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Review Date: 2/15/2018
The writing style was less complex than the books I typically read. However, I was impressed that the author admitted that he started his research with a preconceived opinion but was able to stay open minded enough to change his mind by the time he wrote the book. The book doesn't feel biased and does a good job of discussing the case neutrally.
The Free State of Jones and The Echo of the Black Horn: Two Sides of the Life and Activities of Captain Newt Knight
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Review Date: 1/26/2021
It is rare for me to not finish a book but I was too nauseated to get very far through this one. It's really a collection of two books - one by Newt Knight's son and another by a distant relative - that were originally published separately.
The book by his son had some level of discernible biased, but anyone writing a biography of their dad will be. He does a decent job of trying to include information from sources other than just himself. And for the most part, it's a chronicle of his experiences with his dad, stories he remembers his dad telling him, newspaper articles, etc.
The book by Ethel Knight is a different beast altogether. The publisher claims she was a historian, but it doesn't read to me like she knew the first thing about how historians write. It is clearly written as historical fiction since she includes extensive dialog, detailed descriptions of body language and even the personal inner thoughts of slaves which couldn't have even come from diary entries since they were illiterate. There is heavy use of derogatory terminology in places and ways that had nothing to do with the thoughts of the era but everything to do with her personal mindset. There are repeated claims that slaves were happy and well cared for. Again it was in the context of modern reflections back, not in a way that was meant to document the opinions of the era or any evidence that the slaves left behind. Further she never once cites a source which even Newt's son did despite not claiming to be an historian.
My whole purpose for reading the book was to gain more insight than I got from the movie. Not only was Ethel's book extremely difficult to stomach it was clear that her bias was too great for me to believe anything she included and therefore I wouldn't gain the insight I wanted. Without that, there wasn't any point in torturing myself with her nasty bigotry.
The book by his son had some level of discernible biased, but anyone writing a biography of their dad will be. He does a decent job of trying to include information from sources other than just himself. And for the most part, it's a chronicle of his experiences with his dad, stories he remembers his dad telling him, newspaper articles, etc.
The book by Ethel Knight is a different beast altogether. The publisher claims she was a historian, but it doesn't read to me like she knew the first thing about how historians write. It is clearly written as historical fiction since she includes extensive dialog, detailed descriptions of body language and even the personal inner thoughts of slaves which couldn't have even come from diary entries since they were illiterate. There is heavy use of derogatory terminology in places and ways that had nothing to do with the thoughts of the era but everything to do with her personal mindset. There are repeated claims that slaves were happy and well cared for. Again it was in the context of modern reflections back, not in a way that was meant to document the opinions of the era or any evidence that the slaves left behind. Further she never once cites a source which even Newt's son did despite not claiming to be an historian.
My whole purpose for reading the book was to gain more insight than I got from the movie. Not only was Ethel's book extremely difficult to stomach it was clear that her bias was too great for me to believe anything she included and therefore I wouldn't gain the insight I wanted. Without that, there wasn't any point in torturing myself with her nasty bigotry.
Review Date: 7/2/2022
The book became unbelievable during their walk across the Gobi and extremely unbelievable during their trek over the Himalayas. After finishing the book I did some research and learned that the BBC has found conclusive evidence that the book was a complete fabrication and Mr. Rawicz never escaped but was instead part of a prisoner release. This book was a complete waste of my time.
The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World's Most Perplexing Cold Cases
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
20
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
20
Review Date: 8/24/2014
An interesting group of people but the book just skimmed the surface of a lot of investigations. I would have preferred an in depth reading about a few investigations.
Review Date: 3/27/2016
I thought this would be a book about her experience living with the Amish. In stead it was about her lifelong search for a lifestyle that made her happy.
Review Date: 6/16/2014
I prefer biographies that follow a linear time frame.
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