gerikatz

The author believed his work would disprove the racial basis for antisemitism and thus end antisemitism itself. Unfortunately his work and that of others has been picked up and misused by some antisemites and white supremacists. It has also been used by some anti-Zionists to argue against the conclusion that Jews are indigenous to Israel. The author argues that Israel’s right to exist originates with the UN mandate rather than a genetic or historical connection to the land, so he wasn’t taking an anti-Israel approach. Fascinating book with some questionable conclusions but worth the read.

An exhaustive, science-based explanation of the biology of menopause, the symptoms, and the treatment options. She calls out the patriarchy of prior medical approaches, quackery, profit-driven “wellness” scams, and the ethical conflict of MDs who sell supplements. My only critique is that the book only refers to women; I wish there had been information about the impacts and treatments for trans men and non-binary people, including those who use hormone therapy or have had surgery.

So much has happened since this book was published in 2018; I hope the author writes an updated version. Can protests ever be the same after things like the violent repression of anti-police violence protests? Can matches on Washington go back to “normal” after than Jan 6 insurrection? This book was an interesting look inside the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the 2017 Women's March on Washington, with attention paid to the impact of race and gender on mass mobilization. It answers the question “what good do marches do” with thoughtful consideration. It just feels like this book comes from a different, simpler time, and requires an update.

I enjoyed the local Jewish history and recognized a few names of people and places I knew. I learned a few things I didn't already know (Kid Cann was partially responsible for the tragic scrapping of the Twin Cities streetcar system!) The writing wasn't inspiring. At times it was repetitive and didn't tell a story so much as it listed anecdotes and names. It's a quick read, so if you're really interested in Minneapolis Jewish gangster history, go for it.

I love that this cookbook walks you through every ingredient, every step, every layer of the dish you're making. I felt like I had a friend walking me through the Asian supermarket, helping me pick out ingredients. Then she taught me to make homemade broth, toppings and sides to go with the ramen. We had the spicy miso ramen with tofu tonight, with marinated bean sprouts and pickled cucumbers on the side and the whole family loved it!

Great read for fans of early modern European history, history of science or medical research. The murder mystery aspect is a little overstated in the title - I suspect some editor thought it would sell more books. Yes, the book does solve a 350 year old murder mystery, but that takes all of about 10 pages. Dog lovers beware: most of the experiments described in the book were performed on dogs, most of whom did not survive.

I have mixed feelings. The witch-in-love-with-a-vampire part was stupid, but the main character's occupation as an early modern European historian kept it from being totally worthless fluff. I enjoyed the parts about historical research much more than the ridiculous love story. I would read the sequel if I found it at the library or from a friend, but I wouldn't pay $15 for it.

It took me a few years to get past my usual aversion to war memoirs, but I'm glad I finally read Unbroken. It reads like a novel, gripping, scary (sharks OMG) and moving. Historically, it filled in a lot of the blanks in my knowledge about Japanese POW camps; I had always gathered that they were bad, bid never knew the extent of the horror those POWs lived through. The story is beyond inspiring.

I've read all of Curtis's books with my younger child, and this has to be the most evocative, heartbreaking, inspirational of them all. I love all of his books, but this one includes a scene so moving that I will never forget it.

Fiction and non-fiction about slavery isn't new or rare, and much of it feels like trauma porn after a while. This book is relatively unique in my experience, set in a (real life Canadian) colony founded by escaped enslaved people and their children born in freedom. Our hero Elijah is born in freedom in Canada, a rare narrator in children's literature.

I really didn't like this book. The writing was cliched and lazy, and the stories felt exploitative of the women she met in prison. Worse, I listened to the audiobook, which I can't anti-recommend enough. The reader chose to use exaggerated accents for everyone but the narrator, which gave the reading a semi-racist tone.

MN Attorney General Keith Ellison’s personal account of how his office convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin of the murder of George Perry Floyd. Even though the murder was videoed and millions of us watched it happen, this case was hardly a slam dunk. The insight into Ellison’s legal and political skills plus his deep care for justice and human dignity makes this a must-read.

This was a rollicking good time. My first taste of British history as an American was a college class that began with the Glorious Revolution. (And the Monty Python version of the Civil Wars). I wish this book had been around then to lend important context about the decades that led up to the reign of William and Mary.