false 3 42 39 true 6507140 read 1 true 6507139 currently-reading 2 true 6507138 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70083214 to: American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson (Paperback) by Joseph J. Ellis
Only further solidifies my judgment that one simply cannot go wrong with Joseph Ellis. Despite some odd choices in narrative form -- specifically, skipping direct coverage of his time as secretary of state and second term as president -- this is a through, and beautifully-written rendition of an extremely frustrating and elusive character. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77176581 We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism (Hardcover) by John Derbyshire
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72690206 Amanda's review of No Way to Treat a First Lady: A Novel
by Christopher Buckley

Really? I couldn't stop laughing. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74532796 to: No Way to Treat a First Lady: A Novel (Paperback) by Christopher Buckley
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72679453 to: Bridge to Terabithia (Paperback) by Katherine Paterson
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71948972 to: God and the Astronomers (Hardcover) by Robert Jastrow
A fascinating book that has aged both extremely well and extremely poorly.

As a short history of 20th century astronomy, it holds up remarkably well, even after 30 years. Starting with the realization that there are galaxies other than our own at the turn of the century, the book follows the series of discoveries that led to the theory -- and later confirmation of -- the Big Bang, and does so in a very conversational, easy-to-follow way. Jastrow also goes out of his way to humanize the subject by spending a good deal of time on the biographies of some of the scientists involved.

Its philosophical discussion, however, is remarkably outdated; frankly, that's what makes the book so interesting. Jastrow was amazed at how many of his colleagues (especially among those who were atheists) took an instant disliking to the Big Bang. This dislike had little to do with the evidence for the theory; rather, it was based on a philosophical prejudice against a universe that had a definitive First Cause without antecedent. If the universe was created, it follows that there may be a Creator. Jastrow comes to no definitive conclusion, but strongly implies that religion may have the last laugh on the scientists.

What makes this so outdated is that this controversy no longer exists; though some scientists may have resisted the theism-friendly Big Bang initially, none do so now. After examining the evidence (and their biases), they've abandoned their old ideas in favor of the new ones that better explain and predict the Cosmos. Compare that with Creationists who -- 150 years after The Origins of Species -- are still opposing evolution for philosophical, not empirical reasons. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70117520 to: The Grey King (Mass Market Paperback) by Susan Cooper
Okay, now I see what Susan Cooper fans are talking about. This is simply a superb story at every level: the characters, the story-telling, and Cooper's remarkable prose are in top form throughout. This book could not have been better.

I can't help but notice that I enjoyed this and Greenwitch -- the too shortest novels in the series -- far more than I did the others. For some inexplicable reason, I find it takes me an unusual amount of time to read her books; perhaps Cooper is better in smaller doses? ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72231646 Sarah's review of Blood Atonement
by Dan Waddell

Ian McEwan with vampires? Briony Tallis...slayer? ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71949683 to: Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (Paperback) by Joseph J. Ellis
Unquestionably, the most accessible, beautiful, and greatest book ever written about the Founding generation. No other book combines its scope of history with the intimacy of close character analysis. This is a truly brilliant book, and truly changed my life. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71949573 to: The King Must Die: A Novel (Paperback) by Mary Renault
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