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July 17
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Corbin
gave
 
to:
1776 (Paperback)
by David McCullough
bookshelves:
history
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in May, 2008
Corbin said:
"Fight or Flight? 1776 confirms the reality that the Continental Army was all-too human, moreso than we might make them out to be today. They were dirty, they were drunken, they were disorganized, and they were disadvantaged. Basic human instincts ...more
Fight or Flight? 1776 confirms the reality that the Continental Army was all-too human, moreso than we might make them out to be today. They were dirty, they were drunken, they were disorganized, and they were disadvantaged. Basic human instincts played into their warfare: surrounded by the British and brutal Hessians,they sneak silently away in the middle of the night while praying that no one would notice. It was these prayers that were answered. As Americans we must ask ourselves: What roll did providence play in the revolution? As readers we must ask: What roll did the author play in demonstrating the roll of providence in the American Revolution?...less
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July 14
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Corbin
gave
to:
The Coming Plague (Hardcover)
by Laurie Garrett
bookshelves:
academic,
non-fiction
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in July, 2008
Corbin said:
"Both fascinating and frightening, The Coming Plague explores the dark side of human life and death. From the deep Congo where the Ebola virus lurks, to the streets of New York and San Francisco where the AIDS virus made its American debut, this book...more
Both fascinating and frightening, The Coming Plague explores the dark side of human life and death. From the deep Congo where the Ebola virus lurks, to the streets of New York and San Francisco where the AIDS virus made its American debut, this book is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I highly praise Garrett for her medical storytelling abilities. She has a way of capturing her readers’ attention and keeping it--something rarely done in medically-descriptive writing. This book can be appreciated from both a physician's and a layman's perspective since she is able to breakdown research initiatives for each disease into a language that is understandable.
Each chapter seems to follow the same format:
1) Introduce the first-cases of the disease, location, environment, symptoms, acute illness, and deaths of first-cases
2) Spread of disease, numbers, location, theories on the outbreak and causes
3) History of related diseases and current threats
4) Initial lab initiatives, successes, failures, funding & funding politics
5) Resolution of funding issues, development of research initiatives, initial discoveries, questions from researchers, answers to questions one-by-one
6) Developments of treatment (if any), patient testing of treatment (if any)
7) Discussion of possible future outbreaks which leads to a ...? In the chapters final paragraph that leads into the next chapter/disease
In this way, every disease seems to be explored chronologically, but at the same time she is able to layer the book so that every chapter feeds into the next.
This is a fascinating book and I recommend anyone with medical interests in epidemiological phenomena’s pick it up from their local bookstore....less
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July 06
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Corbin
marked as to-read:
The Alchemist (Plus)
by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads author!)
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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July 03
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Corbin
is currently reading:
A Prayer for Owen Meany (Paperback)
by John Irving
bookshelves:
currently-reading,
fiction
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Corbin said:
"*temporarily set aside for my non-fiction reading mood. 130 pages in* This is most definitely a character-driven novel, where the characters are described in detail so well that you feel as if you're actually sitting at the table with them, or sear...more
*temporarily set aside for my non-fiction reading mood. 130 pages in* This is most definitely a character-driven novel, where the characters are described in detail so well that you feel as if you're actually sitting at the table with them, or searching for the armadillo, or following Owen (which you are because of the narrator's lead). The grandmother is my favorite character so far. She's so fussy, elitist, and such a skeptic that I can't help but identify here with many of Maggie Smith's characters in the movies. Her relationship with Tabby is fantastic and I can't help but hear them fussing in the background the whole time.
On the other hand, I feel that Owen is not particularly well-developed. Perhaps he will take longer to unfold. At this point I still can't associate him very well with an actual human...it seems I can't stop thinking of him as Pinnochio-voiced, which is, I have to say, a wee-bit annoying. I think it's the description of his voice that is driving me up the wall.
That being said, these characters are just now being applied in the story and it may have been a wise tactic on Irving's part to develop them early enough that the reader can apply their knowledge later in the book. I figure each character will come into play as the novel progresses. This is still all speculation on my part--What I assume Irving is going to do verses what he actually does ought to be completely different.
*The book started out slowly but it picked up at about 45 pages, so hang in there if you're just starting. ...less
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Corbin
gave
to:
Catch-22 (Paperback)
by Joseph Heller
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in July, 2008
Corbin said:
"Catch-22 –noun, plural Catch-22's, Catch-22s.
1. a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions.
2. any illogical or paradoxical problem or situation; dilemma.
3. a condition, regulation, etc....more
Catch-22 –noun, plural Catch-22's, Catch-22s.
1. a frustrating situation in which one is trapped by contradictory regulations or conditions.
2. any illogical or paradoxical problem or situation; dilemma.
3. a condition, regulation, etc., preventing the resolution of a problem or situation; catch.
farce -noun, verb farced, farcing
1. A light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters, and often slapstick elements are used for humorous effect.
2. The branch of literature constituting such works.
3. The broad or spirited humor characteristic of such works.
A ludicrous, empty show; a mockery: The fixed election was a farce.
4. A seasoned stuffing, as for roasted turkey.
Seasoned stuffing might just be the best description of this successful attempt of war commentary, I mean, commedy. On a serious note, the situations can't be taken seriously...or can they? The dizzying dialogue and repetitive nature of these absurd situations between combat collegues is pure genius. It's almost impossible to read fast enough to sustain the back-and-forth dialogue between characters that characterizes Catch-22 (can you tell I'm having fun writing this review?).
This is genius!
Did you say genius?
Yes, sir! Genius I say!
Well soldier, I say this is genius!...less
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June 23
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Corbin
gave
to:
'Tis (Paperback)
by Frank McCourt
bookshelves:
memoir
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Corbin said:
"If you're going to read McCourt, read Angela's Ashes. This one didn't make quite the impression on me.
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June 03
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Corbin
gave
to:
102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers (Paperback)
by Kevin Flynn, Jim Dwyer
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in May, 2008
Corbin said:
"Instead of looking at the tragedy as a whole, this journalistic account focuses on the individuals inside the towers. Minute-by-minute the books chapters progress from the initial strike, to the fall of the towers. Instead of playing the political ...more
Instead of looking at the tragedy as a whole, this journalistic account focuses on the individuals inside the towers. Minute-by-minute the books chapters progress from the initial strike, to the fall of the towers. Instead of playing the political blame game, these accounts are much more graphically charged descriptions of the victims. It chronicles the horrors and struggles that individuals and heroes faced inside the towers,how they survived, and often, how they died. A warning to anyone who reads this: It will plant images in your head that will haunt you. ...less
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May 16
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Corbin
marked as to-read:
Hunger's Brides: A Novel of the Baroque (Hardcover)
by Paul Anderson
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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May 15
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Corbin
is currently reading:
Complete Idiots Guide To Cigars (Paperback)
by Tad Gage
bookshelves:
currently-reading
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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April 10
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Corbin made a comment in the group GoodReviews: The Official Book Review Contest—Fiction: Post A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS nominations here topic:
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1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
— 3117 members
— last activity 1 hour, 49 min ago
History is not boring
— 266 members
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GoodReviews: The Official Book Review Contest
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