An engrossing and important book, O'Toole tells the story of modern Ireland through three lenses: a historian, a person coming of age during this periAn engrossing and important book, O'Toole tells the story of modern Ireland through three lenses: a historian, a person coming of age during this period, and - at times - a direct participant in the history he was witnessing. Having lived in Ireland during some of the time he analyzed, I can vouch for its accuracy. Further, he formulates novel theories of why these things were occurring in Ireland on a very deep level across the society. These were revelatory to me, and have helped me to understand why things were the way they were - things that had a deep impact on the trajectory of my family....more
A real page-turner, Chen’s book is an important account of a dark period not just in China’s history, but in human history. It is staggering what peopA real page-turner, Chen’s book is an important account of a dark period not just in China’s history, but in human history. It is staggering what people will do to each other when under the spell of a personality cult....more
An interesting overview of Amazon, and especially Jeff Bezos. I learned a lot of surprising details about the history of the company and it’s founder An interesting overview of Amazon, and especially Jeff Bezos. I learned a lot of surprising details about the history of the company and it’s founder - but the overall message was that it takes a lot of hard work and some unpleasantness to achieve the kind of success that Amazon has. ...more
Incredibly researched, richly detailed account of how LA went from a dusty western town where cops settled arguments among themselves with gunfights -Incredibly researched, richly detailed account of how LA went from a dusty western town where cops settled arguments among themselves with gunfights - to a sophisticated and crowded global metropolis, still facing intractable obstacles to public safety. An amazing achievement - a must for anyone interested in LA history. ...more
A fast-paced and interesting memoir that goes well-beyond the “blurb” sized summaries of Secretary Power that I had come to know. It demonstrates thatA fast-paced and interesting memoir that goes well-beyond the “blurb” sized summaries of Secretary Power that I had come to know. It demonstrates that being at the table where decisions are made sometimes just requires having the audacity to ask for a seat. ...more
Such an excellent read, comprehensive and entertaining. I’m addition to telling the story of arson at a Bay Area wine warehouse, it is a surprisingly Such an excellent read, comprehensive and entertaining. I’m addition to telling the story of arson at a Bay Area wine warehouse, it is a surprisingly wonderful history of frontier Los Angeles. ...more
Wonderful summary of life in the “boom times” of Bodie - with plenty of colorful stories. Great photography completes the package. A must for anyone wWonderful summary of life in the “boom times” of Bodie - with plenty of colorful stories. Great photography completes the package. A must for anyone who loves Bodie, ghost towns, or the West. ...more
Jarring, raw, emotional, shaken, grateful. Those are the feelings I experienced while reading this amazing book. I simply cannot understand how Mr. MaJarring, raw, emotional, shaken, grateful. Those are the feelings I experienced while reading this amazing book. I simply cannot understand how Mr. Matar and his family have carried on a "normal" life given the circumstances they have had to deal with. It is inspiring, and certainly inspires a lot of gratitude for my own situation. Definitely will be keeping this one on the shelf....more
So much better than the movie! A wonderful, clean, tight story - that weaves in many accounts of trapper life that the author was obviously inspired bSo much better than the movie! A wonderful, clean, tight story - that weaves in many accounts of trapper life that the author was obviously inspired by. Really enjoyed it....more
There are some incredible passages in this book - Thesiger was an amazing and thoughtful explorer. Much of what he wrote about his kinship with the BeThere are some incredible passages in this book - Thesiger was an amazing and thoughtful explorer. Much of what he wrote about his kinship with the Bedu tribes of Arabia is quite poignant given our recent history.
I enjoyed the book up through the end of his first crossing of the Empty Quarter. After that the narrative slowed down considerably and became repetitive, so I stopped reading....more
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