Month: December 2018

Grant

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Background

Grant by Ron Chernow is the biography of the Commanding General of the Civil War and our 18th President. Mr. Chernow takes us through the early life of Hyrum Ulysses Grant, on through West Point where he became styled Ulysses S. Grant, through his business exploits, through the Civil War, through both terms of his Presidency, and on through the his tragic death.

Grant
Grant

My Thoughts

Growing up, I’ve heard the name Grant more associated with “General” than President. Though he was both, I think that is more of how we think of him.

I was very touched by his honesty and saddened by how he was taken advantage of… Not to be too Pollyanna, I believe there are people like him everywhere. People do the right thing everyday without much fanfare.

I was glad to hear the story and it knit a good deal of history together for me.

Recommendation

Very good read but sooo long. It is well over a 1000 pages so buckle up! However, I must say I didn’t get bored the entire time. That says a lot…

The Hobbit

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Background

The Hobbit is the first book which kicked off the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien over 80 years ago. It is the tale of a halflings, or Hobbits, or rather, one Hobbit and an adventure he hadn’t planned on taking. This is a fantasy story of dwarfs, elves, dragons, goblins, trolls, and others… The book was originally a children’s book before it was taken and made into 3-PG-13 movies.

The Hobbit
The Hobbit

My Thoughts

I’ve read this book several times and this go around was the most unique. I was scheduled for 2 teeth which were in need of root canal re-treatments and was facing at least 3 hours in a dentist’s chair. I wanted something to take my mind off of the drama and felt this was a good way to go.

For the most part, it worked. I still enjoyed the book, which is saying something as I was literally being drilled during it. Particularly, I enjoyed the BBC radio version. All the characters had their own voices and it really made it come to life.

Recommendation

Great book! Well worth the time and effort.

A Study in Scarlet

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Background

A Study in Scarlet is the first novel with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Written in 1886 by Arthur Conan Doyle. This work introduces Mr. Holmes’ famed powers of deduction and sets up his rocky association with Scotland Yard.

Also included is a short story of “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” which is a quick murder mystery which is solved by Mr. Holmes.

A Study in Scarlet

My Thoughts

Surprisingly, it was more a story of the killer than of Sherlock and Watson. More surprising, it gave a description of the Mormon Pioneers and life in frontier Salt Lake City before Utah became part of the United States after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was surprised and a little dismayed by the light cast on the church and how they did business at that time. Conan Doyle stated it was a work of fiction and “best to let the matter rest”. I will also let it rest but simply to say, I didn’t expect it.

Recommendation

I enjoyed the read. It also spurred me to check out a number of sources regarding the time period. I would recommend it.

Theft by Finding

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Background

David Sedaris is an acclaimed writer who started gaining fame in the 90’s as Ira Glass from “This American Life” picked him up on his talk show. Theft by Finding is a compilation of Mr. Sedaris’s diary which he has kept since the 70’s to 2002.

Theft by Finding
Theft by Finding

My Thoughts

This diary was one of the more depressing things I have been subjected to in a long time. I couldn’t finish it… I’ve found David Sedaris to be witty and engaging through my experience with “This American Life” but I didn’t enjoy his diary at all. It saddens me to think that there are many people out there with as bleak a life as Mr. Sedaris.

Recommendation

I would not recommend this book. There was little to nothing redeeming about it.

Ezra

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Background

Ezra is found in the Old Testament of King James Bible. Originally Ezra was combined with Nehemiah and is the last book(s) of the Hebrew Bible. Cyrus and later Darius (kings of Persia) allow the Jews to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Ezra prays and gets the people back on track…

Ezra
Ezra

My Thoughts

As this is the first time I’ve included scripture in this blog, I wanted to give a quick reference as to why. I read scripture daily though it is only a chapter or 2. There are times I jump around but I’ve been plowing through the Old Testament recently. My current intent is to finish it but I’ve been known to be distracted…

The book of Ezra is hard to keep straight because it isn’t in chronological order. Lots of genealogy is listed (“Of the sons of…”) and it really doesn’t flow. This is definitely a book that it was helpful to do a little background reading while I was reading.

Recommendations

Find yourself a good Bible study guide and have fun!

Neil Patrick Harris

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Background

Choose Your Own Autobiography is an unconventional memoir written by comedian and actor, Neil Patrick Harris. The book allows readers to follow different paths through his life story, with the ability to choose their own adventure and jump between chapters at will. Harris provides a candid and entertaining look into his upbringing, rise to fame, and personal relationships, all with a playful and self-aware tone. With plenty of humor, pop culture references, and unexpected twists, Choose Your Own Autobiography is a unique reading experience effectively reflects the essence of Neil Patrick Harris’s personality.

Choose Your Own Autobiography
Choose Your Own Autobiography

My Thoughts

This was a welcome change of pace from the history books I have been reading. This is a irreverent, fun, and (at times) a very inappropriate book. However, it was entertaining.

Recommendations

Not for the kids…

Bible and Sword

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Background

Bible and Sword is a history of the rise of Christianity in Great Britain and ultimately why and how modern day Israel came to exist.

Bible and Sword
Bible and Sword

My Thoughts

I’ve often wondered why so many countries have been so interested in Israel and why they have been willing to risk so much for little immediate benefit. I have read the biblical accounts about the return of the Savior and know the gathering of the 12 tribes is a big part of what comes before the 2nd coming. However, I didn’t really think that was was the driving force. Of course, it is much more complicated.

The plight of the Jews throughout the centuries has almost been unbelievable. We tend to think of such things as behind us at this point in time yet, with this history has a backdrop, it has vastly improved my understanding of the motivations of the interested parties.

Recommendation

I’m glad I was exposed to this information. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the histories of Europe and the Middle East.

In the Garden of Beasts

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Background

In the garden of beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin is about the Dodd family and their experience in pre-WWII Germany. William Dodd, the American Ambassador to Germany in the 30s, lived in Berlin with his family, including his daughter Martha. Mr. Dodd hoped that Germany’s government would never take on beliefs and practices of the Nazi party forming under his nose.

In the Garden of Beasts
In the Garden of Beasts

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the description of how the Nazis came into power and how so many of the people really couldn’t believe what was going on. As our country is going through a populist phase, it is all too easy to draw parallels to the same kind of things happening today in our very own great country. Freedom of speech and religion is overwhelming important. We can not lose these freedoms…

Recommendation

I became a little lost with all the characters introduced in the book. It was an important book and I’m glad I read it but I had to push through some slow periods.

The Operator

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Background

The Operator: Firing the shots that killed Osama Bin Laden is the autobiography of Robert O’Neill. He was a kid from Montana who ended up joining the Navy and became a SEAL. It also happened to be him that killed the most wanted man in our time.

The Operator
The Operator

My Thoughts

I have read through other descriptions of Navy SEAL training and those who have gone through it but I really enjoyed it this time around. I found his story to be authentic and to ring true with what I know of military service. He was always making sure the reader knew he didn’t do it on his own. I particularly liked his description of the Navy SEAL wife network. Good book and great to peal a layer or two back from that time in our nations history.

Recommendation

Not for the younger reader but it was a great book.