Dune, The Duke of Caladan

Background

Published in Oct of 2020, Dune, The Duke of Caladan is the story of Leto Atreides. Who was this man and how did he get the privilege to oversee the spice mines on Arrakis. This novel is the first of 3 prequels to the saga of Dune.

Dune the Duke of Caladan
Dune the Duke of Caladan

My Thoughts

Another great book which felt very close to the writing of the original Dune series. Leto Atreides is set up to be the paragon of honor and responsibility. I’d compare him to Abraham Lincoln without the sense of humor. His people love him and his enemies hate him. Even the corrupt Emperor respects him…

Recommendation

Great read and worth the time.

The Man I Knew

Background

Published in June of 2021, The Man I Knew is the biography of George Herbert Walker Bush, our 41st President of the United States. This comes from the perspective of his Chief of Staff (Jean Becker) throughout the years as President and up to his death.

The Man I Knew
The Man I Knew

My Thoughts

I didn’t really think a lot of President HW Bush or Bush 41. As I was less interested in Politics at the time and more in SNL, most of my knowledge of the man was through Dana Carvey.

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/george-h-w-bush-supports-dana-carvey-cold-open/2872690

Still, I really enjoyed the book and am impressed with what he was able to accomplish. This book didn’t have much before his presidency, which makes sense given the author, but I was completely blind to the great things he did after his term in office. This book highlighted several things I didn’t know or just wasn’t paying any attention to. (E.g. His friendship with Bill Clinton, his service to China, his humanitarian projects.)

Recommendation

Great read.

Dune The Lady of Caladan

Background

Published September of 2021, Dune The Lady of Caladan is the second book in the new prequels to Dune. This book focus is on the Lady Jessica who was brought back to the Bene Gesserit and forced away from her family.

Dune The Lady of Caladan
Dune The Lady of Caladan

My Thoughts

A great book that felt very true to the writing of Dune. I actually thought I was rereading one of the old fan fictions and was surprised to find out this was a new book. Of course, as this was book 2, I had to find and read book 1.

Recommendation

Great read, very entertaining.

Madam Speaker

Background

Published in April of 2021, Madam Speaker is the biography of the first female Speaker of the House in America, Nancy Pelosi. The story begins with her grandparents, parents, and finally through the events of her life.

Madam Speaker
Madam Speaker

My Thoughts

I am not a Nancy Pelosi fan. I find her politics to be far too partisan and left leaning for my tastes. However, I was surprised to hear a number of facts about her. For example, I didn’t know she grew up on the East Coast and that her father was the mayor of Annapolis Maryland. The book made a point that most folks believe she was a product of her district (San Francisco) and I have to admit I was one of them.

I can respect she is the first female speaker of the house and that she is a hard worker. However, not much else was endearing to me. (I did enjoy reading through the section when “the Squad” showed up and caused all kinds of issues.) She strikes me as a busybody social elite who thinks she knows how the rest of us are supposed to live. Unfortunately, she has the power to make that happen.

Recommendation

It wasn’t a bad read and had some surprises. However, I suspect it won’t change anyone’s mind about who she is. Read if you are interested.

The Audacity of Hope

Background

Published in 2006, The Audacity of Hope was then Senator Obama’s start for his bid to the Presidency. The book lays out his political opinions and reads somewhat like a speech. To say it was popular would be an understatement. It was a best seller for 30 weeks, endorsed by Opra, and even won a Grammy for the best spoken word book.

The Audacity of Hope
The Audacity of Hope

My Thoughts

Remembering the groundswell at the time, I recall thinking, “who is this guy?” He pretty much came from nowhere and people loved him. It turned out that wasn’t a flash in the pan response.

I was struck by how similar some of his statements were to President Trump and how others would be deeply unpopular today. (Emphasis on families, and so on.) He seemed forthright and honest in his communication. However, it was very interesting to compare what he wanted to do in this book and with what actually happened in his presidency.

Recommendation

Worth your time if you are interested in history.

You Are Worth It

Background

Published in October of 2015, You Are Worth It is the story of the youngest medal of honor recipient, Kyle Carpenter.

You are Worth It
You are Worth It

My Thoughts

This is an inspiring story of a Marine who never gave up. The book is simply his story told in a forthright and honest way. Kyle Carpenter is a clean cut, honest, thankful, and all around good person. He is someone to look up to in this world.

Recommendation

A great read but has some grisly parts.

Bunnicula 1-7

Background

Bunnicula is a work of fiction originally thought up by the husband and wife team of James and Deborah Howe. The named character Bunnicula is a pet bunny who sleeps during the day and sucks the juices out of vegetables. However, the main characters are their pet cat Chester, who is convinced their is a conspiracy behind everything, and their dog Harold, who is thoroughly a dog. Harold is also set up as the semi-autobiographical author of the books. These books are billed as 3rd to 5th grade reading level.

1 Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery (1979)
2 Howliday Inn (1982)
3 The Celery Stalks at Midnight (1983)
4 Nighty Nightmare (1987)
5 Return to Howliday Inn (1992)
6 Bunnicula Strikes Again! (1995)
7 Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow (2006)

The Bunnicula Collection
The Bunnicula Collection
Bunnicula Books 4 and 5
Bunnicula Books 4 and 5
Bunnicula Books 6 and 7
Bunnicula Books 6 and 7

My Thoughts

This series was a fun read. I enjoyed the interplay between the pets and they tried to understand the world around them.

Recommendation

Worth the time to read.

1491

Background

Published back in 2005, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, is a compilation of information of American life before the Europeans started visiting.

1491
1491

My Thoughts

My thoughts are all over the map on this book. The narrative is so different from that which I was taught that I find myself questioning the sources. However, if true, the information is pretty amazing. The notion of the Americas as a completely settled land and that it was domesticated by the native peoples is pretty amazing. After confirming with my sons in High School, this is indeed what is being taught in the school curricula. I will have to find some supporting information but I did enjoy the book.

Recommendation

An important read.

The Six Keys

Background

“The 6 Keys” is a book written by Jillian Michaels that explores the six essential pillars of health and wellness. In this book, Michaels draws on her years of experience as a fitness expert and life coach to provide readers with practical advice on how to improve their physical and mental well-being. The six keys include nutrition, hydration, sleep, mindfulness, movement, and community, and Michaels provides detailed guidance and strategies for how to optimize each of these areas in one’s life. The book is designed to help readers achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle, leading to increased energy, vitality, and overall well-being. Published in October of 2018.

The 6 Keys
The 6 Keys

My Thoughts

I was looking for a book that would help me motivated to lose some weight and exercise. This one did pretty well. While I’m not particularly a fan of Ms. Michaels, I thought she had some good ideas in the book. (There were some things over the top as well such as replacing your furniture with only solid wood due to the harmful effects of “off gassing” from pressed wood.) She attempts to make cellular functions and nutrition understandable and her general approach is close to my personal beliefs of moderation in all things.

Recommendation

A good book for motivation but can be long in places.

McMafia

Background

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
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.