Eric Goes to the Library

I picked up three books from the library tonight that I am looking forward to reading:

un-Spun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation by Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson

Black Maps by Peter Spiegelman (I had read and enjoyed Death's Little Helpers by the author about a year or so ago)

Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child (This book was recommended to me by a woman who noticed me skimming the pages and front flap)

I tried to avoid choosing books with topics in politics, religion and current events though un-Spun might be considered a politically related book.

Man in the Middle by Brian Haig

I generally do not read books that are 450 pages, particularly fiction. They require a commitment of time and interest that I usually lack.

However I really enjoyed Man in the Middle. Excellent story. It starts out as a murder mystery and then moves to a spy story. It offered political intrigue based on events that had or are continuing in Iraq. It also offered a unique perspective on the US involvement within that country. So I found the story informative, entertaining, and thought provoking.

The main character, Sean Drummond, a CIA agent, is sardonic, vulnerable, roguish, and incorruptible. He survives by his wit, not by his fists or any secret gadgets. If there is a movie version of the book, I think Bruce Willis can play his character very well.

Drummond finds a love interest and challenge in Bian Tran, a beautiful and mysterious Army Military Police Officer who is also involved in the case. I like Lucy Liu to play her character.

There are plenty of swerves. You'll need a scorecard to track the good guys and the bad guys. It's a great book for the beach...

Reading My Mind

What I can and can’t claim about my life of reading...

*It hasn’t made me smarter, but it has satisfied my curiosity on various subjects

*I’m not sure how (or if) it has helped my career. I bet I have read more business books than my boss or my boss’s boss (probably combined) and yet they make 2-3x the money I make

*I may have developed more questions than answers from all my reading

*Though my reading did not substitute for my father when he died, it did provide me certain inspirations, models of conduct and literary role models in my formative years

My Reading and Book Buying Tastes

I won't pay more than $15 for a book that has less than 100 pages in it.

I rarely read books in business, politics, science and current events that were published more than three years ago. I like to read recently published books to stay on the cutting edge of knowledge and best practices.

I don't buy a book just because Oprah recommends it.

I rarely read fiction authored by women writers. I will gladly read non-fiction books by women authors.

I rarely read books "authored" by politicians and celebrities as most of them are dull and not really written by them anyway.

My One Minute Review on One Minute Manners

One Minute Manners by Ann Marie Sabath promises quick solutions to the most awkward situations you'll ever face at work including:

• *Being unsure of how to address individuals higher in rank than you.

*Showing up for a meeting with your manager and clients only to realize that you are underdressed.

*Handling a person seated next to you on a flight who is talking your ear off while you want to relax

*Going out to lunch with someone who talks with food in their mouth

I think Ms. Saban's book is an adequate introduction to business protocol for recent grads and young people getting their feet wet in the business world. It doesn't take long to skim through the book. You can probably finish it while waiting for your flight in an airport. You'll be prepared how to handle a talkative neighbor, if you are unlucky to have one.

Saw It, Read It, Could Hardly Believe It

Fox News is sponsoring the Republican Presidential Candidates debate currently. As the candidates were introduced by Brit Hume, the candidate's religion was shown on the screen. Their religion???? Why????

How come their height and weight weren't listed???

Maybe this was a tribute to the recently departed Jerry Falwell.

God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens

You can read the high brow New York Times review by Michael Kinsley or read what I have to say below....

First, if you are a devout Christian, Muslim, Catholic or Jew, you will not like this book. Hitchens is an equal opportunity oppponent of all religions. Avoid this book if you don't want to see your motives, critical reasoning, and beliefs attacked.

Hitchens finds arguments in history, science, politics and philosophy to refute religion.

Hitchens doesn't seek a knockout punch to win his argument. Instead he offers what he thinks are a large number of cuts to arguments and dogmas offered by religions now and in the past.

He doesn't just pick on the religious institutions. He offers criticism of religious icons such as Gandhi and Mother Teresa also.

Secularists and atheists have found their most effective spokesman....

I'm looking forward to reading or hearing the refutation of this book by God's chosen spokesperson...