No comments about Memory Stories II.

No comments about No Problem: The Story of a Cornishman Part II (Isis (Paperback Large Print)).

5 comments about Vernon Can Read! A Memoir.

1. I listened to the unabridged audio cassette version of Vernon Can Read! This is a wonderful book. It has many dates and events in African American history of which Mr. Jordan contributed to, experienced and/or witnessed. These events are not only significant in the life of Mr. Jordan but also in the history of African Americans. The book is well written and easy to read and/or listen to. I told my five year old son about the experience of young Vernon Jordan and Mr. Maddock. It was inspiring to my son and we often listen to that portion of the tape while driving home from school. Mr. Jordan wanted the book to inspire his children and grandchildren and I suspect that it has. The book has also inspired my son. I highly recommend this book.



2. This book is an unfortunate piece of near puffery: much form, much superficiality, little substance. But what does one expect from a Power Broker? Truth or Dare?

   In keeping with the unwritten Power Broker Creed, Mr.Jordan reveals very little about the inside mechanations that made him who he is (as opposed to who he was). That is to say, the book speaks volumes about those life experiences that made Vernon Jordan the moderate civil rights leader he was years ago, but says exactly nothing about the transition from that leadership role, to the man who had the president's ear (not to mention the man who kept his secrets)and the ear of the REAL powerful people in this global econonmy: the corporate mavens for whom Vernon was (is?) paid handsomely to dish out advice and counsel to.

   We never hear in any detail about how Jordan quietly but persistently accumulated the power he achieved and, indeed, what motivated him in this pursuit. And no, I was not interested in any Monica dirt: Monica and the whole presidential thing, was (and is) beside the point when it comes to a rigorous Jordan analysis. That whole episode merely served as a template (and not a particularly good one) for the kind of back scratchery at high level that Jordan has been doing for years.

   But then again, what does one expect? People like Jordan (and mind you, I am a big fan of his)live by the aforementioned unspoken creed: power is best accumulated and exercised quietly. Thus, one does not reveal the secrets of the kingdom to just any average reader (by the way Vernon, what really does go on at those Bildeberg confrences?).

   We will not get the whole unexpurgated version of Jordan's life until some biographer decides to swim against currents and put one together.

   Those of us interested in reading something much more telling than Jordan's superficial telling of the story of his life will have to wait. Just as we similarly anxiously awaited biographical treatments of other quiet power brokers in the Clark Clifford, Tommy "the cork" mode (the wait is soon over for those of us interested in Tommy the cork and, thanks to the same author, was over several years ago for a good analysis of Clifford's life. CLifford's own biography, Counsel to the President, left much to be desired, too).

   As a high school to college level autobiographical treatment of the life of an important figure in post-world war II america, Vernon Can Read suffices. As anything deeper, it does not.

   Vernon can certainly Read, but what Vernon wrote certainly leaves alot to be desired.




3. Read this book. Mr. Jordan not only provides insight and anecdotes about many events and individuals in American civil rights history, his words also give us a glimpse of the workings of an incredible mind. His memoirs are filled with stories and recollections proving that desire, determination and accountability to self and others are crucial for success in any of life's endeavors. Simply stated, I'm inspired.



4. I also never heard of Vernon Jordan before the Lewinsky scandal. I am very glad I read this book. It is a shame that many Americans never heard of his interesting and enlightening story about coming of age in the civil rights era. That seems to me to be the theme of this book, that the civil rights era opened the doors to places of power not dreamed of before, if only one had the ambition and the character to find them.
   
   Like a few other reviewers, I also wish that the author revealed more about the period between when he was in charge of the Urban League. This period is when he made his contacts with very many powerful people in charge of corporations and institutions, received a fellowship at Harvard Business School, and started on his way to become a 'power broker'. I guess if you read between the lines the corporate/foundation contacts made him beholden to the business community, and then retiring from the Urban League to work for a powerful Washington law firm gave him a 'power broker' title. But its not really enough to make the connection, is it? And what about those Bilderberg meetings, Vernon? We would like to know more.



5. A fantastic book detailing the magnificent journey of a tremendous American! This book is packed with historical facts about the lives of Black people in America. Vernon Jordan was born in 1935 and although he did not live through slavery, he certainly lived through the Jim Crow days. However with a good father and a strong mother, he didn't just survive - he flourished. Yes, Vernon could and did indeed 'read'. The names of people mentioned in this book are dizzying. This man dealt with a wide range of people in his career.
   I loved the potent messages that came through with great clarity. Such as "never expect defeat before making an honest effort" pg.2 or pg. 277 his beliefs in concerted efforts..."each person or group using their abilities, contributing what they can to move things forward." I must also mention how happy I was to note Jordan's love for the women in his life; his mother, his invalid wife Shirley - who died at age 48, and his daughter Vickie - the apple of his eye.

No comments about The Private Life of Napoleon Volume VII [EasyRead Large Edition].

5 comments about Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves.

1. Well-written and insightful, it makes an interesting read. Grimaud is to be congratulated for her personal strength. Discussions about music are slightly unusual but enlightening in view of the academic language that dominates classical music debates today and bores everybody to death. Grimaud makes a case for personal and poetic approach to music discussions. From that point of view, this was a very refreshing book to read. References to animal world and the world of magic and myth make the book even more compelling and intriguing. Pianists will not, however, find too many secrets there about her career or practicing habits. Not even the regular piano world gossip.



2. Atrocious, not the least to say for the poetic foul ups from her admirers. Worth reading, then tossing for Rosalyn Tureck.



3. With no disrespect intended towards the author, I bought this book because I thought it was about wolves. A fraction of it is, but the bulk of this work is a biography of the authors life as a concert pianist. Wolves were not even mentioned until almost 200 pages in. In this regard, I found the book a disappointment. Music lovers, however, should get alot out of it. The cover photo is breathtaking, if not a little misleading.



4. This rising artist has a deep sense and understanding of the various feelings and emotions that Beethoven had in his heart and soul when composing this music that are translated by Grimaud into a very beautiful,sensitive and masterful interpretation of his Piano Concerto No. 5...listening to this performance is truly a wonderful experience.



5. I received this book as a gift, because I come from a family that operates wildlife rehabilitation and rescue centers. As a person who has worked with wolves, I really looked forward to a good read, hopefully something that explored the difficulties faced by all rescue workers, and exotic animal rehab centers in particular.
   
   I was gravely disappointed. The majority of references to wolves were from European religious texts, and as an American Indian, I was really struck by the fact that there was very little reference to wolves in the Americas. The portrayal of wolves, historically, was framed almost entirely within European terms, and while I understand that the author is French, I feel that she basically played pick and choose in order to build her own self purported image of the "wild woman". Wolves aren't portrayed as a passion, as effort, as complex in their own behavior and history, so much as glossed over as a crutch in her own justification for her self immolative behavior.
   
   The inherent build of character I noticed in this book, was of a woman who believed that as a talented artist, she was entitled to absolutely disregard the emotions and practicalities of everybody around her. As a human, she came across as utterly egotistical, and it seemed that the entire book was her way of justifying her "me first" attitude in the framework of "I can't help it, I'm compulsive, uncontrollable, and unimitable, I'm just a wild woman, I'm a wolf in human skin, I can do whatever I want because I'm beautiful, intelligent, talented, and therefore superior beyond your strictures." This kind of naked and unabashed refusal to accept personal accountability is hardly what we need to see glorified in print, although unfortunately, it is all too pervasive.
   
   For those who have enjoyed her music, I can only hope that she displays more depth of character in her playing than she did in her writing. I can say that I won't be searching for her cd's any day soon. Perhaps it is all too disturbing to me, the vacancy of soul disguised as a higher calling to art, for me to be okay with pursuing it further. This book may have value to those who enjoy music, but to those who are hoping for an informative read on wolves, keep browsing.

No comments about Not Far from Wigan Pier (Reminiscence).

1 comments about Buddy Boys: When Good Cops Turn Bad (Curley Large Print Books).

1. I couldn't put this book down. What a great look into the mind of your average New York City cop. I was very sympathetic with them. They really seemed like nice guys! I felt their sense of self-disgust that they had to rat out their fellow corrupt cops. It puts you right inside the patrol car and you feel like you're a corrupt cop going along for the adventure. This is one of the best true crime books I've ever read. If you want a look at New York City when it was bad, look no further than this book about New York's "finest." Whoa!

2 comments about Pacific War Diary, 1942-1945: The Secret Diary of an American Sailor.

1. I was given a beat-up Avon paperback from 1963 and became thoroughly engrossed. Often repetitive but never dull, this day-by-day account by a Seaman First Class of three years of action on a light cruiser in the Pacific afforded me a new appreciation of what my father endured in the same places at the same time. Highly recommended to any American.



2. I, too, have a copy of the 1963 Avon paperback that I have been lugging all over the country for the past 30+ years. I read this in a high school history class in the early seventies, and immediately realized it was one of the best true war stories I had ever read. I have read my very tattered copy several more times since then, and have enjoyed it more with each reading.
   
   The book is the diary of a young seaman aboard the USS Montpelier during action in the Pacific from 1942 through 1945. He kept the diary a secret because it was against Navy regulations to keep such a document and it was only printed years after the war ended.
   
   Written in the language of a sailor, it is gritty and real. It does, at times become repetitive, but then again, life aboard a ship during the war was just that....days of sheer terror followed by weeks on endless boredom.
   
   Read this book if you want to get a great perspective of the war from a sailors point of view. And, just read it if you want a fantastic read!

No comments about Letters of Cicero.

No comments about Nurses at War (Ulverscroft Nonfiction).