Published back in 2008, McMafia: A Journey Through the Global Criminal Underworld is a look at the criminal elements going on throughout the world.
McMafia
My Thoughts
Very interesting book and definitely shined some light on when I lived in Bulgaria in the 90s. While I believe much of the book, it almost seems too much and it just kept on going. Criminality is everywhere but I hate to think it is going on at such a scale throughout the world.
Recommendation
A good book that will give you 2nd thoughts about ever leaving the United States.
Jim Morrison was the lead singer of “The Doors” but he also considered himself a writer. This book is his collective works. Published in June of 2021, it is largely put together by his friends and children.
Jim Morrison
My Thoughts
When I started reading this book, I thought it was a autobiography. It really wasn’t. It was so much worse… It starts by telling you he considered himself a writer more than a musician. That may be true but if you can imagine the poetry of a drugged out 60’s post teenager, you have a good idea of what this book was like. But wait there’s more!
The folks that put out this book recycled some of the same material. I guess they figured the reader would have given up some time ago and wouldn’t notice. That would be a fair strategy except apparently I enjoy a good train wreck and just can’t look away.
Published in March of 2021, “The Beauty of Living Twice,” by Sharon Stone is an autobiographical look at her life, career, and the profound experiences that have shaped her. With raw honesty, she recounts her near-fatal stroke in 2001, the challenges of recovery, and the impact on her personal and professional life. Stone reflects on her journey through Hollywood, her advocacy work, and her path to healing and self-discovery. The memoir offers a deeply personal and inspiring narrative of resilience, reinvention, and the beauty of second chances.
The Beauty of Living Twice
My Thoughts
I liked her style of writing and she presented herself as very authentic. As I really haven’t followed her career, I really had no expectations from the book. I remember someone saying she was very smart so it was confirming to hear she was in special programs in school and the like. I suppose like many, my only memory of her was that scene from Basic Instinct and I haven’t even watched the movie. My hope was to learn a bit more about her so she wasn’t such a 1 dimensional character in my mind.
I thought some of the examples of poverty to be a bit of a reach but I’m sure there was a stark contrast in her life as compared with the kind of money she has made. I’m glad of her activism and I hope the index of helplines at the end of the book has been helpful to people who need it.
Several of her comments were directed at the “me too” movement and her experiences along those lines. She talks about the “boys club” of Hollywood and how she had to scrap her way to stardom and didn’t get much respect along the way. Honestly, most of that doesn’t really resonate with me as I haven’t seen it and have no experience with it. No one should have to go through those things and I hope these stories are empowering to people to be able to say no and seek help if needed.
I was raised to respect women and I try my best to raise my sons with the same ethic. However, I’ve seen examples of it going too far the other way as well. We live in such a litigious society now that it’s terrifying to interact with people. Anyone can accuse someone of wrongdoing and they are automatically demonized by the media. Somewhat like what happened to Bill Cosby. That seemed to go down like a witch hunt. It’s true I don’t know if he was guilty or innocent but neither did all the people who were happy enough to trample his name, take away his honorary doctorates, and so on without the benefit of a trial. We are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. That really doesn’t seem to be the case.
Recommendation
The book was enlightening. If you are interested in her story, you will likely enjoy it.
