Book Review: Street Corner Dreams
Street Corner Dreams: A Novel by Florence Reiss Kraut My rating: 4 of 5 stars My father grew up in a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn that was about half Italian and half Jewish. It marked him in several ways, most…
Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Category History & Politics
Book Review: The Confessions of Young Nero
Nero gets an unfair bad rap, according to Margaret George's book, The Confessions of Young Nero. If you grew up in the kind of environment he did, you'd have issues too.
Read MoreBook Review: The Confessions of Young NeroWhat to Do in Magnificent Mexico City – Part I (2023)
Mexico City adventures: cycling in the city, eating, drinking, and the incredible Anthropology Museum
Read MoreWhat to Do in Magnificent Mexico City – Part I (2023)What to do in Magnificent Mexico City: Part 2 (2023)
Exploring ancient Mexico City: the Zocalo, the Templo Mayor archeological site, and the magnificent colonial-era Postal Palace
Read MoreWhat to do in Magnificent Mexico City: Part 2 (2023)Book Review: Half of a Yellow Sun
A must-read if you want to get a real sense of what war is like for those who live in war-torn countries.
Read MoreBook Review: Half of a Yellow SunBook Review: The Diamond Eye
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn My rating: 4 of 5 stars Both the writing and the story sparkle like diamonds in this historical novel by Kate Quinn, based on the life of WWII Soviet female sniper, Mila Pavlichenko. If…
Book Review: The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah
Book review of best-selling author, Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds, set during the dustbowl era in the U.S.
Read MoreBook Review: The Four Winds, by Kristin HannahTwo Days Cycling on Marie Galante, Guadeloupe
The Guadeloupe island of Marie Galante is a gorgeous, calm, place for a couple of days of cycling.
Read MoreTwo Days Cycling on Marie Galante, GuadeloupeIs Democracy in Danger? (& 2 book reviews)
If you've grown up in a country like Canada it can be hard to imagine that democracies like ours can fall. Historical fiction helps bring the risks to light. Includes book reviews of "A Long Petal of the Sea" and "It Can't Happen Here".
Read MoreIs Democracy in Danger? (& 2 book reviews)Book Review: Yellow Wife
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sadeqa Johnson wrote the book after touring a former slave jail and trading post. On one of the walls she saw a photo of the jailer, his black wife…
Book Review: The Boat People
The Boat People by Sharon Bala My rating: 5 of 5 stars A powerful look at the difficult decisions faced by people in war zones and by refugee boards. Nothing is simple. Is it better to risk admitting someone who…
Book Review: The Flight Portfolio
The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer My rating: 4 of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a blend of fiction and nonfiction (troublingly so for many reviewers) based on the life of Varian Fry. Fry worked tirelessly…