Two Books, Same Author, One Better

I mostly enjoyed this book that combines the anti-war activism of Coretta Scott King with the ultimately tragic story of a Medal of Honor winner (PTSD and a tragic death). Quick reading, smooth narratives.

The King story did sort of peter out. Her anti-war work was important. The author's discussion about it did become repetitive at some point. And then, the war is over, and we basically skip to her dying. 

I found the subject matter of this book interesting.

The publication of Roots and the airing of the miniseries in the mid-1970s were major cultural moments. Alex Haley was also important for his work on the "Autobiography" of Malcolm X. 

Good subject matter.

The book, which is shorter by over one hundred pages than the most recent one (putting aside many photographs), however, is harder to read. I also was left wanting, including regarding a short chapter summarizing the book as compared to a more detailed (up to a point) chapter of the miniseries.

The book got too into the weeds of Alex Haley blathering about how great the book would be. The book was okay, but the subject matter warrants a better presentation. 

I never read either book or watched the miniseries. 

ETA: I found Strikingly Familiar (plagiarism) interesting and written in a down-to-earth fashion.

The book there is an uplifting book about a gay couple who adopted a child. The book does not explain why it was published nearly 15 years after the end of the events covered. The baby was found in 2000, so he must be in his mid-20s by now. 

Another version of the story was released in 2020. I suppose that makes some sense since it would be shortly after Kevin is an adult. That book is not referenced in this volume. I find it all a bit weird.