Category: Book Review

Ministry of Truth

Ministry of Truth

Posted on by Jack

Last month I reviewed a book called Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. The title says it all. Here is a brief quote from that review:

In Erasing History, Jason Stanley discusses how and why rewriting history is part of authoritarian and fascist governments method to gain power and eliminate democracy. This has happened in many counties around the world. So now I understand why they want us to believe their version of history and how they use it to enhance there power over the people.

The rewritten history was often something in the distant past. But in the Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans’ War on the Recent Past by Steve Benen, we see Donald Trump distorting the recent past and just making stuff up and almost all Republican politicians as well as the official party stance going along with it. And if polling is anywhere near accurate, this altered reality is either something the vast majority of Republicans actually believe or pretend to believe.

At first I thought of this book as reminder (with extensive references) of the ridiculous things said and apparently supported by the MAGA crowd. But now I think of it a demonstration of how rapidly a respectable
major political can shift from principles to idiocy.

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future

Posted on by Jack

The book is Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley. The book is scheduled to be published on September 10.

I know that certain factions have insisted on a revised of history. It never made any sense to me. But that is probably because I am an American. The government could insist that something was true and maybe even force the education department to go along with it.

But in a democracy there would always be a those who voiced another opinion. And as Americans we would be free to decide who to believe. But what if we were not be free to disagree with the government version of history. There was only 1 acceptable version. And that was designed to make us believe what the government wants us to believe.
Continue reading “Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future”

Counted Among the Dead

Counted Among the Dead

Posted on by Jack

I was pleased to see another book by Anne Emery on Netgalley so I immediately requested it. I had read several of her books over the years and often reviewed them on my blog.   I was even more eager when I read a bit more on what the book was about.

My wife and I had visited Halifax a few years ago and were amazed to learn about the huge explosion in Halifax harbor during World War 1 while we were visiting a museum in that city.  The explosion was so large it destroyed a large part of the city in 1917 and resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.

Continue reading “Counted Among the Dead”

Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, crime in old New York

Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, crime in old New York

Posted on by Jack

At first I wasn’t sure,  “The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum” didn’t sound like my type of book. I had never heard of this women and certainly had no idea about the talented part.  But the subtitle “The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss”  got me interested.

Then I read the description on Netgalley and it made me give it a try.  It starts like this:
Continue reading “Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, crime in old New York”

Cheaper, Faster, Better

Cheaper, Faster, Better

Posted on by Jack

While I was browsing through Netgalley looking for an interesting read, I came across the name Tom Steyer.  I am pretty sure it was in the business & finance section as I browse there sometimes for investment books suitable for a “RetiredGuy”.

Anyway, the name sounded familiar and then I remembered that he was in the debate for the Democratic Party nomination for President.  Tom Steyer is a very successful investor and businessman. And ran in the primaries to raise awareness of climate change issues.
Continue reading “Cheaper, Faster, Better”

Small Acts of Courage by Ali Velshi

Small Acts of Courage by Ali Velshi

Posted on by Jack

This was one of those books and you keep talking about while taking breaks from reading.  I loved this book but I’m  sure my wife was tired of hearing about it. The approval to read the advanced reader came at the last minute.  I believe it was just a few days before publication.  The book is “Small Acts of Courage:  Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy” by Ali Velshi

But since I like Ali Velshi’s reporting,  I thought it would be worthwhile but almost certainly I would fail to review it before publication as I usually do,  First I need to thank Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a chance to read this.
Continue reading “Small Acts of Courage by Ali Velshi”

The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore.

The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore.

Posted on by Jack

It seems an unlikely combination. Nazis and World War 2 could be interesting but it could be very similar to something you already read. Throw in a bit about economics and the Treasury department and it certainly seems unique but probably less interesting. But you would be wrong.

The book is “The Wealth of Shadows: A Novel” by Graham Moore. I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read this before publication. The book is definitely historical fiction but also a very good mystery.
Continue reading “The Wealth of Shadows by Graham Moore.”

The Great Abolitionist

The Great Abolitionist

Posted on by Jack

A exceptional biography of someone I had thought I never heard of.  I had read of an event in which he was a unwilling participant in.  I had read something of the U.S. Senator who was badly beaten on the floor of the Senate but I did not remember his name, if I ever knew it.
Continue reading “The Great Abolitionist”

Climate Anxiety

Climate Anxiety

Posted on by Jack

Kate Schapira opened the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth in Providence, RI. Inspired by Lucy of Peanuts comics fame, her sign read “Climate Anxiety Counseling 5 cents: The Doctor Is In.” This led to many conversations with people about climate change and related fears and anxieties as well as anxiety generated by other issues.
Continue reading “Climate Anxiety”

White Rural Rage:  The Threat to American Democracy  by Tom Schaller and  Paul Waldman

White Rural Rage:  The Threat to American Democracy  by Tom Schaller and  Paul Waldman

Posted on by Jack

The book “White Rural Rage:  The Threat to American Democracy”  by Tom Schaller and  Paul Waldman brings together a huge amount of information to discuss rural areas, their problems, and potential solutions as well as the current political situation which contributes to these problems and presents a threat to American democracy.   I think that may be the longest and most complicated sentence I’ve written lately, so let me explain.

Continue reading “White Rural Rage:  The Threat to American Democracy  by Tom Schaller and  Paul Waldman”

I Never Did Like Politics

I Never Did Like Politics

Posted on by Jack

Both my parents grew up in New York City while Fiorello La Guardia was mayor. I can remember them talking about Mayor La Guardia when I was growing up.  He seemed interesting but I never got around to learning much more about him.  This book fixed that problem.

The book is  “I Never Did Like Politics: How Fiorello La Guardia Became America’s Mayor, and Why He Still Matters” by Terry Golway.
Continue reading “I Never Did Like Politics”

Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country by Adam Kinzinger

Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country by Adam Kinzinger

Posted on by Jack

After the shock of the January 6, 2021 insurrection (https://www.jackreidy.com/blog/2021/07/02/insurrection-based-on-a-lie/ and https://www.jackreidy.com/blog/2021/12/06/a-national-disgrace-or-6/), I followed the news about it closely. I was very impressed by the 2 Republicans who sacrificed their positions in the Republican party and ultimately their seats in Congress to serve on the committee investigating this.
Continue reading “Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country by Adam Kinzinger”

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

Posted on by Jack

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick is a very good book. Some people are extremely tight with money (tightwads) and others spend freely, sometimes excessively (spendthrifts). Others combine these traits in various ways.

I enjoyed Tightwads and Spendthrifts for many reasons. It is a science-based guide to understanding our sometimes complicated relationship with money. Scott Rick is a behavioral scientist and this might make some hesitate to give this book a try. But have no fear, the writing style is very informal and non-judgmental. Not the dry, complex style one might expect. I appreciated his explanation of his methods as well as the discussion of the work of others. I also enjoyed his discussions of the various approaches to understanding our financial decisions.
Continue reading “Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick”

God Save Benedict Arnold by Jack Kelly

God Save Benedict Arnold by Jack Kelly

Posted on by Jack

Benedict Arnold was a hero and General in the American Revolution before he became a traitor late in the war. Why did he do this? Most of us may know little but his treason. This book fills in all those details of what came before the treason and discusses possible reasons why he became a traitor. The full title is God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America’s Most Hated Man.
Continue reading “God Save Benedict Arnold by Jack Kelly”