Book Reviews Archives - Page 23 of 29

XEALOTS: Defying the Gravity of Normality

Dave Gibbons writes, “I don’t believe we’re necessarily supposed to reject or transform culture. Our calling is to wisely flow with culture, guarding our hearts and minds, artfully engaging the world.”

So begins a book that will make you stop and think at every page. XEALOTS: Defying the Gravity of Normality is that kind of book. It’s for those of us who are different and see the world through alternative lenses. Which, really, is all of us. It’s a book that celebrates the dreamers, the geniuses, the creative types and the entrepreneurs. Which again, is basically all of us if …

Confidence Men, by Ron Suskind … the inspiration for Occupy Wall Street?

I don’t know if the folks at Occupy Wall Street have read Confidence Men by Ron Suskind, but it might be the motivation for a lot of folks to show up in New York with pitchforks.

Of course the author didn’t mean for it to turn out that way. The focus is actually on President Obama and the early stages of his Presidency. Suskind has written a detailed and well researched look at that critical time when the economy seemed to be crashing and America empowered a new administration to address it.

The book exposes all the strengths and …

Even more books!

If you just came across this blog recently you’d probably think I only write about good food and good wine. But alas, man does not live by bread alone. Or wine.

So to break it up a bit, here’s the list of books I’ve read the past three months. The title of each book is also a link to the actual review if you want to go deeper. Hope you enjoy it:

The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points That Saved the World, by Chris Stewart and Ted Stewart, is not a particularly good book. Skip it.

Independence…

The Sword of the Lord, by Joseph Hocking

I’ve been told that this blog post — which is really a book review — is going to tick some people off. I honestly hope not. But if so, so be it ….

The Sword of the Lord is a romantic tale of adventure written by Joseph Hocking over 100-years ago. I bought my copy at Chaucer Head Bookshop in Stratford-upon-Avon. The inside cover has a label that indicates it was a prize awarded to “Mary” at the “Children’s Sixth Protestant Demonstration” in 1910. I liked the style of the book binding and the curious story of a young girl …

It Happened in Montana

My mom gave me the book It Happened in Montana by James A. Crutchfield, and it’s an appropriate title for the time I spent in Montana last week. Seems like we did a little of everything to enjoy the beautiful area where my brother and sister-in-law live. Thought I’d pass along a few photos, as well as a quick book review.

If you want to read a book about the history of Montana, Crutchfield has written a good one. Short and simple, it tells the interesting stories of the State from pre-history to Lewis & Clark to the Unabomber. I …

The English: A Portrait of a People

It’s rare for me to post a book review on this main page, in part because it is sent to all subscribers of the blog and I don’t want to pester them with all the books I read! Normally I just list the books here and leave it at that.

But I finished a book on the way home from England that struck me as more than just another book. Jeremy Paxman wrote The English in 1999, but it still reads as a brilliant insight into the English psyche. Anybody who spends time in England needs to read this book. …

You’ve read HOW MANY books this year?

Two months ago I posted a list of books that I’ve read in the first four months of the year, along with a short review of each. I’m on track to read 100 books this year, though again I don’t want to make that a goal.

It’s time to update the list of books now that half the year is over. The books from the first four months were posted earlier, so here’s what I’ve read in the past two months (in the order I read them) with a comment on each.

Moonwalking with Einstein, by Joshua Foer. …

Love Wins, by Rob Bell

My daughter Rachel was about 2-years old when she asked me the funniest question. D’Aun and I had just boarded a plane for a flight home. It had already been a long day of travel. Rachel sat between us and out of the corner of my eye I could see her staring intently at me. After a minute she finally asked, “Daddy, why does your face have splinters?”

I smiled and said, “Those aren’t splinters, honey. They’re whiskers. I haven’t shaved in a day or so.”

She said “okay” and was satisfied with the answer. D’Aun and I suppressed our …