A thorough and succinct history of the atomic bomb. Fred Kaplan completely rewrote and retooled his book: The Wizards of Armageddon. It goes through hA thorough and succinct history of the atomic bomb. Fred Kaplan completely rewrote and retooled his book: The Wizards of Armageddon. It goes through how presidents, generals in America tried to deal with the Cold Ear and how they thought about using the atomic bomb. Very good. ...more
I’m not the biggest fan of the prose poetry novel and my feeling is that a novel would have better suited the story. This book has nice illustrations,I’m not the biggest fan of the prose poetry novel and my feeling is that a novel would have better suited the story. This book has nice illustrations, but instead a focusing on a pencil and English before learning to write in Arabic, I’d have told a clear story instead. A lot of these prose poetry books seem to be made to keep the lexile readability level down than be an artistic choice. It obscures an important story that could have been told clearly and in an interesting manner. I wanted to learn about a girl living in Darfur more than poetry about a pencil. Kids can handle it. ...more
Excellent book about two kids studying a segregated graveyard in North Carolina. They discover a ghost of a girl who was one of the first kids to atteExcellent book about two kids studying a segregated graveyard in North Carolina. They discover a ghost of a girl who was one of the first kids to attend a desegregated school in 1954. She disappeared in a snow storm and discovered dead. Avery the ghost wants to be remembered again and the history of the graveyard and the problems of segregation dealt with and not forgotten. ...more
Excellent picture book about Mary Shelley and how she cam up with the story of Frankenstein. The illustrations are creepy and entertains while tellingExcellent picture book about Mary Shelley and how she cam up with the story of Frankenstein. The illustrations are creepy and entertains while telling the tale. I read this story to a reluctant third grader in reading and just about everything else academic. He tried to tune me out but was fascinated and told me at the end, it was a pretty good story but couldn’t beat Pete the Cat! ...more
Interesting biography of Rod Serling and how he got started in television. It succeeds on some levels in telling his story but shortens up in other waInteresting biography of Rod Serling and how he got started in television. It succeeds on some levels in telling his story but shortens up in other ways. ...more
A good solid biography of Elton John. It is sound and fine but it is not outstanding. I would recommend Elton’s autobiography for that but I learned fA good solid biography of Elton John. It is sound and fine but it is not outstanding. I would recommend Elton’s autobiography for that but I learned from this book and I enjoyed it. ...more
Uplifting book about a woman born a slave, and spending her life as a sharecropper, was able to lean to read at the age of 116 years old. Her husbandsUplifting book about a woman born a slave, and spending her life as a sharecropper, was able to lean to read at the age of 116 years old. Her husbands and children died before her and she lived until age 121. A wonderfully done picture book and illustrations are beautiful. A touching book. ...more
Delightful as one would expect the book to be. Eric Idle does start out a bit stiff but it quickly dissipates as he gets going into his teen years andDelightful as one would expect the book to be. Eric Idle does start out a bit stiff but it quickly dissipates as he gets going into his teen years and college. It just keeps getting better and better. Funny account of sitting at the Tonys and watching Spamalot lose almost all awards but finally winning the big one. Accounts of the lives of Carrie Fisher, Graham Chapman, David Bowie and especially George Harrison. Robin Williams too +. I’m so glad I listened to the audiobook but probably the book in the future. ...more
The story of three sisters who were being in an important family at the turn of the 20th century. Little Sister became Madame Chiang Kai Shek, the lasThe story of three sisters who were being in an important family at the turn of the 20th century. Little Sister became Madame Chiang Kai Shek, the laser of Chinese Nationalism who ended up in Taiwan. Red Sister married Sun Yat Sen, the Vice Chairman of Communist China, Big Sister Chaing’s second in command. An interesting story that I never knew about. ...more
The oral history of Saturday Night Live. This is a very broad overview of SNL and it goes up to about 2010 or so. There are parts that are interestingThe oral history of Saturday Night Live. This is a very broad overview of SNL and it goes up to about 2010 or so. There are parts that are interesting and some that weren’t. I’m a current watcher of SNL and a beginner of the show in the 70s. The first five years are by far the best but there have been current years that have been great. I’m on a downward swing right now. Many of the years covered were times I didn’t watch SNL and wasn’t interested. Someday seeing the documentary might help me with those years. I think I was disappointed in that the book is so slick and shallow. I listened to the audiobook which was well read but lacked photos and ways to go back easily to reread information. To learn more about the first five years of SNL in deeper form, I’d recommend Eric Idle’s autobiography. He really spent time at SNL. ...more
Excellent picture book with a very important story. In South Africa, on June 16, 1976, protests broke out all over SA over a policy to force Blacks toExcellent picture book with a very important story. In South Africa, on June 16, 1976, protests broke out all over SA over a policy to force Blacks to take 50 percent of their coursework in school in Afrikaans, the language of the White oppressors in the government. It was a heavy handed attempt to cut off access to learning English, an international language that helped Blacks communicate with the outside world. Blacks were already isolated in suburbs outside of cities which were heavily regulated and prevented from coming and going at will. As more international organizations were expressing concern over treatment of minorities cutting off access linguistically and forcing people to speak their language was another way of holding people hostage. This picture book introduces a 12 year old boy, his older sister, and a photojournalist. On this day, June 26, 1976, Blacks protested being forced learning Afrikaans and White SA troops responded. They shot and killed this 12 year old and the sister found him. A photojournalist took a photo of her and another boy carrying him. The troops destroyed most of his film but he hid one roll. That photo was published on the front page of the local newspaper and around the world exposing the government’s cruelty. It sparked boycotts and criticism all over the world and within 20 years, the apartheid government had to stand down. A delicate subject in school and for elementary kids, but a very important one. ...more
A fun fast paced overview of lives of women in English colonies, and United States. I’m not sure if the history will stick but it’s a fun read. I’ve aA fun fast paced overview of lives of women in English colonies, and United States. I’m not sure if the history will stick but it’s a fun read. I’ve always been a fan if Gail Collins. I enjoyed reading it a lot. It’s chocked full of facts and stories. ...more
A moving memoir by an African American author, filmmaker and political official. Sarah M. Bloom writes a family history by focusing on a yellow house A moving memoir by an African American author, filmmaker and political official. Sarah M. Bloom writes a family history by focusing on a yellow house that the extended family lived in for generations. Located in a poor neighborhood in New Orleans, it endured Hurricane Betsy and Katrina. But was torn down as unlivable after a Katrina. The family had to go through a lot to get any money for the home and it rested on who was a legitimate or illegitimate child of a father. Beautifully written, I can’t recommend it more. ...more
Moving anthology of stories presented by Malala (including her own story). All female accounts from across the world telling readers about their plighMoving anthology of stories presented by Malala (including her own story). All female accounts from across the world telling readers about their plight. Some are resettled in new countries, some are still in refugee camps. One woman is an American who talks about resetting refugees. I was shocked most by her story because it is the position I am in. She describes putting them in a house that clearly wouldn’t pass building codes and would be barred from habitation. The refugee resettlement organization found this house, clearly a violation of ousting codes. The girl also describes a school that barred students from entering at 18. You can admit up to 21. And the American mother mentions an English “tutor” not a certified ESOL teacher. Huh? Seems like there are some laws that need to be enforced in PA. ...more
I wish I could remember everything in this book about the medical industry. I have also experienced debt that was unsecured and pursued even though thI wish I could remember everything in this book about the medical industry. I have also experienced debt that was unsecured and pursued even though the collectors knew I couldn’t pay and they could write off the debt. I never knew how bad the medical and banking industry but I think it needs to stop now. Read this book and start looking for more information and press law makers to stop this. We need single payer health care and strong consumer advocacy. It is needed for our country and future. ...more
Shocking, upsetting and heartbreaking are words to describe thee history in this book. It is about the history of the East India Company, a British coShocking, upsetting and heartbreaking are words to describe thee history in this book. It is about the history of the East India Company, a British corporation that in order to make a profit for its shareholders, systematically destroyed an empire during the late 18h century. It used superior technology and their own military to conquer and destroy the Mughal Empire. Often ruining the food supply, destroying cities and causing the deaths of thousands of people to take control. Creating slaves and workers for the soul drive of profit for the company. People were often starved into submission, selling their children into slavery and forced to eat animals and grain they needed to create next years crop. The British parliament did raise enormous concerns once but the money poured into parliament from the company to silence and destroy concerned MPs. As I see my nation systematically destroyed by corporate greed, I wonder what will become of the people who live now. India suffered a few hundred years before finding freedom. This is an important book and well researched. I highly recommend it. ...more
I didn’t love this story as many critics did. This is a fictional story about an educated concubine and a map maker serving the sultan of Granada as tI didn’t love this story as many critics did. This is a fictional story about an educated concubine and a map maker serving the sultan of Granada as the Spanish empire is created and the moors are being driven out of Europe. The inquisition is coming to pass and the moor are in terrible danger. Using a jinn and telling fantasy stories of an ancient bird king, they try to survive the terrible attack that is coming from the Spanish and is about to envelope them all. I had a passing interest in the story but wasn’t involved in it. Still it was great to see a Muslim writer come out with some interesting fiction in English. I’m sure my friends will love it. ...more
A dystopian novel about a man named Kavenaugh who must spend a mandatory two years at the Wall. A wall that is used as a defense against people tryingA dystopian novel about a man named Kavenaugh who must spend a mandatory two years at the Wall. A wall that is used as a defense against people trying to get into the country. He is a defender and every citizen is required to spend two years as a Defender. The country and a Wall must be defended against the Others who are trying to get in. But Kavenaugh and his group at the Wall begin to question their lives there. ...more
The 45th Gutenberg Bible made on vellum made its journey to different owners around the world in great shape despite its age. This book tells the fascThe 45th Gutenberg Bible made on vellum made its journey to different owners around the world in great shape despite its age. This book tells the fascinating story of its journey around the world as wealthy owners auctioned it. ...more
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