excellent writing and heartfelt storytelling

The Last American Road Trip: A Memoir by Sarah Kendzior
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Last American Road Trip is a beautifully written collection of tales from Sarah's travels with her family spanning the past 20 or so years. In the spirit of a great travelogue, much interesting and relevant background history, people, and events are included to give depth and background to the places visited. I found the information on Missouri especially interesting, having spent my high school and college days in the Show Me state, as well as having ancestors there. But if you've read other of Sarah's brilliant books, you won't be surprised at the feeling of gloom clouding over these travels. That being said, given where we are in the United States in 2025, and the dystopian environment we live in, the gloom yields a contrast between the wonderful land and people of the US and the national movement that is systematically destroying our land and people. So I find the book a bittersweet collection, difficult to read, but at the same time inspiring a new urgency to discover what remains of our land and people. Excellent writing and heartfelt storytelling.

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a fascinating travelogue through Italy and through history

The Hero's Way: Walking with Garibaldi from Rome to Ravenna by Tim Parks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hero's Way is a fascinating travelogue through Italy, and through history, as Tim Parks retraces the steps of Garibaldi from Rome to Ravenna in 1849. Parks and his travel companion walk the 400 miles that Garibaldi and his army of volunteers did. The story is interesting both in the historical events that were new to me, and also in Parks' account of the adventure and encounters in traveling this path nearly two centuries later on foot, in a world of motorcycles, autos, and trains. I love Tim Parks perspectives and commentary on both the history, and on the journey. A great trip.

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a commentary and reflection on St. Francis

St. Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3 stars for content, but 4 stars because it is G.K. Chesterton. This is not an objective biography, but more of a commentary and reflection on the life and impact of Francis of Assisi. It was enjoyable read because Francis is amazing, and because GKC is nice to read, but not on my list of favorite books on St. Francis. Don't miss this for completeness sake, but not a must-read.

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A richly written tale

The Cove by Ron Rash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A richly written tale of mystery, superstition, prejudice, nationalistic fervor, family, and love, set in Appalachia during the end days of WWI. Starting at the present, the tale jumps both around and back in time, building the back stories and characters into an unexpected yet inevitable conclusion. This is rich and beautiful writing by Ron Rash, maybe one of his best, although all of his books that I've read have been excellent. Real people in real places (usually in Appalachia) and real times are his forte. Recommended!

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frightening parallels to our daily news

It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"It Can't Happen Here", published in 1935, is an alternative history narrative of a depression era United States choosing the way of "Make America Great Again" as a way out of the Great Depression, instead of FDR's Liberal Consensus and social programs. With chilling parallels to 2025, the democratically chosen MAGA quickly descends into full blown Fascism, with deportations, exiles and prison camps for the the "Others" which question the administration and dare to bring facts and truth into the conversation. The protagonist is a journalist who is eventually imprisoned for reporting the facts. This story has many parallels to other more famous dystopian tales of the late 19th century through middle 20th century. I was struck by the insight of the story telling, and the frightening parallels to our daily news now that MAGA are fully in the drivers seat. This book is definitely worth a read to help understand how we got where we are.

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a way forward and upward, despite feeling like it's too late for the US

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

2025:
I wanted to re-read this book, and it was worth it. Sagan presents such a rational and reasoned argument for the scientific method in every area of our lives. Upon my original reading, i thought he went overboard on the alien abduction stuff, but in 2025 with Q-anon and other conspiracies not only having widespread support, but actually driving political discourse and outcomes, the parallels are clear, still very relevant. And then the last two chapters blew me away, reading them after the start of the 2nd Trump term in the US and reading Sagan and Druyan, written in the early 1990's, describe the collapsing state of the US as if they wrote it today. Chilling. As always Sagan's intellect and wisdom illuminates the darkness and offers us a way forward and upward, despite feeling like it's too late for the US.

my 2014 review:
Finishing this book leaves me with a profound sense of loss realizing that Dr. Sagan is no longer with us. His voice is needed more than ever today in all areas of our society and lives. He lends such great knowledge and especially wisdom to all the subjects covered in this book. Our world would be a better place if more people had access to this book. I heartily recommend it as required reading. Spend some time learning at the feet of a true master. He was a prophet to our world, and i'm grateful he has left some of his wisdom and knowledge behind to be taken to heart.

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a concise summary - find a copy and read

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On Tyranny is a concise summary of 20th century historical events as they relate to the rise of tyranny in other places, combined with an overlay of current events in the US which are directly related or analogous. This book is in the format of the traditional "pamphlet" and reads well and fast. Everyone in the US should find a copy and read this.

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