The Humanity Archive

The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth by Jermaine Fowler (2023) 416 pages

I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla narrated by the author. The book was recommended by a friend. I was unfamiliar with the author's podcast that is also called "The Humanity Archive." I love that the author loves libraries. Fowler has read much about history and picks out gems of stories featuring Black experience from across the breadth of history. In America, in particular, many of these examples have been forgotten or actively whitewashed. Fowler is an excellent storyteller. There are both traumatic stories and stories of excellence. Both injustices and uplift are important for building empathy with our fellow humans.
 

The Decline and Fall of Practically Everybody

The Decline and Fall of Practically Everybody by Will Cuppy  240 pp.

This work was a bestseller in 1950 and a favorite of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Cuppy researched verifiable facts about many famous figures of history and combined them with his hilarious snarky comments to produce an historical and laugh-out-loud funny version of times past. Where else can you read about what a delightful companion Montezuma was while beheading ten slaves a day. Or that the first white child born in America was not Virginia Dare, as we were taught in school, but Snorri, a nephew of Leif Ericsson. I am guilty of passing over footnotes in many books. But if you ignore them in this one you miss out on half the fun and lots of the author's snark. I laughed out loud at many parts of book. It's a shame it isn't longer. The simple illustrations by William Steig, creator of Shrek, add to the enjoyment.  

In the House in the Dark of the Woods

In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt, 218 pages

Once upon a time, a young wife walked into the woods to gather some berries for her husband and son. When she happened upon a small stream, she sat down, took off her shoes, nibbled a few berries, and took a nap. But when she woke up, it was much later and she could not find her way home, and soon got lost in the dark, spooky woods.

This is the premise that starts Hunt's story of an abused colonial wife's adventures in the forest near her home. Like any good fairy tale, this one has mysterious people popping in and out (a helpful woman named Eliza, a yellow-robed young girl bearing odd gifts, the creepy Granny Someone, and the generally helpful pirate Captain Jane), as well as many situations that may or may not be what they seem. I enjoyed the premise of the story, but for some reason, the unresolved uncertainty of situations (are those really pigs?) and characters was somewhat bothersome to me. That said, I'd definitely recommend it to people who enjoy spooky and atmospheric tales.