Biography Books

This was my 8th grade son's summer reading. He could not stop reading it and it caused him to initiate a lot of conversation with us about the holocaust. Since it was from the perspective of a girl his own age, he really identified with it.

I have just started reading more accounts of World War II and really enjoyed this survivor story. It is a big account in a small package. It is not about the gory details, but more about the emotions behind them. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

this book was awesome. i read it in a day. very hard to read, but you have to do it. buy!!!!

The book shows plenty of emotions of their loved ones being lost. Livia wrote her memory into a book, like most Holocaust survivors did. Most people are unaware of the presence of the Holocaust or just were uninterested. Like most Holocaust books they show the nightmare they experienced. Elli gives the reader an idea that they have hope to survive.
Some people read certain Holocaust books that fits their writing style and her Livia gives the reader the first person point of view.
We chose this book for our English class and we presented how they were killed like if one person in the barrack did not cooperate with the SS officers, the entire barrack was sent to gas chambers.
I recommend readers read this book.

This book is so powerful. I have read many stories of Holocaust survivors, but few if any have presented such a vivid view of the horrors the Jews faced. Some parts were disturbing, but they describe true history, so they are definitely important to read. If you're interested in the Holocaust, this is a great read.

This is one of my most favorite books! Everytime I read it I feel like I have to go running..ASAP!!As a trainer I make all of my clients read this weather they are a runner or not! His story is amazing and extremely motivating.

Dean is amazing! He writes is a relaxed, conversational manner that makes you feel like he's talking to you directly. His experiences and the way he presents them make you never want to put the book down! Give us more, Dean!!! Your inspirational and we'll follow you anywhere.

This book is just as inspiring after reading it for the second time. Dean Karnazes shows the world that with hard work and determination you can accomplish what you want. It's a wonderful story.

As a fellow endurance athlete, I thoroughly enjoyed Dean's book. He has inspired me to further my journey and continually test my own limits.

At more than a few points in the book I wasn't sure if I should be laughing at the absurdity and the physical pain Dean would inflict on himself, but the truth be told, it was inspirational. The notion of pushing beyond any imaginable limits is a powerful message, and it rubbed off. I'm happy to say that Dean has transformed running, which I often used as a form of self-punishment, into an event I truly look forward to: "Competition with yourself is the ultimate test." For best effect, next time you go for a run, load "Ultramarathon Man" onto your player - you wont regret it.

Washington is one of our greatest leaders -- maybe our greatest over Lincoln, Grant, FDR and Eisenhower.

That's a given, but the content of this book does not live up to its title.

Leadership is the ability to get people to put aside their normal competitive instincts and work together toward a common goal. A winning coach or military officer; a successful CEO and, yes, a winning guerilla chieftan are examples of EFFECTIVE leaders.

The question then is: What behaviors in these men make people want to follow them?

The 7 Leadership Lessons" on the back of the dust cover provide little or nothing practical for someone hoping to improve his or her effectiveness as a leader. They're too broad, too vague.

The author seems muddled in his concept of leadership. Yes, Washington held a leadership position before, during and after the Revolution, but this books does little to tell us why he was EFFECTIVE as a leader.

The subject of leadership needs lots of attention -- especially today.
This book does little to advance the debate.

A fine account of Washington's trials & tribulations during the birth of our Nation as culled from his (and other's of that time) writings; an inside look at the leadership "chess moves" facing political statesmen. This account ranks up there with Machiavelli's "The Prince"...

I am well pleased with the book I purchased, as well as convenience
in ordering. This is not my first purchase, and have been very
pleased with other items I bought.

If you are looking for a good book on leadership and you need to decide on the myriad of books available on the subject, go with this one. Drawing on experiences from Washington's life, Brookhiser gives valuable insights to how Washington handled the many challenges he faced and then explains how we can use those techniques in our lives.

If you enjoy history and personal examples of success and failure in leadership styles this is the book to read. The book is not a boring biography on George Washington but a living story full of events researched from historical letters, records, etc. and recorded in well organized flow by the writer.

Easy to read- enjoyable to the last page. This book isn't so much about sex as it is about relationships, self confidence and how doing just one thing can snowball into all sorts of other wonderful feelings and experiences. I thought it was well written and perfectly tasteful- for all audiences. If you are looking for smut this is not the book for you. Charla is just one of us- juggling family, self, partner and dreams. Well done!!!! A must read!

Charla Muller's epigraph for 365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy is from dramatist Jean Anouilh: "To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows." Out of its context, Anouilh's quotation summarizes Charla Muller's attitude toward marital sex: It's a chore and a bore. That is why, on the occasion of her husband's 40th birthday, she, in the spirit of self-sacrifice, offers him what she calls "The Gift"--sex every day for the next year. After pages of overwrought mutual analysis about the implications, Brad Muller accepts. In one short chapter, the reader is introduced to what seems to be the most passionless marriage on the planet.

The rest of 365 Nights (give or take a few--mustn't have sex during menstruation, for example) rarely delves into sex or even intimacy, physical or emotional. Our most penetrating look into the Mullers' sex life comes when Charla says, "Wow, that was really nice" (or "yummy") and Brad says, "Could you pretend you're enjoying it?" to which Charla replies, "How 'bout you just close your eyes." Between these flashes of profound love, Charla tirelessly fills the reader in on her rather narrow view of relationships, marriage, parenting, being a working mother (she works two days a week), and how giving her husband what he wants ("The Gift") has somehow made them stronger as a couple. It's not the intimacy itself that seems to bring them closer together, but the sense of sacrifice and the willingness to work to overcome the obstacles--not only Charla's dislike of sex (which she seems to believe she shares with every married mother), but logistics such as work, children, activities, and the need for private time.

Perhaps married women with children who see their husbands as "sperm donors" and "providers," as Charla writes of some of her friends, will relate to her and her view of love, marriage, and life. Undoubtedly, many will find that she validates the sexual ennui that can set in during any long-term relationship. From my single, childless perspective, she offers no insights, not even as to the underlying reasons she makes every effort to avoid sex with the man she loves and why getting ready for sex means, "I just continue lying there" (prompting her husband to say, "Could you pretend you're interested in this?").

When the year of "The Gift" is over, Brad seems happy because he will continue to get sex more frequently (although not every day), and Charla is happy because her husband is more content and her marriage is more solid--and, to me, as free of passion as ever. Charla writes about some of the benefits of sex--it provides exercise and offers improved communication for example (she likes to talk to Brad about the mundane during the act, we learn). She mentions greater emotional intimacy, but she doesn't convey it or what it means. She touches on the surface of the issues, but is unable or is afraid to say anything meaningful beyond the obvious. While she lies back and gives "The Gift," she cannot bring herself to mention that she finds any physical pleasure or emotional joy in the act itself (other than that it's "nice"). She and Brad seem to be well suited to each other, but they could be brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables for all the passion shown in their marriage--with or without sex.

Charla's perky style is annoying, and her values, which she assumes we all share, are painfully shallow. She disdains ugly mini-vans (and her beloved children's energy future) in favor of a "cool" SUV. A "polite feminist," she believes that it's a "rule" that women, and now men, must pluck their eyebrows (and any other hair that doesn't meet her concept of perfect grooming and appearance). She is surprised to learn she is pregnant after just a couple of months, calling herself "very fertile" (what does this make Brad?) and making one wonder if she never learned the reasons that contraception became such a hot topic for 19th century women. She abhors the idea of aging naturally and fantasizes about "slight tweaking" through plastic surgery until Brad says, "What will she [daughter] think if she sees her mother conforming to these bizarre societal standards?"--standards to which Charla would have us all make every effort to conform.

Charla presents herself as someone you should want to chat with over coffee about the vicissitudes of married suburban life; indeed, that's how this book came about. I couldn't. It's more than her overuse of words like "nice," "gal," and "girls" (this from a "polite feminist") or the wearisome banality of her endless reflections. She's one of those people--we all know at least one--who prattle nonstop without saying anything, leaving one feeling tired and empty--or energized, if that is your sort of thing.

365 Nights: A Memoir of Intimacy could have been a compelling story, but it would take a more interesting and thoughtful person than Charla Muller to grasp the topic and its nuances and to do it the justice it deserves.

This book, although it sounded good in theory, was not in practice. While the author has a good idea, she fails to come through. While we should be encouraging couples to work through their problems and be more intimate with one another, Charla Muller gives us women advice on how to "get out" of having sex. She doesn't enjoy the experiment, she is a prude, and frankly, I feel bad for her husband. This book basically throws women back in time. She makes it sound like we don't enjoy sex and it is a chore like any other. In doing something like this, she should have discovered she was wrong, and that sex is great. I recommend "Just Do It" tenfold over this book. It's more realistic. And they don't talk about their children during the sex.

I thought it was a great idea what she did, and I was really excited to read this book. But it was so boring! She barely talked about the sex, and rambled on and on about how she likes to cook, about her life, and barely discussed the impact the gift made on their sex life. I read the first half, felt bored to tears, and skipped to the epilogue where I got the gist of the entire book. The only reason she gets 2 stars for this book is because I loved the idea behind the gift and thought it was gutsy that she then wrote a book about it. I just wish the book had had more oomph.

This is a good book... exactly what you think it would be. It's not written by a Ph.D. or anything... just a wife telling about her year of sex. I guess it can be inspiring to a woman who wants to help her sex life. Dont let your husband read it or he'll want the gift of sex every day.

I have been a fan of Deadliest Catch since roughly the second season. For the most part, I liked the Hillstrand Brothers (though Capt Phil and the Cornelia Marie crew are my favorites). I was very excited to find an autographed copy of the Hillstrand's book at my local B&N. Though it offered some entertaining stories, I must say I was disappointed in the book as a whole. The narrative is very choppy and hard to follow. It jumps back and forth from Jonathan being stranded at sea, to Andy on the farm waiting to hear from him, to both of them reflecting on their pasts. I don't blame the Hillstrands for this (I don't expect crab fisherman to be great writers) as much as I do their editor/ghostwriter. Surely he or she could have done a better job.
For me, the most disappointing aspect of reading this book was how much respect I lost for the Hillstrand brothers. By their own admissions and through their own words, Jonathan comes across as the perpetual child who refuses to grow up. He wastes his money on women and booze and doesn't spend a lot of time with his son (but expects him to take over the family business someday). Though he says he treats women well, he seems to have an almost annoyed, even hostile attitude towards those like Andy and (Jonathan's) son Scott, who have or seek to have a stable family life. For his part, Andy comes across as the perpetual enabler who is always bailing his brother out of trouble. I have to say the book as a whole left me feeling a bit cold towards the brothers. I will definately watch them differently when they're on the show in the future.

If you love Deadliest Catch and the Hillstrand brothers you will really enjoy this book. They are my favorite captains on the show becuase of thier sense of humor.

There is no question that Time Bandit finds an eager audience among fans of the American TV show "Deadliest Catch," but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book stands up well on its own as an entertaining and informative read. The brothers Hillstrand have a pirate's lode of great fishing stories, but the book doesn't stop there. These men are also admirably candid about their personal histories and the tough issues they deal with on land (families, obligations, personal demons, compliance with fishing regulations, outfitting for the next fishing run, hiring/firing crew, etc).

The first and dominant voice in the narrative is Johnathan Hillstrand whose delivery struck me as egotistical and arrogant to the point that I almost didn't stick around to give the book a chance--but I'm glad I did. After all, the book opens with the "bad boy of the Bering Sea" perilously adrift and alone, and even if he does seem a bit full of himself, I wanted to see how he would get out of his dire predicament. His life-threatening situation serves as the literary focus to reflect on his life--kind of a slow-motion version of seeing your lifetime pass before your eyes before you die. Thus unfolds Johnathan's entertaining story, reminiscences of his life, interspersed with the narrative of his brother Andy and the fellow fishermen who eventually rescue him.

At first, I thought the writing style was too unpolished and the tone overbearingly arrogant but as I got to "know" Johnathan better, and then his brother Andy, I decided to cut them some slack. After all, if fishermen were born to be writers, they wouldn't be fishermen, and vice versa (with the exception of Linda Greenlaw who is both a good writer and fisherman). Thankfully, the authors enlisted the help of seasoned writer Malcolm MacPherson who I presume is responsible for making a cohesive work from two lifetimes of harrowing stories. More effort in that direction would have further improved the book.

Time Bandit is great entertainment. Tales of near death, living on the edge, the roughness of life on sea and land, gave me a great escape into a world I could never approach in my real life. I take points off for the literary weakness of the book which is apparently aimed at the established TV audience as a "mixed media" marketing effort. When the TV show eventually ends and the DVD market is sated, the book will not have much literary quality to sustain it as a book alone.

Sharing similarities with Time Bandit in ocean-going subject matter, here are a few recommendations which are stronger literary works: _The Hungry Ocean_ and _The Lobster Chronicles_ by Linda Greenlaw, _The Perfect Storm_ by Sebastian Junger, _Hen Frigates_ by Joan Druett, and _Cod_ by Mark Kurlansky.

This book can hardly be laid down, which is surprising for its genre. It was received in the condition advertised.

I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and very informative. I watch Deadliest Catch every day, and can't wait for the new season to start. Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand are to be commended for getting this book published. They are my favorite fishermen and I really like the crew also. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is excellent. I loved each and every word and could not in all honesty put this book down. I think I read this most excellent book faster and in a shorter time then any book I have read, and I have read hundreds of different books in my adult life. If you like the show, you MUST get this book.

This is an interesting read! I got the idea that all Buck went through with Easy Company, laid a good foundation for his success in later life! I have been a WWII buff for a long time, and this book gave me a greater appreciation for some of the situations the veterans had to confront once the war was over.

This is a good biography, but it had very little in regards to the "Band of Brothers". I was disappointed from that perspective.
Dave

Really good book by a guy who has experienced a very full and interesting life. As a fan of Band of Brothers I have gone back and read all of the books by the E-company soldiers, Winters, Webster, Malarkey, Guarnere and Heffron. Compton had an amazing life and his book is a great read.

Since the success of the HBO series "Band of Brothers" (BoB), several other books have come out about some of the key members of that story.

So far, these books have included autobiographies by Dick Winters in "Beyond Band of Brothers", Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron in "Brothers in Battle", Donald Malarkey in "Easy Company Soldier" , and Lynn "Buck " Compton in "Call of Duty". David Kenyon Webster had earlier written his war autobiography in the 1950's, and this was finally published in 1994 with help from Stephen Ambrose as "Parachute Infantry". In addition, a separate biography of Dick Winters - "Biggest Brother" - was written by Larry Alexander.

Reading all of these books and re-watching the HBO movie series on DVD has a Rashomon-like quality. Details of how things happened in E Company's WWII campaign change from one storyteller to the next. Like Rashomon, from the differences in the stories, it is possible to glean insights into the characters of each of these men and how they wanted to remember themselves.

As mentioned by other reviewers, of all of these books, this one by Buck Compton actually has the least amount of information about E Company's actions during WWII. It does turn out to be an excellent study in the life and times of the Los Angeles area from the Depression all the way through the 1980's. In particular, the section on Compton's career as an LAPD policemen and then district attorney read like something out of "LA Confidential".

Buck Compton lived an incredibly full life - he was a child actor in Hollywood, a UCLA baseball player and a lineman for the UCLA football team that won the Pac-10 and went to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 1943, a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne during WWII who won a Silver Star for his role in destroying a German artillery battery in Normandy, a plainclothes policeman for the LAPD, and an LA district attorney who prosecuted Sirhan Sirhan for the assassination of Robert Kennedy. He was appointed by Ronald Reagan to be a judge on the California State Court of Appeals. Finally retiring to the San Juan Islands off the coast of Seattle, he would become a "poor man's Rush Limbaugh" (in the words of one of his daughters) as a conservative radio talk show host.

Ultimately, though, it was Compton's brief time with E Company that made him famous enough to get his autobiography published.

An analysis of Compton's time with E Company:

The discrepancy between Compton's recollections of the battle at Carenton and the accounts of others in E Company is easily explained. It is clear from Compton's book that, after the Brecourt assault, he somehow became separated from the rest of E Company in the general confusion of Army maneuvers as the soldiers moved to attack Carenton. Thus, he arrived late to Carenton, after the battle was over, and his account describes only the post-combat scenes of destruction and carnage. Compton's account does jive with all of the other BoB accounts - Compton's name never appears in any of the other descriptions of the attack on Carenton, as it is now clear that he simply wasn't there.

The attack at Brecourt would be the highlight of Compton's combat efforts. His only other contributions to E Company consisted of getting shot in the buttocks almost immediately when the shooting started in the Holland campaign, and then getting caught in the hell of Bastogne as E Company was sent out to hold the perimeter against a constant German artillery fire.

Which brings us to the uncomfortable topic of Buck Compton's moment of "combat fatigue" at Bastogne.

Although Compton firmly denies that he suffered a PTSD-type breakdown at Bastogne, there's a lot of evidence in his own account in this book that after the successful assault on the German guns at Brecourt, he rapidly lost his taste for fierce combat. Ambrose, in fact, states in his book that none of the original E Company men would ever charge as recklessly into battle as they did at Brecourt. Their initial enthusiasm for combat would rapidly be replaced by a general sense of self-preservation as they saw how many of their buddies were getting killed.

Compton's own version of the event at Bastogne puts the blame on Lieutenant Dike, E Company's useless replacement lieutenant during Bastogne. He states that he ran off the line to find Dike, and later raged about Dike's absence. Despite his explanation, the weight of the evidence from the other BoB accounts is that, yes, he did suffer a PTSD breakdown, becoming unable to function in his role as a second lieutenant for his unit after witnessing the carnage inflicted by the German shelling. The whole purpose of the military command structure is so that there is always someone to step in to take over in another soldier's absence. Other survivors of the shelling such as Carwood Lipton and Donald Malarkey would step in to hold E Company together.

Compton was not an original Toccoa man, having joined E Company in England. He had not suffered through Captain Sobel as the others did. And so his level of bonding with the rest of E Company was not as tight, something that becomes clear from a close reading of this book. After his best friends Guarnere and Toye were mangled in the German shelling, it appears that he lost his closest ties to E Company.

Contrary to the "happy ending" depiction in the HBO series, Compton did not return to E Company at the end of WWII. Officially recovered from trench foot, he was given orders to go back to E Company, but, on his way, stopped in Paris, and there met an old friend who transferred him to another unit that was engaged mostly in playing Army baseball and football.

He states that in hindsight, he should have gone back to E Company, just to set the record straight about his character, but I think the reality at the time was that he knew that his closest friends in E Company were gone by then - dead, wounded, or transferred - and that E Company was now filled with replacement soldiers.

And, unlike Ambrose's description of E Company as a tight brotherhood of friends, Compton would later, at an E Company reunion, be accused by a drunken Lewis Nixon of being a coward. Malarkey would come to Compton's defense (an identical account of this event appears in Malarkey's book).

And so, like all Hollywood movies, like most of history, like Rashomon, the truth is far, far more complex than it seems at first. This has been true for the story of E Company as well.

It is not for us, noncombatants, to judge Compton's character - his service in WWII required far more bravery than most of us could ever muster. Compton is a fine American, who did more than his share in WWII, and then later accomplished even more as a public servant for the state of California. His many other accomplishments in life may in fact have encouraged him to forget about his brief moment in WWII with E Company (he was with them for only for about one year).

The book ends, somewhat jarringly, with Compton's career as a "poor man's Rush Limbaugh", and his fierce diatribe against socialism. As this review is already far too long, I will just say this - he definitely got this part wrong. Socialism and free market capitalism are merely opposite ends of an eternal struggle between doing what is best for all people in society (including the poor and incompetent), versus the need to reward individual initiative and drive. Societies that run to the extremes of one or the other have always been terrible societies. Our goal as Americans should be to find the best balance between the two.

When i purchased this book, my impression was that it was going to be about the celebrated "Band of Brothers" ... I've read several a couple of books about Dick Winters, as well as Ambrose's "Band of Brothers". I was actually surprised how little time was spent on that period ... mainly because that part of Buck Compton's life only represented a few pixels of the much larger picture.

What is enjoyable about the book is that Compton does not put himself on a pedestal for anything ... actually, most of the book is spent downplaying anything that could ever be interpreted as grand, heroic or egotistical ... he doesn't want accolades (as his daughters didn't even know he earned medals for valor in World War II until the "Band of Brothers" premier). This is a story of a humble and decent man with a strong sense of duty, self-pride, work-ethic, integrity and honesty.

I think the point of him writing this book was less a tale of being one of the Band of Brothers than using that role to prove to people that being an American is a greatt blessing if one is willing to work hard and make sacrifices when necessary.

There are several surprises in the book. He is quick to point out innacuracies in the Band of Brother book and movie, but does so in a manner that is not accusatory. He is also quick to marginalize, to some degree, the grand stature bestowed upon him as "Lt. Buck Compton" ... to him, his war service was nothing more than fulfilling a duty to his nation along with millions of other young men.

He completes the book with a chapter about his politcal views and I am sure it will offend or annoy some ... too bad, he's earned the right to state them and his life experiences have obviously shaped them (not newspapers or newsanchors).

Bottom line ... the man has led a very impressive life ... it was an enjoyable read and when i was finished i couldn't help but thinking how lucky we are to have people like him among us.

I like Tim Kurkjian. I listen to him on Mike & Mike in the Morning on ESPN radio. I see him on Baseball Tonight. He seems like an imminently likable guy. And, like another reviewer, I really wanted to like this book. I'd put off reading Game of Shadows until this summer and I thought, "What better book to read about the good side of baseball after reading about the, well, shadowy side of baseball of Barry Bonds and others cheating via steroids?"

That said, I tried three times to finish this book but just couldn't do it. The stories are just too rah-rah, sis-boom-bah for me.

Kurkjian clearly loves what he does and some of his stories are great. But others, whether they are true or not although I have no reason to doubt the gist of them, are just silly. For example, with a child's gleam Kurkjian goes on about how intensely competitive Cal Ripken, Jr. is; he's so competitive, in fact, that during his Iron Man streak he challenged steep steps in single bounds at the risk of turning an ankle and therefore ruining his consecutive-game streak. I'm not sure this story is one to be admired. Other stories include players that risk injury "for the love of the game." I shouldn't tell Ripken or any professional ballplayer what to do; my point is that Kurkjian's stories are so glossy that he fails to look objectively sometimes. Some of the stories of greatness could easily qualify the player for a diagnosis of OCD.

But then, maybe that's why I'm a schmuck and Kurkjian is on TV and Ripken's a Hall-of-Famer.

This book was extremely enjoyable and I highly recommend it to any baseball fan. Kurkjian writes with passion and love for the game of baseball. His stories are delightful: from the player (I think Jay Bell)who never heard of Mickey Mantle to the kid who gets an autograph from "some guy Stan Musiel or something" to Cal Ripken's extreme competitiveness, you will laugh out loud. He also has a scary, but interesting chapter on hitters and pitchers who get hit by the baseball and how they react. I cannot recommend this too highly.

This is a great book. For those fans of Tim Kurkijan, you can't go wrong on this read. Bought it for my husband, not only did he enjoy it, but I did too. great wit and a real fun book.

Long-time baseball writer and commentator Tim Kurkjian shares a great collection of off-beat and insightful baseball stories in his book. Kurkjian's love for the game and what he does comes through loud and clear.

Kurkjian covers a wide range of topics, including scouts, coaches, managers, spring training, being hit by the pitch, humorous incidents and much more. His stories are fresh, tightly written and entertaining.

This book focuses on all the reasons why you love baseball and why you know it's the best sport.

Tim K. found the essence of the game of baseball. His passion and love of the game come thru in this book. If you are any kind of a fan of baseball you will really enjoy "Is This a Great Game or What."

Was not happy was told it had no writing in it but it was written in also I think the shipping cost for a book is way to much also.I ended up paying almost $14.00 for the book and workbook that only cost $16.00 brand new.So I would say not a good deal.Sorry

Purchased the DVD as well as the books and workbooks for a small group study. Very happy with all the materials - shipped in a timely manner. Amazon is a great place to shop for varied needs, and at affordable prices. Thank you.

Book was in excellent condition. Received within 5 days. But I meant to order reading book, but received wookbook, and it cost more to ship back than I paid for book and shipping, so I kept it. will sell.

We used this book as a study guide, all the women who got one loved it!

This study is excellent. Liz Curtis Higgs does a fantastic job of applying ancient lessons to our modern times.

This is another fantastic book! I love Bragg's work. It makes you cry, smile and laugh. The audio version, read by the author, adds to the value of his story. Beautifully written, beautifully read. Fine work!

If you have any "blue collar blood" in you, Rick Bragg's writing should appeal to you. In The Prince of Frogtown, he peers into the past of blue collar Americans, specifically mill workers and mountain people of the Appalachians. These are his relatives. Fighting, drinking and cussing are a way of life for them.

This is a story of Rick's father, Charles, and the search for the reasons behind his father's alcoholism. It is a sad story of broken dreams. The author tries to find out what happened to the man his mother once loved.

Charles Bragg was a man, who "it took patience to like even in the best of times." Typically irresponsible, Charles made a new start in Dallas, moving his reluctant family there. He was sober and employed for two months, keeping his promise that he would change. It was, however, the uncertainty of a future with Charles and the certainty of a $54 welfare check Rick's mother could receive if she returned to Alabama, that caused her to leave Charles and take her sons back to Alabama.

Afterwards, Charles' life spiraled to nothing. Before he died, he said he was sorry for what he had done, and that he loved his family. But I don't think they ever felt it. Parts of the book will bring a tear to your eye.

In between chapters, Bragg tells the story about "the boy," the son of a woman he's dating. Typically, techniques like this don't work, but it does in this case. Bragg sees much of himself in "the boy" and it's a touching sidebar.

Rick Bragg knows the South and writes with his heart. Excellent book, especially for those of us who remember what it was like to be a child in the old South -- before air conditioning.

Here master storyteller, Rick Bragg, tells his story about trying to come to terms with a father he barely knew and for most of his (Rick's) life, didn't want to know. It's also his story about getting to know a 10 year old boy who had just become his son, a boy who was vastly different from the child Rick had been.

This is a wonderful ending to his trilogy that began with [All Over but the Shouting], the story of his mother and contnued with [Ava'a Man], the story of his maternal grandmother.

All three tell of how hard a life it was for these people back in the mid 20th century. The Braggs weren't rich and influential, in fact many saw the wrong side of a jail. But many worked hard at a hard job, some in the mills of Jacksonville, Alabama, where maiming and death were a common occurance.

In [Prince...], Rick finds a different side of a man that he always saw as a drunk and a no-good who was frequently being bailed out of jail with money that should have fed Rick and his two brothers.

He finds a man who wanted to be what he should have been but ended up losing the battle to do so. And in himself, Rick finds that he can be that good man to a boy he just became a parent to and being a parent was not something Rick ever aspired to.

Absolutely Rick Bragg's best! I hated for the book to end. Holds attention throughout and very well put together. Could relate to several things in story. Must read!!

I love books like these that show how regular people can create amazing gadgets. I grew up seeing my Dad fashion problem solving devices from junk in the basement. I can't get enough of books like these. I already bought and read Gadget Nation Gadget Nation: A Journey Through the Eccentric World of Invention a similar book, but a little funnier because it showcased quirky gadgets. I ended up buying a couple from the store at http://GadgetNation.net/store. Hope that helps. ;)