Books: October 2022

When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times — Pema Chödrön

⭐⭐⭐ Pretty moments and useful metaphors throughout. Writing is clear and simple. The stuff on ethics, though, is mostly disappointing and you could see these ideas being used to justify Goop-style “self-care”.

John Brown — W.E.B. Du Bois

⭐⭐⭐ Interesting to read this biography by Du Bois against the Showtime TV show. Du Bois unambiguously calls Brown the greatest abolitionist, sees nothing more than bravery and moral rectitude in his actions. The show takes a very different approach, treating Brown as a religious fanatic whose good intentions are complicated by his methods.