The author has given us a bit of everything Socrates. History, Philosophy, and even some psychology.
The teachings of Socrates are just as important tThe author has given us a bit of everything Socrates. History, Philosophy, and even some psychology.
The teachings of Socrates are just as important today as they were in his own time. Here, we learn how to use the teachings to question our own values and thoughts.
This was really good in learning the social media influences on our lives and how we should be questioning those.
Alex Murdaugh wasn’t the first of his line to cheat, steal, lie and do very shady things. But hopefully, he is the last.
This trial was full of lies, sAlex Murdaugh wasn’t the first of his line to cheat, steal, lie and do very shady things. But hopefully, he is the last.
This trial was full of lies, shocking admissions, and I’m not sure I believe most of what this man said.
As someone whose family lives in Hampton still, this book is very well researched and written. It left most of us saying, Finally! How an entire town can be cowed by one crime family is not as difficult as one would think. This is the good ol boy network at its finest.
The author has done a really good job of sorting out truth from fiction.
Fredericka Mandelbaum came to New York in 1850. Poor and working as a peddler. By 1870, she was a widow with children and a fixture in Society.
She musFredericka Mandelbaum came to New York in 1850. Poor and working as a peddler. By 1870, she was a widow with children and a fixture in Society.
She must have married well. No, she was a crime boss.
And if that isn’t intriguing, I don’t know what is!
She was a fence and a very successful criminal. Planning robberies of gold, jewels and cash all over the country. We are talking millions and millions!
What an interesting account this was. I had never known about Marm before and I am very glad I found out.
They may have had gangs in New York, but this lady created a system, and it worked very well.
The cover of this book drew me in and I am ever so glad it did!
A paranormal investigator, Amy Bruni, travels across the country to find the most hauntThe cover of this book drew me in and I am ever so glad it did!
A paranormal investigator, Amy Bruni, travels across the country to find the most haunted, notorious, locations and then gives us a history lesson and a recipe! Two of my favorite things!
The photos and the information is great and the recipes are sometimes interesting, but tie in with the location.
“Grief has run through my life like thread through fabric; at times gossamer-thin and barely there, other times weaving thick, clumsy darns across the“Grief has run through my life like thread through fabric; at times gossamer-thin and barely there, other times weaving thick, clumsy darns across the rips. In my grief I am a mother, a child, a sister, a wife, a woman, a friend. I am also a writer.”
This is the book that was first a Twitter Thread, on the anniversary of her infant son's death.
When you are in the thick of it, grief can seem never ending. And it takes as long as it takes to journey through every stage. When I lost my husband at 32, my neighbor said, “ You never understand death until it knocks at your door.” And she was right..
Claire understands grief, heartbreak and shares her personal journey with grief. And what we can learn about ourselves and love that never ends.
With dialogue written by Brendan O’Hea, Dame Judi Dench tells us about every one of her Shakespear roles. As well as the entertaining, behind the scenWith dialogue written by Brendan O’Hea, Dame Judi Dench tells us about every one of her Shakespear roles. As well as the entertaining, behind the scenes stories.
As Dench herself says, 'Shakespeare is an international language, a beacon for humanity, and a bridge across cultures. Everything you have felt or are yet to feel is all in there in his plays.'
What a wonderful, entertaining book! Who isn’t a bit in awe of Dame Judi and all that she has achieved?
This was a book I did not read the blurb for. And I am not mad about that. Apparently the universe thought I may need this. And they would be correct.This was a book I did not read the blurb for. And I am not mad about that. Apparently the universe thought I may need this. And they would be correct.
Of course it is about sex. In your mature years. I, like a lot of women, thought that the heady passion days naturally waned in your sixties. That is not actually true.
Nagoski has done a lot of research and the things she is telling us are science based. So if it isn't about wild, hanging from the ceiling sex, what is it saying?It's about how you like your sex life.
I don't know what is keeping you shy about letting go in the bedroom, but for me it is that old body image thing. Now, there is nothing wrong there, it's just in my head. Nagoski talks about this and everything else, stress, rough patches, your "idea" of what sex should be.
You will find a lot of information on how to push through those intrusive thoughts as well as lots of laughing. Let's face it, it is a funny thing! After reading this twice, I had a chat with my husband and he had the same fears!
NetGalley/ RHPG-Ballentine, January 30,2023...more
Volodymyr Zelensky has captivated the world with his simple ordinariness. He calls himself an ordinary man. A simple people. I loved that this is a “sVolodymyr Zelensky has captivated the world with his simple ordinariness. He calls himself an ordinary man. A simple people. I loved that this is a “start where you are”, type of book. You don’t have to be extraordinary to do what needs to be done.
Is it heroic? In this day and age, yes, it is. I have been impressed with the man and his countrymen.
A man who was laughed at when he traded the comedy stage for politics. But it has worked out. I admire strong leaders who don’t need to threaten or intimidate others to feel big.
There is so much to learn from this book and I am so glad I read it.
NetGalley/ St. Martin’s Press, October 24, 2023 ...more
This is the true story of a group of America’s most prominent Catholic priests who sold 272 enslaved people in order to save their largest mission proThis is the true story of a group of America’s most prominent Catholic priests who sold 272 enslaved people in order to save their largest mission project, Georgetown University. Rachel Swarns has found and followed one family through centuries to uncover this story of the Catholic Church in America.
This story covers the Mahoney family. Beginning with Ann Joice, the free black matriarch of the Mahoney family. She came to this country as an indentured servant. But soon after arriving in Maryland, those papers disappeared leaving her a slave. Her descendants were also enslaved.
We learn how the church used slave labor and the profits from slave sales to finance an expansion into the US. Promises were made and broken. Families were torn apart with some remaining slaves and some escaping but no one knew who or where the others were.
Until Swarns tracked them down and here tells their story. A story of slavery that was found in places you wouldn’t think there would be slaves. A church, for instance, but read that bible carefully. They always used slaves so it should not come as a shock now. But somehow it does.
I learned so much about my own history in this book. It was sad and I am very glad I read it.
Where is the Coral Lounge you ask? It’s a room. In Helen’s apartment in NYC. Its name comes from the brilliant color on the walls. The lounge is whereWhere is the Coral Lounge you ask? It’s a room. In Helen’s apartment in NYC. Its name comes from the brilliant color on the walls. The lounge is where the magic happens. Bawdy, outlandish, and so much fun!
When Covid hits the city, the lounge becomes the place to be. As she and her husband while away a lot of hours there they also learn that their love is still going strong.
Helen can make anyone laugh. Her essays are honest and funny and just real. This is one of those hopeful and funny books.
And this is the start of an excellent book. The research is extensive and the stories of the three men who were involved in the decision to drop the aAnd this is the start of an excellent book. The research is extensive and the stories of the three men who were involved in the decision to drop the atomic bomb and how the Japanese surrendered.
Much has been said about the surrender and the atomic bomb. Nothing was as in-depth as this. With access to diaries to tell their story, this has a lot more insight than most books.
The main players are Henry Stimson, American Secretary of War; General Carl Spaatz, head of strategic bombing in the Pacific; Japanese Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo.
While we have heard the dry facts of the bombing, we have never read the thoughts, feelings, doubts, and turmoil of making those decisions brought.
As always, this was full of information and things I did not know. Excellent.
The story of how the IRA almost killed Thatcher and her party’s top leaders. In an attack linked to the Northern Ireland Troubles.
I’m not sure I thougThe story of how the IRA almost killed Thatcher and her party’s top leaders. In an attack linked to the Northern Ireland Troubles.
I’m not sure I thought anyone could write an unbiased account of this but this author has done just that.
The events take place in Brighton. After decades of Irish citizens fighting for their freedom, the assassination of Lord Mountbatten, and Thatcher dismissing the hunger strike by prisoners led to ten deaths. The air was thick with resentment and tensions ran high.
The Brighton plot, among all of the other drama going on, led to a dramatic showdown with a famous and infamous cast.
This may be a nonfiction book but it reads much like a thriller!
I have always wanted to know more about this event and now I do. What an excellent piece of journalism. Well-researched and well-written.
Pulitzer Prize Winner, Edward Humes, brings us a true crime story. How Genetic Genealogy Solved A Cold Case Double Murder.
This is a true story of murdPulitzer Prize Winner, Edward Humes, brings us a true crime story. How Genetic Genealogy Solved A Cold Case Double Murder.
This is a true story of murder in the Pacific Northwest. When two young people leave Canada to run an errand in the U.S., they never return. Searches were extensive, but the evidence was sparse.
This was a very cold case until Detective Jim Scharf with a lot of help from a genealogist tracked down a killer and made an arrest.
This is the story of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook. Murdered in the 1980s during a trip to Seattle. No murder weapon, no suspects, and no witness. The only clue was a palm print on the back window.
With the lack of any evidence, they are pretty sure it isn’t the first time the killer has done this. This person is good at cleaning up a crime scene.
At the time, genealogy just wasn’t advanced enough to be of help. But with the help of all of the genealogy kits popping up people are finding out information they never thought possible. And then there are the ethical questions. I think however if you upload your results online, you aren’t going to expect privacy.
There are over 250,000 unsolved murders in this country. Could we help solve those with DNA? Maybe. Just know that your genetic material could be used to identify a criminal. I wonder if that makes people less apt to participate.
This was a really good look at all aspects of DNA usage.
The Untold Story of The World’s Most Famous Dynasty
In The Women of Rothschild, Natalie Livingstone reveals the role of women in shaping the legacy of The Untold Story of The World’s Most Famous Dynasty
In The Women of Rothschild, Natalie Livingstone reveals the role of women in shaping the legacy of the famous Rothschild dynasty, synonymous with wealth and power.
Natalie Livingstone has given us a look at the women of Rothschild and a very interesting look it is.
From England to the United States and literally, everywhere in between, these extraordinary women led lives that we both can and cannot relate to.
Even their name did not really belong to them. They were Jews in a time that meant they were also on the outside looking in. In ghettos and looked down on, they were fiercely determined to succeed. Unable to bank with the Christians, they built their own bank and the rest is history. Or so they say.
They worked hard for every success. From the dregs of society to hanging with queens, and politicians and advocating for reforms, and working within the stock exchange. The women helped bring down those ghettos in Frankfurt. They were inspiring. Then they came to the United States where they hung with artists, musicians, and politicians.
If you think they floated through life on a pampered pillow, don’t think that. They had the same problems that all women had in those times. They made bad decisions and had troubles.
There was so much research in this book and I loved every bit of it!
NetGalley/ October 25, 20022, St. Martin’s Press...more
The evolution of the skirt over pants took quite a bit longer than it should have in my opinion. Practicality should be first and foremost I think. AnThe evolution of the skirt over pants took quite a bit longer than it should have in my opinion. Practicality should be first and foremost I think. And a lot of other women thought so too. And so we have the evolution of the skirt. Soldiers marched in skirts as did the suffragists and the civil rights marchers. Famous women all over the world made their stands in skirts.
The author takes us along to the twentieth century where things begin to change. And what a good look it was. From the LBD to the Bar Suit, the Taxi dress, and the Pop-Over, which I loved because it said it came with a potholder! Can you imagine?
My own mother never wore a skirt. Ever. Lots of dresses and later pants, but I never saw her wear a skirt. I, on the other hand, own tons of them and love them. This book was fashion fun. I loved every minute of it.
NetGalley/September 6, 2022, St. Martin’s Press...more
I don’t believe I have ever thought about courtly love, but now that I have, it makes sense. I think we have all been a bit in love with the Tudors anI don’t believe I have ever thought about courtly love, but now that I have, it makes sense. I think we have all been a bit in love with the Tudors and all of their many marriages and betrayals. It all seems romantic but much of it was convenience and alliances. Although did Henry VIII really have to kill his wife before marrying again? I mean, set her up somewhere. Death seems a bit extreme. To Henry, women seem to be disposable. This is odd since Elizabeth, his daughter, was hailed as a goddess!!
Ms. Gristwood has delved into the Tudors and their relationships thoroughly. Love, desire, power, all were in play. Did Henry really love Anne Boleyn as he declared? Maybe love meant something different then. But obsession is not love. Desire is not love.
Power and the lack of power were powerful motivators to fall in love. And the same things were powerful motivators to fall out of love.
A very good history of the Tudors and how we all look at love in all of its many forms.
NetGalley/December 13th, 2022 by St. Martin’s Press...more
This is the true story of two men. One a great leader and one not so great.
With everything going on in the world stage in 1913, a wooden-hulled briganThis is the true story of two men. One a great leader and one not so great.
With everything going on in the world stage in 1913, a wooden-hulled brigantine named Karlud departed Canada for the Arctic. Bob Barlett, who was considered a legend navigating ice manned the helm, and Vilhjalmur Stefansson, who just wanted to be famous.
About six weeks after they leave, they are surrounded by giant ice floes. Stefansson leaves the ship with five others and leaves for what he said was a 10-day hunting ship. Will they ever see him again?
22 men and an Inuit woman with her two daughters are now sitting on a mile-square ice floe, their ship and leader are gone. They make the best of the situation by building shelters and trying to stay alive.
Bartlett made the decision to take one of his hunters on a 1000-mile journey to save them.
This was such an interesting book. These men couldn’t have been any more different. And the conditions were awful. I have such admiration for the courage shown by this leader.
The Morgenthaus came to the United States in 1866 from Germany. And immediately began to make their fortune. Losing everything they had only to rise tThe Morgenthaus came to the United States in 1866 from Germany. And immediately began to make their fortune. Losing everything they had only to rise to the top once again.
In this book, Meier accesses archives not previously seen in public. We learn how they gained enormous wealth and influence. They advised presidents and were vocal about the Armenian genocide and the Holocaust.
Lazarus is where we begin. He came to New York dreaming of building a bigger fortune than the one he lost in Germany. Sadly, that was not to be. But then came Henry, who became wealthy as a real estate mogul.
His son became FDR’s longest-serving aide. They built a dynasty in New York and the author has given us an unprecedented look at this powerful family.
What an interesting read this was. So many people are behind the scenes, pulling strings. But good people as well.
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