3 comments about For Laughing Out Loud: My Life and Good Times.

1. This book's major flaw is it was a bit too long and covered the same material too many times, but it was also a great backstage pass to thirty years of the Tonight Show, and an education in how talented and impressive a resume Ed McMahon has. Filled with anecdotes and stories from the early days of television, up through the close of the 1990's, For Laughing Out Loud tells the life and times of an entertainment icon, and does it in a good old fashioned way, without bad language, lurid anecdotes, or off color remarks. Ed McMahon is quite a guy!



2. Entertaining in parts. Unfortunately somewhat disjointed and becomes rather boring towards the end. Does provide an insight into The Tonight Show and Johnny Carson. Most of the references to incidents on the show seem to come from the Video tape set- The Johnny Carson Collection" (which I highly recommend). Have also read "I'll Be Right Back" - by Mike Douglas. A much more entertaining and informative book about talk shows. I don't suppose that there is much chance of Johnny Carson writing a biography because he likes to keep his privacy. It would undoubtedly be a best seller.



3. to enjoy this book, you will need soft light, smoking jacket, cohiba, and a stiff glass of bourbon. to delve into the topic of ed mcmahon it takes that kind of mindset. johnny carson's riveting forward captures the whole essence of the "hiyo," years. ed then takes us on a whirlwind tour of late nights of enebriation and carousing. shows spent drunk with johnny, burt reynolds and dom deluise are also brought to life so vividly by mcmahon you swear you could smell the vermouth and brut 33. ed also triumphantly portrays what it was like for him at the culmination of his life's work when timothy blakesley became the first winner of the american family sweepstakes. the question of whom did he prefer: johnny or dick is explored in an honest disection by the author. by this point your not quite sure of anything because you will be on your sixth bourbon and the cigar you were smoking has caught your smoking jacket on fire. i give four stars just on entertainment value alone. HIYO!!!

No comments about A Historian's Apprenticeship.

No comments about Trollope: An Autobiography.

5 comments about The War Journal of Major Damon 'Rocky' Gause (Nova Audio Books).

1. I read this book about 4 or 5 years ago when I was stationed in Germany. It is one of the best books about WW2 I have ever read. And what makes it so fascinating, is its a true story! I wrote the author after reading it to tell him how much I enjoyed it, and he wrote me back! Great guy. Highly recommend this book to everyone with an interest in the subject.



2. 
   
   I dont doubt any of the details of Major Gauses escape story,its no doubt a great and authentic ocean survival story: but being written during the war, which Mr Gause did not survive, its perhaps fancifully fallacious in its account of the US defence during the Japanese invasion of the Philipines itself, in the tradition of wartime flag-flapping movies like 'Bataan', which attempt to make a glorious rallying cry of something pretty ignominious.
   
   If the campaigns of Singapore/Malaya and Philipines were Allied victories instead of complete, total, and lets face it, easy Japanese victories, we'd be deifying them as brilliant miraculous Allied offensives against a numerically superior enemy defence.
   
   As it is, and as I see here in some of these reviews, and as we understandably did at the time, we cop out and falsify the truth talking about 'overwhelming Japanese forces' in places like Corrigidor, Bataan and Malaya/Singapore, or similiarly excuse German walkover victories in 1940-42.
   
   the truth is, as all serious military historians certainly know now, and those in the know knew then, is that the Japanese forces that took half the Pacific and Asia as far as the Burma/India border in 1941-42 were not 'overwhelming' numerically, were in fact typically outnumbered overall by the US and British Commonwealth defending forces-add to that, the defenders typically were in possession of lavish supplies compared to the spartan Japanese.
   
   In context here, what Im saying in relation to the Gause account of Corregidor and Bataan, is I perhaps doubt the complete accuracy of his claims of Japanese killed in some incidents, as an ex-WW2 German said once of our war-movies,
   'if you had killed as many of us as easily and cheaply as in all these movies, we would have been already losing in 1939 and completely wiped out by 1940, instead of mostly kicking your arses for at least half the war and lasting 6 years against half the world.'
   
   its true. Some historians , Allied, have soberly admitted that Allied victory was in fact rare except where the ALLIES showed up in overwhelming numbers, where the Allies were either defending or attacking. And there probably were no Allied offensives from numerical inferiority, whereas, even with the Japanese, less than 50000 rampaging Japanese SOMEHOW took the Kra peninsula from at least 100000 British Commonwealth troops, and in the Philipines, it was about the same ratio Japanese to US.
   
   More honesty and credibility in some areas, please.



3. Written in the first person, this is one of the better personal accounts of WWII that I have read. Despite the the author not being a professional writer, Gause has the ability to tell a story. If some of the stories have perhaps become blurred with the passing of time, it does not distract one bit from the overall deeds of the author and him comrades. I have had the wonderful opportunity over the years of talking with and listening to many veterans of this war and others, and having spent over twenty years in the service myself, I can pretty well spot crap when I see or hear it. This is honest stuff. Recommend you read this one and also add it to your collection.



4. Beautifully written and unpretentious, this book amazes and inspires! A classic World War II account!



5. "The War Journal of Major Damon 'Rocky' Gause" is a well-told, exciting survival and escape story of World War II. Lieutenant (at the time of the events related in this book) Gause was a pilot stationed in the Phillipines when General MacArthur was ordered to retreat. His plane being destroyed, he fought with the American troops to the bitter end of the defeat of Corregidor, and through the kindness of the Filipinos and natives of the South Pacific, escaped via a 3,200 mile route to Australia.

   This story may perhaps be the greatest survival and escape tale from World War II. It's full of close calls (a Japanese submarine surfacing next to their craft), thrills (a disguised Nazi officer trying to murder Gause and his companion, Lt. Osbourne, in their sleep), quirks (getting much-needed help from a leper colony) and hardships (their small wooden craft being thrown about in a storm). The book also has some truly touching moments--the kindness and loyalty of the Filipinos who were willing to aid Gause despite the risk, and the picture of Gause with his son, whom he saw for a mere few hours before his deployment and subsequent death in Europe in a training exercise.

   The book is written simply (but is not a simple book), and not too politically correct (which I don't think Maj. Gause would care for being, anyway). The story flows well, and the foreward and afterword by Maj. Gause's son are well-done. The book would be improved by the inclusion of more maps showing their route and a timeline, and perhaps the reproduction of some of the original ship's log pages.

   The book also has a prologue by Stephen Ambrose (whose imprimatur should promptly silence those questioning the credibility of the story).

3 comments about The Middle Place.

1. This book is wonderful. I do not feel worthy to write about this, as she is such a beautiful writer!
   
   I am a working mother with 2 young kids and I feel harried all the time. This was such a treat for me in my crazy life. I looked so forward to my reading time every night before bed. One minute, I was crying (as she detailed the special relationship she has with her dad) and the next I was laughing out loud (at the story of her losing her virginity). Kelly has an amazing gift. I was left inspired to be a better mom, friend, wife and daughter, and at the same time, I just thoroughly enjoyed myself while reading this.
   
   I went to a reading by Kelly in the Philadelphia suburbs and she is as delightful and funny in person as she is in the book.
   
   This is a special book. Do something nice for yourself and read this book. You'll be happy you did.



2. I can't believe I'm only the second person to review this on Amazon. That's okay, because the author Kelly Corrigan, might actually read this then.
   
   Kelly (and everyone else), AWESOME book. I picked up the book at Borders while I waited for my husband to finish deciding on a purchase. The cover and blurb made me only mildly interested. But in the five minutes that I read I thought, "Wow, this is really good." And the next day I checked on Amazon to see if there was an audio version, which there was, and I heard a snippet of the audio which is played with the video on this page. I assumed it was 'read by the author.' I think I assumed that because the story is deeply personal and so is the telling of it. 'Reading' doesn't do justice to how this book comes alive.
   
   I do much of my 'reading' as I drive to and fro work on a long commute and this book falls into my category of being so good that I 1) am sorry to have finished it. 2) brought it inside my house to play while I did dishes. Just listening to it on the car ride was not enough!
   
   Somewhere in the Epilogue or Acknowledgements, there is a statement that the author is "not really a writer, but just a housewife with a laptop." Oh, no you don't. 'Writer' doesn't even do justice to the great storytelling ability of Kelly Corrigan. This is a tremendously honest and poignent narrative that will touch your heart.



3. Aptly titled, The Middle Place refers to the times in our lives when we're both child of our parents and a mother or father ourselves. We can be torn by these allegiances or as Kelly Corrigan did discover untapped resources within us and a deeper understanding of life.
   
   The author begins her memoir with "The thing you need to know about me is that I am George Corrigan's daughter, his only daughter." For her that was akin to being royalty - totally loved, always encouraged, protected, safe, and happy. George, often called Greenie, was a larger than life man, a robust Irish Catholic ad salesman and lacrosse coach who never knew a stranger, enjoyed life to the fullest, and doted on his only daughter.
   
   How could any boyfriend or husband begin to give Kelly what she received from her father? That's a difficult, almost impossible act to follow. She recounts a time after she and Edward have begun living together when she had excitedly told him that she's just gotten a new job with a great salary. Of course, she expected some sort of mini celebration that evening. Instead, Edward came through the door and began checking the day's mail. When she became exasperated at his lack of enthusiasm for what has just happened to her, he replied, "I'm not Greenie, Kelly. No one is." That was the truth and in a way the beginning of her emergence into adulthood.
   
   The time came when Kelly was diagnosed with breast cancer and her beloved father who lived some 3,000 miles away was also cancer stricken. The man who had always been her mainstay now needed support himself. She is a married woman with two young children and as she says absolutely no time for "lumps."
   
   That this story can be told with humor, honesty and grace is a tribute not only to Kelly Corrigan the person but to Kelly Corrigan the writer. She is superb! Her descriptions and similes are unique, true, and sing as her pen reveals what her eyes have seen and her heart has felt.
   
   An accomplished voice performer, Tavia Gilbert is equally at home with commercials, jingles, songs, business presentations, and even assuming a fine British accent. Her narration of The Middle Place appropriately captures Kelly's tragedies and triumphs. Excellent listening!
   
   - Gail Cooke

No comments about Jacques Villeneuve (Grand Prix Heroes).

2 comments about JFK: The Kennedy Tapes, Vol. I, Original Speeches of the Presidential Years.

1. For somebody who was not alive in JFK's time, this seemed like a great way to get a feel for the politics and history of the 1960s. This approach, though, gives only a few minutes, five at most, of each speech and so the listener gets a famous highlight, but no depth of experience. I am excited about the primary exposure, but much more content and length is necessary for this to be of much use to a serious fan of history or politics.



2. This volume was a disappointment because only portions of the various speeches are used. One would expect the complete speech including the classics (American University, Inaugural etc.) Still it is fascinating to hear one of the great modern orators making his case both domestically and internationally.

No comments about Esther (Radio Collection).

No comments about "Bill Wilson" Speaks-A Collection of Talks During His Life as One of the Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

5 comments about Bend in the Road Is Not the End of the Road, A.

1. Having recently gone through a major change of my own I saw this book on tape and thought I would listen to it. I have read quite a few self help books on change from more "accepted" authorities but she has given me inspiration and really made real the fear that one can feel and how to calm yourself. I have read a lot of self help books but this was like listening to a friend tell you how she got through it. It made me realize that my change is only a fork in the road and that life can get better.



2. I tried to like this book, but it was a little too dull and boring. Her sense of humor seems contrived. I'm sure she is a nice person, but this book did not hit home with me. It didn't speak to me.

   It seems like she just wrote this book to make money.




3. I reviewed the audio tape several times and found it to be very helpful in our approach of how we deal with issues in everyday life. While many of the stories were insightful and inspiring, the one that most stuck with me was when she talked about one of her aids on Good Morning America that told Joan that she could start her day over whenever she liked, when she felt that Joan was off to a bad start in the early morning hours when most of us are still in bed. We all deal with rough times in our lives, and it is important to learn how to best deal with those times. Joan Lunden shares some idea's that would help most anyone. I also attended an Anthony Robbins seminar a few years ago - where he had assembled numerous celebrity or high achievers to speak to the thousands assembled. Joan Lunden was by far the best speaker there. This is not only a great tape or book to review, it would be one that others would really benefit from.



4. I picked this audio book up in a discount store. It was truely what I call a diamond in the rough. Sometimes people give them selves a self evaluation and feel that they need to make changes in their lives but just don't know how or where to begin. I am at that point and thru much prayer my answer came from this book. It makes you realize that though change is a part of life and sometimes it is vital, it is how we handle it that can make the difference. I've read the reviews and I while they are all different it is how we view something as to how we will benefit from it. There are some things I did not agree with and I chose not to focus on those things. There was much that I can use to my advantage and I choose to do just that. My whole life is about to change. From a person who felt that there was no hope I can say keep looking and keep praying. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Keep an open mind and an open heart and be ready to recieve the blessings.



5. I picked this audio book up in a discount store. It was truely what I call a diamond in the rough. Sometimes people give them selves a self evaluation and feel that they need to make changes in their lives but just don't know how or where to begin. I am at that point and thru much prayer my answer came from this book. It makes you realize that though change is a part of life and sometimes it is vital, it is how we handle it that can make the difference. I've read the reviews and I while they are all different it is how we view something as to how we will benefit from it. There are some things I did not agree with and I chose not to focus on those things. There was much that I can use to my advantage and I choose to do just that. My whole life is about to change. From a person who felt that there was no hope I can say keep looking and keep praying. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Keep an open mind and an open heart and be ready to recieve the blessings.