Y.S. Stephen - Reader | Casual Observer

Big Black Stand At Attica shines a spotlight on the sad events that surrounding the riots in New York's Attica State Prison in 1971. It focuses on the acts of one, prisoner, a governor, the police, the press, and nation unwilling to see past superficial narratives. WHY I LOVE THE BOOK There is a lot of nuance in this book - no black and white treatment. The authors give us an insight into the faults of the prison systems, the role of the media in such crises and how politicians' ambitions can make a bad situation worse. The book does not stop with the prison riots at Attica. We are shown its aftermath - the difficulty of obtaining justice and the inability of a system to reform itself. DISLIKES None. WHO IS IT FOR For every adult or young adult. This is an educational material that helps in understanding how the present world works and how we can make things better. Many thanks to Archaia for a review copy.

The Biggest Bluff is one journalist's foray into the world of poker. However, this is not just another poker story. It is more of a journey into the discovery of self as much as it is a look the world of poker. This is a book that explores the human psyche and why we do what we do. WHY I LOVE IT What makes the best autobiographical books shine is their honesty. The Biggest Bluff is no exception. I love the realism and the depth of self-reflection in this work. I could see myself in many ways through the eyes of the writer as she undergoes various new and familiar experiences. DISLIKES? None whatsoever. WHO WILL ENJOY THIS? Anyone who values self-knowledge. Many thanks to Pengun Press for the review copy.