Wednesday, September 30, 2009

[Space]

(All I shall say is that I read a book and have decided to take down the review. Use your imagination and come up with a story as to why.)

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Top Ten Book 1

by Alan Moore, Gene Ha and Zander Cannon

It's on my (comic book) shelf.
LibraryThing link

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Legion of Super-Heroes Archives: Volume 10

by Cary Bates, et al

Check it out!
LibraryThing link

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Saturday, September 26, 2009

The Contender

by Robert Lipsyte

In one sense, this is a typical sports story--young, underprivileged kid finds a sport and works hard to overcome the obstacles and become a success. In this case, Alfred Brooks, a high school dropout living in Harlem in the mid 1960s finds himself trying to succeed as a boxer. But Mr. Lipsyte has done a good job of it, adding some depth to the plot and setting. I was impressed how he was able to create mental pictures of New York and the small time boxing world of the era. It might be simply that over the years I've picked up those images from a variety of films and television programs, and the writing merely touched the right buttons to bring those images to mind. Or maybe his writing is indeed that good. Either way, I enjoyed it. As for the plot, well, I won't say anything more, lest I spoil something. Check it out for yourself and find out what happens.

LibraryThing link

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

When I Was Nine

by John Jaech

This one's a second volume of news headlines interspersed with personal comments and recollections, this time from 1938. While the most interesting part of the previous volume was Uncle John's take on local events, in When I Was Nine, I found the international news to be more intriguing. As Europe drew closer to war, the German-American Jaech family had to re-evaluate their opinions on what was happening in Germany. And ironically, looking back from the 21st Century, Japan's activities in China were pretty much ignored at the supper table discussions. It's quite a blessing to have this bit of family history.

It's on my shelf, even though I'm only an in-law.
LibraryThing link

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Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Uncle Tom's Cabin

by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Definitely belongs on my shelf.
LibraryThing link

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Sunday, September 06, 2009

Legion of Super-Heroes Archives: Volume 4

by Edmond Hamilton, et al

'Tis just waiting room material.
LibraryThing link

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Saturday, September 05, 2009

After the War

by Carol Matas

The problem recounting the saga of history is the question of where to end the story. History, of course, doesn't end... or at least it hasn't ended yet. Even if you bring the tale to the present day, all you need to do is wait until tomorrow, then go to the newspaper and find out what happens next. Of course, to be practical, you need to pick a stopping point--a place where events have reached a climax and one of the issues of history, at least, have been resolved. So it is with that bit of history we call World War II. To hear the tale of the war, you'll hear of the rise of Hitler and the Nazis, the expansion of German power, the oppression then slaughter of the Jews and others, the opposition of first France and Britain, then the Soviets and Americans. You'll hear of the battles, the strategies, the victories, the losses, the surrender and the liberation. And then they all lived happily ever after.... not. After the War is a tale set, naturally, after World War II. It's the story of a Jewish girl, Ruth, who has been liberated from Buchenwald. She returns to her home in Poland only to find that it's no longer her home. Her family is gone, her former residence is occupied by her uncle's maid, who answers the door wearing Ruth's mother's dress. She finds shelter with some fellow refugees, but finds that the shelter is tenuous at best. There are too many goyim who are only too ready to continue Hitler's agenda of lies and murder. Some of the Jews hold onto the hope of emigrating to Palestine, of founding a Jewish homeland where they can live, thrive and protect themselves. But the British have cut off all immigration there. How could anyone possibly manage to make the journey and get in? Ah, therein lies the tale. It's a well written one, with a depth of character and interesting plot. I found myself a bit torn reading it, sympathizing with the Ruth and her comrades, but also knowing the rest of the story, that an Israeli homeland would not guarantee perfect peace or justice.

You really should check it out.
LibraryThing link

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