Welcome to Litsy!

A book I read for a political-science class. May be time to revisit and rethink on its message.

If you haven‘t already please plan to vote Tuesday if you live in the U.S. It is how we make our voices heard!

#SundayFunday

The new issues have to do with how intelligence uses information, or, more accurately, how intelligence and other fact-based analysis will fare in a world in which even a sophisticated society like our own is trending toward decision making anchored on a priori, near-instinctive narratives—decision making based on that which can be made popular or widely held rather than on that which is objectively true.

This author‘s work is reminiscent of that other western historian, Richard White, and more generally both of these were perhaps forerunners of the Howard Zinn style of historical narrative with a focus on the experience of the people who lived it instead of the deeds of conquering Europeans and later US officials. One of the great tasks of this book is to dispel the mythical western imagery from film and literature that became historical stand-in.

I really enjoyed this. An artist couple living in isolation on Cape Cod (the real life artists Jo and Edward Hopper) get drawn into the lives of two boys and the extended family. The boys are heartbreaking and delightful; I loved seeing artist Mr Aitch get drawn out of himself by them. I pretty much hated everyone else, but in the best bookish way. There‘s a lot not told, it‘s left to the reader to interpret. It‘s slow, thoughtful and gentle.

This 500 page book is engaging, encompassing, and complex. Spanning 40 years, multiple countries, people, policies, methods of torture, and hope, this follows a few people living through immigration, deportation and escape. It‘s an incredible read- and expertly gives context to a complex multi-national issue. Exceptional.

Recommended by a bookseller at Galena Book and Paper, she said it was one of the best books she had read recently and one of the owner's recent favorites. I hadn't heard of it yet, but it was too good of a recommendation to pass up. It's a quiet novel about the residents of a small-town in Maine and a reminder of the complex lives people lead behind their public faces. Beautifully written! I will read whatever this debut author puts out next.

“They didn‘t have enough room in their little house to put the big flag together. “

A teacher could use this book to introduce the history of the flag, and the symbolism within. Students could design their own flags after reading the story and discuss the symbolism behind their flags.

Week 9: Historical Fiction! Amazing story about flags and the makers. This story has many clues that pertain to the timing of this story. The illustrations are bright and beautiful, really matching the story. Published: 1988.