I received a complimentary Kindle copy of Captivity and Restoration by Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, published by The Project Gutenberg.

"Written by her own hand for her private use, and now made public at the earnest desire of some friends."

I gave it four stars.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Captivity-Restoration-Mrs-Rowlandson-ebook/dp/B004UJCJAQ

Oklahoma Is Where I Live: And Other Thin...

Oklahoma Is Where I Live: and Other Things on My Mind by Gary Conrad is a series of heartwarming and thought-provoking essays that are reminiscent of another Oklahoma son, Will Rogers.

I gave it five stars because it reminded me of the days of my youth when there was a family get-together and we sat around an old octagonal oak table and told stories from our past.

I found this book to be a treasure chest of gem-like homilies. From the sweetness of a first kiss to an attraction to sugar and the resulting dental work, it kept my attention. The episode of snake capturing actually made me laugh out loud.

Learning the benefits of walking meditation or hiking is described clearly: "Something magical happened when you entered that space and completely concentrated your attention on just hiking. In truth, it's an intense contemplation of sorts.

In meditation, you attempt to bring your mind to a single point of focus, much like the tip of the candle flame. In hiking, your attention is likewise entirely focused. You intensely watch the trail for rocks--so you don't stumble. You gauge your breathing and your pulse rate, for if you become too fatigued the risk of falling increases dramatically. And an added benefit is that Mother Nature is all around nurturing and healing you."

Discussing necessary wall-building to be a medical professional: "Needing protection from this, most students develop what can best be described as an emotional wall, one that not only blocks emotion coming in but also going out. Without the wall, the training experience in medical school is too much, far too much…

Rather than a slow, gentle process, the wall has to be built quickly, not brick-by-brick as a mason might do. It’s much akin to pouring a solid slab of cement, which hardens in moments. It didn’t take long for medical students to recognize that fact, and we recklessly submersed ourselves into the experience, ready and willing to be toughened."

I was unable to build that necessary wall so left nursing after thirteen short years.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. That did not change my opinion for this review.

I had previously read Murder on Easter Island: A Daniel "Hawk" Fishinghawk Mystery and enjoyed it tremendously. Please read my five star review for that book.

I look forward to reading The Lhasa Trilogy next and the upcoming Murder at Stonehenge, the sequel to Murder on Easter Island which will be published soon.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Oklahoma-Where-Live-Other-Things-ebook/dp/B00F0P5H1M

Trailer Trash, With a Girl's Name by Stacey Roberts is a supposedly humorous biography. I wanted to like it. I tried several times to read it. I just couldn't finish it. I gave it two stars.

I received a complimentary Kindle copy from Sons of Joy and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615933882

The Silver Baron's Wife by Donna Baier Stein is about Lizzie Tabor, a young woman in the 1870's, who defied convention. The first three quarters of the book was intriguing. The last quarter seemed to ramble. Perhaps it was to indicate Baby Doe's mental state but I didn't like it. I gave it three stars.

I received a complimentary copy from Serving House Books and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Barons-Donna-Baier-Stein/dp/0997101067

It is in pre-order status so I could not leave a review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

I think that we have all known someone like Benedict Arnold.  Not like the Benedict Arnold that was an amazing, brave to the point of reckless general.  Not like the Benedict Arnold that was this country's most infamous traitor.  In other words, not many of us actually ever get to know people who are larger than life history-makers.  But we all know people like the Benedict Arnold who was plagued by entitlement, vanity, insecurity, and an easily wounded pride that lead him to hot words and rash deeds that he just couldn't climb down from.   We all know people like that Benedict Arnold, because that Benedict Arnold is like the rest of us mere mortals; flawed, imperfect, defined by our past and our experiences, human.  One has to wonder, if Benedict Arnold had had a good psychotherapist to help him gain a little self-knowledge and internal insight, would he have never committed treason?

The life of Benedict Arnold reads like a Greek tragedy, or like Macbeth.  Like figures in Greek tragedy, or like Macbeth, Arnold soars to glorious heights.  He is an undisputed hero.  The Americans found him to be a great warrior.  Even the British feared him.  But Arnold's fall comes about because of his own fatal flaws.  Benedict Arnold's story is kind of sad, actually.  His name did not have to be remembered for treason.  But he sabotaged himself.  He was his own worst enemy, and he made a lot of enemies.  In the end Arnold not only betrayed his country, but also the legacy he should have, and could have had.  He may never have had all of the praise and fawning admiration he wanted in his own lifetime.  But if he had just not been such a hot head, his name would have been an honored one in American history.  He would have had glory and accolades 200 years later.  Instead, his name is synonymous with the stain of dishonor.  His story is above all, tragic.