Category: Book Reviews

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A Short History of Progress

a-short-history-of-progressA Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright available @ Amazon.com

What is the difference between our 21st century global civilization, the ancient Sumerians, the Easter Islanders of Cook’s day, empirical Rome, or the Maya civilization.  Answer, not much.   The last four are all societies that had their heyday, become stuck in a paradigm, and then brought ecological disaster on themselves via overpopulation and over exploitation of natural resources.   “Each time history repeats itself, the price goes up”, Wrights quotes from some pertinent graffiti.  The cost this time could be in the billions of souls.

 This a short book 132 pages of actual text with another 68 or so of footnotes at the end.  It is a mad rush through human history exploring the collapse of those civilizations and a couple that have been more sustainable.  Continue reading “A Short History of Progress”

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Bottomfeeder

bottomfeederBottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood by Taras Grescoe available @ Amazon.com

Wonderful Written – Very Intense

Grescoe is a master wordsmith. He paints such vivid word pictures that I wonder if I were to actually go to some of the places he describes I would experience déjà vu. After reading his descriptions of eating Belon oysters in France or barbequed sardines in Portugal, I had to fight the impulse to bring up Travelocity and find a flight. He has a narrative, anecdotal style that kept me flipping the pages.

I’ve long been bothered how food arrives at my plate. I’m not opposed to eating meat or fish, but I want to do it in an ethical manner. After reading “Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer I doubt that is possible with meat purchased from most sources available to me. I saw seafood Continue reading “Bottomfeeder”

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Bowling: How to Master the Game

Bowling: How to Master the GameBowling: How to Master the Game by Parker Bohn III available @ Amazon.com 

Disappointing.

I am not sure who the intended audience for this book was. I not sure the authors knew who the intended audience was, either.

I bowled some as a young teenager. I’m in my 50s now and I have started to bowl some again. What I wanted and needed was a book of basic instruction on the proper techniques and strategy of bowling. Having read some of the reviews that is what I thought I was getting.

If I had been able to pick this book Continue reading “Bowling: How to Master the Game”

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The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster by Bobby Henderson available at Amazon.com 

fsm1Okay here is the deal in a nutshell. If you think the probability of a deity being a Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is on equal par with a deity being Allah, Jesus, Jehovah, or whomever then you will find this book entertaining. If that thought offends you will in all unlikely not enjoy this book. Personally, in the last situation, I think you should read the book just to see what the other side thinks and believes.

The book stems from a letter Bobby Henderson wrote to the Kansas Board of Education when they were putting Intelligent Design on par with the theory of evolution in the public school curriculum. He has a point, if Intelligent Design is to be taught why not yet another point of view.

The book is basically an effort to expand on that original letter. Parts of it are a little dense or dry. Parts of it are very funny. Parts are some what redundant.

I enjoyed it, but take it for what it is a spoof on all things religious.

My future plans involve having a monk’s robe made out of Mexican blanket material, grabbing a pirate hat and patch and going to the Big Lebowski Festival as a Dudeist priest of the Pastafarian flavor.

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The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein available at Amazon.com

Book Review by Sister Lorie

artracingrainI’m not sure how this book came to my attention, it’s not my usual read.  It’s told from the point of view of , Enzo, an aging dog as he recounts his doggie life.  He is a dog philosopher and expounds on his view of humanity and our views.  He is frustrated with his lack of anatomical ability to communicate to his humans and is left with doggie drool and gestures. 

I don’t want this to be a spoiler, so let me just say this.  Anyone who has been emotionally attached to a dog or thought that the dog has understood a conversation will love this book.  I found myself laughing out loud at Enzo’s take on the owners in-laws and his way of letting them know he didn’t care for them.  The end is touching and puts in words what I have long suspected.  Great read if you have or have had a dog.  If you don’t have a dog, this book may give you the desire to spend time with one of creation’s best creatures.

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The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy’s Finest Hour by James D. Hornfischer available at Amazon.com

tincan1I don’t normally read books on war or military actions. I originally started to read this book because my mother’s brother is Paul Henry Carr. He died in this battle.

I remember hearing stories about him almost the whole time I was growing up. My grandmother would every once in a great while bring out his medals and show them to us grandkids. I think it made her proud and sad all at the same time. I remember a comic book about the battle that I believe was published by the Navy that she kept around the house. His sisters talked about him for many years like he had taken a trip to the coast and would be back soon. Continue reading “The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors”

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The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Islam

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Islam by Yahiya Emerick available at Amazon.com

ig_islamI read this book for two reasons. First, I’ve appointed myself the task of learning about the various world religions. Secondly, I have an Arabic friend (stay away Homeland Security) who is Muslim, and I wanted to understand where he was coming from a little better.

I wanted to give this book 3 and half stars, but that is not an option. I gave it four because the author fulfilled his primary mission of teaching the reader the basics of Islam. He also threw in a brief history Islam and Arabs that was interesting. When they talk about Sunnis and Shiites on the news, now I understand the difference. Continue reading “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Islam”

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Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer

Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer available at Amazon.com

eatinganimalsThis is an easy book to read. This is a hard book to read. It is easy in that it is well written, not overly dense, and well researched. It is hard in that if you have not thought about this issue or have and attempted to compartmentalize it away, some of scenes and practices depicted will not sit easy.

I love a good steak and usually like it grilled “medium moo”. Sometimes I just have to get my KFC on. And, boy howdy, do I my like bar-b-queue.

But then I think back to another life time when I was Continue reading “Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer”

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Memes, is there a self?

memeI just finished reading a book by Susan Blackmore, The Meme Machine. 

Meme may be an unfamiliar term to you so I will attempt to explain to the best of my limited ability.  All of us are familiar with DNA and genes; these can also be termed replicators.  It is how the blueprint of a species is passed down the generations.  Modifications/mutations of DNA are the backbone of evolution.

Memes were not first proposed by Ms. Blackmore, but she explores the concept deeply.  It is her contention that what separates Homo sapiens from other species is our ability to imitate.  Continue reading “Memes, is there a self?”