Total Books Read in 2009 = 54
Total Pages Read in 2009 = 16,681
Average # of Pages Per Book = 309
Average # of Pages Read Per Day = 46
Also see the post on my favorite books of 2009.
If you've enjoyed this blog perhaps you'll like my 2010 blog on the one new thing I learned in each of the 365 days in 2010.
Book 54
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Type: Fiction
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I picked this book up because Joe Hill is Stephen King's son and is this was Hill's first novel.
What I liked about it: Others at Amazon.com posted that this was an "action-packed, face-paced" book. I found it to be neither. In fact, it crossed my mind at one point to just stop reading it. I'm not so sure this book would have been published if Joe Hill didn't have a famous dad.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 2 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I picked this book up because Joe Hill is Stephen King's son and is this was Hill's first novel.
What I liked about it: Others at Amazon.com posted that this was an "action-packed, face-paced" book. I found it to be neither. In fact, it crossed my mind at one point to just stop reading it. I'm not so sure this book would have been published if Joe Hill didn't have a famous dad.
My Favorite Books of 2009
A good friend recently asked me what my favorite books of 2009 were so here is a summary of my Top 5 books in both Fiction and Nonfiction categories:
Fiction
1. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
2. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
3. The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond
4. Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer
5. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Nonfiction
1. Meltdown by Thomas E. Woods
2. End the Fed by Ron Paul
3. Crash Proof by Peter Schiff
4. The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin
5. The Law by Frederic Bastiat
Fiction
1. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
2. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
3. The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond
4. Hominids by Robert J. Sawyer
5. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Nonfiction
1. Meltdown by Thomas E. Woods
2. End the Fed by Ron Paul
3. Crash Proof by Peter Schiff
4. The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin
5. The Law by Frederic Bastiat
Book 53
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Type: Fiction
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This is Dan Brown's latest novel since The Da Vinci Code. It was widely hyped with an initial first printing of 6.5 million copies.
What I liked about it: If you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, you may enjoy this one as much, or more. The story and its mysteries are centered in Washington D.C. with more than a few references to our founding fathers. This was definitely a page-turner for me and it did not sit idly on my night stand very long without me finding ways to pick it up and find out what was going to happen next.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This is Dan Brown's latest novel since The Da Vinci Code. It was widely hyped with an initial first printing of 6.5 million copies.
What I liked about it: If you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, you may enjoy this one as much, or more. The story and its mysteries are centered in Washington D.C. with more than a few references to our founding fathers. This was definitely a page-turner for me and it did not sit idly on my night stand very long without me finding ways to pick it up and find out what was going to happen next.
Book 52
1776 by David McCullough
Type: Nonfiction, History
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I thought this was an appropriate book to end my year's goal to read 52 books in 52 weeks. With all the news this year about government bailouts, massive deficit spending, inflation of the money supply and extremely high levels of unemployment, I found it fitting to step back in time to when our founding fathers declared independence from a tyrannical and oppressive government and then had to fight for their liberty.
What I liked about it: The American Revolutionary War took place over the nine-year period from 1775-1783. This book focuses on the important battles and events that took place only in 1776. During 1776, the war geographically took place in Boston, New York City, northern New Jersey and included Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware into Pennsylvania. Although history never much appealed to me in school, it was a quite refreshing experience to watch as General George Washington attempted to lead an inexperienced and underpaid army against the British redcoats. Overall, it was a good introduction to the Revolutionary War. My next read on this topic will be Angel in the Whirlwind by Benson Bobrick, which is supposed to cover at least some of Washington's harsh winter of 1777-78 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Type: Nonfiction, History
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I thought this was an appropriate book to end my year's goal to read 52 books in 52 weeks. With all the news this year about government bailouts, massive deficit spending, inflation of the money supply and extremely high levels of unemployment, I found it fitting to step back in time to when our founding fathers declared independence from a tyrannical and oppressive government and then had to fight for their liberty.
What I liked about it: The American Revolutionary War took place over the nine-year period from 1775-1783. This book focuses on the important battles and events that took place only in 1776. During 1776, the war geographically took place in Boston, New York City, northern New Jersey and included Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware into Pennsylvania. Although history never much appealed to me in school, it was a quite refreshing experience to watch as General George Washington attempted to lead an inexperienced and underpaid army against the British redcoats. Overall, it was a good introduction to the Revolutionary War. My next read on this topic will be Angel in the Whirlwind by Benson Bobrick, which is supposed to cover at least some of Washington's harsh winter of 1777-78 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Book 51
I.O.U.S.A. One Nation. Under Stress. In Debt. by Addison Wiggin and Kate Incontrera
Type: Nonfiction, Business & Investing
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I first heard about the documentary of the same name. This book was written after the movie was made. I understand the movie was originally based on the book, Empire of Debt by Bill Bonner.
What I liked about it: The book is split into two sections. The first explains the problems that our nation is in. The second is a collection of interviews with various businessmen, government officials, and others who were featured in the movie. The book supposedly expands on the documentary by highlighting America’s four serious deficits: budget, personal savings, trade, and leadership. At the time the book was released in September 2008 the national debt was $9.6 Trillion. Today, just 15 months later, the national debt is $12.0 Trillion. And that does not include the unfunded Medicare and Social Security obligations. If you include those programs, the total national debt stands at over $54 Trillion...and it grows daily.
You can watch a 30-minute summary version of the documentary here.
Type: Nonfiction, Business & Investing
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I first heard about the documentary of the same name. This book was written after the movie was made. I understand the movie was originally based on the book, Empire of Debt by Bill Bonner.
What I liked about it: The book is split into two sections. The first explains the problems that our nation is in. The second is a collection of interviews with various businessmen, government officials, and others who were featured in the movie. The book supposedly expands on the documentary by highlighting America’s four serious deficits: budget, personal savings, trade, and leadership. At the time the book was released in September 2008 the national debt was $9.6 Trillion. Today, just 15 months later, the national debt is $12.0 Trillion. And that does not include the unfunded Medicare and Social Security obligations. If you include those programs, the total national debt stands at over $54 Trillion...and it grows daily.
You can watch a 30-minute summary version of the documentary here.
Book 50
Busted: Life Inside the Great Mortgage Meltdown by Edmund L. Andrews
Type: Nonfiction, Business & Investing
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I am very interested in the current economic crisis and enjoy reading other people's perspective on what they think caused it.
What I liked about it: There are many contributing factors that led to this economic crisis. The author delves into the loose lending standards especially in the area of sub-prime lending, the financial innovations that were used to sell junk mortgages to sophisticated investors, and the rating agencies who assumed that because housing prices historically always went up that they would continue to always go up. What makes this book a bit more entertaining is that the author is an economics reporter for the New York Times and gets himself into financial trouble with his own mortgage.
I was disappointed that the author blamed many different groups of people but did not lay the ultimate blame on the institution that provided the source of the cash to make it all possible -- the Federal Reserve.
If you're a teacher and leave a big bowl of chocolates in the middle of a room full of 1st graders and leave the room for 15 minutes then come back and the kids are bouncing off the walls, you cannot then say "What happened?" That is exactly what Alan Greenspan, the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, said about the busting of the housing bubble.
None of the housing boom could have been possible without the Federal Reserve providing the big bowl of chocolate (i.e. money) for those 1st graders (i.e. lenders/borrowers/investors). There's no doubt that investment bubbles can form from time-to-time. But the bubbles will be limited in size to the amount of money available. The Fed essentially made an unlimited amount of money available following the dot-com bust in 2000 and the events of September 11, 2001 by lowering interbank interest rates to 1% from June 2003 to June 2004. Aside from that one-year period, interest rates in the United States have not been at 1 percent, or below, since 1958.
Imagine the bubble which is now being formed by the Fed lowering interest rates to essentially 0% back in December 2008 and holding it at that level ever since.
Type: Nonfiction, Business & Investing
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I am very interested in the current economic crisis and enjoy reading other people's perspective on what they think caused it.
What I liked about it: There are many contributing factors that led to this economic crisis. The author delves into the loose lending standards especially in the area of sub-prime lending, the financial innovations that were used to sell junk mortgages to sophisticated investors, and the rating agencies who assumed that because housing prices historically always went up that they would continue to always go up. What makes this book a bit more entertaining is that the author is an economics reporter for the New York Times and gets himself into financial trouble with his own mortgage.
I was disappointed that the author blamed many different groups of people but did not lay the ultimate blame on the institution that provided the source of the cash to make it all possible -- the Federal Reserve.
If you're a teacher and leave a big bowl of chocolates in the middle of a room full of 1st graders and leave the room for 15 minutes then come back and the kids are bouncing off the walls, you cannot then say "What happened?" That is exactly what Alan Greenspan, the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, said about the busting of the housing bubble.
None of the housing boom could have been possible without the Federal Reserve providing the big bowl of chocolate (i.e. money) for those 1st graders (i.e. lenders/borrowers/investors). There's no doubt that investment bubbles can form from time-to-time. But the bubbles will be limited in size to the amount of money available. The Fed essentially made an unlimited amount of money available following the dot-com bust in 2000 and the events of September 11, 2001 by lowering interbank interest rates to 1% from June 2003 to June 2004. Aside from that one-year period, interest rates in the United States have not been at 1 percent, or below, since 1958.
Imagine the bubble which is now being formed by the Fed lowering interest rates to essentially 0% back in December 2008 and holding it at that level ever since.
Book 49
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
Type: Nonfiction, Memoir
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was mentioned as an interesting read by one of my friends on Facebook. I like book recommendations.
What I liked about it: Through some delightful storytelling I learned that some common traits of someone with Asperger's are that they:
- lack empathy;
- say things that are true, but that people don't want to hear;
- are usually the class clown;
- study intently and have a tendency to focus on one subject or topic;
- enjoy playing tricks on people including weaving just enough truth into a story to make it seem plausible;
- are very logical thinkers and don't understand other people's point of view when it doesn't make logical sense to them; and
- enjoy altering stories and rhymes to include their own personal spin.
Sounds very much like someone I know ;)
What this book has reinforced for me is that we are all different and special in our own ways. There seems to be two schools of thought on Autism and Asperger's. Some individuals seek a cure and others believe Autism should be tolerated as a difference and not treated as a disorder. John Elder Robison, the author, takes the latter view, at least as it relates to Asperger's. Our minds work in mysterious ways. Sometimes we are given a gift like this author was given to allow the mind to be opened up beyond its conventional way of thinking. It's unfortunate that when something special like that happens, the normal thinkers make fun of, and ridicule, the person for not being more like them.
Type: Nonfiction, Memoir
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This book was mentioned as an interesting read by one of my friends on Facebook. I like book recommendations.
What I liked about it: Through some delightful storytelling I learned that some common traits of someone with Asperger's are that they:
- lack empathy;
- say things that are true, but that people don't want to hear;
- are usually the class clown;
- study intently and have a tendency to focus on one subject or topic;
- enjoy playing tricks on people including weaving just enough truth into a story to make it seem plausible;
- are very logical thinkers and don't understand other people's point of view when it doesn't make logical sense to them; and
- enjoy altering stories and rhymes to include their own personal spin.
Sounds very much like someone I know ;)
What this book has reinforced for me is that we are all different and special in our own ways. There seems to be two schools of thought on Autism and Asperger's. Some individuals seek a cure and others believe Autism should be tolerated as a difference and not treated as a disorder. John Elder Robison, the author, takes the latter view, at least as it relates to Asperger's. Our minds work in mysterious ways. Sometimes we are given a gift like this author was given to allow the mind to be opened up beyond its conventional way of thinking. It's unfortunate that when something special like that happens, the normal thinkers make fun of, and ridicule, the person for not being more like them.
Book 48
WWW:Wake by Robert J. Sawyer
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Robert J. Sawyer is one of my favorite science fiction writers. He is the author of Flashforward (5-stars), the novel upon which the new ABC series of the same name is based. This is his latest novel and the first installment in the WWW trilogy.
What I liked about it: This novel explores an intriguing concept: What if the World Wide Web had a consciousness of its own? What if this artificial intelligence had an unlimited capacity to learn? The reason I didn't love this novel and rated it only a 3-star is that there were a few interesting side stories but those stories were left open-ended with some unanswered questions. Perhaps this was by design and this first installment merely sets up the characters and story lines which will be explored in subsequent chapters. We shall see.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: Robert J. Sawyer is one of my favorite science fiction writers. He is the author of Flashforward (5-stars), the novel upon which the new ABC series of the same name is based. This is his latest novel and the first installment in the WWW trilogy.
What I liked about it: This novel explores an intriguing concept: What if the World Wide Web had a consciousness of its own? What if this artificial intelligence had an unlimited capacity to learn? The reason I didn't love this novel and rated it only a 3-star is that there were a few interesting side stories but those stories were left open-ended with some unanswered questions. Perhaps this was by design and this first installment merely sets up the characters and story lines which will be explored in subsequent chapters. We shall see.
Book 47
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I don't recall what prompted me to get this book but I got it through PaperBackSwap.com which I highly recommend to anyone who loves to read. For the cost of shipping a book to someone else (using Media Mail about $3) you can get a book shipped to you from another PBS member. I have completed over 100 swaps and 9.5 out of 10 books that I received were in "like new" condition.
What I liked about it: This book was written almost 50 years ago but could have taken place yesterday. The main characters in the book are living life in suburbia and experiencing the monotonous routine that affects so many. I often say that the hardest part of life is trying not to be bored. Unfortunately, I found myself bored somewhat while reading this book. I would not, however, discourage anyone from taking a read. I think that the overly descriptive narration, although not appealing to me, is something that gives this book its fairly high rating on Amazon.
This book was made into a movie in 2008 starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. While I haven't seen the movie I think the film adaptation of the book could be a pretty good one.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I don't recall what prompted me to get this book but I got it through PaperBackSwap.com which I highly recommend to anyone who loves to read. For the cost of shipping a book to someone else (using Media Mail about $3) you can get a book shipped to you from another PBS member. I have completed over 100 swaps and 9.5 out of 10 books that I received were in "like new" condition.
What I liked about it: This book was written almost 50 years ago but could have taken place yesterday. The main characters in the book are living life in suburbia and experiencing the monotonous routine that affects so many. I often say that the hardest part of life is trying not to be bored. Unfortunately, I found myself bored somewhat while reading this book. I would not, however, discourage anyone from taking a read. I think that the overly descriptive narration, although not appealing to me, is something that gives this book its fairly high rating on Amazon.
This book was made into a movie in 2008 starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. While I haven't seen the movie I think the film adaptation of the book could be a pretty good one.
Book 46
Crash Proof by Peter D. Schiff
Type: Nonfiction, Business & Investing
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I originally planned to give this book to a friend for his birthday. Then I did not see my friend for several months. Then I heard Peter Schiff speak in Valley Forge at a Campaign for Liberty conference. Then I had Peter sign the book. Then I read it.
What I liked about it: This book was written in 2006 and published in early 2007. Just like the YouTube videos called "Peter Schiff Was Right" this book also predicted the housing market collapse and the current economic downturn.
This book explains why sound money is essential and why all fiat (paper) currencies destruct over time. Peter uses lots of real world analogies to simplify economic and business principles to make them very easy to understand. There are fantastic chapters on the origin and function of money, inflation, the real estate bubble, and ways to protect yourself from a stock market or dollar collapse.
I have added this to my "Required Reading List" on understanding the current economic collapse, which also includes Meltdown by Thomas E. Woods and End The Fed by Ron Paul.
Peter Schiff is the President of Euro Pacific Capital and has never been in politics. He has been encouraged to, and has decided to run for Senate in Connecticut. Peter is the type of person we need to replace almost all those currently sitting in Congress.
Note: A second edition of this book was released in September 2009 called Crash Proof 2.0.
Type: Nonfiction, Business & Investing
My rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I originally planned to give this book to a friend for his birthday. Then I did not see my friend for several months. Then I heard Peter Schiff speak in Valley Forge at a Campaign for Liberty conference. Then I had Peter sign the book. Then I read it.
What I liked about it: This book was written in 2006 and published in early 2007. Just like the YouTube videos called "Peter Schiff Was Right" this book also predicted the housing market collapse and the current economic downturn.
This book explains why sound money is essential and why all fiat (paper) currencies destruct over time. Peter uses lots of real world analogies to simplify economic and business principles to make them very easy to understand. There are fantastic chapters on the origin and function of money, inflation, the real estate bubble, and ways to protect yourself from a stock market or dollar collapse.
I have added this to my "Required Reading List" on understanding the current economic collapse, which also includes Meltdown by Thomas E. Woods and End The Fed by Ron Paul.
Peter Schiff is the President of Euro Pacific Capital and has never been in politics. He has been encouraged to, and has decided to run for Senate in Connecticut. Peter is the type of person we need to replace almost all those currently sitting in Congress.
Note: A second edition of this book was released in September 2009 called Crash Proof 2.0.
Book 45
One in a Million by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Type: Fiction
My rating: 1 star (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I heard the author talking about this book on XM's Book Radio. It sounded interesting.
What I liked about it: I hesitated to spend any time whatsoever writing about this book. It was a piece of garbage. Very bad dialogue between the characters. "Do you want to walk into the kitchen and eat a cookie with a glass of tea with me?" The plot was so weak my six-year old could have come up with it. Don't waste another second on it.
Type: Fiction
My rating: 1 star (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I heard the author talking about this book on XM's Book Radio. It sounded interesting.
What I liked about it: I hesitated to spend any time whatsoever writing about this book. It was a piece of garbage. Very bad dialogue between the characters. "Do you want to walk into the kitchen and eat a cookie with a glass of tea with me?" The plot was so weak my six-year old could have come up with it. Don't waste another second on it.
Book 44
The Law by Frederic Bastiat
Type: Nonfiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I came across this book in passing a few times, but I directly became aware of its significance while recently attending a conference which included speeches by Congressman Ron Paul (author of End the Fed) and Thomas E. Woods (author of Meltdown).
What I liked about it: Written in 1850, this is one of the quintessential books on the principles of liberty and freedom. Many of Bastiat's parables are still used today. The best "take-away" from this book is the super-simple way Bastiat describes what would, or would not, be an acceptable law. He writes:
And he writes:
Therefore, if an individual has no right to steal money from his neighbor then a law cannot be imposed which would take money from an individual, for example, via taxation. If an individual cannot compel another to purchase health insurance, then a law cannot compel an individual to buy it either.
Bastiat defined liberty in the following manner:
Bastiat says that,
He goes on to say that,
My favorite passage from the book was, "When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law." Think of a person who believes that life begins at conception and believes that abortion is morally wrong. Now read that quote again. That's a powerful statement.
This is a truly remarkable book which would serve us extremely well if we applied its principles in today's environment. Bastiat's version of what would be acceptable law would not include taxpayer-funded bailouts; requiring citizen to buy health insurance or be fined; and most certainly would not include mandatory H1N1 flu vaccinations.
Type: Nonfiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I came across this book in passing a few times, but I directly became aware of its significance while recently attending a conference which included speeches by Congressman Ron Paul (author of End the Fed) and Thomas E. Woods (author of Meltdown).
What I liked about it: Written in 1850, this is one of the quintessential books on the principles of liberty and freedom. Many of Bastiat's parables are still used today. The best "take-away" from this book is the super-simple way Bastiat describes what would, or would not, be an acceptable law. He writes:
"If the very purpose of law is the protection of individual rights, then law may not be used - without contradiction - to accomplish what individuals have no right to do."
And he writes:
"See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime."
Therefore, if an individual has no right to steal money from his neighbor then a law cannot be imposed which would take money from an individual, for example, via taxation. If an individual cannot compel another to purchase health insurance, then a law cannot compel an individual to buy it either.
Bastiat defined liberty in the following manner:
"In short, is not liberty the freedom of every person to make full use of his faculties, so long as he does not harm other persons while doing so?"
Bastiat says that,
"the purpose of government is precisely to secure individuals in their rights to life, liberty, and property."
He goes on to say that,
"Life, liberty and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place."
My favorite passage from the book was, "When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law." Think of a person who believes that life begins at conception and believes that abortion is morally wrong. Now read that quote again. That's a powerful statement.
This is a truly remarkable book which would serve us extremely well if we applied its principles in today's environment. Bastiat's version of what would be acceptable law would not include taxpayer-funded bailouts; requiring citizen to buy health insurance or be fined; and most certainly would not include mandatory H1N1 flu vaccinations.
Book 43
Night by Elie Wiesel
Type: Memoir
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This story about a survivor from the Holocaust caught my eye and has been on my bookshelf for some time. I recently met a young student who had to read the book as part of an English assignment in high school. That interaction caused me to pick it up and read it.
What I liked about it: This is a very sad story told from the perspective of a 15-year old on being taken from his home along with his family to concentration camps. The boy questions how God could allow such monstrous events to happen. I am saddened that such atrocities could happen and that humans could possibly cause so much harm to other humans.
Type: Memoir
My rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: This story about a survivor from the Holocaust caught my eye and has been on my bookshelf for some time. I recently met a young student who had to read the book as part of an English assignment in high school. That interaction caused me to pick it up and read it.
What I liked about it: This is a very sad story told from the perspective of a 15-year old on being taken from his home along with his family to concentration camps. The boy questions how God could allow such monstrous events to happen. I am saddened that such atrocities could happen and that humans could possibly cause so much harm to other humans.
Book 42
The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen
Type: Fiction, Historical Fiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I thought the premise of this book and its setting amid the 1918 Spanish influenza was a very timely topic given all the media frenzy involving the so-called "swine flu."
What I liked about it: This is a really well-told tale about the fictitious town of Commonwealth, Washington that quarantined itself from other towns during the outbreak of the unusually virulent and deadly influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1. The 1918 influenza epidemic killed as many as 100 million people worldwide in one year. (The world's population at that time was about 1.6 billion.)
Interlaced within this main story line were other noteworthy topics of the time, including Americans both fighting and protesting World War I and the labor violence of the era. The character of Uncle Sam was born during this period as the U.S. government launched a propaganda campaign unprecedented in scale. Getting Americans to fight against the Germans was quite a task for President Woodrow Wilson when nearly one-quarter of Americans at that time were of German descent.
I thought the author did a fantastic job of developing the characters. It felt like I understood them and could relate to them. Each time I picked up this book I felt like I traveled back in time to 1918 and was there watching their struggles play out in front of me.
Many of you probably have similar stories, but my great-grandmother, Maria Gigliotti, died in October 1918 at the young age of 32 from the Spanish influenza. The story passed down from family members is that she was a nurse and contracted the flu while treating flu patients. After she died at the local Armory where patients were being cared for, her husband and my great-grandfather, Domenico, carried her body back to their home. Rest in peace, Maria and Domenico.
Type: Fiction, Historical Fiction
My rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I chose it: I thought the premise of this book and its setting amid the 1918 Spanish influenza was a very timely topic given all the media frenzy involving the so-called "swine flu."
What I liked about it: This is a really well-told tale about the fictitious town of Commonwealth, Washington that quarantined itself from other towns during the outbreak of the unusually virulent and deadly influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1. The 1918 influenza epidemic killed as many as 100 million people worldwide in one year. (The world's population at that time was about 1.6 billion.)
Interlaced within this main story line were other noteworthy topics of the time, including Americans both fighting and protesting World War I and the labor violence of the era. The character of Uncle Sam was born during this period as the U.S. government launched a propaganda campaign unprecedented in scale. Getting Americans to fight against the Germans was quite a task for President Woodrow Wilson when nearly one-quarter of Americans at that time were of German descent.
I thought the author did a fantastic job of developing the characters. It felt like I understood them and could relate to them. Each time I picked up this book I felt like I traveled back in time to 1918 and was there watching their struggles play out in front of me.
Many of you probably have similar stories, but my great-grandmother, Maria Gigliotti, died in October 1918 at the young age of 32 from the Spanish influenza. The story passed down from family members is that she was a nurse and contracted the flu while treating flu patients. After she died at the local Armory where patients were being cared for, her husband and my great-grandfather, Domenico, carried her body back to their home. Rest in peace, Maria and Domenico.
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