P.N. Elrod, A Chill in the Blood. Now, I like Elrod's Fleming series (of which this is the eighth and, I think, last), certainly better than the Revolutionary series she did, which was formulaic to the point of being tedious ... but this last book is definitely not the best of the lot. Frankly, it just gets old - the vampire is always being shot or otherwise injured, left for dead, saved ... and having read the first seven books, you've already read in great detail all the ways that can feel. This one is long on action and reliance on the vampire's special skills, and shorter than usual on characterization. Still worth reading and keeping as part of the series, but doesn't make me feel too sad that the series doesn't continue.
Edward Channing, A Student's History of the United States. Published in 1898. It was fascinating to see the difference in what students were expected to learn then and what is given importance now. The 1898 volume was much more detailed, much more focused on politics ... but also gave a lot more basis for understanding what went on. I feel I have a much greater grasp on the first half of the 19th century in American history than I did before.
Robert E. Pinkerton, The First Overland Mail. This was the story of the Butterfield stage line, which preceded railroads and the Pony Express as the first way to get mail across the country. It was interesting, but felt a bit oversimplified. (I have other books in this series, written for younger readers, but this one feels much less detailed than the others.) Not a keeper, I think.
Elie Wiesel, Night. I read this in an afternoon - had never read it before. It's short, but compelling. The blurb on the front is from the New York Times and puts it as well as possible: "A slim volume of terrifying power."
Edward Channing, A Student's History of the United States. Published in 1898. It was fascinating to see the difference in what students were expected to learn then and what is given importance now. The 1898 volume was much more detailed, much more focused on politics ... but also gave a lot more basis for understanding what went on. I feel I have a much greater grasp on the first half of the 19th century in American history than I did before.
Robert E. Pinkerton, The First Overland Mail. This was the story of the Butterfield stage line, which preceded railroads and the Pony Express as the first way to get mail across the country. It was interesting, but felt a bit oversimplified. (I have other books in this series, written for younger readers, but this one feels much less detailed than the others.) Not a keeper, I think.
Elie Wiesel, Night. I read this in an afternoon - had never read it before. It's short, but compelling. The blurb on the front is from the New York Times and puts it as well as possible: "A slim volume of terrifying power."
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