Book Reviews
Worth Revisiting: Joan Cannon's Review of Islandia, a Novel of Remarkable Length Nowadays
Sections read like poetic romance, others like adventure, some like fantasy of the best and most convincing kind, some like philosophy. The pace varies much in the way one's daily experience might in a place where the only means of transport are one's own legs, horses, or boats without motors. The reader is fully immersed in a complete new life in a very few pages, and by the last of over a thousand, has been in some way imprinted. The outstanding characteristic of Islandia is that it will leave no reader unmoved, or even untouched. To make your way through this tour de force of imagination will change you, according to what aspect of it touches you most closely. more »
And Now for Something Different, Respected and Available to Project Gutenberg: Louisa May Alcott, Little Women and Other Writings
In 1849, Louisa wrote her first novel, The Inheritance, which was to remain hidden amongst her papers at Harvard University’s Houghton Library until two professors stumbled upon the 150-page manuscript in 1996. Previously, scholars had believed Louisa’s first novel was Moods, published in 1864. The Alcotts remained at Hillside, until Abby sold the property to Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1852. In 1853, they moved to another Concord home, Orchard House; the Alcotts lived at Orchard House until 1877. It was at Orchard House where, in 1868, Louisa wrote her classic family tale, Little Women, based on life at Hillside. more »
Jo Freeman's Book Review: Give Me Liberty: A History of America’s Exceptional Idea
Jo Freeman Reviews: The desire for liberty is at the core of the United States — which Brookhiser calls America — from long before there were any states. In 13 detailed case studies ranging from 1619 to 1987, the author identifies instances in which the pursuit of liberty has framed the future. There is an unintended subtheme. Culture change is slow. Even when lighted by the lamp of liberty, ending slavery and giving women the vote took a long time. If you like to re-live historical moments, you will enjoy this book. Brookhiser takes you inside, using words to help you feel and see what it was like to be there. more »
Jo Freeman's Review of Michael Barone's How America’s Political Parties Change (And How They Don’t)
Jo Freeman writes: Michael Barone has been studying American politics for most of his 75 years and is very impressed with the two major parties; he repeatedly says that the Democratic Party (founded in 1832) is the oldest party in the world and the Republican Party (founded in 1854) is the third oldest. Both have been frequently challenged. Both recovered from near-death experiences. The Democratic Presidential candidate won only 34 percent of the popular vote in 1920 and the Republican candidate won a little over 36 percent in 1936. Both are alive and kicking. If you like political history, you will enjoy this book. And if you get a chance to hear Barone lecture, don’t pass it up. He’s entertaining as well as informative. more »