A cogent explanation of the government policies that shaped and perpetuated housing segregation. While Rothstein provides a compelling case for de jurA cogent explanation of the government policies that shaped and perpetuated housing segregation. While Rothstein provides a compelling case for de jure housing segregation, I found it was often buried through the dry recitation of facts within a somewhat repetitive argument. I think what might have made this more compelling would have been to focus on actual people. I felt this read more like a chapter in history textbook than a compelling argument (which, as he ironically he points out, some of the major publishers of history books skim over this chapter of history). This does read more like a data dump of history with the majority of the anecdotes were mostly recitations names, dates, and occupations buried within the paragraphs and pages of facts of the policies and government agency actions. A bit more analysis of the impacts of these policies and actions, a better showing of the real world implications would have made this a more compelling read. Yet, despite the sheer scale and pervasiveness of this problem, Rothstein does provide some solutions.
As it is, it would have been better as a long-form essay than a book, which, BTW, is only 217 pages. The rest of the nearly 350 pages is made up of 20 pages of FAQs, 40 pages of endnotes, 30 page bibliography, and a 20+ page index. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a first reading for this problem, but this is a good reference book. One to supplement other readings.
I learned of James Vukelich from Instagram and his Ojibwe word of the day. His teachings make me stop and think as he teaches more than just a simple I learned of James Vukelich from Instagram and his Ojibwe word of the day. His teachings make me stop and think as he teaches more than just a simple translation of a word. What he teaches is how we are all connected, everything around us, all who have been, as well as those yet to come. And in this book, he teaches that “aanik-” means “to be interconnected.
This is a beautiful work. Here, James attempts to explain Ojibwe teachings by translating those words and concepts into English—not an easy feat. Because, like many language translations, it's not an easy one-to-one construction. Especially considering that modern English really is a bastard language, made up of so many other languages including Latin, French, German, Old Norse, and more.
So why only 4 stars? I wish there had been a bit more to this book. I think some of the concepts might have been fleshed out a bit more. I enjoyed reading what was there and it is definitely worth reading. ...more
A fun introductory reference to astrology with a bit of frivolous extra fun, like mermaid type, your Halloween costume, and vampire vibe. The book is A fun introductory reference to astrology with a bit of frivolous extra fun, like mermaid type, your Halloween costume, and vampire vibe. The book is laid out nicely with lots of illustrations and color. This is a good book for anyone who's been intimidated by astrology because they make it accessible and fun....more
This book provides a good overview on a lot of different things, from lunar lore and astrology to crystals and essential oils. But because it touches This book provides a good overview on a lot of different things, from lunar lore and astrology to crystals and essential oils. But because it touches on a whole lot of topics, it doesn’t go deep into any of these areas. While I found several ideas in it that I will try & I appreciate the creativity, it's not a book I'd keep as a reference....more
A friend lent me this book because she thought I’d like it. And I do! It’s a great reference book that I will definitely add to my library. And I loveA friend lent me this book because she thought I’d like it. And I do! It’s a great reference book that I will definitely add to my library. And I love that it includes a bibliography because I’m also going to check out some of the books she references....more
I have struggle with tarot (I’m a practical Capricorn), and so I have focused more on astrology. Kenner does a wonderful job connecting the dots and gI have struggle with tarot (I’m a practical Capricorn), and so I have focused more on astrology. Kenner does a wonderful job connecting the dots and gave me som “a-ha” moments. Tarot seems more accessible to me now. Given that, I will say that this book is probably better suited for those who have at least some experience in either tarot or astrology.
This book starts the tarot and how the planets and signs align with tarot. Kenner then goes through Minor and Major Arcana (according to the astrological order). She provides charts of the information. And right after the table of contents, she provided a convenient content listing based on each card and its associated page number. And then she includes a few tarot spreads, both simple and complex. One particular extra that I appreciated was the addition of Chiron and the North/South Nodes. I have struggled to understand some of these lesser well knowns other astrological bodies, and her explanations made some things click for me. And so I was pleased to see her include these.
I will note that she does use her Wizards Tarot deck throughout. This is a deck that she and artist John Blumen designed. I have not used nor even seen that deck (other than the illustrations in this book); however, I did get a bit confused at times and wished she had used a more general deck (maybe even just use the basic Waite-Ryder deck) to describe the cards and their astrological associations. I personally use the Celestial Tarot deck by Kay Stanton and Brian Clark, which I find to be a better fit for combining astrology and tarot.
One thing that I skimmed over was her introduction to the Qabalah and how both tarot and astrology relate to it. She goes onto list the Qabalistic associations for each card in its description. While I appreciated her thoroughness, this information didn’t add anything for me and I wish she had stuck more to astrology/tarot topic and maybe just reference Qabalah with some suggestions of further readings.
While not massively in depth on either tarot or astrology, it provides a good foundation and I will continue to use it as a reference book. 3.5 stars rounded up....more
What an incredible reference book. There is so much information packed into this book. I'm glad to have it as a handy reference that I can return overWhat an incredible reference book. There is so much information packed into this book. I'm glad to have it as a handy reference that I can return over and over. Highly recommend for any student of tarot.
That being said, I have this caveat. I read Kitchen Table Tarot: Pull Up a Chair, Shuffle the Cards, and Let's Talk Tarot first. Kitchen Table has a down-to-earth approach that made tarot less overwhelming to me. Had I started with Seventy-Eight, I probably would have been overwhelmed simply by the amount of detailed information. Also, I learned about Seventy-Eight from Kitchen Table, as Melissa Cynova highly recommends this book (and anything Pollack has written). Having read Kitchen Table and studied my deck for a while, I felt reading to tackle Seventy-Eight. And I'm glad I did. This is a book I will read, make notes, and then read again. A wonderful reference....more
A quick guide (only 52 pages and a lot of white space in those pages) that covers the basic plot points on how she thinks the pre-writing process willA quick guide (only 52 pages and a lot of white space in those pages) that covers the basic plot points on how she thinks the pre-writing process will help you write a better book. No new information is presented, and her focus is mostly on romance stories (as she is a romance writer).
The info isn't that great and the presentation is lackluster. The presentation of the info might have been better if the worksheet were included and she walked through the example worksheet.
She uses one of her own books as an example but calls it one title in one chapter and italicized it, but another title in a different chapter in all caps (and neither title is listed on her GR page or on her website). The poor editing makes me question the value of her other advice.
I received this as a gift from a friend along with a gorgeous tarot deck. This book is an excellent reference for beginners.
"Your rituals work becaus
I received this as a gift from a friend along with a gorgeous tarot deck. This book is an excellent reference for beginners.
"Your rituals work because you believe in them."
I've had a basic Rider tarot deck for a couple of years now but just hadn't found the right reference to help me and so the deck has sat on my shelf. Too many references make tarot so elusive and highly mystical that I didn't feel as if I could do it. But Melissa makes tarot fun and accessible. Her down-to-earth, kitchen table style is exactly what I needed. I've definitely taken a lot from this book in the short time I've had it. I've already incorporated some of her suggestions....more
I went into this bathroom stall at work the other day & saw that someone had (thoughtfully?) left this interesting reference book for anyone’s readingI went into this bathroom stall at work the other day & saw that someone had (thoughtfully?) left this interesting reference book for anyone’s reading pleasure.
Of course I had to open it. There are illustrations & funny names for various types of bowel movements. The health part actually seems helpful. The rest is, well, toilet-esque humor. I guess they tried to make it funny to get people to read it? Not sure if the illustrations help or more detract from the health info.
3 stars mostly for the beneficial health info....more