The most I can say about this book is “why bother?” In a rather small book, Rogak attempts to tell the story of three different women who participated in some way that could be seen as propaganda. Not only does the length of the book prevent depth but Rogak dilutes that further by splitting the narrative. I could have easily enough done without reading this.
While I appreciated what I learned in this book, I think the narrative spread itself too thin with the number of topics covered and women profiled in the story. I learned from the narrative but nothing really stands out in any sort of memorable way.
I have no idea how this book made the “History and Biography” category for the Goodreads Choice Awards. Technically, I guess one could say that this book serves as a sort of biography of this couple that found themselves stranded at sea for months. This couple became well known after a much more contemporaneous book published chronicling their survival which makes me wonder why the author bothered to write this book that
tells the story again plus just a little bit more. Thankfully, this narrative does not last long and reads easily.
Kara does it again. I greatly appreciate the care that he takes with these difficult topics and the light that he sheds on topics that have not had much, if any, coverage. I highly recommend this book.
Anderson did a fantastic job telling the story of the lead up to the Iranian Revolution. I really appreciated how Anderson showed the complete naiveté, obliviousness, and selfishness of the American government, how they not only missed the blatant signs in front of them, give little if any appreciation for the culture of this important ally, and also stepped over the rotting corpse of this former ally to save their own skin after the revolution
became permanent. Many more should read this.
I have had a soft spot for Marie Curie after reading a biography of the brilliant scientist as a middle schooler. I also have appreciated previous books by Sobel having been introduced to her works by a favorite professor in my History of Time class. Sobel has a beautiful narrative voice. This narrative covers Curie’s life well, holding the reader’s interest through the whole narrative. I need to add this book to my home library.
