Category Archives: Bios and Memoirs
A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe – Mark Dawidziak
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned Edgar Allan Poe’s death continues to be one of the great mysteries, as there are multiple theories on the actual cause. However, we tend to lose sight of an even a greater mystery, his life. … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged biography, Edgar Allan Poe, Poe
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They Call Me Produce Pete: Food, memories, and cherished family recipes from America’s favorite expert on fruit and vegetables – Produce Pete Napolitano, Susan Bloom
(Reviewed by Heidi A. Swan) #CommissionsEarned I picked up They Call Me Produce Pete because, like the author, I believe “if you eat right, you’re gonna live right.” I was completely unaware of Pete Napolitano’s status as a beloved weekly … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Food & Cooking
Tagged cookbook, fruits, memoirs, vegetables
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They Got Daddy: One Family’s Reckoning with Racism and Faith – Sharon Tubbs
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “This story would reveal parts of who I am, as a Black woman in America, by discovering who my grandfather was.” This was not her original intention though. She wanted to learn more about her grandfather’s … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, History, Non-fiction, Social Justice
Tagged African American history, Alabama, memoirs, race relations, racism
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Hotel Splendide – Ludwig Bemelmans
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned The comical 1941 out-of-print memoir of author and illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans (1898- 1962) has just been re-released by Puskin Press. Bemelmans would later write the Madeline children’s book series. However, this memoir covers his few … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, History, Immigration, Non-fiction
Tagged American History, humor, immigration, memoir, New York
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Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz: The Jewish Mob: A Family Affair – Alan Geik
(Reviewed by Don Jung) #CommissionsEarned There are a lot of family histories out there to read about, but this one is different. While Alan Geik’s parents were not directly in the mafia, many of their relatives and friends he met … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, History, Non-fiction, Our Best
Tagged Crime, gangsters, Mafia, Prohibition, WWII
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Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop’s Battle for America’s Soul – Michael Fanone and John Shiffman
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “What sort of American tries to overthrow democracy? What kind of man becomes so consumed by a false belief that he drives across the country, storms the Capitol, and assaults police officers?” Those are pressing questions … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction, Our Best
Tagged insurrection, January 6, law enforcement, police brutality, PTSD
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Virginia Bader: A Collage of Memories of The First Lady of Aviation Art – Jill Amadio
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) #CommissionsEarned We often take things for granted in this world. Younger folks assume that smart phones and the internet were always in existence. I too, thought that the specialized world of aviation art had always … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Our Best
Tagged aviation, Non-fiction, WWII
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I Feel Your Stare: An Autobiography – Cheryl Gillespie
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) #CommissionsEarned It is often said that a wise person walks a mile in another’s shoes. I Feel Your Stare by Cheryl Gillespie takes us on just such a journey. Born with JRA, (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis), … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Our Best
Tagged blindness, JRA, memoirs
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Song Noir: Tom Waits and the Spirit of Los Angeles – Alex Harvey
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned My first introduction to Tom Waits was in Jim Jarmusch’s 1985 film, “Down By Law”. I found him quite enigmatic, and as a singer/songwriter was drawn to his authenticity. While reading Song Noir, I realized … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Culture, History
Tagged beat generation, film noir, Los Angeles, music, songwriting
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Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Politics and PTSD – Jason Kander
(Reviewed by JD Jung) One would think that Jason Kander had it all. He completed his law degree from Georgetown University and was married to Diana, a girl he met when they were both seventeen. He served in the U.S. … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs, Politics
Tagged Afghanistan, mental illness, PTSD, veterans
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