All Consuming : heringermr

Consuming "Eifelheim"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:23:51 GMT

Eifelheim

by Michael Flynn

Consumed "The Best Basketball Book Ever Written"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:23:19 GMT

The Best Basketball Book Ever Written

by Bill Simmons

WORTH IT!

Consumed "The Kite Runner"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:51:01 GMT

The Kite Runner

by Kahled Hosseini

WORTH IT!

Consumed "The Lost Symbol"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:44:06 GMT

The Lost Symbol

by Dan Brown

WORTH IT!

Consumed "The Tales of Beedle the Bard"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:49:48 GMT

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

by J.K. Rowling

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Tularosa: A Kevin Kerney Novel (Kevin Kerney Novels)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:09:09 GMT

Tularosa: A Kevin Kerney Novel (Kevin Kerney Novels)

by Michael Mcgarrity

WORTH IT!

Consumed "A Life of Picasso: The Prodigy, 1881-1906"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:25:16 GMT

A Life of Picasso: The Prodigy, 1881-1906

by John Richardson

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Outliers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:46:35 GMT

Outliers

by Malcolm Gladwell

WORTH IT!

A story about "Outliers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:46:15 GMT

Outliers

by Malcolm Gladwell

During late May, I finished reading Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell. I read about the book in a series of columns that Bill Simmons did with Malcom Gladwell. Rather than doing a podcast, the two of them did three columns of over 9,000 words back and forth.

Gladwell looks at why some people succeed, while so many more never reach their potential. He suggests that superstars are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages, extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn, work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot.

As a parent, his thoughts on how opportunities and repetitions make people successful struck a chord with me. With one of my goals in life is to support Jack, Drew and Morgan to be as successful as possible, it provided some thoughts about how this might be accomplished.

This is a light, quick read; I finished it in four days. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the book. I highly recommend it and I am going to add his other two books to my pile to read in the future.

A story about "The Last of the Mohicans (Signet Classics (Paperback))"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:44:44 GMT

The Last of the Mohicans (Signet Classics (Paperback))

by James Fenimore Cooper

Looking for a book to read on the East Coast trip during June, I settled on The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. The book appealed to me on three different levels.

First, Cooperstown is named for James Fenimore Cooper’s father. James lived there as a child and during several periods during his adult life. After serving as a seaman, James returned to Cooperstown and settled at Fenimore Farm, the site of the Fenimore Art Museum, as a gentleman farmer. Sharon and I went through the Fenimore Art Museum.

Second, The Last of the Mohicans is set in Upper New York State about an hour north of Cooperstown. During my trail run while we were at Cooperstown, the terrain that I was running through felt very much like the descriptions on the countryside in the book. Much of James Fenimore Cooper’s writing is based his childhood experiences in and around Lake Otsego and the surrounding area.

Third, the center point of the story is the massacre that follows the surrender of Fort William Henry during the French and Indian War. Since reading His Excellency, the George Washington biography, I have been intrigued by the French and Indian Wars. Washington’s reputation really has it roots in several battles in this war.

Written in 1825, It was one of the most popular English-language novels of its time. Criticized for its long sentences and formal prose, I found the book very readable and well paced. I enjoyed the book a great deal.

Consumed "The Last of the Mohicans (Signet Classics (Paperback))"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:44:44 GMT

The Last of the Mohicans (Signet Classics (Paperback))

by James Fenimore Cooper

WORTH IT!

Consumed "Walking to Guantanamo"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:43:30 GMT

Walking to Guantanamo

by Richard Fleming

WORTH IT!

A story about "Walking to Guantanamo"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:43:30 GMT

Walking to Guantanamo

by Richard Fleming

On the way back from the east coast trip, I started reading Walking to Guantanamo. I had heard the author interviewed on the NPR Books podcast last fall. In the last year, I have read Havana Nocturne about the Mob in Cuba in the 1950’s and An Unfinished Life about John F. Kennedy. Obviously, Cuba and Castro played a central role in JFK’s Presidency. Both of these books sparked my curiosity in Cuba. As result, when I heard the interview I bought the book.

Partly in response to a mid-life crisis, the author treks the length of Cuba. Although he starts off on foot, he ends up traveling by a number of modes of transportation, including a long distance by bike. As he travels along, the author stays with local families. The book provides an interesting view into the Cuban economy, culture and people. Economically, the country appears to be a mess.

The author’s passions include bird watching, Cuban music and Caribbean religions. Consequently, you got a dose of those subjects sprinkled throughout the book.

I am intrigued by the idea of an epic journey. After running the 50 miler two years ago, I have been toying with the idea of a larger goal for the future. I am fascinated by the idea of doing a thru-hike on the Pacific Coast Trail from Mexico to Canada.

I really enjoyed the book. Nevertheless, with so many good books in the world, I would not recommend the book unless you have a specific interest in Cuba.

Consumed "A Talent For War"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:23:08 GMT

A Talent For War

by Jack McDevitt

WORTH IT!

A story about "A Talent For War"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:22:52 GMT

A Talent For War

by Jack McDevitt

During May, I finished reading A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt. This is the first book of a series that take places in the same world with the same main characters (Alex Benedict and Chase Kolpath). Seeker, the third book in the series, won the 2006 Nebula award for best novel.

This science fiction novel is set in the distant future with humanity spread amongst the stars. Several hundred years before the time of the novel a war was fought against an alien species. The plot revolves around historical research trying to untangle the events of the war. The passage of time and the confusion of war create disinformation and confusion. Essentially, the novel is a historical puzzle with a number of interesting plots twists.

I give the book a lukewarm recommendation. There are parts of the books where the pacing is very good that I really enjoyed, but there were other parts that seemed to drag. The underlying puzzle is strong enough that it pulled me along and kept me interested until the end.

A story about "Untitled Work #17"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:03:19 GMT

Untitled Work #17

by John Grisham

I finished reading the The Associate by John Grisham. Since June of 1993, I have read 22 books by Grisham; As I have said before, I am not sure that this is something that I should be proud of.

Part of the storyline includes an interesting look at what it might be like to work for one of the largest law firms in the world. In particular, it details how the main character is treated and used as a first year associate straight out of law school.

Some of the reviews of the book have criticized the ending. Although I initially furrowed my brow as I finished the book, the ending seems consistent with the story as I have thought about the book over the last couple of days.

I enjoyed the book more than some of Grisham’s other fiction of the last few years. I recommend it as a fast read for light entertainment.

Consumed "Dance Hall of the Dead"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:51:36 GMT

Dance Hall of the Dead

by Tony Hillerman

WORTH IT!

A story about "Dance Hall of the Dead"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Sat, 30 May 2009 05:51:19 GMT

Dance Hall of the Dead

by Tony Hillerman

Several months ago, there was a segment on the NPR Books podcast about Tony Hillerman. Hillerman died late last year. He wrote wrote more than 30 books total including 18 books in his Navajo mystery series. I was intrigued by the podcast and brought Dance Hall Of The Dead which received the 1973 Edgar Award for Best Novel. I finished reading the book earlier in May.

Dance Hall Of The Dead is the second of the Navajo Tribal Police series of crime fiction novels. It is centered around the character of police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn on the Navajo Reservation in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest. Themes of the book include the Zuni religion and hostility between the Navajo and the Zuni.

We had a chance to spend some time in Northern New Mexico in 2007. I always enjoy reading books set in places I have actually been.

I enjoyed Dance Hall of the Dead immensely. I liked reading style and the pacing of the book. I will eventually pick up another of Hillerman’s books to read.

A story about "An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917 - 1963 (Dynasty)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Sat, 16 May 2009 05:49:27 GMT

An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917 - 1963 (Dynasty)

by Robert Dallek

I finished reading the John F. Kennedy biography, An Unfinished Life. I was six years old when Kennedy as assassinated. I can remember walking down a hallway at Woodrow Wilson Elementary and hearing two teachers talking about Kennedy being killed; I would have been in first grade. Reading this book and the Joe Kennedy biography Sins of the Father, I realize that my knowledge of the both the Kennedy family in general and JFK in particular was pretty superficial.

In just three years of the JFK presidency, an amazing amount of things happened. Some of the events included: the Bay of Pigs; the Berlin Crisis with the erection of the Berlin Wall; a crisis in Laos; an increase in the number of American military personnel in South Vietnam to 16,000, up from Eisenhower’s 900 advisors; the overthrow and assassination of South Vietnamese Premier Ngo Dinh Diem; formation of the Peace Crops; the first Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; the Cuban Missile Crisis; setting a course for a moon landing before the end of the decade, a battle with steel producers over price increases and a number of civil rights crises including Birmingham and the Freedom Riders. Due to the opportunities provided by his father’s position and wealth, JFK was in some ways uniquely qualified to deal with many of the international issues that he faced.

I never realized the number of health problems that John Kennedy faced over the course of his life. Conversely, I was aware of JFK’s reputation as a womanizer. It is amazing that his sex life was largely unreported by the mainstream press.

Although it is not the best biography I have read, I recommend the book. From my perspective, the book’s weakness is that it tends to get bogged down in detail in some sections. The book adds to my desire to find a biography on J. Edgar Hoover and peaks my interest in reading more about Robert Kennedy.

Consumed "An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917 - 1963 (Dynasty)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Sat, 16 May 2009 05:49:27 GMT

An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917 - 1963 (Dynasty)

by Robert Dallek

WORTH IT!

A story about "Thirteen"

nobody@allconsuming.net (heringermr) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:55:28 GMT

Thirteen

by Richard K. Morgan

In March, I finished reading Thirteen by Richard K. Morgan. Over the last three and a half year, I have read three other of Morgan’s books, including Altered Carbon, Broken Angels and Market Forces.

Set in the early 22nd Century, the plot includes a very different world geo-political landscape; the United States is divided into three different countries. Mars is being terraformed and settled. During the late 21st century, genetic engineering created a number of different specialized humans. The main character, a Thirteen, is a genetically engineered solider.

Thirteen started slow, but then pulled me in. About 200 pages into the book, someone asked me about the story and I described it as a detective story set in the future. Then about 350 pages into the 550 page book, the story rolled through and past what I thought was going to be the ending. While it remains in part a detective story, on another level it uses the story to comment on society based on how society reacts to the genetically engineered humans.

I am always looking for interesting ideas in books. At one point in the story, the main character talks about “eleven things that I wanted to do at some point in what was left of my life.” Essentially, some larger goals to drive him forward. I like this idea.

Overall, I give the book a lukewarm recommendation: interesting, but not great. Of Morgan’s four books that I have read, I recommend Altered Carbon as the best.