Book 132: Oprah: A Biography

Oprah: A Biography, by Kitty Kelley

This book is like watching reality television. It’s so bad, but you just can’t stop.

I can’t find one redeeming thing about this book; the author is clearly biased against her subject, writing one negative chapter after another. Anything good Oprah has done is mentioned briefly, and followed by pages of criticism on why she did it, why it wasn’t good enough, etc. There are also a large amount of pages devoted to describing Oprah’s lavish lifestyle, including the money spent to decorate her houses, her wardrobe, trips, expensive shopping sprees, etc.

Kelley focuses on the seedier side of Oprah’s life, the “dark secrets” she claims the celebrity talk show host is hiding. Oprah is probably hiding secrets, but I’ll do more reading before I believe everything Kelley wrote.

That said, I somehow couldn’t quit reading, but the whole time I was, my brain kept telling me, “Brain cells are dying!” Sensationalism at its best.

Well wait, there might indeed be one redeeming feature of this biography. Hopefully it will encourage people to take a deeper look at Oprah, and read between the lines a little.

1/5.

Book 126: The Children of Henry VIII

The Children of Henry VIII, by Alison Weir

“The Children of Henry VIII” is a nonfiction history that reads like a narrative. One interesting, engrossing, detail-filled narrative. The book follows the ascent of Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Mary I, and Elizabeth I to the English throne. Also covered are the men around the throne, such as John Dudley, Thomas Cranmer, Edward Courtenay, Philip II, etc.

The basic story is known by many, especially fans of the Tudor period. Weir’s book is perfect for lovers of historical fiction, because this history is so easily readable, yet also very educational. The author clearly did her research, and includes abundant source material in the text, including quotes from letters and privy purse accounts; and also tells the reader the importance of the historical material. I found myself reading late into the night.

I was a little sad when I finished this book; I greatly liked living in the world Weir recreated, an England awash in political and religious machinations. An uncertain world, to be sure. And while I knew the outcome, who would succeed who, I wasn’t sure of the exact route each monarch took. For example, my view of Edward and Mary changed quite a bit after reading Weir’s book; I used to think Edward was a sickly boy, and Mary heartless, but I learned that wasn’t necessarily true.

Definitely recommended for anyone interested in the Tudor dynasty.

4/5.

Book 121: Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women

Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women, by Harriet Reisen

“Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women” is a fascinating biography into the life of the author of the classic “Little Women,” and also an in-depth look at her family. Reisen provides an extremely complete picture of Louisa’s unusual childhood, and how it influenced her later publications.

The beginning of the book focuses on her father, Bronson Alcott, an unusual man for his time; he was one of the early Transcendentalists, and counted Emerson and Thoreau among his friends. Bronson focused on philosophy, experimental teaching, and lecturing rather than supporting his family; the Alcotts moved over twenty times while Louisa was a child. Often a wild, unruly child, Louisa had a rocky relationship with her father, but was a mini clone of her mother. It was Abby Alcott, Louisa’s mother, who encouraged her to write as a way to express her feelings.

Well aware of her family’s financial troubles as a child, Louisa’s goal as an adult was to fully support her family, while trying to have a measure of independence for herself. Her start in writing came after publishing a book of children’s stories, and indeed, her most successful novels would be written for youngsters. But Reisen explains to readers that Louisa wrote thrillers under pseudonyms, and they were rather popular – and likely her preferred format. Louisa would strive all of her adult life to write one great novel that she could be proud of, and never thought “Little Women” was that book, even though it was her biggest cashcow. And with Louisa’s drive to earn earn earn, money was often the deciding factor in what she wrote.

Louisa is a tragic figure: she spent her entire life being pushed one way or another, feeling obligated to help family and friends at the expense of her own personal life. She literally wore herself out and died at the relatively young age of 55. She took care of her sisters, mother, father, and friends; and even when she was fully supported by her writing, she never really got to enjoy the fruit of her labor.

Reisen paints an interesting and educational picture of Louisa’s life. While remembered mainly for “Little Women,” Louisa was so much more than just a children’s author. She was a feminist, an abolitionist, a poet, a Civil War nurse, philanthropist, and so on. I learned so much while reading this book, and not just about Louisa, but also about the Transcendentalists and the Civil War era. And while it could be easy to fall into hero worship, Reisen is careful to point out the flaws in Louisa’s character, penning a realistic image.

The biography starts out a little slow, but if you give it a chance for a few chapters, I think you’ll be pulled into a wonderful tale. Reisen makes use of abundant source material, including many quotes from Louisa’s journals and poetry, but weaves them seamlessly into the narrative. I learned a lot, and had an enjoyable time doing so.

4/5.

Book 94: The Story of Blima

The Story of Blima: A Holocaust Survivor, by Shirley Russak Wachtel

“The Story of Blima” is a very slim book, weighing in at 133 pages. But the subject matter is heavy, and while you’ll likely read the book quickly, Blima and her story will stay in your mind for a while.

The book takes place between the years of 1936 and 1947 and covers Blima’s life before, during, and after the Holocaust. Captured off the street of her hometown by the Nazis, Blima is imprisoned in a forced labor camp for the majority of the war. The recollections of camp life are short but harrowing; instead the book mainly focuses on Blima’s attempts to rebuild her life after being freed. The difficulty and tragedy of attempting to find surviving family members is heartbreaking to read.

A note in the book says that “The Story of Blima” is taken from a larger work, “My Mother’s Shoes”, which I am now trying to find. The story and book are written by Blima’s daughter.

4/5.

Book 87: Growing Up bin Laden

Growing Up bin Laden, by Najwa bin Laden, Omar bin Laden, and Jean Sasson

When I started reading this book, I thought I would be most interested in Najwa’s perspective, but the more I read, the more I learned from her son, Omar. Najwa’s story is limited in that she lived her entire life with her husband in purdah, or isolation, and thus wasn’t privy to any details of what was happening. Her role was to be a happy, submissive, sweet, unquestioning wife and she fulfilled that perfectly. I was more infuriated with her, for her unquestioning obedience, but I can understand that that is due to a difference of upbringing, life experiences, culture, and religion.

Omar, the fourth son of Najwa and Osama, had a difficult and bewildering childhood. The family went from living in luxury in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to middle-class life in Khartoum, Sudan, to living on the side of a mountain in Afghanistan, each step accompanied by more involvement in al-Qaeda and jihad. Omar is an extreme opposite of his father in every way – never understanding the thirst for violence shown by Osama, Omar instead dreamed of peace, and an ordinary life. But he was constrained by his culture, and suffered emotionally and physically for many years before he developed the courage to get out.

This book is educational, as it provides a narrative timeline of the development of al-Qaeda, and the increasing terrorist activity of the organization. We see how Osama bin Laden changed from a student of economics to the world’s most wanted man, and the senselessness of many of the acts he and his group endorse. Omar describes an incident where men killed a monkey, because they were convinced the monkey was a Jew. The book is both terrifying and enlightening, as I don’t realize how people could believe such…garbage? Idiocy? But then I saw how so many of the recruits were boys from villages, who were easily swayed by powerful speakers and religious authorities, and who had no real opportunities in life other than the fighting offered by jihad violence.

4/5.

Book 45: In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer, by Irene Gut Opdyke

“In My Hands” starts with the author writing to the reader that if she tried to tell you what really happened during the war, told you everything at once, you wouldn’t understand it. She includes an image that you won’t comprehend until later in the book, the image of a bird falling, a bird that is not a bird. And as you come to understand what the bird really is, your heart will break, and you will know just what Irene means.

Born in 1922, in Poland, Irene had a happy childhood and a normal life. As a young child, she is saved from death by the family dog, and many in her village are convinced this means she has a great and promising life ahead of her. But for a girl in the 1920s, there weren’t many adventures available, and drawn to helping people, Irene decided to go to nursing school.

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Irene’s school was on the border, and she was immediately thrust into the war as a student nurse, then as a member of the Polish resistance. Living in the woods, part of an army without a country, Irene was selected to go on a mission into a nearby town and was captured by a Russian patrol who raped her and left her for dead. That experience alone would be enough to break almost anybody, but not Irene. The rape is merely the first of an indescribable number of hardships she endured during World War II; I often had tears in my eyes while reading this book. Irene lived through several lifetimes during the war, and while I am around the same age as her, I couldn’t imagine surviving anything that she went through.

Irene’s story is so many things – it is one of hope, one of courage, one of resistance, one of overcoming the odds, one of doing the right thing. A prisoner herself, while working in a German hotel, Irene did all she could to help those around her, including smuggling out food, warnings, and even hiding 12 Jews in a German officer’s home.

Once I started “In My Hands,” I couldn’t put it down. Irene’s story captivated me from beginning to end, and as I came to understand the metaphor of the bird that she starts her story with, I agreed with her. There is no way I could have understood all that she wanted to tell me if I didn’t know the whole story, if I didn’t know everything she endured and fought for. I found myself wanting to tell everyone I could about her story, and it led to a great talk between my father and myself (we’re both history nerds).

While “In My Hands” is marketed as a young adult book, I believe it’s beneficial for anyone, of any age, to read it and absorb it. Irene was moved to write her story after hearing that some groups claimed the Holocaust was a hoax, and she spoke for 30 years, imbuing a message of hope and tolerance to children across the country. Hands down, this is the best book I’ve read all year, and I wish I could thank the author.

5/5.

Book 33: Marie Curie: Genius

Marie Curie: Genius, by Nick Healy

This book looks nice and slick, with a slim design and large photographs, but most of the value is in the appearance. While Healy’s “Marie Curie” is aimed at ages 9-12, I think it actually hits a little lower. When I was that age, I would have found this book not informational enough, nor engaging. Healy also doesn’t provide a bibliography or sources for his facts; nothing students can use to find out more about Curie if they are interested.

“Marie Curie” does provide a quick overview of the famous scientist’s life that will engage young readers. The quotes on each set of pages add value in that they provide some outside context for that area of Marie’s life. What I found the most interesting was the excerpt at the end from Marie’s own autobiography, which highlight 3 of the most important events in her life. I did find the font in that section a little irritating, and I wish the publisher would have stuck with a normal font rather than italics. Also with the quotes on each page spread, they are in red text on a yellow background, which I found slightly difficult to read.

I would advise looking for this book at the library if your child is interested in Marie Curie. In my opinion it’s not worth the price.

2/5.

Book 32: Marie Curie

Marie Curie, by Beverly Birch

While this book is aimed at children, I think it’s an informative book for someone of any age. I’m 23, and found this a good read to give me some in-depth information on Marie Curie. The author’s writing is engaging without talking-down to a younger audience, which I would have appreciated at the intended age (and I appreciate now!). She gets Curie’s story across in an enjoyable and educational way. The quotes on some pages by contemporaries of Curie add a nice touch, giving some additional information.

If you’re a parent whose child is interested in science, this may be a great book for you to check out at the library. Or if you are interested in Curie and want to find out more without getting too bogged down, this is a good book to read.

I used this in part for paper writing, and it was a good, reliable source.

4/5.