I was glad when this book ended. It was a dud of a book club book with my daughter. She listened to the audio version and it made her a sleep walking I was glad when this book ended. It was a dud of a book club book with my daughter. She listened to the audio version and it made her a sleep walking hiker. Not good. I started with the Kindle version but had to shift to the audio for the third section wanting to hear what my daughter described as a boring narrator. She is and that accentuated my desire for the end…
I did like how Scheele jumped around the Sahara in the first section as she introduced its geography. It got me interested as I looked up places I didn’t know. I think she was using the jumps to reenforce the point that the Sahara is a varied landscape that defies naïve desert descriptions.
I did not like the other two sections. They continued with jumps around both region and time. While the geography and geology interested me the historical jumps of people and history wore on me. I might have known one or two but I had no interest in looking up the names of historical people Scheele cited.
Scheele definitely knows the North African region and her passion is clear. Unfortunately, that was not enough to keep me interested.
2.5 Stars – written more for those more familiar with or interested beyond the casual reader in the region. ...more
This book is laid out as a series of lectures so best consumed via audio; which is what I did. Daileader’s book is part of The Great Courses series – This book is laid out as a series of lectures so best consumed via audio; which is what I did. Daileader’s book is part of The Great Courses series – a set of lectures by professors ranging across a broad set of topics.
I found Daileader easy listening. If my professors had had any of Daileader’s traits I might have finished my studies sooner while enjoying the journey more. I immediately looked for other lectures in this series and others by Daileader. ...more
I found this book a fantastic companion to Daileader’s, The Early Middle Ages as Salisbury covers much of the same time period – while focusing on infI found this book a fantastic companion to Daileader’s, The Early Middle Ages as Salisbury covers much of the same time period – while focusing on influential woman. Comparing and contrasting what both authors say about particular leaders was fun and kept me engaged as I switched back and forth between these two books.
Salisbury is a bit dry and monotonal so you’ve got to listen past that and focus on what she’s describing. Maybe the printed word would have been better but I had the audiobook.
What this shows, and Salisbury acknowledges, is that women throughout history have played significant roles both on their own and in support of ruling husband. History gives these women short shrift so I enjoyed hearing about these 36 women. Comparing these two books, I’m reminded that history is written by the winners but, in this case, by the authors perspective.
Where Daileader only talks about Europe, Salisbury covers the world from the Trang sisters in Vietnam and Empress Wu Zetein in China to Persian queens like Parysatis. I liked the broader view Salisbury took and rate this higher in content but not in delivery. ...more
Daileader is professor of history at William and Mary. He seems to know his stuff but what makes his lectures easy listening (beyond no exams) is his dry wit and humor. It ensures you’re really listening if you pick up on these jabs and nuances.
This book filled in huge gaps in my historical knowledge in easy to listen to chapters running chronologically. Reader beware that the book’s focus is solely on European history.
This book is made up of two parts that, unfortunately, I thought were a bit disjointed. I didn’t find the same emotional connection as I did with HochThis book is made up of two parts that, unfortunately, I thought were a bit disjointed. I didn’t find the same emotional connection as I did with Hochschild’s previous book, Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, which is a solid 5 star read.
That said, this is a good book. It’s more current making it relevant to current affairs. It gives great detail into the economic and emotional challenges faced in Appalachia – particularly Kentucky. Akin to her previous book, she delves into the lives of several people – of varied economic and political backgrounds. In this regard, it is an interesting read. ...more
A statistics heavy read but Markovits uses a lot of verbiage to tell us about those stats.
A downside of books quoting numerous statistics and figures A statistics heavy read but Markovits uses a lot of verbiage to tell us about those stats.
A downside of books quoting numerous statistics and figures are twofold. First, they don’t necessarily age well. Numbers shift and change over time so the conclusion might not remain as compelling as when they were used. Secondly, citing an absolute figure from the past on home prices, salaries, and other figures are hard to equate to today’s dollars. Quick, what’s today’s equivalent salary form someone who made $85k in 2010? How does $1.4m paid to a CEO compare to today’s rates? Yeah, hard to comment.
That said, the divide Markovits writes about remains and, I suspect, may have expanded since his figures were calculated. Two thoughts dominated my reading of this book.
First, what he writes in statisticalize (my word) is much of what Arlie Hochschild writes about inStrangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right. By chance I read these two concurrently and found similar themes approached from dramatically different angles. In both, Markovits and Hochschild are pointing out how the divide across America is growing and we’re all become more isolated in our own bubbles. They both show, in their differing ways, how each sides isolation continues to propagate. Hochschild talks about the right and left, conservation and liberal, while Markovits divide is premised on meritocracy, that your school, job, an future prospects are based on merit.
Sounds solid, except as Markovits points out it is self-propagating as Ivy league graduates strive to have their children attend the same schools. This is accomplished as successful families live in prosperous area, send their children to the best local schools, utilize tutors and other means, all to ensure they are the most qualified for admittance to the best universities.
The second thought pervading my mind is the dichotomy I sense in the actions of today’s US federal government. The meritocracy Markovits cites seems to be under attack by Trump with the defunding of Ivy league schools and the dismantling of research grants and studies – areas where the elite would likely work. So, is the federal government working to remove promotion based on meritocracy? Likely so, yet JD Vance is a Yale alum and a child of meritocracy.
Three and one-half stars, Hochschild’s book is far better as it hits the emotional side with a fraction of the statistics....more
Disjointed. That’s the one word I think best describes this book. Wald jumps from one topic to the next seemingly in the same paragraph. This made folDisjointed. That’s the one word I think best describes this book. Wald jumps from one topic to the next seemingly in the same paragraph. This made following his threads more difficult than I wanted.
It did fill in my understanding of the folk/rock blending as well as the early history of Dylan. I didn’t come to Dylan until his Desire album. So that was beneficial but this book seemed like the hard way to learn.
My next thought is that the musical divide Wald writes about is really much ado about nothing. Perhaps more a state of time that such a big deal was made from electrifying acts at the Newport Folk Festival. On the positive side, Wald does expand on Dylan's evolution as a writer and musician.
Another thing that thunderstruck me was that acts were given all of twelve minutes for their show. Easy to swap acts if you aren’t electric. And, maybe, some of these artists had just a few songs worth playing…but twelve minutes! That plays into Pete Seeger’s goal of exposing the audience to variety within the folk music scene.
But, in the end, the chasm Wald built the book around pales in today’s light and, unfortunately, was made to weave and turn with the unnecessary words and tangents one crosses in this book. ...more
Biased. Written by a Palestinian. Those were my first two thoughts as the chapters unfolded. Wrong! Ilan Pappe is an Israeli historian. The breath of Biased. Written by a Palestinian. Those were my first two thoughts as the chapters unfolded. Wrong! Ilan Pappe is an Israeli historian. The breath of fresh air in the book is his willingness to point out unfair aggression by both sides.
This conflict is myriad in grievances, aggression, and mistrust. As such, this is probably a love it or hate it book. At the risk of being deported, I think the Palestinian’s are on solid grounds when voicing their mistreatment at the hands of Israel. I favor the two-state solution but it has never been embraced by both sides.
Super short coming in at less than four hours for the audio version. Super easy to listen to. Even if you disagree with Pappe’s position, you get a lot of information in a small package and walk away with the history and framework of this long-lasting conflict. There are no angels here.
Four stars because it packs so much in such a small space. ...more
I liked this book better than The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden: The Biography with this covering far more than Osama bin Laden’s life. Wright goesI liked this book better than The Rise and Fall of Osama bin Laden: The Biography with this covering far more than Osama bin Laden’s life. Wright goes back to the 1980s as radical Islam began and evolved well before bin Ladan emerged as one of its leaders. This historical perspective is really the best part for one to understand how radicalization occurred in the Arab world.
Wright obviously provides a fair bit of detail on the planning and execution of the 9/11 attacks but also the inner workings (and failings) of US agencies like the CIA and FBI. Again, these two interwoven stories were an interesting juxtaposition that highlights how difficult it can be to thwart terrorist acts – especially when some systems are dysfunctional.
I found this book overall more inclusive and educational than my prior read listed above. Maybe a 4-star read, but barely, as some of the tangents into the personal lives of CIA agents wasn’t necessary in my opinion. ...more
I learned more reading this book than any other read on the American right. What Hochschild does is make it personal and real. Through her writing we I learned more reading this book than any other read on the American right. What Hochschild does is make it personal and real. Through her writing we come face-to-face with our neighbors and find them decent and thoughtful.
Her analogy of one seeking the American dream only to see, or feel, that others are stepping in front with the aided of governments and institutions angers those people really paints a clear picture.
Hochschild takes it further by defining three traits to deal with this anger and frustration. Hochschild makes understanding the political divide of this country clear in a book that is easy to read. A solid five star read! ...more
Opus Dei, its formation, history, and influence is the core of the book but many sub arcs flow from this primary story. I found those arcs more intereOpus Dei, its formation, history, and influence is the core of the book but many sub arcs flow from this primary story. I found those arcs more interesting and, frankly, more concerning.
First the easy one: the manipulation, abuse, and coercion and obfuscation of facts make it hard for me to contemplate embracing religion. While this book focuses on the Opus Dei there are too many other instances across the Catholic Church and other religions. This book reinforces my ambivalence.
But Gore is clear that a rift exists between Opus Dei and Pope Francis who has acted to constrict Opus Dei. When Gore wrote this book, he speculated Francis wouldn’t live long enough to see his pressure on Opus Dei to a conclusion. A new pope may be in the offing soon.
The scariest part to me is Gore’s description of the methodical and relentless push by Opus Dei to shift US policy. They worked to promote nomination of several of today’s Supreme Court justices to build a base able to overturn Roe-v-Wade. Done. They worked to move the courts further right and instill their people in Congress. Gore provides examples how Peter Thiele, Ginny Thomas, and others have whispered names to the right folks and promoted their guys – including JD Vance – to prominent positions.
If all of Gore’s facts are right this worries me – greatly. If so, there is a Deep State behind the federal government. But it’s manipulating our current president rather than working against him. ...more
Salmon farms bred lice that that kills the fish and can be transmitted to wild salmon. Salmon farms leak salmon. Salmon farms create “dead” zones beloSalmon farms bred lice that that kills the fish and can be transmitted to wild salmon. Salmon farms leak salmon. Salmon farms create “dead” zones below and around the farm chasing other sea life out of the area. Certain pesticides used by salmon farmers kill crustaceans like lobster, crab, and shrimp. You’ll learn all this in the first chapter of the first section in Collins book. You’ll also learn it in the third, fifth, and seventh. Plus, the intervening chapters.
This redundancy eroded by interest in the book. I’m left thinking this may have originally been a series of articles ran across time so the author didn’t know if the reader started at the beginning or jumped into the story at the article – hence innumerable repetition. If this was the case then the editor failed Collins.
Despite this, I’m now more informed if I shop for farmed salmon. Look for green scores on the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program Collins tells us about. Look for farmed salmon raised on terra firma in farms located in Florida (Atlantic Sapphire) or Wisconsin (Superior Fresh) that Collins also writes about.
Living on the west coast I’m happy to say much of the salmon I consume is wild rather than farmed. And Washington banned water-based salmon farms after one collapsed to protect indigenous runs.
Three and one-half stars if you aggressively jump around to hit the important sections, less if you read it cover-to-cover. ...more
I sense Fedarko’s passion is rafting the Colorado River rather than hiking its length. You can hear his passion in the words he wrote and, in his narrI sense Fedarko’s passion is rafting the Colorado River rather than hiking its length. You can hear his passion in the words he wrote and, in his narration, as he talks about his rafting years and the speed run he wrote about, Emerald Mile.
The early adventures give credence to my comment. As an early backpacker, Fedarko was inept. More than any other backpacker I've hiked with. And while we all make mistakes while learning their attitude was quite cavaller.
The preface hooked me as Fedarko describes a rat inside his hiking partner, Pete. Their early adventures highlight the mistakes beginning backpackers make and, while over the top, I can relate as I learned how to be a better backpacker.
Great detail, really good humor, and suspense. What more could one want in an adventure? But I got tired of those accounts told with a storyteller’s proclivity to exaggerate. And I think Fedarko is guilty of amplifying this.
He also got exceptional treatment from the hiking community. Many took him and Pete under their wing to guide, help, and even rescue these two. Without that community this adventure would have ended early and tragically.
Like another reviewer said, Fedarko narrates the audiobook and changes his voice when others are quoted. That voice grated on me as the book progressed.
I admire their effort. A lot. I enjoyed mapping the journey on maps to the extent I could though Fedarko even states they obscured it so others wouldn’t grab their gear and run to duplicate this rare feat of hiking over 700 miles and climbing more than 300,000 feet. And, in spite of my nitpicking above, its a very good read about the Grand Canyon.
A quick review for one familiar with the topic or a good premier if not. It’s dry. Making economics pop is really hard. Ip tries. I thought he had gooA quick review for one familiar with the topic or a good premier if not. It’s dry. Making economics pop is really hard. Ip tries. I thought he had good analogies making concepts easy to grasp and kept the chapters short and on point.
Three stars. Readable, with the above caveat. ...more
Economics and finance wrapped around discussions of risk, safety, and how we have trouble evaluating it.
Dry, with spots of moisture. Ip weaves into hiEconomics and finance wrapped around discussions of risk, safety, and how we have trouble evaluating it.
Dry, with spots of moisture. Ip weaves into his financial discussions behavioral aspects that increase danger or increase participation in dangerous activities there by mitigating the safety benefits. For example, do more people drive and have accidents because they have a more fuel-efficient car. The book predates EVs which might increase driving more. Other examples are developments along levees or waterfront resulting from their building.
The age of the book is most apparent in the chapter on aviation safety. The guiding safety principals remain the same but much has changed since the book was written.
The bulk of the book is on financial risk: bank failures, currency crisis, government bailouts, and such. The best parts are when Ip moves away from pure finance, 2.5 Goodread stars. ...more
This book has one rating and no reviews so I felt I should rectify that with a writeup/review.
Model railroad modeling shifted to the Internet long agoThis book has one rating and no reviews so I felt I should rectify that with a writeup/review.
Model railroad modeling shifted to the Internet long ago with forums and YouTube channels to answer any question one might have. Those should be our first and second searches for help.
But if one wants to hold a book to peruse the journey from concept to finish this is a great book. Lots of pictures and detailed plans for benchwork, track requirements, and scenery.
This is the best of all the modeling books I checked out from the library. But I won’t give it the 5-star rating previously posted. I like it. I think its informative. But you still need to get online to learn the finer details of the processes hit on in this book.
Four Goodread stars if you’re into model railroading. Far less, if not. ...more
This was on my TBR because I’ve always wanted to spot a seahorse when scuba diving. Alas, they’ve continued to elude me. But this book expanded my knoThis was on my TBR because I’ve always wanted to spot a seahorse when scuba diving. Alas, they’ve continued to elude me. But this book expanded my knowledge of their habitat and highlighted why my efforts have been thwarted.
Hein writes in short chapters covering an aspect of seahorses in general or a characteristic of a specific species with good references to the experts in the field. These early chapters were easy to read and, for the most part, informative.
In an effort for variation, Hein uses horses of the sea and stallion (or mare) of the sea almost as much as seahorse. Perhaps this is a nit on my part, but I found its use too frequent and unnecessary.
The last chapter, the longest, enumerates each species of seahorse with a physical description of it, its habitat, and mating frequencies. A dive book would better suffice over this chapter.
Kit Carson is certainly covered in this book and his exploits weave throughout the book but the focus and theme is really the wars with Mexico (to expKit Carson is certainly covered in this book and his exploits weave throughout the book but the focus and theme is really the wars with Mexico (to expand US territory) and American Indians (to remove them from their native land). Carson plays a role in both and his other exploits were an interesting read but his inclusion in the title is a little deceptive by Sides.
But Sides writing highlights the tragedies and atrocities of the era. Some shine lights into disquieting corners of US history.
As a historical book, I did find it hard at times to know what year Sides is writing about. There are some time jumps both forward and backward that make the transition harder. It might have been repetitive, but it would have saved me flipping pages to set the year.
Three and a half stars but rounding up for the depth of research and candidness in Sides’ writing. ...more
What I liked about the book is the Kings Canyon setting. Specifically, the area around Rae Lakes that Morgenson roamed. It’s an area I’ve wanted to hiWhat I liked about the book is the Kings Canyon setting. Specifically, the area around Rae Lakes that Morgenson roamed. It’s an area I’ve wanted to hike but my attempts have all come up short. None-the-less, this was the major attraction of the story.
One also wants to understand why it went wrong when something goes wrong. Here the facts do not support a definitive conclusion to Morgenson’s death but there are many snippets of other Search and Rescue efforts by the backcountry rangers that are enumerating.
Beyond that the book dragged too much for my preference. 3.5 Goodread stars for the setting and topic. If backpacking is your game you should peruse this book. ...more
A decent disaster story. Likely a difficult one to research and investigate so hats off to Higginbotham. This had to have been a more difficult undertA decent disaster story. Likely a difficult one to research and investigate so hats off to Higginbotham. This had to have been a more difficult undertaking than his second book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space. The minute-by-minute detail as the disaster unfolded shows the depth of Higginbotham’s investigation and research.
I think that is my biggest take on the book.
Several times, we read of leaders cajoling workers that this was for the Fatherland or individual workers accepted dangerous assignments because it meant extra pay for their family. I was left wondering how often this has been used. Stalingrad and Ukraine cam immediately to mind.
Higginbotham ties Chernobyl and its recovery costs to the downfall of the Soviet Union. I think it may have contributed but not nearly as much as costs trying to compete with Regan’s Star Wars Initiative
All in all, a well written account of the Chernobyl disaster. ...more