http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/374952 en-US Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:08:48 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 25787472 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:08:48 -0700
author: Bark Editors
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/28/08
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review:

]]> 25786752 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:02:13 -0700
author: Ian McEwan
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.47
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 06/28/08
shelves:
review:
Ehhhhh...
]]> 25786353 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:57:53 -0700
author: Paula Begoun
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/28/08
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review:

]]> 25786203 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:56:30 -0700
author: Barbara Ehrenreich
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/28/08
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review:

]]> 14459186 Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:55:48 -0700
author: Paula Begoun
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 06/28/08
shelves:
review:
I expected a lot more from this book. Basically, I guess I was just disapointed that my fave products received shitty reviews! It just goes to show you that what works for one person may not work for another.
]]> 20515450 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:37:52 -0700
author: Kurt Link
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/17/08
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review:

]]> 20554510 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:37:17 -0700
author: Amy Tan
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 04/19/08
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review:

]]> 20514158 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 06:45:53 -0700
The best part of this book? The stories where people turned away from standard of care medical treatments, used some unregulated "natural product", suffered even worse consequences, and then turned around and cried, "Why didn't the government protect me????????" Wake up and smell the coffee you feeble-minded folk - while the FDA is by no means perfect (we all can think of examples, and the pharma industry is by no means an innocent bystander either) they do try to make sure that treatments are safer than doing nothing at all. If you chose to turn your back on regulated treatments then you have no one to blame but yourself. You don't "trust" any medical professional with advice regarding your health but you trust a person working the counter at a vitamin store????? It blows my mind.

Also, I would like to address the issue of things being "natural". Just because something is "natural" it does not equate to "safe". Radon, anyone? Hemlock? Digitalis? Creosote? The list goes on and on... Bad things occur naturally in nature. And a molecule is a molecule whether it is naturally derived or make in a laboratory. Water coming from the sky or water made in a laboratory - if it is pure your body CAN NOT tell the difference.

With all that being said, there is a reference in this book about the dark side of the pharma industry (The Truth About the Drug Companies - How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It by Marcia Angell, MD, former editor-in-chief of New England Journal of Medicine) and I am highly interested in reading this as well. I think the bottom line is that there is a dark side to almost every entity whose main objective is to make a profit. But to just turn a blind eye towards advancements in medicine and science - just wow. "It's the molecule, stupid."
]]>
author: Dan Hurley
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/19/08
shelves:
review:
Oh, I don't even know where to start. This book was AWESOME. As a science person, I find myself constantly annoyed by pseudo-science like homeopathy and herbalism and the whole anti-medical establishment. This book is excellent at pointing out that not only are these anti-science movements UNPROVEN and in direct conflict with generally accepted laws of physics, biology, and chemistry, but they are also potentially mortally dangerous. As if that wasn't enough, some of the largest supplement/vitamin manufactures are up to their ears in politics and federal regulation of such products. These products aren't unregulated because they are "natural" and "safe" - they are unregulated because manufacturers have deep pockets to lobby policymakers.

The best part of this book? The stories where people turned away from standard of care medical treatments, used some unregulated "natural product", suffered even worse consequences, and then turned around and cried, "Why didn't the government protect me????????" Wake up and smell the coffee you feeble-minded folk - while the FDA is by no means perfect (we all can think of examples, and the pharma industry is by no means an innocent bystander either) they do try to make sure that treatments are safer than doing nothing at all. If you chose to turn your back on regulated treatments then you have no one to blame but yourself. You don't "trust" any medical professional with advice regarding your health but you trust a person working the counter at a vitamin store????? It blows my mind.

Also, I would like to address the issue of things being "natural". Just because something is "natural" it does not equate to "safe". Radon, anyone? Hemlock? Digitalis? Creosote? The list goes on and on... Bad things occur naturally in nature. And a molecule is a molecule whether it is naturally derived or make in a laboratory. Water coming from the sky or water made in a laboratory - if it is pure your body CAN NOT tell the difference.

With all that being said, there is a reference in this book about the dark side of the pharma industry (The Truth About the Drug Companies - How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It by Marcia Angell, MD, former editor-in-chief of New England Journal of Medicine) and I am highly interested in reading this as well. I think the bottom line is that there is a dark side to almost every entity whose main objective is to make a profit. But to just turn a blind eye towards advancements in medicine and science - just wow. "It's the molecule, stupid."

]]> 19553110 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:32:57 -0700
author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1943
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 19553090 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:32:30 -0700
author: Richard Adams
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.20
book published: 1972
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552921 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:28:39 -0700
author: Sidney Sheldon
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.56
book published: 1994
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552675 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:23:15 -0700
author: C.S. Lewis
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.22
book published: 1950
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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]]> 19552604 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:21:50 -0700
author: Harper Lee
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552594 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:21:36 -0700
author: Geoffrey Chaucer
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.52
book published: 1390
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552590 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:21:27 -0700
author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552449 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:18:48 -0700
author: Robert Louis Stevenson
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.60
book published: 1886
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552365 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:17:19 -0700
author: Louisa May Alcott
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1868
rating: 3
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date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552342 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:16:49 -0700
author: Stephen King
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.24
book published: 1984
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552337 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:16:44 -0700
author: Stephen King
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19552325 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:16:19 -0700
author: Judy Blume
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1970
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19551840 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:08:37 -0700
author: Kazuo Ishiguro
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2005
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19551664 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:04:48 -0700
author: Charlotte Brontë
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.97
book published: 1847
rating: 2
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date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19551542 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:02:19 -0700
author: Jane Austen
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1813
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19551524 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:02:02 -0700
author: Maurice Sendak
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19551340 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:57:56 -0700
author: Tracy Chevalier
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.62
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19551298 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:57:26 -0700
author: Joyce Carol Oates
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.35
book published: 1997
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 04/05/08
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review:

]]> 19551134 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:56:22 -0700
author: Margaret Atwood
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1989
rating: 4
read at: 01/96
date added: 04/05/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 11526467 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:02:42 -0800
author: Paulo Coelho
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.80
book published: 0
rating: 5
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/05/08
shelves:
review:
I found this book to be inspirational/motivating without being preachy or pandering towards any one religion. It satisfied an itch that's been under my skin for a awhile...
]]> 16233340 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:34:16 -0800
author: Matt Groening
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.25
book published: 1984
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 02/24/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 16233321 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:33:40 -0800
author: Matt Groening
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2004
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 02/24/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 16232903 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:22:44 -0800
author: Matt Groening
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1988
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 02/24/08
shelves:
review:
Collection of cartoons from te creator of the Simpsons. I don't care for The Simpsons but I love this book!
]]> 14459092 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:45:07 -0800
author: Philippa Gregory
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/21/08
shelves:
review:
I enjoyed this book immensely. I wonder how historically accurate it is. In the Author's Notes she cites a book called The Rise and Fall of Anne Boyelon by Warnicke as a source of information - I think I will try to locate this book.
]]> 7457645 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 09:28:16 -0800
My main problem with the story is that the resolution is too simple for the complex buildup. And, as many have commented, is the relationship between Florentino and Fermina really "love"? Or is it the relationship between Urbino and Fermina? Marquez forces us to think about what love is... Passionate, reckless, and all-consuming? Or understanding, mutual growth, and respect for each other as individuals? Do these states co-exist? Do Florentino and Fermina eventually experience both of these?



Update: After getting into the story, this book literally dissapeared from my house. I can't find it anywhere. Waaaaah! I'm moving it back to "to read" until I find it again.

I swear, I wanted to read this since before Oprah picked it as a book club selection. (I don't particularly care for Oprah and everytime she selects a book that I end up liking I feel sort of dirty and ashamed and have to admit that the woman can pick a book.) I remember when I was in elementary school my friend's mother had a copy of this in the back seat of her car and I thought the title was so romantic. I didn't know, exactly, what cholera was at the time but I just remember knowing it was something bad and the idea of a love that could endure such a bad thing had to be a true love indeed. I can't wait to read this. ]]>
author: Gabriel García Márquez
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1985
rating: 4
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/17/08
shelves:
review:
The story is a little too "hopeless romantic" for me, but the book is beautifully written. I found many of the observations on love, marriage/relationships, obsession, and passion to be right-on. Also, I think I know a real life Florentino Ariza...

My main problem with the story is that the resolution is too simple for the complex buildup. And, as many have commented, is the relationship between Florentino and Fermina really "love"? Or is it the relationship between Urbino and Fermina? Marquez forces us to think about what love is... Passionate, reckless, and all-consuming? Or understanding, mutual growth, and respect for each other as individuals? Do these states co-exist? Do Florentino and Fermina eventually experience both of these?



Update: After getting into the story, this book literally dissapeared from my house. I can't find it anywhere. Waaaaah! I'm moving it back to "to read" until I find it again.

I swear, I wanted to read this since before Oprah picked it as a book club selection. (I don't particularly care for Oprah and everytime she selects a book that I end up liking I feel sort of dirty and ashamed and have to admit that the woman can pick a book.) I remember when I was in elementary school my friend's mother had a copy of this in the back seat of her car and I thought the title was so romantic. I didn't know, exactly, what cholera was at the time but I just remember knowing it was something bad and the idea of a love that could endure such a bad thing had to be a true love indeed. I can't wait to read this.
]]> 11890143 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:18:28 -0800
author: Harvey Karp
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2005
rating: 2
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/27/08
shelves:
review:
Too complicated for my sleep deprived mind to handle right now. The "Baby" version is much simpler...
]]> 13750873 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:16:27 -0800
author: Naomi Wolf
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/27/08
shelves:
review:
It wasn't that this book was bad, it was just a bit extreme to me in some areas. Specifically, while Wolf's opinions on the "medicalization" of pregnancy and birth are shared by many women, I continue to count my lucky stars that such medical interventions exist. I did love how the author continually discounts the "wisdom" of What To Expect When You Are Expecting (see my review if you have any doubt of my feelings). Also, I could strongly relate to the chapter on the unfairness in the division of labor between men and women and the chapter on feeling a loss of your pre-parent self and the grief that can accompany it. In the end the book told me what I already figured out from my first trip through becoming a parent - mothers are made, not born, and while there is unbelievable joy in parenting, it can be one tough rodeo ride and this tough aspect is often glossed over.
]]> 8070779 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:29:04 -0800
author: James W. Loewen
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.11
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/17/08
shelves:
review:
I give this book 4 stars due to the material and content. I feel like the actual writing could have been more engaging...
]]> 12464594 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 05:15:32 -0800
author: Tom Wolfe
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.69
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/14/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 11891453 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:42:01 -0800
author: Steven D. Levitt
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 11891051 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:37:09 -0800
author: Mark Haddon
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 01/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 11889537 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:29:42 -0800
author: Harvey Karp
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/07/08
shelves:
review:
Now I can't say much for the "getting baby to sleep more" promises, but the techniques for soothing the baby and cutting back on crying are excellent. Nothing revolutionary but maybe just the right tone/format for what new parents suffering from sleep deprivation need - no guessing, just straight and easy instructions. Worth my $13. ETA: I usually HATE these types of parenting ass-vice books but this one makes me want to read The Happiest Toddler on the Block...
]]> 11524478 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:07:40 -0800
author: Judy Blume
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 01/03/08
shelves:
review:
Did you ever have a really intense teen friendship/bond with a crazy girl? Ever loved that girl so much that you were crazy too? Then you will definately identify with this Blume book for adults. I would almost categorize this book as fluffy-beach-read material because it is perfect for losing yourself in the characters world and not putting down until you are done, but I like the story too much to classify it as such. Rock on Judy, rock on.
]]> 9209205 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:51:34 -0800
author: David Rieff
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/03/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 10502032 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 08:38:54 -0800
author: George Orwell
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.84
book published: 1945
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 7455412 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:01:47 -0800
author: Margaret Atwood
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2005
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 12/11/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 8070740 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:01:01 -0800
author: Bill Bryson
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 12/11/07
shelves:
review:
I thought this book would be more about about the historical findings and less about the people behind the discoveries. Anyway, it is still informative for science geeks and interesting to learn about the actual people behind Kelvin, Avagadro, Planck, etc.
]]> 9209303 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:57:58 -0800
ETA: Steven DOES love it and always wants me to read it as a bedtime story. I find the illustrations disturbing. ]]>
author: Alvin Schwartz
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.98
book published: 0
rating: 3
read at: 12/07
date added: 12/11/07
shelves:
review:
Steven will love this. He is always asking for scary stories and then telling us they weren't scary enough...

ETA: Steven DOES love it and always wants me to read it as a bedtime story. I find the illustrations disturbing.
]]> 9289762 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:08:00 -0800
author: Heidi Murkoff
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 11/18/07
shelves:
review:
I don't know how the other books in this series seemed to only increase my anxiety/make my blood boil and yet this particular title calmed my concerns and fears. This book was like my bible when my son was small. Maybe I was lucky in having a normal, uncomplicated child? Who knows? But, if like me, you don't know when a baby is supposed to start grasping/sitting/babbling/etc., this book is pretty good at breaking down what is normal. Every month is broken down into what your baby should do, what it might do, and what to call the doctor about if the baby is not doing. And the reference section really helped me. I never knew when to call the doctor - this book breaks it down very well.
]]> 9289506 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:59:08 -0800
author: Heidi Murkoff
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.22
book published: 2005
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 11/18/07
shelves:
review:
Wow. I received this as a "gift". It seemed only to mock my raging morning sickness. Even if I wasn't nauseous all the time, only someone who has no children and doesn't work could have the time to eat this way every single day.
]]> 9288089 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:53:36 -0800
I'm not quite sure how to explain how this book makes me feel other than this analogy - it felt like going to your doctor to ask for the morning-after-pill to only receive a lecture on the dangers of multiple sex partners from the old-school nurse. While sitting on a cold exam table in a paper gown. While nursing a hangover and trying not to throw up.

Anyway, I do give the book two stars because the section "When to Call The Doctor" is a pretty useful and easy to find reference when something freaky is happening and you have lost all common sense and are panicky and don't know what to do. (Similarly, the What To Expect The First Year book has useful references for when you don't know what to do with your out-of-sorts infant. I kinda feel bad slamming this book so hard when the First Year book was my bible whenever my son was sick.) Surely though, other books must have this handy reference too?]]>
author: Heidi Murkoff
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2002
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 11/18/07
shelves:
review:
If you have to read one book on pregnancy, do yourself a favor and pick a different one than What to Expect. If you have lots of time on your hands and want to read several books, go ahead and read this one too. The general tone of this book is alarmist and condescending. Unless, of course, you planned the conception perfectly (Why, you and your partner didn't even take Tylenol while trying to get pregnant!), your diet during pregnancy is a model that the USDA would be proud of, you wouldn't dream of medicating your cold, you exercise daily, your desire to experience unmedicated birth is overwhelming, and you beleive that anything other than wearing your baby 24/7 to promote attachment is akin to child abuse.

I'm not quite sure how to explain how this book makes me feel other than this analogy - it felt like going to your doctor to ask for the morning-after-pill to only receive a lecture on the dangers of multiple sex partners from the old-school nurse. While sitting on a cold exam table in a paper gown. While nursing a hangover and trying not to throw up.

Anyway, I do give the book two stars because the section "When to Call The Doctor" is a pretty useful and easy to find reference when something freaky is happening and you have lost all common sense and are panicky and don't know what to do. (Similarly, the What To Expect The First Year book has useful references for when you don't know what to do with your out-of-sorts infant. I kinda feel bad slamming this book so hard when the First Year book was my bible whenever my son was sick.) Surely though, other books must have this handy reference too?
]]> 9287497 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:17:09 -0800
author: Lise Eliot
name: Ellen
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 11/18/07
shelves:
review:
Interested in neuroscience and the natural course of brain development? Have a small child? Then go for it. The author is able to present scientific information in an interesting and lively way to illustrate the biological and chemical actions of small children's brains. Additionally, this author uses an open, non-judgemental tone to discuss the facts that research has brought to light.
]]> 8226420 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:52:55 -0800
author: James A. Michener
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1959
rating: 5
read at: 11/07
date added: 11/16/07
shelves:
review:
From the geological and natural history to the social, political, and commercial history of the islands, this book was both informative and engaging. I normally am not into books about history but this one managed to keep my attention the whole (very long!) time. I have read reviews that say the characters are very shallow and not explored in depth but I found quite a few characters that I really felt like I knew. The book is also an interesting look at well-intentioned but grossly misguided Christian missionaries and their impact on other societies in the name of "God".
]]> 9189530 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 06:46:06 -0800
author: Pearl S. Buck
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1931
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 11/16/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 7719610 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:38:21 -0800
author: Tom Zoellner
name: Ellen
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 10/07
date added: 11/16/07
shelves:
review:
Anyone who to read and also loves diamonds and gems MUST read this. It will make you feel horribly guilty but you should at least know what you are buying into...
]]> 9144445 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 07:05:17 -0800