Review: And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(Audible version) With so many books about Abraham Lincoln, I was curious how the esteemed Jon Meacham would handle his contribution. I recently completed Carl Sandburg's legendary biography which is wonderfully written and very detailed. With that and all the other accounts of Lincoln what could be added or from what perspective? While Meacham follows Lincoln's life in chronological order like most biographies, in this book he examines or expands insight into Lincoln's growth personally, politically, and morally. When most of us learn or hear about Lincoln it's about who he was at the end. A snapshot at the end of his life cut short by an assassin's bullet. What Meacham explores is how he became who he was.

My only critique is that, at times, it felt like a "puff" piece about Lincoln. That is why only 4 stars. He wasn't always what he was in the end. He was on a journey and changed and changed. Politically, he was firm and pragmatic. He did have a knack of sensing where he could go politically without getting too far ahead.

So, as a biography, this isn't one if you're looking for one that concentrates on the chronological telling of a person's story. There are plenty of other Lincoln books that do that. This explores his personal growth morally, politically, and personally. I do recommend it if that's what you're looking for.

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Review: The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism by Tim Alberta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"What's wrong with American Evangelicals?"

Winians thought a moment.

"America," he replied. "Too many of them worship America."

-Tim Alberta (page 23)

 

 

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Review: Social Studies by Fran Lebowitz

Social Studies by Fran Lebowitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Think before you speak. Read before you think. - Fran Lebowitz from Social Studies(page 25)

Fran is one of those people you see all over the place usually on television with her wit and sardonic look on life involving books, writing, and people and, she usually centered around life in New York City. Much of the book is a social commentary on life in the Big Apple in the late 70's. It is entertaining and humorous. Some of her observations could be dated but in that sense, it's a snapshot in time. The chapters inside the book are relatively short(as is the book itself) because, like many in New York City, I imagine who has time for long-winded writers bloviating on end about how tough it is in the city. Fran is to the point with her wit and sardonic humor which is refreshing nor too heavy a reading load. It was a joy to read.

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A Monk Swimming by Malaky McCourt

 

A Monk Swimming by Malachy McCourt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Malachy McCourt was a younger brother of the well-known memoir writer Frank McCourt who won the Pulitzer Prize for his book "Angela's Ashes". It doesn't mean Malachy was riding Frank's coat tails. He did initially follow his older brother to the U.S. but that seemed to be the only they shared, If there ever was a stereotypical Irishman Malachy who seemed to drink and fight his way through life. He managed to find his way to being a part part bar owner and even manged to appear on television as a local character while living in New York City. Played on an Irish rugby team and managed to encounter future senator Ted Kennedy at Harvard. He also allegedly encountered members of the royal family too. After that he found a way to supplement his income by smuggling gold bars from Europe to India. After all that he managed somehow to get married and have a baby.

Much of the book is lighthearted and will make you laugh at times. He saves his most serious moments for when for his parents, especially in some anger towards his father who spent most of his time drinking and was in out out of jail leaving Malachy's mother , Angela, raise a family in poverty alone. After Angela, with the help of Frank and Malaky emigrates to the U.S. the father begs, pleads and cajoles his family to bring him over too. Frank and Malaky are skeptical but bow to their mother's wishes to bring him over and give him a chance. It turned out he hadn't changed and was still the same unrepentant alcoholic whom the boys wanted nothing to do with.

Overall the book is an entertaining trip with Malaky who is witty, boisterous and adventuresome. It has it's touching moments but is not as heavy as his brother's more famous memoir. His older brother Frank seemed to be the more intellectual and serious type verses the more out-going and adventurous Malaky. Enjoy.

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Review: The Trump Tapes: Bob Woodward's Twenty Interviews with President Donald Trump

  The Trump Tapes: Bob Woodward's Twenty Interviews with President Donald Trump by Bob Woodward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

To get the full experience of this book the audio version I believe would be the best way. I don’t think one would get the full scope of this by text. Whatever award Bob Woodward is eligible to win for this book he should automatically win for having undergone listening to Trump talk for this many hours. I wasn't even sure I'd make it to the finish line.

The tapes range from when Trump was a candidate in the spring of 2016 to the summer of 2020 during the height of Presidential re-election, Covid-19 pandemic and the George Floyd unrest across the country. He spends much of the time talking(more like shouting) about how well he’s done and how everyone is unfair to him. No other President has ever done what he has done for (insert accomplishment or feat) the country. It’s pure hyperbolic sales pitch(more like BS) mode.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic you’d swear his greatest accomplishment was the letter exchanges with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He constantly bragged about them.

He also stood by the perfect phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine where he tried to get the newly elected leader to investigate then former Vice President Joe Biden for alleged corruption. He would not admit his own release of the calls transcripts played a big part in his first impeachment. Woodward presses him on this but would never admit releasing the transcripts was a bad idea because, as he insisted, they were “perfect “ phone calls.

Why torture one self to listening to Trump for hours on end? It is a challenge I admit. He constantly interrupts and is almost always shouting or at least talking over Woodward. It’s amazing Bob got in the questions he did. He’s also very repetitious to an almost nauseating number of times. I think sometimes that’s part of his success as he just wears you out. It’s constant grievance and self aggrandizement in his conversions and attitude. I do think it’s important to hear what Trump is like as he could be President again. I think four years later people have either forgotten or downplay how bad he was. This book should serve as a reminder how Donald really is, and this isn’t even including the election denial and January 6th attempted insurrection that followed the events of this book.


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Review: Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands by Linda Ronstadt

Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands by Linda Ronstadt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(Audible Version) Most memoirs of musicians focus on their own lives or careers but this one goes much further back. In this though we go deeper into Linda's family history and where she grew up in the Sonoran Borderlands region of Arizona(U.S. and Mexican border). In what was apparently first conceived as a cookbook soon turned into a love letter from Linda to the place where she grew up. Through the eyes of her family we learn abut the the history of the region and how it has changed over the years. On a personal level food is still mentioned but we also see how her families love of music undoubtedly influenced her live and career. Linda's love for her family and home where she grew up is readily apparent throughout the book. If you're a fan of Linda's and want to really dive deep into her life, influences where she grew up this would be a great book to read.

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Review: A Monk Swimming

A Monk Swimming by Malachy McCourt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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The Story of Woke Won't Rest

 The story of the recent pulling of the book Woke by Mahogany L. Browne from the shelves of Martin Elementary School in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Apparently, this was done after a single parent complained about the book in the spring of 2023. It was only reported public just a few weeks ago. 

What also infuriated many was the secrecy. It was pulled with only a recommendation of a still unnamed committee without anything said to the public. It was reportedly in an attempt to keep others from trying to ban other books. It was only after a report in the Boston Globe by Christopher Huffaker that it was made public. The public uproar was quick and did have results. A short time later the book was returned to the school by Superintendent John Antonucci acknowledging the error. 

There have been calls myself and others about how this happened in the first place. 

The book has also inspired a run on the book at local libraries and stores. I noticed this too when trying to locate a copy. I finally did find one outside the local library network on Cape Cod. It inspired North Attleboro attorney Stephen Clapp to give out free copies of the book after he also had problems locating a book. I applaud his efforts. 

Thanks to all who made the effort and speak out against this politically inspired attempt to ban this book. We must be vigilant against these attempts. It didn't work here but unfortunately in other places, it has worked where librarians and school officials have been harassed and stressed by what is usually a very vocal minority. Attempts to ban should not be left uncontested nor done in secret. As always support your local libraries. 

Book Review: Woke: A Young Poets Call to Justice - Mahogany L. Browne/ Elizabeth Acevedo/Olivia Gatwood

 

Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a being a target of book banners at a local school library, which thankfully was reversed, I thought I'd check it out. When trying to find it at a local library they it was already checked out and so were all the others in their network. I had to go outside the local network, about 40 miles away, so much for trying to denying others to see it.

The book itself has vibrant colors and is beautifully illustrated. The poetry is touching, enlightening and inspiring. Even as an older adult I found the book compelling. It seems in the current political environment some find talking about race, minority, LGTBQ and handicapped are offended or made to feel uncomfortable, sometimes that's the point. The poetry here is meant to be joyful, educational and inspiring.

I highly recommend this book for everyone of all ages, even those that are uncomfortable.

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Skywriting by Word of Mouth by John Lennon

 

Skywriting by Word of Mouth by John Lennon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It's hard to describe this book. It's one that I wanted to like very much because it's John Lennon. It had a strong start with a brief autobiographical story of John and Yoko's beginning in the late 60s. I'd take volumes of that. He could write clearly, concisely, and with his trademark wit. I couldn't say that for most of the book though. It seemed that the words were English but the sentences were scrambled. It was difficult to decipher storylines or plots if there were any. His wordplay was sometimes humorous and perhaps to some had a point. Drawings were simplistic and crude. I'm sure some would find a point to the stories but I couldn't for the most of the time. I had to push my way through this. John was a legendary songwriter but I don't feel book writing was anywhere close to it. The only other part that seemed to clear was the afterward by Yoko Ono which was touching and done out of love. I'd only recommend this to diehard Beatles and John Lennon fans.

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