Erik Larson is back again but this time it is 1933, Hitler is rising to power and William E. Dodd has been assigned to Berlin as the United States Ambassador to Germany.

Dodd is a frugal professor from Chicago and brings his wife, son and daughter, Martha, along with him to have the opportunity of a lifetime.  Very soon, Martha becomes seduced by the extravagance of the ‘New Germany’ and becomes involved with many men including the first chief of the Gestapo and a Soviet spy.  Dodd, of course, comes into contact with many high ranking Nazi officials including Hitler and while having to attend all these glittering parties becomes gradually suspicious and some might say paranoid that what is being presented to him might just not be all there is to this “New Germany”.

Meanwhile, back at the State Department there is a growing faction of people working against Dodd and they continue to ignore his letters and telegraphs that voice these concerns.  Dodd and Martha continue through the year to find their  lives gradually transformed and beliefs changed until the fateful night that reveals to the world Hitler’s true character.  Larson has once again written an excellent historical narrative that “sheds fresh light on why America stood by as Hitler rose to power”.

Even if you normally do not read nonfiction but are interested in this era of history, you will certainly find this book informative and simply thrilling to read.

In the Garden of Beasts will be available on May 10.

Occult America: The Secret History of How Mysticism Shaped Our Nation

by Mitch Horowitz

Bantam (2009)

Thirty-four years ago I opened Lemuria to offer books for sale that were at the time not offered in my community. I felt the need to reflect the life-style of the counter-culture movement through my inventory with a lot of emphasis on New Age therapeutic spirituality and occult (hidden or obscured) texts. I named the bookstore Lemuria. I figured “Lemuria” was a label to inform my desired readers that books of alternative knowledge and hidden wisdom would be included as part of my inventory.

Horowitz’s book is a readable reflection of the physic highway from our nation’s Free Masonic roots to the birth of the New Age era. Occult America fits this jigsaw puzzle of Ouija boards, Astrology, clairvoyant religious teachers, women’s rights, symbology, numerology, etc. into a well-organized historical presentation. Occult America is well written and interesting without academic-like pitfalls.

Enjoyable sections on Manly P. Hall and Edgar Cayce were well done. My favorite essay was “Go Tell Pharaoh: The Rise of Magic in Afro-America” focusing on Voodoo and Hoodoo and Frederick Douglass’ story of his John the Conqueror root. However, I did feel that the last section, “Aquarius Rising,” to be rushed with not enough information concerning the state of counter-culture thinking today.

Over the years Lemuria has expanded its inventory, keeping at its roots the need for alternative thinking and ideas.

This is a fascinating book about Isabella de Medici and her life as the daughter of Duke Cosimo, 1 —one of intellectual and romantic freedom as long as her father was alive. Given in marriage to Paolo Orsini, she completely ignored her husband living apart from him, refusing to leave Florence, and eventually taking a lover.
Cosimo doted on his daughter permitting her opulant, extravagant and permissive life-style. However, upon his death he was succeeded by his dour son, Francesco, who regarded his sister’s freedoms as a family disgrace. It was then that Isabella’s fortunes changed. Her husband, Paolo, who became increasingly enraged by his wife’s behavior, arranged with the help of Francesco to murder her—lots of intrigue and suspense to hold the reader captive!
The backdrop for this story is Renaissance Florence with its balls, salons, parties, and hunts. Murphy draws on a trove of newly discovered and published documents to tell this story of the Medici’s and Florence in the sixteenth century—a most enjoyable and satisfying read.

-Yvonne

What Is The What
by
Dave Eggers

The last two weeks I’ve spent reading this book have been nothing short of eye-opening. What is the What is by far one of the most memorable reads I have had in quite some time. Eggers tells the story of Valentino Achack Deng, beginning with his current living situation in America, but more importantly how he came to be a U.S. citizen. Forced from his hometown of Marial Bai, a small town in southern Sudan, Achack quickly finds himself alone in search of a new beginning. Unaware that civil war has broken out in Sudan, or genocide is underway by hands of his own government, Achack is soon joined by thousands of other “Lost Boys” all seeking shelter where there simply is none. It seems there is no escape from the bloodshed, no refuge for the thousands of now homeless Sudanese, and simply not nearly enough food or water to go around. Even in the “safety” of the refugee camps, food remains scarce, and the violence still ensues. Eventually, Deng does find refuge in America, only to discover that even in “paradise” there is violence and prejudice lingering around every turn. Sadly, he realizes he is searching for hope in a seemingly hopeless world, but more importantly he never gives up.

I could go on and on about this book, and would still not cover it all. I honestly feel you owe it to yourself to read this book. In my opinion, the best part about this book is how educating it is about the current situation in Africa. Unfortunately, I was mostly unaware of what was going on in places like Sudan, Darfur, and most recently Kenya before reading What is the What. That’s the beauty of this book, it leaves you wanting to know more. Why is this happening? Who is responsible, and most importantly, HOW CAN I HELP? Sadly, the media does a poor job informing the public about the conflict in Africa, however, Eggers does a marvelous job telling not only Achack’s story, but the story of so many in Africa over the last few decades.

I am also compelled to tell you that all the profits from this book are put back into the Valentino Achack Deng Foundation. After fleeing his home and family over twenty years ago, Achack just recently returned for the first time to reunite with all that he was forced to leave so long ago. With the proceeds, he broke ground on a new school that is scheduled to be finished sometime this year.

Links:
–Check out Eggers’ reading
–Find Out More at The Valentino Achak Deng Foundation
(and check out their projects and videos)