Wednesday, February 25, 2026

July 2025 Book Reports


10,000 Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War by Philip Caputo - I have assigned sections of this book to my Level 4 students for twentieth century history from the beginning. My youngest finished Level 4 this year, and I was preparing my history resources to sell. I decided to quickly read the whole book before getting rid of it. I don't know very much about the Vietnam War, but overall I think this is an excellent overview and two-page deep dives into lots of different issues. I felt like it gave multiple points of view for lots of the issues as well. (purchased used copy)

James by Percival Everett - This was a recommendation from Kansas Dad. It's a retelling of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of Jim, the runaway slave. In this book, slaves have much more agency over their actions and emotions, though not much more over their fates. Neither of these books rank among my favorites, but I am glad I have read them. (Kansas Dad's copy)

All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot - I always turn to Herriot when I want something uplifting. He often encounters difficult cases and difficult people, but all of his stories confirm the underlying goodness of creation and people. (purchased audiobook)

Very Good, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse - This Wodehouse is part of the Bertie and Jeeves series. I love listening to Wodehouse when I want something lighthearted and witty. Always entertaining. (purchased audiobook)

Manahatta by Mary Kathryn Nagle - This is a play interweaving the life of a Native American woman on Wall Street during the 2008 mortgage crisis with her and her family's ancestors living in the New York City area at the time the Dutch arrived. (found copy of the play online)

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. Links to Amazon and Bookshop are affiliate links.