book reviews

Stephen Puleo, Dark Tide. The most recent in my somewhat morbid obsession with disaster stories, this one is about the Boston molasses flood in 1919. It was definitely an easy read, the story of the molasses grounded in both the larger story of how it fit in the rest of the world and the smaller stories of how it fit into the daily lives of normal Bostonians in the North End. I found it a bit on the short side - some of the details about the legal case and the aftermath were rushed and could have done with more fleshing out - but what was there was gripping and informative.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince. A reread, of course - I just finished reading this aloud to the kids. They enjoyed it, although I think many of the concepts went over their heads. Still, it was special to me to read it to them, and that part I think they got.

Frederick Douglass, A Narrative of the Life ... Another book that was shorter than I expected. William Lloyd Garrison's introduction seemed nearly as long as the narrative itself. Douglass's narrative was well written and well paced and the incidents of his life were vividly described, but he himself seemed missing. The "I" character seemed to have little or no personality, and as such, I found the narrative lacking in intimacy. Worth reading, and worth keeping as reference, but I admit, I would have liked more depth.

Dan McNichol, The Roads that Built America. Really well done book. Following the birth of the American highway system from inception to 'completion', the book provides details and background and description of every step along the way to building the highway system we now enjoy. For a relatively slim volume, it feels very in-depth. Highly recommended.