AmericanSamoa

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

pick

I started this without high expectations because of mixed reviews, but I enjoyed this travelogue with bits of history and political discussion more than expected. It‘s one person‘s perspective based on his research and travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands, America Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. Considering how little I knew of these places, it was a great introduction describing both fascinating and frustrating aspects.

Daisey #audiobook #nonfiction #ReadingTheAmericas2023 #PuertoRico #USVI #USVirginIslands @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB 9mo

Librarybelle Great review! So many mixed reviews on this one - glad you liked it! 9mo

BarbaraBB It sounds very interesting 9mo

Daisey @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB I can see the reasoning behind the not so great reviews, but I think going in aware of those helped. It did include lots of really interesting information as well. 9mo

Daisey August #DoubleSpin book 6 9mo

42 likes1 stack add5 comments

Graciouswarriorprincess

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

Book 93 of the year. I loved finding out more about the US territories but this felt more like a travel book than actual informational book. Still a good read.

Daisey

Daisey Thanks for tagging me. I‘ve seen some mixed reviews, but I think I‘ll still try to fit it in this year for #ReadingTheAmericas2023. 10mo

Graciouswarriorprincess @Daisey I wish that it had more information about the territories but it was still a good book to read. Happy reading! 10mo

38 likes2 comments

Graciouswarriorprincess

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

Afternoon reading on this gray, cloudy Saturday afternoon.

Daisey I‘ll be curious to hear what you think of this one. 10mo

38 likes1 comment

Hooked_on_books

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

pick

The US is made up of more than just states, and beyond Puerto Rico, I think we tend to forget that (I do). I thought this was interesting and informative, looking at the populated US territories, their histories, cultures, and more. I particularly appreciated learning how US law works in each place.

#ReadingAmericas2023 #USVI

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB

Itchyfeetreader Interesting pick 11mo

Librarybelle Learning how the US law works in each place sounds very interesting! 11mo

60 likes4 stack adds2 comments

Bookwormjillk

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

pick

I read this for a book club, and I wasn‘t sure what to expect due to mixed reviews here. I ended up enjoying it though I thought some parts were needlessly padded with background information. It seems that this one is better to read than listen from the reviews. #ReadingTheAmericas2023 #USVI

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB

Librarybelle Glad you liked this one. I have seen the mixed reviews and am not sure if I should add it to my list or not. I think I do have an ebook copy, so I may read it at some point. 11mo

Bookwormjillk @Librarybelle it is a fairly quick read 11mo

69 likes2 comments

Texreader

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

so-so

Not a fan. In the guise of “reporting,” the author went into this project with what seemed like a predetermined conclusion (the USA treats its territories terribly) and then pointed out every little thing to support his opinion. He may not be wrong but he turned me off when he belittled the #USVirginIsland‘s museum & then did the same for other territory museums. A reporter, in my humble opinion, should try to remain neutral and see where the ⬇️

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB

Texreader facts lead. I felt he didn‘t even try to do so. The narrator didn‘t help—his voice was condescending much of the time. I learned a lot, but the way he disseminated the facts grated on me. I‘d love to learn more about the territories, but not from this author. At least he piqued my interest in them. Also works for #PuertoRico #USVI #readingtheAmericas (edited) 13mo

Librarybelle Yikes! I may have to avoid this one 13mo

Texreader @Librarybelle I don‘t think his conclusion was wrong. I just didn‘t like how he reached it. Belittling museums, even small ones, though, gets me where it hurts. They are trying and proud of what they‘ve accomplished so far. That incident just turned the tide of my opinion. For example he was appalled the USVI museum didn‘t have anything about pirates! 13mo

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Librarybelle Oh my! Yes, I agree about museums. 13mo

TieDyeDude I didn't listen to the audio, and I read this a while ago, but it sounds like the tone of the narrator might have exasperated any shortcomings in the writing? I also remember going into it expecting to read about how America neglects its territories more than an unbiased exploration. It made me want to visit these places, though! 13mo

Texreader @TieDyeDude I kept wondering as I was reading it exactly your point: was it the narration that was the crux of the problem and whether reading it would have gone better? I think the narration was definitely a big factor affecting my reaction. I also think you went into the book with eyes wide open. I really appreciate your thoughts on this one. 13mo

54 likes6 comments

Texreader

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

I have finally chosen my next audiobook, tagged, for #readingtheAmericas for the #USVirginIslands @BarbaraBB @Librarybelle

Hooked_on_books I have this in print. I plan to read it for this challenge as well. 14mo

BarbaraBB Seems like a very good choice! 14mo

squirrelbrain Ooh thanks for posting this - I can get it on Scribd audio. 14mo

Librarybelle Oh! Definitely a good choice for this challenge! 14mo

62 likes2 stack adds4 comments

keithmalek

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

Suet624 I am always fascinated by the books you read. They are all full of juicy tidbits. 2y

keithmalek @Suet624 Thank you! 😁 2y

Bklover Me too @Suet624 ! His posts are always interesting! (edited) 2y

keithmalek Thank you @Bklover 😁🤓 2y

11 likes4 comments

keithmalek

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

Bklover That sounds ridiculously unfair! 2y

keithmalek @Bklover Maybe so, but the author goes on to write about how most American Samoans are against citizenship anyway because they fear (with good reason) that their culture would largely be eradicated by statehood. 2y

Bklover Good point. 2y

8 likes3 comments

keithmalek

The Not-Quite States of America: Dispatches from the Territories and Other Far-Flung Outposts of the USA | Doug Mack

USVI stands for United States Virgin Islands.

2 likes

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