The Constitution of the United States with the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation by R.B. Bernstein

"Fun for its pure educational value, the timeline was an eye-opening tool to be used to see when the Government goes back on its word. Definitely not a light, breach read, it was still enjoyable when I had the time and attention to focus on the subject and really absorb what I was reading."

2 Stars

Pros: It's a good reference book.

Cons: Obviously, these are official government documents written in the English of the time "

Full Review:

Bernstein keeps his introduction relatively brief and then lists out important dates in chronological order. It was interesting to see which amendments were ratified when. As a United States Citizen, I felt like I should read this book and I'm glad I did, since it was educational. That doesn't mean that I think everyone needs to rush out and read the Constitution because trust me, it was a dry read. It was also very eye opening in the sense that it showed, with Bernstein's timeline, how often the U.S. Government makes something law, realizes they messed up and then just simply creates a new amendment that's like, "Oh, no, never mind. We didn't mean that."

Staggering in the consistency with which that happened, sadly, it's not unsurprising. In reading the Constitution, the Declaration and the Articles of Confederation, it proved to me that our forefathers founded this country with honest, good intentions. They truly believed in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And though they tried for fair representation from every State, unfortunately, when you get a bunch of people together to express their thoughts and opinions, well, not everyone's going to play nice in the sandbox and someone's always going to go home crying. I think, though our Forefathers had good intentions sadly their dream has been warped and changed over time.

Comments

Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov

"When a scientist, Benes, who has integral and world changing information attempts to defect and join our Side, he's injured. A blood clot forms in his brain and the only way to save his life is to miniaturize the crew of the Proteus and inject them into Benes' body, so they can break up the blood clot from the inside. Of course, one thing after another goes wrong and every chapter is a new catastrophe but it was definitely a fantastic voyage. 2 Stars Pros: Grant is one dry character but he's a welcome bit of amusement in an otherwise serious and scientific novel. Cons: Grant is also SUCH a man that he spends most of the mission staring at saving the one woman board, Cora./Definitely ripe with anatomical lessons and what part of the body they were in. Since I've never been great at anatomy, a lot of it was lost on me and became burdensome near the end. Full Review: As in all things, there is a good side and a bad side. This book is very vague as...

Animal Farm by George Orwell

"A blithe and scathing commentary on equality, power, corruption and how everyone is created equal, but...some are more equal than others. Orwell hit the nail right on the head with this novel and it's no wonder it's a staple for most high school curriculums. " 3 Stars. Pros: Benjamin the Donkey is the smartest animal on the farm and it would have done all the others a world of good if they had listened to him in the first place. Cons: The fact that societies like this actually do exist is nauseating and terrible. It's not a con, per se, it's just a gut wrenching fact. Full Review: When the overworked and mistreated Animals on Manor Farm decide to rise up and overthrow their cruel master, they're successful. They rebel and now find themselves with an entire Farm to run. They rename it Animal Farm and are intent on creating a paradise, where work and play are equal, where productivity is key but relaxation is a must and all the lives of all the animal...

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

"Arnold Spirit, Jr, or "Junior" as he's known on the Rez, does something no Spokane Indian has ever done. He enrolls in Reardon High School and begins the long and often painful process off navigating not only high school and adolescence but also being an outsider. Alexie handles it all with grace, humor and honesty. This was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone." 5 Stars Pros: Alexie handles the ups and downs of not only adolescence, but tragedy and loss in a stark, honest but gut wrenchingly relatable way. Cons: Some of Junior's all-consuming guilt, though understandable was a little repetitive but it's all part of being a teenager. Full Review: It all starts when Arnold Spirit Jr, or Junior, throws a textbook across the classroom. When he opened the book he saw his mother's name, her maiden name and it enrages him. He's furious that the reservation is so poor that they're learning from thirty-year old textbooks. He doesn't...

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