Published in October of 2020, Is this Anything? is a book about the standup journey of Jerry Seinfeld.
I really enjoyed this book and it was fun to hear him go over some of his classic routine. He does a good job showing the work that goes on behind the scenes and mentions that he keeps written notes on every joke he has ever told.
I really enjoyed this. However, I’m a fan and I love a good story of grit.
Published in February of 2021, Walk in My Combat Boots is a collection of true stories from America’s warriors, told by the men and women who lived them. The stories are raw, honest, and unforgettable. They offer a glimpse into the lives of those who have served our country in the armed forces, and the sacrifices they have made.
The book is divided into three sections: “The Call to Duty,” “The Fight,” and “The Homecoming.” In “The Call to Duty,” the authors share their stories of why they joined the military. In “The Fight,” they recount their experiences in combat. And in “The Homecoming,” they discuss the challenges of re-integrating into civilian life.
Most of the stories are lacking in any kind of theme or similarity so it was easy to get lost in the narrative. My hat is off to our service men and women but I didn’t really enjoy this book.
It was hard to get through. I’d skip this one.
Published January of 2021, Kamala’s Way: An American Life is the biography of Kamala Harris who eventually was elected as Vice President of the United States of America.
Not many books upset me the way thing one did. I very much disagree with Kamala’s way of doing things. She seems to be an opportunist and a bully without much sense of right and wrong. She misses the irony we she is quoted as “babies, babies, babies” when she is talking about poor children while at the same time she had a big hand in legalizing abortion. She ignored Californian’s repeated votes about same-sex marriage and allowed a judge to legislate from the bench to fit her own ideas. It was Kamala’s responsibility to challenge that ruling. But she didn’t… I just hope President Biden lives throughout his presidency.
Hard book to read but I like to hear what the other side is saying.
On the House: A Washington Memoir is a 2021 memoir by John Boehner, the 51st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. In the book, Boehner writes about his life and career, from his childhood in Ohio to his time in Congress. He also shares his thoughts on the current state of politics and the Republican Party.
As a drinker and a smoker, “On The House” is pretty on the nose for this former Speaker of the House. I enjoyed his take on just about everything regarding the job and it was fun is see his side of the argument.
It was worth the read.
Published in July of 2021, “Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood” is a memoir written by Danny Trejo, a well-known actor and former inmate-turned-actor. The book tells the story of Trejo’s tumultuous life, from his troubled childhood in the streets of Los Angeles to his years spent in and out of prison. Despite his difficult upbringing and struggles with addiction, Trejo eventually turned his life around and became a successful actor, known for his tough-guy roles in films such as “Machete” and “Heat”. Throughout the book, Trejo reflects on the lessons he learned from his experiences, and the people who helped him along the way. The book is a candid and inspiring account of one man’s journey from a life of crime to one of success and redemption.
Seriously, this book made Danny Trejo one of my heroes. After everything he had done and had gone through, the fact he is still trying to be a good man is inspiring to say the least.
Great read!
The Rise and Fall of Osama Bin Laden was published in August of 2021 and takes you through the life of the world’s top terrorist till his death in 2011.
There were so many things I didn’t know about Bin Laden and his life. I didn’t know how well connected he was or how much money he had or much about his family and so on. I was glad I took the time to learn more. It did make me wish he was taken down much earlier on.
A good read if you are interested.
This book is usually referenced as the Diary of Anne Frank. Originally, this book came to life from her father publishing the pages she used as a diary in 1947. Since then there has been a number of editions and translations. The first copy was edited by her father which is interesting given the light Anne painted her mother in and how her father was depicted.
Of course, this was a depressing book because we already knew the ending. However, it paints a vivid picture of people just trying to get by while being hunted by the Nazi regime. This is more poignant as it comes from the perspective a young girl.
An important read but not a pleasant one.
Elon Musk is rightly called the real Iron Man with his superhuman like abilities to obsess over every detail and make it right. He allowed this autobiography in 2015 and his story kept on going from there. (This is well before his buying of Twitter.)
I think the comparison with Tony Stark and Elon Musk is more appropriate after I read the book. I’m very thankful for the products and services he is providing but I likely wouldn’t enjoy spending time with him. He is an incredibly driven individual and it is amazing what he has accomplished. Also, I wanted a Tesla before. Now I REALLY want a Tesla. However, I’m far too cheap…
Great book but so much has happened since 2015.
Published in November of 2020, “Dolly Parton Songteller” provides a comprehensive look at the life and music of country music legend Dolly Parton. The book is structured around Parton’s most iconic songs, with each chapter exploring the inspiration, creation, and impact of one of her classic tracks. In addition to exploring the stories behind the music, the book also delves into Parton’s personal life, including her upbringing in rural Tennessee, her rise to fame, and her ongoing philanthropic work. The book features never-before-seen photos, personal anecdotes, and insights from Parton herself.
This book was a lot of fun. Dolly Parton has always been the life of the party and she didn’t disappoint in this book.
Great book!
Published in 2007, Write It When I’m Gone is a book of essays and information from a member of the media that followed him through the vice presidency, through the Presidency and beyond.
President Ford was outside of my time. All I really knew was the satire and a little bit of the history of that time. This book really changed my perspective in seeing a little bit of the man behind the falls and so on.
A few choice takeaways was how much he didn’t like Ronald Reagan and how approachable he was. I didn’t know about his work outside of the Presidency or how he really set the stage for the modern post-presidential business model.
Another solid read. I enjoyed it.