Saturday, September 25, 2010

Quick Reviews on Non-Fiction Fare

Non-Fiction

Toxic Talk: How the Radical Right Has Poisioned America's Airwaves by Bill Press. The title of the book says it all. This book is not recommended for dittoheads, "great Americans" and Tea Party supporters as it is a literary roast of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and other conservative talk show hosts.

UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record by Leslie Kean: If you like reading about UFOs, you'll like this book. Kean described some interesting new UFO sightings that I was not aware. I don't think Kean's book will change the mind of a UFO skeptic but this is good reading for those with an open mind about the existence of UFOs and the need to investigate this phenomena further.

The Faithful Departed: The Collapse of Boston's Catholic Culture by Philip F. Lawler: This is a well written and well researched book about the rise and fall of Catholicism. While it focuses on the Boston diocese, the story has repeated itself all over the United States and now the world. Lawler describes the political and cultural factors outside the pastoral abuse cases that have rocked the church. He  shares some personal experiences working in the Boston Diocese and with Cardinal Law.

Morning Drive: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Talking by Michael Smerconish. Smerconish is a radio talk show host in Philadelphia. Readers outside Philadelphia may not have heard of him or are familiar with his political viewpoint. He offered some interesting insights into his political views and into Philadelphia pols, like the late Frank Rizzo. If you listen to Smerconish and like his show, you may like his book.

The GM: Inside Story of a Dream Job and the Nightmares that Go With It by Tom Callahan: Unless you are a New York Giant's fan, you may want to pass on this book. Callahan describes the stewardship of Ernie Acorsi. I struggled to read this book and to finish it.