5 comments about Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, an African Childhood.

1. This family is composed mainly of fighters, people who decided to forsake the clotted cream comfort of their native England for the thorny bush country of, what was then known as, Rhodesia.
   
   In poetic prose that the reader occasionally stumbles over, Fuller takes us on a dense tour of her life in Africa, thesaurus in hand, and describes the stunning beauty and hopeless squalor of the land with a series of adjectives and adverbs that occasionally seem shoehorned in but rarely off-the-mark. This makes for an occasionally jarring, though still beautiful, journey, much like what the young author must have experienced perched on the spare tire of her family's bucking Land Rover. Some of Fuller's descriptive metaphors, however, are quite luminous; they stay with you.
   
   Still, she hits home with her prose more often than not, and produces a thoroughly readable if somewhat detached report on the life of her family, and how they bear up as trauma eclipses joy after a series of dismal events, including the deaths of small children and runs for the border of several African nations as things (i.e., the political landscape, war) shift and change. These things would loom large in anyone's life, and they are told here with an air of inevitability and acceptance . . . even excitement.
   
   Here's a family who thrives on adventure.
   
   There were several times Fuller had me right there in the back of the Land Rover with her. I was unsettled and awed by what we saw together. She's an amazing writer when she gets going.
   
   Great read.



2. I found this in audio at an audio rental store. The front intrigued me so I read the back and decided to give it a go. I liked it so much that my husband decided he wanted to listen to it too! What an interesting life to have lead at such a young age!



3. Although mostly well-written, this memoir is very depressing. I was expecting more about Africa from this NF book, but it's largely the tale of a highly dysfunctional family that suffers blow after blow, bringing much of it on itself. And no one seems to learn anything from their mistakes. The Book of Job is uplifting reading by comparison.



4. I certainly enjoyed this book. We will be reading this book as a choice for a book club. There is a lot to discuss-from the family life to the unrest that is pertinent to what was once Rhodesia and is now suddenly thrust into the spotlight as Zimbabwe. Ms. Fuller takes you to a place that few in today's world will experience. She is honest in her depiction of her family and one is caught up in each of their personalities. I wish more books could offer such insight and descriptions that will both educate and entertain at the same time.
   
   Gail Boyd, Washington, Ga.



5. In Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, Alexandra Fuller describes her childhood in Africa. Fuller's story, told in graceful prose, is brutal and touching and never overly sentimental. I enjoyed many of the stories Fuller includes in this memoir, but I found certain aspects tedious. Fuller's family moves through many different living situations in numerous countries and confronts various unstable political regimes. After awhile, these places and politics run together and became repetitive. The tedium borne of this repetition somewhat lessens the overall power of this memoir, but Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight remains a worthwhile read.

5 comments about Under Fire : An American Story/Audio Cassettes.

1. I almost bought this book but then read the 9/11 report and was reminded that Mr. North broke the law, was indicted, and then was pardoned because of a technicality;and now for some reason, there are those trying to make a hero out of him....he's taken advantage of his ill begotten fame and has made himself a millionaire...Fox news loves him....I then decided not to contribute to his coffers....



2. colonel north does it again by giving the reader a searing and fascinating look into his life all while importing enough cocaine into america to finance a large village in columbia, what a busy guy!!!. The only thing that disapointed me was the colonel's lack of detail's regarding the time he spent destroying incriminating documents after former head of c.i.a william casey gave him the heads up to get rid of the documents, nice work ollie!!!......



3. The main issue, unacknowledged in North's disgusting, self-justifying book and unmentioned in most of these reviews, is not whether North was acting 'illegally' or without Reagan's consent - it's the fact that he was involved in siphoning money to fascist death squads so that they could overthrow a democratic government. The Contras murdered, mutilated, tortured and raped civilians; 30,000 people lost their lives in the civil war between the Contras and the government. The victims of the Contra attacks were not 'evil Communists', but priests, teachers, nurses and schoolchildren.
   
   The Sandinista government itself was not, as another reviewer claimed, a Soviet stooge, but a non-aligned, Leftist government who favoured a mixed economy, human rights and democracy. The Sandinistas introduced free healthcare and education, land reform and fair elections; they started a massive literacy campaign and abolished the death penalty. The Sandinistas' only serious human rights violation, their treatment of the indigenous Miskito population, was acknowledged as such after pressure from human rights groups, and the Sandinistas ultimately granted the Miskito full autonomy. This is in marked contrast to the US's refusal to even acknowledge, let alone attempt to rectify, its many abuses...
   
   Many of the Contra fighters were loyalists of the previous Somoza regime, a vicious military dictatorship that the US had supported for years. All of the guff about restoring 'democracy' to Nicaragua was either a lie or a gross misunderstanding of reality; it would have been more accurate to talk about restoring fascism. The freedom-loving US appears often to get these two political systems mixed up, given that they also funded, armed and trained barbarous military juntas in Guatemala, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and El Salvador, a country where 70,000 people were killed.
   
   So the issue is not the 'illegality', by US terms, of North's actions. The shocking reality is that North was only carrying out standard US foreign policy. The crimes here are not those of a lone individual, but of an entire administration. After all, in the early 1980s, the World Court indicted the US for conducting a campaign of state terrorism against Nicaragua.
   
   This said, North's role in the funding of the Contras makes him, by any rational standards, a war criminal, an abetter of terrorism, an accomplice in mass murder. That's the real story here.



4. How could a Marine (North) even consider selling weapons to a nation (Iran) that financed the suicide attack (carried out by Hezbollah) that murdered over 140 of his fellow Marines in Beruit in '83? It boggles the mind. He is a traitor who should have been sent to Leavenworth, along with all of the morally challanged officers and politicians above him.



5. Not too bad of a book. Explains alot of the details in the Iran-contra affair and he explains his personal involvement in the Vietnam War.

5 comments about A Cook's Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal.

1. When I buy a cook's book it's to learn about exquisite cuisine food of different places culture and not to learn about different hangovers of the writer



2. The book arrived in a timely fashion and was in pristine condition. Great price, too. Thanks.



3. This was a great, relaxing read. All the joys of a food trip (without the physical flavours and the life-and-death risks) without all the costs of an around-the-world trek. The great adventures of this chef can only inspire you to go find your own perfect meal.



4. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Anthony Bourdain's irresistible writing style. Friendly--not flowery or snobby. I guess I'm one of very few who found it much more entertaining than Kitchen Confidential. I liked reading about what went on on the other side of the camera and that some of the feasts and locations were not his choices. I was surprised that a star of a television show was flying coach class to Asia. Could that be true? I do know that the average tourist or even a very wealthy one would never be able to duplicate some of the special attention and exquisite meals he was served--especially in Japan.



5. ... and that's because in print, versus video, the ever-fascinating "bad boy" we've grown to know and love (well, tolerate; nah, love) doesn't interrupt an otherwise well-crafted exposition on the country he's visiting to "pull a Fellini" (but much less artfully) and digress into all sorts of asides, semi-charming castigations and "they made me do it!" aspersions that many times weaken the overall flow of his television series. Here, Bourdain has the sense to focus almost exclusively on the landscape, the flavors, his hosts and his (extraordinarily wide ranging) reactions and leave the "inside" commentary to extended postscripts at the end of certain stories. And when Bourdain does mention his "shooter" or producer in the body of a given chapter, it's woven more appropriately into the narrative than on cable.
   
   Bourdain is one interesting fellow, a real scamp; and he can write, too. His love affair with the Vietnamese people and their cuisine jumps off the page at you, his reverence for the French Laundry almost requires you to light votive candles, and his graphic explanation of preparing a farmhouse meal in Portugal may make you turn vegan. He can also elicit a solid series of belly laughs when the situation demands; his description of writhing intestinal misery as he grapples for the remote to nix a televised homage to Jerry Lewis during a return to France had me howling.
   
   The best way to savor this one-of-a-kind culinary globetrotter is to watch the show, pick up the rascal's collection of grimaces, smirks, cigarette drags, loping marches down alleyways and "I'm almost high" style of voiceover, then turn off the set and start reading. Because his books - if "A Cook's Tour" is any indication - are better than his broadcasts.

5 comments about Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness: A Reluctant Memoir.

1. BLINDSIDED by Richard Cohen. This is not just a book for for those dealing with MS, Although it could be the story of my family. It is the story of a man and his family who takes the blows and then gets up and keeps on going. It may not be the path was originally planned but they find a way to go go on. It is an uplifting story to those who fight physical problems and despair and find a way to go on. God bless you Richard Cohen, Meredith Viera and your children.



2. I really didn't like this book..from the first page. I never did try to pick it up again. Not worth your time.



3. This is one of my favorite memoirs. Mr. Cohen writes beautifully about a not so beautiful subject, chronic illness. I hear he has another book out and I plan to look it up and order it as soon as I finish this review. Thank you for giving a voice to chronic illness Richard.



4. Richard M Cohen is amazing person. I really enjoy read this book. I found it very interest and good.



5. Mr. Cohen is a huge black hole; I once did not feel his love for his children...my impression is that he was after all a very lucky man. he managed to put up with a demanding career, had the big luck in a great woman and I think wonderful kids...Instead of bitching so much, be thankful Mr. Cohen for what you have! In other country or other financial situation you would be long gone.

5 comments about Sounds of the River.

1. I went to college in Beijing in the late 1980's, so I thought I could say a thing or two about Mr. Chen's depiction of college life and life in general in China at the time. Although I don't know him personally, I found many instances of exaggerations and inaccuracies that supposedly serve to romanticize inconsequential happenings in his life. This literary method is probably okay for a work of fiction, but completely inappropriate for a book billed as "A Memoir."



2. Sounds of the river is a memior of a chinese man name Da Chen, a yellow stoner. Is the book about an historical study of the cultural revolution? No, I don't think the author shares any insights to indicate this is his intent. It seems the book is written in the style of a personal journal. The language of the book is very personable, funny, and presents a fresh view of life in China. I wasn't critical of historical inaccuracies. Da Chen doesn't seem willing to protray an accurate picture and it become evident from his book why he is unwilling to share the true protrait of conditions in china.

   Gifted with an unusual ability to understand English, he becomes privileged to study at the prestigious Bejing University. Da Chen works very hard and is noticed as an excellent student by his teachers. Later when Da Chen returns home to see some of the places, he wrote about in some of his college writing compositions, he realizes they seemed much better on paper than in reality. Does Da Chen write the same way in his book? I think Da Chen is very careful in his book not be critical. He makes poverty and hardship seem very bearable and brave in his book. It is very doubtful that the extreme hardship could be endured so pleasantly.

   Da Chen plays the chinese flute and numerous students, friends, and teachers realize he unique talent. The chinese flute is important because, Da Chen shows through this symbol, he is unwilling to separate from his ancient hertiage and culture.

   The memior reveres his parents and their values. Da Chen thinks highly of his father and mother. He talks of them with respect and admiration. Both parents introduce the concept of love as a path to marriage rather than tradition. This fustrates the match maker who wants to close a business deal for their daughter. A daughter who cuts hair but can manage twenty customers at a time has become prized by a local jeweler family, who wants the same good fortune from her skills for their family. The parents seem innovative in their ideas, but trapped in their country and culture. Change is slow but glimmers of enlightment are revealed. Both parents are extremely proud of their son and share their pride about their son with the community.

   Strongly rooted in the religion of Budhism, Da Chen takes us into the mysterious world of his religion. With the chance to study in America, two students will be selected; however, many associates and teachers tell Da Chen, he has no chance because he does not come from a wealthy and prestious family and lacks the political connections. With that they tell him, he should go home an pray to budha for help. Returning home Da Chen's father takes him to the Budhist temple to receive a blessing. The priest attends many of Da Chen's fathers plays, but shocks Da Chen with how femine he appears and talks. The Chinese believe a child name brings fortune or misfortune and the same applies to Da Chen as the Budhist Priest tells him his name indicates he will travel abroad and accumulate great wealth.

   Is the memior about zen? I would say in many aspects, yes. In many other aspects about faith. Da Chen is a humble and naitive student gifted and introduced to a large network of people with some of them being students and facility. In one portion of the book, a friend Bo is killed because of internal politics. Da Chen knows nothing of the reasons, only that Bo likes western ideas, was having an affair with one of the facility, and was known by the party as the son of a rebel. The memior is the story of coming of age, shocking poverty, ancient chinese marriage traditions, strange food, the hatred of foreigners, the opening of cultural exchange, brutal violations of human rights, and the awareness of the vast opportunities found in America.

   Da Chen gains the opportunity to study in American. Da Chen is influenced by the American Athletes who play the Chinese national team. Did he really meet Kareem? Wow! This is a chance for Da Chen to see and experience the differences between the two cultures.

   Because of his American experience receives college employment, at the age of twenty. Politically, Da Chen does not fit in with the Communist Party. As a result he becomes more obscure and distained by the dean an advocate of the party. The dean thinks Da Chen likes the taste of freedom to much. After hours, Da Chen teaches english. One of the students is the daughter of the Chinese Orchestra. A christian missionary couple cross Da Chen path and eventually introduce him to the Christian faith. Bob is a University chairman of music. Da Chen introduces the Bob to the chinese Maistro and the Maistro has the idea to perform a piece created by bob as a first in China. The musical piece is accepted with great enthusiam by the people. Later, Da Chen struggles with idealogy of many Gods and remains content to just have faith. Bob has problems understanding God so how could Da Chen grasp the reality? This was disappointing. The Sounds of the river and the colors of the mountain are replaced with the sounds of freedom.




3. I loved this book, even though I felt like the ugly capitalist American while reading it.

   While set in Beijing in the 1980's, it still evoked memories of when I was there in 2000. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the traditional marriage arrangements and ceremonies in Da Chen's home town.

   We adopted our 2nd child from China in 2000 and will travel again in 2003 for our 3rd. In 2000, I was in China for 2 weeks and was always accompanied by interpreters from the local province college.

   One of the adoptive families befriended one of the interpreters and worked tirelessly to get her a full scholarship to a university in the U.S. I heard that she had some difficulty obtaining a Visa to the U.S. and now I understand why.

   I have recommended this book to parents who are planning to adopt Chinese children - to help them better understand the culture their children are from.




4. I am an American who lived in Shanghai, China for 1/2 year in 2001/2002.
   It's a magical country with so many different customs and
   beliefs. I miss those sweet, smiling people. Da Chen's
   Sounds of the River answered so many questions in my mind.
   He is an master of words and thoughts. I'm so thankful
   I found this novel because it enriched my life. Thank
   you Da Chen.



5. I loved reading this book and the descriptions of rural Chinese traditions and the hard scrabble life of the author as a student in Beijing.

   I went to China in 2002 to adopt our 2nd child and we were accompanied by several interpreters from the local college. Having read this book, I now wonder what they had to do to get these positions - were they the back-stabbing types or the deserving ones? I am travelling to China again in 2003 for our 3rd child and I will now wonder again and maybe even ask them how they came about their assignments.

No comments about Cesar Chavez: Fighter in the Fields (High Five Reading).

5 comments about The Northern Lights: The True Story of the Man Who Unlocked the Secrets of the Aurora Borealis.

1. Dear Lucy Jago,
   I really enjoyed this book! I read the complete title so I knew it was about the MAN who unlocked the secrets of the Aurora Borealis... not about the "powerful and mystical Northern Lights". What an amazing man he must have been. Thanks for showing us his human side, strengths and weaknesses. I'm still left wondering what else he might have been able to accomplish if he had lived longer (and had a more healthy life style!)
   I thought this book had a good balance between the technical aspects and storytelling. I didn't want a physics book about Aurora, if I did, then I would have gotten one. I wanted a history of science book, I wanted to know the "story", I wanted to meet the people, I wanted to know the community reaction at the time. I got all that and more.
   Thanks for your fine work, I had an enjoyable few hours reading it.



2. This book is a very intriguing biography of one of the great minds of the early twentieth century. It tells the story of Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland and his obsession with the aurora borealis. The book starts off with his first expedition in Lappland, observing the Northern Lights from a mountaintop observatory over a winter season. Jago then takes us through the results of the expedition, and Birkeland's dreams for further research, and his inventive projects for funding his research. She follows Birkland through the rest of his life, including his role in starting Norskhydro, his trip to Egypt, and his death in Japan. What struck me about Birkeland's genius was how he turned design failures or accidents into new discoveries and further inventions- -how a high-voltage switch became a magnetic cannon, and how a magnetic cannon was transformed into a fertilizer furnace. Jago's descriptions of Birkeland's expeditions carry the details that are usually only found in travel narratives.

   The narration by Michael Cumpsty is quite clear throughout, and I was especially impressed by his ease with pronouncing the Danish, Egyptian, and Japanese names. One of the challenges of listening to a book of this type is following the scientific explanations orally. Although I got a basic idea of Birkeland's theories, I think reading them on paper instead of listening to them on tape would have been a little easier. I also missed the footnotes and biography that must have surely been available in the print version. Nevertheless, the tape was quite enjoyable and very informative.




3. As reviewer Carter points out, this book is a biography of Kristian Birkeland, not a scientific treatise on the Northern Lights. And as reviewer Hoge points out, the writing style is more mainstream pop than dry academia. Personally, I found it quite readable. I'm not doing serious research on the subject, so I was fine with being entertained while I learned a little more about how the scientific community worked at the dawn of the 20th century. The primary criticism I have is that Jago was rather biased in favor her subject-- maybe justifiably so, but her flag waving was a little too blatant for me at times... Also, she stretched her material a bit, probably could have been a shorter book. Still, if you enjoyed books like Sobel's "Longitude" or Larson's "Devil in the White City," you'll probably enjoy "Northern Lights."



4. This tale of Kristian Birkeland and his aurora quest was simply enthralling. His will-power alone was awesome, fighting against the wind and his enemies to find the truth behind the beautiful northern lights.
   
   Who knew how dangerous the winds would be? Who would not suffer along with him in our imaginations as he and his assistants took shelter from the cold?
   
   I found his courage and strong focus truly amazing and inspiring. It makes my life puny by comparison.
   
   Larry Rochelle, author of GHOSTLY EMBERS: VISIONS OF TOLEDO.



5. The Northern Lights is a roller coaster ride through the extraordinary life of Kristian Birkeland. Influenced by the great minds of his time, this story recounts the struggles that he endured as an under-appreciated Norwegian scientist. His traveling from the snow-topped mountain of Haldde to the hot dessert of Egypt, is intermixed with a slew of brilliant discoveries showing the true benefit of dedication. This perseverance leads him to make exciting inventions that keep his life exciting because of the treachery and deceit that follow his success. This novel clears the name of this famous scientist in hopes that the world will never again forget the consequences of scientific prejudices.

3 comments about How to Write Your Own Life Story.

1. Patrika: I read your book this morning, and it summed-up in 200 short pages what I had to garnish from probably 50 - 60 previously read books on writing and publishing. I enjoyed every page of it. What's more important, is that it answered several questions that I had about current trends in the publishing industry.

   Thanks again for being the pioneer "Author's Advocate", it's good to know that someone understands and is willing to help.

   Mike White

   ________________




2. I'd always wanted to write my family's history but couldn't get started....didn't know how. This took me step-by-step and showed me how to make it interesting. A terrific guide.



3. I've been trying to write my memoirs for years, have read all the books. But there was something about HEARING this good guidance, and listening to the examples of everything she said to do, that made it real for me. This was the best aide I've found - and I found a lot of them.

5 comments about Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism.

1. My respect for Jenny McCarthy has increased ten fold after hearing about and then reading her story. I first 'met' Jenny McCarthy back when MTV was still in its first stages and never would have guessed! Yes, I admit, I probably would have judged her on first impressions back in those days but she has taught me a valuable lesson. What a wonderful beautiful mom she is! I heard of her story when I caught a few moments of a TV interview when the book first came out. I was instantly touched and rushed out to purchase the book. My heart breaks for the struggles she and her son have faced. Her courage, determination, and love for her son have shown the world one person CAN make a difference and there is always hope.
   
   I hope others will read of their journey together and be inspired as well. Jenny and her son certainly touched my heart and have made me more aware of nightmare families dealing with Autism can face. May those with the ability to limit those nightmares be inspired to do so as well.



2. Some things which should be noted about this book before going into it.
   
   1. At no point does Ms. McCarthy claim to be a medical expert. Indeed, she goes out of her way to note her lack of medical qualifications and notes that this book is just a journal of her experiences as she grew into being the mother of an autistic child.
   
   2. She does not claim that mercury vaccines are responsible for causing autism. She only mentions mercury once and that is to mention the theory and say that more research needs to be done to confirm it one way or the other.
   
   3. The therapies she uses for her son are expensive and well outside the means of most families. But most therapies are, especially those dubbed experimental by HMOs and the health-care providers that most of us go through. Again, McCarthy notes this.
   
   4. McCarthy does use a lot of salty language. This shouldn't be a surprise for anyone who is familiar with her comedy but it seems to be enough to inspire some parents to ignore the message and give it a 1 star rating besides. If this bothers you, you don't have to read the book. But don't go out of your way to trash it.
   
   All in all, I found this book to be enjoyable for what it is - a first-person account of a young woman growing up and developing into a mother and a better person. And however you feel about Ms. McCarthy's comedy (I personally can't stand it), you have to admire her desire to try and share her story and give the parents of autistic children the respect that they deserve with her charity work.



3. I do not have a child with autism, nor am I a professional, but I am a psychology student and EXTREMELY fascinated by Autism. This book gave great insight to a personal struggle with a child with autism, and I loved this book!!



4. I finished reading Jenny McCarthy's book "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism" and I have to say it was one of the best books I have ever read and I am so glad I read it. I read it in a day because I could not stop. It was so good, sad, educational, and some parts were even a little funny because of course Jenny McCarthy can find a way to make you laugh even when talking about something as serious as her child having autism. Her humor is truly a gift. It helps lighten the mood when reading so it is not the most depressing thing you have ever read and you can get through it because the whole situation is heartbreaking but she is so positive and has such a wonderful attitude which is what helps so much in healing her son.
   
   I had a couple reasons for wanting to read this book, one being I had read her other books: Belly Laughs, Baby Laughs, and Life Laughs and of course gained an interest in what was going on with her and her baby but also because with Autism now effecting 1 in 150 children I figured I should learn more about it because it might someday effect one of my children (I currently have a 3 month old and she is my first child) or if not surely the child of someone I know. I did not even know anyone with Autism, I only knew people that knew people who had Autism, or so I thought. I recently learned I actually know some people whose children have a form of Autism and I did not know it until now and I told them about the book already. I realized after reading the first two pages that I did not know much at Autism at all. Actually just reading the title made me realize I didn't know much because I did not think it could be healed. I always heard there is no cure, which technically there is not yet, but there are things you can try that work for a lot of children, especially if it is caught and addressed very early, and although they may never be completely healed they end up living almost normal lives. I also wanted to read the book because I was very curious about something that in the 1970's only affected 1 in 10,000 children now effects 1 in 150 and they are still not sure what the cause is. Jenny says in the book that this is something we should be concerned about more than global warming because if it keeps increasing and ends up being almost every child, what are people going to do, stop having kids? At this rate, I think we should be more concerned about this.
   
   Another thing I learned about Autism from this book is there are many forms. Some kids have severe cases and some have mild cases even before treatment (some go from severe to mild with treatment like her child). Also, Jenny believes, and I agree with her, that Autism does not seem to be one disease/disorder. It seems to be several problems children have that have been given one name which is another reason children with Autism are so different. I think it is basically a lot of problems children are having and they don't know what is wrong so if they have certain symptoms they call it Autism. One reason she has so much success in healing him is because she doesn't just do things to cover up the problems with a temporary bandaid, she always ask herself what is causing the problem and tries to eliminate the cause.
   
   She does not think that vaccines cause Autism but does believe there is a link there and so do I. She believes some kids are born with weaker immune systems and can't handle the vaccines. She is still for giving children vaccines of course, but thinks they should do something like maybe a test beforehand to determine the effects it may have on a child and she is also for greening our vaccines, which is not in her book, but I read on the internet that her and Jim Carrey are currently urging congress to makes vaccines safer because they have so many dangerous things in them. After reading several of her books, I personally think it also has something to do with an injury to the head her son received while she was giving birth to him. He had to wear a helmet for a short time as a baby to correct the shape or his head which was misshaped due to the difficulties in labor which resulted in a c-section and she talks about this in her Baby Laughs book not this book but I see a link because in this book the first sign of Autism her son has is seizures and the one thing they would always ask her at the hospital when he had a seizure was did he suffer an injury to the head and she would of course say no and did not understand why they were asking that until she later found out that injuries to a certain part of the brain cause seizures of course. I don't know if she ever even linked the two together but I did after reading both books.
   
   I would highly recommend this book to everyone because I think everyone should be educated on the subject but would especially recommend it to anyone who has a child with Autism because most doctors, including Jenny's just basically send you out the door with the comment "I'm sorry but your child has Autism" like there is nothing you can do and she found out from other parents with Autistic children that there are some things you can do, or at least try. If it were my child, I would try everything just like she did whether it worked or not, at least you are trying and there is some hope instead of just giving up. I think the book she has coming out next month, which I also plan on reading, would be even more help to parents with Autism though because she wrote it due to the response she got from other parents with Autism after reading her first book and things they did to heal their child so in that book she shares their stories since each child with Autism is different and the new book also gives you an update on how her son is doing now.



5. As a mother of a little boy who was just diagnosed, I thought Jenny is right on with everything she says that she did to help her little boy in this book! I don't know why the first reviewer found this book so offensive because I found it be the very opposite of that. I found this book as a source of inspiration and hope-especially with a diagnosis that can leave you feeling helpless and alone. There is help and out there and you can get that help to help your son/daughter. I really loved Jenny's passion when talking about her son, and I could totally relate to alot of the things that she went through while searching through the medical community to find out what exactly was wrong with her son. I also loved the "What to Do Pamplet" at the back of the book so that she can try and help some of us who have just received our diagnosis and need to know where to go. All in all, this book was helpful and inspiring that I too can pull up my sleeves and help my child with as much vigor and passion as Jenny has with her son!! I give this book two HUGE thumbs up!!!!

5 comments about Think LIke A Champion: Building Success One Victory at a Time.

1. Straight-forward, crisply articulated and with practically no unnecessary fluff, Mike Shanahan's book, "Think Like a Champion," compellingly argues that the game of life is basically won or lost before the "players" take the field. Shanahan asserts his point of view over sixteen easy-to-digest chapters (each about ten pages or less) on the diffent tenets of becoming the best at what you do.

   What I liked about this book is that while the author culls specific examples from his football career, the "moral of the story" is clearly applicable to ANYONE seeking to become the best in any endeavor. Offering an excellent, enjoyable read to both sports enthusiasts and non enthusiasts alike, the author's writing style is to neither excessively arm-wave nor make unsupported generalizations.

   In fact, part of the Shanahan's credibility here is in his willingness to name names when providing examples of people living up to a credo espoused in a given chapter or more dramatically, falling short.

   Written with humility, Shanahan's book leaves the reader feeling that there is nothing magical to becoming a huge success -- other than having a plan and putting in the blood, sweat and tears required to make that plan a success. Or as the author concludes, citing legendary coach Vince Lombardi, "Your quality of life is in direct proportion to your commitment to excellence." So true.




2. A die-hard Broncos fan from the days dying watching those ridiculous striped socks and watching Fran Tripuka get killed, what a job Shanahan did turning it around into two Super Bowls in a row.

   Learning of his background and his principles makes me now not only a more avid Bronco fan, but also a Shanahan fan as well. His perseverance from the days of his kidney injury to how he became part of Sooner coaching staff till today is truly one of principles of success through hard work, not gifts or who you know or any of the other myths most people who never get anywhere fall for and are unmotivated. Most of them just don't ever want to work hard at anything, but have it handed to them. Shanahan disproves all that bunk and shows how it came to be. Unbelievable that when given the Raiders head-job, didn't even have the downpayment for a house.

   This guy is very endearing to so many of us who never had the backgrounds for those connections, but wanting something bad enough, and always believing it, achieve it one goal at a time.

   Great advice, especially appreciate his concern for balance.

   Excellent read. Thanks, Mike, from a new fan and admirer.




3. I have heard this advice before: If you want to be successful
   at something, find the most successful person you can in that area, listen to what they say, and try to follow it. Well, its hard to imagine a football coach more sucessful than Mike Shanahan. Here's a guy who started with a dream: to be a head football coach, started as an unpaid volunteer for a college team, and worked his way to be one of the best, most respected, coaches in the NFL (winning 2 consecutive Superbowls) at a young age.

   The great thing is, he has written a book that is designed to help people win beyond football, in any area of life. Shanahan breaks it down for you: the way he prepares, some struggles he's had, some ways he motivates people (including the little things that we learn are so critical), very good wisdom concerning life, and a lot more. Also very critical is the fact that this book is very easy to read and understand.

   You even get a bonus section in each chapter written by some of the greatest people and minds in football: Paul Tagliabue, Jerry Rice, Bill Walsh, John Elway, Deion Sanders, Steve Young, George Seifert, Joe Montana, Marcus Allen, Al Michaels, and more. They give their own take on the subject being discussed in the chapter, which is not only informative, but like the book itself, filled with wisdom.

   The chapters consist of 16 basic areas to focus on to become successful, things like: Preparing (all of life is preparation, and not preparing is preparing to fail), Sacrificing (don't expect to get anything good done without sacrifice, if it was easy, everyone would do it), Learning (without learning, you will be hopelessly stuck where you are), Detailing (the devil is definitely in the details and that's where things often break down). This is just a taste of the wisdom in this book. Highly recommended for people looking to improve themselves.




4. In review of the autobiography I read, Think Like a Champion: Building Success One Victory at a Time by Mike Shanahan, I learned a great deal about succeeding on the football field. But more importantly, I learned about succeeding in life.
   
   The book begins with Shanahan in college at Eastern Illinois University. Shanahan played quarterback on the Eastern Illinois football team and was routinely tackled during games. However, after being fiercely tackled during one particular game, Shanahan was rushed to the emergency room. Within hours Shanahan had undergone surgery to remove a badly ruptured kidney, and was soon told he could never play football again.
   
   Wanting to remain close to the game he loved, Shanahan decided to try his hand at coaching. His first coaching stop was in Oklahoma as a part-time assistant coach for the University of Oklahoma Sooners. That year the Sooners won the National College Football Championship, and Shanahan was soon offered coaching jobs at other universities. He was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Eastern Illinois University, and at the University of Florida before moving to the professional ranks. As a professional football coach, Shanahan coached teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. Under Shanahan's direction, both of these teams won Super Bowl Championships.
   
   Throughout the book, Shanahan states that he has learned something from every step he has taken in his coaching career. He notes that coaching football was not what he had wanted to do with his life; he wanted to play the game. But he acknowledges that he would probably never have made the pros as a player and would never have had the opportunities he had experienced as a coach.
   
   In the book, Shanahan identifies a few key things he says are critical for success on and off the football field; preparing, sacrificing, competing, and persevering. Without any one of these items, success would not be possible. Shanahan also says that life may take you a direction you weren't planning to go, but that it is important to do your best, no matter what life has to offer.
   
   After reading this book, I have a new perspective on coaching, and a new outlook on life. Hearing that perspective shared by a future Hall of Fame candidate, like Mike Shanahan, makes it even more powerful. Think Like a Champion: Building Success One Victory at a Time was more than a book about coaching the game of football. It was about being in, and succeeding at the game of life.



5. Mike Shanahan shows how people can learn from mistakes, be flexible, and organize a team (business or sports).
   Much can be learned from this book and help one form good habits for success.