5 comments about A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World: A True Life Adventure Story.

1. Isabel Losada wears many hats: single mom, writer, traveler, and now newly christened activist. Journey with Losada as she tells of the seemingly endless trials and tribulations as a wannabe activist fighting for the religious freedom of Tibet. Interesting choice. Yet when the author explains her reasoning behind backing this particular cause, readers will fall into her line of thinking with a natural acceptance simply because Losada is so charming and sincere. Her expression of sadness over the rising regularity of terrorism worldwide is so commonly felt, so consistently lamented, that when Losada poses the premise of fighting the war on terror with nonviolence, it makes sense. Who then is the leading proponent of nonviolence? The Dalai Lama, of course. Losada determines that he's the man for her --- and on this basis Losada begins her story, her journey toward social activism.
   
   Making use of the famed serenity prayer, Losada divides her text into three main sections. Part One: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change..." Recognizing that she has never done much besides navel-gazing, Losada decides to invest some time in protesting outside the Chinese Embassy, a not particularly auspicious beginning. Next, the author starts investigating, interviewing, and finally traveling to Tibet. Waking up in Kathmandu, Losada details in comical fashion the advice passed along to her from a girl in the know from Tibet: Never squat down in the bushes on the Nepalese side of the Himalayas. Leeches have a way of attaching themselves. Before you know it, you're pouring with blood.
   
   Sounds enchanting. Not to be daunted, Losada repeatedly hears the warning of altitude sickness, which can kill you. More seriously, though, were the injunctions to take extreme care in how one speaks to the Tibetan people regarding their loyalty to the Dalai Lama. And never, ever, hand out photos of the Dalai Lama as they're illegal. Losada does indeed travel and immerse herself in Tibetan culture where she sees both beauty and evil side by side, incongruously thriving together. Hard to accept.
   
   "The courage to change the things I can..." comprises the second part of Losada's tale as she begins making advances in practical activism without much initial success. From approaching the Free Tibet Campaign organization to requesting and receiving an interview with a member of Parliament, from setting up a company, a website, to delving into the nitty-gritty of fundraising via parachuting for donations, Losada makes even the most dreary activities both humorous and sobering.
   
   Finally, in Part Three, "And the wisdom to the know the difference..." Losada's journey becomes at once more introspective and profound as she receives an invitation to meet with the Dalai Lama. It is this portion of the text alone that will likely bring the most fascination to readers. Losada takes her time to carefully unfold the details of this once in a lifetime encounter and the results are most satisfying.
   
   While Losada communicates with regular dashes of humor and wit, she likewise is serious about making a difference in the world. Even the most socially complacent readers will glean tips on how vital doing "one's bit" is to a better, safer, more peaceful world. As the Dalai Lama so succinctly states, "If the individual acts, society is changed."
   
   --- Reviewed by Michele Howe



2. A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World is an amazing book.
   
   Ostensibly a book about a woman (author Isabel Losada) who decides to do something to help the people of Tibet (the Chinese should be ashamed of themselves for what they've done to that peaceful country!), A Beginner's Guide is a book for anyone who longs to LIVE life to its fullest. It's a book for people who yearn for adventures, yet never take the first step toward making them happen.
   
   It isn't just for people interested in Buddhism, either. It's a fun-to-read, inspiring book that anyone, of any religious faith, could embrace and enjoy.
   
   Written in a breezy conversational style, A Beginner's Guide is a tale told wonderfully and joyfully. It recounts Ms. Losada's adventures in Tibet, revealing a side to that country's people the Chinese don't usually let people see. If you'd like to see Tibet, but don't have the time or money (or government permission) to go there, A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World is the next best thing.
   
   I wholeheartedly embrace Ms. Losada's desire to help the people of Tibet. I think what happened (and is happening) in that country is just as terrible as anything that happened to the Jews in Nazi Germany. A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World is one woman's attempt to come to grips with the enormity of the situation and to do something about it. (And you'll never believe what kind of things she dreams up to do about it!)
   
   But, again, this book is not heavy-handed or dire. This is one of the most joyful and positive books I've come across in a long time.
   
   I strongly recommend Isabel Losada's book A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World.



3. In A Beginner's Guide to Changing the World Losada decides to devote a year of her life to a worthy cause in an attempt to see whether an individual can make real changes. Her chosen cause is the Tibetan situation. This makes the book sound incredibly serious, but what I like about Losada's style is her way of communicating as if she & you are sitting in the room together & she's chatting to you personally. She is a very witty writer & what could be a dry and depressing topic is actually very funny at times, whilst not losing sight of the serious objectives.
   
   The book is divided into three main sections. In the first part Isabel Losada recounts her decision to travel to Tibet & see the situation at first hand. This reads as an exciting travelogue & paints at times an amusing and then touching picture of Tibet & its People. In the second section back at home in London, Losada contemplates the possible ways she could support the Tibetan cause, culminating in planning a daring publicity stunt promoting the Dalai Lama's peaceful stance against violence at a time when the world had embarked on the `War on Terror'. In the third section of the book Losada is invited to Dharamsala to meet His Holiness himself.
   
   You can expect to experience the full range of human emotion as you read Losada's account. At times she is laugh out loud funny, at others you'll be outraged by the callous treatment of the Tibetan people by the Chinese occupiers. You'll find yourself sharing Losada's frustration in her search for a way to make a difference and her excitement and nerves in mounting the stunt. Then there's the anticipation of meeting His Holiness- I had a tear in my eye & felt I was in the room with them.
   
   (...)



4. This book talked much about what we already knew about the plight of Tibet, Tibetans, and Dalai Lama. Still, I'm continuously pilfering through books written about Tibet lest I forget human's propensity to do atrocities against their fellow human beings. Whilst we think that sacrifices made during World War 2 would remind people not to resort to violence to resolve issues, it happens yet again in our lifetime. Examples are everywhere namely Iraq occupation or revolution depending which sides you are on. The irony of the whole thing is that the main power that ended World War 2 would be the aggressor in this instance in the name of profits. From this book, it's obvious that Isabel has a pure heart and she asked quite rightly why we are actually penalising Dalai Lama when he's the one who preached non-violence to overcome obstacles. She also said it quite rightly about fighting might with right. Cynical readers might be worried that this book is one-sided, China slamming. It's actually not like that at all. Isabel pointed out also that the ways activists were dealing with issues might be at the wrong footing or rubbing China the wrong way. Ultimately, Isabel just shared with us her experience of trying to help Tibets, Tibetans, and the Dalai Lama. It's funny, heart-warming, and straight to the points at times. For those readers that want to know about those three main issues and yet, don't want to read a dry book, I guess this is a book that you can try to get your hands on. It's quite an enjoyable read, really.



5. I loved, loved, loved this book. It was exactly the right book for me. I almost didn't buy it, though. I'm on a must-resist-book-buying sort of budget, but my husband pointed this book out to me at the bookstore. After reading the "Ten Indispensable Things You Need to Change the World" on the back flap, I knew I had to buy this book. (#1 is "A cupboard. To put your TV in." Something I know I should do but don't.)
   
   The book is structured around the author trying to get a better grasp on the serenity prayer, which she has carried with her for years:
   "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
   The courage to change the things I can
   And the wisdom to know the difference."
   
   That first bit is where I get stuck. I feel this immense responsibility to devote my life to "changing the world" but I just end up feeling overwhelmed (duh, can you imagine?) and frustrated when I see that there's no silver bullet solution to anything. This book spoke to me in a way that no one ever has. No matter how many times someone has said to me "There is no silver bullet" or "You can't change the world in a day" or whatever, I nodded in agreement but didn't really agree. Deep down, I truly believed that there is a silver bullet and I just had to find it.
   
   But this book taught me that though there may be a silver bullet out there, devoting your life to finding out what it is isn't nearly important as *doing* something that brings you joy and makes you feel as if you're contributing something to the solution. I don't want to ruin the ending, but I will if I say much more than that.
   
   I just really, really loved this book. It's exactly what I needed to read. Thank you, Isabel Losada, wherever you are.

No comments about Twenty-Four Years a Cowboy and Ranchman in Southern Texas and Old Mexico: Or, Desperate Fights with the Indians and Mexicans.

No comments about Reaching the Summit: Edmund Hillary's Life of Adventure.

No comments about Sir John Franklin and the Artic Regions.

5 comments about Porter Rockwell Biography.

1. There isn't much currently in print about good old Porter Rockwell, the "Avenging Angel." Like many frontier characters, the myth is a little more exciting than the publishable reality. OK, maybe he didn't execute innocent non-believers, but he was still on-site for many of the memorable events of early Utah-Mormon history. For a little more edgy interpretation, order the movie, "Avenging Angel."



2. Dewey does a defensive history of Rockwell, and does a good job of dispelling many of the myths. But like so many writers embracing LDS apologetics, he seems to be a frustrated lawyer, having an image of himself as Rockwell's latter-day defense council. He is too careful not to impugn the reputations of early church leaders, especially Joseph Smith.

   To understand just what faith-promoting history is, we should look at what Elder Boyd K Packer says about it:

   "That historian or scholar who delights in pointing out the weaknesses and frailties of present or past leaders destroys faith.... In the Church we are not neutral. We are one-sided."

   So we can see that a "one-sided" history is not comprehensive by any means.

   Dewey is definitely from the faith-promoting school of history, and writes as if "the Brethern" are looking over his shoulder. Because of this he has omitted significant discomfiture found in other Rockwell biographies. This less "faith-promoting" information would have been included if Dewey had adhered to principles followed by professional historians. However, because he did not, we are deprived of aspects more rounded but unfortunately more embarrassing to the LDS Church.




3. This book is a poor, almost fictional attempt to chronicle the life of the infamous Orrin Porter Rockwell. While I'm sure Dewey's intentions were good, he did a bad job of presenting History.
   His subject was a difficult one, Rockwell having left no diary. In addition, there are a few undetailed accounts of him in the official History of the Church to which he belonged. Most of the rest is speculation. Despite this lack of evidence, Dewey assumes that he knows Porter's mind and emotions on all occasions. How could he know that something "turned Porter's stomach" or "hit close to home" if Rockwell never left a journal?
   Most of his biography is speculation. The bulk of the work is actually a brief overview of the history of the Mormon church, and Dewey just inserts Rockwell wherever he wants to. For example, he tells the story of a group of Mormons who, in 1838, went out to defend their Missouri homes. Dewey just assumes Porter was there, and says he was "probably riding at their head."
   Toward the end of Rockwell's life, firsthand accounts of him become few and far between. In order to deal with this, Dewey simply lumps together all accounts and legends of Rockwell with no consistency or continuity whatsoever. The stories jump around, and each paragraph is an entirely new subject. This is very difficult to read, and does little besides give a collection of myths.
   This book gets two stars because of Dewey's obvious sincerity. He is not a historian by trade, and it shows. His subject is a difficult one to write about, and Dewey managed to chronicle his life with some accuracy (despite all the speculation). If you want to read an interesting tale/legend about one of the most heroic Western lawmen, read this book. Just don't expect much in the way of historical accuracy.



4. I can't put this book down! Dewey does an excellent job of placing the reader back in time as he develops the amazing story that is the coming about and triumph over the persecutions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because there is little written about Rockwell, Dewey does a traffic job of taking the reader through the church's history through church archives and journals describing how Rockwell was present at many important events loved by members of the church. I give it 4 stars and say it is a must read for those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for those who would like to know more.



5. I agree with critics of this book, i.e., willy-nilly insertions of the Rockwell character into scenarios that are all action-based and nothing of history--if, indeed, Rockwell was a participant. There is nothing of history here--just accounts, no basis, and certainly nothing theoretical. There is nothing from the author. "Porter Rockwell" is a study of omission. There is no mention of the Mountain Meadows massacre of 1857. Early in the book, as other reviewers have noted, Rockwell is magically plopped into actions the author assumed happened. I think Mr. Dewey must be a Mormon, the mention of which is not meant critically, but an admitted Mormon affiliation would surely have meant buyer hesitance. As 1857 was bypassed, I stopped reading the book. Lastly, the book jacket lauds Mr. Dewey's "years of historical research," all climaxed by a CLIO award--which is not in any way relevant to history. The book is interesting, but is a compilation, not history. It provided the basis of a film that, coincidentally, included the author's participation.

1 comments about Voices: African American and Latina Women Share Their Stories of Success.

1. This book looks like a coffee-table book...it is just gorgeous and the photo-portraits by Darcy Padilla are quite beautiful, but its purpose is much deeper. When I saw Oprah and a panel of minority men and women discussing the "Imus" controversy, the unanimous conclusion was that minority girls are in dire need of role models...I thought Oprah should hold up this book and say "Here are 50 amazing role models and they're not all 'celebrities' and one of the women profiled, C Delores Tucker, fought until her last breath to free girls from some of the ugly misogynistic, sexist messages of popular culture...every African American and Latina teenage girl in America should be given a copy of this book...what a PERFECT gift it would provide...role models, hope, mentors, positive messages in a beautiful volume. Hats off to the author and publisher!"

5 comments about A Promise to Persevere: It's not where you start, it's where you finish!.

1. What a powerful story! This book has truly inspired me to finish what I've started. It is defintely a page turner! Since the first day I've read A Promise to Persevere, I have been on a emotional roller coaster ride. It will make you laugh out loud, cry, excited, touched, and become inspired and motivated all at the same time. What amazes me so much is how he is able to paint of the picture of the scenes with his writing. I mean, I felt like I was there withhim the entire time. This is truly the best book I've ever read! It was so good that I've read it 3 times.



2. A Promise to Persevere is a must read for of all ages. Miller is transparent and motivating throughout the entire book. From the first chapter, Miller challenges the reader to look within and reflect upon goals while also making it clear that success can become a reality. Further, A Promise to Persevere proves that forgiveness is one of the necessary steps to experience greatness and success.



3. I heard about Michael Miller thorugh my sister-in-law. She went to a graduation at Oxon Hill High School. She was so touched by his speech, she told me about it. I was so touch I got on line to check him out. I found the book and read it. What a wonderful testamony. It has changed my life, big time. I've been wanting to lose weight for so long, I have tried everything on earth. After reading his book I know I will get to the finish line. With this as an insparation and my Lord Jesus Christ I can't and won't lose. Everyone should have a copy of this wonderful book. I just mailed my copy to my sister-in-law for her and my nephew to read. I am tellling everyone that I know to read this wonderful book. Thank you Michael



4. This book is absolutely inspirational. I look forward to what is sure to come next - Part II.



5. I think this story sends a terrible message to children. Michael Miller bullies his way through the court system and vilifies the multitudes of professionals that attempt to help him on his path. One of my favorite negative blanket statements that he makes is on page 110 when he states that many social workers just "seem to be lazy or they have too many cases to manage". Wow that is a powerful statement coming from someone without a job who decided after 6 years that he felt like finding all the children he fathered and ignored while he was selling drugs on the street. I also enjoyed the part where he glorified his drunk aunt "cursing out a police officer" that pulled him over.
   However, my favorite inspirational lesson came in chapter 9 when Mr. Miller claims that he drove to Morehouse college, told the secretary to the Dean of Admissions that he would not take no for an answer, only to be welcomed to an unscheduled meeting with the Dean. During this interview, Mr. Miller claims that he told the Dean that Morehouse college would be funding his tuition in its entirety simply because he didn't want to stress about it anymore. Here's the excerpt...
   He said, "Okay. Well, how do you plan on paying a hundred thousand dollars to go to Morehouse College, Mr. Miller?"
   I said, "Now, that's a good question! Well, I guess Moorehouse is going to pay for it. I know this college doesn't offer transfer scholarships, but I'd love to have my matriculation funded by a scholarship from Morehouse College. I can't go back to Baltimore to finish my last semester and worry about paying for Morehouse College. Now, I think you think I'm crazy. That's because I am. Now, what's it going to be?"
   He Said, "Okay, I'll tell you what; give me some time next week and we'll see."
   I said, "Ah, ah, no no. I need to know this right now. I've been stressed out over this for too long, and I don't want to be just another phone call. Can we make this happen? Do we have a deal?"
   
   After which of course the dean tells him he likes his style and gives him a full ride.
   I don't know what world he is living in, but I work with at-risk children, and this is not what I would recommend for them to try in order to work towards their dreams. If this did happen, which I question, it does not happen normally, and this book that is supposed to be inspirational gives terrible messages about the means by which this man reached his goals. I commend him for getting his education, but there are multitudes of people who have turned their lives around in this country who came from atrocious childhoods, who chose not to ignore their many illegitimate children, sell drugs, curse out cops, judges, college counselors, and secretaries to achieve their goals. I'd rather read their books.

No comments about Frontiersman: Daniel Boone and the Making of America (Southern Biography Series).

No comments about Road to the Sea: The Story of James B. Eads and the Mississippi River.

1 comments about The First Crossing of Greenland.

1. Fridthof Nansen in this book did more to bring skiing to the larger world than any other individual. Until his Greenland crossing on skis, few outside of Norway, or Scandinavia at the most, had heard of skiing, although of course it had existed there for centuries. The early chapter of the book on skis and "skilobing" (skiing) is a marvelous account of the sport, and particularly of Sondre Norheim and the Telemarkers who revolutionized it as recreation.
   Nansen writes the book in what can only be called a charming tone. He makes the crossing of the icecap seem easy, and indeed, most of the harrowing detail of the expedition relates to the efforts of the party after being dropped off at sea on the east coast of Greenland, through the ice floes with great difficulty, to an eventual landing and a hard climb up to the central ice plateau. There is also considerable detail given about the way of life of the Eskimo and Danish inhabitants of the Greenland west coast, where Nansen and his party overwintered after the crossing.
   A classic of "cold exploration" and a lively style and good read after more than a century.