In His Shoes Challenge Quickie Reviews

Soldier’s Heart by Elizabeth D. Samet:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, since it combines two particular interests of mine: military culture and the love of books. Soldier’s Heart is replete with accounts of the marriage of these two themes, and Samet witnesses the birth of their children with eloquent prose and relevant tangents on the themes’ frequent appearances and influences in American history. I can’t imagine being in her shoes, but I’m happy that she is persuading her students, through literature, to look through the vivid canvas of war to its psychological, emotional and artistic effects on their careers as Army officers. In my opinion, this is how a military officer’s well-rounded education should be cultivated.

Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez:
Rodriguez’s journey, as recounted in this book, was so interesting to follow. Take one American woman, mix in the post-Taliban Afghan culture, add her desire to help Afghan women become the breadwinners for their families, and you have something between a roller coaster ride and a missions trip. While Rodriguez’s gradual transition into the community of women in Kabul sometimes seems hastily described, the reader can’t miss her outspoken takes on Afghan local culture, or her many anecdotes about her successful students at the beauty school, her friends, her customers, residents, and her Afghan husband, Sam. The author’s story is unique and yet familiar to the reader: to find one’s true self might require stepping out of her comfort zone. Rodriguez does just this - hairdresser style.

~ by RhiGirl on January 31, 2008.