http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/196037 en-US Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:56:11 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 26842177 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:56:11 -0700
author: Alexander McCall Smith
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2008
rating: 4
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date added: 07/22/08
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review:
This is the 9th in the Ladies #1 detective series and it is as warm and soothing as the others. Mma Ramotoswe has to find the relatives of a young woman, Mma Makotsi makes a big mistake with a gift from Phuti, and Mr. Matokoni takes his adopted daughter for treatment in Johannesburg. Lots to do. Still when I open these books its like being in the company of old friends and the world takes on a more human scale. I can't wait for the next one.
]]> 26842723 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:10:58 -0700
author: Alexander McCall Smith
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2001
rating: 4
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date added: 07/10/08
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This is the first of the Mma Ramotswe books. It sets the gentle tone for the others and is both fun and soothing to read
]]> 3273394 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:05:22 -0700
author: Alexander McCall Smith
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2005
rating: 4
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date added: 07/10/08
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review:
the 6th in the series. humane, whimsical, and humorous as always. in this one, mme ramwatsi has trouble with her 'ex', Note, and mma maccutse finally finds a good man.
]]> 25830260 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:15:23 -0700
author: Kent Haruf
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 07/08/08
shelves: reallygoodbooks
review:
Plainsong is a masterpiece; it is the best novel I have read in years, certainly since Poisonwood Bible. The story revolves among several ordinary folk in the Colorado high plains. The writing style is spare, but it works very well for this everyday drama. The characters are still so clearly drawn they elicit a real concern from the readers, as if you really knew them. The story is ultimately very affirming given the limited scope of these folks lives and just everyday heroism. The McPheron brothers are my new heroes. I laughed out loud at some of their mannerisms, but I also thrilled to their humanity and personal strength. I love this book.
]]> 25831078 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:18:48 -0700
author: Robert Crais
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2007
rating: 3
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date added: 06/29/08
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review:
This is the first thriller by this author that I have read, or heard (I listened to it as an unabridged audio book on my way back from KC.) and I enjoyed it. Hurray. A life-long criminal has been reformed by prison and upon his release learns his police officer son has been murdered. He solicits the help of the ex-FBI agent who sent him away to solve this crime. It is a most interesting plot, with some nice twists and turns that fooled me. It had a good ratio of action to reflection and so moved along smartly.
]]> 25830751 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:12:18 -0700
author: Henry Finder
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2002
rating: 4
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date added: 06/29/08
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review:
This collection of New Yorker humor pieces is priceless. The essays from the 30's and 40's are still hilarious and represent the work of some terrific writers. Jack Handy has a modern piece that totally cracked me up. Check this out.
]]> 25830499 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:08:29 -0700
author: Elmore Leonard
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.24
book published: 2005
rating: 3
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date added: 06/29/08
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This is a sequel to "get Shorty". Chili Palmer is researching the music industry for a film story. He encounters a promising lady singer/songwriter with a nasty manager. As usual, Leonard's dialog is crisp and fun; there were even a few laugh out loud scenes. This is not great literature but sure is fun.
]]> 25830353 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:05:11 -0700
author: Tim Folger
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2007
rating: 4
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date added: 06/29/08
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review:
The editor has compiled a number of interesting articles for this years collection. I found the section on epigenetics to be particularly useful, as I believe this new field will radically alter the nature/nurture debate. All the articles were interesting, really.
]]> 21921464 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:20:47 -0700
author: Michael Shermer
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2005
rating: 4
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date added: 06/09/08
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Shermer was a born-again Christian, now lapsed. He is editor of Skeptic magazine. Te goal of this book is to show that morality can be based on scientific understanding of our evolution as social animals, and need not be based on the dubious authority of religion. Overall, I thought this was an interesting and even important book. Of course to me it was "preaching to the choir" and it is unclear how a wide an audience it will reach. I really applauded his update of the Golden Rule: if you want to know if an act is moral, ask the opinion of the recipient of your action.
]]> 23385723 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:28:30 -0700
author: Tony Earley
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2008
rating: 4
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date added: 06/04/08
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review:
This is the sequel to Jim the Boy; I liked Blue Star even better. This story focuses on Jim's senior in high school, his relations with friends and with two girls. The writing style is nice, crisp, evocative, but not flowery. The actions of our hero are believable and evoke a very real sense of shared experience. I can't wait for the third part of the story.
]]> 23385788 Sat, 31 May 2008 12:05:58 -0700
author: Stuart Piggott
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.30
book published: 1985
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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The most amusing part of this book is Piggott's observation that each era interprets Stone Henge in terms of its own technology.
]]> 23385274 Sat, 31 May 2008 12:00:45 -0700
author: Paul Theroux
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1993
rating: 4
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
I really got caught up in this book. I have always dreamed of an extended visit to the islands. PT has some mixed experiences, as usual, but he paints a vivid picture of a contemporary "paradise". Maybe we are better off here.
]]> 3273562 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:57:40 -0700
author: Paul Theroux
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.11
book published: 1995
rating: 4
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
enjoyable as usual. PT travels around the Mediterranean describing the science, history and people. he is a curmudgeon, but I like his stuff.
]]> 23384660 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:53:48 -0700
author: Paul Theroux
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1989
rating: 4
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date added: 05/31/08
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Theroux is a great American travel writer. This is one of my favorites of the many I have read. The Iron Rooster is a Chinese train that carries him deep into the back waters of China in the mid 80s. His descriptions are both acrid and humane. Go figure.
]]> 23384680 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:49:08 -0700
author: Paul Theroux
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.76
book published: 1995
rating: 4
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date added: 05/31/08
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]]> 23384678 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:49:02 -0700
author: Paul Theroux
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.87
book published: 1996
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:

]]> 23384658 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:48:46 -0700
author: Paul Theroux
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2008
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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]]> 23384462 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:48:18 -0700
author: Peter Matthiessen
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2000
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
Matthiessen is one of my favorite travel writers. He weaves such a lush picture you find yourself mentally journeying to where ever he takes you.
]]> 23384303 Sat, 31 May 2008 11:45:52 -0700
author: Joseph Needham
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.67
book published: 1956
rating: 5
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
This is the first volume of a giant set. It gives an overview of ancient China's astonishing scientific and engineering advances. For example, they made blades of steel (not iron) that has an alloy makeup nearly identical to the latest Western technology. This is a cultural must read.
]]> 23378126 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:55:52 -0700
author: Norman F. Cantor
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1969
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
This is a pretty slow read. However it impressed upon me the great English contribution to the modern world - namely the importance of DUE PROCESS OF LAW. To bad our bush administration hasn't read it.
]]> 23377967 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:52:50 -0700
author: Herodotus
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2003
rating: 4
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
The Father of History. This book is a must read for any educated person. Much of it is tales that shaped the classic period mind set, and that is a lesson in itself. I loved the stuff about the Sythians.
]]> 23377932 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:50:13 -0700
author: Tacitus
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.80
book published: 1971
rating: 2
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date added: 05/31/08
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]]> 23377902 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:49:59 -0700
author: Tacitus
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.81
book published: 1998
rating: 4
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
THis book has been the basis for any number of movies and TV shows.
]]> 23377756 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:48:50 -0700
author: Procopius
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.92
book published: 1982
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
If you like 7th century Constantinople, this will be an eye opener. Emperoress Theodosa was a naughty girl.
]]> 23377655 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:46:04 -0700
author: Julius Caesar
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 05/31/08
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review:

]]> 23377621 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:45:17 -0700
author: Gordon V. Childe
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.00
book published: 1985
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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]]> 23377461 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:43:03 -0700
author: J.P. Mallory
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.68
book published: 1991
rating: 3
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date added: 05/31/08
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]]> 23376808 Sat, 31 May 2008 09:35:48 -0700
author: Frank B. Gilbreth Jr.
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1948
rating: 4
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date added: 05/31/08
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review:
This is a hilarious and heart warming book. It tells the Gilbreth story. Dad is a famous efficiency expert, Mom a famous psychologist and they have 12 children. They live a comfortable but hectic life in New England and New Jersey; the period is around 1910 to 1930. Such a family requires some order and Dad and Mom are both firm and loving. The closeness of this amazing group comes through in a nice, not too saccharine, way in this charming little classic.
]]> 22849455 Fri, 23 May 2008 19:30:17 -0700
author: Tony Earley
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2001
rating: 5
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date added: 05/23/08
shelves:
review:
This slim novel is one of the best written, emotionally engaging, and evocative I have read in years. Jim is a ten year old, living with his widowed Mom and three uncles in depression era North Carolina. His adventures are not unusual, he faces the same challenges we all do, and the clear, honest exposition of his thoughts, motives,and occasional fears is what we all relate to. This book has been highly regarded by critics and they are spot on; it is a small treasure.
]]> 3746245 Tue, 13 May 2008 13:28:28 -0700
author: Tim O'Brien
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1978
rating: 2
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date added: 05/13/08
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review:
I read this book AFTER I had read Lake of the Woods, since I was so overwhelmed by that novel. This is a lesser book. It is clear that O'Brien is playing with plot devices and styles appropriate for his big story, but they haven't gelled yet. His next book is the total package.
]]> 21921008 Fri, 09 May 2008 07:52:29 -0700
author: Jason Wilson
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2007
rating: 3
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date added: 05/09/08
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review:
I enjoy this series immensely. The 2007 compilation was not as good as some others, but was still a fun read. The story of the Manila trash mountain was interesting and the journey to visit a new Buddha in Nepal was hilarious.
]]> 20518161 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:08:10 -0700
author: Terry Pratchett
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2004
rating: 5
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date added: 04/19/08
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review:
Terry Pratchett is a treasure and his Disc world series is wonderful. The connection to the Disc world is tangential in this story, but no matter. Tiffany is a milk maiden who wants to be a witch (good witch) and has a chance to show her metal when her world collides with one ruled by a wicked fairy Queen. Fortunately, she has help from some of the most delightful characters in all of literature, the Nac Mac Feelges. They are 6 inch tall, blue pictsies who love stealin', fightin' and drinkin'. They are absolutely hilarious. If you don't read this book, your life will be a hollow shell.
]]> 19633092 Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:02:08 -0700
author: John Steinbeck
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2002
rating: 4
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date added: 04/19/08
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review:
I am not a great fan of Steinbeck's novels, but I do enjoy his travel writing. He is very observant, thoughtful, and has a wry sense of humor. In Travels with Charley he fits out a camper RV and sets out to find America in the company of his old dog Charlie. It is generally good fun as he wheels through the northeast, mid west, and mountain west. He has a very reflective section on his return to Salinas CA, his ancestral home. The mood turns darker as he enters the deep South, which in 1960 was a violent and hate-filled place. He observes a virulent mob in New Orleans trying to stop black children from attending school, and it is quite a jolt. America seems to have made some progress in the past 40 years though.
]]> 19572954 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:45:04 -0700
author: Susan Brind Morrow
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1998
rating: 3
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date added: 04/06/08
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review:
This is an unusual read. Morrow is a linguist with an interest in the nature-based origin of ancient Egyptian words and hieroglyphs. She loves Egypt and its people, no matter their poverty and superstition. This narrative mixes her life, family memories, and observations of beauty with her travels and studies. The result is quite interesting. Oddly enough for someone interested in words, I found her sentence construction awkward and often difficult to follow; I guess its the poetry coming out.
]]> 17935448 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:06:30 -0700
author: George P. Pelecanos
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2001
rating: 1
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date added: 03/17/08
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review:
This book sucks. I recently finished a Pelicanos novel that I enjoyed and I thought,"hey a new Michael Connelly". It is not to be I fear. Right as Rain has plot feartures that are unbeleivable but that is not the most irritating part. It is clear the author has some arcane Blues and jazz fetish and so ALL his characters like the same obscure music and all actions are accompanied by a description of which tracks of which album the character is listening to. Also there is needless descriptions of random sex acts which make this seem like a pulp story instead of a well plotted thriller.
]]> 16427448 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:00:20 -0700
author: Tim C. Leedom
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2001
rating: 2
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date added: 03/17/08
shelves:
review:
This book is not as great as I hoped. It does provide useful information and references about biblical errors, and about the ignorance and brutality of fundamentalist religions. However, it is not a very dynamic read.
]]> 16427295 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:35:54 -0800
author: George P. Pelecanos
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2000
rating: 3
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date added: 02/26/08
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review:
George Pelecanos has written a number of thrillers, and I am looking forward to reading more. I like his style. The dialog is crisp, the characters interesting, and the detail is engaging. IN this story, a black record story owner and his Greek American buddy face up to a Washington DC drug lord and his muscle boys. Pelicanos is a writer for the fabulous HBO series "The Wire" and it shows here. He has the same kind of gritty characters and episodic narrative as the TV show.
]]> 14614889 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:27:11 -0800
author: Andrew Robinson
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 2.00
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/26/08
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This is a biography of the early 19th century polymath Thomas Young. He is well known for his work in physics (Young's modulus) and in optics. What I did not know was his accomplishments as a linguist and Egyptologist. His work laid the basis for the deciphering of hieroglyphics. The narrative, however, is not all that inspiring so this interesting story is not all that engaging.
]]> 10498546 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:40:26 -0800
author: Christine Kenneally
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2007
rating: 2
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date added: 02/05/08
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review:
This is a book about the origin and evolution, in the genetic sense, of the faculty of language. I was a bit disappointed in the book. My hope was for a concise, but rigorous review of what linguists and geneticists have learned about language acquisition. IN fact, the book was mostly empty verbiage. Only the section on the analysis of the Fox2b gene, and its implication for positive linguistic selection, had any real interest.
]]> 12653999 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:36:36 -0800
author: John Steinbeck
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2001
rating: 5
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date added: 02/05/08
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review:
In 1940 Steinbeck accompanied biologist Ed Ricketts on a collecting cruise in the Sea of Cortez, also called the Gulf of California. This is a wonderful narrative by a Nobel Prize winning author. Not only is it beautifully written, but it is very interesting and often hilarious. His description of an outboard motor used on their launch as a sort of possessed evil is just hysterical. His comments on the people of the area, and his reflections on our culture and mores is also fascinating. His comments about science and religion, war and peace, and work and relaxation are astonishingly contemporary. I really enjoyed this fine book.
]]> 11526071 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:51:10 -0800
author: Tracy Kidder
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/16/08
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Julia recommended this book based on my strong reviews of other Kidder books, and this one did not disappoint. It is a profile of the brilliant and unbelievably dedicated physician Paul Farmer. He came from a poor, but colorful, family and became a star at Harvard Medical School. He set up a clinic in a disparately poor region of Haiti and through Herculean effort built Partners in Health which set up clinics all over the world. In spite of traveling, writing, and soliciting money he never gave up his hands on approach to patients. The man is fascinating and also aggravating. Kidder does his usual superlative job of story telling; like McPhee he gives non-fiction the narrative drive of the best novels.
]]> 11360409 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:35:47 -0800
author: Philip Kerr
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.25
book published: 2003
rating: 4
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date added: 12/31/07
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review:
This is a really fun book. Isaac Newton, in his later years, was head of the mint; in this story he plays this role. THe author has the great genius play the role of Sherlock Holmes and his Watson, a capable young man, tells the story. The Crown fears that devaluation of the coins of the realm, by trimming etc, will undermine England in its war with France. Newton is on the job though, and the case allows the author to expand unpon many interesting historical events that cross theri paths. The language seems genuine, and except for a few overly graphic bawdy house scenes, this story is both fun and engaging.
]]> 11359875 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:25:46 -0800
author: Robert Goddard
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2006
rating: 3
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date added: 12/31/07
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review:
This is a British thriller of sorts. Our hero is an actor who stars in a weak play touring England. He lands in Brighton, where is (separated) wife has taken up with a local industrialist with a secret past. THe characters are witty and the plot is complicated, but frankly, it is hard to buy into this story. Like many English novels of this genre it is all about a complicated plot put toghether like a Swiss watch. I doubt many crimes are really like this; live is too full of chaos to allow such complex plots to unfold. I prefer the better American thrillers, where the characters seem more real.
]]> 11359750 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:17:42 -0800
author: Elmore Leonard
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.44
book published: 2002
rating: 4
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date added: 12/31/07
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review:
This is Leonard at his best. Interesting characters and fast, witty dialogue. THe plot involves a professional high diver working at a casino in Mississippi. Does that sound unusual? Well it works just fine.
]]> 10498304 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:08:10 -0800
author: Ian McEwan
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2005
rating: 4
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date added: 12/16/07
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review:
McEwan is a Booker Prize winner, and this is a fine novel. The story centers on a long Saturday as experienced by a well to do neurosurgeon in London. The predawn finds him observing a distressed jet plane, there is a peace march in the city, he has a minor car accident that turns nasty, and plays an intense squash game with a friend and colleague. All of these allow the protagonist to introspect on a range of topics: love, family, peace, war, greed, guilt, you name it. The thoughts are those of an intelligent and well educated man and reflect big issues of our time. There is one incident late in the novel that is of literary merit in rounding out his metal narrative, but which is rather improbable and keeps me from giving the book 5 stars, but I am wavering. THis is a smart, smart read.
]]> 10030277 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:51:04 -0800
author: Elmore Leonard
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2006
rating: 3
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date added: 12/06/07
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review:
Elmore Leonard is generallly associated with urban crime drama, but he started writing Westerns. THis is a collection of seven short stories and they are all pretty good. The 3-10 to Yuma has been made into two movies. The latest, starring Russell Crowe, is only inspired by the short story, because a lot of the movie has been generated by the screen writer. These Westerns, like his crime stories, all feature the believable character development of a great story teller.
]]> 9597929 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:46:49 -0800
author: Atul Gawande
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 12/07
date added: 12/06/07
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Well 2007 is nearly over so I thought I should get started on the best of 2006. So far the articles and essays are terrific. I started with one about why belief in God is so prevalent; there was a very convincing evolutionary rationale so it made my day. The essay, "Nature's Bioterrorist" about flu epidemics was fascinating. Indeed nearly all the articles were really engaging.
]]> 9376916 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:16:53 -0800
author: Michael Connelly
name: Jrobertus
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2000
rating: 3
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date added: 11/23/07
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review:
Michael Connelly is probably my favorite writer of crime/thriller novels. He has snappy dialog and interesting plots. His years as a cop give him great insight into police procedure so that is engaging too. This story involves the high profile murder of a civil rights lawyer. The community suspects a police assassination, so it needs to be handled skillfully. However, Bosch's investigation leads to a world of child porn, police brutality, and political skulduggery. A really fun read.
]]> 5297899 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:50:15 -0800