Regina has
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| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
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date purchased | owned | purchase location | condition | format | ||
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| 0060558709
| 9780060558703
| 4.07
| 203
| Sep 30, 2003
| Oct 05, 2004
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In a speech a week before invading Poland, Hitler said to Reichmarshal Hermann Goering and the commanding generals at Obersalzberg, “Only thus shall w...more
In a speech a week before invading Poland, Hitler said to Reichmarshal Hermann Goering and the commanding generals at Obersalzberg, “Only thus shall we gain the living space which we need. Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” Today, not only do many not speak of it, but strong debate occurs over whether a genocide actually took place. The current Turkish government vehemently denies it. I, like Peter Balakian, fall on the side that the Ottomon Empire enacted the first modern day genocide. Most people think of the Armenian Genocide as the time between 1915 – 1922, when up to 1.5 million people were massacred. What Balakian does brilliantly is show that the “Armenian Question” took place over a much longer period and constituted a “continuum of destruction” that started in the last decade of the 19th century, ““Abdul Hamid’s policy of massacre began what social psychologist Irvin Staub has called a continuum of destruction. As Staub notes a progression of change in a culture and individuals is usually required for a mass killing or genocide. In certain instances – the Armenian Genocide – the progression takes place over decades or even centuries and creates a readiness in the culture.” (pg. 115) Beginning with Sultan Abdul Hamid, the government began disarming Armenian citizens to make it difficult to defend their families, an onerous taxation system was implemented, and words (Armenian, regicide, etc) were removed from usage. “So far did his paranoia carry him that he ordered his censors to expunge all references to H2O from science textbooks because he feared the symbol would be read as meaning ‘Hamid the second is nothing” (pg 49). After Hamid was deposed and the Young Turks took over the stage was set for the WWI period, where, with no international justice meted out, the policies and massacres only intensified, “As evidence became overwhelming, Ambassador Morgenthau - in his quintessentially direct way - repeatedly confronted Talaat Pasha about his government’s treatment of the Armenians…Morgenthau then tried to persuade Talaat by reminding of the economic consequences of wiping out the Armenian population. ‘These people are your businessmen. They control many of your industries. They are very large tax payers.’ ‘We care nothing about the economic loss’ replied Talaat.’ Talaat boasted to the Ambassador, “ I have accomplished more towards solving the Armenian problem in three months than Hamid accomplished in thirty years.” (pg 275) “The name Armenia was in the front of the American mind…known to the American schoolchild only a little less than England,” said Herbert Hoover. In another area where Balakian excels, the reader is provided a tremendous amount of evidence of the amount of coverage the U.S. media gave the atrocities as early as 1890. Unlike the Holocaust under Hitler, Americans galvanized in such a way that brought about the country’s first efforts to provide international aid to Armenians. In fact, the Armenian Question motivated Clara Barton to take the American Red Cross into an international crisis for the first time. But, what Balakian leaves you with is a number of questions. Why was this event so different than that of the Jews in Germany? Was it the fact that there was a large and growing Armenian population in the U.S? Was it the fact that during the 1890’s the women’s suffrage movement and civil rights movement were coalescing and those leaders felt a kinship to the suffering Armenians? Or was it because it was Christians suffering rather than Jews? Or, was it a combination of several of those? Finally, Balakian articulates a clear cut connection between Hitler’s famous statement and his knowledge of the implementation of the Armenian Genocide. It appears the key is Scheubner –Richter, who was killed at Hitler’s side in Munich. “Scheubner –Richter, an early Nazi party member, conveyed to Hitler after World War I his first-hand knowledge of the Armenian Genocide, which no doubt contributed to Hitler’s sense that a minority population could be dispensed of with impunity.” Pg 167. It is also known that Scheubner-Richter left a detailed record to the Armenian Genocide in the German Foreign Office and is found in the book Germany and Armenia. Sadly, there are also the missed opportunities of the international community in stopping the slaughter or bringing those who participated to justice. “…the Turks had begun a series of courts-martial in Constantinople, aimed at bringing the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide to justice. The trials represent a mile-stone in the history of war-crimes tribunals. Although they were truncated in the end by political pressures, and directed by Turkey’s domestic laws rather than international tribunal, the Constantinople trials were an antecedent to the Nuremburg Trials following World War II.” (pg 231). But, the war weary British under Churchill traded 43 Turkish prisoners accused of perpetrating the Armenian massacres in exchange for British prisoners and the U.S., in much the same way that they turned their eye to Japanese atrocities against the Chinese over cold war alliances, were much more interested in a strategic alliance with Turkey against the Soviet Union. I selected this book because I had an incredibly crazy period at work and feel like I’m pretty well versed in this subject. I thought it would be basically a review. I now regret that I checked the book out from the library because I would have marked this book up had I owned it. I will say, however, there are a couple of criticisms. First, Balakian can be incredibly repetitive. Secondly, he tends to overstate some facts. For instance, he says that the Armenian Genocide is the first time that “crimes against humanity” entered the vernacular. If he means it was the first time that “crimes against humanity was attempted to be prosecuted, that is probably accurate. But, the term has been used at least as far back as Lincoln related to the slave trade. While he doesn’t delineate his intention, I am giving Balakian the benefit of the doubt because I haven’t found anything blatantly inaccurate. Still, I think this is an excellent book on the subject, he even gives you literature if the reader is interested in the Turkish denial, for anyone interested in the subject. It is well structured, provides incredible context, and very easy to read.(less) | Notes are private!
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| Apr 26, 2013
| May 11, 2013
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Apr 26, 2013
| Paperback
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| 0525478817
| 9780525478812
| 4.52
| 228,364
| 2012
| Jan 10, 2012
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"And then there are books like An Imperial Affliction, which you can't tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your af...more
"And then there are books like An Imperial Affliction, which you can't tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like a betrayal." For me, The Fault in our Stars is such a book. I've waited a week to review it because I get emotional just thinking about it. I'm not going to go into great detail about the plot. It is a heavily read book. So, just briefly it is a coming of age tale where two teenagers, who happen to be fighting cancer, fall in love. I've never read a book where I so completely connected to the characters. Next month (April) will be the 25th anniversary of learning I had cancer. I was seventeen years old at the time and fell in love with the man who would become my husband. I was initially worried this would be an over the top tale about how heroic teenagers with cancer deal with the disease. But, I was incredibly impressed with how well Green tapped into the feelings of a teenager actually going through the ordeal. He captured the frustration of the effects of medicine, the "cancer perks", how relationships with your peers change, the desire to live a life worth living, the affects on the parents, and the uncertainty of being a survivor. One passage that resonated with me, "My final chapter was written upon diagnosis. Gus, like most cancer survivors, lived with uncertainty." I've had two cancer scares in the past 25 years, and I think I will live with that uncertainty for the rest of my life. Even the trip to Amsterdam had a strong connection to my life. The book simply transported me back in time 25 years ago. I was surprised by how raw those emotions still are with me. I loved how I was connected to a character in a book that was connected to a character in a book she was reading. I also loved the significance of the title. I've read criticisms related to the characters being too precocious. I disagree. I remember distinctly growing up overnight. You're entire perspective changes in an instant. (less) | Notes are private!
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Mar 29, 2013
| Hardcover
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| 0345363132
| 9780345363138
| 4.39
| 8,616
| 1982
| Jan 14, 1990
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Picking up in the waning days of the struggle between the Lancasters and Yorks as Edward IV claims the crown and spanning the years until Richard III'...more
Picking up in the waning days of the struggle between the Lancasters and Yorks as Edward IV claims the crown and spanning the years until Richard III's defeat at Ambien Hill when the Tudor line is ushered into power, this 900+ page work is a creative novel that supports a sympathetic Richard. The beatutiful thing about historical fiction is that often the characters of the past leave a plethora of storylines for a imaginative author to spin a yard. Often an historical fiction piece is a platform for an author to opine on a particular position, present the facts as he or she see them, and develop the characters in a way that tries to convince the reader of the merits of the author's position. The debate over Richard III as a villain or victim is a fun debate to have, keeping the Lancaster/York feud alive for many years. Penman is definitely a Yorkist and sees Richard as a victim of Tudor propoganda. With her talent to bring alive the past and her flare for the dramatic, she puts forth a persuasive case. But, regardless of where your loyalties lie, The Sunne in Splendour is an engaging tale and a must read for historical fiction enthusiasts. If I were to have one criticism, it is the same one I have with similar work, not unique to Penman's. Most of the fiction I have read on War of the Roses, regardless of the stance, lacks depth in analysis of the characters. The characters are purely evil or saintly with no complexity in their makeup. I checked this book out from the library just days before the remains of Richard III were discovered to read during my surgery recovery. The book was published in 2008, so I couldn't help but wonder if there will be an amended author's note since the reamins show a severely curved spine. As one of the arguments for Tudor propoganda as the source of Richard's reputation, "Complicating matters, historians of the Middle Ages shared one singular trait, a tendence to embelish and to exaggerate. Nowhere is their penchant for embroidering the truth better illustrated than in the development of the myth of Richard's deformity, which, to be fully understood, must be considered in light of medieval ignorance and superstition, their belief in deformity as the outward manifestation of inner evil, as physical proof of moral depravity....The first seeds were not sown until after Richard's death; it was John Rous who contended that Richard's right shoulder was higher than the left." (pg 934). Now, wouldn't it be interesting if they found the remains of Richard's nephews? I'm about to travel to the UK, so I feel a spiraling into British history reading. Please have patience with me. (less) | Notes are private!
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| Feb 12, 2013
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Feb 12, 2013
| Paperback
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| 045122681X
| 9780451226815
| 4.07
| 2,446
| Mar 24, 2009
| May 05, 2009
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Every once in a while you stumble upon a book that, after reading it, you want to stop everyone on the street, hand them a copy, and insist they run h...more
Every once in a while you stumble upon a book that, after reading it, you want to stop everyone on the street, hand them a copy, and insist they run home and read. Rooftops of Tehran is just that sort of book for me. In many ways the themes are universal. It is a coming of age tale in which two life- long friends experience their first loves and shed the naivete that we all eventually must let go of when we realize life is not fair and is often cruel. But, set in Iran during the tumultuous 70’s, the reader gets a glimpse into the history of Iran as well as its rich culture. In doing so, Seraji does his country a great service by bringing to light some of the lesser known aspects of the time. I’m always surprised to learn how many people are unaware of the U.S. role in the 1953 coup d'état. Further, so much of the writing regarding the 70’s focuses on the struggle between the Shah’s followers and the rising Islamic fundamentalists. Seraji demonstrates the danger those associated with Marxism faced. He brilliantly weaves the country’s history into the story by illustrating its impact on the psyche of the nation. “I wonder how we can explain this national impulse to cheat. Maybe it’s more a matter of sharing than cheating. I’ve heard that people in the West compete at everything, and that you’re either a loser or a winner. In my country, we don’t have that same competitive spirit. Centuries of misery under the dominance of the Moguls, Arabs, and internal despotic rulers have conditioned us to stick together and help each other through unpleasant situations.” Finally, he does the best job I’ve seen of illustrating the dynamics of US-Iranian relations at this time. I’ve read about the misconceptions that Iranians held during the era about Americans in many of the non-fiction books. Here, Seraji, illustrates them in ways that are quite humorous and brings clarity to a complicated subject. The book is incredibly well written. For me, character development is critical to make my favorites list. Here, the characters are so well drawn that you can’t help but experience every emotion alongside the residents of the alley, and, boy, is it an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed at the antics of Ahmed. I cheered on the boys as they routinely stepped into aid each other. I set aside the book twice to cry my eyes out. And, I was often angry, wishing Pasha would forget his promise to the brotherhood of the boxing fraternity and knock someone’s lights out. The alternating periods during the first part of the book creates an incredible tension in the book as the reader quickly falls in love with the characters but understands early on that something devastating has occurred. The only negative comment I can make is that the ending didn’t work for me. It simply wasn’t plausible. Because of that I should probably give it 4 stars, but I love the book so much I just can’t. I will never look at a red rose again without thinking of this book. (less) | Notes are private!
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| Dec 21, 2012
| Dec 25, 2012
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Dec 21, 2012
| Paperback
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| 038534211X
| 9780385342117
| 3.66
| 510
| 2010
| Mar 22, 2011
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Spiral by Paul by Paul McEuen 5 Stars and a heart "Humanity has but three great enemies: fever, famine, and war; of these by far the greatest, by far t...more Spiral by Paul by Paul McEuen 5 Stars and a heart "Humanity has but three great enemies: fever, famine, and war; of these by far the greatest, by far the most terrible, is fever." William Osler Quote from the book - “A biological threat tore apart a society. War, for all its horror, galvanized a nation, pulled it together against a common opponent. But fever was a different kind of enemy." Think a few years back.....Bird flu....when members of both political parties were warning people to stay home and off public transportation. We can pull together to support a cause, but when my personal discomfort or health can be directly related to the person sitting next to me....that's a different story. The book opens at the close of WWII when the Japanese are making a desparate attempt to turn the tide of the war through a last ditch effort of the secret Unit 731 to execute a bio-terrorism plot. Liam Connor has retained a sample from that failed attempt. Fast forward 60+ years later...Connor is a prestigious, Nobel Peace Prize Winner teaching at Cornell University where he has tried to use the lessons from the past to make a better future. “You create a cure, you create a weapon” – For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Now, someone wants the body of Connor's work and they will stop at nothing. Connor, after being tortured, ends up dead at the bottom of the gorge on campus. But, he leaves clues behind for his colleague, Jake Sterling and grandaughter, Maggie to what he's been hiding and working on. Admittedly, this is not my typical genre. On the one hand, I think it takes tremendous talent to successfully pull off a story in this vein. Often, the stories are so predictable and filled with implausible scenarios that they are just down right irritating. Of course, I just may not know enough about the subject to know if the story is plausible or not. On the other hand, it sure was engaging. Once you pick it up it is hard to put down. We had a big party at our house Friday night. About 35 people came over. When I have a big event like that, I'm focused like a laser on the cooking, the cleaning, and the planning. I had to carve out 2 hours in the middle of the preparation to get a little reading. in. I found this to be increidlby well written, full of tension, and just down right smart. In fact, I regretted reading this while getting a manicure because I had the strong desire to bite my nails the entire time. I learned a couple of things. First, was the amazing history of Cornell University to admit minorities (women and African-Americans) well before it was considered by other institutions. Secondly, as a lover of history, I think it is important to recognize your own country's flaws. At one point, Maggie asks, “ But we are the good guys aren’t we?” To which, Vlad responds, “We are supposed to be. Not everyone is”. There is some interesting history about the US action in the first Gulf War related to burying Iraqi soldiers in the sand. Here is an interesting article for anyone wanting to compare notes. http://community.seattletimes.nwsourc.... Whether it was necessary or not is for each individual to decide. I just think we owe it to ourselves to critically look at our own actions as well as others. It was also interesting to learn about Nixon's actions against bio-terrorism. McEuen points to 1972, but Nixon actually came out in opposition in 1969. For all my gushing, I do have a couple of criticisms. First, I did find the characters, with the exception of Connor and Hitoshi Kitano to be simplistic and archetypal in nature. I was particularly frustrated with Maggie, who served as the damsel in distress figure, the cute kid, Dylan, and the good soldier portrayal of Jake Sterling. I also felt Orchid could have been much more fully developed. A grandaughter as a product of the Rape of Nanking....what material! On the other hand, I absolutely adored Liam Connor, although he dies early in the book. I loved the way they portrayed him in his obituary, “In an interview three years ago, Connor was asked to name his biggest breakthrough. He replied, ‘I am still hoping to make it.’ After the reference to the Green Cross, I couldn't help but feel Kitano was loosely based on Kitano Masaji. Finally, I was frustrated with the assertion that the Salem Witch Trials and the French Revolution were a product of infected rye. I know that theory has been out there for a while, but it was stated more as a fact than a theory here and those issues are incredibly complex. A couple of other favorite quotes: “So every three seconds, your computer is like the entire population of Manhattan living a lifetime. And people wonder why it takes so long to boot up.” (pg 53) “Never blame conspiracies when mischief or happenstance would suffice “The era of tanks and fighter jets battling on land and in the sky was drawing to a close. The wars of the future would be fought on small battlefields by tiny weapons striking from a thousand directions at once. The fight would take place inside computer networks, inside human bodies. Cyber-warfare. Swarms of semi-autonomous robots, such as the Crawlers. Biological weapons.” “The war had left its mark on America. Given America the swagger, the confidence to rule the world for more than half a century. Japan had experienced the other side, what if felt like to be conquered” I felt the intellectual aspects of this book far outweighed the literary aspects. In my opinion, one of the reasons this works so well is the absolute horror of something like this happening and how unprepared and unaware we, as a collective whole, are of the dangers. After 9/11 there was a lot of discussion about what was next. This could very well be what is next. (less) | Notes are private!
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| Dec 05, 2012
| Dec 08, 2012
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Dec 02, 2012
| Hardcover
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| 1844154386
| 9781844154388
| 4.11
| 9
| 1983
| Jul 01, 2006
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Shot down over German-occupied Holland, "Jimmy" James was captured and initially sent to a Luftwaffe run POW camp. No comparison to the concentration...more
Shot down over German-occupied Holland, "Jimmy" James was captured and initially sent to a Luftwaffe run POW camp. No comparison to the concentration camps, “Goring had a chivalrous feeling for his ‘fellow flyers’ and was able to get the best for the prisoner of camps run by the Luftwaffe." Conditions were actually very good. Airmen for various Allied countries pulled together their talents to create a community that included theatre productions, an orchestra, and an education program known as the "barbed wire university." But, when you lock up soldiers, who are in the prime of their life and are dedicated to the cause they were fighting, the war still continues. There was a constant obsession with escape. “This is an operational war, Roger. It isn’t just a question of getting a few people home, because very few will make it. It’s just as important to make trouble for the Germans, and if we only get half the planned number out it certainly do that.” Organizing themselves into an escape committee responsible for approving all escpae plans, engineers were responsible for designing tunnels and developing air pumps, artists began creating false documents, and tailors made clothing. The author, "Jimmy" James was part of twelve different escape attempts, including what became known as the "Great Escape, which was an effort of 600 volunteers digging a 365 foot tunnel by removing 80 tons of dirt over a year's time. During the Great Escape 76 POW's fled the camp. However, this marked a turn in the attitude of the Nazis towards these attemps. While at first they were seen as amusing, even offering gifts for particularly heroic attempts, when the group was caught 50 were executed and three were sent to Concentration Camps. James was sent to Sachsenhausen, where he attemped one more attempt, using only a kitchen knife. Fortunately, three successfully made it home. This is one of the best WWII memoirs I've read. You aren't going to find poetic writing, but you will be reminded of sititng on a porch while the author regales you with tales of an heroic era. You almost expect James to say, "Oh yeah....I forgot about the time..." The comradery of the men is evident. James is objective in hiis view of those around him, often pointing out guards who were, yes, kind. Some of the stories are laugh out loud funny. While the emphasis is on the tunneling escapes, some of the most brillaint are ones in which the prisoner simply walked out of camp. Some of the stories are heart-breaking, particularly in relating the fate of the Russian POW's upon liberation, "“Such formalities cost tens of thousands of Russian lives at the time. Many of them Cossacks, who hated Communism, they committed suicide rather than return to the Soviet Union, and those were forced into cattle trucks at the point of bayonet were all executed on arrival.” (less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 26, 2012
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| 031230434X
| 9780312304348
| 4.11
| 35,625
| 2003
| Oct 21, 2003
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This book can best be summed up in a quote from Sister Catherine, "I've come to believe that how we choose to live with pain, or injustice, or death i...more
This book can best be summed up in a quote from Sister Catherine, "I've come to believe that how we choose to live with pain, or injustice, or death is the true measure fo the Divine within us...I use to wonder, why did God give children leprosy? Now I believe God doesn't give anyone leprosy. He gives us, if we choose to use it, the spirit to live with leprosy, and with the iminence of death." (pg 307) Set in Kalaupapa, a "leper colony" on the island of Moloka'i, the story spans the years 1891 -1970. Seven year old Rachel is discovered to have Hansen's Disease (leprosy). By edict of the Board of Health, Rachel is torn from her family and sent into exile on Molokai. Under the care of the Franciscan Nuns (seemingly abandoned by most of her family), Rachel grows up in the colony, builds a family, and becomes part of a community. Brennert does an excellent job of integrating historical characters into a fictional story that was beautifully written. He does justice to those who championed to make Kalaupapa a place where people could "come to live and not come to die". It certainly makes me want to learn more. Furthermore, Brennert shows the struggle between two cultures at crossroads, particularly as it related to traditional customs vs. introduction of Christianity to the island. Through this story the reader can learn of Hawaii's rich history, the culture of the island, and some wonderfuly mythology. You see the advancement of technology and pop culture as it is slowly introduced to the colony with each wave of new patients. (less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 26, 2012
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| 0312425031
| 9780312425036
| 3.98
| 593
| 2003
| Apr 18, 2006
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"Ours is appallingly, an age of genocide, but even so, what happened in Rwanda in the spring of 1994 stands out in several ways. In a tiny, landlocked...more
"Ours is appallingly, an age of genocide, but even so, what happened in Rwanda in the spring of 1994 stands out in several ways. In a tiny, landlocked African country smaller than the state of Maryland, some 800,000 people were hacked to death, one by one, by their neighbors. The women, men, and children who were slaughtered were of the same race and shared the same language, customs, and confession (Roman Catholic) as those who eagerly slaughtered them." (pg 5) All this in twelve weeks. Hatzfield, has a collection of work on the Rwanda genocide. After completing Into the Quick of Life Stories from the Rwandan Marshes, which is a look at events from the perspective of survivors from the commune of Nyamata, questions posed by readers prompted Hatzfield to explore the story from the killers’ point of view. Gaining permission from the Rwandan government and prison officials, Hatzfield successfully convinced ten member of a gang from Nyamata to share their stories. The members ranged from those of various ages (early 20’s to 60’s at the time of the killing) and standing in the community (students, teachers, police officers, and political leaders). In my opinion, Hazfield produces one of the most chilling, educational, and jaw dropping accounts of work I’ve read in quite some time. One of the things I most appreciate about this work is the way in which Hatzfield finally connected the dots for me. I have read a little on the period and I have seen multiple documentaries at the Houston Holocaust Museum on the subject. It is always so difficult for me to wrap my mind around the cause of this event. If you follow my reading at all you know I’m an avid World War II reader. There is such a breadth of work analyzing everything from the cause of the hatred of the Jews, to the political landscape leading to Hitler’s rise to power, to the world’s non-response, to the psychology of Germans that allowed events to take place. With Rwanda I could never understand what happened beyond the plane crash of President Habyarimana. But, Hatzfield provides an excellent timeline at the beginning of the book beginning in 1921 and takes the reader through important events through 2003. It is always tempting to compare any event like this one with the Holocaust, but events in Rwanda are vastly different. Rather than falling into that temptation, Hatzfield uses the Holocaust as a contrast, which I find quite effective. What follows is a deeply disturbing understanding of what I’ve missed. This was not a well-organized campaign carried out by soldiers and law enforcement personnel with registrations and demarcations, "The killers did not have to pick out their victims: they knew them personally. Everyone knows everything in a village" (pg 67). Of course they did. This was neighbor killing neighbor, teacher killing student, soccer teammate killing teammate, and family member killing family member. "The first day, a messenger from the municipal judge went house to house summoning us to a meeting right away. There the judge announced that the reason for the meeting was the killing of every Tutsi without exception. It was simply said, and it was simple to understand." (pg 18). With that order Hutu members of the village picked up machetes and spent twelve weeks attempting to irradicate every single Tutsi from the village. The other contrast, when you read WWII accounts, while you spend some time in dredges of human darkness, there are amazing tales of bravery. Unfortunately, according to Hatzfield, that is not the case in Rwanda, "And at the end of the war (WWII) we were dumbfounded to learn about the thousand and one touching anecdotes we could never have imagined. In Nyamata, however, we find not one comradely impulse among teammates, not one gesture of compassion for helpless babies. No bond of friendship or love that survived from a church choir or an agricultural cooperative. No civil disobedience in a village, no rebellious adolescent in a gang of budding toughs. And not a single escape network, although it would have been easy to set one up in the forty kilometers of uninhabited forests between the marshes and the Burundi border" (pg 103) I think the reader needs to beware, this is a difficult read. It is only about 250 pages in length and written in very concise paragraphs but the sterile nature in which the killers discuss their actions and the obvious lack of remorse is simply disgusting, "I want to make clear that from the first gentleman I killed to the last, I was not sorry about a single one." (pg 54). Those that do discuss “forgiveness” do so only in terms of how the prisoner can return to life he once knew one day with little regard to what his return will do the survivors. Big thanks to Isabelle for bringing it to my attention!(less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 26, 2012
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| 0061159174
| 9780061159176
| 3.78
| 18,131
| 2003
| Aug 29, 2006
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The Known World follows the family of a black slave owner and their associates. This subject has always fascinated me since briefly touching on this i...more
The Known World follows the family of a black slave owner and their associates. This subject has always fascinated me since briefly touching on this in college. Apparently there was a black slave owner in southeast Texas. I have heard mixed reviews on the writing style. Personally I enjoyed both the subject and story. Jones does seem to write in past, present, and future concurrently, which can be confusing. However, I found that it gave instant insight into the characters and motives without revealing the storyline too early. I felt the culture of the South and various races were well represented. I definitely recommend this book(less)
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Sep 26, 2012
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| 0142003816
| 9780142003817
| 3.87
| 5,436
| Jan 01, 2003
| Jan 27, 2004
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Every once in a while you start a book that once you begin approaching the final chapters depression sets in because you know the experience is about...more
Every once in a while you start a book that once you begin approaching the final chapters depression sets in because you know the experience is about to end. This was one of them for me. Written well before the final two Romanov children's bodies were found, Alexander takes what was once one of the best historical mysteries and brilliantly weaves a tale about how the secret communications surrounding a possible rescue attempt of the Czar and his family from the Ipatiev house might have occured as well as the fate of the two children missing from the original grave. Not only does Alexander provide the reader with a good context of the history surrounding this event by providing good historical detail and including texts from letters and diary entries that have survived, but he just tells a great story. From the perspective of the narrator, living with a guilt that he feels doesn't deserve forgiveness in this life or the next, a last confession is given to his grandaughter. This choice of unfolding the story effectively develops the characters in a way that, even though we know the end of the story, you just keep hoping that history is going to be rewritten by the close of the tale. Lastly, this does what, in my opinion, any good historical fiction work should do: it gives you a whole list of subjects you want to go read non-fiction work on. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I loved it from a historical fiction perspective. (less) | Notes are private!
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| 4.20
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Four Stars: I am prevented from giving it five because I feel DM should have spent more time on the weaknesses/poor decisions rather than so strongly...more
Four Stars: I am prevented from giving it five because I feel DM should have spent more time on the weaknesses/poor decisions rather than so strongly focusing on his strengths. I found the book well written and enjoyable to read. Over the past few reads I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for JA. Resoundingly, regardless of opinion, those who knew JA have a common opinion. His integrity was constant. I think he expected that same sense of integrity in everyone and this was the source of a great deal of disillusionment, particularly when it came to those he counted as friends. He was fiercly loyal and often did not receive the same in return. He was often able to look past differences and find common ground when either working with someone or forming a friendship. He loved his country and sacrificed a great deal personally for it and often without recognition. For a man, admitedly, with a great deal of pride this was difficult to swallow. Politically his strengths seem to be his sense of timing and an ability to think situations through past immediate consequences. Further, he had a set of guiding principles that for the most part he tried to live regardless of the political consequences. His was progressive in thought as seen not only in what he said about slavery but in his actions. He was also ahead of his time in issues such as freedom of religion for Jews and some of his ideas for the Massachussets Constitution. On the other hand he was incredibly vain which provided ample ammunition for his critics. At first glance his time in Europe can be seen as unique experience strengthening his skill set for the presidency. However, in reality, in probably hurt him in that he no longer had his finger on the pulse of America. It seems to have weakened that sense of timing he once had. He liked to lecture people sometimes it was harmless as when he lectured an English community on its history but in the Senate as VP it hurt him tremendously. He could be impetuous. He often needed to take a breath before dashing off his thougths for print. The biggest mistakes of his presidency was not using his authority to veto on the Alien and Sedition Act, retaining Washington's cabinet, and allowing Washington to appoint Hamilton in the new standing army. (less) | Notes are private!
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| 3.81
| 9,236
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| 4.40
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His Enemy His Friend by John Tunis 5 Stars and a Favorite This is a comfort read for me. It is one of my favorites from high school and got me hooked on...more His Enemy His Friend by John Tunis 5 Stars and a Favorite This is a comfort read for me. It is one of my favorites from high school and got me hooked on fiction. Up to this read I read strictly non-fiction historical pieces. I turned to this right after surgery. It is a read I turn to often even though I rarely re-read books. It also gave me a chance to write a review of it. It probably doesn't rate among the best novels ever written but for sentimental value I give it a 5 and a heart. In the author's note Tunnis comments "This is a book about the conscience of a man." This is the best description I could give this book. Set in Nazi occupied France (Nogent Plage), Sergeant Hans von Kleinschrodt, a member of the World Cup German soccer team is more friend than foe to the citizens of Nogent Plage. Kleinschrodt is a mid level commander, accepting the position based on family commitment rather than commitment to the Reich. Kleinschrodt forms good relationships with the adults of the community and is seen as a hero to the young boys, particularly young Jean Paul Varin, who is a talented soccer player in his own right. Days before the Normandy invasion, an underground attack from outside Nogent-Plage leaves a Nazi officer dead and Kleinschrodt is in charge because the upper level commandants are out of the area. Kleinschrodt receives orders from Germany to prisoner six men who are preidentified. One of them is Varin's father, a suspected Communist. They are to be held prisoner until they "give up the assassin". Of course, no one can identify the perpetrator because it did not originate in Nogent Plage. With no cooperation from the prisoners, Kleinschrodt is ordered to execute all six via firing squad. Not following his conscience Kleischrodt allows the order to take place. After the Allied victory, Kleinschrodt stands trial for the murder of the six and becomes known as "The Butcher of Nogent Plage". Kleinschrodt is sentenced to ten years of hard labor. In the meantime, Jean Paul Varin grows up to become a star soccer player for the French always remembering the execution of his father and feeling the betrayal of his childhood hero. June 1964 France and Germany face off in the World Cup with Kleinschrodt playing goalie and Varin as the star forward. The story builds to a tragic end that provides closure for both men. One of my favorite parts of the book is Kleinschrodt's address to the court before he is sentenced. It is a reminder to follow your conscience, that to do nothing makes one just as guilty as follow through, and that a nation should not become self righteous in its judgment towards others remembering that history can repeat itself. (less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 26, 2012
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| 067972477X
| 9780679724773
| 4.26
| 20,089
| 1934
| Oct 23, 1989
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| 1400068045
| 9781400068043
| 3.95
| 4,511
| Jan 01, 2011
| May 03, 2011
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Russell slowly unfolds the backgrounds of Doc Holliday, the Earp brothers, and the women in their lives, showing how their lives eventually intersect...more
Russell slowly unfolds the backgrounds of Doc Holliday, the Earp brothers, and the women in their lives, showing how their lives eventually intersect and what led to the decision to that fateful day in Tombstone, AZ, where their names would be forever immortalized. All I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, SHELFARI FRIENDS! I have resisted reading this because the Wild West has just simply never piqued my interest. What have I been missing?! Doc Holiday certainly has his reputation, and his wit shines throug. But Russell paints a complex and highly educated man, who often recites the Aeneid and Shakespeare at the drop of the hat and knows his classical musical, and who has the capacity for deep compassion for his fellow man. When Kate demands to know why Doc bothers with dentistry, he replies, "Kate...People die in misery for want of a dentist's care! I bother with all this because I can relieve sufferin'. I can improve lives. Sometimes I can even save them." I was incredibly impressed with his mother, who had to fight for his life early when Doc was born with a cleft palate. Her dedication didn’t stop with survival. Her dedication to his education is laudable. I couldn't help but wonder what she would have thought about the way his life turned out. There are great gems of trivia, such as the fact that Doc was the first to have surgery on his birth defect, throughout the book. Finally, it is just simply well-written, engaging, and funny. One of the my favorite quotes, "Mr. Darwin's proposal. ' The notion explains a great deal of natural history...but considerin' the presidency from George Washington to Rutherford B. Hayes, I believe we can dismiss the case for evolutionary progress.'" My one complaint, and I’m wondering if there is an error in my Nook format because I just can’t imagine so much of this aspect was intentionally left out, is why didn't Russell follow the story to Tombstone? Did Russell really leave the gunfight of the story?! I felt like it ended suddenly before it was intended to and was a bit anticlimactic compared to the strength of the rest of the work. Please someone tell me if I’m missing pages. I understand Russell is working on a follow up focused on Wyatt Earp. I will definitely rush out for it. (less) | Notes are private!
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| 1594489866
| 9781594489860
| 3.98
| 9,602
| Jan 01, 2008
| May 15, 2008
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In the afterword Galloway says " At four o'clock in the afternnon on May 27, 1992, during the Siege of Sarajevo, several mortar shells struck a group...more
In the afterword Galloway says " At four o'clock in the afternnon on May 27, 1992, during the Siege of Sarajevo, several mortar shells struck a group of people waiting to buy bread behind the market on Vase Miskina. Twenty-two people were killed and at least seventy were wounded. For the next twenty-two days Vedran Smailovic, a renowned local cellist, played Albinoni's Adagio in G Minor at the site in honor of the dead. His actions inspired this novel." During the Sieg of Sarajevo, which lasted four years, those who remained were left to fight for survival. Fighting meant making it one more day. Routine activities such as access to fresh water became an arduous, day long journey always with the prospect that sniper bullets from the hills would strike you down. The Cellist of Sarajevo follows the lives of four people, who day by day, try to live long enough to rebuild Sarajevo back into the city of their memories. All four lives intersect and are affected by the cellist. For some the cellist's music reminds them of the humanity that once existed both in themselves and in the city, for some it simply resurrects the comfort of memories from times past, and for others it is a reminder that all one can do is all that he/she can do, and that means something. This is a beautiful story that illustrates the importance of commitment to ideals and to community.(less) | Notes are private!
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| 0552773905
| 9780552773904
| 3.61
| 1,999
| 2007
| Oct 01, 2008
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In much the same vein as Farenheit 451, A Brave New World, and 1984, Elton takes the theme of total government control through current technology with...more
In much the same vein as Farenheit 451, A Brave New World, and 1984, Elton takes the theme of total government control through current technology with well-developed characters and spins a masterful, if not terrifying tale. After a cataclysmic flood caused by Global Warming occurs, society is run by a government with The Temple at its head. The Temple seems to be an ammalgamation of various belief from Christianity to Green Mythology, with the exclusion of Islam. Science is Evil. Everlasting love through The Temple is sacred. Privacy is illegal. Complete openeness into each others lives is demanded through mandatory posts on social media websites, mandated streams of specific events, limited clothing encouraged, and multiple sexual partners/marriages are encouraged. It is socially unacceptable to ostracize. Eddification is demanded. Reason is the ultimate evil. Trafford attempts to fly below the radar screen. Calling attention to oneself is dangerous for anyone, but particularly dangerous for one with doubts. He follows the law as evidenced by his second marriage, participation in Confession, minimum expected daily posts, and appearances at at least some of the office Group Hug sessions. He even emoted when he and his first wife lost their child like the parents of all the other dead children. When he and his second wife have a baby girl. Trafford is unwilling to stand by send his baby to the arms of Jesus, Diana, and Elvis. He has her vaccinated. The worst of all black arts. What follows is Trafford's journey to reclaim reason, and his belief that humanity is worth saving. (less) | Notes are private!
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| 0452011876
| 9780452011878
| 3.67
| 148,999
| 1957
| Aug 01, 1999
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| 0452284244
| 9780452284241
| 3.75
| 984,105
| 1945
| May 06, 2003
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I don't know if this was on the backcover of Animal Farm when I originally read it, but I think it is highly appropriate, "When Animal Farm was first...more
I don't know if this was on the backcover of Animal Farm when I originally read it, but I think it is highly appropriate, "When Animal Farm was first published fifty years ago, Stalinist Russia was seen as its target. Today it is devastatingly clear that wherever and whenever freedom is attacked, under whatever banner, the cuttlign clarity and savage comedy of George Orwell's masterpiece has a meaning and message still ferociously fresh." In the twighlight of his life, the highly respected Old Major gathers the animals of the Manor Farm to share a dream of a utopian world where the evils of man no longer exist. Old Major lays out the rules that would lay the foundation for a world where animals live in harmony and are no longer slaves to mankind. After his death, a successful rebellion occurs, animlas rule the farm, and live seems to meausre up to Old Major's vision. That is, of course, Napoleon and Snowball begin to maneuver for power grabs and slowly the rules begin to change.(less) | Notes are private!
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| 030738246X
| 9780307382467
| 4.04
| 1,338
| Sep 18, 2012
| Sep 18, 2012
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"I haven't forgotten any of the memories that you told me to keep. From the time I could think, your memory has lived in me like a sacred lamp, illumi...more
"I haven't forgotten any of the memories that you told me to keep. From the time I could think, your memory has lived in me like a sacred lamp, illuminating everything and everyone you every touched, even though death has taken it away!" At the age of four, Alexander Dumas lost his father, General Alex Dumas. Like many young children, the author Dumas, carries with him throughout his life, an idyllic image of his father. However, in this instance the idealism is supported by history, the esteem those who knew the General held, and the stories passed down to the author. Many of these tales would go on to find their way into the classic work of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Muskateeers. Reiss does a superb job of detailing an extraordinary life. General Dumas is the mulatto son of a French Count and a slave in Saint Domingue. Coming of age during the French Revolution, when a number of rights were extended to black citizens, Dumas takes advantage of opportunties to serve the Republic. However, the fair-minded patriot with an imposing physique would become an anathema to Napoleon Bonaporte quickly and see all the rights he fought for stripped. Sadly, the son Dumas would never enjoy the priviliges his father received. But, the book is so much more than simply a biography of an extraordinary individual living in extraordinary times. Reiss succintly details the history of slavery, putting it in context with world history, going so far as to provide an understanding of the etymology of the word, as well as the histories of France, Italy, and Egypt. Further, it is the best concise history of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon I have seen. I'm increidbly impressed with the detailed research conducted by Reiss, the footnotes that provide interesting sidenotes, and the citations in the back. At times the reader could begin to wonder if the increidble tales were simply a result of a son's adulation for his father. But, Reiss conscientiously details when an event is corroborated by existential documentation. If you are a history lover, of any era, this is an absolute read. If you are not, it is still a good read, as Reiss proves to be quite a witty writer. I really want to thank Nicole for asking me to read along with her. I have stayed away from French Revolution reading for way too long. When I was in college I was so excited to take this class because of the connection between events in the American Revolution and France's. I had a horrible professor. It was the class that almost ruined by 4.0 GPA, but there was no way on Earth I was going to let a history class blemish my GPA. So, I did what I had to to squeak out an A, but I learned NOTHING. I probably would not have read this, but how often do I get to read a non-fiction work with someone? So, I jumped at it. I LOVED it! Nicole had talked about coupling this with re-reading The Count of Monte Cristo. I originally said I didn't think I could swing that one at this time. I think I've changed my mind. Understanding the General will definitely deepen my appreciation of Dumas' work. (less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 25, 2012
| Hardcover
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| 0375758771
| 9780375758775
| 3.89
| 7,580
| 2000
| Feb 12, 2002
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Opening in Burma in 1885 during the reign of the last monarch, King Thebaw and Queen Supayalat, we are introduced to Rajkumar an orphan from Indian wh...more
Opening in Burma in 1885 during the reign of the last monarch, King Thebaw and Queen Supayalat, we are introduced to Rajkumar an orphan from Indian who has fled to Burma as a means of survivial, and Dolly who is living at the Palace and caring for the young princesses. The Birttish Empire has set its sites on the resources of Burma and overthrows the King and Queen, sending them into exile. As the royal family is being taken out of Burma Rajkumar is smitten with young Dolly and slips her some food for her trip. Rajkumar is taken in by Saya John and mentored in the ways of business. Rajkumar takes to heart the lessons of Saya John and succeeds in a rags to riches story that was not uncommon in Burmese history in the early 20th centrury. During Dolly's 20-year exile Dolly is cut off from her native land, catches a glimpse of love that is snatched away, and eventually befirends Uma the wife of one of their "caregivers". Rajkumar seeks Dolly out after twenty-three years in exile. With the help of Uma he convinces her to marry him and return to Burma. Afterwards, the lives of these families (Rajkumar, Dolly, Uma, and Saya John) are inextricably tied together. Through multiple generations we see the history of Burma, and India to some degree, unfold through 1996. During this time Burma goes from a "Golden Land" to a subject within the Brittish Empire, to an occupied Japanese territory, to an independent democracy, to the Burma (Myanmar) we saw in the 2008 cyclone aftermath. The book relates Burma's cultrue, religions (Hindu, Christianity, Hindu, and Muslim to a lesser degree), relations with India, and socio-economic issues. The book is also a social commentary with a message that is timeless. Some of my favorite passages: " The Queen greeted them with her proud, thin-lipped smile. Yes, look around you, look at how we live. Yes, we who ruled the richest land in Asia are now reduced to this. This is what they have done to us, this is what they will do to all of Burma. They took our kingdom, promising roads and railways and ports, but mark my words, this is how it will end. In a few decades the wealth will be gone-all the gems, the timer and the oil-and then they will eave. In our golden Burma, where no one ever went hungry and one was too poor to write an dread, all that will remain is destitution and ignorance, famine and despair. We were the first to be imprisoned in the name of their progress; millions more will follow." (pg 76) "that while misrule an dtyranny must be resisted, so too must politics itself...that it cannot be allowed to cannibalize all of life, all of existence. To me this is the most terrible indiginity of our conidtion - nut just in Burma but in many other places too...that politics has invaded everything, spared nothing...religion, art, family...it has taken over everything...there is no escape from it...and yet what could be more trivial in the end?" (pg 467) It is very humbling to read about the rich history of places like Burma and see its current condition. My one caution: for much of the book there is a fairy tale quality to the story. Either nothing bad happens when you just know what the result of a situation should be or if a tragedy occurs it is glossed over and Ghoush moves on. This can frustrating to some readers. Go into knowing this is purposefully done and contrasts with events later in the book. The only negative I have is that I never got really connected to the characters. For me personally, that is important. This is the only reason I'm not rating it a 5. (less) | Notes are private!
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| 1400079322
| 9781400079322
| 4.10
| 4,128
| 2004
| Jun 28, 2005
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I often feel my reviews fall short; however, I have never felt my inadequacies as much as I do with this one. This is one of the best books I've read...more
I often feel my reviews fall short; however, I have never felt my inadequacies as much as I do with this one. This is one of the best books I've read in quite some time. It has everything I look for in a book: history, humor, complex characters, beautiful prose, themes that resonnate, and work that educates. This has it all. Set in early 20th century Eskibahce, a small community in the Ottoman Empire, whose population is diverse in terms of ethnicity and religion, De Bernieres tells a story of how larger events in the world impact the individual lives of a community's residents and masterfully shows the history of the Ottoman's Empire's fal,l leading the way to the establishment of Turkey. Told through the first person perspective of various, richly developed characters this is a tragic love story, full of paradoxes, and shows how today's events are intrinsically tied to a litany of past events. Dispersed intermittently throughout the story is the third person narrative of Mustafa Kemal's rise to power. The story is full of paradoxes and is filled with moving moments that illustrate the need to think for yourself and ignore stereotypes by getting to know individuals. Some of my favorite quotes: "Fritz (a dog) bit Moritz ( a bear) and Moritz bit the King and the King died, and so there is a new king, who happens to be a previously deposed one who is detested vehemently by all the Allies. The loss of Allied support means the loss of the war.” (pg 437) “Ibrahim blamed himself, and if I had been one of her brothers or one of her other relatives, I would have come back from exile and killed him. The peculiar thing is, however, that nothing would have happened to Philothei at all, if other things had not been happening in the great world.” (pg5) " Speaking for myself, I had discovered that infidels are not necessarily devils, which I should have known already because, after all, I grew up in a town among many different kinds of them, except that they weren’t Frankish.” (pg 361) "there are many who say we are better off without the Christians who used to live here, but as for me, I miss the old life of my town, and I miss the Christians. Without them our life has less variety, and we are forgetting how to look at others and see ourselves.” (pg 7) "Yusuf the Tall loved all his children equally, with a passionate adoration that, when he thought about it sometimes made him lachrymose. If his life were like a garden, then his daughters would be like the roses growing alongside it walls, and his sons would be like young trees that formed a palisade against the world.” (pg 137)(less) | Notes are private!
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| 0307353419
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| 3.95
| 2,732
| 2007
| Aug 12, 2008
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Who said non-fiction can't be fun? I read a lot of non-fiction and actually enjoy the minutiae of political philosophy, histoirical context, etc. But,...more
Who said non-fiction can't be fun? I read a lot of non-fiction and actually enjoy the minutiae of political philosophy, histoirical context, etc. But, everyone once in a while it is refreshing to read the personal tales of those who lived the moment. Macintyre's account of Eddie Chapman: English crook turned German spy-turned British Intel agent does just that, and it is deliciously fun to read! "Fiction has not, and probably never will, produce an espionage story to rival in fascination and improbability the true story of Edward Chapman, whom only war could invest with virtue,and that only for its duration." Tin Eye Stephens, British interrogator (pg 287) Eddie Chapman started as a petty thief and his criminal career escalated to crack lock aficionado landing him in a prison that eventually came under German control. Chapman, looking for a way off the island, offered his services to the German army reasoning that his British citizenship, knowledge of explosives, and criminal history made him the ideal candidate to spy on his home country. The Germans took him up on his offer and trained him as a spy. Parachuted back into England Chapman immediately contacts MI5 and offers to spy on the Germans. There are so many things to love about this book. First, Chapman is a fascinating psychological study. He is a crook and can't be trusted. Everything that comes out of his mouth is suspect. Yet while the Germans fed his ego and offered the financial gain Chapman seemed to constantly pursue, he did remain loyal to the British cause and was the source of many successes. Secondly, I learned a lot. I have read a great deal about the success of MI5 and the SOE. They are fascinating agencies to read about. Macintyre does a very good job of showing how the Germans Intel shortcomings actually elevated their British counterparts. Thirdly, key players in other arenas make appearances like Jasper Maskelyne, the magician who is well known for his illusions in the North Africa campaing and Terrence Young who went on to create James Bond. Finally, there are the heroic actions of many individuals that make WWII a favorite among historical readers. Highly recommend it. It is an easy read, entertaining, and informative all at the the same time. (less) | Notes are private!
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| 1841155837
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| 3.88
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"A South American Country" has courted business tycoon, Katsumi Hosokawa, for some time, hoping for investment in their struggling country. Finally, M...more
"A South American Country" has courted business tycoon, Katsumi Hosokawa, for some time, hoping for investment in their struggling country. Finally, Mr. Hosokawa agrees to celebrate his birhtday at the home of the vice-president after the invitation includes a private performance by American opera singer, Roxanne Coss. At the concluusion of the performance a group of unsophisticated terrorist storm the residence intending to kidnap the absent president. After releasing the women (with the exception of Coss), the workers, and the ill (with the exception of the vice-president), the group of fifty settle in for a four month siege. Initially the hostages take stock of their lives, consider their regrets, and evalutate their priorities. Then they settle into life. What emerges is a theme about the innate need to connect with others and the power of music. Bel Canto, tranlsated beautiful singing, could have easily been titled Bella Scrittura, as the writing is simply beautiful and dare I say lyrical? Don't be lulled into thinking this is simply a case of Stockholm Syndrome. It is far more complext than that. I found the omniscient voice of the narrator particular effective in this book, as it gave the reader the feeling that things were happening simultaneously. I also felt Patchett did an excellent job of transitioning to the final scene. My only criticism is I felt the epilogue was unnecessary, forced, and detracted from the rest of the story. This may be my favorite 2010 read.(less) | Notes are private!
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| 3.85
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Desert Queen is the story of Gertrude Bell who is seen by many as the “Mother of Iraq”. Born in Victorian England when a female’s purpose in life was...more
Desert Queen is the story of Gertrude Bell who is seen by many as the “Mother of Iraq”. Born in Victorian England when a female’s purpose in life was to find a husband and raise a family, Bell broke all stereotypes. Bell was well-educated, multi-lingual, an archaeologist, a mountain climber, a noted writer, spy, diplomat, creator of the Baghdad Museum, and regal adviser. As one of the first females to enter Oxford, Bell’s intellect, interests, and standards thwarted most courting efforts. The few times that love seemed within her grasp, fate intervened and drove her to the Arabian Desert. “In the Victorian setting in which she was raised, she was taught not to brood over sadness but to push it away, to busy herself. And thus, in addition to reading history and literature, she wrote letters, articles and books, studied languages, learned about art, architecture and archaeology, took up photography, played tennis and gold, swam, went riding and played bridge, filled every vacant moment by doing something.” (pg 59) When life went awry, the desert was her solace. As she traversed the unexplored desert Bell learned the customs of the tribes, charted its territory, earned respect from warring tribal leaders, and made friends that would later be instrumental. Wallach notes, “The following evening, having reached the Druze, she was invited to the long black tent of their sheikh. She approached the men’s quarters and entered. It never would have occurred to her to enter the women’s side of the tent; to her the harem was a curiosity, a place to observe and photograph. She thought of herself as one of the men, expecting equal treatment, as honored a guest as any male. Indeed, the Arabs had dubbed her an ‘honorary man’.” (pg 74) As the Ottoman Empire fell into disarray the British Empire set its sights on the Arabian Desert. Bell’s knowledge became an invaluable asset as the British became interested in gaining the tribal leaders’ support in their fight against the Turks. Eventually, the cost of the empire forced the British, with Bell leading the charge, establish self-rule in the region. “Exhilarated as she was over defining the borders, she was even more excited about constructing a brand-new state. There had never been an independent Iraq; no political entity, no administrative unit had ever existed. No borders like these had been drawn since ancient times.” (pg 214-215). Additionally, Bell was given the charge of identifying a pro-British ruler that could be supported by the fractured population. Bell was astute in her observation that all elements of the population should have a role in the first government. Faisal was selected as the British choice for the first king and a cabinet of Sunnis, Shiites, Jews, and Christians was appointed. Bell’s work led to the coronation of the monarchies of Jordan, still in existence today, and the original monarchy of Iraq. The Iraqi monarchy lasted for three generations before Revolution changed the country’s course of history. When I select a biography I’m looking for a couple of things. I am obviously interested in learning something, I don’t want an author drawing conclusions for me, I want to begin at the beginning to see the evolution of thought and the impacts of influences in the subject’s life, and I don’t want the work to be too narrowly focused on a few aspects of the life. This book met all of my criteria for an excellent work. I am ignorant of Iraq’s history with the exception of secular research I’ve done when studying the Old Testament and the more recent history that has directly impacted America. I had never heard of Gertrude Bell before. Thus, I learned a lot. Wallach begins with Bell’s parents’ history and simply lays the facts out. It was fascinating to see earlier history of areas of contemporary contention and learn a little more of its history (oil, Jewish home-state, Islamic sect differences) Lastly, I would say that I really enjoyed Wallach’s writing style. She aptly brought Gertrude Bell to life. I also couldn't help thinking, "Gee, it's a shame Ms. Bell is not here today to help devise a solution to contentions in the Middle East" (less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 25, 2012
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| 0786887087
| 9780786887088
| 3.91
| 1,558
| 1962
| Oct 08, 2003
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Loosely based on the life of Toer's grandmother, The Girl From the Coast follows the life of an Indonesian common girl, plucked from her coastal villa...more
Loosely based on the life of Toer's grandmother, The Girl From the Coast follows the life of an Indonesian common girl, plucked from her coastal village at the age of fourteen, when a nobleman takes her for his "wife". Since custom dictates that an aristocrat cannot marry outside of his class, this arrangement is known as a "practice marriage" until the Bendoro is ready for a suitable marriage. Written in a simple structure, Toer creates a poignant story that has both timeless themes and those that are unique to this area's time, culture, and religion. What I think Toer excels at in this novel is capturing the powerlessness and lonliness of "the girl", which is the only name we know her by. Because of status she is never viewed as an equal to anyone in house in the city. She is not equal to the Bendoro or his family but is elevated above the servants. Further, on the occassion she is allowed to return home for a visit she learns her name cannot or will not be spoken in the village either. The novel is sprinkled with references to Indonesian history, particularly the role the Dutch play in that history. It provides enough information to pique the reader's interest and provide the foundation for further research. The writing is beautiful and descript, albeit simple. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that some readers may find the repetitive nature of some thoughts frustrating, but I thought it was an important strategy to illustrate the naïveté of "the girl". The Girl From The Coast was intended to serve as the first novel in a trilogy. However, Toer was imprisoned for seventeen years as a dissident and the other two novel were destroyed by the Indonesian military. In the English translation the author has included an Epilogue to tie the loose ends together. The Girl From The Coast is the perfect example of why I love to read non-Western writers and highly recommend this read for anyone who has a curiosity about other countries and cultures.(less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 25, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0399155341
| 9780399155345
| 4.44
| 747,645
| Feb 10, 2009
| Feb 10, 2009
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Drawing on her experience growing up in Jackson, Mississippi Stockett takes us behind the scenes in white homes that employ black maids during the 60'...more
Drawing on her experience growing up in Jackson, Mississippi Stockett takes us behind the scenes in white homes that employ black maids during the 60's. Since I'm probably the only person left on Shelfari that has not reviewed this book, I will shy away from plot synopsis and get straight to why I loved this book. Why was I so resistive to reading this? First, I'm often disappointed when I read a book with such an ardent following. I recognize that the fault may lie with my by building up unrealistic expectations, but it often leaves me a bit, yes, depressed that I didn't like it as much as everyone else. More than that, being from the South I often find characters in these sort of tales to be hyperbolic and a bit nauseating. That is now the case with this work. Stockett so fully develops characters that I was left bereft when I realized I was reaching the end of the book and she deftly captured the essence of southern culture. More than she forces the reader to explore the question of where does each of our value systems originate. (less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 25, 2012
| Hardcover
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| 0143034758
| 9780143034759
| 4.12
| 9,289
| Apr 26, 2004
| Mar 29, 2005
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If you are interested in American History this is a MUST read, for as Chernow notes, "In all probability Alexander Hamilton is the foremost political...more
If you are interested in American History this is a MUST read, for as Chernow notes, "In all probability Alexander Hamilton is the foremost political figure in American history who never attained the presidency, yet he probably had a more lasting impact than many who did." (pg 4) Chernow presents the facts of Hamilton's life as well as explores the psychology of the man. Although Hamilton's life was cut short, Chernow's piece is 731 pages full of incredible research that provides the best balance in a biography I've read to date. Beginning in Nevis in the British West Indies Chernow presents Hamilton's Huguenot background and explains his illegitimate status which had more to do with his mother's determination to free herself of a vindictive man creating a conundrum for herself. She was imprisoned for adultery and granted a divorce only with the caveat that she never be allowed to remary. Thus, when James Hamilton came into the picture Rachel could not legally marry. However, Hamilton's political critics later used his birth status to denote a much more sinister background. His early years laid the foundaiton for his later life. He was bilingual (French/English), he had a strong religious background that he would return to later in life, he felt deeply the abandonment of his father, he developed a strong aversion to slavery, developed a dread of tyranny and disorder, became astute in financial matters through his job as a clerk, and gained a tireless work ethic as he worked toward leaving the island and moving to America. Hamilton was a college student when the first signs of dissention came to bear between the Colonies and the Crown. It is during this time that his gift of pen and speech becomes noted among leaders. Although initially sympathizing with the British, Hamilton soon entered the Revolutionary cause and showed a strong penchant for military strategy as well as paternal protection over troops in his command. Hamilton soon caught the attention of George Washington and soon became Washington's most trusted Aide. This was the beginning of a relationship that would last a lifetime. In the beginning Washington served as a mentor to the young Hamilton. Although frustrated with Washington's relunctance to allow Hamilton a more active role in the military, the relationship eventually grew to one of friends on equal status by the end of Washington's life. Hamilton was at his best when under the guidance of Washington. The trust he gained from Washington led to his appointment as Treasury Secretary where he leaves his most indelible mark. As Treasury Secretary, Hamilton created the Coast Guard, devised a plan to take care of American debt through assumption, established the first bank, created the tax system, established the Customs Service, laid the foundation for capitalism, helped establish judicial review, and allowed the US to enjoy a credit rating equal to European countries. While accomplishments were many, controversy did follow Hamilton 1. There is a great deal of controversy surrounding Hamilton's private life. First, there is a great deal of conjecture over the true nature of his relationship with John Laurens. Hamilton was certainly devastated when Lyons was killed during the Revolutionary War. Second, there is an unusually flirtatious relationship with his sister-in-law (his wife, Eliza's sister). Finally, there is the seemingly sexual obsession he seems to have with Maria Reynolds which appears to be a set up by her and her husband resulting in a prolonged blackmail scheme that was eventually made public. 2. The feud between Hamilton and Jefferson is often credited or blamed for the creation of a strong two party system in our political process. 3. Once unchecked by Washington Hamilton could be uncontrollable and appear volatile. Obviously, no biography on Hamilton would be complete without a comprehensive examination of his relationship with Vice President Burr and the events that led to the deadly duel that took Hamilton's life. (less) | Notes are private!
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Sep 25, 2012
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