Loved every minute of reading this novel. One of the best reads I have had in a very long time. Without giving away any of the plot, the novel looks aLoved every minute of reading this novel. One of the best reads I have had in a very long time. Without giving away any of the plot, the novel looks at multiple characters throughout different time periods - each chapter focusing on one of them - and has a running theme of the power of a story. Probably not my best review, but needless to say I highly recommend this to all....more
One of the best biographies I have read in quite some time. James Baker is one of those historical figures who few people know much about but who playOne of the best biographies I have read in quite some time. James Baker is one of those historical figures who few people know much about but who played a highly influential role in what our country has become. Baker ran presidential elections, was Chief of Staff to President Reagan and later President Bush, was Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State. Helped George W. Bush win his election battle against Gore when the Florida issue happened. No matter your politics, Baker's story is an important one and for someone of my age, it was basically a political history of my lifetime in many ways....more
This was one of the better Star Wars books I have read so far. Was kind of neat reading more about Darth Vader's background and I enjoyed the small coThis was one of the better Star Wars books I have read so far. Was kind of neat reading more about Darth Vader's background and I enjoyed the small connection to the Rebels show. Recommended if you are a Star Wars fan....more
I liked it - didn't love it. Essentially this is a historical fiction book of a slave narrative, but the twist is that main character is a black womanI liked it - didn't love it. Essentially this is a historical fiction book of a slave narrative, but the twist is that main character is a black woman who goes back (and forth) in time from the present day to a plantation in Antebellum America. She also happens to be married to a white man in the present day. Without giving away more of the story, the novel is a deep look at race, the evils of slavery, and the abject despair of the oppressed. ...more
Very interesting read - I feel like I need to read it again to full appreciate the novel. The story focuses on a main character who is placed under hoVery interesting read - I feel like I need to read it again to full appreciate the novel. The story focuses on a main character who is placed under house arrest and forced to live his life in a luxurious hotel in Moscow during the early years and decades of the Soviet Union. The plot of the novel moves at a very slow pace, but the writing style and asides are a pure joy to read. The development of various characters was also very well done. Recommended for sure....more
Fascinating look at the assassination and aftermath of Abraham Lincoln. This work of non-fiction almost reads like a novel as it takes the reader moreFascinating look at the assassination and aftermath of Abraham Lincoln. This work of non-fiction almost reads like a novel as it takes the reader more or less hour by hour through the 12 days before Booth was killed. At times it felt like a bit too much detail that wasn't entirely necessary, but for fans of Lincoln and the Civil War it is a must read....more
I really enjoyed this one volume biography of one of my favorites Eleanor Roosevelt. The author does a great job of mixing the personal with the publiI really enjoyed this one volume biography of one of my favorites Eleanor Roosevelt. The author does a great job of mixing the personal with the public life and fully explores Eleanor's relationships with family and friends. There were a few times where a bit more context of the history would have been helpful in telling her story, but overall highly recommended....more
Wonderful narrative military history of the first few years of the Revolutionary War. Atkinson is a masterful writer who is able to work in incredibleWonderful narrative military history of the first few years of the Revolutionary War. Atkinson is a masterful writer who is able to work in incredible amounts of detail into a story that many already thought they knew everything about. This is a must read book for anyone who has any interest at all in this time period....more
This is an important book but I did not enjoy it as much as just about everyone else did. The book is essentially a collection of anecdotes about how This is an important book but I did not enjoy it as much as just about everyone else did. The book is essentially a collection of anecdotes about how caste is a real thing in America. I 100% agree with the author but there was very little that I didn't already know from reading history and the newspapers. There were a few nuggets that I thought were interesting and new for me, but overall I expected much more based on the love this book has received....more
My middle school daughter read this and wanted me to read it as well. I enjoyed the novella as it put a face to one of the "Lost Boys" of the Sudan anMy middle school daughter read this and wanted me to read it as well. I enjoyed the novella as it put a face to one of the "Lost Boys" of the Sudan and described the hardships he endured with the civil war and then refugee camps of his journey. ...more
I was hoping for much more from this although I did feel like I got to know Willie Mays a bit better. Each chapter covers one theme (race, politics) cI was hoping for much more from this although I did feel like I got to know Willie Mays a bit better. Each chapter covers one theme (race, politics) connecting to Mays and baseball but it was never more than a surface look at things. Mays seems like a great man, but the entire book is one constant discussion about how he was all but perfect in every way. I am ok with that type of book, but in this case it really seemed over the top. I would have preferred a more traditional biography and will search one out....more
Just finished this and still not sure how I feel about it. I won't summarize the story but essentially the entire book and all of the characters focusJust finished this and still not sure how I feel about it. I won't summarize the story but essentially the entire book and all of the characters focus on the theme of identity and how people view themselves and portray themselves to others. Important theme for a middle-aged white man like myself to think about....more
Quick novel that fills in the back story of the main character Jyn from the Rogue One movie. I enjoyed it because I enjoy the Star Wars universe, but Quick novel that fills in the back story of the main character Jyn from the Rogue One movie. I enjoyed it because I enjoy the Star Wars universe, but I didn't think there was a whole lot here that made this book exciting beyond learning more about Jyn....more
There is so much to think about from this that I feel like I need to start over and read it again very soon. Disappointed I didn't read this sooner - There is so much to think about from this that I feel like I need to start over and read it again very soon. Disappointed I didn't read this sooner - so many questions and ideas that make me think about my life today. Really enjoyed it....more
Fourth and final volume of Churchill's history of the English speaking people. I think half of the book focused on American history so there wasn't muFourth and final volume of Churchill's history of the English speaking people. I think half of the book focused on American history so there wasn't much here I didn't already mostly know, but I enjoy Churchill's writing and am glad to have finished this series....more
Most of the characters in this book are unlikeable. I get that is speaks to Edwardian England and that it is about the main character finding herself Most of the characters in this book are unlikeable. I get that is speaks to Edwardian England and that it is about the main character finding herself in that society, but it was simply difficult to care about any of the people in the story. Maybe it is because I read it on the beach on vacation - not the best choice....more
Without any spoilers - if you are planning on this for a vacation read as I did, don't do that. Wow was it depressing. Page-turner for sure and a greaWithout any spoilers - if you are planning on this for a vacation read as I did, don't do that. Wow was it depressing. Page-turner for sure and a great story, but just a story of relentless misery (think Grapes of Wrath in every way)....more
First book finished in many weeks - glad summer has arrived! This is my fourth book by Albright and I always enjoy her wit, her stories, and her take First book finished in many weeks - glad summer has arrived! This is my fourth book by Albright and I always enjoy her wit, her stories, and her take on the world around us. This is essentially a memoir of her life since she was Secretary of State and each chapter tells different stories. A good read....more
A simple memoir of Jill Biden that follows her life story with a focus on her time married to Joe Biden and the relationship with his family. It was hA simple memoir of Jill Biden that follows her life story with a focus on her time married to Joe Biden and the relationship with his family. It was heart-warming in many ways and you can't help but want to be friends with Jill Biden. There were no politics in here of any kind and that was a nice touch in my opinion. Recommended for a quick read for anyone interested to learn more about the background of our First Lady....more
I would rate this 3.5 stars. First of all, it is not really a history of the Boston Massacre. It is a history of the people of Boston and the soldiersI would rate this 3.5 stars. First of all, it is not really a history of the Boston Massacre. It is a history of the people of Boston and the soldiers looking at all aspects of their lives and interactions in the late 1760s. It was very well done and I enjoyed the read but the events and trial of the actual Massacre are not the focus....more
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