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Posts Tagged ‘history’

Sophie s World A This is a great resource to learn about the history and development of Western Philosophy. Sophie’s World is a terrific way to introduce the reader to the novice’s view of philosophy. Reviewing …

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What an awful book. Written in 1951, this book originally sparked great controversy with its mature themes focusing on the teenage angst, loneliness and rebellion of the protagonist Holden Caulfield. I guess its like a really bad version of James Dean’s classic Rebel Without a Cause. Caulfield is the archetype of an underachiever. Today kids are reading about the latest sluggard – Greg Heffley from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The characters Greg and Holden have a lot in common.

Catcher in the Rye follows the life of Holden Caulfield for a few days after being expelled from Pencey prep school as he returns home to New York City and contemplates life. Although, Caulfield does little contemplation and spends most of his time whining and complaining about everyone and everything. He sees the negative in everything (except his little sister) and makes one bad and offensive decision after another for almost 300 pages of misery. The only value I can find in reading this book today is to use Holden Caulfield as an example of what NOT to be – lazy, negative, and uninspired. Unfortunately the latest version of Holden Caulfield appears to be as popular with readers today as Catcher in the Rye was fifty years ago. When are we going to wake up and stop celebrating negative characters like Holden and Greg?
History of the Americas

Simply does what it says at a great price. No complaints.
Bought about 5 months ago, still going strong.
Part 2 History of

When my brother bought the Kindle for me I was thrilled. I love my Kindle! It’s a great form of relaxation. I still love my Kindle. But lately I’m not happy with it. Why? There were books that were once available on Kindle edition. And now it’s not. It’s ridiculous esp. if I ordered it in Kindle edition then I get an e-mail it’s no longer available. I don’t care if we get charged a little more for the Kindle edition. For example, Dead in the Family. If this continues, I think I’m going to sell and get another brand. I don’t want to. I hope Amazon get there act together. I know it’s getting competitive esp. with all the other e-books on the market. If the Nook can get these books, I think Amazon can get these books. I still love my Kindle!
Partner to History The

The History Channel Presents

Before I purchased this book, everything I’d heard about it – which, granted, was very little – made me believe the author was African-American. Unfortunately, I found out that was not the case just prior to reading it. The mention of that fact – the book written about the lives of black maids from the point of view of a white author – got me turned up noses, rolled eyes, and pursed lips. I pride myself on not settling with initial feelings that I have that are racist, biased, or prejudiced. However, I found myself thinking thoughts such as, “How is a white woman gone write about life from the point of view of a black woman?” Mind you, I still haven’t cracked it open yet.
Finally, I began reading and what I found most difficult was getting a rhythm. I have read books that are written in dialect, so to speak, such as Zora Neale Hurston’s work and usually have to read them aloud until I find the rhythm of the writing. But this was different. I found myself thinking, “See? She don’t even know how to write the way we talk.” My authority on the matter is self-ordained. Never mind I didn’t grow up in Mississippi in the 60’s and never was a maid – I have decided I am an authority on writing the way we speak, also ignoring the fact that I am not a best selling author yet.
As I go further into the story I am very much engaged. I want to know what the Terrible Awful was and am guessing why Miss Celia has a rust colored stain on her rug. I am pulling for Skeeter and feeling sorry for Stuart. And I feel like this is more of the author’s story than her perspective of life from the point of view of a black maid.
But in the end I think, “Why is this book just now being released?” I am not asking a question about the author’s timing in writing the book nor the time it took to be published and released. I feel like this should have been released in 1965. Then I would appreciate it better. But right now it just makes me angry. As so much of what I hear about Mississippi does.
Anyway
Hawthorne s History of

This is an interesting book. It’s well paced and the story keeps pulling you along, although I can’t think of a single thing that makes it stand out. It’s not mysterious or adventurous and has very little romance in it, yet you keep reading. Maybe it’s just plain good story telling.
The History Channel 16

This story line was at times hard to read because it just infuriated me with the way life was in Mississippi in 1960’s in regards to race. Although you see the strength in these women and see the hope behind the hate. Loved it!
The History Channel The