Drunks

I was expecting a more light hearted funny non fiction book about the history and plight of the American drunks, but instead got the in-depth history of drunks (starting with American Indians) trying to reform and become sober. It's my bad for not reading the complete description! Every chapter goes into detail about a different method of obtaining sobriety from gold cures to workhouses to temperance society to prohibition to the birth of AA. It's pretty interesting actually and I learned quite a lot, even if it did get a little too bogged down in details. There is a small insert with some pictures and drawings to shed light on some of the different cures and methods discussed. An interesting read, but will mostly be useful for college students, those interested in the history of alcoholism, and those trying to stay sober.

This is Your Brain on Sports

I may not be an avid sports watcher, but I'm certainly becoming an avid sports reader! I'm certainly a novice when it comes to the world of sports, I only know a little, but if you give me a good book to read or an inspiring sports movie I suddenly transform into the biggest fan. This book had me hooked, I will gladly be a little cheerleader for this book, it was utterly fascinating! From underdogs to the attractiveness of quarterbacks to professional athletes making bad coaches and the t shirt cannon. This book discusses the science behind so many things that we don't even really bother to think about. It's truly eye opening. I learned so much about rivalries, effort justification, hot headedness and more. Even though it's nonfiction, it reads easy and is never overwhelming. Each chapter discusses a new topic and there are plenty of charts and funny asides to get readers laughing and thinking. Loved, loved, loved this book!

I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Krampus

While it wasn't quite what I was expecting, I loved it nonetheless. It might be too dense or deep for the light reader but I personally found it fascinating. Author, Al Ridenour not only discusses the legend and customs of Krampus but spends a lot of time going into to other dark folkloric holiday traditions of Austria and Europe. It really helps put Krampus in perspective knowing his origins and the other dark beasties and witches that come with him. There are also tons of high quality photos of masks, folk customs, vintage drawings and more that enhance the author's message. a fascinating read around the holidays and a must for anyone who ever wanted to unearth some bizarre and different customs than our own!

The Apache Wars

At times dense and overwhelming, but definitely worth reading. Hutton does a great job compiling the longest war in American history without making it read like a textbook. It's as unbiased and fair as possible, and the author does a good job of outlining when the White Eyes (white Americans) are screwing over the Apaches and vice-versa (obviously though the White Eyes are the biggest ones at fault). I knew literally nothing before starting this and it kinda blew my mind, wild west history is so fascinating. I had heard of Geronimo and the Apache kid but it was completely out of context to what really happened. It's a sad story of a quickly diminishing land, broken treaties, vengeance, raids, kidnappings, and murder. It keeps getting more depressing the further you read because the government has less patience and less land to "give." A must read for fans of the wild west and Native American history. Included are pictures that help bring the whole story to light.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Imbeciles

Utterly horrifying and captivating. Author, Adam Cohen, digs deep to shed light on America's horrifying obsession with eugenics by outlining the supreme court case of Carrie Buck, a young girl who was declared "feeble-minded" and sterilized. At the turn of the twentieth century America's elite were infatuated with the idea of strengthening the American race by practicing eugenics on those undesirables that society wanted to get rid of: imbeciles, criminals, people with physical and mental defects, epileptics, sexually promiscuous women and more. Nazi Germany used America's eugenics rhetoric, research, and court cases as a model for their racial cleansing plan. By the time it was finally considered faux pas and barbaric, more than 70,000 American's had been sterilized, most without their consent or knowledge. Meticulously researched (although sometimes a little bogged down with details on key figures), this book is a scary piece of America's past and very timely as bigotry continues to rise again.

Five Days at Memorial

Engrossing and impossible to put down, this non-fiction book will grip readers from page one. Author, Sheri Fink, interviewed hundreds of doctors, nurses, patients, family members, and prosecutors, involved in the horrifying experiences of Memorial Hospital to paint a picture of the awful conditions and the hard decisions that were made. When Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, Memorial Hospital was under water, lost power, and eventually lost generator power and hundreds were stranded without power, over 100 were patients. Doctors and nurses struggled with no sleep, dwindling supplies, deathly sick patients, and trying to keep people from overheating and dying. Despite their best efforts many died, and controversy arose that some of those patients had been helped to die with additional morphine. Many adamantly disagreed saying that morphine was given to alleviate the dire conditions and pain. After five days when the last living patients were rescued, controversy arose and many of those involved found themselves embroiled in controversy with what really happened in the hospital. The mounting tension and terror is hard to read and you feel as if you're right there with them. The included pictures really help paint the picture and set the scene. It's unfortunate, but reading this will help you think about how well you could cope in an emergency. A must read!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Rain

Rain, it inspires kissing, dancing, reading, or glumness, anger, and depression. It can make crops grow or make them die. Depending on where in the world you live it can be a daily occurrence and for many of us, it is never once delved into. Before reading this book I couldn't tell you if I had ever really thought about rain other than, "Damn this is going to ruin my hair." It's something we take for granted. Cynthia Barnett goes into detail and explore the natural and cultural history of rain, and trust me, it's fascinating. Rain is more than just the frowny face on the weatherman's report, it's an essential part of life as we know it. Barnett captures the beauty and mystery of raindrops, thunderstorms, and clouds; and once you read this book it is impossible to look at the sky again. Simply masterful.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stop whatever you're doing and GO GET THIS BOOK!!! Hands down the most intriguing, morbid, hilarious, insightful, and absorbing nonfiction book I may have ever read!!!! This book was impossible to put down. I never thought I would have any interest in reading about human remains, but holy hell, now I know everything there is to know about them. Who knew cadavers could be soo interesting?

Mary Roach takes a seemingly dull and morbid topic and spins it into the most intriguing journey imaginable. Mary researched the many uses and functions of cadavers, and fills you in on everything you ever wanted to know about what really happens to our bodies when we die. Embalming, decomposing, cremating, organ transplants, crucifixion, cannibalism, donating your body to science, composing, melting, and soo much more.

Mary Roach has a great sense of humor and I was often laughing out loud at her witty stories. Some of my favorite parts were: the debate on whether you die when your heart stops or your brain stops, the fact that men are more likely to survive a plane crash, heads that still twitch up to 10 seconds of being guillotined, eating butt-cheeks, that's just to name a few. I really loved it all!

I'm a very squeamish person but I was able to handle this book pretty well there were a few parts I cringed (all the animal testing stories and the embalming process got to me) but overall I was too intrigued to be grossed out.

Seriously a must read. I loved this!!!!