5 comments about Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend.

1. This is a meticulously researched biography that details Willie Mays's career and
   life. Author Hirsch presents a side of Mays that has not been captured in previous books in a very fluid style.



2. I had extremely high expectations for this book. They were met. Let me explain.
   
   My late dad was a NY Giants fan who told me myth like stories of watching the great Willie Mays at the Polo Grounds. Later he and I watched Willie Mays when was with the NY Mets and nearing the end of his career. People have complained about Willie's diminished skills back then, but his coming to the NY Mets gave me and my dad a chance to bond at Shea Stadium, while rooting for our team, in a way that can only happen in baseball.
   
   This book is not just any book. It is a book that my dad and I would have shared and talked about if he were still alive. Willie Mays and baseball are two things that brought my dad and I closer. My dad would have approved of this book.
   
   I read this book in three nights. Even though I knew a lot about Willie Mays this book gave me insights into the man I had not picked up in other books.
   
   Even though this was authorized by Willie Mays, the author brings in a host of outside sources including fellow ball players, reporters, baseball officials and sponsors who knew Willie Mays. While the overall portrait of Willie Mays is good the author does bring up instances which are critical of Mays. While the book is kind to Willie it is also fair and does not hesitate to show when Willie Mays was not the mythical hero my dad talked about but a man with flaws.
   
   I especially enjoyed the sections on Willie's early days in the Polo Grounds and when he was traded to the Mets in 1972 and 1973. My dad told me stories about Willie when he first came up to the Giants and I learned a lot about that time in this book. I remember when Willie came to the Mets and the book gave me a lot of information about that time period as well.
   
   I am impressed with the extensive notes section in the book and an extensive bibliography and index. The notes and the bibliography sections are much more detailed than I would expect to find in sports biography. A good index is critical in a book like this because fans will want to go directly to aspects of Willie's life that interest them. While I don't have the index in my advanced copy of this book I did look at it on Amazon's book preview above and it is thorough.
   
   My only complaint is the career stats page or to be more precise the lack of a real career stats section or real career stats. The career stats section is one page and it does not list his playoff stats. The book could also have included states from the Minor Leagues and Willie's time with the Black Barons in the Negro League. Baseball is about stats. More should have been included.



3. This is an amazing story about the life of baseball legend Willie Mays. It was interesting and easy to read and gave you a deeper look into this man's life. It was an excellent biography.



4. Much has been written about Willie Mays, this is among the best. Extremely detailed, this book seeks to put Mays' life in a historical context. It is particularly good at addressing questions about why Mays wasn't as far in the forefront of the struggle for equality as was Jackie Robinson
   
   Perhaps the one thing I took away from the book was a reminder of the joy of playing the game that Mays exibited when he took the field. This book is one of the great sports biographies, taking it's place alongside Recent bios of Clemente and Gehrig. Essential sports biography



5. Almost three decades after they retired from baseball and after a black man has been elected president of the United States, it is sometimes difficult to remember what players such as Willie Mays and Hank Aaron went through. They started playing in the segregated Negro Leagues and were pioneers in the integration of baseball and American society. Through their careers, they saw opportunities open up for black players as coaches, managers and executives. Yet, as late at the middle 1980's baseball executive Al Campanis stated on national television that blacks "lacked the necessities" to be effective executives.
   As Aaron states in his book, "I Had a Hammer" and is restated in this book, some of the significant and unsung heroes of the integration of baseball were some of the teammates of the trailblazing blacks. Aaron mentions his white teammate that with bat in hand; escorted the white players when they walked in a southern town. In this book, an incident with Mays is described where on his first night in a strange town when he was segregated from his white teammates, some of them snuck up the fire escape and spent the night in his room so he wouldn't be lonely. Given Willie's innate shyness, he had no better first manager than Leo Durocher, a man that seemed to know exactly what to say to Willie.
   I also commend Hirsch for including incidents of racism against Willie and other black players over a decade after integration. One of the most incredible incidents in this despicable bag is when a white Giants player was heard saying after a disappointing year, "The problem with this team is that there are too many Negroes." Given that four of the players on the team were Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda and Willie Mays and all of them are in the baseball hall of fame, this has to rank as one of the dumbest comments about a baseball team ever recorded. It would be clear to anyone that the dead weight on that team was white and Hirsch was very kind not to quote the player by name.
   In my opinion, Mays is the best all-around baseball player of all time, no one has ever played the field better than he did. One of the most amazing items in this book is that Mays and some of those who watched him all argue that his famous catch against Vic Wertz was not the best fielding play he ever made. It is unfortunate that there is no footage, because it is hard to imagine how anything could have been better than that. I personally would have to see it to believe it. His statistics at the plate are also excellent, they would have been even better had he done what other great hitters did, take a day off on a regular basis. There is also little doubt that if Mays had played in a home park more favorable to right-handed hitters and if he had not been drafted, his career home run total would have been near or over 800. Hirsch also does not neglect stories about Willie's talents running the bases, not just stolen bases but doing things like slowing down to draw a throw so that a teammate behind him can take an extra base.
   This is one of the best biographies of a sports legend that I have ever read, Hirsch is kind to Willie, but not overly so. What he does is point out how generous Willie was and also how naive he was at times. This trait was the source of many of Willie's difficulties off the field, including in his personal life and relationship with the Giants ownership. After you read some biographies of sports legends your opinion of them is diminished, not so in this case. I watched Willie play on television several times and have seen many of his highlights. He is a great man and this book will rightly add to his already considerable legend.

5 comments about If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You.

1. This is an amazing book that not only includes excerpts from Kelly's colorful life experiences but also unique, one of a kind, invaluable pieces of advice. I feel like a better person after reading this book



2. I couldn't put this book down. I've never read (or been interested in reading) a biography. I am a mini-Kelly and I learned a lot from this book. I can't wait to buy one for all of my female friends!!



3. I really enjoyed reading this book. Kelly is a tough talking, self made women; and in the book she outlines how she moved to New York with $2000 and no clear path to being the PR power girl that she is today. No this book is not for people who want pretty princess story. She does talk about being addicted to drugs, and makes no apologies for it. It was a part of her life that she had to go through to get her to where she is today. The book gives you great tips on the struggles of life and finding your true self. It's funny straight forward, sort of like getting tip from your cool aunt. I liked it so much that I'm going to read it again. I whole heartedly recommend this book!



4. You know that feeling you get when you do something you know is really good for you? That is what I got when I ordered this book. I had seen Kelly's show on Bravo and MTV and one thing that I noticed right away....while tough, she never lost the sense of compassion so many do as they reach the top. I found her intriguing.
   
   Kelly offers a candid (which is refreshing from a celebrity) view of her struggles, and how she found herself. She is tapped into the sort of universal knowledge that is beneficial to people of all ages. Not sure if she meant this book for young girls trying to initially find their way, but this 40 year old mom found this book INVALUABLE. No matter where you are in life, you can easily lose your way...the main lesson of this book is one I wish I'd of learned in my early 20s and that's to believe in yourself.
   
   I can't recommend this book enough....it's great for those who feel they have their feet firmly on the ground and need a refresher every now and then, those just starting to find where they are in life, and those who lose their way.
   
   Thank you for sharing this Kelly.



5. If you love a dark sense of humor and want a quick read- this is the book for you. I love Kelly and have been following her work for years, this book gives me a much bigger appreciation for her and the business. She is a tell it like it is person and that reflects in the book. Great read!

5 comments about The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun.

1. I don't read self-help books because I don't believe you can just will yourself to change. I found Gretchen's approach sometimes to be elementary but there was this honesty about her. She did not sugar coat her struggle with her imperfections. She stated them and worked to make small changes. Yea, so ok she never thought of putting her kids stuff into a file box. Well, I will admit that I had not thought of this simple solution either and I am a nut about being organized! Gretchen is a flawed human, just like all of us and it was nice to have an author be that real.



2. I bought this book for my mother, who grew up during the Depression and has not had an easy life. I'm glad I read it first, because it would have been an insult to give this to a genuine person who's experienced some hard knocks.
   
   According to Ms Rubin, the origin of this book is an epiphany she had watching a woman yakking on a cell phone, crossing a Manhattan street with a toddler and a stroller. She identified with this person, because for Ms. Rubin, that is the very picture of a sad, harried person who's life is just passing her by. Yeah, life's pretty tough when you've got to walk your kids home to the nanny between your pedicure and yoga class.
   
   I found Ms Rubin's solution system humorous. Evidently, her problems were all of the sort that can be fixed by things like an orange scented candle, reading random magazines, a laminator, tossing out frayed underpants, shopping for bluebird collectibles and so on. That is, after she walked away from her high pay attorney job, thanks to her hedge fund manager husband's income. (It is sad to think some other applicant was refused a seat at Yale, so that this woman could squander her degree to make herself happy at an unrelated fantasy career.)
   
   I also enjoyed the occasional insights on her neurotic personality and private life. M&Ms make her cranky, she prefers to wear yoga pants and her idea of fun in bed is reading Tolstoy, she considers herself fortunate because she has naturally red hair. She's quick to scold her husband, and while she buys her T shirts at Bloomingdales, she thinks a $3 pen is an extravagance. She wore coke bottle glasses as a kid. I got the picture of a self-centered, controlling nerd with a quick temper, little appreciation for how insular and privileged her life has been, and lacking the self-realization to pick a more appropriate topic to write about.
   
   I guess if any of that describes you, this trite little book might be helpful and insightful, if not, save your money. I quit half way through and give it two stars for the cheap laughs I got imagining this manhattanite's yoga pants lifestyle.



3. The Happiness Project Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun tells of the author's year-long journey to study happiness to see what lessons she could apply to her own life. Her quest to become happier didn't involve changing her entire life - it involved improving her life as it existed. Each month she tackled a new set of resolutions - and her discoveries and blog about her experiences led to others' insights and changes as well. This inspirational memoir is a top pick for any general lending library.



4. If you're looking for three easy tips to take away and make an immediate difference in your life, you won't find it in this book. The author, Gretchen Rubin, asks her readers to dig deeper and examine their own lives, coming up with their own "Happiness Resolutions" and life lessons to live by. It's a valuable guide for the journey of self-discovery -- and yes, you just might end up happier along the way. Not for the weak of heart, Rubin's book is full of philosophical and psychological questioning, which, in my mind, makes it all the more valuable.



5. A great memoir from a woman who is, as one Amazon reviewer so eloquently put it, "a rich nerdy woman of leisure." This is not a book about overcoming a serious illness or an economic hardship. She IS slightly nerdy and financially well-off. (These are issues that Rubin addresses directly in the text, as she is wracked with guilt over writing a memoir without facing any serious adversity.) THE HAPPINESS PROJECT is simply about an average, upper middle-class woman who decided to improve her own life "from good to great."
   
   Rubin clears clutter from her apartment and life and tries different month-long experiments in an attempt to wring more enjoyment out of life. Her book isn't for everyone--most criticism has been centered around its lightweight tone and content. She cherry-picks her quotes from Aristotle and other philosophers--they're good quotes, but I wouldn't trust advice on happiness from Friedrich Nietzsche, for instance. These criticisms aside, THE HAPPINESS PROJECT is the perfect book for readers who are looking to be happier and more productive.

5 comments about Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific.

1. "Helmet for my Pillow" is a book written by writer who was from my hometown of Rutherford, NJ. He had a personal relationship with his family physician William Carlos Williams the great poet. They spent much time together and you do not know how much of William's descriptive poetry style rubbed off on Leckie. I found his vocabulary to be extensive. You must keep in mind that he is describing a terrible yet historical time in U.S. history and he is attempting to give his fellow comrades in the marines their fair due. He never names a person by their real name and I think that is masterful because it shows how you do not want to get too personal with your fellow marines, because, they will be may gone at some point soon. He wrote the book after seeing 'South Pacific" when he walked out half way through the play and said to his wife Vera "I am going to write a book to tell the true story of what took place in the South Pacific". He wanted to honor his friends who gave up so much whether they lived or died. The book is hard reading but not as hard as he had it. He was a wild guy who tells the truth. He doesn't mix word or actions. Yeah, they drank a lot. From basic training to the awful islands where they would steal Saki when they could. After a while you begin to wonder if all the marines drank that much. Yet you must remember that his generation started the cocktail hour and they lived by "Its 5 O'clock, Dear Lets have a drink!". To sum it up they are making a huge HBO show 10 parts series about it, so whether you like it or not it is a must read to appreciate the show. I read it, and, I will have a much better understanding of what those men went through. I would recommend this book. I never met Mr. Leckie as far back as I can recall. My mother and uncles were his very close friends at St. Mary's high school, in Rutherford. He was the youngest of 8 kids and it is quite exceptional that the baby in the family turned out to be such a success. He wrote over 40 books in his lifetime and he is a man with a high school education. The Sisters of St. Dominic must have done a greast job teachingb him when he wasn't playing hookie.



2. Not really a war memoir. The author describes more the times before and after the battles. The reader can experience the transition from untrained civilian to veteran. Mixed into the story are the surreal exploits of the marines in Australia after Guadacanal. Fine companion piece to the other books used as a basis for the HBO series.



3. I first learned of this book when I read that it was being used as one of the sources for HBO's new miniseries about the Pacific theater in the Second World War. Having enjoyed the other source material being used, E. B. Sledge's superb memoir, With the Old Breed, I decided to track down a copy of Leckie's account and read it for myself. Because of this, I found myself comparing the two works as I read it, which influenced my overall opinion of the book.
   
   In many ways, the experiences of the two men were similar. Both were civilians prior to the Second World War; Leckie enlisted in the Marines a month after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His account of basic training feels incredibly authentic, in part because of his attention to details. Leckie captures much of the mundane minutiae of learning how to be a Marine, from the bureaucratic experience of inoculation to the quest for a good time on leave. This sense of authenticity continues as he describes his deployment to Guadalcanal with the First Marine Division and his engagement with the war there. These experiences form the best part of the book, as his initial encounter with life as a Marine in both training and war reflect his interest in the novelty of it all.
   
   From Guadalcanal, Leckie's unit was returned to Australia for rest and refitting. This transformation into what he calls a "lotus-eater" also bears a real sense of verisimilitude, as unlike many memoirs of war he does not gloss over the search for release that often characterized breaks from the battles. It is here, though, that his account flags a little, and his return to combat in New Britain as part of Operation Cartwheel was perhaps the least interesting part of the book. The book improves with his subsequent experiences in the hospital in Banika and his final, abbreviated deployment to Peleliu, which ended with his injury and return to the States for the duration of the war.
   
   Reading this book, it is easy to see why it stands out as an account of the Second World War. Leckie's prose brings alive both the mundane routines of service and the violence of combat. It is when he is between the two that the book suffers, as his efforts at evocative prose about his surroundings in the jungle suffer from being a little overwrought, particularly in comparison to Sledge's plainer, more straightforward descriptions. Yet both need to be read for a fascinating portrait of what the war was like for the "new boots" who gave up their lives as civilians to fight in the humid jungles and barren islands of the Pacific.



4. This book was a disapointment. I had only read good reviews. Was expecting alot more.



5. I read this and "The Old Breed." Two different books but telling remarkable stories of bravery, loss and horror. I recommend that this one be read before Sledge's work. After reading them both I've come to appreciate both their different styles and focus. What struck me most was when I read passages that described the same event but from obviously different perspectives. It is sad that as I watch "The Pacific" miniseries it only scratches at the strength both of these books convey. Read these books to get at the story because the screenplay makes compromises along the way.

5 comments about The Pacific.

1. The 10 segment HBO mini-series will focus on the Pacific theater as seen through the eyes of Robert Leckie, John Basilone and Eugene Sledge. Based on the books "With the Old Breed" by Sledge and "Helmet for my Pillow" by Leckie as well as other first person accounts and interviews, the series includes battles in Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa as well as the marines return after VJ Day. The Pacific is the companion book to the series but differs in some ways. It also features the stories of Ensign "Mike" Micheel who got his first experience as a dive bomber at the Battle of Midway and that of Lieutenant Austin Shofner who was a POW in Manila after being part of the initial unsuccessful attempt to hold the Philippines.
   
   As in HBO's prior WW II series, The Pacific manages to personalize events which have been portrayed on more of an epic level in presentations such as Victory at Sea. In doing so, it succeeds in conveying the larger than life terror that citizen soldiers faced just a few months removed from their everyday lives in their hometowns. Micheel describes the "puckering" he feels while preparing to dive bomb an enemy aircraft carrier. A marine experiencing repeated bombing runs by Japanese airplanes writes in his journal: "We are all nervous wrecks." As Shofner struggles to survive the extremes of deprivation in an enemy POW camp, his friend tells him "Death isn't hard. Death is easy." It is at that point that Shofner knows his friend will not survive the camp.
   
   What is extraordinary is how the men surmount these challenges and fight in the face of fear, doubt, lack of food and water, sleep deprivation and the illness that can result from all of these factors. Seeing the War in the Pacific through the eyes of the men who fought it, the reader comes to understand that while military strategy initiates each battle, individual acts of teamwork, sacrifice and courage drive the results that follow. It is impossible not to constantly ask yourself if you would have measured up under similar circumstance. It becomes increasingly difficult to answer confidently in the affirmative.
   
   The Pacific also illustrates how little information each person at the battlefront has about the larger context in which he is operating. Due to the necessity to keep military strategy secret as well as the challenges in conveying information on the front, marines exist on a diet of rumor and speculation as to what will next occur. The book also does a good job of showing the incredible logistical challenges involved in providing food, water and other supplies every day to large numbers of field personnel scattered across a wide area under hostile conditions. Technical resources, battle strategy, national will and individual courage determine military success in The Pacific but the ability to keep men hydrated determines whether they will be able to fight at all.
   
   My favorite parts of the book are the descriptions of American dive bombers. Just reading about a pilot idling his engine to begin an 8,000 foot virtual free fall dive to drop a thousand pound bomb on an enemy ship causes some "puckering." If the pilot survives the dive, he hopes to have enough gasoline to find his own fleet on return and then ends by dropping his Dauntless onto the moving top of an aircraft carrier. When needed, Ensign Micheel volunteers for a second mission later the same day.
   
   My father was a gunner on a destroyer escort in the Pacific. At his knees as a small child, I sat through countless viewings of Victory at Sea. As I got older, I could never fully understand how much a part of him his service was. I now know more about the war in which he served but I'm not sure I am that much closer to understanding what he felt. Reading books like The Pacific gives me some idea for how an 18 year old kid from East Boston could spend 3 years on a ship at war, return home with one photo over his workbench, a knife and a set of tattoos and never once talk about his experiences with his son. I wish I could have known him better and, at the same time, hope that I could have served as resolutely if needed.



2. As a huge fan of Band of Brothers I couldn't wait for the series to start so I picked up Ambrose's The Pacific in order to fill the time and give me a back story for when the series starts. The Pacific certainly did that and more as I now want to read a lot more on the war against the "Japs". With The Pacific I think the subject being covered was what triggered this, as Ambrose's style of writing is both a hit and a miss.
   
   The pros are that I oftentimes wonder as I am reading other memoirs/bios of WWII veterans as to where and how they fit in with one another. With The Pacific the mini bios of the marines and naval pilots are all woven together in a linear timeline so you always know where they are and what they are doing in relation to one another. This is fascinating to me because it adds many levels of detail that help to create an overall richer account of The Pacific War. Add to this the different elements of who they are, i.e. officer, dive bomber and so on, and we are treated to a more in depth look at the structure of the US forces battlling the Japanese in the Pacific ocean.
   
   The cons, and I really only have one worth mentioning, is that Ambrose's style of writing can be rather dry and stiff at times, feeling as though we are getting a recitation of facts instead of a narrative that is weaving the facts together. Although this style can work I oftentimes found that the writing style was having troubles catching my interest and I had to draw myself back in order to continue my own narrative of what Ambrose was telling us.
   
   Overall the book is workable as a companion volume to the upcoming HBO series for not only illustrating the lives of some of the men being represented but in also layering more detail with the inclusion of other equally fascinating men, notably Shofner and Micheel, who were perhaps more fascinating to read about because of their experiences as a POW in a Japanese POW camp and as a dive bomber, respectively. I would certainly recommend to read the other more immensely readable WWII memoirs of the Pacific Theater, i.e. Helmet For My Pillow and With The Old Breed, in order to get a better feel for what will be depicted in the HBO series, and pick up The Pacific as a companion volume instead of a stand alone history of the Pacific War.
   
   3.5 stars.



3. One of the biggest detractors I've encountered (twice in the first few pages) is that "Marine" is not capitalized. The word "Marine", when referencing a current or former member, or unit of the US Marine Corps is considered a proper noun and should be capitalized. Examples: "He's a Marine." or "A company of Marines."
   
   For those of us who have earned the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor of the USMC and the title "Marine", it's a major error.
   
   The terms "Soldier", "Sailor", "Airman", and "Marine" are all proper nouns.
   
   Other than that.. so far, so good.



4. I just bought this book the other day. I've read a LOT of history on WW2, perhaps 200+ books.
   
   As the author explains in the Introduction, this book is meant not as a detailed military analysis of the battles that are covered within it, nor is it meant to be a biography, per se. The author claims to be striving for an "in the moment" veteran's-eye view, with all misconceptions, errors of fact, and rampant war rumors (which accompany any combat operation) left in tact, for affect. Direct quotes from the players...and related players...are intentionally lacking.
   
   So, if you can imagine a book that has minimal dialogue or quotes, erroneous historical facts sited often, and strives on purpose to have all the depth and breadth of a casual conversation, you end up with what seems to me like a book that HAD a lot of potential, but any time it got near any topic of interest, it did its best to get off the subject and move on to the next topic, as fast as possible. I want to know exactly what these guys were thinking, feeling and saying in these moments, in as much detail as the author could have rested from his subjects via extensive interviews and research. This book reads more like a field report, all to often just too brief and bound by short sentences, consisting of the barest-of-bones facts.
   
   In the end, it's VERY hard to read. Stilted, encumbered by its self-inflicted "style", it is a lost chance to really contribute to our history in the war...and it was done on purpose, all for the sake of conducting what I would call, a failed experiment in writing.
   
   I hope the mini-series is better. I'd skip this book, I don't think that you'll find it a page-turner. :-/



5. I was a founding member of the D-Day Museum (now National WWII Museum) in New Orleans when it opened, but I've had little to do with the museum since it opened because of how bloody horrible I saw Stephen Ambrose deal with WWII veterans. The folks that run the museum don't know anything about military history, they're just worried about running a pretty museum, but this isn't about the museum, it's about the book.
   
   Just as his father Stephen did with Band of Brothers and The Wild Blue, Hugh has taken several well-known veterans' biographies, spliced them together into a new book, and is being touted as a great authority on WWII by pinheads like Tom Hanks, who doesn't even understand why WWII was fought.
   
   "The Pacific" is nothing more than two classic autobiographies mashed together, with a lot of clumsy splicing work I might add. What you have here is "With the Old Breed" and "Helmet for my Pillow" mixed together and mashed up, with Hugh acting like he's the first person to ever discover these two iconic memoirs of combat in the Pacific during WWII. This book is a waste of time. Buy the original memoirs, they're much better written and stand quite well on their own without Ambrose's "scholarly" self-righteous commentary.

5 comments about Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time.

1. This book is a must read for everyone. Not only does it highlight the need for education in all communities, but it provides insight into the current area conflicts thereby adding another dimension to our understanding of current events. Greg Mortenson outlines the struggles and motivations of the people involved in conflict in a clear, consise way - - much better than any journalist I have read. Only my opinion, but if you have any interest in building a better world this is the book to read.



2. I always look at the negative reviews first as this can be where you find kernels of truth. I looked here but must disagree with most of what I saw. Yes the writing style is a bit different; Yes there are sometimes more detail than what you would expect; And yes Mr Mortenson definitely marches to a different beat, which can be distracting in parts.
   
   However, this story is so compelling that a much worse author could have still made an impact. I actually found Mr Relin's flowery language quite picturesque - it brought me into the place with my minds eye. Whether there is artistic embellishment there or not - I don't care. I have seen a lot more of this in many staid history books (think Civil War books by well known authors). I am reminded of Ken Burns style in thinking about the prose.
   
   This book did what every good book does - it prompted in me a call to action. I am off to the website to offer a little return gift for the gift I received in reading this book.



3. This book was exciting, heartwarming and educational. It opened my eyes to a region of our world that I knew nothing about and a man who has dedicated his life to the education of their children. In doing so, he has also changed many attitudes towards Americans, for the better, in that part of the world. We could use many more Greg Mortensons in this world. Thank you Greg!



4. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book on the recommendation of a friend. What a delightful surprise. Not only did I learn a lot about Pakistan, but I learned a lot about the people who live there. From Mr. Mortenson's early naivete to his great achievements, it was such a wonderful account of desire triumphing over many obstacles. It also proved that we sometimes have impressions of a people that are totally inaccurate. We hear that Muslims don't want girls educated but in reality, only some don't. Many do and the authors brought these men to life with their writing. What he was able to do with little money should inspire each of us. Most of us won't be willing to make the personal sacrifices that Mr. Mortenson does but we can support his cause financially and be grateful that he has opened our eyes to a different way of achieving peace in a troubled and volatile area of the world.



5. This book had me hooked from the start. What an amazing guy Greg Mortenson is. I can't wait to read the sequel.

5 comments about The 48 Laws of Power.

1. The 48 Laws of Power is worth the money. If you want an edge in business and in life, I recommend this book. Use this book with, the book of five rings, the art of war and the 33 strategies of war. Never mind what others think about the books or about you reading them. They laugh because they don't have the knowledge to apply the reasoning/stragies these books provide. Employers from all works of life want leaders that can lead, not talk B.S. and take two (2) hour lunches. It won't happen overnight but, applied and practiced it will happen and you will get noticed. But, don't take my word for it, get it and see for yourself.



2. I read an average of 3 to 4 books per month...every month...and of the thousands that I have read..this condensed blend of psychology, history, and order is a significant solution for depression! In the words of Yoda "Named must your fear be...before banish it you can!" This book helps you to define the game of power;to know when and how you will be,or are currently being manipulated, in the struggle for power. Many say that depression is a lack of empowerment...you might find it here. Some of the chapters are distubing...unsettling even, as the meaning remains like a pebble in your shoe, to motivate reflection and change. Well done. I received a new Kindle recently...this was the first book I purchased for it...and undoubtedly the best. I know that it's available on CD now...I'd like to see Amazon offer a combo price for download (Audio and Kindle book).



3. Seconding the other positive reviews of this book, I would add that any person in the sales, marketing, negotiation, management, or legal fields should make this a must read. If you're not a natural Type A / High D personality this will help you understand the nuances of interacting with those who are. Plus, the book offers great history lessons that may be read in less than 10 minutes each.



4. So many people misunderstand this book. Some view it as an antiethical abomination, others as some bag of tricks to cheat with.
   
   In reality it's simply an explanation of the tools of power. What they are, how to use them (using historical examples and modern applications), and what the consequences are. Greene also explains the exceptions to, and consequences of violating the Laws of Power.
   
   Most bad reviews of this book seem to fall into one of three categories.
   
   1. "I (or a friend) tried to do everything in this book and now everyone hates me and won't talk to me"
   
   A. Probably because you didn't follow the Laws very well, and B. No one said you had to go out and act like Atilla the Hun or Napoleon just to get a promotion at your company.
   
   2. "This book is evil or immoral, I'm a good person and can suceed without such vile tactics"
   
   Either A. You are more or less a failure in life or B. You use the laws without realizing it. This argument is akin to saying "I'm a good person, therefore I don't need air to breathe". The Laws simply are whether you use them or not.
   
   3. "This book is too simplistic,dangerous, and poorly written, a much better explanation of power is [whatever] by [whoever] which scientifically studies the issue and delivers better advice."
   
   Interesting how many of these people are professors pitching their own publication or someone who defends reason #2 by supporting some other book, which in actuality also teaches the laws of power, albeit in some watered down form.
   
   
   Anyway get this book or not, and either use the Laws of Power or be used by them. Your choice.



5. Though the book is well written and I do enjoy the history examples, but at the end of the day, it is JUST a book. Take (the book) with a grain of salt.
   
   You have the right to use said "Power"
   You have the right to NOT use said "Power"
   
   Free Will, people.
   Free Will.

5 comments about Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices.

1. This book shares a very interesting and captivating story about the last 30 years of the Israeli/Palestinian conflicts, the experiences of two separate religious worldviews, and the undercover operations or two radically different systems of government. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Arab/Israeli conflicts or Muslim theology vs. Christian theology.
   
   I have read the few negative reviews of this book and find them unquestionably tainted by the reader's preconceived notions of the history discussed in this book or possibly even by the reader's prejudice against one or the other of the parties represented. They hurl accusations at the author which are unfounded because he simply would have nothing to gain by making all of this up. As anyone who reads the book will see, the Mosab Yousef's life may actually be in greater danger now after having shared this story. And his relationship to his family is certainly strained now as a result of his decision to follow the Jesus Christ of the Bible.
   
   So forget the few reviews, read the many reviews, and dive into this intriguing, factual, previously unknown history of the "Son of Hamas".



2. "Son of Hamas" has its truths, however, it is not entirely true, which makes it that much more insidious. Like a titillating supermarket tabloid it promises to satisfy itching ears, in this case the itching ears of Christians who want another reason to hate and demonize Islam. However, in reality "Son of Hamas" is little more than political spin, and in a conflict already characterized by hateful, politicized rhetoric, this will only add fuel to the fire.
   
   Christians should be wary of the economic and political motivations behind such writing. Men like Joel Rosenberg, John Hagee, Jerry Falwell, and now Mosab Hasan Yousef play on popular fears and stereotypes, and twist scripture to support political agendas.
   
   For those who want a more nuanced understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I would recommend a book like "The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy."



3. As an Israeli who suffered greatly from the conflict, and lost friends because of Hamas and fought fiercely against them. I wanted to create a positive change. Instead of revenge, I have the desire to help both societies to reconcile. Hamas and others add great obstacles and this author TOO!! He increases the deep enmity between Israelis, Palestinians, and the Arab world. The narrative is interesting and complying but this author want a kind of final war between the God of Islam and God of Christianity. It seems that he go against all Muslims who disagree with his new belief in God. ( he now practice Christianity) Watch his interview with Christiane Amanpour at [...]
   After this interview i did not finish the book...i do not want to help people who masked humanity with hatred.
   
   Among the people who suffer the most in both societies, feelings of passion and hate are not going to be easily broken. In addition, repeated exposure to violence over the years, coupled with stereotyping and skewed perspectives has overwhelmed the voice of reason.
   
   Yet, this author try to project homogeneous enemy entity while manipulating the mind of many people. Clearly Hamas lie and manipulate its own people and often kill for no reason. It is a terrorist group. No question!! Yet it is not all Muslims.
   
   Television and newspapers as well as this author often present Muslims in such general way that the viewers or readers, think that Muslims and in particular Arabs, are terrorists, although Arabs represent only 20% of the Muslims population in the world.
   
   The perception gap among Israelis and Palestinians and for this mater between West and the Arab world--particularly between Islam and the West--is obvious. One needs to bear in mind that soon, a third of the world's population is going to be Muslim. It is extremely important to understand this topic and find ways to increase multiculturalism and tolerance. There is no single remedy for this, but there are a few options. This book is not one of the remedies...
   
   The author hatred to Islam is obvious and he contributed to a representation of Islam as fanatical and incompatible with civilized western values. This kind of generalization applied only to Muslims, since crimes by other religious people were not put in the context of their religion, but in the context of their citizenship!! Islamophobia
   According to BBC just a few days ago "An influential Muslim scholar has issued a global ruling against terrorism and suicide bombing.
   Dr Tahir ul-Qadri, from Pakistan, says his 600-page judgement, known as a fatwa, completely dismantles al-Qaeda's violent ideology."
   In a statement, Dr. al-Zawahiru, one of the leaders of Al-Qaeda, said, "We are in a battle, and more than half of this battle is taking place in the battlefield of the media."
   This author does a great service to Al-Qaeda because he goes against all Muslims. There are terrorists but there are millions more who are kind loving human beings who happened to practice Islam.
   
   There is no doubt in my mind that religions and cultures do try to depart from their patterns of conflict as they face extremists' ideologies among their people. While there is some realization that cooperation between cultures and pluralistic societies is the way to go, there is also bigotry and intolerance among large sections in many societies. This is indeed intolerance. On the other hand, there are various unofficial dialogues taking place around the world as well as between Israelis and Palestinians. However, Muslims who understand and appreciate the West often feel alienated and perceive Western images of them as unjust and biased and this author just push for war.
   
   The social fabric of relationships among both societies is torn apart by decades and generations of hatred. Building new perceptions cannot happen overnight. This requires careful planning to create the mechanisms by which Israelis and Palestinians can meet and work together, but it is the only effective tool for neutralizing radicalization. People need a place to express the trauma of loss and grief, and both societies need to begin to see the human on the other side. Only then can the peace process avoid manipulation by leaders at the extreme ends of the political spectrum.
   
   We need people to speak out louder for peace among ourselves and to our leaders while striving to do so without violence and destruction but rather with love and understanding.
   Here is another example:
   An Open Letter and Call from Muslim Religious Leaders to:
   A Common Word between Us and You
   "Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world's population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians.
   The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbour. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity. The Unity of God, the necessity of love for Him, and the necessity of love of the neighbour is thus the common ground between Islam and Christianity. The following are only a few examples:
   Of God's Unity, God says in the Holy Qur'an: Say: He is God, the One! / God, the Self- Sufficient Besought of all! (Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-2). Of the necessity of love for God, God says in the Holy Qur'an: So invoke the Name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him with a complete devotion (Al-Muzzammil, 73:8). Of the necessity of love for the neighbour, the Prophet Muhammad r said: "None of you has faith until you love for your neighbour what you love for yourself."
   In the New Testament, Jesus Christ u said: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. / And the second, like it, is this: `You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
   
   In the Holy Qur'an, God Most High enjoins Muslims to issue the following call to Christians (and Jews--the People of the Scripture):
   Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). (Aal `Imran 3:64)
   The words: we shall ascribe no partner unto Him relate to the Unity of God, and the words: worship none but God, relate to being totally devoted to God. Hence they all relate to the First and Greatest Commandment. According to one of the oldest and most authoritative commentaries on the Holy Qur'an the words: that none of us shall take others for lords beside God, mean `that none of us should obey the other in disobedience
   2to what God has commanded'. This relates to the Second Commandment because justice and freedom of religion are a crucial part of love of the neighbor.
   Thus in obedience to the Holy Qur'an, we as Muslims invite Christians to come together with us on the basis of what is common to us, which is also what is most essential to our faith and practice: the Two Commandments of love."



4. I was reading "son of hamas" on my way from the U.S to Israel. The book is very interesting - giving a unique insight of the way Palestinians live today in the West Bank. Reading the book I tried to put my self as an Israeli in Mosab's shoes as a Palestinian, Muslim and an enemy of Israel. No doubted he did a very brave, challenging and moral decision becoming an informer of Israeli Shin-Bet. I know for sure that the places, events and details given by Mosab (which I personally know) are very accurate.
   He gave me a rare chance to see how my enemy looks like and thinks like. He gave me the understanding that on the other side the enemy loves and hates, and in general - on two sides there are people who want to live their lives.
   I thank Mosab for the opportunity to love my enemy as a Jew.
   This book is a "must read" book for anyone who wants to understand something about the brutal and bleeding region called The Middle East!!!!!!



5. While 8-year boys in other parts of the world played with toy cars, Mosab threw rocks at Israeli vehicles. By the time he was 18, he was filled with adult-sized anger and revenge, and was armed with military-style weapons. "My father had never taught me to hate (Israel), but I didn't know how not to feel this way," says Mosab Yousef, son of one of the founders of Hamas. (p. 63) He was arrested, imprisoned, beaten and tortured, all while trying to finish high school.
   
   This honest book will grip the reader's heart and stir the spirit. Mosab writes from a unique perspective: his double-agent involvement with both Islamic terrorists and Israeli spies. The information about the Middle East conflict is current, intriguing, and sometimes terrifying. He writes to stir the reader's spirit to compassion for the oppressed Palestinians and Jews. He candidly shares his spiritual journey of how God drew him--a terrorist--to humbly accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
   
   As the oldest son, he had a special relationship with his father and held an important role in the family. When his father was carted off to prison, he willingly stepped into the paternal role in the family. For years, he financially supported his mother and helped raise his younger siblings.
   
   Upon his father's release from prison, Mosab became his body guard, personal assistant, confidant, student, and friend. He was responsible for his father's life--still a high-ranking Hamas leader--and they shared a close and mutually respectful relationship. To Mosab, his father impersonated the side of Islam that reflects humility, love and mercy. No one imagined the tie between this father and son could ever break. Until Mosab met Jesus Christ.
   
   "The old hatred that had driven me to buy guns and to plot the deaths of Israelis was being displaced by a love I didn't understand." (p. 204) Mosab writes further, "As is the case with many followers of Jesus, my public declaration of faith broke the hearts of my mother and father, brothers, sisters, and friends." (p. 243)
   
   On the eve of the release of this book, Mosab received word that his father and entire family disowned him. Mosab could not have penned a more poignant closing sentence to this book: "I love you. You will always be my father." (p. 246)
   
   This is a story of a young man's conflict and terror, and his courage to choose freedom. "Having a loving relationship with a God who would help me love others is not only the source of my freedom but also the key to my new life." (p. 249) What a testimony of the tenacity of God's love and the power of His Word!

5 comments about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

1. Great read for anyone with interest in medical history. Very fair and accurate reporting of medical facts and the Lacks family.



2. I became interested in this book after seeing a review in the local paper. When I worked in a research institute, I actually worked with this cell line, it intrigued me to learn more, and I felt a personal connection.
   
   This book far exceeded my expectations. It was very well researched and written. I found myself fascinated with what had happened to Henrietta Lacks, her surviving family, and their progeny. There were many areas in this book that moved me to tears. The injustice done to Henrietta Lacks AND especially to her family really made me angry. Even a tiny portion of profits from the sales and resale of Mrs. Lack's cells could have made a huge difference in her family's lives. I was greatly saddened at the news of one of the key character's passing away. This individual should have been able to see the result of the many years of time spent telling their family story to the author. Even more sad was that she didn't get to enjoy the release of the long awaited book release.
   
   I went to the website that Rebecca Skloot set up, and was glad to see that they are in fact working on establishing the Henrietta Lacks Foundation, which should benefit the family through donations. Ms. Skloot should be highly commended for undertaking this not so small task of rebuilding the facts around Henrietta Lacks' too short personal life, and the long one of her immortal cancer cells. A MUST READ.



3. This book has a lot going for it: interesting science, written so it is accessible to the lay reader; fascinating ethical and moral issues having to do with cell research and profits from that research, as well as the meaning of "informed consent"; and disturbing (and deeply moving) issues relating to class and race. It is no wonder that it has found so many readers. It is a very satisfying book all in all.



4. I have been on the go and I am currently about half way through the book, and can't wait to get back to it. It is sooooo interesting and revealing of how she was exploited. A true depiction of what and how the medical world had gone over and beyond their boundaries as professionals. But at the same time you have to wonder had they not, would they had made the discoveries we take for granted today.
   
   Very Interesting and highly recommended!



5. An outstanding story well crafted and narrated. Clear and compassionate. Very high marks to both the author and the narrator, who does a remarkable job of bring the characters alive.

5 comments about Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight.

1. I like the guy. When I see him on interviews he comes across as a logical, balanced person. The Screaming Zombies hate him with a passion, which is another positive, in my mind. I mean, someone that despised by insane people probably is doing something right, right? Still, I didn't expect much when I was given a copy of the book as a gift.
   
   But the book is terrific, with a tremendous level of detail and fact-checking that backs up his point of view. Not that it will cut any slack with with Screaming Zombies. They are immune to logic and fact.
   
   But on a certain level they ARE entertaining to watch, I guess.



2. The MSM savaged the Bush presidency for 8 years. Rove was one who was part of the Bush administration who was especially attacked. It is good so see books like this begin to come out that can get the inside story out and set the record straight. The book is facinating to read, and if you have an open mind and are willing to hear from Rove himself without the CNN/MSNBC MSM left/liberal filter, you should find this book interesting and insightful.
   
   If you just want to be told what to think, then don't read, just keep watching TV.



3. Karl Rove defends his opposition to same sex marriage and his use of that opposition as a campaign tool in the 2004 Presidential election. He states that those who supported same sex marriage were attacking "traditional marriage." Hmm, I thought about this a little as I was reading his book and I wondered, would he say the same thing about opposing the right of vote of women 100 years ago? Of course, instead of defending "traditional marriage" it would be defending "traditional voting" or "traditional democracy". See, defending inequality is fine as long as it is "traditional" and in 1910 the tradition on voting involved men, and except for Wyoming and maybe a few other places, women could not vote. Hey, back in 1770 he could have defended "traditional government" by stating that the heads of nations and governments must be a monarch. Too bad King George III did not have Karl Rove around then, huh?



4. Who are some of these reviewers? DNC operatives? Come onnnnnnnn!...
   
   Courage and Consequence is worth every cent I paid for it- which is a pleasant surprise all by itself.
   
   Rove's telling of the 2000 election battle - as well as the inside story of the President's handling of 9/11, the Iraq war, and the Katrina mess are satisfying - but not the least bit surprising. He may not have felt like people knew the truth but millions did, and it was the same truth he tells in his book years after these things happened and have been marked as "Case Closed" by the monstermedia who still seem to think we are all brain dead.
   
   Although I was a Democrat in 2000, and had been for 35 years, that election made me a Republican. I decided to change my vote to Bush in the few moments while I was opening my ballot and picking up my pen in the polling booth. I had a hunch we were going to need a Patriot for President and Gore didn't even come close. I am glad I voted for George Bush twice. The Democratic Party that once was is sadly and frighteningly a thing of the past. Rove makes me proud that I made the choice to switch parties and I'll never change again.
   
   Rove makes the case that G W Bush is a good man and always was, imperfect no doubt, but always a good man. He also makes the same case for himself, imperfect though he may be as well.
   
   The thing I didn't realize was what a "nerd" Rove was and is, most likely because I didn't know eactly what his job was in the Bush campaign and Presidency. The most enlightening thing about this book is how he explains what it takes to put a campaign together, run it, and win.
   
   Rove doesn't get even remotely "petty" as he has been accused of getting - as a matter of fact he could have peeled the hide off any number of useless idiot politicians and didn't. I was actually hoping for a skinning. :-) He just tells his side of every story that has come out about him and the President. His story needed telling and I am glad it came out sooner rather than waiting and waiting. What he has to say is important considering what is happening in America today. He doesn't throw rocks at the current Administration as much as give a quiet warning, which makes what little he says more ominous to me.
   
   He served his President well and he serves his readers well. I hope there will be more than one book.



5. Rove sees the American people as a pliable piece of clay. He distrusts authentic discussion, prefers to manipulate behind the scenes, and creates useful fictions that he increasing believes, forgetting that he manufactured them in the first place. There is little courage here, but many consequents.