All Consuming : Brian Leach

Consumed "Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:33:20 GMT

Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto

by Mark R. Levin

WORTH IT!

A Conservative Manifesto

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:30:03 GMT

Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto

by Mark R. Levin

Excellent points brought up after the first fifty pages. The first part was a good overview for the uninitiated but then the book really gets broad and deep and gets to the root of America’s problems – the systematic dismantling of the Constitution since FDR.

It’s going to take decades for conservatives to undo the damage modern liberals have done over the last eight decades but it can certainly be done. Levin lays out how in this book. Conservatives must reunite and stand their ground wile the most liberal administration ever elected attempts to enslave the public further.

The title comes from a speech Abraham Lincoln gave in 1864.

“We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name – liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names – liberty and tyranny.”

Consumed "The Revolution: A Manifesto"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:55:27 GMT

The Revolution: A Manifesto

by Ron Paul

WORTH IT!

quite dated (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:54:35 GMT

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order

by Samuel P. Huntington

I bought this book without checking what year it was written. It’s all pre-911 and quite outdated I thought. The book was written before the Japanese economy imploded in the 1990s and when it was thought the Japanese would overcome America.

I did like the perspectives on civilizations and some interesting points are made about China and the “Orthodox culture.”

It was also quite a dull read!

Consumed "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:54:35 GMT

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order

by Samuel P. Huntington

Consumed "Twilight (Two-Disc Special Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:06:33 GMT

Twilight (Two-Disc Special Edition)

by Catherine Hardwicke

WORTH IT!

better than I thought it would be (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:06:33 GMT

Twilight (Two-Disc Special Edition)

by Catherine Hardwicke

All the hype and teeny-bopper support convinced me that this movie would really suck. I watched it not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. I like vampire stories, especially Anne Rice’s version, but I thought Twilight did bring a fresh twist to the vampire genre.

I would have rated this movie three-and-a-half stars if that were an option, four is too high. I’m looking forward to the next movie in the series and hope it expands further on the tale.

I’m not interested in reading the books. I have plenty to read!

Great read! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:43:25 GMT

The White Tiger

by Aravind Adiga

This is an exceptional, great book. Honestly its one of the most intriguing, engrossing stories I’ve read in quite some time. I really liked how it delved into what life is like for 99.9% of the population in India which is very much still under the caste system – especially for those who hail from “the Darkness.”

The political statements in the end were thought-provoking and I usually don’t like personal politics mixed with my reading (see my review of “American Lion”). It’s really the Hindu point of view that I found so engrossing. It’s not one I’ve heard from much thought that’s begun to change both with this book and “Slumdog Millionnaire.” BTW – this book is much more realistic and representative of Indian/Hindu society than that movie was so I’ve heard.

I read every night to help me fall asleep. I found that I was unable to fall asleep reading this book, I just kept turning the pages. The end is a bit of a shocker and well worth it.

Consumed "The White Tiger"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:43:25 GMT

The White Tiger

by Aravind Adiga

WORTH IT!

mediocre at best (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:47:01 GMT

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

by Jon Meacham

I agree with the other poster that the first half of the book dragged on and on about the Eaton affair. Even if that was the major influencing factor of Jackson’s first term in office history continued to happen around the White House. I was left with the impression that Meachem had limited material when he did the research for the book.

I did gain a better impression of who Jackson was after reading the book. History has painted him as the “most uneducated” President and the book does a good job presenting Jackson’s intellectual powers.

I particularly disliked how the author added his perspective of “right” and “wrong” in the book. I don’t care to read a biographer’s opinions when I want to learn about a historical figure.

I’m an avid reader of biographies and my favorite biographical authors are Isaacson, McCullough, and Chernow. My next biography will be McCullough’s Truman.

Meachem doesn’t hold a candle to any of those biographers and how this book made the Post’s “best” list is beyond me.

Liked the movie but hated the ending (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:01:49 GMT

The Wrestler

by Darren Aronofsky

I have to admit that Mickey Rourke did a wonderful acting job in this movie. I really sympathized with his character and truly ached at parts when I worried for his health. I felt that the character was an extension of the actor’s life…maybe it was.

The movie was shot “reality-show” style which really adds to the realism affect. And who knew Marisa Tomei had it in her to play such a part? Watch the movie and you’ll know what I mean.

But I hated the ending! I hate it when people spoil movies for me so I’m not gonna do it. I’d like to hear if anybody liked the ending.

Consumed "The Wrestler"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:01:49 GMT

The Wrestler

by Darren Aronofsky

WORTH IT!

Clint at his badass best (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:55:48 GMT

Gran Torino [Theatrical Release]

by Clint Eastwood

I liked this movie so much more than the one Clint was awarded Oscars for recently (Million Dollar Baby). Its too bad because the Academy probably will feel they don’t need to recognize Eastwood for this wonderful movie.

The ending was a bit unexpected.

Consumed "Gran Torino [Theatrical Release]"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:55:48 GMT

Gran Torino [Theatrical Release]

by Clint Eastwood

WORTH IT!

Prong hasn't lost a step (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:07:55 GMT

Power of the Damager

by Prong

In fact, they’ve gained. What a great album. Awesome riffs, killer instrumentals. I love this album!

A review of "The Forgotten Man"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:04:44 GMT

The Forgotten Man

by Amity Shlaes

The writing is a bit dry sometimes but what would you expect in a book that’s about economics and FDR’s (horrible) policies?

I learned a lot about what the government tried to do in the 1930s as well as how FDR tried to force his dictatorial ways on the public. I lost a whole lot of respect for FDR after reading this book, not that he was highly regarded by me before.

Most of the time we read about FDR in the history books or see in documentaries has to do with his leadership during WWII. This book is a real eye-opener on what he did before that.

83% income taxes? you bet
“undistributed corporate profits” tax? sure!

I figure no matter how loony Obama’s policies will be they won’t be able to touch what FDR tried to pull. We’re a much more informed and connected populace now – aren’t we?

Pretty good but... (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:21:18 GMT

Valkyrie

by Bryan Singer

Since I knew the history surrounding the event the movie was based upon the end was not a surprise. I believe it stayed true to the history books but I had trouble believing that a Colonel (Tom Cruise’s character) issued orders to a general/generals. It seems they took the bits of history on record and ran with it to have enough material for a full length movie.

Consumed "Valkyrie"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:21:18 GMT

Valkyrie

by Bryan Singer

A story about "chocolate mousse pie"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 06:30:57 GMT

chocolate mousse pie

by Brian Leach

My wife made chocolate mousse pie with our Christmas dinner this year and it was absolutely delicious!

A story about "Prime Rib Roast"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 06:25:10 GMT

Prime Rib Roast

Prime rib has become a Christmas dinner tradition in my house. Delicious!

Why I recommend "The Last Sucker"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Brian Leach) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:51:05 GMT

The Last Sucker

by Ministry

I love this album! In my opinion Ministry really hasn’t been worth much since the Psalm 69 album. Great album for the band to call it quits on.