Emil Cucksee

You will never look at Haymitch the same way

Revisado: 03-31-25

This story does a lot of justice for Haymitch and really does a lot to help the reader/listener connect to his past and the devastation he went through. It also ties together much of the plot within Catching Fire and Mockingjay. It really makes you want to go back and reread the main series so that you can reinterpret Haymitch's actions in a new light and so that you can see him finally get to achieve the life that he deserved to have.

Also, the narrator was amazing. I absolutely loved the character voices, especially for those from the Capitol. Plutarch's voice over was my favorite -- solid 10/10.

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A book that actually centers trans voices

Revisado: 06-11-24

With the current anti-trans panic that has been prevalent throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe, is it refreshing to have academics and medical doctors who are willing to speak up in support of the trans community. I am a transgender man myself, and despite the growing hostility towards and infantilization of the transgender community, our voices have been ignored regarding our own rights and healthcare. Recent debate surrounding documents like the Cass Review has prioritized faux concerns of cisgender people over the rights and lives of those who are most affected by anti-trans legislation -- trans people. These actors have prioritized the voices of political pundits and undermined parsimony in scientific discussion of transgender healthcare. This is why I was happy to see Dr. Turban release a book on this subject during a point in time where transgender people need support from those in academia and medicine.

Drawing from the contents of this book, Dr. Turban incorporates a combination of qualitative and quantitative research and presents it in an easily digestible manner that laypeople can understand. He addresses a variety of topics including puberty blockers, gender-affirming surgery, hormones, and the manner in which the modern political landscape has shaped the experiences of transgender people, including trans youth. Many of the testimonies he references are complemented by scientific literature, resulting in a great literary flow throughout the book.

While I unfortunately doubt that many anti-trans activists will ever end up reading this book, it incorporates a compelling combination of factual and emotional appeal that I believe would allow many people to not only understand the scientific consensus behind gender-affirming care but would also help to ease politically-manufactured distress. If you are uncertain about trans healthcare and wish to understand the experiences of trans people ourselves, then I strongly recommend this book. It is easy to get through and is highly informative, even for those who are already well-versed in the subject.

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If you are an open-minded person, you will most likely enjoy this book.

Revisado: 05-12-24

This book deconstructs many preexisting beliefs surrounding intelligence, from IQ tests to socioeconomic and environment influences. The author offers thorough explanations to her criticisms of these measures, which aligns with much of the modern literature and critiques offered by a number of psychologists and sociologists towards the traditional view of intelligence. I especially appreciate her demonstration of the interactive relationship between environment and biology, where the two are rarely ever completely distinct from one another.


That said, I think some people who have fairly fixed mindsets will have a more difficult time digesting the material in this book. It requires a willingness to challenge preexisting beliefs that many of us hold and to interpret historical events (i.e. the eugenecist movements of the 1900s) through a sociological lens. Much like how one's biology cannot be completely separated from their environment, one's personhood and capabilities are closely tied to their society; the individual is not wholly distinct from the collective they are part of. It is the collective's role to foster each individual according to their needs, through a qualitative understanding of their abilities and desires. By insisting that we quantify human potential, we effectively place a price tag upon the person and their value.

I am not familiar with whether or not this author has other works, though I will keep this book in mind for my future research if I ever focus on the subject of human intelligence or other similar themes. This was a fantastic read, with content that engages with intersectional themes and incorporates content from both psychology and sociology. 10/10

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Trans voices need to be heard

Revisado: 05-12-24

I am really gratrful to see content like this on Audible. The voices and experiences of trans people have been ignored for so long and blatantly disregarded by the current moral panic that seeks to eliminate our existence. Content like this shows the reality of the trans experience, rather than filtering it through a cisnormative and propagandist lens. If you want to hear from actual trans people and what our experiences are like, then I highly recommend this book.

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Good story but obnoxious author's notes

Revisado: 03-20-24

It was an engaging and exciting story, but the hauntings are not real and should not be passed off as such.

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