Again, it's pretty standard-fare YA sci-fi. Nothing too spectacular and I would say the character development is subpar (everyone is just a caricatureAgain, it's pretty standard-fare YA sci-fi. Nothing too spectacular and I would say the character development is subpar (everyone is just a caricature). ...more
I read this primarily because of Neil Gaiman. It was definitely different and felt like a familiar YA sci-fi book. Not bad, but nothing particularly aI read this primarily because of Neil Gaiman. It was definitely different and felt like a familiar YA sci-fi book. Not bad, but nothing particularly amazing either....more
This was excellent as a very high level introduction to 2000 years of church history. It's too short to go into very much detail on any one thing but This was excellent as a very high level introduction to 2000 years of church history. It's too short to go into very much detail on any one thing but I think it hits enough highlights to whet the appetite for someone who is just getting started or interested in learning something about church history....more
I always enjoy spending time with Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe. The way Wolfe figures out how to get people to tell him the information he needs is aI always enjoy spending time with Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe. The way Wolfe figures out how to get people to tell him the information he needs is always brilliant. He's a fine reader of character....more
This was a fairly short book but excellent. It was filled with many Puritan quotes and Scripture references as is to be expected from a book done by RThis was a fairly short book but excellent. It was filled with many Puritan quotes and Scripture references as is to be expected from a book done by RHB.
My main criticism is actually of the audio book reader. His voice was pretty soporific!...more
Pat Tillman was a professional football player who signed up for the military following the attacks on September 11th, 2001. He was killed by friendlyPat Tillman was a professional football player who signed up for the military following the attacks on September 11th, 2001. He was killed by friendly fire but the military didn't reveal it immediately.
It was nothing like what I was used to from Krakauer. I suppose it was mildly interesting as a biography, and mildly interesting for what could have been a military cover-up as to the cause of his death (although I could easily see it being sheer incompetence as well). In the end it just didn't impact me much. Perhaps that's unimportant, perhaps it is not.
It seemed to me more of a vehicle for pushing particular views about the ethics of a war and criticizing the information given to the American public in order to justify it. And I do share a lot of those criticisms, but the support of that critique seemed more circumstantial here rather than concrete.
So in the end, Krakauer criticizes the military for using Tillman to push their own agenda, but Krakauer ironically seems to use Tillman to push his own criticisms of the Bush administration. (note that many of them are fair criticisms, but it still seems ironic)....more
This was a collection of articles on various topics that Krakauer had done for various publications over the years. I think all were at least interestThis was a collection of articles on various topics that Krakauer had done for various publications over the years. I think all were at least interesting and I certainly enjoyed them....more
I'd never heard of "Three Cups of Tea" or Greg Mortenson but things like this need to be exposed. From what I've been able to tell, Mortenson greatly I'd never heard of "Three Cups of Tea" or Greg Mortenson but things like this need to be exposed. From what I've been able to tell, Mortenson greatly inflated his own deeds, grossly mismanaged funds, and lied about the impact he's had in an effort to get more people to donate money. Very sad and while some (small) good may have come of it, that is hardly an excuse....more
I enjoyed Kelton's book "The Time It Never Rained" but listening to him give these talks was far more enjoyable. I could listen to him all day. He spoI enjoyed Kelton's book "The Time It Never Rained" but listening to him give these talks was far more enjoyable. I could listen to him all day. He spoke about the Western genre, about Western history, about his time as a writer and ranchers he'd known. Seems like he was a very pleasant individual....more
Somewhere between a 3 and a 4 for me. I really liked the format (podcast, true crime, college student investigating) and some parts were pretty cleverSomewhere between a 3 and a 4 for me. I really liked the format (podcast, true crime, college student investigating) and some parts were pretty clever/interesting (view spoiler)[e.g., using the fact that people forget you as soon as you are out of their site to infiltrate the police station, (hide spoiler)] but some of elements of the story made me a bit sick and some parts of it dragged. So it was a mixed bag that I think averaged out to about a 3.5...more
It's more along the lines of "standard sci-fi" than what Sanderson usually goes for but it was engaging, intriguing, and a nice quick, short story witIt's more along the lines of "standard sci-fi" than what Sanderson usually goes for but it was engaging, intriguing, and a nice quick, short story with some good moral questions and mystery....more
Ah...so good. One of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time, particularly as it's tied in with some of Sanderson's earlier work. I loved theAh...so good. One of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time, particularly as it's tied in with some of Sanderson's earlier work. I loved the world setting, the struggle to survive, Elegy, and of course Aux was hilarious. It's recommended to have read the rest of the Stormlight Archive before this one though....more
An excellent sermon admonishing us not to turn to man first, but to turn to Jesus, who knows all our sorrows, was tempted even as we are, who is acquaAn excellent sermon admonishing us not to turn to man first, but to turn to Jesus, who knows all our sorrows, was tempted even as we are, who is acquainted with grief, and who is all-sufficient for us. A little more flower than some sermons but still very warm and pastoral....more
Churchill was a remarkable (and arrogant) individual. This first volume of his official biography, written by his son, is actually very fair: not focuChurchill was a remarkable (and arrogant) individual. This first volume of his official biography, written by his son, is actually very fair: not focusing on the faults but not avoiding them either. A significant portion of the book is actually letters to or from Churchill. During this period of his life most were with his mother and at first I thought I would find it dreary but they were masterfully chosen and woven with the story to give you a good picture of Churchill in his own words and the words of his immediate contemporaries and context. I felt like I got to know him and his circumstances considerably better through this process.
This volume covered almost exactly the same ground as Churhill's own "My Early Life", which I had already read, but despite that I found myself engaged and informed about this period in Churchill's life but also in English history....more
Rosaria is a treasure given to the church. She really pulled the gloves off in this book, addressing it to Christians who are the proverbial frog as tRosaria is a treasure given to the church. She really pulled the gloves off in this book, addressing it to Christians who are the proverbial frog as the pot slowly heats up. There are many sobering observations and very clear condemnations of the attitudes of many who claim the name of Christ, but do not keep his commandments, putting their faith in psychologists or social media rather than in the Creator. This should be a sobering reminder to all of us that when we start excusing any sin whatsoever in the name of kindness or empathy or understanding or because it's "not as bad as other sin" then we are setting others and ourselves on the road to hell. I'm very grateful to her and her husband Kent who have really been on the front lines in this battle and taken much of the "friendly" fire....more
Outstanding book with a lot of really good information on general health and fitness goals. Think of your fitness now as an investment for the future Outstanding book with a lot of really good information on general health and fitness goals. Think of your fitness now as an investment for the future and what level of activity you desire for yourself in old age. Set the goal and then recognize that in order to attain it, it requires planning because you won't be able to do things like put on muscle mass or really increase your fitness at all in old age. It was a lot of new information for me to absorb but I was extremely interested and engaged and will definitely be referring back to it....more
It was okay. The author makes a few good points but much of it is couched in language I found more bellicose than informative. The author frequently cIt was okay. The author makes a few good points but much of it is couched in language I found more bellicose than informative. The author frequently calls organizations or individuals by demeaning nicknames like "Black Carcass (Caucus)" or the "Hypocritical (Hippocratic) Oath". I found these unnecessarily offputting. I also find cherry-picking individual stories to make your point does make a point, but it might not necessarily be an accurate one. That happens all the time but I find it annoying since one could literally make a case for any situation or conclusion based on a few well-chosen examples.
All that said, I do understand that there is lots of energy and craziness surrounding these topics and it was helpful to hear Starkes' perspective....more
Definitely a far-fetched premise but the idea of (view spoiler)[a teenage James Bond (all the gadgets and excitement without the womanizing) is fun. (Definitely a far-fetched premise but the idea of (view spoiler)[a teenage James Bond (all the gadgets and excitement without the womanizing) is fun. (hide spoiler)]...more
Harrowing and very informative about some of the history of mountaineering and climbing. It definitely dampens my enthusiasm for attempting Mount EverHarrowing and very informative about some of the history of mountaineering and climbing. It definitely dampens my enthusiasm for attempting Mount Everest when I hear stories like these and just how harsh and unforgiving those environments can be....more
Some very helpful thoughts, together with some thoughts that probably could have been more nuanced. Also thoughts that probably were meant to be provoSome very helpful thoughts, together with some thoughts that probably could have been more nuanced. Also thoughts that probably were meant to be provocative that probably could have used more explanation. Still, quite convicting and encouraging....more
Perhaps Mr Parker is too clever for his own good. Definitely clever (and irreverent). Just didn't appeal to me.Perhaps Mr Parker is too clever for his own good. Definitely clever (and irreverent). Just didn't appeal to me....more
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