December 20, 2015

shock and awe seem appropriate

Journey to Nowhere: The Saga of the New UnderclassJourney to Nowhere: The Saga of the New Underclass by Dale Maharidge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having just finished this amazingly written and illustrated book, the words shock and awe seem appropriate to describe how it has impressed me. The writing and the photography in this book are excellent, top notch. It is no wonder that these authors went on to win a Pulitzer for the third in this series of journalistic volumes. I read this because it is a book that deeply impressed and inspired Bruce Springsteen as he was working on his masterpiece album "The Ghost of Tom Joad". Both Bruce's album and this book draw from John Steinbeck's classic "The Grapes of Wrath". What i did not realize is that the desperate conditions that were experienced in the Great Depression by both Steinbeck's Joad family and my ancestors are still at work today. For various economic and political reasons, hard working people are falling victim to circumstance and are being discarded from our society like disposable plates and napkins. These people, who have done everything right are finding themselves sliding off the margins of our communities into a dystopian nightmare of life and death survival. We read the stories of the depression with the distance of time keeping it at arms length from us, but in reality, the desperation continues into present day, and is getting worse. More and more blue collar and even white collar workers are falling off the grid of humanity through no fault of their own, only to find themselves fighting to stay alive until they are rescued, or until they run out of steam and are lost forever. This book portrays the horrific situations in a most beautifully written and photographed manner. As terrible as the subject matter is, just as wonderful is the way in which it is presented. This is a must read. I cannot wait to get my hands on the two follow on books in this series, the third of which won a Pulitzer prize. Excellent book. Outstanding!


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December 18, 2015

Bruce - in HIS OWN WORDS!

Talk About a Dream: The Essential Interviews of Bruce SpringsteenTalk About a Dream: The Essential Interviews of Bruce Springsteen by Christopher Phillips
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This collection of interviews is an outstanding, exceptional overview of Bruce's thoughts and feelings over the course of his career to date. It spans over 40 years, from 1973 to 2013. Much insight into Bruce's life experience and the feelings and motivation that went into both his song writing and his performance over the years are contained in this wonderful collection of interviews - and it is all in HIS OWN WORDS! This is an undeniable MUST-READ for any Springsteen fan. I found myself captivated through the entire book, reading the stories and circumstances behind many dozens (hundreds) of songs that have literally been the soundtrack of my life for nearly 40 years. This is an excellent collection. Fantastic. I loved it. I met the author at The Regulator Bookshop a few years ago when this collection was published.

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November 25, 2015

Ready Player One

Ready Player OneReady Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun story. It is an interesting twist on a future dystopian world in which conditions are so bad for so many people that they choose to live most of their waking hours with in a world of virtual reality cyber games. It started to say video games, but they are so much more,due to the advanced VR technology available. In this tale pitting the individuals against the huge corporate evil, our heros are forced to literally battle to save their virtual world in the dimension of VR cyber games. The story in interesting, and i especially loved the ending, in which . . . you'll have to find out. The book was more than generously ordained with 1980's culture references, not just limited to video games of that era, but also references to music, books, and films. I enjoyed all the cultural name-dropping except that it was excessive in parts. The references to the games of the era were almost totally lost to me, because, although i am of the same generation, i was never into computer and video games. But it was fun getting glimpses into the games i missed during my sheltered adolescence. Anyone who was interested in video games back in the 80s will probably find this book a delightful trip down memory lane, in addition to the adventure that it is. It is not one of my favorites, but it was a good time.

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November 12, 2015

a wild ride!

Tortilla FlatTortilla Flat by John Steinbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, what a crazy bunch of characters! I can definitely see hints of the Palace Flophouse crew from Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday in this band of friends. Tortilla Flat is a wild ride through the lives of an extended group of friends, revolving around their "leader" Danny. There is never a dull moment for these characters in their zany lives in and around the Tortilla Flat area of Monterey CA in the early 1900s. Being Steinbeck's first widely received novel, there are definitely hints of his later characters in this bunch! A fun read! I'm looking forward to seeing the 1942 film based upon this book.

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November 7, 2015

Steinbeck - rich and delightful

Travels with Charley: In Search of AmericaTravels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just returned from a vacation in California in which we visited both Cannery Row in Monterey and the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. I picked up a copy of Cannery Row from a merchant on the Row, and got this copy of Travels with Charley at the Steinbeck Center, reading it upon returning. This travelog of Mr. Steinbeck's trek across the US is rich and delightful to read, and i savored every word and phrase. I love his writing, and this is one of the my favorites. We were also able to experience the big timeless trees in Sequoia National Park and i found Steinbeck's section on the big redwoods especially moving and profound, wonderfully describing the awe these majestic trees inspire when among them. This entire account is a beautiful experience, and well worth reading. The many people he met along this journey, and the places he chose to visit, are described as only John Steinbeck could. This edition includes for the first time an Appendix that he wrote for the book that was not published previously. This is a wonderful and enjoyable book.

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October 29, 2015

Zero History for this story

Zero History (Blue Ant #3)Zero History by William Gibson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this third of the Blue Ant trilogy, many interesting ideas are touched upon, but nothing in this story goes very deep. The interesting ideas that are introduced and flirted with are never developed with enough detail to captivate me as a reader. The characters for the most part were shallow and uninteresting. Milgrim, who was one of the most dysfunctional of the cast of characters, was most interesting to me. Many of his thoughts, comments, and actions added some of the only depth i felt. Mr Gibson remains one of my favorite authors, but this story, and the Blue Ant trilogy in general, just did not reach me, therefore i don't recommend them. This is a significant departure from the previous two trilogies by the author, The Sprawl Trilogy, and The Bridge Trilogy, both of which were exciting and captivating to read. I really enjoyed those, but not so much for The Blue Ant series.

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October 12, 2015

A fun read

Spook Country (Bigend Trilogy, #2)Spook Country by William Gibson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

an interesting, fast moving story of both large and small people each playing a significant role in an elaborate plot. An exciting and enjoyable read.

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October 4, 2015

outrageous

The Napoleon of Notting Hill with Original Illustrations from the First EditionThe Napoleon of Notting Hill with Original Illustrations from the First Edition by G.K. Chesterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Napoleon of Notting Hill is another outrageous, well articulated yet dated book from GKC. I'm guessing it had some relevance in the early 20th century when it was published, but i'm not sure what to take away from it 100 years later except that it's a fun story to read.

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September 28, 2015

The Walking Dead, Vol. 01

The Walking Dead, Vol. 01: Days Gone ByeThe Walking Dead, Vol. 01: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After watching the AMC series, it is cool to read the graphic novel that started it all. This is a really well done volume, and i'm looking forward to reading further into this series.

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September 27, 2015

What the Dog Knows: Scent, Science, and the Amazing Ways Dogs Perceive the WorldWhat the Dog Knows: Scent, Science, and the Amazing Ways Dogs Perceive the World by Cat Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"What the Dog Knows" was a pleasant surprise. We met the author at our local library, and heard her talk about the book. It is a very well written memoir of the author's dog Solo, and his life as a working search dog. Adding to the personal story of Ms. Warren and Solo, the author includes much information about search dogs and their handlers in general, and more specifically about Solo's career as a cadaver search dog. Many stories are included about the training process, and the skilled and passionate network of trainers and fellow handler and dog teams. In addition, a good summary of the history of search dogs is provided, as is many accounts of the wide range of their application in our society. This is a heartwarming and interesting account based in Durham NC and in the state of North Carolina, yet reaching out throughout various parts of the U.S. I think most dog lovers will enjoy this fascinating and enjoyable account.

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September 15, 2015

Pigs in Heaven

Pigs in HeavenPigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great story from Barbara Kingsolver. "Pigs in Heaven" is the sequel to "The Bean Trees" and wraps up the story quite nicely. It does a good job of showing the uncomfortable inside of many of the issues facing some of the poor and disenfranchised people in this country. While the first book dealt with immigration, this book largely deals with native American status and contemporary culture, and the threat of the larger so-called American culture on it. The characters are rich and endearing, invoking concern and empathy from the reader. I have fallen in love with Barbara Kingsolver's stories, and more are on my future reading list :)

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September 7, 2015

my favorite so far

The Bean Trees (Greer Family, #1)The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful story of humanity and love. It is moving and inspirational and challenges the reader to look deeper at each person to see their wonderful precious humanity. I had a hard time putting this story down before it was completed. I think this is my favorite so far by Barbara Kingsolver! I'm excited to find that it has a sequel, Pigs in Heaven, which i'll be starting immediately. It is a serious shame that the issue of immigration which is central to this book, is still as much an issue today as it was in 1988 when it was published. As a society, we just don't get it.

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September 5, 2015

Prodigal story

Prodigal SummerProdigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Prodigal Summer is a heartwarming tale of three families and how their stories weave together though life and death, love and resentment, giving and receiving, humans and nature - all taking place in a beautiful and bountiful summer in the mountains of Appalachia. I loved this story. And there are GOATS in the story, and blackberry pie! I am left wanting to read more of Kingsolver, reading The Bean Trees next!

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August 23, 2015

a truly great man's faith

Living FaithLiving Faith by Jimmy Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have had this book on my shelf for quite a while, but had never gotten around to opening it up. Sadly, Jimmy Carter in the news recently reminded me of it. In this book, President Carter gives a great overview of his Christian faith and how it has informed and affected him over the course of his many careers. Although his beliefs are a bit traditional and dated for me, i came away from this book with a great respect and reverence for how he translated his faith into action and good, instead of dogma and judgement. Despite mixed reviews of the Carter presidency, I'd be proud to have another person like him in the White House. His character and ethics are what once made this nation great, and are probably the best hope of saving it today. My heart goes out to Jimmy Carter for who he is and how he lives.

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August 22, 2015

time, space, life

For the Time BeingFor the Time Being by Annie Dillard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Annie Dillard is one of my favorites. This book of reflections starts with what seems to be random pondering but quickly turns into a deep, profound and moving meditation on time, space, life, and the meaning thereof. Ms. Dillard's style is difficult for some, but well worth taking the time to savor. This is a great collection, i recommend it.

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August 20, 2015

loving Annie Dillard

I am loving Annie Dillard: 
"Of course, God wrote no scriptures, neither chapter nor verse. It is foolish to blame or quit him for his admirers' claims, superstitions or otherwise."

August 18, 2015

Annie Dillard

An American ChildhoodAn American Childhood by Annie Dillard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Starting out reading Annie Dillard's "An American Childhood", I thought "this is not my childhood". But the further i read, the more fascinating this story became, and the more i felt Ms Dillard's story shared with mine. Growing up in a 1950s Pittsburgh society family, the author shares her perspectives and experiences of the 1950s, and of Pittsburgh and American culture during that time. I especially enjoyed the author's views and feelings about the ever expanding world around her as she increasingly engaged it and lived into it. Annie Dillard is the Pulitzer prize winning author of "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" which she wrote only a few short years after the events in this story. "Pilgrim" is beautifully and thoughtfully written, imparting wisdom well beyond the author's young age. This book helps give a picture of how, when, and where Ms. Dillard came into her wealth of knowledge and wisdom. I loved this book, and, as with "Pilgrim", found myself savoring every beautifully written word.


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August 8, 2015

Cannery Row - book two

Sweet ThursdaySweet Thursday by John Steinbeck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At long last, i've been able to read the story that inspired one of my favorite movies, Cannery Row! Although, Steinbeck's first installment of this story was titled "Cannery Row", the David S. Ward movie is largely based on this sequel, "Sweet Thursday". Generally, Steinbeck's writing is fabulous to read, but these tales based on people and events on Cannery Row in Monterey CA are a special treat. The characters are colorful, endearing, flawed, and deeply human. The dysfunctional "family" that is Cannery Row models for us some of the most valuable lessons for the human family to which we all belong. One can't help but be drawn to the characters, each in their own quirky way, regardless of their status as protagonist or antagonist. I highly recommend these two novels which tell the story of life on Cannery Row. And don't miss the movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083717/), it is especially well done. Nick Nolte and Debra Winger and perfect as Doc and Suzy.

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August 1, 2015

The Speed of Dark

The Speed of DarkThe Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It is fiction, set in the near future, when an experimental cure for Autism is found. The book is mainly from the point of view of an independent young adult with Autism. I especially enjoyed his viewpoints and following along in his thought processes as he experiences his life. I also enjoyed his "commentary" on how he perceived so-called "normal" people and his experiences with them, and his personal deliberation as to whether it is better to become normal, or to remain himself with Autism. The question of how much of himself is a result of having Autism and experiencing the world from that perspective is presented, and the risk of losing that part of himself if he decides to pursue treatment and cure. The ending is not what i expected or hoped for, but as it is, leaves me asking even more questions, about why it ended the way it did. This is a great book for contemplation and discussion, which further expands my perspective on the lives of folks with "disabilities", specifically Autism. I recommend this story!

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July 16, 2015

Normal


I am loving this book . . .
The Speed of Dark

"Sometimes I wonder how normal normal people are, and I wonder that most in the grocery store." - p.66

" 'Normal' is a dryer setting." - p.83

July 7, 2015

Caleb's Crossing

Caleb's CrossingCaleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a nicely done historical fiction firmly anchored in history and real people. It is told through the voice of a minister's daughter living on Martha's Vineyard in the 17th century. A rich story of love, loss, friendship, hardship that is a rude awakening and deeply inspirational to those of us who have forgotten how hard life was in 17th century New England for all people. I appreciate the insight into the struggles of the time for people of race, class or gender different from that of the "ruling" group. I also loved the authentic voice of the narrator, and learned many now obsolete words and expressions. I loved this story, i highly recommend it!

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June 28, 2015

Carly's Voice

Carly's Voice: Breaking Through AutismCarly's Voice: Breaking Through Autism by Arthur Fleischmann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Carly's Voice is an amazing account of Carly Fleischmann's early life. Carly has Autism, and is non-verbal. The book provides an inside view of the incredible love, courage, determination, and hard work required of the parents, siblings, teachers and therapists to provide a healthy and successful environment for a child and teen with ASD. Carly's story is told by her father in a style that feels much like his diary of life with Carly. The transparency and honesty in telling the story provides a view into the immense dedication and love required to raise a child with Autism. The title speaks of Carly learning to express her internal voice to others by typing on a computer or smart device. The internet based services of e-mail, instant messaging, Twitter, and Facebook were among the technologies that allowed Carly to speak to others, including her immediate family. This story gives helpful insight into the life of a family with a child with Autism. Carly's internet presence can be found on Twitter, Facebook and her blog.

https://twitter.com/carlysvoice
https://www.facebook.com/carlysvoice
http://carlysvoice.com/home/

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June 19, 2015

Lisbeth rocks

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium, #3)The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest is an interesting, albeit slower moving, conclusion to the 2nd book in the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Played with Fire. While it resolved all of the major hanging plot threads in the previous book, it was not done in as interesting and engrossing way. I'm glad i read through the end of the trilogy, but the first two were much more satisfying. If you read #1 and #2, then you probably want to read #3 as well to find closure, but be prepared for a book that is a bit more effort to get through. I still love the character of Lisbeth, she is a very interesting personality. She rocks.

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June 12, 2015

the complicated life of Lisbeth Salander.

The Girl Who Played With Fire (Millennium #2)The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Girl Who Played With Fire (Millennium #2) is another fast moving mystery-suspense story that takes the reader deeper into the complicated life of Lisbeth Salander. It is a great ride, with a tense ending that leaves room for the third in the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I'm looking forward to continuing my journey through the Swedish language film trilogy fresh from reading the book!

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June 4, 2015

living with autism and working with animals

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal BehaviorAnimals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior by Temple Grandin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book i've read by Dr. Temple Grandin. I enjoy her insights and wisdom, coming from the perspective of living with autism and from working with animals all her life. But i especially love her compassion and humanity towards all animals. We can learn so much by allowing her to share her view of the world with us. This is not a scientific text, nor is it non-scientific. The author mixes academic research and knowledge with many personal anecdotes which help illustrate her views and message. I enjoyed this book very much, and learned a lot about animals and about myself. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Dr. Grandin.

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engaging and fast paced suspense - mystery

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1)The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This suspense / mystery is an engaging and fast paced read. I had heard of this series for quite a while, and then stumbled upon the Swedish film of the story on Netflix. I watched it twice and loved it, albeit a dark and troubling story. I especially loved the casting of Noomi Rapace as hacker researcher Lisbeth Salander. So after watching the film twice, i wanted to read the book. I am glad i did, as it helped tie together many plot connections which i had missed in the subtitled film. I plan to continue the trilogy, reading the second book "The Girl Who Played with Fire" before i continue the second in the film trilogy. I recommend this book, it's a great read.

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May 21, 2015

Excellent cyber-historical fiction

CryptonomiconCryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent writing and story telling in this cyber-historical fiction spanning three generations. Loved it, despite being 910 pages long. This guy is a fantastic writer!

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was a long haul, but well worth it!!!!

May 18, 2015

2007 Honda Accord EX Sedan

2007 Honda Accord EX Sedan - $8089


2007 Honda Accord EX Sedan 4D
$8089
KBB Excellent Condition - Loaded
Honda Certified Pre-owned
Driver AIRBAG RECALL serviced
4-Cyl, VTEC, 2.4 Liter
Manual Transmission, 5-Spd
Mileage: 101,233
Dual Zone Climate Control
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Cruise Control
Power Steering
Tilt Wheel
AM/FM Stereo
CD (Multi Disc)
Dual Air Bags
Side Air Bags
Power Seat
Heated Leather Seats
Power Moonroof with Tilt Feature
Alloy Wheels
Color Gold
Title Clear and in hand
Cash only
All service records
NON-SMOKER

contact for.sale@read2grow.net





March 29, 2015

Darkness on the Edge of Truth

Bruce Springsteen and Philosophy: Darkness on the Edge of TruthBruce Springsteen and Philosophy: Darkness on the Edge of Truth by Randall E. Auxier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My son-in-law got me this book - boy does he know me! You don't need to be a philosopher to read this book, but you probably need to be a Springsteen fan. This is a collection of essays by philosophy geeks, each of which is related in some degree to Bruce's music and lyrics. I have heard Bruce compared with Dylan and Guthrie, but in this book, parallels are drawn between Socrates and Plato. If those aren't enough to whet your appetite to read this collection, then get this - how does Peter Pan play a roll in the narrative of "Born to Run"? That is the subject of one of the chapters. And the famous Jewish scholar Abraham Joshua Heschel is quoted more than a few times. This is an enjoyable read for any thoughtful enthusiast of Bruce's music. Enjoy!

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March 8, 2015

Oracle parking

February 24, 2015

Old Man River

Life on the MississippiLife on the Mississippi by Mark Twain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this has been on my To Read list for a while, and a recent perusal of my bookshelves turned it up so i picked it up. Having spent a fair amount of time in Missouri, i'm glad i read it. The book is a conglomeration of different pieces, patched together into a volume containing much information related to the Mississippi River from the perspective of the famous author Mark Twain. I enjoyed his insight into the skills and knowledge required of the steamboat pilot, an occupation he had earlier in his life. I also enjoyed the political, social, and historical commentary of Twain in the latter part of the book which is primarily Twain's travel diary and "blog" as he returns to the Mississippi River after decades of international travel and learning. His wit and attitude are enjoyable to read, and his views are interesting, he having been raised on the river and then returning to it after decades of travel and education. The book drags at times, but also provides insights which may be hard to find anywhere else. How many steamboat pilots become internationally famous and published authors? There are many interesting subjects covered related to a wide range of topics relevant in the second half of the 19th century. All in all, this book is a great read, despite the dragging parts. I'm thankful that the native American legend of "The Undying Head" was relegated to Appendix D - it was all i could do to get through that one. This is a great read if you like Twain, or are interested in the history and legend surrounding "Old Man River".

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February 14, 2015

The Martian

The MartianThe Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is exceptionally good! The premise of a human stranded on Mars with the challenge of surviving and living long term is fascinating. After about fifty pages, the book's writing style left me less than satisfied, in that it sounded to me like a hipster scientist/astronaut blog about his survival on Mars. The language is often terse, crude and casual. But then i paused long enough to step outside my own reading preferences to see that in fact, the delivery method is brilliant. I realized that i am not the primary intended audience, nor should i be. This story presents the the scientific facts, challenges and marvels of space exploration and travel in a language accessible to a young person today. My generation grew up with the challenge, inspiration, and hope of the Apollo missions and the beginnings of the Space Shuttle program. But since then, shorter term national priorities have eclipsed much of the space program during my middle adult life. Much has been lost as a result. The contents and message of this book are sorely needed with today's generation of youth. It is my hope that puritanical school systems will not ban it from reading lists because of the frequent use of popular yet crude vocabulary. Including this language makes the story more accessible, and frankly, more authentic to a young person (face it, they all know these words, the book banners are deluding themselves if they think otherwise). I loved this story, and the wealth of science, technology, and knowledge that is presented in such an creative way. I hope every high school student gets a chance to read and discuss this book as part of their basic science education. We need this grounded hope for the future, that has been lost since the days of Apollo. 5+ stars.

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February 8, 2015

intriguing alternative history story

The Man in the High CastleThe Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The Man in the High Castle" is a story of alternative history following WW-II being won by Germany and Japan. It is filled with mystery, suspense and intrigue, and draws the reader to the ending. Other stories by the author, Philip K. Dick, were the basis of the Films "Blade Runner", "Total Recall" and "Minority Report". I'm looking forward to the Amazon video series based upon this story. http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/15/7553753/amazon-13-tv-pilots-released

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January 26, 2015

change of genre

Distrust That Particular FlavorDistrust That Particular Flavor by William Gibson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an absolute delight! I really loved the change of genre by one of my favorite authors, William Gibson. "Distrust That Particular Flavor" is a collection of essays, addresses, and other short non-fictional works that Mr. Gibson has written over the years. It goes without saying that the writing is excellent. I loved sharing his thoughts on a variety of topics, and the insights into ideas, events and places that have contributed to his fiction, of which i'm a big fan! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Mr. Gibson's excellent fictional works.

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January 22, 2015

the Internet

I'm enjoying this change of genre from William Gibson!
"The Internet, an unprecedented driver of change, was a complete accident, and that seems more often the way of things. The Internet is the result of the unlikely marriage of a DARPA project and the nascent industry of desktop computing. Had nations better understood the potential of the Internet, I suspect they might well have strangled it in its cradle. Emergent technology is, by it's very nature, out of control, and leads to unpredictable outcomes."
p.61 "Distrust That Particular Flavor" by William Gibson

January 19, 2015

The World Made Straight

The World Made StraightThe World Made Straight by Ron Rash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The World Made Straight" is a powerful and moving story set in the mountains of western North Carolina. The characters feel authentic, being a mix of good and bad as all real people are. Having finished my teen years in a rural environment during the same time period, I felt resonance with the situations and the people. The author does a nice job of weaving together the struggles and conflicts the main characters are experiencing with the Civil War conflicts their ancestors experienced over a hundred years earlier. The descriptions of the mountains and scenery popped off the pages, my family having spent much time camping in the mountains of North Carolina and southwest Virginia. Ron Rash's writing style is rich with metaphor and imagery, reminding me of Annie Dillard's "A Pilgrim on Tinker Creek".

My only disappointment is that i did not get this book read in time to go see the film based upon it when it was premiering locally (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2420166/). I heard about the limited showings on WUNC my local NPR station. (http://wunc.org/post/set-north-carolina-world-made-straight-premieres) I hope to be able to catch the movie when it is released more widely. This is a great story, i recommend it highly.

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAlh5UYXp4Q

January 18, 2015

so ashamed of Duke

I'm so ashamed of Duke University right now :(

Rebuked by Graham, Duke University cancels bell tower broadcast of Muslim call to prayer 
BY BRUCE SICELOFF AND ADAM BELL
bsiceloff@newsobserver.com abell@charlotteobserver.com 
January 15, 2015 
DURHAM — In the face of protest from conservative Christian evangelist Franklin Graham and other critics, Duke University on Thursday dropped its plan to let Muslim students chant a weekly call to prayer from the Duke Chapel bell tower.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2015/01/15/4478652_muslim-students-will-chant-call.html

January 17, 2015

How Jesus Became God

How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from GalileeHow Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee by Bart D. Ehrman
My rating: 5of 5 stars

"How Jesus Became God" is another brilliantly researched, organized, written and referenced book from Dr. Ehrman. Dr. Ehrman has a real talent for teaching, and for presenting voluminous and complicated historical material in a form accessible to the reader. This book is extra special to me because my daughter met Dr. Ehrman (view his address here) and got me a signed copy! The book is an excellent detailed overview of the historical evidence and theory which accompany the transformation of Jesus from the Jewish apocalyptic prophet who walked and taught in first century Palestine and was executed as a state criminal, to the God-man who the Christian church has worshiped for over two millennia. I'm looking forward to reading more of Dr. Ehrman's excellent work.

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January 4, 2015

An Infuriating American

An Infuriating American: The Incendiary Arts of H. L. MenckenAn Infuriating American: The Incendiary Arts of H. L. Mencken by Hal Crowther
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love reading Hal Crowther, his writing is fresh, engaging, and thought provoking. This book is an overview of the (in)famous journalist and writer H. L. Mencken. Mencken was a fascinating and complex personality. I walk away from reading this book wanting to sample Mencken's writing, but also with the feeling that i won't appreciate most of what he has to say. It is a challenge to separate the author from the subject matter. I would like however to get a glimpse of Mencken's intellect and worldview, even though i don't expect to embrace it. Another great book from Hal Crowther.

ps. NPR Host Frank Stasio talks to Mr. Crowther about his new book, An Infuriating American: The Incendiary Arts of H.L. Mencken ( http://wunc.org/post/infuriating-american )

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