Book Review: 'Molly's Game' by Molly Bloom

✰✰✰✰½ Molly Bloom spent her life competing, first with her brothers, then on the ski slopes. She was used to living fast and working hard. Eventually, she moved to L.A. and was groomed to be the perfect personal assistant. Whatever was required, she could figure out how to get it. So when her boss decided to host a poker game at his club, The Viper Room, Molly was intrigued. She knew nothing about playing poker, but when she got thousands in tips, she was hooked.

As the game grew, everyone who was anyone wanted an invite, and as the game’s gatekeeper, Molly soon had access to the contact information of Hollywood’s rich and famous. She quickly learned to cater to Hollywood royalty, athletes, and billionaires, and in turn lived the high life. It was a world of privilege, secrets, glamour, and danger.

Follow Molly on her adventures as she reaches new highs and lows. No matter how many times, Molly loses the game, she always comes back with a bigger game and higher stakes until she meets her downfall, a brush with the Russian mob. Will she be able to rebuild her life? Or will she lose everything to a game? Check out this nonfiction book that reads more like fiction to find out for yourself.

The Bottom Line: This is a fast paced read that lets readers escape their current lives and enter (albeit vicariously) the world of (very) high-stakes, underground poker. With unabashed honesty, the author shares the highs and lows of a world most of us will never see. This story of ambition, power, and escape is highly recommended for just about anyone who enjoys stories of the underdog coming out on top. 

P.S. Molly sprinkled handy tidbits of poker wisdom throughout the book. Enjoy!

Book Club Notes: This was the surprise hit of the summer for our book club. We really enjoyed both the book and the movie. On a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 being the highest, the book rated an average of 4.5 stars, and the movie came in with an average of 4.2 stars. If you are looking for an escape from your everyday life, but can’t get away, pick up a copy of Molly’s Game for an entertaining read. Then watch the movie, it picks up where the book left off. You'll find yourself rooting for Molly even when the chips are down.

Details: Molly’s Game: The True Story of the 26-Year-Old Woman Behind the Most Exclusive, High-Stakes Underground Poker Game in the World by Molly Bloom. Paperback published by First Dey Street in 2015. 262 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-283858-2   

Book Review: 'Killers of the Flower Moon' by David Grann

✰✰✰✰½ After being forced to relinquish their native lands, the Osage Indians ended up in what is now the state of Oklahoma. It was such a desolate place; the Osage thought they would be safe from settlers wanting their land. Then oil was discovered underground and the rush was on. Suddenly, Osage headright holders became the wealthiest people in the world, and it seemed everyone wanted in. 

Back then in the 1920s, Osage County, Oklahoma was one of the most chaotic places in the country. Thus, when the family of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage Indian woman, started dying, no one really seemed to notice at first. As more of her family continued to die off, the FBI became involved. What unfolded was layer upon layer of deception, corruption, and murder. This page-turning tale of murder and lies is one that you won’t be able to put down.

The Bottom Line: After years of research, author David Grann presents this lost piece of American history. With compelling writing, obscure facts, and lots of twists and turns, this is a book that keeps you guessing. Enthusiastically recommended for fans of true crime, American history, law enforcement, and Native American issues. This is highly recommended reading for college students as well.

Book Club Notes: Our group had been waiting with anticipation for over a year to read this one. Members felt very passionately about the issues faced by Native Americans and wondered why this wasn’t included in our history books. 

We appreciated that there was ample biographical information for each subject. This book was rich in details, and the photos really added to the reading experience. This was a well-written, fascinating look at history, and we felt that Grann went the extra mile to get his information correct and to continue the investigation.

Highly recommended for book clubs willing to tackle this hidden piece of history. Ratings ranged from 4 - 5, with an average of 4.6. Discussion questions are available at Penguin Random House, PBS, LitLovers, MPPL, & many others. We also viewed the a video clip from the BBC News.

Details: Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann. Paperback published by Simon & Schuster in 2017. 352 P. ISBN: 978-1-4711-8329-4

Book Review: 'Catch Me If You Can' by Frank W. Abagnale

✰✰✰✰½   Follow the adventures of Frank Abagnale Jr. as he assumes the roles of pilot, doctor, and lawyer, all before the age of 21. As a master of disguise and a brilliant forger, Abagnale charmed his way through a much more innocent time in American history, the 1960s. It was a time of trust, when people generally respected authority, bank security was lax, and people were more gullible.

Throughout his career as a con artist, the FBI was following his trail. There were many close calls; yet, Abagnale was always a step or two ahead of the law. Abagnale was both cunning and very lucky. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end. It was only a matter of time before the FBI caught up, and Abagnale's inevitable downfall was as spectacular as his life on the run. Follow the author from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows as he gets caught in his own web of lies.

The Bottom Line: This entertaining, quick read is filled with lots of twists and turns. Abagnale's story will keep you on the edge of your seat as he cons just about everyone he meets. A life of crime just came naturally to the author, and yet there is a redemptive quality to his tale. Highly recommended for anyone interested in true crime, con artists, law enforcement, adventure, and ethical dilemmas.

Book Club Notes: In this book club, members can choose to read the book, watch the movie, or both. Many members had seen the film years ago, so reading the book gave us a chance to learn about the man behind the cons.  Needless to say, this was a very animated discussion. We talked about how the author was a smart young man who worked very hard at being a fake. Instead of pursuing a traditional education, he created his own career. He had nerve and confidence, but keep in mind that these events took place at a very different time in American history.

 While we enjoyed the movie, we liked the book better. The book was rich in details, and it was a "rollicking read."  Nevertheless, the movie did genuinely capture the essence of the book better than some other films based on real events. We were left with one question though: Are the events in the book true? We had to conclude that we'll probably never know for sure, and that's part of the mystery.

On a scale from 1 - 5 with 5 being the highest, ratings ranged from 3.8 - 5 resulting in an average of 4.5. We enthusiastically recommend this title for book clubs looking for an entertaining book or film to discuss. The following sources are available online for discussion questions for this book/film: BookRags, ESL Movie Lesson, and the USNA.

However, for this particular book, it was easiest to organize the questions by following the chapters. Here is my list of questions supplemented with a few from the above resources:

Chap. 1: Frank's own father was his first mark (the checking account & the Mobile credit card scam). Why did his father allow it? Would you have allowed it?

Frank said he thinks a lot of people fantasize about being a super criminal. 14 Do you agree?

Frank says women were his downfall. How did he treat women?

Chap 2: When things get difficult, Frank always chooses to run away. Why? Was he too pampered as a child?

Discuss his family dynamics growing up.

Discuss the effects of his parent's divorce on him? And for children in general.

Frank soothed himself with con man’s salve that “…if people were stupid enough to cash a check without verifying its validity, they deserved to be swindled.” 25 Do you agree? Discuss.

Chap. 3: Frank enjoyed the respect & attention he received by pretending to be a pilot. Why didn’t he actually pursue a real career?

Why didn’t anyone ever question him? He wore the uniform of a Pan Am pilot, so he must be one. Why do people just accept?

He kept a journal of phrases, technical data, information, names, dates, places phone numbers, thoughts,…anything necessary to pull off the scam. “It was a combination log, textbook, little black book, diary & airline bible…” 63 Discuss Frank’s Journal.

Discuss living a lie…for years. And multiple lies at that. How difficult is it to keep track of everything?

Chap. 4: Frank switched from being a “pilot” to being an “MD” after a close call. He had lots of close calls. Discuss his luck.

Frank enjoyed the perks of being a doctor; and it was more relaxing. How do you feel about Frank impersonating a medical doctor? Do you think it was ethical?

Chap. 5: Frank reinvents himself as a lawyer this time. By the end of the chapter, he is a professor of sociology. Discuss how he learned all of his different roles.

Chap. 6: Discuss life on the run.

Frank says the most successful check swindlers have 3 factors in their favor: 1.) Personality – charming, well dressed, courteous. 2.) Observation is the only necessity for successful innovative larceny. 3.) Research – A con artist’s only weapon is his brain. 129 Do you agree? Discuss.

Discuss how paperhanging is a numbers game.

Frank had so many scams going throughout his career. Question: Was the author just a juvenile delinquent or something more? 

Chap. 7: Discuss bank security in the 1960s compared to today. How have things changed? What role did Frank have in the changes?

Sometime in Boston he skipped out of bail. He upheld his "code of honor." In his entire career, he never swindled a regular person as an individual. He sent money back to the bail bondsman. 182 Discuss Frank’s "code of honor." When did he break it? (Cheryl in Ch. 8)

Chap. 8: Frank was back to impersonating a pilot. Discuss the Pan Am recruiting scam. What kind of women did he choose for his make-believe crew?

Chap. 9 & 10: With O’Riley hot on his trail, Frank moved to France. Discuss this decision & his life in France.

Discuss his time in Perpignan prison.

How does French prison differ from American or Swedish prison?

Did Frank learn anything in prison?

Eventually Frank made a break for it when he got back to America. Discuss his decision to run.

Other questions:

Upon being up for parole, why did Frank ask not to be sent to New York?

Why was it hard for Frank to work a regular job?

Why didn’t he return to his illicit lifestyle?

Discuss his work for the FBI.

Today, Frank is a security consultant and assists the FBI with fraud prevention programs. Discuss how Frank is doing today & why did he change? Do you believe he has truly changed?

Do you think he regrets his criminal past?

Why did Frank embark on a career of crime in the first place?

Miscellaneous:

Which scam was the most outrageous?

What allowed Frank to evade authorities for so long?

Would he have been as successful today?

Do you think Abagnale was truthful in his book? Or were some of the escapades embellished?

What motivated Frank to share his story.

How would you describe Frank?

Talk about the writing style of the book.

Please share a specific passage or quote from the book/film that left an impression on you.

Please rate this book/film on a scale from 1 – 5, with 5 being the highest and tell us why you gave it that rating.

Details: Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake by Frank W. Abagnale with Stan Redding. Trade paperback published by Broadway Books in 2000. 294 p. ISBN: 978-0-7679-0538-1

Book Review: 'Amish Grace' by Donald Kraybill

✰✰✰✰ Ten years ago, a local milkman invaded an Amish schoolhouse and took hostages. Before the day was over, ten girls between the ages of six and thirteen had been shot. Five would die, and Charles Roberts committed suicide. As the world watched, at first in horror and then in amazement, the Amish responded to what became known as the Amish 9/11 with grace and forgiveness instead of rage and vengeance.

This is the story of how these grieving families responded together as a devoted Christian community. While many non-Amish observers admired the Amish for their strength and convictions, others criticized them. Did they forgive too quickly? Was their forgiveness authentic? The issues raised in this book illuminate the many different acts of grace that can be found in the most unexpected places. 

The Bottom Line: Amish Grace is a book that inspires the reader to explore their faith. By recounting this tragic incident in the history of the Amish and exploring the acts of grace in the months that followed, the authors raise many questions. This is a story of forgiveness that has been shaped by the history  and culture of the Amish. Recommended for clergy, historians, psychologists, and those interested in personal reflection and religion. 

Book Club Notes: A dedicated group of book club members gave up watching a Cubs game and braved foul weather to attend. They were ready to tackle the topics of religion and forgiveness. By taking an inside look at what the Amish can teach us about forgiveness, grace, healing, and moving forward, each of us reflected upon our own experiences. We all come from different backgrounds, and while we sometimes disagreed, this book brought out a thoughtful, engaging discussion. There is a discussion guide available in the book or you can download a PDF copy here. For those who have taken it a step further and also viewed the movie, you can find sermon outlines here. Also, here is a thoughtful study guide from GodChicks. While this book and the topic of forgiveness were a more challenging read, it provided us with a new perspective. Overall, the ratings in the group averaged 4.5 stars, and we would highly recommend it for book clubs interested in learning about Amish culture, Christian living, faith, and religion.

Details: Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher. Paperback published by Jossey-Bass in 2007. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0-470-34404-0 

Book Review: 'The Man in the Rockefeller Suit' by Mark Seal

✰✰✰✰½ Clark Rockefeller made international headlines when he kidnapped his daughter and disappeared. During the manhunt that followed, police were stunned to discover that the man known as Clark Rockefeller was an imposter. Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter went from foreign exchange student to wealthy scion, by bluffing his way into exclusive clubs, communities, and financial institutions. Over a period of three decades, this self-made con man managed to fool nearly everyone including his Harvard-educated wife. This true-crime book reads like a fictional thriller. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. You simply won't believe it's true.

The Bottom Line: This book has it all: mystery, intrigue, and murder. It is a quick read that will leave you wondering just how one man could fool everyone with his outrageous lies. Highly recommended for fans of true crime stories, mysteries, and deception. Several pages of fascinating black and white photos are included as well.

Book Club Notes: The discussion for this pick was well attended and lively. The average rating for the book was 4+, with a range from a low of 3 to a high of 5. There was a lot of excitement about this book, and many participants commented that is was hard to put down.

It has been a few years since the book was published, so there were a few loose ends. I gathered articles and photos to supplement the discussion and bring the group up to date. We were very interested in finding additional photos of John and Linda Sohus as well as Reigh Rockefeller.

Questions for the discussion were available at BookBrowse. However, I also supplemented the discussion with a few of my own questions:

Q: Is truth sometimes stranger than fiction?

Q: Would you have confronted him?

Discuss the importance of churches and libraries in his life.

Q: Which was his greatest character?

The author writes: Nothing sparks a conversation between strangers faster than a walked dog. Dog people just talk to each other. P. 144 True or false?

Q: Sandra Boss: Innocent victim or enabler? Do you think the Rockefeller name was a big reason why Sandra stayed?

Q: Why didn’t anyone question the authenticity of the art?

Discuss Clark’s relationship with his daughter Reigh. Self-love vs. parental love.

Q: Was he crazy to the point of not knowing right from wrong? P. 316

Q: Are we all posers?

Additionally, I created a timeline to facilitate the discussion. Name changes are indicated in red.

Feb 21, 1961 – Born Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter in Bergen, Germany.
1978-79 – He came to America as a high school foreign exchange student. He lived in Berlin, CT. He became Chris Kenneth Gerhart.
1980 - UW – Milwaukee
1981 – Married Amy Jersild on Feb. 20. In April applied for status as a permanent resident. In June drove west. In Las Vegas he was known as Dr. Christopher Rider, a cardiologist. In California he became Christopher Mountbatten Chichester.
1983 – Got a California driver’s license
1984 – Produced Inside San Marino as Chichester.
1985 – Moved into the Didi Sohus’ guesthouse at 1920 Lorain Rd., San Marino. John & Linda Sohus disappear. Chichester vanished too. By June, he lands in Greenwich, CT as Christopher Crowe, film producer.
1987 – Worked for Nikko Securities.
1988 – Detective Allen looks into the missing persons case of John & Linda Sohus.
1988-1992 – Crowe disappeared for a time.
1992 – Emerged as Clark Rockefeller at St. Thomas Church in NYC. First wife Amy Jersild files for divorce.
1994 – John Sohus’ remains are found in San Marino.
1995 – Boss-Rockefeller wedding on October 14.
2000 – They move to Cornish. Also, Sandra gets pregnant.
2001 – Reigh “Snooks” Storrow Mills Rockefeller is born on May 24.
2006 – The family moves to Beacon Hill
2007 – Sandra filed for divorce on January 17. Sandra & Reigh moved to London on December 23.
2008 – He assumed the name of Chip Smith. Kidnapped Reigh on July 27. He was captured on August 3.
2009 – Gerhartsreiter was found guilty of kidnapping of a minor and assault & battery by means of a dangerous weapon on June 12.
2011 – Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter was charged with the murder of John Sohus on March 15.
2013 – Convicted of the first degree murder of John Sohus on April 10. On August 15, he was sentenced to the maximum of 27 years to life for the murder of John Sohus. He still maintains his innocence. He will be eligible for parole in 2039 at the age of 78.
2015 – Linda Sohus has never been found.

Overall, this was a fantastic pick for book club. Enthusiastically recommended for any group interested in taking a look at crime, deception, and human nature.

Details: The Man in the Rockefeller Suit: The Astonishing Rise and Spectacular Fall of a Serial Impostor by Mark Seal. Paperback published by Plume in 2012. 368 p. ISBN: 9780452298033

Book Review: 'The Poisoner's Handbook' by Deborah Blum

✰✰✰ The carefree spirit of the Jazz Age included music, dance, corruption, Prohibition, and modern technology. However, it was also a time when murder by poison flourished. At the time, most poisons were largely undetectable; thus, murders were easy to get away with. Poisons were everywhere. The poisons made their way into food, beverages, cosmetics, and the environment. They were used in everything from rat poison to tonics used to restore vigor and health to facial creams used to promote beautiful skin.

When Dr. Charles Norris became the chief medical examiner of New York City in 1918, he inherited a department that was understaffed and underfunded. Corruption was rampant in New York City, and the department suffered. Norris set out to completely overhaul the department. He purchased supplies at his own personal expense and tirelessly advocated for his department. Additionally, Norris created standards that would one day set the tone for laboratories all over the country.

The Bottom Line: This book is about how one toxicology laboratory in New York City modernized the field of forensic medicine. This book is heavy on science, especially chemistry, and includes information about both the poisons and the tests for detecting them are included. Some people may want to skip over the gory parts. Each chapter of the book focuses on a different poison and includes stories about its discovery and how it was commonly used. Plus, ample anecdotes about murders involving each poison are included. Additionally, there are the broader tales of Prohibition and the political corruption in New York City to keep the reader interested. While the writing style was sometimes disjointed and somewhat dry, the biographical information about Norris and Gettler was fascinating.

Recommended for nonfiction book clubs with an interest in science and crime. The classic cases of murder by poison featured in each chapter of Blum’s book are sure to appeal to fans of true crime and television shows like CSI and NCIS as well.

Book Club Notes: It’s always an extra challenge when the book chosen for a book discussion does not include a discussion guide. Thus, for groups interested in picking up this book, here are questions that I gathered as I read.

1.     What did you know about forensic science before reading this book?

2.     Did you know anything about this time period before reading the book? Did you learn anything new?

3.     Did you struggle with any of the chemistry? Did you feel that the science in this book was presented well for a layperson to understand? Were there any concepts that are still fuzzy to you?

4.     Discuss chief medical examiner Charles Norris and toxicologist Alexander Gettler? Was one more interesting than the other?

5.     Norris was able to use his own funds to shape the department. What if the other candidates had been chosen?

6.     Discuss the animal experiments performed by Norris and his staff. Did this bother you? Discuss the contributions to science.

7.     During Prohibition the government deliberately poisoned alcohol. How do you feel about that?

8.     If you were writing a mystery novel, which poison would you choose?

9.     Does anyone have a personal story connected to the Poisoner’s Handbook or any of the topics discussed in the book?

10.   Discuss the writing style. Each chapter is dedicated to a poison. Did it draw you into the story?

11.     How did you find the pace of the book? Did the author’s method of unfolding the events make you feel you were living through the era?

12.     What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses?

13.   Which story stood out the most for you?

14.      Do you have any unanswered questions? If the author were here, what would you ask her?

15.      Rate from 1 – 5 (5 being the highest)

Details: The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum. Paperback published by Penguin Books in 2011. 336 p. ISBN: 978-0143118824

Book Review: 'Prisoner 88' by Leah Pileggi

✰✰✰✰ Life hasn't been easy for ten year old Jake Evans. There's never enough food on the table, and his father doesn't even care about him. After committing a crime, Jake finds himself locked up in a prison for adult offenders, since juvenile facilities did not exist back in the 1880s. Although being locked up is frightening at first, Jake makes a few friends. One of the men begins to teach him to read, and Jake even gets a job on the outside helping a pig farmer. Little by little the prison becomes Jake's home. As the days turn into months, Jake begins to grow up. He reaches a turning point when he must decide between doing the right thing at personal risk to himself or looking the other way. Jake shares his story simply, and we are left to wonder what ever happened to him.

The Bottom Line: Writing in the voice of a ten year old boy, author Leah Pileggi's debut novel is a very quick and engaging read. The theme of friendship shines through this sad, yet hopeful, story. Prisoner 88 is loosely based around the true account of James Oscar Baker, the real prisoner 88, who was sent to the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary back in 1885 at the age of ten. While there is no information about Baker's daily life in prison, Pileggi does a fantastic job of describing what life might have been like for him in this novel. Teachers looking for a book of historical fiction to read and discuss in class should check out this out. This would be an appropriate choice for kids in grades 4 - 8.

Details: Prisoner 88 written by Leah Pileggi. Published by Charlesbridge in 2013. 142 p. ISBN: 978-158089-560-6 NOTE: I received an Advance Reading Copy from Charlesbridge at the 2013 ALA Conference in exchange for nothing.

Book Review: 'Femme' by Bill Pronzini

✰✰✰ Cory Beckett is as mysterious, seductive, and cold as they come. When bail bondsman Abe Melikian calls in the Nameless Detective to locate Cory’s bail jumping brother Kenneth, the case seems quite routine at first. Kenneth was previously arrested on a grand theft charge, but now he’s nowhere to be found. As the Nameless Detective and his associate Jake Runyon search for Kenneth, certain information about Cory comes to light. The Nameless Detective begins to suspect there’s something more to Cory Beckett than first meets the eye.

In more than thirty years of experience, the Nameless Detective has never had the misfortune to come across a woman like Cory Beckett. She’s the type you read about in folklore or pulp fiction. But Cory is a different breed of seductress. Before she’s finished, she’ll leave behind a wake of destruction like no one has ever seen before and give new meaning to the phrase femme fatale.

The Bottom Line: This slim novella is a quick weekend read recommended for those interested in pulp fiction, noir, and the hardboiled. This was the first Nameless Detective mystery that I have read, and I’ll be sure to check out others. The unexpected twist ending was a special treat.

Details: Femme: A Nameless Detective Novella by Bill Pronzini. Hardcover published by Cemetery Dance Publications in 2012. 176 p. ISBN: 978-1-58767-267-5

Book Review: 'Destiny of the Republic' by Candice Millard

✰✰✰✰½ Take a trip back in time to the Gilded Age, a time when the nation was still divided and the president was accessible to everyone. James A. Garfield's short tenure as America's 20th president is often overlooked, but he was an extraordinary man. Rising up from poverty, he became a war hero and respected leader. A staunch supporter of equal rights for blacks, Garfield won the respect of the Republican National Committee and was selected as their candidate for president, a role Garfield never actively sought.

Once Garfield became president, he came under intense pressure to honor the spoils system. Hundreds of office seekers lined up at the White House vying for positions they thought they deserved. Enter an office seeker named Charles Guiteau. Under the spoils system, Guiteau fully expected to be rewarded for what he thought was his part in getting Garfield elected. Unfortunately, there would be no appointment for Guiteau, and the disappointment turned him into a stalker and would-be assassin.

While Guiteau fully intended to kill President Garfield, the wounds were not fatal. Had Garfield been left alone, he very well may have recovered. However, due to his status as the president, he became the focus of the medical community. Enter Dr. Doctor Bliss, a physician with a checkered past. Under Bliss’s care, Garfield bravely and silently suffered through archaic and incompetent medical care.

Enter a young inventor named Alexander Graham Bell, who was sickened by the thought of doctors blindly probing inside Garfield's body for a wayward bullet. Bell became obsessed with the idea of inventing what was basically a metal detector for the human body. Unfortunately, the reluctance of the medical community to adopt new methods led to the tragic death of the 20th president of the United States.

 

The Bottom Line: Painstakingly researched and told with sensitivity, Millard's book sheds light on mostly forgotten events. Destiny of the Republic is written in braided narrative style, and it was fascinating to watch the lives of James A. Garfield, Charles Guiteau, and Alexander Graham Bell intersect. Reading about Dr. Doctor Bliss's insistence that archaic procedures be tried repeatedly in unsanitary conditions was heartbreaking. I found myself wondering if American history might have been different had Garfield lived and carried out his vision for America.

 

Very highly recommended for history buffs, true crime fans, and for readers who don’t usually read nonfiction. Author Candice Millard has masterfully woven together the tales of a leader, a murderer, and an inventor. Readers of biographies will appreciate this as well. Also, this book includes several pages of fascinating black and white photos and illustrations. As a final note, those who are a bit squeamish may want to skip over the descriptions of the horrific medical procedures performed by Dr. Doctor Bliss.

Book Club Notes: This quick read appealed to the club on many levels. We agreed that there was something for everyone including politics, medicine, crime, science, technology, and history. Each participant picked up on something different. Additionally, it was interesting discussing the contrasts between Garfield’s accomplishments and Guiteau's failures. Likewise, the contrast between Dr. Bliss's complacent arrogance with Bell’s obsessive curiosity provided ample discussion as well. Finally, we discussed the changes spurred by Garfield’s untimely death: 1.) The nation became unified, 2.) Chester Arthur eliminated the spoils system and set up a civil service system, 3.) Doctors finally adopted the practice of antisepsis.

 

Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard is a well-paced nonfiction book and a great example of nonfiction that reads like fiction. It was easily one of our best discussions to date. This book is highly recommended for book clubs interested in discussing nonfiction. You can find a reading guide with discussion questions at LitLovers. Also, the Lincoln City Libraries in Lincoln, Nebraska have put together a handy resource page.

Details: Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard. Paperback published by Anchor Books in 2012. 432 p. ISBN: 978-0-7679-2971-4

Book Review: Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott

✰✰✰½ Take a trip back in time to the early 1900s and step into the perfumed parlors of the Everleigh Club. Author Karen Abbott takes the reader on a tour Chicago's notorious Levee, a vice district which featured "sporting clubs" for every interest. The Everleigh Club was the most famous and expensive brothel of it's time, and entertainers, royalty, sports icons, and politicians came from all over to sample it's delicacies.

The club was owned by sisters Minna and Ada Everleigh, as they called themselves. The sisters came to Chicago with grand plans and aspired to elevate the industry of prostitution. Their girls, or butterflies as they were known, received health care and a salary. The girls were even tutored in literature and could converse on any topic. The business savvy Everleigh sisters were way ahead of their time.

However, this book is not just about the infamous sisters and their brothel. Abbot explores the role of the Progressive Era reformers in shaping the sexual culture of America at the turn of the century. As the reformers lead by Reverend Bell gained momentum, the sisters always managed to stay just one step ahead of trouble. Nevertheless, their reign ended in 1911 when there was a crackdown on the red-light district, and Chicago was changed forever.

The Bottom Line: Author Karen Abbott invites the reader to take a look behind the scenes at the world-famous club and the women who thrived there. With money, sex, and murder, you're sure to be entertained by Sin in the Second City. With a cast of characters that includes "Hinky Dink" Kenna, Bathhouse John Coughlin, Madam Vic Shaw, Reverend Ernest Bell, and Chicago Assistant State's Attorney Clifford Roe, you can't go wrong. This is a nonfiction book that reads like fiction. It is filled with anecdotes and features a fascinating look at brothels and the Progressive Era at the turn of the 20th century. Recommended for history buffs and those interested in Chicago's underworld.

Details: Sin in the Second City: Madams, Gangsters, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott. Hardcover published by Random House in 2007. 384 p. ISBN: 978-1-4000-6530-1

For more information, you can visit Karen Abbot's website or the Encyclopedia of Chicago.