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.

Summer Book Buffett

So many books, blogs, magazines, newspapers and so little time...

Sadly I have started a number of books that I did not finish or I quickly scarfed through like a hurried and hungry man at a buffet sampling the entire menu...

For example:

Crisis Economics: A Crash Course in the Future of Finance by Nouriel Roubini was a good read for an economics and finance book. Roubini has received a lot of praise for his analysis and predictions prior the financial meltdown...

I skimmed through a novel, Imperial Bedrooms by Brett Ellis, as if I held a fast forward button in turning the pages. I saw the author on Morning Joe and picked up the book from the library. I did skim to the end of the book as I was curious how the story and Clay's obsession with a young actress would end. I bet they make this as a movie sometime soon.

I may go back and spend more time reading the biography Pulitzer: A Life in Politics, Print and Power by James McGrath Morris as it piqued my interest even on a quick peek inside the book.

I re-read Disclosure by Michael Crichton in about two days. I remember reading it over 20 years ago in less than a day. The book is as good or maybe a bit better than the movie. It has plenty of corporate intrigue, dirty corporate political tricks, sex and an evil woman temptress. It's an oldie but a goodie.

I tried to get through Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst as it was recommended by one of my colleagues at work. I usually like novels based in the World War II period but I could not pick this book up after I put it down. Likewise I could not get into Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific by Robert Leckie. Both books have been widely praised so the blame is on me...

My Confession

I picked the wrong time to start this blog.

Not because I don't read. I do read. But not very deeply. My reading diet is varied. I probably read business 40 -50 emails daily. I skim the Inquirer daily on my Kindle. I read the delivered local newspapers.  There are about a dozen blogs I religiously read every day. I read, edit and review as many as a dozen or more business documents (policies, procedures etc.) Even as I sit down to watch a sporting event on TV, I read the scroll at the bottom of the screen.

What I don't read well are books. There is just too many distractions for my time and attention. I have picked up a startling number of books that I have not finished or have skimmed through looking for specific information.

What bothers me is that very few books keep my attention. Most times I guess it's my fault but there are so few compelling and original stories, thinking, research and ideas.

I just may be in a slump. Hopefully I can regain my interest in just reading for entertainment and knowledge....

Best Book I Have Read (in the past month)

I enjoyed and got a lot out of The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to our Brains by Nicholas Carr. Since I have a hard time with my concentration when I read or write, Carr's explanations on how the Internet affects our mental discipline and focus was interesting. I don't read books or articles as much as I skim and scroll through them. And I have a very hard time remembering what I have read. I blamed much of this on my advancing years but I can see how the Internet has scrambled the way I think.

Very insightful. A very good read (or skim given my lack of concentration).

Demise of Public Libraries

I'm very concerned about the cutbacks in what I consider are our intellectual meccas, our libraries. In my experience, a library has been more important to my intellectual and self development than college or high school or any teacher or any class I have taken. I'd rather see a recreation area closed than a library. I am particularly concerned about reducing or terminating library services in poor or urban areas where intellectual resources are scarce anyway.

How depressing that we may be depriving people, especially young people, from ideas, information and motivation to improve their lives!

10 Reasons I Bought a Kindle DX

I'm old school. I browse for books at Borders and Barnes and Noble. I still buy hardcovers and a few paperbacks. I borrow books from my library. I purchase newspapers from Wawa.

So why did I decide to buy a Kindle. Let me count the reasons

1. I have no room on my bookshelves or home to store books

2. I can buy newspapers and magazines cheaper

3. I'm looking for a different and better experience in reading

4. The Kindle should make reading easier when I'm lying in bed

5. Price has dropped thanks to Ipad

6. I can highlight sections of the book on screen

7. I can take notes as I read

8. I can quickly find out what a word means with the online dictionary

9. Ability to adjust font for easier reading

10. Everyone who has one loves it

Four Very Good Summer Reads

Looking for some very good reading material for vacation or sitting by the beach? I offer four books of diverse topics and tastes for your reading palate...

The Devil's Casino: Friendship, Betrayal and High Stake Games Played Inside Lehman Brothers by Vicky Ward. If you like to read about internal corporate politics, treachery, ambition and greed, you'll enjoy this book. I read this book on the beach. This book is a corporate version of the Housewives of New Jersey except most of the characters are men.

War by Sebastian Junger. Junger was embedded with American forces in Afghanistan. After reading this very gritty and graphic book, I was struck by two thoughts: First, how brave are our young men fighting in the hell holes of Afghanistan. And second, is all their sacrifice and all the money poured into the fight against the Taliban worth it? I encourage all armed chair generals to read this book and see what they think.

Hardcourt Confidential by Patrick McEnroe. McEnroe shares stories from his time as a player and commentator on the pro tennis tour and as coach of the U.S. Davis Cup team. Patrick is the younger and calmer brother of tennis great John McEnroe. Patrick is very candid about his experiences and offers some revealing insights into many of the top tennis players today including Federer, Nadal, the Williams sisters etc. If you are a tennis fan, you will enjoy reading this book.

Reckless by Andrew Gross. Excellent page turner that had my attention from the first page to the exciting conclusion. Gross cleverly incorporates the background of the recent financial meltdown in banking and financial services in this thriller. His two main characters, Ty Hauck and Naomi Blum team up to save the world from financial disaster. Lots of action, violence and gun play...It quenched my thirst for a James Bond like adventure and story.