Book Summaries Blog

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 1

2008-04-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

Book Summaries

Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).

This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would with a friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak.

"This isn't a book of theory—it isn't full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.

Here's another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There's never been a book like it, and if you're tired of taking shots that look "OK," and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.

The favorable review

I have enjoyed photography as a hobby for 50+years. I own a Canon 20D and am a Scott Kelby fan. He is a great photoshop expert, yet emphasizes the importance of getting the best possible shot when taking the picture, to make your time in photoshop more enjoyable. You don't have to work as hard if you make the correct exposure to begin with.

Scott approaches each chapter with some humor, and really understands what you really need is a clear bottom line on how to approach the person or subject you want to photograph. I received my book Sept 4th, read it and used some of his tips shooting 500+ volleyball pictures Sept 5th. I think I can see some improvement in my pictures already. He has equipment recommendations and shooting tips for the person that has just bought a digital camera to the person that uses it to make a living.

He has worked alongside of professionals learning tips on how to process the digital photographs and how to best print them. Scott believes photography can be more fun if you get results you like by using some of the basic principles used by professional photographers. I have unhesitatingly recommended this book to several of my friends. This is one of the least expensive camera related purchases that I have made to bring my excitement of photography to a new level.

I am quite certain you won't be disappointed, especially if you own a Nikon or Canon digital SLR. I expect my copy to become dog eared from use.

The critical review

I really wanted to write a glowing review for "The Digital Photography Book"... I've been looking for a good tome of insider tips for digital SLRs for a long time, so when I found Kelby's book I was ecstatic! A quick skim showed many great tips; however, after reading the first page of chapter 1 where he carried on about the phrase "TACK SHARP" I began to lose faith.

Here is an excerpt (talking about the origins of the phrase Tack Sharp - meaning a "clear photo"):

"TACK stands for Technically Accurate Cibachrome Kelvin (which refers to the color temperature of light in photographs), and SHARP stands for Shutter Hyperfocal At Refracted Polarization. Now, these may seem like highly technical terms at first, but once you realize that I totally made them up, it doesn't seem so complicated, does it? Now, you have to admit, it sounded pretty legitimate at first. I mean, I almost had ya, didn't I? Come on, you know I had you, and I'll bet it was that "color temperature of light" thing I put in parenthesis that helped sell the idea that it was real, right? It's okay to admit you were fooled..."

Is this for real? Maybe his editor was asleep. He makes a lame joke out of trying to fool the reader, then carries on for half a paragraph laughing at how clever he is! I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he continued with this 'fooled ya' theme by writing fake subheadings on the next SIX sections:

The Real Secret to Getting Sharp Photos "sorry about duping you with "The Real Secret to Getting Sharp Photos" headline..."

Perhaps Even More Important Than That "Again, ignore that headline. It's just a cheap come-on to get you to keep reading."

If You Skip This, Throw Away Your Camera "Still a fake headline. Don't let it throw you."

If You Do This Wrong, It Will Lock Up "It's not as good as the last fake headline, but we're only one more page away from the real chapter content, so I'm backing it off a little."

It's Time to Get Serious "I have good news: Not only are we at the end of this "fake headline" thing, you'll also be happy to know that from here on out, the rest of the book isn't laced with the wonderfully inspired (lame) humor you found on these first few pages."

Oh... Okay - so he's dropping the annoying stuff. Good. On to learn.

But NO! In Chapter 2, right away he's at it again! Below he describes ways to get around the problem of pollen dulling the color of flowers (???)

"Now, there is a special photographic filter (called the Flora 61B from PhotoDynamics) that can help reduce the effects of this pollination and both bring back the sharpness and reduce the graying effect, but because of U.S. trade sanctions imposed by the Federal Trade Commission, we can no longer buy this filter direct. Especially because I totally made this whole thing up. I can't believe you fell for this two chapters in a row. Seriously, how are you going to get good flower photos if you're falling for the old Flora 61B trick? Okay, I'm just teasing you, but seriously..."

I hate having to stay on constant patrol for full paragraphs of combed cr*p when I'm trying to learn something new! I don't care how good the "real" content is, I'm not going to sift through fertilizer to get to it!

If you find this type of humor funny, or wonder what I'm making such a big deal about, then you'll probably find this a very fun, interesting read.

If you don't like wondering whether or not the author is "pulling your leg this time, too", then you'll probably chuck this book out the window.

I hope he has the sense to release a second edition with all of the un-funny stuff removed.

A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton

2008-04-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

Book Description

Carl Bernstein’s stunning portrait of Hillary Rodham Clinton shows us, as nothing else has, the true trajectory of her life and career with its zigzag bursts of risks taken and safety sought. Marshaling all the skills and energy that propelled his history-making Pulitzer Prize reporting on Watergate, Bernstein gives us the most detailed, sophisticated, comprehensive, and revealing account we have had of the complex human being and political meteor who has already helped define one presidency and may well become, herself, the woman in charge of another.

We see the shaping of Hillary as a self-described “mind conservative and heart liberal” —her ostensibly idyllic Midwestern girlhood (her mother a nurturer, but her father a disciplinarian, harsher than she has acknowledged); her early development of deep religious feelings; her curiosity fueled by dedicated teachers, by exposure to Martin Luther King Jr., by the ferment of the sixties, and, above all, by a desire to change the world. At Wellesley, we watch Hillary, a Republican turned Democrat, thriving in the new sky’s-the-limit freedom for women, already perceived as a spokeswoman for her generation, her commencement speech celebrated in Life magazine. And the book takes us to Yale Law School as Hillary meets and falls in love with Bill Clinton and cancels her dream to go her own way, to New York or Washington, tying her fortune, instead, to his in Arkansas.

Bernstein clarifies the often amazing dynamic of their marriage, shows us the extent to which Hillary has been instrumental in the triumphs and troubles of Bill Clinton’s governorship and presidency, and sheds light on her own political brilliance and her blind spots—especially her suspicion and mishandling of the press and her overt hostility to the opposition that clouded her entry into the capital. He untangles her relationship to Whitewater, Troopergate, and Travelgate. He leads us to understand the failure of her health care initiative.

In the emotional and political chaos of the Lewinsky affair we see Hillary, despite her immense hurt and anger, standing by her husband—evoking a rising wave of sympathy from a public previously cool to her. It helps carry her into the Senate, where she applies the political lessons she has learned. It is now her time. As she decides to run for president, her husband now her valued aide, she has one more chance to fulfill her ambition for herself—to change the world.

In his preparation for A Woman in Charge, Bernstein reexamined everything pertinent written about and by Hillary Clinton. He interviewed some two hundred of her colleagues, friends, and enemies and was allowed unique access to the candid record of the 1992 presidential campaign kept by Hillary’s best friend, Diane Blair.

He has given us a book that enables us, at last, to address the questions Americans are insistently—even obsessively—asking about Hillary Clinton: What is her character? What is her political philosophy? Who is she? What can we expect of her?

The favorable review

You really get to know her
Comprehensive, detailed and surprisingly easy to read, this biography of Hillary Clinton should be read by anyone who has a vote in any of the upcoming Democratic primaries and, if she wins that party's nomination, anyone planning to vote in 2008. Sure, many people claim to already know all they need to about Mrs. Clinton, but reading this book you really start to understand her. And whether you love her or hate her, your opinion just might be changed.

An amazingly interesting book, "A Woman in Charge" is divided into three sections. The first 70 pages cover Clinton's childhood in Chicago and college years. The next 100 recount her years in Arkansas. The remaining 350 focus on Hillary's experience as First Lady, with just a few devoted to her time as a senator.

From a young child's love of earning Girl Scout merit badges, to a 14-year-old Goldwater Girl's trip to see Martin Luther King, to a modern senator's remarkably unique reason for voting for authorized force against Iraq (she said it would make "war less likely"), there's never a dull moment. And thanks to interviews with more than 200 Clinton associates and more than 500 footnotes, every sentence rings true.

The book doesn't offer any juicy gossip, but does have lots of intimate behind-the-scenes detail. Hillary's first college boyfriend supplies Bernstein with the letters she wrote to him (what a jerk!), in which the 18-year-old freshman describes herself as "a progressive, an ethical Christian and a political activist" who is nevertheless "outrageous... as outrageous as a moral Methodist can get." Later on, Bernstein reveals that Bill Clinton asked Hillary to marry him many times before she finally said yes, and that once in Arkansas he told her he had fallen in love with another woman and wanted a divorce, which she refused. Toward the end of the book, the author recounts a moment during the peak of the Lewinsky crisis, when Stevie Wonder met Hillary at a White House dinner and insisted on taking her to a private room to perform a song he had written for her -- about forgiveness.

What impressed me most about "A Woman in Charge" is how well it is written. Though every chapter is meticulously well documented, each explains its often-complex story in a clear and engaging style. You can picture yourself in the Yale dorm room when, in 1968, the politically active junior hears of Martin Luther King's assassination and pounds the wall, screaming "I can't stand it anymore! I can't take it!" And you can't help but cringe when you read of Hillary's first meeting with Virginia Cassidy Blythe Clinton Dwire -- Bill's mom -- after the charismatic woman with the "white-striped hair and fondness for fast men, fast horses, red lipstick and false eyelashes" had driven up to New Haven from Arkansas in 1972: "Virginia thought Hillary was a fright," Bernstein writes, "her hair badly cut (she had chopped it herself that semester, to save money), no makeup, and jeans, her preferred posture tending toward a hippie slouch."

Equally compelling are the White House chapters, as Bernstein explains how Hillary's own overzealous promotion of her 1993 health-care plan ironically caused it to fail, but how her similar devotion to defending Bill against impeachment charges caused that fight to succeed.

"A Woman in Charge" includes eight pages of black-and-white photos, mostly from Clinton's years as First Lady. Under the book jacket is a plain gray cover.

All in all, what emerges is a sympathetic portrait of an extremely bright and talented American woman who has overcome a lot to get where she is -- but can nevertheless be cold, calculating and, worst of all, sometimes completely clueless on how to get things done. Bernstein shows how Hillary has learned from many of her mistakes and excelled in the Senate, but in the process has formed such a "protective shell" around her true character that she may, or may not, have what it takes to win the nomination, get elected, and be a great President.

The critical review

Lack of Access Was Problematic

Carl Bernstein has earned a strong reputation for his reporting and writing skill. Bill and Hillary promised him access to write this book and then, later, reneged. The given reason was that they did not want to "favor" Bernstein over other writers.

The result is that he had to write this book at a remove from primary sources. While the book is strong, well-organized and, I think, fair, it still does not satisfy the reader's legitimate need to understand Hillary's underlying character. We will consider nominating or electing her for president, and yet...

One New Yorker reviewer described in-person interviews with Hillary as being lively, direct and instructive when talking policy, but very unsatisfying whenever anything personal came up. She likened it to talking to her through several sheets of Plexiglas - a very apt metaphor.

Bernstein can talk to this, but only through the eyes of others. As we try to decide who our next president should be, "the character thing" is relevant. It must be beyond scandal mongering, though. Some of Bernstein's writing treads the space between "must know" and scandal, and he could have told his story without that resort.

After reading it, I'm still not sure whether Hillary should be our next president. And I would have liked to have known more about her as a person, given the demands of the office. At this point, she still has too many character traits of Richard Nixon (such as demonizing her "enemies") to get me excited about voting for her.

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

2008-04-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

Book Summaries

“A government that truly represents these Americans–that truly serves these Americans–will require a different kind of politics. That politics will need to reflect our lives as they are actually lived. It won’t be pre-packaged, ready to pull off the shelf. It will have to be constructed from the best of our traditions and will have to account for the darker aspects of our past. We will need to understand just how we got to this place, this land of warring factions and tribal hatreds. And we’ll need to remind ourselves, despite all our differences, just how much we share: common hopes, common dreams, a bond that will not break.”

–from The Audacity of Hope

In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. One phrase in particular anchored itself in listeners’ minds, a reminder that for all the discord and struggle to be found in our history as a nation, we have always been guided by a dogged optimism in the future, or what Senator Obama called “the audacity of hope.”

Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls for a different brand of politics–a politics for those weary of bitter partisanship and alienated by the “endless clash of armies” we see in congress and on the campaign trail; a politics rooted in the faith, inclusiveness, and nobility of spirit at the heart of “our improbable experiment in democracy.” He explores those forces–from the fear of losing to the perpetual need to raise money to the power of the media–that can stifle even the best-intentioned politician. He also writes, with surprising intimacy and self-deprecating humor, about settling in as a senator, seeking to balance the demands of public service and family life, and his own deepening religious commitment.

At the heart of this book is Senator Obama’s vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. He examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats–from terrorism to pandemic–that gather beyond our shores. And he grapples with the role that faith plays in a democracy–where it is vital and where it must never intrude. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, even the president, is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus.

A senator and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Senator Obama has written a book of transforming power. Only by returning to the principles that gave birth to our Constitution, he says, can Americans repair a political process that is broken, and restore to working order a government that has fallen dangerously out of touch with millions of ordinary Americans. Those Americans are out there, he writes–“waiting for Republicans and Democrats to catch up with them.”

From the Hardcover edition.

The favorable review

A conservative reviews Senator Obama's latest book ....

All too often here on Amazon, we review only those books and authors with which we totally agree...or totally disagree...and give little regard to the quality of the actual contents of the book. And then, our fellow Amazon viewers come along and rate our reviews strictly on the basis of their own partisan biases. This is not very helpful.

I set out to read and review Senator Barack Obama's latest book, not because I agree with everything he has to say, but because I respect and admire him as a thoughtful and eloquent American with a compelling story.

The Senator has a warm and inviting style of communicating that clearly communicates his sincerity and optimism. In short, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE is a generally good and uplifting read. Unlike many of his political contemporaries, Obama discusses values and faith in a manner that is not forced, uncomfortable, or put on...what he says seems to come from the heart. And, he cogently articulates why and how his faith and values cause him to think and act in the way that he does.

He is passionate, but also humble and self-effacing. Perhaps he would not appreciate the comparisons, but his hopeful, non-cynical, and sincere tone, coupled with his large vision, remind me in a positive way of Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush.

That is not to say that he would be often in the same political boat as either Reagan or Bush...or Dr. Emil Shuffhausen. I would take issue with some of the Senator's policies (though I believe his goals are noble). For example, I think he over-reaches on the idea of universal health care, and while I do believe there is strong evidence to suggest a warming in the earth's climate, Senator Obama and I would disagree on the primary causes and "cures" for this warming. I don't believe that cutting taxes for those who pay taxes (aka "the rich") is unfair; I don't believe that a "pro-choice" position offers adequate choice for the unborn child. But, I recognize that Senator Obama is--in general--respectful and gracious towards those with whom he disagrees.

I do agree with him that America must overcome our addiction to foreign oil and to oil in general. I do agree that more emphasis needs to be placed on strengthening families and upholding traditional values; on reducing teen pregnancy and the root causes of poverty. Obama's brand of "liberalism" at times seems closer to Bill Clinton's "third way" than to the Michael Moore/George Soros/Rev. Jeremiah Wright school of delusional hatred. Speaking of Rev. Wright, it is difficult to align the overall notion of the "audacity of hope" with Rev. Wright's long history of racially inflammatory remarks.

Senator Obama's stated efforts to transcend partisanship are laudable; the reality of his words and his intentions will surely be tested in years to come. (It would be helpful, perhaps, if he acknowledged more that partisanship is not only the province of "right wing Republicans" but also a staple of many of his Democratic brethren, but, I quibble.)

In the meantime, whether one is a "conservative" or a "liberal," there is much to gain in terms of insight into one of the brightest lights on the American political stage today by reading this book.

The critical review

Mixed Feelings for the Work of a Seemingly-Genuine Junior Senator

Because of all the hubbub about Senator Barack Obama and his (too) early presidential campaigning, I decided to borrow a copy of his new book from the local library. Although I had a preliminary notion that Mr. Obama would be more liberal than me, I came to the work with an open mind. In many ways, the text was very enjoyable to read because the author seems sincere and appears to stand fully behind his convictions on the role of government. In many places, I think that I agree with him even on policy issues (particularly in education). However, this agreement is linked to one of the two issues which tarnished the work for me.

At one point in the text, Mr. Obama says that a cynical electorate is a self-centered one. In the final analysis, he probably hits the nail directly on the head. However, I think that he is a bit naïve in thinking that cynicism is nothing more than self-centered individualism. While I can agree with him on some policy issues, I think that the text is by far too supportive of where the government has come to at this point. A comment like this only affirms the fact that he is perhaps too pleased with "business as usual" or at least the reform thereof. It seems a bit undiscerning to me that he doesn't ask the question of "why" the electorate could be cynical and then figure out that revolution, not just evolution, is necessary in the contemporary political situation.

Additionally, the text is peppered with relativistic though (in mild forms) throughout. However, this is not absolute, for Senator Obama does indeed claim to have a firm belief in the rule of law and the Constitution's special place in political history. I believe this claim to be sincere.

Nonetheless, his condemnation of an electorate which has been made cynical of government (because of a government which is much to be blamed) as well as his relativistic tendencies taint the work without destroying it. I would give it a 3-3.5 / 5 and suggest it if you truly want to look a bit into Senator Obama. If you don't have a drive to do so, I would suggest staying away because the text can be a bit maudlin at times (and therefore can be boring if you haven't a personal drive to finish it).

Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share (Martha Stewart Living Magazine)

2008-03-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

Book Summaries

The perfect cookie for every occasion.

Cookies are the treat that never disappoints. Whether you’re baking for a party or a picnic, a formal dinner or a family supper–or if you simply want something on hand for snacking–there is a cookie that’s just right. In Martha Stewart’s Cookies, the editors of Martha Stewart Living give you 175 recipes and variations that showcase all kinds of flavors and fancies. Besides perennial pleasers like traditional chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, there are other sweet surprises, including Rum Raisin Shortbread, Peppermint Meringue Sandwiches with Chocolate Filling, and Lime Meltaways.

Cleverly organized by texture, the recipes in Martha Stewart’s Cookies inspire you to think of a classic, nostalgic treat with more nuance. Chapters include all types of treasures: Light and Delicate (Cherry Tuiles, Hazelnut Cookies, Chocolate Meringues); Rich and Dense (Key Lime Bars, Chocolate Mint Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies); Chunky and Nutty (Magic Blondies, Turtle Brownies, White Chocolate-Chunk Cookies); Soft and Chewy (Snickerdoodles, Fig Bars, Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies); Crisp and Crunchy (ANZAC Biscuits, Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti, Almond Spice Wafers); Crumbly and Sandy (Cappuccino-Chocolate Bites, Maple-Pecan Shortbread, Lemon-Apricot Sandwiches); and Cakey and Tender (Lemon Madeleines, Carrot Cake Cookies, Pumpkin Cookies with Brown-Butter Icing).

Each tantalizing recipe is accompanied by a lush, full-color photograph, so you never have to wonder how the cookie will look. Beautifully designed and a joy to read, Martha Stewart’s Cookies is rich with helpful tips and techniques for baking, decorating, and storing, as well as lovely gift-packaging ideas in standout Martha Stewart style.

The most helpful favorable review

Enough variety to tempt any appetite

I love baking and I love cookies. That's what encouraged me to purchase this book and I'm so glad I did. There are around 175 recipes; I now have enough cookie recipes to last a lifetime and all the new possibilities of flavours makes my head spin.
I am so glad to see she made ANZAC cookies (something really popular in New Zealand and Australia). They are so devine and definately worth trying. I also love the Lemon-Apricot Sandwiches and the Chocolate Meringues. There are fantastic pictures to go along with them all (making them all the more tempting) and I can't wait to make more than the three I've done already. It's a good way to broaden your taste bud horizons because the variety is endless. I also find her instruction easy to follow which is so important.
If you are someone who loves baking and want to try some old favourites or new kinds, it's one of the better books I've seen. I love it and imagine it will be used many many times down the road.

The most helpful critical review

Beautiful, but not very practical

Martha's very clever at reselling the same things over and over again. Most of the recipes found in the book can be found on Martha's online site. Most of the cookie recipes were in her Special Holiday cookie magazine issue 2006.
Be prepared to buy special sanding sugars and cookie cutters as well.

7th Heaven (Women's Murder Club)

2008-02-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

Book Summaries

A terrible fire in a wealthy suburban home leaves a married couple dead--and Detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin searching for clues. And after California's golden boy, Michael Campion has been missing for a month, there finally seems to be a lead in his case--a very devastating lead. As fire after fire consume couples in wealthy, comfortable homes, Lindsay and the Murder Club must race to find the arsonists responsible and get to the bottom of Michael Campion's disappearance. But suddenly the fires are raging too close to home. Frightened for her life and torn between two men, Lindsay must find a way to solve the most daunting dilemmas she's ever faced--at work and at home.

Reviews

Fast paced thriller filled with twists and turns

I have been addicted to James Patterson's Women's Murder Club since reading the first book. For those not familiar with the series, the WMC comprises four brilliant women brought together by the very nature of their jobs: Lindsay (a dedicated police detective), Claire (medical examiner extraordinaire), Cindy (ambitious crime reporter) and Yuki (sassy assistant district attorney). Four best friends who get down and dirty solving some of the toughest crimes to rock San Francisco.

While enjoying a getaway with her friends, Lindsay receives a call from her lieutenant concerning the unsolved disappearance of Michael Campion. The popular son of the former governor, Michael was to the Californians what JFK Jr. was to the whole country. Born with an inoperable heart disease, everyone knew that he was living on borrowed time. The extensive media coverage about his life and battle with a debilitating illness has endeared him to the people. Thus, when he vanished one evening without a trace, the citizens of San Francisco grieved along with his parents. Now after three months, an anonymous tip-off leads Boxer and her partner to the doorstep of a young prostitute who shortly confesses to the gruesome murder of Michael. Yet as quickly as she gives her confession, she quickly recants it leaving Yuki with the Herculean task of representing the People, pitting her head to head with a ball breaking defense lawyer.

Meanwhile, as the case goes to trial, Lindsay investigates a series of arson in the city's affluent areas. Four couples are dead - robbed and set on fire. With no clue except some cryptic Latin words written inside a book, Lindsay and her partner are set on a wild goose chase as they hunt down two pyromaniacs who seem to outsmart the police in every turn.

Who are Pidge and Hawk and why are they targeting wealthy couples? How would Lindsay track the killers with barely any clue to follow? And is Yuki about to be slaughtered prosecuting the most important case of her life?

Well jump in and let Patterson and Paetro take you on an fast-paced journey to uncover the truth behind the murders. The plot is good, although I was more taken with the Michael Campion case than I was with the arson attacks. And while it is not without its share of flaws (such as Yuki's questionable age which I am sure I am not alone here), the suspense is never in short supply and the authors take the reader in an engaging courtroom drama that would keep you on the edge of your seat.

With his trademark short chapters and pulse pounding plot, not forgetting the prerequisite twisty ending (and certainly twisty enough to catch me off guard), 7TH HEAVEN continues the WMC series that shows no signs of flagging any time soon.

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61)

2008-02-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

Book Summary

The highly anticipated follow-up to the 2,000,000 copy bestselling inspirational book, The Power of Now

With his bestselling spiritual guide The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle inspired millions of readers to discover the freedom and joy of a life lived "in the now." In A New Earth, Tolle expands on these powerful ideas to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world. Tolle describes how our attachment to the ego creates the dysfunction that leads to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness, and shows readers how to awaken to a new state of consciousness and follow the path to a truly fulfilling existence.

The Power of Now was a question-and-answer handbook. A New Earth has been written as a traditional narrative, offering anecdotes and philosophies in a way that is accessible to all. Illuminating, enlightening, and uplifting, A New Earth is a profoundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life—and for building a better world.

The most helpful favorable review

A Slightly Different Style But Still Great Stuff!

OK. After reconsidering I've taken the clowns reference out of my review. But I must say that I am still somewhat distressed that Eckhart's former "friends" would rush to get their reviews - not of the book but of Eckhart's "character" flaws! - onto Amazon on the first couple of days of the release of his new book. As for Eckhart's attitude towards women all I can go by is what he has written in his books and spoken in his recorded seminars. He seems like a very gentle soul and very favorable toward women and women's rights. And must Eckhart apologize for being born a male and an only child? As for the criticism of his term "pain-body" - Eckhart uses this term as an excellent metaphor for the anger and frustration that everyone (including children) feels from time to time. It should not be compared or confused with the old occult notion of the ethereal body. I am half-way through "A New Earth." Admittedly nothing Eckhart EVER does will be "better" than "The Power of Now." Rather, "A New Earth" is a restatement and amplification of all that has come before. In his new book Eckhart writes with a more forceful and detailed style which I find I am thoroughly enjoying. I've read and appreciated all the others (Krishnamurti, Ken Wilber, Osho, A Course in Miracles, Chopra, etc.). But I always come back to Eckhart. No one else comes close to the simple and profound spiritual truth of his work. I highly reccomend "A New Earth"!

The most helpful critical review

A decent book, but disappointing compared to his earlier books.

I have read and enjoyed Eckhart Tolle's other books, The Power of Now, Practicing The Power of Now, and Stillness Speaks. This book is more wordy, less focused, and less eloquent than those others. It also fails to deliver on its subtitle "Awakening to Your Life's Purpose". Very little of the book is devoted to guiding the reader to spiritual awakening. The other three books are much more focused on that objective, and accomplish it better. If you'd prefer to read a book of the author's rambling opinions on such things as TV, ADD, the ego, time, utopia, parenting, etc. then this book fits that bill. With that said, it still is quite an insightful book. It certainly provides a lot of food for thought - but that's not what the author claims it's for.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

2008-01-31T05:52:00.000-08:00

Book Summaries

Bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver returns with her first nonfiction narrative that will open your eyes in a hundred new ways to an old truth: You are what you eat.

"As the U.S. population made an unprecedented mad dash for the Sun Belt, one carload of us paddled against the tide, heading for the Promised Land where water falls from the sky and green stuff grows all around. We were about to begin the adventure of realigning our lives with our food chain.

"Naturally, our first stop was to buy junk food and fossil fuel. . . ."

Hang on for the ride: With characteristic poetry and pluck, Barbara Kingsolver and her family sweep readers along on their journey away from the industrial-food pipeline to a rural life in which they vow to buy only food raised in their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it. Their good-humored search yields surprising discoveries about turkey sex life and overly zealous zucchini plants, en route to a food culture that's better for the neighborhood and also better on the table. Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle makes a passionate case for putting the kitchen back at the center of family life and diversified farms at the center of the American diet.

"This is the story of a year in which we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew . . . and of how our family was changed by our first year of deliberately eating food produced from the same place where we worked, went to school, loved our neighbors, drank the water, and breathed the air."

favorable review

This is a fascinating informative book about food

It is possible to live off the land. The Kingsolver family are proof of that. They grew their own food for a year on a farm in Virginia's Applachian mountains. It only cost 50 cents a meal to feed the Kingsolver family of four for a year, and I found that to be amazing. It is much healthier to eat organic foods which are foods produced without chemicals. This is one of the main ideas of this insightful book. I love Camille's Kingsolver's contributions in this book. She is the college age daughter of the primary author. Camille's reflections about food are thoughtful, and her recipes sound delicious. I loved her essay about how she learned to love asparagus. I learned that asparagus is an excellent source of vitamin C, which I did not know before. There is a recipe in here for an asparagus mushroom bread pudding. I never thought of putting these ingredients together. Another interesting recipe in the book is one for zucchini chocolate chip cookies. The recipe sounds so unusual, I am tempted to try it. The recipe for pumpkin soup and sweet potato quesadillas sound yummy too. Everyone in the Kingsolver family contributed in this local food project. Barbara raised and bred turkeys, while her nine year old daughter raised her own chickens and provided the family with eggs for a year. They even made their own cheese.

I also enjoyed the contributions of Steven L. Hopp in this book. He is a professor who teaches environmental science at Emory and Henry College. His short contributions in the every chapter are very insightful. He really compliments the main text written by Kingsolver. I enjoyed reading his thoughts about the popularity of agricultural education in public schools. This is a fascinating and informative book about food.

critical review

Kind of preachy

I love Barbara Kingsolver's books and was thrilled to hear she had another on the market. Her family leaves Arizona and moved back to Virginia to spend a year living off what they can grow or buy at the local farmer's market? Good deal!

And I certainly did enjoy parts of the book, prticularly the actual discussing the dilemmas of eating locally and how the family got around them. Kingsolver is a wonderful writer, and her talk about vegetables, mushrooms and chickens is far more entertaining than it should by rights be. The recipes that are included sound nice and I plan to try some of them. But the rest of the book I found preachy to the point where it became annoying. I get the point: shop locally, shop at the local farmer's market. I get it, I get it. I'll even do it. I don't need all those extra pages pounding it in.

And I wasn't so impressed with her defense of the tobacco industry, saying it provided a living for a lot of families. Fair enough, but it's sideways logic -- trucking in the strawberries she objects to provides a living wage for truckers and their families too.

In Defense of Food

2008-01-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

By Michael Pollan

Book Summaries

"What to eat, what not to eat, and how to think about health: a manifesto for our times 'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." These simple words go to the heart of Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, the well-considered answers he provides to the questions posed in the bestselling The Omnivore's Dilemma. Humans used to know how to eat well, Pollan argues. But the balanced dietary lessons that were once passed down through generations have been confused, complicated, and distorted by food industry marketers, nutritional scientists, and journalists--all of whom have much to gain from our dietary confusion. As a result, we face today a complex culinary landscape dense with bad advice and foods that are not "real." These "edible foodlike substances" are often packaged with labels bearing health claims that are typically false or misleading. Indeed, real food is fast disappearing from the marketplace, to be replaced by "nutrients," and plain old eating by an obsession with nutrition that is, paradoxically, ruining our health, not to mention our meals. Michael Pollan's sensible and decidedly counterintuitive advice is: "Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food." Writing In Defense of Food, and affirming the joy of eating, Pollan suggests that if we would pay more for better, well-grown food, but buy less of it, we'll benefit ourselves, our communities, and the environment at large. Taking a clear-eyed look at what science does and does not know about the links between diet and health, he proposes a new way to think about the question of what to eat that is informed by ecology and tradition rather than by the prevailing nutrient-by-nutrient approach. In Defense of Food reminds us that, despite the daunting dietary landscape Americans confront in the modern supermarket, the solutions to the current omnivore's dilemma can be found all around us. In looking toward traditional diets the world over, as well as the foods our families--and regions--historically enjoyed, we can recover a more balanced, reasonable, and pleasurable approach to food. Michael Pollan's bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we might start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives and enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy.

The Dangerous Book for Boys

2008-01-19T09:03:00.001-08:00

By Conn Iggulden, Hal Iggulden

Book Summaries

The bestselling book for every boy from eight to eighty, covering essential boyhood skills such as building tree houses, learning how to fish, finding true north, and even answering the age old question of what the big deal with girls is.
In this digital age there is still a place for knots, skimming stones and stories of incredible courage. This book recaptures Sunday afternoons, stimulates curiosity, and makes for great father-son activities. The brothers Conn and Hal have put together a wonderful collection of all things that make being young or young at heart fun—building go-carts and electromagnets, identifying insects and spiders, and flying the world's best paper airplanes.

The completely revised American Edition includes:

The Greatest Paper Airplane in the World
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Five Knots Every Boy Should Know
Stickball
Slingshots
Fossils
Building a Treehouse
Making a Bow and Arrow
Fishing (revised with US Fish)
Timers and Tripwires
Baseball's "Most Valuable Players"
Famous Battles-Including Lexington and Concord, The Alamo, and
Gettysburg
Spies-Codes and Ciphers
Making a Go-Cart
Navajo Code Talkers' Dictionary
Girls
Cloud Formations
The States of the U.S.
Mountains of the U.S.
Navigation
The Declaration of Independence
Skimming Stones
Making a Periscope
The Ten Commandments
Common US Trees
Timeline of American History

The most helpful favorable review

A Breath of Fresh Air

I have been thoroughly enjoying the book, as has my son and thousands of boys (and dads!) in Great Britain and the US. What is it about this book that brings such excitement to so many?

If I had to offer my opinion, I would say that the appeal of this book is that it does not ask any boy to apologize for being a boy. Our culture is infested with the demand that boys forgo their God given call to grow up to be men, largely because we have adopted an unhealthy view of just what a man is. Whether our example be found in Homer Simpson, Ray Romano or the dad on Family Guy, men are portrayed as selfish imbeciles in a large portion of the media. Women are shown to be compassionate and intelligent, and they are usually given the role of the one who fixes the problems created by men. I have no doubt that most women are compassionate and intelligent, but the common negative portrayal of men is presented far too often, and frankly I'm tired of it.

This book has a different take on what it means to be a boy, which is important because boys grow up to be men. From a biblical standpoint, men are meant to lead their families and churches by serving them. Where can you find such a concept on the television? You can't. This is yet another reason to get this book in the hands of a boy and his dad and get them outside to explore the world, whether that be an excursion in the woods or even just in the back yard. But how does this book portray a boy? What ideals are encouraged?

I'm glad you asked.

I simply cannot take this book section by section. There are instructions meant to get a boy started in tying knots, making a bow and arrow, fishing and many other activities. These are expected out of a book about being a boy. But included with such topics are other mini-chapters about the wonders of the world, grammar, historical battles, understanding latitude and longitude (something I never grasped in a classroom), the Declaration of Independence, poetry, Latin phrases, literature the Ten Commandments and also how to talk to girls.

I mention talking to girls last, not because it is the last topic, but because I would like to highlight it for a moment. The first piece of advice about girls is to listen to them. The second is to avoid a long string of nervous jokes by listening to them. I'm sure that my wife wishes I had this book as a child! After this, romance is mentioned. Buying flowers is often not a good idea if you are young, because the girl will know your parents purchased them. I wouldn't have thought of that. Anonymous valentines are a good idea, due to the suspense the girl will have trying to figure out who's eye she has caught. Vulgarity of all forms is to be avoided at all costs. Respect for girls is given the utmost priority.

Is this what is so dangerous about this book? Is it the high value the authors place upon girls or is it the very fact that they say that girls and boys are not identical? Is it the suggestion that every boy should have band-aids available for the inevitable mishap, because our bodies do heal? Or is it the way this book portrays a healthy boy in a way that expresses both a boy's natural desire for adventure and the ideal of respectfulness for others? I really can't say for sure.

If I had to pick one way that this book is considered dangerous and why it has met some opposition, I would say that it is because The Dangerous Book for Boys resonates so well with dads who can only wish such a book was available to them when they were growing up, and because their sons by and large are reveling in the contemplation of spending Sunday afternoons and long summer days with their dads, rediscovering what it means to be a boy with their father acting as the primary instructor.

I give this book my highest praise and encourage every dad to buy it for their sons. If you have a boy, you really need to get this book. If you don't have any boys, I'm sure you know somebody who does.

The most helpful critical review

Poor Adaptation for Americans

I heard the author on NPR recently and was excited to see the book. I am English by birth and thought that the US edition would reflect American history, values and adventurers. In fact, I was highly disappointed because it really doesn't.

There are just way too many British heroes and cultural references. And didn't Roald Amundsen beat Scott to the South Pole anyway? Why on earth would you leave the rules of soccer and rugby in!!? There is no mention of Native American cultures whatsoever, or explorers such as Lewis and Clarke. I am presuming that the editors were in such a rush to get this UK bestseller to the US market they decided to take a chance with a premature launch of this half-baked product. I hate to be so critical of this book when so many people love it, but the publisher (and authors) really missed their opportunity to produce a first-class boys handbook that would stand the test of time - it really would not have been that difficult to do.

I could go on and on about this lack of attention to the cultural biases and faux pas' but I'll stop now. Maybe the Iggulden's and Collins will revise and re-print a more appropriate and interesting version for American readers.

People of the Book

2008-01-16T11:56:00.001-08:00

By Geraldine Brooks

Book Summaries

From the Pulitzer Prizewinning author of March, the journey of a rare illuminated manuscript through centuries of exile and war

In 1996, Hanna Heath, an Australian rare-book expert, is offered the job of a lifetime: analysis and conservation of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, which has been rescued from Serb shelling during the Bosnian war. Priceless and beautiful, the book is one of the earliest Jewish volumes ever to be illuminated with images. When Hanna, a caustic loner with a passion for her work, discovers a series of tiny artifacts in its ancient bindingan insect wing fragment, wine stains, salt crystals, a white hairshe begins to unlock the books mysteries. The reader is ushered into an exquisitely detailed and atmospheric past, tracing the books journey from its salvation back to its creation.

In Bosnia during World War II, a Muslim risks his life to protect it from the Nazis. In the hedonistic salons of fin-de-siècle Vienna, the book becomes a pawn in the struggle against the citys rising anti-Semitism. In inquisition-era Venice, a Catholic priest saves it from burning. In Barcelona in 1492, the scribe who wrote the text sees his family destroyed by the agonies of enforced exile. And in Seville in 1480, the reason for the Haggadahs extraordinary illuminations is finally disclosed. Hannas investigation unexpectedly plunges her into the intrigues of fine art forgers and ultra-nationalist fanatics. Her experiences will test her belief in herself and the man she has come to love.

Inspired by a true story, People of the Book is at once a novel of sweeping historical grandeur and intimate emotional intensity, an ambitious, electrifying work by an acclaimed and beloved author.

The most helpful favorable review

"Book burnings. Always the forerunners. Heralds of the stake, the ovens, the mass graves."

In 1996, as rare book expert Dr. Hanna Heath examines the Sarajevo Haggadah, an illuminated Hebrew manuscript from 15th century Spain, she carefully removes a series of artifacts that, under laboratory examination, will offer insight into the remarkable journey of this unusual text. Having survived the Serb-Bosnian war, the haggadah yields precious clues that allow Hanna to reconstruct the attrition of time: the fragment of an insect wing, an apparent wine stain, a white hair, salt crystals. It requires all of Heath's considerable skills to trace the evidence through the centuries to the book's origin. One of the earliest illuminated Hebrew books to feature figurative art, this haggadah has been repressed by medieval Jews for religious concerns. Perhaps made in mid-4th century Spain, when Jews, Christian and Muslims peacefully coexisted, the manuscript begins its troubled journey in the Spanish Inquisition and expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.

An Australian, Dr. Heath embraces the acerbic wit of her culture, clumsy at the communication skills so easily wielded by others; of a more contemplative nature, she is devoted to the historic value of the volumes she restores. Troubled by a chronic antagonism with her neurosurgeon mother, the young woman has built a life around her work in compensation. Meanwhile, Hannah's romantic curiosity is piqued by the enigmatic man assisting her at the museum in Sarajevo, widower Dr. Ozrem Karaman, his infant son profoundly brain-injured and wife killed in the war's crossfire. Her emotions in turmoil, Hanna's natural impulse is to soothe Ozrem's pain; unfortunately, she cannot forestall the inevitable or alter fate. Hannah turns to her work- for Hanna, books speak to objectifiable history, while feelings are impossible to confine.

The human component of the book's journey brings a particular poignancy to this novel, Hanna's obsession with ancient texts, Ozrem's tragic loss, the passage of the haggadah from hand to hand through years of religious strife, the thoughtful preservation of history's great treasures. The actions of years past speak to the present, a haunting reminder of man's inclination to destroy that which he does not understand.

Extraordinary people drive the story, from Sarajevo to Vienna to Boston, an intense investigation via scientific methods of chaotic times, religious and political unrest. Each era is revealed through the actions of characters circa 1940, 1894 and 1609, the journey of the haggadah and its protectors, the book hidden from those who would obliterate an invaluable artifact: "To be a human being matters more than to be a Jew, a Muslim, Catholic or Orthodox." Time's guardians reach through the years to pass the haggadah from one century to another. Hannah's task is to overcome personal defeats, trust her instincts and evaluate the evidence, so that a new generation may learn from the courage of the old. Luan Gaines/ 2007.

The most helpful critical review

No spoiler here either

This book revolves around a rare book, the Sarajevo Haggadah. The author takes for granted the reader knows the magnitude of this book and its meaning. No suspense or awe is built up and much is lost because of it's not. There are several instances where the reader is alienated and other things are taken for granted. Done in a different order and with it built up this might have been good. My interest waned quickly. In fact, I was downright bored. It's far from a thrill ride.

Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life

2008-01-14T06:49:00.000-08:00

Book Summaries

Bestselling author Cesar Millan takes his principles of dog psychology a step further, showing you how to develop the calm-assertive energy of a successful pack leader and use it to improve your dog’s life–and your own.

Filled with practical tips and techniques as well as real-life success stories from his clients (including the Grogan family, owners of Marley from Marley & Me) and his popular television show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, Cesar helps you understand and read your dog’s energy as well as your own so that you can move beyond just correcting behavioral issues and take your connection with your dog to the next level.

The principles of calm-assertive energy will help you become a better pack leader in every area of your life, improving your relationships with friends, family, and coworkers.

In addition, Cesar addresses several important issues for the first time, including what you need to know about the major dog behavior tools available and the difference between “personality” and “instability.” Ultimately, what emerges from Be the Pack Leader are both happier dogs and happier, more centered owners.

The most helpful favorable review

Another success for Cesar and more wisdom for the rest of us.

Cesar Millan and Melissa Jo Peltier have done it again. In Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar's Way to Transform Your Dog...and Your Life, the dog whisperer and the writer have put their talents together once more to provide dog lovers and owners with a valuable resource. This resource helps us build and maintain a harmonious relationship with a balanced animal and, perhaps, even with each other. In that vein, Cesar speaks to four aspects of human nature that need to be in balance: intellect, emotion, spirituality, and instinct, and how we have lost touch with number four. Developing a balanced relationship with our dog(s) helps us to regain the instinctual side of ourselves buried so deeply within.

In his acknowledgements, Cesar also speaks to the ability of women to impart a calm-assertive influence on the world's inhabitants. That was nice to read. In his introduction, Cesar states that he has continued to learn from dogs and people and has taken to heart the criticisms of his first book. As a result, this book includes easily remembered practical tips for working with dogs and a step-by-step reference (at the end) for specific situations, in addition to more of Cesar's innate wisdom when it comes to dogs and their behavior. (I especially liked the Rudyard Kipling quote near the beginning of the book. Be sure to read it.)

Part I deals with balancing our dogs and Part II deals with balancing ourselves. Cesar presents case studies of the relationship between various dogs and their humans, including that of the Grogan family (bestseller: Marley and Me). Then there's the Tycoon and his seriously out-of-balance dogs, Willy and Kid; and Bob Kettle, a pro who helps domesticated dogs get back in touch with their natural instincts when it comes to snakes...in other words, to stay away from them; and the book's author, Melissa Jo Peltier, makes an appearance as an example of how one's nervous energy can set dogs into a frenzy. As a skilled writer, she was able to describe, in her own words, how she experienced the situation in which she found herself.

There is much to be learned from Cesar's books and his television show, The Dog Whisperer. Those who have been lucky enough to see him in person have an additional dimension in which to experience and appreciate his talents. In the two years I've known of him, several friends and family members have put his methods to work with great success. He has become one of my heroes.

The most helpful critical review

More nonsense from a groomer and the writer for The Roswell Crash: Startling New Evidence

As a professional trainer and one who works with behavior problems day in and day out, I come across a number of clients who are fans of the book and show. Not one of them has been able to create positive change in their dogs' behavior.

Look to books by Patricia McConnell, Nicole Wilde and Jean Donaldson (to name a few) for proven information about dog behavior.

It might make for good tv, but it is unnecessary to frighten and force a dog to get results...yes, even with aggressive dogs.

The Daring Book for Girls

2008-01-06T04:25:00.000-08:00

By Andrea J. Buchanan, Miriam Peskowitz

Book Summaries
The Daring Book for Girls is the manual for everything that girls need to know—and that doesn't mean sewing buttonholes! Whether it's female heroes in history, secret note-passing skills, science projects, friendship bracelets, double dutch, cats cradle, the >>>more

The most helpful favorable review

A wonderful book for young girls (or boys) - you'll love it as much as your kid!

This is the perfect book to share with your daughter/ granddaughter/that special girl you know who is a tween or young teen. It has just the right mix of articles - informative, fun, and stimulating! When the "Dangerous Book for Boys" came out I wished for a version for girls and this book is as good as the one for boys if not better. When you first flip

When you first flip through its pages it will remind you of the time you were her age. You probably read a book almost like this but not quite. I say not quite as this book does a perfect balancing act between skills and general knowledge, between techniques we learned from our grandmothers and the ones that became popular later. It tells you "how to press flowers" but also "five karate moves". "Make your own quill pen" is preceded by "how to change a tire". I remember reading a book almost like this in my childhood. I dearly treasured that book till its pages were yellow and stiff into my college days. I spent many afternoons after school experimenting with the projects. I remember the bitter candy apples I made from a recipe in that book, or the quill pen with which I wrote my "secret language" notes for my friends and this book brought back those memories. With more words than illustrations, the Daring book for Girls will encourage the girl who reads it to use her imagination.

This book will appeal to the "girly-girl" in every girl with the sections like "Palm reading", "Hopscotch", "Princesses today" or "Boys"; to her sense of adventure with articles like "Going to Africa" (short section on each country), "Hiking", "Reading tide charts"; and to the "builder" in her with sections like "Building a campfire", "Tree swings", "Every girl's toolbox". There is a ton of useful information and facts in this book too for those rainy or quiet days - "from French terms of endearment" to "Queens of Ancient world" to "Women Inventors". Sports are covered too - basketball, softball, netball, bowling, playing cards and more.

My daughter was thrilled to get this book. I wasn't sure she'd like it as much as I liked my childhood book. But she began her next project "how to tie a sari" in minutes and over dinner started telling me about the women inventors in the book. We have now designated this book the "mother-daughter time" book. Each weekend, we pick up the book and try something new! What a great antidote to the "Mom, I'm bored" refrain!

Some are activities she can attempt on her own and for others like building the ultimate scooter she will need help as it requires some sawing and drilling. It is a challenge for me too as I've not really attempted to build anything from scratch before. I'm ready with my saw and drill and as excited as her to begin that project!

This book gives just the right kind of stimulation for a younger girl's (or boy's) curious mind and their thirst for new knowledge and skills. This book will also grow with the reader as it gives practical advice and even contains chapters like "Stocks and shares" and "Negotiating salaries." This book is therefore highly recommended and will make a great gift for a 7-14 year old.

The most helpful critical review

The DEMONIC Book for Girls

Conjuring up the spirit of Bloody Mary? Palm reading? Levitation? Summoning spirits? What is this Satanic garbage doing in a book for young girls? Unlike the Dangerous Book for Boys which inspires, educates and entertains this book fails at almost every turn of the page.

Where is the pages on braiding hair, simple recipes, paper dolls, the solar system, geography, history.....THIS BOOK FAILS GIRLS!

Water for Elephants

2008-01-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

by Sara Gruen (Author)

The most helpful favorable review
"In seventy years, I've never told a blessed soul."

Stripped of everything after his parents' untimely death, twenty-three-year old Jacob Jankowski has failed to sit for his veterinary exams at Cornell, left with no home and no future, the country struggling through the Great Depression, bartering in goods instead of money. Hopping a train that by chance belongs to The Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, Jacob hires on to care for the menagerie, his training an entre into this bizarre world; but as the novel begins, Jacob is an old man, restricted to an assisted living home, his memories sparked by a nearby visiting circus and a creeping helplessness that assaults his ageing body: "Age is a terrible thief. Just when you think you're getting the hang of it, it knocks your legs out from under you and stoops your back."

The story is related in the somber tones of the Depression, the hardscrabble and often unscrupulous business of a traveling circus and the heartless despots who make their fortunes on the backs of men who must do anything to survive. Star performer Marlena, an equestrian, is sensitive to the needs of her horses, although her mercurial husband, August, the trainer, is obsessively jealous and given to unspeakable cruelties. Uncle Al, Benzini Brothers circus owner-by-default, is a ruthless businessman who cares little for man or beast, engaged in a quest for fame to rival the great Ringling Brothers. With his advanced training in veterinary medicine, Jacob does his best to protect the animals from their harsh existence, especially Rosie, an elephant purchased to replace Marlena's lead horse. Jacob and Rosie share an affinity for one another, the huge creature at times almost human. Because of his growing affection for Marlena, Jacob suffers August's increasing affronts, caught in a cycle of inevitable violence, certain of a reckoning.

In chapters that move flawlessly back and forth in time, from the rowdy circus atmosphere to the antiseptic corridors of the assisted living home, the world is viewed through Jacob's perspective, as he rages helplessly against the decrepitude of old age and the secrets of the past. In prose both poignant and infinitely tender, Jacob dwells in both worlds, revealing the wounds of the past and the sorrows of the present. In one touching scene, Jacob awaits a family member to escort him to the circus, yearning for the Big Top with every fiber of his being, craving the familiar sights and smells of that pivotal summer of `31, the roustabouts, the kinkers, the rubes, the animals. The denouement is devastating, as inescapable as the indifferent world that turns a blind eye to the vagrants of the 30's. Yet Jacob's spirit retains the essence of his kind nature and a respect for others, a man who will not be broken by circumstances. All is redeemed in a coup d'grace that will leave the reader strangely satisfied and richer for having met this raggedy tribe of miscreants and lost souls. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

The most helpful critical review

Basically a Question of Taste

On the simplest level, all I can say is that it didn't amuse me and I couldn't force myself to finish it. But I'm a "hard sell" for fiction, and I can see by the other reviews that many people loved it. Lucky them! On a slightly more analytic level, I'd say that what prevented me from enjoying the book was the "voice" of the narrator, who is supposed to be a man in his nineties remembering his youth in the circus. I'm a man approaching seventy, with some circus experiences as a teenager in Iowa and as the father of a circus acrobat in the Cirque de Soleil era. I found the "voice" of the narrator unconvincing, extremely unconvincing, as a male of the species and as a male American of the 1930s and 1940s. I couldn't get past that central implausibility. I found myself scoffing at the sensibilities of the pseudo-male narrator at every emotional turn of this quite melodramatic novel.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time

2008-01-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

by Greg Mortenson (Author), David Oliver Relin (Author)

The most helpful favorable review

A blueprint for making a difference

After four trips over the past three years to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, and after founding Kashmir Family Aid (www.kashmirfamily.org) to aid victims of the Oct 8, 2005 earthquake, I whole-heartedly endorse Greg Mortenson and his work. This book adds new life to the over-wraught dictum that "one CAN make a difference." Beyond that, if one wants to truly get inside the rural Pakistani's heart and soul, this is mandatory reading.

My personal experience has been that once I met these people (and yes, had tea with them in their tiny homes, or in the quake region, in their tents), it was difficult to want to leave to return to the West. It's a hard thing to explain but Mortenson's book will absolutely do the job. A powerful thread within his story: It would be impossible not to love these people after getting to know them one-on one.

These remote village people are simple, strong and proud. Their lives are spent nurturing their families and working hard in a politically and environmentally tortured region. BUY THE BOOK, get inside the people of this place and then send Greg Mortenson your donation.

The most helpful critical review

An inspiring story, told poorly

Greg Mortenson's story of a failed attempt at summiting K2 and a later success at transforming and impacting the lives of thousands of Pakistani children through the construction of schools is inspiring, touching and heroic. On the basis of the story alone, I would give it 5 stars. It is unfortunate, therefore, that it is told so poorly by David Relin, whose writing was so problematic that I can only give the book 3.

Moretnson's trials, obstacles and his perseverence in overcoming these challenges to realize his dream of building (initally only one, later 23) schools in the remote regions of Pakistan is magnificent; a man of lesser toughness, integrity, temperment and stuborness certainly would have given up in the face of so many setbacks: financial as he sought to raise monies, personal as his quest took a toll on his personal life, and political, as Pakistanis, mujahadeen, and later, Americans sought to distract or derail his noble work. If you can get past the pained and sometimes overdone writing, these are the gems of the story. It seems many can overlook this shortcoming given the power of Mortenson's deeds. I could not.

Sadly, it took a lot of effort for me to look past the sophmoric writing, which I found to be a distraction from enjoying the larger plot. As other reviewers have noted, describing Mortenson in the third person ("Mortenson settled back into the passenger seat, a place of honor ...") seems odd when reading non-fiction. I can forgive this; it was the style of the prose that set my teeth on edge. Referring to the mountainous terrain as "celestial rocks", "great brown crenulated walls" and how the "Karkoram knifed relentlessly into the a defensless blue sky" demoted the very real contributions Mortenson was making by writing in a pulp-fiction style. Don't misunderstand me - I love my fiction - but this style of writing is very out of place here. I also didn't care for the minutae provided for every individual Mortenson came across as he relentlessly worked to get his school off the ground. A little background information is helpful, even appropriate, but Relin detracted from the larger issue of what Mortenson was doing by giving a biopic of so many people that, in the end, had only a cursory role in the project.

These criticisms aside, the analysis of how Pakistan (and Islamic central Asia) was transformed by the creation and introduction of madrasas in the late 1990's and early millenium, the political, social and religious tightrope that Mortenson sucessfully navigated, and the remarkable descriptions of tribal culture, customs and rituals were magnificent. One cannot but think that the work that Mortenson has done (and continues to do) is what we as a nation need to do in order to foster understanding, build lasting relationships and successfully address the conflict we face in that part of the world.

As Mortenson said, "The only way we can defeat terrorism is if people in this country (Pakistan) where terrorists exist learn to respect and love Americans, and if we can respect and love these people here. What's the difference between them becoming a productive local citizen or a terrorist? I think the key is education." I agree.

Mortenson's story is remarkable, and needs to be told. It is unfortunate that it was told in the manner it is here. Tighter editing (or perhaps a different ghost writer) would have done much to do his story justice. Nonetheless it is inspiring, informative and moving. Recommended.

For One More Day Book

2007-12-31T19:35:00.000-08:00

For One More Day

by Mitch Albom (Author)

The most helpful favorable review

To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die

Mitch Albom pays homage to all mothers with this novel that beautifully shows the enduring power of a mother's love, a love so strong it can transcend even death. The moral of the story is not particularly original and not even handled in a unique way. But, grab the hankies and prepare to spend several hours reminiscing along with Chick Benetto about the things you wish you had done better with your own mother. Chick Benetto has hit rock bottom---divorced, alcoholic, has-been baseball player, and now comes the ultimate slap-in-the-face---his beloved daughter does not invite him to her wedding. After being shut out of the biggest day in his only child's life, Chick sees no point in continuing his miserable life and attempts suicide. But for his suicide he is drawn once again to Pepperville Beach, to the modest home where he grew up with his mom, dad, and sister. That is, until his dad deserted the family and life changed dramatically. The surprise for Chick is that his mom is still in the house. Intellectually, he knows she died ten years ago but here she is---cooking his food, sharing stories, giving advice. The reader learns about all the times Chick's mom stood up for him and all the times he let her down. The writing is smooth and poignant, the memories both joyful and sad. If you have lost your own parents, the words will be doubly sad. But Chick has been given a very special gift: he learns that when someone is in your heart, they're never truly gone and they can come back to you, even at unlikely times. Chick has the unheard of luxury of being able to spend just one more day with his mother, having the chance to ask questions about things that have bothered him, finding out at last why his father left, and much more. How does it happen? Is this just another ghost story or a religious experience for non-believers? I think I shed the most tears when I realized at novel's end who was telling the story. I think sentimental readers will find this one enjoyable and uplifting. So take it for what it is, a nostalgic trip back to childhood, that period of time that never lets you go, even when you're so wrecked it's hard to believe you ever were a child.

The most helpful critical review

A shovel-full of sugar, makes the messages go down...

Not that you won't find yourself choking-up, from time-to-time, along the way. In any case, during the few instances when you are able to suppress your gag-reflex, you may find that candy-coated death may be the most apt description of "For One More Day." Even for those of us with an occasional literary sweet-tooth, there comes a point when we must ask ourselves if our indulgences are really worth having to endure root canal-- which is just what we experience via Mr. Albom's pen. At it's heart, "For One More Day" is a rip-off of the basic premise of Thorton Wilder's play "Our Town," dumbed down in it's slender existential musings, and amped up in its elevator-quality Muzak. In addition to Lifetime Channel caliber melodrama, it also features such Hallmark worthy philosophical insights as the importance making the most of every day, living life to the fullest, being in the moment, and saying I love you. Deep stuff. As far as plot and characters go, I realize I'm being vague here, but that's because neither left any lasting impression. To end on a note of praise, though, in its depictions of an afterlife, "For One More Day" is not altogether far-fetched. Having slogged through it, I believe I now have a much more accurate idea of what purgatory must be like.

Cross Book

2007-12-31T19:02:00.000-08:00

Cross

by James Patterson (Author)

The most helpful favorable review

Absolutely stupendous...

By Robert Busko

I know why James Patterson is such a success and so will you when you read Cross, the latest Alex Cross novel. I came late to the series and have struggled to get caught up and I will eventually read the entire backlist. However, whether you're a old Patterson fan or Cross is you're first Patterson book, you're in for a treat. Suspensful, fast paced, and well crafted with little or no fat between the pages, Cross grabs your attention and holds it for the entire story. While Cross may be a little graphic for some readers, certainly the violence isn't gratuitous but an integral and necessary part of the story. And if you're used to Patterson's stories theres nothing here that will surprise you. Alex Cross has decided to put down his career and retire to just being a Dad. This decision doesn't last long however when he's asked to help nab Michael Sullivan, one of the worst serial rapists and professional killers to come a long in a while. Playing a game of "red light green light" Sullivan manages to lull his victims into a false sense of security. After he's finished with them all he has to do is show them pictures of some of his victims, a scalpel and that's that; end of discussion. Cross quickly links his wife's murder 13 years ago to Sullivan. At 393 pages you should be able to handle this book in a weekend if you haven't any interuptions. A terrific and memorable read.

The most helpful critical review

Like eating a bag of candy...

By Cynthia K. Robertson

Reading James Patterson is a lot like eating a bag of candy: you know it's empty calories and is not necessarily healthy for you, but you can't put it down. Patterson's latest book, Cross, is a little better than some in his Alex Cross series. But we're not talking serious mystery writing here. Maria Cross, Alex's wife, was shot and killed ten years ago and her death still haunts Cross. He regrets that he was never able to solve her murder and this prevents him from receiving any kind of closure. Before she died, Maria was counseling a woman who was raped and scared enough of her attacker that she never would reveal any information about him. Ten years later, the Metro Police see a pattern and discover that a serial rapist and murderer is at work. Cross is called in on the case (even though he no longer works for the police force)--not just because of his expertise but also, to help avenge his wife's death. The murderer, The Butcher, is just about the most evil man to walk to earth and for him, this is a game. For Cross, catching The Butcher is a matter of life and death and revenge. In Cross, Patterson fleshes out things just a little more than usual. We learn more about Maria and the circumstances surrounding her death. Cross decides that he needs to make some major changes in his life, which will take him full-circle. Also, just when you think that you've figured everything out, Patterson provides a tasty twist at the end that will come as a complete surprise. So I will continue to read James Patterson, even though they're light and fluffy. I just recommend that you read them in order so that you'll know what's happening in Cross' person life.

World Without End

2007-12-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

World Without End (Hardcover)

by Ken Follett (Author)

Review of World Without End Book

The most helpful favorable review

Well worth the wait ! ! ! ! !

By Lesley West

I am a big fan of Ken Follett, and admire that he moves in a seemingly effortless manner between genres. However, his best work is found in the "great historical novel", and he has delivered handsomely with this latest effort. This is being touted as a sequel to "The Pillars of the Earth" which is true enough, but it is also a little misleading, as it is set 200 years after the tales told in that magnificent novel, and as such can definitely be read as a stand alone novel. Having said that though, if you haven't read "Pillars of the Earth" - do - it is magnificent! Knowledge of this wonderful earlier work will be helpful, as there is reference to characters from that time and being familiar with their adventures certainly gives you some insight into what is happening at the time, but if you are new to Follett's work, please don't let this put you off. He mentions enough of the earlier characters (without being boring to those readers who know the book SO well)for any new reader to have an idea of what has happened before. The tale seems simple enough - 4 very different young people witness a fight in the forrest which leads to death and the hiding of a great secret, and this reverberates through their lives for years to come. What is not simple enough is the detail that goes in to these character's lives - they are all wonderful in their own different ways, and we can all feel that we can see the world they live in, taste their food, smell the odours of their environment and rejoice and mourn as they do. Follett is also the master of understanding how humans think; how they plot and scheme, and how the whims of fate can change a life that seems completely planned and organised. And all of this in a magnificent medieval setting with court intrigue, pious devotion, illness and the whims of nature! What more could you want? If you like a good hefty historical novel with a great plot, detailed environment and well drawn and very engaging characters, you will NOT be disappointed. It is wonderful and I recommend it highly.

The most helpful critical review

Book Without End

By J. Fuchs

The only reason I finished this book was that the time period facinates me and I was curious to see if I could figure out why everything in Follett's novel was so uninspiring. Here are the major problems:

1. Follett has obviously done his research on the period, other than the language, but he lets it take center stage, to the detriment of his characters. It feels like he created a list of stock items from the middle ages and checked them off as he went along -- horny bishop: check; power-hungry priest: check; lesbian nun: check; lord of the manor who thinks his serfs don't matter as humans: check; black death: check; etc., etc., etc. He even brings in the flagellants, for no apparent reason, even though they really didn't exist to any significant degree in England. Most of it doesn't advance or have anything to do with the story -- it's just there so that he can get in everything having to do with the 14th century.

2. The characters don't feel like real people. It is possible to set a book in this time period and put characters in it that seem to live and breathe and make you care about them. Connie Willis' The Doomsday Book does this really well. When her characters die, you cry. Follett's main characters all miraculously survive the horrors of the century, and it's only the peripheral characters who die. Yet you don't feel their pain or their triumphs or anything much. They just don't seem real.

Playing For Pizza

2007-12-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

Playing For Pizza: A Novel (Hardcover)

by John Grisham (Author)

Review about Playing For Pizza

The most helpful favorable review
Not the typical Grisham fare

By Lizz A. Belle "lizzabelle, English major extrodanaire"

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Yes, it is a departure from Grisham's usual legal thrillers but those were getting quite boring in my opinion. Same stuff, different book. I think the writing of this novel was very well done, Grisham creates very likeable characters who I found myself rooting for on each and every game day, sometimes even skipping ahead to see if they won. The main character of Rick Dockery goes through the usual motions of self discovery after a huge letdown but I still was on his side. I did find the football plays terribly confusing to read but I do not profess a lot of familiarity with the "Xs and Os" as Grisham calls them. This book is a quick read and enjoyable but I would not recommend purchasing it unless you really really really love John Grisham.

The most helpful critical review

More Vespa than Ferrari

By Eric Wilson "novelist"

Known and loved for his legal thrillers, John Grisham has managed to break free from expectations with whimsical novels such as "Skipping Christmas" and "Bleachers." He delved into literary writing with "A Painted House," and wrote a decent if a bit dry non-fiction work. I've enjoyed each of these departures for different reasons and in varying degrees

"Playing for Pizza" captured my interest with its continental flair and themes of failure and commitment. Rick Dockery, formerly and ignobly of the NFL, has escaped to Parma, Italy, where he can play for pizza and a pittance, while avoiding the troubles back home. Along the way, he discovers a few things about himself. As I started the book, I thought it might pull together all the pieces and give us a great Italian meal--humor, pathos, wisdom, and history in a fine recipe. I was wrong. Though this modern tale gives nice insights into Italian architecture and cuisine, it is short on humor, and the wisdom is diluted by Rick's incessant selfishness and bland approach to many things. It's hard to believe an emotional and physical slacker such as this could've ever made it to the NFL in the first place. Even in conclusion, he resolves very few of his own issues back home, and instead continues to escape from them. I kept wanting to like him. I kept wanting to like the book. But even the women he picks for relationships are shallow or weak. As usual, Grisham's writing moves at a fast clip. The book is--thankfully--not long. It's worth a few hours for those who love anything Grisham writes, and it has its satisfying moments. Overall, though, this is more spaghetti than cannoli, more Vespa than Ferrari.