vietnam war, "eerily prescient" is the best label you can put on it.
Having applied to the Foreign Service, I can say that some of the lessons/recommendations from the book have been taken to heart by the FS (not that it is perfect). There were, when I applied, 5 "tracks." Two were the same as what are portrayed in this book from the 50's: encouraging people who just "wanted to travel," but not necessarily integrate into the local society, the people who answer the phones, sit at the front desk, and answer paperwork. But the other three are more immersive and require a knowledge of local language and customs (a core recommendation of the book). So hopefully the US FS position has improved.
The book was sometimes sad (when you see how we have failed in SE Asia), and sometimes humourous/biting (when you see the incompetence and poor placement of Ambassadors and consular officers, which continues today). I dont know how many lessons from the 1950s still need to be implemented today (I applied 20 years ago), but I can say that, now post-Vietnam, this book was mostly a foretelling of the failure of the US war in that country (and in later parts of Africa and elsewhere in SE Asia). ...more
Reads like fanfic. The author tries to make the protagonist "cool," but the writing comes across as juvenile. Probably an enjoyable read for YA audienReads like fanfic. The author tries to make the protagonist "cool," but the writing comes across as juvenile. Probably an enjoyable read for YA audiences who want an "action novella." Not a criticism....more
The author was trying a format that is not often used. He combined narrative with letters between various characters in the book, which has been done The author was trying a format that is not often used. He combined narrative with letters between various characters in the book, which has been done before. But he also includes puzzles, in the book provided to the protagonist, but that are also solvable by the reader. I give the book four stars for a novel approach to storytelling. However, it could have used an editor, as throughout the book there were sentences that were confusing and needed rereading two or three times. But the reader is involved in the story, almost becoming part of it, as they solve the puzzles, or watch the protagonist solve them.
In short, a really fantastic premise that could have used a better editor....more
4.5 stars. I did the audiobook version, which is normally not my thing, but this book is probably 75% dialogue, so it works very well.
Clearly the aut4.5 stars. I did the audiobook version, which is normally not my thing, but this book is probably 75% dialogue, so it works very well.
Clearly the author was influenced by Spike Lee, to the point that I had to make sure that Spike Lee didn't write the book. That is not meant as a put-down. It is not a deep book, but, like Spike Lee's movies, it gives a very vivid portrait of that point in time in that city. In this case being New York City in the 1970s.
It reads almost more like a play than a book, said as a compliment. I can easily see this making its way into movie form, and I would not be surprised if it happens in the next year or two. It could also easily be remade as a play....more
At just over 1,000 pages, this was a bit too detailed to be enjoyable. As a reference for those interested in the history of Australia, or as a textboAt just over 1,000 pages, this was a bit too detailed to be enjoyable. As a reference for those interested in the history of Australia, or as a textbook, it would be fantastic. As a casual bedside read, it was too detailed for this reader....more
This is not a "whirlwind" story. What it is, is a re-look at Eisenhower and his administration's actions and policies in the Middle East (specificallyThis is not a "whirlwind" story. What it is, is a re-look at Eisenhower and his administration's actions and policies in the Middle East (specifically with regards to Egypt/Nasser, Iraq, and Jordan).
If you are a student of that period of history (second half of the 20th cent in the ME), then this will be "gripping." This is *not* a good first read for someone on the area. It is completely factual, and not missing in parts, but it "struck" me more because it tells the true story of all the players, not the story told by those who survived long enough to write a memoir (e.g. Dulles and others).
It shows Ike as a man of absolute principle, but who was also shrewd and knew how to "play the game." He was not some yokel former soldier. He was a master of the deal - he just a) was colored by his own belief in the role of the U.S. as "honest broker," and b) subject to the same misinformation as everyone else.
You really see Just. How. Smart. Nasser was. He played a game of public opinion and intrigue that would put both Trump and Putin to shame. A real genius (half compliment, half derision, since he used it for personal gain).
This is really a book about what a genius of manipulation and global politics Nasser was...and why he is NOT the savior that he claimed to be. As noted in the book, all of his "wins" were handed to him by the Americans (Suez Canal, Israeli/French/British withdrawal, etc). But he was the one that finagled and navigated to get the Americans to do his bidding.
FASCINATING for someone with historical knowledge of the area - because most of the behind-the-scenes stuff has been reported wrong.
Merged review:
This is not a "whirlwind" story. What it is, is a re-look at Eisenhower and his administration's actions and policies in the Middle East (specifically with regards to Egypt/Nasser, Iraq, and Jordan).
If you are a student of that period of history (second half of the 20th cent in the ME), then this will be "gripping." This is *not* a good first read for someone on the area. It is completely factual, and not missing in parts, but it "struck" me more because it tells the true story of all the players, not the story told by those who survived long enough to write a memoir (e.g. Dulles and others).
It shows Ike as a man of absolute principle, but who was also shrewd and knew how to "play the game." He was not some yokel former soldier. He was a master of the deal - he just a) was colored by his own belief in the role of the U.S. as "honest broker," and b) subject to the same misinformation as everyone else.
You really see Just. How. Smart. Nasser was. He played a game of public opinion and intrigue that would put both Trump and Putin to shame. A real genius (half compliment, half derision, since he used it for personal gain).
This is really a book about what a genius of manipulation and global politics Nasser was...and why he is NOT the savior that he claimed to be. As noted in the book, all of his "wins" were handed to him by the Americans (Suez Canal, Israeli/French/British withdrawal, etc). But he was the one that finagled and navigated to get the Americans to do his bidding.
FASCINATING for someone with historical knowledge of the area - because most of the behind-the-scenes stuff has been reported wrong....more
The most "liked" negative review of this book pretty much sums it up for me. I have no idea how this made it on to any top list of anything. The writiThe most "liked" negative review of this book pretty much sums it up for me. I have no idea how this made it on to any top list of anything. The writing style and vocabulary is incredibly stilted, and the sentences are packed with so many "extra" words that don't add anything. It reads more like a high school freshman's attempt to write a novel, fitting in is much unnecessary description as possible to pad out the word count.
I can tell, I think, what the author was trying to write. Tell a story set on another world, populated by humans that traveled there long ago. The author tries to draw parallels between what seems like Victorian England and the world of the book, but the characters are uninteresting and flat, and nothing compels you to turn the page.
The book is just bad. Poorly written, poorly worded, and without a point. I am mad at myself for sticking around as far as chapter 5 before finally tossing it in the trash....more
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