DISCLAIMER: The author of the book reviewed below and I are members of the same early morning writing group. I looked forward to her book when it first came out and finally got around to reading it. Had I thought I could not offer an honest review of her book, I would not write oneContinue reading “Review of “Chapel Bay Secrets” by Julie Snider”
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Review of “The Notting Hill Mystery” by Charles Warren Adams
Plot: In January of 1858, insurance agent Ralph Henderson finally sends his report to the secretary of the — Life Assurance Association he works for. He is investigating the death of one of the insured, Madame R**. Her husband, Baron R**, has a policy for her for £ 5,000 (?). He had four such policiesContinue reading “Review of “The Notting Hill Mystery” by Charles Warren Adams”
Review of “Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle
And now for something completely different. The Stuff: Aristotle poses the question, “What does it mean to be happy as a human?” Rather, because he was a member and sustainer of a patriarchal society, “happy as a man?” (Aristotle doesn’t say much about women in this work, but in general, at the time, women wereContinue reading “Review of “Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle”
Review of “Mansfield Park” by Jane Austin
Long ago and far away, a friend of mine in high school read all six Jane Austen novels and loved them. I wasn’t interested in reading them then. However, in her memory, I picked up Pride and Prejudice a year or two ago and discovered how much fun it is. Yes, there’s the stilted language,Continue reading “Review of “Mansfield Park” by Jane Austin”
Review of “The Seven Who Were Hanged” by Leonid Andreyev
I read this novella in an anthology of horror and ghost stories and would normally include it in my Countdown to Halloween series, but it struck me as misplaced. It lacks a supernatural element, and the horror is from human beings. Only two of the condemned are criminals in the traditional sense. The rest areContinue reading “Review of “The Seven Who Were Hanged” by Leonid Andreyev”
Review of “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe
Plot: This novel follows the fortunes of our hero, Okonkwo, in the 1890s in the (fictional) Ibo (modern spelling Igbo) village of Umuofia in what would become Nigeria. Okonkwo wants to be nothing like his father, Unoka, who is lazy and cannot support his family. Unoka likes to play his flute. Okonkwo, on the otherContinue reading “Review of “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe”
Review of “Holy War: The Crusades and Their Impact on Today’s World” by Karen Armstrong
Warning: This is longer than usual. The Stuff:Author Karen Armstrong informs the reader: “The central thesis of this book is that there is a strong connection between the medieval Crusades in the Holy Land and the conflict between the Arabs and Jews in the Middle East today.” (p. 373) Armstrong seeks to view history throughContinue reading “Review of “Holy War: The Crusades and Their Impact on Today’s World” by Karen Armstrong”
Review of “Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Faith Behind” by Daniel C. Dennett and Linda LaScola
Nicias:But can we? Oh, no, no,I’m frightened. Better go and cling somewhereTo a holy image. Demosthenes:Holy grandmother!You don’t believe in the gods! Nicias:Of course I do. Demosthenes:What reason have you? Nicias:Reason? Why, I knowI’m a God-help-us failure. That enough?–from The Knights by Aristophanes (c. 424 BCE), trans. Gilbert Murray The Stuff: This nonfiction book grewContinue reading “Review of “Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Faith Behind” by Daniel C. Dennett and Linda LaScola”
Review of “Crazy Horse and Custer: The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors” by Stephen E. Ambrose
A word upfront: when I bought this book at a used bookstore and started reading it, I was unaware of allegations of plagiarism, fabrication, and misstatements of fact made against this author. Some of the oopsies include the following book, so I can’t in good conscience recommend it, even if it were a fantastic read.Continue reading “Review of “Crazy Horse and Custer: The Parallel Lives of Two American Warriors” by Stephen E. Ambrose”
Review of “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Plot: This book is more of a character study than a narrative with a plot. Ifemelu is a young Nigerian woman who comes to the United States for a postgraduate education. The book begins as she is about to return to Nigeria and stops in a hair salon to have her hair braided. This isContinue reading “Review of “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 