Finalist for the Pulitzer PrizeFinalist for the Los Angeles Times Book PrizeA Wall Street Journal Best Book of 2011A Slate Best Book of 2011A Discover Magazine Best Book of 2011"Ms. Hvistendahl is a first-rate reporter and has filled Unnatural Selection with gripping details.... There is so much to recommend." --Wall Street Journal "An important ... bracing work of investigative reporting ... As news of these (gender) imbalances has spread; many have blamed ancient preferences: India's patriarchal social systems; for instance; or Chinese beliefs that only boys provide for ageing parents. Hvistendahl's research puts the lie to these lazy claims." --Financial Times "Massively well-documented.... A disturbing; engrossing book." --Washington Post "It might be the most important book written about women in years." --Slate
#1502067 in Books Bloomsbury Press 2010-08-31 2010-08-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .33 x .88 x 5.50l; .63 #File Name: 1608190986336 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Henry HudsonBy Kieran O'KeefeBeing from the Hudson Valley; I have always had a strong interest in the initial discovery of my home area. I figured picking up this book would be a good way to learn about Hudson's voyage more in depth than I ever had previously. While this book is well researched; and does give an engaging description of Hudson's voyage there are a few minor things about it that potential readers should know.First off; this is not solely about Hudson's voyage. The author spends a great deal of time going through the politics involving the VOC; which of course is completely fine. Understanding Hudson's voyage does require some knowledge of what was going on the VOC; the Dutch East India Company which sponsored Hudson's voyage. The problem is that the author is unable to ignore a single detail of this subject; or for that matter; basically any subject that remotely pertained to Hudson and the voyage. Not only does the author excessively describe the VOC; we also find ourselves reading about early 17th century English politics; which while interesting; and a bit of a stretch for a book concerning the voyage of Henry Hudson. The author gets bogged down in endless amounts of detail that really should be covered in paragraphs; but instead is covered in dozens of pages. Hudson does not begin sailing up the river that would bear his name until almost page 200.Secondly; the author spends a great deal of time speculating. Speculation and educated guessing is completely necessary when it comes to the voyage of the Half Moon as there are a limited amount of primary resources(Outside of Robert Juet's journal) concerning Hudson and the voyage. This being said; the author "speculates" pages at a time; when his insight could be satisfactorily explained in a few paragraphs.I don't mean to knock the book; it is well written and researched; and you will learn a lot from it. The author's descriptions of the first encounters between the natives and Hudson's crew is simply fascinating. If you are from the Hudson Valley you or New York City you will really be able to relate; it was very easy for me to picture the Half Moon sailing up the river and the fact that I was quite familiar with every location described as Hudson sailed up the river makes it ever so more interesting. Overall it is a very solid work. But just be prepared for more than just the voyage.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. New facts about Henry HudsonBy Francine KellerI enjoyed learning about Henry Hudson and his discoveries. I don't think that I had ever heard how he died or of his voyages I was interested in their navigational experiences..0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Scholarly history and interesting reading.By bb lambertWell researched history yet easy to read. It sets straight a biography that deserves rewriting. Very enlightening and entertaining. And good story.
