Review: Witchcraft in Illinois: A Cultural History

Witchcraft in Illinois: A Cultural History by Michael Kleen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

As I read this book, I was surprised at the tact the author took. Quite a lot of the book is more of a “national witchcraft” background history. In the second half of the book, the author delves down into some more specific ways that witchcraft is supposed to work. At times, I thought I was reading a generic treatise on witchcraft created to plug in anecdotes about different states, in order to create quick localized books. I believe that was, in part, the author’s intent. The author did include state specific anecdotes, also throwing in some stories from neighboring states. The author used a handful of sources for much of this localized content. I would have appreciated some additional localized content. The author also makes a point of saying that Illinois law was based on British law, and British law did say something about witches, so Illinois had law dealing with witches. Not that it was ever used. Seems like quite a length to go to to get witchcraft into the state. (And also something that is likely similar in other states - not just Illinois.) This wasn’t a topic I’ve ever read about, so I did learn a few things, and found the book entertaining at times. Good for a speed read if you are curious.

Many of my ancestors were Illinois residents, back in early statehood. None were mentioned here. At least, not by name. I had to check.

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Review: The World Without Us

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction

The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction by Jamie Woodward
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Unexpectedly (because I didn’t read any reviews prior to starting this book), the main topic here isn’t the actual ice age, but the history of thought behind the ice age. And as a history of a specific scientific advancement, I really enjoyed the story. It has great bearing on today’s big scientific headlines, COVID vaccine research and, more directly related, climate change. A story of persuasion over decades.

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Review: The Grasshopper Trap

The Grasshopper Trap by Patrick F. McManus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More of McManus’ peculiar brand of outdoorsy folk tales mixed with comic essays, like crossing Mark Twain with, maybe Elmer Fudd. Favorites in this collection were “The Skunk Ladder” and “The Grasshopper Trap”, with Retch Sweeney, Rancid Crabtree, and Crazy Eddie Muldoon. I you think those names are humorous, I suspect you'd like the stories.

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Review: Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In a concerted effort to read those high school English class classics that my high school didn’t assign, I read (or rather listened to the audio of) “Flowers for Algernon”. It’s easy to understand how this came to be considered a classic, evoking emotion and thought. Sad, and it makes you wonder what you would have done had you been in Charlie’s place. Could I have been less petty nearing the peak, or more accepting facing the imminent decline.

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Review: More From Less: How We Learned to Create More Without Using More

More From Less: How We Learned to Create More Without Using More by Andrew McAfee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read “More From Less”, or rather listened to the audiobook, a couple months ago. What I recall is the optimism expressed by the author that the world is using fewer resources to greater effect. This seems to be true to the level the author “peeled the onion”. I’m used to seeing dire predictions of impending doom when reading books about the future, so some optimism is a nice change of pace. There are plenty of stats that show progress. As some reviewers point out, if you peel the onion more or less, you can come often come up with some dire future result, or unconsidered cost or benefit. I think your reaction to a book like this really depends on your outlook on life. I believe I’m pessimistically optimistic, and I kinda liked it. I hope more people get to read this book or others like it.

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Review: How I Got This Way

How I Got This Way by Patrick F. McManus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I greatly enjoy the audio versions of McManus’ books narrated by George S. Irving. The best parts of these books are truly the funniest recordings I’ve heard. It’s nice to read some of the source material for these audios, and “How I Got This Way” contains 27 of McManus’ articles of the same ilk. I can help but hear George Irving’s voice in my head when I read any story about Retch McSweeney, Rancid Crabtree, Crazy Eddie Muldoon, and company. I enjoy those stories in McManus’ collections the most. McManus captures the feeling of kids with free time and the ability to think of something to do, usually dangerous. Reminds me of growing up in the country, without a preponderance of pre-scheduled activities. My favorite, a Crazy Eddie story called “The Big Woods”. An excellent collection.

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