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May 28
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Linda
gave  to:
In the King's Service: A Novel of the Deryni (Paperback)
by
Katherine Kurtz
bookshelves:
fantasy,
fiction
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my rating:
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read in May, 2009
Linda said:
"I went back to read this first book in the series and though Kurtz still isn't shy about killing her characters off in creative ways, I can't quite connect with this series the way I used to. Though entertaining, it almost feels like she's going thro...more
I went back to read this first book in the series and though Kurtz still isn't shy about killing her characters off in creative ways, I can't quite connect with this series the way I used to. Though entertaining, it almost feels like she's going through the motions in filling in the history between the Camber books and Kelson. Worth reading for fans, but not as compelling as the earlier works were.(less)
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April 27
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Linda
gave to:
The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Enquiry into the Salem Witch Trials (Paperback)
by
Marion L. Starkey
bookshelves:
nonfiction
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my rating:
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read in April, 2009
Linda said:
"I started doing some genealogy research recently and that I have ancestors that were from Salem Village in Massachusetts and may, possible be descended from a woman who was hanged as a witch. I still have a fair amount of research to prove that, but ...more
I started doing some genealogy research recently and that I have ancestors that were from Salem Village in Massachusetts and may, possible be descended from a woman who was hanged as a witch. I still have a fair amount of research to prove that, but the possibility got me interested in learning more about the trials and what happened.
Starkey's book is a pretty quick overview of the events though he doesn't limit himself to pure history and tries to "get inside the people's heads." He also claims he doesn't want to judge the actions of the people but that doesn't seem to stop him from judging the people themselves. Many of his adjectives are laden with judgement. In my opinion, that's the books biggest fault, but leaving that aside, he provides the most detailed descriptions of the events I've read before.
A part of me can't believe that such a thing could happen but it did and, even today, events not all that different continue to happen today. The "witches" may be different but the persecution for imagined sins and actions isn't. The book is worth reading just for that.
I had expected to find that Salem Village was an isolated, superstitious place where actions like this could happen. But, it involved a large chunk of the Massachusetts colony and some of the colony's most prestigious scholars. Many theories have been advanced to explain the "afflictions," but I don't think any physical explanation, like wheat mold, can really explain a phenomenon that lasted for months and covered and such a large area.
Dozens of people were arrested and tried without a shred of physical evidence and many of them were hanged. One spent the remainder of her life in prison because she could not pay her prison debt though she was found not guilty once "spectral evidence" was ruled inadmissible. While some were arguable not particularly nice or good people, their crimes, if any, did not warrant the charges or punishments. Most were wholly innocent and many were pillars of the community.
We've repeated some form of this again and again, whether it was the Japanese interment camps of World War II or the jailing of people with no trials after 9/11. Mass hysteria, particularly for those with power, is a remarkably dangerous thing for those who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
(less)
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April 08
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Linda
gave to:
Genealogical Proof Standard: Building a Solid Case (Paperback)
by
Christine Rose
bookshelves:
nonfiction
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my rating:
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read in April, 2009
Linda said:
"This slim book describes the "Genealoical Proof System", essentially the methods that one uses to judge when sources don't agree and direct, primary evidence doesn't exist. It's pretty straightforward stuff and nothing was really surprising...more
This slim book describes the "Genealoical Proof System", essentially the methods that one uses to judge when sources don't agree and direct, primary evidence doesn't exist. It's pretty straightforward stuff and nothing was really surprising so I was surprised to see the book so highly rated on amazon. While useful, it wasn't saying anything that any person who can apply simple logic would choose. Then again, perhaps that group of people is smaller than I think. :) (less)
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April 05
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Linda
gave to:
How to Do Everything with Your Genealogy (Paperback)
by
George G. Morgan
bookshelves:
nonfiction
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my rating:
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read in April, 2009
Linda said:
"I've recently become interested in doing some research into my family history. Until a month ago, I didn't know the names of m great grandparents, much less any earlier ancestors. I decided I wanted to do some research and used this book as a means t...more
I've recently become interested in doing some research into my family history. Until a month ago, I didn't know the names of m great grandparents, much less any earlier ancestors. I decided I wanted to do some research and used this book as a means to that end.
Despite the grandiose title, it is a reasonable introduction into researching one's family tree It covers a fairly wide breadth though not too much in depth. Useful for beginners like me but probably not for anyone with any experience.(less)
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March 26
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Linda
gave to:
Wild Cards: Inside Straight (Wild Cards, Book 18)
by
George R.R. Martin (Author / Editor)
bookshelves:
fantasy,
fiction
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my rating:
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read in March, 2009
Linda said:
"I've been reading the Wild Car series since the first book, way back when. It's one of those shared universe types of series where authors get their own characters and can use, but not abuse the other authors' characters. Some are sets of unrelated s...more
I've been reading the Wild Car series since the first book, way back when. It's one of those shared universe types of series where authors get their own characters and can use, but not abuse the other authors' characters. Some are sets of unrelated short stories. Others, like this one, tell a tell, but with each author telling it from her character's perspective.
This probably isn't the sort of series you can pick up in the middle and easily catch up on the backstory, but this one, mostly, deals with new characters. Seeing Wild Cards updated for the internet age made an interesting read. (less)
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March 10
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Linda
gave to:
Childe Morgan (Paperback)
by
Katherine Kurtz
bookshelves:
fantasy,
fiction
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my rating:
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read in March, 2009
Linda said:
"I've been a big fan of Kurt'z Deryni novels since I was in high school and a friend of mine turned me on to them. I haven't read one in many years so I was looking forward to this one. Though I enjoyed it, I was a bit disappointed. Perhaps because so...more
I've been a big fan of Kurt'z Deryni novels since I was in high school and a friend of mine turned me on to them. I haven't read one in many years so I was looking forward to this one. Though I enjoyed it, I was a bit disappointed. Perhaps because so much time had gone by and I had lost some of the details of the other books or perhaps it really just was a tad slow.
Still, a mediocre Kurtz is better than most and it was a pleasure to return to Gwynedd and immerse myself in the detailed universe she has created.(less)
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March 01
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Linda
gave  to:
1632 (Assiti Shards, #1)
by
Eric Flint
bookshelves:
fiction,
science-fiction
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my rating:
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read in March, 2009
Linda said:
"What an interesting idea! What a disappointing realization.
The idea behind the book immediately intrigued me when I read the back cover. Through some unknown phenomena, the town of Grantville, West Virginia and it's surroundings are trans...more
What an interesting idea! What a disappointing realization.
The idea behind the book immediately intrigued me when I read the back cover. Through some unknown phenomena, the town of Grantville, West Virginia and it's surroundings are transported back in time to 1632 in Germany.
How would the 20th century Americans cope? How would the 17th century Germans react? What sort of alternative history would result?
Unfortunately, for me, not one that was very compelling. The characters all felt one dimensional. The Americans hit the ground running with barely a moment to catch their breaths and set out making their collective and remarkably unified presence felt in a Germany caught up in the Thirty Years War.
The book is full of interesting history but the characters just never felt real to me and ultimately caused me to be unable to suspend disbelief.
(less)
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February 18
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February 17
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Linda
gave  to:
Professional Techniques for the Wedding Photographer: A Complete Guide to Lighting, Posing and Taking Photographs That Sell (Photography for All Levels: Advanced)
by
George Schaub
bookshelves:
nonfiction,
photography
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my rating:
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read in January, 2009
Linda said:
"I was asked to take photos at a wedding so I figured I should know something about the subject of wedding photography. This book was a decent introduction, though it basically just went through the wedding photography formula.
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January 19
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Linda
gave to:
Under the Tuscan Sun (Paperback)
by
Frances Mayes
bookshelves:
nonfiction
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my rating:
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read in January, 2009
Linda said:
"I caught the movie version of this a few years ago on HBO and was captivated by it. I finally got around to reading the book that inspired the movie and it was a very interesting read. I say "inspired" because the movie is a highly fictiona...more
I caught the movie version of this a few years ago on HBO and was captivated by it. I finally got around to reading the book that inspired the movie and it was a very interesting read. I say "inspired" because the movie is a highly fictionalized account that uses the book as a starting point and them creates a story.
The book lacks a real plot, but it doesn't need one. It's her experiences of restoring and living in the house in Tuscany and she makes me feel like I was there. Her love of the house, food and Italy shine through and easily took me on the journey with her.
Definitely worth reading.(less)
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