Friday, March 9, 2012

no bone unturned

No Bone Unturned: The Adventures of the Smithsonian's Top Smithsonian Forensic Scientist and the Legal Battle for America's Oldest SkeleNo Bone Unturned: The Adventures of the Smithsonian's Top Smithsonian Forensic Scientist and the Legal Battle for America's Oldest Skele by Jeff Benedict

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I enjoyed reading this book about Dr. Doug Owsley. The book reads as a biography of Dr. Owsley who I think is truly an amazing and gifted man.He is the top Smithsonian Forensic Scientist and has been on every kind of case you can think of from identifying 9/11 victims to researching the world's oldest remains.The book will let you follow a few of the amazing cases he has been apart of.A large part of this book will follow the court case surrounding Kennewick Man that Dr Owsley was a main part of that took many years in the legal system and many years of Dr. Owsley's life for the right to study america's oldest and most complete skeleton.



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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Elizabeth the queen The life of a modern monarch

Elizabeth The Queen: The Life Of A Modern MonarchElizabeth The Queen: The Life Of A Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book and I am a bit heartbroken that it is over.The author wrote about the Queen's everyday life in a way that I felt I was part of it all.The book is written in favor of the Queen and with respect for all that she has done in her duty as the Queen in all her many years on the throne.It truly is amazing all the years she has been in power and all the many things she has had to face.I found the book full of information on all the daily tasks the Queen undertakes yet still it was never boring for me.The author filled the book with many wonderful little stories and quotes from the Queen and the people that surround her that it helped keep the book from becoming a stuffy read.I am truly in awe of everything the Queen does at her age.I loved how the author made the Queen more human for me by letting you know how people's attitudes and ideas of the Queen changed after meeting her such as each prime minister.I loved how she would put people at ease in different ways many times with humor.I was surprised a bit by the way the author wrote about Dianna just because you never really hear unflattering things said about her.The things said were not harsh in any means just unusual for me because in a way Dianna has become untouchable since her death.I respect the Queen and Dianna both for many of the same things.Both women are remarkable women of their time that can never be replaced.I have a much deeper respect for the Queen after reading this book and wish the Queen many more years on the throne.














































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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Anne of Hollywood

Anne of HollywoodAnne of Hollywood by Carol Wolper

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I enjoyed reading this book it was a guilty pleasure.This book I would call an adult R rated version of Gossip girl set in Hollywood recast with the Tudors.I love Tudor history,and Gossip girl so this book was a great book for me.The author I think wrote a story that was interesting using public figures from the past but setting them in world of today's Hollywood where people are famous for being seen with the right people or for just being rich.In a lot of ways I don't think times have changed all that much.People who have power and money are surrounded by friends that all want something from them. Henry and Anne were no different in that fact be it the England of the past or the Hollywood from today.



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Monday, February 20, 2012

great book 5 stars

Lost Kingdom: The Last Queen, the Sugar Kings and America's First Imperial AdventureLost Kingdom: The Last Queen, the Sugar Kings and America's First Imperial Adventure by Julia Flynn Siler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book was a wonderful and sad book of what happened to Hawaii's last Queen and her nation.For me being an american I am ashamed of what happened to the peaceful people.The book starts out with Captian Cooks landing and ends with Hawaii becoming a state.There are so many things that happened in between. This author did a great job researching every thing she could get hands on.This book sheds light on a part of the history of america that I was never taught in school and I can see why I wasn't it was not one of our more shinning moments.Hawaii was pure in a way that was unlike any where else in the world at that time.Then people saw they could make millions from sugar and that's what they did reguardless of the natives wellfare history or ownership of the land.I couldn't help but think of the Native American Indians in the United States.This book was so well researched the author was able to read personal letters of the queens and others from the time.You get to feel like your there with the poor queen hoping that she will get back what is rightful hers but alas it wasn't to be.

I would read more books written by this author in a heartbeat.



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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives Of Katherine Of Aragon And Juana, Queen Of Castile

Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives Of Katherine Of Aragon And Juana, Queen Of CastileSister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives Of Katherine Of Aragon And Juana, Queen Of Castile by Julia Fox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I received this book as part of the first-reads program from goodreads.This book tells the story of two remarkable women that were sisters who became the queen of England and the queen of Castile.The book covers more of Katherine of Aragon than it does Juana of Castile.Juana of Castile doesn't have as many historical records and accounts left for us today as Katherine does so I found that to not be the fault of the author.This book was well researched by the author and written more in the manner of a historical fiction than a dry history book.I truly loved this book and have read many books about Henry the VIII and Katherine of Aragon yet this writer still taught me a thing or two.I loved reading the parts about Katherine's wedding to Authur because the author painted a very vivid account of the grand scale of what was involved and who was present to the clothes they were wearing and the cost involved.Katherine and Juana came from an amazing and powerful family and in this book you get to learn about them as well.This book is not just about the sisters themselves but about the most powerful men and women ruling Europe during the time.I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves history,royals,or historical fiction.I have to say Julia Fox did an amazing job with this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.I give it 5 starts for the ease of reading and the research that went into this wonderful book.



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Saturday, January 28, 2012

A place of secrets a novel

A Place of Secrets: A NovelA Place of Secrets: A Novel by Rachel Hore

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I won this book from goodreads first reads program.This was a wonderful engrossing read for me.The story for me is about so many things friendship,sisterhood,family,love,loss,mystery.This book was a wonderful mix of historical fiction mixed with the modern day.I don't want to give away spoilers for the book so I will try my best.The book reminded me a bit of gothic mystery novels I have read mixed with a mystery romance novel.I loved this book very much and couldn't wait for Jude to find the next clue from the past.I highly recommend the book and I plan on reading more from this author for sure.My feelings after reading the book are a bit sad because the story is over I wish there was more.



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