inspirational, very moving must read

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Born a Crime is a wonderfully told and powerfully moving account of Trevor Noah's childhood and youth growing up in South Africa during the end of apartheid and the early post-apartheid years. But even more so, it is a tribute to his Mom, whose strength and faith made Mr. Noah who he is. This inspirational, very moving story is a must read.

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shameful heritage and history of the state of North Carolina

Wilmington's Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy by David Zucchino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another peek into the shameful heritage and history of the state of North Carolina and her leaders and citizens. "Wilmington's Lie" is a excellent work of historical journalism, providing a concise account of the 1898 white supremacist coup that replaced the legally elected progressive Republican and Fusionist government of Wilmington NC with a Democratic party sponsored white supremacist government. The tactics used were illegal, immoral, and murderous, yet had the full support of mainstream Democratic Party leaders, media outlets (Raleigh's own News and Observer), educators, and even clergy and mainstream religion. The African-Americans who escaped torture and murder were driven out of the city and the region. When repeated appeals were made for Federal assistance, all the way up to the level of president McKinley, they were ignored or given simply lip service. The events reported in this book paved the way for 70 years of Jim Crow discrimination and voter suppression, some of which is still a problem in NC today (2020). This is a horrid and shameful chapter in NC history which was only recently even acknowledged, but needs to be mandatory curriculum for all NC students, and as such should serve as a reminder never to let it happen again.

more reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmington_insurrection_of_1898
http://media2.newsobserver.com/content/media/2010/5/3/ghostsof1898.pdf

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the guitar master

Clapton's Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument by Allen St. John
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We learned about Wayne Henderson over two decades ago (1998) by seeing some of his instruments displayed in the Visitors Center Museum at Grayson Highlands State Park. We finally got to see and hear Wayne at Merlefest last year (2019) when he presented and played an amazing workshop and old time music jam session as part of the festival. At some point, the story of Eric Clapton's Henderson guitar came up, after which i started looking for this book. Just the other day i found it on our local library book sale shelf and i nabbed it!

"Clapton's Guitar" is a somewhat rambling but interestingly and warmly told, well written tale of the making of two guitars by Wayne for Eric Clapton. But even more, it is a story of Wayne Henderson, one of the greatest guitar builders in the world. The reader can't help but feel and experience the colorful persons in this story, especially Wayne. And as a bonus, this story is full of interesting information about the history, theory, and building of guitars. As a non-musician, i really enjoyed learning so much about guitars, and other stringed instruments. But the real center and jewel of this story is Wayne himself. I hope to meet him at Merlefest THIS year (2020) and maybe stop by to see his shop on my next camping trip to Grayson Highlands.

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Wayne Henderson's instruments, Grayson Highlands State Park visitors center, July 1998

wild and crazy, colorful and human.

Last Go Round by Ken Kesey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"Last Go Round" is a historically based, folklore embellished tale of rodeo in Pendleton OR about 100 years ago, complete with photos of the actual persons and events described! The life and times are wild and crazy, and the real life characters are colorful and human. It is a fascinating "inside" look at what life was like in the rodeo circuit of the West. The Pendleton event is still held to this day, and is known as the Pendleton Round-Up ( https://www.pendletonroundup.com/ )

This author caught my eye because of another more widely know book that he authored and i've read: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (of movie fame).

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better the third time through!

The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one is even better the third time through! I had forgotten just how much happens and is revealed in this one, and especially enjoyed the details that I missed in the first readings. And was reminded how much i love the Aiel! On to one of my favorites, "The Shadow Rising".

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classic book by Baum

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was pretty cool to read the source story for the beloved film. The film represents well the tale told in this classic book by Baum. I did miss the original illustrations, which are missing from this edition.

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colorful and interesting characters and clever dialogue

Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Pudd'nhead Wilson" is a fine, albeit dark, tale by the classic Mark Twain, told with his unique wit and wisdom. I really enjoyed this one, with its colorful and interesting characters and clever dialogue.

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sloooow fiber this evening :(

definitely an issue with our @googlefiber this evening! Wired - very slow downloads but uploads are normal pic.twitter.com/rZ118uKRHb

— Kevin Routh (@KcRouth) February 7, 2020

useful delusion or useless truth

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Underground Railroad is a tragic and heartbreaking story that is beautifully written. Colson Whitehead's prose are among the best i've read. The story told is the damning truth of slavery, and the history, philosophy and culture of the American nation and people - how this nation was built, and the brokenness and systemic evil so key to its building. Through imagination and creativity, this story communicates not hard facts, but the undeniable truth about America. Sadly the truth illustrated here in a 19th century context have survived into the 21st century today, and must still be confronted and fought.

One quote that seems key to the story, and the truth it communicates is:

"We can't save everyone. But that doesn't mean we can't try. Sometimes a useful delusion is better than a useless truth."

Sometimes delusion, rather than the cold hard facts, is what we hang on to in order to be saved. But just below the above passage we find this:

"And America, too, is a delusion, the grandest one of all. The white race believes - believes with all its heart - that it is their right to take the land. To kill Indians. Make war. Enslave their brothers. This nation shouldn't exist, it can't exist. This place must be a delusion, too. Yet here we are."

To whom does the useful delusion of America belong? Here we are indeed. Looking no further than the current occupant of the White House and his rabid followers, ranging from the factory and farm all the way to the halls of Congress, we see that the delusion that in America is alive today, and must still be confronted and fought, for the sake of every person. Everyone. FOR ALL.

interview with the author:

https://www.npr.org/2016/08/06/488969873/new-novel-takes-the-underground-railroad-beyond-the-metaphor


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more ahead for Claire and Jamie

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

in Dragonfly in Amber we continue with Claire and Jamie's life where it left off at the end of Outlander. The first half of the book takes us through the political scheming behind Prince Charlie's aspirations of regain the throne. We are introduced to many new and "interesting" players as well as reuniting with a few characters from the first book. Just when the political maneuvering starts to get tedious, the pace is yanked into double time as the plans take shape in tangible form back in Scotland. Once back in their homeland, the action and plot twisting and turning does not stop until a final confrontation between the Scottish rebels and the British army. The outcome is left somewhat cloudy. But then, Claire returns to the 20th century to rejoin the timeline that started the book, Claire bringing her daughter to Scotland to meet her father. The bookending of the book with the 20th century narratives is nice, and when the book closes, we can safely assume that there is more ahead (200 years in the past) for Claire and Jamie.

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shocking and sobering historical journalism

Blood Done Sign My Name: A True Story by Timothy B. Tyson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We ran across this book at a local library sale. I was interested in reading this account of recent history to learn a bit more about the place and people we chose to call home 33 years ago. The events recounted here took place about 30 miles from our home, in 1970, a mere 16 years before we moved here. This account is both shocking and sobering as it reveals the purposely hidden facts about the murder of a black man in Oxford, NC, the subsequent cover-up and the sham of trial that let the murderers go free. As an isolated event, it is shocking enough. But this well written historical and journalistic research shows how the horrific events in Oxford NC were part of a larger systemic culture that were and to some degree, still are, widespread throughout the US, especially in the US South. The facts are well presented and documented. In addition, the author adds his family's intersection with the story, which provides a nice personal feel. This is a great book, and conveys many facts missing from the accepted mainstream version of the struggle for civil rights in this nation. I am anxious to read more of this author's excellent work.

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moving and heartwarming memoir - BRUUUCE!

Greetings from Bury Park: Race, Religion and Rock 'n' Roll by Sarfraz Manzoor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Greetings from Bury Park is a moving and heartwarming memoir of friends, family, race, politics, religion, and music - especially the music of Bruce. When it comes to Springsteen fandom, it is amazing how many parallel life experiences have come under the healing and inspiring influence of Bruce's music. This story, although set in another continent and culture, and about people of another skin color and religious tradition, bears such a close parallel to my story and the story of so many others who, in their journey growing up and through life, have found inspiration and personal peace through the music of Springsteen. Even with all the obvious differences in place and culture, i felt the author was describing much of my own life's story. This is a great story to read, regardless of the reader's relationship with Bruce's music. It is a wonderful story of Growin' Up and the journey to The Promised Land. :)

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a must-read for all fans of the Wheel of Time

Warrior of the Altaii by Robert Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not a story type that i usually read, but being by Robert Jordan, i grabbed it as soon as it became available at our local library. This tale, completed in 1978, is one of the first Jordan wrote. But after publishing rights changing hands several times, was never published until now. The Forward is by his widow Harriet, and contains some back story not only to this book but also to their meeting. As Harriet mentions in the Forward, this tale contains many characteristics and concepts that foreshadow the classic and epic Wheel of Time series, which is second to none among fantasy epics. I really enjoyed this story, the character development, and the multiple dimensions to many aspects. After completing the book, i can see many Wheel of Time concepts that were explored and foreshadowed in this tale. I would say that this is a must-read for all fans of the Wheel of Time.

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great space saga continues

Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A great space saga continues - this installment not as compelling as the previous ones, but still action packed, full of suspense and plot twists and turns and fairly interesting characters. Time to return to the TV series to catch up with the books.

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A breakthrough book

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A breakthrough book for Willa Cather, O Pioneers! is rooted in the land and people of the northern plains of Nebraska. Bold topics and strong characters, especially the heroine of the story, shine in this revolutionary and grounded book published in 1913! Ms. Cather was certainly ahead of her time as a writer and advocate of gender roles and rights. I am looking forward to reading more of her celebrated works.

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precious jewels

Black Elk Speaks by Black Elk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Black Elk Speaks is several books in one.

On one hand, it is a personal history of man living within a society and culture under siege and risk of extinction by the self appointed heirs of the North American continent. Through the "words" of Black Elk, a Oglala Lakota medicine man, as written and felt by John G. Neihardt, a dedicated poet historian and mystic, we are able to see and feel what it was like being the last generation of a great and noble people to live in freedom in their homeland. We also experience, just a little, being the targets of a genocide both of our people and of our culture and environment. It is refreshing and sobering to be able to learn and feel a little of what it was like to be the victims of our European descended ancestors.

But Black Elk Speaks is also a philosophical and spiritual glimpse into the Great Vision that Black Elk was given as a child that defined his purpose for most of his life, and of his "brother" from outside his race and culture who was able to bond and translate more than just words, but a life and people's philosophy into a language we can experience and try to understand.

At times the book was beyond my grasp as a 21st century skeptical reader and thinker, but the story and meaning inside are precious jewels and we are lucky that they were captured for us before they were lost forever to our own peoples acts of genocide and destruction.

We discovered this author and book because of his connection to the University of Missouri, and of his influence on another excellent and loved author William Least-Heat Moon, the author of Blue Highways.

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suspense and tension right to the very end

Bright's Passage by Josh Ritter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We just recently heard Josh Ritter and his band in concert for the first time, and fell in love with his music and lyrics. Doing some homework after the show, not only do we discover many great CDs, but we also find out that Josh had written and published this book! Given the depth and richness of his lyrics, we immediately picked this book up at our local library.

Bright's Passage is a beautifully told tale that is rich in imagery and feeling. The method of story telling makes it difficult to put the book down until finished, and maintains the suspense and tension right to the very end. The story opens with both drama and mystery, and then fills in details little by little as the story progresses. The chapters jump around in space and time to gradually paint a complete picture of the characters and situations, right on through to the uncertain conclusion of the story, and at the same time leaves an open path for our hero to walk on. Excellent story and writing!

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critique of our culture and society

Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one was a little too over the top for me. It swung between totally outrageous and a true representation of our culture and society. I didn't mind the swings so much as the rate of the swinging. Certainly, the reader is left with many points to ponder, and as outrageous as a literal reading is, it is a valid and biting critique of our culture and society. Definitely worth reading.

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three travelogues in one

A Little House Traveler: Writings from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Journeys Across America by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

this book is three travelogues in one, spanning the time between 1894 and 1930. All three accounts are quite interesting, but especially interesting is the detailed description of the city of San Francisco in 1915. Lots of fascinating details, as seen through the eyes of a country woman visiting. I really enjoyed these accounts of traveling in the late 19th and early to mid 20th century.

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very interesting reading after watching the series

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Re-read with three seasons of the Amazon video series based upon this story under my belt. The series is a significant embellishment and somewhat divergence from the plot of the book, although anchored in the same "world reality".  It was very interesting reading after watching the series. I got more from the book, and it made a lot more sense, even with the vast differences. I tired of the emphasis on the Oracle however. It is hard to believe that it could play such a widespread role in the culture.


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