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Dana (24 KP) rated The Marrow of Tradition in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This book was an interesting read and another book I had to read for one of my classes. It was full of historical events that were easily pointed out. The Plessy versus Ferguson case, the Wilmington Massacre, and the obvious ties to the racial tensions in the newspapers of the South at the time. It was interesting to get the viewpoints of so many different characters in this novel. It gave a lot of insight into the minds of the people at the time this was written and throughout the period after the Civil War. There are a few points that are slow, but that is to be expected of any book published so long ago. There are some heavy dialect aspects to the book that, at first, can be more difficult to read, but as you go along, you get used to it and it will go by much faster. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about what went on around the late 1800s and early 1900s in the South.
Darren Pattison (2 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies
Mar 12, 2018
Over rated and disappointing
Way too much hype for a distinctly below average/bad film. Civil War is by far the better Marvel film. Black Panther (character) was great in a supporting role but he has zero on-screen charisma and fails to carry a film solo. I struggle to see how anybody was entertained by those awful challenge fight scenes and that ludicrous end battle. it was not a good movie. It looked cheap, the characters had no development. It played like low-rent TV show with unnbearably cheesy & clunky dialogue, boring unoriginal fights and god-awful CGI. I didn’t care about the fate of Wakanda because I wasn’t allowed to care for any of the characters in the film. The only consolation was the comic relief provided by Letitia Wright and Andy Serkis. For all the records it smashed and the praise it received, it wasn’t even the best Marvel film of the last 6 months. Thor Ragnarok was a lot more entertaining, genuine and had actual heart.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet by Dennis Denenberg & Lorrain Roscoe is absolutely amazing. I loved every part of this book. It covers a wide variety of American heroes. There are civil war heroes, turn of the century heroes, modern heroes and heroes from when this country was created. There are heroes that are well-known and no so well-known to those i've never hear of. The pictures of great and the fact are spot on. The facts that are given are interesting and relevant to kids and adults.
I would love to use this book in the classroom to teach my students about American heroes both present and past. Also, to teach them that ordinary citizen like you and me can do great things and make a big difference. One aspect I really appreciate as an educator are the activities for further learning.
I received this advanced readers copy from Lerner Publishing Group and Hillbrook Press via NetGalley for an honest review.
50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet by Dennis Denenberg & Lorrain Roscoe is absolutely amazing. I loved every part of this book. It covers a wide variety of American heroes. There are civil war heroes, turn of the century heroes, modern heroes and heroes from when this country was created. There are heroes that are well-known and no so well-known to those i've never hear of. The pictures of great and the fact are spot on. The facts that are given are interesting and relevant to kids and adults.
I would love to use this book in the classroom to teach my students about American heroes both present and past. Also, to teach them that ordinary citizen like you and me can do great things and make a big difference. One aspect I really appreciate as an educator are the activities for further learning.
I received this advanced readers copy from Lerner Publishing Group and Hillbrook Press via NetGalley for an honest review.
Lindsay (1706 KP) rated A Silken Thread in Books
Jul 1, 2019
I love the fact, that A Silken Thread is mostly a historical fiction book with a little bit of romance. The author does a really good job of telling a story though three main characters. The story is based around the Cotton Exposition of 1895. We learn a bit about what life a bit after the civil war and what life is like for southerners.
Their a story about African American and whites though out the story. Though we have a bit of story with a fourth character as well. Laurel is looking for someone to love her and find maybe find love along the way. She applies to be a weaver in the silk room.
Willie applies to the Cotton Exposition for he want to help pay for his fathers hospital bills and to help him get better. Willie friend Quincy has gotten a job their as well. We also have Langdon. What the author show though out the book is how world is viewed between each character. She does a well job of it.
Their a story about African American and whites though out the story. Though we have a bit of story with a fourth character as well. Laurel is looking for someone to love her and find maybe find love along the way. She applies to be a weaver in the silk room.
Willie applies to the Cotton Exposition for he want to help pay for his fathers hospital bills and to help him get better. Willie friend Quincy has gotten a job their as well. We also have Langdon. What the author show though out the book is how world is viewed between each character. She does a well job of it.
David McK (3233 KP) rated Dances With Wolves (1990) in Movies
Mar 14, 2021
The music (1 more)
The cinematography
John Dunbar ... Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner's epic Western, in which the man himself stars as Civil War veteran John Dunbar who, after an act of attempted suicide charging the enemy lines on his own, is offered his choice of posting and chooses to go to the American Frontier (before it disappears).
Once he gets there, he is posted to an abandoned fort, with everyone who had knowledge of this posting then (for plot reasons) getting killed off.
Initially left on his own, he soon encounters a nearby tribe of Sioux Indians and, as the film progresses, finds himself drawn more and more to their way of life, eventually earning the name 'Dances with Wolves' before the inevitable happens and the US army starts making their way into Sioux territory.
Unusual (for it's time) in that this film is largely sympathetic to the Native Americans plight, with some stunning cinematography, beautiful music and some stellar acting but, holy moly, boy is this one long film: even the 'standard' version is roughly 3 hours long!
Once he gets there, he is posted to an abandoned fort, with everyone who had knowledge of this posting then (for plot reasons) getting killed off.
Initially left on his own, he soon encounters a nearby tribe of Sioux Indians and, as the film progresses, finds himself drawn more and more to their way of life, eventually earning the name 'Dances with Wolves' before the inevitable happens and the US army starts making their way into Sioux territory.
Unusual (for it's time) in that this film is largely sympathetic to the Native Americans plight, with some stunning cinematography, beautiful music and some stellar acting but, holy moly, boy is this one long film: even the 'standard' version is roughly 3 hours long!
Allan Arkush recommended Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) in Movies (curated)
ClareR (5603 KP) rated The Leviathan in Books
Feb 3, 2023
It’s 1643 and Thomas Treadwater has returned home injured from the Civil War. His father’s farm is in Norfolk, and his sister sent Thomas a letter, accusing their maidservant of bewitching their religious father. When Thomas arrives on the family land, it is to the sight of dead livestock, a sick father (a stroke), and a servant held responsible for both occurrences by way of witchcraft. Thomas doesn’t believe in witchcraft though, and decides to investigate what has happened for himself.
This beautiful story really does evoke the time: how women were regarded as witches if they knew too much, looked to beautiful, looked too ugly, or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I enjoyed reading about their thoughts on religion, philosophy and how the law worked. There was even a part for John Milton himself.
There are secrets galore, a shipwreck and a real leviathan. The menace seems to be constantly radiating off the page in this dark (and it felt to me) grey and damp time!
Recommended.
This beautiful story really does evoke the time: how women were regarded as witches if they knew too much, looked to beautiful, looked too ugly, or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I enjoyed reading about their thoughts on religion, philosophy and how the law worked. There was even a part for John Milton himself.
There are secrets galore, a shipwreck and a real leviathan. The menace seems to be constantly radiating off the page in this dark (and it felt to me) grey and damp time!
Recommended.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Tried and True in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Idaho Territory, 1866: The Civil War has ended, but the charade has not. Kylie Wilde and her sisters Shannon and Bailey lived as men throughout the War. And at their father's command, are now homesteading as men.
Tried & True is a gripping journey about forgiveness and finding true identity. Kylie's demanding Pa is sick with grief over the loss of his son and does not know how to take care of, or love his daughters for who they are. Powerful cattleman, Gage Coulter, would like nothing better than to reclaim Kylie's land as his own. Aaron Masterson is captivated by Kylie from the moment they meet. But Aaron wants to live a life in the mountains and Kylie longs for the civilization of the East. Attempts to scare her off her land by persons unknown, opens doors Kylie never dreamed of. Throughout her journey, her faith is tested and tried. But she stands strong and remains true to herself.
It was next to impossible for me to put this book down. I was transported to the mountains of Idaho in the height of the land rush every time I began to read. Feeling the fear, the love, the determination that Kylie felt. Very captivating. I am especially grateful to Mary Connealy for the way she is able to portray a Historical Fiction "Romance" very tastefully. I am excited to read the rest of the series!
As part of their blogger reviewer program, I received a free digital copy of this book from Bethany House.
Tried & True is a gripping journey about forgiveness and finding true identity. Kylie's demanding Pa is sick with grief over the loss of his son and does not know how to take care of, or love his daughters for who they are. Powerful cattleman, Gage Coulter, would like nothing better than to reclaim Kylie's land as his own. Aaron Masterson is captivated by Kylie from the moment they meet. But Aaron wants to live a life in the mountains and Kylie longs for the civilization of the East. Attempts to scare her off her land by persons unknown, opens doors Kylie never dreamed of. Throughout her journey, her faith is tested and tried. But she stands strong and remains true to herself.
It was next to impossible for me to put this book down. I was transported to the mountains of Idaho in the height of the land rush every time I began to read. Feeling the fear, the love, the determination that Kylie felt. Very captivating. I am especially grateful to Mary Connealy for the way she is able to portray a Historical Fiction "Romance" very tastefully. I am excited to read the rest of the series!
As part of their blogger reviewer program, I received a free digital copy of this book from Bethany House.
[Last Days of Last Island] by [Bill Dixon] shows that being rich doesn't always come with common sense. In the mid 1800 in America the rich were looking for new ways to enjoy their wealth. In Louisiana the plantation owners found a beautiful island off the coast. It had great views and fishing. Also the breezes were a nice change from the temperatures inland in the South.
The catch is this "island" was little more than a large sandbar. What we know as barrier islands. This did not deter them from building it up as a resort for the well to do. What could go wrong?
There was no weather forecasting as their is today and the Gulf Coast was as prone to hurricanes then as it is now. There also was no easy escape since the only way to the island was by boat.
[Dixon] tell the tragic story of life and death on Last Island during the Hurricane of 1856. The research is well done and the narrative makes the saga of the inhabitants real in this pre Civil War natural disaster. Although he does get quite repetitive with details it was still a very informative read.
The catch is this "island" was little more than a large sandbar. What we know as barrier islands. This did not deter them from building it up as a resort for the well to do. What could go wrong?
There was no weather forecasting as their is today and the Gulf Coast was as prone to hurricanes then as it is now. There also was no easy escape since the only way to the island was by boat.
[Dixon] tell the tragic story of life and death on Last Island during the Hurricane of 1856. The research is well done and the narrative makes the saga of the inhabitants real in this pre Civil War natural disaster. Although he does get quite repetitive with details it was still a very informative read.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Devil's Backbone (2001) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019
A bit of a disappointment
I think that having seen the likes of Pans Labyrinth prior to watching this film built my expectations too high, meaning this was a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong it isn't a terrible film, it has a lot of potential but it doesn't quite use it to the best it can be.
I think the plot itself and the entire setting are a very good idea, a ghost story mixed in with the Spanish civil war and an orphanage is a smart move. The problem is with the execution. Whilst the effects are good and there are hints of the supernatural, for me it wasn't enough. The plot unfolded much to slowly and needed a little more excitement and ghostly/creepy goings on to keep you entertained. The best parts of the film are with the boys, and it detracts a little when it moves to the adult characters who are sadly a lot less interesting.
Having watched this now, I can see the similarities between this and Pans Labyrinth. Its just a shame that Pan succeeds where this fails. There's so much promise here, it's just sadly not realised.
I think the plot itself and the entire setting are a very good idea, a ghost story mixed in with the Spanish civil war and an orphanage is a smart move. The problem is with the execution. Whilst the effects are good and there are hints of the supernatural, for me it wasn't enough. The plot unfolded much to slowly and needed a little more excitement and ghostly/creepy goings on to keep you entertained. The best parts of the film are with the boys, and it detracts a little when it moves to the adult characters who are sadly a lot less interesting.
Having watched this now, I can see the similarities between this and Pans Labyrinth. Its just a shame that Pan succeeds where this fails. There's so much promise here, it's just sadly not realised.