Charles Darwin was a great man, who accomplished great things in his life. But as everyone says, behind every great man is a great woman. And that was...moreCharles Darwin was a great man, who accomplished great things in his life. But as everyone says, behind every great man is a great woman. And that was certainly true for Charles Darwin. For him it was his wife, Emma. Charles and Emma tells the story of the two of them and their relationships: to each other, to science and to God. Because see, Emma was very religious. And Charles and everyone knew that the science he was working on would change how people viewed religion and creation. Emma feared for her husband, hoping that his work would not land him in hell. The two truly loved each other, and Heiligman brings that love to life with her conversational writing style and words taken from letters and writings of Charles and Emma themselves. This is a truly unique look at a well-known figure.
I really enjoyed the way the book brought both Emma and Charles to life, and it made you feel like you wanted to know them and be in their lives. And some of the letters they wrote to one another made me want to revive the art of letter-writing. Not that I could do it as well, but it was so romantic. The science behind the book, and Charles's journey to write The Origin of Species, was also really interesting. I'd never read anything about him before, and the way he was so cautious and worried about it was fascinating, as was the race to make sure he was the first to publish his book.
While I didn't like the book as much as I hoped to, I was charmed by it and would recommend it overall.(less)
Tired of her boring secretary job, and frustrated with her baby-making genes, Julie Powell sets out to spice up her life with a unique quest: to make...moreTired of her boring secretary job, and frustrated with her baby-making genes, Julie Powell sets out to spice up her life with a unique quest: to make every receipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volume I in a year.
I think I am just disappointed with memoirs in general lately, though I did find myself enjoying this one more during/after the chapter on lobster. Perhaps my expectations were too high before starting it.
Though this does make me wonder: If I (or if you) were to undertake a unique/book-worthy quest, what would it be??(less)
As a restaurant critic for the New York Times, Reichl can't afford to be recognized. Before she even reaches New York to start her job as restaurant c...moreAs a restaurant critic for the New York Times, Reichl can't afford to be recognized. Before she even reaches New York to start her job as restaurant critic for the New York Times, Reichl learns that the food world there knows all about her -- what she looks like, her tastes, who she dines with, and all about her family life. Hoping to dine at restaurants incognito, Reichl dons a variety of disguises -- and personalities to go with them -- as she eats her way through New York. The only thing better than experiencing food vicariously through Reichl's writing would be eating these meals yourself.(less)
An interesting literary nonfiction look at the Salem Witch Trials.
I learned a lot from this book (there were men witches?), but I found it hard to kee...moreAn interesting literary nonfiction look at the Salem Witch Trials.
I learned a lot from this book (there were men witches?), but I found it hard to keep the cast of characters straight.(less)
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