Shannon Monaghan's A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men is an example of good writing undone by an unwieldy scope. In this case, Monaghan chooses to folloShannon Monaghan's A Quiet Company of Dangerous Men is an example of good writing undone by an unwieldy scope. In this case, Monaghan chooses to follow four British special operatives through World War II and the Cold War afterwards. Does that sound like a lot? Because it is too much.
It is a crying shame, though. Monaghan clearly has an affection for these characters and has done her research. This is not a "bad" book by any stretch of the imagination, but the fatal flaw is a big one. The problem is that in order to do tell each story, she needs to introduce dozens of other characters while often doubling back in time to catch the reader up. This results in a strange habit of Monaghan telling stories backwards, such as when one character was in jail. The author states he just got out and then goes back in time to explain what happened. This temporal whiplash happens often and does not let anyone's story truly resonate.
The best example is Julian Amery's brother, Jack. Without giving too much away, he was demonstrably different from Julian and his ultimate fate suggests a fascinating backstory. Unfortunately, Monaghan has to condense much of the story into a few pages, when this could probably be its own book. Often, we get told what people are like instead of seeing what they are like through their actions.
However, there is a lot to learn from the book, especially the overall conditions within Albania and the surrounding area in World War II. This area is often overlooked and I learned quite a bit even if it felt a bit superficial. Ultimately, I wouldn't tell anyone not to read this book, but I would suggest that you may not get the full story you are hoping for.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Viking Books.)...more
When you have an excellent author like Brenda Wineapple tackling one of the most famous trials in American history, then it is as close to a slam dunkWhen you have an excellent author like Brenda Wineapple tackling one of the most famous trials in American history, then it is as close to a slam dunk as possible. However, even the best miss every now and again. Unfortunately, Keeping the Faith is one of those misses.
The book is ostensibly about the Scopes Monkey Trial where a Tennessee law criminalizing the teaching of evolution was challenged. However, the trial doesn't even begin to take shape until about halfway through the book. The first half is devoted a little bit to defense counsel Clarence Darrow and a lot to the prosecution's William Jennings Bryan. On the face of it, this makes perfect sense. What better way to set up the head to head battle of two cultural heavyweights than by giving a full explanation of who they are and what makes them tick.
The problem becomes how Wineapple chooses to apportion coverage. Bryan gets a lot more attention and it is mostly to denigrate him as a racist Christian fundamentalist. To be clear, he basically was. The problem is not the characterization but the extensive amount of time Wineapple spends on this point. Darrow disappears almost entirely from the narrative for a large portion of it and the trial didn't even start yet.
Wineapple also adds in extraneous subjects. She spends way too much time on the Ku Klux Klan when they do not figure at all in the Scopes Trial. They seem to be in the book because they align significantly with Bryan's views but Bryan was not in the KKK (even Wineapple states this). Aimee Semple McPherson shows up briefly and then disappears.
By the time the trial comes along, I was frustrated. First, because it took so long to get there. Second, because Wineapple spent so much time making Bryan look like a small, diminished, and weak person, that the showdown with Darrow loses all narrative tension. I didn't expect this because the author is an amazing writer. Wineapple's The Impeachers is one of my favorite books and is exceptional from beginning to end. And her writing here is never bad. You couldn't drop in on a single page and say there is anything wrong with it. But once you zoom out and look at what the book is supposed to be, you can't help but feel like the scope (pun intended!) got too big for this story to feel cohesive.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Random House.)...more
Crackpots, weirdos, and suicidal thrill-seekers. These are the men who started American aviation. Oh, and a Frenchman being very French.
Richard GoodriCrackpots, weirdos, and suicidal thrill-seekers. These are the men who started American aviation. Oh, and a Frenchman being very French.
Richard Goodrich tells the story of how the West Coast became the epicenter of aviation in his book, L.A. Birdmen. The first thing I loved about the book is how completely in the dark I was about almost all of it. The Wright brothers are the beginning of flying, but did you know they almost immediately became recluses and jerks? Jerks because they tried to sue everyone into oblivion instead of getting into the business of actual flying on a regular (and visible) basis.
The book isn't just about the birth and development of the airplane. Dirigibles (or blimp if you are an NFL fan) develop within the narrative and Goodrich does an exceptional job of making each person memorable. That is no small feat. By the time the narrative gets to the L.A. airshow, we have already been introduced to dozens of figures. The entire story leads up to the airshow and it does not disappoint. This book is a lot of fun and you don't need to be a science/aviation nerd to enjoy it.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Prometheus Books.)...more
I'm not saying I want to be a criminal. All I am saying is that there are a few brief fleeting moments in Dean Jobb's A Gentleman and a Thief where I I'm not saying I want to be a criminal. All I am saying is that there are a few brief fleeting moments in Dean Jobb's A Gentleman and a Thief where I entertained the idea of becoming a jewel thief. Of course I wouldn't hurt anyone. Well, maybe their pocketbooks, but like our boy Arthur Barry, I'd only steal from the rich and then go on epic gambling runs.
Jobb tells the full story of Barry as he grows up, fights honorably in World War I, and then decides to go from juvenile delinquent to criminal mastermind. Like any great historical true crime, Jobb makes sure to educate the reader of the times in which Barry lived. I have always appreciated Jobb's ability to make time periods come alive as much as the characters he is writing about. It's one thing to be a thief. It's another thing to be a thief during the time of The Great Gatsby. Maybe you might daydream a little bit like me. That is, until you inevitably get to the point where Barry himself realizes crime doesn't pay.
Sometimes, it looks like a lot of fun, though.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Algonquin Books.)...more
When I started Sune Engel Rasmussen's Twenty Years, I knew this would be a challenging read for me. For anyone who reads my reviews regularly, they knWhen I started Sune Engel Rasmussen's Twenty Years, I knew this would be a challenging read for me. For anyone who reads my reviews regularly, they know I am not shy about pointing out I am a U.S. Army Veteran and spent a tour in Iraq as a tank platoon leader. Rasmussen makes no qualms about what Twenty Years is about. It is about the failure of the Taliban, the U.S., and quite frankly the world when it comes to giving the Afghan people the lives they deserve. This is especially true for the people who stood up to the Taliban and tried to create a new nation under foreign direction and guidance (or occupation if you want to see it that way).
The challenge for me comes in the fact that Rasmussen is not complimentary in any way to these groups. This is not a criticism and my rating of the book is not colored by this. In fact, I appreciated Rasmussen's willingness to point out when mistakes were well meaning but became disasters. Rasmussen's summary of U.S. actions can be mostly described as benevolent incompetence with some episodes of malice. He does balance this out quite a bit because he won't give the Taliban the same courtesy. They are good administrators, but only because they kill people on a whim and horribly oppress all women. In essence, Rasmussen acts like the writers of South Park. Everyone is fair game for censure.
The problem for me is that is it very difficult to be unbiased in my reading of this. One of the book's subjects, Omari, is a Taliban operative who openly brags about killing American soldiers. To put it lightly, I don't like Omari and I have a visceral reaction to him. It made me think for a few minutes that I can't possibly give this book a good rating because it gave this person the time of day. Then, Rasmussen kept writing about Omari. I won't say too much, but Omari may not be the true believer he thought he was. His views may differ quite a bit from the people he thought he was fighting with and for.
Thanks for making it this far in my therapy session! I owe you a review and here it is. Rasmussen has written an extremely engaging narrative with some fascinating people. Zahra alone is worth a biography of her own and I would read the hell out of it. Her battle with an abusive husband with almost no support is heartbreaking. Parasto is a close second as a woman who is constantly fighting to make her country better. Their lives are rich with detail and insight into the real Afghanistan and the fallout from everything post-9/11. And while Omari is not someone I enjoyed reading about, his story is vital in understanding a certain point of view. That point of view is currently ruining women's lives, but it exists and shouldn't be ignored because it is a major component of the current political climate.
My criticism of the book would be the number of characters. The ones I already mentioned provided enough fodder for the reader to understand the stakes. Other characters, such as Fahim, come and go with little added to the overall narrative. Other characters only show up towards the very end of the book. They don't destroy the flow, but I think it all could have been streamlined.
I would recommend this with a bit of caution to the reader. I have friends who served in Afghanistan and would wholeheartedly endorse everything in this book. They are enraged at how the people of Afghanistan who fought along side them were left to rot. I have other fellow vets who would consider this a hit job which completely ignores any positive aspects of U.S. military intervention. I have sympathy (and some convictions) with both outlooks.
My review is therefore based solely on how well the book is written and how well it makes the point that Rasmussen wanted to make. I believe he succeeds in making this an eye-opening look at the War in Afghanistan.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux.)...more
Ah, the piece of trash that is Alex Murdaugh. If you are unfamiliar with this poor excuse for a human, then allow me to compliment you on the mighty fAh, the piece of trash that is Alex Murdaugh. If you are unfamiliar with this poor excuse for a human, then allow me to compliment you on the mighty fine rock you have been able to live under because this case was everywhere for a while. His story was reported on daily and there was already (rushed) documentaries and books on the saga of him murdering his wife and son. I've watched nearly all of them, so the question is whether or not Valerie Bauerlein's The Devil at His Elbow is the definitive source for the whole story. Quite simply, yes.
Bauerlein was on hand for almost all, if not all, of Murdaugh's trial and has done amazing work pulling together all the little details in this tangled web. It's not enough to just talk about Alex Murdaugh. He did not come out of nowhere. He was part of a dynasty that ruled part of South Carolina for 100 years. You know those movies where someone gets jammed up in a small town where the villain seems to control everyone? That was Hampton County, South Carolina for a very long time and Alex wasn't the first villain.
Bauerlein's research is impeccable, but her storytelling chops are what I really need to highlight. Valerie Bauerlein had me going and she got me good. As I mentioned, I know a lot about the case already so the first half before you get to the murders felt like well-trodden ground for me. In fact, I caught myself thinking, "Ok, Valerie, you are stating too many unnecessary facts. Get on with it." Except they weren't unnecessary and like a magician, Bauerlein makes it all come together when the state prosecutor rips Murdaugh in half on the witness stand. I'd like to take a moment to humbly apologize to Bauerlein for being impatient. That's my bad. Won't happen again.
If you know the case, there is more to it and it's all in here. If you don't know the case, then you are in for a ride. It's a must read for everyone.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgally and Random House.)...more
I'll get right to the point. In A Wilder Shore by Camille Peri, the author commits three historical writing sins as defined by me. Please focus on theI'll get right to the point. In A Wilder Shore by Camille Peri, the author commits three historical writing sins as defined by me. Please focus on the "as defined by me" part. If you read the sins below and decide they are not a big deal, then you may very well find A Wilder Shore enjoyable. The book is about author Robert Louis Stevenson (RLS) and his wife, Fanny. If you don't know who RLS is, then your childhood was robbed from you.
The first sin is understandable to an extent. Peri explains in her intro that Fanny has gotten a bad rap because of her sex and the time she lived in. Peri wants to take another look at her without the sexist lens. This is a wonderful plan! I fully support this! Unfortunately, Peri goes to far the other way. Instead of resurrecting Fanny through analysis and presenting her to the reader as a complex being, Peri excuses nearly all of Fanny's actions. For instance, Peri at one point praises Fanny's writing and then explains away the racist parts as probably the fault of the editors. Which leads me to sin #2.
Supposition. Remember way back when (two sentences ago) where Peri suggests the racist undertones were probably the fault of the editors? Well, this is not a one time thing. Peri repeatedly says things like, "Fanny must have felt," and then projected those feelings onto Fanny or whoever the subject is. Once again, like sin #1, this is not great, but if it is a once or twice occurrence then it can be forgiven. It is not rare in this narrative.
Finally, deadly sin #3. Modern vernacular. Did you ever expect to read a book where RLS is described as letting his freak flag fly? I didn't either, but here we are. Yes, there are many books which make this there motif of using modern words to tell a historical story as a fun anachronism. Peri isn't doing that here. These words and terms are not part of the theme, but merely strange divergences.
Thanks for letting me vent. Ultimately, this was a frustrating read for me (you may have noticed!). The story of the Stevensons is interesting and perhaps without these issues I could have enjoyed it more. Peri did good research in places and her attempt to reframe the relationship between these two people is admirable. The sins just doomed this one for me.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Viking Books.)...more
I am sure that you, like me, never considered the possibility that people might be hooking up while in Auschwitz. We would be wrong. It just goes to sI am sure that you, like me, never considered the possibility that people might be hooking up while in Auschwitz. We would be wrong. It just goes to show you that even in hell, people have needs.
Lovers in Auschwitz by Keren Blankfeld follows the lives of Zippi and David as they orbit each other in the aforementioned hellhole. It is obvious when you think about it, but the actual "love" part of the story takes up a limited amount of page count. If you are looking for a bodice-ripping love story, then I assure you this is not the one for you because it was freaking Auschwitz. Instead, Blankfeld tells a much more engaging story about how two people tried to stay alive in one of the worst places on Earth while somehow intertwining their lives for a short amount of time.
It would be more accurate to describe the book as a dual biography of two Holocaust survivors. Blankfeld expertly walks the tightrope of telling her story with context without talking down to the audience. I have read a lot of Holocaust literature and even when Blankfeld explained something familiar, she did is succinctly without condescension.
The book is simply exceptional, and you don't need to be a history nerd to enjoy it. And, God forbid, you might learn something along the way.
(This book was provided as a review copy by the publisher.)...more
One thing I hear very often when history comes up is that there are too many World War II books coming out. I have always found this curious as the moOne thing I hear very often when history comes up is that there are too many World War II books coming out. I have always found this curious as the most important war in history which entangled most of the globe is going to produce stories for a very long time. Admittedly, there are plenty of books which just crib off of better works and those should rightfully be criticized. Then there are books like Garrett Graff's When the Sea Came Alive and show a different way to take on the material.
I am having a very tough time rating this one. On the one hand, Graff has done a tremendous amount of work to turn this into a readable book with an understandable narrative. He takes excerpts from real people involved in D-Day from the generals to the lowest of privates. They are all sequenced to tell the story of D-Day through different perspectives. I want to give the book 5 stars merely for the difficulty level of making the story make sense.
On the other hand, oral histories can often run into the problem this book illustrates. Some of these quotations are only a line long. Some are longer but rarely more than a quarter of a page. This goes on for nearly all 500 pages with only Graff's short explanations of greater actions in the war.
I couldn't help but wondering who the audience for this is. If you are well-read in World War II, the first 200 pages of D-Day planning are not necessary. If you don't know World War II, you need way more than is provided by these short quotations.
That said, once you start getting those first-person accounts of the D-Day landings, the book becomes intoxicating. The point-of-view of the Germans on the defensive are a wonderful touch. However, I would read a great citation and then think, "No, don't move on, give me more of this."
In the end, I think it is only fair to give this book four out of five stars. The work done by Graff is phenomenal. Hearing the voices of men who were there on D-Day is powerful. However, I have to warn readers that oral histories are not for everyone and your mileage may vary.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)...more
I'm not going to lie. When I requested The Incorruptibles by Dan Slater from Netgalley, I immediately had visions of Kevin Costner from The UntouchablI'm not going to lie. When I requested The Incorruptibles by Dan Slater from Netgalley, I immediately had visions of Kevin Costner from The Untouchables in my head. For those of us old enough to remember, I need say no more. For the young people, it was a crime movie and I have no idea if it holds up, but I do remember Sean Connery was at his very best. What does this all have to do with the book? Regrettably, not much.
Slater tells the tale of crime in the Jewish section of New York City in the early 1900s. I cannot knock his passion or research skills. Unfortunately, Slater did not know when to kill his darlings. There are two main characters, but each of them will completely disappear for long stretches. Additionally, Slater never met a side character he could cut from the narrative. This book is littered with diversions and sometimes random and extended history lessons which bog the book down to the point where a character shows up and you say, "Wait, who is this again?" And it absolutely kills me because there are multiple characters who I want an entire book on. Tony the Tough is just such a person who has a fascinating backstory. She pops in and out and every time she returns I kept hoping she would get the spotlight for the rest of the book. Unfortunately, she is like almost all the characters who seem to disappear from the narrative as swiftly as they arrived.
There is a fantastic book in here somewhere and I think Slater could write it, but there is too much meandering in this story right now for it to be a must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company.)...more
To say that I am not the audience for this book would be a massive understatement. 13 years of Catholic School, and then right into the Army after thaTo say that I am not the audience for this book would be a massive understatement. 13 years of Catholic School, and then right into the Army after that, means fashion is my ultimate weakness. I know my belt should match my shoes or something. I digress. Julie Satow would need to do a lot of work to make When Women Ran Fifth Avenue appealing to my brain. Somehow, she did it!
Satow follows the career paths of three main women of fashion in New York throughout the early to mid-1900s. Each woman gets her own part biography and then a look at the changes she made to the fashion industry but mostly focused on their specific employers at the time. Interspersed are some smaller chapters on different people and topics related to the fashion industry but not the overall narrative. Satow writes all of this quite well by never leaning too hard into any one thing. Some of it is biography but also business, fashion, and personal relationships.
Another interesting aspect is Satow's willingness to tell the whole story. There is a version of this book where it is marketed as a celebration of feminism with inconvenient details papered over. Satow doesn't hide from the fact that one of her main characters disavows her business career later in life. It makes the narrative more interesting and let's the reader draw their own conclusions when given the whole story. Needless to say, (but I will anyway) Satow did the impossible. She made a fashion book even I could enjoy.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)...more
Being an explorer sounds absolutely exhausting. I want nothing to do with it, but luckily Amanda Bellows takes a look at people much more motivated thBeing an explorer sounds absolutely exhausting. I want nothing to do with it, but luckily Amanda Bellows takes a look at people much more motivated than me in her book The Explorers.
Bellows does a chapter on a wide variety of people who either were from America or became famous here. There are some very well known folks like Amelia Earhart and Sacagawea to less well known explorers like James Beckwourth. The format is like many books you see nowadays where it's "The history of the world in..." things like shipwrecks or art. Bellows is a good writer and each chapter is engaging.
The problem you may run into is if you know a lot about any of the subjects. I have read a lot about Arctic exploration and space operations recently so the chapters on Matthew Henson and Sally Ride read as very high level overviews. Specifically with the Henson chapter, I felt it was missing a lot of nuance. This isn't a criticism so much as a warning for people who read a lot of history. Check the names of the people Bellows covers in this book. If you know most of them then this book is not targeted at you. If you are not a full-on history nerd like myself, this is a wonderful way to dip your toe into this side of the pool without reading a full biography on one person.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and William Morrow.)...more
Confession time. I hate reading ancient history. Often I find the authors of this time period are focused on hitting the reader with as many facts andConfession time. I hate reading ancient history. Often I find the authors of this time period are focused on hitting the reader with as many facts and scientific jargon as possible. Sure, I understand that archeologists need to do the best with what they have, but that doesn't mean I have to find it interesting.
So, I had trepidation when picking up Rachel Kousser's Alexander at the End of the World. Not only is it ancient history, but the book is also looking at Alexander the Great AFTER all the super cool battles that most books focus on. Instead, Kousser looks at when Alexander made a long and belligerent march in the direction of the Pacific Ocean (not that he knew what it was or where it was for that matter). Surely, this book would put me to sleep forthwith.
Yes, dear reader, I was once again forced to admit that I am a ridiculous person. Kousser's book is magnificent. She continually finds the most interesting and intriguing parts of the story and presents it to the reader like it's a novel. Kousser even finds a way to mention where the historians argue about what really happened without bogging down the narrative. She has written a book which I can wholeheartedly recommend to every audience. If my cold, dead, ancient history avoiding heart can fall in love, then you can, too.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Mariner Books.)...more
I think we readily remember how members of the Greatest Generation saved civilization from the tyranny of Nazi rule. However, I think we often forget I think we readily remember how members of the Greatest Generation saved civilization from the tyranny of Nazi rule. However, I think we often forget how wonderful they were at nicknames. I submit as my evidence the aircraft carrier USS Cowpens, or as the men liked to call her, "The Mighty Moo." Come on, if you don't at least smirk at that, you need to check with a doctor.
Author Nathan Canestaro has a personal stake in telling the story of the Moo. I can confidently state that Canestaro leaves no stone unturned in compiling his story about the carrier. The book is packed with facts about everything from the personnel to the latrines. The Mighty Moo saw lots of major events from the Pacific so a lot of the story will be familiar to World War II enthusiasts.
I would caution some readers about the writing style. Canestaro uses a military writing style which means he generally goes from fact to fact without many flourishes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that choice, but I know that some readers want a narrative writing style which is more conversational or character focused. Canestaro's character is the Moo and you don't get significant insight to any people. This is a military history and a good one. The reader just needs to know what they are getting into.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Twelve Books.)...more
This book is great for true crime nerds but the exact opposite for California tourism. The Rent Collectors by Jesse Katz follows the journey of GiovanThis book is great for true crime nerds but the exact opposite for California tourism. The Rent Collectors by Jesse Katz follows the journey of Giovanni Macedo as a member of the Columbia Lil Cycos. It's not a spoiler to mention some of the low-lights of Giovanni's gang career since they are in the summary. He botches a murder and ends up killing a newborn only to have his own murder at the hands of his fellow gang members get botched as well. It's enough to make you wonder why they are so bad at crime.
Katz does a great job explaining gang life while juggling an insane amount of characters. He mostly sticks to the facts of the story and criminal cases but will dip now and again into social justice commentary. The commentary sections are few and far between. They are so short that I am not even sure Katz was trying to change the reader's mind but merely just trying to plant a seed. In any case, if you are interested in true crime and specifically gang crime, then this is an excellent read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Astra Publishing House.)...more
She's Gone by Kathleen Brunelle has two things going for it and one major knock against it. The two good things are Brunelle's prose and research. TheShe's Gone by Kathleen Brunelle has two things going for it and one major knock against it. The two good things are Brunelle's prose and research. The major knock is fatal to this book, though. There is no, "Why?"
Brunelle looks at five cold cases involving women who were never found. Each case is a bit different, but I should point out that three of the cases have a crystal clear culprit. Even still, Brunelle had to do a tremendous amount of research to fill out the stories. They are still short, though. You get all the details about the case but not a lot about the women from a personal standpoint. I think Brunelle dug up all she could, but the backgrounds are somewhat minimal.
Ultimately, the thing which keeps me from fully recommending this book is the lack of a reason for it. In only one case is there information about the ongoing search which means this book isn't about reopening cold cases. The women themselves don't have enough backstory to pull in the reader. Finally, the cases don't even have a theme which runs between them. Three of them could definitely be about partner violence but the other two are head scratchers. Brunelle does a short page or so at the end of each story to pull it all together but it is not enough to leave an impression.
She's Gone is both well written and researched, but there is not enough to make the book a must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)...more
John Bruning's Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island mirrors its subject matter by seeming to stall before taking off. This is a very well-written booJohn Bruning's Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island mirrors its subject matter by seeming to stall before taking off. This is a very well-written book with one particular peculiarity. Let me start with my major criticism, but be advised that this book is very good.
The narrative is about U.S. Marine pilots on Guadalcanal. All World War II buffs know about it and, if you don't, trust me it was a big deal. The book starts with a prologue set during the Battle of Midway. So far, so good. Midway would lead to Guadalcanal. Then, inexplicably, Part I of the book takes six chapters to cover a homecoming tour for three of the characters in the book set after Guadalcanal. I have read many books which do a flash forward to set a scene or to highlight certain aspects of a character. I have never seen it used for some much page length. It also doesn't set anything up that you won't find in the rest of the book. This entire part could be eliminated from the book and it would improve.
Yes, I spilled a lot of ink on my criticism of the book, but you may be wondering why I am rating it as very good then. Quite simply, Bruning's prose and focus when the narrative reaches Guadalcanal is exceptional. In fact, the chapters I think could be cut are also well-written and interesting. They are just badly misplaced in the narrative. Bruning is laser focused on the characters when they get to battle and the frenetic energy he describes is palpable. Many World War II books fall into the trap of trying to write about the entire war while telling a smaller story at its core. Bruning gives the reader the bare minimum about the greater war and keeps engaged with only the characters at the heart of his story. Yes, the first few chapters threw me off, but I was very happy I kept going. The journey was worth it.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Hachette Books.)...more
I am worried about Emily Nussbaum. She clearly needed to watch thousands upon thousands of hours of reality TV to write her book, Cue the SUN!, and I I am worried about Emily Nussbaum. She clearly needed to watch thousands upon thousands of hours of reality TV to write her book, Cue the SUN!, and I am seriously worried what that can do to someone's mental health.
If you love reality TV, then this review is simple. You must read this book and you will absolutely love every page. If you hate reality TV, then guess what? You and I are in agreement. I hate reality TV. Unless Gordon Ramsay is in it, then it should win an Emmy. All others are trash. All that being said, I still loved this book.
The reasons why everyone should love this book are evident from page 1. Nussbaum's writing style is easy to read, and it feels like a conversation. Also, I am not kidding about how much reality TV she must have watched. She is utterly meticulous, and she consistently brings up events that have long been forgotten. And I mean long forgotten. Nussbaum doesn't start with a show like Survivor. Instead, she traces the roots of reality TV all the way back to the 1940s and works her way to today. The chronology is seamless and a chapter on a show called An American Family is a particular standout. If you aren't keen to go back that far, then you are missing out. However, Nussbaum quickly gets to all the shows you know and love (or love to hate).
There is no way to write this book without inevitably touching on some political hot buttons. The Apprentice was a show after all and is the subject of the final chapter. As someone whose tolerance for political diatribes is zero, I think Nussbaum is fair with her subjects throughout the book. Yes, I don't think it is hard to pick out what side Nussbaum herself is on. However, multiple times I read a chapter and thought, "Hm, I think one extreme would be mad about this part of the chapter, while the other extreme would be mad about another." In the end, Nussbaum's research is so extensive and so well presented that it doesn't matter what side of the aisle you fall on. A great story is just a great story.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Random House.)...more
It is important to be honest with yourself as a reviewer. When you don't connect with a book, you need to be able to answer the question, "Why?" I ranIt is important to be honest with yourself as a reviewer. When you don't connect with a book, you need to be able to answer the question, "Why?" I ran into this with Tamsin Mather's Adventures in Volcanoland. Why didn't I connect with it? Well, simply, it's all my fault.
I want to be clear that this is a well-written book with impeccable science and an author passionate about her subject. Mather travels to various places of volcanic activity and discusses what the places look like, the history of the volcano, and the science behind it. This is categorized as a science/travel/nature book and this is exactly how it should be marketed.
All that being said, what's my damn problem? I wasn't honest with myself about my relationship with science which can be charitably described as "frenemies." If a book is about 30-40% science, then I'll have a good time. Once you cross that 60% threshold though, you lose me. This book is heavy on the science and does not disguise that fact.
Quick rant, I hate it when people leave a bad one sentence review to the effect of, "I wish this book was more like this." The author gets to choose the subject and how to tell it. I think reviews should tell a reader if the book is well-written and effectively accomplishes the mission the AUTHOR sets. For Adventures in Volcanoland, Mather nails it. I am just not the target audience for this particular book.
Ok, enough rambling. If you are a science nerd and have even a passing interest in volcanoes then you will love this book. Mather does a fantastic job and that is why I am rating this book highly. If you are like me and can get overwhelmed by the science, then choose this one with care. I still wouldn't tell you NOT to read it. I would just caution you to know what you are getting into.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and HarperCollins.)...more
Well, Martin Dugard made me want to be a pilot for a few hundred pages so I would call his new book, Taking London, quite successful. Generally, I likWell, Martin Dugard made me want to be a pilot for a few hundred pages so I would call his new book, Taking London, quite successful. Generally, I like my feet on the ground so this is no small feat.
Taking London is about the Battle of Britain told mostly through the actions of Winston Churchill, Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding, and four fighter pilots. Dugard is going for action and excitement rather than analysis in the narrative. He uses short, evocative sentences to put the reader in the pilot's shoes. If you are well-read on the Battle of Britain, then you may not learn anything new, but you will enjoy the fighter sequences at the very least. Dugard is shooting for the casual reader who craves excitement as opposed to extensive diatribes on air tactics. Neither is better than the other. They are just different approaches and depends on what you are looking for.
The most effective sequences by far are with the fighter pilots. Their stories jump off the page and I would have read a book purely based on their stories. Dugard also adds context by giving short sequences to Churchill and Dowding which are vital to understanding what the pilots are facing why. Not all choices are effective, though. Sections devoted to Joe Kennedy and Edward Morrow could be eliminated without damaging the narrative at all. That said, the chapters are short and these sections are not all that distracting.
If you like Dugard's previous works then you will enjoy this one for sure.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Dutton Books.)...more
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