Book review: Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

Within the entirety of his life and among other presidents, James Garfield is not remembered as a significant president. But, maybe if he had lived longer that would have been different. Millard strives to make this point with her well-researched book.

In his life, he had seen war and the tragedy of it. His administration was a time of peace, as well as advances in science from notable men such as Alexander Graham Bell and Lister. Lurking in this same period, we find another more serious and sinister person. One who targets Garfield at a time when presidents were not closely guarded by security. Garfield ascended to the position of president, a job which he didn’t aspire.

Millard weaves important scientific discoveries within the story of Garfield’s ascension to the presidency. We learn about his close family life. A well written book about a president who is largely forgotten.

“Tonight, I am a private citizen. To-morrow I shall be called to assume new responsibilities, and on the day after, the broadside of the world’s wrath will strike. It will strike hard. I know it, and you will know it.”

Candice Millard, Destiny of the Republic

Book Review: The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

In this social document of women in Victorian England, Rubenhold attempts a demystification of Jack the Ripper’s five victims. Because of their circumstance, their lives have disappeared into the all too sad fascination with the actual murderer.

These women were not prostitutes, only one was reported as a prostitute. They were young women who faced the challenges all women face. But, they lived during a time that women had very few options. They were objects meant to remain as the lowest of society.

Rubenhold’s meticulous research revealed these women as forgotten or cast out by their families, friends, society. She breathed new life into the hopelessness of their lives and revealed their strength.

“The victims of Jack the Ripper were never ‘just prostitutes’; they were daughters, wives, mothers, sisters and lovers. They were women. They were human beings, and surely that, in itself, is enough.”

Hallie Rubenhold, The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

Book Review: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

At age 11, Sarah Grimke is gifted a slave girl, named Hetty. At the time, this was a tradition. Sarah is angry about this tradition and doesn’t agree with slavery. But, as a child she is helpless to change this course. She dreams of leaving Charleston when a younger sister dream. She and this sister become abolitionist and then eventually suffragettes.

Hetty also dreams of being free, of growing wings, like the story her mother tells her. Hetty’s mother is clever and strong. She’s a seamstress who realizes she can make extra money by outsourcing her skills. She saves this money for the day she decides to leave but instead is kidnapped.

Will Hetty ever see her mother again? Is she dead or alive? And will Sarah find her independence and happiness? For historical fiction fans, Monk Kidd, tells the story of Sarah Grimke, Hetty, and their flight to independence.

To remain silent in the face of evil is itself a form of evil.”

-Sue Monk Kidd, The Invention of Wings

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Recently I read an article in Smithsonian Magazine written by Geraldine Brooks, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning March. The article focuses on two tour guides, one Muslim and one Israeli, working together in the fractious Holy land. The piece aims a light on those people who work in tandem and meld together their similarities more than their differences. Brooks’ style moves swiftly and aptly introducing the reader to various people and cultures in both the article and her novels. She mentioned People of the Book. Enough said. I checked it out from the library. If you are a fan of history and sleuthing, this book was a stellar choice

There, where one burns books, one in the end burns men. -Heinrich Heine

The story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, imagined in this 2008 book, spans over six hundred years. The illuminated manuscript is real but the events are imagined. The story sweeps from one time period to another telling the story of the people who may have handled this illustrious book. Hanna, a conservator, is asked to help restore this manuscript with a somewhat heated past. She’s bright, well-educated, but concerned as to why she’s been chosen for this job. Brooks connects us to Hanna through her estranged mother and through various esteemed colleagues.

The story veers off into a who done it. And Hanna must question whom she trusts. Read this and see how she handles it.

Historic Papers at Syracuse University

The women’s suffrage movement, which began in upstate New York, is now on view in the special collections research center at Syracuse University. The remarkably important papers of the Reverend Samuel J. May, titled The Rights and Conditions of Women, led to the women’s rights convention of 1848. It took place in Seneca Falls, New York. His point of view comes through clearly in this quote,

“The Father of the human family, in his infinite wisdom, made man male and female. But, he made us coordinate, equal in rank, alike rational and moral beings. God created woman to be the companion of man, not his slave, not his menial; not subservient to his will…He has not given one law to men, and another law to women, but the same law to both.” 

Nonfiction Book Review / Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky

Who would have thought it? A book about salt? What? Yes. A book about the history of salt titled, guess this…Salt: a world history, proves quite an interesting read. 

Even to this day, we all need salt to survive. Well, think about a time when it was also used as currency much like spices on the Silk Road. So, is it grabbing you yet? Don’t worry. Salt was used as a preservative especially for meats and fish which could spoil on long journeys. When the Pope decided Catholics could only eat fish on Holy days and Friday, well, salt was there to save the day. 

In the book, Kurlansky even quotes de Gaulle who said, “nobody can easily bring together a nation that has 265 kinds of cheese.” Isn’t that the truth. Who wants to deal with stinky cheese? Or who has the stinkiest cheese? Eek. 

Before modern refrigeration, nations depended on salt and it continues to reveal its major economic impact throughout history. Other experimenters learned to use salt and its derivatives for new inventions and expanding into new industries. In this book, Kurlansky provides history and cultural antidotes as well as recipes.