mwatts168's reviews
94 reviews

Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America by Wil Haygood

Go to review page

5.0

I wish I had read this before I was able to have dinner with Haygood. I found this book fascinating. Haygood was able to intersect so many different stories into one. However, what I find most interesting about Haygood and other author's is the research part of writing. Haygood told us stories of his research for "The Butler" and his newest book, but I would like to ask him about this book.

This book frustrated me, fired me up, it made me cry, and it even made me throw up (long story)
Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life by Annette Lareau

Go to review page

5.0

Coming back write the review this book rightfully deserves.
I NEED EVERYONE TO READ THIS BOOK!!
Before I read this, I was aware of the impact a child's class has on them. However, Lareau brought so many new things to light and went DEEP beyond the surface. One of the most interesting discoveries of Lareau was the child rearing differences between upper-middle-class families and working class/low-income families. The middle-class children were raised with concerted cultivation which then creates the sense of entitlement in those kids. The WC kids were raised in an accomplishment of natural growth. She explains how institutions favor the middle-class rearing methods and reinforce inequalities. Lareau explains how schools are one of the worst at reinforces inequalities.

I saw a lot of her findings in my own life, which may have made this book more powerful. I live in a working-class family, and according to Lareau, my parents would use more directives rather than reasoning. The working class families establish a belief that clear boundary of "I am the parent, you are the child, and that doesn't change." She also explained how the differences in class and the value of education. The WC families saw education as a tool/ step while middle-class families see it with more value of learning.

Lareau also compares her findings to Pierre Bourdieu who found the differences in taste among classes which is another can of worms.

Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross

Go to review page

5.0

Pardon my language.... Holy shit! This is probably the best fiction book I read this year! WOW! This book was beautiful.