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HELGA'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2017
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Bentley wrote: "18 also has the same issue"I am sorry about that. I corrected them both.
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49.
by
Maya AngelouFinish date: July 16,2017
Genre: Autobiography
Rating: A
Review: I listened to this book while traveling this weekend. I love to hear Maya Angelou read her books. Her voice is comforting and full of meaning. She dedicates this book to the daughter she never had. She writes about life’s lessons and shows her gratitude. She describes her life when she was brought up by her grandmother in segregated Arkansas. The messages in this book are about grief, joy, life lessons and are filled with wisdom and faith. She despised vulgarity and encouraged humility and simplicity.
She reads her poetry as it is meant to be read. And stated, "I came to understand that I can never forget where I came from. My soul should always look back and wonder at the mountains I had climbed and the rivers I had forged and the challenges which still await down the road. I am strengthened by that knowledge.”
Her final chapter was especially meaningful where she stated: ”Whenever I began to question whether God exists, I looked up to the sky and surely there, right there, between the sun and moon, stands my grandmother, singing a long meter hymn, a song somewhere between a moan and a lullaby and I know faith is the evidence of things unseen.”
I recommend this book.
50.
by
Neil deGrasse TysonFinish date: July 16,2017
Genre: Science, astrophysics
Rating: A+
Review: I love reading this sort of thing immensely. Tyson is an American astrophysicist and cosmologist who has been the director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York since 1996. In this book he succinctly describes the nature of time and space, and how did the universe begin. In these 12 essays his topics also include the origin of the chemical elements (especially interesting to me as a Chemist though he wonders why the general public is afraid of chemicals), the shape of astronomical bodies and the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. He also makes memorable quotes from Shakespeare, The Bible and a poem by Albert Einstein and makes modern-day allusions to Star Trek.
I found this book to be immensely interesting and not difficult to read.
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.
We are part of this universe; we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts, is that the universe is in us.
I just came across this recently and am glad to see that you liked it. Good enough for me. It's going on the list!
I liked it. It wasn't too long or complex but a fascinating topic.
He's so good at what he does and explains things so well.
And it means even more to me right now to read his book because my area is going to be a very good location for the total solar eclipse on Aug 21 with 2min and 30 sec of totality. I am ready with my eclipse glasses and all. It will be exciting.
Ours, too, here in GA but apparently not as good as my daughter who lives in KY. She says it will be nearly perfect there.
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Thanks Lorna. I think we do read many of the same books.
51.
by
Oscar WildeFinish date: July 18, 2017
Genre: classic, short stories
Rating: B
Review: This is the 2nd collection of short stories by Wilde. This is a collection of fairy tales which includes “The Young King”, ”The Fisherman and his Soul” “The Star-Child” among others. They can be read to children but are intended for adults due to their sardonic nature. Each tale has an underlying morality to tell. I really like the writings of Oscar Wilde.
52.
by
Oliver SacksFinish date: July 18, 2017
Genre: memoir, essays
Rating: A
Review: I became interested in this author after reading his autobiography and articles he wrote for The New York Times. This is a book of essays with a reflection on life and death. They are heart-warming stories he wrote during the last month of his life after he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. He was a neurologist for almost 50 years. These stories were a collection that he told in interviews. These stories are chronological. In “Mercury” he describes his love of elements and atomic numbers of the Periodic Table. He states that at 79, I am gold. (The chemical element is Au79), Mercury is Hg80. He received a “little lead casket” that is on his desk for his 82nd birthday (Pb82). He stated that he felt sure that he would miss the murderously radioactive 84th polonium (Po84). He did since he died at 82. In his essay “Sabbath”, he recalls growing up in a close knit orthodox Jewish home and the rituals of Shabbos: “Kiddush accompanied by sweet red wine and honey cakes”. He ends with a hope that the “seventh day of one’s life” will bring longed for peace and rest.
“My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and I have given something in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”
—Oliver Sacks
53.
by
Matthew DesmondFinish date: July 20,2017
Genre: Nonfiction Pulitzer, sociology
Rating: B
Review: This was the winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Matthew Desmond, a Harvard sociologist follows eight families in Milwaukee who struggle daily to keep a roof over their heads. He gives insight into poor people’s lives in a very gripping way. He wrote about the landlords and the tenants. He relates the views of both. The landlords make large profits by renting to the downtrodden. In most cases the rental properties are shabby and run down and not maintained so they can make a lot of money from them and the rent goes up astronomically. Meanwhile, the incomes have stayed the same or declined so one out of three families spent 70% of their income on housing and are one crisis away from being evicted. The impediments of being evicted on one’s emotions, financial, and physical states are immense. Once they are evicted, finding any kind of housing becomes extremely difficult. Many completely lose hope. It becomes an unending battle each and every day to just survive. However, when people have a place to live, they become better parents, workers, and citizens.
We see opposing interests, as Desmond says, “There are two freedoms at odds with each other: the freedom to profit from rents and the freedom to live in safe and affordable housing.” He says expanding our housing voucher programs would allow all low-income families to benefit from it. But the problem with this is that it would give some housing protection to the poor but it would be subsidized by the state and would not bring down the increasing rents. In many cases, it would go up and cost the taxpayer.
This was an eye opening book. It was at times difficult to read because of the appalling conditions of the people and their lives and the subject matter as a whole. I recommend this book to those who want to understand the grinding poverty that affects families in some of our cities.
54.
by
Maya AngelouFinish date: July 21,2017
Genre: Poetry
Rating: A-
Review: This is a collection of timely poems by Maya Angelou that shows her grace, dignity and eloquence. Several have become iconic like the inspiring ”On the Pulse of Morning” read at Clinton’s 1993 inauguration, and “Amazing Peace,” presented at the National Christmas Tree lighting at the White House and “A Brave and Startling Truth,” which was read at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. Her last poem in this collection, “A Prayer for Peace” really resonated.
55.
by
Charles Krauthammerfinish date: July 26, 2017
Genre: Non-fiction, politics, essays
Rating: A
Review: Krauthammer, a Pulitzer Prize winning syndicated columnist has always been an honest commentator. Since the last election I have been especially interested in reading his opinions on politics and government. They have been especially insightful on the Trump Presidency which as a conservative he has been very critical. In this book he writes about things that matter with his highly independent mind on views of feminism, evolution and the death penalty which defy ideological convention. His essays include views on bioethics, on Jewish destiny and on America’s role as a superpower that has influenced our politics pre-Trump. He says that things that will matter 20-30 years from now deal with the cosmic questions of origin and meaning, the great achievements of science and art and great mysteries of creation and consciousness. On what he would like for the Federal Government to do, his 3 priorities are to abolish the income tax and replace it with a clean consumption tax, get out of race relations and return the country to the colorblind vision of Martin Luther King and to kill the penny which he finds useless.
I think that readers off all political persuasions will find this book to be thought-provoking and worthwhile. I definitely liked it better than I thought I would.
56.
by
Donna LeonFinish date: July 28, 2017
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B-
Review: This is a Commisario Brunetti mystery. A body is found in the Venetian Canal and Brunetti becomes involved in finding out that he is an American that works at the army base nearby. The descriptions of Venice and the food make you want to be there. The investigation leads to an inside job and we see the country’s immigration views, corruption and pollution. It has a well-conceived plot. It was good but not her best.
Helga wrote: "56.by Donna LeonFinish date: July 28, 2017
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B-
Review: This is a Commisario Brunetti ..."
You gave it a little higher rating than I did however I really did enjoy the Commissario's personality. I really didn't understand the smaller plot involving the priest, though. I didn't understand why that was included.
Helga wrote: "54.by Maya AngelouFinish date: July 21,2017
Genre: Poetry
Rating: A-
Review: This is a colle..."
I don't read much poetry but should pick this up. Love Maya Angelou, and was thoroughly enchanted by her reading of "On The Pulse Of The Morning" at the Clinton inauguration.
Alisa wrote: "Helga wrote: "54.by Maya AngelouFinish date: July 21,2017
Genre: Poetry
Rating: A-
Review: T..."I don't read too much either but this one was short book and I listened to her read them and read along. it was more meaningful that way.
Skeetor wrote: "Helga wrote: "56.by Donna LeonFinish date: July 28, 2017
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B-
Review: This is a Commis..." I debated about that too but I do like how she portrays Brunetti, his family and the descriptons of the surroundomgs.
57.
by
Sue GraftonFinish date: July 31, 2017
Genre: Mystery,crime
Rating: B-
Review: This is a Kinsey Millhone crime mystery in the series. It was long due to the interrelated stories about two dead men that changed the course of her life. W is for wanderer, worthless, wronged and wasted. The first was a local PI with a suspect past that was gunned down and was made to look like a robbery. The second man was a homeless man who had no identification but had Kinsey’s name on a slip of paper in his pocket. They did not die of natural causes so Kinsey digs deep to find the mystery of their deaths. This story explored the homeless and their plight and explored addiction medicine and scientific fraud. She folded pharmacological research and crime together for an interesting mystery. It was good but she has written better.
AUGUST 58.
by Susan Worwood (no Photo)Finish date: August 1, 2017
Genre: Non-fiction, Health
Rating: A
Review: This is a great book to have if you want to learn about essential oils. This is a comprehensive guide to aromatherapy and the essential oils are organized into alphabetical listings providing their profiles, applications and physical conditions that warrant their uses.
Essential oils have been around for centuries. They have been used for natural remedies to help heal skin conditions, alleviate pain and help relax the body and soothe sore muscles. Essential oils are concentrated plant essences and are called “oils” but most are watery a few are viscous and some are solid. They are characterized by their aromas, hence “aromatherapy”.
I have found it invaluable in combining different essential oils to use in a diffuser. During the Christmas holidays it’s nice to use a blend of oils consisting of cinnamon, clove, sweet orange, vanilla, pine, spruce, fir balsam and geranium and put a few drops into a diffuser. This disperses into the air and leaves a wonderful aroma in the room. It helps put moisture into a room as well. I also like to use a blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, cypress and bay to help breathing for respiratory issues and especially for colds. I love to use a blend of grapefruit, orange, tangerine, lemon and spearmint anytime. It is so invigorating.
Essential oils are also good for applying to the temples and other areas in diluted forms with a carrier oil like almond oil especially lavender oil and peppermint oil to help with a headache. For many years, I have been using tea tree oil in shampoos and for cleaning and always have some around for first aid. There are so many medical uses for essential oils. This book explains many uses for them and is a very useful guide. It does not mention how to extract them and make them that will require a different kind of book. It is a very good resource for those becoming interested with essential oils.
59.
by
Bill BrowderFinish date: August 5, 2017
Genre: Biography, Politics, Russia
Rating: A
Review: This was a really interesting story about high finance in Russia and how it lead to murder and justice for Bill Browder.
Bill Browder decided as a young man just out of Stanford business school and working on Wall Street to form his own hedge fund company, Hermitage Capital. He decided to invest in underpriced assets and chose to invest in Russia. His grandmother was Russian. The fund produced high returns and before it was completely destroyed by corrupt Russian officials he moved his investor’s funds out of the country without substantial loss after the Russian bond default in 1998 had dropped the fund by 90%.
After the fall of communism in Russia, the government under Yeltsin wanted to create a capitalist state that would replace the centralized communist economy. To do so, they had to privatize all assets of the communist state in a vast fire sale. Many companies were sold for a fraction of their value. This gave rise to the Oligarchs who built multi-billion dollar fortunes.
People in the government and those with connections were stripping away assets and stealing them. This is what they did with the corporate rights though empty of funds with the Hermitage Fund. So during Browder’s time in Russia, he exposed the corruption and he and many of his people left the country. But his tax attorney, Sergei Magnitsky , decided to stay and fight for what he believed was right. He was captured and ended up in jail and was denied medical care and was tortured and killed. This changed Browder’s life forever as he became an activist for human rights and sought justice for Magnitsky. He had renounced his US citizenship maybe because he had married a British woman (later divorced) and had a son, but it was the US that he sought help from and it was the US with the help of Democrat Ben Cardin and Republican John McCain to sponsor the Sergei Magnitsky Act that he was able to get retribution against Russia. The Magnitsky Act of 2012 is a bipartisan bill with the intent to punish Russian officials. The intention of the law was to prohibit those responsible for the death of Magnitsky from entering the US and freeze their use of the banking system. It included 18 individuals. The UK also bans the people from this same list which prohibits entry for those implicated in human rights violations.
Of course Putin was enraged and went after him even "trying" him in court in absentia with deceased Magnitsky for tax evasion and other fraudulent causes and issued a Red Notice through Interpol which is an arrest warrant against him to be extradited. Interpol deleted this and found it fraudulent. In retaliation for implementing the Magnitsky Act, Putin has banned the US from adoption of Russian children. As seen in recent news, the Trump campaign met with officials about this in July 2016 when they were hoping to get damaging information against Hillary Clinton.
This was a compelling book and I recommend it to those who want to understand how the Magnitsky Act came about and to read about the corruption in Russia.
Dimitri, thanks for the recommendation. I will add this one to my list.
60.
by William Finnegan (no photo)Finish date: August 8, 2017
Genre: Autobiography,sports
Rating: TBD
Review: TBD
The HBC is still reading this book.
61.
by
Daphne du MaurierFinish date: August 10, 2017
Genre: classic mystery
Rating: B+
Review: This is a popular Daphne Du Maurier novel and I am revisiting this classic having read it many years ago. It was also a recent movie. It is a story of obsession. It is a gripping story of suspense. It is about the narrator Philip Ashley, an orphan raised by his cousin Ambrose. Ambrose recently married Rachel after traveling to Florence and falling under her spell. He dies in Italy and Philip becomes suspicious of her. Rachel comes to Cornwall with Ambrose’s possessions and Philip becomes enchanted by her. He forgets about his earlier jealousies of her and suspicions and becomes obsessed with her. This book revolves a lot around her motives. Is she the mourning widow? Is she looking out for the much younger Philip or is she exploiting his naiveté? Is she a villain or not?
This is an intriguing psychological thriller. Philip says the same thing as Ambrose had before he died. “She has done for me at last, Rachel my torment”
The ambiguous ending of the book makes it so especially. In 1977 DuMaurier was asked about the ending in an interview. (view spoiler)
This was a pretty amazing mystery for its time and it's time for a revisit.
I think I might have to give this on a try when I get a chance! Thanks!
It's good for people who like mysteries. Quite psychological in nature.
62.
by
Michael ConnellyFinish date: August 14, 2017
Genre: Thriller
Rating: B+
Review: This is a new series by one of my favorite thriller writers, Michael Connelly. This is a police procedural introducing Renee Ballard who works the night shift in Hollywood or the Late Show as it is known of the LAPD. She was a good up and coming detective but was given the Late Show after filing a sexual harassment charge against her supervisor for punishment. One night she catches two really good cases that she doesn’t want to part with. A brutal beating of a male prostitute and the killing of a woman in a nightclub. She works both cases against orders by day and maintains her shift at night.
I love the fascinating character Renee Ballard in this book. Connelly has a way with weaving suspense, character development and police work that makes a really good read. I am anxious to see how he continues this with further books in this new series.
Helga wrote: "62. byMichael ConnellyFinish date; August 14, 2017
Genre: Thriller
Rating: B+
Review: This is a new series by o..."
I've been wondering about his new series. Sounds like another one for the TBR list.
63.
by Michael Bakich (no photo)Finish date: August 17,2017
Genre: Science
Rating: B+
Review: This is the good book to get ready for the Eclipse. I am now ready to experience this memorable experience on Monday August 21, 2017 as my city is near the centerline for totality for 2 minutes 30 seconds.
Michael Bakich, Astronomy editor presents the information we need to understand all aspects of the eclipse. The science behind it, the best equipment to use to safely observe it and photograph it and detailed weather forecasts for all locations where the Moon’s shadow will fall from Oregon through SC. He also shows the paths for future eclipses and detailed states for the next one to fall in the US on April 8, 2024 when it will go over the Pacific through Mexico and into the US via big cities in Texas and through Arkansas, Indiana, Ohio, New York and Canada.
I hope the weather will hold up for this exciting event.
64.
by Joshua Green(no photo)Finish date: August 18, 2017
Genre: Non-fiction, political
Rating: A
Review: This is a must read book to understand how Donald Trump won the White House. This reporter was there from the beginning and this telling book explains their partnership and is key to understanding the rise of the alt-right, the fall of Hillary Clinton and the forces that drove the biggest upset in American political history.
This book is based on 6 years of interviews. Bannon is describes as a hard edged nationalist who plotted for years on how to destroy Hillary Clinton and was the manipulator who paved the way for Donald Trump’s very unexpected victory. This book is more of a study of Bannon and how he and his allies did plot a right-wing conspiracy to stop Clinton. I learned that “The Wall” was not Trump’s idea but came from Bannon. Hillary didn’t help herself though by not listing foreign donors and releasing the Wall Street speeches and her email problems.
This book describes how Bannon went to a conservative Catholic School, the Navy, Ivy League University, Hollywood , Hong Kong and then to Robert Mercer (and their hatred of the Clinton’s) , Breitbart and finally the White House. Bannon has a Dr Jekyll and Hyde persona in my opinion mostly Hyde. It was fascinating to read. I am so glad he has been ousted from the White House but his evil will continue in Breitbart News.
This was a timely read and is highly recommended.
65.
by
Alan FurstFinish date: August 23, 2017
Genre: World War II espionage
Rating: B+
Review: This was a thrilling novel about the French Resistance in Nazi-occupied France by a great espionage thriller writer. This story takes place in 1941 Paris when Mathieu, a leader of the occupation, leads one Resistance cell by helping downed British airmen escape back to England.
Alan Furst captures this dangerous time incredibly well. Mathieu and the Resistance members risk their lives to fulfill their missions. These include Lisette, a 17 year old student, Max de Lyon, a wealthy arms dealer to nightclub owner, Chantal, a woman of class held with much confidence in the cell, Daniel, a Jewish teacher filled with revenge, Annemarie, an aristocrat, and Joelle who loves Mathieu. They work together until the German military police ordered by the Reich threatens them. They finally disband and end the missions.
Furst is a highly recommended author of espionage thrillers.
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66.
by
Anthony HorowitzFinish date: August 28, 2017
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: This was an extremely clever suspenseful mystery in the vein of an English crime fiction. Horowitz has written an edge of the seat thriller that just keeps you reading until the very end. It is really 2 mysteries interwoven together in an absolutely brilliant fashion.
An editor Susan Ryeland is given a manuscript of a popular mystery writer Alan Conway, who writes a detective series in the vein of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers in small English villages. The author, Conway is a very troubling character and not easy to get along with but his series is highly popular and successful so she must put up with his antics. Atticus Pünd, the German Holocaust survivor detective, is solving his last mystery as he has terminal cancer. He investigates the murder at a manor house and finds many intriguing suspects. But as Susan reads, she becomes convinced that there is another story hidden in this manuscript. The editor becomes a detective as she seeks to find answers to the sudden death of the author, Conway and why the last chapter of the manuscript is missing. She goes to the village Conway lives and the people involved in his life to get to the bottom of this mystery which revolves around his device of the use of anagrams and codes.
This is an ingeniously written and original modern-day mystery and is highly recommended.
I thought so too, Helga. I really enjoyed reading it.
I had it on my TBR list because of your review which I liked so thanks. I enjoyed it alot.
LOL! It's really a case of "great minds think alike"!
67.
by
George SaundersFinish date: August 31, 2017
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: D
Review: This book has had many good reviews but also some that have been negative. I’ll say outright I really didn’t like it very much. It is just not my kind of book. I only read for curiosity. It did have some good points in it like the quotes that were from living and dead, historical and imagined people. It also had a good premise that was taking the death of Willie Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s 11 year old son who died and explored the sorrow of a father who lost his son. That seemed genuine and I could relate to that. It could have made a better storyline. I could not relate to the “poor souls” in Purgatory or the Bardo. The banter between some of these ghosts was disjointed and horrible. Purgatory, in Catholicism is a place or state of suffering by sinners who are trying to expiate their sins before going to heaven. Some of the characters I heard bantering at each other and discussing their disgusting acts like rape did not sound like they were trying to cleanse their souls. They spoke so much gibberish it was sometimes hard to follow. Furthermore, what is an 11 year old boy, doing in a place like the Bardo? What could he have ever done to warrant such punishment and to be among such lowlifes?
SEPTEMBER 68.
by Aida Rogers (no photo)Finish date: September 1, 2017
Genre: Non-fiction, essays
Rating; A
Review: This is a book to cherish and savor if you love South Carolina as I do. It has some wonderful contributors who write about the places in SC that they love. Some of the contributors in this book are the late great Pat Conroy who wrote an eloquent forward, Nathalie Dupree a great chef and the epitome of Southern Cooking and poetry by our local poet Marjorie Wentworth. There are some excellent essays by many local authors and photographs and artists who contributed their talents from across the state. There were stories by sports writers, playwrights, and historians who wrote about some of the places now gone and stories about people, places and memories. I enjoyed this book and found it to be a book from the heart. Volume 2 should be just as good.
If I make it to South Carolina, I'll make sure to take this along then :-)
Dimitri, if you ever do I'll be happy to guide you to visit the special places like Charleston and the plantation homes and gardens and the best beaches and the mountains and places in Columbia and other sites.
69.
by Marie Benedict(no photo)Finish date: September 4, 2017
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: C
Review: This is historical fiction about the first wife of Albert Einstein. Mileva Maric Einstein was a pioneer in science and mathematics. She was befriended by Einstein in the Zurich Polytechic, the only school to accept women at this time. Much of this story is factual but there are aspects that are fiction.
This book reveals 2 people who loved science, life and love. Mileva started out as Einstein’s intellectual equal; they read, studied and discussed physics together. Mileva was a sounding board for Albert who discussed his ideas with her. She loved this aspect of their relationship. But once Einstein became famous, by 1902, their partnership changed because his thinking developed on a different level and she became jealous and gloomy. And especially after the loss of her first child a daughter who is thought to have died from scarlet fever. The author inflates the status of Mileva greatly and patronizes Albert Einstein and portrays him negatively.
One claim though unsubstantiated is that Mileva contributed to Einstein’s work without getting credit for it, namely his theory of Relativity in 1905. The author is using the premise that she deserved credit and made it an important aspect in the book. Most historians believe she played a significant role in emotional and intellectual support during this critical time but the ideas were Einstein’s.
The author fails to explain that Mileva was overwhelmed by household duties and that Einstein’s mother had to do many of these duties after they were married and teach her how to take care of a house. She never cared for it. But she loved physics and math and she felt jealous and guilty because she failed the exams twice that would have earned her degrees and respect. The author makes it appear that it was Albert’s fault that the marriage failed as he wasn’t a good husband but mostly interested in his work but in actuality Mileva had a part to play in this. She was very depressed and gloomy much of the time and so Einstein took refuge in his work.
This book was interesting in how a Mileva was a pioneer in physics and math during a time that most women weren’t educated and how difficult it was for women in universities. I was impressed by her early brilliance and determination. But my problems with the book are based on the validity of the premise in this book.
70.
by
Erskine CaldwellFinish date: September 8, 2017
Genre: Classics, southern literature
Rating: A-
Review: This book was a classic masterpiece by Erskine Caldwell. Caldwell, the son of a minister lived through the Great Depression in the South so he knew how to write about this time well. This book took place during the depression south. It is a funny, sensual, raw and very powerful novel with a tragic theme and was banned when it first came out. It was especially reviled in the south.
He observed firsthand the trials of rural life and the poverty of tenant farmers. They are themes he includes in his works. His novels look at race, religious hypocrisy and greed. This book had a little of all of that. He brilliantly captured the tragedy of American life during the depression years.
The Walden farm is slowly falling to ruin as fewer and fewer crops are being planted because Ty Ty Walden is digging holes in the ground in search of gold. His sons are antagonistic and the black sharecroppers are starving. To pacify the Lord, he designates a parcel of land to harvest and give the proceeds to the Lord but he keeps moving it in search of gold as he does not wish to give to the church or the Lord any gold if he does dig it up. And the sons have their minds on the other’s wives and not on digging which has gone on for years. Tragedy ensues.
Even though this book was banned in Boston and other places and attacked by the New York Society, it went on to sell more than 10 million copies. It is quite amazing to look at it in perspective today and see how little progress has been made in society in some areas.
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Big Sleep (other topics)Jacob T. Marley (other topics)
Mr. Dickens and His Carol (other topics)
The Mistletoe Murder And Other Stories (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Raymond Chandler (other topics)R. William Bennett (other topics)
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P.D. James (other topics)
J.D. Vance (other topics)
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He won the Pulitzer Prize for “The Caine Mutiny” a well-loved book and wrote “the Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance” about WWII which also were popular miniseries in the 80’s and many other books.