It's nice to feel proud again

The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American by Andrew L. Seidel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American" is a thoroughly and exhaustively researched work that presents a well reasoned and argued case which leaves no doubt that the "Christian" Nationalists claims upon our nation's founding are completely false, and in fact largely the exact opposite of fact. The author meticulously lays out every claim made, and goes back in most cases to original documents and letters to show that the "Founders" of the U.S. had no intention of establishing a Judeo-Christian based nation, but rather a nation founded on reason, natural human rights, and inclusion (not just tolerance) of any and all people as equals (gender and race aside). The book also shows convincingly the reasons and motivations that the founders drew from ancient and contemporary world history that led them to the conclusion that a secular government, apart from any religion, would be the most welcoming environment for all religious beliefs, and lack thereof, to flourish, to the good of all citizens. This is a detailed book, despite being only 300 pages. It is one that bears close reading, reading every sentence, and even every word, to extract the full and accurate meaning being presented. This book is an excellent reference (detailed footnotes and references at the end) as well as a detailed overview of the subject.

The icing on the cake for me was that this is the first time in over 20 years (since the war on terror, forever wars, etc) that i have felt more than a superficial patriotism for the United States. I was born in the US and it is my home, but the disgraceful leadership and policies have exterminated any pride and patriotism that i once had. This book, solidly based on facts and history, made me proud of our founding (albeit imperfect) and proud of what this nation was founded to be. My new pride is in spite of the rabid, insane nationalism that is so out and proud these days. This newfound pride is based on the literal concepts and foundations for our republic. It feels good to once again be proud to be American, even though we are on the brink of demise today. It gives me hope that perhaps we can revive the founding vision and spirit and save our nation before it becomes a fascist theocracy or worse. It's nice to feel some pride again.


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engaging, exciting, and interesting voyage

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this was one wild ride! Voyager is an engaging, exciting, and interesting continuation of the Outlander series, and really excellent story telling. The only thing that struck me, ironically, was that it seemed to me an excess of coincidences occurred though the course of this book. But given that the 18th century was a much "smaller world" than the 21st, and remembering the premise of time travel, which is foundational to the overall story, it doesn't seem so unexpected. This is an excellent transition volume into the next book, Drums of Autumn, which i have on my list for 2023.

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definitely a worthwhile read

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Believe it or not, i had never read "The Audacity of Hope", not when it came out, nor during Obama's presidency. I ran across this audio version of it and grabbed it, since he has come again to my attention in the context of the stumping he did for some Democratic party candidates during the 2022 midterm season. As i listened to this abridged version, in his own voice, i was struck by the immense knowledge and intelligence of the man. His reflections on the topics contained in this version (Republicans and Democrats, Values, Our Constitution, Politics, Faith, Race, Family) were informed, engaging, and thoughtful. I found them especially so given that this was written years before his election as President. I would say that Obama falls squarely into the Neo-Liberal camp, which is problematic to me, but his views were nevertheless very interesting. Obviously there is a stark contrast between Obama and his successor Trump, whose intelligence and insight was more on the level of a spoiled child (sorry kids for the comparison :| ) . It is serendipitous that i happened upon this book immediately following reading Bernie Sanders manifesto on Political Revolution, and immediately preceding my reading "We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy" by Ta-Nehisi Coates, which reviews the Obama years in the White House among other things. Really looking forward to it. "The Audacity of Hope" is definitely a worthwhile read, even if your opinions differ from the authors. He embraces a good balance of reason and humanity, and is a really exceptional person in our nation.


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information that ALL voters should know

Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution by Bernie Sanders
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is basically an extended pamphlet explaining Bernie's beliefs and platform (which I love ❤️). It is concise, full of data and stats, and written at a high school young adult level. It is excellent for mass distribution etc, and contains information that ALL voters should know. A quick read and an excellent overview.

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as relevant as ever, if not more so

The Man They Wanted Me to Be: Toxic Masculinity and a Crisis of Our Own Making by Jared Yates Sexton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really appreciated "reading" this book again via the audio version narrated by Jared. This book is as relevant as ever, if not more so.
Please, please read this book.

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a place, it's people and way of life, becoming home

Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy by Frances Mayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading the article https://indyweek.com/culture/page/page-frances-mayes/ in @indyweek about @francesmayes new book, and being a fan of the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, I finally picked up and read the original book for the first time and loved it. Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy has the rich feel of a great travelogue, yet is really a book about a place and it's people and way of life, and then that place becoming home. The story is wonderfully told, the account of finding and buying a house in Tuscany, restoring it from disrepair into a beautiful and rich villa, and then setting up housekeeping, and of it becoming Home. The intimate details of the people, the customs, lifestyle, and of course, the food, are rich and real. Reading this book has me wanting to go back to Italia ASAP!!!

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interesting, and scattered

The Kindly Ones by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nice to continue the Sandman journey. This one had some interesting parts and some scattered parts.

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Still a must-read, still excellent.

American Rule: How a Nation Conquered the World But Failed Its People by Jared Yates Sexton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Still a must-read, still excellent.

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concise yet detailed account of what may be the end of democracy in America

Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America by Nancy MacLean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Democracy in Chains" is a detailed yet accessible account of the wealthy minority's plans and efforts to undermine every foundation and mechanism of personal freedom and democratic choice in America. Using exhaustive research, the author reveals the mechanisms in motion, inspired by James McGill Buchanan and funded almost exclusively by corporate elites led by Charles Koch. This book is concise yet detailed and provides the timeline and progress of this ominous anti-democratic process. It was enlightening to me to see so clearly that the actual values that this wealthy minority holds supreme are property rights over human rights. Any popular or majority cause that threatens their freedom of complete control over their wealth and property is viewed as a threat. This includes programs for public good, progressive reforms, and human rights and welfare. This shows that they are in fact elitists and materialists and not humanitarians or even truly humans. This puts them in the most evil class of political philosophies, oligarchs and tyrants. Their long range program is nearing completion, and once completed, there will no longer be any means left for "we the people" to oppose it or turn things around. Democracy in America will end, and we'll be voiceless and helpless subjects of the ruling class of wealthy elites.

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must-read list for people approaching their Medicare years

10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make by Danielle Kunkle Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make" is a huge jumpstart to a needed working knowledge of Medicare and how to make the right choices in signing up and maintaining an ongoing plan that works best for you. Approaching it from the angle of avoiding common mistakes is a great way to present the information in an interesting and relevant way. I would put this on the must-read list for people approaching their Medicare years.

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enlightening and interesting

How to Watch TV News: Revised Edition by Neil Postman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Having read "Amusing Ourselves to Death" i looked forward to this guide to the TV news. This book presents the nuts and bolts of the TV news business, and shares details about how TV news works and what is presented. Most thinking people are generally already aware of the overall picture presented in this book, but reading the details behind the TV news we consume is very interesting. The details presented here help explain the "why" of what we already "know" about TV news. For those who have not given it much thought, this book is an accessible and concise summary of what all viewers and consumers of TV news should be aware of, and keep in mind on some level as they watch and consume. "How to Watch TV News" is both enlightening and interesting, and should probably be read by all news consumers.

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a journey though Europe in Bill Bryson's way

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book, albeit dated (1990 vintage) delivers a journey though much of Europe in Bill Bryson's irreverent, hilarious, often times politically incorrect way of story telling. It is fun to join the ride. Of course with the fun is included many interesting facts and figures about the places visited. This book was a great time, and another reason i want to go back to Italy ASAP :)

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more relevant now than ever before

Watchmen by Alan Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Watchmen is more relevant now than ever before. Excellent writing and illustration that could qualify as prophecy! Really excellent.

Excellent resource to help understand the story:

https://youtu.be/wJmg0uc3CjY 

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powerful story that inspires consideration and thought

The Actual Star by Monica Byrne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, there is so much to say about this book. It leaves me thinking about all manner of things, and wanting to go back re-read to look for ones I missed. The tale spans 2000 years, following three timelines, each a thousand years apart from the closest. The middle timeline is set about 10 years ago, so is contemporary to our time. Much like "The Girl in the Road", "The Actual Star" introduced me to places, culture and peoples I am not familiar with. Also like tGitR, the writing immediately dives into the deep end and pulls the reader in head first. New terms, languages, technologies, and cultures are encountered from the very beginning, with only hints from context and conversation to help the reader parse the narrative (and a MUCH appreciated glossary!). This is a great technique, which is a lot like William Gibson's narrative style! As each of the three threads progress, we learn of the connections between them, and gain insight into the interrelationships between history, legend, myth, religion, philosophy, politics, sociology, ecology, and so many more aspects of our world. This is a powerful story that inspires consideration and thought about many questions that need be reckoned with as a society and a species. I hope to get a chance to re-read at some point to further unpack and process this powerful story.

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creative and edgy, captivating

The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Girl in the Road" is two tales, one of a girl and the other of a young woman, each on their respective personal journey and quest, eventually converging into one. It is set in the near future, mid to late 21st century. The inevitable results of 20th and early 21st century politics, economics, and environmental policy are playing out, and help set the context for this story. The plot is fast moving and the reader is pulled rather abruptly (in the style of William Gibson) into the context and jargon of new technology and worldviews. The protagonists of the story's two threads are painted with fine detail and intimacy giving the reader both cause and person to pull for. The two journeys eventually converge unexpectedly to bridge the gap in culture, experience, time and space, and create a single concluding thread. This story is creative and edgy, and told in a captivating way to fully engage the reader through the final chapter and epilogue. I am excited to have discovered this local author, and will be seeking out her other works, specifically "The Actual Star", which was released recently.

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rich yet dark, too coded and obscure

Beloved by Toni Morrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Reading "Beloved" seemed so familiar, and then it dawned on me that the story telling and themes are very much like Faulkner (see my review of "The Sound and the Fury")
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26197314-the-sound-and-the-fury

But alas, I am apparently missing the requisite skills and/or knowledge to read tales like this. "Beloved" is a rich yet dark story, but the telling of it is too coded and obscure for a reader of my experience or knowledge to fully unpack. I can however see that it is clearly of the same genre and stature as Faulkner, which speaks highly of it among literary scholars but doesn't do much for me the average reader. Again, i am left wishing that the narrative and meaning of the story was more accessible so that i could experience it in full.


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a narrative every American should read or hear

The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Blood of Emmett Till" is a narrative every American should read or hear. It conveys the story of the lynching of 14 year old Emmett Till in 1955 Mississippi. The event is told in all its horrid detail. But to fully flesh out the expanse of it, the author brilliantly presents background events and people, the resulting aftermath, and most importantly, the significance and movement that was created and powered by the memory of Emmett Till and how he died. The book is backed by thorough and exhaustive research, 62 of the 300+ pages are devoted references and footnotes, covering background, history, and resulting events, into the 21st century. This is real history that should be taught, and acted upon. There is no healing without first acknowledging the disease and then seeking the cure. This is an important and excellent work of research. Thank you Mr. Tyson.

https://documentarystudies.duke.edu/p...

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The Case for Reparations

The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This article is a great look at the issue of reparations. Knowing nothing about them going in, i feel like i have a much better idea of the major concepts that support some form of reparations due.

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moving and beautifully written

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Between the World and Me" is one of the most moving and beautifully written books I've ever read. The book, a letter from the author to his son, insightfully and clearly lays out what it is to be Black in America. The wisdom conveyed in this letter is of the highest order and pulls back the veil which so poorly conceals what America truly is. The Dream that has infected us all, and which we so sorely need to awaken from. This is one of the best books i've ever read, and i cannot recommend it highly enough. Please find a copy and read it. I want to get an audio copy to hear it again in Mr. Coates own voice. I am in awe.

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well researched and footnoted, a valuable source

The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America by Carol Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Second" brings a fresh perspective to the endemic racism in the U.S. by looking at the problem in the context of the 2nd Amendment. Historical insight into the amendment itself, as well as how it was applied over the history of this nation, shows that it is not at all what it seems on the surface. The right to bear arms, like most of the other "rights" we have as citizens, does not apply to everyone. Sadly, this amendment is only one of the many many aspects of the overt and blatant inequality that has been part of this nation from the beginning, and is still tragically affecting large numbers of Americans even as we enter the 21st century. It is a problem that needs to be solved, but also one that we have had from the very beginning. This book is well researched and footnoted, a valuable source, and especially appropriate during Black History Month.

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