Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf

I began reading the ebook edition of Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf on May 4th, which coincidentally marked the 56th anniversary of the Kent State Massacre. 

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf is a work of nonfiction, written in graphic form, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, because it contains visual imagery along with written details about the Kent State Massacre. This gives readers the perfect overview regarding the events leading up to the Kent State Massacre, the event itself, and the eventual aftermath without giving overwhelming amounts of information to the reader to absorb and digest.

The artwork and writing are both well done for Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf. Kudos to Derf Backderf for all of his thorough research into the Kent State Massacre, which he details at the end of his book along with copious footnotes. 

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf is riveting for history buffs wanting to learn more about the details of the Kent State Massacre and 

My favorite quote from Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf is: "No shooter, official, or politician is held accountable for the Kent State shootings." I found this deplorable. Four unarmed students died and nine unarmed students were seriously injured by the National Guard during the Kent State Massacre. These deaths and injuries should have never happened based on what I read in this book. Derf Backderf's book describes the epic f*uk up on the part of the politicians, military, other government entities for their part in the Kent State Massacre.

Below is the publisher's summary for Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf:

"Derf Backderf takes us back to the age of the Vietnam War, Richard Nixon, Woodstock, and the Cold War and explores, in words and images, a scene of tragedy: the campus of Kent State University, where National Guard Troops attacked unarmed protestors and killed four students (Allison Beth Krause, age 19, Jeffrey Glenn Miller, age 20, Sandra Lee Scheuer, age 20, and William Knox Schroeder, age 19).

On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard gunned down unarmed college students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University. In a deadly barrage of 67 shots, four students were killed and nine shot and wounded. It was the day America turned guns on its own children—a shocking event burned into our national memory.

The fatal shootings triggered immediate and massive outrage on campuses around the country. More than four million students participated in organized walkouts at hundreds of universities, colleges, and high schools, the largest student strike in the history of the United States at that time. It was a day that shocked the nation and helped turn the tide of public opinion against America’s war in Vietnam.

A few days prior, 10-year-old Derf Backderf saw those same guardsmen patrolling his nearby hometown, sent in by the governor to crush a trucker strike.

Using the journalism skills he employed on My Friend Dahmer and Trashed, Backderf has conducted extensive interviews and research to explore the lives of these four young people and the events of those four days in May, when the country seemed on the brink of tearing apart.

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio is a moving and troubling story about the bitter price of dissent—as relevant today as it was in 1970."

I am giving Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A Olivas

 

I listened to the unabridged audiobook version of Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A Olivas, which was well narrated by Thom Rivera.

Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A Olivas was my first read for the month of December 2025. I really enjoyed listening to this novel of contemporary fiction, which is a modern retelling of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. 

Chicano Frankenstein is set in California. I loved how the author weaves current events of our times into this novel, yet still keeps many of the elements of Mary Shelley's original novel in mind... Like the fact that the leading character remains nameless throughout Chicano Frankenstein as does the leading character in Frankenstein. 

Also, the fictional POTUS in Chicano Frankenstein seems to be very much like our current POTUS in many ways.

Chicano Frankenstein combines horror, contemporary fiction, romance, and politics together. It questions social justice/social equality and what it means to be human.

Below is the publisher's summary for Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A Olivas from the Goodreads website:

A modern retelling of the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley classic that addresses issues of belonging and assimilation

An unnamed paralegal, brought back to life through a controversial process, maneuvers through a near-future world that both needs and resents him. As the United States president spouts anti-reanimation rhetoric and giant pharmaceutical companies rake in profits, the man falls in love with lawyer Faustina Godínez. His world expands as he meets her network of family and friends, setting him on a course to discover his first-life history, which the reanimation process erased. With elements of science fiction, horror, political satire and romance, Chicano Frankenstein confronts our nation’s bigotries and the question of what it truly means to be human.

I am giving Chicano Frankenstein by Daniel A Olivas a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Common Sense by Thomas Paine, which was nicely narrated by Malk Williams.

Common Sense is a quick listen at 2 hours, 15 minutes. Common Sense is a 47 page essay, which was first published as a pamphlet anonymously in 1776. It advocated independence from Britain.

Common Sense combines both moral and political arguments to help persuade the common people living in the US Colonies to fight for social equality. Common Sense was a sensation upon its publication, which was at the beginning of the American Revolution.

This was the first time I've read Common Sense by Thomas Paine. I enjoyed it. Common Sense stands the test of time and still holds relevance today. I enjoyed that Common Sense touches upon so many genres, such as government,  politics, history, and political philosophy.

If you're interested in earlier American history, Common Sense may be the perfect read for you!

Below is the summary for Common Sense by Thomas Paine from Chirp's website:

The explosive essay that sparked a revolution. When Common Sense hit the streets in 1776, it ignited the American colonies like never before. With bold, plain-spoken language, Thomas Paine challenged the authority of the British monarchy and made the urgent case for American independence. More than just a political argument, this short but powerful work gave everyday people the words to demand freedom—and the courage to fight for it. Radical, rebellious, and razor-sharp, Common Sense remains a landmark of political writing. Its message still resonates today: real change begins when ordinary people dare to speak truth to power.

I am giving Common Sense by Thomas Paine a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Dilbert Cartoonist, Scott Adams, Makes Pleas to Donald Trump to Save Help Save His Life

I'm late in making this post as I'd read an article about this situation regarding Scott Adams last week. 

I am always on the look out for news pertaining to books, libraries, authors, reading, bookstores, the publishing industry, book festivals and events, etc. This post about Scott Adams falls into the topics I like to blog about it.

I recently read that Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert cartoon series, has metastatic prostate cancer and has had difficulty in receiving treatment for metastatic prostate cancer.

I read an article found on Patch's website titled, 'Help Save My Life' — Dilbert Cartoonist Begs Trump To Fix Kaiser Treatment Battle by Angela Woodall.

In the article, Angela Woodall wrote the following:

Adams first posted a public plea on X, saying on Sunday that he planned to ask Trump for his help getting a specific treatment for metastasized prostate cancer from Kaiser Permanente.

"On Monday, I will ask President Trump, via X, to help save my life. He offered to help me if I needed it," Adams wrote Sunday.

"I need it," he added.

Adams wanted Trump to use his influence to persuade Kaiser to schedule treatment of Pluvicto, a radioactive drug approved for men with advanced prostate cancer who had received hormone therapy and chemotherapy, according to reports.

Kaiser had approved the treatment for Adams, but a scheduling snafu was delaying it, he said.

"I am declining fast. I will ask President Trump if he can get Kaiser of Northern California to respond and schedule it for Monday. That will give me a fighting chance to stick around on this planet a little bit longer," Adams wrote.

"Scott. How do I reach you," wrote Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "The president wants to help,"

“On it,” Trump wrote in response shortly after.

On Tuesday, Adams posted that he would receive the cancer treatment he is seeking the next day.

Wow! First off, I'm sorry to learn that Scott Adams is suffering from metastatic prostate cancer and having difficulty with Kaiser in booking an appointment for the treatment he needs.

Secondly, it must be nice to know people in high places that can help resolve a scheduling snafu with your healthcare provider. The rest of us have to fix/solve the problem without such interventions from someone like the POTUS. Btw, we should all be so fortunate to receive the healthcare we so need without hiccups from the healthcare system or such interventions from people in high places.

I also read in Angela Woodall's article that some readers were angry, accusing Scott Adams of using his influence to obtain his healthcare needs. See the following quote from Woodall's article:

One user reposted a 2023 comment attributed to Adams, "Don't ask a president to make healthcare or moral decisions for you. No one would respect that process."

Interesting quoted comment from Scott Adams, if true! On one hand Scott Adams stated that one shouldn't ask the president to make healthcare or moral decisions for you as no one will respect the process. Yet, Scott Adams does exactly what he says one shouldn't do. 

I also learned from the above article that Scott Adams has made some controversial statements about race.

Adams experienced repercussions from his controversial comments about race when distributor Andrews McMeel Universal announced Feb. 26 it would no longer work with the cartoonist.

In an episode of his YouTube show, Adams described people who are Black as members of “a hate group” from which white people should “get away.

Scott Adams has also been a Trump supporter.

I learned a lot of new to me stuff about Scott Adams from reading Angela Woodall's article.

The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov, which is well narrated by Ben Allen.

I've been meaning to read more books written by Russian writer, Mikhail Bulgakov, for decades now. I first learned about Mikhail Bulgakov in college from my Russian language professor in the early 1990s. My professor absolutely loved Bulgakov's novel, The Master and Margarita. So, based on my professor's glowing review, I decided to read The Master and Margarita in the early 1990s. I absolutely loved this novel beyond words. The Master and Margarita is the only book I've ever read by Mikhail Bulgakov until now.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of when The Heart of a Dog was written. I figured the time was right for me to read this novella as my next choice for something to read that was written by Mikhail Bulgakov.

The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov is a political, satire set in Moscow after the Russian revolution has already occurred. There are a lot of references in this novella that flew over my head, so I was forced to do a lot of digging online to figure out some of the symbolism referenced throughout The Heart of a Dog. Doing the online research wasn't so bad, as it did add to my understanding of what the author was trying to convey.

As far as the storyline goes, it is fantastical as I'd imagined it would be considering the author. I enjoyed the storyline and interesting characters in The Heart of a Dog. 

Essentially, you have a professor who transplants the testicles and pituitary gland of a recently deceased man into a stray dog with consequences no one sees coming... The dog begins to transform into a human with a spectacular outcome and results that are less than positive.

These events portrayed in The Heart of a Dog seemed reminiscent of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley... You have a scientist playing 'God' (if you will) by trying to reanimate a dead body (Frankenstein) or in this case, transplanting human organs into dog's body (The Heart of a Dog). It all made for interesting reading.

If you are into Russian literature, classics, and political satire, then The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov may be your next read to devour.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov from Chirp's website:

A well-to-do professor working in Moscow strikes up an unlikely friendship with a stray dog and attempts a scientific first by transplanting the testicles and pituitary gland of a recently deceased man into the dog. With a wild, but alarmingly human animal on the loose, the professor’s previously respectable life becomes a nightmare beyond his imagination. A superb satirical novel, it is also a sharp and pointed criticism of Soviet society, especially the new rich that arose after the Bolshevik revolution.

I am giving The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

As a side note, The Heart of a Dog marks my 50th read of 2025. It looks like I'll meet and exceed my reading goal of reading 52 books this year much sooner than anticipated, which is always good news.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It's Necessary, How It Works by Jonathan Gruber

 

I read the paperback edition of Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It's Necessary, How It Works by Jonathan Gruber. This book was published in 2011. This book contains good information, but feels a bit dated because it was published 14 years ago.

I still feel Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It's Necessary, How It Works by Jonathan Gruber is relevant. Jonathan Gruber is an economist with a PhD in economics from Harvard. He seems to have a lot of credibility when it comes to Health Care Reform.

I enjoyed reading Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It's Necessary, How It Works by Jonathan Gruber. The information is easy to understand and follow throughout this book. I enjoyed the artwork contained within this book as well.

Below is the publisher's summary for Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It's Necessary, How It Works by Jonathan Gruber from the Goodreads website:

You won’t have to worry about going broke if you get sick. We will start to bring the costs of health care under control. And we will do all this while reducing the federal deficit. That is the promise of the Affordable Care Act. But from the moment President Obama signed the bill into law in 2010, a steady and mounting avalanche of misinformation about the ACA has left a growing majority of Americans confused about what it is, why it’s necessary, and how it works. If you’re one of them, buy this book. From how to tame the twin threats of rising costs and the increasing number of uninsured to why an insurance mandate is good for your health, Health Care Reform dispels false fears by arming you with facts.

I am giving Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It's Necessary, How It Works by Jonathan Gruber a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Books Dealing With Politics, Fascism, History, And/Or Democracy In Some Fashion

I recently finished reading and reviewing The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck. According to the publisher's description, John Steinbeck labelled his work as a "celebration of the durability of democracy." 

Steinbeck's quote started me thinking about other books I've read about democracy, fascism, or how things in society could  go or have gone awry.

The first five books listed are ones I have already read. The remaining six books listed are ones I would like to read.

1. Animal Farm by George Orwell

2. It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis

3. The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck

4. Shameless by Brian Tyler Cohen

5. Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright

6. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder

7. How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

8. Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley

9. How Propaganda Works by Jason Stanley

10.The Red and the Blue: The 1990s and the Birth of Political Tribalism by Steven Kornacki

11. What You Should Know About Politics. . . But Don't by Jessamyn Conrad

Have you read any of the above listed books? If so, did you like them? Share your thoughts!

Shameless by Brian Tyler Cohen

 

I've had a busy start to my year. So, essentially, I haven't had much time to read this month.

Additionally, I totally switched gears and ended up starting and finishing Shameless by Brian Tyler Cohen as my first read of 2025 (vs. starting and finishing Burial Rites by Hannah Kent as my first read of 2025).

I first became acquainted with Brian Tyler Cohen through watching his very popular YouTube channel. Cohen's YouTube channel discusses all things politics.

When I learned last year that Brian Taylor Cohen was coming out with his very first book, Shameless, I decided to read it. I listened to the unabridged audio version of Shameless, which is narrated by the author. Shameless is a quick listen at 4 hours, 38 minutes.

So, what did I think of Brian Tyler Cohen's book Shameless? First of all, I loved that Brian Tyler Cohen narrated his own book. As it would have been weird for me to listen to someone else read Shameless when I'm use to listening to Brian Tyler Cohen speak on his YouTube channel. 

As far as Shameless itself goes, I enjoyed it overall. I felt like Brian Tyler Cohen covered the history of the Republican Party and how Republicans have gone about sabotaging Democrats and undermining democracy by citing specific examples throughout Shameless. The Republican Party seems to have drastically changed since Abraham Lincoln's time. 

I also learned how Democrats could improve their effectiveness in the political arena by not falling for the Republican Party's tactics for misdirection. Many other things were discussed on the topic of how Democrats and Republicans interact and function, providing food for thought.

The last chapter of Shameless focuses on how we as individuals can empower others close to us to take action and change the fate of our nation and democracy for the better.

Below is the publisher's summary for Shameless by Brian Tyler Cohen from Chirp's website:

Written by an MSNBC contributor, this #1 New York Times bestseller and 2024 release offers an analysis of the current state of US politics — and outlines its impact on the present and future of democracy.

Publisher Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From the first content creator to interview President Biden, leading progressive voice Brian Tyler Cohen takes a step back from the day-to-day news cycle to explain how American politics has turned into such a dumpster fire—and what Democrats need to do to get us out of it.

In Shameless, Brian Tyler Cohen lays bare the long con of the modern Republican Party. While the radical right continues hiding behind gaslighting maneuvers, artificial slogans, and hollow catchphrases, Cohen’s unflinching narrative illuminates the realities and dangers of the ever-widening gulf between the vaunted Republican brand and their actual behavior.

With a foreword by Congressman Jamie Raskin, drawing on interviews and insights from Pete Buttigieg, Mehdi Hasan, Jen Psaki, and other luminaries of the Left, Cohen reveals:How Republicans have leaned on their histor­ical branding to give themselves a permission structure to behave antithetically to everything they say; Why the mainstream media has proved itself a willing participant in this ongoing farce— particularly since the rise of toxic, sensational­ist MAGA mania; and What lessons Democrats can glean from a clear-eyed view of the landscape we’re operating in—and the steps we must take to rebalance our political landscape.

During this all-hands-on-deck moment in our his­tory, Shameless is essential reading for those seeking to understand our dire situation, and a rallying cry for those fighting to preserve democracy.

I am giving Shameless by Brian Tyler Cohen a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings

 

I received the paperback edition of Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings for FREE through the Goodreads Giveaways program.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings.

Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings is written for kids/teens ages 12 - 15 and covers the politics of the Civil Rights Era. I love everything about this book and feel that its content makes for the perfect introductory book for young readers wanting to learn more about the Civil Rights Era. Even as an adult, I learned a lot by reading Ms. Cummings book. 

Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings is both well written and well organized. There is an introduction to the topic of the Civil Rights Era, plus five chapters pertaining to specific topics that are important touchstones to the Civil Rights Era.... Chapter 1 covers the politics of school desegregation, Chapter 2 covers the politics of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Chapter 3 covers the politics of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Chapter 4 covers the politics of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, and Chapter 5 covers the politics of resentment. 

Each chapter offers bite sized chunks of information, a timeline for events, fast facts, vocabulary, a project at the end of each chapter to help gain more understanding and so much more. At the end of Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings there is a glossary for important terms and an excellent resource section for further reading.

As I mentioned in a previous paragraph, I learned a few new to me things through reading Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings. One of the biggest things I learned through reading chapter one, was about the life of Sylvia Mendez and her pivotal role in the Mendez v. Westminster case, which allowed her to eventually attend an all white school instead of an all Mexican school. Through reading chapter one and doing a little more online research, I discovered that California became the first state in the nation to desegregate schools because of the 1946 Mendez. v. Westminster case!! The Mendez v. Westminster case occurred eight years before the 1954 Brown v. the Board of Education case. The Mendez v. Westminster case actually helped lay the foundation/ground work for Brown v. the Board of Education. Sylvia Mendez was eventually awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

As an additional side note, "Thurgood Marshall, who was later appointed a Supreme Court justice in 1967, became the lead NAACP attorney in the 1954 Brown case. His amicus brief filed for Mendez on behalf of the NAACP contained the arguments he would later use in the Brown case. The Mendez case also deeply influenced the thinking of the California governor at the time, Earl Warren. By 1954, when the Brown case appeared before the high court, Warren had become the chief justice." (Source Wikipedia)

In chapter 5 of Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings, 2020 Inequality Stats (page 97) were given as follows and these stats are dismal:

• Young Black Men are 21 times more likely than young white men to be shot by police.
• Blacks are imprisoned six times more often than whites.
• Forty-two percent of Black children are educated in high poverty schools.
• Black family income is two-thirds that of white families.
• The Black unemployment rate is twice that of whites.
• Only forty percent of African Americans own a home compared with seventy percent of whites. 
• In 2019, there were only three African American members of the U. S. Senate and no black governors.

Below is a summary for Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings from Goodreads:

A deep dive into the politics of the civil rights era, including the passing of new laws and the presidential responses to protest. A terrific way for kids ages 12 to 15 to learn about the civil rights movement, both then and now! "We shall overcome" was the refrain of the civil rights movement, but overcoming centuries of discrimination was not easy. When the activism of civil rights protesters exposed the rampant racism embedded in America's politics for the world to see, political leaders in the federal government were forced to act. In Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era, students ages 12 to 15 explore the key legislative and judicial victories of the era that spanned from 1954 to the early 1970s. The successes of Brown v. the Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 were the results of African-American activism and a growing awareness of social justice and injustice. Marches, demonstrations, boycotts, and lawsuits prodded local and state governments to reveal the bigotry of their laws and the brutality of their oppression of black citizens. As racial tensions ripped the country apart, presidents from Eisenhower through Nixon worked to uphold the U.S. Constitution, sometimes willingly and sometimes reluctantly. As members of Congress debated and negotiated, change came slowly. School doors opened to blacks. Restaurants served blacks. Blacks were allowed to cast their ballots. But victory was incomplete and came at a price. In this book, hands-on projects and research activities alongside essential questions, links to online resources, and text-to-world connections promote a profound understanding of history and offer opportunities for social-emotional learning. Meets multiple standards for the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies.

Incidences of racial discrimination and racial division are in the news frequently, and this book informs readers of how political change during the civil rights movement of 1954 to the early 1970s eliminated some racial discrimination, but was unable to remove all obstacles to equality.

Today's division between political parties impedes legislative progress on many issues, and this book explores how similar political divisions were overcome in the 1960s, resulting in the passage of key civil rights laws.

Uses an inquiry-based approach to encourage readers to explore the present status of civil rights for blacks in the United States.

Aligns with Common Core State Standards.

Projects include Mapping your school's degree of segregation, Deconstructing the photograph that moved John F. Kennedy to support the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Research today's voter suppression.

Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index.　

About the Civil Rights Movement series and Nomad Press Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era is part of a new series from Nomad Press, The Civil Rights Era, that captures the passion and conviction of the 1950s and '60s. Other titles in this set include Boycotts, Strikes, and Marches: Protests of the Civil Rights Era; Sitting In, Standing Up: Leaders of the Civil Rights Era; and Singing for Equality: Musicians of the Civil Rights Era. Nomad Press books in The Civil Rights Era series integrate content with participation. Combining engaging narrative with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad's unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

I am giving Changing Laws: Politics of the Civil Rights Era by Judy Dodge Cummings a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Rakestraw Books "Live at Home!" with Rep. Eric Swalwell - Author Event

I've really missed visiting bookstores and attending author events/book signings and book festivals since the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm this year and left us all sheltering in place.

I am thrilled to see many businesses pivoting by changing their business model and thriving during this difficult time by finding new ways of remaining relevant to their customers during COVID-19. 

Case in point, a local independent bookstore here in my area, Rakestraw Books, has begun having virtual author visits where one can watch live author events from home, which I think is fabulous!!

Tonight, Rakestraw Books offered  "Live at Home!" with U. S. Representative Eric Swalwell from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. So, I decided to watch this live event from the comfort of my own home. 

Eric Swalwell has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 15th congressional district since 2013, which just so happens to be the district in which I reside. Swalwell has recently come out with a new nonfiction book titled, Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump, so he spoke about his new book among other things.

The following information about Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump and the "Live at Home!" with Rep. Eric Swalwell was found on Rakestraw Books's events page:

In Endgame, Congressman Eric Swalwell offers his personal account of his path to office and how he and his colleagues resisted, investigated, and impeached a corrupt president. After the shock of the 2016 election and Trump’s inauguration (including the luncheon afterward), Swalwell, as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Judiciary Committee, quickly became involved in pushing back against Trump’s outrageous actions as he sought to get to the bottom of foreign interference in our elections. But Republicans were in control of the investigation, and it became clear that taking back the House was essential.

Swalwell takes readers inside Congress and through the impeachment process, from Trump’s disgraceful phone call with the Ukrainian president, just one day after Robert Mueller testified to Congress, to caucus meetings and conversations with the Speaker to the bombshell public hearings and the historic vote, and then what followed next—the holding of the articles, the news of more possible witnesses, and the sham trial in the Senate. Endgame is fascinating, a gripping read by a unique witness to extraordinary events.

During this special Rakestraw Books "Live at Home!" event, Rep. Eric Swalwell will be joined in conversation by award-winning journalist Frances Dinkelspiel. There will also be time for your questions. Tickets are $30 (admits one and includes a copy of Endgame). This event will take place via CrowdCast.

What did I think of the Rakestraw Books "Live at Home!" with U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell author event? It was wonderful to finally attend my first author event of the year! Watching the event online from home was fun and different... No concern or need to wear a face mask or social distance. This online event went smoothly with no technical difficulties. But most importantly, I enjoyed hearing what U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell had to share with listeners this evening. I look forward to reading Endgame: Inside the Impeachment of Donald J. Trump.

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

I listened to the abridged audio version on compact disc of The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama (narrated by the author) for Black History Month.

I'd been wanting to read The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama for quite a while and was happy to obtain a withdrawn public library copy of it on compact disc last summer... But I didn't realize until later on that the audio compact disc was abridged! I prefer listening to unabridged audiobooks. 

The listening time for The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama is 6 hours, 10 minutes.

I love that The Audacity of Hope is narrated by Barack Obama. For whatever reason, I find his voice soothing to listen to. As far as this book goes, I liked it a lot. Obama covers a lot of different topics. He talks about family life, political life as a senator, politics, religion, race, etc. One of my favorite parts was listening to Obama talk about balancing the demands of public service and family life and also how he met his wife, Michelle. 

My only major complaint is that the audio version of The Audacity of Hope is abridged. I want to listen to a book in its entirety... not an abridgment.

The following is a summary for The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama from Audible:

In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls for a different brand of politics: a politics for those weary of bitter partisanship and alienated by the "endless clash of armies" we see in Congress and on the campaign trail; a politics rooted in the faith, inclusiveness, and nobility of spirit at the heart of "our improbable experiment in democracy". He also speaks, with surprising intimacy and self-deprecating humor, about settling in as a senator, seeking to balance the demands of public service and family life, and his own deepening religious commitment.

At the heart of this audiobook is Senator Obama's vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, and even the president is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus.

A senator and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Senator Obama has written a book of transforming power.

I'm giving The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!