5 comments about Once a King, Always a King: The Unmaking of a Latin King.

1. In a world dominated by drugs, sex, and violence Raymundo Sanchez begins to see an exit to the Latin Kings, one of Chicago's most feared Latino Gangs. He knows that to leave the gang will mean taking a three minute head to toe beating by three Latin Kings, something which could easily leave him dead.
   
   Having earned the name "Lil Loco" in the prequel My Bloody Life for his random acts of violence and his alcohol, drug, and sex addictions Sanchez is now faced with the ultimate decision. Leave the Latin Kings once and for all or become more involved and continue his path to self destruction.
   
   After being arrested, Sanchez has to face jail time which allows him to slow down his life and see things from a different perspective. He begins to see the Latin King's original message, to protect the Puerto Rican community, has faded and is now overcome by power and greed. The Latin Kings have turned on each other.
   
   He must deal with their motto, "once a king, always a king." If he leaves the gang life he will always be haunted by his past. Others will always see him as a Latin King even if he's not involved. His life will always be in danger by rival gangsters.
   
   The inability to keep a relationship due to his pimp lifestyle causes him to leave the one person who truly loved him. He must fight nightmares night after night, reliving the moments of death and pain he caused others.
   
   Raymundo Sanchez's journey as he tries to leave the Latin Kings illustrates the struggle of leaving the gang life but in the end it proves well worth it.



2. I live in the neighborhood and see the same things that the author went through in the youth today. Gang life destroys neighborhoods and familys and it saddens me to know that life continues to get worse for these young confused children that don't have God in their life.



3. I found this book very interesting and informative, but it's poorly and childish written... It's very easy to read, I finished it in just a couple of hours...Reymundos story is great, but he lacks professionalism.



4. Heads up to anyone that is about to read/purchase this book! I previously read Reymundo Sanchez previous book about his life as a Latin King, and though I did not believe all which he had written; I did consider it an interesting book. Unfortunately, in this current book, if you read VERY carefully, Sanchez states that this is not an autobiographical memoir, but rather a true-life story about the LIVES OF A FEW Latin King members made into the fictional life of ONE PERSON!!!! Therefore, like I had previously thought,this book is not at all true! Sanchez is a good writer and he must be given credit for that. But, he shouldn't have written this story as his own true-to-life events, when in fact it was based on happenings that occurred to a few of friends. Sanchez converts all of this information into one fictional person for his book, wants us to believe this his his true-life sob story!



5. Once A King Always A King.
   The Unmaking of a Latin King.
   Author:Reymundo Sanchez. 283 pp.
   Independent Publishers Group. $24.00
   
   Reymundo Sanchez is motivational in urging gang members to abandon their lives on the street and start again. Temptations are constantly presented, however, the long-term satisfaction of accomplishments outweigh the temporary obstacles. Reymundo also reminds the other members of society that there are countless problems caused by this dangerous activity. In short, "Once A King Always A King" is written to merge a world full of crime with the unresponsive public to exhibit the need for the world to "refocus."
   The author's name, Reymundo Sanchez is the pseudonym for a former Latin King member no longer living in Chicago. Due to the fact that the story is a personal account, the hidden identity is acceptable. Although there is no way to locate this man, it is easy to recognize some of his work. "Once A King Always A King" is written as a sequel to a book entitled "My Bloody Life."
   Reymundo reaches his goal through the rawness of events and crude conclusion. An example of the effectiveness in simplicity is when "Rey" begins to develop strong feelings for a brilliant Puerto Rican woman named Marilyn. Sanchez says: "I respect you so much for what you have accomplished in your life, in the same period of time that I have done nothing. And now, well; now not only do I respect you but also I feel so good when I'm with you. I don't think I can say that about any other woman who has come into my life." Seeing thrugh the eyes of a substance-abuser who lacks education, a supportive family, and real freedom adds a genuine presence to each word.
   Even after living a comfortable lifestyle where I have been offered opportunities ranging from culture to extracarricular activities, this book has allowed me to accept Reymundo Sanchez as a person who stands to represent thousands. Unfortunately, the intensity results in a very graphic novel filled with inappropriate language, which limits age reccomendation. Nonetheless, editing would make the book flowery. Gang life in Chicago deserves accurate representation. Hopefully, closing the book will not push the isses aside. Instead, you will be instilled with a desperate desire to keep future generations off the streets. Life has so much to offer. Bring people back today.

5 comments about When the Impossible Happens: Adventures in Non-ordinary Reality.

1. I would be glad to be proven wrong but having read half of this book it has lead me to feel skeptical...even though I was looking for information to make me believe more (see angels and aliens, deepak chopra, etc.)
   
   Unfortunately this book reminds me more of the whitley streiber style of taking too much time talking of personal experiences (with much apparent filler of unrelated personal life details and name dropping).
   
   And also of the Streiber style of completely condemning the scientific method and methodology in general. At least STan does not go so far as to talk of a scientific conspiracy but he does throw the baby out with the bath water.
   
   Case in point and the chapter that really disappointed me was on the quartz crystal skull. Stan gives vague annecdotes with little research into these episodes, including a jaguar in the living room which left Stan's subject in (giggles here) "metaphysical horror". The chapter ends not with an assessment of this mysterious object but stans failure to meditate infront of it and instead right a fiction story.
   
   Hey, kudos to him for researching the mysterious, but am I the only one who is disappointed their is not a more sober, investigative approach? Stan to me gave me no more insight into the supernatural than you may get from someone at a busstop with unsubstantiated claims other than his apparent own experiences which even those have little to back up.
   
   BTW: found much more intriguing info on the skull on wikipedia of all places.
   
   I hope stan's other books are better, with less filler of his personal life and less like flaky books like "connecting the dots' and more like "angels and aliens" or the spirit molecule. the last two being much more sober, investigative and objective.
   
   I like books on spiritualism and the supernatural a lot but am very tired of people exploiting the genre with their empty supposed studies. Anyways the cover was cool. I will do my research better next time.



2. This fascinating book by one of the intellectual giants of our time falls somewhere between Jung's "Memories, Dreams, Refelections" and Timothy Leary's "Flashback". It gives an overview over Grof's life and his personal experiences with realities that lies beyond what the materialistic-scientific worldview considers 'possible'.
   
   Some of the anecdotes are taken from his previous books, but they are certainly worth telling again. Experiences with esp, reincarnation, energy-transferring (Swami Muktananda) and not least lots of experiences with all kinds of mind-altering drugs, often taken at exotic places like old mayan temples and the australian desert.
   
   Many of the examples are taken from his own life-story, but a lot of them comes from his yearlong work as a therapist, with LSD and later holotropic breathwork.
   
   Few people challenges the ortodox scientific worldview with such vigor and depth as Grof (guess a book like this could give Richard Dawkins nightmares for weeks, if he had the courage to rewad it). But having said that there seems to be in his works a strong tendency to make spirituality synonymous with 'experiences' and to underestimate the value of Silence, introspection and emptying the mind.
   
   In this book Grof certainly comes across as more of a 'head' than in his previous more scientific works, like a man who likes to take drugs and let the vision of the world be altered by chemical means.
   
   All in all an important collection for anyone interested in a more comprehensive picture of the world around us.



3. As always - simple and genius! This book is especially well-written and could possibly an eye-opener for many readers.



4. Grof throws it all at you in this delightful little book on consciousness and transpersonal psychology, which is also an easy read. He discusses and elaborates on many topics that are of interest in exploring paradigm shifting views on the nature of consciousness and existence and so migrating us out of the straight jacket of materialistic monism and Freudian psychology, that have so dominated western thinking.
   
   Topics reviewed include Holotropic breathwork, Crop Circles, Siddha Yoga, LSD and Ketamine Based therapy sessions, past life regression therapy, Synchronicities, Shamanic Influences, Primal Therapy, ESP, Remote viewing, Basic Perinatal Matrices (BPM), Astrological Archetypes etc. and it is mostly through direct experiential based vignetttes garnered from the authors 50 years in the field.
   
   The Holotropic breathwork itself seems like a variant on Osho's dynamic kundalini pranayama, and active meditations that is combined with music. Knowing from my own experience the relationship between breathing rhythm and the quality and one's conscious state and moods, ( a fact that is also known for millennia from the teachings of Siddhas such as Thirumoolar), it is highly likely that it can be used to raise deep unconscious and traumatic states so that they can be therapeutically resolved. Just like people remember things based on a trigger from the time the memory was implanted, each traumatic event in a person past life or past lives will have its own characteristic breathing rhythm and going into this upsetting breathing rhythm can be used as a trigger to raise it once again. Unfortunately, in this book Grof does not go into too much detail on how the mechanics of this breathwork but does describe some stories of those who were able to use successfully to heal themselves from trauma or phobias developed in the birth canal and in past lives.
   
   The LSD experiences he describes paint reality in the same words as those of the yogic Siddhas, namely that the real world a highly expansive interconnected infinite and spaceless intelligence capable of manifold manifestations and meanings. That it is never separate from the experiencer but a is a vast phenomenal game of play of the cosmic consciousness. That the apparent separation and sedimentations of objects arises out of conditioning and dullness and lack of flexibility in the conscious apparatus. That LSD can be used to alleviate this dullness and conditioning temporarily and so dehypnotize one from the dream of separation and limitations. That the experiences induced by it are not neurochemical artifacts, symptoms of a toxic psychosis as mainstream psychologists called it, but genuine manifestations of the human psyche itself. Personally, I use yoga, pranayama and meditation to achieve the same results.
   
   On one occasion, in an LSD session, and OBE the author takes a trip to his mother's house and the experience is so real, that he believes like in the dream of Chuang Tzu that it is his life in America that is a dream. He considers taking back a picture from the house to proof to himself that the nature of the world is entirely dream but is fearful that he may find out something he doesn't want to know and messing with powers beyond his conscious abilities to assimilate. He should have took the picture, and then he would have known that all is dream. Also, there are no powers to be fearful off because there are no devilish mystic archetypes or black forces beyond your own mind. Unpowered by your mind, they dissolve into nothingness.
   
   In another experience, he describes a ketamine session in which he experiences identification with petroleum as an evil metaphysical archetypal entity and later he says "I became every jew in the nazi gas chambers, every sprayed ant and cockroach, every fly caught in the sticky goo of the fly-traps". I think the author needs to make a clearer distinction here, that he did not become these things, in his Ketamine session, he has just achieved a clear and noise free perspective as one gets in the Eka Grata state of consciousness. You can experience things close up and real, to the exclusion of all else. However, you are still only experiencing it from the outside and so seeing only surfaces and heightened sensory perceptions and thought superimpositions based on your understandings and unconscious reservoir of experiences- you are not experiencing it from within as it is in the field of the one-consciousness. This is a qualitatively different experience.
   
   In another session, he experiences himself becoming a towel at a neighboring swimming pool in Esalen, and seeing all those at the pool and watching all that was going on. This is a remote viewing experiencing and he says later those at the pool validated what he saw and experienced and he takes this as indicative of proof that he did astrally project and have an OBE.
   
   However, I feel the author may need to take the quantum leap in consciousness into better understanding himself on this one and in so doing transmigrating his current conscious onthological vision.
   
   Consciousness does not go out and astrally project or have OBEs etc. It is always stationary, what changes is that different perspectives and views are brought into the field of consciousness as the objects of consciousness. I feel the author still things that consciousness (transpersonal or to alternative) exists in the field of the world and travels around it freely - he needs to make the radical revision that the world exists only in his field of consciousness. A Course in Miracles says this very succinctly in the line "Ideas leave not their Source" . Remote viewing works because all mind is joined and this mind is spaceless, - moreover there are no objects and no world apart from mind - they represent just projections of thoughts. It is this that makes it possible to experience things in remote corner of the world from your own living room. The Zen folk say this also very clearly when they say "No Vehicle - is the Great Vehicle of Zen" and the Buddha is one who travels all day without traveling anywhere at all.
   
   In this case, he simply brought the experience of the being a towel at the swimming pool and his friends there into his field of consciousness. It is a conscious substitution interposing one thought stream with another and not a going out of mind. Their words and actions just represent his own ideas projected out of his mind - afterwards they have to validate what he saw because there is no "they" and no out-there - just his own mind validating his own thoughts and conscious experience at a later time.
   
   Anyway, thought the book was a thought provoking read but good conceptual content and is open to later validation by each reader by their own direct experiences. It represents new life and oxygen and a major revision to the stuffy, reactionary, conditioned and positively Victorian and Pavlovian thought systems underscored by current psychological modalites that depend heavily on neuroleptic bombardment, Freudian psychology and rigid DSM IV diagnoses.



5. Sorry Captain Kirk.
   
   Space is limited to the known universe which, vast as it is, pales in comparison to the unknown universes that exist just behind the shadows of our consciousness.
   
   Like millions, I too have enjoyed the fabulous imaginary worlds, incredible futures and technological wizardry that bubble up from the minds of great science fiction writers.
   
   Then I began to read about a part of each of us that we know relatively little about: our consciousness. What we know about consciousness comes from the very limited vantage point of our waking state, and a bit more from our dreams. This experience fools us into believing that this reality is all there is.
   
   Western Science reinforces this idea since it is grounded in a philosophical worldview spread by a distinctly un-spiritual Christian mindset that sees true mystical experiences as the domain of only saints and psychotics.
   
   But in 1943, a Swiss chemist named Albert Hofmann gave to the world a molecule that could allow anyone to experience conscious states far beyond our survival-mode highly-filtered reality.
   
   This molecule, of course, was LSD and before the United States government rushed to judgement and declared all psychedelic substances as wholly unbeneficial for human research, amazing results were being published in the literature about the effectiveness of psychedelics in psychotherapy, in drug and alcohol addiction, in easing the fear of death in terminal patients and in non medical areas as creativity, problem solving and other intellectual and artistic endeavors.
   
   One of the original researchers in the area of psychedelics was psychiatrist Stanislav Grof who added enormously to our knowledge of the mind and expanded greatly on both Freud and Jung in their understanding of how the mind works.
   
   Realizing that much of what was being discovered regarding the psychedelic states of consciousness had been explored for thousands of years in Eastern philosophies as well as indigenous shamanism, he developed his Holotropic Breathwork technique to achieve these same states of consciousness after psychedelics were banned around the world in 1970.
   
   His astounding findings over the past fifty years using both psychedelics and Holotropic Breathwork is the subject of this book and for me goes far beyond the imaginary worlds of science fiction into realms of reality that offer glimpses of not only our consciousness before and after our material deaths, but even the ability to experience the consciousness of any material entity; organic or inorganic.
   
   Dr. Grof's work has given Western man something those in the East have known for millennia; that this span of time we call "our life" is simply a tiny momentary escape from the unlimited pool of consciousness that makes up the ALL of a Creative Consciousness.
   
   The only downside to reading this book is that I fear I can never read science fiction again without feeling that no matter how creative and exciting the book is, it can't begin to compare with what exists just beyond the limits of our physical universe through our own consciousness.

5 comments about Dead And Buried: A Shocking Account of Rape, Torture, and Murder on the California Coast.

1. I loved reading anything by, the late, great Jack Olsen and his passing left me wondering if I would ever read another good true crime book. Enter Corey Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell writes the kind of book that you just can't put down. I won't go into details of the book, that's for you to find out. But I will say, you won't be disappointed!



2. Corey Mitchell's DEAD AND BURIED, about the life and times of rapist and murderer Rex Krebs, has been reviewed and praised so extensively that I would not normally write this review. But I want to emphasize the massive amount of research Mitchell has done on this book.
   I am a veteran reader of true crime and feel that the two areas that make or break a true crime book are the research into the backgrounds of the main players and the quality of the writing.
   First let me assure you that Mitchell can write. The writing is straightforward, intelligent, literate, and professional, and Mitchell does not feel the need to inject his own personality into the narrative.
   And Mitchell has researched the life of Rex Krebs as thoroughly as any true crime writer I've ever read. The first 230 pages, an unheard of number, is devoted to Krebs' life before he committed the crimes discussed in DEAD AND BURIED. The result is that the reader understands what caused Rex Krebs to be the person he became, presented in linear fashion, starting from the time of his birth.
   Readers who enjoy intelligent, skilled, and meticulous true crime will appreciate the hard work that went into DEAD AND BURIED and will love the result.



3. My favorite stories are crime stories. I watch CSI and all those Court shows on television. None can tell the story better then a good book and this is one of those books. Corey Mitchell is one of my favorite author's and I have read all of his work to date. This one tops my list. I can't wait for his newest book to come out. Another one I would recommend.



4. Wow! Another great book by Corey Mitchell. This one is probably my favorite and I've read all of his books. This held my attention from cover to cover!



5. Yet another hit from Corey Mitchell! The way he starts out with some of the attacks and then starts from the beginning of where everyone involved came from etc. was awesome. I again love the way he ties in other cases where applicable that people might recall. I was especially touched by the story of his deceased wife at the beginning. I had read books done after this and seen the reference to her but had no clue til I read the story. She is definately looking down on you Mr. Mitchell and smiling as you get these stories out to help others. I'd love to help make it so rapists can't get out after the first offense to do what Rex Krebbs did. Wonderful job!

5 comments about Shut Up, I'm Talking: And Other Diplomacy Lessons I Learned in the Israeli Government--A Memoir.

1. Shut Up, I'm talking is very, very funny. I tried reading it before bed, but found it didn't help me fall asleep -- I kept reading on to the next chapter, laughing aloud along the way. The book reads like David Sedaris, but without the camp. This isn't for someone looking for a serious study of Israeli politics (obviously) -- but for something fun, this is it.



2. Levey is one of the funniest writer's I've read in a while. The best pieces in here are funny to the point that I laughed out loud in public. In fact, the best pieces are so good that you seek to retell it to your friends, yet sadly realize that you don't have the 1/10th the storytelling chops of Levey.
   
   Beyond the humor, Levey is endearing and honest. Indeed, his stories are as funny as they are because they are wrapped in the context of Levey's empathy and thoughtfulness. I've purchased this book already for three friends, and look forward to further giving it away to people who haven't had the pleasure of reading it. If you haven't read this book, it is a must. I am very much anticipating his next work!



3. ** AUTHOR'S NOTE **
   "As I write this note, things don't look good in the Middle East. I'm not sure when you're reading this, but I assume that things still don't look good in the Middle East, because they never really do."
   -----------------------------------------------------------
   
   The author Gregory Levey at the age of twenty-five-years-old and not even an Israeli citizen found himself sitting alone at the State of Israel's seat at the United Nations General Assembly. An important vote was about to take place, and he not only didn't know which way to vote on the resolution... he didn't even know what the resolution was!
   
   This humorous and almost satirical yet somber situation was all set in motion innocently enough when Greg became bored in his second year of law school. The author being Jewish and a Canadian citizen going to school in New York decided to volunteer to serve in the Israeli army. After he signed up on-line for the army he still had a number of months ahead of him until he had to report to Israel. Unwilling to accept the monotonous months of waiting ahead he decided to apply for an internship at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations. What follows could provide enough fodder for a full season of hilarious sitcom material. As Greg followed up on his application, over and over again, without any positive results, he showed dogged determination and made yet another phone call to yet another person who told him to fax his resume directly to her. After still no response Greg gave up on the whole idea and left for Christmas break.
   
   After he returned to New York in January he got a strange call from a man named Yaron from Israeli security. This led to many, many, phone calls with varying degrees of time between each clandestine call, with questions that ranged from "what side of the street did he live on?" to questions about the Jewish summer camp he attended as a child. Finally an interview was set up with Israeli Ambassador Mekel. The first thing the Ambassador said was: "You look perfect on paper, so there must be something wrong with you." During the interview the Ambassador told Greg there is no internship program but offered him a deputy speechwriter job on a part-time basis, because the regular speechwriter was going to be leaving and if everything went well he could take over fulltime. "Greg accepted the offer, but told him that as a Canadian, he was not eligible to work in the United States. The Ambassador shook his head before he even finished the sentence and said, "I can hire anyone I want. We'll just change your status from student to DIPLOMAT!" "So that was it. From the U.S. State Department's point of view, Greg was going to be an Israeli Diplomat, even though he wasn't an Israeli citizen." Greg had come in the hope of getting an internship and walked out as an Israeli Diplomat.
   
   From there Greg starts writing speeches for Ambassador's in New York and gets noticed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's staff in Israel, and as a favor writes a speech for the Prime Minister. While working in the Mission in New York he takes a vacation in Israel and takes a course in "combat firearms". He subsequently takes another vacation and goes to Israel and takes an "intelligence and counterintelligence" course, and as part of an assignment has to go undercover as "Joey Shmeltz". He then gets invited to come to Israel and work on Prime Minister Sharon's staff. From there on out the author provides a never before seen "outsider's" view of the "inside" of the tumultuous stress that Israeli's face daily as a people and as a nation with a smattering of rye humor along the way.



4. Levey, Gregory. "Shut Up, I'm Talking and Other Diplomacy Lessons I Learned in the Israeli Government", Free Press, 2008.
   
   A Laugh Riot
   
   Amos Lassen
   
   I do not think that many of us laugh when we think of the inner workings of government agencies but Gregory Levey knows differently. In fact, reading "Shut Up, I'm Talking" explains, in its own way, why the Middle East is so hard to understand.
   Levey was once a speechwriter for the Israeli delegation to the United Nations when he was only 25 years old. He was thrust into a world of foreign ministers, heads of state and American senators and before he knew it he was attending sessions at the U.N. as well as being responsible for the drafting of major statements of the Israeli government. Then he was transferred to Jerusalem to be the speech writer for then prime minister Ariel Sharon,
   I found myself laughing aloud while reading the book and then running to the phone to call a friend and tell it to him. Levey was in Israel for three years during which Arafat died, the intifada continued, Hamas rose to power and Sharon had the stroke that has left him in a coma. He takes us inside the government of Israel and we see how casual the workings are and as well as how the government works behind the scenes.
   As a non-citizen of Israel he sat in the Israeli seat at the United Nations General Assembly and when an important vote came up, he not only had no idea of how to vote but he had virtually no idea of what was being voted on.
   Levey mixes satire and reality to give us the poetical picture and we learn that he became interested in Israel when he came to law school in New York and decided to volunteer for the Israel Defense Forces. He is a Jewish Canadian and since he had time before he was due to report for military service, he applied for an internship at the Israel Mission to the U.N. and it is from that point that the comedy begins.
   If you want to learn about Israeli politics this is not the book for you but if you want to laugh then you are at the right place.



5. I liked the concept of this book. Take the state of Israel and turn it into a Seinfeld episode. The writing style is rather basic and so flat, that it detracts from the revelations of the narrative. Also, too many lapses in the time line make for a heavily disjointed narrative. You often want to know more about his side trips to South Africa, than his glossed over, day-to-day grind in Tel Aviv.
   Mildly amusing, but would have been a better New Yorker story than an actual book.

5 comments about Hole in My Life.

1. Hole in My Life
   By Jack Gantos
   "You don't just end up homeless, hung-over, sleeping in your car with all your worldly possessions because you have control of your life." That is one of my favorite quotes from this book, and there are many more, too. Hole in My Life was one of the best books I've ever read alongside Go Ask Alice. One reason is that it is a biography (the author wrote about himself), and another reason is because it connected to my life a whole lot more than I expected it to.
   Jack Gantos was an ordinary aspiring writer just trying to get into a nice college. Then one of his friends offered him ten thousand dollars to help crew a boat loaded with smuggled drugs to New York. He has an adventure that looks good for his future, but eventually takes a turn for the worse.
   I really liked this book, mostly because of the description the author used and much of the word choices. For example, "...with the needle in my arm and the blood blooming into the syringe..." or when he's explaining his drunken stupors he uses the phrase "power barfed." I love this category of writing and I'm pretty sure I always will and I encourage many of you to read it because you will probably learn many life lessons. Even if you do think you'll never get caught. I used to think that, too.
   By: Jaime Erlenbaugh Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin



2. Hole in my Life by John Gantos was one of the most compelling reads that I have found in a very long time. Rather then writing just a memoir, his use of musing, self-discovery, and character building create a story that reads as a dripping dramatic novel.
   Gantos uses musing in a very smooth manner throughout this novel. His first chapter, and the openings of many other chapters consist of him reflecting on the event past by grabbing the readers attention and foreshadowing towards an unknown future. He also uses musing to bring humor into such terrible situations. For example, when talking about the arrest that brought him to prison, he references about how prisoners have some funny stories about their experiences of "getting caught." By using past and present tense fluently throughout the novel, Gantos transitions through this time in his life in a very well-written re-creation.
   The main point that Gantos is trying to make is that throughout these events he went through, he changed from wanting something from his life to taking charge and pursuing his goals. One statement that he commonly uses is that he "needs to stop thinking about being a writer and just be one." It takes him being secluded in jail to realize that the possibilities for him to create a life out of his ambitions are endless.
   Rather than using many characters to help describe his personality, Gantos specifically centers on his own thoughts, feelings, and emotions to give the reader an image. The connection the reader feels towards Gantos throughout the novel is based on his descriptions of how places, people, events, and objects have changed him for better or worse. He builds a strong structure of description that changes the feeling of the book from a memoir to a fantastic, story-driven rollercoaster. I couldn't help but feel his sense of anguish as he was thrown into a spiral of tumultuous events.



3. I came online to order this book. I just got this audio tape from the library and listened to it in the car with my "pre-teen" children. Its a great story and his delivery of the tale is funny and dry and compelling. He never gets preachy or plays the victim. We hated getting out of the car when we reached our destination because we needed to know how the story ended. I didn't get it as a "lesson" to my kids--I didn't even really know what it was about. But it turned out to be a great lesson and entertaining at the same time.



4. Jack Gantos' "Hole in My Life" is his autobiography and story of how he left his hometown to become a writer and ended up in a federal prison along the way.
   His memoir is very well written and truthful. He describes very well his situation and the quirky characters he comes in contact with. He shows that the road to becoming a writer is rarely smooth and how spending time in jail, in fact, helped his writing career.
   I recommend this book to anyone wanting the real story of a troubled kid that is both well written and meaningful.



5. I have talked with my high school students about the fact that although there are defining moments in life, we should not let one moment define who we are for the rest of our lives. This is a great story to exemplify this point! Although drug use and sales are important components of the novel (and serve to attract the attention of adolescent readers), drugs are not glorified, which is an important point that parents and educators should be aware of if asked to defend this book choice. It can also be used for students to see how one author "found his voice" and became a writer. Interesting read that will hold the attention of even reluctant readers.

5 comments about Rock On: An Office Power Ballad.

1. An amusing memoir of the author's time spent working at one of the mmusic industry in marketing, ROCK ON reminds me of those mildly satirical memoirs, novels and story collections that were popular during the 80's--it manages to take the stuffing out of the industry AND the author both at the same time. Author Dan Kennedy isn't afraid to poke fun at himself (for example at one point he meets Duran Duran and tells everyone including the band's manager that he's a huge fan of them assuming that the manager IS part of the band).
   
   If there's a flaw it is simply that Kennedy hasn't penned a book with lasting resonance--it's like a Big Mac Meal you'll enjoy it at the time but forget about in a couple of days. That's OK because that's truly what it is designed to do--make fun of the very rock/pop/rap culture that Kennedy is also celebrating--the ultimate goal of satire.
   
   
   Kennedy's book is even more timely given the crisis in the music business going on right now. The very absurdities that he makes fun of here contributing to the downfall of one of the most overpriced and greedy industries outside of the oil and movie businesses.
   
   Is ROCK ON a great book? No. Is it entertaining? Yep. It might not go down in as a great work in the annals of literature (at least right now...the book industry/critics are everything that the folks are in the music industry and more because they think that they are MORE important. Dan there's an idea--satirize the publishing industry next)but you'll enjoy it at the same time as you recognize the absurd excesses that you've heard (or read in memoirs)about the music biz.



2. Hey this is one funny book! Buy it read it laugh a lot. I loved it and I know next to nothing about music just about nothing about working in an office..and nothing about being a guy. BUT I loved it. Very funny. Very smart writer. !



3. First of all, I'm in the music business, so keep that in mind when you read this review. Also keep in mind that I listened to the audio book, which was strangely enough while on a plane from Nashville to LA, filled with music business people. :)
   
   This is a funny story. Lots of it very true. Like any industry, the music business has problems, and Dan Kennedy does a good job of looking at them in a funny way. I'd argue that you could do something similar with any industry though. When you look at something under a microscope, you see it all.
   
   And looking at Dan Kennedy under that microscope, he seems to be one of the people he loathes. From everything I could tell, he was just killing time. He's certainly not like most of the industry people that I know and work with.
   
   Sure, he likes Iggy Pop, but he was also playing the game of "follow the follower" that is killing this business. Take the money, don't make any crazy moves that will get you fired.
   
   He didn't seem to make the connection that the music industry is us, the people within it. It's not some nameless, faceless entity of old school people who are still in power, sided against the "cool people" who work entry level jobs and do all the work. Like any business, we have a mix of good and not-so-good people, but for the most part, this is a very passionate bunch who loves what they do...they'd have to in order to stick things out with the business the way it is now.
   
   It's a good book. If you're in your 30s and have woken up to the fact that your life isn't all it can be, you might relate. But don't expect any answers from Dan. Again, he was just riding things out, making fun of everybody else, rather than looking at himself.
   
   If you're in the music or entertainment industry, I'm sure you'll relate. We've all had to deal with crazy things in this business. Office politics, public opinion, bad decisions, or whatever... But isn't that what happens when you mix art and commerce?



4. There are some laugh-out-loud moments in this book, especially those depicting the culture of marketing meetings and the you-wanna-be-a-winner-don't-ya attitudes so rife in corporate America. Mr. Kennedy's at his best when he's writing bits that could describe *any* corporation. Why? Because we already know that the music industry is more interested in money than talent and that it's out of touch. I wonder just how many people Dan Kennedy's age really are naive enough to think that there are cool rock-n-roll types running any big record (ahem) company.
   
   Mr. Kennedy skewers Jewel for selling out to sell razors (rightfully, IMO; I wish the sell-outs would just admit that they're selling out), but in his otherwise fabulous description of an Iggy Pop concert, he fails even to mention the connection between Iggy Pop and Royal Caribbean. Well, maybe it's easier to criticize a young woman than it is a middle aged man. Or maybe one can't criticize an icon.
   
   I found myself wishing for more details, more substance. Clearly, Mr. Kennedy had much to say about the music industry specifically and corporate America more generally; it didn't get said, though. Commentary on the American working life is lurking below the surface, as if the author is afraid to say it aloud.
   
   This is an easy read; it'll take you all of a single afternoon. But it's thin (as many easy reads are), and, therefore, forgettable. It's kind of like a blog--something interesting to look at during your lunch hour that you forget as soon as 1:00 rolls around.



5. When I picked up this book, I was hoping for a record industry version of Liar's Poker. And having just finished a book detailing the history of Clear Channel, I was interested to learn more about how the music industry has changed over the years. Unfortunately, I got neither.
   
   The book was written in a choppy style and I found it hard to get any flow. By going out of his way to make himself sound like a loser who was not qualified for the job - probably an exaggeration - the author put me in a position of not caring about him.
   
   Even the interesting tidbits, like how some execs made their careers by "picking" hit songs (after tons of research and focus-group testing), are made in such a sarcastic way that the points didn't really hit home.
   
   In the end, I've concluded that the author did what he's accused many bands of doing - putting out a lackluster product just to make a few bucks.

3 comments about Who Was Ben Franklin? (Who Was...?).

1. I bought this book for my students reading about the American Colonies and Revolution. I didn't feel that I knew enough about Ben Franklin and needed to learn more. My students were facinated about him because he was an inventor and did the experiment with the key and the kite to learn about electricity. I learned so much from this book that I had never known before and the readabilty level is perfect for my students. I can't wait to share this book with them!



2. I read this book to my kids and they were completely engaged from cover to cover. Wonderful information is packed into this entertaining book with great illustrations. This book inspired several discussions and projects in our house and we all agree it is a must have for any home library.



3. Great subject for a children book. I got this series of books for my daughter and she really enjoyes reading them. Great read and educational too.

5 comments about American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day.

1. In 1957 USAF Captain George "Bud" Day came TDY from Flying F-84s at Weathersfield, UK to Etain AB, France to check out in the F-100. He was assigned to the 562nd FBS where I was a first lieutenant also upgrading in the bird from F-86s. Bud was an affable guy and we casually started a friendly rivalry as to whom was amassing the most time in the Super Sabre. I, a bachelor, would see Bud from time to time in our scruffy green-painted cinder block Officer's Club.
   Though we almost always wore flight suits in the Club, one night I was there in khakis and quite solemnly getting hammered all by myself while seated at the bar. For what reason, I don't recall but probably had to do with a Dear John letter I had received. I was doing a good job since I had started at the top of the bar's drink list and was working my way down ordering each one in turn. Though not noisy or rambunctious, I was pretty wobbly, bleary-eyed, and becoming rather disheveled. Several of my friends had approached and tried to draw me into a conversation, concerned over my apparent withdrawal. I would not respond and grew progressively more morosely smashed.
   Then Bud Day came over, stood next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. Looking back, I recall he seemed rather large. In a friendly, confidential voice he began to speak some pretty serious words about what I was doing. Now we all know that TDY pukes have no business stepping out of line with we permanent party luminaries, rank not withstanding.. What nerve. But I began to listen.
   "I'm not here to start a beef," he said in a kindly voice, "but I must tell you what I am thinking. First off, you are getting quite drunk. I really don't care about that. But," and he emphasized the `but,' "you are wearing the uniform of the service I love and not wearing it well. That I will not tolerate. Why don't you just go back to the Q, change into civvies then you can come back and pass out on the floor for all I care."
   My first reaction was one of anger. Where did this guy, this TDY puke, get off telling me what I can or cannot do in my own Officer's Club. That thought died aborning. He had said exactly the right thing in exactly the right way. I straightened up, looked him in the eye, and said, "You are right," and left the Club immediately and never returned.
   Perhaps in some people's eyes this was a trivial event that didn't necessarily reflect either heroism or conviction on his part. To me it was monumental. Obviously, since I remember it so well after 48 years, it had a profound effect on me. You know, we are all influenced in one way or another, small or large, positive or negative, by practically everyone we meet and everything we witness. Sometimes in a tiny way it changes our life in some obscure aspect we aren't even aware of. We may even, unknowingly, become a better person.
   So what effect did Bud Day's action have on me? Two things; have firm convictions and have the courage to stand up for them at all times.
   I doubt if Bud even remembers that long ago scene in an obscure O'Club. But I surely do, and have admired Bud from that day. So, though it was a shock as to what he went through as a POW it was no surprise that he carried himself so heroically. Macho be damned, there goes a real man.
   
   With respect, I remain
   Mark Berent
   Author, Rolling Thunder Series



2. A real page turner, I read this over the weekend while visiting family.
   
   It's not only an amazing story about Bud, the history before and after Viet Nam are equally insightful. I think it's suitable for 8th graders and up and should be required reading for all students. The incredible journey of Bud is fascinating and I rate this as one of the best non fiction books I've ever read. For those who don't read 'war' books, this is the exception you must read.
   Did you see the movie Forest Gump? About a man who just had one amazing life experience after another? There's no relation at all to the mens lives, but that's the way this book reads. Bud just seems to have one amazing experience (not easy ones!) after another. Learn about his journey and how he served under 3 separate armed forces divisions. He is one tough guy and the truly an AMERICAN PATRIOT.
   
   2008 Political Note: John McCain and John Kerry are both mentioned in the book.



3. I have to say I really enjoyed this book. I'm also glad folks like "Bud" Day stand up to our Govt. to right the wrongs that were done to fellow GI's like myself.
   
   I would recommed this book highly!!!!!



4. There are several excellent reviews of this book already posted, so I'll keep mine brief. Yesterday I was having a really lousy day, and wallowing in self-pity after work, my dear spouse took pity on me and said "I was saving this for your birthday, but let me give you something." She dug around in a hiding spot and handed me this book.
   
   I read the entire book, cover to cover, over the next six hours. Couldn't put it down. I had never even heard of "Bud" Day until last night. Today, I have to tell you that I stand taller myself having read this book.
   
   A young Marine in World War II, a pilot in Korea in Vietnam, and the holder of every decoration for bravery that this country can award. He never did it for the glory- he simply saw his duty and did it. His story is about a man who wanted to rise up from the wrong side of the tracks, better himself and make something of himself. Clearly, he succeeded. But so did Robert Coram, the author, who paints a realistic picture in following the life of George Day, his wife and children.
   
   Robert Coram starts his preface as follows: "...Every time I was with Bud Day and the Mistys [the group he commanded] or the POWs, I recalled that line from James Michener when the admiral is standing on the bridge of an aircraft carrier watching his pilots take off against the terrible defenses at Toko-Ri and says to himself, 'Where do we get such men?'"
   
   Get this book and read it. Get an extra copy or two and give as gifts to YOUR favorite patriot.



5. A must read! Puts life into perspective. Traffic, bills, taxes seem trivial compared to the hardship he endured.

5 comments about And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? (Paperstar).

1. This book was great! Fritz makes learning FUN! I never knew that Paul Revere forgot his spurs on his ride! Did You?



2. This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author.



3. Jean Fritz' attempt to tell the story of Paul Revere's ride is an engaging tale, but it is riddled with the myths that have accumulated around this pivitol event in U.S. history. She does a good job giving Revere's personal history, and readers can get a good sense of the context in which he was working. Still, she refuses to let go of some myths that have long since been proven false.
   Of course, no historian still believes in the "one if by land, two if by sea" nonsense that Longfellow invented for his 19th century poem. But Fritz includes it here as if it is fact. And how's this for a misleading version of the reasons behind the revolution: "Now the English were causing trouble, telling the colonies they couldn't do this and couldn't do that, slapping on taxes, one after another." Hmm.
   Well, what Fritz doesn't tell you is that the "this and that" the English were telling the colonists not to do consisted primarilly of burning native settlements and murdering the inhabitants. The English had a non-confrontational policy toward the natives along the colonial border, while the Americans wanted to move in and take the land, by force if necessary. This was one of the main disagreements between the colonies and the English, but Fritz hides this behind some silly word choices. She also neglects to tell readers that the taxes were being levied to pay for the defense of the colonies during the French-Indian War (quite a reasonable stance from their point of view).
   This book is OK on a very surface level, when read as a strict adventure tale. But don't make the mistake of thinking that this is very serious history.



4. Jean Fritz offers a wonderful contribution to the enjoyment of American history with And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? As in the author's other history books for young readers, the story and participants are brought to life with accuracy and vibrant humor that few other writers could match.
   
   Highly recommended to kids and their parents!



5. The students enjoyed the story, illustrations, and humor. They also enjoyed the "What happened next?" opportunity to make predictions and get instant feedback. I had activities to go along with the book and I enjoyed how nicely they tied in.

5 comments about The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters.

1. I had never heard of the Mitfords until a few years ago an Englishman (now American citizen) hired me to write his memoirs of WWII. His sister visited from England and told me about how Unity Mitford went to her boarding school. When asked who Unity Mitford was, she said, "You don't know the Mitford girls?
   
   Well, I do now! This collection of letters between the six Mitford girls is an outstanding record of their history spanning 80 years from 1925.
   
   In 1935 Unity met and became enamored with Hitler. The letters never indicated any romance, but she went to many major events with him. On September 3, 1939 when Britain and France declare war on Germany, Unity tried to take her life. She failed, causing brain damage. She died in 1948 at age 33.
   
   Nancy, the oldest, was born in 1904, Deborah the youngest in 1920. The book has photos, a short bio and family tree. The other sisters are Pamela, Unity and Jessica. Their brother Tom, who was sent to boarding school at age 8, died in WWII.
   
   These six English women were from an aristocratic family-but some became Nazi sympathizers, one an avowed Communist, others a novelist, poultry farmer and duchess. You follow them through their naïve youth to their adult involvements-as daughters, wives, widows, mothers (happy and grieving) and aging women.
   
   The letters (edited by Diane's daughter-in-law Charlotte) were printed using all the pet names and code words they used, but once you get reading it becomes easy. The many footnotes were invaluable and historical.
   
   Diana (1910-2003) married Sir Oswald Mosley, with Hitler present at the reception at Goebbel's home. They had had a long affair, and kept this marriage secret, too. Mosley formed the British Union of Fascists. In 1941, the British imprisoned Mosley and Diana for their activities-holding them over three years. By this time, they had four sons (two from Diana's earlier marriage) who were taken care of by the other the Mitford sisters.
   
   In 1941, Unity wrote Diana at prison that sums up the Mitfords: "When I first came back, I thought all this was a play, and I was looking on. Now I know I have a part to play, and I can't bear acting it."
   
   Armchair Interviews says: A superb collection of letters that take you as an observer before, during and beyond WWII. You'll never ask: "Who are the Mitford girls?"



2. Once several years ago, I cancelled plans to attend a New Year's Eve party because I was enthralled by an early edition of Mitford letters edited by Charlotte Moseley, "With Love From Nancy" which collected the letters of the eldest Mitford sister.
   Now Ms Mosely has given us the letters written between all 6 sisters: Nancy, the author of a number of witty novels and biographies; Diana-who married Oswold Mosley, the head of the British Union of Fascists and spent time in prison during WWII; Unity who was enamored of Hitler and shot herself in the head when Britain went to war with Germany; Pam, the family farmer; Jessica, Communist and muckraker and Deborah, the Duchess of Devonshire Prepare to become addicted to reading these letters.
   The Mitfords are interesting all on their own and the tensions and divisions created by their individual political views is worth a read. In addition they knew everyone and were not afraid to voice opinions.
   For a special chill, read the letters written by Unity and Diana during WWII. "Poor, sweet Hitler" indeed!



3. 3/31/08 The page on nicknames,The index, The footnotes, The profiles of the sisters and The photos make this extra weighty book become the fascination that most books of so many pages often fail to do..;of help, thanks to the book's editorial genius is : the ability of readers to note what the sisters had in common vs where they disagreed and when and to whom they wrote lengthy and/ or more confidential letter ..., whom they implored for help (even to wanting a health care provider in the hospital to be threatened to be less spartan)..also " continuous scanning of index cross referencing due to footnotes or in specific letters plus being informed from "the profiles" who was the "nazi",or "fascist",or "communist",or " quiet /country girl' or "wit /writer" or "elitess/socialite" ...The surviving sister , the socialite ,who was "apolitical" ,has made their saving of their letters to share with others not in vain;: a glimpse into the world in which the privileged often choose to travel . Their "bios" will probably benefit the "privileged readers "the most, as this book reminds them via "one(s) of their own" that right decisions guarantee more than the values of family status,money and/or power.



4. A fascinating collection but too long -- also I feel likely of limited interest unless one is British, and was alive and aware of this family at the time these letters were writtten, otherwise too many explanatory footnotes would be necessary. Nevertheless, a rare glimpse into a period that was unique, and likely a surprising portrait of a family who lived, considering their place in upper-class English society, "outside the box".



5. Wonderfully edited collection of letters by the famous sisters. Fascinating to read, in that they all seem to have had considerable writing talent & lived through dramatic periods of the 20th century. Snap it up!