Mar 31 2010
Well, since we are doing videos I thought I would post Between Two Kingdoms author Joe Boyd talking about his career path and how he came to write this book of allegorical fantasy fiction. Look for my review of the book soon.
Mar 30 2010
Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos is in the mountainous TBR pile but I thought this trailer was well done and worth sharing until I can read and post a review:
Mar 28 2010
Anywhere: How Global Connectivity is Revolutionizing the Way We Do Business
Connect with your customers 24/7/365
Billions of users download applications from their iPhones…
A coffee shop near Scranton, PA has thousands of FaceBook fans around the world…
People sitting across the same room regularly text each other…Welcome to the world of ubiquitous connectivity. Anywhere is the next business revolution, a sea-change that will allow businesses to reach five billion customers, many of them in untapped global markets. In Anywhere, Emily Nagle Green, CEO of Yankee Group Research, explains the rapidly unfolding changes in connectivity—and presents the first strategic guide for remaking businesses now to take advantage of this “anywhere, anytime…” revolution.
Bank on Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Growing and Protecting Your Financial Future
In this current economic downturn, investors have been looking for more secure ways to invest. Here, consultant Yellen outlines how to use a particular type of whole life insurance policy as a personal bank. The concept has much in common with the infinite banking method developed by Nelson Nash and relies on a thorough understanding of the intricacies of life insurance policies and when they become taxable. The methodology behind the Bank on Yourself® (BOY) system has been proven sound and effective, but it requires a long-term commitment from the investor and an investment adviser who knows about setting up a dividend-paying life insurance and what companies offer it. Most of this book is dedicated to stories and testimonials of how it has worked for individuals, but it provides very little information on the best way to start the program. When Yellen does provide information, it is generally linked to her web site. Overall, her book comes off as a pitch for the program rather than a balanced explanation on how to use life insurance as a potential investment strategy.
Mar 22 2010
Conspirata: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris is the second in a trilogy that chronicles the life of Marcus Tullius Cicero – the great orator and writer from ancient Rome. Harris writes from the perspective of Tiro – Cicero’s slave secretary.
The book covers the years 63 to 59 B.C. – during which time the Catiline Conspiracy occurred. This conspiracy was the greatest threat to the Roman Republic until Caesar’s grab for power. The book begins with Cicero’s investigation into the gruesome killing of a slave – this is days before Cicero is to take over as one of the Consuls of Rome. This investigation eventually leads to Cicero exposing the Catiline Conspiracy to the Roman Senate. Harris describes Cicero’s four years after his Consulship – its amazing how much his career and life change in that short period of time.
This book is not big on action – but looking at a person like Cicero – you would not expect that because he was big on talking and writing and not on violence. Although there is not much action, there are parts heavy with drama – for instance, when Cicero must face down his opponents to expose Catilina and his cohorts. Harris’ gift of telling a great story comes through loud and clear.
Harris’ fictional account reads like a novel with the facts of a biography. The book is based on the writings of Tiro, thus the source of the facts on Cicero’s life. Harris fills in the details that Tiro did not discuss in his writings.
Harris writes a balanced account of Cicero. He highlights Cicero’s strengths – great orator, writer, and loyal to the Republic and his weaknesses – willing to look away when corruption serves his purposes, vanity, and lack of loyalty in certain situations. Still, you can relate to Cicero as he tries to navigate the shifting winds of the dieing days of the Roman Republic.
This book is a must-read for any fan of ancient Rome.
Mar 20 2010
*I am experimenting with just using Goodreads to post reviews and cross posting them here. Let me know what you think*
White Noise by Don DeLillo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Hard to describe my reaction to this “classic” after reading it for the first time on its 25th anniversary. It was surreal and hilarious and odd and dense and satirical and a host of other things.
For me this was a book that took some work. Not that it wasn’t enjoyable but there was a lot going on both in terms of language and in terms of the philosophical and the literary.
Consumerism, media overload, self-deception, family interaction, the slippery nature of language and communication, the role of our mortality in our daily lives, etc. All of this jumbled and interconnected within the story. Interesting, insightful at times, frequently quite funny but also almost overloaded.
I am glad I read it but I am not sure it made me want to read more DeLillo.
