An amazing story of bravery. Rudolf Vrba was the first Jew to break out of the Auschwitz concentration camp in April 1944. He and his fellow escapee, An amazing story of bravery. Rudolf Vrba was the first Jew to break out of the Auschwitz concentration camp in April 1944. He and his fellow escapee, Fred Wetzler, climbed mountains, crossed rivers and narrowly missed being killed by the Germans until they had smuggled out the first full account of Auschwitz the world had ever seen: a forensically detailed report, documenting the death camp, and getting it published. And yet, neither their fellow Jews nor the world leaders, including Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and the Pope, believed their writings. Tragic. ...more
Long Island journalist Mark Chiusano has thoroughly researched the many, many lies of disgraced former Congressman George Santos (from New York's ThirLong Island journalist Mark Chiusano has thoroughly researched the many, many lies of disgraced former Congressman George Santos (from New York's Third Congressional District), and shined a light on his abhorrent and aberrant behavior. It is shocking in these times that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats bothered to conduct any background research on this shyster, again providing further evidence that truth is stranger than fiction.
Having an opportunity to listen to the author speak about the book and his research, especially on the night of the special election to choose the successor to Santos was a real treat....more
An inspirational and courageous memoir written by Kimberly Shannon Murphy (with Genevieve Field), who overcomes childhood abuse to become a top stuntwAn inspirational and courageous memoir written by Kimberly Shannon Murphy (with Genevieve Field), who overcomes childhood abuse to become a top stuntwoman in Hollywood, battling and overcoming her demons along the way and rebuilding her self-esteem. I was also very impressed with the caring and support she receives from Hollywood star, Cameron Diaz. ...more
Rube Goldberg was a guy who broke the mold: rebelling against his father and education, he got a low-level job at a newspaper, eventually writing comiRube Goldberg was a guy who broke the mold: rebelling against his father and education, he got a low-level job at a newspaper, eventually writing comics and designing unique machines. The highlight of this book are the colorful illustrations of his zany inventions....more
Set in the 1920's, Timothy Egan memorializes the meteoric ascendancy of the Klu Klux Klan in Indiana, and its leader, Grand Dragon D.C. Stephenson. AnSet in the 1920's, Timothy Egan memorializes the meteoric ascendancy of the Klu Klux Klan in Indiana, and its leader, Grand Dragon D.C. Stephenson. An incredibly charismatic man, he essentially takes control of Indiana politics and business over a period of four years, lording over elected officials, law enforcement, bank and business owners alike. His followers were everywhere, more numerous than is most other states. He boasted he was the law, and in fact, controlled what legislative bills would be considered and approved in Indiana. He even found an ally in Daisy Douglas Barr, to create a sister organization (Ladies of the Invisible Empire) and one for children (Ku Klux Kiddies). His grand plan was to gain control the White House. Until he encountered a greater force, Madge Oberholtzer, who sacrificed her own life, to stop this monster. Scary times....more
Once again, I hold a minority view. There are a number of important themes covered and questions raised in Heavyweight: too many in fact, causing the Once again, I hold a minority view. There are a number of important themes covered and questions raised in Heavyweight: too many in fact, causing the book to wander aimlessly, and for me anyway, incoherently. Also, too many people, even with the family tree at the beginning. The sexuality issues with the main character were also a distraction. The idea that survivors of the Holocaust have blocked out memories is sensible, and the notion that other genocides, particularly in relation to colonialism or indigenous populations, have been ignored is also correct. While I appreciated the variety in artwork, I think a 2.5 star rating is right, but have to round down for leaving most issues for the reader to parse and ponder....more
3.5 stars rounded up, because well ... I just love their movie: comedy, music, and mayhem.
We learn about the backgrounds of John Belushi and Dan Akyro3.5 stars rounded up, because well ... I just love their movie: comedy, music, and mayhem.
We learn about the backgrounds of John Belushi and Dan Akyroyd's own lives until they first met, with an special focus on John. Perhaps too much detail on Saturday Night Live, but I think it helped shape the comedy scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the rivalry between these two and Chevy Chase (and their directors) for movie stardom and supremacy. The making of the Blues Brothers takes center stage (pun intended), and all of the troubles that ensued, including the ballooning budget, the drug and alcohol use, and the many crash scenes. Of course, the events leading up to and after Belushi's overdose are tragic, including multiple interventions and the Hollywood personalities that saw him on the fateful night of his death at the Chateau Marmont, but failed to save him....more
Candace Fleming has written a remarkable tribute to the women who helped turn the tide of WWII at Bletchley Park. She profiles 10 teenage girls who woCandace Fleming has written a remarkable tribute to the women who helped turn the tide of WWII at Bletchley Park. She profiles 10 teenage girls who worked there, who were instrumental in breaking the Nazi Enigma code. Those selected to work at Bletchley Park had some special abilities, math, language, or even electronics. Once they agreed, they were required to sign the government Secrets Act and sent to a secret location, Bletchley, where they lived in strange circumstances, cloistered in cabins. The book was very informative about the lives of the women, the ciphers/codes, and machines. Recommended....more
Life is stranger than fiction. Based on extensive research in journals left by captains, sailors and others, David Grann has written the story of a sqLife is stranger than fiction. Based on extensive research in journals left by captains, sailors and others, David Grann has written the story of a squadron of British ships, including the Wager, where the goal was to control sea lanes and trade routes ahead of the equally imperialistic Spain. Underlying this stated mission was the potential recovery of gold and silver from a sunken ship, where salvage was shared with the crew. Everything that could have gone wrong, did. The journey was horrific, from the conditions aboard the ships, inadequate provisions, medical help, leaders, leading to sickness, treachery, savagery, theft, mutiny, and even cannibalism. Hard to look away....more
A very interesting, but perhaps overly detailed, history of how the 1960 Presidential election was likely determined by blacks turning out to support A very interesting, but perhaps overly detailed, history of how the 1960 Presidential election was likely determined by blacks turning out to support John F. Kennedy, and not Richard Nixon, who had historically been a stronger advocate for civil rights during the Eisenhower presidency. Kennedy's team of mavericks bucked protocol, and got him to call Coretta King to offer sympathy and efforts to get Martin Luther King, Jr. released from prison. MLK was arrested at an Atlanta restaurant sit-in, organized by local HBCU students, but not released when a neighboring county enforced his one-year probation for ... driving with an out of state license and sentenced him to four months of hard labor in a prison for serious criminals and dangerous guards. Bobby Kennedy, JFK's campaign manager went berserk when heard the flimsy nature of the charge, eventually trading a future favor for bail to be granted. What the book lacked was any sensible explanation as to Nixon's decision to ignore the entire issue, perhaps because one does not exist....more
4.5 stars. A very powerful memoir written by the daughter of a volatile reggae musician, who is a militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari, par4.5 stars. A very powerful memoir written by the daughter of a volatile reggae musician, who is a militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari, particularly obsessed with her purity, and the threat of immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world. Safiya and her siblings are subjected to emotional and physical abuse, unprotected by their submissive mother. Happily, she finds some outside support from a sponsor who aids her escape from his tyranny and enables her to become a notable, popular poet in Jamaica. ...more
Paul Kix did a superb job describing the 10-week campaign in 1963 to end segregation in Birmingham Alabama, and relating it to current events, in a rePaul Kix did a superb job describing the 10-week campaign in 1963 to end segregation in Birmingham Alabama, and relating it to current events, in a readable narrative. He provides readers interested in the Civil Rights movement with substantive detail into the lives of Martin Luther King, Jr., Wyatt Walker, Fred Shuttlesworth, and James Bevel, and their various rivalries and tensions. Happily, these issues did not destroy progress, as it did for the Black Panthers. Kix believed that the breakthrough in Birmingham was the pivotal point in the Civil Rights movement that converted the Kennedys (especially Bobby) into believers, leading to the eventual passage of landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Highly recommended to those with an interest....more
One of the best comprehensive profiles of the Black Panthers, looking beyond the rhetoric into the people and their complex interactions. While it is One of the best comprehensive profiles of the Black Panthers, looking beyond the rhetoric into the people and their complex interactions. While it is undeniably true that FBI helped destroy this black empowerment organization, Austin's book does an excellent job of outlining much of the infighting among BPP leaders. Austin helps readers understand more about the rank and file (second tier leaders) and the day-to-day work they accomplished. A bit dry at times, but overall a balanced and thoughtful addition to the literature about the Panthers.
One minor problem for me was all of the photos being taken from a single photographer/source....more
A very weak effort to profile an important advocate for black power, Angela Davis. Very incoherent, with her life chronicled by two fictional characteA very weak effort to profile an important advocate for black power, Angela Davis. Very incoherent, with her life chronicled by two fictional character (a girlhood friend and an adult reporter.) The book failed to delve into her thoughts or motivations and tried unsuccessfully to be a broad introduction to the racial divide in the late 1960s, in which Angela was seemingly in the middle. Angela's important role in the Black Panther Party was not well presented either, nor did the author connect her very well to the seminal events in Birmingham and Mobile. I found the recently published graphic novel about the Black Panthers much more informative: The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walker. ...more
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