mkboylan's 2013 Reading Part III

My indecision with where to break thread is resolved by repeating my last review on the old thread here:

BOOK 73 - The Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Beynon Rees

After my last read I was looking for something light, and went to my usual, a mystery. Well, light it wasn't, but a good transition perhaps. I just stumbled across this book and grabbed it. Matt Rees writes out of his experience as a journalist covering the mid-East for over a decade for Time, Newsweek, and The Scotsman. He was born in Wales which I thought brought a unique perspective to his story.

This book has all of the standard ingredients of a good murder mystery, but with some added twists. The location (Bethlehem) includes an occupied Palestinian camp. The interaction, blame, motives, etc., are complicated by the characters from three groups, Palestinian Christians, Muslims, and the Israeli occupiers. I'm American and had to keep stopping and thinking these relationships through and putting the characters in perspective. I finally realized that I was trying to fit the story into my American framework rather than just hearing what the characters were actually experiencing themselves. That was a challenge, and well worth the effort. The main character was very helpful in that because of his personal refusal to hold people in stereotype. He is definitely NOT a black and white thinker but sees many shades of grays and many possibilities. The author has clearly developed an excellent grasp of the complicated relationships between groups living in the mid-East as well as old tribal histories and forms of government. I learned a lot in reading it and will be reading the other three in this series. Highly recommended, with a potential to help the reader understand the mid-East a little more, and perhaps even the reader's own ambiguity in her own relationships.

BOOK 74 - Spiritual Tattoo by John A. Rush

391.65

This is one of those books I had waiting for me to read in retirement, which has been five years now! There were two things that intrigued me about tattoos and I wanted to learn more. One, I began hearing about women with mastectomies using tattoos as a way of healing and helping and saw some seriously stunning pictures (google image mastectomy tattoos if you haven't seen any). Secondly, I read about the disturbance in relationships between generations of Maoris in New Zealand when Christian missionaries taught them to stop tattooing. Particularly, the relationships between fathers and sons were harmed. At the time I was also looking at U.S. gang tattoos and hadn't even considered this perspective and wanted to understand more.

John Rush is an anthropologist who teaches at a community college in northern California and that is the perspective that attracted me to this particular volume. Anthropology is my favorite perspective from which to learn about many issues.

Rush writes about the history of tattooing, scarification, and piercing as well as branding and implants. The common thread between these behaviors that Rush covers is their use as a rite of passage of some type, whether it involves, aging, illness, group affiliation or something else. My favorite part was that he included his own culture, the U.S. with what I considered to be a fairly objective comparison. He examines the specific practices e.g. why paint the lips red, why get breast implants or as some men do now, calves implants, as well as the purpose the behavior serves and other methods used to achieve similar purposes. For example he compares the use of psychotherapy for healing (e.g. cancer survivor groups), athletic accomplishments such as a survivor running a marathon, to the use of tattooing. It is an interesting topic.

Most of this book satisfies my longing for "proof" meaning peer reviewed research as much as possible, but the author does drift into more personal beliefs and behavior occasionally. That of course can be easy to do especially with anthropology. Additionally, parts were a little dry and could have been livened up with more case studies. Therefore, three stars.

As always, Merrikay, an interesting review.

This is in response to your last post in the previous thread. Do you think that having read Seeking Palestine, it changed the way you thought about the story in The Collaborator of Bethlehem? I am reading and enjoying Seeking Palestine right now. There is so much food for thought.

Yes Colleen I definitely do. I thought about that when I was writing the review, specifically wondering about how much background and knowledge is helpful in understanding The Collabortor.

So glad you are enjoying Seeking Palestine. I really loved it.

Yahoo I'm getting caught up with my reviews!

I agree with you Merrikay the anthropological approach to tattooing sounds fascinating, great review.

OK time to 'fess up, anybody got a tattoo that posts on club read and if you have; does it include anything to do with literature. Oh this may be a question for Rebeccas questions for the avid reader.

I am tattooless.

Great review of Spiritual Tattoo, Merrikay!

I am also tattooless, and I have no piercings.

A fine review of Spiritual Tattoo. I had never heard of mastectomy tattoos before.

No tattoos or piercings here either. I'm not opposed to the idea--I've seen some I find very attractive--but how do you decide what image or message you want to wear on your skin for the rest of your life?

Thanks for the review of Collaborator of Bethlehem - I look forward to reading it when serendipity brings me to a copy.

The tattoo review was interesting as well. I find their social history interesting, really ever since my brother came back from a photography assignment as a tattoo festival in Tahiti over a decade or so ago. Also, when climbing trees in London with a proud Maori, our chats at tea-breaks taught me a little bit more about their significance in that culture. I confess though, that I'm not a big fan of them in general, and actually dislike probably about 95% of the ones I have seen.
Needless to say I am tattooless.

Effingham Illinois Goodwill:

Opening a Mountain by Steven Heine
Scent of the Missing by Susannah Charleson
Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie
One More Time by Mike Royko
Call Me Ted by Ted Turner

$5

You're really getting around, Merrikay!

Intriguing reviews of The Collaborator of Bethlehem and Spiritual Tattoo, Merrikay. I have never heard of mastectomy tattoos before, but what a great idea!

Thanks everyone. I am tattooless also. I'm not really into pain. Some people's I like, some I don't, but I like hearing the stories. The most beautiful one I have seen was a vine of purple morning glories I think, around a woman's chest after a mastectomy. Really stunningly beautiful I thought. I DO have pierced ears and it hurt like hell.

Rebecca we usually spend the summer in the Rockies because Sacramento is just too hot, but we had to come to our daughter's engagement party in St. Louis where her future in-laws live. We decided to slip up to some of the Amish country before we head back west. Which, to me, means Tattered Cover in Denver, Powells in Portland, and maybe Left Bank Books in Seattle. We don,t have many decent used bookstores in the Sacramento area. I'm told it's because the real estate is too high priced but that doesn't seem to hurt Berkeley and San Francisco!

No tattoos. I did have pierced ears at one point, but not any longer. I have seen pictures of mastectomy tattoos, and they can be quite amazing.

Congrats on your daughter's engagement. Interesting reviews on the book about tattoos.

I had pierced ears once upon a time too.
Then I had a baby with an incredibly strong grip who really liked the hoop earrings I was wearing.
That was the end of that!!!!

I had never seen a picture of a mastectomy tattoo until recently. It did look pretty amazing.

Wow--I had also never seen the mastectomy tatts, but the ones on the Pinterest page are nothing short of amazing. I'm a 3y BC survivor and I have not felt so empowered since I went through all that.

16 - I find them truly stunning! I'm glad you like them.

8 - Steven - by the way, there is a section about changing tattoos you no longer want. Not laser removal, but rather turning the picture into something else. I hadn't thought about that - rather cool.

Avid - thanks and ouch!
ETA: Avid - my daughter and her fiancee met in New Zealand where they were doing some volunteer trail building and spent some time with some Maori people and she came home with a Maori themed tattoo.

Here's an interesting tie between tattoos and literature. Author Shelley Jackson is writing a 2000+ word short story which is being tattooed on the skin of volunteers from all over the world, one word per person. The story will never be published in any other form, and only the author herself will know what it says.

http://www.ineradicablestain.com/skin-quilt.html

Thanks for that link Steven - VERY intriguing. I have to look into that further.

Many years ago now, there was a fascinating exhibit on body art, including tattoos, at the Museum of Natural History in New York. They put a lot of their exhibits online now but, sadly, this one was long enough ago that I can't provide a link to it.

>2 mkboylan: Anthropology is my favorite perspective from which to learn about many issues.
Me too. I've pursued some "social history" but maybe it's within anthropology.

No tattoos, but the possibility intrigues. The closest I've gotten is wishlisting Body Type: Intimate Messages Etched in Flesh.

Most of my life I've lived in port cities, which seem to be inextricably linked to tattoo parlours. When I was a kid, it seemed that only sailors, longshoremen (they were all men), navy characters and carnies had tattoos. I found the tattoos somehow exotic with their hint of foreign places and what my mother would have considered bad class elements. Now tattoos are everywhere and they've completely lost their fascination for me, although I did like steven's link.

One book that features tattoo artists and the whole culture is John Irving's Until I Find You; not great writing, but an easy read and a trip through the seedier parts of some of the western world's great ports.

BOOK 75 - America Rising by Tom Paine

I'm afraid that if I had paid attention to the author's name I wouldn't have read this book. Seems a little too silly. But evidently I was in a hurry and clicked on one click and am glad I did. Not a lot to say other than I do enjoy stories where the poor underdogs beat the rich overlords. And there you have it! It takes place in the present times with more and more people becoming aware of the corporate control of the U.S. government and more and more people trying to do something. It's just fun to see the "little guys" wake up and fight. The story is well written and the characters developed rather than one dimensional. Most of it I find believable. As you may guess, I especially enjoyed reading it following Rising Tide! Four stars.

www.americarisingthenovel.com

Rebecca I would have loved to have seen that exhibit!

Detail - I'll have to check out Body Type.

Sassy - port cities, tattoos, Navy - that's exactly what comes up for me when I think of tattoos.

I still have more reviews go write to get caught up, but am relaxing a lot!

BOOK 76 - Journey to Nowhere a New World Tragedy by Shiva Naipaul

Of course I remembered the mass suicides in Guyana at the Peoples Temple led by Jim Jones in 1978. However, I was busy at the time with three small children and didn't keep up with the news and analyses. I just happened upon this book used and picked it up. This is an analysis of what this author believes to be the causes of the event. Naipaul assumes that the reader knows what happened, when and where and begins with the interviews and analysis. I had to actually resort to wiki to catch up.

Naipaul was born in Trinidad and educated both there and at University College, Oxford. This background of course influenced his perceptions and judgements about what happened, especially his experience as a person of Indian descent. He begins to tell the story of The People's Temple with historical background of Guyana. Naipaul is attempting to find out how this tragedy was allowed to happen in Guyana. He presents some interesting ideas, e.g. that the idea of third world countries is actually a concept put upon these countries by first world countries. He talks about the stereotype of the angry Black militant leaders (his term) who appear in these countries and makes reference to what he believes is influence on them by American Blacks who traveled to Africa. This power dynamic resulted in much discrimination in Guyana against non-Blacks and, I would argue Naipaul's own discrimination against Blacks both African and American. Jim Jones was a self-proclaimed Socialist who was indeed welcomed by the government of Guyana, who eventually turned away from American relationships and embraced the govt. of Cuba, the U.S.S.R. and other communist countries. A lot more information and background are given here, but this first section is basically setting the scene for the Temple's welcome to Guyana and the lack of oversight of the group by their host country, and the influence of Jones on the government of Guyana, as well as their coverup of the background of the horrific events that occurred there.

Naipaul describes visits and interviews with many people, witnesses, experts, etc. He presents multiple sides of stories of events from many varied perspectives. There are no notes in the book, which I found to be more than a disappointment, only a bibliography. Although, he does seem to show lots of different perspectives and states that there is no explanation for how so many people who were part of this had different experiences and saw very different things. For example, there were many stories of abuse of Temple members, starvation, overwork and beatings. There were others who never witnessed any of that and described it all as a wonderful experience. Naipaul states that there are too many people who saw no abuse to be explained away by being kept from seeing it e.g. by not being allowed in certain areas. However, there are recordings of Jones preaching and rehearsals of mass suicide. The point is also made that many, many Temple members previously lived in terrible poverty and received no medical care, many were mentally ill, poorly educated although there were also some well educated and more knowledgeable members. In other words, for some, circumstances in Guyana that would be judged a nightmare to many would actually be a better experience than most of them had at home in the U.S.

Naipaul extensively describes life in the U.S. and particularly California in the 60s and 70s as being receptive to and welcoming of a great variety of social experiments. He specifically talks about support for Jones from Black Panthers, American politicians such as Willy Brown, and many others. I found Naipaul's description and judgements to be a little harsh of California, although I often find California amusing myself, having lived there most of my life.

Naipaul also claims that as the U.S. government realized the Socialistic threats made by the Temple, government agents began harassing the Temple, disrupting them, and discrediting them much as they did the Black Panthers in the same period. Some say they were threatened by what could have been public perception of a successful socialistic lifestyle.

Revolutionary suicide is defined and described by Naipaul and attributed to this event at least as an explanation of how people were convinced to participate. I found this to be an interesting section and something I had not heard about in this regard. Naipaul describes how it almost becomes inevitable, or the only way out and as a powerful political statement, giving meaning and purpose to both the lives and deaths of people who perceive themselves to be powerless. Naipaul actually claims revolutionary suicide begins when the oppressed rises up and says no to his oppressor. It is seen as a positive action of resistance, comparable to self-immolation. He states that Che Guevara says that revolutionary death is the reality, not victory, which is the dream. All revolutionaries are doomed. Naipaul interviews Huey Newton and other Black Panthers and draws connections in this excerpt:

"A linking of the Revolution with personal doom, forged in the twisted passions of Sergei Nechayev...touched up and romanticized by Che Guevara against the mountain scenery of Cuba and Bolivia, picked up by a former Oakland street boy Newton and given another little twist, ends up on the lips of Jim Jones in the Guyanese wilderness."

I was visiting Amish country in Illinois while finishing this book up, and kept making comparisons. I would also perceive Amish as revolutionary when compared to their surroundings and their removal of themselves from the main society of U.S. AND, they have been long-lasting. Wonder why.

There are many interviews and visits to Oakland and Guyana among other places, that make me listen to Naipaul and I do find his thesis fascinating. I do find this last description to be a bit of a stretch, especially considering that Jim Jones, whose mother believed she had given birth to a messiah was already killing small animals and acting out in other ways before he ever left Indiana to move his congregation to California.

I am fascinated, ambiguous, and don't care much for Naipaul, as you could perhaps tell. Nevertheless, four stars for this ambitious work.

The Bean Cycle coffee house in Ft. Collins, CO, has a used and new non-profit bookstore inside with a wonderful selection. Not to mention great coffee! I scored on both counts. My drink was a Kerouac, iced coffee with Venetian creme, and as for books:

Two Worlds of Childhood: U.S. and U.S.S.R. by Urie Bronfenbrenner
Origins of the Civil Rights Movement by Aldon D. Morris
No Turning Back by Polingaysi QoyQym
The Return of Eva Peron by V.S. Naipaul

That last one if Shiva's brother I believe.

All of these lovely books for $3.75.

And now I am settling down for a week (at least) in Golden, CO, which means I will be near the wonderful Tattered Cover Bookstores in Denver for my birthday!

Journey to Nowhere sounds fascinating. I was reading your description of the author, thinking it sounded like V S Naipaul, only to discover that he was V S Naipaul's younger brother, as you mention in the next post. Now I have a new Naipaul world to explore.

Keep those bookstores going! Sounds like a great vacation.

Of course I had to go look up The Return of Eva Peron! Journey to Nowhere sounds very interesting. I remember watching that story unfold when I was a young teenager - and having to explain to my kids where that phrase "drinking the Kool-Aid" came from! There must be other books written about that particular episode but I've never heard of any till now.

Great link to America Rising

Fascinating review of Journey to Nowhere a New World Tragedy

I would probably find anything about the Jim Jones suicides fascinating, but from your review, it sounds like Naipaul may not be the best author on it, or maybe he adds an interesting alternate perspective.

Anyway, I'm catching up on your thread after finding I missed all of part II, all 235 posts and a slew of books, all the discussion on your wonderful review of Seeking Palestine, and so many other books (notably Economix, Burma and Jerusalem Chronicles, Pitch Black, Days of Destruction, on French Resistance, Around the Bloc, and so on...)

Awesome stuff on Rising Tide, a book I've been meaning to get and read for years now

Loved your review of Holy the Firm, which I own and knew nothing about.

And of all those acquisitions, I can recommend Patagonia. :) But I really like the quirky and unreliable Bruce Chatwin.

Very interesting review of Journey to Nowhere: A New World Tragedy, Merrikay. His brother, V.S. Naipaul, is certainly a controversial figure and I have been curious to learn more about Shiva. But unfairly or not, I am frankly put-off by his thesis of revolutionary suicide as an explanation for these events. I recently found a used copy of his North of South: An African Journey and I think I'll start with that instead.

MK fascinating, meaty review of Journey to Nowhere. I remember the Time magazine cover story about it at the time and wonder if any of that depth was in it.

Happy birthday soon!

Great review of Journey to Nowhere, MJ. I loved Shiva's novel The Chip-Chip Gatherers, which is the only book by him I've read so far. I did buy Fireflies and North of South: An African Journey when I was in London last month, so I'll read both books soon.

BOOK 77 - Boomer Railroad Memoirs by Linda Niemann

The fact that this was about a woman working on the railroad makes me want to rate it higher than I would otherwise, just because it's fun. I mean who gets a Ph.D. and then goes to work as a brakeman for the railroad? Linda Niemann did. I enjoyed reading this information about how railroads work and found it interesting. The author assumed the reader knows more about that topic than I did however, and I didn't know what she was talking about half the time as she described the work. There is a glossary but I didn't find it very helpful. Niemann describes some experiences with sexism but doesn't seem to have been too bothered by it and certainly handled it well. I enjoyed reading about her relationships with co-workers and lovers. Her struggle with alcoholism is one of the best descriptions I have ever heard about that process. I'd especially recommend it for people who fight that battle. I'd also recommend it for anyone who loves an alcoholic and wants to understand why the repercussions are so long lasting and really only begin after the drinking ends. Four stars.

>35 mkboylan: I'll have to get around to that one for sure!

BOOK 78 - Kisscut by Karin Slaughter

The first Karin Slaughter thriller I picked up featured FBI agent Will Trent. Trent talked about how he dealt with having dyslexia and having to do so much reading and paperwork as an agent. The book was Triptych and I was hooked on Slaughter. The books take place in Georgia where I used to live so I very much enjoy the location and spending a little time there. I also like the characters Slaughter has drawn in her books especially because both strengths and weaknesses are shown and drive the action.

I did not see the end of Kisscut coming. It was complicated with several twists and possibilities for my mind to go with. I was never sure who the good guys or bad guys were, just like in real life. They were not cut and dried, nor were they stereotyped. Warning for some readers, this plot involves child sexual abuse which I usually don't read. I have to say tho that Slaughter does an excellent and I think helpful job of illustrating the psychological plight of man victims as they attempt to heal. Specifically, it can be difficult for victims to reconcile the fact that their bodies may naturally respond to sex while their minds are screaming no and this results in much shame. This is what Slaughter does a good job with. Anyone struggling with Stockholm Syndrome may find this helpful if not too traumatic, depending on where they are in their recovery. Four stars

I'm caught up!

Boomer Railroad Memoirs is now on my Barny Noble wishlist and suits my interests enough that it will likely come to me the next time they send me a coupon. I'm wondering whether she led the life that I should have led.

Robert

Thanks Sassy.
I knew you would Avid (Peron)
Thanks Bas. Glad you liked the link.
I don't know Dan, maybe Shiva's IS the best! ? It's so great to have you posting again. Rising Tide is really good. have you read Chatwin's Songlines? I'm hoping to get to that soon.
I know Linda - it's weird. Let me know how you like North of South.
Thanks Darryl. I think I will try some of his fiction.
Hope you like it Mr. Durick. I'm going to try to get her photo book written with Leslie Marmon Silko. Niemann is teaching now. Lucky students I think.

OK yesterday I did NOT want to go into Lowe's (homestore stuff) with my husband so I went next door to one of those dollar stores and came out with:

Looking for Trouble Adventures in a Broken World by Ralph Peters
Rednecks and Bluenecks by Chris Willman
for a grand total of $2

I'm not a country music fan in general but I really got so angry about what happened to the Dixie Chicks that I had to go right to Amazon and buy some of their CD,s when the stupid country radio stations banned them. I AM a fan of Natalie Main and also like what she did to help out the West Memphis Three, as I read about in Damien Echols book. So.....the topic of country music politics. My husband has already finished it and said it was good. I'm also a fan of Johnny Cash who is also talked about in the book.

I DID have a great birthday today, lunch at Sherpa House in Golden, CO, one of my fav restaurants. Big 65 and on Medicare!

You're a younger woman among us then.

Robert

Happy 65th, Merrikay! May you need that Medicare card for nothing but checkups for many years to come.

Happy Birthday!!!

Hi Merrikay - well Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day - can't wait to hear back from you about the Tattered Cover...

Just caught up to - "BOOK 77 - Boomer Railroad Memoirs by Linda Niemann

The fact that this was about a woman working on the railroad makes me want to rate it higher than I would otherwise, just because it's fun."... and that sentence makes me want to read more right now, but I have to get to work! So I'll carry on catching up another time. Just wanted to say that your review of Journey to Nowhere was great - and a fascinating subject.

Happy birthday, Merrikay! I'm on vacation with seven grandchildren today, so haven't had much time to read. I'll be back to read your reviews later.

Happy birthday, Merrikay!

Happy Birthday Merrikay! I'm a little bit ahead of you and can assure you it is a great time of life. Enjoy all the perks!

Congratulations Merrikay

Happy Birthday, Merrikay -- you're a couple of weeks ahead of me on the Medicare front -- I have to wait until the end of the month.

Happy Belated Birthday, Merrikay! Nice review of Boomer Railroad Memoirs.

Thanks everyone for all of the birthday wishes! I feel like a little girl! Also thanks for comments on reviews. And yes, the 60s are certainly the best - so far anyway! It is a wonderful time of life for women especially. I have/am really enjoying aging and all the perks that go with it. Remind me of that when my health starts to go!

Today's haul in Denver:

$2 Buck Books (actually pb are 2, hardback are 4) but still! very well organized store.

Ronnie Gilbert on Mother Jones by Ronnie Gilbert
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
Episodes of the Revolutionary War by Ernesto Che Guevera
Black on Red My 44 Years Inside the Soviet Union by Robert Robinson

$10 total

Then I went to Tatterred Cover. Went to the downtown warehouse one earlier this week, then today to the one on Colfax that is in a converted movie theater and is amazing:

Believe in People the Essential Karel Capek by Karel Capek (I think my first Czech author so I'm excited)
Part Wild One Woman's Journey with a Creature Caught Between the worlds of Wolves and Dogs by Ceiridwen Terrill
Farm Friends from the Late Sixties to the West Seventies and Beyond by Tom Fels
Caviotas a Village to Reinvent the World by Alan Weisman
Empire of Ice Encounters in a Changing Landscape by Gretel Ehrlich
Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

$17.50

oh my I do love a good deal on a book!

I ended up with Sweetness in the Belly because I was looking alphabetically for Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons that Rebecca recommended. No Cold Comfort Farm, but this one was there and I could,t resist.

As you all said, Happy Birthday to me!!!

I have had Sweetness in the Belly on my iPod for ages. I may wait for your review, and you may push me to listen. :). I retired a year and a half ago. So sweet.

I'm too late, but happy 65th! I was lost catching up on other threads. Back at #39, I've read Chatwin's Songlines and In Patagonia. I love them both and can recommend them highly...but be aware going in the these books are fiction. Chatwin's biographer apparently argues they are more than the truth, but that's tough to defend. They are a romanticized version of something that is not quite the truth. I think these two books are more about Chatwin then their topics.

Great haul!

Boulder CO Humane Society Thrift Store:

Continuing the Good Life Half a Century of Homesteading by Helen and Scott Nearing
Three Who Made a Revolution by Bertram D. Wolfe
Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West by Hampton Sides

$6 total and

Boulder Public Library:

The Sledge Patrol by David Howarth
Burning Rainbow Farm: How a Stoner Utopia Went Up in Smoke by Dean Kuipers
Inside Hanoi's Secret Archives by Malcolm McConnell
The American Paradox: a History of the United States Since 1960 by Steven M. Gillon
Breaking News by Martin Fletcher

$8

Yesterday I finished Betty Shabazz Surviving Malcolm by Russell Rickford which was excellent. Review in a day or two.

Now I'm going to read something light and trashy!

I've been meaning to read Three Who Made a Revolution for years, because we have an old copy at my family's house in the mountains. Maybe I'll take a look at when we're up there.

BOOK 79 - Betty Shabazz Surviving Malcolm X by Russell J. Rickford

Took me awhile to get through these 548 pages, but it was never once boring, and that number speaks to the depth of Rickford's detailed interpretation, analysis, and amount of sources. Although he assisted Manning Marable in Marable's work on Malcolm X, Rickford is a respected and experienced scholar in his own right and an expert in African Politics.

I so appreciate the comprehensiveness of this work. My old Theory of Personality psych prof would have seen this as a great book for applying theory and analysis to the subject of Dr. Betty Shabazz' personal development. I did not find Dr. Shabazz likeable early in the story, and the beauty of a comprehensive work is often the reader's chance to see growth and develop empathy. It would also make a good case study of the effects of trauma on both individuals and families and an excellent subject for a genogram to see how these patterns repeat through generations.

By necessity, to support his analysis, Rickford went deeply into African American as well as African politics and thought. I am so happy to have developed a better understanding for example, of the differences between Malcolm X' philosophy and that of Martin Luther King, Jr. I have thought a lot and read a lot about non-violence as a political tool compared to other methods and am trying to come to some stance on that. I think after reading this book that I have done that by combining both ideas and seeing that of course different strategies are effective with different people and in different situations. I've rather hero worshipped Malcolm X since reading his autobiography, but now have a more mature appreciation of him as a whole person I believe.

With this background, Rickford was then able to analyze Dr. Shabazz' growth and transitions with deeper understanding.

As I said previously, I did not take to Shabazz initially. She appeared pretty narcissistic as a child, which would be consistent with someone who experienced trauma before the age of three, which she likely did. She was abandoned by her birth mother, and perhaps wrested away by foster parents who were then consistently there for her as parents. She seems to have actually been active in inserting herself into their lives, which is consistent with her later survival behavior. I believe this relationship with this couple prevented her from continuing down the road to total obnoxious narcissism and helped her to develop further. However, as is often the case with abused or neglected children, Dr. Shabazz moved toward a man and movement (The Nation of Islam) that were very fundamentally based in early cognitive developmental stages of black and white thinking. (This choice would also be consistent for Malcolm who also experienced much childhood as well as adult trauma.) Trauma typically brings cognitive development to a screeching halt until there is an opportunity for healing.

Shabazz' experiences with Malcolm and others pushed her further in her political and philosophical development, tempered with her own narcissism, which I personally think paid off for her and her children. I think these things were the basis for her intellectual development as well as her determination to survive and protect her children. Because as we know, there was much more trauma to come. The Shabazz familiy experienced unbelievable amounts of betrayal, fire bombing of their home, witnessing the murder of their husband and father and more. It did not stop there as threats on their lives and unending harassment continued.

Once again, the strong bonds in their African community and family members helped to support and sustain this family as their mother was able to both protect her family and get herself into a position to be able to support her family financially. Of course we parents cannot protect our children from life, and her children would express their trauma in their own ways, as did other children of Civil Rights activists. Shabazz' daughter Qubilah ended up in court facing a charge of conspiring to kill one of the men (Farrakhan) who she believed was partly responsible for her father's murder. That has of course been topic enough for many other books, but there is enough here to further convince me personally, that this death was the result of collaboration between the FBI and the Nation of Islam. The records supporting the harassment by the FBI have been released by the FBI itself. Additionally the person whom Qubilah was supposedly hiring admitted to being paid off himself by the FBI to attempt to entrap Qubilah. Shabazz sees that the only hope for her daughter is a perceived reconciliation between Shabazz and her archenemy Farrakhan, who publicly supports the child of his enemy and she makes this happen. This also involves healing some of the differences between the philosophies of Malcolm X and MLK and their intellectual heritage.

In one last trauma, Shabazz' death is caused by a fire set by her grandson, the son of Qubilah. On her deathbed she gives us one last important message, that we must not only forgive, but look for our own part in creating the actions of our children. The parallels between the lives of her grandson and her husband are very strong.

This book was emotionally evocative for me through the horror of the murder of Malcolm X as well as the triumph spiritually of Dr. Shabazz. There is so much more to this book than I can even begin to touch on. Just READ IT! Five stars.

I think you touched on it pretty well Merrikay, an excellent review of Betty Shabazz Surviving Malcolm X Recent history is so hard to write about and usually raises more questions than answers, which seems to be the case with Russell J Rickford.

Fascinating review with an insightful psychological reading, MK -- thanks for that. At its length, I'm afraid it's going to have to wait for awhile on the wish list.

Great review, as always, Merrikay. I am adding to my list of future reads.

The psychological information is fascinating.

An insightful and thought-provoking review of Betty Shabazz Surviving Malcolm X, Merrikay. It's surprising that it is found in so few LT libraries.

I'm really rather jealous of your recent book-hauling road trips Merrikay! Some great books along for the ride of course. I've just added Farm Friends (those hippy communes and my 1973 founded kibbutz will have quite a few things in common I'm sure...), and Boomer Railroad Memoirs. I look forward to hearing more about Black on Red: My 44 Years Inside the Soviet Union and what you think of Burning Rainbow Farm.

Thoughtful review. I just finished reading Martin's Dream which discusses the some of the philosophical differences between King and Malcolm X and it left me wanting to know more. You may just have provided the means.

Superb review of Betty Shabazz, Merrikay. I'll look for it soon.

Baswood - yes, I haven't read Marable's book yet altho I have it, and am also looking for the response, A Lie of Reinvention by Jared Ball. Thanks.
Thanks Jane and Nana - it is long but goes pretty fast.
Rebecca - it is fascinating to me; who knows if it's accurate - but intriguing to me altho just all theory based on limited info.

Linda I was also surprised no one else had reviewed it.
Thanks Sassy and it is definitely a great read on that topic. I only covered a tiny bit of that part and there is LOTS.

Thanks Darryl. Hope you get it and enjoy it.

Paul I'm halfway through Farm Friends and it is very interesting.

Regarding this road trip? One of those (we all have them) books I regret getting rid of was written by two professors who received a grant to study the Recreational Vehicle population and traveled all over the U.S. doing so. VERY surprising (to me) results that the population was a numerical reflection of the rest of the U.S., e.g. same income differences, educational levels, politics, etc. I sure thought it would be way different.

I'm not in Montana near Yellowstone and again have limited internet so more later.

Are you saying you are now in Montana? You may be heading my way, depending on your itinerary.

A couple of months ago I read A Thousand Lives by Julia Scheeres, a recent examination of the Jonestown tragedy. It was a fascinating read, and it documents the decline of Jim Jones from a leader who had potential to bring positive change, to a drug-addicted megalomaniac. The mass "suicide" of almost all of the inhabitants of Jonestown was an event that had been planned for months ahead of time (obtaining the poison and calibrating dosages etc. was no easy task), and was carefully orchestrated. The immediate event causing the implementation of the suicide plan, was the visit of a U.S. Congressman, a visit instigated by concerned relatives of some members of the Jonestown community who believed their relatives were being held against their will (which was in fact true in many cases). Not sure how it compares with Naipul's treatment, but it was very well documented.

Hope you are enjoying your road trip. Terrific review of Betty Shabazz Surviving Malcolm X. I find it interesting you have such strong feelings for Malcolm X, it makes me want to look into some information about him.

There has been a lot on the BBC about the march on Washington. The actual political wrangling around the march was interesting with the various factions having different ambitions and Kennedy dancing on a pinhead to keep everyone happy but the most surprising moment was when the leader of the Hollywood delegation was revealed to be Charlton Heston, not my idea of a Hollywood Liberal.

66 - Yes Streamsong I meant to say i was now in Montana. I was in West Yellowstone for two days and had to leave to get home because my mom's health is deteriorating and we had to get her into hospice services. It's been a rough weeks but she is taking it better than I thought - thank God for denial is my personal motto. I am a little numb and much relieved to get the services.

I hope to be in Montana again next summer, where we usually stay a few days in Missoula as well as Billings, Red Lodge and West Yellowstone. We were about a mile from the Rock Creek fire and were returning to Red Lodge from Roosevelt Lodge, Cooke City. etc. and got held up for the retardant drops. Those firefighters were ON that fire! I would enjoy meeting up with you and other Montana people next summer.

67 - I think the Naipaul book is in agreement with what you have written. I might like to read the one you read also.

68 - Dan I think the fact that I believe Malcolm X has been very misrepresented is one of the reasons for my little obsession. I feel the same about the Black Panthers and used the movie Panther when I was still teaching. I used it to help my students understand why and how Af Americans and Euro Americans might teach their children different responses to police.

Oh great Jargoneer,. now I may have to read a bio of Heston. I just like to see how people grow and change their understandings and beliefs.

I am way behind of coure on my own and others' posts and plan to slowly catch up.

BOOK 80 - Farm Friends by Tom Fels - VERY interesting read for those interested in following people over a time period and seeing their changes.

BOOK 81 - My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

BOOK 82 - Shenzhen a Travelogue from China, another winner from Guy Delisle altho not as good as his others. I would now read anything he wrote.

BOOK 83 - Driftwood by Norman Ollestad

I would like to review Farm Friends when my head gets straightened out (perhaps I should say IF), maybe not the other three.

Not sure at this point of othes I may have read and forgotten. My brain froze up.

ETA: Corrected Driftwood touchstone

Merrikay, I am sorry about your mother, and know how difficult this must be for you. Hospice is pretty wonderful and caring. Sending good thoughts and hugs your way.

Colleen

Thanks Nana - it is surely a wonderful program! She has been in assisted living facility about 5 years with her Parkinson's and this program means she may very well be able to stay there and not have to go to a nursing home. I didn't realize they went into assisted living facilities so am very happy to find out about it. By the way, Medicare is paying for it, a nice touch, so anyone who qualified for Medicare.....

Sympathies Merrikay. I understand how you must be feeling as I went through a similar experience not so long ago. Also, my husband has Parkinson's and we are hopeful that it can be managed during his lifetime as he developed it late in life.

Hugs.

So sorry about your mother, merrikay. Hope things settle down for all involved soon.
thank God for denial is my personal motto
That's how I operate too. Let's deal with what needs to get dealt with first. I'll schedule my breakdown for later! I so totally get it.

Great review on Betty Shabazz. The Autobiography of Malcom X is waiting for me to get around to reading it. I hate to admit it, but I know very little about him.

I too know very little about Malcolm X. I read the dreariest essay about him by V.S. Naipaul and I guess I got the wrong picture of him entirely (it would not difficult to misunderstand such a very boring book). After reading Merrikay's review I will search for something else about him.

MK I'm so sorry about your mom and glad you've connected into hospice, it provides wonderful services. Thinking of you.

I found Naipaul's brother Shiva Naipaul to be more bigoted than most of us especially against Africans and African Americans in Journey to Nowhere.

Thanks for that information Merrikay. I'm glad it wasn't (completely) my misunderstanding. I found Naipaul's writing so tedious that I didn't question anything - big mistake at any time. However, it has urged me to look out for more, especially at this time when we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of MLK's "I have a dream" speech.

Hope all is going well with your mom.

All is going well thanks. She is handling it much better than I thought which makes me rather proud of her.

BOOK 84 - Crack Dwellers by Leslie F. Keehn

Finally caught up on your interesting thread! Sounds like you've had a great summer and congrats on the milestone BD. (and you can count me among the tattoo-free)

Sorry to hear about your mother, Merrikay. Denial is indeed wonderful.

BOOK 85 - Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

Thanks Nick and Rebecca.

>84 mkboylan: I have Sweetness in the Belly on my iPod. Do you think it will be good as an audio book?

I have actually never listened to an audio book but I intend to. Might depend on how good you are with names from different cultures. That's something I have to keep looking back at and checking. Slow mover but worth it to me to watch stages of moral or faith development. I'll review soon.

Sorry about your mother, Merrikay -- I'm glad you have hospice to help her and you through.

Thanks Jane.

BOOK 86 - Light of the World by James Lee Burke
one of my all time favorite authors does it again.

BOOK 87 - Dersu the Trapper by Vladimir Kladiyevich Arseniev

Loved this wonderful treasure. Thanks to Rebecca for recommending and reviewing. Review later.

BOOK 88 - Heart and Sole How 26 Ran a Marathon (and You Can Too)
by Melinda Hinson Neely

I can't explain why I requested a book about running a marathon because.....no way. I am not a runner. But........for some weird reason I have read a few books about running and runners and enjoy them. As I began reading this book I thought it was a beginner guide about running and lightly covered a lot of topics. Training schedules, shoes or barefoot, motivation, nutrition, clothing, weather, and on and on are all covered. I found out about things I had never even considered and thought it was a good beginning guide and I would know what to look at more in depth. However, as I continued reading, the coverage became more in-depth. The reader will learn how to train, what to wear, what to eat, which races to choose, health of runners and much more. There is even a section about runners dealing with celiac disease as well as a chapter on fighting asthma BY running. The info is interspersed and illustrated with anecdotes of marathoners runners and their experiences that I quite enjoyed. For example I found it encouraging to read about runners who had knee problems BEFORE they ever started running, and were still successful. Also covered is whether to take and when to take anti-inflammatories.

I also especially liked that the author addressed fitting training and racing into family life and other relationships.

Other authors' theories are also mentioned and the reader is encouraged to explore all options to find what works best for her.

All in all an interesting, informative and enjoyable read. Four stars.

Glad you enjoyed Melinda Hinson Neely's book merrikay, but do you think she would be one to avoid at a party or other social function. I used to work with someone who was into long distance running and felt at the end of the day that I had run every mile with him.

Knee problems here after running/footie but before any further running, I may have to check it out after 10 years (at least) of non running. But I won't go on about it. Have you read Haruki Murakami's book on running? I quite enjoyed that, but it didn't quite get me going, need to focus on being fitter, more energetic and of course slimmer and must start, the knee chapter would be a big help.

91 - I hear you, but she actually sounds like someone who has worked hard to maintain a balance in her life.

92 - And after 10 years there would certainly be more medical options available I would think. Haven't seen that Murakami - I'll go look. Thanks.

>90 mkboylan: Maybe you do have an inner runner waiting to break free. I'd certainly take running up one day - you know, if something was on fire or I was being chased by a wild animal. ;)

94 - You had me there for a minute! LOL

So......today I was hanging out with my 10 yr old granddaughter and I was telling her about something "I read in a book" and she listened, then when I was finished she laughed and said, "That's so funny to hear you say you read something in a book. I mean most people, usually you know, you hear someone say they read something online." She is a reader who asked for her Kindle for her 8th birthday. She loves it but said today that she prefers real books.

Glad to hear your granddaughter prefers real books. There's hope!

BOOK 89 - Don't Get Too Comfortable by David Rakoff

BOOK 90 - Operation Bite Back by Dean Kuipers

Backtracking and catching up on reviews:

BOOK 80 - Farm Friends by Tom Fels

I always enjoy a "Where are they now?" story. Fels was one of the members of The Farm, one of those northeastern U.S. communes of the late 60s. The subtitle is "From the late Sixties to the West Seventies and Beyond" which I thought was very clever. I have read several books about communal living and this was especially fun, finding out what happened to people later in life. The later was only ten years initially, altho there was some added info.

Fels introduces the members of this commune individually so that you begin to feel that you know them somewhat in depth. This is a study of individuals and relationships rather than a study of the process of this lifestyle. Then Fels describes what he learned from them or heard about them from other members, at The Farm's ten year reunion. Careers, relationships, philosophies, what has changed, what stayed the same - all fascinating to me.

It seems to me that most of these people managed to stay true to their beliefs and philosophies on some level at least. And I am speaking here of stereotypical values of communal living, democracy, class issues, social justice, materialism, etc. from a progressive perspective. At the same time, there is a certain amount of compromise involved of course. Nevertheless, many of them managed to find a way outside of The Farm to make a living in a manner congruent to their beliefs in SOME way. For example, there were a few writers, one of whom said that he learned to follow the market by writing in the particular genre that would sell such as SF, while still shaping the story to express his beliefs. Many chose to work at non-profits working toward social justice. It seemed they mostly had to invent their own work, which I found particularly wonderful. One member who loved music managed to work putting concerts together that served as fund-raisers for his favorite issues.

Here's what bothered me somewhat - it turns out most of these initial members were not just a bunch of hippies hanging out. They were mostly well educated people with family connections. It seemed to me THAT is how they were able to put together those social justice careers. It is easier to get published if your family is in the publishing business or if you have a Harvard degree or if your parents are ivy-league professors. It is easier to put a concert together if your friends include James Taylor and Carly Simon, even if they were all just starting out.

However, I still found this book to be lots of fun to read and also inspiring. I think it is full of great ideas about living your values, even if you don't have the social connections to back them up so easily.

Really appreciate your review of Farm Friends, as I was keen to see your thoughts as soon as you mentioned you'd picked it up on your travels this summer. I think I'd like it too. The first two thirds of your review put me in mind of a sort of hippy commune version of Rick Atkinson's Long Gray Line - an excellent account of a West Point class of the '60s, and their progress through the Vietnam era and beyond. By the book's end you have a complete affinity for many of the different individuals and what they've gone through over a twenty-odd year span. I love books like these that give you that kind of intimacy and insight to others' lives, that you could at least partially identify with.

I too would be rather put off by the sentiments you've expressed in your penultimate paragraph - but I suppose it's all a part of life. Still, it does sound an interesting read all the same. Great find!

BOOK 81 - My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

This is a graphic novel by a man who went to school with the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. There is really pretty minimal information about Dahmer and his family, as the story focused on the author's experience in high school of his interactions with Dahmer and others. Dahmer of course comes across as a misfit and students aren't very nice to him, but there is no bullying as we think about it today. Although there was some predictive behavior exhibited by Dahmer, especially involving animal abuse, perhaps the story was more that no one seemed to notice this boy. He seemed almost invisible.

It seems to me that this book was more a way for the author to do some processing himself about his own experience. He appeared to be wrestling with how it could have all seemed so normal; how could he have known a serial killer and hung out with him and not realized it? And there really was no answer.

I've been investigating graphic novels, memoirs, etc. and am trying to look at a wide variety of them as far as topics go. Interesting and worth a quick read.

Farm Friends sounds really interesting. My Friend Dahmer just sounds creepy!

Your reviews are always good, Merrikay. Your reading takes me to ideas for books that wouldn't normally catch my eye. Farm Friends sounds like a possibility for me, and I will look for it. As avidmom said, though, My Friend Dahmer sounds very creepy. I will pass on that one.

And I must thank Paul for mentioning Long Gray Line. I will look at my hubby's shelf for that one. If he doesn't have it, it would be a great gift that we would both enjoy.

Enjoying catching up with you, Merrikay, and I agree with you about the helpfulness of family connections.

BOOK 85 - Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

This is the story of a child whose British parents were murdered, leaving her to be raised in a Sufi mosque in Morocco, then flee to Ethiopia and then to England. It is a slow moving and wonderful reading experience to join this unusual journey to adulthood. The writing is excellent so I felt as if I was with her and her Sufi mentors, then with her attempting to fit into life as an Ethiopian white Muslim woman. The relationships are very complicated as she must deal with being suspect in her role, as well as the jealousy of others. It is fascinating to watch the development of her faith as it follows her cognitive experiences of living with not only different religions, but more interestingly with other Muslims who have varying perspectives and interpretations of their religion. She moves from youthful black and white thinking to a more sophisticated understanding of life. When she leaves Ethiopia she must adjust again, now to life in England, where she works with a non-profit group to help other refugees. She also experiences romantic relationships that are complicated and fascinating.

Reading this book is a good way to develop understanding of common refugee experiences as well as experiences specific to this particular group. The waiting and waiting to know if your loved ones are alive, to determine if or when to move on beyond that hope and to a new life in a new country are experienced by the reader.

Highly recommended.

Thanks Paul - I need to also read Long Gray Line

Avid - Dahmer is more boring than creepy.

Thanks Nana and don't you love it when you find books both you and your partner like?

Thanks Rebecca.

More to come.

Sweetness in the Belly sounds fascinating -- going on to the wishlist.

I have Sweetness in the Belly on my iPod. You have moved it to the top of TBR. I will get to that one soon.

Merrikay, I'm glad to see your review of Sweetness in the Belly it's on my tbr list too. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Sweetness in the Belly does sound fascinating; I've added it to my wish list.

Glad you are back-entering these reviews. Farm friends and Sweetness in the Belly sound interesting. Perhaps the problem with the Dahmer book was a lack of creepiness (how does write about him without being creepy?)

Sorry my numbers are out of order, but I have been putting off this review knowing that I will not be able to do the book justice. I really enjoyed this book.

BOOK 91 - To Change the World by Margaret Randall

Margaret Randall is an American who lived in Cuba from 1969 through 1980 with her four children. She then moved to Nicaragua until 1984 when she returned to the U.S. and has since made her home in New Mexico. She also previously lived in Spain as well as Mexico from which she was forced to leave through the underground. After her return to the U.S. in 1984 she was deported and had to get through legal battles to regain her U.S. citizenship.

Although certainly aware that she lived with privilege in Cuba, Randall attempted to live as much like a Cuban as possible under that circumstance, e.g. sending her children to Cuban schools, using the Cuban health care system, living within the Cuban food rationing system. She also traveled alone extensively throughout Cuba which gave her the opportunity to compare the poverty of some areas with better areas and to see the duality of living conditions. Randall worked in Cuba as a writer, a photographer, an editor and some other positions. She participated in international conferences in Cuba as well as other countries, experiencing the trust of the Cuban government in using her as their representative, as well as later repression by the same government. During this time she worked and networked with many recognizable names among the Castro administration as well others such as Daniel Ortega. It is from this experience and perspective that Randall deeply examines many issues of the Cuban and other revolutionary governments. These topics are addressed in individual chapters although somewhat interwoven into a narrative form.

In the light of the current Egyptian revolution and the Occupy Wall Street activity in the U.S. I was especially interested in her chapter about transitioning from a dictatorship to a socialist communist government. It was fascinating to see how some of the changes were made, what things were tried, succeeded, failed, and were redesigned. Some of the major accomplishments of the new government were of course universal health care and education and the literacy movement. Infant mortality rates were lowered and life expectancy extended as well as reaching a 99% literacy rate. These are amazing and wonderful accomplishments in themselves, although other things were given lower priority. Thus you see a literate, healthy and well fed population living in very poor housing due to those priorities. The nutrition and amount of calories were met in most cases, but not with as much variety as desired, and these tradeoffs were addressed. It would be very easy to go through what might be perceived as ghetto buildings and make quick judgements about the government without knowing about these other priorities.

It is not enough to look only at literacy rates without examining freedom of the press and the publishing industry. There is much discussion in the country about a balance here and questioning of the ability to freely address and solve problems if people are afraid to disagree or criticize, in fear of imprisonment and torture.

Another subject examined is feminism, which was given a low priority, as the belief was expressed that that equality would unfold automatically as the movement progressed. Randall initially succumbed to this thinking but later grew to believe that those inequities should have been addressed from the beginning. Sexuality is included in this discussion as homosexual people were also mistreated. The practice of religion is talked about and Randall believes there should have been more tolerance.

The issue of power and the old idea that power corrupts is seen to hold true once again. Although Randall seems to be a fan of Castro, she is not blinded to this corruption and privilege that comes with power and concludes that government MUST come from the bottom up with no one holding power too long. It is sad to see these things come to light in beloved figures not only in Cuba but especially in Ortega of Nicaragua. So we end up back where we started, with human nature perhaps more than the method of governance coming through strong. And it may be the acceptance of that humanity that could lead to accepting our faults and mistake and moving on, without such need for blame and scapegoating.

I especially enjoyed Randall's chapter on culture, focusing not only on the importance of art and posters, literature, music, etc., but mainly on poetry. I have read Pablo Neruda but really developed a deeper understanding of the meaning and importance of poetry and culture in driving government. Interesting that the day I am writing this, I read an article by Chris Hedges that addressed the need for protest music, art and other aspects of culture to keep people hopeful and working toward change.

I also enjoyed learning about Randall's oral history work, especially with women of the revolution, and will be reading her other books in this particular area.

This seems to be me to a fairly balanced representation. Five stars and highly recommended.

Thanks for your comments about Farm Friends and Sweetness in the Belly. They WERE good and I hope to read reiews from some of you.

I'm hoping to post a review of Dersu the Trapper this week, but again being held back by the fear I cannot do it justice.

Wow, how interesting. Where did you learn about this book (and person), and what made you read it now?

I agree with Joyce, very interesting stuff, enjoyed the review. You remind me that I could use some clarity on who Castro is/was.

113 - NielsenGW reviewed another of Randall's books on his Club Read 2013 thread, Che on My Mind which sounded interesting. When I was looking for it I found Randall's other books and this one sounded like info I'd been looking for a long time. Gerard felt like Randall was rather subjective in the Che book and said it is not an academic study. She is not an academic and I know Che is easy to romanticize. I felt she did a pretty fair job in To Change the World of presenting a more balanced picture. Half those women must have been in love with Che.

114 - I know I could use some clarity! Randall was enthralled with his ability to draw connections between theory and practice and thinks he is brilliant, although she doesn't hesitate to disagree with his thinking. She had so much hope for a better way and spent a lot of time in this book looking at her mistakes and talking about what she think needs to happen to work better.
She also says he would speak for 3 hours at a time - sounds manic to me. Says it wasn,t boring because he would teach the theory and then give an anecdote of how it played out in a specific person's life or situation. I also don't know how you could get any audience to listen for 3 hours without coercion! there clearly was (coercion)! and types of coercion by the way are something else she addresses in this book.

Excellent review, Merrikay. Sounds like an interesting peek behind closed doors.

Wonderful review of To Change the World: My Years in Cuba. I'm sure we could learn a lot from Cuba. Their giving health care and education priority over housing and consumer goods shows that there are other ways of thinking.

Excellent review of To change the World, Margaret Randall. That is a book I want to read.

Review out of order

BOOK 87 - Dersu the Trapper by Vladimir Kladiyevich Arseniev

I am so happy this book was recommended by Rebecca.

This book has been described as the Russian counterpart to The Journals of Lewis and Clark, presumptuous, yet a helpful quick analogy for Americans. Arseniev was a Russian cartographer who undertook several expeditions in Siberia. His task was to map the territory and he also describes the plant and animal life of the area, as well as the people. This area is partially bordered by China, Korea and the Sea of Japan.

Dersu Uzala is a Nanai, called by the Russians Goldis, the indigenous people of the area here in Siberia and China. I simply had given no thought to indigenous people of most countries other than my own. Native Americans of course I knew about, some African tribes and South American tribes, Maori of NZ and Australia, Inuit, Degar (Montagnard) of course from Vietnam war, but heck my knowledge of world history from ANY period is pathetic. Thus my excitement over discovering Dersu. Dersu became the native guide for Arseniev's expeditions, and much, much more than that. They formed a strong and lasting friendship rooted in Dersu's profound humanity and generosity, and Arseniev's deep love and affection for Dersu. Dersu saved Arseniev's life many times. I am sorry to sound so cliche, but Dersu is truly one with nature, plants, animals, rocks, to the point of what some would call animism. This unity led to his understanding of and respect for life. He would not kill more than necessary to survive, nor overuse plants and taught the same to Arseniev. I enjoyed the descriptions of plants and animals and think any fan of John Muir would enjoy this book.

This is also an action story as you can imagine attempting to survive in the wild and desolate area would be. However, maybe most of the threats to their survival came from men. There were also descriptions of the different groups of people contacted on this trip and Dersu knew the helpful way to interact with each group, according to their customs and behaviors. He also knew which one to avoid!

I have read some about the indigenous groups I mentioned above, but now of course I want to study these groups from each continent. Wouldn't that make a great discussion group and a great reading list? I want to revisit my anthropology classes and learn it all again.

The meeting of Dersu with modern society of the time (1907 era) and the resulting interaction is of course an inevitable part of this story.

I also got the movie of Dersu from Netflix and it was excellent. Five stars for book and movie. One of my all time favorites.

ETA: WHOOPS - Got the Dersu movie from my library, not Netflix.

Thanks Nana, Steven and Baswood. I hit my university library today and came away with about 6 of Randall,s other books.

More notes about Cuba:

I keep thinking of what I left out that were the lessons: the need for more space for individuality in the midst of collectiveness
The need to make a safe and inviting place for everyone to have input to prevent the imbalance of power and attendant corruption. Especially when being blockaded (!) and creativity is majorly important.
The importance of networking with other countries and revolutionaries to avoid becoming a closed system with no new thinking and ideas.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union which horribly hurt Cuba financially, tourism was again encouraged in Cuba and was quickly followed by a return to prostitution which had been completely ended.

>111 mkboylan: Great review. Did anything specific happen that made Randall want to leave the States? Why did she choose Cuba? Was she just that fascinated with Castro? I have a feeling your thread is going to be the one to come and learn about Cuba and all things Randall-related. :)

Is anyone else clicking on LT lots today hoping for an Early Review win?

121 - Randall heard Castro speak in NYC and was quite taken. I picked up another autobio by her yesterday so may know more soon. Altho, she first went to Mexico, then they stole her Mexican passport and she had to leave the country illegally - she had friends in Cuba and they helped her get there.

Review out of order:

BOOK 90 - Operation Bite Back by Dean Kuipers

This book tells the story of Rod Coronado, a legend in the Animal Rights Movement, who worked with the Animal Liberation Front, other organizations and independently. I found this story fascinating for several reasons. First, it showed Coronado's development as an activist, spurred by his spiritual develoment. He became involved in animal rights at a young age, late teens being his first deliberate activism. It tells of his initial non-violent activities, and their escalation. He begins conservatively, not wanting to damage property but merely to film animal abuse and use that as a way to educate the public and help animals. He moves on to freeing animals, progresses to destroying paperwork and records, on to destroying equipment and ultimately to arson and burning buildings. Kuipers does a wonderful job of describing Coronado's and other activists' wrestling with the ethical issues involved in saving animal life, in the midst of an adventurous story that is hard to put down.

I also find the details of this life interesting, how the people in this movement learn what and how to do in support of the goals of animal rights. As with other movements there are both conservative and liberal leaning people and the attendant disagreements about how to achieve what they want. I can clearly see how Coronado arrived at his personal beliefs and conclusions that drive his choices. I don't know that I initially would unconditionally have supported Coronado and his actions, but both the philosophical and legal analysis is compelling.

One of my all-time favorite reads - 5 stars

Thanks for answering my question. Sounds like quite a fascinating story! So does Operation Bite Back! You've read some really, really interesting stuff lately. :)

Lumping these two together to show my different responses to Randall's poetry:

BOOK 92 - So Many Rooms Has a House But One Roof by Margaret Randall

This is a very small collection of Randall's poetry and I have no idea what I just read!

BOOK 93 - Coming Home: Peace without Complacency by Margaret Randall

After reading Randall's book about her life in Cuba, To Change the World, I made a trip to the university library and came home with more of her books. This short book focuses mainly on her fight with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services to regain her American citizenship. Randall was born in New York, moving to New Mexico as a child. While spending a couple of years in Mexico and needing to work, she became a Mexican citizen in order to work and support her children there. When the Mexican government took away her passport, she was forced underground in order to get out of Mexico, and moved to Cuba. She then moved to Nicaragua for awhile before deciding to return to the U.S. Her parents were aging and her children were grown and living their own lives and she desperately missed her own culture. After years of studying and writing about revolutionary thinking and women revolutionaries, visiting many countries for her research, she was exhausted.

When she married a U.S. citizen and decided to stay, she applied for permanent resident status. This was denied and she was eventually officially deported due to her earlier writing and teaching that was interpreted as being anti-American and pro-Communist. She remained in the U.S. while several appeals were made. This book is basically the story of these legal battles and the national support Randall gained during this time. Are U.S. citizens allowed to express beliefs that oppose the American government? Randall ultimately wins because a judge rules that she had given up her U.S. citizenship under financial duress and thus never actually lost it. However, the case did result in some changes in immigration law about dissent in the U.S.

This is a very short book and I found the First Amendment legal battles fascinating, especially as seen through Randall's eyes after her experiences with repression and censorship in other countries. I believe I understand free speech rights much better due to this book.

Several of Randall's poems are included in this small volume and I found them very evocative and impacting. This was the opposite experience I had when I first read one of her volumes of poetry and didn't know what she was talking about. It was a lesson to me of reading poetry and other literature in context with some background knowledge. In her book I read earlier To Change the World, Randall writes extensively about the importance specifically of poetry but also of art and other cultural factors, in evoking and sustaining the emotions supporting beliefs that keep people motivated over the long term in making and sustaining societal change. This became clear with my reading of her poetry in this volume.

My favorite poem in this volume is entitled "I didn't mean it personally". Here is one verse as Randall is being reprimanded for taking things so personally:

Might you be talking about the personal monogram,
careful initials machine-stitched just for you
on the home-ec hankie, the polo shirt, or satin travel case
in which you can go anywhere
with that very personal diamond?
Can you guess where the stone
cut from South African rock
by South African shoulders, South African lungs,
stopped being hometown earth, became
your personal status symbol, beneath that monogram
or on your personal wrist?
.......
I know.
You didn't mean it personally.

Recommended for anyone interested in Randall or free speech issues. I also very much enjoyed the poetry.
Five stars

Very interesting subject, Merrikay.

Glad to catch up with your reading. I'm so glad you loved Dersu the Trapper as much as I did; it's a hard book not to love! And I found your review of the Cuba book and the discussion fascinating; there are lots of important issues there.

Really interesting review of To Change the World: My Years in Cuba by Margaret Randall, and I loved your review of Dersu the Trapper as well Merrikay.

I thoroughly agree with you Merrikay on the importance of getting some context before reading, especially poetry, although perhaps the very best way of reading is to read a collection of poems first without much prior knowledge of the subject, then do your background reading and then do a re-read.

BOOK 94 - Fresh Wind & Strange Fire: One Man's Adventures in Primal Mexico by Lyn Fuchs

Fuchs describes his travels in Mexico. There are some interesting tales, interspersed with rather dry details of the area. I wanted to like this book as I usually enjoy travel books and it sounded pretty fun and funny, but it just didn't click for me. Just when a story got interesting, the switch was made back to boring descriptions. Also, I don't mind sex and violence in my reading, although not necessary together, but this book has a lot of adolescent sexual silliness that did not appeal to me. Some editing might make it more readable. Not recommended.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.

BOOK 95 - Part of the Solution by Margaret Randall

Margaret Randall is an American woman who lived in and was active in revolutionary activities in Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua among other countries. One of Randall's previous partners, Robert Cohen, wrote about a 50 page biography of Randall as an introduction to this book. I have read her autobiography and found this partner's perspective helpful and refreshing. Initially I disliked Cohen, who sounded patronizing and arrogant to me, but as I continued his introduction, his attitude changed as he progressed in the story telling about how they both grew and matured. That was fascinating, especially their struggles taking the revolutionary ideas into their relationship and making the political personal, e.g. he found it easy to treat Randall the woman as an equal in public and at work activities, but at home his habitual and socialized misogyny was difficult to overcome, although he states, well worth the work.

The following 30 or so pages were excerpts from Randall's journals, which I very much enjoyed. The remaining 100 pages consist of Randall's poetry. It is a rather interesting combination and format. It is certainly worth a read if you are interested in Randall, although I would recommend reading the autobiography of her years in Cuba, To Change the World, (incorrect touchstone) first.

Thanks Nana and all.

Rebecca and Paul - i think I actually have a crush on Dersu. Ok. I am really in love with him. Gee do you think I may have romanticized things a little?

Baswood - I like that way too. Then I can have my own personal reaction and make up my own story about a poem before I get the context and give it back to the author. ;

BOOK 96 - Garnethill: a Crime Novel by Denise Mina

Thanks to Ridgeway and Rebecca for recommending this book.

It was great spending a little time in Glasgow with these characters, especially since I haven't been there. I did get to beautiful Edinburgh in real life but now feel as if I know a little more about Scotland, so of course I need to return!

This is a murder mystery and I mostly had no idea how it was going to end. I thought the complex personalities and plot, along with descriptions that kept sending me back to google because after reading about places I HAD to see them, were excellent and I can't believe it is Mina's first book. I plan to read more, especially as this is the beginning of a trilogy, although it is a fine stand-alone. Highly recommended.

MK, I'm enjoying your enthusiasm and such an interesting mix of books! Thanks for all of it.

Thanks for commenting Detail!

I mostly had no idea how it was going to end.
Aha! That's what a mystery is supposed to be: a mystery! That alone sold me on it. :)

136 - I really liked it and couldn't put it down. I just enjoyed being with these people. I was surprised at how foreign the Scottish use English language was to me - not sure how to say that - because I don't have problems with Irish or English books, but I kept looking stuff up on this one and was wishing I was on a Kindle so I could do so more easily. It wasn,t that I needed to look them up to get the point as that was usually evident in the context, but I WANTED to know more specifically what some things were. One example is the use of the word "close"e.g. They were in the store in the next close or something like that. It sounded like some type of entrance, foyer, porch, and it didn't really lmatter but I wanted to know. So it was even more fun and interesting. Also he wore jumpers and pants. In my use a jumper is a dress that you wear a top under so I'm not sure what she meant. Just silly little stuff that made it fun but not difficult.

>137 mkboylan: Merrikay, Jumpers are sweaters.

I think in that context, a close would be a narrow alley, but not 100% sure.

Thanks Colleen!

I was surprised at how foreign the Scottish use English language was to me I like that!

Hi mk

Let me give this a try. Traditionally many Scots in urban areas have lived in what are called tenements. These are blocks of flats joined together. Each block has a common entrance, or close, which may go through to an enclosed courtyard in the back, where depending on the income level, there may be lovely gardens or outright middens. In the old days this back courtyard was the original meaning of close as it was enclosed private space, but later the meaning shifted to the hallway, which is still private, not public property. There may be small shops on the ground floor of the block. In Garnethill, Maureen was going to the block next door, as hers may not have had shops. The common entrance or close did not always have a door; again this was a function of income. This means that for an open or even unlocked close there could be wind and rain whistling into the entry way and up the stairway, unwanted elements lurking in the halls, or people popping in to relieve themselves. Some blocks have centre stairs with flats on each side of the staircase as you go up, and until recently there was a shared toilet in the centre back on each floor. Others had a stair to the side. Great pride may be taken in maintaining the close, with householders taking it in turn to keep it clean. Many of the expensive ones have highly ornamental stair rails, tiles and stained glass on the window landings.
Don't let the American connotation of tenement fool you. There are beautiful tenement buildings in Glasgow with enormous flats and lovely gardens.


The back yard close in the bad old days (actually post second World War)



Blocks of flats today on Great Western Road


More luxurious tenements, Hyndland, Glasgow

There is a great book on all this, complete with photos and floor plans:The Glasgow Tenement: A Way of Life.

If you want to read just how foreign it can sound, try James Kelman. Not for the faint of heart!

Beautiful picture, Sassy. Thank you for straightening out my vague explanation. :)

Enjoying your commentary on Margaret Randall.

#140 - Sassylassy - that was a thoroughly entertaining post.

Very interesting as I had some of these same questions after reading Garnethill. Love the photos, Sassy! Just finished Exile, the second in the trilogy, as I was stuck at the car shop for hours yesterday, but not sure when I'll have the time to write a review.

Thanks Sassy! wonderful and very helpful and the photos! Love them! It is all so interesting' And guess what? I one-clicked The Glasgow Tenement: A Way of Life and it is on its way to me! AND Rebecca, I just picked up Exile from the library.

My daughter is planning to go to Scotland for her honeymoon next year.

Oh I also had to check on Republican vs. Unionist pubs - I thought i knew what that was from Ireland, but really had NO idea about Scottish attitudes toward the monarchy.

I DID luckily stumble into a committee meeting about childcare in a government parliament bldg. in Edinburgh which was fun. Then I got pursued down a street by a Scottish man yelling at me, "Get your troops out!" It was when Bush the second was in office. That was rather fun.

Thanks Dan. She has written a zillion books.

I'm going to try to buy the third volume in the trilogy tomorrow because I'll be near the store where I found the other Minas.

So glad you "one clicked". I think that will make five people on LT who have the book! Didn't mean to take up so much space.

Monarchy, what monarchy?

Sassy - take up all the space you want! I think we all enjoyed that.

Well Scottish attitudes toward the English monarchy. Do most Scots side with the Republic of Ireland or........and how do they feel about the English monarchy. I guess they support it or wouldn't be in union with it. I don't know enough to ask the right questions. Are those pubs only frequented by Irish immigrants? In the U.S. we have Irish and English pubs and I never hear anything about it and Sacramento CA here has a large Irish population. Hell I barely know about the govt of Massachusetts.

Enjoying the conversation here on Scottish lingo and how they feel about Her Maj... Great to read perspectives from those outside of the UK. The debate will only intensify between now and next year's Scottish independence referendum.

Of course the 'English' monarchy you refer to is nothing of the sort - the Windsors being descendants of the German Hanoverians and the Saxe-Coburg-Gothas (King George V, the current Queen's grandfather changed the German name of the royal house to Windsor during the early days of the First World War for obvious reasons). The British monarchy however, effectively came into being when the childless Elizabeth I (Tudor) died and the crown passed to the Stewart cousins from north of the border, although the country of Great Britain didn't come into being formally for another century.

I'm glad I read Sassy's response about 'closes' and tenement blocks. I might have made a complete fool of myself by referring to the quaint little closes in England - which are usually quiet suburban roads, often a cul-de-sac, which is something else altogether!

Merrikay, when you were in Edinburgh did you try any of the deep-fried 'delicacies'?

BOOK 97 - Exile by Denise Mina

Second in a trilogy by Mina and I can't wait to get to the third one! Not much to add to what has been said about this book, except that this is an excellent example of what post-traumatic stress looks and feels like. I think that is important knowledge for those interested in understanding survivors of any kind of trauma e.g. refugees, returning military, those bombed and those bombing, those abused and those abusing.

148 Paul - Thanks for the quick history lesson! To coin a phrase (NOT!) the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. It drives me crazy! Why oh why did I not pay more attention in school? Oh right - the history part was pretty much lies and I would just have to unlearn it. This way I can learn it at a better time. ;)

I think this second of the trilogy increased my knowledge way more than the first. Or at least my awareness. Or my awareness of my ignorance. Oh never mind. and NO I did not have any deep-fried delicacies and I'm pretty sure I don't want to know what you are referring to. However, I sure would like to go back.

Oh - the day I was to visit the House of Parliament or whatever the proper term is, I couldn't get in because they were preparing for a visit from the Queen. made me a little cranky but at least I got to attend a committee meeting which I thought was very cool.

Ahh..that's too bad! The Houses of Parliament is well worth a visit if you can get in with a guided tour or even better - an insider. If you like history, your cup runneth over!

I have the third volume, Merrikay, but I'm saving it for when I need an easier and/or very absorbing read.

Well Rebecca I sure admire your restraint! I'm reading it the minute it arrives (coming to my library from another branch) and then i'm starting on Mina's other series. But it is fun isn't it, when you have something you are holding off on - it's like a hidden chocolate bar you are saving or something, a treat you have to look forward to. Makes me grin. I even get pleasure out of watching my numbers change on the library waiting list. Or on my paperback swap wish list. So funny!

Wow Merrikay, just found this whole thread! Too many thoughts and comments to post so I will just do one, going right back to the beginning - an excellent novel which has a sort of tattoo theme is The Electric Michelangelo (the main male character is a tattooist on Coney Island, and a key theme was the symbolism of drawing on the body - and what events or elements of their lives people choose to mark).

Ditto to Polaris re: closes!

Thanks for the tip Wandering. Yay my library has it!

mk, how do they feel about the English monarchy That would be centuries of Scottish history! You may have noticed that I'm not a fan.

Here's a brief primer on the referendum http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13326310

Naturally everyone involved and then some has a website dedicated to the question. At this stage, I fear it will be like the Québec referenda.

Was it the Scottish Parliament you were trying to visit or the Houses of Parliament in London?

With regard to pubs; outside tourist areas they often tend to be very identity based, whether by football team, occupation, locality, or whatever you can think of that might set you apart from others.

Polaris, I wasn't familiar with that use of "close", so we both discovered something. What's your take on deep fries Mars bars?

Erm, mostly disgusted!! I always used to think it was a pretty gross notion, but actually... *furtively glances left and right to check nobody's listening*...I'm sort of attracted to the idea of trying it one day (as I never have). How bad can it be? I'm sure if it was served up in some Lyonnaise bistro with a mouth-wateringly more appealing name than "deep-fried Mars bar" it might get some mileage!

Merrikay, I'm not sure how long my restraint is going to hold out! I am definitely keeping some very readable absorbing books for when my sweetie goes on a week-long trip in November, but at least I know there are a lot more Minas if I give in and read this one!

I'm going to have to ask my Scottish friend (now a US citizen) what she thinks bout the referendum.

"There are books so alive that you’re always afraid that while you weren’t reading, the book has gone and changed, has shifted like a river; while you went on living, it went on living too, and like a river moved on and moved away. No one has stepped twice into the same river. But did anyone ever step twice into the same book?"
— Marina Tsvetaeva, Pushkin and Pugachev (1937) (via bookpornographist)

2:24PM | URL: http://tmblr.co/Z6TqsxxpxhAt
(Notes: 267)

I am not sure whether you or Rebecca added the Denise Mina books to my wishlist, but they are there. I had to double check to be sure I hadn't missed them. :)

>159 mkboylan: Wonderful quote.

Just to let you know, Merrikay, I have succumbed and am almost finished with the third in the Garnethill trilogy.

and?I'm starting it tomorrow.

140 - Sassy - I LOVE The Tenement a Way of Life! Thanks so much for the recommendation - more later.

Slowly catching up on your thread, MK -- both the Randalls and Minas sound well worth the while.

BOOK 98 - The Country Under My Skin by Gioconda Belli

This is an intriguing memoir of a woman born into the Nicaraguan upper class, whose experiences and insights cause her to join the Sandinista revolution, work in the Ortega administration, marry an American reporter from NPR and move to Santa Monica, California. What a fascinating life and what multiple perspectives she develops through these experiences.

I have recently read memoirs of other women revolutionaries from Cuba and Russia among others, and have developed more of a knowledge base for making some comparisons. Some of the similarities that I am seeing are struggles with feminist issues, free speech issues, and individual vs. collective rights issues.

Belli is respected for her participation in the revolution early on, as she performs such varied actions as writing poetry, publishing magazines and newspapers, and transporting arms, ALL of which put her life at risk. As the revolution succeeds and the Sandinistas come into power, their attempted treatment of women as equals begins to fail. Belli seems to think this is due to the difficulty of ridding themselves of lifelong habits and beliefs about gender differences. It seems that men carry the largest part of the burden of this imbalance of power between genders in their culture, but women are also responsible for falling for some of these old beliefs and giving in to being taken care of. Belli addresses the difficulty of even developing awareness of our socialized gender ideas, never mind trying to overcome them. It is one of the more insightful analyses about gender I have read and Belli shares her own weaknesses in this arena also.

Additionally the common difficulty with addressing individual rights versus the needs of the collective are seen in this memoir. Surely this is an existential issue that most humans experience. Belli's descriptions of her own experience are very touching. Specifically when she moves to a suburban area in the U.S. from Nicaragua city life, she experiences a deep, almost overwhelming loneliness that goes beyond the experience of moving from one country to another. Her description of this alone is worth the read. It is intriguing to read her comparison of conversations at parties in the U.S. with those in Nicaragua, especially with women in the suburbs who live a more sheltered life. Do the topics of conversation bring us closer or keep us at a distance? Of course this experience of Belli's could have been different and she could have made it different with her own search and exploration, but I know many women in the U.S. suburbs who struggle with this issue. With the quiet, empty streets and houses, you have to put in a lot of effort to make things different. Don't know if I would know how to do that in a foreign culture and geography.

Another by-product of imbalance between individualism and collectivism seems to be some loss of creativity. Although I must say that in Cuba, the embargo and other causes of shortages in many areas seem to have resulted in a lot of creativity.

If I understand Belli correctly, as well as my previous reading about the Cuban revolution, Belli seems shocked to find herself thinking that one of the mistakes made by the Ortega administration was too much freedom of speech, specifically freedom of press. She seems to think that Castro was perhaps more effective in his stronger control of the media, believing after the fact that this may be necessary for a new young government initially. I loved that the first thing both the Cuban and Nicaraguan revolutionary governments did was to focus on raising the literacy rates in their countries, because of their belief that an educated population was necessary. This is interesting and timely reading for me as a U.S. citizen watching the effects of Wikileaks, Edward Snowden, and Chelsea Manning. As the news continues to break of illegal U.S. government activity such as illegal war, bombing, imprisonment and torturing, how many U.S. citizens know about it, believe it, understand it, or attempt to learn more? My husband and I went to see the new Wikileaks movie The Fifth Estate on the day it opened. We were the only two people there, in this suburb of the capitol of California. I realize there can be many reasons for that and there are many differing opinions about Assange's actions and whether this movie is factual or not, but was still surprised at the lack of interest. But that's a different review.

I have noticed that other reviewers perceive Belli as narcissistic, grandiose and neglectful of her children. I have to say - nothing new there - studies show these tendencies are found in many if not most leaders and CEOs. Seems one would almost have to have ideas of grandiosity to think you might be able to pull off a revolution. Also, children of leaders often suffer from neglect and danger. I think here about the children of those who fought to free slaves in the U.S. and the children of U.S. civil rights leaders. The decision has to be made about whether your children will benefit most from remaining slaves or suffering the trauma of fighting for freedom. I have often thought about how my parenting might differ if instead of being white in the U.S., I was black. How would I tell my children to respond to being pulled over by police if I were a member of a group who experiences more police brutality. Watch the last scene of the movie Panther and tell me what you teach your children. There seems to me also to be an inordinate amount of sexism found when examining parenting by leaders. I don't often read criticism and accusations of family neglect by male leaders who spend their lives working. Although, I have heard those accusations about Gandhi. Undoubtedly Mandela's children felt abandoned while he was in prison. It is not a decision to be taken lightly or by those of little courage.

One last topic I found interesting was reading about the three factions of the revolutionary party in Nicaragua and the difficulties of dealing with their differences and working together, which was the only way to succeed with a revolution it seems. This is especially interesting reading in the light of current occurrences in Egypt and other countries experiencing revolution today.

So yes - a five star read for me.

OK - Enough of Nicaragua for now. I have a book coming about women in the Vietnam war. Anyone have recommendations about books about women in the American Revolution?

and the Early Review book are starting to pile up, but for now, back to Scotland. I'm on to Sassy's link about the Referendum in Scotland, the last book of the Mina Garnethill trilogy, and the wonderful book about the tenements of Glasgow Sassy also recommended. Oh and Sassy it was the Scottish Parliament - I was in Edinburgh, lucky me.

Well that was fun Merrikay. I don't know where to go with it. I think i'll try to spend more time with my kids...

Dan - May I suggest Tales for Little Rebels? ;)

MK -- I was listening to a NPR review of a recent book about the Dulleses The Brothers: John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War that highlighted Castro's and Che Guevara's reaction to what happened in Guatemala when it gained independence, and their realization that they could not allow diversity of opinion to flourish because it would be undermined and financed by US imperialist policies.

I heard that too Jane! What do you think about that? I need to get that book and at least read that section.

Very thought-provoking comments, Merrikay, about the Nicaraguan book, and wow, that's an amazing comment about Castro and Che Guevara -- not sure what I think about that. On the one hand, probably true; on the other hand, very convenient, and common to several revolutions.

MK and Rebecca -- I think I need to read the book too. But it is certainly true that American foreign policy in South and Central America in the 20th century has been wrong-headed and generally counter-productive.

I enjoyed your thoughtful review of The Country Under My Skin. The more I learn about Latin American history the more disgusted I have become over the some of the things the US has done, and continues to do, there and elsewhere.

Enjoyed your review and thoughts on The Country Under my Skin

It is more difficult today than ever before to control freedom of the press or of speech, but it would seem to be an essential prerequisite of any revolution. Castro was right to do so.

Great review of The Country Under My Skin Merrikay, and typically interesting commentary from the Club Readers after it too!

Jane, by U.S. foreign policy you mean slash burn bomb and steal your stuff, right? oh wait....I left out torture. The CIA didn't tho.

Yes as much as I hate the idea of restricting freedom of speech or press, too Rebecca, I also think Castro was right and when I see so many people who vote who have no awareness at all STILL that the banks in the U.S. have done anything immoral much less illegal......it just boggles my mind. Nevermind the illegal activities in our wars that are freaking TELEVISED and don't seem to bother many.....it's horrifying isnt it Steven? Torture? Really?

Yeah baswood I'm thinking I agree.

Hi Paul! Thanks. Been thinking about your experience in Israel while reading these and wondering how Kibbutz compare with this thinking.

I have two shelves of unread books about nonviolence I need to start on and make some comparisons. I also just ordered the new "spiritual" biography of Gandhi published by Yale.

Thanks all for your comments. Since I retired I don't have many people to talk to about these things - thank god for my husband!

By the way, Belli did not gloss over Ortega's sexual behavior - sounds like the accusations about his molestation (or rape I don't know) of his stepdaughter. She knew these men too well for any hero worship.

Edit: Sounds like the accusations were probably true.

BOOK 99 - Resolution by Denise Mina

Third in the Garnethill trilogy, a mystery that takes place in Glasgow. First of all, it was the characters themselves who kept me reading, flawed, courageous (sometimes accidentally so), loving, angry, violent, realistic and, ultimately, inspiring. Secondly, I know very little about Scotland and it was fun learning so much. Every time I picked up one of these books I found myself looking up a meaning for something, from architecture to food to pubs to politics and law. I am still amazed at the differences in the English language used in different countries, although really I don't know why because the English used in different states in the U.S. is often very different. However, for that I don't usually have to run to the dictionary. Is this what those of you doing the reading globally challenge do with every book?

There were a zillion twists and turns in this book and trilogy and I never knew what was going to happen. The stories play out on multiple levels. Highly recommended.

Five stars.

Thanks again to Ridgeway and Rebecca for recommending this trilogy and to Sassy for pointing me to the excellent book about tenements in Glasgow, which I will review soon.

I plan to read this I trilogy next year. I have them on my wish list, and may put a bug in Santa's ear....

BOOK 100 - Remembering Che: My Life with Che Guevara by Aleida March

"The story of a great legend and a great love" Well, great legend maybe - not sure about the great love part. This is a memoir by the second Mrs. Guevara. I found it to be a quick and pleasant read with a lot of great photographs which are alone worth checking out. It is the story of their relationship from her perspective There are a lot of little sweet stories. If you are looking for history of Guevara or the Cuban revolution, I'd recommend something different, perhaps Margaret Randall's Part of the Solution is a nice blend of memoir and history unless you want to go with a straight academic textbook. Although, if you want a complete study of Guevara, this is probably necessary reading.

Hmmmmm......blah review of a rather blah book?

>181 mkboylan: "blah review of a rather blah book?"

Don't you just hate that.

Yes and I can't put my finger on why I am hesitant to recommend it. But I guess that says it!

Sorry thread book wasn't great, but congrats on reaching 100.

Yes, Merrikay, congrats. I will get to 100 in my dreams. I do not know how you all do it. I keep telling myself that I have read some chunksters this year, but I just couldn't get there. I am in awe.

Thanks Dan and Nana. Reading has always been an escape for me, not always in a healthy manner, but what the heck. It beats heroin. Well I THINK it does. But since I retired (I know I keep repeating myself) I just cannot get used to the freedom to seriously read anything I want and lots of it! It is so wonderful.

I read the first 100 pages of Jeremy Scahill 's new book Dirty Wars. I am putting it away for now. It is a good, detailed history of how U.S. hit lists (by CIA and Pres) were legalized. I love Scahill and don't know why he hasn't been assassinated yet but am not in the mood for this right now. I have no doubt we have hit lists and kill whomever we please so don't need his documentation right now, but the legal twists will be interesting to some.

I have started Gandhi a Spiritual Biography the new Yale text by Arvind Sharma looking at another side of revolution, or another method.

BOOK 101 - The Dinner by Herman Koch

Took a break from Gandhi to read The Dinner by Herman Koch after reading comments by Ridgeway and Joyce. It was a nice quick break, read in two days and mostly held my interest. I'm not going to review it as lots has already been said. It was interesting and initially held my interest, but I'm not sure I am really clear on what happened in this story, or on who did what. I didn't find it very satisfying, as I wanted to know more or understand more. That made it 3 stars for me, but perhaps those who like those subtleties will rate it higher. I'm glad I read it however, just for some of the social commentary and especially attitudes between French and Dutch, which I know nothing about.

but I'm not sure I am really clear on what happened in this story, or on who did what.

I think that's one of the things that makes it a book that people want to discuss. For example, I really didn't understand the significance of Claire's prenatal report at the end of the story.

And yes, I found the Dutch-French relations interesting too.

188 - well good. I thought I just probably was missing the subtleties which I can't even spell. Course there are lots of things I want to say to you but they are all spoilers. e.g. I had empathy for the narrator but if I say why it's a spoiler. Maybe I'll send a "secret" message.

BOOK 102 - Go With Me by Castle Freeman, Jr.

Quick enjoyable little read. I do love to see anarchy prevail.

Altho, I do think a woman with enough character to not run would play more of a part in her own rescue.

I do love to see anarchy prevail.
That sentence makes me smile ..... :)

191 - Me too :) My cousin said to me after Katrina - "How's that anarchy working for you now?" I said "Are you kidding? It's the only thing that DID work. Sure as hell wasn't the government!"

Posting my notes while still reading:

BOOK 101 - Gandhi a Spiritual Biography by Arvind Sharma

This is a new biography published by Yale. Sharma says that it is the first that focuses strictly on the spiritual life of Gandhi which is what made me want to read it. I'm interested in spiritual development, moral development, cognitive development. Altho splitting that out in the case of Gandhi can't be easy. And of course it isn't split out - just becomes the focus and determines which incidents are addressed. This is especially important with Gandhi because it is said that rather than moving from theory to practice, he moves from his "experiments" to theory.

My initial response to reading was that I don't have the background for this particular study and needed a personal theologist to consult with. Seriously, at least to elucidate. Some issues that seem weird to me, such as his ideas about celibacy, might make more sense if I had that background. And at the same time, sometimes all the analysis seems silly and I want to ask, "Really? Is all this necessary or just a distraction? Can't we just say 'Be ye kind, one to another.' and won't that take care of it?

The first quotation I related to and wanted to save was by Gandhi:

"I worshipped Rama God as Sita's husband in the first instance, but as my knowledge and experience of him grew, my Rama became immortal and omnipresent. This does not mean that Rama ceased to be Sita's husband; but the meaning of Sita's husband expanded with the vision of Rama."

I have heard many people say that in some way when asked if they were Christian. That is, they were and they love Jesus AND their beliefs have grown to include more than that.

One of the pieces of information I was specifically wanting was addressed, and that is that the independence of India was simply a side effect of Gandhi's search for awakening, rather than a goal that lead to spiritual development.

Gandhi's belief in nonviolence was based on his belief in Hinduism and specifically the Bhagavad Gita, the whole message of which was one of selfless action. Most Hindus take the Gita literally and it IS a battle story. Gandhi believed it was an allegory about the perpetual battle within the individual between right and wrong. Selfless action could only mean nonviolent action because it is our selfish attachments that cause us to turn violent.

On the other hand, the man who shot Gandhi followed a different guru than Gandhi, who interpreted the Gita literally and therefore believed it was his duty to kill Gandhi. That is why he first bowed to Gandhi and then shot him. The author states that some suggest a third interpretation, that since Krishna/God's promise of redemption for humanity includes everyone, it includes both interpretations. In other words, there are multiple ways to redemption. Which leads back to that earlier idea of beliefs growing to include other religions or schools of thought.

More to come..........

Fascinating to read your thoughts on Gandhi a Spiritual Biography. I look forward to reading more as you progress with it.

My other half and I loved your comment in post 192 by the way! "You go Merrikay!" were Gaynor's words. :)

Nice comments about Gandhi: A Spiritual Biography so far, Merrikay.

Thanks Paul and Darryl.

Today is my first time seeing the Book Depository 24 hour sale with new items every half hour and I am having a heart attack! What fun! Anyone else watching it?

Well THAT sale was a waste of time! For ME anyway.

And for me too! I watched it for a short time while I was doing something else but nothing of interest to me came up - except for the one that was listed as I logged in and it was sold out!

I am never going to be ready to post this because there is too much to say and writing is not my field, so I am arbitrarily making myself stop and post!

BOOK 102 - Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink

What would you do if you were caught in a flood in a hospital and knew your last nine helpless patients would not be evacuated but would in all likelihood drown? This Pulitzer Prize winner tells the story from multiple perspectives, some perspectives that I would never have even thought of. And that is my favorite thing about this book. It challenged my thinking over and over.

Fink introduces the reader to so many participants in this tragedy, helping the reader to understand multiple perspectives, telling the story in part narrative, but supported with facts and sources all the way through. The first half tells the story of Katrina at Memorial Hospital, the second half tells about the reaction of the community to the choices made by medical personnel. I didn't expect the second half to be as good of a read, but Fink repeatedly introduced intriguing ideas and concepts that were new to me and I could hardly put the book down till the last page. When I did put it down, it was to go to google and youtube and see and hear these people.

My initial thoughts before reading the book were that I was in no position to make any judgements about this story and would never know all of the facts. I still feel the same way, but appreciate the knowledge, emergency procedures and protocols developed due to the information given by the participants and others. As Margaret Mead was quoted in the book, "It is the duty of society to protect the physician from such requests." She is speaking of euthanasia and saying that we as a society must take the responsibility for making these decisions rather than putting it on one person. I don't think anyone has said it better.

So many questions were raised:

Who gets evacuated first?
Who is responsible for evacuation?
Who decides when to evacuate?
Who receives resources when they are limited?
In what situation does a DNR apply?
Is there a loss if we speed up death, a loss of interaction with family and/or God that we often put off until forced to face it?
Is there value in suffering?
What is the relationship between personal responsibility and group or government responsibility? What about corporations who now own most of our hospitals?
Are medical personnel more qualified to make some of these decisions that the rest of the community?

AND, this is after medical personnel have had to answer the question do I stay and work or go take care of my family.

I have difficulty holding anyone responsible for behavior under extremely traumatic, life-threatening situations simply on the basis of what panic does to the brain. There's not a lot of frontal lobe involvement happening during panic. Of course training can help with that, but I don't know how practical that is for civilians. I especially liked then, the idea presented by one person that justice does not necessarily require conviction, it could be achieved through retelling in the court system. I don't know that it has to be the court, but am reminded of the process of reconciliation used in South Africa.

Another idea presented, "Many ethicists felt that the conditions were so horrible that moral judgements could not be made about what happened there."

All I think for sure is that these medical workers were courageous way beyond what I would have been able to muster up and New Orleans was lucky to have them. I am also grateful that my parents made end of life arrangements for themselves very clear and taught me to do the same. Whether that makes any difference for me remains to be seen of course.

This was a five star read for me and my head is still spinning.

ok maybe I can't leave it alone. I thought young people evacuated first - now I am no longer sure. That is only one of MANY aspects I was challenged on. I also especially liked the quick look at how things were handled in other cultures. Also addressed was the end of creativity that came with limiting the answers or even designing the questions themselves.

I didn't know you experience Katrina first hand. Five Days at Memorial must have been particularly intense and wrenching for you. Enjoyed the review.

And further up, wondering what else you might tell is about Ghandi.

I really don't want to read this book, but both you and Darryl are making it sound so fascinating.

No Dan, I didn't experience Katrina first hand. Thank God. I would have never made it. I would have curled up in a ball and waited for the end buried in hopelessness. I was an angry mess just from watching it on tv! I just couldn't believe we didn't help more. Like every other evil that has occurred in the world, I blame it on Bush. Seriously tho, there was a huge question of states rights vs feds in Katrina, which is one more issue I am ambivalent about, but as I watched the news I felt that locals were too traumatized to even think and needed federal intervention and certainly military help.

I don't blame you Nickelini.

P.S. I will be getting back to Gandhi.

Your review of Five Days at Memorial, along with the other reviews I've read, make it sound so tempting. My wishlist has collapsed under the weight of so many books.....

All the reviews I have read of Five Days at Memorial have been very positive.

Great review of Five Days at Memorial.

AND, this is after medical personnel have had to answer the question do I stay and work or go take care of my family.
That is a horrible, horrible spot to be in ...

Great review Merrikay! I sense that this book will move me tremendously when I read it.

BOOK 103 - Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I wasn't crazy about Flynn's Gone Girl but decided to give her another try since so many others seem to like her books. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed this one much more. It is a fascinating mystery about a topic that is not that well known or understood, and Flynn does a wonderful job. You can feel the results of the characters' behaviors and predicaments from what seems like the inside of the experience. Each time I thought I had the mystery figured out, there was a new twist pointing me in another direction. This book kept me quickly turning pages right till the end. I was so involved with the characters that it took me awhile to shake it and it is a difficult topic. I will be reading more Flynn, but need a break from some of these type of characters. Very intense. Four stars.

>209 mkboylan: I need to remember this one when I am ready for a new audio book. I have it on my iPod. Thanks for the reminder...

#202 I really don't want to read this book, but both you and Darryl are making it sound so fascinating.

My thoughts exactly!

I am just starting to read your thread and am finding it fascinating. So much so that I had to bop down to the end and comment. A friend of mine had a big butterfly tattoo done on her chest after a double mastectomy. It was the first I had heard of the practice. She's really happy with it. My impression is that she thinks it's something beautiful just for her. I also wanted to add that The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng has some lovely passages describing the lost art of full body woodblock tattooing. Evidently the practice began in Japan, migrated to China and was lost in Japan, and then returned to Japan via woodblock artists. The art form reached its high point during the Edo period. Now tattoos are seen as gang signs, and the art form has been lost (or in abeyance) once more.

Excellent review of Five Days at Memorial and you've sold me on Sharp Objects (I enjoyed Gone Girl but was hesitating over the darkness of Flynn's others).

I enjoyed Gone Girl as a fun page turner. I wasn't planning to read any of Flynn's other books, but maybe I'll give Sharp Objects a try.

BOOK 104 - Black Irish by Stephan Talty

RidgewayGirl reviewed this back in January as an ER and gave it a bad review. A good and funny bad review. I have to agree with everything she said. And, I liked it and will be reading his next book in this series. The mistakes ARE glaring. I was forgiving because I was reading it as a first novel. I didn't realize Talty is actually an accomplished author of nonfiction. I don't understand how he could possibly have written a book with so many errors in it. However, I liked the woman detective, the Buffalo NY setting and the Irish factor.

Thanks for all of your comments. It's funny how the book I am reading stays with me the rest of the day also. I thought about Memorial Hospital while I attended a Fall Celebration at my mom's assisted living facility and watched many elderly people expressing their pleasure in the musical moment, singing and dancing. There was a lot of joy there that I was surprised by and a little caught off guard. There were family guests of all ages and many of us enjoyed ourselves and loved watching others do so. Especially the ones we aren't responsible for probably. My mom is in hospice care so the experience was pretty pertinent. And now of course the news is constantly on scenes in the Philllipines and makes me think about what is happening that we are not seeing. What a nightmare.

Sharp Objects is definitely dark.

Lisa I think I'd like to look at The Garden of Evening Mists thanks for the tip.

Not sure what is next. My ER's are stacking up and I haven't finished the Gandhi.

By the way, I became a great grandmother last week and I really really like it! I'm actually a little caught off guard by how much I like it and the strength of my feelings. It was a long, 32 hour labor, induced due to preeclampsia and I was scared but things are now fine. Of course I had to look at the research about preeclampsia and was interested to find that women who perform oral sex have a lower rate. Yes the research was real. VERY interesting. This is correlation only, but it appears risk can be reduced by.....yes......performing oral sex with dad before conception. Or, receiving a transfusion of some of dad's blood. Weird, I know, but it was scary and I'm very happy to have that info for the future. It was hard to not be there - I'm in California and they are in Hawaii. Also a little sad to know Daniel will not be eligible to run for president (;)). That is the only part of this post that is a joke. As you can imagine, he is of course the smartest and most handsome baby ever. His parents are young, 20 and 21, but really wanted a baby now and are enjoying it very much, especially with dad's paternity. They have both cared for younger sibs and are good at it and think it's fun.

MAKE THAT: especially with dad's paternity leave!

Congratulations! I can't quite fathom being a great-grandmother, having only recently become a grandmother, but then I was an older mother.

Congrats Merrikay. I love being a Nana. I can't imagine being a great grandmama, but I guess you never know. :) The feelings as a Nana are quite overwhelming at times.

> 217 Congratulations on great grandmotherhood! I'm not a grandma yet - and I better the (insert favorite cuss word here) for a long time!

How ironic. The book I randomly pulled off my bookshelf the other day belonged to my great grandma and, even though we were never close (by the time I was old enough to know her she had reverted back mentally to her childhood), I've been thinking about her a lot while reading. :)

Congrats on the great grand! I hope your mother gets to meet her!

Congratulations Merrrikay! That's fantastic. ...And very interesting notes there on the preeclampsia!

In our family you'd be called Bubbe (rhyming with coulda/shoulda/woulda in the Londoner Jewish way) on my side, or Mamgee (hard G) on my other half's Welsh side. They both really mean 'grandma', but it's handy to have a name to promote to the 'great' level above grandma! Mazal tov!

Wow! Congratulations, Merrikay, and you do come up with the most, uh, interesting, research!

>222 Polaris-: Is there no form for the great part? "Alte" Baba is used over here to designate the "great". That pronunciation of Bubbe sounds too American south to me! The people I know who use that spelling here pronounce it Bubbee but with your spelling. Others use the previously mentioned Baba.

Congrats Merrikay!

Congratulations great-gramma!

Agree, interesting research! I was going to ask where you found it but then I googled and got a couple science sites ... and a New Yorker article! That made me laugh, since I just read a memoir by a long-time editor there who wanted to end an article with an innocuous word pun, but was not allowed to because doing so “would destroy the magazine.”

BOOK 105 - Death and the Penguin by Audrey Kurkov

Although it was billed as a crime novel, I saw politics so I must have projected my own current thinking and reading all over this book! Oh wait - crime....politics.....same thing perhaps? Another reviewer saw it as a gang war. I saw revolution. Oh wait - crime, politics, revolution? Hmmmm.....well, here's what I saw: a lonely somewhat isolated man who has a generous impulse to rescue and adopt a penguin. Other people begin to come into his life through interaction with the penguin on walks, etc. Who could not stop and ask? Vik ends up with a job and a family of sorts as well as assorted friendships. The job involves writing obituaries for living people who end up dead, which is not exactly in line with Vik's ambition as a writer,but he excels at it. He eventually realizes the people he writes about are being killed and he has to examine his part in that. I am writing this in 2013 in the U.S. when bankers and politicians and military figures are badly misbehaving (!) and corrupt and I see revolution in this novel as these are the figures who are killed off.

Vik is torn between concern that he is part of murder and the comfort he has developed with his new life of financial security, home and family. Does he really want to know how his actions effect society? That might mean giving up his newfound comfort. Boy can I relate to that. Can I really continue living peacefully in my nice safe little community while my country is bombing others? Remaining unaware can seem blissful and be very comfortable.

I see that NPR has interviewed the author about this book so I'm now off to see what his book was really about. Be back in a minute.

Hmmmm......well if I told you, that would be a spoiler!

Thanks to Lisa for her review that inspired my reading.

Intriguing review Merrikay of a book that on one level at least puts me in mind of Graham Greene and Our Man in Havana.

>224 SassyLassy: - Sassy - there may well be a Yiddish 'great' to go with 'grandma' etc. but I'm not aware of it. Your 'Alte-Baba' is probably it right? Just Google-translated and it would appear so. Your pronounciation looks closer to the original Yiddish too. What I can say is that having learnt Hebrew in Israel I then discovered that most of the London-accented ways of pronouncing Hebrew or Yiddish words was of course WAY off a lot of the time. Probably where our weird way of saying Bubbe comes from...

226 - I read and enjoyed Death and the Penguin last year as my Ukraine choice in the Europe Endless challenge. Quirky, funny, sad, with a surprising wrap-up. I didn't write one but I've given your excellent review a thumb.

I enjoyed your review of Death and the Penguin. Can my wish list handle another book? :)

Loved your review of Death and the Penguin

Don't worry Merrikay, you are not responsible for what your country does, but if you really believe you are then the only honest option is to leave, - I have been reading too much Albert Camus.

Thanks for all the congrats! Avid, what book was your Greats? And thanks for the great info about what greats are called. Someone suggested my daughter Lisa be called Nona, so she could be the Nona Lisa. We all groaned.

Detail - glad you found that research on some serious sites so everyone wont think I am (totally) crazy! I taught sexuality at a community college and had a blast, but I forget others may not want to hear some of that stuff. I could have killed my son when he told me his girlfriend was laughing at all the sex books I have when they were looking at my library. I made sure he told her I was teaching the subject! Still, I w as a little embarrassed.

Stream - I sure hope I get to take a five generation photo.

Paul I've had Our Man in Havanna on my stack for a long time and need to get to it.

Thanks Vivienne! Nana if your wish list collapses, blame it on Lisa, she's the one from whom I heard about it.

Well baswood thanks for not holding me responsible but I sure seriously feel it. Hmmm have a couple of Camus on my stack. I think when Bush was in office Canada started making it a lot harder for Americans to move there - seriously, they were getting a little overrun with us.

Regarding the Graham Greene - just make sure whatever you do - DO NOT listen to the audiobook version - it is AWFUL!! The story is great though - so I hope you enjoy the book when the time comes.

Your stories make me laugh!

My youngest calls my mother "double mom" so I guess when he has kids of his own she'll become "triple mom."

BOOK 106 - The Skies Belong to Us by Brendan I. Koerner

I read a book review when this first came out that made it sound so good I could hardly wait to read it. It is a history of the period of time that skyjacking was so frequent that it got downright scary to get on a plane. The review suggested that if I read it I would understand the motives and relationships that drove some of this behavior, which I thought would be very interesting. Well it turns out to be pretty simple. Mental illness and idiocy seem to me to be the main motivator of at least the cases covered by Koerner. The methods used were just too idiotic, careless and unorganized to believe. There has to have been at least ONE case that could have been included that wasn't totally crazy. I found the book to be ok but rather boring. I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters. Although by the end I was feeling some tiny amount of empathy for the main skyjacker covered. He was very pathetic and clearly destroyed by his Vietnam war experience combined with his mental illness. Sometimes he seemed like another person just trying to make sense of his life and live heroically.

The most interesting part of this story to me was the legal issues addressed such as extradition, treaties with Cuba, France and other countries. The search for the fine line between political purpose and plain old criminal behavior was interesting. And as I write this and review the players, it makes me rethink some of my reactions. I'm remembering the slogan, "The personal is political." If I change idiot to ignorant, inexperienced, with less access to resources, it may put a new slant on the behavior. War and poverty damage people to an incredible depth and perhaps these people were responding with the only weapons they had access to. That leaves me with another slogan, "If you want peace, work for justice."

Good review Merrikay. The title intrigued me when I came across it recently (must've beeen on your thread right? I see no other 'mentions' on the book's main page) - and the subject should be interesting. Disappointing when the execution turns out below expectation. I had a book on prison escapes few years back - sounds exciting? Should've been but it was a total dud.

ETA - And your final slogan is a great one, and true. I'm waiting for more in my 'other' country to realise the same...

"If you want peace, work for justice." That is something Albert Camus might have said. Shame about the book being a little boring.

Bas - I thought it was M. Teresa but I just looked it up and it seems to be Paul VI by the way. Camus is on my stack right next to me. As I keep saying!

Avid I love double mom! Thanks to text messaging, my daughter is known as gma.

Thanks Paul. This week I watched the movie Ajami. I must have heard about it on here somewhere also. It was very good. Another Palestinian, Jewish, Christian, Israeli, Muslem, Arab and various combinations of them (!) trying to live decent lives and crisis happens. The story is literally presented five times from five different perspectives. It is worth watching just for the fact that it does not use professional actors, but rather locals. AND they were amazing. Also watched The Baader Meinhof Complex and thought it was good. I loved seeing a "Chief of Police" who tried to make the point that if we want to stop terrorism we need to look at the root causes, otherwise we are wasting our time. It was about the Red Army Faction in Germany in the 70s when the children of the Nazi generation believed fascists to again be taking over their country. As the rest of you probably know but I didn't so found it SO interesting. I watched both on Netflix.

I have finished the Gandhi book but am having trouble getting the review finished up. Laziness.

Yes! Ajami! I've seen it - a great film. It was Israel's nominee for an Academy Award the year it came out. I was talking about it on Kerry's thread, or on mine (don't remember). Really glad you saw it and rated it too. I could go for watching it again mind... It's one of those stories where you get the story from different angles, as you said, so would be great to watch again I'm sure.

HORROR OF HORRORS!!! Shades of Twilight Zone!!!

It finally happened. I got to my local morning coffee house without my glasses. I could not believe I didn't have an extra pair but nope. Nothing in my car...... Thanks God for changeable fonts.

>239 mkboylan: LOL. I could see where that would be alarming pre-Kindle.

Duh. I finally got the Twilight Zone reference!!! HA!

LOL! It has been about 54 years since I saw that episode and I have never recovered from the horror!
I was only 11 but I already knew that would be the worst thing that could ever happen to me ever.

http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F#/watch?v=UAxARJyaTEA

This is the last couple of minutes of the episode. The complete episode is also on youtube and will come up on a sidebar if you click on the above.

There's also a blurb on wiki about it as it was a sci-fi short story originally.

To us here, Thanksgiving is all about the Twilight Zone marathon (which is why it surprised me it took so long for that reference to sink in)!

That's funny!

By the way, I just ordered a copy of The Chocolate Wars. I want to read about the Quaker business model.

Word to the wise: have some chocolate handy. :)
The Quakers were very, very socially conscious, Richard and George Cadbury were a glowing example of that. I've always known that chocolate makes the world better; now I have proof! LOL!

and I'll make it Cadbury which is my favorite anyway. Plus I've been boycotting Hershey since they laid everyone off and moved to China. I hate them now. It was bad enough back in the 80s or so when we were boycotting stupid Nestle (yum Crunch! because of the infant formula thing. If anyone knows anything bad about Cadbury please keep it to yourself!

Did that happen at Hershey? I think I still own a tiny bit of stock in them. They were involved with orphans or had an orphan as a CEO or some such. Anyway, they had a DRIP, and people weren't going to give up candy during a depression, so I thought it would be a good investment. I bought Hershey bars for Halloween because of it, but I buy generic cocoa because of the price.

Robert

The Cadbury chocolate --the stuff sold here in Canada anyway -- is the only one that shows the mark that it's made from Fair Trade cocoa. If you google them, they seem to have an excellent social responsibility and ethics reputation. I try not to buy chocolate, but they are my favourite brand (other than local brands). I stopped eating Hershey's years ago when someone pointed out that their chocolate tastes like sugary wax. And it really does. How did I not notice that before?

I've heard that kind of criticism of American milk chocolate for years. It is true that a Hershey milk chocolate with almonds candy bar is sweeter and less chocolaty than Brookside chocolate with acai and blueberries and that I prefer the latter, but I enjoy the Halloween leftovers.

Robert

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/hersheys.asp

I decided to double check and found news reports to be confusing. This snopes page is the most clear info I found.

I was surprised when I was in Europe to find my personal favorite chocolate was the Butler's in Ireland. I was assuming it would be Belgian, Swiss or something. I realize it is a matter of personal taste. Some like it sweeter, creamier, whatever, but I have to agree Hershey's is waxy. I'm thinking I should stock up for a taste comparison while reading the book.

I'm thinking I should stock up for a taste comparison while reading the book.

Fabulous idea!

Agreed! So here's your shopping list:

Chocolate from:

Cadbury
Nestle
Hershey
Lindt
Mars
Ghiradelli

Also, when can I come over? :)

My husband's all "What are you laughing at?"

I can do that! You know........this might be good for a book group activity right? Ok confession: I have had all of those and thats how I know Cadbury is the best. Butler's is second.

Don't forget Green and Black's: https://www.greenandblacks.com/ca/

And since this is a book club, they have one of the best cookbooks ever, Green and Black's Chocolate Recipes from the Cacao Pod to Muffins, Mousses and Moles. Chocolate sticky toffee pudding anyone? Recipe is online.

A few years ago Hershey closed its Canadian factory, practically closing down a small town (Smith's Falls). It had a wonderful shop which was a great place to visit, because as you went in, everyone leaving had huge smiles on their faces. No whining children, sulky teenagers or cantankerous adults. We often went out of our way whenever we were within 100km of the town and I miss it every time I'm in the area. I didn't realize they went to China.

The Hershey Company, based in Pennsylvania, manufactures and distributes Cadbury-branded chocolate (but not its other confectionery) in the United States and has been reported to share Cadbury's "ethos". Hershey had expressed an interest in buying Cadbury because it would broaden its access to faster-growing international markets. But on 22 January 2010, Hershey announced that it would not counter Kraft's final offer.

From this part of the Wikipedia article

Robert

Robert: See 246, last line.

lol

Great because I REALLY also hate Snapple's anti woman politics. guess I am going to have to stop eating. How did I ever have a weight problem?

No more talking!

ETA: Please see post #262 below regarding my error about Snapple. My apologies for my mistake.

BOOK 107 - Blood Island by H. Terrell Griffin

Billed as you'll like this if you like John. D. MacDonald. The usual mystery in the Keys of Florida, not as good as other series set there. Don't know that I'd read another. Found myself skimming the last couple of chapters. Terrible dialogue. Two stars.

I will avoid Blood Island. :)

BOOK 109 - Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn stumped me again. I did NOT see that coming! Her plots are complicated and I rarely know where she is going. Even when I think I have it figured out, I find out I was only half right. She keeps me turning pages no matter how tired I am. I did not care for Gone Girl but liked Sharp Objects and this one. However, I think I've had enough darkness, and I mean VERY dark, to last me awhile.

:) glad you liked that one Merrikay. I am going for fun right now myself.

I REALLY also hate Snapple's anti woman politics

How are they anti-woman? I'm just curious because my daughter-in-law works for the parent company, Dr. Pepper.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/1997/08/welcome-back-boycotter-p-8

Oh lord is my face red! I'm so glad you asked. I am usually very careful about these things after teaching and wanting to always be able to back up my info in class. Tomorrow I am going to buy a case of diet Snapple iced tea! I love that stuff and have been good about not buying it.

My apologies.

P.S. I am not even going to check on the chocolate companies anymore. A girl has to eat.

Reviewing out of order so my numbers are off.

BOOK 111 - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

The cover captured me as did the description that said the reader would hear what it was like for two teenage boys to be sent to the mountains for re-education during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. However, the book didn't come through. I couldn't see or feel the setting in the mountains except for small parts, and never got a feel for the characters. I didn't care that much what happened to them until close to the end when I thought something was about to happen and I wanted to know what. But it didn't happen for me. The end. Boring. Two stars.

ETA: Did anyone see this movie and have any comments about it?

BOOK 110 - When the World Ended: the Diary of Emma LeConte by Emma LeConte

LeConte specifically records her experiences in Columbia, South Carolina, during Sherman's devastating march through the South in this volume of her work. Reading something like this can develop the reader's understanding of the long lastingness of bitterness and hatred that follow war. I have heard many jokes about how "those Southerners just won't let go" and people wonder about the continued obsession with the Civil War or The War Between the States, depending on where you are from. There is information about the ethics of war, i.e. killing civilians, burning food supplies to cause starvation of civilians, etc. It seems silly to me in some sense, when we are talking about killing people, to wonder if we should save libraries and museums. Nevertheless, for those interested in that conversation this is an important volume.

I found the information about LeConte interesting from a feminist point of view, as she is educated and pushed toward intellectual growth by her father, among others. I found her to be highly intelligent and likable, which made it more shocking to hear her comments and beliefs about slaves. She truly believes this group is inferior and although that is not news in itself, it is the casualness with which it is conveyed that floors.

The introduction and forward to this volume are also full of good and helpful information, helping me to notice things in the diary that I might not have noticed otherwise (as all good intros should).

I was really bothered by reading Twains Diary of Adam and Eve because of the way he spoke about women, and found myself thinking about how I would feel reading this if I were African American rather than Euro-American. It is disturbing AND important. Five stars for importance?

Thanks to avidmom's Nov. 16 very excellent review of this book that sparked my interest. Her review in itself is well worth a read.

BOOK 108 - Jane Fonda's War by Mary Hershberger

This is an important book for anyone interested in the fields of mass communications, media, politics and government. It would make a good text for a media class. It is an analysis of how and why an anti-war activist became a symbol of betrayal as well as a scapegoat for a country that did not want to admit defeat and its own errors. Hershberger does an excellent job of documenting her work and makes copious use of documents released under the Freedom of Information Act, as well as a vast amount of documents released by the FBI regarding their illegal activities. A mountain of documents if you get the picture.

Fonda is a highly intelligent and thoughtful woman who did not take her decisions and actions lightly, but only after much investigation and thought. One of the most important things she did was organizing the Winter Soldier platform, providing a place for returning Vietnamese vets to tell about what was happening in Vietnam during a time when their government did not want to hear it. Illegal bombing, undeclared war, Cambodia, you know the story. The important thing that Fonda wanted to happen with this process was for responsibility to be placed NOT ONLY on individual soldiers in instances such as the My Lai Massacre, but also on the people giving the orders, the officers and the government. This involved a big freedom of speech battle.

It is intriguing to read the story and follow the thread of lies that led to the many myths surrounding Fonda, which Hershberger clearly draws. Here is the lesson in rumors, media games, purposeful political games and it is fascinating. The way the stories about POWs being tortured were told is worth a media course in itself. It is amazing to hear POWs claim they were tortured in a time and place that did not happen, and important to look at the effects of trauma on eye witnesses once again. I certainly wouldn't expect the details to be kept straight in traumatic situations. And so we see another lesson in the need for multiple sources and other methods of corroboration. One of the thing that made this timing important was that because he did not want to withdraw, Nixon specifically targeted Fonda and blamed her for torture.

The fact that Hershberger is here focused on a very specific issue, the activism of Jane Fonda, makes this a quick and clean read. It is also very timely as we continue to uncover the covert and illegal work the U.S. government has done to continue to discredit people and organizations. 5 stars.

> I'm glad you found a copy of the LeConte book.
I found her to be highly intelligent and likable, which made it more shocking to hear her comments and beliefs about slaves. She truly believes this group is inferior and although that is not news in itself, it is the casualness with which it is conveyed that floors.
Yes! That's what I was trying to say!

The Jane Fonda book sounds really good. I keep telling my politically interested kid that he needs to get facts from different places.

Avid - Yep! Did you see my posts above, 261 and 262? I realized my mistake while I was reading the Fonda book about the way that kind of information was engineered and how people fall for it and was horrified at myself.

ETA: and Im so glad I read the LeConte.

Enjoying your forays into the effects of war and the way politicians and others use it for their own ends. The Jane Fonda case is particularly interesting, because for me living in England I experienced non of the real trauma of being involved in the Vietnam war and did not experience the hate campaign that was launched at Fonda. History is going to be much kinder to Fonda than to Nixon I think.

Found your review of the Fonda book very informative -- I always sympathized with her work, but didn't know too much about it.

BOOK 112 - W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton Just always a simple uncompicated pleasure - Grafton's best. It's been fun to watch this series.

BOOK 113 - Defending Jacob by William Landay

I needed some "veg out" time.

Baswood and Jane - Thanks for the comments. The Fonda was a good and interesting book. She is amazing.

BOOK 114 - Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan

Story shaped around an unidentified victim of a bombing in Israel and attempts to identify him. It illustrates the traumatic effects of living in a violent world and the defenses that build up around it, both physical and psychological. Struggles with identity, family relationships, intimacy. I found it very touching, and as I often find with graphic novels, reading it was an emotional experience. This novel is based on a true story that was documented in a film by David Ofek entitled No. 17. Four stars.

Thanks Paul for the recommendation.

I have never read a graphic novel but Exit Wounds sounds like a good place to start. I'm wondering why you find reading graphic novels an emotional experience. More so than books? I guess I'll have to try it for myself.

Vivienne I think it's because looking at pictures lights up that part of the brain.

I really like Guy Delisle and Alison Bechdel the best so far.

I have had trouble focusing lately. I read half of My Life with Che which is by his first wife. I wanted another perspective since I read the one by his second wife, but got half way through and quit. Just not in the mood or tired of the topic or?

Thanks for the tip Merrikay. I'll check those authors.

I understand times when it's hard to focus. I had real trouble typing this morning, and when I just looked at what I'd written it was full of mistakes. Just hope I'm making sense now :)

BOOK 115 - Phoenix by Melissa Pritchard

A novel that describes a hippy life in the 60s as lived by the title character. I didn't much care for her or any of the other characters, didn't like her choice of friends, or I think I should just say associates. They just aren't nice people. I probably shouldn't have finished it, but as Annie Dillard speaks well of the author I kept thinking maybe I was missing something - maybe I was, or maybe Pritchard got better later. No stars.

Merrikay, did I recommend Exit Wounds? I'd forgotten, but if I did then I'm glad I did, and twice as glad you liked it. I like your review of it - you've succinctly summed up the feeling of the book, and yes, I was very moved by it as well.

Had no idea it was based on a true story in particular, but then, in a small country like that, it's the kind of story that someone will always know someone who knows someone who knows someone....

Rutu Modan is definitely a talent worth watching out for, and I'd like to read The Property soon!

Too bad Phoenix was a dud. Weird when an author one really respects recommends an another, or a title, that turns out to be so mediocre (at best!). Makes you think if there is some untold connection there - like the recommendee is a close friend, but just not a very good writer, or they share an agent/editor/publisher and one is just doing a stable-mate a favour?

BOOK 116 - Between Friends by Amos Oz

Oz is an award-winning Israeli author of both fiction and non-fiction. I've been reading about Israel and Palestine this year and knew this would expand my knowledge further. It is also a book of short stories, something I have never read and wanted to try. The very first story, about a cranky old man who constantly complains about the injustices in the world, touched me deeply, but then I began to drift. I kept thinking I needed an intense thriller type book to hold my attention away from the current sadness in life that I don't want to think about such as my failing mom. But I kept coming back to this book and these stories and found the experience to be similar to my annual trip to the desert. When I go to the desert it takes me while to settle in. Everything is the same color. But as I walk daily through the desert the subtleties begin to sink in and I see the multitude of colors, plants, blossoms, skittering critters and footprints. Reading Oz was like that. I began to see the subtleties in the people living in this kibbutz. I saw their strengths and their weaknesses and the way they complemented the whole person. Then I began to see how each person complemented the others living in the kibbutz. This then worked its way into my perception of my own life and it too began to look beautiful.

Thanks Paul for introducing me to Amos Oz.

277 Paul I also wondered if perhaps the single sentence by Dillard on the cover of Phoenix was in reference to different works by the Plritchard as she grew and developed as an author.

Thanks again for Oz!

You're so welcome Merrikay! I'm thrilled at your comments above - what a beautiful review. You've expressed perfectly the essence of that book, and the characters within it. I only wish that I could've summed it up as effectively as you have without so much verbage as I did with my own 'review'. You're analogy with the desert really speaks to me as well. I appreciate that it must've been very difficult with some of Oz's characters' circumstances in relation to your Mum, and would've understood you putting it aside at this time. Naturally though I am really pleased that you stuck with it and found beauty in it.

BOOK 117 - Essence of the Dhammapada by Eknath Easwaran

The Dhammapada is one of the most beloved of Buddhist texts. There are many translations and many books written expounding upon it. What sets Easwaran's apart is its profound simplicity. Profound simplicity can seem like an oxymoron, but Easwaran is one of the teachers who is especially skilled at translating these teachings in English. He manages to take stories and ideas that originate in a different culture and retain the essence of that culture and teaching while finding a way, maybe an anecdote, to relate it to Western thinking. This is the second of his books that I have read, the first being Take Your Time: Finding Balance in a Hurried World, which I also found very helpful. I will be reading more of his work. Five stars

I won this early review copy from LT.

I have felt informed by both the Dhammapada and Easwaran, but I have never put the two together. It has been awhile, and I should possibly get back to both. He was still alive when I was looking at some of his other writing.

Robert

282 - I'd like to read his Gandhi and his Upanishads books.

Really enjoyed reading your thoughts on reading Amos Oz between Friends great stuff.

I am still trying to catch up on your thread. I'm sorry I'm so far behind. New Year's resolution--keep up with Merrikay!

Thanks baswood. So interesting to me. I didn't even mention the things I learned about life in a kibbutz regarding such things as child care and sleeping arrangements of children. I'd love to know how that all effected relationships when the kids were adults.

Hi Lisa - happy to see you here. I always enjoy your thread.

Finally! I just haven't been able to read. Don't know why, guess I needed to veg out so I picked up this mystery JDHomin had mentioned.

BOOK 118 - Blood Brotherhood by Robert Barnard

A nice quick little read that is light, yet full of fun satire and social analysis. Characterization that is right on, and brave issues for something published in 1977. Anyone ever involved in a church community will see someone they know. Also a very clever plot that I found rather different. Did not see the end coming.

BOOK 119 - Tahoe Chase by Todd Borg

I caught up! Just in time to switch to your new thread... :-)

Happy New Year, Merrikay!

Happy New Year, Merrikay!! It's been great following your reading this year. Here's to 2014!

Hi Lisa, Colleen, Paul - Happy New Year to everyone!

BOOK 120 - Shake Off by Mischa Hiller

Last book of 2013. Five stars for me altho avg rating is 3.5

I'll review later.

Congrats on 120 books this year!

120! Impressive!

Happy New Year, Merrikay!