5 comments about Power, Money & Sex.

1. I was wandering around a Gold Beach, Oregon book store last week and just happened to pick up Deion Sanders' book. I vaguely knew who he was. For some strange reason, I purchased it. Although, riddled with grammatical and spelling errors, I found his message very compelling. I am just new to the world of Jesus and have had many folks in my life talk to me about living a Christian life, but I have to say that Deion's book really TALKED to me about this issue. More than anyone else. He just broke it down in plain terms and related his story in a way that spoke to me loud and clear. Thanks Deion.



2. I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE QUITE INTERESTING AND WRITTEN WITH HONESTY. DEION HAS ALWAYS BEEN FLASHY AND FLAMBOYANT. HE PRESENTED HIMSELF AS BEING THIS WAY ALL THE TIME. HIS "PRIME TIME" PERSONALITY IS NOT WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A MODEL CITIZEN ON HOW TO PRESENT YOURSELF. HE SAYS UNDERNEATH HE IS A CHRISTIAN AND HUMBLE, I HOPE HE IS. I HAD HOPED HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN MORE DETAIL TO HIS CAREER. THIS IS WORTH READING AND ENJOYABLE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DEION AND PLEASE WRITE ANOTHER BOOK WITH MORE DETAIL AND INSIGHT INTO HOW TO LIVE LIFE.



3. Let me start off by saying I like Deion Sanders, otherwise I never would have purchased his book. And I admire the fact that the man has come a LONG way and overcome many obstacles to accept Christ into his life.
   However, I do have a major complaint - well, two to be totally honest.
   One, Deion seems to blame all his past problems on others. Even though Deion admits he was hell on wheels and self destructive for a time, he still doesn't take responsibility for many of his actions in this book. The time in Cincinnati, when he played for the Reds, when he got into an altercation with a security guard while he was riding around in a golf cart. Everyone knows Deion made that situation worse than it ever could have been, but in Deion's retelling of the story, the security guard provoked him. There are several more stories like this one, where Deion was involved in something that escalated because the other party in the dispute was out to "get him". I'm not going to say that everything that has happened to Deion is his fault, but let's be real - a lot of it is. I'm surprised, as a christian, that Deion hasn't stepped up to the plate and taken a little more responsibility for his past actions. I'm not judging Deion, but I must admit my disappointment.
   The other problem I had with the book, and this is most likely not Deion's fault but rather the authors, is that his "escapades" are glamourized, instead of downplayed. I've read several biographies written by famous people - athletes, politicians, actors, etc - and they all are guilty of this. I understand the risk you take as a writer, explaining the past deed and attempting to unfold what happened, but doing so in a manor that is interesting to the reader. When this happens, it's every easy to glamourize the story, instead of exposing it for the bad thing that it was.
   Overall, an entertaining read, albeit somewhat short to my surprise.



4. Overall, I really enjoy Deion and I was looking forward to reading his autobiography, but I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. It wasn't as 'thorough' as I thought - and his cockiness and self-centeredness really showed. I still enjoy him, and I wish him the best on his journey with Jesus.. I just pray that he's sincere.



5. I've always dug Deion Sanders.To Me he has been the Most Complete Athlete of His Time.cuz He is a Good Baseball Player&A Great Football Player.but More Importantly The Brother is Very Honest with Himself&His Surroundings.he has come full circle&has Inner Peace.this is a Great Book.

5 comments about A Promise Is a Promise: An Almost Unbelievable Story a Mother's Unconditional Love and What It Can Teach Us.

1. After Wayne Dyer (of whom I am a big fan!) wrote about this woman and indeed, wrote this book with his wife, I was curious to read it. Even though after reading the summary of it, and looking at Edwarda O'bara's website, I had some questions.
   
   Anyway, I did not find this inspirational at all, and quite honestly, I think that Kaye O'Bara has made herself into a martyr. Having worked as a nurse, and done homecare with patients, I cannot for the life of me figure out why she has had to sacrifice so much to keep her daughter alive. Never leave the house? Feed her every two hours? Please, give me a break.
   
   There are these very commonly used devices called feeding pumps, and they are very sensitive, and can deliver as much or as little food as you want per hour--they are used on premature babies and can deliver as little as 1 cc an hour for heaven's sakes. So why isn't Edwarda on a feeding pump at night? Why is Kaye sleeping only 90 minutes at a time and feeding her daughter every two hours? Sorry, but even the most brittle diabetics do not have to be fed that often. And with a feeding pump, she can sleep all night and keep her daughter fed.
   
   Now, she feeds Edwarda every two hours round the clock. Why? What person, even a diabetic in a coma, needs to eat that often? Again, if Edwarda's metabolism is that unstable, the feeding pump would work wonders. And why does she need to check her blood sugar and give insulin every 4 hours? Diabetics generally don't set their alarm clocks in the middle of the night to check their blood sugar. You would think that after all this time, and with the same routine, Edwarda's schedule would become routine and she could go through the night without insulin. And there are also insulin pumps which can keep blood sugar stable. Sorry, Kaye, but you know that it is quite possible for you to sleep through the night--or at least, 4-6 hours at a stretch.
   
   And her visions of Mary? Well, I am a believer in apparitions and I do believe that saints, Jesus, Mary, etc, have appeared before people. However, I think that Kaye is hallucinating from exhaustion, and has in her mind that Edwarda is somehow "blessed" and that she has a divine mission.
   
   Kaye's decision to keep Edwarda at home is certainly noble, and she says that is because she made a "promise" to her daughter never to leave her. Uh, I highly doubt that this is what her daughter had in mind. When she fell ill, she was undoubtedly frightened and made her mother promise that she wouldn't leave her alone, probably referring to leaving her in the hospital by herself! I think Edwarda would be horrified to see how her mother has martyred herself on her behalf, on the basis of words uttered by a frightened teenager. Kaye has taken these words to mean that she is supposed to sacrifice her life so that her daughter (who I believe has long gone from this realm)will not be "alone."
   
   Kaye keeps insisting the Edwarda is going to wake up, but its been 37 years. I think it's time to face reality, and maybe enjoy what time she has left in her own life. Sorry, but I found this book extremely depressing and Kaye to be a little unbalanced and she needs to let go. I'm not talking about allowing Edwarda to die, but to place her in a hospice or long term care facility, and maybe spend some time with her other child who she has grossly neglected for the past 37 years. Take a walk on the beach, go to church, sleep all night. She can visit Edwarda everyday and make sure she is being taken care of, she has sacrificed enough of her life, and as I said previously, I am sure that this is not what any daughter would expect from her mother.
   
   I'm glad that I took this out of the library, as I would not recommend it to anyone.



2. I, like I am sure everyone else who read this book was deeply touched. My respect for Kaye was imeasurable thinking of all the sacrifices she made. I can honestly say the only other mother who may surpass her is Jean Ellison. (One mother, One Daughter, One Journey by Jean and Brook Ellison)Jean Ellison not only does what Kaye does, but her daughter, unlike Edwarda is paralyzed from the neck down since she was 11 years old.You may have heard that her mother attented ALL HER CLASSES from 7th grade to senior year in Havard. I was a little troubled by reviewer Patricia had stated. The first being a very valid question, if Wayne Dyer is such a good friend and a multimillionare then why not set up a trust? It is a valid question. Yes I know that the proceeds from the book go to Kaye Obara, but after books are read they are resold and that money goes to the original buyer, Kaye Obara does not receive that money.Secondly, what I found troubling was the statement that she (the reviewer Patricia ) had lunch with Kaye and indicated she was not a sweet, soft spoken person.She further states she will not elabarate, but I wished she had. Is this kind of scam? Did Patricia mean that she was just a stronger person than she thought, but then states not is always as it seems. I now hesitate to donate anything as this has me wondering. The book was beautiful, but this review troubled me as this person actually met someone from the story and did not seemed impressed.



3. I so wish I were rich, so I could buy more copies of this book and give away. I buy as many as I can from the used bin. I don't think the money gets back to Kaye and Edwarda when I buy the used books, but at least the message is getting out.
   I give the books to friends. send them to those indivisuals in positions's of authority, ie: mayors, politicians, civic leaders, friends and relatives. I highly encourage everyone to buy as many copies as you can and give away. new or used, the money and message gets spread. if you have any doubts as to whether or not this book is this good, at least buy one copy for yourself and read it.
   Dr. Dyer has much good info for everyone, above and beyond "A Promise is A Promise"
   thank you so much Kaye and Edwarda !!
   cowboy bob !!



4. I noticed someone below who was curious as how one could keep tabs on the story of Edwarda O'Bara..
   There is a website dedicated to them at www.edwardaobara.com
   with pictures and messages from the mother.This is the only thing I can really add to the reviews below.



5. There are so many good things I can say about this book, but what I have been thinking about since I read it, is when I see the news talking about Mrs. Schiavo's ordeal...After reading about Edwarda and her mother, Kaye, I was truly overwhelmed at the thought of what one person would do for another. I am a mother of 3 boys and I would do anything for them. Maybe after reading about Kaye doing what she has done for her daughter, only reassures me that beautiful, very selfless miracles do exist and I am more sure I could draw strength from this.

   At first, with the Schiavo case, I thought it was rather selfish to keep someone alive who really didn't want to be...Then after reading Wayne Dyer's book about Edwarda & her mother, I re-thought my options, mainly determining that nobody on this earth has the right to declare someone's life over, unless it is written out somewhere by that person, and even that is questionable at this point. I think God is the only One who has this say in such a manner.

   I'm so glad that Kaye had not given up on her daughter and that she has basically told the rest of the world that she is here to do this for her, at whatever cost, and without concern of what other people think about how she's going about doing so.

   I only wish there was a way to find out the current status on this story...How do I find out where things stand? If someone knows, please update me...I would appreciate that.

5 comments about West Dickens Avenue: A Marine at Khe Sanh.

1. This book really took me on an emotional journey of an average young man through the hell of Khe Sanh. It makes my own tours to that sad forgotten war feel like a cake walk. Really Mel Gibson should take a look at this book as a screen play for a real power house of a movie about that war; no officers, no extreme river trips, no bad guy good guy of "Platoon", just an average Joe from New York, protecting his balls, his friends and his mortar.
   
   The ending was a killer, heh "Florida", in that one sentence he captured the return we all shared.
   
   Good job John, keep writing.



2. Finding a good book about the Vietnam War is surprisingly difficult. Almost all are tainted with a certain America-hating, elitist, pseudo-intellectual flavor, based on the assumption that this country was dead wrong for ever having been there.
   John Corbett's book was a breath of fresh air. The author is not trying to make any profound political or cultural statements; he is simply telling his story of the siege of Khe Sanh and of the brave and great men who fought this battle. His writing style is so straight-forward and unassuming that someone might conclude that he is trying to trick us. However, this is not the case. The reader should not be deceived by Corbett's first-person narrative. It's simplicity in tone only serves to highlight the selflessness and heroism of these very brave men.
   Corbett was a man who intended to dodge the draft, but instead chose to do a stint in Vietnam with the marines. His sacrifice, and the sacrifice of all of those served in that very far-away place, is humbling to anyone who reads this book.
   The story is riveting, and is a wonderful alternative to the standard, anti-american garbage that has been in print about this war for too many decades (i.e. Full Metal Jacket). Here is a book that should be made into a movie!
   Thank you, Mr. Corbett, and to all the others who served with you, for your service to your country, and for this book.



3. Mr.Corbett did a good job putting me there with him during his 77 days of hell. This was not meant to be a story about Khe Sanh but a personal account of a young man's terrifying ordeal at Khe Sanh. Yes,the book is full of 'short choppy sentences' but it is not a history lesson. Mr. Corbett's intimate details are a must read for all Americans who just don't have a clue what Vietnam Vets endured both during and after serving.



4. this is 1 of the worst books i've read-don't get me wrong-the story of the marines at khe sanh is 1 of tremendous courage, dedication and honor--absolutely no question...but this book does a lousy job of portraying to the reader--i struggled to even finish it--the writing was horrible and choppy. it's obvious that this is corbett's first writing effort--and 35 yrs after the "action" didn't help him deliver a sensible, realistic
   description of really happended there.this book is a fairly lame portrayal of what happened there. please understand that i truly believecorbett lived it-experienced it but i must say he does a poorjob of writing about it--6 word sentences just don't
   do it-especially when it repeats over and over again that is was dangerous there and the enemy wanted to kill him--we all know that, and we don't need to hear it every 3 pages-and if you spent 13 mos there, and decided to write about it, would you only take ~275 pages? i was very disappointed.



5. It was like reading a diary. Very to the point. It was as the old saying goes. Like watching a trainwreck. You don't want to watch but you can't take your eyes off it. Anyone that is interested in a human look at the Vietnam war. A view that is not sterilized by military jargon, dates, and places. This book is for you. It is the quickest 200 pages I have ever read. Amazing.

2 comments about My Experiments With Truth.

1. With incorrect pronunciations and clear lack of voice punctuations (possibly because the author is not a native speaker), this CD didn't make for a good listen. This might not count as Fredrick Davidson's most eloquent work. I felt the rhetoric was weak probably because of lack of emotions and empathy towards the sensitive and life altering episodes in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Although "Gandhi" was pronounced correctly - I was disappointed.



2. This abridged narration of M.K. Gandhi's book is read by an englishman who tries very hard to put on an Indian Accent. Why this effort was taken for a non-fictional work is unclear.

   Many of the Indian words and phrases are clearly mispronounced. This work should have been read by someone with some understanding of India and indian terms.

   The fake indian accent is rather obvious through-out the production. At times one might even be ammused by this englishmans antics with accents. Gandhi woud not have appreciated this work.

   Several events in the book which is considered as required reading in Indian Schools have been dropped. While other less significant events have been included.

5 comments about Living History.

1. A very real, open look into the life of Hillary Rodham Clinton. She dares to be vulnerable in many areas of the book, while maintaining the class and dignity she is known for by her fans. A great read...I couldn't put it down.



2. For me, the book was particularly a big bore. It seems as though her autobiography is an attempt to glorify her years sidelined in the White House. The book can only be truly enjoyed by Hillary enthusiasts. I'm not a critic of Hillary Clinton, but specifically this book was written with very dry, shriveled style. If you'd like to read a decent biography of Hillary Clinton, I suggest Carl Bernstein's biography of her.



3. A Memoir Review: Living History
   By Hillary Clinton
   
   Upon witnessing abridged television clips of Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign speeches, I made the ignorant assumption the Presidential hopeful was clueless: "she's the wife of a former President; based on what professional formation does she speak?" The impression was unjustifiable. I considered her candidacy an attempt to re-establish the family name given former President Bill Clinton's embarrassing impeachment. Politics, after all, is much more than meets the eye, and as I discovered via the woman's autobiographical memoir Living History, Hillary Rodham Clinton is certainly much more than meets the eye.
   
   My primary reason to pick up Clinton's book was to learn about her political career--nevertheless, the work covers her early life extensively. This is appropriate, and crucial to set the context of her years as an executive. The initial chapters are engaging: not only are they an insightful look into Hillary as a young woman, but also an insightful look at being an American youth in the sixties. Clinton's extensive resume is testament to her scholarly knowledge, and her presence behind the scenes at The White House contributes to an equally significant practical knowledge. Hearing of her pioneering speech at Wellesley College, the first student to have ever given a commencement address, her entry into the all-male Rose Law Firm, and her intertwining of typically hardball politics and compassionate child work made me recognize Hillary Rodham was bound for a high-profile political career long before meeting William Jefferson Clinton.
   
   Clinton's writing embodies humanistic qualities, as if she is still an accessible advocate for everyday hiring. This fact is emphasized by her commentary on routine activities, and her naming of each political associate with which she worked. This latter aspect truly fleshes out the memoir--regardless, the squat descriptions of her colleagues sound unappealingly phoney. Everybody in Arkansas seems to be a close friend of the couple: "As soon as Bill and I became a couple, they became friends of mine. And their sons became close to Chelsea" (Clinton 105). Speaking of partner Sara Ehrman, a member of Senator McGovern's legislative staff, "We sized each other up and decided we would enjoy the ride together, and it was the start of a friendship that endures today" (Clinton 60).
   
   Alluding to "businessman and longtime politico" Jim McDougal, he "was a character: charming, witty and eccentric as the day is long" (Clinton 87). Admiring former Mayor of Little Rock, "Webb Hubbell was a big, burly, likeable man" (Clinton 80). Referring to trip director Kelly Craighead, "she had a lot of insight, dedication and spunk." Clinton chooses three formulaic adjectives to describe each of her acquaintances, and the mechanical style soon becomes tedious. The technique corroborates the "safeness" of Clinton's autobiography: nothing shocking, nor a "tell-all"--simply reserved commentary of nationally and personally historic moments. Understandable, since she would be running for President six years later. In this sense, I do believe there were ulterior motives for the memoir's release; the 2003 year of publishing was opportunely timed for Clinton's 2008 candidacy. The latter stipulation supports my learning that a Presidential campaign begins as soon as one shakes hands with the lowest-ranking political official twenty years from an official convention, and that one's private life will be increasingly scrutinized and distorted.
   
   There is little mention of the financial burden statewide and national elections place on nominees, which I found surprising given Bill Clinton's numerous campaigns. This is insight I was looking forward to reading about, given its increasing importance in our visually driven and electronic society.
   
   Though I have not reached the chapters focussing on the infamous Whitewater scandal, nor her conversations with Eleanor Roosevelt, I have already changed my impression of Hillary Rodham Clinton: she is a well-informed Democrat, whose has consistently demonstrated her leadership skills. Clinton is an activist currently living in manner she has promoted all her life, literally living history.



4. So many people want to give their opinion of Hillary and not the book itself. I found the book extremely interesting and informative and the information she provides about all of the things she learned as First Lady I do feel made her perfectly well suited to become President. She knows all the appointments that need to be made, all the jobs that need to be filled, and she's learned what types of comments and actions can get you in trouble while in the White House. I find her incredibly smart and had no idea of all the different issues that she is familiar with and all the people and friends she has made over the years who can and do give her insight. All in all a delightful book and a good read.



5. Most conservatives give this book 1 star. Why? EVERY conservative should read this book. Now if I were judging it purely as a memoir, let's just say that James Frey has nothing on Hillary Clinton when it comes to "embellishment" (or should we call it "mis-writing"?).
   
   But for those conservatives who know how to do a web search or two, this book is rife with useful material. Contrast her story of Watergate versus Jerry Zeifman's account, for instance. Or read pages 440, 448, 465-466 on her account of how she and Chelsea learned about Monica Lewinski (and then ask after repeating the names Juanita Broaddrick, Elizabeth Ward, Paula Corbin, Kathleen Wiley, Gennifer Flowes, Paula Jones, etc. "So, you're telling me that this is how it went down? OK, so choose -- is she the dumbest woman in America or the biggest liar?").
   
   For a real laugh, read her account of Whitewater -- seriously, if you read this out loud, people would think you're doing a comedy routine.
   
   And her rewriting of the history of her health insurance debacle and the aftermath is priceless. Her tales of Bill's leadership and how she was a support are gems.
   
   EVERY conservative should buy several colors of highlighters and read this book (preferably alongside a copy of Dick Morris' Rewriting History). Besides, with every book purchase, you get a free dartboard (the cover).

1 comments about Victoria & Albert (Well-Spoken Companion Series).

1. This live performance recorded at the Mencken Concert Hall in New York City is extraordinary.
   Laurence Houseman (1865-1959), was a prolific writer and wrote several plays centered around Queen Victoria. This is an adaptation of two of them, "Victoria and Albert" (1933), and "Victoria Regina" (1934), and it also includes private and public writings of the queen and her prince consort.

   Queen Victoria was a strong, temperamental character, and few men could have withstood being her consort with as much grace as Prince Albert. Being a sober and temperate man, he was a good balance for her, and of course, it was a rare and wonderful affection that flowed between them for 22 years.

   The incredible wit in these readings will have you howling with laughter. One of the funnier parts concerns her dislike for small children. Albert was a much better "mother" to their nine offspring, and her descriptions of an infant are hilarious !

   Julie Harris and Richard Kiley are totally brilliant. I can't imagine a more perfect performance, capturing all the love, humor, and strength of these two remarkable, complex people who changed the course of history.
   I've always been fascinated by Victoria and Albert...I feel there is much more substance to them than what seems to be the current "fashionable" opinion, and for anyone who shares that interest, this tape is an absolute must to listen to.

No comments about General George Washington: A Military Life.

1 comments about Supreme Faith: Someday We'll Be Together.

1. Supreme Faith begins in 1970. Barry Gordy has long been paving the way for his lover, Diana Ross, to shed the Supremes and claim her solo stardom. But what happens next wasn't what Gordy and Ross had planned. While Ross has only one Top-10 hit in the next four years, the Supremes (now with Jean Terrell) see hit after hit climb the charts, with songs like "Up the Ladder To the Roof" and "Stoned Love." But then Gordy turns his attention to making movies instead of records, and all the Motown artists - such as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and even the Jackson Five - find their instant success no longer so instant as the unstoppable Motown hit machine grinds to a halt. The record company does nothing to help the Supremes develop a new, more contemporary style, stops promoting their albums to radio stations, and when there is a hit, does nothing to keep the momentum going. Since Motown won't do it, Mary tries to keep the group going herself, but as each new member learns the truth about Motown, she ends up presiding over a revolving door of singers.
   
   Mary's private life is both wonderful and tumultuous. She has memorable romances with Flip Wilson, Steve McQueen, and Duke Fakir of the Four Tops. Then she falls deeply in love with and marries Pedro Ferrer. Pedro has the strength Mary needs to keep fighting on behalf of the Supremes - and the strength to become a wifebeater. At the nadir of her life, the Supremes are forced to appear at an oldies show at Madison Square Garden and are booed off the stage when they present new material. Days later, Pedro throws a glass at Mary, ripping away her ear.
   
   Mary gets away from Motown, divorces Pedro, and launches her solo career, only to find both her ex-husband and the record company dogging her every step. Always in the shadows is the percliar Miss Ross, whose erratic behavior, sudden phone calls, and alternately hot and cold treatment of Mary - a friend of twenty years - baffle everyone. The climax to all this occurs at the Supremes' reunion during Motown's silver anniversary special, when Diana, tired of Mary and Cindy Birdsong keeping pace with her stage movements, shoves Mary aside.
   
   Now Mary Wilson is a free woman, successful working mother, and a best selling author who does just what she loves best - singing and performing. SUPREME FAITH is the vibrant and extraordinary story of a woman surviving against impossible odds and achieving, ultimately, the triumph of a lifetime. It is a book that explores, as no other has before, the screaming roller coaster of fame, and it is a book that will open your eyes to the truth about what being a star in the entertainment business is like today.

5 comments about Platoon Leader.

1. In 1991, I had the privilege of being a student at the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth under the direction of then Col James McDonough. A man of deep reflection, he was also passionate about soldiers and ensured that everything we did as students in teh study of warfare and campaign design kept them in mind.
   
   Now I am a university professor offering courses in US military history. Part of what I do is to expose my students to leadership and battle at the small unit level. There is no better book for that purpose concerning Vietnam than McDonough.
   
   Every student takes something different away from this book because, unlike many assigned books, they read it. The book captures you right from the beginning. You really can't put it down. And, it contains more lessons about life and leadership than I can express here.
   
   Knowing the author personally in 1991-1992 is special, for I saw in him then the character that had developed from his time in Vietnam. He tells it like it is, he means what he says, and he stands by his word. His book is more than just a memoir, it is therapy for a man who must live with the past, both for better and for worse.



2. Platoon Leader was an excellent read, and one I would recommend for all those enjoy military reading. I would especially suggest it to all junior military leaders. Entertaining and well written, the author discusses at length his role as a leader, and what he views as good and bad leaders. The aspect of the book I enjoyed the most was it allowed the reader to see leadership, on a small-unit level, working in real-world combat conditions. Unlike many books leaders read for professional development, it shows how leadership works when employed and doesn't just philosophize about leadership principles.



3. As a junior officer I have an entire list of professional reading that I am trudging my way through, but so far McDonough has been by far the most enjoyable and has made the biggest impact on my own leadership style. Both Platoon Leader and Defense of Hill 781 are great books, but Platoon Leader is so far the best military memoir I have read. It has been over a year since I read this book, but the three things that have stuck with me are:
   1. Do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason.
   2. Death in a combat zone is more about just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sooner or later your luck runs out, but you have the duty to your fellow soldiers to do everything in your power to protect them.
   3. The stealing of a bottle of soda from a grandmother leads slowly but inevitable to the rape of her granddaughter. If you let your soldiers steal at all you are setting the stage for what atrocities they will commit later. You must always be vigilant in your discipline.
   
   While I do not have combat experience, I am currently serving in Iraq and know second handedly that these concepts still hold true.
   
   Other than the leadership aspect of the book, Mcdonough is just a great story teller and is able to make the book engaging and addicting.



4. James McDonough provides an in-depth look at infantry platoon operations in Vietnam. This is a must read for anyone who intends to pursue a military career. The book is very graphic, but also very succint and to the point. McDonough doesn't waste time with superfluous details, every word is well chosen and critical to the telling of the story. Once you begin reading, you will not want to stop. It is a quick read, and well worth the time it takes.



5. "Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat," by James R. McDonough, chronicles the author's experiences as an officer in the Vietnam War from 1970-71. His platoon is charged with manning an outpost next to the village of Truong Lam.
   
   This is a fascinating, well-written account. McDonough fills his narrative with vivid details that really made his story come alive in my mind. He doesn't flinch at describing the goriest and most horrific images of war. There are also moments of irony and bitter humor. Also noteworthy is the informative material about tactics used in Vietnam. And the author humanizes the story by touching on such "down-and-dirty" issues as the latrine his platoon used.
   
   McDonough's story is populated with a compelling cast of characters. Particularly intriguing is his exploration of relationships among the various groups he encountered in the war zone--U.S. enlisted men, his fellow Army officers, Vietnamese military allies, enemy forces, and the many civilians caught up in the conflict.
   
   While rich in scenes of combat, "Platoon Leader" goes beyond being just an action-packed war yarn. The book explores the ethics and morals of war. McDonough deals directly with the danger a soldier faces in becoming dehumanized by the brutality of war. He vividly portrays the struggle of a leader to remain wise and humane, yet also tough and resolute, under the most trying of circumstances. This book is both a profound meditation on wartime leadership and a powerful work of American literature.

5 comments about Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife.

1. I loved Mary Roach's first book, Stiff, about what becomes of our bodies after we die. It was so fresh. It tackled a novel, but sensitive topic in a way that was very funny, but wasn't offensive. On top of that, I learned something. It was sophisticated irreverence.
   
   I just learned that Mary has since written two more books and I was very excited to read them. Spook, about science tackling the question of the afterlife and the whether humans truly have an immortal soul seemed like it might be another fresh take on a dicey subject.
   
   It wasn't.
   
   All of the components that made Roach's sophomoric humor so successful in Stiff are missing in Spook. That form of humor works when you simultaneously demonstrate that you are capable of deeper thinking, analysis and understanding. In that case, it shows that you can work and play on many levels. When you just bring the juvenile humor, you just look juvenile. It's not a good look.
   
   Feel free to skip this one, even if you loved Stiff. On the other hand, if you haven't read Stiff, you should, even if you read this book and hated it.



2. I was entertained by this book at first because her research covered many areas I was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed that part however I felt like there was much missing. The Author carefully picked the items that already fit into her previous belief system and then rejected everything else. I am glad I read it because I can learn something new from everything...
   This is overall a very incomplete study of the afterlife.........



3. I was expecting more. given her access tos a diverse group of fascinating but unconventional people, Spook rarely rises above pointing and giggling.
   
   Given the skewering Roach gives to her unwitting collaboraters, I wonder how many more books she can write before all doors are slammed in her face.



4. Let me begin by saying that Mary Roach is an excellent researcher and a deft writer. That's the good news. The bad news is that she is immature and there is way too much Mary in this book. Reading this book is like spending an afternoon with a precocious 12 year old boy. At first she is somewhat amusing, but quickly becomes ill-mannered, whiny, and rude. By the end of the afternoon, you are quite eager to return the boorish, annoying little brat to her parents. She has a mean streak, and when I say mean I'm talking Ann Coulter-mean. She makes fun of people's names, looks, dress, and how they talk. (As a researcher, this shows terribly bad form--you do not insult those who have been kind enough to help you write the book). She also an unsettling and frequent habit of including something gross every chance she gets. I lost count of the number of times she digressed into some tangent involving bodily functions. Then she has the nerve to write something like, "It's always underpants with these guys." No, Mary, it's always underpants with YOU. The title of the book is meant to mislead, by the way (I'm sure Mary snickered when the publisher informed her about the chosen subtitle as she knew it would pull in the "suckers.") The title should actually be "A Skeptic's Cynical Guide to Wackos who Believe in the Afterlife." Mary should not be allowed out of her room until she becomes a grown-up.



5. If you want to learn anything about pretty much anything, Spook is not the book for you. Whereas Roach's earlier effort (Stiff) was at once quite funny and packed with interesting details, Spook, though also quite funny, is pretty much totally lacking in the substance area. Why 5 stars then? Because it's a no-brainer to this reader, at least, that MR's principal purpose in writing is to entertain, and only a distant secondarily to inform or instruct. In short, I did not expect to learn much about science, the afterlife, or about approaches to the study of the latter by the former when I picked up a copy of Spook. What I did expect was to be amused, greatly greatly amused. Reading page after page of MR's wry observations and hilarious turns of phrase, I certainly was. Spook is a very fun read.