The Hood by Alison Kinney

The Hood by Alison Kinney ISBN-13: 9781501307409 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic Released: Jan. 28, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We all wear hoods. Alison Kinney explores the symbolic vibrancy of this everyday garment and political semaphore, which often protects the powerful at the expense of the powerless-with deadly results. Kinney considers medieval clerics and the Klan, anti-hoodie campaigns and the Hooded Man of Abu Ghraib, the Inquisition and the murder of Trayvon Martin, uncovering both the hooded perpetrators of violence and the hooded victims in their sights.

Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic.


My Review:
The Hood is a social history about the way we use hoods and what they have come to stand for. It's about the role hoods have played in justice and injustice and how hoods are used to define and control people.

When looking at historical uses of hoods, it was usually to point out that they didn't actually use hoods or they didn't use the hoods they're depicted as wearing in later paintings or movies. The author looked at how hoods are used to dehumanize the victims in executions, terrorism, torture, and protests. She also examined how hoods are blamed for biased behavior toward blacks or peaceful protesters.

I'd recommend this book to those interested in a closer look at relatively recent instances (Spanish Inquisition, KKK, Abu Ghraib, etc.) of injustice that involved hoods.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Truth or Truthiness by Howard Wainer

Truth or Truthiness by Howard Wainer ISBN-13: 9781107130579 Hardcover: 232 pages Publisher: Cambridge University Press Released: Dec. 1, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Happy kids do better on tests. Kids who do well on tests are happier. Our kids are over-tested. Our kids are not tested enough. Escaping from the clutches of untested 'it feels true' statements begins with one simple question: 'what is the evidence?' Howard Wainer shows how using the tools of causal inference he evaluates the evidence, or lack thereof, supporting claims in many fields, with special emphasis in education.


My Review:
Truth or Truthiness is about how to design better causal studies and better graphs. It's mainly targeted at people working in education who can influence policies about testing, tenure, and such. It's written in a very formal way and uses technical language. The author assumed the reader already knew what a "longitudinal study" and "cross-sectional study" are, for example, and that you understand words like "ancillary information," "covariates," and "legerdemain." Some words were defined, but often pages after the author first used them.

While the author was inspired by real claims or studies, many of his Case Studies used made up data to illustrate his point. He explained how to set up a random-assignment controlled experiment, which is the gold standard when possible. He then explained ways to increase the accuracy of observational studies, like gathering additional information when randomization is impossible and how to interpret the results while including missing data (from people dropping out of the study, dying, etc.). He showed how to use extrapolation, ways to deal with unexpected events, and how to create effective graphs to clearly present the information discovered in a study. He also did some ranting about current education policies (removing tenure, detecting cheating, measuring school performance, changes in the SAT, and the accuracy of subscores).

While the information about creating better studies seemed useful, I did not care for his mocking, dismissive tone. For example, he acknowledges that there may be a missing "third variable" in regards to fracking apparently causing increased earthquakes. However, since he can't think of one, there must not be one. People who have pointed out (in their own way) that it's not a certain cause-effect get mocked by the author. I happen to agree with him about fracking, but he mocks people for assuming things because "it makes sense to them." Yet when he does it, his conclusions are based solely on "logic and evidence" and everyone else is either stupid or corrupt.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Cure by Jo Marchant

Cure by Jo Marchant ISBN-13: 9780385348157 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Crown Publishing Released: Jan. 19, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Drawing on the very latest research, award-winning science writer Jo Marchant explores the vast potential of the mind's ability to heal, lays out its limitations, and explains how we can make use of the findings in our own lives.

While we accept that stress or anxiety can damage our health, the idea of "healing thoughts" was long ago hijacked by New Age gurus and spiritual healers. Recently, however, serious scientists from a range of fields have been uncovering evidence that our thoughts, emotions and beliefs can ease pain, heal wounds, fend off infection and heart disease and even slow the progression of AIDS and some cancers.

In Cure, Marchant travels the world to meet the physicians, patients and researchers on the cutting edge of this new world of medicine. We learn how meditation protects against depression and dementia, how social connections increase life expectancy and how patients who feel cared for recover from surgery faster. We meet Iraq war veterans who are using a virtual arctic world to treat their burns and children whose ADHD is kept under control with half the normal dose of medication.


My Review:
Cure is a look at the latest scientific research on how the mind can help (or hinder) our body's ability to heal. The author is a scientist and generally skeptical about alternative medicine, but she keeps an open mind. She clearly explained the studies and how this information could be used to help people. She kept my interest and was easy to follow from start to finish. I intend to read this book again, and I highly recommend it.

I've long wondered: if the placebo effect helps people and has no side effects, why haven't we used that rather than dismissed it? That's the first topic the author tackled: research into using the placebo effect. It turns out a placebo can work even if you know it's a placebo! The research explains how the placebo effect works and what things it can help with (like pain). There's also research into combining placebos with drugs to create a Pavlov effect which can reduce the amount of drugs that the person needs.

She also looked into fatigue (how the mind controls when you feel fatigue), hypnosis, virtual reality (to decrease pain), biofeedback, religion, meditation, how the words and behavior of the caregiver matter, and how strong social bonds support health. She briefly talked about research into telomere length and epigentics. Her conclusion is that the mind can play a positive role in health and that proven techniques should be used along with drugs, etc. But it's hard for techniques that decrease drug use to get funding for further studies or become accepted by doctors.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Walking the Nile by Levison Wood

Walking the Nile by Levison Wood ISBN-13: 9780802124494 Hardcover: 352 pages Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press Released: Jan. 5, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
The Nile, one of the world’s great rivers, has long been an object of fascination and obsession. From Alexander the Great and Nero, to Victorian adventurers David Livingstone, John Hanning Speke, and Henry Morton Stanley, the river has seduced men and led them into wild adventures. English writer, photographer, and explorer Levison Wood is just the latest. His Walking the Nile is a captivating account of a remarkable and unparalleled Nile journey.

Starting in November 2013 in a forest in Rwanda, where a modest spring spouts a trickle of clear, cold water, Wood set forth on foot, aiming to become the first person to walk the entire length of the fabled river. He followed the Nile for nine months, over 4,000 miles, through six nations—Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, the Republic of Sudan, and Egypt—to the Mediterranean coast.

Like his predecessors, Wood camped in the wild, foraged for food, and trudged through rainforest, swamp, savannah, and desert, enduring life-threatening conditions at every turn. He traversed sandstorms, flash floods, minefields, and more, becoming a local celebrity in Uganda, where a popular rap song was written about him, and a potential enemy of the state in South Sudan, where he found himself caught in a civil war and detained by the secret police. As Wood walks on, often joined by local guides who help him to navigate foreign languages and customs, Walking the Nile maps out African history and contemporary life.


My Review:
Walking the Nile describes Levison Wood's journey of walking the length of the Nile from December 2013 to August 2014. We learn about the author's walk, past explorers who walked the Nile, the history of the countries he walks through (Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Egypt), and the people that he encountered along his walk.

In Rwanda, we see how the genocide impacted their society. In South Sudan, Lev brings the war vividly alive with his descriptions. We meet people like a man who runs an orphanage for children whose parents died of AIDs and a Coptic Christian that was severely beaten and left for dead simply for being a Christian. Of course, there were tales about wildlife encounters, a dangerous desert crossing, difficulties in finding porters, and other difficulties, sorrows, and joys of his travels.

The story flowed well and engaged my attention from start to finish. It's worth reading simply for the information about the people and cultures Lev encountered, but it's also a tale of adventure. I'd highly recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Mind Hacking by John Hargrave

Mind Hacking by John Hargrave ISBN-13: 9781501105654 Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: Gallery Books Released: Jan. 5, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Have you ever wished you could reprogram your brain, just as a hacker would a computer? In this guide to improving your mental habits, Hargrave reveals the steps that allowed him to overcome negativity and eliminate mental problems at their core.

This book lays out a simple yet comprehensive approach to help you rewire your brain and achieve healthier thought patterns for a better quality of life. It hinges on the repetitive steps of analyzing, imagining, and reprogramming. By treating your brain as a computer and mastering Hargrave’s mind hacking skills, you, too, can create a positive, permanent shift in your thinking.


My Review:
Mind Hacking is a way to re-write problem thoughts and succeed at the goals you set. There are three main steps: being aware of what you're thinking, choosing new thoughts to replace the problem thoughts, and actually replacing those thoughts. For each step, we're given simple exercises that help you achieve things like increasing your concentration. The last step also covers coming up with small, do-able steps toward your ultimate goal. These techniques are good for any goal, not just re-writing problem thoughts.

Each concept is illustrated with a number of stories and analogies. While the author sometimes refers to scientific studies, he explains the concepts in computer programming terms and in other ways so that even teens can easily understand them. In fact, I know of a teen who could really use the information in this book. I suspect the humorous, encouraging writing style will keep her engaged in the content.

I've previously read about some of these ideas and tried them, and they really do work. This book brings these ideas together and explains them on a level that most people can understand and do. I'd recommend this book to anyone ready to change their negative thoughts that keep coming back or who need advice on how to achieve their goals.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Women in Black History by Tricia Williams Jackson

Women in Black History by Tricia Williams Jackson ISBN-13: 9780800726522 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Jan. 5, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Within the pages of American history are the stories of remarkable African American women who have defied the odds, taken a stand for justice, and made incredible strides despite opposition from the culture around them. Now young readers can discover their exciting true stories in this eye-opening collection.

From well-known figures like Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks to women rarely found in any history book, "Women in Black History" explores the lives of writers, athletes, singers, activists, and educators who have made an indelible mark on our country and our culture. Perfect for kids, but also for adults who like to read about important figures and unsung heroes.


My Review:
Women in Black History is a collection of 14 biographies of American women who made an impact on our history. It's targeted at children, and the author explained words like "debut" and "suffrage" when she used them. Adults will also enjoy this book.

The biographies covered a period from 1753 to 1994. Some of these women were slaves and others free, but they were honored for their work as poets, singers, writers, in sports, for anti-slavery activities, and their efforts for civil rights, woman's suffrage, and equal education.

Each biography was about 12 pages long. It started with a scene from the woman's life, then the author told about their life. She briefly mentioned how each woman's Christian faith affected their actions. At the end of each biography, the author included three reading comprehension questions, then she invited the reader to imagine something relating to the story and to get creative with a related activity. There was a sketch or photograph of each woman in the back.

I can see this book being used in homeschooling. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in short biographies of inspiring women.

The women covered were: Phillis Wheatley, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Anna Julia Cooper, Mary McLeod Bethune, Marian Anderson, Mahalia Jackson, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Althea Gibson, Coretta Scott King, and Wilma Rudolph.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

George Washington's Journey by T.H. Breen

George Washington's Journey: by T.H. Breen ISBN-13: 9781451675429 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Released: Jan. 5, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
T.H. Breen introduces us to a George Washington we rarely meet. During his first term as president, he decided that the only way to fulfill the Revolution was to take the new federal government directly to the people. He organized an extraordinary journey carrying him to all thirteen states. It transformed American political culture.

For Washington, the stakes were high. If the nation fragmented, as it had almost done after the war, it could never become the strong, independent nation for which he had fought. In scores of communities, he communicated a powerful and enduring message—that America was now a nation, not a loose collection of states. And the people responded to his invitation in ways that he could never have predicted.


My Review:
George Washington's Journey described President Washington's efforts to unite the 13 states into a nation by personally visiting each state. Washington realized that winning a war for freedom doesn't guarantee the formation a stable and prosperous nation. Americans were thinking in terms of state and local interests, but they needed to think of national interests if the new government was going to succeed. Washington visited each of the original 13 states in an effort to unite the people behind a strong federal government and to hear their concerns.

The author described Washington's inaugural journey (from home to the capital) and his tour of the states. Washington toured the northern states in 1789 and the southern states in 1791. The author didn't give a day-by-day description of the travels but instead grouped similar incidents and analyzed what was going on. He described various things that Washington and the people did that helped define how the president should be addressed, treated, and how he should interact with the people who elected him.

There were many quotes from Washington's diary, various letters, and newspaper accounts. These quotes helped to show how people at the time viewed the events. The author also gave the context of what was happening so we could understand Washington's motives or the significance of various interactions. The author did a good job of showing events within the context of the time period rather than purely through hindsight.

I found the book to be an interesting, easy read that brought that period in history alive for me. I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy learning about early American history.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Geography of Genius by Eric Weiner

The Geography of Genius by Eric Weiner ISBN-13: 9781451691658 Hardcover: 368 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster Released: Jan. 5, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Acclaimed travel writer Weiner sets out to examine the connection between our surroundings and our most innovative ideas. He explores the history of places, like Vienna of 1900, Renaissance Florence, ancient Athens, Song Dynasty Hangzhou, and Silicon Valley, to show how certain urban settings are conducive to ingenuity. And, with his trademark insightful humor, he walks the same paths as the geniuses who flourished in these settings to see if the spirit of what inspired figures like Socrates, Michelangelo, and Leonardo remains.


My Review:
The Geography of Genius is a travelogue. The author described his experiences as he visited seven cities. He visited historic sites and mused over coffee, tea, or alcohol about why these places had a cultural Golden Age. It's not actually about geography, but places, and the similarities these places had at the time of their golden ages.

We also get brief biographies of several of the geniuses that the author admires and details about what the city was like at the time of their golden age. His definition of "genius" varied throughout the book, but it primarily referred to talented people with lasting name recognition whose actions had an enduring impact on society. He mainly focused on philosophy, painting, and music, though science and technology get a nod.

The author visited Athens, Greece (to explore the time of Plato, Socrates, etc.); Hangzhou, China (969-1276 AD); Florence, Italy (for the Renaissance); Edinburgh, Scotland (for the Scottish Enlightenment in the second half of the 18th century); Calcutta, India (1840-1920s for the Bengal Renaissance); Vienna, Austria (for music in the 1800s and psychology in 1900-1914); and Silicon Valley in USA. The author had a lighthearted, entertaining approach which made the book an enjoyable read.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.