When Hitler began his invasion of Western Europe in May 1940, Franklin Roosevelt faced a dilemma. He was part-way through his second term as President, and his New Deal was only beginning to benefit a country trying to claw its way out of the Great Depression. America’s military was at its smallest and least prepared…
Tag: non-fiction november
Review: The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England
It’s common knowledge that if you want to learn about a foreign country, the first thing to do is invest in a guide book. And thanks to author Ian Mortimer, the same can be said of foreign times. The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England is perfect for those intending to visit 14th century England….
Review: Below Stairs
Margaret Powell didn’t finish her education until she was nearly 60 because she spent the end of her childhood and many years thereafter as a kitchen maid and cook. She scrubbed floors and vegetables, washed dishes and ironed bootlaces, and worked from before sunup until long after sundown. Originally published in 1968 and republished again…
Review – Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Feeling overworked is a common complaint amongst Americans. We spend more time at our desks than anyone else, yet most of us come home at the end of the day feeling like we didn’t really get much done. Greg McKeown’s Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less is not another “productivity hacks” book; instead, it’s a…
Review: Nisa: The Life & Words of a !Kung Woman
Anthropologist Marjorie Shostak met Nisa in 1971 at the tail-end of a 20-month field stay in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. Shostak knew a little about the !Kung prior to her journey, but felt that a large portion of their culture remained unknown. How did they feel about themselves, their childhoods, their parents? Did spouses love one…