How I'm Staying Busy and Still Improving Coronavirus and Covid-19 have decreased my world to mostly just my house. I'm working from home for the foreseeable future. Sue and I are staying inside, not going out. We still think that stay at home is the best way for combating the spread of the virus. Hopefully, … Continue reading Staying Busy and Still Improving
Reading
Review: Dying of Whiteness
I grew up in a conservative household in a conservative village in farm country Illinois. My father and mother were both state employees for most of their lives, and for as long as I could remember, both railed against the Democrats that ruled Illinois government. To say that my environment prepared me to be a … Continue reading Review: Dying of Whiteness
Behind on My Review Schedule
I’m behind on my review schedule. This past Tuesday, I was supposed to post my review for the paperback edition of Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan Metzl from Basic Books. I bought the hardcover earlier this year, and it sat on my to be read pile. When I saw the chance to review the paperback … Continue reading Behind on My Review Schedule
Review: Peace Talks (Dresden Files #16)
Jim Butcher's Peace Talks delivers exactly what I want from a Dresden Files novel. Highly recommended.
Review: John Adams Under Fire
National myths set a foundation for a country's character. One of my favorites is how John Adams defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre. His actions show that everyone, even people that we despise. In the United States, the law is the supreme arbiter, and we all are equal under the law. But myths also … Continue reading Review: John Adams Under Fire
Review: Retreat from Moscow
Once, I watched a friend build frames for a renovation on his house. He built a solid frame that would hold up under building codes, but he didn't know why those codes existed. How did the code relate to the actual loading and structural requirements? What was really happening with the loads in the frames? … Continue reading Review: Retreat from Moscow
Review: Checkpoint Charlie
In Iain MacGregor’s Checkpoint Charlie the history of this contentious crossing comes alive. MacGregor explores the conflict through the people that inhabited the city, that crossed the border, that lived on the front line of the Cold War.
Review: Sailing True North
When studying leadership, looking to leaders of the past provide ample examples of the characteristics of good leaders. Studying the character of leaders that you admire is a great way to prepare yourself to be a leader. In Sailing True North, Admiral James Stavridis (retired) sketches quick biographies of ten admirals that he admires. Stretching … Continue reading Review: Sailing True North
Review: Fallen (Alex Verus #10)
I always loved the Dungeons and Dragons alignment tables. The world has always felt too big to just slip everything into a good versus evil fight. It lacks nuance. But the addition of neutral adds a third option and instant complexity. Neutrality incites questions. If the character doesn't choose evil, why wouldn't the character choose … Continue reading Review: Fallen (Alex Verus #10)
2019 Fall TBR Pile
The summer fly by, and my to be read pile has shifted. I’ve got through all of my Summer 2019 To Be Read Pile and have only one book left from the TBR Pile Update in June. So, it’stime for another look at my to be read pile. This fall tilts heavily toward history with … Continue reading 2019 Fall TBR Pile