This is a well-written, engaging, and extensively researched book. The author based much of the work on oral testimonies she collected over many yearsThis is a well-written, engaging, and extensively researched book. The author based much of the work on oral testimonies she collected over many years of interviews in Clinton, along with traditional archival sources. The book shines light on a lesser known attempt at desegregation that makes Little Rock seem mild. When the author uses the word "explosive" in the title, she means that both figuratively and literally. The amount of physical violence employed by white residents of Clinton to prevent black children from attending Clinton High School is shocking and disturbing. The vast majority of the book is focused on the events in Clinton, though the author weaves in some coverage of larger events to set the context. This is not a fun read and is not a celebration of a Civil Rights success, as is often the case when books cover this period in history, but rather the author makes clear that efforts at desegregation were only temporarily successful at best and true integration has never been achieved. Some studies have shown that schools are more segregated in recent decades than they were in the late 1960s. This book may make you angry and disgusted, but I think it is important information in understanding our past and the current situations we face....more
A little anthology of engaging and clever short stories. Some had a twist that I didn't expect, others were more predictable, but they were all an enjA little anthology of engaging and clever short stories. Some had a twist that I didn't expect, others were more predictable, but they were all an enjoyable read....more
This book is very dense and almost entirely focused on political changes, major military battles, and the like. BUT considering that it covers everythThis book is very dense and almost entirely focused on political changes, major military battles, and the like. BUT considering that it covers everything from ancient times with observations by Herodotus to recent events in the 2020s, it is necessary to have such a narrow focus. Still, I think it might be a bit too detailed and lengthy for the average person interested in Ukraine. It's easy to get lost in the overwhelming number of details, people and city names, and political groups. Some of the terminology might also be off-putting for the general reader. But overall, if you're serious about learning Ukrainian history, this is a well-written informative book....more
I wasn't expecting a lot. This book isn't for historians or anyone wanting deep understanding. But it's a good light read and I learned some interestiI wasn't expecting a lot. This book isn't for historians or anyone wanting deep understanding. But it's a good light read and I learned some interesting things. it definitely seems to lean into the "Great Man Theory" view of things in which people and their ideas drive history, rather than people being driven by larger forces....more
The idea of looking at the history of pockets seemed intriguing, but after finishing the book, I can't help but wonder what I really learned. I'm not The idea of looking at the history of pockets seemed intriguing, but after finishing the book, I can't help but wonder what I really learned. I'm not sure if it's the way it was written or it's organization, but I'm left wondering what the overall argument(s) or points the author was trying to make. Also, I think so much of the history of pockets is shrouded in mystery because it's something we just don't have much documentation on, so there was a lot of speculation. This speculation continued in the chapters on the 20th century, but in a different way when dealing with modern fashion design interpretation. Ugh... Overall, it WAS an interesting read, and I did enjoy it, but I just wish it had been written in a way that made the main ideas and points more clear and memorable....more
Like many apologetics books, one has to keep in mind that atheists and other skeptics are not likely to accept the arguments presented in the book. BuLike many apologetics books, one has to keep in mind that atheists and other skeptics are not likely to accept the arguments presented in the book. But if you are a Christian who sometimes struggles to understand the Old Testament as a 21st century post-Enlightenment westerner, I think this book is quite helpful. I found the author's arguments to be compelling, though some may not have been totally convincing. The author has a strong understanding of the Old Testament and its current scholarship as well as the current atheist/theist philosophy discussions in the popular realm. The book is also written in a "regular" non-academic way that general audiences will appreciate. Some areas such as the medieval and Islamic discussions seemed a little more thin and less nuanced. But these discussions were relegated to the last few chapters, which were very short. Overall, I really appreciate the insight this author provides in this book and would not be opposed to exploring his other works in the future. ...more
If you are looking for a book that will help you to understand the Haitian Revolution better (which I was) or even a comparative history for Cuba and If you are looking for a book that will help you to understand the Haitian Revolution better (which I was) or even a comparative history for Cuba and Haiti during the Age of Revolution, this is probably not the book you are looking for. The subtitle of this book is quite deceptive in that regard. The book is really a deep dive into the perceptions that Cubans had of the Haitian Revolution and how the Haitian Revolution influenced the events in Cuba during the 1790s through the 1810s. The author is a Cuban historian primarily, and although some of the events in Haiti are covered in depth, the perspective is from the Cuban or more generally the Spanish side of things. The other warning is that the book is mainly for Cuban or Caribbean specialists. It is very dense and focuses on historiographical minutia that a general audience would not likely find interesting or helpful. So while I did learn a good deal from this book and it is well written and organized, it is not what I was expecting based on the title and the descriptions of it and it could have better been featured as an article or two in a historical journal. ...more
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