Biography Books

Pete Sampras is my all time favorite tennis player and this book was a unique opportunity to gain insight into the personality and make up of one of the greatest champions of all time. It is hard to put the book down, once you start reading it. I would definitely recommend it to tennis players and non-tennis players alike.

What a wonderful book. I could read a section about a match and want to pull out a tape and watch the match over because the book explained what Pete was feeling as he went through the match. Also, it was so interesting to read about how he was feeling during the many emotional times times in his life. The book shows us a Sampras that we rarely saw on the court.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to everyone, not just tennis fans.

The audio book I purchased by Pete Sampras called A Champion's Mind was a great price and in great condition. It has been very enjoyable to listen to. I couldn't get over the reasonable price and how quickly I received it!

Pete Sampras - A Champions Mind was truly an amazing experience. Sampras lets you into his heart & mind and once you start reading his autobiography you just cannot put this book down. He really deserved more
respect than what he had received. I truly recommend this book to everyone, especially up and coming young athletes. Sampras was born with TALENT and was a true Gentleman but hard work is what made him a true Champion.

Pete Sampras' "A Champion's Mind" is indeed a 15th grand slam.

It never ceases to amaze me how generally people that move quiet, are soft spoken and calm are, turn to be the best writers, authors and talkers. Sampras' may have got a bit of help from his editor, but still it is impressive how relaxing and smooth this book can be... pretty much as his tennis was.

It is an interesting read that I recommend not only to tennis fans but also to people that are into knowing what is it that spins around the brain of successful people: from their first steps, through their growth, their falls, their peaks and finally their retirement. Pete basically gets naked on subjetcs as his family, coaches, trainers, friends, competitors, basically everything he never talked about during his days on the tour.

Another fun point worth every penny is Sampras' sarcastic sense of humour. Sometimes I felt I was reading something written by Conan O'Brien or David Letterman. Probably it is because as I said earlier you have this serious, non-emotional guy telling you this unexpected line at a very uptight situation. One example is what Sampras thought when he met Bridgette Wilson (whoever read the book will know what I'm taking about).

Objetive and no auto-flattering behavior, Sampras shows respect for himself, his peers and his predecesors as well as the new school of tennis players. One thing I would really like to ask Pete is why he placed Ivan Lendl as one of the GOAT, instead of perhaps the one player people relate him most -Pancho Gonzales-; the others named I agree. From my read, it seemed like Sampras had a bit more of respect for Lendl because of Ivan being so friendly and helpful to him during his first days on the tours. Who knows. After all, a few chapters into the book you realize that Pete is human, has a heart, has feelings and emotions, and may be a little subjective at times. Yet I wouldn't argue with him as I'm not even a Pro Tennis Player.

A Champion's Mind deserves 5 stars and no less, because it delivers what it says and it delivers what people would always expect from Pete Sampras: nothing else but 100% high quality.

Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure

Not many books inspire readers to get out pen and pencil and start writing their personal life stories. Especially in six words! Did W.C. Fields really request for his gravestone "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"? OK, he's not in the book (probably because he was one word short). Still, his may have been prototype for this fun little volume. Some are lighthearted (Mullings' "Fat jolly bearded origami-folding accountant"); some profound (Santiago's "Mixed blood. I am America's future). Somewhere in this book, the reader will either find his/her story or the inspiration to play with words and make of them a personal Truth. For me, "SWF with older home seeks carpenter" does it. Readers who try it will like it.

The book was great; everything as described by Michael Smerconish. The work shows how much can be said in so few words. I am enjoying the book.

As with MOST of the books and a lot of the music I purchase, I "heard it on NPR!" I mean, really!! Listening to the awesome interviews of authors and musicians discussing their work is the very best way to find out about them. I presented a copy of the Memoir book to each of several friends at dinner recently, and they immediately responded EXACTLY the way I expected and hoped -- they started reading aloud as they paged through the book. My moment was complete!! I, of course, have a copy for myself and plan to continue to enjoy it. The other reaction that folks have is to try to write their OWN six-word memoirs. Really great idea!!! Kudos to those who compiled the book!!

I am a writer myself, when I get a moment I grab this book. I read a few six word memoirs, get a few chuckles and I can put it down without worrying if I'll forget what I was reading. It's perfect for a flight or
when you have some time for yourself.

In November 2006, Smith Magazine challenged readers to write their memoirs in six words--no more, no less. One thousand of the submissions are printed here, with more to be found on their website. Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure is not an easy book to review, so don't think of this as an actual review; think of it a challenge. Here is a sampling of six-word memoirs from the book to provide inspiration.

Some writers tell their stories with humor and self-deprecation:

>> Woman Seeks Men--High Pain Threshold.
>> My first concert: Zappa. Explains everything.
>> Aging late bloomer yearns for do-over.

As you would expect, there are many bitter or bittersweet references to relationships gone bad:

>> Girlfriend is pregnant, my husband said.
>> Just in: boyfriend's gay. Merry Christmas.
>> Let's just be friends, she said.

Some lucky people sent memoirs that radiate contentment.

>> Alone at home, cat on lap.
>> Hope my obituary spells "debonair" correctly.
>> Wasn't born a redhead; fixed that.

There is the contingent who describe themselves without judgment:

>> Gave commencement address, became sex columnist.
>> Mormon economist marries feminist. Worlds collide.
>> Still lost on road less traveled.

And last but not least, the philosophers who distill life experience into a greater truth:

>> Palindromic novels fall apart halfway through.
>> Cheese is the essence of life.
>> Wandering imagination opens doors to paradise.

We're all busy people, each with a story to tell. C'mon, what's yours?

Linda Bulger, 2008

I am dog lover and animal rescuer, have been through the horrendous anguish of having beloved animals die or be euthanised....I wanted so much to cry my way through this book. But it was a dispassionate laundry list of "how I felt" and "what we did". Instead of investing the writing with the gut-wrenching feelings that we go through, Mr. Levin wrote these third party "through the retrospectragraph" descriptions. "We were saddened." Yeah well duh - pull my heart out, make the tears fall - give me the words that provoke the feeling - don't tell me what you felt....make me FEEL IT for pete's sake. The cover of the book was more passionate than the writing.

This was a great book. Even though it was very sad, it was also very touching. It was very sweet to see how attached to Sprite the author was. It was nice to know there are other true dog lovers out there!

Wow what a lovely and touching journey of a man's relationship with a very special friend and an integral family member. Mark bares his soul to his readers as he copes with the passing of Sprite a dog who was with them for such a short time but had a profound effect on his life. Anyone who has loved and lost a beloved pet can empathize with his story. I highly recommend this book to any and all pet lovers and especially to those who have never let an animal into their life -- they have no idea what they are truly missing.

Anyone with a heart will love this book, a definate must read. It will make you cry for sure, but in a good way.

before you buy this book go to marklevinshow.com and listen to his show. i listen every day. this book shows a different side of mr. levin. the side that that makes him work as hard as he does. he cares!!!! about animals!!!!about this country!!!! if you have a pet, buy this book. if you dont please adopt from your nearest shelter, then buy this book.

I consider that nowadays Pope Benedict XVI is currently "an universal moral reference" for mankind, the Catholic Church is all over the world the only one of churches growing vigorously among the young and the intellectuals .. The message of Jesus is as fresh as always !!!

Although I am a Protestant, I found the Pope's book enlightening and interesting. The first two chapters are rich in wisdom, pointing out our blessing of the Lord's very presence as we minister, and the living tradition which the Apostles and subsequent ministers have passed on to us. Throughout this book, the Pope pointed out the greater symbolism of various events in which the Apostles participated. For example, the theological significance of the great catch of fish. He also summarized the theological importance of his points, emphasizing key matters such as what constitutes a good witness: those that compel us to "come and see." His command of the first century evangelistic campaign and the order of events was revealed in an easy to follow manner. He identifies various characteristics of the Apostles and relates them to Christ's overall ministry. Furthermore, he draws from early church writings. Most importantly, the Pope supported his teachings with scripture and flatly stated that we are saved by faith alone. This should be appreciated by both Catholics and Protestants.

Curtis Mosley
Houston, Texas
May 25, 2008

"They are blind and their leaders are blind. And when the blind follow the blind they all fall into the pit." Jesus the Messiah and Lord from the Gospels

Unfortunately and tragically Pope Benedict XVI has done it again. His deception has no limits, which is fitting for a modernist. Joseph Ratzinger has continually denied and still denies the Christological Doctrines of the Catholic Christian faith as defined by the Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church. He does not assent to the Doctrines of the Catholic faith as defined by the Ecumenical Council of Trent against the Protestant heresy and he describes Martin Luther as one of his theological mentors. Finally, on the Vatican website gives approval to biblical modernism which teaches that the Apostles invented the Christian religion from their subjective experiences. His religious subjectivism ends up denying the objectivity of the public Divine revelation of the Christian religion. Deniars of these facts, please research them for yourself and this won't be the end to Ratzinger's heresies but just the beginning. Yet how is he able to deceive people into thinking that he is a Catholic Christian. The answer is that he is a modernist and in fact a moderate modernist as described by Pope St. Pius X's encyclical On Modernism(Pascendi Dominici Gregis) for which on one page they will read "... as a Catholic and on the next page as a rationalist(which includes in contemporary times religious subjectivism)." Unfortunately, the consequences of this grave deception is great as it is a matter of human salvation. "They are blind and their leaders are blind. And when the blind follow the blind they all fall into the pit."Jesus of Nazareth Tragically it is only true traditional Catholics who recognize that we have had only modernist popes starting with Pope John XXIII and consequently refuses to be blind and thereby fall into the pit of a modernist Novus Ordo Construct outside the Historical Catholic Church and which ultimately leads to hell. The only way this situation will change is when a traditional Catholic pope is elected and yes every traditional Catholic is praying and working for this day to come. The day of deception will be over modernists, religious necoconservatives(Our Sunday Visitor), and indultarians. Yes, laus tibi Christe, when the day of deception will be over!Then History will not judge lightly the modernists and appeasers of modernists, the reliogious neocons and indultarians. History and the Lord of history will vindicate their faithful servants who passed on what they have received: the traditional Catholic remnant and the truth about modernism and this great apostasy led by modernist popes will be known and accepted by all. Ratzinger has done it again but not for long! The truth can not be held back!

This book is well-written but its title is deceptive. The early chapters front-load what follows with the theological premises of the Roman Catholic Church so it is less about the Apostles than we might hope. BXVI is known as a scholar, and certainly his scholarly bent shows in what he writes, leaving many people who haven't personally dug into the current scholarship feeling impressed. If one believes in apostolic succession and Christ's entrusting the apostles with maintaining fidelity and truth (and this reviewer does accept this concept), then there are those of us who feel that the mandate for truth has failed. I have to assume that the Bishop of Rome believes what he has written, but the world has changed in that the world of scholarship is open to those of us in the pews. We don't have to accept a distorted and incomplete scholarship. We're no longer illiterates who are dependent upon the Church to tell us what to believe. We can dig it out and weigh its efficacy for ourselves. It cannot be that the Bishop of Rome is unaware of the extensive scholarship, as he has the unfathomable riches of the Roman Catholic Church that would make it easy.

I will only briefly address two overwhelmingly glaring areas. We note that women disciples are discussed in the very back of the book. BXVI lists many of the women, but he is only able to magnify the works of those who are coupled, such as Priscilla and Aquila. He makes no note of the importance that in scripture, Priscilla is listed first. And he manages to get through chapters on St. Paul's co-workers and the chapter on women without mentioning the Apostle Junia (Romans 16:7). The scholarship here is clear: There was one named female Apostle. See Eldon Jay Epp (2005). Junia: The First Woman Apostle. Minneapolis: Fortress Press (available on Amazon).

Then, the gospel material on St. Peter is, as would be expected, seriously selective, reinterpreted and reworked. What is lost is that the meaning of "Apostle" was being fought in the first century, and we know who won out in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Luke carves out a view that the 12 are the only trustworthy witnesses of the Resurrection.

Luke's "twelve" is a select group and it is ONLY in Luke they are specifically chosen FROM a larger group of followers, a group not present in Mark and Matthew [see Luke 6:13]. Matthew uses the term, "apostolic" only once [10:2-5]. Mark uses it only once [6:30]. Luke uses the term 6 times in the Gospel, and 34 times in Luke-Acts. The author of Luke and Acts writes several decades after Paul and adds new requirements for apostleship, limiting it to the Twelve, excluding Paul, James the brother of Jesus, who rose to head the Jerusalem Church, and all female apostles. The restriction of "Apostle" seen in Luke-Acts is not seen in Paul. Luke downplays the functionality of the role or mission of Apostleship and makes it more symbolic.

The preeminence of Peter is not uniform across the Gospels so we can see the struggle for authority that was going on. In 4G, Jesus never specifically chooses Peter as a member of a subgroup of disciples. He does not have any special resurrection appearance until Chapter 21, which is a later add-on redaction.

Contrary to BXVI, Peter is not depicted as the first to see the Risen Christ across the Gospels. Matthew, Mark and John give prominence to Mary Magdalene. It is only in Luke that Peter is gifted with an individual appearance of the Lord [Luke 24:33-34]. In the other three Gospels, Jesus or angelic messengers send Mary Magdalene alone or with other women to proclaim the Resurrection. This is such an inconvenience to Rome that it must be obscured. So, at a minimum, the history as recounted in the canonical Gospels shows that the conflict for authority was going on in the 1st century.

If you want to see some of the available scholarship for yourself, read Ann Graham Brock (2003). Mary Magdalene, The First Apostle: The Struggle for Authority. Harvard University Press (available on Amazon). Based on her PhD dissertation at Harvard, she has very effectively demonstrated in the canonical Gospels, with supplementary non-canonical sources including the Acts of Peter and Acts of Paul, that where Peter is made prominent in the Gospels, Mary Magdalene and the other women are diminished, and vice versa.

The Apostles reads easily if you accept the underlying premises, and if you don't, the book well captures official Roman Catholic views. It is not an unbiased account of the early history of the church. There is good information in this book, but it should not be read in isolation or as an accurate picture of the first century of Christianity.

This book reprints a year's worth of Pope Benedict XVI's weekly addresses at his public audiences where he meditates on the stories of the twelve apostles, St. Paul and other early disciples of Christ. He draws lessons from these that apply to all of us. An excellent and easy read with short chapters that can be read independently.

Caveat emptor: This is the same exact content as "Jesus, The Apostles and The Early Church" published by Ignatius Press. The Ignatius Press version is printed on heavier paper and is a more well produced book for the same price. Buy that one instead! Jesus, the Apostles and the Early Church: General Audiences, 15 March 2006-14 February 2007

This is an excellent review of history from women's viewpoints. The recearch was very well done and events factual. I felt as if I were reliving those times with the women who shaped them. Luisa Adams especially showed her mettle in very dificult situations as, of course, did Abigale and Dolley Madison! Thanks Cokie for bringing them to life for me.

I must be the only one who found Ladies of Liberty difficult to read. The ladies and their lives were very interesting or would have been but the way Cokie Roberts presented it. Jumping from one to another sometimes it would be on Abigail Adams and then jump without notice to another lady or it would go on several pages about a different set of ladies and then jump back to Abigail Adams which made it very hard for me to keep up let alone finish reading.
It would have been easier and simpler and less messy to devote parts or chapters to one lady and then moved on to the next. It was messy and disconjointed and I gave up after a few chapters. If you like that style of written then you'll love this book. If not you won't.

Naturally, these seeds of women's liberation were, in fact, the passionate, intelligent, issue-focused women that Cokie Roberts presents to us. The book is a little confusing in its intentions; I had expected these ladies that Ms. Roberts documents to be solely five of the first first ladies of the United States (or in the case of Thomas Jefferson, key women of his family). And the chapter headings identify these rather well-known women: Abigail Adams, Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, Dolley Madison, Rosalie Stier Calvert, and Elizabeth Monroe.

Roberts does spend a good deal of her conversation telling us what important roles these women played. [I particularly appreciate the writing of Abigail Adams, which Cokie's book serves to remind me of from my reading of John Adams.] But, in my humble opinion, the sadly-and-essentially unpromoted characteristic of Ladies of Liberty is its most important quality: its descriptions of several great 'ordinary' women of the early post-colonial period--some of whom achieved little notoriety and few of whom hobnobbed with big pols:

...

For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]

Brian Wright
Copyright 2008

This book gave me an amazing incite into how much women have always been involved in the political process. In today's world it is thought that the current wives of the Presidential candidates are forging new inroads, but it is apparent that women have always played a pivitol role in politics and in their husbands campaigns. Thank you Cokie!

Now I know why high school American History classes were such a snore. Up until now, history books have largely been written by men about only the men who founded our proud nation. Abbreviated, often sanitized versions of how events came to pass seem created to portray the good guys and the bad guys in ways that prove who was right or wrong. They were often dull and statistical, sweeping any nuance or thrills tidily under the rug.

One could not finish the course without knowing that Martha Washington was our first First Lady and that Abigail Adams was a strong woman who helped her husband John, our second president, throughout his career. Dolley Madison may be more famous for the lunchbox sweet cakes named after her than for her powerful influence on our nation's capital for over two decades both as the wife of the unpopular fourth president, James Madison, and as the Grande Dame pillar of society as his widow. Did we know that Eliza Hamilton, wife of Alexander Hamilton, was perhaps the first American political wife who would stand, looking adoringly at a philandering husband as he admitted adultery? Not likely. What we think of as heated debate and political mudslinging today would pale compared to the harsh words in the press or uttered during debate that too often led to duels in misty meadows and murder on the steps of Congress.

As Cokie Roberts neared the publication deadline for her first book, FOUNDING MOTHERS, it became clear that there was a vast, unplumbed treasure trove of historical information in the form of personal correspondence by and about the strong women of the new nation. These letters from and to the women who shared the dangers and privations of disease, separation, lethal epidemics and often near-starvation as one war moved into another crackled with never-before published descriptions, facts and insights into the momentous events that formed our new nation.

Researchers had no problem finding copies of treaties and legislation, even rough drafts of such treasures as the Articles of Confederation and the Bill of Rights. But these had been, for the most part, carefully written, edited and preserved in formal language --- the meatless bones of a new democracy. When these same brilliant men, such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, corresponded with their wives and friends, the true picture of the times flowed from the pages.

In LADIES OF LIBERTY, we learn firsthand, in their own words, of the devastating effects of measles, dysentery, yellow fever and childbirth complications. These famous and very capable women were pregnant most of the time, often losing at least half of their children to one constant threat after another. Many were pregnant nearly a dozen times, perhaps seeing only three or four or fewer children grow to maturity. If they themselves survived all these pregnancies, they often moved across country or sailed to foreign lands as their husbands served as ambassadors or emissaries, enduring months of seasickness or bone-rattling stagecoach rides.

In one vivid chapter, Louise Catherine Adams --- who, with her husband, John Quincy Adams, had spent six years in the court of Czar Alexander of Russia --- is summoned to Paris by her husband, who is there on business at the end of his term in Russia. She packs their belongings into a sleigh along with their seven-year-old son, a nanny and two men of dubious background to travel across Europe in the dead of winter. The trip took two months at a time when Napoleon had escaped Elba and returned to France, turning Europe upside down in a new war. Her husband awaited her in Paris, completely unaware of the dangers she was facing and was in fact attending a theatrical production the night she finally arrived after a journey that would have killed a lesser woman. Mr. Adams's account of this incident is a brief footnote, including a review of the play as he acknowledges the arrival of his wife and son. Louise's vivid description of the freezing conditions, crude accommodations along the road and their terror at swordpoint of marauding soldiers brings to life what life was really like in 1816 Europe.

Would we have learned that Theodosia Burr, daughter of the infamous Aaron Burr, would play such an important role in our nation? That the Ursaline nuns of New Orleans were invaluable help in nursing the wounded and taking in orphans during the famous battle of the War of 1812, but had been educating women, slaves and native Americans in their schools --- unheard of anywhere else in the country --- since 1727? Sacajawea, the famous Shoshone Indian teenager who gave birth to a baby while serving as an interpreter for Lewis and Clark on their Northwest exploration, could neither read nor write. But Lewis and Clark did, describing in ever-growing admiration the skill and importance of her presence to their mission.

A favorite chapter is Dolley Madison's account, through letters to friends and her husband, of the attack and burning of Washington and the President's house during the War of 1812. What? The British came back and burned down Washington after the Revolutionary War? Where was I the day they covered that in class? And did I ever hear about Dolley Madison delaying her flight to safety as the British arrived at the door to rescue the portrait of George Washington and see that it was spirited out of town under cover of darkness?

The only criticism I can aim at this fascinating account of these exciting historical events is that I sometimes became a little lost in the timeline. I did a fair amount of glancing back to orient myself to locations and dates as each absorbing tale unfolded surrounding the dozen or so women covered in the story.

But LADIES OF LIBERTY brings stuffy old American History crackling to life through these priceless correspondences. Cokie Roberts modestly states that all she did was find them and pull them together into a book. For this we are grateful, Ms. Roberts.

--- Reviewed by Roz Shea

I'm reading various negative reviews of this book, and I cannot believe that people are calling Eric Clapton arrogant in his writing. This book had its flaws, but Clapton's supposed "name dropping" and "arrogance" does not exist, at least not in this book.

I'll say first that I love Eric Clapton's music. He's the reason I'm playing my guitar, and he's taught me a lot about music. I'm only 24, though, and the only image I've ever had of Clapton is his current old man image. It's not much of an image, so I've always just focused on his guitar playing and music making. And because the guitar playing is one-of-a-kind amazing, I've managed to put Clapton up on this pedestal, and I didn't mind. To me, he deserved it.

The book erased that godly image of Clapton I had. As soon as he started getting into details about his life instead of his music, that image was erased from my mind. He did tons of drugs and drinking, had a bunch of issues with sex and women, which probably led to his crazy first marriage. I couldn't believe that the actual Eric Clapton was letting this stuff out! He's always been extremely shy, and you can tell in this book. The way he writes about his experiences are detailed, but at the same time so abstract. For example, when he starts to talk about his son's death, or his daughter that he didn't raise, you wonder some things, because he just doesn't talk about how those things made him feel.

I also could've gone with more guitar details. He talks about what his first guitar was, how much it cost, where his parents bought it for him and how he learned to play it, but he just doesn't talk about how playing it made him feel, and how he felt owning it for the first time (funny, because he's got the blues, and blues players are all about the feel. He just lets it out in his guitar playing, I guess.)

I honestly don't know where people get the "arrogant" criticisms from, though. He actually downplays his skills and does not reflect with happiness when he thinks about all the people he screwed up. Maybe the arrogance criticism comes from the fact that he only focuses on his side of the story. But how can he tell someone else's story? Either way, he reflects with remorse, and a little bit of shame as well. And calling Clapton a name dropper is an oxymoron. He was part of a music movement and an innovator, not a hanger-on. If anything, people were name dropping him.

Don't criticize the book because it only has a few black and white pictures. Clapton has always been very private, and him writing this book (all by himself, by the way, which explains why the writing is jumpy and brief at times) was enough insight into his life. And did a reviewer here actually think it was wrong that he married a younger woman and bought a boat? Why does that even matter?

And I'm biased here, but I found the story admirable and kind of sad at the end. Unlike a lot of his peers, he lived to tell his story. It broke my heart when he said the only thing he dislikes about getting old is that he won't see his young daughters when they're grown. In the end, he's a man who got down on his knees and admitted every single thing he did wrong. You can't turn back time and take everything back, but you can learn from your mistakes. And I think that's what Clapton did, and in this book he tries to tell the reader.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. Clapton gives a no holds barred account of his life, his failings and his successes. The portion about his son's death is very sad and disturbing. What's even sadder is how Clapton, a serious alcoholic at the time, admits he didn't devote the kind of attention to his young son that he should have.

I'm not sure what the negative reviews screaming "arrogance!" here are all about. The man in question is extremely talented as well as opinionated. He also repeatedly acknowledges he is a deeply flawed person. He comes across as confident in his undisputed musical ability, and humble about how lucky he is to have been given a second chance at happiness after a lifetime of drug and alcohol abuse. I further admire the fact that Clapton even at a young age, and at a time when he had no fame or fortune, stuck to his guns and played music on his own terms when many around him were selling out. Furthermore, he is quick to point out the irony of his life and his own idiosyncrasies.

I won't go into to too much detail about his life, I think the reader should read the book.

I'm not giving it 5 stars because I would have liked to hear more about Clapton's music and how he got to be the guitar virtuoso that he is.

I bought a used copy of Clapton's biography because I was searching for information about Screaming Lord Sutch's band in the very early 60's and I knew it contained one or two comments on Sutch's musicians - they were best rock players in the UK in around 1960. I've only once seen Clapton perform - that would have been in Birmingham UK around 1965, when the Yardbirds were a supporting act for The Animals. As a reader of anything and everything, I went on to read through the book anyway.

Early in his career, he quit the Yardbirds, because he felt they had sold out - in producing records aimed at commercial success. But in the final chapters, he boasts of buying a 150 ft yacht and how its purchase would be financed by a forthcoming world tour - a slight touch of irony there. Someone mentioned that the name of the yacht is Va Bene.

Anyone who wants to see pictures of the boat can Google "va bene yacht". Clacton mentions that its captain is Nick Line. Searching on "va bene nick line" leads to:

Captain Nick Line, who has worked on the Va Bene, a 158 ft yacht, for four years, says the Va Bene is owned by a high-profile musician. "For him, the yacht is a secure holiday," says Line.

Evidently Eric had the yacht refurbished. A report says:

"Her remodelled interior will provide contemporary luxury and elegance for twelve guests in six ensuite staterooms. The owner's stateroom was completely stripped out and re-configured by Struik & Hammerslag under the direction of the yard to a H2 Interior design. The new owner's suite now includes a large bathroom - with separate bath, walk in shower, double hand basins and separate toilet/bidet, a walk in closet and large office that converts into a bedroom for up to three children."

"Each of the other five staterooms on board were given a face lift with new fabrics for the deck head and bulk head panels, new mirrors, lighting, as well as replacement bedding and soft furnishings. In the VIP suite the entire full width bathroom was removed and replaced with modern fittings and limestone décor."


Clapton says in his book: "I was on cloud nine, and had to keep telling myself, 'Yes, you do deserve this.'"

My verdict on the book: Read it if you are a Clapton fan, otherwise I am sure you can find a better use of your time.

A lively read for the first two-thirds of "Clapton". The early parts of the book cover Clapton's emotional baggage when he learns of his bastard status; the years as an art student; and most interesting, the genesis of his music and his resonation with the blues. The way Clapton talks of his "calling" leads one to the conclusion that some musicians, like Dylan and Neil Young, just fit into their destinies like a gloved hand.

There are plenty of British phraseologies and slang that tend to throw speed bumps into the narrative flow however; you have to second guess what he's talking about if not familiar with Briticisms, which I suspect many of us are not. Still, the book moves along well until the last third, when Clapton opens up about his recovery from alcoholism; his family life; the Cream reunion concerts, and finally his last world tour. It feels like this last part of the book was rushed and actually written by someone else. It comes dangerously close to imploding.

Also the humility does come across as pretty selective, while we're filled in on all the estates, houses, cars, guitars, watches (what am I forgetting?) that his wealth has provided in the acquiring of these possessions. Yes, Mr. Clapton is a full-on materialist; but, giving the man his due, he certainly worked hard over his forty year career and he's entitled to enjoy the fruit of his labors like anyone else would be. It just feels like a strange contrast when he talks about the spiritual part of his life that his recovery has made possible, while we learn about the vast amount of possessions he owns.

In "Clapton", we do have a front row seat as we witness EC's obsessions and addictions: women, especially Patti Boyd; heroin and alcohol; and his magpie tendencies to acquire worldly things. But he does come across as being forthright, even if some of the juicier details of his career have been omitted. We do have to remember that his brain was impaired for many years and he would not recall details of this adventurous life that others in his life would and could. Some of the other reviewers seem to self-righteously gloss over this fact with some real inappropriate judgments.

Anyway, having prevailed through a long wake of wreakage and heartache, this man Clapton has shown much faith and courage to recreate his life, and thus come to terms with himself in his later years. That is the real message that comes across in this book; one only needs to read past the narrative in the lines to get the more fundamental narrative of this man's soul journey.


The Cloud Reckoner

Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts

Eric Clapton, for sure, is entitled to be declared as the best marketing man in Rock history:- for 36 years (since Layla days) that he didn't deliver or contributed anything to the Rock world and especially in the guitar playing world and still, he sells everything and is still considered to be one of the best guitar players of all time. For a guy that plays the same guitar solo all this time, he should have something- and this something is his remarkable marketing skills.
Don't get me wrong, EC is a gifted song writer but, there are more than few song writers that can be compared and achieved much more then EC.
The book itself reminds me of EC show I saw a week ago in Zurich (August 20)- weak, dull, shallow repeats to death old material, puts other guitar players aside to, so called, "stronger" him and at the end of the day, a British snob who came to do the work in order to get your money, nothing else.
Let me give you some examples: although you can hear till today the direct influence of Duanne Allman on EC guitar playing, in the book you will find no more than a couple of pages which relates to him- some nice words and that's it. Although the Cream was his pike of his career, EC is very cheap in words as to the greatness of the experience at that time.
On the other hand, we have a lot of pages which deal with his struggle with all kinds of addictions and self pity (a lot of, I must say).
Looking very carefully into his career, I must say that no one will convince me that EC should be regarded as one of the best guitar players ever lived- how can you compare him to the real great ones?? How can you explain the freeze and the lack of progress in his guitar playing since Layla days?? How can you explain the fact that EC plays some 60% of his live shows, blues standards that the effort in playing them equals to zero and most amateurs are playing them in their first guitar lesson?? One explanation- a dull personality that has amazing marketing abilities. Sorry folks.

Even having taken a few months to read this book, I am in a state of awe. Mother Teresa's journey in faith has brought me to question just what is faith? Do we have faith when we have an intimacy with God? Do we have faith when we can intellectually agree with a belief in God? In reading this book, it seems that Mother Teresa had a deep belief and intimacy with God. All sense of that was stripped away, and she was left with having to trust God. At one point, I was reminded of the poem and picture of "Footprints in the Sand." God does not seem to be present; do we have the faith to trust that He is there anyway?

Many have commented on the fact that Mother Teresa had asked for her letters to be destroyed. That was a part of her humility, her 'I am nothing-He is everything.' I think that she would have assented if she had known that those too are a tool bringing people to Jesus.

First it is important to realize what this book is. It is a compilation of Mother Theresa's correspondence and advice she was given by her closest personal confidants.It was compiled as part of the process of declaring her a saint. We don't know much about what was happening in her world at the time the letters were written. For that we would need to read an autobiography of which there are a number of good ones.There are chronological gaps.

This book is carefully compiled and referenced. It gives a very different perspective of Mother Theresa. The previously available works are authorized biographies and teachings.It is an excellent compilation of the process of spiritual growth.

She truly was a Bodhisattva one who remained in the world to further others spiritual progress and relieve suffering. Through these letters one can can appreciate the depth of her humility, the immensity of her persistence in the face of her person crisis of faith and external obstacles. It is long and not light reading, but reaches to a depth no other work has.

I would recommend this for the serious spiritual student or scholar. It may be too deep and repetitive for the casual reader.

Canadian born Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC, PH.D, one of the founding priests of the Missionaries of Charity Fathers and now director of the Mother Teresa Foundation, has provided us with an outstanding book. The book is a chronological compilation of Mother Teresa's private letters, revealing her inspiration (the vow, the call, the locutions and the visions) for the Missionaries of Charity and her remarkable inner spiritual life. The writings have had minimal editing and almost all were written initially in English. These are the personal communications to her spiritual advisors and close friends, and were never intended for publication. Fr. Koloiejchuk adds excellent commentary throughout providing valuable insights and context. The appendix includes the rule of the Society and a diary from a retreat she made in 1959. Both are worth reading.

Jesus asked Mother Teresa to "Come be My Light" and she responded by dedicating her life to be that light of God's love in the lives of those experiencing darkness. But the fruitfulness of her apostolate came at a steep price of many years of sacrifice. Not only did she live as a "woman of sorrows, familiar with suffering, bearing the suffering and burdens of the Society and the poorest of the poor." But she also lived in "spiritual darkness - the absence of God." This "darkness" would become the greatest trial of her life. She felt, if she ever became a saint, she would be called the "Saint of Darkness." Despite this, she held fast to the promise God made to her - "Do not fear - I shall be with you always...Trust me lovingly - Trust me blindly." She considered herself "a pencil in God's hand" and was convinced God was using her "nothingness" to show His greatness.

The secret of abundant light and love that Mother Teresa displayed is the essence of this book. The reader will learn that the secret lies in the depth and intimacy of her relationship to God throughout her heroic life - living the mission of being a "light to those in darkness." "Come Be My Light" is filled with passages that inspire, and passages to meditate on. It should be read slowly and integrated into one's own call and possibilities.

"Mother Teresa was a fearless missionary all her life. She had heard the voice of God calling her to serve the poor. Armed with the weapon of faith, she was not afraid to face and challenge the world to protect the interests of the most vulnerable members of human society." She was able to lift up those who had fallen, to encourage the faint, to rekindle hope in the disheartened. And most importantly, she showed us how holiness can be reached by simple means - always doing a little more than we feel ready to do for the unloved and unwanted in our society, our community, and in our homes.

Mother Teresa taught us that we each have a chance to radiate God's love to each person we meet throughout each day, thus transforming, little by little, the darkness of the world into His light.

I was inspired, not scandalized, that Mother Teresa underwent a protracted dark night of the soul. The book may not have the impact it now has on those who knew her media image in another decade or so; one reason the book surprised me so much was that it presented a hidden and totally different portrait from her public persona.

A Walk Through LifeCome be my light is a great book on how she battled through her darkness and helped many people in all corners of the world. This book has been translated from her original writings and gives you a good insight into Mother Teresa.

Christopher and Dana Reeve were class acts, both of them. They handled some of the worst that can happen with grace and dignity. Their great love for each other was what helped them make it. I greatly enjoyed this book, and shed a few tears over it.

i love reading this book...i am trying to read it slowly to make it last. i have read a lot of books on christopher reeve but this puts it all together. also easy reading

on the whole I got a great deal out of this book as far as learning about a good foundation like the one Mr. Reeves started . But, Mr. Anderson has a tendency to jump on bigography's that try to send it's readers into tears ( at least ) . Making Mr. Reeve & his wife more then any other truly loving couple in the same situation ...however everyone of those couples aren't in the financial comfort zone that made this horrific accident bearable if I may say so . YES, I do applaud the Reeves for bringing attention to this cause so vehemently . But, like most people who do not suffer from life threatening diseases , my question is " would they have done so otherwise ? " But, perhaps , this was the only way for everyone to become aware, doesn't matter . No, I wouldn't ( nor would you ) trade places with Mr. Reeves for any amount of money .Even he once said he'd give it all up if only .....

Mr. Anderson tried to make a true Camelot out of the kennedy years when after much time, we find our golden boy had feet of clay . He too was only human and yes, I would have voted for him anyway if I had been of age BUT, Mr. Anderson, here's a question for you !!!! " I looked everywhere in my Library borrowed book and do not see just how much $$$ you intend to donate from the proceeds of this book to the paralysis foundation ". if you are ....let us know what % .

Making this into a tear jerker and that it is because of all the tragedy involved BUT, what about the average guy or gal ? How do they survive financially, mentally without an army of people at their side 24 hrs. a day , seven days a week, body guards . You mention this sort of thing breaks lesser in love couples marriages up from the strain of everything....yes, I suppose many do, maybe because they aren't beloved by millions, in fact only known by family, neighbors and maybe some friends . But, in the end, the spouse takes the entire brunt of it ALL night & day no let-up & finally break in a thousand pieces ...and If they try to get a job ( no 1,000,000.00 offers for them )who will be there at home ? what do the insurance companies say ???? well, they say, put your loved one in a home ....can you imagine doing that to your beloved and them still wanting to go on living ? Mr. Anderson's mistake to me was not the facts which were very,very sad for any family BUT STOP...making people into " DEMI-GODS " ( golden couple ) when ordinary couples are doing the same damned thing !...you'll make your fortune ...as I read and felt pity for that family my heart kept being pulled to the unknown army of spouses in this predicament who have no important people looking out for them . May Our Lord Bless them and the battle worn spouses who do stand by their sweethearts in the shadows ,forever unknown .yes,there was more tragedy so Mr. Anderson had himself a hit book especially the way, in every other paragraph he almost implied this couple had the most unique love , this golden couple, didn't deserve any of this . well, Mr. Anderson, just who's family does ? i wouldn't wish any of this on my worse enemy BUT, let's stop lionizing humans . we do what we have to do in this life or fall.

So to all of you who bought the book, now you know what it can be like ...only picture the same thing without influence OR money !!!! After you've done that ...then go ahead and match the bucks you spent on this book and do, do, do, donate to Christopher & Dana Reeve foundation , It's a worthy one . Maybe you'll be helping someone you'll never see on screen or being a super hero or their heroic wife but a heros non-the-less. Maybe this tragedy is what God needed Chris for, to show us even a super man IS only human .

" THINK ABOUT THIS "

" He Who Learns Must Suffer " (by Aeschylus 524-BC-456 BC...philosopher

even in our sleep, pain which does not forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart, until
in our own despair, against our will
comes wisdom, thru the awful grace of God !

Goodnight Chris & thanks ...God Bless all who still are suffering without real help and bless the spouses & families who untiringly take on this challenge without public notice and awards of any kind !!!!

Someday soon I hope we will see the possibilities of stem cell research & the gift it may hold for so many .

Worth every penny. I could not put this book down. Although I already knew the outcome and so many things (or so I thought) about Chris and Dana Reeves; I was still very touched by this book and how very much Dana and Chris loved each other. It also helped me with my profession as a nurse and enlighted me more into the aspects of what a family goes through when this terrible type of accident occurs. I hope; through this book, that I will be even more compasionate towards my patients and their families and understand more fully what they may be feeling.

Certainly a loss to this world of these two wonderful people and ofcourse especially to their son (and Chris's two older children).

My wife bought this book to read. It is beautifully written about love that never fades. Thanks for helping us reflect on what true marriage is all about.

This book openend my eyes to the plight of the persecuted Christians in China and all over the world. It gave me a new appreciation for the freedoms we have as Americans.

THIS book is SOOOO Good.. its one of the Best Books EVER. I Was in YWAM and they made me read it.. And I Did NOT want to FINISH IT.. i wanted this book to last Forever.. its That Good. His True to life Stories are Inspring and Amazing!. Will Motivate you to Seek after God all the More.

I loved what Brother Yun said when he said "Chinese Christians are persecuted by beatings and execution and Western Christians are persecuted by slander." The book really make you look at your walk with Christ. The book was well written and keep my attention.

A little over a year ago, I read Randy Alcorn's novel, "Safely Home." And it was based on Chinese Christians and the persecution they might go through in China. And my first thought was how rough that has to really be. Being a master storyteller, Randy Alcorn barely scratched the surface, and he could've really gone deep. After my dad read "Safely Home," he found this book, "The Heavenly Man," and basically told me, "You've got to read this! This is amazing!" If you think you're some kind of victim just because you've been made fun of for your Christian faith, wake up! Christians like Brother Yun know something about suffering, and how to rejoice in the process. HUH? Read on!

And this really is nothing short of amazing. Brother Yun started preaching at the age of 16. Like in Alcorn's book, there are church house meetings. And the Chinese government hates Christians, and has ways of dealing with them. So for those of us who have these ideas of being a simple POW with just a few beatings, it goes a lot further than that. The torture that Brother Yun suffered is nuts! And this guy can rejoice and witness to his cell mates about the glory of God. Seeing miracles, and experiencing them, and you'd have to be crazy not to believe in God.

Yun makes it clear that when we are in God's will, God has us exactly where He wants us. It is a reminder to stay in the will of God and to keep focused on the reward God has for us. And being in God's will means to be ready for everything God has for us here on Earth. That means that we'll probably do some suffering, and that we will bear our own cross.

Would anybody line up for the testimony of Brother Yun? All I can say is WOW! This is an amazing life. A true eye opener!

After reading this book you'll understand why some believe that Asia may become the next center of Christianity. With the West becoming more secular and morally bankrupt, God is moving in China to spread the Gospel. Who would have thought that Korea, formerly a primarily Buddhist country, would become a Christian nation that sends out multitudes of missionaries? In the same way, God is using the Chinese house churches to spread the Gospel not only throughout China but also throughout the rest of Asia and beyond. The story of Brother Yun shows how the Gospel began to grow in China under persecution. This is inspiring and motivating. However, it was hard to relate the sold-out Christianity of the Chinese house churches to the soft, laissez-faire Christianity we know in the West. May God bring revival not only throughout Asia but also to the West.

This is a big and detailed book, not for the faint of heart. But, if you love history and/or politics, this is a book for you. Truman was an unlikely president and this book captures the man's personality, humility, and dignity. Carefully researched and described, the book opens the door to one of our nation's most unique and dinstinguished characters. An epic book about an epic man. Delightful.

I couldn't have been more pleased with this book. I love David McCullough and he never ceases to amaze you with this intimate portrayal of Harry Truman's life. He brings the President to the level of an average man who finds himself in an above-average position. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an in-depth look at one of our most interesting Presidents to-date.

I have to agree with a previous reviewer: upon reading this, I have such a desire to meet and converse with HST--that's how interesting and honorable he was.

As always, McCullough's narrative sweep is impressive. Truman as a lonely and bookish boy, Truman as a soldier, Truman as a failed businessman are the most interesting parts. When it comes to Truman's presidency, McCullough turns up little new grounds, however. It's the usual conventional wisdom about a guy who made tough decisions that turned out right. Read Perrett's "Commander in Chief" for a harsher and more surprising evaluation of Truman's decision-making and his monumental blunders.

The book itself was a winner - a gift for my husband. He "devoured" it. The only disappointment was how cheaply and poorly-bound the paperback was. Even with extreme care, it fell apart within the first 70 pages. The replacement nearly made it to the end, but not quite. Buy and read this book, but go for a better-bound version unless you like handling it in pieces.

I have read most of McCullough's books, and so I knew that after reading this I would understand Harry S. Truman more deeply than I ever had. What I didn't know what was that I would learn so much about 20th century American history. McCullough is a great story-teller. His use of historical details to recreate the man and the times is magnificent. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.