Category Archives: Uncategorized

Eve in Hollywood, by Amor Towles

Why this book: I saw this book pop up as an opportunity after I had read and enjoyed Towles’ books Rules of Civility,  Lincoln Highway and Gentleman in Moscow.  Eve was a most interesting character in Rules of Civility who, … Continue reading

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Einstein – His Life and Universe, by Walter Isaacson

Why this book: I’ve read and been impressed with three other biographies by Walter Isaacson, Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk.  Like everyone else, I’d heard of Einstein, but didn’t know much about him other than E=MC-squared.  I listened … Continue reading

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The Whiskey Row Fire of 1900, by Bradley G. Courtney

Why this book: I spend a week or so several times a year in Prescott Arizona where I inherited a vacation home from my parents. Prescott has a fascinating history for someone interested in the Old West, and while there, … Continue reading

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The Life & Death of St Kilda, by Tom Steel

Why this book;  I had read this book over 30 years ago and recall being moved and finding the story fascinating.  On my recent trip to the Inner Hebrides  with my son, my interest in this remote island, nearly 100 miles … Continue reading

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Calum’s Road, by Roger Hutchinson

Why this book:  I was recently on a bike ride with my son Brad in Scotland and we rode on the Island of Raasay, and rode all the way out to Calum’s Road.  I heard the story from our guide, … Continue reading

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The Wager – a tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder, by David Grann

Why this book: Sent to me by my brother who’d read it and thought I’d like it. He was right.  It was on the NYT best seller list right after it was published in 2023. Summary in 5 sentences:  In … Continue reading

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James, by Percival Everett

Why this book: I recently listened to a great audible version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and was recently reading strong reviews of this revised version of the well known Mark Twain novel. Summary in 3 Sentences  This is … Continue reading

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The Sardinian Brigade, by Emilio Lussu

Why this book: I have hiked in the Dolomites of Northern Italy and visited sites of WW1 Battles between the Italians and the Austrians, and twice visited a museum dedicated to these battles. I have also read other books on … Continue reading

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Wide Wide Wide Sea – Fateful Final Voyage of Capt James Cook, by Hampton Sides

Why this book: Selected by my literature reading group. Also I’d read three others of Hampton Sides’ historical narratives, and all were great (Blood and Thunder, Kingdom of Ice, and Ghost Soldiers.).   Summary in 3 Sentences: The book begins with … Continue reading

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The End – a Novel, by Fernanda Torres

Why this book:  Strongly recommended by my friend Janar to our literature reading group. Not selected by the others, but based on his recommendation, I wanted to read it. Summary in 3 Sentences: This novel looks at the ends of … Continue reading

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