This tale of life as a postal worker for 12 years rings true and is probably still a common type of horrible job experience. Beware, there are multiplThis tale of life as a postal worker for 12 years rings true and is probably still a common type of horrible job experience. Beware, there are multiple sexual assaults scattered casually throughout this 1971 era story. If not for that, I would have rated it as really liked it. ...more
Excellent biography of Faraday. Gives both personal and scientific details about his life and work. Lots of good excerpts from his letters that revealExcellent biography of Faraday. Gives both personal and scientific details about his life and work. Lots of good excerpts from his letters that reveal his personality and style. I became curious to learn more about Faraday after seeing the episode about him in Neil DeGrasse Tyson's Cosmos series. I'm glad I learned more about him. I wish science classes in high school or college had given more information about him as a person. I probably would have been more interested in science if they had....
If you're interested in Edison or Einstein, you will be interested in this. Faraday's work was definitely a precursor to Einstein's, and Faraday was an inspiration to Edison. ...more
I've only seen Ms. Coel in the series Black Earth Rising. I've never seen Chewing Gum or I May Destroy You. I was so impressed with her work in Black I've only seen Ms. Coel in the series Black Earth Rising. I've never seen Chewing Gum or I May Destroy You. I was so impressed with her work in Black Earth Rising that I wanted to read this lecture that she gave about the other two series. Her introduction gives the context for how the lecture was created, and there is also an epilogue.
Ms. Coel has multiple gifts as an artist and a human being and I salute her. Her honesty is needed in this world. I know that many people will be inspired by her life and her work. ...more
This is a fascinating biography of a woman who was an out lesbian in the 1920's in New York. She was an immigrant and eventually got deported for her This is a fascinating biography of a woman who was an out lesbian in the 1920's in New York. She was an immigrant and eventually got deported for her "deviant" behavior. She was also a radical political activist and comrade of Emma Goldman.
If you are interested in lesbian history and/or socialist history, this book is a gem, with an amazing amount of detail that is never boring. The author deserves kudos for his extensive research on this woman's life. ...more
This is an inspiring biography of August Wilson, for smart children, adolescents, and adults. I liked how much of his life story was included, it feltThis is an inspiring biography of August Wilson, for smart children, adolescents, and adults. I liked how much of his life story was included, it felt like the authors respected readers who want to know as much as possible. For very young children, parents could read selected portions. This book is likely to motivate people to learn to read, or teach themselves how to write, or motivate people to go see the plays that August Wilson wrote. ...more
This book is a deep dive into the life of Jenny Diski in the form of four long essays: Diagnosis, Doris and Me, Chemo and Me, and Spray it Silver. EssThis book is a deep dive into the life of Jenny Diski in the form of four long essays: Diagnosis, Doris and Me, Chemo and Me, and Spray it Silver. Essentially, the book only has two subjects: her cancer diagnosis and her relationship with Doris Lessing. The four essays revolve around those two subjects. Intense in psychological detail, so be prepared for that.... ...more
I assume the publisher thought this book would appeal to people who liked Anthony Bourdain's memoir Kitchen Confidential. This is sort of a female verI assume the publisher thought this book would appeal to people who liked Anthony Bourdain's memoir Kitchen Confidential. This is sort of a female version. You might be interested in this book if: you want to open a restaurant and need to know the realities of that challenge, you are into trendy food scenes and bar scenes, you like to read about the personal lives of people who seem to be cool and trendy, or you specifically want to read about the personal life of Jen Agg.
I personally have no interest in any of that, so for me the book was just OK. I only read the book because I was curious to read about a woman who would be strong enough to use that title.
She does have some good things to say about women in the restaurant industry being criticized just because they have strict management policies and make strong unwavering decisions. "Hate me for my politics, hate me for my personal animus, but don't hate me for running my business the same way men have been running theirs forever". Unfortunately, the feminist business material is buried in the next to last chapter of the book. ...more
I'm reading this book as the Taliban are once again taking over Afghanistan in 2021. I wonder where the sisters are now. I hope they have found a way I'm reading this book as the Taliban are once again taking over Afghanistan in 2021. I wonder where the sisters are now. I hope they have found a way to get out of the country. Kamila Sidiqi, wherever you are, I hope you are safe.
There is such a deep tradition of misogyny and religious fanaticism and plenty of weapons to enforce the abusive systems in Afghanistan. Anyone who objects must leave the country. I hope there are ways for refugees to be evacuated.
I used to think there were major differences between our two countries and now I see the similarities with Christian radical right wing fanatics here in the U.S....more
This book could be read in conjunction with Kafka's Letter to His Father. Both explore the painful relationship that an adult child has with a difficuThis book could be read in conjunction with Kafka's Letter to His Father. Both explore the painful relationship that an adult child has with a difficult parent. Both authors are quite articulate in describing their own feelings as well as the imagined feelings of the parent....more
Hilarious and insightful about the political reality of running for office and working in government when you are a blunt speaking working class persoHilarious and insightful about the political reality of running for office and working in government when you are a blunt speaking working class person who happens to be gay. You will also enjoy this book if you lived in San Francisco during the 1970's when Ammiano was getting involved in the gay rights movement....more
Loading...
