L V
An entertaining read loaded with humor, evidence and sharp insight. The author covers a wide variety of topics in sizable chunks, making this a quick and fun read. There are so many things I was fascinated to learn, I mean, this author covers topics dating back to before 49 B.C.E. up to about 2019.
The wealth of information I learned, however, kept getting overshadowed by the realization that throughout the vast span of history, we haven’t made that much progress . Two quotes from his March chapter come to mind:
( March chapter: March 25, 1911) “Rights come from fighting for them, not asking nicely. Advancements in society are made because people are pissed about not being treated with a modicum of decency, and they’re willing to reveal just how pissed they are. Those with power will ignore anyone petitioning for change that doesn’t serve the interests of the powerful. They must be forced to change by making it more costly to ignore demands than accede to them. Across areas and eras, it has repeatedly been shown that this is how the world works.”
And…
(March chapter: March 5, 1953), “If people are beholden to a leader rather than a system of government, not only does it allow leaders to get away with whatever the fuck they want, it makes transition to new leadership all the more challenging…It places a nation under the whim of a very mortal ruler…They may be great, they may be horrible, but either way, they eventually die. Strong systems of government, however, can survive no matter who is in charge.”
Yup.
An entertaining read loaded with humor, evidence and sharp insight. The author covers a wide variety of topics in sizable chunks, making this a quick and fun read. There are so many things I was fascinated to learn, I mean, this author covers topics dating back to before 49 B.C.E. up to about 2019.
The wealth of information I learned, however, kept getting overshadowed by the realization that throughout the vast span of history, we haven’t made that much progress . Two quotes from his March chapter come to mind:
( March chapter: March 25, 1911) “Rights come from fighting for them, not asking nicely. Advancements in society are made because people are pissed about not being treated with a modicum of decency, and they’re willing to reveal just how pissed they are. Those with power will ignore anyone petitioning for change that doesn’t serve the interests of the powerful. They must be forced to change by making it more costly to ignore demands than accede to them. Across areas and eras, it has repeatedly been shown that this is how the world works.”
And…
(March chapter: March 5, 1953), “If people are beholden to a leader rather than a system of government, not only does it allow leaders to get away with whatever the fuck they want, it makes transition to new leadership all the more challenging…It places a nation under the whim of a very mortal ruler…They may be great, they may be horrible, but either way, they eventually die. Strong systems of government, however, can survive no matter who is in charge.”
Yup.
When I opened the book I was surprised to see
That it was written in verse, yet the mystery
Of little Margaret and her flaming red hair,
Ended abruptly, with piqued interest - already drawn to the lair,
I kept reading on, I was a bit saddened to find
‘twasn't a novel I'd read, but short stories whose characters' lives intertwined.
That aside, I enjoyed it a lot.
Some of the characters will not soon be forgot.
Margaret's mom, in denial, comes to my mind.
She made me so mad, she made my teeth grind.
Clifford's dreams and aspirations I wish had been realized.
Lest we forget his father: eyes full of life, body paralyzed.
But when I think back to my favorite of all,
It is young man Nathan who answers the call.
Duped to make a speech at his ex-girlfriend's wedding,
The ex thought she'd have a laugh hearing him stutter and watching his face reddening.
But he had the last laugh. He was a pip.
He exposed her for who she was – man, he let it rip!
Moral of the story: karma's a bitch, you cheating cow!
Nathan, good job! G'head, take a bow.
When I opened the book I was surprised to see
That it was written in verse, yet the mystery
Of little Margaret and her flaming red hair,
Ended abruptly, with piqued interest - already drawn to the lair,
I kept reading on, I was a bit saddened to find
‘twasn't a novel I'd read, but short stories whose characters' lives intertwined.
That aside, I enjoyed it a lot.
Some of the characters will not soon be forgot.
Margaret's mom, in denial, comes to my mind.
She made me so mad, she made my teeth grind.
Clifford's dreams and aspirations I wish had been realized.
Lest we forget his father: eyes full of life, body paralyzed.
But when I think back to my favorite of all,
It is young man Nathan who answers the call.
Duped to make a speech at his ex-girlfriend's wedding,
The ex thought she'd have a laugh hearing him stutter and watching his face reddening.
But he had the last laugh. He was a pip.
He exposed her for who she was – man, he let it rip!
Moral of the story: karma's a bitch, you cheating cow!
Nathan, good job! G'head, take a bow.
This book felt like several rolled into one. The author has so much info he wants to share with the reader that sometimes there isn't a smooth flow to the narrative. With that said, it is a very interesting book for those interested in lost languages and uncontacted cultures.
The Piraha are a fascinating people. Their language, consisting of 3 vowels and 8 consonants, does not limit them from communicating with each other in close or distant proximity from one another. In addition to verbal speech, the Piraha people communicate with each other by humming, singing, and whistling.
A hard-working and resourceful people, the Piraha welcome Everett into the tribe and teach him their way of life - which ultimately has a profound impact on Everett's beliefs and how he views life once he goes back home.
This book felt like several rolled into one. The author has so much info he wants to share with the reader that sometimes there isn't a smooth flow to the narrative. With that said, it is a very interesting book for those interested in lost languages and uncontacted cultures.
The Piraha are a fascinating people. Their language, consisting of 3 vowels and 8 consonants, does not limit them from communicating with each other in close or distant proximity from one another. In addition to verbal speech, the Piraha people communicate with each other by humming, singing, and whistling.
A hard-working and resourceful people, the Piraha welcome Everett into the tribe and teach him their way of life - which ultimately has a profound impact on Everett's beliefs and how he views life once he goes back home.
The story's start was too drawn out. I predicted the ending soon after and just wished the narrator would have provided us with more info on Emily's servant. His silence and lack of backstory intrigued me more than Emily's story!
The story's start was too drawn out. I predicted the ending soon after and just wished the narrator would have provided us with more info on Emily's servant. His silence and lack of backstory intrigued me more than Emily's story!
Answered a promptWhat are your favorite books of all time?
* I received a copy through a First Reads giveaway*
After a mundane and low-paying job as a typist, Vera , a nice Jewish girl from humble beginnings models jewelry on the side to make ends meet. They dress her up in the nicest clothes and most expensive jewelry and have her model in the swankiest hotels. Vera dreams of living the high life and longs for the glitz and glamour of it all. She gets more than she bargains for when she meets and falls in love with two rival Chicago gangsters.
The carefree days of the Jazz Age and sinister Prohibition crime wave come to life in this read. At first Vera seems like a one dimensional character, but when she is forced to do for herself, she becomes a force to be reckoned with. This one is more a 3 star read, but I'll give it a 4 for the realistic depiction of how Chicago used to be in the Roaring Twenties.
* I received a copy through a First Reads giveaway*
After a mundane and low-paying job as a typist, Vera , a nice Jewish girl from humble beginnings models jewelry on the side to make ends meet. They dress her up in the nicest clothes and most expensive jewelry and have her model in the swankiest hotels. Vera dreams of living the high life and longs for the glitz and glamour of it all. She gets more than she bargains for when she meets and falls in love with two rival Chicago gangsters.
The carefree days of the Jazz Age and sinister Prohibition crime wave come to life in this read. At first Vera seems like a one dimensional character, but when she is forced to do for herself, she becomes a force to be reckoned with. This one is more a 3 star read, but I'll give it a 4 for the realistic depiction of how Chicago used to be in the Roaring Twenties.
Added to listBest Book Coverswith 15 books.
This book would translate well into a comedic film. It's packed with hilarious situations and a well-developed cast of characters. I loved each and every one of the characters and can't decide on a favorite. The book is a lengthy one and the story doesn't really pick up until you're a few chapters in. It's definitely worth sticking with and reading from cover to cover.
This book would translate well into a comedic film. It's packed with hilarious situations and a well-developed cast of characters. I loved each and every one of the characters and can't decide on a favorite. The book is a lengthy one and the story doesn't really pick up until you're a few chapters in. It's definitely worth sticking with and reading from cover to cover.
A beautifully told story of a boy who faces so many challenges at school because of his appearance. He's really a cool kid but people keep him at arms length - that is until someone finally breaks from the pack and shows him some decency. Not all follow suit at once, but it goes to show that sometimes it only takes one small act of kindness to turn things around. Such a simple idea, yet such a complex concept for most.
A beautifully told story of a boy who faces so many challenges at school because of his appearance. He's really a cool kid but people keep him at arms length - that is until someone finally breaks from the pack and shows him some decency. Not all follow suit at once, but it goes to show that sometimes it only takes one small act of kindness to turn things around. Such a simple idea, yet such a complex concept for most.
The premise of this fictional novel is based on what the author claims to be a historical fact in which a Northern Cheyenne chief, in hopes to assimilate his people and finally bring peace between the tribe and the U.S. gov't, proposes to gift the U.S. 1,000 horses in exchange for 1,000 white women. Whether this is true or not (I couldn't find any evidence to support the author's claim), the story is a fascinating tale of the Native people's perseverance in the face of all the painful challenges dealt to them, as well as an insightful look of how the assimilation program might have shaped our world today. The book was engaging from beginning to end – so much so that I have taken up an interest in learning more about the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Crow. I didn't want the story to end and miss the characters dearly.
The premise of this fictional novel is based on what the author claims to be a historical fact in which a Northern Cheyenne chief, in hopes to assimilate his people and finally bring peace between the tribe and the U.S. gov't, proposes to gift the U.S. 1,000 horses in exchange for 1,000 white women. Whether this is true or not (I couldn't find any evidence to support the author's claim), the story is a fascinating tale of the Native people's perseverance in the face of all the painful challenges dealt to them, as well as an insightful look of how the assimilation program might have shaped our world today. The book was engaging from beginning to end – so much so that I have taken up an interest in learning more about the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Crow. I didn't want the story to end and miss the characters dearly.
This book would translate well into a comedic film. It's packed with hilarious situations and a well-developed cast of characters. I loved each and every one of the characters and can't decide on a favorite. The book is a lengthy one and the story doesn't really pick up until you're a few chapters in. It's definitely worth sticking with and reading from cover to cover.
This book would translate well into a comedic film. It's packed with hilarious situations and a well-developed cast of characters. I loved each and every one of the characters and can't decide on a favorite. The book is a lengthy one and the story doesn't really pick up until you're a few chapters in. It's definitely worth sticking with and reading from cover to cover.
