Librarian Reivew: Patient Zero: Solving the Mysteries of Deadly Epidemics by Marilee Peters

Summary:

Patient Zero is a history of the field of epidemiology, or the study of diseases in a population. It takes the reader through seven different epidemics in history and details the disease, the scientists tracking and attempting to cure the disease, and gives the reader an introduction to a possible patient zero—the first person to get the disease. The seven epidemics include, the plague, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid, Spanish influenza, ebola, and AIDS.

Review:

First, let me start off by saying that the information in this book is very interesting. Peters does an impressive job introducing us to each of these epidemics and giving the reader facts about causes and potential causes for the epidemics. She highlights the scientist who begin tracking diseases in new ways and how their contributions helped expand the field of epidemiology. I found each of the histories interesting, and she humanizes the book by giving the reader examples of who patient zero might have been.

While the topic and the information was very interesting, I found the format of the book terribly distracting. You would be reading about the disease, and then in the middle of a sentence when you turn the page, you find yourself at an information side bar. The side bar is related, and yes interesting, but when you finish reading it you have to go back and re-read what you had been reading so you can continue when you left off. I found the placements of these to be poorly designed.

My other criticism of the book is that all of the illustrations are very cartoony. Since this is a book about science, it would have been nice if they had included actual pictures. For example, pictures of the scientists if available, pictures of the viruses under a microscope, etc. It would have made the book more credible and more useful in a classroom.

Overall:

Despite its flaws I found this book fascinating. I felt it engaged the reader and gave them a lot of good information about the field of epidemiology. I highly recommend this book to students who like science and are interested in medicine, or who just like history. The book had plenty of facts and they are presented in a way that isn’t dry or boring.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers:

Violence: None

Sex: None though this book does cover the AIDS epidemic.

Drugs: None though this book does cover the AIDS epidemic.

Language: None

 

Click here to place a hold on this book.

Librarian Reivew: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming

Summary:
Like the title suggests this nonfiction book covers the history of Russia during the reign of Nicholas II and the fall of the tsar and his family. It compares the lives of the Romanov family against the plight of the ordinary Russian citizen and peasant. It is a tale of extravagance and destitution, a world of plenty versus the desperation of the masses, a story of war and rebellion. This is the story of the last tsar or Russia, his family, and his people.

Review:
The mythology of the Romanov family has led to a version of events that make everything appear through rose tinted glasses. So many stories have been told of the family and their fall. The story romanticized in movies like the animated film Anastasia; the truth often buried beneath the legend. Fleming sweeps all that aside and presents the family and the truth behind the fall of the tsar.

With numerous historical sources, an extensive bibliography and numerous notes, the author clearly did her research. The book covers the reign of Nicholas II the last tsar of Russia, from its beginning to his death in 1918 and beyond. She paints a picture of the family that is realistic, touching, and sometimes disturbing. Fleming lets the reader witness the decisions and grave errors that would lead to the tsar’s fall. She introduces the journals of peasants and laborers and places them next to the journals of the tsar and his family. She parallels the lives of the people and the elite, and show how poor decisions led to tragedy. Most importantly of all, she humanizes the tsar and his family. She shows their dedication, their failures, and their love for each other.

This book is well written and entertaining. Fleming has the rare ability to make history come alive for the reader. While the reader can recognize the errors that led to the rebellion, they can still admire the dedication the family had to each other, and how Nicholas and Alexandra cared for their children. Yes, it does seem like they were blind to the plight of the ordinary Russian citizen, but their love for their family humanizes them. I loved the excerpts from the various journals and how she compared the lives of the citizens to the royal family’s. This is an interested and engaging history of the last tsar of Russia.

Audiobook Review:
The audiobook is narrated primarily by Kimberly Farr who does an excellent job narrating this book. In some of the journals we hear other narrators reading the parts to distinguish the journals from the rest of the book. I liked how this was done and it changed things up a bit and kept you interested. The unabridged audiobook is 9 hours and 23 minutes long. I would recommend this as an excellent way to experience this book, but pick up a copy of the print version too so you can see some of the photographs included in the book.

Overall:
I am not usually a fan of nonfiction and often have a hard time sitting down and reading it. This work was exceptional and kept me interested throughout. I loved how she paralleled the stories of the common worker against that of the family’s elite lifestyle. This work is engaging and interesting—perfect for history lovers or those who just want to know more about the Romanov family.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers
Sex: None
Drugs: None
Language: None
Violence: Yes. This is a true history and the story of a violent overthrow of one family’s imperial dynasty. There is violence in this book, but it reflects the actual events.

Click here to place a hold on the book.
Click here to place a hold on the audiobook.
Click here to check out the ebook from Overdrive.

Book Review: Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton [Plus Movie Trailer]

On April 8th the movie Soul Surfer came out in theaters.  It tells the story of fourteen year-old Bethany Hamilton after she was attacked by a shark while surfing.  It is an inspiring story of her struggle to get back to the sport she loves so much.  In 2004, Bethany wrote a book about her experience and her struggle.  The library owns the book Soul Surfer,  and you are welcome to place a hold on this title. (Click Here to Place Hold on Soul Surfer)  Be sure to check out the trailer for the movie below.

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Soul Surfer is an inspiring story about not giving up. After losing her arm in a shark attack, fourteen year-old Bethany Hamilton returns to her beloved sport of surfing. This novel was written shortly after the accident and primarily focuses on Bethany's faith and her love of surfing. During the attack Bethany stays remarkably calm while her friends get her to shore and later to the hospital. In the book Bethany shares her love of surfing, her love of family, and her strong faith in God.

Soul Surfer has just recently been made into a movie, and I admit that I was curious about the book. The hold list for this title at our library is getting longer by the day as more and more people want to read it. It is a surprisingly quick read. I was able to finish this book in one day. The book is touching and at times heart-wrenching. I kept thinking about what her family was going through as they rushed to the hospital not knowing how Bethany was doing.

My only comment on the book is that there wasn't a lot of meat to the story. Many themes are repeated over and over, especially her faith in God. There weren't a lot of details about her recovery--it seemed kind of brief, and perhaps that is because the book was written so soon after the accident. She was still recovering from the injury. I think this might have been better if she had waited a few years to write it.

Overall this is an inspirational book written by a talented and inspiring teen. I would recommend it to those who are interested in seeing the movie and those who love biographies and inspiring stories.

View all my reviews

Here is the movie trailer: