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Recommend this book:
Enigma
George Mattheson
2019 Finalist
148 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
Enigma by George Mattheson is a novel about the psychology of a schizophrenic character who never liked to study as a child and who never read any books. He confesses that he has never been able to watch the television for more than two hours. But he believes to have a kind of communication with Michael, an Archangel. This is a man who believes the CIA is God and Washington, DC, the Church of God. But can this son of intelligence operatives figure out who Michael actually is? What is the hidden import in his reminiscences and wild assumptions?
George Mattheson has written a psychologically strong novel that allows readers to explore the mind of a schizophrenic individual, understand how reality can be distorted, and what happens when someone lives in their own world. The novel has a deep sense of pathos and from the moment the protagonist — who happens to be the narrator — mentions about being transferred from one psychologist to another, the reader gets a strong idea they won’t be reading anything like in mainstream literature.
This is a unique narrative, breezy and as engaging as it is fast-paced. The quirkiness in the narrative is arresting and the first person voice is so beautifully done that it pulls the reader into the worldview of the protagonist powerfully, irresistibly. From the beginning of the story I wondered if the author could tell an interesting story, but as I read from one engaging page to the next, I understood the story is filled with dread truths and lessons that aren’t obvious. Enigma is a deceptively simple story but it has strong political and religious undertones, uncovering a subconscious that contemporary politicians wouldn’t want readers to awaken. It is utterly gripping, written in gorgeous prose and a strong narrative voice.
Enigma by George Mattheson is a novel about the psychology of a schizophrenic character who never liked to study as a child and who never read any books. He confesses that he has never been able to watch the television for more than two hours. But he believes to have a kind of communication with Michael, an Archangel. This is a man who believes the CIA is God and Washington, DC, the Church of God. But can this son of intelligence operatives figure out who Michael actually is? What is the hidden import in his reminiscences and wild assumptions?
George Mattheson has written a psychologically strong novel that allows readers to explore the mind of a schizophrenic individual, understand how reality can be distorted, and what happens when someone lives in their own world. The novel has a deep sense of pathos and from the moment the protagonist — who happens to be the narrator — mentions about being transferred from one psychologist to another, the reader gets a strong idea they won’t be reading anything like in mainstream literature.
This is a unique narrative, breezy and as engaging as it is fast-paced. The quirkiness in the narrative is arresting and the first person voice is so beautifully done that it pulls the reader into the worldview of the protagonist powerfully, irresistibly. From the beginning of the story I wondered if the author could tell an interesting story, but as I read from one engaging page to the next, I understood the story is filled with dread truths and lessons that aren’t obvious. Enigma is a deceptively simple story but it has strong political and religious undertones, uncovering a subconscious that contemporary politicians wouldn’t want readers to awaken. It is utterly gripping, written in gorgeous prose and a strong narrative voice.
Recommend this book:
Sammy: Hero At Age Five
M. Schmidt & G. D. Donley
2019 Honorable Mention
96 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite
Sammy, born the day before Easter in 1985, lived with his mother and brother Gene in a small town in Kansas. He lived the normal life of a little boy – riding his big wheels, playing with trucks, and running in the backyard. He loved the homegrown vegetables from his mother’s and Slim’s gardens. Slim was the man who lived next door and was like a member of the family. Then cancer arrived, changing their lives forever. Sammy shares the ups and downs of painful, scary treatments. He and his mother spent week after week in the children’s oncology unit at the hospital, several hours from home. Sammy was observant and knew when his mother had been praying or crying. He also became aware of Jesus’ presence and His help during difficult times. In the memoir, Sammy: Hero At Age 5, written by his mother and brother, M. Schmidt and G. D. Donley, the sad journey peppered with many joyful moments is shared.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this true-life story is that it is told from Sammy’s point of view. While written in the language of a five-year-old boy, the messages within his words are truly profound. The thoughts fit a little boy’s world – excitement in eating a popsicle; hoping his mother will marry again, and he will have a new father; a wish to go to Disney World. The writing is clear and concise, and the photographs add to the realistic nature of the story. M. Schmidt and G. D. Donley shared their story to help other children and families facing these kinds of diagnoses in this memoir. This is a touching and unforgettable book!
Sammy, born the day before Easter in 1985, lived with his mother and brother Gene in a small town in Kansas. He lived the normal life of a little boy – riding his big wheels, playing with trucks, and running in the backyard. He loved the homegrown vegetables from his mother’s and Slim’s gardens. Slim was the man who lived next door and was like a member of the family. Then cancer arrived, changing their lives forever. Sammy shares the ups and downs of painful, scary treatments. He and his mother spent week after week in the children’s oncology unit at the hospital, several hours from home. Sammy was observant and knew when his mother had been praying or crying. He also became aware of Jesus’ presence and His help during difficult times. In the memoir, Sammy: Hero At Age 5, written by his mother and brother, M. Schmidt and G. D. Donley, the sad journey peppered with many joyful moments is shared.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this true-life story is that it is told from Sammy’s point of view. While written in the language of a five-year-old boy, the messages within his words are truly profound. The thoughts fit a little boy’s world – excitement in eating a popsicle; hoping his mother will marry again, and he will have a new father; a wish to go to Disney World. The writing is clear and concise, and the photographs add to the realistic nature of the story. M. Schmidt and G. D. Donley shared their story to help other children and families facing these kinds of diagnoses in this memoir. This is a touching and unforgettable book!
Recommend this book:
The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy
Gambling, Drama, and the Unexpected
Edwin Wong
2019 Silver Medal
378 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
Edwin Wong’s The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy is one of those books that invite one to discover new things about old fields. In this case, the subject is tragedy, one of the classic forms of art. Wong reaffirms its importance in our time because we are living in a world that has been hugely influenced by artificial intelligence, technology, and globalization. Tragedy has some similarities with modern conducts. In our time, tragic heroes are those who take risks that have a profound impact on society. This is why Wong suggests a new model of tragedy: the risk theatre. What does he mean by “risk theatre”? Risk theatre interprets the best ages of tragedy in a modern key. Risk is the main topic of tragedy, and heroes are like gamblers who pay the price of discovery.
Through a series of interesting dissertations and examples, Wong clarifies his point of view in a persuasive way. The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy is a clear essay, where every part has been structured to make the general picture as precise as possible. Wong is an analytical writer and it is easy to follow his line of reasoning through his consistent exposition. He gives several enlightening examples that often draw to original conclusions. I appreciated the references to classic tragedies and the invitation to create the theatre of tomorrow. The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy is a book that will interest both specialists and book lovers who want to know “how it works.” It is also a recommended reading for modern risk takers.
Edwin Wong’s The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy is one of those books that invite one to discover new things about old fields. In this case, the subject is tragedy, one of the classic forms of art. Wong reaffirms its importance in our time because we are living in a world that has been hugely influenced by artificial intelligence, technology, and globalization. Tragedy has some similarities with modern conducts. In our time, tragic heroes are those who take risks that have a profound impact on society. This is why Wong suggests a new model of tragedy: the risk theatre. What does he mean by “risk theatre”? Risk theatre interprets the best ages of tragedy in a modern key. Risk is the main topic of tragedy, and heroes are like gamblers who pay the price of discovery.
Through a series of interesting dissertations and examples, Wong clarifies his point of view in a persuasive way. The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy is a clear essay, where every part has been structured to make the general picture as precise as possible. Wong is an analytical writer and it is easy to follow his line of reasoning through his consistent exposition. He gives several enlightening examples that often draw to original conclusions. I appreciated the references to classic tragedies and the invitation to create the theatre of tomorrow. The Risk Theatre Model of Tragedy is a book that will interest both specialists and book lovers who want to know “how it works.” It is also a recommended reading for modern risk takers.
Recommend this book:
Never A $7 Wh*re
A Bootstrap Success Story About Determination in the Face of Overwhelming Odds (The $7 Series Book 1)
Toni Crowe
2019 Gold Medal
80 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Never A $7 Wh*re: My Journey from a Lady of The Night to the Lady of the Boardroom is a nonfiction memoir written by Toni Crowe. When she was eighteen years old, Toni left her home and family in Chicago to move to Cleveland with the man she had fallen in love with. Prince had courted her assiduously, and he promised that the move would allow him to help her break into the world of professional modelling. Toni’s family and friends begged her to reconsider, but she was following her heart this time. She did at least make the decision to leave her three-year-old boy with his grandmother, at the urging of a friend. Toni actually had some misgivings about her relationship and the move. Prince’s insistence upon her reciting a Prince Pledge and his brutal treatment of Baby, their friend, until she did so was disturbing and almost made her change her mind, but she was there when the three of them boarded the Greyhound Bus bound for Cleveland. She was tough and could handle almost anything, but what Toni would encounter on the other end of that bus ride would shake her to her core.
Never A $7 Wh*re is a stark and unforgettable true-life tale about a sociopathic pimp and the web of control and deceit he spins around a young woman. Crowe’s introduction indicates that she’s since held a number of top-level executive and engineering positions, and I’m not surprised. She also mentions her love of reading, a lifelong habit which stayed with her throughout her Cleveland experiences. What she doesn’t mention, but illustrates throughout this amazing story, is her gift for writing and telling her story. I had to remind myself on several occasions that I was reading a memoir, not a fictional account, simply because this book reads so beautifully. Crowe is a gifted communicator indeed, and her story should serve as ample caution against the other Princes out there who consider young lives as commodities to be used and discarded at will. Never A $7 Wh*re: My Journey from a Lady of The Night to the Lady of the Boardroom, The $7 Series, Book 1 is most highly recommended.
Never A $7 Wh*re: My Journey from a Lady of The Night to the Lady of the Boardroom is a nonfiction memoir written by Toni Crowe. When she was eighteen years old, Toni left her home and family in Chicago to move to Cleveland with the man she had fallen in love with. Prince had courted her assiduously, and he promised that the move would allow him to help her break into the world of professional modelling. Toni’s family and friends begged her to reconsider, but she was following her heart this time. She did at least make the decision to leave her three-year-old boy with his grandmother, at the urging of a friend. Toni actually had some misgivings about her relationship and the move. Prince’s insistence upon her reciting a Prince Pledge and his brutal treatment of Baby, their friend, until she did so was disturbing and almost made her change her mind, but she was there when the three of them boarded the Greyhound Bus bound for Cleveland. She was tough and could handle almost anything, but what Toni would encounter on the other end of that bus ride would shake her to her core.
Never A $7 Wh*re is a stark and unforgettable true-life tale about a sociopathic pimp and the web of control and deceit he spins around a young woman. Crowe’s introduction indicates that she’s since held a number of top-level executive and engineering positions, and I’m not surprised. She also mentions her love of reading, a lifelong habit which stayed with her throughout her Cleveland experiences. What she doesn’t mention, but illustrates throughout this amazing story, is her gift for writing and telling her story. I had to remind myself on several occasions that I was reading a memoir, not a fictional account, simply because this book reads so beautifully. Crowe is a gifted communicator indeed, and her story should serve as ample caution against the other Princes out there who consider young lives as commodities to be used and discarded at will. Never A $7 Wh*re: My Journey from a Lady of The Night to the Lady of the Boardroom, The $7 Series, Book 1 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Buccaneer
The Provocative Odyssey of Jack Reed, Adventurer, Drug Smuggler and Pilot Extraordinaire
MayCay Beeler
2016 Honorable Mention
220 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Buccaneer: The Provocative Odyssey of Jack Reed, Adventurer, Drug Smuggler and Pilot Extraordinaire by MayCay Beeler is a true crime story about the life of Jack Reed. Jack Reed was a drug smuggler, working as a pilot for Carlos Lehder. Lehder’s partner in crime was Pablo Escobar, the infamous Colombian drug lord of the Medellin Cartel. For the first time, Reed opens up about his life as the pilot, flying from Norman’s Cay off the coast of Florida. He tells of how he ended up as co-defendant on one of the most publicized and longest-running drug trials ever, and of how he became a victim of a mistake in sentencing. Until now, Reed has refused to speak to the media, but now he opens up and what you are about to read will blow your mind.
Buccaneer: The Provocative Odyssey of Jack Reed, Adventurer, Drug Smuggler and Pilot Extraordinaire by MayCay Beeler was a bit of a wow for me. I like true crime stories anyway and this was something so completely different it has to be read to be believed. It’s an intriguing tale, full of mystery, twists and turns and one single surprise that turns everything around! An amazingly written and very honest account of Reed’s involvement in drug running and of life working for Escobar. Two stories are nicely woven together into one amazing read. I guarantee that anyone reading this will be eager to know the ending and won’t want to put the book down until it’s over.
Buccaneer: The Provocative Odyssey of Jack Reed, Adventurer, Drug Smuggler and Pilot Extraordinaire by MayCay Beeler is a true crime story about the life of Jack Reed. Jack Reed was a drug smuggler, working as a pilot for Carlos Lehder. Lehder’s partner in crime was Pablo Escobar, the infamous Colombian drug lord of the Medellin Cartel. For the first time, Reed opens up about his life as the pilot, flying from Norman’s Cay off the coast of Florida. He tells of how he ended up as co-defendant on one of the most publicized and longest-running drug trials ever, and of how he became a victim of a mistake in sentencing. Until now, Reed has refused to speak to the media, but now he opens up and what you are about to read will blow your mind.
Buccaneer: The Provocative Odyssey of Jack Reed, Adventurer, Drug Smuggler and Pilot Extraordinaire by MayCay Beeler was a bit of a wow for me. I like true crime stories anyway and this was something so completely different it has to be read to be believed. It’s an intriguing tale, full of mystery, twists and turns and one single surprise that turns everything around! An amazingly written and very honest account of Reed’s involvement in drug running and of life working for Escobar. Two stories are nicely woven together into one amazing read. I guarantee that anyone reading this will be eager to know the ending and won’t want to put the book down until it’s over.
Recommend this book:
Affairytale
A Memoir
C.J. English
2016 Finalist
332 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Affairytale: A Memoir by C.J. English is a raw and real story of a woman who was living an unsatisfactory married life with a husband she didn’t love. When she got pregnant with her daughter, Dani, C.J. knew that she had to marry Levi for the sake of her daughter. Being married to a man whom she didn’t love was not easy and Levi was not making it easy for her too. She was miserable and there seemed to end to her existence. Soon she was depressed.
She met her brother’s best friend, Grant, one summer. The attraction was instant and undeniable, but they both kept their feelings in check, no matter what. C.J. remained faithful to a husband she didn’t love. Nine years after their first meeting, C.J. and Grant meet again and this time they are unable to contain their emotions and feelings for each other. What happens next would change their lives forever. An extramarital affair can be exciting and thrilling, but when it is true love, it feels right. Is C.J. making the right choice? Is she and Grant meant to be?
Like I said, this was a raw and gritty novel. You cannot help but sympathize with C.J. She did exactly what most women would do for her children and she suffered a great deal for her decision. Grant was such an amazing character. He was strong, a perfect companion, and a shoulder to lean on. He never pushed or prodded C.J. and never, ever made her choose between him and her life. He became her life after he literally stole her heart with his kindness and charm. This is an emotional and heartwarming novel that will make you sigh with happiness. It is a must-read, folks!
Affairytale: A Memoir by C.J. English is a raw and real story of a woman who was living an unsatisfactory married life with a husband she didn’t love. When she got pregnant with her daughter, Dani, C.J. knew that she had to marry Levi for the sake of her daughter. Being married to a man whom she didn’t love was not easy and Levi was not making it easy for her too. She was miserable and there seemed to end to her existence. Soon she was depressed.
She met her brother’s best friend, Grant, one summer. The attraction was instant and undeniable, but they both kept their feelings in check, no matter what. C.J. remained faithful to a husband she didn’t love. Nine years after their first meeting, C.J. and Grant meet again and this time they are unable to contain their emotions and feelings for each other. What happens next would change their lives forever. An extramarital affair can be exciting and thrilling, but when it is true love, it feels right. Is C.J. making the right choice? Is she and Grant meant to be?
Like I said, this was a raw and gritty novel. You cannot help but sympathize with C.J. She did exactly what most women would do for her children and she suffered a great deal for her decision. Grant was such an amazing character. He was strong, a perfect companion, and a shoulder to lean on. He never pushed or prodded C.J. and never, ever made her choose between him and her life. He became her life after he literally stole her heart with his kindness and charm. This is an emotional and heartwarming novel that will make you sigh with happiness. It is a must-read, folks!
Recommend this book:
Bullet Riddled
The First S.W.A.T. Officer Inside Columbine...and Beyond
Grant Whitus,Thom Vines
2016 Bronze Medal
257 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite
Sometimes an author speaks so clearly and so honestly, the reader feels body-punched by the truth. Grant M. Whitus honors us with his gut-pummeling book, Bullet Riddled: The First S.W.A.T. Officer Inside Columbine…and Beyond. The down-to-earth authenticity embedded in his gritty voice starts immediately with his first-hand reliving of the Columbine massacre. This is not some academic “remembering the events at Columbine”, but an in-your-face, moment-to-moment live replay of good people losing lives and precious loved ones to two brutal, sociopathic youths. Whitus brings us back to the humanity – good and bad – involved. It is a powerful start to telling a larger truth about security in our modern world.
When Whitus becomes the number two man on a Colorado S.W.A.T. Team, his obsessive passion for perfection – based on the certainty that being best is the minimum requirement for a S.W.A.T. team to effectively do its job: saving lives – his rigorous demands accomplish two well-served goals: eliminating sub-par performers, and creating a perfectly effective team – one impeccably trained only to succeed.
In Bullet Riddled, Grant M. Whitus makes no apologies either for his strenuous demands or his - until then - unconventional methods, telling a story rife with heart-pounding true life encounters, unencumbered by any need for grandstanding or flattery. His writing is unvarnished, rewarding the reader with a brutally raw account of the truth that echoes: “You want us on that wall; you need us on that wall.” And yet, the power of his message comes less from the machismo of his telling and more from the powerful sense of humanity that motivates it. And, somewhat unexpectedly, what we feel most because of that is gratitude. With perhaps a fist pump in the air.
Sometimes an author speaks so clearly and so honestly, the reader feels body-punched by the truth. Grant M. Whitus honors us with his gut-pummeling book, Bullet Riddled: The First S.W.A.T. Officer Inside Columbine…and Beyond. The down-to-earth authenticity embedded in his gritty voice starts immediately with his first-hand reliving of the Columbine massacre. This is not some academic “remembering the events at Columbine”, but an in-your-face, moment-to-moment live replay of good people losing lives and precious loved ones to two brutal, sociopathic youths. Whitus brings us back to the humanity – good and bad – involved. It is a powerful start to telling a larger truth about security in our modern world.
When Whitus becomes the number two man on a Colorado S.W.A.T. Team, his obsessive passion for perfection – based on the certainty that being best is the minimum requirement for a S.W.A.T. team to effectively do its job: saving lives – his rigorous demands accomplish two well-served goals: eliminating sub-par performers, and creating a perfectly effective team – one impeccably trained only to succeed.
In Bullet Riddled, Grant M. Whitus makes no apologies either for his strenuous demands or his - until then - unconventional methods, telling a story rife with heart-pounding true life encounters, unencumbered by any need for grandstanding or flattery. His writing is unvarnished, rewarding the reader with a brutally raw account of the truth that echoes: “You want us on that wall; you need us on that wall.” And yet, the power of his message comes less from the machismo of his telling and more from the powerful sense of humanity that motivates it. And, somewhat unexpectedly, what we feel most because of that is gratitude. With perhaps a fist pump in the air.
Recommend this book:
Silent Voices
A true story of one family's tragedy and journey toward acceptance, grace and forgiveness
Debbie Nau Redmond
2016 Silver Medal
260 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite
Silent Voices by Debbie Nau Redmond takes readers into the world of mental illness. Debbie is a teenager, full of life and hope of what high school will bring. She is the youngest child of a very large family. The Nau family is devoted, caring, your average middle class family. Surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the Colorado Mountains, one would think their life was perfection. However, an unseen disastrous world awaits them. After Debbie’s brother, Ricky, is dishonorably discharged from the Navy, he returns acting very strangely. Ricky’s coming home changes all of their lives forever. Debbie shares the tragedy, the fear, the stigma, the guilt, and the continual uncertainty of living with a brother diagnosed with schizophrenia. This disease not only manipulates the minds of its victims, it leaves a trail of collateral damage in its wake.
Debbie Nau Redmond openly shares her memories in her memoir Silent Voices. This narrative brings awareness to the world of mental illness. It gives a firsthand account of how schizophrenia attacks its victims and the disruption it causes within the family dynamic. My father was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic in the early 1970s. It was very easy for me to relate and empathize with Redmond’s story. She shares pivotal moments in time, as if they were yesterday. But, she also mentions that some memories are blurred due to the trauma. Redmond educates the reader about mental illness. She is bold and candid as she reveals the emotional upheaval of her family. When living with a schizophrenic, everyone suffers. This is an amazing story of family devotion. Silent Voices is an account of tragedy, forgiveness, and restoration. Debbie Nau Redmond honors her family by sharing their story.
Silent Voices by Debbie Nau Redmond takes readers into the world of mental illness. Debbie is a teenager, full of life and hope of what high school will bring. She is the youngest child of a very large family. The Nau family is devoted, caring, your average middle class family. Surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the Colorado Mountains, one would think their life was perfection. However, an unseen disastrous world awaits them. After Debbie’s brother, Ricky, is dishonorably discharged from the Navy, he returns acting very strangely. Ricky’s coming home changes all of their lives forever. Debbie shares the tragedy, the fear, the stigma, the guilt, and the continual uncertainty of living with a brother diagnosed with schizophrenia. This disease not only manipulates the minds of its victims, it leaves a trail of collateral damage in its wake.
Debbie Nau Redmond openly shares her memories in her memoir Silent Voices. This narrative brings awareness to the world of mental illness. It gives a firsthand account of how schizophrenia attacks its victims and the disruption it causes within the family dynamic. My father was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic in the early 1970s. It was very easy for me to relate and empathize with Redmond’s story. She shares pivotal moments in time, as if they were yesterday. But, she also mentions that some memories are blurred due to the trauma. Redmond educates the reader about mental illness. She is bold and candid as she reveals the emotional upheaval of her family. When living with a schizophrenic, everyone suffers. This is an amazing story of family devotion. Silent Voices is an account of tragedy, forgiveness, and restoration. Debbie Nau Redmond honors her family by sharing their story.
Recommend this book:
Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.
Milestone Plays of Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem, An Annotated Repertoire
Amnon Kabatchnik
2015 Finalist
402 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Teodora Totorean for Readers' Favorite
Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.: Milestone Plays of Murder, Mystery and Mayhem, An Annotated Repertoire by Amnon Kabatchnik is an overview of the most important theatrical works on the theme stated in the title, from Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus to Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The book starts with an introduction, where the author presents the plays together with a short synopsis for each, and it continues with a chapter dedicated to each theatrical work presented in chronological order. The author provides for each play: a plot synopsis, when and where the play was seen on the stage, author’s biography, critics’ opinions, awards and notes. Some of the plays from the book are: Antigone by Sophocles, Medea by Euripides, Phaedra by Seneca, and The Tragedy of King Richard the Third by William Shakespeare, to name just a few.
Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D. by Amnon Kabatchnik is a fascinating book for those interested in theatre in general, and for those interested in theatrical works about murder, mystery and mayhem in particular. The book is easy to read and understand, and you don’t have to have previous knowledge of the plays presented in the book. If this is the case, you may want to read the original play or go and see the play after reading each entry. The book is rather complex, demonstrating profound knowledge of the field and extensive research skills. I enjoyed reading this book, as not only did it refresh my knowledge of some of the plays I had read a long time ago, but I also learnt about theatrical works and playwrights which now I want to read and/or view.
Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.: Milestone Plays of Murder, Mystery and Mayhem, An Annotated Repertoire by Amnon Kabatchnik is an overview of the most important theatrical works on the theme stated in the title, from Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus to Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The book starts with an introduction, where the author presents the plays together with a short synopsis for each, and it continues with a chapter dedicated to each theatrical work presented in chronological order. The author provides for each play: a plot synopsis, when and where the play was seen on the stage, author’s biography, critics’ opinions, awards and notes. Some of the plays from the book are: Antigone by Sophocles, Medea by Euripides, Phaedra by Seneca, and The Tragedy of King Richard the Third by William Shakespeare, to name just a few.
Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D. by Amnon Kabatchnik is a fascinating book for those interested in theatre in general, and for those interested in theatrical works about murder, mystery and mayhem in particular. The book is easy to read and understand, and you don’t have to have previous knowledge of the plays presented in the book. If this is the case, you may want to read the original play or go and see the play after reading each entry. The book is rather complex, demonstrating profound knowledge of the field and extensive research skills. I enjoyed reading this book, as not only did it refresh my knowledge of some of the plays I had read a long time ago, but I also learnt about theatrical works and playwrights which now I want to read and/or view.
Recommend this book:
Crossing Swords
Mary Baker Eddy vs. Victoria Claflin Woodhull and the Battle for the Soul of Marriage
Cindy Peyser Safronoff
2015 Honorable Mention
292 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Drama
Reviewed by Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite
Crossing Swords: Mary Baker Eddy vs. Victoria Claflin Woodhull And the Battle for the Soul of Marriage by Cindy Peyser Safronoff begins with an overview of the evolution of culture and marriage laws in America, and from there explores nineteenth-century alternative relationship models. Following closely the lives of Mary Baker Eddy, nicknamed the “Boston Pope” and a pioneer in religious movements, and Victoria Claflin Woodhull, the first female candidate for President of the United States, an activist for women's rights and labor reforms as well as an advocate of free love, Cindy presents an overview of the birth of almost everything related to feminism. The publication of ‘Declaration of Rights and Sentiments,’ a milestone in women’s liberation, finding Christian clergy as women’s worst enemy, slave based culture and its effect on society, and other pioneering efforts by many stalwarts of the feminist movement find description in this book. How the opposing philosophies, the puritanical background of Mary and the unconcerned outlook of Victoria played together in molding the American view of women in society comes alive in these pages.
Crossing Swords: Mary Baker Eddy vs Victoria Claflin Woodhull And the Battle for the Soul of Marriage by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is a thoroughly researched work. Whether it is women's suffrage or traditional value systems or other aspects of the nineteenth century American culture war, the vision of enlightened womanhood as it existed then is presented here, in clear and concise terms, with special attention in giving equal due to the almost opposing views of both the pioneers.
Crossing Swords: Mary Baker Eddy vs. Victoria Claflin Woodhull And the Battle for the Soul of Marriage by Cindy Peyser Safronoff begins with an overview of the evolution of culture and marriage laws in America, and from there explores nineteenth-century alternative relationship models. Following closely the lives of Mary Baker Eddy, nicknamed the “Boston Pope” and a pioneer in religious movements, and Victoria Claflin Woodhull, the first female candidate for President of the United States, an activist for women's rights and labor reforms as well as an advocate of free love, Cindy presents an overview of the birth of almost everything related to feminism. The publication of ‘Declaration of Rights and Sentiments,’ a milestone in women’s liberation, finding Christian clergy as women’s worst enemy, slave based culture and its effect on society, and other pioneering efforts by many stalwarts of the feminist movement find description in this book. How the opposing philosophies, the puritanical background of Mary and the unconcerned outlook of Victoria played together in molding the American view of women in society comes alive in these pages.
Crossing Swords: Mary Baker Eddy vs Victoria Claflin Woodhull And the Battle for the Soul of Marriage by Cindy Peyser Safronoff is a thoroughly researched work. Whether it is women's suffrage or traditional value systems or other aspects of the nineteenth century American culture war, the vision of enlightened womanhood as it existed then is presented here, in clear and concise terms, with special attention in giving equal due to the almost opposing views of both the pioneers.
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