Paretsky's first V.I. Warshawski mystery. Overall, an entertaining book. There were a few cliches here and there that seemed a little too noticeable tParetsky's first V.I. Warshawski mystery. Overall, an entertaining book. There were a few cliches here and there that seemed a little too noticeable to me (but maybe weren't cliches when she wrote them). As the series has gone on, it has improved in quality. Paretsky is better than a lot of mystery writers. It's interesting to see where she started. ...more
Yes, Canada does have a military history. They repelled US invasions in 1812-1814, and for a long time faced the problem, with their British imperial Yes, Canada does have a military history. They repelled US invasions in 1812-1814, and for a long time faced the problem, with their British imperial friends, of defending a near-indefensible border against a rapaciously expanding United States.
They were also invaluable in the Allied cause in both World Wars. There also were various expeditions and Natives, Metis, and Quebec separatists. Amidst all of that, they had to sort out how to maintain a military force, mostly of militia, on limited resources.
It was an interesting look at a subject not much covered in the United States (which is weird, given the closeness of US-Canadian relations), and it makes me wish that books on Canadian subjects were better available south of the border....more
I really do like Giles Blunt's John Cardinal series, but this was not one of my faves. There were some aspects that might have been better developed. I really do like Giles Blunt's John Cardinal series, but this was not one of my faves. There were some aspects that might have been better developed. That said, it was well-written and entertaining. I would be willing to re-read it. ...more
An account of the activities of the North West Company, the Canadian fur-trading concern that was rival to the Hudson's Bay Company, in the early 19thAn account of the activities of the North West Company, the Canadian fur-trading concern that was rival to the Hudson's Bay Company, in the early 19th century. Written in an old-fashioned style by Walter O'Meara, who wrote a fair amount about the history of Minnesota. The book was engaging, but not especially so. There wasn't a whole lot of detailed information about the lives of the traders and voyageurs, and precious little about the company itself, to be had from it....more
I like books set in the Great Lakes region, and that was the reason I picked this book; that, and because it was about a man's problematic relationshiI like books set in the Great Lakes region, and that was the reason I picked this book; that, and because it was about a man's problematic relationship with his father. Given my relationship with my own father, that last bit resonates with me. The book turned out to be one of the best I've read in quite a while.
Olaf, father of the protagonist Noah, summons his son to his remote northern Minnesota cabin. He is dying and wants to wrap up his affairs, have his son help him prepare for his death. Noah, for his part does not want to come. His relationship with his father has not always been healthy. In his own life, he and his wife are struggling to have a baby after several miscarriages.
Olaf's survival in the wreck of a Great Lakes is a shadow in his life that hangs over his relationship with his son, and provides the backdrop to the story. Only by dealing with the complex of emotions from that event, can father and son come to terms with their relationship and their respective lives, one about to end, one that seems stalled....more
Rick Perlstein details Barry Goldwater's rise as a conservative standard bearer and his presidential campaign that gave birth to the modern American cRick Perlstein details Barry Goldwater's rise as a conservative standard bearer and his presidential campaign that gave birth to the modern American conservatism. The first book in a trilogy on the rise of the conservative movement....more
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