Tag: biography

Book Review

Grant by Ron Chernow

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Grant

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA+, very little language, descriptions of war, racial violence
Length: 1,074 pages
Author: Ron Chernow
Publisher: Penguin Press
Release Date: October 17th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

 

MORE THAN A “DRUNKARD”.

Guys, look how long this book was. Holy moly. I know I said this when I read Hamilton, but I am not reading anything this long until KOA this October. I stand by this statement.

This book was so good. Ron Chernow once again eloquently pieces together the life of a true American Hero.

Grant was such a good person. It was his downfall at many moments in his life as he trusted quickly and couldn’t believe someone would go behind his back. His inherent belief in other’s though, gave so much color to his life.

He worked hard to keep America together through the Civil War, and even harder when President. It was amazing learning all of the facts about his life. How he didn’t really even want to be President, but also didn’t want to say no. Julia, his wife, was someone who stuck by Grant’s side always, and helped him through his drinking issues.

It was surprising as well that he really wasn’t so much of an alcoholic as his enemies desperately tried to convey to the U.S. So many stories were mostly conjecture, while so many more stories told of how he often turned his wine glass over at dinner parties to ensure he wouldn’t have any. Ironically enough, cigars were his real downfall.

ALSO, MY DEAR FOLLOWERS, THE “S” IN HIS NAME DOESN’T STAND FOR ANYTHING. For real. Probably one of the most surprising facts in this entire book haha.

Great read for older ages who have the attention span for a long haul [that I totally almost gave in, which is why it’s taken me so long to post again]. A tiny bit of language, and descriptions of the many wars he was apart of and the violence he witnessed. Also, quite a bit of racial violence as Grant dealt with the KKK and post Civil-war Southern issues.

Book Review

Review: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

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When Breath Becomes Air

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Teen+, a tiny bit of language, no violence, but does discuss death throughout
Length: 208 pages
Author: Paul Kalanithi
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: January 12th, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

READ THIS BOOK.

This is one of those books where I truly believe, everyone needs to read it. For what this book translated in 200 pages, I can’t even begin. I definitely shed a few tears upon finishing it.

The way Paul discusses his own life, and his thoughts/opinions on death really make you contemplate how you’re leading your own life. He never got to fully finish his novel, isn’t that how life feels sometimes?

I don’t have a lot to say because my heart is just bursting with how this book made me feel. Sometimes, that’s more important than a lengthy review.

Appropriate for all ages comfortable with the discussion of death and what makes life worth living. A tiny [tiny] bit of language. Touchy subjects, but needed subjects.

Book Review

Review: Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

GoodeyReads

AH

 

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Teen+, a tiny bit of language, descriptions of violence, talks of romance
Length: 818 pages
Author: Ron Chernow
Publisher: Penguin Books
Release Date: this version: March 29th, 2005
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

 

I REALLY READ ALL OF IT.

This hands-down has been the longest book I’ve read in a while. I probably won’t read another one like this til KOA (Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas — told y’all I was obsessed).

I am a closet history buff and when I need something new I find the latest history based book on an interesting subject, and what is more interesting than ALEXANDER HAMILTON Y’ALL.

Oh my goodness. I can’t believe how much drama was occurring in the 1700s. I kept laughing to myself that if they had the media we do now, who knows what other juicy details would come out.

I have new respect for the plight that AH went through. Man, he had so much to overcome. Chernow represents him [AH] so well. I also have a new found disrespect for Thomas Jefferson (he’s the worst).

*finds soapbox* ALSO, YOU KNOW WHO ELSE IS THE WORST? AARON BURR. *climbs back-off because I can’t even*

And for Eliza to battle 50 years without Alexander broke my heart. Guys, this was love. For all that AH messed up, he got marrying Eliza Schuyler right. Don’t worry, General Hamilton got a lot of other things right too.

My intrigue really fell upon the stories about him. The political bru-ha-ha was tough at times to read, but whenever I learned stories from his children, Eliza, etc. it was special.

I’m amazed how put together and thorough this biography is. Chernow is able to tell Hamilton’s story and not bore you to death. This is the kind of history I enjoy.

A few minor curse words (mostly the use of scoundrel). Vaguely details the affair. Descriptions of the violence seen from Revolutionary War to his duel with Aaron Burr.