The Naturalist: Theodore Roosevelt, A Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History

This is a book that I requested and received from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I requested it, thinking it was simply a biography of a U.S. president I had admired, but knew little about. I found his life story interesting, his poor health as a young child and his hard work to make himself fit and well, and his early fascination with the study of animals. I admire him for his work to promote conservation of natural resources and of wildlife, but the unending accounts of killing grizzlies, bison, elephants, hippos and rhinos were distressing to me. I note one quote from the book in particular, a narrative on hunting hippos: "As Roosevelt later pointed out, the cow's (female hippo) object may have been as benign as an escape to deeper water, but its wide-open jaws seemed to indicate that it was 'bent on mischief.' " Seemed like Roosevelt was the one bent on mischief; the hippos were minding their own business. I confess, I am one of the "mushy sentimentalists" like those deplored by Mr. Roosevelt. That said, his legacy cannot be denied, that of natural history and of conservation.

Since writing this review, last night (June 7) I enjoyed watching a Nova episode on PBS (American public television) titled "Wild Ways". It was about modern methods of studying and conserving wildlife: tracking animals with GPS enabled collars, and trying to open up corridors for migration. Very interesting and encouraging!

One Righteous Man: Samuel Battle and the Shattering of the Color Line in New York, by Arthur Browne

I read this book in June of this year, reviewed it on LibraryThing, and was shocked to see that I hadn't cross-posted it here! I still have it in my possession; I have not yet heard from Alabama State University. I will contact them again.

A biography of Samuel Battle, the first African American police officer in New York City, in 1911, and the challenges he faced getting on the force and fighting for each promotion and honor. He faced not only racial discrimination, but also Tammany Hall and organized crime.
This is also a story of race relations in the early years of the 20th century in the United States. What surprised me: (1) that the civil rights struggle did not begin in the 1950s; it began when the first shipload of African slaves was brought to what was then called the New World, and (2) that prejudice and discrimination was and is a national problem, not only a southern problem.
This book gave a fair and balanced account of Samuel Battle's life and behavior, revealing flaws as well as his many righteous and heroic deeds. We also see his personal life, a strong, loving husband and father, a man of faith, and a leader in his neighborhood and community.
This book is well documented and well researched, relying not only on Mr. Battle's own words in a manuscript written by Langston Hughes, but also citing public records and newspapers of the day. It has an extensive Notes section, as well as a very helpful Index.
I will try to donate this book to the Alabama State University, a historically black school in my hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Battle's story should be shared with all who are interested in racial relations and in civil rights.

High On Arrival, by Mackenzie Phillips

Read and reviewed in July, 2012, released later

Mackenzie Phillips, daughter of John Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas and star of TV show One Day at a Time, led a horrifying private life. Victim of on-again off-again abandonment and neglect, and taught to do drugs by the father she loved so much, her troubled life was inevitable. Even more disturbing was the incestuous relationship between Mackenzie and her father. In spite of all the bleakness and darkness of her early years, she was able to forgive her father on his deathbed, and to finally overcome (after three trials) her drug addiction.

Paul Simon: The Definitive Biography, by Laura Jackson

Read and reviewed in October, 2013, released later

I have learned things I didn't know about Mr. Simon and his former partner, Art Garfunkel, their growing up years, the years before widespread fame, and the factors leading to their eventual parting, as well as Mr. Simon's career as a solo artist and his exploration of world music.
This book has sent me to YouTube to listen to old favorites; Simon and Garfunkel were part of the soundtrack of my youth.

(I do think that the term "definitive" should be reserved for critics and not for the author or publisher to decide.)

Escape, by Carolyn Jessop, Laura Palmer

Read, reviewed, and released in May, 2013

It is not a mystery/thriller, although it has some thrilling, exciting moments particularly related to Carolyn's escape from a fundamental polygamous cult and her family of one husband and six sister-wives. It is not a spoiler to reveal that she does successfully escape with her eight children, one an infant and one handicapped. The question is, can she remain free from her intimidating former husband and the cult leader?

The writing style was often annoying to me. I get that her husband was cruel and that her sister-wives were jealous; I don't need to be reminded over and over again. In contrast, some details differed from one telling to the next. I felt that she should have reread the manuscript and cleared up the discrepancies.