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General Recommendations
@Makani of the Hamilton Public Library's Teen Review Board
By:
t
TEENREVIEWCREW
Hamilton Public Library
Community-created list
Check out items reviewed by @Makani, a Teen Review Board volunteer at the Hamilton Public Library.
By:
t
TEENREVIEWCREW
Hamilton Public Library
14 items
14 items
DVD - 2003
Before watching this movie, I had high expectations. I’ve enjoyed all of the other Fast and the Furious movies, although upon watching this one, I was tho...Show more
Before watching this movie, I had high expectations. I’ve enjoyed all of the other Fast and the Furious movies, although upon watching this one, I was thoroughly disappointed. Despite being the third installment in the Fast and the Furious franchise, Tokyo Drift has very little relevance to the other movies. The story was difficult to follow and it didn’t help that throughout most of the significant moments in the movie, the characters were speaking Japanese with no English subtitles. Along with a confusing story, Tokyo Drift had some forgettable side characters. Twinkie, played by Bow Wow, was an unnecessary character who added close to nothing to the plot, and his only purpose was to add another “foreign” character into the movie. The saving grace of this movie was the race scenes, which were exhilarating and prevented it from being a complete disaster. 2 stars
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Before watching this movie, I had high expectations. I’ve enjoyed all of the other Fast and the Furious movies, although upon watching this one, I was tho...Show more
Before watching this movie, I had high expectations. I’ve enjoyed all of the other Fast and the Furious movies, although upon watching this one, I was thoroughly disappointed. Despite being the third installment in the Fast and the Furious franchise, Tokyo Drift has very little relevance to the other movies. The story was difficult to follow and it didn’t help that throughout most of the significant moments in the movie, the characters were speaking Japanese with no English subtitles. Along with a confusing story, Tokyo Drift had some forgettable side characters. Twinkie, played by Bow Wow, was an unnecessary character who added close to nothing to the plot, and his only purpose was to add another “foreign” character into the movie. The saving grace of this movie was the race scenes, which were exhilarating and prevented it from being a complete disaster. 2 stars
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by Ocean, Frank
Music CD - 2012
I’ve never been a huge Frank Ocean fan. Some of his newer music hasn’t caught my attention and I only liked a few of his songs. That was up until I listen...Show more
I’ve never been a huge Frank Ocean fan. Some of his newer music hasn’t caught my attention and I only liked a few of his songs. That was up until I listened to this album. My friend recommended it to me after we were talking about our favorite R&B artists. I didn’t have high expectations but upon listening, I was blown away. This piece isn’t so much an album as it is an experience. I recommend listening to this album in its entirety to truly appreciate the effort and passion put into this project. Tracks like “Super Rich Kids”, “Sierra Leone”, and “Thinkin Bout You” are perfect examples of why this album is an experience more than anything. The lyrics have meaning, the beats and instrumentals are immersive, and the execution is done almost perfectly. Overall, it’s an imaginative R&B album, and I have a much deeper appreciation for Frank Ocean and his music after listening.
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I’ve never been a huge Frank Ocean fan. Some of his newer music hasn’t caught my attention and I only liked a few of his songs. That was up until I listen...Show more
I’ve never been a huge Frank Ocean fan. Some of his newer music hasn’t caught my attention and I only liked a few of his songs. That was up until I listened to this album. My friend recommended it to me after we were talking about our favorite R&B artists. I didn’t have high expectations but upon listening, I was blown away. This piece isn’t so much an album as it is an experience. I recommend listening to this album in its entirety to truly appreciate the effort and passion put into this project. Tracks like “Super Rich Kids”, “Sierra Leone”, and “Thinkin Bout You” are perfect examples of why this album is an experience more than anything. The lyrics have meaning, the beats and instrumentals are immersive, and the execution is done almost perfectly. Overall, it’s an imaginative R&B album, and I have a much deeper appreciation for Frank Ocean and his music after listening.
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DVD - 2017
Edgar Wright is one of the top 5 directors currently alive, which is why I had such high expectations before watching Baby Driver. He made Scott Pilgrim V...Show more
Edgar Wright is one of the top 5 directors currently alive, which is why I had such high expectations before watching Baby Driver. He made Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, which is easily one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time. That being said, Baby Driver was somewhat of a letdown. Firstly, some of the acting performances were subpar. Ansel Egort as Baby was an excellent choice but Jamie Foxx was a terrible character and at times annoying. The best part about this movie was how visually and audibly appealing it was. The music in the movie ranged from 70s rock to 80’s pop, and some music from the ’50s. I’d go as far as to say this movie was a musical, just because of the role music plays in the plot, and how everything Baby does is synced up to the music. The editing is breakneck but once you get past these aspects, the movie doesn’t have much else going for itself. Although the ending wasn’t the greatest, I was never bored while watching this movie and it was a fun experience all around. Rating: 4.5/5 stars
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Edgar Wright is one of the top 5 directors currently alive, which is why I had such high expectations before watching Baby Driver. He made Scott Pilgrim V...Show more
Edgar Wright is one of the top 5 directors currently alive, which is why I had such high expectations before watching Baby Driver. He made Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, which is easily one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time. That being said, Baby Driver was somewhat of a letdown. Firstly, some of the acting performances were subpar. Ansel Egort as Baby was an excellent choice but Jamie Foxx was a terrible character and at times annoying. The best part about this movie was how visually and audibly appealing it was. The music in the movie ranged from 70s rock to 80’s pop, and some music from the ’50s. I’d go as far as to say this movie was a musical, just because of the role music plays in the plot, and how everything Baby does is synced up to the music. The editing is breakneck but once you get past these aspects, the movie doesn’t have much else going for itself. Although the ending wasn’t the greatest, I was never bored while watching this movie and it was a fun experience all around. Rating: 4.5/5 stars
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Season One
DVD - 2017
My Hero Academia is truly an anime unlike any other. Although it’s a tv series about heroes and villains, it doesn’t follow the typical route. The main ch...Show more
My Hero Academia is truly an anime unlike any other. Although it’s a tv series about heroes and villains, it doesn’t follow the typical route. The main character, Izuku Midoriya, isn’t the hotshot hero who was born with a gift. Rather, Midoriya was born without any superpower in a world where over 80% of the world has one. Instead of being a talented hero from the start, he has to earn his power, and he does so through his perseverance of wanting to be a hero and his immense courage. This show really resonates with me because it has a strong message. Anyone can be a hero. Other than the overall plot, the show has a lot of other things going for it as well. The characters are all super likeable, and the design is absolutely incredible. There was so much detail put into the drawing and writing, and you can really see the effort put into the show when watching it. It’s full of action, fight scenes, and features a soundtrack you won’t soon forget. Rating: 5/5 stars
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My Hero Academia is truly an anime unlike any other. Although it’s a tv series about heroes and villains, it doesn’t follow the typical route. The main ch...Show more
My Hero Academia is truly an anime unlike any other. Although it’s a tv series about heroes and villains, it doesn’t follow the typical route. The main character, Izuku Midoriya, isn’t the hotshot hero who was born with a gift. Rather, Midoriya was born without any superpower in a world where over 80% of the world has one. Instead of being a talented hero from the start, he has to earn his power, and he does so through his perseverance of wanting to be a hero and his immense courage. This show really resonates with me because it has a strong message. Anyone can be a hero. Other than the overall plot, the show has a lot of other things going for it as well. The characters are all super likeable, and the design is absolutely incredible. There was so much detail put into the drawing and writing, and you can really see the effort put into the show when watching it. It’s full of action, fight scenes, and features a soundtrack you won’t soon forget. Rating: 5/5 stars
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A Natural History of Four Meals
Book - 2016
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a detailed and thought-provoking book, worthy of a read. It allows the reader to think about something that usually sits in the ...Show more
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a detailed and thought-provoking book, worthy of a read. It allows the reader to think about something that usually sits in the back of their minds: food. In reading this book, I was able to reflect upon many things I didn’t usually consider when it came to food. I was questioning the morals surrounding eating meat and the ethical treatment of animals. Ever since reading this book, I have constantly thought about what the term “organic” really means, and how I can support local farmers when buying my food. The Omnivore’s Dilemma is truly a great book, however, it is extremely dense and it can be difficult to pick back up sometimes. Other than that, I would easily recommend this book to anyone, as it offers more than just a good read. I was able to develop a new outlook on what and where I eat, helping me see the bigger picture of the food world. Rating: 5/5 stars
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The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a detailed and thought-provoking book, worthy of a read. It allows the reader to think about something that usually sits in the ...Show more
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is a detailed and thought-provoking book, worthy of a read. It allows the reader to think about something that usually sits in the back of their minds: food. In reading this book, I was able to reflect upon many things I didn’t usually consider when it came to food. I was questioning the morals surrounding eating meat and the ethical treatment of animals. Ever since reading this book, I have constantly thought about what the term “organic” really means, and how I can support local farmers when buying my food. The Omnivore’s Dilemma is truly a great book, however, it is extremely dense and it can be difficult to pick back up sometimes. Other than that, I would easily recommend this book to anyone, as it offers more than just a good read. I was able to develop a new outlook on what and where I eat, helping me see the bigger picture of the food world. Rating: 5/5 stars
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by Demarco, Mac
Music CD - 2014
After seeing Mac Demarco perform live at the RBG’s Arboretum, I have a much deeper appreciation for his music, especially this album. Salad Days incorpora...Show more
After seeing Mac Demarco perform live at the RBG’s Arboretum, I have a much deeper appreciation for his music, especially this album. Salad Days incorporates a lot of his older music style, similar to the songs he had in Rock and Roll Night Club, his first full-length studio album, while also introducing some new elements. This album is easily one of his best and none of the songs are “boring”. Salad Days itself is a very chill and slightly melancholy album, making it a nice break from the more uptempo and exciting music today. This album is perfect for a rainy day and is a perfect gateway album into the rest of his music.
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After seeing Mac Demarco perform live at the RBG’s Arboretum, I have a much deeper appreciation for his music, especially this album. Salad Days incorpora...Show more
After seeing Mac Demarco perform live at the RBG’s Arboretum, I have a much deeper appreciation for his music, especially this album. Salad Days incorporates a lot of his older music style, similar to the songs he had in Rock and Roll Night Club, his first full-length studio album, while also introducing some new elements. This album is easily one of his best and none of the songs are “boring”. Salad Days itself is a very chill and slightly melancholy album, making it a nice break from the more uptempo and exciting music today. This album is perfect for a rainy day and is a perfect gateway album into the rest of his music.
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Music CD - 2015
What can only be best described as “Alternative R&B” and “Trip Hop” music, The Internet’s third studio album, brings a lot to the table in terms of a...Show more
What can only be best described as “Alternative R&B” and “Trip Hop” music, The Internet’s third studio album, brings a lot to the table in terms of alternative music. This is the first album where The Internet includes a full band with live instrumentation which was a much-needed aspect. The vocals from Syd Tha Kyd are truly beautiful and nostalgic. When you mix that with the drums and the rest of the band’s performance, you end up with a truly funky and smooth album. The addition of features such as KAYTRANADA on Girl, and Steve Lacy and Tyler, The Creator on Palace/Curse truly makes Ego Death one of the best alternative R&B albums of the 2010s. This album is a perfect highlight of their progression and development of instrumentals and vocals, as their two previous records, Feel Good and Purple Naked Ladies were quite disappointing. That being said, I can’t wait to see what changes they make to their music in future albums.
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What can only be best described as “Alternative R&B” and “Trip Hop” music, The Internet’s third studio album, brings a lot to the table in terms of a...Show more
What can only be best described as “Alternative R&B” and “Trip Hop” music, The Internet’s third studio album, brings a lot to the table in terms of alternative music. This is the first album where The Internet includes a full band with live instrumentation which was a much-needed aspect. The vocals from Syd Tha Kyd are truly beautiful and nostalgic. When you mix that with the drums and the rest of the band’s performance, you end up with a truly funky and smooth album. The addition of features such as KAYTRANADA on Girl, and Steve Lacy and Tyler, The Creator on Palace/Curse truly makes Ego Death one of the best alternative R&B albums of the 2010s. This album is a perfect highlight of their progression and development of instrumentals and vocals, as their two previous records, Feel Good and Purple Naked Ladies were quite disappointing. That being said, I can’t wait to see what changes they make to their music in future albums.
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DVD - 2010
Edgar Wright is one of, if not the best, directors of all time. That being said, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World is my favourite movie, not only of his but in...Show more
Edgar Wright is one of, if not the best, directors of all time. That being said, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World is my favourite movie, not only of his but in general. As a comedy, it’s very refreshing. Michael Cera does an excellent job of portraying an awkward 20-year-old and helps bring the whole movie together. The sound design, the rest of the quirky and vivid cast, and the fast-paced editing all blend together to form a fantastic commentary about today's youth and their battles on the relationship front. From an artistic standpoint, the movie is very contemporary. A lot of the editing and the plot itself are both extremely different from typical modern movies. It’s definitely a movie worth watching if you’re looking for something unique and underappreciated by the world of film. 5/5
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Edgar Wright is one of, if not the best, directors of all time. That being said, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World is my favourite movie, not only of his but in...Show more
Edgar Wright is one of, if not the best, directors of all time. That being said, Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World is my favourite movie, not only of his but in general. As a comedy, it’s very refreshing. Michael Cera does an excellent job of portraying an awkward 20-year-old and helps bring the whole movie together. The sound design, the rest of the quirky and vivid cast, and the fast-paced editing all blend together to form a fantastic commentary about today's youth and their battles on the relationship front. From an artistic standpoint, the movie is very contemporary. A lot of the editing and the plot itself are both extremely different from typical modern movies. It’s definitely a movie worth watching if you’re looking for something unique and underappreciated by the world of film. 5/5
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Music CD - 2015
I first began listening to Tame Impala when “The Less I Know The Better” was a mainstream song being used in all sorts of media. The song itself has an e...Show more
I first began listening to Tame Impala when “The Less I Know The Better” was a mainstream song being used in all sorts of media. The song itself has an ethereal and otherworldly feeling. Even the album cover itself gives off a psychedelic vibe. After listening to the rest of the album, it became clear that Tame Impala couldn’t create an objectively bad song. I have a very short attention span, but I was able to listen to the entirety of this album in one sitting without doing anything else. The catchy melodies, incredible bass lines, and unique audio mixing choices all make listening to this album a truly unique experience.
Rating: 5/5
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I first began listening to Tame Impala when “The Less I Know The Better” was a mainstream song being used in all sorts of media. The song itself has an e...Show more
I first began listening to Tame Impala when “The Less I Know The Better” was a mainstream song being used in all sorts of media. The song itself has an ethereal and otherworldly feeling. Even the album cover itself gives off a psychedelic vibe. After listening to the rest of the album, it became clear that Tame Impala couldn’t create an objectively bad song. I have a very short attention span, but I was able to listen to the entirety of this album in one sitting without doing anything else. The catchy melodies, incredible bass lines, and unique audio mixing choices all make listening to this album a truly unique experience.
Rating: 5/5
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The Complete Saga
Video Game - 2007
Although words cannot describe how much this game has impacted my life, I will try my best. My dad bought this game for me in 2008, one year after its ini...Show more
Although words cannot describe how much this game has impacted my life, I will try my best. My dad bought this game for me in 2008, one year after its initial release date. I was 5 at the time, and this was one of my first video games. After I picked up my Wii controller and Nunchuk, inserted the disc, and pressed “New Game”, I was hooked. There were immersive missions, dynamic cutscenes, and smooth game mechanics, which were all incredibly advanced for a game made in 2007. The game stayed true to the plot of the original Star Wars movies, while also incorporating funny twists during the gameplay and cutscenes. I was a huge fan of LEGO at the time, and playing this game was an incredible experience. This game has created so many good memories, and sometimes, even to this day, I reminisce about the times I spent playing. I recently played through the entire game again and was swept with a wave of emotions.
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Although words cannot describe how much this game has impacted my life, I will try my best. My dad bought this game for me in 2008, one year after its ini...Show more
Although words cannot describe how much this game has impacted my life, I will try my best. My dad bought this game for me in 2008, one year after its initial release date. I was 5 at the time, and this was one of my first video games. After I picked up my Wii controller and Nunchuk, inserted the disc, and pressed “New Game”, I was hooked. There were immersive missions, dynamic cutscenes, and smooth game mechanics, which were all incredibly advanced for a game made in 2007. The game stayed true to the plot of the original Star Wars movies, while also incorporating funny twists during the gameplay and cutscenes. I was a huge fan of LEGO at the time, and playing this game was an incredible experience. This game has created so many good memories, and sometimes, even to this day, I reminisce about the times I spent playing. I recently played through the entire game again and was swept with a wave of emotions.
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DVD - 2010
From the trailers and media hype surrounding the release of the film, 2012 seemed like it would be an action-packed movie with thrill and excitement. The ...Show more
From the trailers and media hype surrounding the release of the film, 2012 seemed like it would be an action-packed movie with thrill and excitement. The CGI was excellent for 2009, but everything else was a complete letdown. The acting was incredibly dry, and John Cusack, an actor whom I normally really like, had one of the worst performances. The science behind the disasters made very little sense and it made the movie seem rushed and unfinished. Like most action movies, the action scenes were painfully exaggerated and ruined the realistic feel of the movie. 2012 is just another mediocre action film with an unmotivated cast.
Rating: 1/5
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From the trailers and media hype surrounding the release of the film, 2012 seemed like it would be an action-packed movie with thrill and excitement. The ...Show more
From the trailers and media hype surrounding the release of the film, 2012 seemed like it would be an action-packed movie with thrill and excitement. The CGI was excellent for 2009, but everything else was a complete letdown. The acting was incredibly dry, and John Cusack, an actor whom I normally really like, had one of the worst performances. The science behind the disasters made very little sense and it made the movie seem rushed and unfinished. Like most action movies, the action scenes were painfully exaggerated and ruined the realistic feel of the movie. 2012 is just another mediocre action film with an unmotivated cast.
Rating: 1/5
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Book - 2014
I started reading this book after I had finished all of the movies, and that was the right decision. After I read the book, I was quite impressed with the...Show more
I started reading this book after I had finished all of the movies, and that was the right decision. After I read the book, I was quite impressed with the near-perfect film adaptation of the novel. There were some minor changes that were inconsistent between the two, for example, Harry’s eye colour and the scene in which he meets Draco for the first time, but that hardly affected my enjoyment. The book, however, was still better than the movie, as with most film adaptations of books. There’s more room for personal creativity and imagery, which allows for a more open-ended reading from a visual perspective. The storytelling is fantastic and J.K. Rowling does an excellent job of immersing the reader into a world of fantasy. 5/5
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I started reading this book after I had finished all of the movies, and that was the right decision. After I read the book, I was quite impressed with the...Show more
I started reading this book after I had finished all of the movies, and that was the right decision. After I read the book, I was quite impressed with the near-perfect film adaptation of the novel. There were some minor changes that were inconsistent between the two, for example, Harry’s eye colour and the scene in which he meets Draco for the first time, but that hardly affected my enjoyment. The book, however, was still better than the movie, as with most film adaptations of books. There’s more room for personal creativity and imagery, which allows for a more open-ended reading from a visual perspective. The storytelling is fantastic and J.K. Rowling does an excellent job of immersing the reader into a world of fantasy. 5/5
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Video Game - 2016
Stardew Valley is easily one of the most relaxing, stress-reducing, and enjoyable games I’ve played. From the title and description, it may seem like your...Show more
Stardew Valley is easily one of the most relaxing, stress-reducing, and enjoyable games I’ve played. From the title and description, it may seem like your average farming simulator. While you do water crops and sell them, the game itself is much more. The characters are all likeable and the gameplay is a very unique experience. The art style and design of the game are reminiscent of older and heavily pixellated games, which adds to the uniqueness of the game in its entirety. I’ve spent about 60 hours on the game and I have never once been bored or didn't have anything to do in the game. The sound design and music create a peaceful and ambient atmosphere that captivated me. It’s the perfect game for someone that needs to find a temporary escape from reality. 5/5
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Stardew Valley is easily one of the most relaxing, stress-reducing, and enjoyable games I’ve played. From the title and description, it may seem like your...Show more
Stardew Valley is easily one of the most relaxing, stress-reducing, and enjoyable games I’ve played. From the title and description, it may seem like your average farming simulator. While you do water crops and sell them, the game itself is much more. The characters are all likeable and the gameplay is a very unique experience. The art style and design of the game are reminiscent of older and heavily pixellated games, which adds to the uniqueness of the game in its entirety. I’ve spent about 60 hours on the game and I have never once been bored or didn't have anything to do in the game. The sound design and music create a peaceful and ambient atmosphere that captivated me. It’s the perfect game for someone that needs to find a temporary escape from reality. 5/5
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The Oldest Military Treatise in the World
by Tzu, Sun
eBook - 2012
The Art of War is more than just a book that describes military strategies. The ideas and tactics throughout the book can be applied to many facets of lif...Show more
The Art of War is more than just a book that describes military strategies. The ideas and tactics throughout the book can be applied to many facets of life, whether it be in finance or even in personal life. For me, the book offered quite a few life lessons and interesting concepts that I can apply to my own life. The most captivating part of the book is trying to decipher some of the aspects of war and military tactics and how to incorporate them into one’s own values and beliefs. In terms of the actual military aspect of the book, it is an excellent read. Understanding and visualizing the ancient Chinese approach to warfare and how it’s described as an art makes for a very enjoyable read.
Rating: 4/5
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The Art of War is more than just a book that describes military strategies. The ideas and tactics throughout the book can be applied to many facets of lif...Show more
The Art of War is more than just a book that describes military strategies. The ideas and tactics throughout the book can be applied to many facets of life, whether it be in finance or even in personal life. For me, the book offered quite a few life lessons and interesting concepts that I can apply to my own life. The most captivating part of the book is trying to decipher some of the aspects of war and military tactics and how to incorporate them into one’s own values and beliefs. In terms of the actual military aspect of the book, it is an excellent read. Understanding and visualizing the ancient Chinese approach to warfare and how it’s described as an art makes for a very enjoyable read.
Rating: 4/5
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