If you're interested in religious history, this is good (but not great). I thought it bogged down too much in the final third dealing with the rise of Pentecostalism.

I try to read a book before each World Cup. Soccer (whether you are a fan or not) actually makes for good reading because there is always more going on besides the game - especially events like the World Cup with national teams - and Simon Kuper has written many great books that I'd recommend. (Ajax, the Dutch, & the War; Soccer Against the Enemy; Soccernomics). This was written more like a collection of newspaper articles and blog posts but definitely worth reading if you're interested.

Second book in a series of three. If you like history (in particular US/Soviet relations) and spy novels, you'd like these books. I'm looking forward to reading the third one.

Absolutely wild, troubling story. A novel, but a pretty realistic look at influencer culture and some others things, too.

Interesting book in the western genre. Set in the 1850s. Was recently made into a movie starring John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix. Looking forward to seeing the movie now that I've finished the book.

On 6/22/2026 at 1:20 PM, gchs_uk9 said:

Interesting book in the western genre. Set in the 1850s. Was recently made into a movie starring John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix. Looking forward to seeing the movie now that I've finished the book.

The movie gets 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. Made in 2018 and bombed in theaters despite great reviews.

2 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

The movie gets 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. Made in 2018 and bombed in theaters despite great reviews.

I watched the movie and didn't love it.