Erik Larson knows how to make history come to life and he does not disappoint with this depiction of the last voyage or the Lusitania. He did extensivErik Larson knows how to make history come to life and he does not disappoint with this depiction of the last voyage or the Lusitania. He did extensive research and made the whole event come to life like only he can....more
I tried to read this for book club and sloughed through it. I don't know what it was. I appreciate the history and historical significance of the bookI tried to read this for book club and sloughed through it. I don't know what it was. I appreciate the history and historical significance of the book but I just could not get into it. ...more
What a life this woman lead. The history of women in the Walls family is incredible. Lily Casey is anything but an ordinary girl and it started with hWhat a life this woman lead. The history of women in the Walls family is incredible. Lily Casey is anything but an ordinary girl and it started with her learning to break horses as a kid. She made quite a life for herself which included selling alcohol during prohibition, building a dam for her community and eventually becoming a certified teacher (after starting to teach as a teenager). It is quite the story and it makes me want to go back and read The Glass Castle which is about Rosemary, Lily's daughter and Jeanette's mom. ...more
La verdad es que la autora resumio los eventos mas enigmaticas y fascinantes de la historia. Fue interesante y una buena manera de tener la introducciLa verdad es que la autora resumio los eventos mas enigmaticas y fascinantes de la historia. Fue interesante y una buena manera de tener la introduccion a algunos temas. Lo bueno es que ella le ofrece mas lectura si alguien interesa hacer mas investigaciones sobre el evento o eventos al final de cada capitulo. Es un libro que no necesita mucho tiempo para disfrutar y puede leer en el orden que quiere. ...more
This book is mix of a letter to his son, running train of thought, history lesson and outlook on life. It is short but it is full of information that This book is mix of a letter to his son, running train of thought, history lesson and outlook on life. It is short but it is full of information that I believe every American should read. I truly felt like I could feel what he was feeling as he relayed it all to his son. What I find incredible is how Coates ties everything together with eloquent and precise language. I also feel like he captured the predicament that most parents feel about raising their kids today. We are of a different generation and the world of our kids is so much different than that of our own childhood yet, there are themes that continue on; injustice, racism, prejudice, hypocrisy, security etc. What an letter. ...more
Kimberly Jones came to fame after her video went viral explaining how we are lucky black people want justice and not revenge. Those words hit hard. I Kimberly Jones came to fame after her video went viral explaining how we are lucky black people want justice and not revenge. Those words hit hard. I listened to this book and I could hear the author pour her heart and soul into what she wrote. She explains the inequities American face citing historical references and she gives us clear ways to make a difference. I appreciate how she used her platform to put this book out. Financial education is important for everyone and it is clear that capitalism works because not everyone is educated. It is systematic. There is intersection everywhere when it comes to race and politics and money. There is no doubt. Jones concisely lays it all there in an easily read but not always easily digested way....more
This book was eye opening but not surprising. Politics in the United States has strayed far from what democracy really looks like and all the while thThis book was eye opening but not surprising. Politics in the United States has strayed far from what democracy really looks like and all the while the people remain ignorant. I was recommended this book by my father who urged everyone to read it. I agree. I think it is a must read for every American because it gives us insight into how our democracy really is going to fail us if we continue to let things go on like they are. For an excellent reveiw of this book search my father Clif Brown`s review....more
Elizabeth Gilbert followed up her extremely popular book Eat Pray Love with this one. Committed is an exploration of what marriage is, its history, itElizabeth Gilbert followed up her extremely popular book Eat Pray Love with this one. Committed is an exploration of what marriage is, its history, its meaning throughout different cultures, and ultimately its role in Gilbert's life. I personally liked this book so much more than Eat Pray Love. I think it might be that I can relate to this book so much more than I was able to with her last one. For some reason I felt like Eat Pray Love was a bit contrived but Committed is very real and heartfelt. (I think I may have to go back and read Eat Pray Love again now that I am a bit older.)
I found it incredibly interesting how she tried to merge the intimate part of marriage to the public and institutionalized part. I also really like how she thinks that marriage has only survived as a cultural act because it has evolved. Couples are going to do what they are going to do and the state is always going to try and control it and it is interesting to think that gay marriage is possibly saving the institution of marriage since it seems to be crumbling all over the place with heterosexual couples. Gilbert's own struggle with marriage is one that is understandable having divorced and never wanting to go through all that again but what is so wonderful about marriage is that while there are certain things afforded to couples by the state when they are legally married, what actually happens within a marriage is controlled only by the two people in it and they determine the rules of matrimony for themselves. I think this is a great read and is food for thought for anyone interested in marriage, single, already married, divorced or any status really. ...more
Ok, first of all Goodreads deleted my original review but I would just like to say that this book was fantastic and explained Hiram Bingham's discoverOk, first of all Goodreads deleted my original review but I would just like to say that this book was fantastic and explained Hiram Bingham's discovery of Machu Picchu down to how he struggled or didn't struggle with getting artifacts back to Yale's Peabody Museum.
I like how he brings up the debate about whether or not museums in the US should have as many artifacts from other countries as it does. Heaney accredits his being able to see things in museums as one of the reasons he was inspired to travel and become a historian. On the other hand doesn't the country of origin have some claim to items that were taken from it's country?
Although in the book it hadn't happened yet but Yale sent back a huge portion of it's collection to Cusco Peru in 2011 the centenial of Bingham's dicovery of Machu Picchu. The artifacts are now on display at the Casa de Concha Museum.
I highly recommend this book and it came highly recommended by Paolo Greer, another noted Machu Pichu and Peru historian. You will not be disappointed! Heaney makes sure to bring up many of the observations that Bingham made and compare them to what is now thought to be true about Machu Picchu. It's a fast read and highly interesting and entertaining. You won't be let down....more
This book was super informative about the history of the Incas from the entrance of Pizzaro and the Spaniards to the death of Atahualpa. I enjoyed theThis book was super informative about the history of the Incas from the entrance of Pizzaro and the Spaniards to the death of Atahualpa. I enjoyed the fact that the authors described Francisco Pizarro as a great leader of his mean but not necessarily a good person. They tried to paint a picture of the explorer but didn't hesitate to put in their two cents about how they felt about his actions. It was a bit dry at times but interesting nonetheless....more
I love reading memoirs and diaries. They are the best insight into a world of the past and a great lesson for the future. This book is no different. NI love reading memoirs and diaries. They are the best insight into a world of the past and a great lesson for the future. This book is no different. Nonna Bannister's diaries from her time during the second world war are frightening and heartfelt. It is so hard to believe that the atrocities she witnessed really happened but there is not doubt that they didn't. I am impressed that she translated all of her diaries from the various languages she learned from her father as a child. She also kept her diary entries with her in a pillow during her entire experience through the Holocaust. I was also blown away that she never told her husband until the 2000s of her experience during the Holocaust. They say that it is not uncommon for victims of the Holocaust to have kept things to themselves and try and suppress them. Fortunately, the years of repression are over and while Nonna died in 2004, her memories live on and I am grateful for her story. She was incredibly courageous. It made me want to write more in my journal even thought I doubt my story will ever be as powerful as hers. ...more
More than half this book was about the scientific discoveries at the end of the 18th century in regards to the Earth and it's shape. Mapmaking is supeMore than half this book was about the scientific discoveries at the end of the 18th century in regards to the Earth and it's shape. Mapmaking is super cool and the facts were interesting however the books look like it was going to be more about the adventures of Isabel Grameson, who trekked the Amazon to reach her husband whom she hadn't seen in over 20 years! Now, that is some awesome true history. What a feat to overcome starvation and bot flies. Blech. I thoroughly enjoyed reading that part and wished that there had been more. I will say that this book is full of good information but I wished the real story started a bit earlier. ...more