**spoiler alert** Stopped reading around chapter 6. At this point it is mostly Lorca. And that is the problem. Lorca is in love with a woman - whom th**spoiler alert** Stopped reading around chapter 6. At this point it is mostly Lorca. And that is the problem. Lorca is in love with a woman - whom the reader never meets - but she is the only one who can called him Gabe. And we are know what that means. So yeah, a woman is fridged even before the first 10% of a book. I'm out. ...more
I like this Doctor and companion, but this story just doesn't work for me.I like this Doctor and companion, but this story just doesn't work for me....more
This is a lovely follow up to the previous volume. There is a good amount of information about the frogs as well as how the species recovery was handlThis is a lovely follow up to the previous volume. There is a good amount of information about the frogs as well as how the species recovery was handled. The book includes a general map of Yosemite. If you have kids who like nature, this is a good series....more
Disclaimer: I received a copy via LIbrarything giveaway.
If you have read Lewis’ graphic memoir March, you may be wondering why you should this biograDisclaimer: I received a copy via LIbrarything giveaway.
If you have read Lewis’ graphic memoir March, you may be wondering why you should this biography. Well, if you are, here’ the answer: Greenberg’s massive biography adds layers to Lewis’ own memoir, giving us not only Lewis’ view of himself, but the way others viewed him.
Greenberg’s prose is engaging. It doesn’t feel like a long book. Even when he is relating events that people should know, such as Selma, he does so that keep the reader engaged. He also makes Lewis, who despite his elder statesmen image always seem approachable, even more approachable.
However, Greenberg, who clearly admires and even loves Lewis, has not written an hagiography. Unlike say, Chernow’s Alexander “Can Do Wrong” Hamilton biography (where he blames Eliza for Hamilton’s affair), Greenberg presents warts. They might not be big warts, but there are warts. Greenberg’s book is largely based on interview not only with Lewis but with people who knew him, even those who had issues or felt a sense of betrayal by some of his actions. This include how Julian Bond felt about Lewis and the 1986 Congressional Election. The fact that Greenberg includes such views is important and gives weight to the biography. Furthermore, Greenberg notes places where Lewis’ memory might have shifted or weakened as well as differences between memories of various people.
The book does mostly focus on Lewis the Civil Rights and public figure. Yet there are touches - there are good descriptions about his marriage as well as his love for shopping and art. The story about Lewis making a driver stop so he could browse a used bookstore speaks to any reader. The fact that Lewis went to Statutory Hall and gave impromptu tours to groups, in particular school children is something that more politicians should aspire to.
The image that Greenberg paints might not be that of a perfect man, but it is one of a principled man who tried to, and did, stay true to his beliefs. ...more
Memoirs are an image that is presented to the world. No matter how honest a writer is determined to be, it is still an image. Sometimes that image allMemoirs are an image that is presented to the world. No matter how honest a writer is determined to be, it is still an image. Sometimes that image allows for tea spilling – the image that Brian Cox, for instance, has in part allowed him to spill in his book. Other times that image is very front and center or at least an attempt to keep that image front center- say like Patrick Stewart’s memoir. So, yes, Williams’ memoir is also part of crafting image or keeping an image.
Yet, it is also very much what you want in a memoir.
It reads like you are setting across from at a dinner table drinking wine as he relates his story. In part, this is to showcase to younger generations and non-football fans, that he is more than Lando (though he loves Lando). Yet, it is simply more than just a list of roles. Williams admits that he isn’t an activist, except though his acting, but he does point out how racism in Hollywood hindered his success and curtailed his roles. There is the disappointment that he could never play Ellington.
Part of the charm of the memoir is Williams’ relating of his childhood and young adulthood, something that he admits he views though rose colored glasses. It is clear how much he loved his sister, parents and grandmother. He presents the richness of the family life and the family history. He also presents a time and place.
There are also poignant parts- Williams’ relationship with James Baldwin and their learning of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination. Williams’ would go one to play King in play, performing a monologue at Ford’s Theatre in front of an audience that included Carter. There are Williams’ deep pride and love for his children. Williams may be the sexy lover man - he is proud of how he got the Avon contact – but he also appears as a loving father.
The book includes two photo sections but there are also black and white photos spread throughout the book, giving the memoir a intimate feel – like he is showing the photos at that dinner table. I also need to note that this is the first memoir I’ve read by a man who actually explicitly notes, and takes pride in, giving a woman an organism as opposed to the standard this is how I lost my virginity story, if you know what I mean.
There are three sections where you could argue that Williams is holding back. The first has to do with Williams’ performance in The Blacks, a play in which he co-starred with, among others, Maya Angelou. During a performance, he poured sugar into his co-star’s hair. It was unscripted, and Williams notes the importance of Black women and their hair. A little more reasoning – why he did it, does he regret it here would not have been amiss (he also might not simply remember) Another time, occurs when he is addressing the incident in 1996 when he was accused for his assaulting his live in girlfriend. He details the events but he doesn’t mention the counseling or the lawsuit he brought against her, which seemed a bit strange, nor does he discuss if race played a part in the arrest. The third is when he mentions briefly losing two cousins to drugs. While one can understand holding back (the rawness of at least two of those experiences), it does stand out when he does.
It is worth noting that Williams speaks well about his ex-lovers and ex-wives (the book is dedicated to his children and his wives), and he doesn’t use the “its an acting hazard” excuse that another certain actor did when it comes to his marriages ending.
If you are reading this simply because of Star Wars, there is a bit about Star Wars. Williams’ discussion of what attracted him to Lando as well, brief, stories about filming. (As an aside, it was a sin that Lando did not make an appearance in the sequels until Rise. He should have been in the Force Awakens. And spare me that sh*t about because he was Empire, he should have appeared in Last Jedi first. That’s BS. Quite frankly, if Lando had married Leia, their child would not have turned to the Dark Side and destroyed seven planets in a temper tantrum. While we are at, Rose deserved better than JJ giving into fanboys. Leia deserved better than the overused comic book plot of powerful woman giving up her power for her son. Read far too much of that in the 90s).
What I really liked best about this memoir, outside of the name dropping stories was Williams name dropping about books and poets who you can tell he read, and Williams discussion about his painting. He said in an interview that he wants do a book about his artwork. I hope he does. ...more
It's not bad, I just want less fiction in it - in terms of how the people felt about a day or some such. I get that McDonald is writing for all audienIt's not bad, I just want less fiction in it - in terms of how the people felt about a day or some such. I get that McDonald is writing for all audiences, including children - but there is a bit too much of "people thought" when there was no indication of how she knows this.
I do love the fact however that McDonald focuses on little know figures in history with an emphasis on women and people of color....more
I don't know if the art is computer generated or not, but it is glorious. Oh, this is such a pretty book. It isn't so much a biography of Kahlo, but aI don't know if the art is computer generated or not, but it is glorious. Oh, this is such a pretty book. It isn't so much a biography of Kahlo, but a brief, child friendly introduction to her....more
This is a pretty cool children's book about Death Valley. I love the fact that the National Park Service person is a Black woman. This book is packed This is a pretty cool children's book about Death Valley. I love the fact that the National Park Service person is a Black woman. This book is packed with science as well. Illustrations are good....more
The idea and plot of the this retelling are not bad. It is nice to see standard fairy tales/folk tale/children's stories be retold with non white charThe idea and plot of the this retelling are not bad. It is nice to see standard fairy tales/folk tale/children's stories be retold with non white characters. The changes in the story also highlight the importance of family and community. Gueston also gets a point for showing Mamma Bear fish like a bear and not a person. However, there a few too many verb tense shifts for me to give it more than two stars....more
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