101 Books to Read Before You Die discussion
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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dickhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I understand why this short science fiction novel is considered a classic. It asks profound questions about what makes someone truly human and what makes humans unique. There is much to ponder in this story.
No Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le Guinhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a collection of short, personal essays originally published as a blog. They range from the joy of eating soft boiled eggs to the misuse of language. As with any collection of this type, I found some more thought-provoking or enjoyable than others. But all captured the author’s intelligence. 3.5 stars
The Illegal by Lawrence Hillwww.goodreads.com/review/show/4549510226
This story condemns anti-immigrant cultural attitudes and policies. It has the feel of a morality tale, the good characters (mostly those of color) are all good, smart and talented; the bad characters (mostly those who are white) are all bad, arrogant and stupid. Although real places and events are included, the primary action takes place in fictional countries, an impoverished tropical island with a brutal dictatorship and an affluent country with a corrupt government and irrational anti-immigrant policies. The scene that brought the plot to a resolution felt as if it had been lifted from a comic book; only the speech bubbles with “bam” and “wham” were missing. The fictional setting with its unnuanced characters put a distance between me and the story that I could never bridge. Although I am very concerned about the plight of immigrants today, I never came to care about those in this novel. 2.5 stars
The Bright Ages by Matthew Gabriele and David Perryhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The authors argue that the medieval period in Europe should not be regarded as a time of cultural stagnation, violence and misery. In short chapters, they survey the many developments of that period: from the rise of Islam to the theological development of Christianity, from female power to intercontinental trade routes, from the influence of the Vikings to growth in architecture. The authors include elements like the Crusades and the Black Death and argue that even these negative parts of this period need to be understood differently. Because the authors cover an enormous amount of material in a relatively few number of pages, nothing is discussed with any depth. Hopefully it leads the reader to further reading on the topics of interest. 3.5 stars
The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthonyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Anthony ran a large game sanctuary in South Africa. This is his account of acquiring a troubled herd of elephants, gaining their trust and building a relationship with them. This story will make most readers fall in love with elephants.
The Next Pope by George Weigelhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The author argues that, because the next pope will be the first who has lived his entire adult life after the Second Vatican Council, his will be a transitional papacy. The author articulates what he believes should be the key priorities of the next papacy: curial reform, a renewed evangelical mission, fostering a deeper and genuine holiness among the laity, etc. Anyone familiar with this prolific conservative Catholic intellectual will be surprised by the thoughts in this book.
A House in Fez by Suzanna Clarkehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An Australian couple made the decision to buy a traditional house in Morocco. They chose a 19th century beautiful house which had fallen into disrepair. This is the account of the restoration of that house. This book gives the reader a glimpse into the culture of this country where modern and traditional occupy the same space, where generous hospitality and greedy cunning are normal behaviors, where inspiring innovation and a shockingly poor work ethic amaze and frustrate. It was wonderful to learn about another culture. But at times, this felt like looking at a friend’s vacation pictures. The views were stunning, but I struggled to sustain interest.
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towleshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In 1954, three 18 year old boys who met at a work camp for juvenile offenders, and the younger brother of one of them, set off on a cross country road trip. Despite their criminal backgrounds, the boys are all good and wise. As the reader journeys with these youths, s/he is taught lovely life lessons. I did not find these characters believable or their adventures credible. This felt like an extension of the book of hero stories that the little brother carries everywhere, a fable or wisdom story meant to edify the reader.
White Thorn Woods by Maeve Binchyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a collection of several dozen character sketches presented in pairs, all connected to the same Irish town. I suspect that the reader who is a “people person”, someone who easily engages in conversation with the stranger in the waiting room or airplane, will enjoy meeting all these characters. But I am the person who always has the earbuds handy, who avoids eye contact so that no one talks to me. After the first dozen or so characters, I could not see the point of meeting any more of them. 2.5 stars
Them by Joyce Carol Oateshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is the story of a dysfunctional family and its dysfunctional members. But they could not be dysfunctional because they had to function, if they could function and isn’t that what they did? I found this novel overwritten, but the literary critics did not. I found the characters selfish and short-sighted, the atmosphere depressing, and the underlying assumptions negative.
The Ghosts of Gold Mountain by Gordon Changhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a look at the contribution of Chinese immigrant laborers in the construction of the western side of the transcontinental railroad. Going through the mountains and deserts, this was the most dangerous and difficult section of the project. Despite their incredible contribution to this historic effort, they were mostly left out of the record.
The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkaufhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Three timelines, one story… In 2000, several members of a family were brutally murdered, leaving the 12 year old daughter to process the trauma. Now, an anxious true crime author, living in a rented farmhouse spends a frightening night in the middle of a snow storm. A mother and child locked in a basement sit somewhere between this past and present story line. I figured out where the story was going well in advance of the ending.
My Michael by Amos Ozhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The narrator of this novel is a young wife and mother in the Jerusalem of the 1950s. She recounts a decade of marriage that has grown increasingly separated, despite both spouses’ good intensions. The word craft is very good, so I am not sure why this left me so cold. I hate to admit my stupidity, but I did not understand the ending.
The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacsonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...?
This is a solid piece of popular science writing. The author takes the reader through the development of gene editing using CRISPR technology, its ethical concerns and public health benefits. This account focuses on Jennifer Doudna, one of the scientists who won the Nobel Prize in 2020 for her ground breaking work in this field. The book culminates with the role CRISPR played in the recent COVID pandemic. 3.5 stars
More by Hakan Gundayhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...?
This novel is nothing like the book jacket description. The narrator is the only son of a man who makes his living by human trafficking in Turkey. At the age of 9, the narrator is initiated into his father’s work. Soon, he is master of the cynical, self-serving, callous, and cruel. Gifted with a keen intellect, he can look back on his life with surprising self-awareness. This is a very dark story, but the writing kept me riveted. The memory of a migrant who died when he was very young prevents the narrator from losing all sense of his humanity. I hope to find more novels by this author translated into English.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedicthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a fictionalized account of Belle da Costa Greene who managed and developed the impressive collection of rare manuscripts and fine art for the library of J.P. Morgan. Greene broke through the gender line, working in a male dominated field while hiding her identity as a “colored” woman in the racially segregated decades of the early 20th century. I thought the novel dragged, maybe just too many times being told the same thing. However, it did make me curious to learn more about this woman.
Orchid Fever by Eric Hansenhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hansen introduces the reader to various features of the contemporary world of orchid enthusiasts. He tastes orchid ice cream in Turkey, sips tea with orchid hobbyists in the U.S., interviews orchid perfumers in Japan, observes orchid contest judges, travels with orchid hunters in Borneo, etc. Each fast moving chapter had a different focus. 3.5 stars
Font of Life by Gary Willshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
St. Ambrose and St. Augustine have long been linked, in large part because it was St. Ambrose who instructed Augustine for his baptism. Wills situates both men in the cultural influences of Milan, explores the evidence for the tension between them, looks at their somewhat conflicting approaches to baptism and discusses where they found mutual support. We are given two men of very different temperaments responding to very different theological crisis, Ambrose to the Arians and Augustine to the Donatists and Pelagians.
Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia by Christina Thompsonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a survey of how Westerners have tried to understand Polynesia. It begins with Cook and other European explorers who first landed on these islands and the impressions they brought back home. From there, it moves forward through Christian missionaries and their anthropological observations, linguists who identified cultural connections, archeologists who attempted to create timelines for human habitation of various islands, navigators and computer programmers who looked for plausible sea routs between islands. This was a fascinating study, well presented.
The Dinner by Herman Kochhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This novel challenges anyone who has accepted Tolstoy’s claim that all happy families are alike. Two brothers and their wives meet for dinner to talk about some issue concerning their children. Although the narrator has nothing good to say about his politically prominent brother and his sense of entitlement, it soon becomes clear that the narrator’s perceptions cannot be trusted. These are highly dysfunctional families whose children have crossed the “at risk” line. If this was not so well written, this would have been a repulsive story of appalling moral degradation. But, like some train wreck, I could not stop looking.
Life and Times of Michael K by J. M. Coetzeehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is not a book I would have picked up on my own. I read it because it was a GR group selection. I struggle to engage with the characters and story lines of novels by Coetzee. Born into poverty with a hare lip, Michael has never felt socially connected. When his mother dies, his final tether is broken. Slowly he disengages with every aspect of living including his own story.
The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is an overview of nearly 3,000 years of history of the geographical region that is currently known as Ukraine. I should have been taking notes because the constant shifting of territorial borders, of ruling peoples, of names for places and the introduction of countless historical figures that I had never heard before left my head spinning.
Cockroaches by Jo Nesbohttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Solid, engaging detective mystery.
Small Memories by Jose Saramago
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The author recounts memories of his childhood. These are not told in chronological order, but rather in a way that gives an impression of a particular time and place.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrisonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a powerful portrayal of the soul crushing impact of systemic racism. By focusing on innocent children, Morrison makes her story even more raw. This definitely deserves all the acclaim it has received. 4.5 stars
Salty Wives, Spirited Mothers and Savvy Widows by F. Scott Spencer
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is an examination of female figures found in the Gospel of Luke through a feminist lens. The author is careful not to impose 21st century sensibilities onto this ancient text. At the same time, he argues that Luke portrays the roles of women in the company and teaching of Jesus as more empowering than might have been found in the larger social context. This is a thorough study employing linguistic research, comparative biblical imagery, anthropological investigations and more.
An Anthology of Saints by William Bauschhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a collection of very short biographical sketches of virtuous people, both canonized saints and those held in high esteem. Although it began with thoughtful reflections on biblical figures, it quickly became a series of simple biographical highlights.
Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levinehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Levine brings the insights of a Jewish Scripture scholar to 8 Gospel parables. She seeks to explain how each would have been heard by a 1st century Palestinian Jew. She dismantles Christian allegorizing of these stories showing how they make presumptions inconsistent with Jewish theology or lived experience. This book opened up new ways of engaging with these familiar stories and offered me new insights into the challenges they present.
One Nation Under Gods by Peter Manseauhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/
This is a history of religious pluralism in the United States. From the ships of Columbus which carried men of Christian, Jewish and Muslim backgrounds to new religious movements that were born and grew within US culture the story of the United States has been a story of tension and tolerance of persecution and cross pollination. The author examines specific religious groups at specific moments in the U.S. history.
Half Life by Jillian Cantorhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Who has not wondered how their life would have turned out had they taken a different path at a significant moment? This novel imagines how Marie Curie’s life would have turned out had she remained in Poland and married the man to whom she was engaged as a young woman. In alternating chapters, both narrated in the first person, her actual life and the imagined other life are unfolded side by side. Although the premise was intriguing, the execution failed to keep my attention. There were no surprises. The writing would have benefited from an editor. How many times did we need to be told that women in Poland could not pursue higher education or that her work meant everything to Marie? Scenes became clichéd: lovers undoing buttons of her dress, people smelling like a combination of 2 things, fingers tracing, etc. If the unnecessary, the repeated, the melodramatic adjectives had been eliminated, this could have been much shorter and significantly better. 2.5 stars
Alligator Candy by David Kushnerhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
When the author was only 4 years old, his older brother rode his bike to the convenience store for candy; he never returned. In time, two men would be convicted of the boy’s murder. The author recounts both the experience of the tragedy as well as its impact on his family and on him through his adult vantage point. This was well written. The author did not try to shock the reader or make a play for sympathy. Instead we met a strong, resilient, hurting family who was carried by their community and their unshakable faith that life is always gift.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. SchwabIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue | Goodreads
As in all Faustian stories, the protagonist makes a deal with the devil, their soul for the chance to escape an aspect of human limitations. In the early 18th century rural France, a young woman desperately wants to be free of the confines of marriage, motherhood and village life. She wants to experience all the wonders that the world has to offer. In granting her this freedom, she loses the ability to be remembered or to leave a lasting mark on anyone or any time. It is an interesting premise. Is a life filled with novelty but devoid of intimacy worthwhile? There were places where the internal logic felt inconsistent. Personally, I wanted a tighter novel, less adventures in the protagonist’s 300 year history, less romantic fluff. But, other readers may find that these helped to connect with the characters.
Feast of crows George RR Martin Mrs Miracle 's Christmas Debbie Macomber Worst case and 20th Victim James Patterson and Envious Lisa Jackson
Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strouthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...?
This is another wonderful collection of interlocking short stories by this award winning author. Strout compassionately introduces the reader to a collection of wounded, struggling, flawed characters connected by their long-ago proximity to Lucy Barton, the narrator of a previous novel. All of these people are past middle age. Few might I gravitate to if I lived in this small Illinois town. Yet, through the sensitive pen of Strout, each of them wormed their way into my heart.
Snowblind by Ragnar Jonassonwww.goodreads.com/review/show/4698331454
Inspired by the work of Agatha Christie, this is a detective story with a closed pool of suspects. The author has potential, but this book had its limitations. For a police procedural, too much time was spent on character back stories and too little time on investigating the crime. The half-naked woman found in the snow did not appear until nearly half way through the novel. A violent home invasion was introduced early in the book, followed in alternating chapters, then dropped completely until the end of the book. There were too many characters whose past was narrated, all of whom were grieving deaths of parents when they were young, of romantic partners, of siblings. Details about characters were repeated needlessly. Dialogue was stilted. Critical information for solving the mystery was deliberately and obviously withheld from the reader while letting the reader know that this information was known to the police. 2.5 stars
The Post Quarantine Church by Thomas Rainer
On Wings of Eagles by Ken FollettIn December 1978, two Americans working for Ross Perot in Iran were jailed and their passports confiscated. Although they were accused of bribery, no charges were actually brought and no evidence existed. When the U.S. embassy, the State Dept., Kissinger and various elected officials did not have the men out of jail in 48 hours, Perot organized a team of private citizens to arrange a jail break and spirit them out of the country. This is written as an adventure story, not as a piece of investigative journalism. Perot and the rescue team are portrayed as classic action movie heroes. We learn nothing about any efforts by government figures to negotiate a release and why they may not have worked. Instead, the reader is given the impression that those with official channels were either incompetent or irresponsible while Perot and his crackpot team were loyal, courageous, ingenious and the ideal of American can-do ethic. Follett wrote a great action story. It was easy to keep the characters and story line straight. The narrative moved steadily. But I would have liked a fuller picture, hearing from other players and exploring the ethical and diplomatic issues raised by this event.
The Abundant Life by Aaron Jacobs
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Once again, I failed the humorous satire test. I understand what the author was trying to do, to poke fun at both liberal and conservative causes, at religious fervor and capitalist ambition, but it just does not strike me as funny. Rather, it sounded like a snarky adolescent who thinks they are far too clever for their own good.
The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann GrauIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Keepers of the House | Goodreads
This outstanding novel explores family honor, racism, social place, identity and much more. Set in the rural segregated southern U.S., we watch an evolving sense of family, belonging, self-understanding in a family of mixed racial identity. The writing is outstanding; in less than 250 pages the reader comes to know 3 generations of this family. The author treats both her characters and reader with respect. The characters surprise us as they defy expectations, yet remain true to themselves. The reader is allowed the freedom to draw their own conclusions about what they are allowed to observe. 4.5 stars
Then She Was Gone by Lisa JewellIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Then She Was Gone | Goodreads
This is an easy to read missing person novel. I appreciate that the author did not throw misleading clues at me or deliberately withhold information known to the narrator. I did not find everything believable, but it was a fun and quick book.
All The Single Ladies by Rebecca Traisterwww.goodreads.com/review/show/4719987692
According to the introductory section of this book, the author’s aim is to present the case that women in the US should be free to choose the single life without social pressure to marry or stigma. Each of the chapters examines a related topic, some more tangentially: 19th & early 20th century misogynous laws, female friendships, invitro-fertilization, contraception and sexual freedom, etc. The author initially believed that she would be single for her lifetime, but fell in love, married and had children in her mid-30s. This parallels the arrangement of the book which promotes being single for a lifetime in the early chapters and shifts to postponing marriage until after a period of adult single life and finally argues for egalitarian marriage. I am surprised that a woman of her generation believes that young American women do not believe that they have the right to be single, either for a period or a lifetime. Using 19th century cultural pieces to argue that young women are coerced into 21st century marriages did not make sense. Comparing unhappy traditional marriages with contented single lives was unfair. One can find happy and unhappy people who married young and who married older, who remained single and who chose non-traditional intimate partnerships.
Carry Her Home by Caroline BockIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Carry Her Home: Stories | Goodreads
This is described as a collection of short autobiographical fiction. Most of the pieces depict a moment in time. Most contain little plot or character development, but rather convey the tone, the feel of that moment. A number felt as if they were writing exercises destine for inclusion in a longer piece of work. Those that had more narrative momentum I found more engaging. The writing was very good. 3.5 stars
Razorblade Tears by S. A. CosbyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Razorblade Tears | Goodreads
When a couple is killed in a shooting, their fathers believe that their sons were deliberately targeted because they were gay or in a mixed racial relationship. Filled with guilt for opposing their union themselves, the fathers have a complete conversion. Both men have done hard time for violent offenses, so when they team up to find and revenge their sons’ murder, a blood bath ensues. When these men are not feeding bodies through wood chippers, they are having heart-felt conversations about the need to love and accept everyone that sounds like a script from a sensitivity seminar. I could not reconcile the contradictions between the tough-talking brutal killers and the lectures on love of neighbor and nonjudgmental acceptance. Watching these two men overpower gangbangers with twice the man power, three times the fire power and half their age was straight out of a superhero cartoon.
In God’s Womb by Edwina GateleyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of In God's Womb: A Spiritual Memoir | Goodreads
This is a very brief autobiography of the founder of an international Catholic missionary movement and of a ministry to women trying to leave prostitution, a spiritual writer and poet, a contemplative and public speaker. Excerpts from the author’s prayer journals and poems punctuate this book. Large type made this 180 page book an extremely fast read.
I Will Send Rain by Rea MeadowsIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of I Will Send Rain | Goodreads
Set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl, this is a story of struggle, loss and the desperate clinging to hope and the belief in new beginnings. The author made me believe in this flawed family and to care about their lives. Despite an abundance of novels set in this era, this story felt fresh and engaging. 3.5 stars
Burmese Lessons by Karen ConnellyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Burmese Lessons: A true love story | Goodreads
Connelly was already a published writer and world traveler with extensive experience in Asia when, in her mid-20s, she visited Burma on a tourist visa seeking material for a new book. Soon she was drawn to the Burmese people and culture, interested in the protests going on and in love with a guerilla fighter. This is her memoir of that period in her life. I appreciated the chance to learn more about life in refugee camps on the Burma-Thai border in the 1990s as well as glimpsing Burmese culture. I could have done without the descriptions of her sexual encounters and orgasms. Her editor should have helped this young writer understand boundaries.
A Colony In A Nation by Christopher HayesIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of A Colony in a Nation | Goodreads
Hayes is not presenting a new argument, although he frames it uniquely. The legal system in the U.S. treats poor, black urban people differently than middle-class, white suburban people. From the disparity in sentencing guidelines for crack and powder cocaine to the stop and frisk policies, from unconscious biases against poor blacks to disproportionate arrests of blacks for minor infractions of the law, Hayes shows how law enforcement sacrifices urban blacks to the quest for order and security on behalf of suburban whites. Hayes compares the experience of poor black Americans to that of 18th century American colonists. The tone was clear, engaging and conversational. Because I agreed with his perception of the inequalities, I found his argument persuasive.
The Tale of Genji by Murasaki ShikibuIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Tale of Genji | Goodreads
This may be the first written novel in any language. It was composed by a member of the empirical court in the late 10th and early 11th century. It was likely produced in installments for the entertainment of the ladies of the household. The story follows a handsome, charismatic member of the empirical family and his multiple romantic pursuits. The final chapters continue this story of romantic conquest and tension with two of Genji’s descendants. At 1,180 pages, this was very long. I could not understand many of the subtleties of the cultural elements and the identity of the characters could be confusing. I am glad I read this for its literary significance, but I did not enjoy it.
Women In Their Beds by Gina Berriaultwww.goodreads.com/review/show/4755849097
This collection of short stories feature mid-20th century Americans, many set in and around San Francisco. The stories focus on the relationships between ordinary people. These were well written, but none wowed me with some profound insight. I doubt I will remember them for long. 3.5 stars
David’s Successors: Kingship in the Old Testament by Garrett Galvin, OFMIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of David's Successors: Kingship in the Old Testament | Goodreads
Five kings of the Hebrew Scripture, 2 from the Northern Kingdom and 3 from the Southern Kingdom, are examined. Portrayals of each in various biblical texts along with archeological evidence is compared to tease out the historical from the theological.
Girl In Ice by Erica Ferencikwww.goodreads.com/review/show/4761425141
Set slightly in the future, this is a thriller with a climate theme. At a remote research station in Greenland, the body of a young girl is found deep in the ice layer. When the body is cut out and thawed, the child comes back to life speaking an unknown language. A renowned linguist travels to the research station to attempt to communicate with the girl. Coincidentally, the twin brother of the linguist recently died under suspicious circumstances at that same research station. It is clear that the sinister scientist and his blindly obedient assistant will be implicated in some nefarious activity and that the anxiety plagued linguist will be the heroine of the story. The reader must be willing to suspend belief and accept the premise of the story. When I did that, I found the plot sufficiently intriguing. The characters were less well created, leaning toward pop fiction tropes.
Henri Nouwen: His Life and Spirit by Kevin BurnsIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Henri Nouwen: His Life and Spirit | Goodreads
This is a very brief biography of the Catholic spiritual writer, Henri Nouwen. The basic outline of his life functions as a scaffold on which the biographer suspends memories, those found in the letters and other documents of the subject and those shared by people who knew him and loved him.
101 Books to Read Before You Die
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Austen (other topics)Madeline Miller (other topics)
Sarah Henning (other topics)
Sarah McCoy (other topics)
Sarah Pekkanen (other topics)
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/upda...
Years of growing tension between A.I.M. and the F.B.I. exploded in a shoot-out in 1975 which left 3 men dead, 2 FBI agents and 1 Indian. The U.S. government tried 4 Indians for these deaths, one man receiving a sentence of 2 life sentences. Mathieson argues that there were numerous irregularities in the investigation and court case, a deliberate and systematic effort by the government to railroad a conviction, a conviction which Mathieson believes was of an innocent man. He traces the roots of this injustice to more than a century of injustice and mistreatment of Indians by the United States. He explores the many ways native peoples continue to be the victims of systemic injustice in the late 20th century. The devastation of the land which Indians hold as sacred is given special attention. This book was controversial when written in the 1980s, facing 8 years of lawsuits. Mathieson gives the reader a detailed account and a well documented argument. I am not familiar with this case, so can not evaluate his claims. But, based on American history, I have every reason to find what he says to be credible and disturbing.