It would only make sense that a Literature Lover such as myself would join a book club. So, I did. I started the first book today, entitled "Nathan Coulter" by Wendell Berry. I'm 11 pages into the book and I'm wondering if anything is really going to happen. This is a book that suffers from over-description. Everything is overanalyzed and complicated. Berry can't tell me it's sunset in less than 300 words. So, needless to say (but I will anyway), I'm wondering if I'll actually manage to finish this book in time for the discussion. Can I drag myself to read complicated descriptions of farm landscape (do I really care where Uncle's cabin is in relation to the narrator's farm? Grandpa's house? The river?)? We'll see...
The good thing is that this club put The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on their reading list. I can't WAIT to read that book!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Lies Across America
Remember the book "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James Loewen? Well, I read another of his books entitled "Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong." I've read 250 pages so far. It's set up by region of the United States and then critiques monuments, museums, plaques, etc. found across the country. The truth is that many of the historic sites he writes about are insignificant statues and plaques that very few people would even give a second glance at. There's lots of these things across our country and I'd hardly call them "historic sites." (In some ways, James Loewen would agree as he argues that many of them contain made-up history and are therefore made-up historic sites.)
After reading the first 100 pages, you'll get the idea of the book and once you read the heading for each passage, you'll know exactly what Loewen is going to say. He's obsessed with a) mistreatment of American Indians b) Reconstruction and Segregation and c) The lack of women in the historical landscape of the US. Basically, each entry of this entire book can fit neatly into one of those categories. After a while, you go "yeah yeah, no women in this museum..." and flip to the next entry only to say..."yeah yeah, it was the Mormons who massacred the Illinois pioneers, not the Indians...."
Now, it seems like this is a bad review of the book. But it's not. This is an interesting, insightful book, which explains rather well how America wishes to remember its history. The South rewards segregationists, racists, and continues to perpetuate racism with statues depicting black people as "mammies" and "uncles." The West rewards pioneers who enslaved American Indians, pushed them into poverty, discriminated against Chinese workers, etc. The Middle States (Montana, Kansas, Illinois, etc.) remembers things they weren't involved in or are just plain ridiculous - Abraham Lincoln's log cabin is long gone and no, he never built it. Montana had nothing to do with the Civil War and should not have a Conferate statue. The North - Well, they don't tell history like it is for fear of controversy. (Why talk about the debate about the Constitution and Bill of Rights at Independence Hall in Philadelphia when we could talk about how they all grabbed a beer afterwards...) Or, they make stuff up so that we appreciate a historical site better. George Washington wasn't really all that religious, yet we'll make a church depicting him praying at Valley Forge in stained glass. OOOH, shiny!
For what it's worth, I'll rate this book a 7/10. I'll deduct points for repetition, a lack of really noteworthy historic sites, and for sometimes long-winded entries. Other than that, Loewen provides sound historical truths and really nice explanations as to why these historical markers are detrimental to our national historical consciousness.
After reading the first 100 pages, you'll get the idea of the book and once you read the heading for each passage, you'll know exactly what Loewen is going to say. He's obsessed with a) mistreatment of American Indians b) Reconstruction and Segregation and c) The lack of women in the historical landscape of the US. Basically, each entry of this entire book can fit neatly into one of those categories. After a while, you go "yeah yeah, no women in this museum..." and flip to the next entry only to say..."yeah yeah, it was the Mormons who massacred the Illinois pioneers, not the Indians...."
Now, it seems like this is a bad review of the book. But it's not. This is an interesting, insightful book, which explains rather well how America wishes to remember its history. The South rewards segregationists, racists, and continues to perpetuate racism with statues depicting black people as "mammies" and "uncles." The West rewards pioneers who enslaved American Indians, pushed them into poverty, discriminated against Chinese workers, etc. The Middle States (Montana, Kansas, Illinois, etc.) remembers things they weren't involved in or are just plain ridiculous - Abraham Lincoln's log cabin is long gone and no, he never built it. Montana had nothing to do with the Civil War and should not have a Conferate statue. The North - Well, they don't tell history like it is for fear of controversy. (Why talk about the debate about the Constitution and Bill of Rights at Independence Hall in Philadelphia when we could talk about how they all grabbed a beer afterwards...) Or, they make stuff up so that we appreciate a historical site better. George Washington wasn't really all that religious, yet we'll make a church depicting him praying at Valley Forge in stained glass. OOOH, shiny!
For what it's worth, I'll rate this book a 7/10. I'll deduct points for repetition, a lack of really noteworthy historic sites, and for sometimes long-winded entries. Other than that, Loewen provides sound historical truths and really nice explanations as to why these historical markers are detrimental to our national historical consciousness.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Nineteen Minutes - Complete!
This book is a 10/10!
I finished it on Monday at work. The ending was...amazing. I just couldn't put it down. Of course, I can't tell you the ending, but I was surprised by it. It wasn't something I was expecting at all, but it was exciting! This book is definitely recommended reading :-)
I finished it on Monday at work. The ending was...amazing. I just couldn't put it down. Of course, I can't tell you the ending, but I was surprised by it. It wasn't something I was expecting at all, but it was exciting! This book is definitely recommended reading :-)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Nineteen Minutes - 50 pages to end
Hmm...I'm surprised I didn't post anything about picking up this book again. But what the hey - Back in January, I picked up Nineteen Minutes by Jodie Picoult, but I never finished it. I read about 200 pages in and then returned it to the library due to a change in my job and a lack of free time. But I picked it up again, hoping that this time, I'd finally finish it.
So, I'm about 50 pages from the end (40 is more accurate). The book is about a 17 year old boy who becomes the killer in a Columbine-like school shooting. He kills 10 people, wounds 19. Out of an entire school, I'd say that's small beans...but anyway. I really like the topic of this book. The bullied gets revenge.
As someone who was at the bottom of the social ladder throughout school, I sympathize with this kid. I was "secretly bullied." It's so easy to be "secretly bullied." I was one of the last girls to be chosen for a team in gym class (never last because I wasn't the fat girl), the girl who rode the bus because Mommy and Daddy didn't buy me a Jeep for my 16th birthday, was always told "this seat's taken," when you could choose your seat in class, was pointed and laughed at just to make me feel insecure, etc. I never thought about shooting up my school (though I will admit to wanting to kill one girl who stole not one, but two groups of my friends). I imagined that one day I'd be rich and famous and my old school-mates would be begging me to be their friend. My 10th year reunion is coming up...so much for being rich and famous.
As a teacher, I see meanness in school every day. It's unspoken, but THERE and this book is a fictional testament to what happens when meanness is accepted as "part of growing up" by the school community. I've worked in schools with bullying policies, but they don't really help. It's like telling a dog he can't run after that squirrel. In human terms, we call it "Teaching tolerance." It's nice, but it doesn't work. I have no real solutions, though, and I don't think anyone else does either.
I can't wait to see how this book ends. Will the kid actually go to jail or be acquitted on the basis of PTSD, after years of bullying? EXCITING!!!
So, I'm about 50 pages from the end (40 is more accurate). The book is about a 17 year old boy who becomes the killer in a Columbine-like school shooting. He kills 10 people, wounds 19. Out of an entire school, I'd say that's small beans...but anyway. I really like the topic of this book. The bullied gets revenge.
As someone who was at the bottom of the social ladder throughout school, I sympathize with this kid. I was "secretly bullied." It's so easy to be "secretly bullied." I was one of the last girls to be chosen for a team in gym class (never last because I wasn't the fat girl), the girl who rode the bus because Mommy and Daddy didn't buy me a Jeep for my 16th birthday, was always told "this seat's taken," when you could choose your seat in class, was pointed and laughed at just to make me feel insecure, etc. I never thought about shooting up my school (though I will admit to wanting to kill one girl who stole not one, but two groups of my friends). I imagined that one day I'd be rich and famous and my old school-mates would be begging me to be their friend. My 10th year reunion is coming up...so much for being rich and famous.
As a teacher, I see meanness in school every day. It's unspoken, but THERE and this book is a fictional testament to what happens when meanness is accepted as "part of growing up" by the school community. I've worked in schools with bullying policies, but they don't really help. It's like telling a dog he can't run after that squirrel. In human terms, we call it "Teaching tolerance." It's nice, but it doesn't work. I have no real solutions, though, and I don't think anyone else does either.
I can't wait to see how this book ends. Will the kid actually go to jail or be acquitted on the basis of PTSD, after years of bullying? EXCITING!!!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
US History for Dummies
Now I understand why the "Dummies" series of books is so popular. Sure, the books insult you with their titles, but if you have to learn something fast and don't want to read something complicated, this series can be your best friend.
The reason why I'm reading World History and US History for Dummies is because I'm taking a test next week that covers these two topics...and more. I am currently 250 pages into US History for Dummies by Steve Weigand, approximately 150 pages more to go. I purchased another book (CliffsTestPrep Praxis II Social Studies 0081) to help me study for this test, but it doesn't go into detail about history like these Dummies books. It's just bullet after bullet of date, name, battle, fact. And that's great if you can really absorb that. Some people like making flashcards. Not me. So, I went to the great library around the corner and picked up the Dummies books on history.
What's interesting about the series is that it holds the same light tone about the subject even though the authors are different for each book. Everything I liked about World History for Dummies rings true for US History for Dummies. It's THOROUGH, INTERESTING, and easy reading. And I mean, EASY. Unlike World History for Dummies, there are no interjections in every paragraph telling me to check out another chapter on such-and-such for more information. That was a major drawback in World History for Dummies. US History for Dummies doesn't have that problem because of its organization. World History jumped around. US History is in a sequential timeline. No jumping. GOOD.
So, what have I learned? It was a good refresher from high school history (that I took a good 10-15 years ago). I'm able to keep straight all the wars and why they happened. I'm shocked that people like Andrew Carnegie had $800 million in their pockets and the US government purchased the Phillipines for $20 million...which goes to show just how much Andrew Carnegie could have bought with all the money he had.
Any drawbacks? Yeah...I'll complain slightly about the "Extras" boxes. These are gray boxes on almost every page...or every 2 pages...with either a quote or clip about someone famous at the time being discussed in the "heart of the book." They're numerous and it's hard to tell WHEN you're supposed to read them. They're at the top of the pages AND the bottom. Do I finish reading the page and then read the boxes? Or is it too late and we've moved past that time?" It's hard to say sometimes. Also, there are some typos, easily ignorable. And some fact issues...which I KNOW are an issue only because of reading Lies My Teacher Told Me. Sometimes I am too smart for my own good.
I'll rate this book - 9/10. If you want to learn the ins and out of US History in a week or less, pick up this book. It's great!
The reason why I'm reading World History and US History for Dummies is because I'm taking a test next week that covers these two topics...and more. I am currently 250 pages into US History for Dummies by Steve Weigand, approximately 150 pages more to go. I purchased another book (CliffsTestPrep Praxis II Social Studies 0081) to help me study for this test, but it doesn't go into detail about history like these Dummies books. It's just bullet after bullet of date, name, battle, fact. And that's great if you can really absorb that. Some people like making flashcards. Not me. So, I went to the great library around the corner and picked up the Dummies books on history.
What's interesting about the series is that it holds the same light tone about the subject even though the authors are different for each book. Everything I liked about World History for Dummies rings true for US History for Dummies. It's THOROUGH, INTERESTING, and easy reading. And I mean, EASY. Unlike World History for Dummies, there are no interjections in every paragraph telling me to check out another chapter on such-and-such for more information. That was a major drawback in World History for Dummies. US History for Dummies doesn't have that problem because of its organization. World History jumped around. US History is in a sequential timeline. No jumping. GOOD.
So, what have I learned? It was a good refresher from high school history (that I took a good 10-15 years ago). I'm able to keep straight all the wars and why they happened. I'm shocked that people like Andrew Carnegie had $800 million in their pockets and the US government purchased the Phillipines for $20 million...which goes to show just how much Andrew Carnegie could have bought with all the money he had.
Any drawbacks? Yeah...I'll complain slightly about the "Extras" boxes. These are gray boxes on almost every page...or every 2 pages...with either a quote or clip about someone famous at the time being discussed in the "heart of the book." They're numerous and it's hard to tell WHEN you're supposed to read them. They're at the top of the pages AND the bottom. Do I finish reading the page and then read the boxes? Or is it too late and we've moved past that time?" It's hard to say sometimes. Also, there are some typos, easily ignorable. And some fact issues...which I KNOW are an issue only because of reading Lies My Teacher Told Me. Sometimes I am too smart for my own good.
I'll rate this book - 9/10. If you want to learn the ins and out of US History in a week or less, pick up this book. It's great!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
World History For Dummies
I never finished American Gods. Things got hectic at home and I returned the book back to the library. Two months later, I signed myself up to get Social Studies certified and I needed a book that could cram as much history into me as I could get in a little more than a month.
World History for Dummies by Peter Haugen is a crash course in, well, world history. But it teaches it in such a way that you'll remember. And it teaches you things you didn't (or couldn't) learn in high school. Such as Vasco de Gama. Seriously, do you know who this guy is? You might know he was an explorer, but what he explored/founded, you may not remember. Well, he found a way to India by going around the tip of Africa. But this guy was an @$$hole. After his men, left to spy on the Indian ruler, were killed (for spying, of course), de Gama became extremely militaristic, killed Muslims (who he blamed for killing his men) and sent a shipload of body parts to the Indian ruler. Lovely!! (And memorable!)
It's also not like your history textbook in that it's not in sequential order. There's different sections, such as Civilizations, and it goes through different civilizations and how they were all interconnected. But it's written so lightheartedly, so...smoothly, that you're not bombarded with names and dates that you can't grasp.
One thing that IS annoying and you will be bombarded with is constant references to other chapters/sections. The book can be read any way you want. You want to learn about Egyptians - check out this chapter, this chapter, and this chapter. You don't have to read every page or section. I am, however. And that makes reading slightly annoying because every paragraph or so has a note about other chapters/sections I can read to find out more about a particular culture, person, or topic. It's not in the margins. It's in parentheses IN the paragraph.
Nonetheless, it's a great book. I'm 150 pages in and I'm confident enough to give this book an 8 out of 10. Way to teach history!!!
World History for Dummies by Peter Haugen is a crash course in, well, world history. But it teaches it in such a way that you'll remember. And it teaches you things you didn't (or couldn't) learn in high school. Such as Vasco de Gama. Seriously, do you know who this guy is? You might know he was an explorer, but what he explored/founded, you may not remember. Well, he found a way to India by going around the tip of Africa. But this guy was an @$$hole. After his men, left to spy on the Indian ruler, were killed (for spying, of course), de Gama became extremely militaristic, killed Muslims (who he blamed for killing his men) and sent a shipload of body parts to the Indian ruler. Lovely!! (And memorable!)
It's also not like your history textbook in that it's not in sequential order. There's different sections, such as Civilizations, and it goes through different civilizations and how they were all interconnected. But it's written so lightheartedly, so...smoothly, that you're not bombarded with names and dates that you can't grasp.
One thing that IS annoying and you will be bombarded with is constant references to other chapters/sections. The book can be read any way you want. You want to learn about Egyptians - check out this chapter, this chapter, and this chapter. You don't have to read every page or section. I am, however. And that makes reading slightly annoying because every paragraph or so has a note about other chapters/sections I can read to find out more about a particular culture, person, or topic. It's not in the margins. It's in parentheses IN the paragraph.
Nonetheless, it's a great book. I'm 150 pages in and I'm confident enough to give this book an 8 out of 10. Way to teach history!!!
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