Tag Archives: educational

Revolution and Witchcraft: The Code of Ideology in Unsettled Times by Gordon C. Chang Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Author Gordon C. Chang takes readers on an academic journey to discover the powerful influence ideas and specifically “idea systems” have on people utilizing three powerful historical periods as examples in the book “Revolution and Witchcraft: The Code of Ideology in Unsettled Times”. 

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The Synopsis

Ideas influence people.  In particular, extremely well-developed sets of ideas shape individuals, groups, and societies in far-reaching ways.  This book establishes these “idea systems” as an academic concept.  Through three intense episodes of manipulation and mayhem connected to idea systems—Europe’s witch hunts, the Mao Zedong-era “revolutions,” and the early campaign of the U.S. War on Terror—this book charts the cognitive and informational matrices that seize control of people’s mentalities and behaviors across societies.  Through these, the author reaches two conclusions.  The first, that we are all vulnerable to the dominating influence of our own matrices of ideas and to those woven by others in the social system.  The second, that even the most masterful manipulators of idea programs may lose control of the outcomes of programmatic manipulation.  Amongst this analysis, sixty-plus central conceptual terminologies are provided for readers to analyze multiform idea systems that exist across space, time, and cultural contexts.

This is an open access book.

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The Review

I will be honest with you all and say this was one of the most profound, thought-provoking, and educational reads I’ve had the honor of reading. The author’s brilliance shines through every page, giving readers a glimpse into the scientific and philosophical findings of the author’s research that clearly showcases the various systems at work here in regard to how ideas impact people’s thoughts and viewpoints. While this is definitely a book for those looking to push themselves intellectually and philosophically, the author does a great job of writing in a way that allows all readers to get lost in the narrative the author developed. 

For me, it was the balance of historical accuracy and the sheer volume of detail the author provided that made this such a compelling read. The way author was able to showcase both the circumstances that allow these ideas to congregate together and inform how people behave or act and the means by which those who implement these ideas can quickly lose control over a situation. One of the best examples came in the examination of the Salem Witch Trials, which highlighted the combination of religious fervor in small-time settlements with the mistrust and politics that guided those in the town to launch this coordinated attack to get people to believe in the emergence of witches and demonic forces possessing people they all knew. The tragedy of so many people’s lives being lost to this idea system not only showcases the author’s theory and research perfectly but showcases how ideas like that can take a life of their own, spiraling out of control until it reaches a fever pitch. 

The Verdict

Enlightening, insightful, and thought-provoking, author Gordon C. Chang’s “Revolution and Witchcraft: The Code of Ideology in Unsettled Times” is a must-read nonfiction and educational book on sociological and psychological impacts of ideas and idea systems. The attention to detail, from graphs and terminology to in-depth discussions of the events that brought these theories to life throughout history, will create compelling education and fascinating conversations that will drive readers to pick up this book over and over again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gordon C. Chang is Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Western Illinois University, USA. He has taught political and cultural sociology classes at both Western Illinois University and University of California, Davis. His works in discourse analysis have appeared in Pragmatics, Discourse and Society, and the Journal of Language and Politics.

https://www.codeofideology.com/

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The Day the Pirates Went Mad by Trevor Atkins Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A young girl must face impossible odds when she is the only one who stands in the way of a pirate curse taking over her entire ship’s crew in the Golden Age of Piracy in author Trevor Atkins’ novel, “The Day the Pirates Went Mad”.

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The Synopsis

In 1701, orphanage runaway Emma Sharpe changed the direction of her life when she stowed away aboard the New Adventure. A year later, she’s rated an able seaman and is an important part of the crew. Just how important becomes clear during her next voyage to the West Indies when the crew recovers an abandoned pirate treasure. As tempers fray and unusual arguments become more frequent, Emma starts to believe there might really be a curse on the gold they took. With the help of cabin boy Jack Randall, Emma dares to confront the growing threat of violence amongst the formerly close-knit crew. Will they save everyone in time? Can they save themselves?

THE DAY THE PIRATES WENT MAD takes place at the turn of the 18th century and the Golden Age of Piracy is just around the corner. Follow the adventures of eleven-year-old Emma Sharpe as she learns to sail the sea, bonds with her shipmates, and then must save them all from a cursed pirate treasure before it’s too late!

[Warning: Some readers may find the descriptions of discovered deceased pirates disturbing.]

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THE DAY THE PIRATES WENT MAD is an entertaining ‘cozy’ historical fiction that also conveys a ‘boatload’ of learning about the life and times of those sailing the seas 300 years ago, during the Age of Sail.

Intended for grades 5-7, this story can also be suitable for sharing with younger grades when supported by an adult. You know your kids best! 

The Review

A truly fantastic and engaging historical fiction read. The author not only finds a means of balancing the historical aspect of this narrative but writes the protagonists and the novel in a way that allows for children ages 10-12 to learn and discover life in the 18th century on the high seas. The author’s attention to detail in terms of language and terminology amongst the sailors and the era the narrative took place in was amazing, and the theme of how wealth and power can influence the mind, whether you believe it to be a curse or not, was really fascinating to see unfold here.

What stood out the most however was the incredible character growth and development here. Emma is a fantastic school-aged heroine for the age of pirates. An orphan who became a sailor and part of a crew and family makes for such a gripping tale, and the evolution of her character as she makes her way up the ladder of the ship’s crew and finds the adventure she has always sought was truly a great means of investing in this story.

The Verdict

A marvelous, entertaining, and educational read, author Trevor Atkins’s “The Day the Pirates Went Mad” was a must-read historical fiction and middle-age level narrative. The way the author writes really brought out the imagery and tone of what life on the high seas must have been like, and the swashbuckling adventure that the crew found themselves on as they traded treasure for trust made this a masterful story to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Trevor Atkins lives with his family on the west coast of Canada. He has been working with words for much of his life, but has only recently pursued historical fiction. A storyteller and role-player of detailed characters, Trevor finds it natural to weave together many intertwining plot threads when writing. His bane is the perfecting effort of revision‌—there’s always something more that can be tweaked and improved. But then comes the day when enough is enough, and the story must be set free for others to read!

Inspired by R. L. Stevenson’s novel “Treasure Island” and Y. E. Allison’s poem “Derelict”, THE DAY THE PIRATES WENT MAD was originally intended as a short story for my daughter, peppered with nuggets of knowledge about real life during the Age of Sail and the Golden Age of Piracy in particular. As I found myself diving down one research rabbit hole after another, the tale grew into the novel it is today.

Follow Trevor on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/trevor.atkins.author and check out https://emmasharpesadventures.com for “behind-the-scenes” and additional materials meant to deepen the educational aspects of Emma’s adventures.

Want More Pirates?

Trevor also designs educational tabletop games. “Pirate Pursuit – The Spanish Treasure Fleet” is a game of cat-and-mouse on the high seas where 3–5 players must use their knowledge of real pirate lore to catch the crafty pirate before they plunder the Spanish treasure fleet! Visit http://silverpath.com for more…

 E-book: https://www.amazon.com/Day-Pirates-Went-Mad-ebook/dp/B091JMKVG3/

·       Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Day-Pirates-Went-Mad/dp/1989459021/  

Fractals: The Invisible World of Fractals Made Visible Through Theater and Dance by Kimberley Cetron

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Kimberley Cetron provides a new and unique approach to education in theater and dance utilizing intrinsic patterns known as Fractals in the new educational book, “Fractals: The Invisible World of Fractals Made Visible Through Theater and Dance”.

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The Synopsis

Fractals are patterns, infinitely reiterating, self-similar in shape. Benoit Mandelbrot coined the term in the 1970s, but scientists and mathematicians had been exploring the concept for centuries. Mandelbrot developed a geometry to express things found in the natural rather than the man-made world – coastlines, galaxies, anatomy, clouds, trees, snowflakes, and the like. Fractals are intrinsic to Chaos Theory – the science of surprises, of the non-linear and unpredictable. They reveal the order governing the seemingly chaotic in our world. As we learn to recognize them, we gain insight into our world, ourselves, and one another. Especially at this cultural moment, when the whole world has changed and we must re-imagine the ways in which we make art and the ways we educate, Fractals provides resources and approaches for collaborative art and for locating the intersection of arts and academics in ways that illuminate both.

The Review

This was such a different, unique, and thought-provoking read from what I normally feature here on my website. The author does an incredible deep-dive into the world of Fractals, of the patterns that occur in the universe such as anatomy and galaxies, and explores these patterns in connection with performing arts. The use of a system of order that reflects patterns in which the individual parts of these shapes are equal to the overall pattern is a unique educational tool for the author to utilize in this read, as it brings a whole new understanding to the subject material.

Perfectly blending into the current world we live in, the author’s expertise and perfect crafting of the subject matter is well written throughout this book. The balance of the subject matter of dance and theater with the science and technique that Fractals utilize when interacting with the subject matter is great to see unfold here. The concept of nature and order balancing the chaos of the world and the denial of self-serving creation over collaboration was an intriguing idea to explore in this read and really connects with readers who are looking for a new way to approach education and performing arts.

The Verdict

A brilliant, invigorating, and thoughtful read, author Kimberley Certon’s “Fractals” is a must-read book. Educational yet engaging, the author strikes a great and resonating chord with readers and pushes them to think differently to see the order within the chaos and apply it to something as artistic and moving as performing arts. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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The Gender of Debt: The Last 50,000 Years by Mariano Pavanello Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A unique study of the role of women throughout history and their contributions to the economy and the success of the human race as a whole comes to life in author Mariano Pavanello’s novel “The Gender of Debt: The Last 50,000 Years”. Here is the synopsis. 

The Synopsis

This book demonstrates, from a historical and an economic point of view, how the female contribution has been so determinant in the success of our species, and how it is linked to male dominance. Male hunting and female gathering were the two forces of production during 99% of the life of mankind on Earth. Ethnographic evidence shows that female gathering is more productive and less time-consuming than male hunting. Therefore, the prehistoric communities of Homo sapiens could manage their social labor-time in the most productive way, only if women lent their time to men through the supply of basic energy: a debt that men incurred since the dawn of history, but never acknowledged. It is time now to give the gender economic relations the crucial place they deserve in a theory of human cooperation and sociality, without forgetting that it is necessarily a theory of social inequality.

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The Review

From an analysis of the Biblical myth of Adam and Eve and the “Original Sin” which the author posits stems from the long history of women being gatherers for men while the men hunted for food, thus making women responsible for producing fruit and vegetables and the contribution of energy to men, to the specialized look at the role of hunting in general, or “meat”, played in the development of the nuclear family unit and how women’s contributions using gathering actually provided the most time and energy to the family unit, this book tackles the contributions of women to society in a large scale analysis that many people will instantly relate to.

The detail and historical context the author puts into this book blends well with the mathmatical and economic analysis used to justify the points the author makes throughout the novel. While I myself may not be adept at understanding the complex math and economics used throughout the novel, I think the overall history and research put into the novel by the author does a marvelous job of reaching multiple levels of readers out there, and anyone who enjoys novels on female empowerment, history and equality will love delving into this novel.

The Verdict

This is a unique and promising read that fans of history and equality for both men and women will enjoy reading. The sheer volume of contributions women had to the development of our society will blow the minds of any naysayers and doubters about the need for equality in our society, as without women our development in this world would have suffered greatly. A well researched, well written and fairly quick read, author Mariano Pavanello’s novel “The Gender of Debt: The Last 50,000 Years” is a must read book, so be sure to grab your copies today!

Rating: 10/10

Mother’s Day Promotion @ eBooks.com Save $5 on $40 purchase. Use code MOTHER$TREATcp. Valid until May 31, 2019

About the Author

Mariano Pavanello taught Social Anthropology and Africanistics in the Universities of Pisa and Rome “La Sapienza”, where he was Head of the Department of History, Cultures, and Religions. His extensive experience among the Nzema of Ghana was his main ethnological fieldwork that he concluded with the creation of the “Kwame Nkrumah Museum of the Nzema Culture and History” in the premises of the eighteenth-century Fort Apollonia in Beyin, Ghana. He has published a number of books, including Sistemi umani (1992), Le società acquisitive e i fondamenti razionali dello scambio (1993), Il formicaleone e la rana (2000), Perspectives on African Witchcraft (2017), and La papaye empoisonnée. Essais sur la société Akan des Nzema (2017).

Buy the Book:

https://www.cambridgescholars.com/the-gender-of-debt

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https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mariano_Pavanello

https://uniroma1.academia.edu/MarianoPavanello

SSRN at: http://ssrn.com/author=2374528

ORCID: 0000-0003-4314-5958  

Surviving Horse Island (Kids vs. Nature, #3) by Karl Steam Review

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A refreshing change in scenery promises a day of fun for four middle school kids, but the reality of survival hits home in unexpected ways in author Karl Steam’s novel Surviving Horse Island, the third book in the Kids vs Nature series. Here’s the synopsis:

Josh and three of his classmates have proven they can survive a forest and a desert, but what about an island? Can they finish a third mission and make it home alive?

This third book takes an interesting turn, as for the first time the protagonist and the other kids caught in this endless web of survival missions the app brings them on find an environment that promises fun and adventure. The author does a great job of highlighting the beauty of the world, and also showing that beauty has to be respected and cared for, as untold dangers and survival skills are needed in the most beautiful of locations.

The growing character growth and blooming relationships between characters in the book promise a deeper and engaging story than ever before. The visuals do a great job once again of creating an even and free flowing story that both educates the reader and hooks them with relatable characters.

Overall this was a wonderful read that only makes readers crave more and more of the story. With the power of the app growing and the mystery of it’s development only becoming more shadowed, the third book in this series does a wonderful job of educating readers on survival on an island and how to fend for yourself in the wild, all while drawing the reader into a fast paced read that you won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of Surviving Horse Island by Karl Steam today!

Check out my review of book one here and book two here.

Rating: 10/10

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DBSFJXY/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07DBSFJXY&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2