Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, as well as Reads to Reels

First Family

Posted on July 29, 2012 by smellincoffee

First Family: Abigail and John Adams© 2010 Joseph Ellis320 pages ‘Til then, ’til then, I am, as I ever was….yours, yours, yours.  1776, a musical film which celebrates the Declaration of Independence, is an absolutely delightful movie, as funny as … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (24 July)

Posted on July 24, 2012 by smellincoffee

I’ve spent this last week recovering from over-doing it on the French front, zipping through no less than three Star Trek novels for relaxation while working on a science read I received in the post a week or so ago. … Continue reading →

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A People’s History of the Civil War

Posted on July 23, 2012 by smellincoffee

A People’s History of the Civil War: Struggles for the Meaning of Freedom594 pages© 2005 David Williams No war has left such an impression on the American character as its civil war. That conflict (1861-1865) claimed more American lives than … Continue reading →

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Ship of the Line

Posted on July 19, 2012 by smellincoffee

Ship of the Line© 1997 Diane Carey320 pages Two captains, each without a ship. The first, Captain Picard, lost his when it plowed into the surface of Viridian III while he struggled to prevent a grief-stricken madman from destroying a … Continue reading →

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Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong

Posted on July 18, 2012 by smellincoffee

Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong: Why We Love France (But Not the French)© 2003 Jean-Benoît Nadeau & Julie Barlow351 pages France stymies Americans. They eat what they want, but seemingly don’t get fat. Their government is happily involved in … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (16 July)

Posted on July 16, 2012 by smellincoffee

So, last week was fun. I think I may have overdone it with no less than five reads for Bastille Day, but they certainly put me in the mood for celebrating France. I think it will be a few weeks … Continue reading →

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Q in Law

Posted on July 16, 2012 by smellincoffee

Star Trek TNG #18: Q-in-Law1991 Peter David252 pages A feud  between two families of space gypsies is about to end in marriage, as their children have decided to tie the knot and give Captain Picard the honor of marrying them. … Continue reading →

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The Age of Napoleon

Posted on July 14, 2012 by smellincoffee

The Age of Napoleon© 2004 Alistair Horne218 pages Napoleon Bonaparte cast a long shadow over history, considering the relative slightness of his origins. Who would expect a boy from a conquered island to rise to the height of power and … Continue reading →

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Bringing up Bébé

Posted on July 14, 2012 by smellincoffee

Bringing up Bébé: One Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting© 2012 Pamela Druckerman304 pages When Pamela Druckerman moved to Paris to start a life with her new husband, she noticed something rather odd about French children: they behaved. Long … Continue reading →

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French Lessons

Posted on July 11, 2012 by smellincoffee

French Lessons: Adventures with the Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew© 2001 Peter Mayle227 pages Peter Mayle is to be envied. Some people’s work involves overseeing hundreds of people and managing the affairs of a business that skirts bankruptcy other day. Some … Continue reading →

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