In "Opportunity: Optimizing Life's Chances", Donald Morris has written a scholarly work about how the or...moreReviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
In "Opportunity: Optimizing Life's Chances", Donald Morris has written a scholarly work about how the ordinary person misses multiple opportunities for advancement or knowledge simply because he or she cannot recognize the true signs of opportunity. The opportunity model is first explained. The elements of opportunity include: time constraint in which opportunities exist, the sacrifice the person will need to make in order to take advantage of the opportunity, the risks involved in the opportunity, the catalyst or trigger and lastly, the possibility of regret or remorse for having taken the opportunity - or not. All of these factors are then set in the framework of the person's overall view of his or his world. The explanations in general are intended to assist the reader in recognizing what the author calls "high-end opportunities." These are opportunities which alter the present and shape the future. The author further contends that if one is trained to recognize opportunities in a timely fashion, one can then recognize rich and productive opportunities while dismissing the trivial, short-lived opportunity which does not move the individual forward.
I think the parts I valued most in the book were the boxed quotes of familiar philosophers throughout the ages. Another important section deals with self-control and self-regulation as a critical component of recognizing and taking advantage of opportunity. There is another section on 'Stumbling Blocks, Pit Falls and Blind Spots' which may assist those who have repeatedly come upon defeat when attempting to move forward. In that section, the author says that being able to predict the behavior of others may assist the individual to predict the success of any given opportunity. This is a scholarly book which would be useful in classes of business, social sciences and philosophy. (less)
Set in the late 1880's, "The Woodcutter" by Steve Bartholomew is a fascinating study of the attempts of...moreReviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite
Set in the late 1880's, "The Woodcutter" by Steve Bartholomew is a fascinating study of the attempts of the US Government to take care of the Native American population. In this story, journalist Dana Reynolds has lost his job in San Francisco and has obtained a job in Virginia City. He hopes to avoid the controversy which cost him his last job but almost as soon as he arrive at his new post, he is assigned a controversial story in Greenfield, Nevada. Dana is to meet a man named Wovoka who is a medicine man but much more. He is also known as the Woodcutter because he is a strong and powerful man. Almost immediately, Dana develops a hunch that the Indian agent in charge of giving US goods to the Indians is taking a more-than-generous cut of both goods and money prior to sending it on to the tribe. The Native Americans also suspect this. They begin to do circle dances, just prior to a solar eclipse and this frightens the agent so much that he attempts to undermine Native American rituals and practices in order to make the Indians "citizens."
Bartholomew develops intriguing characters without advertising. We begin to understand the ways in which the characters think and feel so that we feel we are right there in the story, wanting to cheer on Dana as he attempts to make things right for the Paiute Indians. This is a book which just may catch you by surprise and capture your interest to the very end.
Pearl is a wonderful nostalgic historical fictional novel of the early years of Pearl Buck. The story weaves the story of the life and background of t...morePearl is a wonderful nostalgic historical fictional novel of the early years of Pearl Buck. The story weaves the story of the life and background of this wonderful writer and author. It is an inspiring and spell-binding book, one that will be read and re-read by many.
The story begins when Pearl is quite old and disabled. She feels like a black pearl but not a white one, as when she was young. She is living in an old Vermont Farmhouse all alone. All she has are her memories. She feels like her life is getting close to the end.
Then the story weaves back in time to when she lived in China. Most of the story focuses on her home life and how they moved a lot because her father was a missionary. Her Dad wasn’t home a lot either. So, her mother had to take care of the family on her own. Pearl also remembers her teachers and what an important role and influence they had on her formation as a writer. She felt completely indebted to them for who she became later.
She was always a writer first and foremost. She kept a diary from a very early age. One of Pearl’s favourite pastimes was to sit down and write about her experiences and feelings. Some of her journal entries are contained in the book. They are warm-hearted and the reader is able to see what she felt at the time and what was going through her mind. There are quite a few gems of wisdom in the book as well which the reader could take to heart, such as Never stop educating yourself, When you come to a fork in the road, follow your heart, and so on.
What a splendid book! I enjoyed reading it from beginning to end. It transported me to a world of the writer and how at the end of one’s life one should take stock looking at all the good and difficult things. It is also a ponderous book that feels a bit like a memoir. All the reader has to do is to sit back, grab a java, and be transported into Pearl’s world and feelings. Thank you Ron for such a wonderful book!
"Taliban Escape! One Woman’s Journey out of Hell" begins with these words: "It would be too dangerous to...moreReviewed by Patricia Day for Readers Favorite
"Taliban Escape! One Woman’s Journey out of Hell" begins with these words: "It would be too dangerous to use my real name so I will call myself Adeela. Nor can I tell you in what country I was born, or in what country I am now living. To do so would be to endanger myself. It could also endanger those who knew me during the time of this story. Many of them are still living in the same kind of repressive society in which I spent all of my first twenty-nine years. I feel I must also warn you that this story contains violence. I regret that and yet I do not apologize for it."
So begins the horrific life story of this brave lady. We who live in free societies can only imagine the abuse that this lady endured. She and other women, from babies to adults, were not spared the brutality that is meted out so freely. She and her sister were considered worthless. They were called camel dung by their father - that is how much worth they were given. This compelling story reveals the repressive life that 'Adeela' endured. The rejection from family members, the taunting and abuses suffered at the hands of those she should have been able to trust. Read how inch by inch she slowly overcomes each abuser and arrives (or rather survives) triumphant, after a lifetime of sheer hell.
A Must Read – if only to open your eyes and be thankful for a life free of torment! There were moments when I had to stop reading this book. The contents are so graphic and so unbelievably cruel. It is a book that grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me engrossed to the very last word. "Taliban Escape" is definitely a novel well worth reading. It is not for the fainthearted. But as the story unfolds, I am sure you will feel unable to put this book down until you too have read to the very last word. Discover for yourself how in a society where women are considered less than servants, Adeela emerges triumphant despite all the odds against her. Wherever you are Aabra, I am so glad that you are now enjoying life. I am glad you are free of the cruelty that was directed at you throughout your life, in the country of your birth.
African-American Lisa Rivers is a genius, starting college at age twelve, but her home life has been difficul...moreReviewed by Alice D. for Readers Favorite
African-American Lisa Rivers is a genius, starting college at age twelve, but her home life has been difficult and not supportive. Lisa is a highly paid computer designer for the United States government and has developed an incredible program that can locate anyone anywhere once they are fitted with its software. Married at fifteen to her love, Mitchell Adkins, only to have the marriage dissolved by her hostile police detective father, Sam Rivers, Lisa does not understand why her father hates her so much. She let him take her baby, Zachary, the product of her one night with Mitchell, and raise Zach as her brother. Then Sam finds out what really happened at Lisa's birth and reaches out to the daughter he should have loved deeply all along. But Lisa has been kidnapped and badly wounded. Will she die before Sam can reconcile with her and make up for thirty years of unkindness?
"Betray and Forgiveness" is a well-conceived and well-written novel about a family: a father, his daughter, her son and her onetime husband and their love for one another despite everything. Bad guys who want to obtain Lisa's computer program for their own not-so-nice purposes are believable and serve the basic plot well. Frank Millwood's twin, introduced at the story's conclusion, is not a good addition to the basic storyline, but otherwise "Betrayal and Forgiveness" portrays human emotions honestly and the main characters will remain in the minds of any readers for quite some time. All in all, "Betrayal and Forgiveness" is a good book for reading lists everywhere.(less)
The Pen & Muse Review (A&BP Rates The Book): Becoming: The Life & Musings of a Girl Poet Brown provides us with a refreshing look at her li...moreThe Pen & Muse Review (A&BP Rates The Book): Becoming: The Life & Musings of a Girl Poet Brown provides us with a refreshing look at her life through her words. A muse in her own rite, Brown takes us on a literary journey that inspires and awe as you travel down the winding words that she weaves. Those who love poetry very reminiscent of Maya Angelou will love Brown’s poetry. This is the second in poetry books that I have read and always enjoy them. I could say that I would love to pick a favorite poem, but you will find as much as I did that poetry — it’s words takes us on a journey, a journey so incredible that we cannot have a favorite. If you are looking for beautfully written poetry than look no further with Brown’s Becoming: The Life & Musings of a Girl Poet.
Once Upon A Storm takes place in New England during the 1960’s at the time of the antiwar protest and civil rights moveme...moreReviewed by Readers Favorite!
Once Upon A Storm takes place in New England during the 1960’s at the time of the antiwar protest and civil rights movement. A hurricane was bearing down on Cape Cod; it was the final night of the four day Jazz and Folk Festival. A girl (Felicity) was found wandering on the beach, naked, injured and disoriented. In the era of Peaceniks, Woodstock and Flower Children, they just figured she had a little too much to drink. A burned out yacht was found drifting in the bay with three bodies on it. The authorities wanted to question Felicity. Only she had left town with Buddy Ames, a black singer who was at the festival. Now the search was on to find her. The police were looking for her along with the brother of the yacht owner, her father, and uncle.
The reader is quickly swept up in this fast paced mystery. They will encounter racial tension, the sexual movement, deceit and betrayal. Each character is well developed. They are easy to relate to. This is one of those special books that needs to be read slowly to savor every single page. Once Upon A Storm is filled with romance, intrigue and mystery.(less)
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