Tag: Non-Fiction Page 14 of 31

R. C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen J. Nichols: The Life and Work of Robert Charles Sproul

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On May 30, 2021

In (Auto)Biography, Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

R. C. Sproul A Life

R. C. Sproul: A Life

by Stephen J. Nichols

Hardcover, 306 pg.
Crossway, 2021

Read: May 2-16, 2021

Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Why Did I Pick Up R. C. Sproul: A Life?

If you were to go into any (confessional) Presbyterian or Reformed church in the U. S., you would have a very difficult time finding anyone there who hasn’t read a book or watched/heard a lecture by R. C. Sproul, usually several of either/each. The Holiness of God and Chosen by God were monumental in my life—and so many of his other works were huge, too. I saw him live twice, and couldn’t tell you how many videos and audio tapes/mp3s I learned from.

Basically, this guy was as close to a contemporary giant as we’ve had (whether having a giant in the church is a good or bad thing is a different discussion), so of course, I had to jump at a chance to learn more about him.

What’s R. C. Sproul: A Life About?

It’s all there in the title, really. This is a look at the life of Robert Charles Sproul, author/teacher/minister. Nichols covers it all—from his childhood to university days (and conversion), his post-graduate education, and early work. Then he moves into the founding of the Ligonier Study Center and how that led to Sproul’s books, radio show, and the rest of his work, culminating in the planting of Saint Andrews Chapel and the founding Reformation Bible College. The history of Ligonier Ministries in its various stages of development is also traced throughout. The last chapter serves as an extended eulogy for Sproul, recapping the major points of his life’s work and glancing at his legacy.

In many ways this serves as an intellectual biography and Nicholls will examine the background, main points, and impact of some of Sproul’s major projects and works in addition to the account of his life and work. These portions of the book are the highlights for me—serving both as a reminder of things I’d forgotten and a handy summary of Sproul’s major contributions.

Some Complaints

Nichols’ use of R. C. throughout, rather than Sproul, rubbed me the wrong way. I realize full well that the two had been friends for years, but I guess I expect a bit more formality from a biography.

It’s his friendship that colors this work, I think. There’s no critical eye on anything—personal choices, ecclesiastical acts, writing, public teaching, alliances with people in and out of the church—Nichols covers it all as if everything was inarguably positive and well done. While I’m sure Nichols would affirm that Sproul was fallible and capable of error, there’s no evidence of that in the book.

The discussion of Sproul’s thoughts on apologetics irked me. It’s stated that Sproul went to seminary a convinced presuppositionalist, and then Dr. Gerstner showed him the error of his ways on that issue, as well as Reformed Theology. So that his later critiques of Van Tillian apologetics come from the pen of someone who knows “both” sides and has seen the error of his ways. Well, if he didn’t become Reformed until after he shed his presuppositionalism, he wasn’t Van Tillian. Van Tillian presuppositionalism is rooted and grounded in Reformed (“Calvinistic”) theology, so Sproul was never in that camp. And frankly, I’ve listened to and read Sproul talking about Presuppositionalism, and as brilliant as he was, I just don’t think he ever really understood it. Is it that important? Not really—it just irked me, especially the way that Nichols used Sproul’s apologetic methodology in the book.

So, what did I think about R. C. Sproul: A Life?

Ultimately, this is more of an extended tribute than a biography. Nichols is no Iain H. Murray. And when I was about halfway through this book, I realized that’s what I wanted—a book roughly equivalent to Murray’s The Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (although I’d have been satisfied with something closer to his work on Edwards). But there’s no way anyone could have something of that scale ready less than four years after Sproul’s death, so that’s unrealistic. But I’m not going to be satisfied until we get that.

Nevertheless, I do recommend this book—it’s a good look at the man, his life, and his work. It helps understand where he came from, what led to various books and themes in his work. I do think I know Sproul better after this and that’s a good thing.

Also, if anyone deserves a 300-page tribute, it’s R. C. Sproul.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

I have a hard time shutting up about Moonlighting: An Oral History by Scott Ryan

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On May 20, 2021

In Non-Fiction

Moonlighting: An Oral History

Moonlighting: An Oral History

by Scott Ryan

eARC, 288 pg.
Fayetteville Mafia Press, 2021

Read: May 9-15, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Why Did I Want to Read Moonlighting: An Oral History?

Over on Twitter last month, Grab This Book said something about requesting a book about Moonlighting on NetGalley, and the next thing I knew, I was on the site doing the same thing. It was a reflex, since I was twelve I wanted to know everything I could about David Addison, Agnes DiPesto, Maddie Hayes, Herbert Viola—everyone at the Blue Moon Detective Agency, their clients and adversaries. I watched first-run episodes, reruns, syndicated episodes (when it was possible to find them)—the only reason that I haven’t watched the whole series on DVD multiple times is that they’re hard to find—and prohibitively expensive when you do*. In short, I was a huge fan of the series, and the idea of a book devoted to it was something I had to get my hands on.

* But after I get this posted, I’m going to re-watch the first 3 seasons, I assure you.

Who is the Target Audience for Moonlighting: An Oral History?

People who have watched some/all of the ABC series that aired from 1985 to 1989. Well, not just watched but enjoyed the show. This isn’t going to work for you unless you have at least some familiarity with the show.

And the number of people familiar with the show isn’t that large and isn’t growing. Unlike so many things from that era, you can’t watch it on syndicated re-runs or a streaming service—and then there are the aforementioned issues with the DVDs.

But if you’re part of that group? This book is definitely for you.

What does the Oral History Cover?

There are discussions of each season, with chapters that focus on particular episodes as well—big ones, like the pilot, the black and white episode*, the Shakespeare episode**, the Christmas episode***, and so on****. There are discussions about some of the guest stars and specific behind-the-scenes personnel.

* “The Dream Sequence Always Rings Twice”
** “Atomic Shakespeare”
* “Twas the Episode Before Christmas”
* like “The Son Also Rises”, “Big Man on Mulberry Street”, “I Am Curious… Maddie”

Aside from episodes/seasons, the focus is on the writers, creator, and primary stars—Cybil Shepherd, Allyce Beasley, Curtis Armstrong, and Bruce Willis. The first three appear in the book, but despite trying, Willis and the author couldn’t work out the timing.

It’s not all glowing and positive, there are real criticisms of the writing, plots, and characterizations—as well as how some scenes came out in the end. Some of the criticism is due to this being a show that’s very much a product of its time, doing things that wouldn’t make it to air today. There are frank and honest discussions about the behind-the-scenes drama and conflicts. But it’s all given from a place of love/admiration for the show, there are no cheap shots in these pages.

That said, on the whole, this is a very positive book—it’s written by a long-time fan (which is obvious), with interviews from the people most involved in the show’s production, most of whom have very positive memories and associations with the show. These people poured proverbial blood, sweat, and tears into Moonlighting and it shows in the way they talk about it.

So, what did I think about Moonlighting: An Oral History?

This post was difficult to write, as you can see from that first paragraph, I can fanboy over this series with little provocation. I have 9 pages of single-spaced notes from this book. And restraining myself from using every note in this post was difficult. If I was reading this post-publication and could quote from it? I’d probably be unable to finish this post for a month because I’d be struggling to find the best 3-4 parts to quote.

When I read a book about a television show, I want a few things—I want something to

    • make me want to rewatch the show
    • make me not really need to, because the book has helped me remember it in such a way that it’s not that necessary
    • give me a lot of behind-the-scenes information about the show
    • help me understand it better (not just information, but reflections on it—its legacy, cultural context, impact on television, et.)
    • Ideally, teach me something about the art and/or business of television (preferably both)
    • and if it can be fun (TV should be entertaining), that’s all the better.

Yeah, that seems like a lot to ask for from a book, but if I’m going to take the time to read a book instead of watching a behind-the-scenes show or listening to a panel discussion, I want bang for my buck—I don’t always get it (and know that going in), but I want it. Moonlighting: An Oral History delivered on all of these fronts. In spades.

Also, I find that a lot of oral histories run out of steam after a while—to get one to stay interesting for almost 300 pages is a feat—and it takes a combination of great interview-ees and skill from the author in asking the right questions and then assembling the pieces used in the final product.

Could this have been improved if Ryan had been able to work out the scheduling to get Willis involved? Yes. Almost definitely—although, I think he maybe ended up coming off better this way. There’s no defensiveness on his part or protecting his name or anything like that (not that he necessarily would be that way, I don’t know)—it’s the cast, crew, and Ryan that get to sing his praises.

How much did I enjoy this book? I even liked the “Special Thanks” chapter—which is far more involved than your typical Acknowledgements section. Ryan talks about how the book came to be, how he interacted with some of the interview-ees, and so on. When even the Acknowledgements part of a book is worth commenting on/taking note of, you know you’ve got a winner of a read.

I had a blast reading this—I can’t imagine any half-hearted fan of the show not enjoying themselves. The only thing better might be sitting down to talk to Ryan about the show and what he learned from interviews (but that would be hard to refer back to, so maybe that wouldn’t be better).

5 Stars

P. S.

If anyone out there has a copy of seasons 4 and/or 5 on DVD that they’d like to donate/sell for less than market price, please get in touch with me. Please.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Black Château via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Writer’s Library by Nancy Pearl & Jeff Schwager (Audiobook) Was Just Painful to Listen To: DNFed

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On May 12, 2021

In Audiobook, Non-Fiction

The Writer's Library

The Writer’s Library:
The Authors You Love on
the Books that Changed Their Lives

by Nancy Pearl & Jeff Schwager;
Narrated by: Nancy Pearl, Jeff Schwager, Xe Sands,
Dominic Hoffman, Eileen Stevens, Piper Goodeve,
Andrew Eiden, Lameece Issaq, Rick Adamson,
JD Jackson, Ryan Do, Timothy Andrés Pabon,
Emily Woo Zeller, Richard Ford, Luis A. Urrea,
Vendela Vida, Laurie Frankel, and Siri Hustvedt

Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 21 min.
HarperAudio, 2020

Read: May 11, 2021

What’s The Writer’s Library About?

I’m just going to copy and paste from the Publisher’s site here:

Before Jennifer Egan, Louise Erdrich, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Jonathan Lethem became revered authors, they were readers. In this ebullient book, America’s favorite librarian Nancy Pearl and noted-playwright Jeff Schwager interview a diverse range of America’s most notable and influential writers about the books that shaped them and inspired them to leave their own literary mark.

The Writer’s Library is a revelatory exploration of the studies, libraries, and bookstores of today’s favorite authors—the creative artists whose imagination and sublime talent make America’s literary scene the wonderful, dynamic world it is. A love letter to books and a celebration of wordsmiths, The Writer’s Library is a treasure for anyone who has been moved by the written word.

Did I Like Anything in This Book?

I liked quite a few things, actually. The Foreword by Susan Orlean was just great, I cannot say enough about it. I wrote a note saying “worth whatever time I spend on this book for this foreword.”

The premise of the book is great, the range of authors and topics were intriguing and/or challenging. The interviews I listened to were thoughtful and entertaining.

Then Why Did I Not Finish The Writer’s Library?

I tried, I really tried. But during the introduction, I started to worry, and by the time it got into the first interview, I knew the experience was going to be rough. I listened to the interviews with Jonathan Letham, Laila Lalami, Luis Alberto Urrea and started Jennifer Egan and just couldn’t do it anymore.

So, as I understand it, Pearl and Schwager would interview the authors, write up a transcript and then submit it to the author for some editing. Then it went in the book. So far so good. Then for the audiobook, Pearl, Schwager, and a professional audiobook narrator would read the transcript. And that’s where it falls apart. It sounded stiff and artificial—like people reading a script without ever seeing it before. Generally, the narrators came across okay, but even they came across stilted. Inflection was odd, there were unusual gaps between one person reading their part and the next starting.

Were these audio recordings of the actual interviews? I think I’d love this. Or if I read it in print, and wouldn’t have to worry about the way it was narrated? I’d happily listen and/or read—and I think I will try this in print after I can’t remember just how bad I thought this was.

0 Stars

2021 Library Love Challenge 2021 Audiobook Challenge

Quick Take Catch Ups: Strange Planet; Claire Dewitt and the City of the Dead; Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore; Paper: Paging Through History

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On April 28, 2021

In Audiobook, Comics, Fiction, History, Humor, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Non-Fiction

This is an odd group of books, I realize—there’s no theme or anything. Most are books that I can’t find the time to write a full post about, and one I don’t want to spend the time on. To do justice to the Claire DeWitt book would take at least two of my longer-sized posts, and I’d want to read the book at least two more times—so, that’s just not happening, I’ll settle for this sketch. The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. As you’ll see here.

Strange Planet

Strange Planet

by Nathan W. Pyle
Series: Strange Planet, #1
Hardcover, 144 pg.
Morrow Gift, 2019
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)
I’m not sure how to talk about this collection. If you’ve seen the comics floating around online, you either love ’em or hate ’em. If you haven’t seen the comics floating around online, you’re probably wrong, they’re fairly ubiquitous.

Having these in one handy collection is great—this covers the topics “Young Beings,” “Friendship,” “Adulthood,” and “Recreation” from Pyle’s distinctive perspective. They’re great to dip into and out of—either in order or just randomly. I could (and have) spend too much time reading/rereading this.
4 Stars

Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead

Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead

by Sara Gran
Series: Claire DeWitt Mysteries, #1
Paperback, 273 pg.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012
Read: February 15, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)
I have copious notes on this one, and I just can’t decide how to talk about it. So…I’ll cheat and do this.

It’s like someone decided to do a serious take on Dirk Gently and his approach to detection. And it is pretty serious—although it has moments where I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to laugh or not. A former teen detective turned “world’s best detective” comes to post-Katrina New Orleans to hunt for a missing D.A. Following the idiosyncratic methods of her mentors (in both print and in real life), DeWitt deals with the good, the bad, and the hard-to-fathom that make up New Orleans. She also deals with some ghosts from her past as she uncovers the truth about the DA (including many things he’d probably want no one to uncover).

It’s a book about literary private eyes as much as it is a literary private eye story. I do recommend it, you’re not likely to read anything like it. I’m coming back for the sequel soon.

Not that there was a great danger of this, but between this book and Treme there is zero chance I’ll ever live in New Orleans.
3.5 Stars

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore

by Matthew J. Sullivan, Madeleine Maby (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 8 hrs., 59 min.
Simon & Schuster Audio, 2017
Read: February 24-26, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)
A bookstore clerk finds a frequent customer dead in the shelves after he committed suicide. He has some sort of connection to her as a child, she discovers, and has left his few possessions to her. She’s compelled to learn why he killed himself, why he died with a photo of her as a child in his possession, and along the way has to come to terms with horrific events from about the time the photo was taken.

There are a lot of layers to this novel—fantastic concept, heartbreaking conclusion. I never really connected with the protagonist, but I couldn’t stop listening, either.

Mabey did a fine job with the narration, I should add. Looking over some of her other titles suggests that I’ll be running into her again.
3 Stars

Paper: Paging Through History

Paper: Paging Through History

by Mark Kurlansky, Andrew Garman (Narrator)
Unabridged Audiobook, 13 hrs., 42 min.
Recorded Books, 2016
Read: March 4-9, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore

(the official blurb)

This vacillated between intensely interesting and stultifyling dull, overly detailed, and seemingly random in focus, provocative and insulting. More than once I wondered about the connection between paper and whatever particular period of history he wanted to sound off on—the connection was usually there and clear (and germane), but he stretched it more than once. Also, Kurlansky seems to have a real chip on his shoulder regarding religions of many stripes. That’s fine, it’s just not all that germane.

I’m not sure audio was the right for this medium, outside of the irony. There was just so much thrown at the listener, I can’t imagine how anyone could retain any details—I didn’t even try.

None of my problems were with Garman’s narration (although I questioned a few of his pronunciation), it was simply the text.
2 1/2 Stars

2021 Library Love Challenge 2021 Audiobook Challenge

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

The Particulars of Peter by Kelly Conaboy: Adventures of a Woman Obsessed with her Dog

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On April 21, 2021

In Dogs, Humor, Non-Fiction

The Particulars of Peter

The Particulars of Peter:
Dance Lessons, DNA Tests,
and Other Excuses to
Hang Out with My Perfect Dog

by Kelly Conaboy

Hardcover, 232 pg.
Grand Central Publishing, 2020

Read: March 30-April 1, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

I think once a person has a dog the idea of not having one quickly becomes absurd. I know there are other ways a person can fill their time—golf, et cetera. I know you can Hula-Hoop. You can pan for gold, or “do some work at a café.” I know a person can exist without the ability to make a creature they love thrash with uncontrollable joy, wild-eyed and ecstatic, at the mere mention of din—; hush, that’s enough, they’re already excited. I know you can watch TV without a dog resting his paws and head on your leg, breathing quietly, warming you and allowing you to feel like you’re having a real human experience rather than idly ingesting The Sopranos, I know you can go to sleep without a dog in your bed and wake up without a little face staring down at you, whiskers in your eyes, and a nose dripping onto your skin, waiting for you to take him outside so that he might urinate. But… why? Why even wake up at all?

What’s The Particulars of Peter About?

It is, quite simply, about Peter. Well, it’s more about Conaboy’s obsession with Peter and the things she’ll do to foster the relationship between them as well as all the things she’s willing to do with/for him for the sake of her writing.

She begins by talking about how Peter came into her life, going to Woofstock with him, trying to get into agility training, dance classes, and so on. She gets a DNA test, goes ghost hunting, consults a pet psychic, and more.

Each chapter is filled with jokes, amusing anecdotes, and useful information on a particular subject/experience, told with a lot of humor (some-self deprecating).

Some Highlights

It’s probably easier to think of this as a collection of essays rather than a cohesive book, and as such, there are going to be some chapters that stand-out above the others. I think the first two chapters—about adopting Peter and getting a DNA test were the best—with the chapter on where the dog should sleep as a close third.

The chapter on Dog Dancing was, on the whole, not that interesting for me until she dropped the jokes and got to a hard story about Peter and a medical problem. It probably became the strongest chapter in the book at that point.

On the other end of the spectrum

There were a couple of chapters that did nothing for me—training Peter for Ghost Hunting and then trying to communicate with him using pet psychic just bored me. I couldn’t get into them, but I could see where someone would find it interesting.

The rest of the chapters were a good mix of things I thought were great and then a page later made me wonder why I tried the book.

So, what did I think about The Particulars of Peter?

There was something in the preface, that made me wonder if I’d made a mistake and I was going to end up annoyed with this book, but I wasn’t quite sure. Then I got to the paragraph I quoted above—the third in the book, and realized that yeah, this book was for me.

I’m not going to tell you that this is the best book about living with a dog that you’re ever going to read. I’m not saying that every chapter was worth the time. But there’s just so much heart displayed in every chapter, that you can’t help but cut her a lot of slack for whatever shortcomings may appear.

And it’s a funny book. I chuckled and laughed a few times, I enjoyed an eye-rolling smile a few times, a more than a few times I grinned and made not of a fun line. I fell in love with her habit of writing a parenthetical remark to get a punchline into something, and then immediately following it with another parenthetical joke—naturally, I didn’t write down any examples of that, because why should I make it easy for me to explain the quirk.

Basically, this was a fun book about one of my favorite topics—of course, I’m going to recommend it.

2021 Library Love Challenge

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

PUB DAY REPOST: Blood and Treasure by Bob Drury, Tom Clavin: A Look at Dream Come Truers

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On April 20, 2021

In History, Non-Fiction

Blood and Treasure

Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the Fight for America’s First Frontier

by Bob Drury, Tom Clavin

eArc, 400 pg.
St. Martin’s Press, 2021

Read: April 5-14, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Blood and Treasure About?

It’s pretty much in the subtitle—this book is about 2 things—Daniel Boone and the fight (literal and metaphoric) for America’s first Frontier—with a focus on what we now know as Kentucky, but pretty much everything on the Western edge of the American colonies/states.

It’s not a biography of Boone (I’ll tell you now, I wrongly expected this to be more of one), it’s more like he’s the organizing principle for the book, as we learn about Boone’s roots, early life, and adulthood the authors talk about the conflicts with the Indians on the edge of white civilization’s expanse. We’d get a chunk of a wide-view of history over a period, and then we’d focus on Boone’s life around that time. Then the focus would widen a bit and we’d look at another period of time—and so on.

Two significant ingredients in “the Fight” for the Frontier were what’s called The French and Indian War and the American Revolution. There’s the French and Indian War (and conflicts that led up to it and sprang from it) to begin with, paved the way for the latter conflicts—we see the pressure put on various tribes from the expansion of settlers, the resistance those settlers faced (from shifting alliances of Indians between themselves, and varying alliances between Western powers and the Indians).

As for the Revolution—while most histories/documentaries/etc. about it will acknowledge the fighting in the South and West, few take any time to focus on it. Instead, we casual history readers just get repeated retellings of the stuff we learned in elementary school—Washington*, the Continent Army, Benedict Arnold, Nathan Hale, the Green Mountain Boys, and whatnot—and whatever expansions on some of those topics that Hamilton has taught us in the last few years. This book is a great corrective to that showing how the Indians were largely pawns for the British to use against the colonies, to distract from the larger skirmishes as well as to try to open up another front on the war—another way to steal power and influence from the colonies. You see very clearly how easily the entire War could’ve changed if not for a couple of significant losses suffered by the British and their Indian allies.

* Washington is also featured pretty heavily in the earlier chapters, too—even if he maybe only briefly met Boone on one occasion.

Language Choices

I know this sort of this is pretty customary, but I really appreciated the Note to Readers explaining the authors’ language choices—starting with the tribal designations they used—the standard versions accepted today (there are enough various entities mentioned throughout that if they’d gone with contemporary names and spellings, I—and most readers—would’ve been very confused).

At the same time, they did preserve the varied and non-standard spellings for just about everything else. For example, there were at least three variant spellings for Kentucky: Cantucky, Kanta-ke, and Kentucki (I think there was one more, but I can’t find it).

I was a little surprised that they stuck with the term “Indian” as much as they did—but their explanation for it seemed likely and understandable.

An Image Shattered—or maybe just Corrected

Yes, I know that the Fess Parker TV show I saw after school in syndication was only very loosely based in reality. And that the handful of MG-targeted biographies I read several times around the same time were sanitized and very partial. Still, those are the images and notions about Boone that have filled my mind for decades. So reading all the ways they were wrong and/or incomplete threw me more than I’m comfortable with.

His appearance was particularly jarring—the actual Boone eschewed coonskin caps because they were flat-topped and preferred a high-crowned felt hat to look taller. THat’s wrong on so many levels. “Tall as a mountain was he” is about as far from the truth as you can get.

The fact that he spent most of his life bouncing between comfort and/or wealth and massive debt is both a commentary on his strengths and weaknesses as it is the volatile times he lived in—he lost so much thanks to colonial governments being mercurial. It was reassuring to see the repeated insistence that he was an honest man, who worked to repay his debts even if it took too long.

In the end, Boone seemed to be a good guy trying his best to get by and provide for his family—who accidentally stepped into some degree of celebrity, that magnified some good qualities and replaced the man with a legend.

So, what did I think about Blood and Treasure?

The writing itself? There are moments that were fantastic. On the whole…., but from time to time, when Drury and Clavin wanted to drive an image or description home, they could be stunning. I would have preferred things to be a bit more even—a bit more balanced and consistent on that front. But the topic and scope didn’t really allow for that. So I’ll just enjoy those moments of it that I got.

As for the book as a whole? It was impressive, entertaining (generally), and informative. When it was at its best, it didn’t feel like reading dry history but a compelling look at that portion of US History. At its worst, it was a litany of names, dates, and ideas that didn’t do much for me. Thankfully, those moments were few and far between. It’s not a difficult read at any point, just pretty dry on occasion.

There are so many other things I’d like to have mentioned or discussed—but it would make this post unwieldy. The notes about hunting (both the good and the horrible), Boone’s heroics, his character, and family; various aspects of the Indian customs discussed and so much. There’s just so much in this book to chew on that I can’t sum it up.

I liked this—I liked it enough to look at a few other books by this duo to see what they can do with other topics, people, and eras. I think anyone with a modicum of interest in Boone will enjoy this and be glad for the experience.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar—Non-Fiction to Smile With and Learn From

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On April 19, 2021

In Books, News/Misc.

(Updated and Revised)
Just a Spoonful of Sugar—Non-Fiction to Smile With and Learn FromI stumbled onto my notes from Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum the other day (and yeah, I forgot almost all of them in my post about the book). But it got me thinking about McCreary’s approach—taking a hard-to-talk about subject and adding a touch of humor (or at least a light-hearted voice) to it to make it palatable. It’s a great way to get someone to look at the subtleties of what the Autism Spectrum Disorder can be, how individuals can fall somewhere on that spectrum (and therefore have many things in common), and yet be very different from one another.

Now, I realized that some would point to our cultural inability to discuss difficult subjects with the sobriety and seriousness they deserve as a significant problem. And there’s something to that. More than something, probably. Still, I don’t like to think I enjoy these books and their approach because I’m shallow, but I guess I shouldn’t rule that out.

Shallowness aside, there’s something to that approach—whether it’s technical issues, trauma, socially awkward topics, disease, disorders, or other things people try to avoid discussing—doing so in a light-hearted manner or with plenty of laughs, tends to make the audience receptive. It takes a lot of skill to blend the difficult topic into an entertaining package. But it’s a great way to gain a new perspective, a deeper understanding, or learn something.

Some of the others that I’ve read/posted about in the last few years that entertain while informing/giving insight:
bullet Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher—Fisher addresses her addictions and mental health problems (and the extreme solutions) in this frequently laugh-out-loud memoir
bullet Everything is Normal by Sergey Grechishkin—Grechishkin’s memoir of growing up in 1980’s-era Soviet Russia brings the grins (and a chuckle or two) while not letting us forget how hard and terrifying it could be.
bullet Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16 by Mose Kasher—Kasher’s account will make you smile, break your heart, and help you understand addiction
bullet Gluten Is My Bitch: Rants, Recipes, and Ridiculousness for the Gluten-Free by April Peveteaux—on the one hand, this seems the slightest of the issues addressed. Ask any person with Celiac Disease how hard it can be to find food that doesn’t make you violently ill—and just how violent that illness can be. But Peveteaux will make you laugh, while offering hope and help.
bullet Henry by Katrina Shawver—even in a Nazi work/death camp, friendship helps, people can find some release.
bullet Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic: A Comedian’s Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCreary—I realize I started this post talking about the book, but when I revised things, it felt like a bad list if it wasn’t on it. This Comedian talks about growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder and how he became a comedian—he works to dispel some myths, and offer some real insight while entertaining.
bullet You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar:—Amber Ruffin and her sister, Lacey, recount various racist things that people have said (or done) to Lacy on an almost daily basis in her professional and personal life. It may not sound that funny, but it frequently is.
bullet And Then You’re Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by a Whale, Are Shot from a Cannon, or Go Barreling Over Niagara by Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty—the publisher describes this as, a “gleefully gruesome look at the actual science behind the most outlandish, cartoonish, and impossible deaths you can imagine.”

Help me expand this list—what are some other works along these lines that I should read?

Blood and Treasure by Bob Drury, Tom Clavin: A Look at Dream Come Truers

By

On April 15, 2021

In History, Non-Fiction

Blood and Treasure

Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and the
Fight for America’s
First Frontier

by Bob Drury, Tom Clavin

eArc, 400 pg.
St. Martin’s Press, 2021

Read: April 5-14, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Blood and Treasure About?

It’s pretty much in the subtitle—this book is about 2 things—Daniel Boone and the fight (literal and metaphoric) for America’s first Frontier—with a focus on what we now know as Kentucky, but pretty much everything on the Western edge of the American colonies/states.

It’s not a biography of Boone (I’ll tell you now, I wrongly expected this to be more of one), it’s more like he’s the organizing principle for the book, as we learn about Boone’s roots, early life, and adulthood the authors talk about the conflicts with the Indians on the edge of white civilization’s expanse. We’d get a chunk of a wide-view of history over a period, and then we’d focus on Boone’s life around that time. Then the focus would widen a bit and we’d look at another period of time—and so on.

Two significant ingredients in “the Fight” for the Frontier were what’s called The French and Indian War and the American Revolution. There’s the French and Indian War (and conflicts that led up to it and sprang from it) to begin with, paved the way for the latter conflicts—we see the pressure put on various tribes from the expansion of settlers, the resistance those settlers faced (from shifting alliances of Indians between themselves, and varying alliances between Western powers and the Indians).

As for the Revolution—while most histories/documentaries/etc. about it will acknowledge the fighting in the South and West, few take any time to focus on it. Instead, we casual history readers just get repeated retellings of the stuff we learned in elementary school—Washington*, the Continent Army, Benedict Arnold, Nathan Hale, the Green Mountain Boys, and whatnot—and whatever expansions on some of those topics that Hamilton has taught us in the last few years. This book is a great corrective to that showing how the Indians were largely pawns for the British to use against the colonies, to distract from the larger skirmishes as well as to try to open up another front on the war—another way to steal power and influence from the colonies. You see very clearly how easily the entire War could’ve changed if not for a couple of significant losses suffered by the British and their Indian allies.

* Washington is also featured pretty heavily in the earlier chapters, too—even if he maybe only briefly met Boone on one occasion.

Language Choices

I know this sort of this is pretty customary, but I really appreciated the Note to Readers explaining the authors’ language choices—starting with the tribal designations they used—the standard versions accepted today (there are enough various entities mentioned throughout that if they’d gone with contemporary names and spellings, I—and most readers—would’ve been very confused).

At the same time, they did preserve the varied and non-standard spellings for just about everything else. For example, there were at least three variant spellings for Kentucky: Cantucky, Kanta-ke, and Kentucki (I think there was one more, but I can’t find it).

I was a little surprised that they stuck with the term “Indian” as much as they did—but their explanation for it seemed likely and understandable.

An Image Shattered—or maybe just Corrected

Yes, I know that the Fess Parker TV show I saw after school in syndication was only very loosely based in reality. And that the handful of MG-targeted biographies I read several times around the same time were sanitized and very partial. Still, those are the images and notions about Boone that have filled my mind for decades. So reading all the ways they were wrong and/or incomplete threw me more than I’m comfortable with.

His appearance was particularly jarring—the actual Boone eschewed coonskin caps because they were flat-topped and preferred a high-crowned felt hat to look taller. THat’s wrong on so many levels. “Tall as a mountain was he” is about as far from the truth as you can get.

The fact that he spent most of his life bouncing between comfort and/or wealth and massive debt is both a commentary on his strengths and weaknesses as it is the volatile times he lived in—he lost so much thanks to colonial governments being mercurial. It was reassuring to see the repeated insistence that he was an honest man, who worked to repay his debts even if it took too long.

In the end, Boone seemed to be a good guy trying his best to get by and provide for his family—who accidentally stepped into some degree of celebrity, that magnified some good qualities and replaced the man with a legend.

So, what did I think about Blood and Treasure?

The writing itself? There are moments that were fantastic. On the whole…., but from time to time, when Drury and Clavin wanted to drive an image or description home, they could be stunning. I would have preferred things to be a bit more even—a bit more balanced and consistent on that front. But the topic and scope didn’t really allow for that. So I’ll just enjoy those moments of it that I got.

As for the book as a whole? It was impressive, entertaining (generally), and informative. When it was at its best, it didn’t feel like reading dry history but a compelling look at that portion of US History. At its worst, it was a litany of names, dates, and ideas that didn’t do much for me. Thankfully, those moments were few and far between. It’s not a difficult read at any point, just pretty dry on occasion.

There are so many other things I’d like to have mentioned or discussed—but it would make this post unwieldy. The notes about hunting (both the good and the horrible), Boone’s heroics, his character, and family; various aspects of the Indian customs discussed and so much. There’s just so much in this book to chew on that I can’t sum it up.

I liked this—I liked it enough to look at a few other books by this duo to see what they can do with other topics, people, and eras. I think anyone with a modicum of interest in Boone will enjoy this and be glad for the experience.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey (Audiobook) by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar: You’ll Laugh While You All Lose Hope in Humanity. Fun Times!

By

On March 24, 2021

In Audiobook, Humor, Non-Fiction

You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey

You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey: Crazy Stories about Racism

by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar

Unabridged Audiobook, 5 hrs., 21 min.
Grand Central Publishing, 2021

Read: March 11-12, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

I’m going to lean on quotations from the book pretty heavily for this one, I feel awkward about trying to summarize this—and am afraid I’d come across as too flippant. Which, yeah, is an odd thing to fear for a book that can be rightly shelved under “Humor”

The Authors/Narrators

Amber Ruffin is the host of The Amber Ruffin Show, a writer for and performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and is consistently funny and thoughtful. Even when, especially when?, I disagree with her (which happens a lot). She’s the primary author (even when retelling something that happened to her sister) and narrator of the book.

Lacey Lamar is her older sister, who lives in Nebraska and works in the healthcare and human service field. She’s apparently a pretty big geek, too. While her contributions to the book/audiobook are briefer than Ruffin’s, when she pitches in, it’s well worth it.

What’s You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey About?

Early on, we’re told

My sister Lacey is a lightning rod for hilarious racist stories, She’s the perfect mix of polite, beautiful, tiny, and Black that makes people think: I can say whatever I want to this woman. And I guess you can. Hey, knock yourself out—but that doesn’t mean you won’t end up in a book.

She’s such a lightning rod that

Twice a week, I get a text from my sister that says, “Can you talk?” It’s my favorite because I know I’m about to be transported to a place that exists in real life and fantasy: the place where coworkers will put their whole hand in your hair, talking ’bout “It’s fluffy like a dog.” I realize this sounds terrible, but it’s like watching Dateline. You can’t believe it was the GIRLFRIEND who killed the HUSBAND! It’s the edge of reality. Technically, it happens, but it is barely plausible. Excited, I steal away to the elevator banks at work and listen to Lacey tell me a new horror story. It’s fantastic. As I stand there, mouth agape, listening to some new fresh hell, I am always struck by the fact that these stories will only exist in this phone call. Some will go on to become stories once the topic turns to “racist people at work” one night when Lacey is hanging out with her friends, but she’ll forget most of them because of the sheer volume. The. Sheer. Volume.

That’s what this book is, a distillation of that volume. A compilation of the best/worst of those stories. They are tragic. They are sobering. They are frequently pretty funny. But only in the way they’re told. Lamar and Ruffin share these stories with an air of “you have to laugh or you’ll cry.” The kind of resigned laughter when you realize that your situation isn’t going to get better any time soon, so you might as well find the pleasure in it. A lot of this is hard to listen to/read—but it’s usually worth it. There’s also a decent level of “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” running throughout this.

Some of these stories are old, but a lot of them are post-Obama stories. A lot of folks think things like this don’t happen anymore. But in this climate where people are becoming more brave with their racism, I think things may get worse before they get better. Just kidding, I don’t think things are gonna get better. Just kidding about just kidding. I’m Team Hopeful! My point is: Has anyone ever decided to take a look at one person’s buttload of racist stories? What happens when you do? I don’t know, but here you go.

Audiobook vs. Text Version

So my wife read the hardcover and I read the audiobook (but was able to use the hardcover to grab some quotations). The hardcover features pictures and illustrations, and different typefaces for each author (a feature more books should use). Judging by her responses and just flipping through it, that seems like a great way to go through the book.

The audiobook is primarily read by Ruffin, with some assists by Lamar. Ruffin’s a great performer and the text comes alive with her reading. I think some of the comedy comes through stronger in the way they tell the stories—because a lot of these things are dark and my response leaned to horrified until I heard one/both of them chuckle about it. Also, listening to Ruffin describe the pictures you can’t see is likely as fun as seeing them. I’m not saying that the audiobook is better/worse than the text, but I can say you won’t regret it.

So, what did I think about You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey?

Black readers will read these stories and feel that really good, yet terrible feeling of going through something bad and realizing you’re not alone, and not only that, but that someone else has it worse! And, hopefully, the white reader is gonna read this, feel sad, think a little about it, feel like an ally, come to a greater understanding of the DEPTH of this type of shit, and maybe walk away with a different point of view of what it’s like to be a Black American in the twenty-first century. Hence this book.

For me, I think they succeeded. I’m not a fool, I didn’t think we’d fixed racism or anything—but the casual and blatant racism Lamar encounters at work (or outside of work) is astounding. I can’t count how many times I stopped the recording to say something to my wife to marvel at how blatant the people in this book were. She’d ask where I was, nod, and ask “have you got to X yet?” “Um, no?” “Well, it gets worse…” And it did.

At the same time, I laughed a lot. Those two sensations shouldn’t fit so well together, but they do.

This is a comic-tragedy. A tragic-comedy. Either or both. you won’t soon forget this book. Entertaining and educational. Eye-opening. Frustrating. I strongly recommend this.

4 1/2 Stars

2021 Library Love Challenge 2021 Audiobook Challenge

Rebels and Exiles by Matthew S. Harmon: Sin, Its Consequences, and Restoration Through Redemptive History

By

On February 28, 2021

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Here’s where I start to regret my resolution to write a post about every book in this category that I read this year to make up for the absence of them last year. I really don’t have that much to say about it and am afraid I’m making it look dull. Hope I’m not…

Rebels and Exiles

Rebels and Exiles: A Biblical Theology of Sin and Restoration

by Matthew S. Harmon
Series: Essential Studies in Biblical Theology

Paperback, 145 pg.
IVP Academic, 2020

Read: February 7-21, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

What’s Rebels and Exiles About?

As with everything in this series, Harmon starts with Genesis and the Fall, and finding the pattern there for human disobedience and restoration that the rest of the Biblical narrative uses time after time (after time after time, sadly). Harmon traces the themes and examples of rebellion, exile, and restoration through The Old Testament and the New alike—with Christ inaugurating the final end of exile in his death and resurrection, which will be culminated in his return and the remaking of the world.

OT and NT Exiles

Personally, I found the chapter on Israel and Judah’s exile from Canaan after the rebellion and the chapter showing how the New Testament Epistles see the Christian life as one of exile—giving both hope and direction for that life—to be the most helpful. Particularly as Western culture becomes increasingly inhospitable to The Church and we’re reminded that we’ve become too comfortable in this world where we are pilgrims and exiles, we need these instructions and examples.

But the chapters describing the Restoration of Israel to the Land—as well as the greater restoration promised to them—and the chapter describing Christ’s Life and Ministry as ending exile were probably the most edifying.

So, what did I think about Rebels and Exiles?

I think I may have read the three books in this series a bit too closely together—it felt a little redundant, the themes and approaches in the various books in this series are so similar. That’s on me, not on Harmon, though.

This isn’t to say that I didn’t like the book or find it helpful. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction,” it’s good to focus on these themes and patterns and Harmon’s little book is a good guide through them.

3.5 Stars

 

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

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