Thoughts on 1491

This started as a review of Charles Mann's 1491, but it became more about the flights of fancy it gave me than about the book itself. It's the most intriguing, mind-bending, and thought-provoking book I've read in years. Many thanks to Nelson, who turned me on to it. Two caveats up front: First, I give…

Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood’s First Openly Gay Star

(This is a copy of a Goodreads review.) An encouraging bit of Pride Month reading of the "Nice to know we've always been here" variety. "Openly gay" in the context of the 1920s held a different meaning than today, not an affirmation, but a refusal to lie, evading direct questions with clever evasions (making Haines…

The Days of Anna Madrigal

(This is a copy of a Goodreads review.) Three stars for this one, four for the whole series. If you've been thinking of dipping your toe into the world of Barbary Lane, this is what I'd suggest (with the caveat that I'm relying on memories of when I read some of these years ago): If…