Notes from No Man's Land: American Essays - Biss, Eula

from jellyfishjones

I picked up this book because it was selected as the University of Kansas's inaugural "Common Book" read. I was also encouraged by the enthusiastic review from Sherman Alexie, whose writing I enjoy. This is definitely an insightful, thought-provoking, and well-crafted collection of essays, but al...

from twonickels

These essays pack a punch, particularly the first one that starts as a straightforward essay about telephone poles - until you hit a list of black men who were lynched off of telephone poles. It's like hitting a wall. I think it's really hard for most white people to look at their own life throug...

from kylljoi

Eula Biss claimed during a reading at New Mexico State University that she did not write poetry. She's wrong. The way these Americana essays read make them lyrical. Should you have the chance to see her read or lecture I would encourage you to attend. She is mesmerizing in person.

from rivkat

Essays about whiteness, and the precarious ways in which white Americans play out their guilt and denial. Some great moments in here, although some of the essays are too short to work up a real head of steam. Also some real shockers, as when Biss talks about starting out to write an essay about t...

from Maiasaura

This is a heartbreaking, necessary book. I rarely cry when reading, but Eula Biss had me bawling. Her writing is gorgeous; her topics, wrenching. A must-read on the topic of racism in America.