Friday, July 28, 2017

High CrimesHigh Crimes by Michael Kodas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very interesting & engaging read on the way that the bigger, "professional" climbing expeditions have brought some less-than-desired change to the Mt. Everest area. There are some charlatans and egotists operating under the guise of guides--buyer beware, as it could lead to a tragic end. I liked the emphasis in this book on the north side route from China--and learned much more about that side of Everest, as the typical book on climbing Everest is a south-side, Nepalese perspective.


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The Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and RemembersThe Seven Sins of Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Remembers by Daniel L. Schacter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fairly interesting book overall on the subject of the vagaries of human memory--with lessons learned from animal memories as well--though it wasn't the most engaging book. Had to push my way through it and there was quite a bit of technical jargon along the way. Insightful, though, and bottom-line: our memories' strengths & weaknesses all end up serving us in multiple ways, connecting us to others and to our time-space context, helping us to negotiate our way through complex lives. Though not stated, our minds & their connected memories are an amazing testimony to the intricacies & complexities of our creation by a Creator who leaves nothing to chance.


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Pioneering Movements: Leadership That Multiplies Disciples and ChurchesPioneering Movements: Leadership That Multiplies Disciples and Churches by Steve Addison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good book that focuses on what it means to have a vision for having true discipleship training of believers (disciples) who multiply themselves and the churches they plant--which results in swelling, impacting movements.


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TestimonyTestimony by Robbie Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fascinating firsthand narrative from someone who lived through the early days of rock 'n roll and who made incredibly valuable contributions as a member of the highly creative group called The Band. Robbie Robertson is an amazingly skillful & creative guitarist who started touring with Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks as a 16 year old teenager. Through his songs--in collaboration with the other incredibly gifted members of The Band--Robbie left an indelible mark in the development of rock 'n roll, helping to really develop and move forward what is today known as Americana or Roots music. Old hillbilly mountain music that is real, raw, story-based & character-driven, with a wide spectrum of instrumentation & harmonies, all if which is very moving, memorable, and totally engaging. Classics too many to name, like The Weight, Up On Cripple Creek, Rag Mama Rag, Stage Fright, Chest Fever, Across the Great Divide, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Orphelia, The Shape I'm In...the list goes on & on. Go listen to some of their early recordings and soak it in: Music From Big Pink, The Band, Cahoots, Rock of Ages (live), and also the absolutely exquisite The Last Waltz CD & movie (directed by Martin Scorsese). Then there's also--of course--The Band's work as Bob Dylan's house band and their work on The Basement Tapes (ah, so classic!), Before the Flood, & Plant Waves.


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Killers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles IKillers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles I by Charles Spencer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did't know much at all about the English Civil Wars period of the 17th century (1600s), the period in which this book takes place. It started out rather slow and a bit hard to follow, given my ignorance of the times & people, but it picked up pace for me following Charles I's public execution and then, after the restoration of his son, Charles II, the hunt & often grisly demise of the "regicides," those responsible for the execution of Charles I. A vivid reminder that people down through history have always done horrible things to each other (did you ever really comprehend what is meant by someone being "drawn, hung, & quartered?") and of the utter seriousness with which the idea of "treason" was historically considered. Interesting also to learn of the involvement of so many Puritans in attempts to turn England into a republic. I ended up giving this 3-1/2 stars in my reading log.


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Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus Are Battling to Dominate . . .Inside the Revolution: How the Followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus Are Battling to Dominate . . . by Joel C. Rosenberg
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Borrowed this from Hoopla.com and wished I didn't have to read it on the computer (couldn't get it to download to my iPad). Some very encouraging testimonies in this book of how God is at work mightily across the Middle East & Centra Asia. Didn't agree with everything, but a decent read overall that had some great mini-biographies of some key personalities/believers. I gave it 3-1/2 stars in my Reading Log.


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The Solitaire Mystery: A Novel About Family & DestinyThe Solitaire Mystery: A Novel About Family & Destiny by Jostein Gaarder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is my least favorite Jostein Gaarder novel so far; not surprising, since it was his first one and he was developing his-story-within-a-story style. It just seemed to drag on too long and not to have as much substance as his other books, though I could see some flashes of his coming brilliance shining through here & there.


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This Is Bishkek BabyThis Is Bishkek Baby by Fogarty Wells
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fun to be reading about places & streets in a city that is somewhat familiar from various visits back in the 1990s.


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The Gospel according to Bob Dylan: The Old, Old Story for Modern Times (Gospel according to...)The Gospel according to Bob Dylan: The Old, Old Story for Modern Times by Michael J. Gilmour
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this book that looked more closely than most at Dylan's references to and interactions with the Bible/Gospel and talked more about where he is spiritually. I liked it, though I had hoped for a little more insight than the author gave. Fact is, Dylan is a very private person--though a huge public figure--and he is not one who generally plows out a nice straight linear line in whatever he does. If you want to get a real good feel for how that works out--give Dylan's Chronicles, Vol. 1 a read. It's an amazing book, but it anything but a chronological telling of his life! And where is Vol. 2 of the 3-volume series, Mr. Dylan? We're waiting...anytime now!


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The World According to Bertie (44 Scotland Street, #4)The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent read in McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series--this is Vol. 4. Lots happened to the various characters connect with the 44 Scotland Street apartment--and Bertie, the young & precocious boy who plays sax and speaks Italian, continues to struggle heroically under overbearing plans of his rather eccentric mother.


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Resolving Everyday ConflictResolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very good, insightful and practical counsel on resolving conflicts. To the point and a good reminder of an integral part of our calling as disciples of Christ.


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88 Days to Kandahar: A CIA Diary88 Days to Kandahar: A CIA Diary by Robert L. Grenier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting enough read overall, though it had some of that "can't-give-you-all-details" feel to it. Well, what do you expect from the "confessions" of a real spy master? I gave it a 3-1/2 stars in my reading log. This was another library e-book. What I was most interested/intrigued by was the info Grenier sheds on the US/CIA/military's relationships with Pakistan's so-called intelligence agency, the ISI. I have a better view of them after this reading and, no doubt, they played a big part in helping the US capture number of al Qaeda operatives (many lower level ones). But, I think Grenier was just a tad too positive on them, given his official political position and intelligence agency partner relationship. So much of what they do/represent is two-faced, give-here-while-taking-there, backdoor, duplicitous operations that involve outright treachery & bald-face lies. While taking billions of US dollars with one hand, they have trained, armed, planned, and supported terrorists & terrorist operations with the other hand. Of course, in this part of the world, you have to work with what you've got...

I think Grenier's concluded chapters are very insightful and spot on with regard to what the US/coalition has done over the years since 2001--and his comments on Obama's "clear" disengagement timeline and the results to be expected have proven true. But, the new great game isn't over yet--and things continue to develop even now in 2017 that give pause for hope for a better & more stable Afghanistan. May it be so.


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Friday, July 21, 2017

GoldGold by Chris Cleave
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an alright read--not great, not bad. Gave it a 3-1/2 stars in my reading log. Mainly about 2 women Olympic bike riders and their ups & downs. I liked the other 2 Cleave novels I've read better: Incendiary & Little Bee.


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The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. SimpsonThe Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I watched the well-done series on Netflix last year and wanted to get more of the nitty-gritty details from the book on which it was based. We missed most of the hoopla over this tragedy of a trial that was supposed to be about a tragic double murder, in order to find the truth of who was responsible--and to then mete out the appropriate punishment. This book clearly shows what a joke it all became and clearly unmasks the seedy side of well-heeled, biased, & race card focused defense lawyers--as well as the judge's & LAPD's absolute media-craving/star-ogling weaknesses and the absolute incomprehensible legalistic machinations & ridiculousness that resulted in such an obviously flawed verdict. Not to mention the brazen race-focused jurors & public, manipulated and spurred on by the likes of sick/seedy media & power hungry lawyers like Cochran, Shapiro, & Bailey. "In it to win it"--totally for the money and the attention. And the brazen narcissism & arrogance & outright duplicitous denials & posturing of O. J. are enough to make one sick these 20+ years later. Sad, tragic & classic case of an outright travesty of justice [not to excuse any of the many other travesty of justices down through US history in the cases of white jurors & black defendants who never had a chance]. Where's the justice in it all, when we supposedly stand for a rule of law nation? It all too clearly illustrates the biblical declarations concerning the hearts of humans:
"16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers." (Prov. 6)


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The Ministry of Guidance Invites You to Not Stay: An American Family in IranThe Ministry of Guidance Invites You to Not Stay: An American Family in Iran by Hooman Majd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very interesting memoir of an Iranian-American married to an American who went with their young son to live in Tehran for a year, not long after the heavy repercussions to the reformist Green Movement in 2009. Some good insights into Iranian culture and attitudes.


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The Wright BrothersThe Wright Brothers by David McCullough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fascinating account of the amazing Wright brothers and the development of their flying machines and piloting skills. Thoroughly enjoyed this read by the eminent historian, David McCullough, who could make the history of practically anything a fascinating, education, worthwhile and engaging read.


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Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in CrisisHillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fascinating read, especially when you know people who have come from this kind of stock. So sad to see the state of so many American families; so amazing to see that some not only survive and inspire their kin (Mamaw & Papaw & a sister & aunt), but some then go on to do very well and to thrive.


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The Dante ClubThe Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took a bit to get pulled into the book and the characters, but once that happened, it was a great story and read. The setting--Boston & Cambridge--was a real plus, as were the historical characters: Longfellow, Holmes, Lowell, and J. T. Fields--the publisher (Atlantic Monthly & many other literary works).There is also some great background & insight into Dante Aligheri's classic poem, The Inferno.


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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Dust to DustDust to Dust by Benjamin Busch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Can't remember how I even heard about this book--and then why I bought the Kindle version. But it was a thoroughly enjoyable read, though not what you would expect from an Iraq war vet who was a Marine. Well, Busch is no ordinary Marine--he is a graduate of Vassar and came out of it an officer. He's also an actor and film-maker. His Dad was a writer and I'd say some of his talent was passed on through his genes.

Just check these few short acclamations on Busch's book--and you'll probably want to read it as wel (Alex--I think you would really enjoy this book)l:

“A beautiful meditation on war, loss, and the larger questions of life and death.” (Huffington Post)
“[Busch] writes with the precision of a stonemason, the courage of a combat veteran, and the inquisitiveness of an artist. . . . A haunting meditation on time, memory, and death.” (Baltimore City Paper)
“Busch carries us on a haunting, humorous, and poignant journey.” (Publishers Weekly)
“Dust to Dust is startlingly good.” (The SunBreak)
“A meditation on the literal and figurative borders of life—country to country, river to lake, soil to dust, wood to ash, life to death, blood to bones, child to man—[that] explores the wonders of the natural world and our solitary lives within it.” (Hour Detroit magazine)
“Elegiac, funny, wistful, deep, and wonderfully human, Dust to Dust moved me to laughter and tears, sometimes simultaneously. . . . After reading this book, you will want to go outside and really look at our world.” (Karl Marlantes, bestselling author of Matterhorn and What It Is Like to Go to War)
“Dust to Dust is a wonderful book, original in concept and stunningly written, a soldier’s memoir that is about soldiering and much else besides. The last two dozen pages are a tour de force, a breathtaking meditation on loss and remembrance, dust to dust.” (Ward Just)

A tour de force work all-around.


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Friday, May 29, 2015

Friends, Lovers, ChocolateFriends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My 2nd McCall Smith book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. I loved it. It was just delicious, engaging, thoughtful, funny, insightful into human character and foibles. Just a delight to read and enjoy and savor! Looking forward to reading more McCall Smith--both this series (there are ten volumes in the series so far!) and other ones. Can't get enough.


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