Many thanks to Lorna Poplak, Dundurn Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Interesting fact to remembMany thanks to Lorna Poplak, Dundurn Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Interesting fact to remember for Pub Trivia night: between the years 1867 and 1976, when the death penalty was abolished in Canada, 704 people were hanged, and only one for treason.
I love Dundern books. I have a dear friend who is Canadian, and these books give me the opportunity to learn obscure lessons about his country. I can't tell you how many conversations have been sparked by these tomes.
The treason case was a fickle case. It was still raising its head in 1973, almost 100 years later. But his hanging instigated the bill to move all such punishments out of the public eye. And so it goes; hangings either having a direct effect on legislation or culture. The towns would hoist a black flag and ring the church bells every time someone succumbed to the rope. And succumb they did-for murder. Women, too. Women seemed to enjoy murdering their husbands. Almost every case of female hanging is for that. Types of hanging are discussed as well as their after effects. It seems to be an art for the executioner. A few men made it their main profession traveling cross country and being on retainer with the government. Parliament has no intention of reintroducing the death penalty in Canada (I doubt it would be by hanging), but it seems a large portion of the population would support it if it were to happen. Certain heinous crimes spark retribution. Dundern didn't fail me. I had another interesting conversation with my Buddy about his country's philosophy as well as his own belief system. I'm a vengeful person. I believe in the death penalty. An eye for an eye. Poplak's book was an insightful experience. I'd like a book like this about my own country, but I'm afraid it would be quite thick. It just proves Canada is a more docile environment while America is, shall we say, quite fervid? ...more
4.5 stars just not a 5 because I don't think a reread will affect me the same way
Little did I realize that the punk movement started as early as 19684.5 stars just not a 5 because I don't think a reread will affect me the same way
Little did I realize that the punk movement started as early as 1968 with the Velvet Underground and amphetamine usage. Thus begins Please Kill Me, a compilation of interviews with some of the most influential talent in the industry and on the streets through the early 90s. Photos throughout
The book is broken into chapters that follow a timeline that flow through music progression and drug prevalence. I'm seriously surprised more of these people didn't die during the early years, although many were dead by the re authorization. The focus is on American punk, which, unbeknownst to me, is where the movement began, about fifteen years before England. There is a similar book on England's movement, and it is on my to-read list if anyone is interested. In this book only the Sex Pistols are discussed. I am ashamed to say that I've had to create a list of bands with whom I'm not familiar so I can Spotify the music. These bands, except Patti Smith, were men, and were self-destructive. Their behavior was off the charts, but most were extremely artistic. How they attracted so many women in such a decrepit state is beyond me. I guess like attracts like. This read was an absolute revelation. I'll never listen to music the same way. ...more
There is nothing left out of the early history of Canadian settlement. My problem with the book is it deal too much with the minutiae and the "littleThere is nothing left out of the early history of Canadian settlement. My problem with the book is it deal too much with the minutiae and the "little people" and I just couldn't keep up. The book is ssssooooo long. I realized I knew nothing, absolutely nothing about Canada. ...more
I'm listening to this book so I'm not sure how everything is spelled. This first type of love reminds me of the basic level of care at the bottom of tI'm listening to this book so I'm not sure how everything is spelled. This first type of love reminds me of the basic level of care at the bottom of the psychological pyramids that is so often neglected and often leads to such dysfunctional young adults and crime. If an infant doesn't feel secure and isn't nurtured, then he will not grow up feeling compassion for humanity. As for philia I totally agree with his philosophy. I have "friends" and I have friends. I have a group of five sorority sisters that I have known for over twenty years that I talk to every.single.day. No lie. I talk to them more than I do to my daughter, which I'm not sure what that says about my relationships. I also have a few friends that although I don't talk to them often I know they would be there for me if I needed them. Then there is Matt, my favorite. I dont know what I'd do without him, even if he does live thousands of miles away from me. I think the important fact to take away from his discussion of Eros is that it is like a garden. It needs care. It cannot take care of itself. Constant tendering is required for it to thrive. Lastly is the belief in love as a Christian. It's easy to say "god loves me", but does my behavior merit that? And can I say my behavior is the reflection? ...more
Vera is a nonentity. This book is really about Vladimir and how his life was enriched by his wife of 50+ years. The narrative started strong, but onceVera is a nonentity. This book is really about Vladimir and how his life was enriched by his wife of 50+ years. The narrative started strong, but once the family moved to the USA it became quite uninteresting. I'm going to hang in and finish, but honestly i don't care anymore. This is definitely not Cleopatra. 2.5 stars unless one is looking for a testament to a happy marriage
2017 Lenten Buddy Reading Challenge book #23...more
I felt like I was sitting in a social studies class, and it lasted about as long. It did its best to describe the trappings, but nothing stood out toI felt like I was sitting in a social studies class, and it lasted about as long. It did its best to describe the trappings, but nothing stood out to make this a "to-go" book. I read the audiobook; maybe the paper copy would have photos to make it all worthwhile?
2017 Lenten Buddy Reading Challenge book # 19...more
Thank you, Houghton-Mifflin and Elisabeth Duquesne Van Gogh for the opportunity to read this book and offer an unbiased review.
Perhaps there was a gliThank you, Houghton-Mifflin and Elisabeth Duquesne Van Gogh for the opportunity to read this book and offer an unbiased review.
Perhaps there was a glitch in the download? Because all I had was samples of his artwork, which of course are superb. But what I wanted was his sister's memories. I had none of that. I cannot write a review of a book on paintings alone. ...more
A great thank you to Crown Publishing, Damion Searls, and netgalley for sharing a copy of this book for an unbiased review.
It's imperative to note thaA great thank you to Crown Publishing, Damion Searls, and netgalley for sharing a copy of this book for an unbiased review.
It's imperative to note that the Rorschach test is the one psychological test one cannot fail because there are no right or wrong answers, just interpretations. It simply shows the testing entity how one's mind works, how one may perceive what is seen. Its inspiration was a children's game he played growing up in Zurich. Easily seen as a parlor trick, the author reminds us that any guesses outside of therapy do not necessarily lead to unhealthy lifestyles.
The farther along I get, the more compassionate I realize Rorschach was. What a trailblazer! Deriving his training from the talents of Jung, Freud, and Bleurer, Rorschach set out to develop the optimal diagnostic test, a test that leads to lasting therapeutic results. He strove to evaluate his results and publish his results while overseeing the mental health of as many as 320 patients at his hospital. A hard worker, he was also a family man, first supporting his younger brother, sisters and stepmother, then his wife and two children. He was also an accomplished draftsman and woodworker who made most of his children's toys and his apartment's furniture. His death, oh his death! The author played that perfectly. Although I knew it happened (obviously; he was born in the late 1800s) I was in no way prepared, and the shock of losing such a modest, loving man and gifted scientist and doctor felt as fresh as it may have if I had known him. Like a starving artist, the eponymous test reached its popularity after his death. It was introduced in Japan, Russia, England. Australia, and, probably to its greatest fame, the United States. I say great fame, but I could also say controversy. But what about mental health and psychoanalysis isn't controversial? Basically it boiled down to quality vs. quantity and how to test the test. There was nothing else out there like it. The ink blots were used around the world to evaluate not only the neurotic or schizophrenic but also: riflemen; African missionaries; job applicants; children; teachers; delinquents. Really anyone was because results could always be used as a baseline. Test-crazy America was on the cusp of evolving from the cult of personality to one of character. Citizens sought direction through this test and its results. This was the dawning age of advertising, and the perfect environment for the Rorschach with its subjective reactions and projections. When I took my psychology and special education courses in college it was ingrained in me to be certain my results were measurable. This was the test's advantage; it had quantifiable data. And-it could be used by the newest scientists on the block-the anthropologists, opening up to multiple cultures. As the century progressed, the Rorschach inspired pop culture. From movies and parlor games to magazine spreads and cartoons, the ink blots were a ubiquitous symbol of creativity. The book ends with a focus on the revisions made to the original test through the decades as well as its uses and effect on social mores. The only issue I had was each chapter for about 5 read as if it was the last. So I was unnerved to turn the page only to find another chapter. Overall Searls did an amazing job of introducing Hermann Rorschach to the world. It was a personal reselling of his life, and I felt like the author truly cared about his subject. I could also tell he took his time researching the various editions of the test, the many groups evaluated, and the results generated. Great job!
2017 Lenten Buddy Reading Challenge book #13...more
I have a fascination with the Lost Generation (see my shelves). This was the perfect addition. Book tells the story of Hemingway's friendships and wriI have a fascination with the Lost Generation (see my shelves). This was the perfect addition. Book tells the story of Hemingway's friendships and writing processes throughout his early to mid career. Very informative I've never found him that enthralling, but my interest is piqued. The author does a splendid job of telling tales. ...more
The difference between this book and others about the Romanovs are the little vignettes between chapters in voices of the people suffering under a CzaThe difference between this book and others about the Romanovs are the little vignettes between chapters in voices of the people suffering under a Czarist regime.
I still recommend Massie for anything Russia. No point in reading anyone but him. He's much more knowledge. ...more
This was devastating, absolutely tragic. What the Chinese and POWs went through during WWII by the hands of the Japanese is worse than the Nazi regimeThis was devastating, absolutely tragic. What the Chinese and POWs went through during WWII by the hands of the Japanese is worse than the Nazi regime terror. I can't talk about this....more
I went into this believing I had a well-grounded understanding of Prussian history and a basis of the Hitler regime. Ummm this book is everything I doI went into this believing I had a well-grounded understanding of Prussian history and a basis of the Hitler regime. Ummm this book is everything I don't know. I feel way over my head. There are so many layers to peel like some history-containing onion. Shirer wrote an entire college course worth of information. I regret that I will not retain it all. An impressive collection of memories and experience, we should feel so privileged to have this thorough documentation of one of the most horrific eras in modern history to remind us how easily a society can fall prey to manipulation when it believes all hope is lost and all value is expended. I was startled to find that the experiments discussed in a previous read, Doctors in Hell, were spot on. All of them are delved into more deeply on this book. The horror takes on greater proportion when one hears it in audiobook format....more
Heavy reading but well worth it. Unbelievably well researched none of the myth of this great house Family trees and fantastic photos Each chapter begiHeavy reading but well worth it. Unbelievably well researched none of the myth of this great house Family trees and fantastic photos Each chapter begins with a "cast of characters" which primes the reader for whom to expect to read about keeps the timeline straight as well as who is related Explores beginning links to other royal families, the construction of palaces, formation of armies. Torture, espionage, murder, intrigue, war, sex I thought at first to write quick synopses of each section, but this review would have been entirely too long. Each Tsar's reign was so eventful, so much violence and drama. I'm buying this book
2017 Lenten nonfiction Buddy Reading Challenge book #31...more
The antithesis of Gibbon. A tad too dry for me. I like my history a bit more florid to hold my continuing interOh my god so much history I can't focus
The antithesis of Gibbon. A tad too dry for me. I like my history a bit more florid to hold my continuing interest, but I'm not certain how the Roman Empire would relate in a looser narrative. ...more
Alas, this is an audiobook for me because I just want to hug it to my chest and close my eyes repeatedly. Such sage advice, such interesting facts. ItAlas, this is an audiobook for me because I just want to hug it to my chest and close my eyes repeatedly. Such sage advice, such interesting facts. It makes me want to read the trilogy for the fourth time ...more
I have barely scratched the surface and I'm realizing just how much I never learned about this war. The pictures are either awe inspiring or completelI have barely scratched the surface and I'm realizing just how much I never learned about this war. The pictures are either awe inspiring or completely repulsive. I thank my daddy for lending me this book.
General MacArthur is a f@$-&'! Idiot. That is all....more
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