a pretty good overview, but feels defensive

They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent by Sarah Kendzior
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What started out feeling like a good overview of the author's previously published work ended up feeling more like an explanation and justification of the methods, terminology, and worldview of the author. Having spent many years in Missouri, i loved reading View From Flyover Country. And I appreciated her insight and fresh approach in Hiding in Plain Sight. But this book didn't feel the same to me. It does provide a pretty good overview, but the tone feels somewhat defensive.

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a great story that stands on its own

Road to Assisi: The Essential Biography of St. Francis by Paul Sabatier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Road to Assisi" is a concise, accessible, well translated and edited biography of Francis Bernardone, better known as Francis of Assisi or Saint Francis. This story of Francis' life is captivating, compelling and inspiring. This work is considered one of the first works using modern textual criticism techniques. The result is a highly reliable account of the life and events surrounding Francis of Assisi. Having read this immediately AFTER a visit to Assisi, it leaves me excited to return and spend more time retracing Francis' steps, and visiting more places important to this story. This is a great story that stands on its own, yet points to so much more. Excellent and highly recommended.

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Franciscan Spirituality and the town of Assisi

Enter Assisi: An Invitation to Franciscan Spirituality by Murray Bodo O.F.M.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enter Assisi is a nicely written account of how Franciscan Spirituality overlays the town of Assisi in Perugia. Aspects of the Franciscan way are linked to times, places and events in and around Assisi, where St. Francis was born and died, and based his ministry from. I especially enjoyed the latter part of the book as it described events in places we visited this past summer when in Assisi. I look forward to a more extended stay there.

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a deeply layered and multifaceted account

Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska by Warren Zanes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is like a biography, except it's for an album rather than a person. In "Deliver Me from Nowhere", Warren Zanes brilliantly delivers a deeply layered and multifaceted account of the birth of the amazing album "Nebraska" by Bruce Springsteen. In this book, we learn the backstory of Nebraska, get acquainted with all the people involved, but most interestingly, we get to see how and why it was written, recorded, "produced", and released. Every aspect of this story is fascinating. Especially interesting to me (besides my being a lifelong fan of Bruce and his music) were the technical details of the recording, mixing, and mastering. Being a retired Electrical Engineer, who for 40 years have felt some regret for not pursuing the music industry in my career, and having run sound equipment, mixers, and recording setups for artists and bands on the amateur level, the techie section was pure joy. Nebraska was one of the first Springsteen albums I purchased in college, right after it was released. I've loved it in many ways over the years. Today, i went back and put the CD on after i finished the book, to relive the album with all the details fresh in mind. Given the excellent writing and amazing subject matter, this was an easy 5 star rating for me.

Note that this book inspired the recently aired PBS Television special entitled "Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska - A Celebration in Words and Music", narrated by Warren Zanes and featuring many artists performing the songs live. Especially love Noah Kahan's version of Atlantic City!!
https://www.pbs.org/show/bruce-springsteens-nebraska-a-celebration-in-words-and-music/

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rewrite of the Jack Kirby saga

Eternals by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A rewrite of the Jack Kirby saga, which i haven't read. It was interesting, but my interest was tempered by recent revelations. Too bad. The art was much improved over the original (comparisons in the appendices).

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A fun geeky read

The Iron Road: An Illustrated History of the Railroad by Christian Wolmar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm in the process of collecting a lot of books to donate to the Friends of the Library, and ran across this one that i decided to read before donating. Its a very high level history of the development of railroads globally. Written on the level of a middle/high school text book with generous illustrations, it was fascinating to follow the birth and evolution of rail travel and transportation over the centuries. Coming off spending a month on the trains in Italy and other adjoining EU countries, i found it interesting to see how those rails systems developed. A fun geeky read.

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an amazing worldview

Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi by Richard Rohr
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first overview of the Franciscan way. I have read other writings and books by Father Richard, but this was a first book about the Franciscan way. I picked it because we were in the process of planning to go to the town of Assisi this past summer. I have been inside of Christianity most of my life, and in my view, the Franciscan way is the most credible and worthy form of Christianity i have ever seen. Offhand, i can't even think of a close second. What an amazing worldview. I recommend this book.

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much to think about

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In cleaning out and giving away a bunch of books, i ran across this one that i had not read. It is not the most encouraging story to read at my age, but nevertheless, a well written story. It deals with many aspects of survival and success in our capitalistic society. Published in 1949, this script has been the basis for many stage productions and films. It is a well told story that leaves much to think about. Very good.

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delightful and satisfying travels

Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo by Tim Parks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This my second title by Tim Parks and I'm a fan. I love reading travel writing, but Prof. Parks includes so many of the dimensions that are seen only in the very best travel writers. I especially like his grounded, honest, approach to describing not just history and politics behind the places, but such thoughtful reflections on the people, places, and sights, including self reflection to give a special context to the journey. I loved Italian Neighbors (how was that NOT made into a film?) and this just adds more layers to the delightful and satisfying life story of Prof. Parks. I will continue pick up and read more of his canon, especially as i reflect on traveling to Italy, both before and after. Excellent account.

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a "manifesto" for travel

Rick Steves' Travel As a Political Act by Rick Steves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rick Steves' "Travel As a Political Act" is his "manifesto" for travel. In it, he shares many details of his most meaningful and life changing travel, and expounds on what was learned and how it changed him. The book shares a wide diversity of places, people, and experiences. In addition, through advice and experience, the author shows us how we can apply the same principles of travel to our travel experiences, in order to make ourselves better citizens of the world, as well as to connect meaningfully to a larger scope of humanity. Rick is a really cool person who lives what he publishes. This is a great read for anyone venturing outward, whether out of state, or across the globe.

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ditto, this time Florence

Rick Steves Pocket Florence by Rick Steves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent and concise overview, this time of Florence. Great maps, tours, and recommendations. All around great summary which will definitely go with us to Italy! Thank you, Rick Steves!

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Another excellent and concise overview, this time of Rome.

Rick Steves Pocket Rome by Rick Steves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent and concise overview, this time of Rome. Great maps, tours, and recommendations. All around great summary which will definitely go with us to Rome! Thanks again, Rick Steves!

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Excellent and concise overview of the Cinque Terre

Rick Steves Pocket Italy's Cinque Terre by Rick Steves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent and concise overview of the Cinque Terre and the surrounding towns. Great tips, recommendations, and i especially love the detailed walks in and around each town. I also appreciate the frankness in the reviews of sites and eateries. All around great summary which will definitely go with us to the Cinque Terre! Thanks Rick Steves!

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a fascinating, wonderful, and deeply human story

Italian Neighbors by Tim Parks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Italian Neighbors is a brilliantly written book about Tim Parks' initiation to life in Italy, and it becoming his home. The author details the wide variety of people and events over the course of a year, after setting up residence at Via Colombare, 10, Montecchia. The small town, the people, the customs, the religion and politics, the personalities, are always interesting and often eclectic and outrageous. Unlike many travelogues i've read, this book is about digging in and making a new place into a home. As the author says in his Afterword:

"If this book is anything, I hope it suggests how I passed that point of no return. Which is a process of immersion in details, whether they be pleasant or unpleasant. For details are sticky as spider's silk; you are very soon caught. And rather than a travel book, perhaps if there were such a category in the libraries I should call this an arrival book. For by the end, this small square handkerchief of Italy I live in has become home for me. I hope that for just a moment the reader will have been able to feel at home here too."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a fascinating, wonderful, and deeply human story. Highly recommended!



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