A provocative exploration of how Western standards of beauty are influencing cultures across the globe and impacting personal; professional; romantic and familial relationships. Processes like skin lightening in India; hair smoothing in Black America; eyelid reconstruction in China; and plastic surgery worldwide continue to rise in popularity for men and women facing discrimination from both within and outside of their own increasingly fluid ethnic groups. Now including a wealth of new information since the first edition of The Color Complex over two decades ago; the authors; through a historical and sociological lens; have measured the impact of recent pop culture events effecting race relations to determine whether colorism has gotten better or worse over time.
#3903 in Books Erik Larson 2011 2012-05-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.96 x 1.24 x 5.18l; .85 #File Name: 030740885X448 pagesIn the Garden of Beasts Love Terror and an American Family in Hitler s Berlin
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Factual AND irresistably fascinating account of Germany in the last dark days before WWII and the Holocaust!By The DudeIn these Trumpian times; I have found reading about the history of Nazism strangely informative.This book is based on a whole host of historical documents and actual personal correspondence of many of the chief characters.Therefore; it's a docudrama in the most honest sense.This is what the gathering storm of Nazism looked like to an American ambassador.This is how different elements of German society actually responded to the growing allure of the imminent "Deutschland Uber Alles".As the famous philosopher Santayana said; "The one who cannot remember is bound to live through it again."Coincidently; that quote is also on a plaque at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.Didn't know that before checking for the accurate quote before writing it in this review.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Why was this book written?By Allen SmallingNot my favorite Erik Larson book. An American diplomatic family is sent to Berlin in the early days of the Third Reich and the father/Ambassador -- chosen against type by FDR for his liberal; academic views in contrast to the conservative "striped-pants" brigade out to thwart him -- fights a losing battle against the anti-Semitism and loss of liberty he sees going on all around him. Detailed; almost unnecessarily so; but by the time the American family heads home in 1936 you wonder why this book was written.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Too little; too late (3.5*s)By J. GrattanThis book is an interesting; though somewhat limited; perspective on the growing power of the Nazi's during the year 1933-34 after Hitler was appointed chancellor; as seen through the eyes of the newly appointed American ambassador to Germany William Dodd and his twenty-something daughter Martha. In a way; they are the perfect metaphor for the blindness of the German's to the transformation of their society; each of them had their private concerns upon arriving in Berlin in July; 1933; and remained largely unaware for quite some time of the summary arrests and brutal treatment that were frequently occurring. The author relies on their dairies and writings of their associates to show that they finally realized that they were in the midst of a nightmare.William Dodd; a history professor at the University of Chicago; working on a multi-volume history of the Old South; was about as far from the typical ambassador as one could get. His last moment; desperate appointment by FDR combined with his lack of wealth; frugal ways; and failure to take a leading role in German social political circles almost immediately drew the ire of veterans in the US Foreign Service - a good old boys' club. Martha; a sprightly; good-looking girl; seemed to be best at easily attracting boyfriends; including the head of the Gestapo Rudolph Diels and a Russian diplomat with ties to the KGB.Much of the book consists of the social activities of Martha and the strained relationship of William with not only the US State Dept; but with various German officials. This was a time when Jews were being legally banned from being doctors and lawyers or writing for publications. It is doubtful that the Dodd's appreciated that their faint anti-Semitism was but a forerunner to the grisly policies of the Nazi's.When the Dodd's first arrived in Germany; Hitler's power was not yet complete; the major obstacles being President Hindenburg and the army. In addition; there were rivalries and overlap among the SA (Storm Troopers under Ernst Rohm); the SS (security forces); and the Gestapo (the secret police). Any delusions of the world community that Hitler would follow rules of law and be confined to his duties as chancellor came to an abrupt end on the night of June 30; 1934; when he rounded up several hundred officials and others who he deemed to be a threat; including Rohm; and had them summarily executed. Even then; Hitler was able to convince the vast majority of Germans that his actions were in their best interests.Amazingly enough; Dodd remained in his post until Dec; 1937; when his adversaries in the State Dept finally convinced Roosevelt to replace him. It is acknowledged that he was one of the few voices that saw what was occurring in Germany; but his efforts and those of others were far too little and too late to prevent Hitler's fanaticism from devastating Europe.The author obviously makes the assumption that at least the rudiments of Hitler's rise to power are known to readers. However; the book begs for a good introduction that tells of that rise and more importantly some reflection on the willingness of the German people to follow the dictates of a monster. The book is not without some historical detail; but is more concerned with personalities. Yet; despite that focus; they remain rather vague; in particular Martha. The book; indirectly; is best at showing the difficulties of perceiving and being susceptible to an inimical culture. It is the extremely rare person who can see the truth of a culture and then actually convey that to an uninterested or hostile public. Dodd was at most only a fringe player in that regard. The author does not indicate any Germans who sounded the alarm in a substantial way; although; certainly after June 30; that would have been a death sentence.
