One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the quality of the characters. Though they had their flaws, these characters do not fit in ster...moreOne of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the quality of the characters. Though they had their flaws, these characters do not fit in stereotypes. Though Esperanza is rich, and can be a bit spoiled at times, the book also shows the tragedy in her inexperience and the embarrassment she goes through for being so privileged. She doesn't have a rotten heart. Rather, she is very realistic in that she has multiple sides. Despite the hardship, anger and bitterness was frowned upon. These characters thrived on love, even through their oppression and hardship.
The book doesn't really take sides and point fingers. Rather it demonstrates that almost everyone involved had to do what they had to take care of their families and each other, whether they had to keep working through strikes or whether they were out there on the picket lines. Sure, there are villains in this book, but those people are not the focus. Somehow this book weaves all those threads together and teaches an important lesson about thankfulness and richness of the heart over physical riches. (less)
Let's see. I don't like this book much. Did it teach me the events and the important stuff? Yes. In that it served its purpose.
However, it's so busy...moreLet's see. I don't like this book much. Did it teach me the events and the important stuff? Yes. In that it served its purpose.
However, it's so busy selling the message of cultural acceptance and blending that it doesn't go very far into the consequences of what happens when it doesn't happen. It somehow loses its message and value because it harps on cultural blending so much. That's the first half of the book. It actually goes into positive aspects of invasions in that it blended the invading culture and the culture of the invaded peoples.
However, this aaaalll changes in the second half as soon as we get into the age of exploration. It gets more into the wiping out of certain cultures like the Native Americans. Mind you, things certainly were different in the modern age, but it changes the tone of its writing. I think the second half is far more judicious and careful to make evaluations. It almost feels like there was a second author.
Anyway, it's a high school book. It wouldn't have been my first pick.(less)
I read this book as part of a Western Civilization class. Overall, I found it a quick, intelligent read that shouldn't take too long to sift through....moreI read this book as part of a Western Civilization class. Overall, I found it a quick, intelligent read that shouldn't take too long to sift through. The arguments are clear, albeit a bit tedious at times, and there are plenty of excerpts to get an idea of the subject matter.
However, Hamilton makes broad, sweeping assumptions of the Roman based on the writings of only a handful of writers. After all, I'm sure if 2 people were chosen to represent our period of life as Americans and our daily lives, as she chooses with Plautus and Terence, we'd probably have several reservations on those chosen to represent us.
Yet, her arguments do not lose complete substance. She also analyzes the reactions and trends to those writings, and in that, I think there is greater value. A picture of the people is not as well seen in the piece of writing itself, but in how that writing is recieved. I'm sure we've all been to a movie, where we walked out and wondered what on earth it was that the movie-makers were thinking. (The 2nd and 3rd Matrix movies might be a good example - but I digress.)
In Chapters IV-VI we gain a better picture of Cicero than we do of the Roman people. She goes through the trends of writing with a few other authors, and playwrights.
The best achievement in this work, had to have been her picture of the Roman woman, the Roman slave, and the Games. These pictures she seems to broaden her focus. I found her reasoning easy to follow
I still feel that when Edith Hamilton limited herself to a mere analysis of Roman literature, she may have given herself a case of tunnel vision. There is so much more to a society beyond the written word, after all.
This book was alright. The author knows his stuff and he's very informative. Most of his conclusions are reasonable, and he provides a fresh look at h...moreThis book was alright. The author knows his stuff and he's very informative. Most of his conclusions are reasonable, and he provides a fresh look at history that his contemporaries have not accounted for.
However, I hold several reservations concerning his guesswork where information was lacking. McNeill readily admits that he's working with limited sources and most of his conclusions are fine, but there are times when I don't agree with his logic. There's also some outdated concepts within his arguments - natural for a book published in 1976, such as the talk about the parallel evolution of man.
McNeill often gives the course of disease a little too much credit in the course of human history. Microparasite (disease vs. humans) and Macroparasitic (Man vs. Man or animals vs. man) are not the sole motivations in human behavior. Things don't happen that mechanically.
Finally, I had a lot of difficulty with the redundancy and verbose dialog. It wasn't difficult, just excessive.
Eh. It gets a 2-star from me for the last part. Not quite a 3. Still, although it's not a light read, it's an educational one. Worth a look. (less)
I read this back in high school for my AP English class. Yeesh. Where do I begin? I was first attracted to it as a blessedly upfront dialogue with gri...moreI read this back in high school for my AP English class. Yeesh. Where do I begin? I was first attracted to it as a blessedly upfront dialogue with gritty language after abandoning David Copperfield in disgust. What do you know? He makes a funny little reference against the Charles Dickens monstrocity in the first few sentences. That almost gets Salinger one more star from me on principal.
However, I can't say that the interest stuck. This book is the epitome of depression-filled, angsty gobblety-gook that high schools shove down teenagers throats in an effort to make them think deep thoughts - or to attempt to relate to them somehow. It's true that there were many times that I felt depressed and alienated in high school. Somehow reading about it in literature did nothing for any sort of need for me. Maybe it does for some people, but I think it was bad enough dealing with it in reality than reading some dismal thing and exploring its dark depths of depravity.
I really don't know why they advertise such emotionally unstable stuff to a group of people with raging hormones anyway. I'm not saying to ban it. People should be able to read what they want. I just don't think it should be required reading. It seems to be fuel for more depression.
I mean this in sardonic facetiousness: it's not the swearing dialogue, or the character's behavior that makes it so inappropriate. It's the fact that one might want to slash their wrists after this read. We always talked about how we're supposed to talk about and reflect how literature affects us in school. Then we wonder why a huge percentage of people are pumped up on prozac and other happy pills. :P(less)
Wow, it's been forever since I first read this - or heard it rather. Back when I was in fourth grade, this story was a real treat. I loved the odd cha...moreWow, it's been forever since I first read this - or heard it rather. Back when I was in fourth grade, this story was a real treat. I loved the odd characters and their funny names like Bullwhip, Jamocha Jack, and plenty of others. Recently I convinced my mother, who teaches fourth grade, to read this as well. I hope that the class likes it as much as I did. (less)
I don't know if I can say that anyone can like reading this book. It's such a painful thing to hear this one story that matches the fate of so many. S...moreI don't know if I can say that anyone can like reading this book. It's such a painful thing to hear this one story that matches the fate of so many. Six million people were exterminated during the Holocaust. Yet, however difficult and tragic this is, it's something that everyone should read.
We are all faced to ask questions like "How could God allow this to happen?" and find our own answers. Elie had difficulty with his own. Yet, I must ask myself as well, "How could a society, or a military, or people do this to each other?" Man has great potential for evil, and this book demonstrates the results of that horrendous time. Why? Religion? Race?
May ignorance, suspicion, hate and pompous superiority never lead mankind to this level again. I hope that is not being optimistic. (less)
Mayflower is a incredible retelling of a story we've all heard of before. As Philbrick points out, we've grown up with two opposing tales: the story a...moreMayflower is a incredible retelling of a story we've all heard of before. As Philbrick points out, we've grown up with two opposing tales: the story about the religiously oppressed pilgrims befriending the indians and then the tale of the evil white man that smashed the poor innocent indians into submission. Although there is much truth in both tales, Philbrick adds depth and perspective to the Pilgrims' journey and their hardships in the New World.
Philbrick also covers a lesser known, yet extremely vital piece of American history - King Philip's War.
Although a History book, this story often reads as a novel, but is based on both first hand written accounts and historians both of the time and after.
If you have an interest in this story and period of time, I highly recommend this read!(less)
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