Book Review- Jon Meacham's And There was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

Thank you to Libro FM for an audio arc of Jon Meacham’s And There was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle.

Historian and journalist Jon Meacham does a deep-dive into the life of the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Meacham details how a man of humble beginnings was able to make inroads with power circles, including marrying the upper-class Mary Todd Lincoln, and gaining the esteem of important people to boost his political aspirations.

And There is Light is an absolutely fascinating presidential biography. Prior to reading Meacham’s work, I knew a fair bit about Lincoln. I think most American’s do, as we spend a lot of time learning about the Civil War in school. However, I think the timing of this book is very relevant, as there are clear parallels to the state of the country during Lincoln’s time and our present situation. Lincoln’s greatest presidential challenge was to try to bring together a country divided on ideological lines and even more so, after the war had ended.

We may be at a precipice right now. I actually listened to this book months ago and have not had time to write the review. I didn’t even realize, until typing this paragraph, that former President Trump is hours away from his arraignment in Florida. This is historic, yet also deepening the divide. And There was Light made me consider how we move forward after a major event, such as the Civil War, when tensions are still high and people still don’t agree. Is it even possible?

I had not previously known about Mary Todd Lincoln’s heath struggles, especially with mental health. The intimate details about Lincoln’s family life added an interesting layer to the biography. And There was Light is a well-rounded portrait of a man, who just happened to go on to make history. I recommend this for anyone interested in presidential biographies or American History.

Book Review - Natasha Sizlo's All Signs Point to Paris

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of Natasha Sizlo’s memoir, All Signs Point to Paris.

Natasha Sizlo wants to find love. The forty-something divorced mother has recently disengaged from a steamy, yet tortured, off-again/on-again romance with a man who was not ready to commit, leaving Sizlo heart-broken. Two events align to send her to Paris. The first is the death of her beloved father, whom on his death bed, told his two daughters that his spirit would meet them in Paris. The second, is a psychic, who tells Sizlo that her soul mate is a man who was born in Paris on November 2, 1968.

Sizlo decides to take a chance both on love and on a psychic’s correct prediction, by not only planning a trip to Paris, but also putting herself on social media and dating sites, seeking men with those specific attributes. In Paris, with the help of her sister and a few friends, she dates several men and makes connections throughout the city. Sizlo discovers that although she may have trouble finding a romantic partner, her life does not lack for love and that it takes a community of people to fulfill ones needs.

I loved All Signs Point to Paris. At first, I was skeptical. I don’t believe in psychics, but the Sizlo does not force that belief on her readers. In fact, I think she is taking it with a grain of salt too. She is serious about the endeavor, but more with a “what do I have to lose, let’s take a chance,” type of attitude. The memoir is about the discoveries she makes regarding her relationship with her sister and friends and learning to love her life that already exists. At the end of the book, she has a lovely and very adult conversation with her former boyfriend, that I think everyone wishes they could have when finding closure with a relationship. A conversation to tie-up loose ends, but also honor that there was once love and something good, even if it is time to more forward.

The book is filled with all things Paris: the foods, the sights, the smells…a sensory delight. I’ve never been to Paris, but I felt like I was on the trip with Sizlo. I loved how so many locals took up her cause and engaged with her, especially an evening when women who were following her on social media met for drinks. Sizlo shares her experience in such a warm and open way, that she connects with strangers at every turn.

The flip side to this is in her efforts to connect with the French, she disengages with her sister and friends. Towards the end of the trip, Sizlo’s sister, who has been supportive, expresses her sadness at missing out on bonding time. As you might expect from a good story arc, even in non-fiction, Sizlo has a wake-up call and turns her attention to her sibling.

Sizlo is fabulous and I loved following her search for love in Paris. She has a fantastic Instagram page with pictures from the trip. I still don’t believe in psychics, but I do believe in following your heart and taking chances for love.

One final note, there is some fun bits for fans of Emily in Paris!

Book Review- James Reginato's Growing Up Getty: The Story of America's Most Unconventional Dynasty

Thank you to LibroFM and Simon and Schuster Audio for a copy of James Reginato’s Growing Up Getty: The Story of America’s Most Unconventional Dynasty.

Growing up in Southern California, the Getty name was part of my landscape. I went from visiting their incredible namesake museums to having a huge preteen crush on Balthazar Getty, who is just a few years older than me. I couldn’t help but be drawn to Reginato’s Growing up Getty, and I was not disappointed.

Reginato explores the humble beginnings of the Getty dynasty, which really came to fruition through the shrewd oil investments of J. Paul Getty in the early 1900’s. His father, who was also very financially successful, gave J. Paul Getty money for his initial investments, which he in turn, grew substantially. As much as J. Paul is known for his wealth, he is also known for his five marriages. J. Paul had five sons. Reginato explores these children and their off-spring, showing how each member of the Getty family has contributed to the Getty legacy.

I learned that many members of the Getty family are quite reserved and although they have contributed money, time, and ideas to better society, they have kept out of the limelight. Of those who have been in the public eye, Balthazar is famous for his acting career and youthful bad-boy behavior, and John Paul Getty III, is famous for having been kidnapped and held for ransom. The story of the kidnapping was made into a recent film starring Michelle Williams called, All the Money in the World. Reginato’s discussion of the kidnapping attempts to refute the popular mythology that J.Paul Getty was so miserly, that he coldly refused to pay the ransom. Reginato pitches an alternative scenario, where Getty is hampered by his money, power, and fame, making it a difficult decision to cave to the kidnapper’s demands.

Reginato paints a picture of a complex family tree, with diverse interests and desires. Some are using their money to work on environmental issues, some have been sidelined by addiction problems, and some are trying to strike out on their own. Its begs the question of what would the reader do if their problems were more about how to handle a legacy, than how to financially survive? I found much to admire in many of the Gettys. I was fascinated by their family rituals and deep connections in the United Kingdoms. They live in a world that is so exclusive and elusive, that I enjoyed the glimpse that Reginato provided. A fun and utterly enthralling read.