Normally, this is not the type of book I would read, but it turned out to be quite interesting. The way the book is written causes the reader to be un...moreNormally, this is not the type of book I would read, but it turned out to be quite interesting. The way the book is written causes the reader to be uncertain about the motivations of the characters, until the end.
The idea of shame related to Hiroshima gives the story an unusual perspective. (less)
This book gets into remarkable detail about the Pilgrims and the decendants. One of the keys to enjoying this book is a willingess to have holes poked...moreThis book gets into remarkable detail about the Pilgrims and the decendants. One of the keys to enjoying this book is a willingess to have holes poked historical mythology about Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, and the Native Americans. This book will re-orient one's perspective of that era. Of course, the real facts are messier than the myth. Well written. (less)
This is a very sensitively written book. The protagonist is a man who suffers from tremendous insecurity as a result of a difficult relationship with...moreThis is a very sensitively written book. The protagonist is a man who suffers from tremendous insecurity as a result of a difficult relationship with his own father. The man is now married and a father of a teenage son. There are many tests in the relationship.
The deep introspection and reflection of the main character is quite interesting, though it seems a little forced.
Worth a read for those who find family dynamics interesting. (less)
This is a superb book that tells an interesting story about Henry Ward Beecher. What makes this book so worth reading is the perspective it provides o...moreThis is a superb book that tells an interesting story about Henry Ward Beecher. What makes this book so worth reading is the perspective it provides on the involvement of religion in American politics. It also is a fascinating psychological study. For those who know more about Harriet Beecher Stowe, this is a great way to learn about her famous brother. (less)
This story is extremely well researched. It takes place around the 8th century and takes the curious case of the first female Chinese empress. It also...moreThis story is extremely well researched. It takes place around the 8th century and takes the curious case of the first female Chinese empress. It also examines the climb of a commoner to royalty.
The book is a bit tedious and gives much more detail about court intrigue than it needs to hold the reader's attention. (less)
The dynamics of the characters in the book are complex and deeply emotional. There is substantial interpersonal tension. The setting is stark and the...moreThe dynamics of the characters in the book are complex and deeply emotional. There is substantial interpersonal tension. The setting is stark and the story is heavy (no humor). It has a sustainable plot, but is a bit slow. (less)
This is a great summer read and a true story. The interplay among the divers is fascinating and the insight into U-Boat warfare and the sailors is int...moreThis is a great summer read and a true story. The interplay among the divers is fascinating and the insight into U-Boat warfare and the sailors is interesting. (less)
This story is set in Rome during the 1400s. The book starts out a bit slowly, but stick with it. After about 75 pages, things really pick up. The stor...moreThis story is set in Rome during the 1400s. The book starts out a bit slowly, but stick with it. After about 75 pages, things really pick up. The story had quite a few good twists and portrays in interesting perspective about art, women, and sexuality in Rome. (less)
This is a novel about a rare psychiatric disorder that is the result of a head trauma. The author certainly engaged in thorough research. The author a...moreThis is a novel about a rare psychiatric disorder that is the result of a head trauma. The author certainly engaged in thorough research. The author also mixes in a hefty dose of environmentalism. All of the characters are so fragile, that the book becomes rather depressing. Also, there is virtually no lightness to the story.(less)
This is as much fun as all of the others. I think Rowlings did a fine job of bringing the saga to culmination. There is nothing easy about the task sh...moreThis is as much fun as all of the others. I think Rowlings did a fine job of bringing the saga to culmination. There is nothing easy about the task she faced and she lived up to her billing. (less)
This is about the survivors of the Dust Bowl during the Depression. While this period is often mentioned in text books, it is usually associated with...moreThis is about the survivors of the Dust Bowl during the Depression. While this period is often mentioned in text books, it is usually associated with The Grapes of Wrath. What makes this book very interesting is its stark depiction of the suffering for those who stayed. It is also a very good reminder of the incredible environmental damage human behavior can cause. In light of the debate about global warming, it is quite a cautionary tale. (less)
This book is an interesting novel that sets up a portrait of a man largely through the perspective of the women he marries and the children they share...moreThis book is an interesting novel that sets up a portrait of a man largely through the perspective of the women he marries and the children they share. The man is not at all likeable, but seems to have the ability to tap the vulnerabilities of women. Very well written. (less)
This book is written in the form of a diary. Robert Reich was Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton. Reich relates the ups and downs of working in a p...moreThis book is written in the form of a diary. Robert Reich was Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton. Reich relates the ups and downs of working in a presidential cabinet. Reich has a light writing style, with occasional self-deprication, outrage, elation, and frustration. He portrays some of the personal sacrifices demanded of public service. (less)
If you like satire and farce, are not put off by explicit male homosexual sex, and have a sarcastic bend, this book is for you. The story is well spun...moreIf you like satire and farce, are not put off by explicit male homosexual sex, and have a sarcastic bend, this book is for you. The story is well spun and characters very silly. If you like your humor "out there" this is a fun read. Sort of Hollywood gay version of a Comedy of Errors.
I was hoping for more from this book. It shows a very dark side of Bombay, which may be deserved (I have never been). However, there are a lot of deta...moreI was hoping for more from this book. It shows a very dark side of Bombay, which may be deserved (I have never been). However, there are a lot of details in this story that, after a while, really do not hold a non-resident's attention. (less)
I was surprised to find out that this entire book is about vampires. Normally, I would not pick up a book with this theme, but it actually held my int...moreI was surprised to find out that this entire book is about vampires. Normally, I would not pick up a book with this theme, but it actually held my interest and was fun.
You have to be comfortable with conspiracy theory books. If you liked the Da Vinci Code, you might like this too. The story is complicated, so stay with it. The research behind the story is excellent.
This is a most valuable read to get insight in the phenomenon of poverty in the United States. I work extensively in poor communities and the descript...moreThis is a most valuable read to get insight in the phenomenon of poverty in the United States. I work extensively in poor communities and the descriptions and explanations for poverty resonated with me. We all need to know about this and consider its implications. (less)
This book is for people who have enterprises to run and need to know how to use data effectively. It is not a light read and I only recommend it for p...moreThis book is for people who have enterprises to run and need to know how to use data effectively. It is not a light read and I only recommend it for people who are in positions that require using data.
The conventional wisdom is that the American Revolution was a war for liberty. Of course, African-Americans saw little liberty in the movement. This b...moreThe conventional wisdom is that the American Revolution was a war for liberty. Of course, African-Americans saw little liberty in the movement. This book tells the perspective of African-Americans (especially slaves) during the Revolutionary War. It chronicles the dominant view of the slaves that a British victory was preferable to a Patriot victory.
It then records the settlement of former slaves who moved from Nova Scotia to Sierra Leone.
The writing is a bit ponderous, but the information fascinating. (less)
This parable tells a story of a make believe island where superstition trumps science. The mythology of the island's founder is used by governing coun...moreThis parable tells a story of a make believe island where superstition trumps science. The mythology of the island's founder is used by governing council to persecute its population. The book provokes thoughts about our own political culture.(less)
The premise of the book is interesting. A priest corresponding with the Pope over a lifetime of service to a Native American tribe in the Dakotas. The...moreThe premise of the book is interesting. A priest corresponding with the Pope over a lifetime of service to a Native American tribe in the Dakotas. The twist is that the priest is a woman (I'm not giving anything big away here). The book explores a number of spiritual issues and presents characters who are deeply mystical in their views of the world.
I found the book slow. My low rating may say more about my interests than the quality of the book itself. I think it would be attractive to people who like this genre. (less)
This book seeks to address the challenge of maintaining an engaged citizenry through informed, open, and honest political discourse.
Much of the book...moreThis book seeks to address the challenge of maintaining an engaged citizenry through informed, open, and honest political discourse.
Much of the book is a diatribe against the Bush administration, which it richly deserves. Less time is spent on the solution to the dominance of political discourse by wealthy right wing power centers than I would have wanted.
Nevertheless, this is a strong call to political attentiveness and a true definition of how democracy ought to work.
Wish he'd been given the presidency he earned by the vote. (less)
If you like a mystery set in the '60s, this is a nice light read. Nothing that will make you sleepless at night, but goo enough to hold your attention...moreIf you like a mystery set in the '60s, this is a nice light read. Nothing that will make you sleepless at night, but goo enough to hold your attention. (less)
The book is a bit long considering the content. There are some interesting anecdotes and observations about the daily life of NYC police officers. It...moreThe book is a bit long considering the content. There are some interesting anecdotes and observations about the daily life of NYC police officers. It gives a clearer picture than one receives from television or news reports. Shows the ambiguities and messiness of the a cop's life. There are a few historical sections that are fun to read. Unfortunately, there are too many stories that don't go anywhere and the book rambles without direction. (less)
Danticat has a very readable style and examines the effects of the tortureous history of Haiti. The characters are intertwined by the pain caused by a...moreDanticat has a very readable style and examines the effects of the tortureous history of Haiti. The characters are intertwined by the pain caused by a macoute, who lives in obscurity in Brooklyn. There is nothing light or uplifting about this story, but it does provide psychological insight. (less)
This is a surprisingly informative book from a top Indian entrepreneur who helped start mindtree.com. Bagchi has a very clear set of insights to entre...moreThis is a surprisingly informative book from a top Indian entrepreneur who helped start mindtree.com. Bagchi has a very clear set of insights to entrepreneurship, many of which obviously cross over into mature enterprises, including non-profits. The writing is easy to follow and does not require an MBA. It is a good book to set the guiding principles of an organization.(less)
For those of us who came of age during the '60s, this is a fund read. We visit with people who were influential in the main events of that era in cent...moreFor those of us who came of age during the '60s, this is a fund read. We visit with people who were influential in the main events of that era in central topics: Vietnam, the women's movement, and civil rights. The book examines the echos of the Sixties through the voices of those who were most active in the movements. Brokaw has a light writing style that reflects his careful approach to journalism. Sometimes, you want Brokaw to be more daring with his views, but overall it is a good read. (less)
This is a very interesting study based on the idea that some towns tried to quarantine themselves during the 1918 flu epidemic. The author was inspire...moreThis is a very interesting study based on the idea that some towns tried to quarantine themselves during the 1918 flu epidemic. The author was inspired to write it because he had not seen much recorded about such a major event in U.S. history. Set in the Pacific Northwest, the story revolves around a rural lumber town that tries to prevent contamination with the flu bug. The story shows the paranoia, good will, suffering and misunderstandings that can take place. A very good read. (less)
The notion that Shakespeare disguised a large volume of sexual references in his plays is intriguing, to a point. The first few chapters explains the...moreThe notion that Shakespeare disguised a large volume of sexual references in his plays is intriguing, to a point. The first few chapters explains the author's view that much of the language used by Shakespeare referred to crude sex and that the audiences of that time recognized the puns and references. I guess it makes sense, but all of the examples in the later chapters get boring. I'll see if I feel differently the next time I go to a Shakespeare play. (less)
This is a tale of two women from modern India whose live intertwined and parallel existences. The story lays out sadness in many forms for the two wom...moreThis is a tale of two women from modern India whose live intertwined and parallel existences. The story lays out sadness in many forms for the two women. The emphasis is on their victimization, particulary for poor woman, Bhima. It reads quickly and gives a good feeling for daily life in India.
A word of caution: All the main male characters are horrible people. I don't particularly like such broad brush approaches, but it is still a good read. (less)
Loading...
