I really don't have the right words for this book but wow, what a book for the first book of 2021. Absolutely maddening I'd never heard of Mildred FisI really don't have the right words for this book but wow, what a book for the first book of 2021. Absolutely maddening I'd never heard of Mildred Fish-Harnack and the Red Orchestra's work in resisting the Nazis.
i really don't have the right words to describe how well written and illustrated these graphic novels are. i cried multiple times reading John Lewis' i really don't have the right words to describe how well written and illustrated these graphic novels are. i cried multiple times reading John Lewis' powerful words, truly, everyone needs to read the entire trilogy....more
“Truth breaks the chains of silence." Puri puts a trembling hand to her chest. Her voice drops to a whisper. "It sets us all free.”
The Fountains of Sil“Truth breaks the chains of silence." Puri puts a trembling hand to her chest. Her voice drops to a whisper. "It sets us all free.”
The Fountains of Silence is not an easy read, as it covers a time in history many would rather forget---- the decades long history of General Franco's Spanish dictatorship. This time could be described as a War after a War as the families of those who opposed the Spanish Fascists were hunted down and brutally punished.
During this time an 18-year-old Daniel Mattheson visits Madrid for the summer. He's fresh out of high school and longs to do something good with his passion for photography and people. Madrid is the place to test his mettle and experience the brutality of Franco's Spain.
This story is Daniel's and it is also, Ana's - a young woman trying to survive Fascist Spain. Ana's parents were both killed because they opposed Franco's ideas- and now Ana and her siblings eke out a meager living, simply trying to exist.
Daniel and Ana are caught up in a tainted summer - as there are secrets abounding in Madrid- and risks to knowing those secrets.
This story is beautiful, heartbreaking, and based on true events. It's hard to stomach the world turning a blind eyes to fascism for so long - but the hardness of history, it it both condemns and frees us. ...more
So, it's hard to rate stories like this. I remember once reading a quote from someone who survived the death camps and they said, that only the hard sSo, it's hard to rate stories like this. I remember once reading a quote from someone who survived the death camps and they said, that only the hard survived. This survivor no one could be kind and survive because the death camps forced the worst out of humanity.
I appreciated this story, especially as it told the story of the Romani in Auschwitz.
I felt like this wasn't the best written Holocaust non-fiction story, it felt like a memoir and historical fiction melded together. But the prose was almost non-existent and narration felt like it kept the characters at an arms length. I didn't grow to know anyone, i was just told about people in the story, and even then the character descriptions were vague and impersonal.
Overall, this is a love story centered around survival. We know the camps are horrid and while we see the horror of what happens to different people, Lale and his story focuses on his love for Gita. In that way, this book feels naive, strange. ...more
I'm in love with this book. Probably my favorite treasure on my bookshelf. Every girl, every woman needs to know about these epic woman and their storI'm in love with this book. Probably my favorite treasure on my bookshelf. Every girl, every woman needs to know about these epic woman and their stories. ...more
Horrible and true, a reminder of why 2016 completely upset everything & why we can't forget how horrible the Trump campaign was. I kept having to pausHorrible and true, a reminder of why 2016 completely upset everything & why we can't forget how horrible the Trump campaign was. I kept having to pause and shake my head. Some things I had just completely forgotten - the constant racism, sexism, and the violent rhetoric. Katy Tur is incredible and I really, really appreciate how she lays everything out. Trump's barrage, her reactions, the coverage, the relationships, the mess of the campaign.
But what looked like the dawning of a new age was really the last moments of light before the Roman Republic disappeared over the horizon.
Alright, thiBut what looked like the dawning of a new age was really the last moments of light before the Roman Republic disappeared over the horizon.
Alright, this book swept me up into the conflicts of the Roman Republic. I fell in love with the Gracchi brothers, cheered the Roman army under Marius, and detested Sulla.
Well told history. I grieved as the Republic fell into Civil War, and was vanquished by the Sullan reforms.
And all those conflicts? They can get really confusing. But the basic fights over land and Italian Citizenship dominated. Mike Duncan easily explained these political difficulties, deftly bringing them back into the conversation and keeping the political positions relevant. They were some issues that felt convoluted, but by the time people were killing each other over it, the differences started to make sense.
I finished this book grieving over the end of the Republic. So many people died trying to keep the Republic alive, only to let personal ambition drive the Republic to ruin.
The Republic is nothing, a mere name without body or form. - Julius Caesar
Also, Mike Duncan's use of language is profound. The way he tells the story is gripping, and his use of sarcasm and humor is entertaining. And the footnotes are fantastic!...more
Erik Larson weaves a fine line between fact and opinion. One could easily turn the facts behind the sinking of the Lusitania into an indictment of theErik Larson weaves a fine line between fact and opinion. One could easily turn the facts behind the sinking of the Lusitania into an indictment of the British government. Instead, Larson builds a case for the readers to decide for themselves. ...more
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