This was a book club book, and although it's nominally a children's book, and took the effort not to talk down to the reader and actually discuss the This was a book club book, and although it's nominally a children's book, and took the effort not to talk down to the reader and actually discuss the science in an informative way that I really appreciated! The book club gave it 4 out of 5 atoms (stars) [we use a unit relative to the individual book when rating it: in this case, we use atoms to correspond to the topic and title] Several of us that on the science in the book intimidating and over our heads, but on the other hand, the rest of us were quite comfortable with it. The writing itself Was simplistic and the overall structure- aimed at a preteen- was almost stilted and definitely choppy for at least one reader, but when she changed to the audio (which is what I always use) it was definitely better; she then went back to the written book for the cartoons (of which I was totally unaware...) It, of course, pointed out the early discriminations against women in science; then, it got into the discrimination against Jews in Germany in the 1930s. The trials of Lise Meitner's life were on full display. She was denied the Nobel Prize, but she was decreed to be “Queen of the atom bomb�, a title she always detested. Physics was for Knowledge and truth, not for bombs and death! I really like this book, despite the fact that it's nominally our children's book. And my middle name is after her first one :)...more
Shiver; what an icky feeling the whole case leaves in the reader. MSBP us one of the most unfathomable crimes known to man (OK, cliche, I know). As a Shiver; what an icky feeling the whole case leaves in the reader. MSBP us one of the most unfathomable crimes known to man (OK, cliche, I know). As a mother, I know that an awful lot is expected of us, and it may be unreasonable to expect it all- for a bare minimum of care and concern for our babies- or even older children or offspring is fur from Unreasonable! In a questionable situation, I can see different people coming to different solutions, BUT SUFFFOCATING YOUR BABY/TODLER SON is NEVER One of them! Gregg Olsen continues to write relevant and interesting (mostly true crime) books in a captivating and enthralling way; I am far from current on all of them, but I continue to embrace and enjoy.!...more
I was unfortunately disappointed :-(. The book made some excellent points, but it seems to do a fair amount of rambling. I chapters 8, 9, and 10, I waI was unfortunately disappointed :-(. The book made some excellent points, but it seems to do a fair amount of rambling. I chapters 8, 9, and 10, I was really hoping for it to be done. And the epilogue was way too long. Yes, there definitely are good reasons that people are attached to and dependent on delusions, and delusions are both useful and necessary in many cases, and the book describes and justifies them, but again, it seemed to go off on tangents and seemed undirected at times. This was unfortunate, because I truly look forward to and enjoy the author's segments on NPR.
Merged review:
I was unfortunately disappointed :-(. The book made some excellent points, but it seems to do a fair amount of rambling. I chapters 8, 9, and 10, I was really hoping for it to be done. And the epilogue was way too long. Yes, there definitely are good reasons that people are attached to and dependent on delusions, and delusions are both useful and necessary in many cases, and the book describes and justifies them, but again, it seemed to go off on tangents and seemed undirected at times. This was unfortunate, because I truly look forward to and enjoy the author's segments on NPR....more
I had not known that Ari Shapiro was gay, but I was familiar with him from � All Things Considered.� I suppose that that's commentary on his abilitiesI had not known that Ari Shapiro was gay, but I was familiar with him from � All Things Considered.� I suppose that that's commentary on his abilities as a journalist; he does not let his own life and situation interrupt his reporting. It was a good book come and told a lot about both Ari Shapiro and journalism in general, as well as an overall positive take on humanity, in general. I learned a lot about the LGBTQ community on the whole, and how individuals can be a part of it without it being their lives- or some of them can let it be their lives, but only in as much as they wanted to be. Each person has a lot to offer in the world, and their circumstances do not define it. Overall it's a positive book, and I liked the emphasis on using news and horrible experiences to still point out the good in people. ...more
A good and interesting look at what the Jews did in the US before World War Two. It's great that we were able to show the Nazis that we are not just pA good and interesting look at what the Jews did in the US before World War Two. It's great that we were able to show the Nazis that we are not just patsies. On the other hand, the concentration on violence seems to me, somewhat counter productive and could have backlashed horribly. It's a good book, and it points out what was necessary in those days!...more
Interesting approach to “common sense� about medical rumors and myths. I not only liked the information that it gives, but I appreciate the overall foInteresting approach to “common sense� about medical rumors and myths. I not only liked the information that it gives, but I appreciate the overall format. It put the whole thing in a relatable set of conversations and, yes, theoretical potential “love stories� that were totally unnecessary but added a bit of a kick and motivation. And it was nice to see some clarifications on statistics and both unintentional and purposeful misrepresenting results and perceptions of various foods and medications and vitamins....more
What a comprehensive book! It has four sections, then a conclusion, and then acknowledgments! I read through the beginning of the acknowledgments. The What a comprehensive book! It has four sections, then a conclusion, and then acknowledgments! I read through the beginning of the acknowledgments. The first three sections were great. When you agree with every point made by the book, you get a certain kind of Identity and familiarity with it. It points out how much we cuddle our citizens and protect them from knowledge and thought, and fighting for Their beliefs and debating and arguing to actually expand individuals' World knowledge and experience. Part four I had some disagreement with, mostly because I hate being told what to do :-); although theoretically, It doesn't say what to do, it only gives suggestions. My own opinion is that that section should be reworked. The conclusion does tie it all together, but overall the book is repetitive, and into the conclusion. Overall, I prefer when the book doesn't spell out conclusions, but it allows the reader to draw them. But overall, it says some very good things, and the citizens need to stop being pampered. ...more
Ok, I took a long break in the middle of reading this because it wasn't really what I thought it was- I had thought it was going to be about using poiOk, I took a long break in the middle of reading this because it wasn't really what I thought it was- I had thought it was going to be about using poisonous plants to poison people- specific cases. When it went into folklore and non poison and non- details about the actual plants, I took a break. Upon completion, I realized that it was more than that. There WERE actual details about the plants, and it was really MORE than just specific cases of poisonings. I learned a more complete background of, yes, poisonous plants, but more details about them. It was very interesting and thought provoking beer in...more
A complex and constantly changing story. Due to the facts consistently changing and being added to, it's really difficult to come up with a true conclA complex and constantly changing story. Due to the facts consistently changing and being added to, it's really difficult to come up with a true conclusion to what actually happened. Seeing the officials and lawyers going through back bends and contusions to actually discover the true realities of the case was both frustrating and encouraging. The whole case is less than satisfying, but that's what reality is....more
Unfortunately, I took a month off in the middle of reading this book which made me forget a lot of the details. I already know that I need to reread tUnfortunately, I took a month off in the middle of reading this book which made me forget a lot of the details. I already know that I need to reread the book. What I did get from the book was that there was a period of 150 or so years in the late 1600s/early 1700s when France was a total mess with passion, murders, and rampant greed and desired for power and control. The number of murders and poisonings was astronomical and the ruler of France and the first police chief were involved in all of the goings on. The King of France had a lot to do to try and maintain control and run the country while tamping down Individuals desires and rights. Again, I need to reread the book to be able to actually put things together and realize the nuances and realities of the situations, but I do know that it was an interesting read and, although, history is not my first choice in general, it was well written and held my interest!...more
Wow! Very enlightening about the whole Warren Jeffs situation and the degradation and dismissal the girls had to endure. It concentrated on a somewhatWow! Very enlightening about the whole Warren Jeffs situation and the degradation and dismissal the girls had to endure. It concentrated on a somewhat different aspect than what was emphasized in the media here in the Midwest. It would appear that the major criticism was NOT the multiple wives issue; and it was not specifically that Warren Jeffs himself forced young girls to marry him. It was more that overall control over the entire group. He DID force young girls to marry, but not specifically to marry him. And subtle brainwashing was a great part of his control. I did find it interesting that those who ended up leaving the cult, (mostly men to a great extent because it's not sustainable to have equal numbers of men and women in a society in which each man is granted many women) did not give up the underlying religion of Mormonism � or theology in general. And I suppose that as an outsider looking in, I am being unfair to judge, but how, after years of having someone claim to be a "profit" spreading the word of "God", people can still believe in and trust that "God" boggles my mind! But I thought the book was good. It reacted out how totally ensconced a group can be in amazingly horrid and self-deprecating cults and beliefs. Lisi, the main character and writer, displayed great strength and bravery in getting out and in trying to protect her younger sisters. Heavy sigh and great amounts of hope!
Merged review:
Wow! Very enlightening about the whole Warren Jeffs situation and the degradation and dismissal the girls had to endure. It concentrated on a somewhat different aspect than what was emphasized in the media here in the Midwest. It would appear that the major criticism was NOT the multiple wives issue; and it was not specifically that Warren Jeffs himself forced young girls to marry him. It was more that overall control over the entire group. He DID force young girls to marry, but not specifically to marry him. And subtle brainwashing was a great part of his control. I did find it interesting that those who ended up leaving the cult, (mostly men to a great extent because it's not sustainable to have equal numbers of men and women in a society in which each man is granted many women) did not give up the underlying religion of Mormonism � or theology in general. And I suppose that as an outsider looking in, I am being unfair to judge, but how, after years of having someone claim to be a "profit" spreading the word of "God", people can still believe in and trust that "God" boggles my mind! But I thought the book was good. It reacted out how totally ensconced a group can be in amazingly horrid and self-deprecating cults and beliefs. Lisi, the main character and writer, displayed great strength and bravery in getting out and in trying to protect her younger sisters. Heavy sigh and great amounts of hope!...more
Most of my readers know that I am not a history buff, so it should come as no surprise that I didn't start out liking this book much; the first part wMost of my readers know that I am not a history buff, so it should come as no surprise that I didn't start out liking this book much; the first part was straight history and no personality. But there's a guide into it, it started actually describing the individual personalities better, and I was blown away! I had never heard of Anna Rosenberg, despite the fact that she was clearly extremely important in the governments of a few presidents (notably FDR, LBJ, Eisenhower, and). She was extremely important in the integration of the military; she did a lot toward women's rights and recognition; she didn't work for herself but for the nation. The book was absolutely fabulous, and in reintroduces the general public to an absolute fabulous personality and federal employee. She was well known in her time, but she has been totally forgotten. Sad I definitely appreciate the book for making history decidedly more relatable to a non-history person....more
What an interesting combination of entertainment and education! I have always been interested in poison, disturbing though that may be, but I really aWhat an interesting combination of entertainment and education! I have always been interested in poison, disturbing though that may be, but I really appreciated learning both about poisons and poisoning. There were several specific instances where an individual or more than one actually used specific poisons to commit murder (as has been done both privately and publicly, and pains were taken to explain the effects of said poisons on the body and how said effects could be detected and attributed. The author also pointed out that poisons, in and of themselves, are not evil. As the well and overused statement goes, “The dose makes the poison,� and many substances that are considered poisons are also used as medicines or treatments as well. As I said, this book was total entertainment and education....more
The title is misleading; a more appropriate title would be: _The USA: Women and Non-Whites Need Not Apply_ The book is disturbing, but I agree with it 1The title is misleading; a more appropriate title would be: _The USA: Women and Non-Whites Need Not Apply_ The book is disturbing, but I agree with it 100%. It does do some comparing the US Constitution to the Bible of fundamentalists, but really it emphasizes the lack of equality and stated in the Declaration of Independence with the actuality of our nation. It points out how far we have always been from our stated goal and dream. And even those who claim to try to fix it, come far from the point. I think that it is up to ALL of us to continue to work to remedy this situation! Good book, but it opens a lot in the realm of advancement....more
Loading...
