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Review Date: 10/7/2010
Helpful Score: 2
This book really changed my views about the behavior of the Japanese troops during WWII. I've read about and met survivors of the Bataan Death March. I've read about the atrocities in China, the Phillipines and in Thailand and could not imagine what had driven their sadistic behavior. Bradley makes a convincing case justifying these attitudes tracing back to Perry and his landing in Japan. He tells how the American (Christian) treatment of the Indians reinforced the Japanese idea of sub-humans and justified purging the natives of conquered armies and countries. He tells about the brutality of the Japanese NCOs and officers towards their own troops. He tells of the brutality of LeMay's firebombing of the cities in Japan. He also shows the character of the elder George Bush. He tells of some extremely kind actions and in the end I learn I have to get over it - that was then and this is now. If the participants can put aside their bitterness we need to do it as well.
A great history story but also a great story of the triumph of the human spirit. A real change agent and I'm very glad I read it.
A great history story but also a great story of the triumph of the human spirit. A real change agent and I'm very glad I read it.
The Mystery of Skara Brae: Neolithic Scotland and the Origins of Ancient Egypt
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Review Date: 1/27/2021
There's nothing here!
No question about it, there are a lot of mysteries around Skara Brae as there are around the paleolithic people who inhabited the Orkney Islands 5,000 years ago. I've been there, traipsed around Skara Brae as well as the other well known and nearby Stones of Stenness, Ness of Brodgar, the Ring of Brodga, the Maes Howe tomb and others. I really wish this book delved into them. Instead of serious reflection it offers only a very confused stream of consciousness-like tale purporting to link Skara Brae with an obscure ethnic group in Africa and something in pre-historic Egypt. To say this makes no sense whatsoever is to understate the obvious. The added footnotes and bibliography imply this is a serious academic study. It is not. It is a fraud. Writing a lot of nonsense words in a sentence does not make it worthy. Putting a whole bunch of this in one place makes even less sense. I guess in this day when we hear and accept so much nonsense through the internet and news media that it follows our literature should also indulge in fantasy. I was conned into buying the book, by the title alone. Please, do yourself a favor and do not follow my lead. Let my experience save you some money. Just Google Orkney Archaeology and you will be amazed by the mysteries of this most glorious place. It's absolutely fascinating which is more than I can say for this book. By the way, this is not cosmology as the word is understood in the scientific world. I am a cosmologist and the study described in the book is nothing even closely related.
No question about it, there are a lot of mysteries around Skara Brae as there are around the paleolithic people who inhabited the Orkney Islands 5,000 years ago. I've been there, traipsed around Skara Brae as well as the other well known and nearby Stones of Stenness, Ness of Brodgar, the Ring of Brodga, the Maes Howe tomb and others. I really wish this book delved into them. Instead of serious reflection it offers only a very confused stream of consciousness-like tale purporting to link Skara Brae with an obscure ethnic group in Africa and something in pre-historic Egypt. To say this makes no sense whatsoever is to understate the obvious. The added footnotes and bibliography imply this is a serious academic study. It is not. It is a fraud. Writing a lot of nonsense words in a sentence does not make it worthy. Putting a whole bunch of this in one place makes even less sense. I guess in this day when we hear and accept so much nonsense through the internet and news media that it follows our literature should also indulge in fantasy. I was conned into buying the book, by the title alone. Please, do yourself a favor and do not follow my lead. Let my experience save you some money. Just Google Orkney Archaeology and you will be amazed by the mysteries of this most glorious place. It's absolutely fascinating which is more than I can say for this book. By the way, this is not cosmology as the word is understood in the scientific world. I am a cosmologist and the study described in the book is nothing even closely related.
The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
8
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
8
Review Date: 3/5/2012
This is a reasonably interesting book for anyone who has ever wondered where champagne comes from and why we pay such a premium for it. The book tells a reasonably comprehensive story of the early days of the Cliquot brand and the woman who built it up. The author attempts to make the main characters come alive by creating scenes and discussions that may or may not have happened. Some of the scenes described could not have happened but they are not critical to the overall story. All in all, a fairly well told story of a strong woman who founded a dynasty.
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