Scan barcode
agreatgabsby's review against another edition
3.75
Really solid collection of essays about recent US history and politics. I liked how well Lepore contextualizes events and roots them in earlier history. I definitely gained a better understanding of current events.
tygaribay's review
2.0
Only my 2nd DNF of the year so far.
Lepore is a good enough writer, but I did not find the subjects of most of the essays I made it through to be very interesting. Also, they were written in very academic styles, with lots of references to source material that just was not compelling.
Perhaps the worst aspect though was that I did this one on audio, and the author unfortunately chose to narrate her own work. Lepore's voice is not nice to listen to for long periods and eventually drove me to give up on the book. Might be better as a dead tree read.
Lepore is a good enough writer, but I did not find the subjects of most of the essays I made it through to be very interesting. Also, they were written in very academic styles, with lots of references to source material that just was not compelling.
Perhaps the worst aspect though was that I did this one on audio, and the author unfortunately chose to narrate her own work. Lepore's voice is not nice to listen to for long periods and eventually drove me to give up on the book. Might be better as a dead tree read.
vondergrant's review
5.0
I’ve rewritten this review 5 times now, so I’m going to do the opposite of those reviews and keep it simple:
This book is one of the best collection of essays I’ve ever read. Further, Lepore’s reflections will have any mother balancing a life in academia throwing their hands up with in a collective “AMEN!”
I had plans to skip around the essays, to pick and choose. But the first essay gripped me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I could’ve read this in one weekend in a single setting if I’d had the time.
Buying this to have on my bookshelf and gift to future historians, friends, and mothers ✨
This book is one of the best collection of essays I’ve ever read. Further, Lepore’s reflections will have any mother balancing a life in academia throwing their hands up with in a collective “AMEN!”
I had plans to skip around the essays, to pick and choose. But the first essay gripped me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I could’ve read this in one weekend in a single setting if I’d had the time.
Buying this to have on my bookshelf and gift to future historians, friends, and mothers ✨
team_worm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Jill Lepore is who I want to be when I grow up.
bren_09's review
5.0
This book is a number of essays on a variety of topics. The information is fascinating; some new material that I had not considered before. Jill Lepore is a historian, so each event/activity is addressed from that lens. While the book is almost 600 pages, each essay is short and easy to read. The topics are often not easy to accept, but addressed a wide range of topics that everyone should understand. Highly recommend this book.
While this was a library loan, this is one of the books I would like to have my own copy of. Many of the essays are worth returning to.
While this was a library loan, this is one of the books I would like to have my own copy of. Many of the essays are worth returning to.
suznbaldwin's review
4.0
I didn’t read all of these essays, partially due to her incomparable genius (heady topics) but mostly due to the grim subject matter (America). An incredible essayist and surely one of the biggest minds writing today. I wish our government leaders would read her pieces on gun control - she ties in history with personal witness and current events and state..it’s remarkable and eye-opening how she writes about our country’s issues and challenges.