This book is well written and tells a compelling story, striking a balance between avoiding the dull and dry procedural elements & not turning the spy craft elements into a Bond/Bourne parody. Nonetheless it was hard for me to read at times.
As a #longtimefed I‘ve never been a big fan of real life espionage stories, but it hits differently at this stage in history. That‘s probably about the finest point I can put on it or need to put on it…
so-soThe book looks at 3 distinct areas: commerce raiding and blockaders, river combat, and assaults on Confederate ports. The info on the development of monitors and weaponry is excellent. The riverine aspect is uninspired. The blockade running is interesting. The success of assaults on ports was dependent on coordination and cooperation. Overall, in the debate over the utility of blockades, he waffles and delivers a highly qualified support.
#Roll100 #NONFICTION
I‘ve been wanting to read the tagged and hope this is the motivation I need to do so.
@PuddleJumper
pickA great read, even if some of it hurts.
And no, Black People don‘t know how to fix racism. I can‘t say I know how either but it‘s White people‘s responsibility, White people‘s work.
My only recommendation is do not isolate yourself from Black art, Black literature, Black news, Black music, Black culture.
Appreciate but don‘t appropriate.
pickHere is another audiobook from the haze that was February. It‘s a gritty tale of two brothers who have been surviving on their own since their teens. Everything gets turned upside down early one morning when one of them has an accident. The book walks a fine line by making the reader empathize with everything the main characters have been through while not hiding how absolutely stupid and horrible some of their decisions are.
#weekendreads
📕Still reading the tagged for the poetry prompt for #OffMyShelf
📗Encyclopedia Brown is this month‘s #EBBR
📘Not at Home is for #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub
📙Das Achte Leben I pulled down on a whim. It‘s gonna take me a few months to finish but it‘ll work for #ChunksterChallenge2025 and #AllergictoChunksters
I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it.
#ABookADay2025
pickIt‘s refreshing to meet a writer who clearly understands the core issues dividing this country. Unfortunately, this book offers a bleak assessment of our future, suggesting that our nation is on its last legs.
The author not only diagnoses the problems but also explores solutions most Americans overwhelmingly support. Yet, these efforts are being blocked by those who act as parasites, standing in the way of progress and meaningful change.
Gifts from the 📕 Swap gods on Wednesday night after Reading between the Wines Book Club at Modus Brewery. I‘d never been there before. My spicy margarita and tuna ceviche was yum and it was the perfect late summer evening for a stroll home before bed. Lily Brett has been a favourite of mine since I was in my 20s and I enjoy a good magazine and loose leaf tea on the train to work to make me happy during the working week. These are some of my favs.
#tuesdaytunes
I've been finding comfort this week in revisiting 80s/90s country: Doug Stone, Collin Raye, Lonestar, Sawyer Brown, Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Clint Black's D'lectrified was a childhood favorite, and, listening this morning, I couldn't remember for sure whether The Galaxy Song was from Monty Python (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkkjzmuEBbo) or Animaniacs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BphgKX-DZE), and that made me smile 😊
