Mer Barr
The author really goes into detail about what could have been like for a black family in New Orleans just before the Civil War. It has me wondering about how much research she did, how many handed-down stories she listened to, to get all these tiny details.
The author really goes into detail about what could have been like for a black family in New Orleans just before the Civil War. It has me wondering about how much research she did, how many handed-down stories she listened to, to get all these tiny details.
Added to listNf Challenge 24with 15 books.
Great book for understanding the Civil War battles held in Georgia, up to and a bit beyond the Battle of Atlanta. A mix of high level information about the battle going on for the page, some personal recollections from both sides by individuals in the current battle, some artifacts and photos, and some really great drawings of which brigades/armies were where for the current battle.
A bit confusing because both sides were called the Army of Tennessee, thankfully the editor / author distinguishes the sides either by Federal, C.S, or Confederate so you don't get too lost in the details.
It doesn't do a good job on the battles IN Atlanta at all which, based on the title one would assume would be here. Barely 2 pages! Most of the book is up to the battle called the Battle of Atlanta and the battles just following the city bombing itself. Nor is there a map showing where the fortifications around Atlanta would be so I can compare to a modern city map. A better title to summarize is The Battle for POSSESSION of Atlanta.
What's not here is also the infamous 'March to the Sea' and scorched earth policy of Sherman but the goal for taking Atlanta had already been accomplished so its exclusion makes sense.
Great book for understanding the Civil War battles held in Georgia, up to and a bit beyond the Battle of Atlanta. A mix of high level information about the battle going on for the page, some personal recollections from both sides by individuals in the current battle, some artifacts and photos, and some really great drawings of which brigades/armies were where for the current battle.
A bit confusing because both sides were called the Army of Tennessee, thankfully the editor / author distinguishes the sides either by Federal, C.S, or Confederate so you don't get too lost in the details.
It doesn't do a good job on the battles IN Atlanta at all which, based on the title one would assume would be here. Barely 2 pages! Most of the book is up to the battle called the Battle of Atlanta and the battles just following the city bombing itself. Nor is there a map showing where the fortifications around Atlanta would be so I can compare to a modern city map. A better title to summarize is The Battle for POSSESSION of Atlanta.
What's not here is also the infamous 'March to the Sea' and scorched earth policy of Sherman but the goal for taking Atlanta had already been accomplished so its exclusion makes sense.
The title is misleading because the plot jumps around to more peoples' stories than it does Margaret's. If the movie was based on this book, the movie does a better job of staying focused on the title's character.
The title is misleading because the plot jumps around to more peoples' stories than it does Margaret's. If the movie was based on this book, the movie does a better job of staying focused on the title's character.
I skipped the first several chapters, too much detail on the abuse of women for my taste and in hindsight didn't really add to the storyline other than providing 'See how much better her life is now, compared to the start?'
For most of the first half of the book I kept seeing hints at veering off to a focus on young adult trials and tribulations but was pleasantly surprised to see the plot didn't go too far down those roads.
Good action, interesting characters, some interesting concepts to stretch my view, overall an enjoyable read.
I skipped the first several chapters, too much detail on the abuse of women for my taste and in hindsight didn't really add to the storyline other than providing 'See how much better her life is now, compared to the start?'
For most of the first half of the book I kept seeing hints at veering off to a focus on young adult trials and tribulations but was pleasantly surprised to see the plot didn't go too far down those roads.
Good action, interesting characters, some interesting concepts to stretch my view, overall an enjoyable read.
A great collection of stories about individuals doing their part to support the beavers around the world, their projects, the sciences involved, and lots of facts about everything related.
A great collection of stories about individuals doing their part to support the beavers around the world, their projects, the sciences involved, and lots of facts about everything related.
Good starting place for the story, lots of action and forward motion to the plot, characters you can get to know and love, and no sidetracking. All the things I love in a book.
Good starting place for the story, lots of action and forward motion to the plot, characters you can get to know and love, and no sidetracking. All the things I love in a book.
It's been awhile since I visited Pern, one of my favorite worlds as well as my introduction to science-fiction and fantasy.
Normally I don't like short stories but maybe my brain made an exception in this case because I could fit most of these into their right place in the Pern universe timelines, and none were a duplication of something I'd already read.
I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to the universe as the stories span centuries and don't backfill for the mentioned people, places, and events.
It's been awhile since I visited Pern, one of my favorite worlds as well as my introduction to science-fiction and fantasy.
Normally I don't like short stories but maybe my brain made an exception in this case because I could fit most of these into their right place in the Pern universe timelines, and none were a duplication of something I'd already read.
I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to the universe as the stories span centuries and don't backfill for the mentioned people, places, and events.
Added to listLaser Challenge 24with 8 books.
Picks up immediately from where [book:Shards of Honor|531792] leaves off, and continues in a same style and quality as the first book, despite being published much later.
A good read!
Picks up immediately from where [book:Shards of Honor|531792] leaves off, and continues in a same style and quality as the first book, despite being published much later.
A good read!
The author chose women in a variety of locations and duties which gives a good perspective on the happenings. She presents the sciences is understandable terms and nicely syncs the town doings with the world outside.
What I didn't enjoy was the repetition of several ideas over and over and over. I can understand repeating the impact of secrecy and presenting many scenarios of that impact but to repeat the same scenario over and over is frustrating.
I'm glad she brought the story up to fairly current day, however much has changed since she mentioned potential preservation projects in 2015 and today [2024]. It'd be nice if a new edition updated the epilogue.
The author chose women in a variety of locations and duties which gives a good perspective on the happenings. She presents the sciences is understandable terms and nicely syncs the town doings with the world outside.
What I didn't enjoy was the repetition of several ideas over and over and over. I can understand repeating the impact of secrecy and presenting many scenarios of that impact but to repeat the same scenario over and over is frustrating.
I'm glad she brought the story up to fairly current day, however much has changed since she mentioned potential preservation projects in 2015 and today [2024]. It'd be nice if a new edition updated the epilogue.
This book takes place decades down the road from Sabriel and I found it rather confusing how the female main character was related to the prior book. The male character was easier to place but still, I wasn't quite sure what he had to do with her story.
Both story lines move along nicely and the switching between the 2 was nicely done as well, none of the frequent doses of confusion for minutes at a time waiting for something to clear things up, found in other authors' books.
I like this and the prior book so well I picked up the next book in the series Abhorsen immediately.
This book takes place decades down the road from Sabriel and I found it rather confusing how the female main character was related to the prior book. The male character was easier to place but still, I wasn't quite sure what he had to do with her story.
Both story lines move along nicely and the switching between the 2 was nicely done as well, none of the frequent doses of confusion for minutes at a time waiting for something to clear things up, found in other authors' books.
I like this and the prior book so well I picked up the next book in the series Abhorsen immediately.
Incredibly detailed about all aspects related to the author's live and her studies: the history of the area she lived in, the communities, the people, the arts, and cultures involved. Sometimes I needed a bit of patience to get thru a section that didn't necessarily interest me but overall, well worth the read.
Incredibly detailed about all aspects related to the author's live and her studies: the history of the area she lived in, the communities, the people, the arts, and cultures involved. Sometimes I needed a bit of patience to get thru a section that didn't necessarily interest me but overall, well worth the read.
I struggled with this book. Not the sciences but the pace. I couldn't figure out why the author was spending so much effort on an environment that was so desolate and creepy and was about to quite when explanations began to appear. My loan time ran out before I could finish; not sure if I'll return to do that or not.
I struggled with this book. Not the sciences but the pace. I couldn't figure out why the author was spending so much effort on an environment that was so desolate and creepy and was about to quite when explanations began to appear. My loan time ran out before I could finish; not sure if I'll return to do that or not.
What a life! To leisurely wander the property and get to know the history and people of this place, that's what I wish for in a retirement. And even better if you could work from anywhere!
The writing is so vivid you can hear the bird song, feel the heat, enjoy the greenery and music.
What a life! To leisurely wander the property and get to know the history and people of this place, that's what I wish for in a retirement. And even better if you could work from anywhere!
The writing is so vivid you can hear the bird song, feel the heat, enjoy the greenery and music.
Added to listNf Challenge 24with 13 books.
Does a great job of giving detail without going too deep and stalling forward momentum.
I'm glad I read this because I knew very little of the history. I want to see these locks so checked out YouTube and there are mentions of
- 1 upgrade in 2015 [I've heard on the news recently another upgrade is about to be done],
- 2 or 3 other cross-isthmus channels being done to take on some of the demand [and money], and
- decline in rain to the area has impacted the number and size of ships, as well as how much cargo can be carried thru.
Maybe a new chapter should be added to include all these big changes.
Well worth the read.
Does a great job of giving detail without going too deep and stalling forward momentum.
I'm glad I read this because I knew very little of the history. I want to see these locks so checked out YouTube and there are mentions of
- 1 upgrade in 2015 [I've heard on the news recently another upgrade is about to be done],
- 2 or 3 other cross-isthmus channels being done to take on some of the demand [and money], and
- decline in rain to the area has impacted the number and size of ships, as well as how much cargo can be carried thru.
Maybe a new chapter should be added to include all these big changes.
Well worth the read.
The next book in this series was recommended but I like to start with the first book in a series. After getting in a ways, I realized I wasn't being drawn in by the story or the characters because murder mysteries are not a genre I like to read.
I'm giving it a 3 because the story, writing, pace and characters are all done well.
The next book in this series was recommended but I like to start with the first book in a series. After getting in a ways, I realized I wasn't being drawn in by the story or the characters because murder mysteries are not a genre I like to read.
I'm giving it a 3 because the story, writing, pace and characters are all done well.
