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A National Geographic journalist provides us with a beautiful glimpse into one of the harshest landscapes on Earth - the Arctic Circle. Neil Shea begins looking for the effects of climate change on the people, animals and land but it evolves into a tender story of kindness, perseverance and hope from the people who live there and who depend on this fragile ecosystem. He goes into the history and culture through a wide sweep of the Arctic from Alaska to Finland. It is obvious that telling this story and his experiences meant alot to him. It is educational, entertaining and a call to action all at once and will appeal to nature lovers, people concerned with the effects of climate change and the history and anthropology of an area less explored. It might also serve as a travelogue for the hardy or for the armchair variety! 4 stars 
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Christine uncovered some shocking truths about her father and grandparents. Growing up her father was very quiet about his upbringing, parents and siblings but he had wonderful stories about growing up in Hawaii but even in his young years nothing about his parents or siblings. Over a span of decades Christine searched for information about her family history but nothing could reconcile the warm and caring father she knew with the cold Nazi family of spies he grew up in. The audio was incredible and gave enough human interest background to balance the families horrific spying for the Japanese and Germans helping to guide the attack on Pearl Harbor. For fans of THE AMERICANS, war crimes, the downfall of Pearl Harbor and the aftermath of war. 4 stars  Part memoir and part study of animal/human communication this is for animal lovers, pet owners and all those humans who are just trying to understand the world around us a bit better. Amelia Thomas is a new farmer with pigs, dogs, chickens and at least one moody horse. Each chapter is a month in her first year where she and her family are getting to know their new surroundings and animal charges. In many chapters she delves deeper and interviews animal researchers and animal whisperers of many backgrounds to explore animals on land and sea. Heartfelt and bittersweet at times (like the chapter on her horse) it is jammed with information. I really enjoyed life on the farm and some of the more unusual encounters but found myself skimming over the more detailed studies. It makes for interesting conversation and food for thought if you ever find yourself wanting to get away from the city and buy a farm. 3 1/2 stars  A cultural masterpiece of native storytelling, personal memoir and history of indigenous people in Northwest US and Canada. It starts off with a bang of how Julian's father as a newborn was saved from an incinerator and got his name because the man who found him thought he heard a kitten's cries. Trauma continued in his dad's life and was passed to Julian who both idolized his fun loving coyote dad and hated him for leaving him as a child. Interspersed throughout are native stories about the coyote or trickster and historical background of the atrocities and injustices of the indigenous people. Strong themes of parent/child relationships, community and inherited trauma carry this unusual story. It is raw, honest and unlike anything I have read before. 4 stars  A retired judge asks a true crime podcaster/journalist to help get a man, who he believes is innocent, released from prison. For over 30 years Leo Scholfield had been sitting in a Florida prison convicted of killing his wife. In all that time he had never wavered from maintaining his innocence. What the author and his assistant uncovered over several years was a tragic mishandling of evidence, witness tampering and incompetence. They found the true killer who confessed to the murder and they still could not get Leo out. An amazing story of faith even in the face of wrong doing, a broken system and the enormous effort by a small but dedicated group who believed in the innocence of a man that the system had given up on. Readers of true crime and nonfiction about the justice system will find this horrific and humbling. 4 stars  If you have ever spent any time on the Great Lakes and hear the Gordon Lightfoot ballad stuck on replay in your head then you already know a bit about one of the world's worst maritime disasters. The Edmond Fitzgerald was a floating marvel - the pride of the Great Lakes due to its cargo capacity, strength and the sterling reputation of the Captain. The ship no one thought could sink but did in a freak storm November 10, 1975 with all 29 of its crew in the freezing waters of Lake Superior. John U. Bacon presents not only the background and history of the postwar steel boom in the Great Lakes where shipping was king but also gives us an intimate look at the people who crewed and serviced the ships and the family left behind. His description of life on a freighter and the peculiarities of sailing the Great Lakes were so intense that I was left in awe of the power of nature and motion sickness. Even landlubbers can appreciate and gain much knowledge and Bacon's writing is the perfect blend of fact and human interest. Readers of Erik Larson, THE PERFECT STORM and THE WIDE, WIDE SEA will be captivated. 4 1/2 stars  A history lesson in witch persecution in old Scotland as well as a look at the manipulation (emphasis on man) of fact and outright lies to commit the murder of countless women and keep others in line. I learned some simple truths in this interesting look at witch-hunts. First, fear is a powerful thing when used to herd a group into obedience. Second, who wouldn't admit to being a witch if you are being tortured and your family is next? Lastly, I found it fascinating that King James of Scotland wrote an entire book on demonology and persecuting witches the way that others would write about bird watching. The authors work hard to provide a legal, historical and societal viewpoint. The most frightening thing is that history could repeat itself. 4 stars  I have always been fascinated by the past fascination in the Victorian era with the supernatural and mediums so I thought i knew what this book would be about but I was so wrong. For women who had no voice, no control of their lives and few ways to make a living - becoming a medium and helping others work through grief made sense. Speaking to someone in the beyond allowed them to convey messages that would be normally ignored. The author provides a well thought out look at famous mediums and their famous clients as well as a personal look at grief and talking with those we have lost. Perfect for historical spooky reading this season that won't keep you up at night. 3 1/2 stars  I have always been fascinated by the past fascination in the Victorian era with the supernatural and mediums so I thought i knew what this book would be about but I was so wrong. For women who had no voice, no control of their lives and few ways to make a living - becoming a medium and helping others work through grief made sense. Speaking to someone in the beyond allowed them to convey messages that would be normally ignored. The author provides a well thought out look at famous mediums and their famous clients as well as a personal look at grief and talking with those we have lost. Perfect for historical spooky reading this season that won't keep you up at night. 3 1/2 stars  There is something delightful about settling in to a Mary Roach primer - you feel a bit stupid about everything you don't know but her nonjudgmental writing will have you feeling like an expert by the end and ready to share tidbits with anyone who will listen. Her natural curiosity, easy going writing style (similar to Bill Bryson) and lighthearted banter is infectious. The human body and science can get a bit heavy but with injections of laughter at some of the more absurd concepts and history make the medicine go down easier. Everything you ever wanted to know (or didn't have a clue it even existed) about the human body and failing parts that need replacement can be found here. From the history of dentures, prosthetic noses to the fascinating advancement in cell regeneration and search for new materials - it is one interesting ride. This is the perfect book to put into the hands of readers who typically do not enjoy non-fiction. 4 1/2 stars  |
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