Sept Books

Don bought me this book a while ago. While I was reading Jacksonland, Marshall's name came up. He took a stand against President Jackson and ruled against him in the great Indian battles. I wanted to know more.

I'm not sure what I thought. Perhaps I thought they wrote the Declaration of Independence, had a war, wrote the constitution, and voila: United States of America! I think I knew there was more to it than that but I really had no idea of all the issues there were in the process of creating the US. 

A problem I have with this book is it's very pro Marshall and anti Jefferson: his picture of Jefferson only lacks a black mustache, railroad track, a damsel he could tie to said track, and villain background music. Yes, it was that bad. His word choice showed no mercy. It's hard to believe Jefferson was that bad, although many authors (and friends) seem to agree on that point.

*I am frustrated that some authors have a difficult time writing good about someone without writing bad about someone else. There is a way, people. Please.*

John Marshall was a great man and I was glad to read more about him.

I listened to this book. The beginning was great (although the author was severely unkind to President Taft, basically calling him two faced and bringing great attention to his weight and his eating / sleeping habits - please refer to * comment above) and I learned much about TR and his fight to save some of America's great land for public enjoyment rather than private business / use. 

The middle is a lot of fire. A lot. People burning, lands burning, people hiding in caves trying to keep the fire out... hair sizzling... hands on fire... animals on fire...  etc. Not easy to listen too - especially when he describes the charred corpses. UGH. 

The end was about the fight to save the conservation effort. After the fire brought the plight of the ranger to the attention of the people, there was much more public support. 

I needed something easier on my mind with all the sickness in the house, so I grabbed my copy of The Chronicles of Narnia. Every house should have a copy of these. It's not Harry Potter mind you but there is a lot of symbolism and religious references if you look for them. This one, (basically about the creation) was written after The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, but it is first in the series. Good deep stuff. 

My aunt texted me and asked me to read this. So I put it on hold and got on it. 500 + pages and took me about 5 days. Simple reading but really fun. Worth a look. I didn't like the ending - lots left unsaid and a little convenient - but still great stories. My first historical fiction / fantasy book. Very cool.

Rebekah's 

Sweet story about sharing and including everyone. Complete with cuddly bears. Who could ask for more.