I have mixed feelings about this. Most of it was actually pretty delightful to read. I struggled a bit with some of the stereotypes portrayed3.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this. Most of it was actually pretty delightful to read. I struggled a bit with some of the stereotypes portrayed in the book. I know it was written like 150 years ago, but with where I am in education, trying to teach students that certain things are not okay, it's so engrained in me that it's hard to completely overlook.
I had wondered when I was reading it if Jules Verne had tried the trip. I realized when Fogg got to Utah that he hadn't. There were some things in there that weren't really possible the way he described them. I also got really frustrated at the end, although the last chapter was kind of fun.
I waffled with how many stars to give this. The story itself was really interesting, but the storytelling felt a little wonky to me. There were a lot I waffled with how many stars to give this. The story itself was really interesting, but the storytelling felt a little wonky to me. There were a lot of places where there were unnecessary details (like, why do I care about a pilot going to the bathroom on a tarmac), and some things that were a little confusing (like flipping back and forth between calling Powers Gary and Frank). It also jumped around a bit, which also made it hard to follow.
I haven't seen the movie, but I think I would like to after enough time has passed that I won't be comparing every nitty gritty detail of the two.
I was impressed with Whittell's research, and I was amazed at how many of the people involved he was actually able to interview.
In a lot of ways what John Bytheway talks about in this book could be considered pretty basic. However, just because something is basic, does4.5 stars
In a lot of ways what John Bytheway talks about in this book could be considered pretty basic. However, just because something is basic, doesn't mean it is not worthwhile.
I have been listening to the news over the last week or so, and I have been troubled, to say the least. I heard reference to this book on the Follow Him podcast and figured it was something I could use now. I liked his likening sections and there were some good takeaways. I especially needed the reminder to not let things of the world weigh me down. Instead look to Christ. I know it's there. I love it in the Book of Mormon every time I read it, but the reminder was very timely for me.
I will be adding some of what he said to my scriptures....more
I had the chance to visit Normandy this summer. In my research before I went, I found that when they have D-Day anniversary celebrations, they invite I had the chance to visit Normandy this summer. In my research before I went, I found that when they have D-Day anniversary celebrations, they invite the German soldiers as well. We also went to the German cemetery there. So, when I realized I had bought this book several years ago, it made its higher on my reading list. As a history teacher, one of the things I talk to my students about is, "History is written by the victors" (attributed to Winston Churchill). It is good to get different perspectives on events.
This was a fascinating read but also a very difficult one. I would say the soldiers didn't pull any punches about the carnage they saw, but maybe they did and more's the horror. I cannot begin to imagine being in the situations they were in. I cannot begin to imagine the psychological toll it would take on someone to witness that -- let alone participate in it.
This book was a good reminder that the men who were participating on both sides were not the ones responsible for the war. There were horrible things done by both sides. And to say war is tragic is a drastic understatement. I'm surprised that anyone could come home from war without PTSD. There were also some very interesting things in here about what the German soldiers believed about the war. The ones who were interviewed talked about "defending France" or "defending a United Europe". I liked the postscript and the way Eckhertz summed up the interviews.
While I don't think this is something a history teacher could require students in high school to read -- some of it would be too disturbing for sensitive students -- it is something I think teachers should at least try to read to be able to better help their students understand the war....more
I waffled between two and three stars, and my first inclination was to go with three. However, as I mentally started writing my review, I realized thaI waffled between two and three stars, and my first inclination was to go with three. However, as I mentally started writing my review, I realized that event though there were parts of it I enjoyed, there was SO much more that I didn't like, so I decided to go with 2.
This series is definitely not romance, but as in a lot of series, there are relationships. In this book, the relationship between Wolf and Santi was much more pronounced. I didn't love it in the other books, but I dealt with it when it was subtle and in the background. In this one, it was pretty overt. I also didn't like that Jess and Morgan ended up sleeping together in this book. It was totally, 100%, off screen -- not a bit of description at all, but they are teenagers. I realize that my values are different from most of the world, but I still didn't like it.
This book felt...unnecessary. I couldn't figure out the point of it. Getting where they got in the end could have been done without the detour to Pennsylvania. I REALLY struggled at the beginning. I could understand the desire not to be part of the burners -- a group they called a terrorist organization. However, I could not remotely understand their loyalty to the library -- still believing in the ideals of the library even though the people running it were corrupt. As a history person, it felt way too much like loyalty to Hitler's ideals even though he was evil personified. I'm sure that's not what Caine was going for, but that's still how it felt to me.
I didn't like the direction she took with Morgan.
I didn't like the deceit and back-stabbing among "friends". If there's going to be a group trying to take down a corrupt government, I would rather have them be cohesive and not plotting behind each other's backs "for their own good".
When I finished the book, I asked myself if I cared enough to finish out the series. Then I realized that I just felt icky when I finished this one. Why would I want to finish a series that makes me feel worse instead of better? So...I guess there's a chance I will finish it, but probably not....more
This one was okay. It was a little darker in some ways than some of the other books. There were some elements in it that were definitely not in line wThis one was okay. It was a little darker in some ways than some of the other books. There were some elements in it that were definitely not in line with my personal standards, although it wouldn't bother most people. And, it was still clean -- Definitely PG. It was mostly just the moderate darkness of it that I didn't love. (And the name of one of the ghosts in the book just before this miraculously changed. I do get a little bugged over small details like that, but it is a bit petty.)
I did like the end after the murder was all wrapped up.
I'm not entirely sure where I got this book. I'm guessing it had to have been something I got from another teacher. There were some things that frustrI'm not entirely sure where I got this book. I'm guessing it had to have been something I got from another teacher. There were some things that frustrated me a little bit. First, in the introduction, it said that each chapter starts with a hypothetical situation. And yet, there were two of them -- Dred Scott and Plessy v. Ferguson that were real situations. That could be a little confusing for a student. The other thing was that I wished I had a teacher's edition of the book. I was curious about the results of some of the cases -- and some of them I looked up, but I didn't have time to look them all up. I do think I can use some of these in my classes. This is something that I would recommend for teachers, and I guess possibly an average person who wants to learn about some critical court cases in this country. I would just caution that person to make sure they have time to look up the rulings. :)...more
Hmmmm...mixed feelings. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars.
What I didn't like:
Em was just a little too perfect. She accepted the whole magic thing with Hmmmm...mixed feelings. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars.
What I didn't like:
Em was just a little too perfect. She accepted the whole magic thing with way too much aplomb. And at the end, her reactions just didn't seem -- normal.
While it wasn't the classic "you lied to me" romantic trope, it was similar enough that I struggled with it.
I'm not a fan of the whole insta-love thing.
What I liked:
This was totally clean. I don't remember a single swear word -- she even used "heck". (I guess maybe there might have been one, but if it was there, I missed it.) I don't even remember any innuendos. I love that!
I thought the take on Shadowvale and why the town was the way it was was pretty interesting. I really look forward to seeing that part of the story develop.
So, basically, I liked it well enough to continue with the series, but at least for now, it isn't going on my list of favorite series....more
Overall, this was a pretty good installment. There are things about these books that I wish were different, but that has a lot to do with my personal Overall, this was a pretty good installment. There are things about these books that I wish were different, but that has a lot to do with my personal values. Most people in the world will be fine with them. (I do have to say -- Aunt Ve is probably my least favorite character. She would do well on the Golden Girls...) There is certainly nothing graphic. The books are basically PG. If you can consider a murder PG. Then again, it does make me pause to think about the whole "cozy mystery" genre -- is there really anything cozy about a murder? :) :)
The killer in this one did catch me off guard. I didn't suspect that person. However, I'm pretty sure I have figured out who the Elder is. There were some pretty strong giveaways in this book. I look forward to finding out if I'm right....more
Loading...
