Category Archives: History

October 23, 2013 · 8:40 am

Writing on the Wall

17287025Title: Writing on the Wall
Author: Tom Standage
Source: from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★★★
Fun Fact: Facebook alone accounts for one in seven minutes spent online world wide.
Review Summary: This book did an exceptional job bringing historical eras to life while giving insight into our own use of social media and sharing many fun facts.

Writing on the Wall is about all of the ingenious and fascinating ways that information has been transmitted over the centuries. The author is able to draw surprising parallels between ancient media and the social media of today. These comparisons inform discussions of issues still relevant today, such as the question of whether communication at a distance makes us feel more or less connected to other people, and raises the question of how we’ll choose to use social media in the future. Continue reading →

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October 2, 2013 · 7:42 pm

Fighting for the Press

17561074Title: Fighting for the Press: The Inside Story of the Pentagon Papers and Other Battles
Author: James C. Goodale
Source: from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review Summary: Although I thought the book was a bit biased and over-dramatic, it was so exciting to get a personal, inside look at this fascinating story that I didn’t even mind.

The publication of the Pentagon Papers, top secret documents leaked to a reporter, was contentious from the beginning. First, there was internal debate at The New York Times over whether or not to publish. Then publication led to one of the most important first amendment cases ever, as the government sought an injunction to keep The Times from continuing to publish more of the Pentagon Papers. As the chief legal counsel for The Times, James Goodale is able to share his first hand experience  and his thoughts on the personalities involved in this momentous historical case. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under History, Memoir, non-fiction

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , pentagon papers,

August 22, 2013 · 8:50 am

The Emperor of All Maladies

emperorofallmaladies1Title: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
Author: Siddhartha Mukherjee
Source: library
Rating: ★★★★★
Fun Fact: In 1953, American adults smoked on average 10 cigarettes a day
Review Summary: Elegantly written, with both scientific precision and human empathy, both historical interest and fascinating stories about people.

This “biography of cancer” starts with the first documented cases of cancer, continues through initial attempts at cures, and finishes with descriptions of the most recent discoveries. Intertwined with the historical narrative are the stories of the author’s patients, giving us just a glimpse of what it’s like to live with cancer. Continue reading →

16 Comments

Filed under History, non-fiction, Science

August 18, 2013 · 9:51 am

Soundbites About The Raven Boys

downloadTitle: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Narrator: Will Patton
Rating (Story): ★★★★☆
Rating (Narration):★★★☆☆

Accompanying her clairvoyant mother, Blue has never seen a spirit before – until Gansey. As someone who lacks the ability to see spirits, the only reasons for her to see Gansy are if he’s her true love or if she’s the one who will kill him. Determined to avoid either fate, Blue tries to avoid Gansy but is inexplicably drawn to help with a quest in which he’s involved. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Biography, History, non-fiction

August 1, 2013 · 7:37 am

The King’s Speech – A Bookish Movie Review

downloadThis was one of the rare instances where I saw the movie before I read the book and almost as rarely, it was movie I liked enough to watch twice! It amazes me that a movie about King George VI’s stutter could be so moving and so fascinating. I think two things were done very well that made you feel so invested in the characters lives. Continue reading →

10 Comments

Filed under Biography, Book To Movie Challenge, History, non-fiction

Tagged as , , , king george vi, logue, , , , , , , royalty

July 17, 2013 · 7:23 am

The Civil War in 50 Objects

16158513Title: The Civil War in 50 Objects
Editor: Harold Holzer
Source: from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★★★
Fun Fact: Mississippi didn’t ratify the 13th amendment until 1995.
Review Summary: Both a very broad look at the feel of the Civil War era and a very personal look at the lives of individuals, this book really had it all.

This book takes a fascinating approach to civil war history, progressing generally chronologically but with each chapter focused on a particular artifact. As the goodreads description states, the objects include everything “from a soldier’s diary with the pencil still attached to John Brown’s pike, the Emancipation Proclamation, a Confederate Palmetto flag, and the leaves from Abraham Lincoln’s bier”. Each chapter talks about both broader themes and personal stories that the artifacts connect to. Continue reading →

8 Comments

Filed under History, non-fiction

Tagged as , , , civil war, , new york historical society, ,

June 26, 2013 · 6:57 pm

The Time Traveler’s Guide to Elizabethan England

16158562Title: The Time Traveler’s Guide to Elizabethan England
Author: Ian Mortimer
Source: from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★★☆
Fun Fact: In Elizabethan times, assigned rations often included a gallon of beer a day.
Review Summary: The level of detail is incredible, especially since it’s presented  in a way that will not only keep your interest, but also make you feel immersed in Elizabethan England.

Have you ever wondered what people in Elizabethan England ate, what they built their houses out of, how they spoke, or what they did for entertainment? This book answers all of those questions and more, giving you a picture of daily life that many other history books leave out. Every aspect of Elizabethan life is covered in detail, with sections covering topics from religion to entertainment. Particularly unique is the inclusion of information on the lives of the middle and lower class. Continue reading →

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Tagged as arc, , , , , elizabeth I, elizabethan era, historical, , ian mortimer, ,