elisabeth888's reviews
120 reviews

For the Common Defense: A Military History of the United States from 1607 to 2012 by Peter Maslowski, Allan R. Millett

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.

Academic burnout

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Remembering Survival: Inside a Nazi Slave-Labor Camp by Christopher R. Browning

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dark informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

Browning's case study delves into the complexity of the Nazi labor camp system through compiling thousands of eyewitness testimonies and interviews. Throughout the book, Browning acknowledges the shortcomings of survivor testimony. Factors such as time, social stigmas surrounding sexual violence, and survivor's guilt contribute to a diverse range of survivor accounts. However, with distance from such trauma, survivors can sometimes actually become more forthcoming with information, allowing for a beneficial historical revision.

These experiences cannot be deduced to an easy, simple explanation because factors including age, race, gender, ability, sexuality, and beauty all resulted in different types of persecution for victims within the camp system. However, one common theme was that affluent and able-bodied men were more likely to survive in the camp system compared to women and children. Affluent people could bribe Nazi camp officials and able-bodied men were favored for their perceived strength.

Some may find Browning's approach to be boring because it does not present one narrative, but it is important to acknowledge that from a point of historical research one narrative would be wholly insufficient in making a broader analysis. It is only through the compilation of multiple survivor accounts in which patterns about the systemic nature of the camp system can begin to be deduced. Even nowadays there are still holes in our understanding of the Nazi labor system. For example, social stigmas prevent us from knowing how many people in the camp system were sexually assaulted. And because many of the survivors have since passed away, we may never know this reality in full.

Overall, Browning presents a thorough case study of the labor camp system which requires an attention to detail when reading. I am glad my professor assigned this book because I have learned many exceptions to the dominant narrative and the different power dynamics which existed within the labor camp system. My professor also recommends Browning's book "Ordinary Men" which discusses how seemingly normal men became perpetrators of the Holocaust. Because of Browning's compelling research and writing style, I definitely plan on reading "Ordinary Men" soon and looking into his other works.

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To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

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dark lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Eloise is my favorite character in the Bridgerton television series and it bothered me to see her end up with Sir Philip rather than a man who could match her progressive views and intellectual mind. In Sir Philip I found major misogynistic, sexist, and even, at times, predatory tones within his perspecitve. And while this sexist reality might not be uncommon for the Regency era, it was not enjoyable to read about in the modern day, especially in regards to Philip seeming to connect with Eloise on every level of what a romantic relationship is, except on a mental, emotional level.

Overall, this was the first Bridgerton book I have read and I found Julia Quinn's style to be humorous and nicely lighthearted. I like how Eloise is described and how she grows as a character. I just can't help but feel like Sir Philip doesn't deserve her. Obviously Sir Philip's backstory explains his ways, but in no way does this excuse them. I hope Eloise finds a love interest who is better matched for her in the Netflix series.

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If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O'Brien

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challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

4.75

This was the first Vietnam War memoir I read and I liked Tim O'Brien's descriptive yet concise style of writing, which ultimately revealed the stupidity, corruption, and the evilness of the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. Hearing from a foot soldier's perspective, it was interesting to hear the internal conflicts one faced. Throughout the course of the memoir O'Brien recalls wanting to desert, the desensitized and flippant nature of the soldiers, the insanity of war, the heat of the Vietnam countryside, and the innocent Vietnam civilians caught in the crossfire. One of O'Brien's chapters centered on courage as O'Brien asked himself what courage really meant for a soldier on the battlefield. Overall, I recommend O'Brien's memoir as it delves into complex topics regarding the inhumanity of war, the major blunders of military leadership, and the question of what it means to serve for your country.

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The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things by Paula Byrne

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informative mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.0

I usually don't read biographies, but I liked the format of this book. The biography is not in chronological order, rather each chapter focuses on a different topic in Jane Austen's life or the larger historical context of the time. At the beginning of each chapter an artifact from the Austen family or an artifact from the time is highlighted, explained, and tied into the discussion of Austen's life.

While anyone can read this biography, having read some of Austen's works beforehand will make it a more insightful read. The biography draws on references to settings and characters within Austen's books including Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion, and Mansfield Park. As a reader who enjoys Austen's work, I found this non-chronological biography to be more engaging and to provide larger historical themes. It makes me want to try reading Mansfield Park again. While it has been a story I have struggled to complete reading, this biography demonstrated how Mansfield Park tied into a greater analysis on class, colonialism, abolition, and British society.

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