Biography Books

Jenny says at the end of her story, "I hope you have figured out by now that this isn't a story about autism, it's a story about faith". If you buy this book understanding that, then you will not be disappointed. This is an emotional, authentic story about a woman with a compelling, love-inspired drive to heal her son. Throughout her quest to find answers for her son she is transformed by the depth of her love and commitment to him. And to Jenny's credit, her experience was harrowing. Her son had what sounds to me like a moderate case of autism complicated by severe, difficult to control epilepsy that resulted in cardiac arrest. It is truly miraculous that Evan recovered so fully within two years of beginning therapies.

Throughout the book, Jenny's authenticity shines through. Her forcefulness will inspire some readers, and alienate others. It's true, her language is less than classy. And yet, Jenny's focus is so deeply inspiring, the langauge is only minimally detracting. The f-bombs convey Jenny's intensity and drive in a flawed yet simple way.

I am somewhat bemused at the shrill defense of the "medical profession" by some. Some reviewers are shocked that any mother would scream at a nurse or doctor while their child hovers near death, having seizure after seizure. These reviewers' awe for anyone with a medical degree is apparently unimpeachable.

I'm not a doctor-worshipper myself, so I read this account of Jenny's experience without the need to take a break to gasp at her audacity. In Jenny's defense, it is not reasonable for a child having seizures as severely as her son was having them to be treated by staff Interns for two days before seeing a neurologist. It is also pretty incredible that her original neurologist was completely blind to very clear symptoms of autism.

(I really do wish that the general public would find an antidote for doctor-worshipping. It is a sick practice, and it prevents doctors from being held accountable.)

Having said that, there are more sophisticated and mature ways of dealing with incompetent medical personnel who will not accept your input than screaming profanity.

For all of the true passion that Jenny brings to her story, and for all of her autheticity and her discovery, this book has its flaws. First, it could have used some good editing, especially in the last few chapters. There are some errors that just jump out. For example, Catholics will recognize immediately her misspelling of Medjugorje in one of the first chapters of the book. Second, when Jenny slips out of simply telling her story and begins to offer political and medical perspectives, she sounds like someone on the subway who you've just decided to strike up a random conversation with. She doesn't have a clear, organized rhetorical position, and she could have used an advisor on this book to get her there.

For those without expectations higher than a quick, emotional read, this book is a great way to feel connected to another Autism Mother.

(written by Dan's mom) Sad sad sad that professionals who work with kids on the spectrum and who actually HAVE an education and experience with these kids are ignored, but Jenny has an epiphany and gets a book tour. I am now a mom of kids with Autism, but even before that I worked with them, studied them, loved them. (and I still do all of those as a pediatric OT) When Jenny was bouncing around on MTV, I was in grad school, when she was sitting on a toilet modeling Candies shoes, I was working in the schools, when she had her son, I already had one on the Spectrum. Too bad no one listens to me and the fact that I have been looking at immunizations, diet, and environmental impacts for years and have yet to find the answers she claims to have found with her Google U diploma. Guess my boobs aren't big enough. What she's doing here is shaming moms who are already guilty enough, using her celebrity to promote bad science, and generalizing her very unique experience to everyone. Such a sad situation.

I bought this book as I have two grandchildren who are considered special needs students. One is a high functioning autistic and the other is in the spectrum. Before I was able to read it, my husband decided to beat me to it. He was fascinated! (Due to a reading comprehension problem, he had only read books he was forced to read.) Needless to say, he loved it and do did I! If you know anyone who has a child dealing with this, please do yourself a favor and buy the book and read it. Ms. McCarthy writes in a down-to-earth fashion that keeps you spellbound. I cannot wait for her to write more.

This book tells an important story. It's important because it's not just one mother's story or one child's story. One out of every 150 children now has a dx of autism. As the mom of an autistic 11 year old boy whose descent into autism followed his vaccine schedule, I am grateful to Jenny McCarthy for telling it like it is. I hope this book leads parents of autistic kids to her book Mother Warriors.

Psychologist using Rimland's critera for autism know there are modifications one can make regarding the children's behavior. However, there is no cure. By definition, if your child is cured from autism, your child did not have autism.

Human beings often wonder why they are put on this earth. They spend their whole lives attempting to figure it out. Perhaps Alonzo believed basketball was the reason. However, basketball was merely the vehicle
that God used for him to get his real message out to people. He is
a tremendous inspiration. I thank God for his hardships, because they have led to this painful yet touching and motivational work.
I just got back from his signing and met him, I felt his spirit from across the room and broke down in tears. Thanks be to God for a plan in life. Thank you to Alonzo and his publishers for sharing his talents with us. Best to him, Tracy and the kids.

I've read 11 of the 14 chapters in this book so far. I've only had it two days. It is truly a great read and I'm usually pretty hard to please.

I don't want to discuss any details and spoil it for anyone who may be reading it. Let's just say there are some inspirational parts, some informative parts, some funny parts, and even some parts that might make you a bit teary.

If you've followed his career closely, you may know quite a bit about some of the things he's mentioned...or at the least you might know some of the highlights of certain things, like his battles with the Knicks and so forth, but it's still very interesting hearing things from his perspective.

I definitely encourage anyone who is facing transplantation (or really, any sort of adversity) to pick up a copy of this book. It's also a good read for basketball fans who like knowing a little bit more about an athlete than what's on the surface, Heat fans who may want to know a little bit more about the man who was the face of their franchise for so many years, young men, misguided men. Honestly, I think that anyone who reads this book can take something away from it. Plus it's enjoyable and a part of the proceeds goes to charity.

Just be warned though. This book is about ALONZO MOURNING! NOT THE HEAT! NOT THE NETS! NOT THE NBA! Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr. So don't expect alot of juicy locker room details or something when you get this book. It's a nice clean read but it managed to hold my attention and my attention span is usually very short. Good work Zo.

This is the life story of famed basketball player Alonzo "Zo" Mourning. Despite being a three-time All American at Georgetown University... a seven-time NBA All-Star... a two-time NBA Defensive Player Of The Year... an Olympic Gold Medal winner... a college graduate with a degree in sociology... and after fourteen years in the NBA... he finally won a World Championship with the Miami Heat in 2006...

BUT...

Zo has made a much *BIGGER* impact on the world by not only fighting to overcome a kidney disease called focal glomerulosclerosis, of which there is no cure... but after fighting a "losing" battle with that disease... wound up having to get a kidney transplant as well. A winner like Zo, doesn't have the word lose in his vocabulary... and at a point in his life when he had more money than he could ever spend... and was thanking the Lord for his life... he dedicated his body and soul... to do... the unthinkable... PLAY AGAIN IN THE NBA!

If you look back on Zo's childhood, it is impossible not to have realized that this was one unique individual, and he was going to succeed on his terms. When Zo was ten-years-old his parents' marriage began to deteriorate and would eventually wind up in a divorce. His life at home was becoming strenuous. The family went to the department of social services for counseling. Zo loved his parents... BUT HE ASKED TO BE PUT INTO A GROUP HOME! Can you imagine that? He loved his parents... but thought it would be better to be in a group home. That's one heck of a decision for a ten-year-old! From there he wound up in a foster home with a woman named Fannie Threet, "a local hero who as a foster Mom helped raise forty-nine kids." Zo was one of those kids. He wound up calling Mrs. Threet Mom, but his real Mother and Father remained in his life. Zo became the number-one-rated high school basketball player in the country, and every major University came after him offering scholarships. He decided on Georgetown University because all the other coaches came to his house promising "playing-time" and perks... but Coach John Thompson promised Mrs. Threet that he "WOULDN'T" promise Zo any playing time... but "WOULD" promise he would get an education.

The author "briefly" leads you through his playing career at Georgetown, the Charlotte Hornets, the Miami Heat, the New Jersey Nets, and back to Miami... but that's not really what this book is truly about. The essence of this story is Zo's being "staggered" by the failure of his powerful SIX-FOOT-NINE-AND-A-HALF-INCH - TWO-HUNDRED-SIXTY-ONE-POUND-BODY. What it felt like to be blind-sided by a relentless disease. How he faced it... how he fought back... both physically... medically... and probably most importantly to Zo... SPIRITUALLY!

Zo had always had faith, but he felt he hadn't been close enough to G-d. "There is close and there is "CLOSE". "It is one thing to walk with G-d and another to walk hand in hand with G-d." He said "I COULD DO A LITTLE BETTER. I COULD BE CLOSER WITH G-D. I COULD BE MORE HONEST WITH G-D." His soul was put at ease after a Pastor told him: "IT WASN'T A MATTER OF G-D ACCEPTING ME, BUT OF ME ACCEPTING G-D."

This book affected me in ways above and beyond my love for basketball. My Dad died from kidney failure so I was knowledgeable about many of the things Zo faced. Zo goes into great detail about fighting back from a life threatening situation... and I know firsthand what that's like... since I almost died during brain tumor surgery around the time Zo was fighting his battle. One thing Zo said many times during this book... that I said over and over to my son... when I faced death... and that's that... THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO ARE A LOT WORSE OFF THAN ME! Zo donates so much of his time to charitable foundations and helps many poor afflicted children facing kidney disease.

It's not often I can say something like this about a professional athlete... but it defines Alonzo Mourning perfectly:

**ZO IS A CHAMPION... ON... AND... OFF... THE COURT!**

John Adams is a wonderful book for anyone studying U.S. History. I have learned just as much ( or more) in this book as in my textbook. The writing is terrific and not boring at all. I have learned all that I ever needed to learn on early American history in this book, and I've enjoyed it! Students could skip the first couple chapters in their text book and learn just as much in John Adams!

I had no idea John Adams was such an intelligent and fascinating man! This book not only give insight into his thoughts and ideas about the future of the United States, but also lets us in on the love and admiration he had for his wife, Abigail, who is just as intelligent and fascinating as he is. Their letters to each other just make me sad to think that letter writing is a lost art. This is not a fast read. It needs to be savored for the historical facts and information about this great man and how this country came into being.

Like everyone in America I knew who John Adams was and remembered some few facts concerning him from history classes in school - however, I never knew just how great the man was and how important a part he played in the birth of the United States.
In fact, from the information in this wonderfully written book, it is obvious the United States would not exist had it not been for his tenacity, stubborn determination and his great personal sacrifice along with that of his amazingly strong, loving wife Abigail.
I had always thought Thomas Jefferson to be "the man" of our revolution; I was wrong - it was John Adams!

This book deserves it's award-status of the Pulitzer times two. McCullough is at his best. His narrative historical writing style never bores. I've read it three times and have listened to the audio version twice. Can't say enough good about it. The author is especially strong in writing in a way that helps the reader feel like s/he is experiencing the world of Adams as a contemporary.Too bad McCullough hasn't written a biography on all the Presidents although his Truman time also won the Pulitzer!

I absolutely loved this book! I enjoy reading history and biographies, but as anyone who does the same knows dry and dull writing can simply kill the experience. David McCullough is an amazing writer and honors his philosophy of making history interesting and turning it into a story. The book is very well researched, historically accurate, and interesting to read. I found it a "page turner" and finished the entire book in a very short period of time because it read like a novel and not some try academic tome. To anyone that has an interest in American history and the Founding Fathers you will not be disappointed with this book.

I bought this book to read to my four year old. He is very much into politics and can spot John McCain, Sarah Palin and Obama when they're on TV. He loves being read to and really enjoys this book. He's memorized most of it, occasionally tells people that John McCain was shot down when he was flying and airplane, went to prison camp and wants to be president. I am so proud along with knowing some American history, he also knows what a true American hero is. Thanks Meghan for writing this book!

Sweet, simple to understand book, even if he doesn't become President, the book is relevant historically because he is such a hero.

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it for my sons who are 9 & 7. It 's nice to be able to explain to them why he is such an American Hero.

This book was written by his Daughter, Meghan (now in her early 20s). The editorial reports that she is his oldest daughter. His eldest daughter is actually Sidney McCain, 41, of his first marriage.

I know the whole McCain family is involved and supportive of their Dad, but I would be surprised if Sidney's story of her father is quite as touching. He left his first wife Carol when she was 3 and married Cindy a month after the divorce.

I fear that the error was meant to be misleading and to cover up John McCain's philandering. I hope the editorial will be changed.

If you fall for this piece of political hackery, then you are definitely too stupid to vote. Possession of this book invalidates your voting rights. Better yet, all you Rethuglican morons better hang on to this "book"; when we build a giant wall around the Red states, you are going to need paper products with which to wipe your bottoms.

This is a gem that should be read by every American. It is clear, concise, and spell bounding. I could not help but think of my year in `Nam as an infantry platoon leader.

Jack Jacobs tell his story of bravery, courage, and patriotism. He is a hero to be admired and his book should be required reading for all high school seniors.

Author of: Mr. NewHeart (New Heart): Heart Attack to Transplant and Beyond

Preview my book, "The Face of War", about my year in Vietnam when you Google "David Hollar's Storefront".

What a fantastic read. In my opinion, the combat scenes of Vietnam are reminiscent of the best writing to come out of that conflict--books like "The Things They Carried" and "We Were Soldiers Once and Young," although during the worst fighting of the Tet Offensive, Colonel Jacobs was not serving with his own U.S. Army troops in the 82nd Airborne but "embedded" as senior advisor with the South Vietnamese Army. The great revelation of this book, though, isn't the scenes of valor for which Jack Jacobs earned our nation's highest military honor. It's the comedic tone throughout. On almost every page, there's a joke or two. Growing up as a scrappy, undersized Jewish kid in New York and New Jersey, Jack comes across as the quintessential class clown. This is top-level humor writing in the tradition of S.J Perelman, Woody Allen and Steve Martin. There were moments when I was literally putting the book down, because I was laughing so hard. Colonel Jacobs is, as Brian Williams of NBC News says, a man of real greatness-- "the complete American." Buy this book and pass it on to all the veterans in your family -- fathers, uncles, grandfathers. They will love it.

This book is unique. No Medal of Honor recipient has ever written a book that is both powerful and hilarious at the same time. For five years I have been recommending Medal of Honor by Peter Collier as the ideal Christmas present for veterans, young people and students of history. I must add the Jack Jacobs book to my short Christmas list. With not a word of profanity, this book is a great read for children of all ages. What a role model of selfless service.

It's very simple - a proper, effective argument for Christ must defeat the arguments against Christ IN THEIR BEST LIGHT. Anybody can take the worst arguments for a stance, and defeat them - and then pretend that that's the end to the debate (this is especially easy when everyone at the debate is on the same side). To truly prove validity, you need to take the best and brightest of the arguments, and show why they're wrong. Otherwise, you've made a "case" for nothing at all (except maybe one's own intellectual weakness/dishonesty).

At best, this book is the intellectual equivalent to putting the Lakers on a basketball court vs. a junior high basketball team and saying that the Lakers winning the game is proof that they're the best team in the world. At worst, it's putting the Lakers on the court vs. the Lakers Cheerleaders who let them win, cheering them on each time they make a shot - and again, claiming that this proves their dominance.

It is also, in another way, plain dishonest - Strobel doesn't claim that this book is him, as a Christian, presenting the arguments for Christianity - no matter what the title of the book is. He claims this to be a documentation of his journey from Atheism to Christian belief. If we take him at his word on that claim, Strobel was either a miraculously easy convert or very stupid Atheist. Although, unfortunately for Strobel, something much worse is painfully obvious - that his claim of this book being a factual retelling of his conversion from staunch Atheism to equally firm belief is wholly false. His reasons for painting this picture are obvious - he hopes to guide the unbelieving of us along with this character named Lee Strobel, meeting us first in our land of unbelief, and guiding us down his trail to Christian freedom. Unfortunately, his dishonest grasp at this goal is self-defeating. In fact, it's insulting. Strobel thinking that anyone will identify with the simplified, ridiculously weak-minded caricature he presents of the non-Christian proves a barrier from him identifying with contemplative non-Christians.

Let's think of the same exact book, same exact structure, except instead "retelling" the conversion of a Christian to an Atheist. If we used the same methods as Strobel, it would go something like this:

"I, a hard-nosed, stubborn Christian journalist, was about to start my first interview with these Atheists, to see if they have answers to the hard-hitting questions...
'Author: So, Atheist X, I believe there's a floating bearded man in the sky who, after thousands of years of promoting barbarous behavior (killing any child who disobeys once, killing women if they are not a virgin on their wedding night, etc.), magically impregnated a virgin (who happened to have a boyfriend of sorts) to do some magic tricks, tell us all to love each other unconditionally, and die, come back to life, and thus save us all from the evil that was started when our great-great-great (etc) granddaddy ate an apple that a snake gave to him. I don't really have any facts to back this up, and I assure you that I will not try to refute any of your arguments, nor will I seek out anyone who can. Basically, I just believe this because my pastor told me so. So what do you have to say to that, Mr. Atheist, huh?'"

This is not an honest documentation of an Atheist's struggle and eventual conversion, or even an honest debate. It's a fixed game of bowling on page - Lee setting up pins, making them easy for a list of apologists to knock down. This is a Christian poster-child being dishonest (or at best, less than completely honest, which really isn't any different) about what really happened in his past in order to convince people to entirely change their worldview on life, death, and eternity. Why this isn't receiving the same type of scorn as a James Frey who does the same just to get published and sell some books makes me wonder if everyone is on crazy pills.

As a follower of Christ, this book embarrasses me.

I'll make this short. I think Strobel's book is an excellent introduction to Christian Apologetics. He kept his explanations at a high enough level so that they were easy to understand without burdening the reader with much more, heavy detailed evidence that exists.

What I find interesting, however, is the number of readers that apparently have completely missed the point of the book. I've seen many reviews that criticize Strobel for not interviewing a single person that had a opposing point of view, for not interviewing any Atheists, etc.

To those people, I want to say this - Did you not read the title of the book??!! It's called the "Case FOR Christ", not "Notes from the Stenographer at Christ's Trial". Strobel was a confirmed Atheist (the prosecuting attorney if you will) before he wrote the book and in an attempt to DISPROVE the divinity of Christ, became a Christian.

Let me also ask this - if you were writing a book called "The Case For Christ" why WOULD you interview people that had an opposing point of view?

There are plenty of books out there that could be titled "The Case Against Christ" - they are written in general by Atheists, and I don't think you're going to find that they interviewed too many Christian scholars in the process of researching their books.

When you read a book it's kind of important to first understand the context of the subject and where the author is coming from when he wrote the book - I thought Strobel did a very good job in laying the groundwork on this - sorry that this point was apparently lost on some people.

Atheist or believer, this book is worth investigating. The author interviews several scholars concerning different aspects of Jesus such as archeology, history, psychology, and medicine. All the experts weigh in as to how plausible certain claims of the gospel are. Granted, all the experts are believers themselves, but this book does not intend to give a "both sides" account. It is also seems that their area of expertise and their studies helped convince them even MORE (or in some cases just convince) of the truth claims of Jesus.

The book is very easy and fun to read. It is written in the form of the conversation that the author had with each of the scholars and the author's commentary. It will give a believer a good idea of what academic areas have to say about Jesus, and non-believers an idea of what they need to argue against.

Let me start by saying that this book has been recommended to me by Christian friends for a long time. And in my own atheist circles, I've heard Strobel criticized pretty rampantly. So, in the interest of fairness (although I wasn't expecting much, to tell the truth) I picked it up.

I didn't get beyond a couple of pages. Strobel presents an interview with an academic in which the claim is made that we can attest to the historicity/authenticity of the Gospels because Papias SAYS they are authentic in the early second century! Said academic then CONFOUNDS his egregious error by tacking Irenaeus, who lived much later in the second century, on there!

Let me explain for those of you who may not know: the Gospels are generally accepted to have been written in the late first century, with Mark being the oldest at ca. 70 CE--because it mentions the fall of the Temple of Herod in Jerusalem. Matthew and Luke are later, maybe 75-85 CE or thereabouts, and seem to draw on Mark but in their own way. John is believed to be the very last, maybe 90-100 CE.

So, the Christian tradition that the Gospels were written by the apostles of Christ is an old one, but it is just that: a tradition. And given the dates it's thought by credible historians that the Gospels were not written by Christ's apostles. For Strobel's authority to claim that they ARE based on a LATER source and a STILL LATER source is an absurd and transparent appeal to authority: 'X is true because so-and-so says X is true'.

I put the book down because frankly, anyone who's going to butcher something that badly has destroyed all credibility with me. Read it if you must, as a lesson of what NOT to do when arguing about the Gospels. Otherwise leave it on the shelf.

"In light of the convincing facts I had learned during my investigation, in the face of this overwhelming avalanche of evidence in the case for Christ, the great irony was this: it would require much more faith for me to maintain my atheism than to trust in Jesus of Nazareth!" ~ pg. 265

"The Case for Christ" is quite an experience. If you read this book as an unbeliever the facts presented may lead you to a deeper understanding of Jesus and his mission. If you read this book as a Christian, your faith will be strengthened.

Lee Strobel was an atheist for most of his life until he began researching the life of Jesus Christ. In this book he challenges leading scholars with objections he had as a skeptic. His questions are hard-hitting and precise. In turn, the scholars present convincing arguments that are intellectual as well as heartfelt. Some of the questions he asks include:

Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted?
Is there credible evidence for Jesus in history?
Is Jesus really the Son of God?
Does Jesus match the identity of the Messiah?
Was Jesus seen alive after his crucifixion?

If you have any doubts about the validity of the New Testament, this book puts them to rest. Did Jesus really die on the cross and how could the resurrection be true? Lee Strobel investigates every aspect of Jesus' life and comes away with some startling facts and brilliant conclusions.

I love the way this book is written. As a journalist, Lee Strobel knows how to ask the right questions. His conversations with prominent scholars are the highlight of the book. I was amazed at the depth of knowledge these scholars possess.

I think this book can be enjoyed by atheists and Christians. I personally found this book to be exciting, informative and very well researched. Reading "The Case for Christ" could affect your life in a very positive way. It could also help you determine your eternal future. This is a book you will want to buy for all your friends!

~The Rebecca Review

Conservative Evangelicals have promoted God & family first. Biblical teaching has always been that a Christian woman's primary role is first her God then family. A woman's Ministry & Mission is to raise & nuture her young children and honor her husband who is the head & Priest of the family. Yet with Sarah Palin it is suddenly alright to do the opposite! Yet this brand of Feminism had long been opposed by Rightwing Evangelicals who won't even allow Women Pastors or Elders their teaching proclaims that no woman should rule over men! (They Read to us chapters on Jezebel who took the Kingdom from Ahab & destroyed a nation)
What hyprocrisy that this woman is all of a sudden applauded for acting like the Feminist they blame for bringing this country to a moral ruin!!!!! She has young children which could not possibly get their mothers full nuturing & attention while she in on a quest for power & attention). A Christian woman's young children have first place according to Biblical principles when a woman has finances should stay home & raise them herself). No wonder teen pregnancies, drugs and divorce is just as high in Christian homes as non-Christian when there is no difference in how we behave,what a sham Conservative Evangelicals organizations must appear to the world !!!! Was it Abe Lincoln that said you can fool some of the people some of the time but not all of the people most of the time.Half of America is not convinced on anything that comes out of this opportunist mouth!

The Bible does NOT say that children and family are #1. It SAYES that GOD is #1. It SAYES for women to obey their husbands AND for husbands to respect their wives. It sounds like Palin's husband not only respects her but supports her!

S Mills...stop putting words in GODS mouth!!! Stop and read your Bible for a change. His words are right there!

Also with their father, brothers and sisters, her child is not going to be starving for attention. I don't see people like you speaking up about a child missing his/her FATHER when it is a man running for office.

You should stop acting like a hypocrite, and more like the Christian you claim to be! If you are truly concerned for her children, pray for her, don't insult her! You sound like a Democrat using religion as an excuse. Especially the way you keep reposting the same review.

For better or worse, Sue Katz is going to be a force to be reckoned with in American politics for years to come. Hilley's book is for fans, and there's nothing wrong with that. For a more critical look by a longtime author, activist, and blogger, I heartily recommend Thanks But No Thanks: The Voter's Guide to Sarah Palin, which is available both in paperback and in a Kindle edition as well as bulk orders at the Thanks But No Thanks web page (just google PalinVoterGuide).

Stephen Windwalker

I believe this book explains Sarah Palin and how she is down to earth. She is a very honest person and would be a great leader. I would recommend everyone read this book and I believe you will then agree with me!

A very well written and informative book. A must read for those that want the truth about Sarah Palin.
****


From an American hero in the lower 48' an urgent call went out to the governor of a far northern state, "Our country needs a great VP, will this position you fill?"
A quick answer came back from the governor of a state known for its Permafrost, "Yes, I will."

The two stood in unison, one a Vietnam vet, the other a soccer mom, known for her true grit.

A campaign was raging, one to decide the vote. Would it go to a man of courage, or to one known for his association with those who support violent revolt?

The American people watched as this new VP candidate took the stage, "Who is she, what does she stand for? For our troubled country can she turn a new page?"
Without a moments hesitation Sarah went into battle, challenged by a biased press. After all, they said, "She's a woman and even wears a dress."

To defeat the accusations, many of them morally sick, she countered with a question, "What's the difference between a soccer mom and a Pit bull? Lipstick!"

Mainstream media still refused to accept her as a viable VP choice, using lies and innuendos in an attempt to silence her voice.

Her chance to prove them wrong came with a vice-presidential debate. A nation watched with apprehension as she spoke with surety and articulateness, giving intense support to her running mate.

History will reflect how effective she was. However, this much we know we need more Sarah Palins'. Moreover, yes, she has proven Alaska has more to offer than ice and snow.

Written by,
Richard Neal Huffman
Saint Joseph, Michigan, USA.
(Author of, Dreams In Blue: The Real Police)




Dreams in Blue: "The Real Police"

This is an excellent book. I work with wounded warriors and know that Jerry Boykin's book will be an encouragement to many of them to fight the good fight, and 'never surrender'. Thanks be to God who gave General Boykin the victories in defending Freedom for our land, and more importantly, freedom for the souls of our brave men and women who daily stand in defense of this great land.

Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom is a wonderful emotional story about one man...Lieutenant General William G. Boykin. Boykin shares every step of his journey with readers from the first moment that he decided to go into the military to the end with he retires from it. I do want to state that Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom has nothing to do with attacking republicans or democratics but instead shows readers things that the media doesn't tell you about including the strong bond that is formed between friends and turns out becoming the strongest band of brothers you will ever meet.

The one thing I really found amazing about Lieutenant General William G. Boykin was his unwavering dedication to his faith in God. I thought this fact really made Boykin a man of honor, respect, and of great character. There are not many non fiction volumes that were so powerful in addition to leaving such a lasting memory as Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom. After reading this book you can't help but feel proud to be an American. It's people like Lieutenant General William G. Boykin who we have to give our thanks to for giving us our freedom to live out lives the way we want to and I have one comment to make and that is...We will Never Surrender!

General Boykin's life story is a truly amazing journey of faith and guts. He, like so many of our senior officers, stood tall against politicians and bureaucrats to defend our country and our freedom. As in other cases, it was his determined spirit shaped by extreme physical and mental military training combined with a deep faith developed over the years of service that prevailed in the end. I highly recommend this book for every young person who might think that freedom is "free".

Very interesting story told with honest expressions of emotions one might not expect from a hardened career soldier.

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Well written and informative but very definetly showing the human side, emotions and frustrations. It is a "can't put down." Theres no ego trip here, It is a very good first person history lesson with all the human frailty involved in something new and different, He didn't leave out any of the bumps and warts.

Naked is a light-hearted collection of wit and satire, a collection of short lyrical stories from his life. Nearly every reader will enjoy the wit and humor. But thoughtful readers can also appreciate how Sedaris succeeds in easing us closer to difficult material, such as the death of his mother and living with OCD. Naked, however, is not completely naked. The title misleads. Sedaris, in fact, keeps readers at a distance that I ultimately found disappointing.

This has become a very famous book and it deserves to be. It is certainly the type that has you lending it to all your friends and telling them about which pieces are your favorites. I love reading about his family and am a big fan of sister Amy so whenever there's a mention of her I get excited. So many of these stories are hilarious but there are also others that are incredibly sad. Ashes is an unforgettable read. The last selection, Naked, also has some very memorable moments, but the collection as a whole is extremely satisfying. Lots of reviewers make it seem as though reading the book is one marathon of comedy, but I find that a lot of his writing also has really interesting things to say about society and the way people treat others. A lot of the pieces seem to have pain in them but are presented in a generally light and humorous way. A wonderful book from a very talented writer.

Hey hey, this book is fantastic. I'm only a few chapters in but I am definitely laughing the whole way. Good suggestion for sure. And I think I need to go try some of those cupcakes too. I love a good cupcake. I had a fun trip with you a couple weeks ago, and I'll have to take a look at that other book you mentioned. In the meantime I'm laughing at this one pretty hard. Definitely a winner.

Ok Fran - email me if you want. I'd love to hangout sometime and quote movies and song lyrics and eat chicken nuggets.

(Oh, and for everyone else who's name isn't Francine... I'm not a big reader but I definitely like this book. I say give it a go!)

Naked is a collection of short stories and essays about David Sedaris' own life. He is so funny, and clever. You can really identify with his writing and it is the kind of funny that makes you seriously laugh out loud and have people turn to look at you weird. If you enjoy gay men, quirkiness, feel uncomfortable in crowds, ever felt your family was infested with aliens, had siblings, went to camp, went to college, didn't go to college. This is the book for you. It will also interest people above current trends and trival things like fashion.

This book on audio download is wonderful because the stories are hilarious and insightful, and so very honest. It's amazing how David looks at the most serious of subjects through a lens of humor and it works!

The audio book is read by David Sedaris and that makes it much more personal and effective. I couldn't stop listening!

This guy breathes economics and shares several thoughtful insights into how the global economy is affecting American politics. Pair this book with The Power of Productivity and you'll definitely have a better picture of how the world works.

I'm about halfway through the book and find it fascinating. I am not an economist nor a policy wonk, but his interfaces with administrations from Nixon to the present, make for a deeper understanding of why the economy functions the way it does.

A must read for anyone interested in economics in general especially economics at the macro level. Especially with current economic crisis changing rules and shaking faith in 'laissez faire' capitalism.

People now blame him for the crisis, I think it is not the individual but the ideology that did us in to this mess. History will judge him for years but this is a must glimpse in the life and mind of an intellectual who played a towering role as world's central banker.

In the end, free markets don't work with proper legal framework put in place. One would argue US has the best legal framework to support free markets but I would say it was the loopholes which created absence of it and then it was free for all take what you can get looting. I would think Mr. Chairman will agree with this, although what level of regulation can we put in place and who will decide when is the right time to put a brake is debatable. The party lasted long on the street after easy fed money was gone but the liquidity in the global market allowed the party to continue. Potentially he could have ended the carry trade party earlier but again all this can be said with benefit of hindsight.

The book is a great auto biography of an important intellectual of our times written in very accessible style language and representation. A necessary read in our times and may be for future generations to avoid the similar if I may "Irrational Exuberance!".

What amazed me about this book was how little the book talked about economic policy and its underpinnings. Why did the fed do what it did during Greenspan's tenure? If you are looking for answers to that sort of questions, you will get nothing from this book. In fact, it is not clear if Greenspan even has a framework for monetary policy. For instance, he does not have great regard for Keynes' work, but almost everything he did would appear to be Keynesian. No explanations are offered. I found Alan Blinder's book a lot more illuminating on substantive issues.

What you will get from this book is a lot of commentary on personalities of powerful politicians---a subject for which the author demonstrates more passion than any other. This is perhaps the book's redeeming feature: it is admittedly somewhat interesting and perhaps gives us a glimpse into why really Greenspan was one of the most powerful people in Washington for such a long tenure.

It did get me thinking very differently about fedspeak though: I was constantly reminded of Peter Sellers in "Being there", as I read the book. Perhaps for that insight alone, my money was well spent on the book.

People who are very knowledgeable about a subject seldom have the skill to communicate their knowledge to the general public. The ex Federal Reserve Bank chairman Mr. Alan Greenspan is one of those rare individuals. No doubt he has great wisdom , theoretical and practical knowledge of world economics, business, investment , finance and politics. But more important he very clearly explains these topics in his masterpiece called The Age of Turbulence not only to the general public not specialized in these subjects but also to professionals and experts. That's right even students and professors of economics and business, investment counselors, businessman, investors etc. have a lot to gain from reading or listening to the CD of The Age of Turbulence. The reader does not have to agree with everything Mr. Greenspan says and that does not reduce the benefit to be derived from reading the book or listening to the CD.

In the Age of Turbulence the author explains very clearly and in a non boring way without using too much technical jargon the economic, political, social, business, financial and technological developments in major countries in the world, not just in the USA, from the end of the 19th century until 2007 and the likely prospects until the year 2030, not like a clairvoyant but different scenarios depending on various conditions. He places these developments within the context of various economic ideologies and analyzes how they compare in explaining world socioeconomic and political developments. Subjects he covers are very wide and encompass just about every major socioeconomic and political issue that have shaped the world history and are likely to impact the near future. His approach is not a doomsday prediction ; he doesn't just talk about the problems. He criticizes applications where necessary but also presents his opinion about what should be or should have been done or not done to prevent or solve specific socioeconomic crises.

The narrator in the CD,Robertson Davis, also deserves credit, because he speaks very clearly. So if you are involved in economics, business, finance, investment, politics and consumption in anyway anywhere in the world, not just in the USA, and that means just about everybody, you can not afford to not read / listen to The Age of Turbulence.

I listened to this CD and I was writing this review in September 2008 just as the financial hurricane that was taking place at that time in the USA had swallowed several famous investment banks and its effects rippled across the world. The crisis was still continuing as I was writing this review. This is a time when we all really need to digest Mr. Alan Greenspan's wisdom from his book.