I didn't care much for Jeff Greenfield's 43*:When Gore Beat Bush - A Political Fable. I realized it was a complete work of fiction, but wish the authoI didn't care much for Jeff Greenfield's 43*:When Gore Beat Bush - A Political Fable. I realized it was a complete work of fiction, but wish the author had put the afterward, or at least parts of it, at the began, as a preface. I didn't agree that things might work out the way the author presented it and wondered if he had any notes to back up his theory of the potential play out had Gore beat Bush. Several things, he felt would have played out the same as Bush. I disagree. Would have liked for him to touch on how energy and global warming topics might have played out more, rather than to completely focus on Al Qaeda and 9/11.
Merged review:
I didn't care much for Jeff Greenfield's 43*:When Gore Beat Bush - A Political Fable. I realized it was a complete work of fiction, but wish the author had put the afterward, or at least parts of it, at the began, as a preface. I didn't agree that things might work out the way the author presented it and wondered if he had any notes to back up his theory of the potential play out had Gore beat Bush. Several things, he felt would have played out the same as Bush. I disagree. Would have liked for him to touch on how energy and global warming topics might have played out more, rather than to completely focus on Al Qaeda and 9/11....more
I thoroughly enjoyed Teresa R. Funke's Remember Wake. It was a part of WWII (or any war for the matter) that I have not read/researched much about. ThI thoroughly enjoyed Teresa R. Funke's Remember Wake. It was a part of WWII (or any war for the matter) that I have not read/researched much about. The story revolves around Colin and Maggie, a young couple engaged to be married. Just before the war, Colin decides to take a short term job on Wake Island in the pacific to save money for their new life together. Based on a true story, Colin's story takes us to Wake Island during Pearl Harbor and the taking of the island by Japanese forces. We see life through his eyes as a Japanese POW. Maggie's story takes us through life back home, not knowing what has become of her beloved. Great insight into little known parts of the war and a great romance to boot....more
Lee Child's Deep Down is a Jack Reacher short story. I didn't enjoy this as much as his other Jack Reacher short story. It is pretty typical of his wrLee Child's Deep Down is a Jack Reacher short story. I didn't enjoy this as much as his other Jack Reacher short story. It is pretty typical of his writing....more
Dancing in Combat Boots is one of Teresa R. Funke's adult center books. This is a series of short stories about women living during World War II and hDancing in Combat Boots is one of Teresa R. Funke's adult center books. This is a series of short stories about women living during World War II and how the war has affected their lives. From women in WAC, serving in Red Cross, a wife stationed with her husband at Pearl Harbor to a Japanese American woman and her family interred at Camp Amache Relocation Camp, these stories let the read live out the war through their eyes. Based on real people and situations, Dancing in Combat Boots leaves an indelible mark on the reader's mind....more
The Second Son by Lee Child was my first Jack Reacher read. I saw the movie and really enjoyed it, and the book did not disappoint. This short story tThe Second Son by Lee Child was my first Jack Reacher read. I saw the movie and really enjoyed it, and the book did not disappoint. This short story takes us back to when Jack was 13 years old and living with his family in Hawaii. It gives the reader some background on how his attitude and strength developed as a teenager....more
Wave Me Good-bye by Teresa R. Funke is the fourth story in her Home-Front Heroes series. Written for middle school aged readers, Funke's series hold uWave Me Good-bye by Teresa R. Funke is the fourth story in her Home-Front Heroes series. Written for middle school aged readers, Funke's series hold up to an adult audience. Wave Me Good-bye centers around Miriam, a young Jewish girl living with her family in New York City during World War II. The reader gains an understanding of what it is like to be the only Jewish family in a predominantly Christian neighborhood in the 40s. A very touching story based on real people in the author's life....more
Teresa R. Funke's V for Victory is the third book in her Home-Front Heroes series for young readers. I especially liked this one because is was set inTeresa R. Funke's V for Victory is the third book in her Home-Front Heroes series for young readers. I especially liked this one because is was set in San Antonio. The story follows Miguel, an young boy during World War II and how his family deals with life during war time and having a loved in the war. As with her other books in the series, I believe it is appropriate for adults as well. Based on real people, this fictionalized account will give the reader an good idea of life in the 40s....more
Doing My Part is Teresa R. Funke's first in the Home-Front Heroes series for young readers. I felt it read more like an adult book. Well written histoDoing My Part is Teresa R. Funke's first in the Home-Front Heroes series for young readers. I felt it read more like an adult book. Well written historical fiction that gives the reader an inside view of life on the home-front during World War II....more
Lincoln's Little Girl by Cecelia Holland is a short article about Julia Taft, the daughter of friends of Lincoln's. Julia visited the house often to vLincoln's Little Girl by Cecelia Holland is a short article about Julia Taft, the daughter of friends of Lincoln's. Julia visited the house often to visit with both Abe and Mary as well as their boys Willie and Tad. Holland's article gives us a glimpse of the fun side of the Lincoln's and about their life outside of politics (and inside too). Gleaning information from Julia's own writings/memoir, as well as other close friends, Lincoln's Little Girl is worth the read....more
Teresa Funke's The No-No Boys is part of her Home-Front Heroes series about World War II, written for youth. I felt it was well written and worthy of Teresa Funke's The No-No Boys is part of her Home-Front Heroes series about World War II, written for youth. I felt it was well written and worthy of adult readership. The story centers on a young boy, Tai, and life in a Japanese internment camp during the war. I've done some research on Grenada, the internment camp in Colorado and felt that Funke does a great job of giving the reader an internal view of life in these camps. ...more
Insightful. Alex Berenson's Lost In Kandahar details his time embedded with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan. Berenson makes some interestinInsightful. Alex Berenson's Lost In Kandahar details his time embedded with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan. Berenson makes some interesting parallels between Vietnam and the war with Afghanistan, leaving the reader to question why we are really there. Are our efforts fruitful or worthless as he surmises. ...more
Jon Krakauer's Three Cups of Deceit is a short article denouncing the authenticity of information in Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea. I have MortenJon Krakauer's Three Cups of Deceit is a short article denouncing the authenticity of information in Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea. I have Mortenson's book but have yet to read it. I still want to but it will be with the idea that it is largely exaggerated and at times completely false. Krakauer backs his information with resources that are fully cited at the end of the book. It's a shame that people have to run such a sham that dupes so many!...more
George Takei is his usual funny and charming self in his latest book Oh Myyy! His wonderful sense of humor comes through as he takes on Twitter, FacebGeorge Takei is his usual funny and charming self in his latest book Oh Myyy! His wonderful sense of humor comes through as he takes on Twitter, Facebook and social media in general. From fans' obsessions with all things SciFi to bacon to I Has Cheezburger Cats and to Grammar Nazis, Takei pokes fun at our ever changing online society. Toward the end of the book, he digresses from his humor to a quite impressive discussion of the mechanics behind Facebook and their algorithm used for posts to your Newsfeed. If you even remotely wonder why some things show up and others do not, read Oh Myyy! and wonder no more....more
Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts was an excellent resource to use while reading through the Bible. The book offers a historical look atNelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts was an excellent resource to use while reading through the Bible. The book offers a historical look at each book in the Bible discussing authorship, timeline, comparisons, maps, charts, pictures, and drawings....more
A great read that completely sucks you in. I would not have read Life Among Giants by Bill Roorbach, but it was a book club read from a local talk shoA great read that completely sucks you in. I would not have read Life Among Giants by Bill Roorbach, but it was a book club read from a local talk show San Antonio Living. I am glad it was picked and that I read along. Very similar type of book to Girl Gone. I had a few issues with going back and forth between past reflections and present time, but once I got the hang of it, I got wrapped up in it. The last 50 pages or so were page turners. This is a book to remind you to keep your friends close and your enemies closer....more
Tim Gunn's Shaken, Not Stirred is a short excerpt of his full length memoir. Gunn eloquently recounts life with his OCD father, a former FBI agent a
Tim Gunn's Shaken, Not Stirred is a short excerpt of his full length memoir. Gunn eloquently recounts life with his OCD father, a former FBI agent and Hoover's ghostwriter, and ponders the possibility that certain traits of his father's may have passed on to himself. A cute read. Gunn's dry sense of humor certainly comes through in his writing. ...more
In the vein of Hill's Someone Knows My Name, Kathleen Grissom's The Kitchen House is the story of a young Irish girl in the late 18th century who cameIn the vein of Hill's Someone Knows My Name, Kathleen Grissom's The Kitchen House is the story of a young Irish girl in the late 18th century who came to America with her family. Her parents do not survive the trip, and her brother and her are separated upon landing in the States. The ship's captain takes her in as an indentured servant, where she is enveloped into the family of his slaves. This story is not unlike other "slave stories" like Someone Knows My Name and Roots, but it is seen from the eyes of a white indentured servant. Grissom tells a vivid story of secrets and tragedies associated with slavery and plantation life in the 18th/19th century and that love will prevail. Your family may not be biological kin, but the people that hold you close and dear. A well written and quick read, The Kitchen House became a page turner at the end. Overall, though, it was a bit predictable. ...more
I generally like Andy Borowitz's humor, but I though An Unexpected Twist was just so-so. His humor definitely comes through in his diatribe about someI generally like Andy Borowitz's humor, but I though An Unexpected Twist was just so-so. His humor definitely comes through in his diatribe about some of his medical issues, but now I just know way to much about his intestines....more
Cautionary Tales by Stephen Tobolowsky is a fun, quick read (Kindle Single). Not as rip-roaring funny as I hoped but is a small dissertation on his viCautionary Tales by Stephen Tobolowsky is a fun, quick read (Kindle Single). Not as rip-roaring funny as I hoped but is a small dissertation on his views on life. It does make me want to read more of his writing. ...more