An Incomplete History

Here is my U.S. History textbook from the years 1490 to 1920 in a nutshell: 

1. White Christian male works hard. 

2. White Christian male assumes leadership position. 

3. White Christian male makes world-changing discovery. 

4. White Christian male writes classic piece of literature. 

5. White Christian male makes a decision. 

6. White Christian male fights for his country.

Etc.

Now, look. I know what you're thinking. Of course that's the situation, and especially from 1490 to 1920. Women couldn't even vote within that time period. I know that. I know it was difficult to impossible for women to make their voices heard. But a complete absence? I don't buy it. I don't believe that men were the only ones taking action. I don't believe that women didn't participate in the world at all for 500 years, as my history textbook suggests. Instead, I think women did contribute in countless profound ways. They must have produced world-altering inventions and made incredible discoveries. But men probably didn't document these moments -- or gave credit to another man. 

But though I care very much about this issue, that's not really my point. My point is that the few women who are mentioned in our textbooks are so...female.

Take Cleopatra (I know I started out with U.S. History in the past four hundred years, but she works as a historical female figure, so bear with me). Contrary to what many believe, she was not the first Queen of Egypt (Hatshepsut held that title). Why is she such a well-known figure, then? Not because of her power or strength or her progressiveness, or because she was famously cruel to her servants; instead, her fame comes from an affair with a powerful man: the Roman emperor, Julius Caesar. 

Or take Susan B. Anthony. The suffragette section in my textbook makes me especially frustrated (note: my frustration is not with the suffragette cause, but the category).  Why? Because of the way it's introduced, as if women had been asleep for the past couple hundred years of civilization and then immediately woke up at the sound of their names, annoys me. It's as if women hadn't contributed to any cause but their own. It's as if Susan B. Anthony was the first woman in American History.

Or Elizabeth Blackwell. Incredibly impressive. First woman to graduate from medical school. Admitted into the Medical Register of the United Kingdom. Opened dozens of facilities for women's medical education in the United States, as well as clinics for her own patients (she specialized in gynecology...most of her patients were women and girls). Amazing, right? She isn't in my history textbook. 

Which is especially interesting considering Carrie Nation, the nun who lead the temperance movement (anti-alcohol) in the 1920s, a cause that led to a Constitutional amendment that was later cancelled, got a full two paragraphs. Not that I have anything against Carrie Nation, but I find it a little strange that a woman who devoted her life to the 'evils' of alcohol got more acknowledgement than Myra Bradwell, the first female lawyer who worked her way up to some Supreme Court Cases -- and who received a total of four short sentences as a biography. 

If you're not "The First to" do something or a suffragette and you're in my text book, you're helping the men's cause by doing things like sewing socks and sending care packages. It's like women didn't exist at all until they were legally given their voting rights in 1920.

This is not right.

In an attempt to balance things, I'm listing a few feminist novels, lectures, and biographies. I really encourage you to comment on your favorites from your own repertoire. Or even better, to offer your history teacher some supplements. 

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (pretty modern, but still a perfect intro to feminism)

Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton (Step Aside Pops is awesome too)

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

Catherine Called Birdy (this one's primarily for younger readers, but it's a great starter)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Notorious RBG by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik

The Essential Feminist Reader by Estelle Freedman

Birthday Books

I turned 14 over February break, and as a reward for being alive for that long, I received, amongst other gifts, four well-chosen books from my parents. Here are my reactions:

**Also! I now have a Nerd Alert Instagram account (@nerdalert_readfeed). I'll be posting a picture and a quote immediately after I finish a book. Or listen to a new favorite song. Or attend a cool event. Follow if you're interested!




Aphorisms by Franz Kafka

Why I'd want this book: Two reasons: Kafka and aphorisms. I've read The Metamorphosis and The Trial. I really enjoy his surreal/kafkaesque (ha) writing style and storylines. Aphorisms, for those of you who don't know, are small, concise, often one or two sentence statements that are ridiculously confusing unless you read them very slowly. It's kind of like taking a literature shot (Sorry, weird comparison). I first encountered them at this camp I go called Great Books  (I've attached a link if you want to check it out) during a philosophy elective when we were studying Friedrich Nietzsche's The Gay Science. We had a lot of fun trying to decipher the meanings behind the aphorisms (Yes, actually, I do realize how nerdy I sound).
You'll like this if you like: The Essential Marcus Aurelius, anything by Friedrich Nietzsche, The Metamorphosis,  and The Trial
Ages: Depends on your taste. I suggest 13+, but I'd start with some sort of introduction to philosophy. My first real 'philosophical' book was Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.




Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Why I'd want this book: Two weirdos, one kind of chubby and red-haired and another Korean and withdrawn are drawn together by fate and end up falling in love (obviously, it's way more complicated than that, but if I had to give you a little summary, which I do, that's what I'd say). Wow, this book is addictive. TFIOS level. I loved it. I identified with the characters, I awwwed/laughed out loud, and I felt like stomping the book into the ground and crying once I finished it. It's light, but it's also so well written. I felt like I was the one falling in love.
You'd like this if you like: The Fault in Our Stars, Bruiser,  and Fangirl (which I haven't read, but it's by the same author)
Ages: 13+



Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton

Why I'd want this book: Kate Beaton is a history-directed Roz Chast (my all-time hero...see Theories of Everything and Oops, has it actually been this long since my last post?). If you'd read her blog, you'd know that she makes parodies of historical events and Victorian novels. Her comics are sophisticated, but, if you get her reference, laugh-out-loud funny. I've actually used one of her comics for a post (see Zeus is a Jerk and Other Observations...this has to be the most links I've ever included in a post). I've used her comics in school projects too. I'd recommend this for history/classic, generally Victorian or Shakespearean novel nerds.
You'd like this if you like: Roz Chast and/or Hyperbole and a Half (the word 'hyperbole' links to her blog and 'half' links to her book)



The Golden Compass (graphic novel) by Philip Pullman

Why I'd want this book: Well, let's see. All-time favorite fantasy series (aside from Lord of the Rings)? Check. Philip Pullman involvement? Check. Graphic novel? Check. I went into this book unimaginably excited. But to my crushing disappointment, it was less than perfect. First of all, the art wasn't particularly beautiful or interesting. It had this scratchy, pencily look to it that didn't really work with the story. Second of all, if I hadn't read The Golden Compass series fifteen times, I would have absolutely no idea what was going on. The guiding voices of the characters were lost. And finally, the whole idea that Lyra's adventure was happening in an alternate universe was not at all apparent. But though I didn't love it, I'm glad I read it. Hardcore fans of this series should definitely read this. It's kind of like going on Google images and looking up your favorite characters after you finish a book. You're not necessarily looking for anything new, but you're comparing perceptions. This was one perception.
You'd like this if you like: The Golden Compass series (His Dark Materials), Percy Jackson and the Olympians graphic novel series and The Hobbit graphic novel (strongly recommend this one)
Ages: 11+ (Last warning: be sure that you've read the series before you buy this graphic novel)

10 Books That Should Be But Aren't Required Reading in School

                                           

Between the World and Me  by Ta-Neishi Coates

Perspective: It's written by an African American as a letter to his son as he describes the racial situation of the present. It's not exactly angry, but there's so much quiet sadness in the events he recounts. 

Impact/What it made me realize: Racial prejudice is still very much a reality today; there is just so much more to be done. But his faith in humankind in reassuring.

Why it's also a good read: He's an incredible writer. You feel such a strong sense of empathy and a desire to take action once you put it down, it's overwhelming. 

                                 

Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Perspective: Boxers depicts the Boxer rebellion against the Christians from a Boxer's point of view, and Saints vice versa. 

Impact/What it made me realize: In history, there are no 'bad guys' or 'good guys'. Both sides are equally cruel and equally compassionate. 

Why it's also a good read: How many times have I mentioned this series on this blog? Three times now? Do I need to explain why it's a good book?

                                              

                                           

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

Perspective:  This book is told by a schizophrenic teenager who was institutionalized. His character is based off of the author's son. And when I say written from his perspective, I mean his literal mind. As if you wrote down every thought that passed through your head. I've never read a book narrated this way (aside from The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-Time...scroll down), nor did I really expect anyone to be able to pull it off (I was wrong).

Impact/What it made me realize: Everyone views the world in an entirely unique way. Some angles, however, are especially interesting.

Why it's also a good read: It's beautiful, soul-crushingly good. The setting alternates between what we call reality and a ship where the narrator is torn between mutiny and his loyalty to the captain (no shortage of symbolism, that's for sure). 

                                                 

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

Perspective: A Bengali boy called Gogol by his family faces the true meaning of his name and his culture.

Impact/What it made me realize: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." - Tolstoy

Why it's also a good read: Jhumpa Lahiri has this way of writing that leads you in slowly and carefully, and when you turn around and look back, you realize just how far you've come. It's also so sad but you're not sure why. 

                                                 

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Perspective: David Sedaris, a gay, Greek-American, obsessive-compulsive, and ex-drug addict writes essays about his life experiences.
Impact/What it made me realize: Not fitting into society is in no way a bad thing. 

Why it's also a good read: He is hilarious. Absolutely side-splitting. I brought this book to camp with me and kept waking up my fellow cabin mates with my giggling. If you like this, I highly recommend reading his other books (my favorites were Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and Holidays on Ice). 

                                                   

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Perspective: The narration alternates between Confederate and Union military officials in the Civil War. 

Impact/What it made me realize: 'Loyalty' is a broad concept.

Why it's also a good read: It's suspenseful, gory, powerful. As if you took a magnifying glass and aimed it at your history textbook's description. Fantastic. 

                                                     

Maus (link to books 1 and 2) by Art Spiegelman

Perspective: Art Spiegelman's father tells the story of his experience as a German Jew before, during and after the prison camps in the form of a graphic memoir. 

Impact/What it made me realize: Humans are capable of doing unspeakably horrible things to one another. 

Why it's also a good read: The art is perfect for the storyline, with its black and white shading and detailed facial expressions. Definitely not a light book, though. 

                                             

Mythology by Edith Hamilton

Perspective: Edith Hamilton, the most renowned classics authority possibly ever, documents almost every Greek myth (with an introduction to Norse mythology as her closing chapter) EVER. 

Impact/What it made me realize: Humankind needs stories to sustain themselves. 

Why it's also a good read: This is my comfort book. I actually keep a copy in my locker in school in case of emergency. It's perfect for mythology lovers or a mythology introduction. 

                                      

                                            

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Perspective: Christopher,a fifteen-year-old boy with Asperger's syndrome, can perform the most complex mathematical problems in his head, defeat any video game in ten seconds, hates to be touched, and won't go anything near the color yellow (or brown). But when he finds a dead dog in his neighbor's yard and decides to hunt down the killer, everything, from the truth about his mother to his father's confidence in him is revealed. 

Impact/What it made me realize: Similar to Challenger Deep, we all have our own versions of reality. It seems that he observes more than most people, but can't quite comprehend his observations. 

Why it's also a good read: How it's possible to write in this way is beyond me. When you put it down, it's shocking when you realize you're actually not Christopher, and you have to adjust to your own reality again. 

      

                                           

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Perspective: This classic piece of science fiction is narrated by Ender, the youngest of three living a couple hundred years ahead of us in which the world is at war with an alien force called the Buggers and brilliant children suspected of having militaristic minds are sent to a battle school in space. 

Impact/What it made me realize: War is 90% psychological. 

Why it's also a good read: It's part of a series that's part of a bigger series that stems off into a smaller series that leads to another series. If you plan on reading more after finishing Ender's Game, I'd focus on the Ender's Shadow series.