Welcome to Your Brain: Why You Lose Your Car Keys but Never Forget How to Drive and Other Puzzles of Everyday Life

from HeatherLINC

This is a poignant, touching book which delves into the seediness, magic and grandeur of the circus during the Great Depression. I love how the story is narrated by 90-something year-old, Jacob Jankowski, who provides wonderful depth to the story. As he lies rotting in a nursing home Jacob drifts...

from Carol420

Sara Gruen's real success is introducing 21st century readers to circus life in the 1930s. Then it was a scandal, today it is a fascinating backdrop to a story.Cruelty born of greed and sadism play a significant part as both humans and animals suffer beatings and neglect. The show must go on, pro...

from Arseny

It is written as a popular introductory book, but organized as a textbook, with many small chapters covering important topics one by one, in a logical sequence. And this unique organization is both good and bad: it makes the book really useful and thorough, but also a bit boring.There are some fa...

from 4everfanatical

This book focuses on Jacob, a 90 or 93 year old man in a nursing home. Jacob is a trained veterinarian and worked within circuses from 1930 for a period of his life. The story is revealed in flashbacks - the travelling circus in 1930 is a cruel and harsh place where animals and indeed worker welf...

from micahmom2002

One of those books that you want to read straight through neglecting all other responsibilities. Story based on the circus of 1930's in the Depression Era. The main character looks back on his life in the traveling circus as a vet, and all the loves, joys and difficulties he faced.