Be Creative @ Your Library

Summer Reading Program for Adults 2009

 

Browsing all 'Biography' reviews

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Flame Trees of Thika
By: Elspeth Huxley

Interesting reminder of the Colonial activities in Africa of the several European nations in addition to those of the British. So little is heard of W.W.I. other than that of the actions in the European theater. Battles were fought in Africa, too, and lives tragically lost.

Hard to believe the manner in which African territory was appropriated, then sold to settlers hoping to make their fortunes in a new land, so unknown and so totally different from that of their country of origin.

Enlightening descriptions of the different philosophies and lifestyles of the several native tribes mentioned.

Was all the love and labor invested in the land lost completely? Whatever became of the coffee plantations? Are there those still producing in Kenya? And what of the various individuals I came to know? The book ended much too abruptly!

Monday, August 3, 2009
Losing Mum and Pup
By: Christopher Buckley

In "Tradition and the Individual Talent" T.S. Eliot says (I'm paraphrasing) that when a new work of art is created something happens to all the works of art that preceded it; that is to say, the whole existing order is, if ever so slightly, altered by the introduction of novelty, and so the value that we attribute to each work of art in relation to the whole is, and must be, for better or worse, readjusted. Similarly, whenever I read a book it oftentimes modifies my understanding of other, related books or ideas that I had previously read or considered. And so it was with my reading of Christopher Buckley's delightful work Losing Mum and Pup: A Memoir. This is his meditation on and homage to the life and death of his parents, William F. Buckley, Jr., the icon of modern conservative politics, and Patricia Buckley, the doyenne of New York socialites, both of whom died within a year of each other, the mother in 2007 and the father in 2008.

This book caught my eye because of my familiarity with William F. Buckley, Jr., through reading his essays and watching his long-running Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) show "Firing Line." Given the subject matter of Losing Mum and Pup, I fully expected that the author would be dipping into the hagiographer's wax, would be engaging in, that is, and quite understandably so, a good deal of tombstone polishing, putting the buff and shine on his deceased parents' reputations. But this is not what I found. Far from it. Instead, Buckley announces early on what I take to be the leitmotif of the book. Of his parents, he says that: [t]they were not - with respect to every other set of loving parents in the world - your typical mom and dad.

And with that he proceeds to weave, with brisk prose of elegant manufacture, a narrative that reveals just how atypical and complex was the relationship that existed between him and his parents and between the parents themselves. By way of personal affection and impartial assessment, Buckley lays bare his parents virtues as well as their vices in a manner that is at turns poignant and pointed; sympathetic and critical; insightful, witty, and funny. And Buckley point out his own filial faults and shortcomings, too. Unmistakable is the love he had for his parents.

Though ostensibly about the author's experience of watching his parents die over the course of a year, the most arresting aspect of Losing Mum and Pup is, however, the bird's eye view it affords of the dynamics of the Buckley family. It caused me especially to reflect on the nature of marriage. Consequently, I modified my stance, albeit at the margins rather than at the core, since the book lent support to my ideas, about the extent to which the unity (the differences between a couple) increases the value of a marriage. Losing Mum and Pup is a very fine read. An entertaining, earnest, and thoughtful journey from beginning to end. I recommend it accordingly.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
A Life Less Ordinary
By: Bebi Haladara

A Life Less Ordinary is a wonderful true story of Baby Halder who was born and raised in West Bengal, India. Abandoned by her mother at age 7, she was set through an arranged marriage at 12. Soon after, she gave birth to three children. Her husband, Shankar, often beat her up. She took her 3 kids and took a train to Delhi to find work and a new life.

I found it amazing that this woman has gone through such difficult time and we are so close in age. When I first read the story, I thought she would have to be my mother's or grandmother's age to have lived through all of these life experiences. It seems surreal that there is still violence/disrespect to women today.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Last Lecture
By: Randy Pausch

A computer science professor with only months to live, due to pancreatic cancer, gives his last lecture.

Since there was so much hype about the book I expected too much and was a bit disappointed. It was touching but he must've been a more charismatic lecturer than writer. It was overly self-focused yet with little introspection and even less real, new inspirations. Still, worth a read.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Crossbearer
By: Joe Eszterhas

Could the infamous, hard-drinking, smutty screenwriter of some of the most popular sex/violence movies (Basic Instinct, Showgirls) really have a light-flashing, Saul of Tarsus kind of encounter and find God and healing (of his addictions and deadly cancer)? Beware, it's not exactly an uplifting spiritual memoir, he is still raw and somewhat foul-mouthed. Intriguing though.

Monday, July 20, 2009
Under the Eye of the Clock
By: Christopher Nolan

This is a beautifully written, powerful, uplifting book that I will never forget. For me, it's like a Helen Keller story, magnified.

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuva or Bust
By: Ralph Leighton

Tuva or Bust is Richard Feynman's last journey. It is a real interesting journey process to read. While you would think heading to a specific vacation is just a matter of having money and time and then reserving a ticket, it is very different if you dream of visiting Tuva.

The book covers the journey done by Feynman and fellow friend (and book author) Ralph Leighton on the quest to reach Tuva. All started with a stamp and ended by having a dream come true!

Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Pleasure of Finding Things Out
By: Richard Feynman

This book covers a general overview of Richard Feynman's lectures/seminars he has given in his lifetime. Behind this brilliant man, holder of the Nobel Prize in Physics (1965), there is a down-to-earth human being who loved to share his wealth of knowledge with various audiences.

The book not only covers his work during adult life but we learn about the physicist as a child, how his father has a great influence on how Feynman turned out.

Highly recommended if you have been curious to know more about Richard Feynman.

Monday, June 22, 2009
M.F.K. Fisher and Me
By: Jeannette Ferrary

This was an interesting book about how the author started a surprising and long lasting friendship with M.F.K. Fisher, the fairly eccentric food/cookbook author.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Shadows of the Buffalo
By: Adolph Hungry Wolf

Adolf Hungry Wolf does a fine job of explaining his relationship inside the Blackfoot tribe. His stories were both touching and funny.

Monday, June 22, 2009
Farewell to Manzanar
By: Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston

This is a personal/true story of a woman whose family was sent to live at Manzanar internment camp along with thousands of other Japanese families.

The narrator is 7 year old Jeanne, who tells you about their life before, during, and after the war. It is a very touching memoir and educational for the reader about a shameful period in our history.

Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Soloist
By: Steve Lopez

This is a beautifully written book about an unlikely friendship between a journalist and musically gifted mentally ill homeless man living on the streets of L.A. The frustrations and powerlessness of Nathaniel Ayres' condition are offset by large and small victories and Lopez's unwillingness to concede defeat when Nathaniel relapses back to his angry, volatile ways. Steve Lopez succeeds in his efforts to destigmatize mental illness and his affection and respect for Nathaniel seems to be genuine.

I highly recommend this book which was sent to me by a family member. I'm looking forward to seeing the film.