End the Fed

The FED is a private entity working for the american and international bankers that founded it in 1913 and still owns it..
How can the American people accept such an incredible thing?
Even in third world countries such an aberration does not exists.
Wake up Americans, before its too late !!!
The problem is that the true audition of the FED is going to discover things unimaginable...Get more detail about End the Fed.

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Volume 3 Review

I write blog reviews for The Kindle Blog Report, and am branching out into reviewing books available for Kindle.

Since the publishers of this ebook don't list its contents I'll list them for you here (The book itelf does have the TOC hotlinked:)

Narrative of A. Gordon Pym
Ligeia
Morella
A Tale pof the Ragged Mountains
The Spectacles
King Pest
Three Sundays in a WeekGet more detail about The Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Volume 3.

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America Top Quality

Do yourself a favor and consider reading Timothy Egan's book, The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America. August 2010 will mark the hundredth anniversary of the largest wildfire in American history, one that consumed three million acres of Western land. Teddy had just left office, and his head of forestry, Gifford Pinchot, was under fire from member of Congress who were questioning the need for forest rangers, who were seen as good for nothing. Egan does a fine job in telling the story of the fire, the people and the impact of this catastrophe on the century that followed it.

Rating: Three-star (Recommended)
Get more detail about The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America.

The Book of Were-Wolves This instant

I am a hardcore horror fan and this book is really something.For a free book this is actually pretty good.Get more detail about The Book of Were-Wolves.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII Immediately

I really enjoyed reading this book about Henry VIII's wives. The way it is written is very easy to sink into and sometimes reads like a novel rather than a history book. I love the detail. There are SOME parts that drag on a little bit with too many names, dates and places (however you must keep in mind that this IS history, and not a novel!!), but for the most part it's an excellent account of their lives.

I had gotten an interest lately about them due to all the other books I have read (Philippa Gregory, Allison Weir), as well as TV shows, movies, and this was just an easy way to learn about all of the queens. Awfully convenient!Get more detail about The Six Wives of Henry VIII.

Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival Best Quality

it's poetic justice that a father so careless with his son's safety and so reckless with him should end up dead in plane crash. it's not macho that the father encourages (forces?) his young son to engage in perilous activities, its just bad and selfish parenting. bravo! a dad who knowingly leaves his son to fend for himself against his mother's abusive boyfriend. what a terrific parent! how suoer cool to take a child (against his wishes) on a trip through mexico (where he is shot at) in order to go surfing. how hip to risk the boy's life and make him ski in a storm. if the author intended to write a book about careless parenting and almost criminal disregard for a child's safety and well being, he succeeded. there is not a single thing about the boy's father worthy of admiration and its a wonder the author's parents' did not kill him while he was a child. in addition, the dopey nick names the boy's father gave him only made him more annoying. in a nutshell, the author's parents were guilty of wildly disregarding his safety. on one particularly risky adventure, the boy's father dies. he brought it on himself. and as his final act of atrocious and dangerous parenting, he left his son with an experience and memory to scar him for life.Get more detail about Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival.

Become A Better You Lpr (Christian Large Print Softcover) Get it now!

Joel Osteen's "Become a Better You" is a useful tool for spiritual enlightenment. And if you take some moments in your life to reflect and administer the advice he shares, your life can and probably will turn out for the better. This book will help you through the turmoil and stresses of everyday life, leading you to a more salubrious lifestyle.

Osteen's no-nonsense (Tony Robbin's) approach to religion is what everyone should ascribe them-selves to. And it's ashame that many people will think the religious messages presented in this book are unrealistic, impractical, and just downright fanciful, but the truth is if every person in the world embraced Osteen's altruistic message then the world would be a better place.

Osteen demonstrates throughout this book that it's the negative choices we make which are our undoing.
The true definition of sin is negative choices that create negative impact, which the environment around suffers the consequences thereof.
In other words what you do affects other people. Osteen thoroughly explains that we have to ask God to help us to clean up our act and once we accomplish that goal we'll be ready and able to serve him and others. As Joel Osteen said "Don't magnify your problem; magnify your God." And he also said "When you show love, you are showing God to the world."

In my past reviews I've stated I wasn't a religious person, but getting Joel's perspective on things allowed me to have a change of heart, and after reading this book you will too.

Joel uses the scriptures throughout this book and successfully makes his point clear and the "7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day" will lead you in Jehovah God's direction.

I recommend that you read this along with your Bible and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

5 Stars!!!Get more detail about Become A Better You Lpr (Christian Large Print Softcover).

Listening Is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project Buy Now

It was interesting to hear the stories that others shared. I was expecting longer stories about many topics.Get more detail about Listening Is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project.

The Life of Columbus; In His Own Words Order Now

I did enjoy using this as a Columbus history reference. I particularly enjoyed it during this past year while in Panama. Knowing that Columbus complained about the weather in November 1502 in Portobello made it much easier to tolerate 24 hour rains while anchored there in November 2010.Get more detail about The Life of Columbus; In His Own Words.

The Royals Decide Now

If you ever wondered about how human the "Monarchy" of the U.K. is, here's a great answer. Imagine letting your close cousins die because of the inconvenience, changing your family name to avoid prejudice, and redefining what "integrity" means with "Because I said so."
Wow- so good to be a mortal in the world and not a figurehead. Perhaps King William, if U.K. survives, will prove to be enlightened and not end up a social/party figure like so many descendants of the former European Royal Families.Get more detail about The Royals.

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously Right now

Just finished reading Julie and Julia, the book by Julie Powell about her year of cooking every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

First of all, I was never a reader of Powell's blog, though I had heard of her before the recent movie adaptation of her adventure. However, I think her idea of cooking every recipe in such a landmark cookbook is an intriguing one, and I was interested to see how she fared in her quest.

Not bad, it turns out. Julie managed to cook every recipe in the mammoth tome in exactly one year. And she also re-invented her life.

If you're looking for lots of recipes or cooking tips, you won't find them here. What you will find is a delightfully irreverent (and sometimes whiny) young woman who cooked and wrote herself out of a dead-end job and a feeling of hopelessness. Julie was 30-ish, working as a secretary, and feeling adrift when she decided to cook every recipe in MtAoFC in the next 365 days. With her husband's support, she figured she'd blog about her efforts.

Most consumers of pop culture know what happened next. She gained a cadre of followers, media attention, and a new career as a writer. In the book, one learns far more about Julie's life, her struggles, and the journey she takes to find herself than French cooking, but that's kinda the point. Powell never claims to be a great cook. (In fact, she admits over and over again that she's not one, often describing her failures in the kitchen.) And whether she is or not, who cares? What's admirable is that she set her mind to something and did it. She did it, even though it would have beena heckuva lot easier to sit on her couch eating Fritos for another 365 days.

I loved reading all the zany stories she threw in about her friends, the dinner parties she threw, and her adventures in grocery shopping for aspic recipes. (Spoiler - aspic requires calf hooves. Seriously.) In this book, Powell told unflattering stories about the folks she worked with, she examined the human need for food with an unflinching eye, and she ate a ton of butter.

Not bad.Get more detail about Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously.

Lowest Price What Difference Do It Make?: Stories of Hope and Healing

This will book will uplift your spirit and rekindle your feelings toward people in the world today. I read it in one day!!!Get more detail about What Difference Do It Make?: Stories of Hope and Healing.

Low Price WALKING

Thoreau is always amazing regardless of which work I read. Walking is a great short read with numerous valuable ideas which aid in one's thinking. Whether you agree or disagree with Thoreau, you will be conditioned to think for yourself and decide what is best for you, making life all that much better. I highly recommend this book to any "Outdoor Philosopher".

JoshGet more detail about WALKING.

Save Hero of the Pacific: The Life of Marine Legend John Basilone

I have read many books about WWII and the three books influencing the HBO series, "The Pacific." I had high expectations of this book, but was severely disappointed. The author, a Marine himself, comes across not as a raggedy ass Marine, but as a whiney ass Marine. Okay, we got it by page 30, his sister and other accounts of John Basoline were exaggerated and had more in common with corny movie scripts than reality, so did you have to continuously, ad nauseam, bring this up over and over and over and over? Okay, we got it, he almost certainly did not single handedly blow up the bunker on Iwo Jima, so did you have to bring it up 18 times? This is a book that only criticizes the history and fails miserably to present anything cogent and thoughtfully formed to offer the reader something they can piece together. Fortunately, almost any reader is smart enough to figure it out, and it is simple: John Basilone was a hero and represents the kind of bravery worthy of the Medal of Honor. His story has been muddled over the years, but that's what happens.

In summary, the author lacked the kind of investigative skill (and/or effort) to pull off what he intended to do. As with any poorly prepared student, the book fails. I can only wish someone more capable, Marine or not, took up this effort. Sadly, there is nobody left to talk to. However flawed, at least the HBO version of John Basilone will overshadow the poor and weak presentation of this book.Get more detail about Hero of the Pacific: The Life of Marine Legend John Basilone.

Discount Running with Scissors: A Memoir

I am a big fan of Sedaris-style dry humor. I chose this book hoping for that and it certainly delivered! I recommend this book to anyone who harbors the belief that they had a disturbing childhood - it turns out you were wrong! Nothing compares to the story of Augusten Burroughs - this book with have you laughing, while shaking your head in shock & disbelief, all at the same time. It reads quickly & will transport you into an alternate reality for your Saturday afternoon. A warning though - my boyfriend is also a big fan of Sedaris but found some parts of this book to be a bit "over the top & graphically gay" - didn't bother me so much but for those who don't need a searing visual on his sexual escapades - I would read with caution.Get more detail about Running with Scissors: A Memoir.

Cheapest American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot

A well written book by a masterful story teller. A must read if you are a Craig Ferguson fan and a should read if you are not. As a frequent Late Late show viewer, I didn't appreciate his "It's a great day in America" until I read his book and partcularly his introduction. Thanks for taking the time to tell us your story. Maybe it will help some of us appreciate ours.Get more detail about American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot.

Cheap The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Everyone at work loves this book. Put shortly, it sucks. If you're turning to a step-by-step guide to becoming more creative, chances are you're doing something wrong. Skip the self-help books and just start writing/acting/painting/whatever.
Here's why I didn't like it:
1) Length. She gets very long-winded and tends to ramble. It seems like she gets too carried away in her "creativity" and says the same thing in 5 different ways (with the aid of a thesaurus). This reads like a brain dump.
2) Repetition. Repetition in message makes sense in a self-help book. Repetition in content, both within a chapter and within the book as a whole just adds length and frustration.
3) Too many voices. She switches between "you," "I," "we," and "one."
4) She cheapens her message with corny terms like "artist's child within." Californication had an entire season of jokes on these types of new-agey terms for a reason.
5) Human condition descriptions are annoying. Each task she suggests you undertake solves a particular problem. She starts out by putting this problem in a universal context. That'd be fine if she made the reader feel like they weren't the only one with said problem. But she just re-states the obvious (she basically says "everyone wants be creative" over and over.)
6) Religion, as others have mentioned. It's not that religiosity itself is a con. It's that she claims you don't have to believe in God to use her method in one brief sentence, but the book is overtly Christian and, despite what she says, it'd be difficult for a non-Christian to do her exercises (or want to). She should either embrace this and not make claims that it's not religious or tone down the language.
7) Self-importance. She drops names constantly. It just makes her seem kind of pathetic, not credible.

However, I will give her this -- she does have a great business model: come out with a book that is so terribly formatted and hard for the reader to use (subheadings aren't informative, layout is distracting, instructions aren't consistent, it's just a mess), lure the self-help crowd into buying your book, and then, instead of releasing a second edition that corrects the above issues, release The Artist's Way Workbookso that everyone who bought the book also has to buy the workbook, doubling your sales.Get more detail about The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.

Buying Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith

Anne Lamott hits me right where I live. I adore her honesty and willingness to risk herself with her words. "Traveling Mercies" helps those like me that have been so shunned by the 'faithful' that we drink in her message with abandon. She is a gift to those unafraid to wander into her truth. And - this book is just that - her truth. Nothing to be offended or upset about. I love this book and have gifted it to many friends.Get more detail about Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith.

Buy Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer

I can't even explain why I liked this book so much. You will crack up with it. I dropped it several times, and to be honest, it's not that easy to make me laugh. I've watched so many comedy shows that it's usually like "oh, heard that one before". This book is awesome and worth the money. Buy it if you need a good laugh!Get more detail about Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie Is Not the Answer.

Purchase UP FROM SLAVERY: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

A fascinating read about the life and times of Booker T. Washington and his march from slavery to one of the foremost men of his time.

His views may seem quite antiquated in today's world, given what has happened and not happened in the last 100 years in race relations and it is easy to see how Black leaders of today might be critical of Washington's views and perspectives.

But to do so would be to make the all too common mistake of imprinting and transferring today's value system and experiences on a culture and time of long ago. Anyone can look back with 20-20 hindsight and criticize. What matters most is having a plan to move forward from where you are, and Booker T. Washington certainly had that. His is a remarkable story of courage, grace, and iron-willed determination, for himself and for his race.

While today's leaders and purists might criticize Washington, it should never be forgotten that he took the first steps and led his race and the entire South in the first steps, no matter how imperfect they may be in hindsight, up and away from slavery.

There had to be a Booker T. Washington to bridge the gap between what was and what was to be. He knew his role and peformed it well.Get more detail about UP FROM SLAVERY: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Order The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

A Catholic friend recommended this book to me and said it was funny. It was. It was also very insightful and interesting. As a very liberal Protestant Christian, I wish the author would have spent more time looking at the more liberal side of Christianity. There are many of us. My father taught me that the Bible was written for the people of THAT time and many of the "laws" no longer pertain to this modern time. (ie, women are now educated and equal). Outside my more religious thoughts, I was just fascinated by all of the things the author did trying to follow the "laws" and found it really funny, especially his wife's quips. What a great woman!! Had the author been single, i think it wouldn't have been nearly as funny or interesting and am really glad he included the things that happened within his family due to his experiment. No doubt I will be buying more of A.J's books!!Get more detail about The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible.

Where To Buy Open Wide The Freedom Gates: A Memoir

Open Wide The Freedom Gates: A Memoir

This is certainly the most exciting book that I use with my university students!

Without fail Ms. Dorothy Irene Height's life story energizes them to become social activists on the campus.

Her courage, determination, and positive attitude in the face racism and discrimination of many types emboldens my students to confront and uproot the same on the campus.

My students consider Ms. Height a "TRUE AMERICAN HERO." She is a role model, mentor, and "friend" to them.

I highly and unreservedly recommend this book to every person living and breathing. Undoubtedly, as you read her story, you will realize that she has done much to secure the freedom and liberty of people all around the world!

Yolanda Lehman
Adjunct Professor
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MNGet more detail about Open Wide The Freedom Gates: A Memoir.

Shop For Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela : With Connections (HRW Library)

The book was in good condition. Thank you very much for fast postage and delivery.Get more detail about Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela : With Connections (HRW Library).

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

This is, by far, one of the best books I've read in a long while. Gregory Boyle does an absolutely masterful job of telling heart wrending stories, with soul and compassion beyond anything I've seen in a long time. I am not a deeply religous person, but the way he infuses God and spirituality throughout is profound. This is a must read, IMO.Get more detail about Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.

The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family Review

This 2nd in the series is just as descriptive and emotional as "A Child Called It". It takes David Pelzer from age 12, when he goes to the foster home program until age 18 when he joins the Air Force. I was riveted to this continuing story. These first two books are better than any fiction I have ever read.Get more detail about The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family.

A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy Seals, and Dangerous Days at Sea Top Quality

Good book especially for those with a connection to the merchant marine. No hyperbole just the facts. My wife and I enjoyed this book and read it cover to cover. We could use more books on the actual merchant marine and its' families.Get more detail about A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy Seals, and Dangerous Days at Sea.

WAR This instant

I will preface this review by stating that I have experienced combat in Iraq and been in multiple engagements with enemy fighters. War is simply well written and gets right to the heart of the matter regarding combat. If you have no combat experience, you will understand it some after you read this book. Junger manages to capture in words what Soldiers feel and live. I have been back from Iraq for just over a year now and this book took me back and the memories were not bad. He was right and it is difficult to say that you miss depending on the man next to you for survival and having that man depend on you. A lot of books pick up major themes and ideas well but War also captures the minute details that give the reader the most accurate picture on warfighting that I have seen to date. I highly recommend this book and can say with confidence that you will not want to put it down until the last word is gone. Thank you Junger for honoring the Soldiers who represent the best of America.Get more detail about WAR.

Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs Immediately

I read the first couple of sentences and found myself caught hook, line, and sinker. I couldn't put it down, and finished it in 2 days. The book gave me a real feel for what it must be like to live in the crab fishing profession, and provided a lot of insight into the thinking of Johnathan and Andy. I would recommend this book highly to anyone who: loves "The Deadliest Catch" Series; who would like to know more about the men we see on the show, their lives, their families; and to anyone who thinks they might like to enter this business. It was, for me, an eye-opener, and a wonderful, informative, entertaining book.Get more detail about Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea, and One of the World's Deadliest Jobs.

Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's Best Quality

If you ever thought there were more things in the world that separated us than united us, then you need to pick up "Look Me In The Eye" by New York Times Bestselling author John Elder Robison.

The name may sound familiar. He is the brother of another NYT bestselling author Augusten Burroughs whose book "Running With Scissors" was made into a major motion picture.

While Burroughs' memoir focused on their family as a whole, Robison opened up the door to his personal struggles with Asperger's (a mind form of autism) and how it affected is growth from childhood to adulthood.

In the chapter "A Little Misfit," Robison eplains that, though his inability to comprehend the feelings of others or even how empathy was misunderstood, it was something that he was awareof.

"People with Asperger's or autism often lack the feelings of empathy that naturally guide most people in their interactions with others," he writes. "The worst of it was, my teachters and most other people saw my behavior as bad when I was actually trying to be kind. My good intentions made the reject...painful. I had overlooked one key thing: Successful conversations require a give and take between both people. Being Aspergian, I missed that. Totally."

Let's be honest for a moment: how many of us have had our feelings or reactions to situations misunderstood, no matter how hard we try to articulate them.

I know this happens to me more often than I would like, and it has nothing to do with anythingbut the differences in which we interact with one another.

The author realized that among those he feared would judge him the worse, he had common ground with them---thus providing an avenue for him to be himself without being judged.

"Look Me In The Eye" is not a story of dealing with autism. It is a manual for learning to accept yourself and hope others can do the same.Get more detail about Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's.

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship Get it now!

I truly wanted to like this book...it has everything I enjoy...friendships, the late 70's and early 80's, real stories about real women. Sounds fantastic right? I think it could've been if each chapter had been written by one of the Ames Girls. For me this was much like reading a newspaper article or even worse, a book report. I felt no connection whatsoever to any of the women and I really wanted to! I think if the story was written in first-person than I would have had a very different experie...more I truly wanted to like this book...it has everything I enjoy...friendships, the late 70's and early 80's, real stories about real women. Sounds fantastic right? I think it could've been if each chapter had been written by one of the Ames Girls. For me this was much like reading a newspaper article or even worse, a book report. I felt no connection whatsoever to any of the women and I really wanted to! I think if the story was written in first-person than I would have had a very different experience. The writing felt choppy and stilted...and unfortunately it really left me wishing for so much more.Get more detail about The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship.

Naked Buy Now

You just can't go wrong with David Sedaris riding shotgun in your car on a long trip. It's especially good when sister Amy Sedaris is riding in the back seat. Just wish is wasn't abridged.Get more detail about Naked.

Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted Order Now

Oh, my gosh! There's so much to be said about this memoir. Words won't accurately describe what is written in the pages of this book. I'm offering a qualified 4-star review for what this book is saying, because with the exception of a few annoying moments of self-pity and by extension his inability to see where his actions affected his (and other's) situation, this is an incredibly honest, engaging and wholly revealing statement about ambition, celebrity, the excesses [read: vanity] of celebrity, the fall from grace and personal redemption.

As I mentioned the book has some editorial issues that an experienced editor should have recognized long before the advanced reading copies were distributed, and I have the final edit. One of the two really distracting issues is Mr. Bridges' maudlin and excessive pre-occupation with the LAPD. It seemed at times that Mr. Bridges felt that the entire LAPD was assigned to bringing him down. As an editor, since this memoir is an "As Told To" and not true autobiography as such, I would have stopped him in his telling and let him know that we "got it" as far as his relationship with the police department.

Secondly, I don't think he "got it" as far as what it takes to really be successful in life. It's not about where were the people in Hollywood to help me/ support me/ offer me the next big role in an important film--it is as Cornel West stated in an interview with Tavis Smiley--"Living is connected to Giving!" I didn't hear Mr. Bridges say about himself or about his family that he/ they gave of themselves. They gave of their time. They gave of their wealth. They gave from their knowledge base. That's where the true source of one's success lies and it is in the doing of those things that will ensure that you'll have the career and the life that you want.

* Pre-review thoughts
** Brief overview
*** What can we take from his life story? /Conclusion

** Todd Bridges, the elder brother on "Diff'rent Strokes" television show has written a fascinating piece of biography that is nothing short of a page-turner. His diction and recollection of growing up with a proud, ambition (and in the end, heroic) mother, sister and brother against what most would say is the father-from-hell to the heights of television stardom is nothing short of inspiring.

After a brief introduction to the dénouement of his personal life when the cops are standing over him with a gun pressed to the back of his head and he's about to reach in a hidden compartment for his gun, we're quickly treated to life starting out in San Francisco in a home where the father would come home from work reeking from the stench of alcohol and cigarettes. Soon after, he (as a young boy) wonders why doesn't his daddy come home happy to see his family or kisses his wife hello when his mother decides to follow a long held dream of becoming an actress. Todd and his sibling's fortunes were about to change.

His mother goes to school and learns her craft. She in turn teaches those very lessons to her children. Todd, however, is the only one to excel in the field. In the meantime, the family relocates to Los Angeles and the family settles into the mechanisms of Hollywood. Commercials, photo shoots, guest appearances of television quickly become statements of his ever-growing resume. His success was not without sorrow as a "mentor" entered his life and would introduce him a lifestyle or a condition of the human soul that he wasn't prepared to deal with. His explicit account is nothing short of shocking.

As his professional career excelled, his personal life continued to spiral downward. All things came to ahead when "Diff'rent Strokes" was cancelled: his family life also imploded and his entrance into the world of illicit drug use, prostitution and jail defined his life for the better part of the next 10 years.

And what a decade of it would be.

*** What can we take from his life story?

For many of us--because this modern American drama is blunt and explicit story of Shakespearean proportions-- It is one of ambition and tragedy. It is one of perseverance and misguided values. And, one of corroding familial relationships to a restoration of the human soul.

There are many unanswered questions, this notwithstanding. But, what Mr. Bridges does give is a deeper look into the inner workings of 1980's Hollywood, the way deals are made, and the short shelf-life of the unprepared. The gritty and heart-wrenching and unforgiving world of crack, meth, pimps and prostitutes and the parallel way in which the market and the economy speaks to that community.

In the end, I'd like to see Todd return to the top of his profession. He's seen enough of the bottom and has been given a second-chance. This time, however, he knows what to look for and won't be so disconnected from real life that he'll be able to bring "real" life experiences, like what real, working people do in order to make ends meet, the hassles of home life and the life in the surrounding neighborhoods, disenfranchised and successful. This, in the end, will really make him the thespian he so desires.
Get more detail about Killing Willis: From Diff'rent Strokes to the Mean Streets to the Life I Always Wanted.

The Secret of the Island Decide Now

The Secret of the Island by Jules Verne, translated by William Henry Giles Kingston. Complete Illustrated novel. Published by MobileReference (mobi).

A wonderful book for reading during a cold long winter weekend. The Secret of the Island unquestionably deserves a place on your reading list.
Get more detail about The Secret of the Island.

Dead End Gene Pool: A Memoir Right now

I thought the book was funny and irreverent at the same time, but if one listened to the author's voice which described her upbringing that would seem in character. I agree that not everything was laid out in strict chronological order, but I still found it fairly easy to follow.

This is merely an anecdotal account of a one person's upbringing and when viewed from that angle it is interesting and an easy enjoyable read. Although the author's childhood would be considered somewhat removed [in greatly understated terms] from that of most readers, it was still fun to hear about her dysfunctional childhood. Although my own upbringing was done in a much more plebeian surrounding I was still fascinated by the author's account of how the extremely wealthy used to live. The only problem one may have with the book is the author's continuous use of French expressions for ordinary occurrences and fancier table fare [food items and eating utensils] rather than their English equivalents. I say give it a try and decide for yourself.Get more detail about Dead End Gene Pool: A Memoir.

Lowest Price Appetite for America: How Visionary Businessman Fred Harvey Built a Railroad Hospitality Empire That Civilized the Wild West

The topic is interesting, but Fried needed a more ruthless editor.

One issue is overwrought (at at times, overly cute) prose. Here's a taste:

"Finally, on Tuesday, August 14, the emperor surrendered. World War II, the second war to end all wars, was finally over."

The "second war to end all wars?" -- completely unnecessary, and by WWII, no one thought that wars ended war. And the use of "finally" in successive sentences, ugh.

How about "Freditor's Notes" (playing off Fred Harvey)? How about "Acknowledgements and Outshouts"? The Brits have a word for this, and it's "twee". Corny tending to saccharine.

Second problem: "scene recreations". Here's a taste:

"His nose was stuffy, and he felt a bit feverish as he sat at his desk in the elaborately wood-paneled corner office. As he kept feeling worse, he walked over to the large brass National Regulator Company thermometer mounted on the wall to see if heat had been turned up too high."

The end notes acknowledges this bit as the start of a "scene recreation" (Fried's words). Elsewhere, a travelogue in the book mentions Fried saw the thermometer for himself, but so far as I can tell, there's absolutely zero evidence that anything like the recreated scene actually happened.

It might have, it's certainly plausible, but plausibility ain't history. And here's the deal: even if this did happen, exactly like Fried says it does, it's a distraction and it doesn't advance the ball.

Third problem: dumping in absolutely everything into the book. Fried cannot mention anyone without an aside about that person, most of which does nothing to advance your understanding of the Harveys. Instead of simply saying that a particular doctor was an eminent cardiologist, we need to know, apparently, that the doctor was the first to diagnose a myocardial infarction in a living patient, that he was a cofounder of the American Heart Association, and that he discovered sickle-cell anemia. OK, fine, but the second generation Harvey who was dying, was doing so from the flu, so why the heck is any of this on-point?

There's a whole page (that would be pg 253) devoted to the govt's attempts at societal control in WWI. Fried doesn't even attempt to tie it to the Harveys in any way shape or form. So why the heck is it in this book?

Inside this 400+ page book is a good, tight, 200 pager struggling to get out. Either Fried can't resist showing off or he doesn't have enough confidence in the subject material and feels he needs to jazz it up. It's unfortunate.Get more detail about Appetite for America: How Visionary Businessman Fred Harvey Built a Railroad Hospitality Empire That Civilized the Wild West.

Low Price The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal

I read this book this morning and I found it to be useless. Mainly, the book frames its goal as becoming a "corporate athlete" and out of this root idea that I disagree with, the book goes on to tell you that humans get energy, spend energy, rest and get excited...and all that that we already know. None of this was actionable, but what was actionable was the psychological shift to becoming a "corporate athlete."

I prefer to think about how my engagements and pursuits in life, such as professional projects like jobs, can enhance my overall life, or how to use that energy to truly productive - and that's why I bought this book, for things of that sort. But it seems this book is written by those company motivator-types that come and tell everyone to get M-M-M motivated! \o/

Outside of the basics, food and rest and things we can manage easily when the rest is in order - when it comes to energy, engagement, our attention and enthusiasm - the meaningful questions seem to be - how do we get engaged? what keeps our attention and why? on what grounds do we gain enthusiasm for things? etc etc.........because the truth is - if you find work to be a not engaging, psyching yourself out will only go so far - there's probably something else going on - maybe the job just sucks, maybe it's how you go about it, or maybe it's how the goals are aligned there. It could be management, it could be relationships, it could be all sorts of things - but reading a book telling you "Oh, you should be engaged! People that are engaged and excited, they do better!" Like seriously....I don't know why this book has such high ratings....it's like hearing your father ramble in monotone about the virtues of being a hard worker - or someone telling you how you have to life fully and with a smile, because it's the way to go --- well, everyone would if they could. Out of a self-improvement book I expect meaningful actionable content.

There's a recent book on how the mind goes into states of truly complete engagement and what the conditions are, and it's called "Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. I strongly recommend that book. Understanding that won't be the "last thing you ever needed to learn" (how boring would that be anyway?), but I felt I got a lot more out of understanding that, even in the central ideas, than reading through this book this morning.Get more detail about The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal.

Save The Millionaire Next Door

This book is excellent. The other reviewers have said it better than I can. If you're interested about understanding how to build wealth & financial freedom, this book can really help!!!!!Get more detail about The Millionaire Next Door.

Discount sTORI Telling

Full confession, I've never really cared for Tori Spelling. Between the tabloid drama and what I viewed as the obvious nepotism of her acting career, I've generally thought of Tori as the classic spoiled little rich girl. If that's how you feel about her, you need to read this book.

Tori Spelling is likable! She opens up about her (rocky) relationship with her mother, her first marriage, and her career. And in reading this book, I came to feel like Tori is very misunderstood. It gave me a whole new perspective on what it is like to constantly be told that you have only achieved what you have because of your family.

Yes, Tori Spelling grew up in an insanely rich family (who has a gift wrapping room anyway?). And her career is largely due to her father's fame and influence. But at the end of reading her memoir, I realized that her life is not the easy party that I always imagined. She came off as a very real person who has worked hard and has a complicated relationship with her parents. And really, who can't sympathize with that?

As a final note, with the exception of some repetitive phrasing that grated a little bit, she's actually a decent writer. This book made me swear off tabloid gossip, especially the gossip about celebrities' bodies. She did a great job humanizing the people behind that gossip.Get more detail about sTORI Telling.

Cheapest Things Fall Apart: The Story of a Strong Man

Excellent book for revealing the attitudes and customs of a people of an African village at the time of colonization.Get more detail about Things Fall Apart: The Story of a Strong Man.

Cheap Life on the Mississippi

As a current pilot of towing vessels on the Mississippi River and the ICW, I thought this was an excellent book. Since I began working in the inland towing industry, I've often heard crew members mention a time when "the men were made of steel and the barges were made of wood". This explores that time. Even if you've never been on the Mississippi River, I'd still say this is an excellent and insightful read.Get more detail about Life on the Mississippi.

Buying Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. the Supreme Court

$15.37 for the Kindle Edition of this book is flat out robbery. What are publishers charging so much for? They're not using ink...they're not using paper...there are no man hours involved...it's greed. What happened to the promised $9.99 Kindle books? Amazon, you can't do anything about this?? I realize not every book can be $9.99, but there's a growing trend of e-books being priced higher and higher. You roped me into buying a Kindle with tales of $9.99, now you're raising prices. Classic bait and switch...shame on you and shame on the publishers.Get more detail about Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. the Supreme Court.

Buy The Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Volume 2

I write blog reviews for The Kindle Blog Report, and am branching out into reviewing books available for Kindle.

Since the publishers of this ebook don't list its contents I'll list them for you here (The book itelf does have the TOC hotlinked:

The Purloined Letter
THe Thousand and Second Tale of Scheherazade
A Descent into the Maelstrom
Von Kempelen and his Discovery
Mesmeric Revelation
The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar
The Black Cat
The Fall of the House of Usher
SIlence - a fable
The Masque of the Red Death
THe Cask of Amontillado
The Imp of the Perverse
THe Island of the Fay
The Assignation
THe Pit and the Pendulum
THe Premature Burial
The Domain of Arnheim
Landor's Cottage
William Wilson

Get more detail about The Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Volume 2.

Purchase Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat

Bought this book for a cat loving friend of mine. This story is very good and shows the true extraordinary capabilities of cats and this cat in particular. A must for any feline lover.Get more detail about Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat.

Order Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

This book was purchased to replace the one I lost in a flood. I have already read it twice, but it is such a captivating story, I know I will be reading it again, and lending it out for others to read. It is well written, and the story is gripping, so it makes it hard to put the book down, once you begin reading it.Get more detail about Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster.

Where To Buy Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the Pacific

read like an extended oral history (....JAPS this, JAPS that.....if Burgin had fought in the ETO, it'll be KRAUTS this, HEINNIES that). Bill Marvel's task, besides setting up and turning on the tape recorder...appear mainly to have had been to transcribe this epic oral re-telling of a 1st MAR DIV motarman's pacific war experience into print. Additionally I wonder if Marvel was culpable for the campy hokey title, ISLANDS OF THE DAMNED? which sounds very much like a feature article (MARCH OR DIE!, THE DAMNED DIE HARD! I WAS A TEENAGE GESTAPO SEX SLAVE!) in one of those pulpy circa 1960's hyper-masculine MEN's magazines like ARGOSY, SAGA, TRUE, MALE, REAL, SWANK, et al. Virtually lacking any introspective depth of thought/feeling/emotion it reduces what potentially could have been a great WW2 memoir into a non-reflective exercise of memory. double-spaced text, and with 90% of the photographs being generic National Archive images that have been previous published, re-published, re-re-published....they are commonly seen pics found in most works dealing with the WW2 PACIFIC Campaign subject, this effort strikes one as a belated attempt to ride on the successful coattails of the classic WITH THE OLD BREED memoir (written by his subordinate no less). do yourself a favor and stick with the classic WW2 USMC memoirs, i.e., WITH THE OLD BREED, W'm Manchester's GOODBYE DARKNESS, Dean Ladd's FAITHFUL WARRIORS, etc.Get more detail about Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the Pacific.

Shop For Just Kids

Dear Reader,

I've always adored both Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe's works, all of them, all the time. Even though I'm positive, well, of course from reading the book, I know that they, themselves didn't always like all of their works. Well, I certainly did and still do.

But the most fantastic thing that I found in this book is that even though we lived in different cities, it seemed to me, when I was reading her account of their life back then, that I had lived somewhat of a parallel life to theirs.

This is one of those great books that puts you at exactly where, when, and the how of it all happening. The zeitgeist, so to speak.

I'm thrilled that she wrote this book! I can only hope that she will write even more books. But, if that's not to be, then I was blessed to have read this one.

So, thank you Ms. Patti Smith for taking me back down memory lane. I totally enjoyed every single word of it.

Best Wishes,

Susan

Get more detail about Just Kids.

Lost Boy: Valentino and the Lost Boys of the Sudan

Great book! Gives a graphic picture of what it's like to be a lost boy.Get more detail about Lost Boy: Valentino and the Lost Boys of the Sudan.

The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star Review

Nikki Sixx's story is nothing but fascinating. The style this book was written and the words inside of it felt like I was reading tales from my own journal. No, I never lived as a rock star, nor did I have fame or the things his age and money left him do -- but there's something to be said for the erratic, lucid scribblings of a mad man. I've journaled since I can recall, and these single lines, occasional paragraphs and reasons behind his writings are just as I tend to do myself. There's also something to be said for the unconventional portrayal of one's biography. I no longer possess the attention span to fully follow chapters, paragraphs, and endless stories of someone's entire life. The way this is broken up and frequently changing pace kept my attention and made me appreciate the day to day happenings instead of the standard, "I was born here, went to school here, lost my way, it was crazy, and let my glamourize my downfall" style of most who feel possessed to "write a book" as had now become so common amongst, ooooh, just about everyone.
The other thing I really respected in reading this were the tales and accounts of other people in his life. I feel no biography is truly complete until you know how others close to you perceived your life, interactions, and relationships with them. It's one thing to have your own experience, but I feel when something's written merely one-sided from the author's view behind their own skull, you get a lopsided portrayal. It's easy for many to skip accountability and responsibility and inadvertently try to justify all their missteps by simply telling readers why they did what they did or what was going through their mind at the time. It takes a lot of humility and bravery to let others dish about you and let others read the negative things many had to say and share.
This book is relatable to many addicts, but also -- I would imagine -- gives a really detailed account of the beast of addiction so many get lost in to those who've never experienced it themselves. I felt it was chronicled so well that someone who's never touched a drug could really see just how things get out of hand so quickly. It wasn't just the fame, the talent, the music that led Nikki to where he ended up .. this story could be anyone's story. And, I feel he made that clear with the very quote even left on the back cover.
I am very impressed with this and would recommend it to mostly anyone.Get more detail about The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman Top Quality

Fantastic book. If you are interested in learning more about the complexity of this amazing person, this book is a must read.Get more detail about Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman.

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage) This instant

This is a very good read written by a man who is both articulate and thoughtful. The Audacity of Hope is Barack Obama's look at the United States and what makes up the country and it's issues.

The book is an easy read full of interesting observations and at times it is quite thoughtprovoking especially when discussing the issues faced by Blacks in America. Some of the passages on The World Beyond our Borders are downright frightening.Get more detail about The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage).