| Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions |
Edwin A. Abbott |
An inhabitant of a two-dimensional world explains life therein and visits other worlds with more and fewer dimensions--Plato's cave meets sci fi. Memorable Line: "I might have before me...some monstrous Irregular Isosceles, who...was now preparing to stab me with his acute angle." |
Part I felt a bit too much like a high school reading assignment, yet... Thought-provoking and a good primer for tackling abstract problems. |
| Life in the Vatican with John Paul II |
Luigi Accattoli & Grzegorz Galazka |
A photographic tour of the Vatican while John Paul II filled the role as the Holy See. |
Sharp, colorful pictures on every page. Single-handedly responsible for a 4.3% increase in Vatican City tourism. |
| The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy |
Douglas Adams |
A five-book trilogy (yes, 5) about one earth man's adventures in the universe. |
A fantastic book #1! The comedic value of the subsequent books, however, is inversely proportional to the book number. |
| The Dilbert Principle |
Scott Adams |
Apparently, we are all idiots at one time or another. Especially corporate managers, according to the author. |
The author's insight makes the satire funny. Years in a cubicle can pay off for some. |
| Little Women |
Louisa May Alcott |
Three daughters and their mother try to deal with growing up and the father's prolonged absence at the end of the 19th century. |
Just try not to cry, tough guy. |
| The Tower Struck by Lightning |
Fernando Arrabal |
What does the chess world have to do with the kidnapping of a Soviet diplomat? |
Okay, I admit a Soviet diplomat and the chess community do not seem that enticing, but you gotta believe me on this one. I especially liked the ending. Why would I lie? |
| Coffee, Tea, or Me |
Trudy Baker & Rachel Jones |
"The Uninhibited Memoirs of Two Airline Stewardesses" Provides insight into the budding airline industry of the 1960's or, at least, into the lives of the crews onboard. |
I cannot describe it any better than the back cover: "Wacky, Naughty, and Authentic." |
| American Courts: Process and Policy |
Lawrence Baum |
Everything you ever wanted to know about judicial process in the U.S. of A. |
A rare example when facts and statistics actually contribute to the benefit of the book. |
| Waiting for Godot |
Samuel Beckett |
Two friends pass the time while waiting for someone to arrive. Seriously, that's it....with maybe a hint of allegory relating to man's struggle to define his own existence. |
Yes, I know this is a play, but it wasn't playing anywhere nearby! Kinda funny. Kinda silly. Kinda short. Although I read it using different voices for the different characters, it's more enjoyable to see it on stage. |
| The Exorcist |
William Peter Blatty |
Aw, the sweet girl is a little sick and...WHAT THE DEVIL?! Yoga nothing, get me outta here!! |
Be afraid. Be very afraid. |
| Deenie |
Judy Blume |
A pre-teen finds out she will have to wear a back brace for the next four years. As if it weren't hard enough to be popular. Is being different a bad thing? |
A good short-story window into the juvenile mind. |
| A History of Rome to 565 A.D. |
Arthur Boak |
Everything you wanted to know about the earliest societies and politics of Rome, including the initial settling of Rome and the Italian peninsula. |
Fills a lot of gaps left by the movies Gladiator, Cleopatra, Spartacus, and 10,000 B.C. |
| Miracle at Philadelphia |
Catherine Drinker Bowen |
In-depth (and I mean in-depth) description of the extremely difficult process of: Assembling a constitutional convention, Finding a compromise to appease all the delegates, Convincing the people of the states to ratify it. |
Very enlightening of the processes involved including the major players and the major compromises. |
| Fahrenheit 451 |
Ray Bradbury |
Literary censorship & television are the two greatest threats to society. |
A fast read and a great introduction to antiestablishmentarianism (whew!). Sadly, I could not locate a copy that was either flammable or inflammable.. |
| The New American Story |
Bill Bradley |
The American political scene, characters, and back story during the time of a former senator, presidential candidate, and professional basketball player. In short, the state of the Union (circa 2006) from a moderate Democrat. |
The book focuses mostly on domestic issues, but is still informative and pretty even-handed in its critique of both Republicans and Democrats. The chapters are organized so the reader can study only those issues that interest him/her (healthcare, taxes, etc.). |
| The DaVinci Code |
Dan Brown |
The last moments of a murder victim shed light not on the murderer, but more entertainingly, on a vast conspiracy involving those who would want to keep secret the adult life of none other than Jesus the Christ. |
You may enjoy this book more if you read it before reading (or watching) an investigation into how many verifiable facts are actually contained therein. Think fiction. |
| The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest |
Dan Buettner |
There are places in the world where living to the age of 100 is not such a big deal. So what makes them so special? |
Well, the book could have been shorter. The author is crafty in not attaching too much importance to common characteristics while at the same time explaining why those factors are consistent with a longer life. |
| Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar |
Edgar Rice Burroughs |
Tarzan must rely on his strength and wits against jungle creatures and armed men who would have his treasures, all while suffering amnesia. |
A short and fun story, the author regales us with another dramatic adventure.
|
| The Stranger |
Albert Camus |
A man's life offers nothing remarkable and that's just the way he seems to like it. It's when he goes and tries to add intrigue that his problems begin. |
A classic in character study from a master....kinda sounds like the above description was plagiarized, but it wasn't. Scout's honor. |
| Breakfast at Tiffany's |
Truman Capote |
A handsome single guy notices a pretty single woman living in the same building, and would really like to spend more time with her, if only he could keep up. |
The book is not the same as the movie, with several glaring differences, including the ending. But the delightful character of Holly Golightly makes the reader wonder, What will she do next? |
| In Cold Blood |
Truman Capote |
The true story of how many independent factors culminated into the horrible murders of a Kansas family. |
The tragedy and unlikelihood of each subsequent event terrifies us from the pages of this news story that reads like a fictional novel. If only it were fictional. |
| A Rumor of War |
Philip Caputo |
Young Americans fight through endemic confusion and inexperience in Viet Nam. |
A war novel that is explicit without gratuitous violence and real & immediate while still flowing as a story. |
| Ender's Game |
Orson Scott Card |
Planet Earth needs great military leaders to prevent another alien attack. One person shows superb promise so the powers that be start him early...at 6 years old. And though he's the youngest at school, it's only by 2 years. |
Very easy to read. Science fiction events aside, some of the interpersonal events may seem unlikely but, as a whole, it was definitely entertaining. |
| The Spy Who Came in from the Cold |
John le Carr (David Cornwall) |
Cold war era espionage pits London against Berlin. I understand what a secret agent is and also a double agent, but isn't a triple agent really just a single agent? Quadruple merely double? |
A brilliant story of drama, suspense, and action; brings the deception to you in layers. |
| Through The Looking Glass |
Lewis Carroll |
One lazy afternoon, a young girl encounters a strange and marvelous new world of neurotic talking animals. |
Curiouser and curiouser. Entertaining and (of course) easy to read. Perhaps useful in "cleansing your palate," as it were. |
| Never Call Retreat |
Bruce Catton |
The final years of the American Civil War, from Fredericksburg to the death of Abraham Lincoln. |
Fascinating details of the battles and movements, from the politicians, military commanders, and soldiers. The author has a remarkable grip on the momentum and interrelation of all the participants and events, undoubtedly via a gargantuan research effort. |
| Don Quixote |
Miguel de Cervantes |
Packed with proverbs, there seems to be no end to the funny and harrowing adventures of a medieval Spanish knight and his faithful squire. |
Hard to believe these stories are over 400 years old. The version here is abridged, but still 432 pages; and is of course translated, but still witty. |
| And Then There Were None |
Agatha Christie |
One by one, 10 guests on a remote island die and the the survivors try to figure out who is the murderer. |
One of the original whodunnit stories, every suspect is a murderer and every murder has only one surviving witness. Guess who? |
| The Alchemist: A Fable about Following Your Dream |
Paulo Coelho |
Following your heart ensures--at least--a contented journey. |
It feels as if you're reading an ancient story...in a good way. |
| The Fall of the House of Habsburg |
Edward Crankshaw |
A comprehensive historical account of Austria in the decades preceding WWI and an inside look at the royal family of that nation, with all their mistakes exposed. |
The author throws names at you like a pitching machine; watching them go by may be a better strategy than taking them all on the brain. Kind of lengthy, but there were no real dull spots. |
| Eaters of the Dead |
Michael Crichton |
Around the year 1000 AD, an educated Arab journeys with Vikings into their homeland and he records events there that are consistent with the tale of Beowulf. |
A very entertaining series of events, supposing the Viking life from 1000 years ago.
|
| Life's Little Destruction Book |
Charles Sherwood Dane |
Coffee table book full of suggestions for increasing your annoying quotient. (Not everyone's need be increased...) |
Full of classics like, "Buy little kids clothes for their birthday." That one gets me every time. |
| The Ten Commandments |
A. Powell Davies |
An historical background of who and what went into the creation of the Ten Commandments. |
Informative and compact. Not religious, if that matters. |
| The Science of Jurassic Park and The Lost World |
Rob DeSalle & David Lindley |
The real not-Hollywood science required to build a dinosaur. |
I can't wait 'til they really and truly build one. What could possibly go wrong? |
| Guns, Germs, and Steel |
Jared Diamond |
To the dismay of conspiracy theorists everywhere, the author explains why some cultures survived and advanced while others stagnated or died out. |
Very educational and well-argued with in-depth explanation and examples. |
| David Copperfield |
Charles Dickens |
19th century England through the eyes of a boy growing into a man. |
Great characters, tragic scenes, simple pleasures, good prevails, and a happy ending. |
| Phyllis Diller's Housekeeping Hints |
Phyllis Diller |
There is no household problem too big or too small that the author can't explain away. |
Her personality really comes through the pages as you read the logical and ridiculous reasons why her house is messy. |
| Crime and Punishment |
Fyodor Dostoevsky |
Can a crime be justified by how the perpetrator uses his ill-gotten gains? Psychological insight and cunning are exhibited throughout. |
A work of genius, the translation I read hinted the original Russian version was even better. |
| The Hound of the Baskervilles |
Arthur Conan Doyle |
With pedestrians surrounding him, Sherlock Holmes illuminates the obvious answer from what has been overlooked. Every time with this guy. |
A quick read and entertaining. Fun and easy to get through in a single sitting. |
| The Birth of Venus |
Sarah Dunant |
Florence in the late 15th century holds much intrigue but many dangers for a noble teen girl anxious to find her own way. |
Marvelously written with a good story and character development. An excellent example of historical fiction. |
| At Ease |
Dwight D. Eisenhower |
An entertaining walk through the childhood, military career, and political career of one of the most influential persons of the 20th century, Dwight Eisenhower. |
I like Ike! Of course, it does not read like a novel, yet his style is smooth and *gasp* funny. Exceedingly well written and thorough, oh-so-thoroug. This book receives one of my highest ratings, 5 stars! [pun alert] |
| Founding Brothers |
Joseph J. Ellis |
Some revealing stories about the American founding fathers to replace the one-word association we're all tired of by now: Washington (Leader), Jefferson (Genius), Aaron Burr (Who?) |
Interesting personal stories about lesser known aspects of these Revolutionary lives and events. |
| The Book of Political Lists |
Blake Eskin |
"Presidents with Facial Hair," "Secret Service Code Names," and "Interpresidential Insults" are just a few of the lists. |
Entertaining compilation with hundredsyeshundreds of interesting facts. |
| Six Not-So-Easy Pieces |
Richard P. Feynman |
The sequel to his Six Easy Pieces, this book, too, is taken from the author's university physics lectures. These topics, though, are considerably more difficult. |
Considered the best teacher since Socrates (okay, I made that up), Feynman explains every little aspect of the theories involved. These more difficult topics, however, require you bring your mathematical background as well as your continued interest in learning. The audio version is recommended as much of his character does not come through on paper. |
| A Simple Heart |
Gustave Flaubert |
Short story about the yeoman life of a nanny in feudal France. |
Poignant, if brief. The brevity and style permit easy rereading which aids in the understanding of the protagonist's motivations. Flaubert masterfully depicts the vicariousness which makes tolerable a life of servitude and all the while criticising organized religion. |
| 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions |
Ron Fry |
If you can't guess what this book is about, you're not getting the job. |
Great not only for interview preparation, but also provides insight into the psychology behind the wording of the questions and how "the man" will interpret your answers. |
| Dragon Hunter |
Charles Gallenkamp |
The true story of the adventurous archaeologist, Roy Chapman Andrews, who risked life and limb (as if life weren't enough) to find prehistoric fossils in China. Thought to be the basis for "Indiana Jones." |
Pretty interesting, just don't compare it to Indiana Jones. |
| The Prophet |
Kahlil Gibran |
Memorable lines: "And when the shadow fades and is no more, the light that lingers becomes a shadow to another light." "For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill? Seek him always with hours to live." |
The author's profound wisdom reaches out from the pages. Not sure if it should be considered a quick read or a handy reference. |
| Memoirs of a Geisha |
Arthur Golden |
In a lifetime of despair, a moment of kindness can sometimes be enough. |
A colorful description of Geisha life in WWII Japan. Plenty of dialogue and good storytelling make for easy reading. |
| The Dawn of Everything |
David Graeber & David Wengrow |
An in-depth and loooong study of human civilizations that reveals many ancient cultures were democratic, matriarchal, and/or seasonal and temporary. |
A fascinating expose' of ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Mesoamerican (among many other) societies evolved through their own unique histories to accept a 'government' based on their histories and environments. |
| Contrary {to Popular Belief} |
Joey Green |
"Cooties exist", "Sound does not travel at the speed of sound", "You have the right to make more than one phone call" |
No, it's true. |
| The Elegant Universe |
Brian Greene |
We all know of the dimensions of length, width, and height, and of course the pesky time dimension, but are there really 7 more? 11? So says this leading physicist. True, it raises more questions than it answers, but oh! the metaphysical realms you'll explore. I'll be glad when this is all taught in high school physics class. |
Many good, tangible examples go a long way to aiding understanding. Still, helpful to have a physicist handy when reading. |
| Mythology |
Edith Hamilton |
If you want one book to understand all the Greek and Roman mythology, this is it from an expert in her field. |
Officemates teasing you at the water cooler because you keep referring to the Greek "god" Achilles? Keep this book handy. |
| A Brief History of Time |
Stephen Hawking |
A non-technical, straight-talking explanation of many of the mysteries of the universe. |
It was very generous of the eminent Dr. Hawking to take some of his time to write an astrophysics book for the masses. 'Twas quite easy for yours truly to understand. Note: The pages seemed to convey the slightest bit of egotism; not sure about the origin of this alleged egotism. |
| Stranger in a Strange Land |
Robert A. Heinlein |
A somewhat perverse take on the direction human society may go when a Martian who's neither little nor green shares his experiences with a group of followers. |
What the grok? |
| Catch-22 |
Joseph Heller |
Sometimes the effort it takes to get out of work is more strenuous than the work itself. But then, work alone never makes an interesting story. |
You can't fully appreciate the phrase "catch-22" until you read this book; however, you can't really appreciate this book unless you understand the phrase "catch-22." |
| The Old Man and the Sea |
Ernest Hemingway |
The short story of an old fisherman who tests his abilities by going after a sailfish bigger than any he's ever seen. |
The writing allows the reader to experience the struggle and loneliness of a man not sure if he's up to the task. |
| All Creatures Great and Small |
James Herriot |
The country veterinary surgeon encounters all funny characters as he comes to understand the practice and the countryfolk. |
The story meanders from client to colorful client but you never really learn too much about the narrator. Having said that, it was definitely entertaining. |
| Annapurna |
Maurice Herzog |
Harrowing account of the highest mountain conquest of 1950. Gruesome detail of the price that was paid in that frozen Himalaya. |
Excellent documentary description of the people and events that pushed a team of French climbers to conquer an imposing and relatively unknown peak on the roof of the world. |
| Siddhartha |
Hermann Hesse |
Throughout his life, a man easily finds success in everything he does, yet he struggles with the question: What does it all mean? |
An interesting tale that seems vaguely spiritual. It's not 'til later you realize you've been enlightened by Buddhism 101. |
| Kon Tiki |
Thor Heyerdahl |
One man's journey (along with 5 other guys he suckered into it) to prove to naysaying scientists it was possible for ancient people to sail from South America to Polynesia. With pictures! In a follow-up work he intends to gather these same friends and construct a pyramid or two. |
Good adventure and a fast read. A welcome change from your Tolstoy tome. |
| Seabiscuit |
Laura Hillenbrand |
A horse, his trainer, the owner, and the jockey, ALL with questionable abilities and backgrounds, try to prove their mettle. |
Four (4) underdogs on the same team achieve success? Brings new meaning to the word 'loser.' It was made into a movie for good reason. |
| Mai Pen Rai |
Carol Hollinger |
An American family is transplanted to Thailand when the father/husband takes a position in the foreign service there. |
A true story about trying to integrate into a dramatically different culture, even if you won't be staying long. |
| The Odyssey |
Homer |
Just when you're heading home from the Trojan War to finally see your family, the gods go and wreck your ship and put you through trials no mortal is meant to survive. As if that weren't enough, trouble brews at the homestead because wannabe replacements are vying for your property and faithful wife! Egad, man, give a guy a break already. |
Entertaining and easy-to-read and you'll finally understand the movie, "O, Brother, Where Art Thou?" |
| The Great Game |
Peter Hopkirk |
During the 19th century the Western world had an exceedingly difficult time trying to westernize the central Asian region of present day Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the other "-stans." So much has changed. |
Very informative about the romantic tribal history of that land. Yet, some of the encounters in the book seem awfully similar to previous ones which brings to your mind the phrase "same sh*t, different day." |
| The Kite Runner |
Khaled Hosseini |
Violence and lawlessness of Afghanistan at the end of the 20th century are the backdrop for the story of a man, now escaped to America, whose childhood left gaping holes in his present life. Is he equipped to survive the dangers of modern Afghanistan to help someone left behind who desperately needs saving? |
The detailed descriptions of Afghanistan and the familial intrigue made this a fast and enjoyable read. |
| Why Fonts Matter |
Sarah Hyndman |
An analysis of the effects different fonts have on a reader, including emotion and advertising. |
Different meanings can be conveyed in written text, even without ALL CAPS. |
| The Remains of the Day |
Kazuo Ishiguro |
The quintessential English butler ("Don't call me a manservant!") is professional above all else. No seriously, all...else. |
How much do you like your job? Not as much as this guy, I bet. |
| The Metamorphosis |
Franz Kafka |
Just when you think you've figured out how to balance what you love to do with what you have to do, you wake up one morning and...you're a bug. The author parallels a writer's need for withdrawal from society and an existence as a disgusting house pest. |
Feelings of disgust and empathy predominate and are sometimes intertwined...but in a good way. Also, recognizing the autobiographical aspects of the story may provide for a more interesting reading. |
| The Gospel of Judas |
Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and Gregor Wurst |
A new text is discovered in Egypt to shed some light on a quite different perspective into early Christianity and how it should be interpreted. Sadly, the writings were extensively damaged requiring painstaking work to reveal any secrets. |
This solves nothing. Interesting to read how there can exist such diverse opinions about the same events, but a bit of a tease in that there is a more thorough compilation of the translation of the documents that followed this work that you might prefer. |
| Thirteen Days |
Robert F. Kennedy |
Is there a situation more crucial than the destruction of Earth in which to teach about conflict management? |
Great detail and insight about the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis and, still, almost a short story. Who knew novels could be efficient? |
| A Small Place |
Jamaica Kincaid |
Short story (small story?) about Antigua and some of its history, as told by an Antiguan. |
Fun to read, the author's style is poetic, and you find yourself enjoying her recounts of both the beauty and the struggles of the small Caribbean island. |
| The Stand |
Stephen King |
Not only does a plague wipe out most of the world's population, but some of those that remain revert to animalism and worse! Is there a savior among us?...or is he the destroyer? |
I vote for the edited version....but still, provocative about life without technology or representative authority. |
| The Poisonwood Bible |
Barbara Kingsolver |
A coming-of-age story for an American missionary family in the [Belgian] Congo. When cultures collide... |
The story was engrossing and it is easy to identify with one character or another. One of the few 500+ page books you wouldn't mind reading again and again. |
| The Man Who Would Be King |
Rudyard Kipling |
Two adventurous Brits bent on ruling central Asia find out that even in a land where might is right, sometimes it's just not enough. |
The adventure and tragedy that seem to be part of every central Asian story is well told here in detail and emotion. |
| The Greeks |
H.D.F. Kitto |
Everything you ever wanted to know about the history and culture of ancient Greece. |
With thorough research, the writer explains the origins of the cities, behaviors, and entertainment of the different city-states that make up modern Greece. |
| Rich Dad, Poor Dad |
Robert Kiyosaki |
Wealth is simply a measure of your investment intelligence. Get smarter! |
Well...it turns out that Rich Dad, the main character of this "autobiography," may never have existed at all. Also, some great leaps of deduction are made and good luck is presumed to follow. Still, it was interesting--although diminished--and did provide some sound financial advice. |
| Primary Colors |
Joe Klein |
A Southern politician from a difficult upbringing explodes onto the national scene and attempts to overcome some earlier indiscretions to win the presidency. |
If you feel this is complete fiction then it is a good story. If you feel there may be some parallel in reality then it is an intriguing story that will have you eagerly turning the page. If you feel this story is 100% accurate then you may want to submit it to the courts as evidence for a criminal prosecution. |
| A Separate Peace |
John Knowles |
One kid's attempt to lessen his misery by giving some away. |
I enjoy rereading it, which I hope doesn't mean I'm miserable. |
| Into Thin Air |
Jon Krakauer |
A group of mountain climbers--some novice, some more experienced--attempt to reach the top of Mount Everest (K-1). It should be noted some of the events depicted in this book have been contested by other members of the hiking party. However, Krakauer acknowledges this and it just has to scare you a little that low oxygen levels (Thin Air) can have such a disorienting effect at a time when you need all your wits (and everyone else's). |
The epitome of dramatic adventure. Also a good read for any amateur considering climbing tall mountains (to better recognize the extreme difficulties). |
| Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith |
Jon Krakauer |
A look at some fundamentalist Mormon lifestyles and their attempts to live outside the reach of the authorities. |
Disturbing. One American incarnation of religious fanaticism. |
| The Accidental Office Lady |
Laura Kriska |
An American woman single-handedly tries to change Japanese business culture, starting with her employer. |
It's no Dilbert, but it's good. |
| The Sayings of Confucius |
K'ung fu-tzu (Translated by James R. Ware) |
A listing of wise adages attributable either to the Master or to his contemporaries. |
Confucius say, "Book of lists like Val-Pak mail: Inside, only 1 of every 6 worth anything." |
| Babi Yar |
Anatoli Kuznetsov |
The horrible true story of the nazi occupation and slaughter in Kiev, Ukraine. |
It can be hard to imagine the total disregard for human life described in these eye-witness accounts. |
| To Kill A Mockingbird |
Harper Lee |
A young girl grows up with her brother and father and a handful of colorful characters in rural Alabama, learning about race relations and people in general. |
A more eloquent adolescent narrator has never been. I suspect the version I read came with an automatic page-turner; it was just that easy! |
| How We Decide |
Jonah Lehrer |
Emotions vs. Reason: Which one wins and why! |
The technical, neurological science behind our decision making is explained with easy-to-follow illustrations from everyday life. |
| Phantom of the Opera |
Gaston Leroux |
Mysterious events are afoot at the operahouse; is it coincidence? No, it's not coincidence; a hideous loner has plotted for years to control the operahouse. but will he succeed? |
A fun story of intrigue set in 19th century Europe, and the basis for the popular play. |
| Freakonomics |
Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner |
A thorough and, no doubt, time-consuming study of familiar cultural aspects and their causes and correlations. Each chapter is dedicated to a different subject for which conventional wisdom has led us all horribly astray. Some topics include: "Crack dealers' economics," "How to effectively fight crime," and "Distinguishing traits of good and bad parents." |
If you weren't familiar with regression analysis before, then you certainly will be after reading this book. A little self-congratulating at times, but a very informative statistical study of modern problems and trends. I'd like to see another work by these guys with new topics; a series even! |
| If Only It Were True |
Marc Levy |
Can you believe what a ghost in the closet tells you? What if you're single and lonely? |
Trust and faith, it seems, are sometimes rewarded. |
| The Abysmal Brute |
Jack London |
A natural, unspoilt athlete tries to make his way through the tough and corrupt world of turn-of-the-(20th)-century boxing. Difficult to imagine a corrupt boxing competition, I know. |
One part Woody Boyd, One part Roy Hobbs, One part Hercules. |
| The Umpire Strikes Back |
Ron Luciano and David Fisher |
A memoir from a famous baseball umpire, recounting his experiences in the game dealing with players and managers. |
No nonsense personality and humor typical of the man who also became a minor celebrity off the field. Good gift for a baseball fan, especially one with knowledge of Luciano's era./td>
|
| The Mind of a Mnemonist |
A. R. Luriia |
The psychological study of a (you guessed it) mnemonist including advantages AND disadvantages./td>
| This guy could give Star Trek's Data a run for his money...at least, the 1.0 version. |
| Wicked |
Gregory Maguire |
This prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz explains everything about the Wicked Witch of the West including: Why she is wicked, Why she is a witch, Why she is green. |
I'm torn. Sure, it was intriguing to hear the back story for the tumultuous events of the original story, but I wonder what the author of the original must think to have his story turned inside out. Also, the political symbolism seems to be omitted from this account. Still, modern fairy tales are few and far-between... |
| The Battle of Cassino |
Fred Majdalany |
The next WWII battle on the Italian peninsula is a mountain of solid rock with an historical monastery on top. Can the Allies dislodge a German army fortified in the rock? |
The information gathered by the author, from both sides of the battle, paints a detailed picture of how difficult the conditions were, and the subtle and aggregate reasons behind the successes and failures. |
| Bambi vs. Godzilla |
David Mamet |
A famous and successful screenwriter and director (Glengarry Glen Ross, The Untouchables, etc.) provides his insight into: Producers, Actors, Movie quality, Favorite movies, etc./td>
| Enlightening of the processes involved in modern filmmaking. Mamet draws from vast experience and speaks plainly about many aspects of the Hollywood industry. This book is highly recommended for the Hollywood aspirant or movie buff. |
| Death in Venice and Other Stories |
Thomas Mann |
Little Herr Friedemann - A boy finds success in academics and business but...is it enough? The Road to the Churchyard - An old man slowly makes his way to visit the cemetery. Death in Venice - A famous and accomplished writer takes a break from his work to admire beauty. |
Mann marvelously portrays his protagonists. For the ADHD sufferers out there...uh... Also, his preferred medium is the short story, easy to finish in one sitting. This collection exemplifies his reputation as a master character creator. Any compilation of his short stories is worthwhile. |
| e: The Story of a Number |
Eli Maor |
A condensed history of mathematical discoveries, formulae, and constants and how they were based upon previous findings. |
Recommended only for the mathemagicians out there. You will like this book if you find divine peace in the equation: eπi + 1 = 0 |
| Sherman's March to the Sea |
John F. Marszalek |
Apparently, Sherman didn't burn everything in sight and, instead, focused on destroying government buildings rather than killing people. Who knew? |
Abundant research and details about minutest events lend for an enjoyable read. |
| The Razor's Edge |
W. Somerset Maugham |
Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks: happiness comes in all shapes and sizes. Memorable line: "[He is like] someone who does things simply for the love of god whom they don't believe in." |
Ever the good storyteller, the author does not disappoint here in weaving together interesting characters. |
| The Skeleton's Knee |
Archer Mayor |
Why is there a body buried in a garden? And why does it have an artificial knee? And how does this relate to a death in Vermont? |
"I don't like many contemporary mystery novels, but this one was enjoyable." -Book Snob |
| Angela's Ashes |
Frank McCourt |
Extreme poverty in 20th century Limerick posed a serious challenge to human survival. |
Apparently, a very depressing story can be told very humorously. |
| The Complete Wilderness Training Book |
Hugh McManners |
Which invertebrates are edible? Which roots are poisonous? How do you skin an eel? How do you remove a tick? Where's the nearest hotel? |
I dare say it is indeed a complete reference for your camping trip. To be on the safe side, you may want to skim it before setting out. |
| Moby Dick |
Herman Melville |
A simple story about a fisherman matching wits with a fish. Or maybe something deeper about different people's attitudes. Or maybe something still deeper about the impact of the conscience. Or maybe the fisherman is just confused. |
If you have the patience and erudition to read it several times, I think you'll find it exhilarating. Maybe the only book Dennis Miller reacts to by saying, "What's he talking about? I need to go look that up." |
| The Seven Percent Solution |
Nicholas Meyer |
Sherlock Holmes is back on the job, but how are his powers of deduction affected by his apparent affinity for cocaine? Sigmund Freud, himself, is on the scene to assist. |
Though not a Doyle work, still a jolly good Holmes mystery. |
| The Evil That Men Do |
Stephen G. Michaud w/ Roy Hazelwood |
Hazelwood, an expert FBI profiler of sexual predators, shares his vast experience in behavioral case studies. Contains the occasional, much-needed humorous quip, but otherwise has a seemingly endless supply of gruesome descriptions. |
Macabre yet fascinating. Definitely not for the faint of heart. These horrific crimes described in detail are difficult to imagine and, really, not so easy to read, either. |
| The Naked Ape |
Desmond Morris |
Humans' physical and cultural evolution as compared with similar adaptations in primates and carnivores. |
Both the similarities and differences are intriguingly explained. |
| Beloved |
Toni Morrison |
Just after the end of slavery in the U.S., the painful memories remain. A former slave can't escape the memories. |
Beautiful prose describing hideous scenes. A bit of history and a bit of mysticism. |
| Never Cry Wolf |
Farley Mowat |
The Canadian government sends a scientist to gather information about Arctic wolves alleged to be responsible for overkilling caribou. |
The scientist/author discovers his amusingly inferior place in the middle of nowhere, as well as the wolves' very slight caribou take, and the caribou's more lethal enemy. |
| A Bend in the River |
V.S. Naipul |
Home is where people share your values? It takes a long time for the locals to really accept you as one of their own. And when times get tough, you'd better know exactly where you stand. |
A tragic and frustrating story, the author's engaging style will keep you reading. |
| Guide to Small Town Escapes |
National Geographic |
A great directory of towns worth visiting, most of which you've probably never heard. Illustrated, with maps, and contact information. |
Fantastic for that road trip you've been wanting to take, whether it's across the country or just a couple hours away. |
| The Conversation Piece |
Bret Nicholaus & Paul Lowrie |
Thought-provoking questions that leave you no choice but to commence philosophical discussion. |
Perfect to have around with friends over coffee or wine. Reading alone is cheating, and not so much fun either...or so I've heard. |
| Long Day's Journey into Night |
Eugene O'Neill |
Tragically pathetic family members--slaves to their addictions--try to escape the stranglehold of their pasts while fighting with each other to defend their own selfishness. More tragically, this story is based on the playwright's own life story. |
It's frustrating to follow the persistently selfish characters flaunting their disregard for fellow family members. Maybe at the end, the reader can appreciate how detrimental addiction and cynicism can be. |
| Animal Farm |
George Orwell (Eric Blair) |
Farm animals, oppressed by their human masters, cast off their chains and seek a new life of self rule; but their original plan of government must be continually modified for the betterment of "all." |
All hail the new boss! ...same as the old. |
| Survivor |
Chuck Palahniuk |
Nothing new ever happens--if you pay close enough attention, you can predict everything that will happen in the future. Well, almost everything. |
If you're looking for an entertaining and original story then you've come to the right author. |
| Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance |
Robert M. Pirsig |
To what degree do we understand our surroundings? To what extent are we willing to go to gain that understanding? |
Inspiring. Take pride in rereading it. Often referenced as a bible....or mission statement. |
| Lila |
Robert M. Pirsig |
How does humanity and society protect the success we've achieved while still being open to further improvement? |
A philosophy of everything, including evolution. The story, though, suffers when the monologue dwells on the theory. I hope you like reading about philosophy. |
| Protagoras |
Plato |
Socrates vs. Protagoras. Socrates may have the reach advantage, but on the surface, Protagoras' argument seems flawless. Who will win? |
Interesting debate. It depicts how most logical arguments progress and culminate into their final assertion. |
| The Disappearing Ingénue |
Melissa Pritchard |
A girl grows up. |
The style of the first few short stories is very engaging; maybe not as much for the subsequent ones. Then again, you need not read them all. |
| One True Thing |
Anna Quindlen |
A young woman gives up her promising career to care for her mother who has been diagnosed with cancer. Then, tragic events transform a "normal" household into a controversial one. |
With which character to sympathize? It's difficult to choose sides when the characters have both strengths and frailties. Remarkable story. |
| Ishmael |
Daniel Quinn |
A wise, telepathic gorilla teaches a man to recognize the need for more than one species on planet Earth. |
A tad simplistic and alarmist yet, it may cause you to question the homosapiens-writ-large theory. |
| The Fountainhead |
Ayn Rand |
The benefit of society is pitted against the achievement of the individual as the author correlates Individualism vs. Collectivism with Independence vs. Dependence.What could be more American? |
In the style that could only be Ayn Rand, extreme personalities are used to depict the differences between Communism and Capitalism in the world of architecture. |
| Atlas Shrugged |
Ayn Rand |
What could possibly go wrong when an economy exchanges competition for cronyism? |
I never thought I'd say this about a 1000+ page book, but she sure tied up the loose ends kinda quickly there at the end. Still...golden. |
| Rubbish! |
William Rathje & Cullen Murphy |
What happens to American garbage once it leaves your house? Does it go to some magical land of milk and honey or does it spend it's days on a barge in the Gulf of Mexico? |
An interesting study about the sources, composition, and consequences of our trash. What a waste! |
| Where the Red Fern Grows |
Wilson Rawls |
A young boy and his puppies grow up together in the Ozark mountains. |
A more touching story about a boy and his dogs has ne'er been read by yours truly. |
| Nature's Masterpieces |
Reader's Digest |
Large colorful photos and diagrams of landscapes, seascapes, plants, and animals. |
Definitely a coffee table favorite. |
| All Quiet on the Western Front |
Erich Maria Remarque |
German boys sent off to World War I experience the abject horror of trench warfare. |
A sobering story to remind the reader that both sides lose in war. |
| Lasher |
Anne Rice |
Ever wonder about the social behavior of vampires and their families? |
Entertaining and easy-to-read.I felt the end was wrapped up a bit too quickly, though. |
| The New Complete Book of Food |
Carol Ann Rinzler |
Did you know eggplant should never be cooked in an aluminum pot because that will cause discoloration? No, you didn't. |
A good reference for nutrition, preparation, storage, drug interaction, medical benefits, ...I could go on. |
| Skinny Legs and All |
Tom Robbins |
As if the thought of societal tragedy for the sake of religious competition wasn't ridiculous enough, add to the mix the anthropomorphic characters Can O'Beans, Painted Stick, Dirty Sock, Spoon, and Conch Shell. You heard me. |
Like most of Robbins' books, this one is a funny pageturner. It's not until the very end you realize you've learned a moral lesson. He's so sly. |
| The God of Small Things |
Arundhati Roy |
The dysfunctional childhood and young adulthood of certain fraternal twins in India that lead to a tragic (and inexplicably unavoidable) end. |
Extremely disjoint and even more depressing. However...the writing style makes it worthwhile. Roy has a poetic flourish that makes romantics melt and fellow writers envious. |
| Why I Am Not a Christian |
Bertrand Russell |
A compilation of a modern philosopher's thoughts on several topics. The title was likely for marketing effect. |
The argument for which the book is named, though famous, was not all that convincing, but he has some jewels in there. |
| Language Visible |
David Sacks |
The origin and evolution of the modern English alphabet. |
Detailed histories of the characters, symbolisms, and usages of our letters, starting with Egyptian and Phoenician speakers. |
| The Catcher in the Rye |
J. D. Salinger |
An adolescent struggles between his family's desires for his preparatory education and his own desire to be true to himself, i.e. to do whatever he darn well pleases. |
Equal parts engaging and irreverent, the writing style makes this otherwise average story highly entertaining. |
| The World's Great Letters |
M. Lincoln Schuster |
Pretty self-explanatory. A long time ago, people used to write letters to each other....on paper. |
Like any vast compilation, there are hits and misses; but when he's good, he's very good. |
| The Lovely Bones |
Alice Sebold |
The author, a rape survivor, uses the story of an even more tragic victim to exhibit the varying degrees of closure. Which degree describes you? |
A tragic story but well told...sniff... |
| Fat Art * Thin Art |
Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick |
Contemporary life in the land of Poesia. |
A welcome diversion from your scientific manuals and modern mysteries. |
| La Bella Figura |
Beppe Severgnini |
Modern Italian culture (and a little bit of history) according to a modern Italian. |
Pretty funny writing. The author walks you through the train station, the Tuscan countryside, and the Milan airport (among other places) and explains the Italian nuances you'll encounter. |
| Black Beauty |
Anna Sewell |
Good people never intentionally hurt anyone, and bad people have no choice but to. Be kind to horses! |
A wonderful children's book with moral lessons, simple language, and very short chapters. |
| Love Is a Mixtape |
Rob Sheffield |
A journey through love and tragedy with songs for mileposts. Memorable line:The only boy who could ever reach me was the makin'-the-pizza man. |
If you like to recall songs of bygone times--especially of the '90s--then you'll enjoy this story. Maybe slight overuse of words like 'epiphanic.' |
| Frankenstein |
Mary Shelley |
The good doctor considers what he can do, what he should do, what he shouldn't do, and what he can't do...but never more than one of those at a time. Meanwhile, everyone around him pays for it, especially his creation. |
Forget what you think you know about the story because you saw the movie. |
| Takedown |
Tsutomu Shimomura |
The true story of a computer scientist who detects his computer had been hacked and leads a criminal investigation across the U.S. using advanced forensics to try to find the perpetrator. |
Riveting. Don't be frivolous about the information you have exposed on computers and backup your important data. |
| The Giving Tree |
Shel Silverstein |
You can't spell "love" without "sacrifice." ...er...well, you do need the 'e.' |
Everyone's favorite book...for me because it requires only a few dictionary references. |
| Lateral Thinking Puzzles (Several Titles) |
Paul Sloane & Des MacHale |
A man who was not wearing a parachute jumped out of an airplane. He landed on hard ground yet he was unhurt. Why? |
Good luck guessing any of the scenarios correctly. Still, you'll eventually increase your suppositional ability (whatever that is). |
| The Road to Unfreedom |
Timothy Snyder |
Documented sources and public admissions show how the Russian government promotes unrest in foreign countries through social media and propaganda. If these tactics don't work, and the foreign country is adjacent, then the Russian military invades. |
That "American" tweet or status update coming across your screen might be originating in Russia. |
| Night Train to Turkistan |
Stuart Stevens |
Think it's tough to travel from the east coast westward? What if the country in question is China and you don't speak Chinese? "No way," you say? Wei. |
Who knew China was the land of comedy? |
| Kidnapped |
Robert Louis Stevenson |
A young Scottish lad learns the (really) hard way about putting his trust in the wrong people: Nonstop adventure in 18th century Scotland. |
The action and dialogue are a pleasure to read, and I personally enjoyed the dialect as well. |
| Zeno's Conscience |
Italo Svevo (Ettore Schmitz) |
A hypochondriac recounts his business and personal affairs for the benefit of his psychoanalyst, only to assume the reins of the doctor, his own self. The author injects humor into every aspect of the protagonist's recollections. |
I laughed and laughed as I learned how the protagonist is singularly wise and wholesome despite being surrounded by so many ignorant and corrupting influences. |
| Honor Thy Father |
Gay Talese |
From college ROTC in Arizona to dodging mafia bullets in Brooklyn, Bill Bonanno tried to follow his father as best he could. |
A true story that is both dramatic and informative. It's not quite to the level of The Godfather, but like I said, these things really happened. |
| The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings |
J.R.R. Tolkien |
In a mythical land with fantastical inhabitants and supernatural events, you can't help but root for the little guy (literally), and you can't guess who he'll encounter next. |
The best fantasy story ever? I've never met anyone who was disappointed after reading these, and I've asked! |
| Are We Unique? |
James Trefil |
If we discount the characteristics humans share with animals (seeing, reacting, socializing, etc.) and exclude the higher intelligence capacity which can be mimicked by computers now and in the future, what is left of the human creature that makes it unique? |
Veddy veddy veddy een-teresting. |
| The Raft |
Robert Trumbull |
For more than a month, 3 ditched Navy pilots try to survive on a raft without compass, food, water, and paddles. |
Alright, since there's a book about it you can probably surmise how it likely ended, but it's still a good adventure. Besides, only one of them need survive to tell about it... |
| Pauper, Brawler, and Slanderer |
Amos Tutuola |
The turmoil of 3 Yoruba people of Nigeria as they encounter each other and unusual situations. |
The Nigerian version of Seinfeld, except with more action. |
| Close to the Machine |
Ellen Ullman |
A computer programmer/project manager tries to keep up with the ever-evolving world of business and technology. |
"This book proves computer programming and project management are not boring topics." -Obvious Computer Nerd |
| Practical Mysticism |
Evelyn Underhill |
A study in certain aspects of optimism and everyday appreciation of the smallest examples of beauty. |
Pretty enjoyable. It helps if you begin reading with an appreciation for everyday magnificence. |
| Candide |
Voltaire |
Perhaps there is such a thing as too much optimism. On the other hand...there is no yang without yin; it is as it must be. Rejoice! |
Maybe the highest ratio of entertainment to number of pages for a book available in the English language. |
| Breakfast of Champions |
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. |
The main character, insolent and uncompromising, turns everyday events into trials for the other characters he encounters. |
True to his word, Vonnegut creates another extraordinary tale seemingly tailored to the angst-ridden reader. What this story lacks in subtlety it makes up for with irreverence. Not sure if the boldness is funny or just laughable, but I laughed a few times. |
| The Etruscan |
Mika Waltari |
Turms the Immortal, at first uncertain of his own identity, travels the pre-Roman, post-Greek Mediterranean in search of his ultimate destiny. |
This fictionalized history traveled smoothly among the ancient cultures all the while maintaining focus and interest on our hero. |
| A Place To Come To |
Robert Penn Warren |
A small town boy matures and moves to the city but can't seem to find a lasting relationship. |
You gotta like the writing style of Mr. Warren. |
| Brideshead Revisited |
Evelyn Waugh |
In pre-WWII England, one family can't seem to meet the expectations of themselves nor of their Church. |
The story seems to impart a sense of melancholy throughout the entire text, but it does move smoothly through locations and years. |
| Charlotte's Web |
E. B. White |
Friendship comes in many shapes but is never long enough. |
A children's book full of life lessons that's really not so unenjoyable for adults. |
| The Politics of the Budgetary Process |
Aaron Wildavsky |
How a bill becomes a law How the federal budget proceeds through every phase of consideration including each party involved having its own motives and strategies. |
Yeah, this one just kinda stumbled into my reading list and of course the material is dry-oh-so-dry, but it really turned out to be some interesting reading. First published in 1964, but the analyses still apply. |
| Little House on the Prairie |
Laura Ingalls Wilder |
Moving your family to unsettled country is not for the faint of heart. |
An excellent window into frontier life, simple characters and exotic imagery. |
| The Prayer of Jabez |
Bruce Wilkinson |
Duck, duck, duck, goose, duck, duck, duck, ...Hey, wait a second! Why the 'goose?' Well, just let me tell you... |
A thought-provoking mini-book describing a subtlety of the Christian bible and why that subtlety should be so important in your life. |
| The Professor and the Madman |
Simon Winchester |
The collaboration between a criminal and a professor is recounted as a vital contribution necessary to compile the very first Oxford English Dictionary, an epic task which lasted more than 70 years. |
An intriguing set of circumstances and amazing detail show the intensive effort required for amassing the first comprehensive English dictionary. I believe they would have preferred, in retrospect, to be the people that worked on the second version. 70 years! No wonder it's so expensive. |
| They Call Me Coach |
John Wooden |
Autobiography of the famous coach's playing and coaching days up through the powerhouse dynasty of UCLA basketball. |
A bit dry at times, it nonetheless provides insight into the style and character of the most successful coach in college basketball history, also shedding light on little known facts behind some famous events during his tenure.
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