Author: Candice Millard
Published: 2009
Genre: Narrative Non-fiction
Rating: 3.5
Summary
After his humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find: the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. Together with his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt accomplished a feat so great that many at the time refused to believe it. In the process, he changed the map of the western hemisphere forever.
Along the way, Roosevelt and his men faced an unbelievable series of hardships, losing their canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, and enduring starvation, Indian attack, disease, drowning, and a murder within their own ranks. Three men died, and Roosevelt was brought to the brink of suicide. The River of Doubt brings alive these extraordinary events in a powerful nonfiction narrative thriller that happens to feature one of the most famous Americans who ever lived.
Review
A fascinating story and a great way to read history. Overall well-written and engaging--but the author takes a few liberties that are inappropriate in non-fiction. (For example, how does she know what the natives who were never seen by Roosevelt's party were thinking and feeling?)
Friday, March 30, 2012
The Murder Stone
Author: Charles Todd
Published: 2003
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.5
Summary
The Great War is still raging in the autumn of 1916, when Francesca Hatton’s beloved grandfather dies on the family estate in England’s isolated Exe Valley. Grieving for the man who raised her, Francesca is stunned to find an unsigned letter among his effects, cursing the Hattons and their descendants. Now a stranger has shown up on her doorstep, accusing her grandfather of being a murderer.
Ex-soldier Richard Leighton blames Francis Hatton for the death of his mother, who vanished nearly a quarter of a century earlier. Her body was never found, only a shawl stained with her blood. And Leighton is not the only one with a claim on Francesca’s grandfather. On the day of his funeral, unexpected visitors arrive with the mourners, and Francesca is besieged by charges of Hatton’s vicious dealings. Yet there is also a shy young woman who praises his secret generosity.
Was Hatton the loving, caring protector his granddaughter always believed him to be? Or a vindictive, secretive man who cultivated dangerous enemies? Francesca sets out in pursuit of the truth—and into the sights of someone determined to exact a revenge long overdue.
Review
An interesting and unique mystery. The plot keeps twisting and turning in some unpredictable ways. I found Francesca aloof, unsympathetic, and not clearly defined emotionally. The ending was both pleasantly unexpected and disappointingly too abrupt. Not all the loose ends are resolved (which is not uncommon with Todd). But overall a worthwhile read.
Published: 2003
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.5
Summary
The Great War is still raging in the autumn of 1916, when Francesca Hatton’s beloved grandfather dies on the family estate in England’s isolated Exe Valley. Grieving for the man who raised her, Francesca is stunned to find an unsigned letter among his effects, cursing the Hattons and their descendants. Now a stranger has shown up on her doorstep, accusing her grandfather of being a murderer.
Ex-soldier Richard Leighton blames Francis Hatton for the death of his mother, who vanished nearly a quarter of a century earlier. Her body was never found, only a shawl stained with her blood. And Leighton is not the only one with a claim on Francesca’s grandfather. On the day of his funeral, unexpected visitors arrive with the mourners, and Francesca is besieged by charges of Hatton’s vicious dealings. Yet there is also a shy young woman who praises his secret generosity.
Was Hatton the loving, caring protector his granddaughter always believed him to be? Or a vindictive, secretive man who cultivated dangerous enemies? Francesca sets out in pursuit of the truth—and into the sights of someone determined to exact a revenge long overdue.
Review
An interesting and unique mystery. The plot keeps twisting and turning in some unpredictable ways. I found Francesca aloof, unsympathetic, and not clearly defined emotionally. The ending was both pleasantly unexpected and disappointingly too abrupt. Not all the loose ends are resolved (which is not uncommon with Todd). But overall a worthwhile read.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Author: E.L. Konigsburg
Published: 1967
Genre: YA Fiction (mid to late elementary)
Rating: 4
Summary
When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along.
Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it? Claudia is determined to find out.
Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.
Review
A cute, fun, and easy read with a good twist at the end.
Published: 1967
Genre: YA Fiction (mid to late elementary)
Rating: 4
Summary
When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn’t just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere — to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing her younger brother Jamie has money and thus can help her with a serious cash-flow problem, she invites him along.
Once settled into the museum, Claudia and Jamie find themselves caught up in the mystery of an angel statue that the museum purchased at auction for a bargain price of $225. The statue is possibly an early work of the Renaissance master, Michelangelo, and therefore worth millions. Is it? Or isn’t it? Claudia is determined to find out.
Her quest leads her to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the remarkable old woman who sold the statue, and to some equally remarkable discoveries about herself.
Review
A cute, fun, and easy read with a good twist at the end.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Published: 2005
Genre: Narrative Non-fiction
Rating: 5
Summary
On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.
Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. That Lincoln succeeded, Goodwin demonstrates, was the result of a character that had been forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. He won because he possessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, to understand their motives and desires. It was this capacity that enabled Lincoln as president to bring his disgruntled opponents together, create the most unusual cabinet in history, and marshal their talents to the task of preserving the Union and winning the war.
Review
757 pages and two years later, I finally finished this book. It was amazing! What an incredible leadership style Lincoln had. Don't let my slowness fool you: the book is actually written in an easy narrative, nonfiction style and is quite accessible (despite its daunting length). I would highly recommend it!
Published: 2005
Genre: Narrative Non-fiction
Rating: 5
Summary
On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.
Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. That Lincoln succeeded, Goodwin demonstrates, was the result of a character that had been forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. He won because he possessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, to understand their motives and desires. It was this capacity that enabled Lincoln as president to bring his disgruntled opponents together, create the most unusual cabinet in history, and marshal their talents to the task of preserving the Union and winning the war.
Review
757 pages and two years later, I finally finished this book. It was amazing! What an incredible leadership style Lincoln had. Don't let my slowness fool you: the book is actually written in an easy narrative, nonfiction style and is quite accessible (despite its daunting length). I would highly recommend it!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Blind Justice
Author: Bruce Alexander
Published: 1995
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4.5
Summary
When 13-year-old Jeremy Proctor is arrested for a crime he did not commit, he is saved by the wisdom and compassion of Sir John Fielding. The boy rewards Fielding by becoming his "eyes", and the two begin a career of solving some of London's most wicked games.
Review
The first in a murder mystery series set in the late 1700s in London. The storyline was interesting and the potential for character development intruging. Although you know where things will end up, there are a few details that don't get filled in until the end.
Notes
There are eleven books in this mystery series--each as engaging and intriguing as the next. The author creates nice character development as the series evolves, and the plots become less predictable and more creative. Blind Justice has some occasional bad language; as the series progresses, that seems to lessen. Murder in Grub Street (book 2) contains some very graphic murder scenes.
Published: 1995
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 4.5
Summary
When 13-year-old Jeremy Proctor is arrested for a crime he did not commit, he is saved by the wisdom and compassion of Sir John Fielding. The boy rewards Fielding by becoming his "eyes", and the two begin a career of solving some of London's most wicked games.
Review
The first in a murder mystery series set in the late 1700s in London. The storyline was interesting and the potential for character development intruging. Although you know where things will end up, there are a few details that don't get filled in until the end.
Notes
There are eleven books in this mystery series--each as engaging and intriguing as the next. The author creates nice character development as the series evolves, and the plots become less predictable and more creative. Blind Justice has some occasional bad language; as the series progresses, that seems to lessen. Murder in Grub Street (book 2) contains some very graphic murder scenes.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Foul Play
Author: Betsy Brannon Greene
Published: 2004
Genres: LDS fiction (action, romance)
Rating: 2.5
Summary
Atlanta is buzzing with excitement over the formation of a glamorous new enterprise that promises huge rewards to those at the top. Billie Murphy, a public relations representative and parttime fiction writer, has been watching from the sidelines. But not for long. Soon forces beyond her control will draw her into a deadly game of fraud and deceit initiated by those who will stop at nothing--even murder--to win. To survive, Billie must trust a man whose reassuring exterior hides a devastating past. But time is running out. . . .
Review
This was cheesy romance with unbelievable plot twists and stilted writing. But it was a clean and easy read: perfect for a weekend escape or some light Valentine's Day reading.
Published: 2004
Genres: LDS fiction (action, romance)
Rating: 2.5
Summary
Atlanta is buzzing with excitement over the formation of a glamorous new enterprise that promises huge rewards to those at the top. Billie Murphy, a public relations representative and parttime fiction writer, has been watching from the sidelines. But not for long. Soon forces beyond her control will draw her into a deadly game of fraud and deceit initiated by those who will stop at nothing--even murder--to win. To survive, Billie must trust a man whose reassuring exterior hides a devastating past. But time is running out. . . .
Review
This was cheesy romance with unbelievable plot twists and stilted writing. But it was a clean and easy read: perfect for a weekend escape or some light Valentine's Day reading.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Miracles of Santo Fico
Author: D.L. Smith
Published: 2003
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
After twenty years, Leo Pizzola has come back to the Tuscan village of Santo Fico, still single and still looking for a way to get rich. The town is as poor as it was when Leo left, yet some things have changed. Of Leo's childhood companions, only little Guido, whom everyone calls "Topo," embraces him. His best friend is long dead. The woman he once adored refuses to talk to him. And, worst of all, the kindly old town priest seems to have lost his faith. Perhaps what Santo Fico needs is a miracle--even if Leo and Topo have to manufacture one themselves. Now, as one botched scheme after another unravels, something completely unexpected happens, and wonders indeed begin to transform this Italian town, including the greatest miracle of all....
Review
This debut novel has great voice, interesting characters, a unique setting, and an intriguing plot. Although it starts a little ploddingly, it is well worth the journey.
Published: 2003
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Summary
After twenty years, Leo Pizzola has come back to the Tuscan village of Santo Fico, still single and still looking for a way to get rich. The town is as poor as it was when Leo left, yet some things have changed. Of Leo's childhood companions, only little Guido, whom everyone calls "Topo," embraces him. His best friend is long dead. The woman he once adored refuses to talk to him. And, worst of all, the kindly old town priest seems to have lost his faith. Perhaps what Santo Fico needs is a miracle--even if Leo and Topo have to manufacture one themselves. Now, as one botched scheme after another unravels, something completely unexpected happens, and wonders indeed begin to transform this Italian town, including the greatest miracle of all....
Review
This debut novel has great voice, interesting characters, a unique setting, and an intriguing plot. Although it starts a little ploddingly, it is well worth the journey.
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