In this one, Jonathan Waterman followed the Colorado River from its headwaters to its end. (I can't say "to the sea" because the Colorado actually ranIn this one, Jonathan Waterman followed the Colorado River from its headwaters to its end. (I can't say "to the sea" because the Colorado actually ran dry before reaching the ocean.) He recounts the journey, interwoven with anecdotes from historical expeditions along the Colorado, the history of attempts to use water from the river, descriptions of the surrounding ecosystems, and musings of his mother's death.
Having lived in well watered places all of my life, Running Dry was a depressing peek into another world. This book has a very environmental tone, as one might expect from a National Geographic publication. The outlook for the Colorado River basin is not pleasant. One thing that struck me was that the villain of this book was not just the big business utilities. Instead, the threat to the river was the needs and wants of millions of little people--homeowners, ranchers, fares, fishermen, tourists, and power customers....more
I've heard said that one measure of a good college education is one that challenges your beliefs. I was expecting that for my daughter as I sent her oI've heard said that one measure of a good college education is one that challenges your beliefs. I was expecting that for my daughter as I sent her off to college. What I didn't think about was how my beliefs might be challenged as she started sharing ideas (and books to read) with me. Richard Twiss was an activist, author, and, most importantly, a Lakota follower of Jesus. In Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys, he shows how Christian missionaries served (either knowingly or unknowingly) as agents of Western colonization in North America. Consequently, most Native Americans want nothing to do with the religion. Dr. Twiss* calls for a freeing of his people and Christianity from the legacy of colonization by contextualizing Christian worship and teaching within indigenous culture and worship forms. It's a controversial idea. When you change religion, how much of the old one should you leave behind? As one raised in a religious tradition that likes to emphasize correct doctrine, I'm always a bit uneasy when people start talking of more than superficial innovation. But then again, as Dr. Twiss points out, the Western tradition is steeped in centuries of European culture. Who could stand as judge on issues of whether drums (or pipe organs, for that matter) are appropriate to use in the worship of the true Creator? In the end, I was inclined to agree with Dr. Twiss, though I would be interested in hearing the arguments of his opponents. Whoever I end up siding with, this book would be a good one to have on my shelf. __ * Richard Twiss earned a doctorate in missiology from Asbury Theological Seminary, but since he never bothered to get any of the intervening degrees after his high school diploma, he was not permitted to use the title. Since this blog is anything but scholarly, I figure I'm not under the same constraints. So there....more
Another kids book. Another good kids book. You might recall the framing story of 1001 Nights. A Sultan is killing off the wives in his harem every nigAnother kids book. Another good kids book. You might recall the framing story of 1001 Nights. A Sultan is killing off the wives in his harem every night. That is, until a clever woman named Shahrazad tells the Sultan a fascinating tale and he lets her live another day. And the next day she tells another tale and is spared once again. And again, and again. Until after one thousand and one nights of storytelling, the Sultan calls off his killing spree. An exciting little framing device. But can you imagine what it would have been like to be Sharhazad? To have your life and those women waiting their turn depending on your evening's performance? This tale is set when Sharazad is in the 980s of her ordeal. She's running out of stories and needs some help. Through a twist of fate, a servant girl named Marjan--a budding storyteller herself--is called upon to help the effort. It's a great book which not only had an interesting plot, but also touched a chord in my writer's soul. If my daughter doesn't want it for herself, I'm going to put it on my shelf....more
Brutal. That's the word that comes to mind when I think about this book. The actions recounted here of the whites towards the Indians were brutal. TheBrutal. That's the word that comes to mind when I think about this book. The actions recounted here of the whites towards the Indians were brutal. The attitudes between the same were brutal. And Dr. Dunbar-Ortiz's reporting here is likewise brutal. She offers no sympathy, makes no attempt to rationalize anything that the whites did or failed to do. Or maybe that's just my perception as the cultural descendant of those people.* Either way, I appreciate the honesty.
The title of this book pretty much describes the content. For the indigenous people of North America, the milestones of U.S. history are not our elections or official wars, but rather the multitude of conflicts that drove them off their land and irreparably changed their way of life. Dr. Dunbar-Ortiz starts by sketching the history of the Americas before Columbus arrived. She tells of a place that was hardly a wilderness, but rather as settled as Europe, albeit with significant differences in how farming was managed. She then tells of European culture in regards to aggression and consolidation of power. What follows is the tale of the conquest of a continent, told from the point of view of the conquered. It's not told in a whiny voice, but rather the voice of a people "struck down, but not destroyed". (Despite efforts to do just that.) The indigenous people of North America are still here and they're still resisting attempts to marginalize them.
As a white boy, I found the book uncomfortable to read. There was no silver lining in Dr. Dunbar-Ortiz's tale. It didn't offer a happy ending or even the hope of one. Instead it offered the education and insight to create awareness of the problem. What I can or should do to work against the problem is unclear. But it's not an issue I want to ignore. ___ *What particular sins against the native Americans my immigrant ancestors may have committed in the centuries long conquest of the continent, I don't know. ...more
I don't review every book I read--some small tomes I'll just run through to kill time, or sate my curiosity, and then never give them a second thoughtI don't review every book I read--some small tomes I'll just run through to kill time, or sate my curiosity, and then never give them a second thought. This was going to be one of those books, until I laughed out loud. What had happened was that I was killing time in my daughter's second grade classroom. (She's a teacher, by the way, not a student.) I noticed this book in the classroom library, and since I had fond memories of reading Ramona the Pest when I was a kid, I figured I'd read a bit of this instead of the book I had in my backpack. Anyway, Beezus and Ramona is about Beezus Quimby, a nine year old girl in 1950s Oregon, and the troubles she has with her four year old sister Ramona. At first I enjoyed reading a book written in the 1950s--a different world in many ways. Soon enough, my enjoyment was garnished with chuckles over Ramona's antics. She is the chaos bringer, the one who manages to see and act in the world in a way that is different from the average person and who is quite disconcerting to those, like Beezus, who expect a certain order to their lives. Anyway, a few chapters in I got to the laugh out loud joke--an incident which revealed to me that not only is Ms. Cleary able to write about crazy shenanigans, but she has a clever wit in her tool kit as well. So from that point, I knew that I wanted to finish reading the book (easily done) and tell you all to check it out....more
This is my favorite entry in the Little House series. The Ingalls family is settling down near the new town of DeSmet, South Dakota and their second wThis is my favorite entry in the Little House series. The Ingalls family is settling down near the new town of DeSmet, South Dakota and their second winter there proves to be a nasty one. Mrs. Wilder does a great job of telling the tale, foreshadowing the long winter in the beginning and going on to tell how people cope as the cold weather hits and refuses to let up. One is almost tempted to think that the Ingalls family might not make it! Anyway, I'll have to find a way to keep this one on my shelf....more
Corpus bones! Sonlight curriculum expects me to allow my impressionable young daughters to read this book?! It is a vivid picture of the middle ages, Corpus bones! Sonlight curriculum expects me to allow my impressionable young daughters to read this book?! It is a vivid picture of the middle ages, filled with dirt and dung, fleas and flatulence. Quite inappropriate for modern sensibilities. But, in all seriousness, definitely worth checking out for a picture of our cultural past. The fact that it is quite amusing doesn't hurt either. The book itself is the diary of a young teenage girl, Catherine, the daughter of a minor knight in the 13th Century. She details her life in her home and village, set against the backdrop of her father's desire to obtain a profitable marriage for her. Catherine, of course, doesn't meekly submit to the plan and the reader is privy to her thoughts and shenanigans while events unfold. Truly an enjoyable read....more
Set in the 1920s, A Passage to India is a tale of conflict between native Indian and the ruling British people. Having lived overseas, the book struckSet in the 1920s, A Passage to India is a tale of conflict between native Indian and the ruling British people. Having lived overseas, the book struck a cord in me. I certainly sympathized with the Indian nationals, but I realized that as an expatriate I was akin to the British. I hope I was never as big an asshole as the lot in Passage, but I probably had plenty of times when I failed to be a good guest. Quite an uncomfortable thought, that.
One thing that struck me while reading the book was the lack of religion or at least Christian virtues amongst the British. In my own experience overseas, or even hobnobbing with former ex-pats, is that the "missionary" element is part of the culture. My wife cites the antipathy between the British East India Company and missionaries as a possible reason for the culture in Passage. That's possible. Or maybe it's that the colonial era of the 1920s is quite different from the globalization era of the 21st century. Or maybe I just need to broaden my social circles. Who knows? Anyway, I can't say I liked the book, but I wouldn't say it's not worth checking out....more
If I organized books by genre, I think I'd place this one with the horror books. There's nothing supernatural about it, but it creeps me out just the If I organized books by genre, I think I'd place this one with the horror books. There's nothing supernatural about it, but it creeps me out just the same. Lord of the Flies is a tale about a group of British school boys who survive a plane crash on a deserted island. Whatever adults there were on the plane died. The oldest kids take charge after a fashion, the leader being a boy named Ralph. At first it's kind of cute--even the elder kids are obviously children and it's amusing to see them try and establish a bit of order. But even at this stage in the book there's an aura of death. It's mentioned that the whole reason for the flight was to evacuate the children from a nuclear strike. And while at the start there's no explicit death scenes, it's pretty well established that some of the kids didn't survive the first night on the island. As time passes, the little society falls apart and the infant evil within the kids blossoms into full blown murder. It's a depressing little tale. But also so well written that I had no problem picturing the setting and the characters. While I can't say I enjoyed the book, I'm definitely glad I checked it out....more
I feel bad. I should say something substantial about this classic work of literature, but I really don't have anything to say. I read it. It started sI feel bad. I should say something substantial about this classic work of literature, but I really don't have anything to say. I read it. It started slow, but I ended up enjoying it. But I'm not going to rush out and buy a copy. (Well, actually, I do happen to own the copy that I read, but that's only because I had to buy it for the kids' schooling.) Do check it out....more
I didn't intend to read about Christian hippies, but my daughter brought this book home to read and then got my wife interested in reading it and thenI didn't intend to read about Christian hippies, but my daughter brought this book home to read and then got my wife interested in reading it and then my wife read it and then talked me into reading it. And so it goes. Anyway, this is a look at the Jesus People movement of the late 1960s-early 1970s. Most people tend to look upon it as a fad, but Mr. Eskridge contends that it was influential in transforming the nature of evangelical Christianity in the United States. He doesn't dwell too much on that thesis, but rather tells the tale of the "Jesus people". Amidst the cultural and social unrest of the late 60s, some young men and women discovered Christianity and came to believe in Jesus. Rather than cutting their hair, donning suits and ties or dresses and conforming to the culture of their local church, however, they sought to express the truth and faith they found with their own music and language. It was a learning experience for them and for the churches they encountered. By the late 70s, the fad was over, but the Jesus people remained--moving on with churches and ministries that were more mainstream, but now leavened with their beliefs and experiences. The book was quite interesting to read. I really never experienced the movement while it was happening, but I did certainly feel its effects in the 80s and beyond....more
Traitor is a juvenile biography of Benedict Arnold, the general who ironically made American history by switching over to the British side of the war Traitor is a juvenile biography of Benedict Arnold, the general who ironically made American history by switching over to the British side of the war in 1779. The book was an enjoyable read, giving enough detail to not only tell Arnold's life story but also to make me want to read more about the politics and society during the Revolutionary War. Benedict Arnold himself was quite a character. Ms. Fritz portrays him with some sympathy but never really holds him up as anything like a hero....more
This was a blast from the past. ... Er, let me rephrase that. I grew up in the 60's and 70's, when the idea of a nuclear war was part of the cultural This was a blast from the past. ... Er, let me rephrase that. I grew up in the 60's and 70's, when the idea of a nuclear war was part of the cultural background. Nowadays, we're much more worried that we'll be done in by a suicide bomber from Tehran (to use a stereotype) than an ICBM from Siberia. So when I read this book, an science fiction tale about a nuclear war occurring in 1959, I felt downright nostalgic. Cities destroyed, technology rendered useless, slow death by radiation: Alas, Babylon has it all. While sometimes the plot gets a bit too convenient, it is an interesting story....more
One nice thing about sending your children to college is that they bring home interesting books. In one sense, A History of Islam in America didn't quOne nice thing about sending your children to college is that they bring home interesting books. In one sense, A History of Islam in America didn't quite live up to its title--the lives and beliefs of American Muslims haven't been all that well documented over the centuries. But some of what Professor GhaneaBassiri did find I found fascinating, especially Islam in antebellum America and the milieu at the turn of the 20th Century. Muslims before the Civil War were mostly Africans, taken from their homes and people, enslaved and transported to North America. For many, with no mosque or community to support it, their religion became a strictly private thing, with nothing but an occasional ritual passed on to younger generations. The chapter about the era after the Civil War was fascinating in how it presented American Protestant culture from the perspective of an ethnic and religious outsider. It's easy to gloss over the sins of one's forebears if the history has been written by said sinners. As I read the book, I heard echoes of Lies My Teacher Told Me and A People's History of the United States....more
The child borrowed this book for a research paper. It was sitting around and I picked it up and ended up reading it through. 'Tis a heavily illustrateThe child borrowed this book for a research paper. It was sitting around and I picked it up and ended up reading it through. 'Tis a heavily illustrated biography of Harry Houdini, organized more thematically than chronologically. It was interesting how it compared with my only other exposures to Houdini, namely the theatrical and television bio-pics....more
This one's a tale set in the French Revolution. It's the story of Jacques Chénier, the son of a sculptor. His father is killed by a French nobleman, aThis one's a tale set in the French Revolution. It's the story of Jacques Chénier, the son of a sculptor. His father is killed by a French nobleman, an event which fills Jaques' heart with hatred and his mother's with despair. Other events give Jacques more reason to be angry. When the revolution comes, he then has the opportunity to settle accounts. Will he seek revenge? Or might he take a more honorable road? Overall it's a good enough story, but it lacks the drama, liveliness or character to raise itself above simple waiting room material....more
It had to come to this. After all this reading of kid's books this past year and a half, I knew that sooner or later I would have to read one of the AIt had to come to this. After all this reading of kid's books this past year and a half, I knew that sooner or later I would have to read one of the American Girls series. The American Girls, if you don't know, is a combination of literature of marketing. On the literature side, you have a series of books telling stories about nine-year-old girls in different eras of American history. Currently there's about eight girls and each one stars in six books. The books have corresponding themes, so for each girl you'll get a story set in winter, one set in summer, etc. On the marketing side, one can purchase a corresponding doll for each girl, along with about a gazillion accessories. What could be more American than merchandise? Anyway, sarcasm aside, the concept behind the books is a good one. According to my wife and daughters, the books are also pretty well written, so I've had no compunctions about letting the girls read and collect them. Of course, I've never read them myself... until now. Felicity is the Revolutionary War-era American girl. She lives with her family in colonial Williamsburg. She's an energetic little thing, having difficulty being calm and ladylike. She has quite an affection for horses and becomes concerned about a horse that has been recently obtained by the neighborhood tanner, one Jiggy Nye. Jiggy's a nasty old bird who oughtn't be allowed to deal with any horse that isn't already dead. But somehow the good Lord allowed Jiggy to have this beautiful animal. How can Felicity stand by while Mr. Nye mistreats the poor thing? Well, if you want, you can read the book and find out. The tale itself is rather pedestrian--pure waiting room material. But even kids need some lightweight reading from time to time, and I think Meet Felicity will serve that role just fine....more
This is the second book of the American Girls: Felicity series. It's a bit better than the first book, but still a fine example of waiting room materiThis is the second book of the American Girls: Felicity series. It's a bit better than the first book, but still a fine example of waiting room material. In this tale, Felicity is sent over to a neighbors to get an education in being a "gentlewoman". Despite Felicity's "spunky" and independent nature, she manages to do rather well and even enjoy the lessons. However the process is complicated by her two classmates: Elizabeth and Annabelle. They are recent arrivals from England. Elizabeth is eager to be Felicity's friend, but Annabelle is more interested in pointing out her own superiority as one raised in the mother country. Of course, the year is 1774, and people are starting to take sides over the issue of American independence. It's probably this plot thread that makes this book a bit better than Meet Felicity....more
In book three of the American Girls: Felicity series, it's Christmastime and Felicity gets invited to a party at the Governor's Palace. It's an excitiIn book three of the American Girls: Felicity series, it's Christmastime and Felicity gets invited to a party at the Governor's Palace. It's an exciting event in a young girl's life, but there are complications. Will Felicity be so klutzy that she will make a fool of herself? Will she look like a frump in her old brown gown? Will health issues in the family prevent her from going at all? The tale is somewhat predictable, but in its favor, the characters all end up behaving with kindness and nobility. Perhaps people don't act like that in real life, but they should. Anyway, this one is nice waiting room material, but waiting room material nonetheless....more
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