I read some interesting books in May. I read a bit less than average again because we were traveling. Traveling used to mean that I’d read way more than average…that was back when vacations were relaxing. Now that I have a child, vacations are more about having fun with him. How times change. (It’s all worth it of course). Anyway, here is what I read:
Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson
This is another book that I borrowed from my father-in-law, and I wanted to finish it before we went to visit Indiana. It was based on the 1900 Galveston hurricane, and the life of the main meteorologist in that town (Isaac). I learned a lot about hurricane science…how they form, how they grow, etc. The hurricane was the deadliest in U.S. history, and the second costliest hurricane (adjusted for inflation…and calculated in 2005) The hurricane killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people (compared with 1,800 for hurricane Katrina). The town was totally unprepared. It’s another story to remind us that human pride can cause us a lot of pain and suffering. Definitely a good book.
We Band of Angels by Elizabeth M. Norman
This is the final book that I borrowed from my father-in-law. I was able to finish it while we were Indiana! It is about a group of army nurses who served on Bataan during World War II, and were taken prisoner by the Japanese when they captured the Philippines. In school, we always learned about what was going on in Europe during World War II…as well as what was going on at home, and a bit about the Russian front. The war in the Pacific was largely ignored so I knew next to nothing. This story was heartbreaking in that it is difficult to read the hardships and the sacrifices that the nurses went through. It is also inspirational, though, because it details the lives of very extraordinary women. A good read.
March by Geraldine Brooks
I’ve read a couple of books by this author before, and they are always very good. This book was no different. It is a historical fiction novel set during the civil war. The main character is Mr. March from Little Women. The author imagines what his life was like while he was away at war. The book raises some very good questions about whether or not war is ever justifiable…even to free slaves. Mr. March follows his code of honor, which will not allow him to kill any person. However, when he refuses to take a gun to kill confederate soldiers, some of his deepest friends are killed, and a great number of previously liberated slaves are sold back into captivity. March is haunted by his inaction, and has to wrestle with what he thinks is right versus taking a life to save a life. This book is worth reading more than once.
Images of America: Portland Fire and Rescue by Brain K Johnson and Don Porth
I checked this book out from the library because my great grandfather used to work for Portland Fire and Rescue. I was interested to learn about its history, and I was also curious to see if there were any pictures of him in the book. (There weren’t). We have some family pictures of my great grandfather on the Portland Fire and Rescue float in the grand floral parade.
Sojourners Magazine: May 2012
Another excellent issue of Sojourners. This issue’s main focus was food. There were some very disturbing charts about obesity rising in the last 30-50 years in the U.S., as well as some interesting articles about food inequity. There are not a lot of healthy food stores or options in the poorest neighborhoods. A very sad fact indeed.