Boys in the Trees: A Memoir by Carly Simon -- Celebrity Memoir

¶¶¶¶ 4 out of 5 stars; Hardcover, 384 pgs.

It's clear from reading Carly Simon's memoir, Boys in the Trees, that Simon has an ear for lyricism. There is an almost poetic resonance to her words that goes to the heart of her life's journey. I've read other memoirs by celebrities, but probably none better written than Ms. Simon's. 

One gets the sense from reading Boys in the Trees: A Memoir that Simon has the ability to reflect on her life in a way that has not only allowed her insight, but also an inner peace. Through her writing, the reader can almost see Simon coming to terms with some of her life's circumstances -- circumstances that might have more readily, negatively impacted a less rounded person. In fact, it's refreshing to witness Simon's openness; her willingness to take the reader through her insecurities and struggles. Such openness might be deemed gratuitous in a less humble, grounded celebrity, but in the hands of Carly Simon, it comes across as evolved and admirable. 

Perhaps the most moving, beautiful portions of the book have to do with Simon's reflections on the years she shared with ex-husband and fellow musician James Taylor. Even when writing of periods that don't necessarily reflect kindly on her or him, she seems to have taken almost reverent care in evoking her memories of those years of her life. In a way, it's as if the reader is left free to consider that despite all the years that envelope the period of their meeting, marriage, break-up, and subsequent years, Simon still cares deeply for the man. 

I'm glad I read Boys in the Trees. In truth, I've always been a bigger fan of James Taylor's music than Simon's, but, if anything, this book has me revisiting her music with a fresh ear and newfound respect.

Carly Simon is rightly placed among the preeminent singer-songwriters of the 1970's. Whether you like her music or not, Boys in the Trees is a good read -- moving, meaningful, and deep.

Passionate Minds by David Bodanis -- Historic Biography

¶¶¶¶¶ 5 out of 5 stars; Paperback 384 pgs.

     A masterpiece of work by David Bodanis, Passionate Minds is the real-life retelling of the life of the astounding eighteenth century woman, Emilie du Chatelet, and the love affair she shared with perhaps the greatest known man from the Enlightenment -- Voltaire.  This book was recommended to me by my sister.  As I began to read, it became quickly evident that Du Chatelet was unfairly overshadowed by Voltaire in regard to the impact she had on the Enlightenment.  Here is a woman who defied the customs of her day to seek mathematical and scientific discoveries of the world and universe, all with the handicap of not being afforded the great education that was provided to men during her lifetime.  She not only survived in a man's world, she out-did the quickest minds of the men who ruled it.  Hers was a mind of passionate wonder.  Indeed, Bodanis seems to paint his subjects with a flair for understanding that both Du Chatelet and Voltaire were passionate human beings, driven towards each other and towards greater scientific discovery by an inner voice that guided them to become more than what their original stations in life seemed to offer them.

     Voltaire, a commoner, defied the bounds of his class to become the greatest playwright and wordsmith the French had ever seen, later to find himself among the elites of the French and Prussian courts.  And, despite Emilie du Chatelet's birth into an influential, aristocratic family, the time in which she was born indicated that limits would be placed upon her solely because of her gender.  Both would reach beyond the bounds of these circumstances to unite in their mutual search for scientific discovery.  Emilie's husband, understanding of her need to use her mind for greater gifts, not only seemed to encourage her need for intellectual pursuits, but seemed more than willing to accept and support her relationship with Voltaire.

     In Passionate Minds, one cannot help but note that there always seemed a sense of insecurity with Voltaire.  History paints him as a man of words, science, and moral acumen.  Bodanis provides enough evidence to suggest Voltaire was indeed secure in his greatness, but goes further to describe Voltaire as a boastful man who was sometimes stymied by vanity and insecurity; a man willing to take credit when credit was not solely his due.  Bodanis paints Emilie, on the other hand, as a passionate intellectual, who was brilliant in languages, astronomy, physics, and mathematics.  If given her proper due from history, history would see that she was perhaps the intellectual equal of the men whom she studied -- notably John Locke, Sir Isaac Newton, and Gottfried Wilheim von Leibniz; certainly she was intellectually more superior to Voltaire (Bodanis goes as far to suggest that this truth was known by Voltaire himself and perhaps was one of the major factors that eventually led the insecure Voltaire to break his affair with Emilie).

     Emilie du Chatelet's story is one filled with passionate love affairs and intellectual endeavors and discovery.  Her teaming with Voltaire was most fruitful, providing for each a safe haven in which they could engage in their scientific labors of love.  Their story is not free of disappointments, however, and most certainly, it was Du Chatelet who was at the receiving end  of the more heart-breaking let downs that would ultimately lead to her death.  Even her once beloved Voltaire was not exempt from hurting her, but through it all, what remained was a friendship, devotion, and bond that stood against all disappointments and betrayals. 

     It is sad that Emilie du Chatelet is most noted in history as the lover of Voltaire.  Bodanis attempts to change Du Chatelet as a footnote in history to a more relevant character by introducing us to the true genius that she was.  Her translation of Newton's work stands the test of time and is proof of her greatness.  The work she did and the discovers she made would set the foundation for other great minds, most notably, Albert Einstein (in fact, Bodanis discovered Du Chatelet while researching his book, E=mc2).  Emilie was superior to Voltaire and any of the mathematical and scientific men of her day in the breadth and depth of her intellectual prowess and understanding.

     Bodanis should be commended for shedding more light on the amazingly astounding Emilie du Chatelet.  Through Bodanis's Passionate Minds, I hope the world finally pays due respect to the wonderful, richly fascinating historical figure that was Emilie du Chatelet.

A new book review blog for discerning readers...

Being an avid reader, I've always found thoughtfully written book reviews as a great way to discover new reading material.  Any voracious reader will be able to discern a worthy book based on how difficult it is to put down.  Many of us have had many a sleepless night thanks to a good page-turner.   Great writing is that elusive gift a talented writer brings to the page in the form of compelling storytelling.  This blog is devoted to the discriminating reader -- the one drawn to the written word through imaginative or well composed stories.  Stories may be engaging in a didactic or entertaining way (or both), but no matter what, a good story compels us to continue to read.  And, if a story is compelling enough, it can stay with us long after the last page has been read.  In fact, isn't that the true mark of a great book?  Those that are lastingly impressionable and formative are those we find ourselves more often than not sharing with those around us, inviting through the statement, "Boy, do I have a great book for you!"  I hope this blog will serve as a way for readers to discover new books, and perhaps, in the process, find themselves opening up to books they might not have considered reading previously.

Because I enjoy history, the reader of this blog may notice that many of the books reviewed are either historical fiction or historical non-fiction.  This is not to say that all the books reviewed here will have their roots in history, but it is worth noting, especially for those who enjoy the written form of the subject as much as I have.

Perhaps American intellectual Charles William Eliot stated it best: “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” 

Books may inform us, engage us, challenge us, or simply entertain us.  No matter what, a good book changes us in even the most subtle ways.  We transform our world when we choose to engage in a writer's.  This blog will serve as my testament to how the books reviewed have engaged me as a reader.  I can only hope that the blog will engage you as the potential, future readers of the books reviewed here.


NOTE: Reviews will be based on a 1-5 stars rating scale.