Summer is dunzo. Bummer. I didn’t do much this summer besides sleep and read. Here are my book reviews, they’re short and to the point.
Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
A great read by an author who is becoming one of my favorites. The book examines the legacy of the American Civil War in today’s South. Combining in depth historical research with poignancy and wit, Horwitz’s book is a must for the shelf of any history buff. Much like another book of his, A Voyage Long and Strange, the research was conducted first hand throughout the region. This spices the book up a little as it adds a travel theme to the stew. The narrative is easy to follow yet smart.
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
A classic. I guess I was on somewhat of a Civil War Kick. This time though, the work is fiction. Also, Crane chooses to place his protagonist, Henry Fleming, in a Union uniform. The book written in a flowery, beautiful, 19th century prose. I even took my pen out and scribbled, underlined, and bracketed sentences and passages that just oozed of descriptive goodness. Much of the book focuses on Fleming’s thoughts and emotions throughout days on the front. A reader witnesses Fleming go through stages of paralyzing fear, jubilation, anxiety, guilt, and a number of other emotions. Crane was only 24 upon the book’s publication.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Another classic. The only thing I can say about this book is READ IT. It’s about 100 pages, and packs a serious punch. Do yourself a favor and read this.
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins
If I could give this book a sub-title it would be: The Way the World Really Works. In this memoir, Perkins discusses his days as an Economic Hit Man (EHM). The role of the EHM was to, essentially, saddle a country with so much debt that they would never be able to repay it. As a result, the lender organizations and countries enjoyed political, military, and economic cooperation from those debt-ridden states. Now, that is a bastardized and over-simplified summary, but you get the idea. This book truly helps you to understand the word globalization. The book can paint a pretty dreary image of the world and the United States, and at times can get gritty–not for the idealistic or faint of heart. If you’re interested in US foreign policy, or international policy over the last 50 years, this is a must read.
Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan
This was my summer reading assignment–yes, I have summer reading in college. The book is a collection of 5 short stories, all told from the perspective of children living in Africa. From a Muslim killed by Christians amidst religious violence, to an Uncle selling his niece and nephew into child slavery, this book covers the spectrum of hardships many African children face today. But through it all, I think there is some strand of hopefulness. The stories are all together moving, sad, and inspiring.
