Scott M

This work offers some great historical insight into Korea in the years of the Japanese Occupation and beyond. For an American audience, it will offer accounts of actions that few know about and fewer understand. There is an element of romance, but the stronger aspect of the work is the historical environment. A ok read that might inspire further study of the Japanese Occupation, but not much beyond that.

This work is really more a collection of essays that all center on the theme of bodily freedom and how individuals manage to express that freedom. The connective tissue that (mostly) links these essays together is the life of psychoanalyst William Reich, and author Olivia Laing uses examples and aspects of Reich's life, along with her personal experiences and extensive research, to discuss issues such as sexual orientation (gay, transgender rights), civil rights/racism, feminism and criminal justice (the role of prisons). The book takes what most would define as a liberal view on these issues and the author does not hide her advocacy on issues. Agree or disagree, the essays prove thought-provoking and should inspire lively discussion/debate in a book club.

Written on the centennial anniversary of the premiere of the musical Shuffle Along, this book describes the back story of the men behind the creation of Shuffle Along, how the musical came to revolutionize Broadway and changed the way that audiences viewed African American entertainers and productions.

Throughout this engaging and informative tale, the reader will come to learn about more than just the popular musical. The reader will learn about the start of Jim Crow and its impact on American entertainment during the height of the vaudeville era. This would play a significant role in how Shuffle Along broke the mold in the portrayal of African Americans, showing that they could be more than racial caricatures. The main creators were influenced by stars from vaudeville legend Al Jolson to the legendary Harlem Hellfighter leader James Europe. They, in turn, influenced stars from Jack Benny to Josephine Baker.

Whether you are just an entertainment fan or a student of history, this work will be well worth your time to read.