I've been on a nonfiction kick lately. Of the last 12 books I've read, 7 were nonfiction. I didn't choose these books specifically because they are nonfiction, just because they are books I've been wanting to read or that were recently recommended to me. Anyway, I'm just going to review the 7 in this one post.
The Colony by John Tagman: This book was eye opening to me on many levels. First, because I really learned a lot about leprosy. It seems that people with this disease suffer because of the many misconceptions that the public has about the disease. Learning about leprosy made reading the book worth it. It was also eye opening because of the facts of the colony at Molokai. I had no idea that the United States was forcibly exiling people with leprosy as recently as 1965. It is a shameful history that destroyed many lives and families and I'm glad the story is being told.
Prude: How the Sex Obsessed Culture Damages Girls (and America Too) by Carol Platt Liebau: This was an interesting book, especially for the mother of a young daughter. Liebau points out a number of things in our culture that she believes damage girls, things I've never considered. Read the book and the word "sucks" will never again come out of your mouth without making you cringe.
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan: I really enjoyed The Omnivore's Dilemna a few years ago and that's why I picked this book up. I liked it a lot and I've really thought more about what I feed my family since reading the book. In many ways the things Pollan says seem obvious but, at the same time, they are revolutionary and difficult to implement.
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali: I loved this book. I think it is the best book I've read so far this year. Some of you may remember the murder of Theo Van Gogh in The Netherlands a couple of years ago. He was murdered for directing a film about women and Islam that greatly offended some Muslims. Stabbed into his chest was a death threat for Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the woman who had actually written the film. This book is her story, her childhood in Somalia, her immigration to The Netherlands and her growing criticism of Islam. It is a riveting read that I recommend to everyone.
Charlatan by Pope Brock: This book really tells the story of the American Medical Association and the professionalization of the medical field. The story centers on John Brinkley, a "snake oil salesman" who performed a number of goat testical implants, claiming that they were the fountain of youth. He was relentlessly chased by an official in the AMA (who's name I cannot now remember) and eventually brought down. Really interesting and readable for those interested in medicine.
Tweak by Nic Sheff: This is Nic's personal story of meth addiction. The first half of the book chronicles in detail his journey to the bottom...too much detail for my taste. After reading the book I feel like I could walk directly to the specific corners in San Francisco and buy whatever drugs I wanted. It was almost like a how-to manual. The second half of the book describes Nic's most recent rehab experience. Nic's now been sober for 2 or so years but the book doesn't make me feel like this particular stint at sobriety is any different from the other attempts he's made. I just don't feel like he's really moved on and embraced recovery. I can't say that I really recommend this book.
Beautiful Boy by David Sheff: This is the story of how Nic's addiction has changed other lives. This tells most of the same story that Tweak did, from the point of view of Nic's father. I really emjoyed this book. Of course, it was heart wrenching and devastating...David Sheff does not sugar coat the reality of life with an addicted family member. He is out there and real and I think his honesty will be a real help to other families in the same situation. This one I do recommend, especially if you have an addicted family member.
