2 comments about The End of Romance: A Memoir of Love, Sex, and the Mystery of the Violin.

1. Hummmm...I was so excited when I rec'd this book, but it was short lived. This book reads like a really bad memoire filled with conversations that go on and on and on about nothing but the relationship between the author and her cousin (which happened to be 25yrs her senior, and whom raped her at the young age of 14), along with 2 other females which played no important role in the story at all. The plot deals with finding the origin of the Guanari family, but there are way too many distractions along the way. The author's cousin is a sniveling complainer which drags the whole book down. And, personally, I was sickened at the lack of the author's morals. Along with her cousin, she has sex with several strangers despite being married. I did, however, learn a few facts about violins and the detailed process of how one is created. Learning always deserves something, so I gave it 3 stars.



2. If we start to eliminate all the great writers who had less than perfect morals, we'd have precious little to read. If we rejected all the literary practitioners who committed adultery, we'd enjoy the company of very few.
   
   Since writers are by nature and practice, cannibals, feeding on their observations and regurgitating them transformed by imagination, why of all people should we turn to them when searching for moral paragons?
   
   So, yes, when a reviewer complains of being sickened by the writer's immorality in sleeping around while married, pardon me but this is perhaps the wrong book for such a refined sensibility. "Love" and "Sex" are mentioned in the title, so we have been warned. The faint of heart should retreat immediately to the safety of Kate Douglas Wiggin's "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm."
   
   However, Norma Barzman's "The Red and the Blacklist" makes much better reading than "The End of Romance," so read that one first.

No comments about Palestine: A Personal History.

3 comments about The Beginning of the End: The Crippling Disadvantage of a Happy Irish Childhood.

1. This is a terrific book. Deftly written, it is funny, moving, provocative and informative. It describes the author's upbringing in Belfast as the city descended into the violence known as 'The Troubles.' Although outsiders saw this essentially as sectarian, of Catholics against Protestants, Ellis describes a more complex situation, where Protestants could also oppose the division of Ireland and the allegiance of the north to the Crown. His friend Ronnie Bunting, a Protestant like Ellis, symbolised this complexity. Bunting joined a fanatical Republican group and became a ruthless terrorist, responsible for many deaths, including the murder of one Mrs Thatcher's favourite supporters. Ellis's relationship with Bunting dominates the book. Ellis struggled through childhood and his teenage years to break free of Bunting, which he knew he had to do. Only as a young adult embarking on what became a successful career as a journalist did he succeed. By now Bunting was doomed. He was later shot in his home in Belfast by masked men, whom Ellis believes were probably British special forces. This is a book about growing up, family, friendship, ambition and Ireland. I recommend it without reservation.



2. A terrific book. I agree with Mr Moore. It can be read on many levels: as a description of childhood and the challenges of the teenage years and early adulthood; as a treatise on friendship; as a rites of passage, without the glibness of Hollywood, and as an examination of The Troubles. I recommend it wholeheartedly. My only criticism is of Amazon, who do not appear to have not priced it. I had to order the book direct from the publishers in Scotland. This is a pity as it deserves to be available easily to readers in the States.



3. I was delighted to read Walter Ellis's book and have since passed it on to several friends. All agree that it is beautifully written and shows Ellis as a master of his craft, both as storyteller and narrator. I just wish more people had the opportunity to share it as it is a book which will touch the heart regardless of whether or not you have lived or visited Ulster during that period. It is refreshing also to read the Protestant view of the troubles seen, as it were, at first hand. Interesting also, as a female, to view the world through his eyes. I laughed and I cried for these are times which will never be seen again. I, for one, would love to read the sequel.
   
   Elaine Somers

5 comments about The One that Got Away: A Memoir (Lisa Drew Books).

1. Raines uses the metaphor of hooking and losing a large fish to describe his career; the surprise of getting a job that was beyond his expectations (hooking the fish), the long tedious years of work (fighting the fish), and his unexpected firing (losing the fish). Raines' first fishing book outlined his political agenda. In his second book, he explains his management oversight that resulted in his dismissal. I prefer fishing literature that makes an environmental point, an ethical fishing point, or is just an entertaining story. I am finished buying Raines' books because I do not care to spend my entertainment money to listen to his personal agenda. Raines' books are editoral pages thinly wrapped in fish.



2. Howell Raines' memoir, The One That Got Away, is a sequel to his best selling Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis, and is an account of the latest years of his life including his remarriage and his career as executive editor of The New York Times.
   
   It is also a book about fishing. If you're looking for a lot of details about the plagiarism scandal that ended his 25 years at The Times, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you love fishing, especially fly fishing, you will be in heaven.
   
   In The One That Got Away, Mr. Raines takes you around the world to a series of well-known (and little-known) fishing spots, where he describes his equipment and explains his techniques for catching the elusive salmon or bonefish or trout. You'll discover his love for this catch-an-release sport, especially in the tale of his epic battle with a marlin that he hooked in the South Pacific and fought for over seven hours.
   
   You also might find yourself speculating about the absolute veracity of these fish tales as well as the other events he describes in his book. After all, aren't "fish stories" synonymous with "lies" in the English language?
   
   His credos on journalism ("to see events wholly and coldly and try to write about them for the informational benefit of the Republic"), and The Times newspaper (to deliver high quality fact-based information and analysis about news that is found out, rather than imagined") were sorely tested when that "small, amiable, brown-skinned young man known as Jayson Blair" was exposed for publishing lies in The Times.
   
   Howell Raines says he had "no way of knowing and no cause to be consulted" about Jayson's rapid promotion from trainee to reporter, his lack of professionalism, or his frequent errors. But, as the guy "at the end of the chain of command," he took personal responsibility and demanded a complete disclosure. When the dust settled the "Gray Lady's" reputation was saved, but the editor found himself without a job.
   
   The One That Got Away is a book about confronting loss, be it fish or career. Howell Raines learned that in relinquishing his former identity as a newspaperman, he actually got what he wanted. As much as he loved journalism, the dream of escape was always there.
   
   As far as his relinquishing that marlin...what do you think?



3. If you're looking for a journalism memoir, you've come to the wrong place, really. You'll have to wade through much tedium about fishing, through which Raines tries to come to epiphanies about life and loss. I found myself flipping through about 85 percent of the book to get to what I thought were the good parts: his recollections of how Jayson Blair wrecked his NYT career. Raines paints himself as a saviour of what he thought was a hidebound newspaper. There may always be a debate about what he really achieved. He should have stuck to either fishing or journalism to make this book work. One wonders if something this muddled could ever make it past the gatekeepers at the evolving Times of today.



4. Author is a major liberal, and there is way too much politics and way too little fishing. Not a bad book, but certainly not a good book...



5. Even though I was not going to write a review about this book, the many critiques posted by other reviewers made me pause and then decide to add my thoughts. For the fisherman who has done any amount of fishing, you find that sooner or later, you discuss just about everything on your mind with your fishing buddies.
   
   This book does meander over quite a bit of territory, both, literally and figuratively. Howell travels the world to engage in his beloved flyfishing hobby and catch the elusive fish of wherever he lands. He also muses on his career, life, and personal values.
   
   The forward and backward in time writing technique seems a little forced sometimes and towards the end it does seem that there has been a little repetition, but, overall this is an interesting book written by a man who has seemingly made peace with himself and life.
   
   To any potential readers, if you are a neo-conservative that can't stand a sentence or two of criticism of Fox News and the Bushies, then maybe you should pass. However, if your skin is not so thin, you wonder about what a smart man thinks when in his 50/60's, and you enjoy a fish tale or two, then read this book.
   
   The reader is engaging and the story is pretty good.

2 comments about Eddie Barker's Notebook.

1. Eddie Barker's claim to fame is that he was the face of CBS TV news in Dallas in the 1960s, including during the Kennedy assassination. Since I grew up in Dallas at that time, I was excited to hear this veteran newsman had written a memoir.
   
   Barker says that he admires those who work in print journalism and regrets that he never did. Reading his book, I regret it also - the book is almost totally lacking in overall narrative, consisting of 2 or 3 page vignettes from his career, written in short, choppy sentences. The book has this utter lack of style in spite of being co-authored with an East Texas college professor.
   
   Despite the lack of literary value, however, I greatly enjoyed the stories about Dallas' colorful characters, from Jack Ruby to exotic dancer Candy Barr. Also, since Barker was in the TV business from the beginning, I also enjoyed his insights into the way things were done in the early days. For example, TV stations sometimes received films of football games without sound, and a local announcer would do live play-by-play as the film was broadcast. Recommended for those who want some insight into Dallas of the 1960s and the early days of TV who can ignore the juvenile writing.



2. I found that I wasn't as interested in the author's connection with leaning about and reporting the Kennedy murder as I was reading about the adventures he experienced as he felt his way into figuring out how to operate what was then an entirely new medium - the television newsroom.
   
   That in itself is more than worth the time to read Eddie Barker's Notebook.
   
   And every single person who has accepted broadcasting as his life's work should study and accept as his own, Eddie's formula for integrity in news reporting. He advances it plain and bluntly here, so there can be no reason for the reader to say he doesn't understand it.
   
   I don't know Eddie personally, but like millions of others did, I knew his TV work back then. It's nice to read his accounting of those times and his career.

No comments about Selected Journalism: 1850-1870 (Penguin Classics).

2 comments about George Orwell: A Life.

1. The book had every thing i was looking for. It showed his life in different episodes. It was very easy to research in it.



2. Having been encouraged from about the age of twelve to read the essays of George Orwell I read Bernard Crick's recent meditation on him with a sense of gratitude. I haven't read any other work on Orwell which so perfectly conveys his inexhaustibility.
   Crick's real achievement here is a mastery of Orwell's tone. Orwell's essays keep a reader up until dawn and this book did the same to this reader.
   I can't say I agree with everything in the book, and have to say that sometimes I didn't grasp Crick's arguments. The chief pleasure of this book is its style; learned from one of the greatest defenders of expressed thought.

5 comments about You Have To Stand For Something, Or You'll For Anything.

1. This woman can not write, her book has no substance, there is basically nothing to review. What is interesting is how much weight she has lost from then to now. Star claims she has not had a gastric bypass......... could have fooled me. My friend tommy met her, he said she is rude and smelly. She is the most annoying person on the view. who did she screw to get on the view?



2. Star Jones is an inspiration. Her bravery and courage, I'll call it "bravage," is the standard to which every American should hold themselves (and possibly some Canadians). In this book she chronicles her struggles with IBS, HPV, lycanthropy, fear of elves, crossing guard's elbow and having been born without humility. For the first time really, we see that Star's not just fabulous in fur, she's fabulous in print. If I could get my arms around her, I'd hug her. Star's spirit cannot be held down by her lack of any discernable talent! Bravo!



3. It is unclear what and why the author writes. She obviously has nothing of importance or substance to impart, and her personality is uninteresting by all standards. Most people overcome stronger adversities in life and they do it with infinite more grace. Why the author feels her life is more remarkable than others is really mind-boggling. Reading this book is a waste of time and buying it is a waste of money. There is really no message in this book and the author, despite her much self-praised legal training, fails to build any minimal argument on any of her potluck of topics.
   Simplistic, at best; merely stupid.



4. The first two chapters were extremely boring. She talks about a white lady who wants her black friend buried in the white cemetery. The lady stands for something, Star says. She also talks about her mom, who got pregnant with Star, then dumped her off on a crew of some very obliging relatives in North Carolina while she finished college at Rutgers University. Once graduated, and having obtained a "good" job she reclaims 6 year old Star and they live in the projects along with Star's new baby sister (who had not been dumped off on relatives). While living in the projects, little kids run back and forth across the street to the store, unsupervised. When Star is eight years old, she sees a little boy hit by a truck and killed. She's proud when her mom is arrested at a sit-in on the street to protest the lack of a light signal. Later, her mom marries and Star says that at first, her mom and her husband both have "low-paying" jobs. What happened to the "good" job? And if it's such a good job, why are they living in the projects?
   
   The rest is basically a brag-fest. Her whole family has done nothing but praise her to the skies her entire life, so that's why she's brimming with supreme self-confidence. So why is she writing this book? Well, to tell you that you too can be a diva. Star gives fashion lessons (but for full-figured women only - and she hates that term but adores her 42DD's) - wear a chiffon duster over your clothes, and never ride in a white limo because they are tacky, a black Mercedes limo is the best, but if you have to, a Cadillac will do. A red SUV will also display you to the best advantage. Star's role model is Erica Kane from the soap opera All My Children, which says something about her priorities.
   
   I do have one question. Star says she is disappointed one Christmas because her dad (who lives in NC) promised her a stereo. Her mom, seeing that no stereo is about to materialize, runs out in the middle of the night to purchase one for her with money that they don't really have. This would be about 1974 - before 24 hour Walmarts and KMarts. So where did she find this stereo in the middle of the night?
   
   But most of the book is about how great and wonderful Star is, and if you ever do anything to hurt her or make her mad, she'll never forget it. And she doesn't care who doesn't like her because her step-daddy told her she is fine!
   
   I think Star is leaving out a lot she doesn't want us to know.



5. I read this book before Star was popular I don't recall The View even being on the air or at least I wasn't watching it. But as an aspiring attorney I was compelled to read this book. I enjoyed it greatly; I understand why she was such a successful lawyer. In a day and age where "anything goes." The title of this book is excellent. It's a good read and gives you great insight into her life, before the glitz and glam. Great read and inspiration to someone that wants to "be somebody."

No comments about The Rights of Reporters: The Basic Aclu Guide to a Reporter's Rights (An American Civil Liberties Union handbook).

3 comments about Move On.

1. Linda Ellerbee goes on and shows us more of her life. We learn of her friends, her life, and how these shaped her into the woman we've enjoyed for years on Overnight and telling us the real story where others just tell us what they want us to know.



2. This is nothing less than a work of genius, a beautiful story which is beautifully told. The thrilling exploits of this legendary giant of journalism are sure to enthrall everyone who reads about them. No other person, living or dead, could possibly have a more interesting story to tell, or be able to tell it in a more interesting way. Ms. Ellerbee is simply amazing, and her great talent continues to manifest itself on her wonderful news program which airs on Nickelodeon once per week, but which should be shown at least twice each day. Forget about Murrow, Cronkite, and all the rest - Ellerbee is the greatest!



3. Not as completely entertaining as Ellerbee's prior book "And So it Goes," which focused on her career in broadcast journalism, this follow-up is a collection of unrelated tales from her life - each opening a window onto a different phase of it. I prefered Ellerbee's first (and funnier) book, but two tales from this volume are brilliant enough to give it a ratings bump.

   Ellerbee's story of overcoming alcoholism at the Betty Ford Center is as real and honest as memoirs get. Entering the program with a witty cynicism (masking fragile fear), Ellerbee eventually surrenders to the therapeutic environment and is ultimately softened by it. It's just the kind of story you'd expect from an intelligent satirist who (at first) feels she's above the 12-stepping and soul searching, but finally recognizes it as the only way to heal and become whole.

   My favorite chapter, though, is the smart and funny tale of young Linda's first summer job, "We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to You." Linda spends her summer working at a resort owned by a friend of her father. After several weeks of mingling with the other young workers - one of whom is a radical looking to unionize - Linda learns valuable life lessons and eventually "sticks it to the man," her boss. In the end, the tale (and the title) becomes a metaphor for prejudice and stereotyping. This story alone is worth the cost of the book. Buy "Move On," read this chapter, then make photocopies of the chapter for your friends... it's the kind of thing you'll want to share.