This mystery novel is set in Japan some 300 years ago and involves Sano Ichiro, a high ranking Japanese official. The story involves the death of the This mystery novel is set in Japan some 300 years ago and involves Sano Ichiro, a high ranking Japanese official. The story involves the death of the Shogun's daughter and the resulting search for her killer. While trying to solve the murder of the daughter, Sano is accused of setting fire to the home of the Shogun's heir who reportedly dies in a fire. Sano is falsely arrested for killing the heir and he and his family are sentenced to die. Sano and his family must find the real murderers in order to save their own lives.
This is my first time reading a novel in the Sano Ichiro mystery series and I found it fascinating. I would recommend it to anyone who loves historical mysteries....more
Set in Korea, this novel tells the story of the disappearance of the mother of the family and is told from the point of view of the older daughter, olSet in Korea, this novel tells the story of the disappearance of the mother of the family and is told from the point of view of the older daughter, oldest son, the husband and the mother herself. The story provides insight into families and how we often hurt and ignore each other. In the beginning, I was somewhat turned off by the older daughter talking in the second person. Once I was beyond this, I found the story fascinating and highly recommend this novel. ...more
A fantastic book about the early days of Nike. Phil Knight started Blue Ribbon in 1962 as a partnership between his college track and field coach and A fantastic book about the early days of Nike. Phil Knight started Blue Ribbon in 1962 as a partnership between his college track and field coach and himself. Both invested $500. Knight had a contract with a Japanese shoe manufacturer to sell their shoes in the United States. With an MBA from Stanford, Knight could easily have worked in any large company but his love was running shoes. Shoe Dog is the name given to anyone who loves shoes.
With self-deprecating humor, Knight tells the struggles and the successes of the first 18 years of Nike. He talks about how he almost lost the contract to sell the Japanese shoes and how that same company attempted to buy his company. He tells of the cash flow problems that he faced every year and how his bank reached a point in the relationship where they refused to loan him anymore money even when he had millions of dollars in sales. He shares how lousy of a manager of people he was as well of the stories of how the first employees were hired. These employees built the company with him and ultimately became millionaires.
The book ends when Knight takes Nike public in 1980. He closes the book with one final very personal chapter where he covers the remaining 25+ years. Particularly touching is the story of the death of his oldest son and how he failed him as a father.
This book is a must read for all business people as well as entrepreneurs, runners and anyone who has bought Nike shoes. Knight shares the personnel sacrifice it takes to build a very successful company. ...more
I picked up this book after reading a biography of Eisenhower hoping to gain a better understanding of Eisenhower's role in World War II. UnfortunatelI picked up this book after reading a biography of Eisenhower hoping to gain a better understanding of Eisenhower's role in World War II. Unfortunately, the title is misleading. Niall Barr attempts to document the relationship between the British military and the American military beginning with the interactions prior to the American Revolution. The last 2/3 of the book focused on World War II.
Niall Barr has spent a lot of time obviously researching the relationship between the two militaries but he puts too much of his research into the book. At times I found it boring and too detailed. He could have left out half the material and still drove his message home. I felt there was too much coverage of the various battles. (Then again, this is the first book of history about a war that I have read. If they are all like this, I won't be reading another.)
Given what I have read in this book and in the Eisenhower biography, I am amazed that the Allies even won the war. The Allies made a number of key blunders, but still managed to overcome the Germans.
The message I take from the book is that building a working relationship between two very different organizations is very difficult but it can be done. Victory came as a result of the Allies being able to work together despite their differences and their mistakes.
Business leaders who acquire or merge with other businesses should read this book to understand how difficult it is to blend different cultures.
Niall Barr is British and I think he has read more British history than American, but he is fair in his analysis. He shares both the negative and positive on both sides....more
I have been a fan of the work of Kurt Vonnegut for over 40 years. My favorite book of his is Cat's Cradle. I also heard Vonnegut speak in the 1980s whI have been a fan of the work of Kurt Vonnegut for over 40 years. My favorite book of his is Cat's Cradle. I also heard Vonnegut speak in the 1980s while I was living in the Indianapolis area. I read Slaughterhouse-Five while in college shortly after it came out. I don't remember that the book impressed me that much at the time. And now I understand why: the book is not a linear narrative. It jumps back and forth in time as well as place. It involves space travel, war and eye glasses. While I loved science fiction, this did not seem like science fiction.
So, all these years later, I decided to listen to Slaughterhouse-Five and loved it. The voice of Ethan Hawke set the tone for the book and allowed me to better appreciate the non-linear narrative. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Sometimes listening to a story is even better than reading it....more
I read three of Tom Robbins novels back in the 1970's and 80's so I found this memoir humorous and engaging. Robbins is a master of the metaphor and tI read three of Tom Robbins novels back in the 1970's and 80's so I found this memoir humorous and engaging. Robbins is a master of the metaphor and the language. I laughed my way through this book and am glad that Robbins wrote it. I listened to it and believe the humor was even stronger because I heard the words spoken. I recommend it to those who love to laugh and who love the work of Tom Robbins....more
I did not grow up a Bob Hope fan — not because I didn't like him but because we did not have a TV in our house and rarely went to movies. Hope was by I did not grow up a Bob Hope fan — not because I didn't like him but because we did not have a TV in our house and rarely went to movies. Hope was by all rights a significant and important entertainer during the 20th century. He could make people laugh and make them feel better about their lives, even soldiers in the midst of war.
Hope was a successful entertainer in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio, on television, in movies and at live concerts. He spent his life making people smile.
Yet, Bob Hope did not know when to quit. He kept working long after his ability and skills had disappeared because of aging frailties such as loss of hear and sight. In the end, he became a foolish buffoon at 100 years of age.
Hope was also a womanizer with many affairs and one-night stands. Yet, he remained married to his wife his entire life.
I found the biography to be repetitious and boring in several places. It is a litany of each of his appearances, TV shows, movies, Broadway roles, and radio shows. Also, I learned very little of the man himself. The author claims that Hope was very shallow person who did not analyze or reflect on his life.
Another fantastic novel by Joyce Carol Oates. She has the ability to create a realistic fictional world that feels right out of the pages of life. I wAnother fantastic novel by Joyce Carol Oates. She has the ability to create a realistic fictional world that feels right out of the pages of life. I would highly recommend that you listen to the reading of this story by multiple actors. This book provides a serious look at racism in America through fiction. Everyone should read this book....more
During the first half of the 20th century, the American government at various local and state levels authorized the sterilization of thousands of AmerDuring the first half of the 20th century, the American government at various local and state levels authorized the sterilization of thousands of Americans. This book tells the horrific story of the American Eugenics movement and the attempt by progressives to purify the American bloodlines by removing feeble-minded individuals and people with epilepsy through sterilization. The core of the book traces the history of the passing of a sterilization law in Virginia and the individuals who worked to ensure that Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the law was constitutional.
Hitler and the Nazis used the work of the American Eugenics movement and the Supreme Court ruling on the Carrie Buck case to plan their own genocide and the elimination of the Jews. The Supreme Court decision was used to defend their war crimes during the Nuremberg trials.
The book also addresses the immigration law of 1924 which restricted the immigration of Italians and other southern European people in favor of immigrants from northern Europe.
Unfortunately, this book should have been a magazine article instead of a book. Too much of the book is repetitious and the author pads the story by adding short biographical information of the key players. I recommend that you read the first two chapters and maybe the last two. Skim the rest of the book if you wish....more
We listened to this book as a family on our trip to the East coast. The story is about the adventures of a young boy during an Upward-Bound type of prWe listened to this book as a family on our trip to the East coast. The story is about the adventures of a young boy during an Upward-Bound type of program. Full of humor. My eight-year-old daughter and I enjoyed it....more
My wife and I listened to this book on our 2,000 mile trip to the east coast. My guess is that Hillary Clinton is a introvert and Bill is an extrovertMy wife and I listened to this book on our 2,000 mile trip to the east coast. My guess is that Hillary Clinton is a introvert and Bill is an extrovert. Bill is energized by people and Hillary is drained. For me, this is only explanation as to why so many people hate her. She has learned to overcome some of her shyness, but people don't seem to warm up to her easily. After listening to this book, I find Hillary to be a warm, caring individual committed to helping others.
Hillary tells the story of her mother and father and how her mother was raised by her grandmother. Her father was raised in Scranton, PA but escaped to Chicago as fast as he could. Hillary came of age when women had more opportunities to go to college. She tells the stories of her college years, meeting Bill and her time in Little Rock, AK. Much of the book is her experiences in the White House and her campaign to be the New York senator.
I think everyone should read this book with an open mind before they vote in the 2016 election. ...more
This is a fascinating book about two men who worked together for eight years and maintained a relationship for another decade. Ike tried in 1952 and 1This is a fascinating book about two men who worked together for eight years and maintained a relationship for another decade. Ike tried in 1952 and 1956 to dump Nixon from the Republican ticket but ultimately failed. Ike often assigned Dick to do his dirty work and when Ike was ill Nixon along with the cabinet held the fort down. Like any marriage, the pair had their good times and bad times. Each felt injured or hurt by the other. Nixon used Eisenhower as his sounding board during his political campaigns and often sought his opinion. The two families were forever entwined with the marriage of Nixon's daughter, Julia, to Eisenhower's grandson, David. I am surprised that other authors have not explored the relationship between Presidents and their VPs. I recommend the book to those who love history and biographies....more
An excellent memoir by the grandson of General Dwight D. Eisenhower about the last years of President Eisenhower's life and his relationship with his An excellent memoir by the grandson of General Dwight D. Eisenhower about the last years of President Eisenhower's life and his relationship with his grandson. I found it interesting that Lyndon Johnson relied for Eisenhower for support and council and that he spent considerable time visiting Eisenhower in the hospital in 1968 and 1969. The books is based on David's memories and the interviews with many people who knew his grandfather. This is the first book that I have read about the life of Dwight D. Eisenhower and I found it a valuable introduction....more
This is a very unusual book because of the style in which it is written: first person plural. Julie Otsuka tells the story of the Japanese picture briThis is a very unusual book because of the style in which it is written: first person plural. Julie Otsuka tells the story of the Japanese picture brides who left Japan by boat to come to American where they married Japanese men. Life was not as they imagined or pictured it would be. The first part of the story tells their thoughts and dreams aboard the ship that brought them across the water, their meeting of their husbands, and their surprise and disappointments. The story continues through their lives with their husbands and the births and raising of their children. The book closes with the coming of World War II and the uprooting of the Japanese from their homes because government leaders were worried that they were spies for Japan. In telling the story, Otsuka uses the first person plural to give the reader a sense of the group as a whole not as individuals. What moves the story forward is the variety of the experiences within the group. In a sense this group of women and their experiences is the main and only character in the story. The other unusual characteristic in the telling of the story is that is primarily made of lists. Some of us did this... Some of us did that... Some readers may find this style of storytelling to be boring and difficult to read. I listened to the audio version and found it to be very poetic. The lists pile on top of each other and move the story forward. If you choose to read this powerful moving book, I recommend that you listen to the audio version. ...more
This book is Condoleezza Rice's love poem to her mother and father. She tells the story of a very supportive mother and father who sacrificed to give This book is Condoleezza Rice's love poem to her mother and father. She tells the story of a very supportive mother and father who sacrificed to give her opportunities she had. Condi grew up in a family of teachers and preachers in Birmingham, AL, during segregated 50's and 60's. One of her friends was killed in the 1963 church bombing. Both of her parents were college educated and strong believers in education.
Her father, John Wesley Rice, was a Republican because the Democrats in Alabama refused to register him to vote, but a Republican did.
This memoir, written after her experience as Secretary of State under George W. Bush, tells her childhood story through her college years, her acceptance as a professor at Stanford, her mother's death, and her years as Provost at Stanford University. The book closes with the death of her father and Condi moving to Washington D.C. in 2001 as the National Security Advisor to George W. Bush.
I highly recommend the book because of the powerful love story between parents and a child that it tells. The warmth and humanity of the book touched my heart....more
When Richard Nixon lost the 1960 Presidential election to John F. Kennedy, I was eleven years old and barely aware of politics. When Nixon won the 196When Richard Nixon lost the 1960 Presidential election to John F. Kennedy, I was eleven years old and barely aware of politics. When Nixon won the 1968 election, I was in Jamaica as a college student and read very little news about the election campaign. Nine months earlier I had been knee deep in politics campaigning for Eugene McCarthy in Wisconsin. I even went Clean for Gene by shaving my beard. 1968 was a troubled year. Martin Luther King was shot in Memphis, TN and Bobby Kennedy was shot in LA. Mayor Richard Daley had his thugs beat up the hippies at the Democratic convention in Chicago. When Nixon resigned from office in August of 1974, I was married and studying for my Master's degree in theatre.
What I did not know until I read this book was that Nixon's actions helped to destroy the economy of the Midwest in the 1970's and 1980's. Nixon was a consummate politician who knew very little of economics. He proceeded to sever the dollar's connection to the gold standard, knowing it would bring about inflation. He also irritated the Arabs with his support of Israel during the 1973 war. This led to retaliation by OPEC and the oil embargo which helped to increase inflation as well.
Evan Thomas in this excellent biography is focused on emotional and psychological nature of Nixon. I learned that Nixon was very shy and uncomfortable around people. He avoided confrontation and held grudges against those who had done him wrong. He had an inferiority complex and had a love-hate relationship with those he perceived to be a part of the east coast establishment, especially the Kennedy clan. Nixon was not very self-aware. He did not like to focus on the past. He preferred to look to the future.
Nixon was very loving and kind with his immediate family — his wife and daughters. He seemed to compartmentalize his life, behaving one way with his family and another in the world of politics. He was driven to succeed at all costs. Like many of us, Nixon had multiple facets to his personality. One minute he could be kind and supportive and the next yelling and cursing. His closest aides learned not to take him seriously when he went on a rampage. They often ignored his commands. Yet, he was very supportive of the underdog. When the Democratic Vice-President candidate, Thomas Eagleton, was forced out the presidential race in 1972 because of his treatment for depression, Nixon wrote a very kind letter to Eagleton's son.
I decided to read this book because I read where Bill Gates recommend it because it was one of the more balanced biographies of Nixon. And while I have not read any other biographies of Nixon, I would highly recommend this one to anyone interested in Nixon and the time period of the 1950's through 1970's. Evan Thomas tells us both the negative and the positive about the life of Nixon.
I was inspired by Allen Barra's book on Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle to read this one on Yogi Berra. As a St. Louis Cardinal fan, I never had much inI was inspired by Allen Barra's book on Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle to read this one on Yogi Berra. As a St. Louis Cardinal fan, I never had much interest in the NY Yankees, but I found this biography of Yogi to be fascinating. Yogi's career was coming to an end when I became interested in baseball as a child. Unlike many athlete heroes, Yogi appears to have few personal flaws. Growing up in an Italian neighborhood of St. Louis, he hoped to play for the Cardinals, but when he was offered only a $250 sign on bonus he refused because it was less than the $500 paid to his friend, Joe Garagiola. Yogi was the inspiration for the cartoon character, Yogi Bear. I recommend this book to baseball fans, Yankee fans and Yogi fans....more
This book is the author's love letter to two of his favorite baseball players: Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. Allen Barra grew up in New York while MiThis book is the author's love letter to two of his favorite baseball players: Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. Allen Barra grew up in New York while Mickey and Willie were playing there. As a sports writer he had the opportunity to interview both players over the years. The careers of both Willie and Mickey began almost at the same time. Barra traces their lives and their careers. He examines the legends and stories that grew up around each man and either confirms the truth of the legend or debunks it. He does not whitewash the flaws and weaknesses of each man including Mickey's drinking and womanizing. Barra has obviously done a lot of reading and research to produce this book. He examines statistics and games in comparing the two men.
Mickey Mantle, who played for the New York Yankees, was booed much of his career by the New York fans as a draft dodger. During the Korean War, Mickey was given 4F status because of a disease he had. The fans did not understand and called him a draft dodger. They also booed him because he was not Joe Dimaggio. Willie Mays, playing for the New York Giants, was loved by the fans of New York. When the Giants moved to San Francisco, Mays for the first time in his career was booed by the San Francisco fans in part because he was not Joe Dimaggio.
Mantle grew up poor in Oklahoma. Mays grew up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama. For both men, baseball was the way out of poverty. Their fathers were major factors in their development as players, pushing them to be the best they could be.
Growing up in central Illinois in the 50's and 60's as a St. Louis Cardinal fan, I knew of both Mays and Mantle. I found this book fascinating and rich in detail. It may have too many statistics for some people. I would recommend the book to any fans of Mays, Mantle or baseball....more
After listening to the audio book by Hillary Clinton on her experience as Secretary of State, I decided to follow it with No Higher Honor by CondoleezAfter listening to the audio book by Hillary Clinton on her experience as Secretary of State, I decided to follow it with No Higher Honor by Condoleezza Rice, her predecessor. The books are in many ways very similar both in the telling and in the stories being told. Like I was not a Clinton fan prior to reading her book, Hard Choices, I am not a George Bush fan either. In fact, I have very negative views of his conduct of the wars during his administration, but I feel it is very important to keep an open mind and to listen to what they have to say. One does not have to agree with someone to appreciate what he has to say.
Rice tells a very powerful story about her 8 years of experience in the Bush Administration as the National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State. She was introduced to George W. by his father whom she had served under during his administration. Rice consistently defends the George W. and his decisions. His administration was deeply influenced by the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. She discusses the fear that permeated the administration in the months and years that followed the attacks. The way the Administration saw the world was colored by that fear. While Rice admits making mistakes in her positions, she does not voice any negative feelings toward George W. She is less positive about Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld with whom she experienced major disagreements, although one has to read between the lines to gain a sense of the conflict.
Rice grew up in the segregated Birmingham, Alabama. She tells the story of how one of her kindergarten friends was killed during the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham.
One of my favorite anecdotes was during a trip to Rome for the funeral of the pope. She was sitting between George W. and Bill Clinton. She said Bill talked all the time and George did not talk. The story, I believe, is very telling about the differences between the two men.
Rice did her own recording of the book so one hears the story in her voice. I would highly recommend the book to anyone interested in politics, history and the international world. The book offers more of the story than one finds in the newspapers and on television. And I would also recommend that one reads it in conjunction with Hillary Clinton's book on her experiences. Hillary opens her book with the letter she received from Condoleezza. A part of me wishes that Rice had chosen to run for President and that she and Hillary would have had an opportunity to campaign against each other....more