Published in June of 2023, Ken Jenning’s “100 Places to See After You Die” is a meta-analysis of the afterlife from every corner of history and popular fiction. From the circles of Dante’s Inferno to the ancient Egyptian underworld to NBC’s The Good Place, this book will help you navigate through all possibilities whether they be sublime or ridiculous.
100 Places to See After You Die
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed the start of this book as it was a good summation of ancient to modern beliefs in the afterlife. One of my favorite classes in college was comparative religion and I always found it interesting to see what people believe. However, as the book started to delve away from truth to fiction, I found my eyes glazing over and it was struggle to complete the book. Ken Jennings is a proven master of trivia and while I respect his knowledge and the depths of his research, I didn’t care about much of the material covered.
Recommendation
A good book but the first part was much better than the second.
Published in 2007, “The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History,” a book by Dr. Linwood “Little Bear” Custalow and Angela L. Daniel. This book offers a unique perspective on the life of Pocahontas, focusing on the oral traditions and perspectives of her descendants from the Mattaponi tribe. Custalow, a Mattaponi tribal member, provides insights into Pocahontas’s life and the cultural context of her time, offering a narrative that differs from the more widely known historical accounts. The book aims to present a more accurate and culturally informed portrayal of Pocahontas’s story from the indigenous perspective.
The True Story of Pocahontas
My Thoughts
It is always instructive to read accounts stemming from oral history and this book is one of them. There was a similar title that was published back in 1994 and it would be interesting to read that book to compare the differences. Either way, I’m sure both would agree the Disney version was ridiculous. I’m not sure if their version of Pocahontas or Peter Pan was more offensive to Native Americans.
This version of the story was hard to hear in places as it was definitely one sided. No Englishman came off as a moral or good person throughout this history and the majority of their actions were reprehensible. Reading through it certainly gave me a lot to think about.
Published in May of 2022, “Lieutenant General James Longstreet: Innovative Military Strategist: The Most Misunderstood Civil War General” is a biography of James Longstreet during the Civil War. An argument is made that he was a greater general than history portrayed him and, if General Lee had followed his recommendations, several battles would not have been fought or would have worked out much better in the favor of the Confederacy. (E.g. Gettysburg.)
Lieutenant General James Longstreet
My Thoughts
I love a good Civil War book in general. However, this one went a little bit further in the weeds than I would have liked. He did make a compelling argument about Longstreet’s ability but I don’t have the expertise to fact check him. Still, it seemed very detailed and I enjoyed it.
Published in July of 2023, “Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America’s Legendary Racehorse” is a book by Kim Wickens who is a lawyer who became interested in Lexington when she heard so many Triple Crown winners were descended from him. Lexington, the horse, was a legendary 19th-century American Thoroughbred racehorse known for his exceptional speed and dominance on the track. Born in 1850, he quickly gained fame as a two-year-old, winning all of his races and establishing a reputation as one of the finest racehorses of his era. Renowned for his striking appearance, impressive stature, and remarkable athleticism, Lexington continued to achieve victory throughout his racing career, earning him the title of one of the greatest American racehorses of all time. His legacy extended beyond the track, as he became a highly influential sire, passing on his exceptional genetics to future generations of racehorses, shaping the sport for years to come.
Lexington
My Thoughts
Initially, I saw the title of the book “Lexington” and the publication date of last month and thought, “Sweet! A new book on the Civil War!” Obviously, this wasn’t the case. I was very surprised the book was about an 170 year old horse. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on the context, I’m interested in everything and this was something I had no idea about.
Horses… Of all the things I’ve been exposed to in my life, horses cause the biggest allergic reaction. I can just stand downwind from a horse and find it hard to breathe. Long story short, I’ve not enjoyed them at all. I have ridden a few over the years, while heavily medicated, and just didn’t see the attraction. I would take a motorcycle over these giant smelly animals with a mind of their own any day of the week. Still, I’m certainly able to read a book and this seemed to be a good opportunity.
Almost everything about the story was new to me. I loved the tie ins to the Civil War and how Lexington and his offspring played such an interesting role. General Grant’s horse “Cincinnati” was famous in his own right and was Lexington’s colt. In fact, so many of Lexington’s children ended up throughout the United States the author makes the claim that it would be nearly impossible to find a Thoroughbred horse without being somehow descended from Lexington. We might as well call him the Abraham of horses.
Published in January of 2023, ““You Just Need to Lose Weight”: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People” is a book discussing the perspective of overweight people. The book talks about diets, trends, myths, and has many examples from the author’s personal life.
You Just need to Lose Weight
My Thoughts
I will say this was a very well written book. The author’s prose, vocabulary, her ability to express herself, and so on were absolutely on point. That said, this was a very angry book full of logical fallacies and nonsensical rants. It goes on the shelf of similar works of supposed oppression where there is no way the individual would be satisfied. One can’t use the term “fat” because thin people have “weaponized” it. Yet she prefers to be called fat…
The last chapter the author expands her ranting to all people or groups or whatever who have ever felt left out for any reason… Seriously, it was embarrassing.
Published in April of 2022, “Mind Your Mindset” is a self-help book that delves into the profound impact of one’s mindset on personal and professional success. Drawing from psychological research and real-life anecdotes, the author explores the power of cultivating a growth-oriented mindset over a fixed one. Through practical strategies and engaging insights, the book illuminates how individuals can shift their perspectives, embrace challenges as opportunities, and harness the potential for continuous learning and development.
Mind Your Mindset
My Thoughts
I thought I would really enjoy the book and honestly, it was a good read. However, it didn’t really have any special insights or any new way of thinking about the material presented. It feel on me like more white noise of the self-help world. Perhaps I wasn’t in the best space but it just wasn’t that great.
Recommendation
Nothing wrong with it but I didn’t get much out of it.
Published in December of 2022, “The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly” authored by Margareta Magnusson is a guide of growing older drawing inspiration from the Swedish philosophy of balanced living. Exploring various facets of physical, mental, and emotional well-being, the book emphasizes the significance of maintaining active lifestyles, nurturing relationships, fostering personal passions, and embracing mindfulness.
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly
My Thoughts
This was an interesting book and has been part of a death themed last couple of weeks. I would classify this book as 1 part relationship guide, 1 part philosophy, and 1 part “The Art of Tidying Up.” It was particularly fun to read as the author (an octogenarian) is full of quips and old-timey sayings (even if they were Swedish).
The book made me stop and think about what I want and even had me ask my wife and kids what they are thinking about if something happens. I don’t know how productive those conversations were but I was glad to have them.
Published in 2013, “Countdown to Dallas” is by Paul Brandus exploring the events leading up to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The book examines the lives of both Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald, and it debunks various theories about who was responsible for the assassination. Brandus argues that the assassination was at the hands of Oswald and gives compelling evidence of the series of events that led to that day in Dallas.
Countdown to Dallas
My Thoughts
I never saw the movie “JFK” by Oliver Stone but Paul Brandus doesn’t seem to have a high opinion of it. In fact, he takes every opportunity to show where it was in error. I also had no idea of the time Oswald lived in Russia or his communist ties. I didn’t know he idealized Cuban Marxism or that he was so far down the end of his rope. I was gratified to hear that the Marines kicked him out. He sounds like a real piece of work.
However, if all the above were true, I can certainly understand why it wouldn’t be such a great idea to inform everyone of exactly who this guy was and what he was about as it would certainly cause issues. Of course, it did anyway and that is a worthy story in of itself.
Recommendation
I enjoyed it. The book seems to be well researched and written but there is still some tangible bias in his language. It’s enough that makes me want to delve further.
Published in 2022, “Born to Run 2” is the sequel to “Born to Run” (2009). Both were written by Christopher McDougall and explores the author’s journey to of the events after the first book. In this book, McDougall delves into practical exercises and still continues his belief the science, biomechanics, and natural form of running for the human body. He also gives some histories of people who made an appearance in his first book.
Born to Run 2
My Thoughts
I was one of those people who bought minimalist shoes and went running after reading his first book. I ran almost daily back in those days and it is the only thing I miss about my time working in Washington D.C.
This book almost had me buying a new pair of shoes and start running again. (I still have my old pair because they almost never wear out but according to this book, I bought them too small). I currently am laid up due to some plantar fasciitis in my foot. However, McDougall gives specific exercises to deal with it. I still may…
Recommendation
This is a bit of a niche read and meant as more of a reference but it was worth my attention.
Published in 1960, “The Four Loves” is a non-fiction book written by C.S. Lewis on the nature of love. In this insightful work, Lewis explores love from a philosophical and Christian perspective. Expounding on four distinct categories of love:
Storge: This refers to familial or natural affection, the love between family members, or the love that arises naturally, such as the love between parents and children.
Philia: This represents friendship and the love between friends. It encompasses loyalty, camaraderie, and mutual respect.
Eros: Eros refers to romantic or passionate love. It is associated with desire, attraction, and physical intimacy.
Agape: Agape is unconditional love, often seen as divine or selfless love. It is characterized by compassion, generosity, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others.
Lewis delves into the complexities and nuances of each type of love. He examines their strengths, potential pitfalls, and how they relate to one another. Drawing from literature, theology, and personal experiences, Lewis offers profound reflections on the meaning and significance of love in our lives. “The Four Loves” is a timeless exploration of human relationships and emotions that continues to resonate with readers, offering wisdom and understanding on the nature of love.
The Four Loves
My Thoughts
I can’t heap enough praise on this book. C.S. Lewis does not tell a story here, rather he is explaining, as plain as he can, the nature of love. I went through it a number of times and still think I’m just scratching the surface.
