Thoughts on 2 Books #3

The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham

I rated it 3 of 5 stars, “liked it”, on Goodreads.

Jon Meacham’s The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels is an easily readable, thorough if limited, well-researched, and generously sourced work of American history. Given its scope, though, it’s bittersweet. I was reminded that, over and over throughout our history, our people and our politicians and, too often, the institutions they lead, have treated significant segments of America’s population with disregard, disrespect, and outright criminality, sometimes using the Bible as justification. Yes, the book’s overall tone is hopeful, and the conclusion offers good advice on how we as a people can be and do better, but being reminded of how bad we’ve been (and how often!) was quite depressing.  Still, kudos to Meacham for this timely bit of encouragement.

The Jerusalem Syndrome: My Life As a Reluctant Messiah by Marc Maron (audiobook)

I rated it 1 of 5 stars, “Did not like”, on Goodreads

I could write a long screed about all the aspects of The Jerusalem Syndrome that I didn’t like but won’t bother to spend any more time on it than I already have listening to it.  I did not enjoy Maron’s narration at all, and I quit counting how many times I almost gave up on it during chapters 6, 7, & 8, in which he explains, at great length, his years of almost unbelievable overindulgence in every imaginable controlled substance.  If Goodreads allowed it, I’d rate it 1.5 stars because there were 4 or 5 anecdotes near the beginning and end of the book that caused me to chuckle.  This one’s really not my cup of tea.

If you’re interested, you can read the Goodreads synopsis of either book (and lots more reviews!) by clicking their titles.

Take care, be well, and happy reading, y’all!

Via: FOWC, Kudos

Via: RDP #27, Indulgence