Anytime we’re asked to list them, Nelson Mandela is inevitably numbered as one of history’s greatest political leaders. But like many of my contemporaries who were still children when apartheid fell, most of what I know about Mandela comes from films like 2009’s Invictus, or 2013’s Mandela. I love a good primary source, so this…
Tag: non-fiction
Review: Smile at Strangers
Susan Schorn began taking karate in order to conquer her temper and anxiety; along the way, she discovered that her studies were bleeding into her personal and professional life. Smile at Strangers: And Other Lessons in the Art of Living Fearlessly is an exploration of how discovering a way to empower one part of your…
The Worst Time to Fail at Editing
A couple months into my tenure as a government employee, it occurred to me that I’d never read America’s Constitution. I know the preamble (Schoolhouse Rock version, anyone?), but it feels like of un-American to not read the whole document at least once. So I picked up The Constitution of the United States of America:…
Review: Shopping, Seduction & Mr. Selfridge
Humanity has been trading money for goods and services for centuries, but the shopping experience we know today can be attributed directly to one man: Harry Gordon Selfridge. Selfridge began as a stock boy at the legendary Marshall Field, and over 25 years climbed the ranks to junior partner. His creative marketing efforts put Chicago…
The Long Drive: Recent Audiobook Reads
I’m nearly over the shell shock of new job and new town, but the only thing keeping me from snapping like a twig during my work commute is the blessing of audiobooks. I’ve had some time to explore my new local library system, and now have a healthy list of “aural reads” to keep me…