Power Density: A Key to Understanding Energy Sources and Uses
Book
"There's no author whose books I look forward to more than Vaclav Smil." -- Bill Gates In this book,...
From Accidents to Zero: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Workplace Safety Culture
Book
As leaders increasingly understand the importance of good safety practice to support their business...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) in Movies
Nov 24, 2017 (Updated Nov 24, 2017)
Dr. Jan Zabinski was the director of the Warsaw Zoo in the 1930's, and along with his wife Antonina and young son, they ensured the safety and care of animals in the area. Their life came to an abrupt halt with the German invasion of Poland in 1939, when most of their animals and structures were destroyed in the bombings and siege of the city. The zoo was closed under German occupation, but the Zabinskis continued to occupy the villa, and the zoo itself was used first as a pig farm and subsequently as a fur farm. All the while, Dr Zabinski smuggled Jewish people out of the Warsaw Ghetto and aided their way out of city, not before allowing them to stay in their own house. He was injured while fighting in the Polish resistance, but the couple were given an honorary title by Yad Vashem (Israel's official memorial for Jewish victims of the Holocaust) for their brave efforts.
Similar in the vein of films such as @Schindler's List (1993), there is an element of a saviour complex in these films, but unlike Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winner, it is less extravagant and less well-made, as there was very little engagement with the Jewish characters - focusing more on Antonina, played by Jessica Chastain. It is definitely heart-wrenching watching films based on the holocaust, and there were scenes I had to turn away from, such as when an elderly woman and her mother were shot dead in the streets by soldiers. The script and cinematography weren't at a high standard, however, and as a result the film definitely fell short. I would suggest reading the book @The Zookeeper's Wife - it has far more detail than the film, in which there were glaringly obvious plot holes.
El Lissitzky: The Experience of Totality
Book
This is a fascinating and sumptuously illustrated overview of the work of El Lissitzk, one of the...
From Dublin to Jailbreak: Thin Lizzy 1969-76
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Dublin's Thin Lizzy have become one of the most revered cult acts of all time, studious and...
Aprender Francés Audio Curso y Vocabulario Rápido
Education and Travel
App
Free Language Learning Audio Phrasebook and Dictionary Offline App for Beginners. The most essential...
Aprender Inglês Áudio Curso Vocabulário Gramática
Education and Travel
App
Free Language Learning Audio Phrasebook and Dictionary Offline App for Beginners. The most essential...
From the Source - Spain: Spain's Most Authentic Recipes from the People That Know Them Best
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Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet presents Spain's most...
Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated The Cruel Prince in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I'm guilty of reading reviews sometimes before the book so I was worried about the declarations of TCP being similar or a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses, but after finishing the book myself I can say though I understand where someone may feel this way TCP is more based on folklore than ACOTAR series is. Once I was roughly 100 pages in I was wrapped into the story because it was based more on lore rather than taking pieces from it (not that I do not love ACOTAR, but lore and myths will forever hold a special place in my heart). It felt like it gave Black more to work with because the charms do work, the rules are heavily applied, and Mortals HAVE to be more cautious. It felt Jude had more at risk if she failed for herself because of what she wasn't.
I'm loving how more YA books are making these strong female roles with teenage girls and young women overcoming their own doubts, pushing through their fears to make things happen, and learning to trust themselves more than anyone else. Jude is very much becoming one of these characters throughout TCP and you're able to see the development from the beginning to end, which I suspect will occur more in The Wicked King as she attempts to work out the rest of her plan. Not only is Jude a good role model in this sense, it is also great writing skill to be able to show the progress of a character. Even other characters get a bit of development or at the very least you're able to come to an understanding as to why they are acting as they do rather than questioning it. Everyone who meant something for TCP were fleshed out and helped push the plot along.
Speaking of plot I was amazed by it. Even though I had sort of guessed what would happen and who the key players were in the end I had it a bit wrong, which was okay because I personally love surprises and twists. It was nice for a moment to believe something was happening with what information was given then at the very last second it was altered.
I cannot wait for more from this series. TWK seems too far away even though it's less than six months now. It appears Jude is getting more than what she bit off. I want to find out if she can make these promises, what her plan has cost her, and if she can convince the prince-the king- to do what needs to be done until the final phase can be played out. I want to know more of what happens to her sisters and brother. I want to know if Madoc will be an issue in this. There is a lot I'm wondering really.
An Ordinary Marriage: The World of a Gentry Family in Provincial Russia
Book
An Ordinary Marriage is the story of the Chikhachevs, middling-income gentry landowners in...