Book Review: Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant

This is an interesting book. After Prince Albert died, the queen sought friendship in unconventional places. First their was her gilly at Balmoral. Then there was Abdul Karim, a young Indian Munshi. He arrived expecting to spend the year of her Jubilee  but then the Queen felt that she could not do without him at her side. He became her teacher, her counsel on Urdu and Indian affairs and a dear friend. The decade they were together was scandalous and her household did not like him or this closeness.
This book was written from letters and journals about this time. It left me at times puzzles and in awe of the lives of the people of that time. I felt the closeness and could understand it but I also felt the puzzlement felt by Queen Victoria's household.
This book was so well-written and filled with information. I highly recommend it.

book Review: 67 Shots: Kent State and the End of American Innocence

In my house, we talked very little about Vietnam, or the violence with the IRA. I suppose that is why certain days live in my mind, this is one of them. I was only ten at the time but I remember this violence in my home state. Three days of protest, more students than I could count and then the National Guard. It was so hard to believe in 13 seconds, 67 shots could be issued and four lives killed.

The author, Howard Means, did a good job with the oral-history collection and interviewing to relay this story from those who were there. I feel he was able to describe the tension and the anger surrounding this time. Not only of those there but across the nation. From the President, the Governor, the Mayor and so on, each are examined to help us to reflect on that day and, hopefully, stop it from happening again.

Very good. I was given this book by NetGalley and Perseus Group Books, De Capo Press in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be purchased HERE! at Amazon

Book Review: They say we are infidels

As a Christian, I believe in intercessory prayer. However, with this book it opened my eyes to places I could be aiming my prayers besides my standard places. Mind Belz was able to tell the story of the Middle East as if an objective reporter. She talks about the plight of the Iraqi Christians from the time immediately before Hussein fell through 2015. These Christians face torture that we do not know, whether here or in their homeland. In Iraq they could be killed, raped, kidnapped and more.  This book also tells how being on the run from ISIS is in the Middle East. At the very least Christians should be called to prayer for these fellow Christians or even more. We could become involved politically or at a local level.

I found this book very moving.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be found at Amazon through HERE!
Or Barnes and Noble through HERE!