The Harvey House Cookbook: Memories of Dining along the Santa Fe Railroad
George H. Foster & Peter C. Weiglin
ISBN: 1563520338
A combination capsule-history and cookbook, with facts and recipes from Harvey House rail stops.
Read Fall 2016
I think I would have enjoyed the book a bit more if it were simply a history of the Harvey Houses, but I do think people will be interested in the recipes. I would have rather seen more of the menus and the organizational documents (if any of them survive) but I know I'm a bit weird compared to most people.
The only thing that really bugged me about this book was the layout: each very short nonfiction section was sandwiched in between the larger chapters of recipes, and thus it was hard to create any sort of narrative momentum. It made the history sections seem disjointed and fragmentary, which, when dealing with a portion of history that has perhaps not been recorded as well as it might have been, isn't really the optimal impression to leave.
Other than that, the nonfiction information presented was clear, chronological, decently-organized, and topical. I think the recipes either seem painfully normal, or strangely dated, but as I don't cook, I have no basis for informing whether they're good or useful for modern cooks.
An interesting donation that showed up at random and fulfilled a passive sort of interest I've had for a while in the concept of the Harvey Girls, so I was very glad to see it.
Showing posts with label research. Show all posts
Showing posts with label research. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2016
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
YA Fantasy: Skyborn, David Dalglish
Skyborn (first of a trilogy)
David Dalglish
ISBN: 9780316302685
Floating islands, religious oppression, spunky war-orphans.
Part of my ongoing research into "floating islands in the sky" stories, and this first book started out very neatly, but it's headed into religious territory that I don't feel particularly inclined to pursue. I've got the feeling of the writing and the world-building pretty well from the first book. I very much enjoyed the focus on their version of military academy, and on the training in magic and tactics and their equipment, and I also thought Dalglish did a very good job of describing aerial combat. If it wasn't for the religious overtones building up through the book, I would probably have stuck with the series just because it's decently written and interesting politically, but oh well.
David Dalglish
ISBN: 9780316302685
Floating islands, religious oppression, spunky war-orphans.
Part of my ongoing research into "floating islands in the sky" stories, and this first book started out very neatly, but it's headed into religious territory that I don't feel particularly inclined to pursue. I've got the feeling of the writing and the world-building pretty well from the first book. I very much enjoyed the focus on their version of military academy, and on the training in magic and tactics and their equipment, and I also thought Dalglish did a very good job of describing aerial combat. If it wasn't for the religious overtones building up through the book, I would probably have stuck with the series just because it's decently written and interesting politically, but oh well.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Nonfiction: Living the Secular Life, Phil Zuckerman
Living the Secular Life
Phil Zuckerman
ISBN: 9781594205088
Presents studies and historical counterpoints to the pervasive belief that secularism is dooming civilization.
Really appreciated the emphasis on studies and research, and on historical figures. The "case studies" with interviews from various secular people were also very interesting. Thought that it was a little bit of a gloss over a complex and interesting societal shift, but in a pop-science book clocking in under 300 pages WITH notes, bibliography, and an index (made my researcher heart so happy to see all of those) I can't really blame the author for a bit of glossing over sticky points.
A good read for anyone interested in the growing percentage of religious "nones" living in America (and to a lesser extent, in other countries, but the supermajority of the focus is American life and mores).
Phil Zuckerman
ISBN: 9781594205088
Presents studies and historical counterpoints to the pervasive belief that secularism is dooming civilization.
Really appreciated the emphasis on studies and research, and on historical figures. The "case studies" with interviews from various secular people were also very interesting. Thought that it was a little bit of a gloss over a complex and interesting societal shift, but in a pop-science book clocking in under 300 pages WITH notes, bibliography, and an index (made my researcher heart so happy to see all of those) I can't really blame the author for a bit of glossing over sticky points.
A good read for anyone interested in the growing percentage of religious "nones" living in America (and to a lesser extent, in other countries, but the supermajority of the focus is American life and mores).
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Nonfiction: The Victorian City, Judith Flanders
The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London
Judith Flanders
ISBN: 9781250040213
An exhaustive overview of life for the poor and lower-middle classes in London.
This book has taken me AGES to finish, and it wasn't that it was uninteresting, it was that it was enormous. 424 pages of text, and another almost hundred more of notations, references, and indexing. Good grief.
She covers everything, in a mostly organized manner (I never did quite figure out what relation the vignettes at the beginnings of each section were meant to have in common with the section itself) and is honest about sources and conjectures and what we think we know and what we actually do know.
If anyone is planning to write about the City during this time-period, this is a worthy investment, and seems to be the sort where if you can't find the exact details of what you need here, you'll certainly find the research to lead you where you need to go.
I'm glad I read it, and I enjoyed it, but I'm glad to see the end of it - I feel like I've been slogging through the City myself, and am desperate for some fresh air and a change of scenery.
Judith Flanders
ISBN: 9781250040213
An exhaustive overview of life for the poor and lower-middle classes in London.
This book has taken me AGES to finish, and it wasn't that it was uninteresting, it was that it was enormous. 424 pages of text, and another almost hundred more of notations, references, and indexing. Good grief.
She covers everything, in a mostly organized manner (I never did quite figure out what relation the vignettes at the beginnings of each section were meant to have in common with the section itself) and is honest about sources and conjectures and what we think we know and what we actually do know.
If anyone is planning to write about the City during this time-period, this is a worthy investment, and seems to be the sort where if you can't find the exact details of what you need here, you'll certainly find the research to lead you where you need to go.
I'm glad I read it, and I enjoyed it, but I'm glad to see the end of it - I feel like I've been slogging through the City myself, and am desperate for some fresh air and a change of scenery.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Storytelling: "Chain" tales; The Scarecrow's Hat, by Ken Brown
The Scarecrow's Hat
Ken Brown
ISBN: 9781561452408
Picture Book: sketchy/blotchy vibrant watercolors illustrate the tireless "swapping" a hen does to secure a scarecrow's hat (swapping items from barnyard and forest animals) til she achieves her goal: a cozy nest.
This book is another that I need to be careful in using, because while I love this particular story dearly, I don't feel comfortable taking the story "as-is" from the lovely text and illustrations here. I feel like I can build up a knowledge base of similar "chain," "cumulative," or "circular" fairy and folk tales. With that background, I can then create a similar story with a more overt cultural background or setting. That way I will have a story that will be mine creatively, that I can tell (and screw up, and embellish, and cut down...) without feeling like I am disrespecting another artist's creation.
The story of The Scarecrow's Hat (as far as I can tell from limited research) is unique, but the concept of swapping items is not, and a visit to the "Chain of Deals" page on TV tropes shows us the concept is alive and well today. The oldest versions are folk-tales (Aarne-Thompson category 2030 "Chain" folktales) and a decently representative example can be found collected here and here.
What I find interesting about The Scarecrow's Hat specifically, and what I hope to incorporate into my own version, is the concept that the swapping is not punitive (there's lots of chain stories where the only thing being chained is threat of physical harm) nor is it "tricksy" where a character is purposefully trying to gain advantage over others, or play them for fools while he (usually a Clever Jack) comes out ahead. Instead, the hen is straightforward and perseverant, and her knowledge of the animals and their habits allows her to create a chain that is mutually beneficial and transparent (although none of the animals ask her WHY she is trading, or to whom).
My goals for the moment are to spend a lot of time with these chain tales, to research Appalachian mountain settings and local animals, and to use that research to create a similar mutually-beneficial chain of swaps that echoes the gentle, quietly clever, deeply persistent effort that the hen makes in The Scarecrow's Hat.
Ken Brown
ISBN: 9781561452408
Picture Book: sketchy/blotchy vibrant watercolors illustrate the tireless "swapping" a hen does to secure a scarecrow's hat (swapping items from barnyard and forest animals) til she achieves her goal: a cozy nest.
This book is another that I need to be careful in using, because while I love this particular story dearly, I don't feel comfortable taking the story "as-is" from the lovely text and illustrations here. I feel like I can build up a knowledge base of similar "chain," "cumulative," or "circular" fairy and folk tales. With that background, I can then create a similar story with a more overt cultural background or setting. That way I will have a story that will be mine creatively, that I can tell (and screw up, and embellish, and cut down...) without feeling like I am disrespecting another artist's creation.
The story of The Scarecrow's Hat (as far as I can tell from limited research) is unique, but the concept of swapping items is not, and a visit to the "Chain of Deals" page on TV tropes shows us the concept is alive and well today. The oldest versions are folk-tales (Aarne-Thompson category 2030 "Chain" folktales) and a decently representative example can be found collected here and here.
What I find interesting about The Scarecrow's Hat specifically, and what I hope to incorporate into my own version, is the concept that the swapping is not punitive (there's lots of chain stories where the only thing being chained is threat of physical harm) nor is it "tricksy" where a character is purposefully trying to gain advantage over others, or play them for fools while he (usually a Clever Jack) comes out ahead. Instead, the hen is straightforward and perseverant, and her knowledge of the animals and their habits allows her to create a chain that is mutually beneficial and transparent (although none of the animals ask her WHY she is trading, or to whom).
My goals for the moment are to spend a lot of time with these chain tales, to research Appalachian mountain settings and local animals, and to use that research to create a similar mutually-beneficial chain of swaps that echoes the gentle, quietly clever, deeply persistent effort that the hen makes in The Scarecrow's Hat.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Early Reader: The Silver Balloon, Susan Bonners
The Silver Balloon
Susan Bonners
ISBN: 0374369135
Read Sept 11, 2014.
JuvFiction: A city boy sends a helium balloon "message in a bottle" and strikes up a correspondence and mystery gift exchange with the elderly farmer who finds it, learning confidence (and research skills) in the process.
This was really cute, and really short. I especially liked the author's end-note about not letting balloons go in real life, due to the potential harm to wild animals and to avoid litter in the natural environment.
Greg gets (and sends) various 'mystery items' through the post from his friend, and uses relatives and friends of the family and research trips to the library to figure out what they all are. I especially loved that the librarian featured so strongly and positively in this story, and that she and her relative in the natural museum are the key to solving the final mystery, and bringing Greg and his pen-pal together.
Super cute, and great for kids interested in nature and natural history especially.
Susan Bonners
ISBN: 0374369135
Read Sept 11, 2014.
JuvFiction: A city boy sends a helium balloon "message in a bottle" and strikes up a correspondence and mystery gift exchange with the elderly farmer who finds it, learning confidence (and research skills) in the process.
This was really cute, and really short. I especially liked the author's end-note about not letting balloons go in real life, due to the potential harm to wild animals and to avoid litter in the natural environment.
Greg gets (and sends) various 'mystery items' through the post from his friend, and uses relatives and friends of the family and research trips to the library to figure out what they all are. I especially loved that the librarian featured so strongly and positively in this story, and that she and her relative in the natural museum are the key to solving the final mystery, and bringing Greg and his pen-pal together.
Super cute, and great for kids interested in nature and natural history especially.
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