Reviewed by Bev Scott The Black Rose is based on the truly inspirational story of Sarah Breedlove Walker, Madam C. J. Walker. She was born in 1867 on a plantation to slave parents who died from yellow fever, “Yellow Jack,” when she was about eight years old. From abject poverty, unable to read but with drive […]
Book Reviews
Book Review: “The Boleyn King” by Laura Andersen
Reviewed by Bev Scott The Boleyn King, by Laura Andersen is one of those historical novels I typically love to read. I needed a distraction during a cross country flight. The book offers creative alternative history by imagining that Anne Boleyn actually gave Henry VIII a son who became king. The historical context is a threatened […]
Book Review: “The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Book reviewed by Bev Scott The Sympathizer tells the first-person story of a communist spy embedded in South Vietnam during the “American War.” He serves as a loyal aide to “the General” of the South Vietnamese army. But, at the same time he shares information with his communist handlers loyal to North Vietnam. This spy evacuates […]
Book Review: “Clancy’s Song” by Ken Hultman and Natalie Hultman
Reviewed by Bev Scott This delightful parable takes place on the Freedom Cattle Ranch. Here, the soil is fertile. The all-grass diet, supplemented by hay when necessary, supports an organic or natural experimental operation. Our story features four Herefords, Clancy, Beamer, Tank and Gordo, who grow up on the ranch. Each is born on the […]
Book Review: “The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World” by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams
Reviewed by Bev Scott The Book of Joy records a delightful conversation between two spiritual masters of our time, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, facilitated by Douglas Abrams. This conversation celebrated their special birthdays. They offer this as a birthday gift to others with an invitation for more joy and more […]
Book Review: “The Underground River” by Martha Conway
Reviewed by Bev Scott In The Underground River, Mae Bedloe is the seamstress and all-around support for her more famous cousin Comfort Vertue. In 1838 they are searching for new opportunities in the theatre for Comfort. They have booked passage on the steamboat Moselle headed to St. Louis. But after six days on board the […]
Book Review: “No One Helped: Kitty Genovese, New York City and the Myth of Urban Apathy” By Marcia M. Gallo
Reviewed by Beverly Scott Author Marcia Gallo examines the Kitty Genovese case, with thorough and detailed research. Gallo examines the accounts of her tragic death beginning with the early reports the New York Times and other papers. Gallo then shines light on how the details of her attack and her lesbian relationship. But key to the case, […]
Book Review: “Rosette: A Novel of Pioneer Michigan” by Cindy Rinaman Marsch
Reviewed by Bev Scott The book Rosette opens in 1888. Rosette reflects on her decision to leave her marriage two years earlier. Back then, she abandoned her children who were mostly grown and took the train from Michigan to Dakota Territory. There, she would live with her oldest son. This reflection written by the author, […]
Book Review: “A Crooked Smile” by Terri Tate
Reviewed by Bev Scott A Crooked Smile (Terri Tate memoir) is powerful, touching and intimate. She takes the reader through the excruciatingly painful journey of cancer discovered under her tongue. She shares her fears, her longing, her love and her gradual acceptance of who she has become. Anne Lamont says in the foreword that she […]
