I was laughing so hard when I was reading this that I thought everyone on the train was staring at me. But I didn't care. James Veitch is just so awesome and so funny when he writes back Winnie Mandela or Princess Mina whose uncle has stolen her inheritance. I think we should have the James Veitch movement. Let's go people!

Disclaimer: ARC courtesy of I.B. Tauris via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

                What makes a movement?  What leads to protest?  Why do some people who seem sympathetic to a movement yet not join a protest?   These basic questions are not just confined to the political situation in any country, yet Genc uses the basic questions to shield more light on the protest movement in Turkey, and in particular those young people behind it.

                For the average American who has no real connection to Turkey, most of the news about the country is limited to sound bites on the news, and the average American international news broadcast is pretty bad.  When the recent coup attempt happened, it made the nightly news and CNN broadcasted heavily for a bit, but outside of mentioning where the accused coup inspirer lives, nothing.  Very little about the arrests that occurred after.  When the protests were occurring in Taksim square, there was very little context.   Genc’s book does something to readdress this for the American public.

                Genc’s book is more a series of profiles and interviews with people –ranging from student protests to business men, to filmmakers, to journalists.  The topics include the protests at Taskim but also the closure of magazines and other forms of censorship.  Because of timing, the book obvious could not examine the most recent coup attempt, though Genc’s introduction does include it.

                One of the book’s strengths is the use of the interviewees.  While the book does start with an interview of a protestor in Taskim square, Genc includes an interview with those who chose not to join the protest or even saw it as little more than a protest of the middle class.  This allows the reader into the varying and conflicting political views.  Perhaps the most telling is the chapter concerning the filmmaker Evrenol and his experience of censorship, a story that does make one think.

                There is also a discussion about the police officers, in particular the actions of the police during the protests combined with the police in everyday life.  In some ways this section shows that conflicting views are sometimes simply conflicting views and speaks to the human condition.

                Genc is aware of her book use as a starting point for trying to understand Turkish politics.  She includes a further reading list at the end of the book so the reader can further her knowledge.

Re-read June 2016

I have a suspicion that Krakauer might be a bit of a jerk in real life, and I will admit I sometimes wonder why many of his books have a strong me bit. Yet, he is an immensely talented writer. He took some heat for this book. I should note that I read the earlier addition, the paperback version of the book that came out in about year after the events, so the later afterword is not present. In this version at least, Krakauer doesn't seem too harsh about the socialite, noting that despite her attitude her fellow climbers, in particular man who he respects, respected her. Does she look like a saint? No, but I wouldn't call it a hatch job. He isn't particularly nice about describing some of his fellow climbers' skills, yet I think this is a human failing. He is as harsh about himself. And one does get the feeling that he blames himself. At the very least, the book is a good starting point for a discussion involving clients and climbers and whether that should even be an option for mountains like this one.

I got this book intending to give it to my brother, then I started it. I couldn't put it down.

Added 12/19/12 - Engrossing. Krakauer took some heat (too put it mildly) for his article. Also deals with the question of reporter and subject. Krakauer blames himself as much as anyone, so it does feel like a brutally honest book.

Update- Still interesting, also has some areas to raise discussion in classes.

Reading this sheds light and some insight on some of the events in Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. It also adds some very thoughtful critiques to the debate about prostitution

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.

                I teach at two community colleges, and, therefore, have an interest in this timely book.  If you haven’t heard about all the protests about racism on college campuses then you haven’t been watching any news.  Congrats on having your head in sand.

                Ross’ book is something that anyone associated with any college in any way should read; however, there are some problems with the book. 

                On the one hand, Ross’ book does shed light on the issues of racism on major college campuses, and that is something that should be addressed.  It’s more than just a debate over admissions policies.  There are documented instances of black students being asked if a white student can touch their hair, of liberal uses of the “n” word, of a host of micro-aggressions.  Ross makes an excellent case of racism still existing on campuses and how little colleges, at least some colleges, do to deal with the issue.  The reasons for this non-action seem to run from lack of knowledge to lack of care about the situation.  Ross does a good job of analyzing how some racial incidents on campus are played out.  The book, for instance, opens with a detailed analysis of the fraternity that made the news after chanting a racist song on a bus.  Ross’ analysis is far more in depth, in part because of the book, but also it makes the reader realize how little the news actually really covers such things (for instance, the connection such groups have to the Confederate south).

                But the story also showcases the book’s weak side.  Too much of the book is focused on the racism in sororities and fraternities.  Now, there are good reasons for this, and Ross, to his credit, makes these reasons clear.  The primary is the connection that such organizations have to the running of the college as well as the status in the college – in some classes such groups basically control student governments (and boy, the history of some of these groups).  Therefore, Ross’ focus does make sense, yet it also can be limiting.  No doubt there will be some readers who will dismiss much of the racism described in the book as simply the fault of the Greek system.  While the book does cover micro aggressions and other incidents, the predominance of examples always come back the organizations.

                Another flaw is the focus on an only a select number of schools, and no community colleges are discussed, though state colleges are.  Considering that a number of minorities attend community colleges, I would be curious to see if the experiences are similar.

                Despite the emphasis on the Greek groups as well as the lack of community colleges, this book is still a must read for anyone connected to a college in anyway.  You don’t believe me?  Ask any minority student.  I double dog dare you.  There is also a frank discussion about the names of certain college buildings, a topic that is also recently in the news.

                Thank you, Mr. Ross.  As always, you have given me some food for thought.  (On a side note, I brought up some of the issues addressed in this book in one of my classes.  It was a pretty good discussion).