5 comments about Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight.

1. I like the guy. When I see him on interviews he comes across as a logical, balanced person. The Screaming Zombies hate him with a passion, which is another positive, in my mind. I mean, someone that despised by insane people probably is doing something right, right? Still, I didn't expect much when I was given a copy of the book as a gift.
   
   But the book is terrific, with a tremendous level of detail and fact-checking that backs up his point of view. Not that it will cut any slack with with Screaming Zombies. They are immune to logic and fact.
   
   But on a certain level they ARE entertaining to watch, I guess.



2. Karl Rove is not evil. But the media sure is. This was a surprisingly good read! I enjoyed the history lessons, the experience accounts and even the stabs at Obama. Mr. Rove is a brilliant strategist. I didn't have anything in particular that I wanted to know about during Bush's presidency but I personally found the accounts of 9/11 riveting and it brought back the lump in my throat in remembering that day. I also found the accounts of the Iraq war and the surge engrossing. I would highly recommend this book.



3. 
   It is unfortunate that most readers cannot help but view this book, and its author through their political filters. By doing this, you will wind up missing a great read. If you have an interest in politics, power, and current history than this book is an absolute must. What you don't want to do is read a book like this in the hopes of understanding the true history of the Bush Administration. That will take decades and even then, most historians get it wrong, because they start with their own prejudices and allow them to slant their writings ie, the assassinations of JFK, FRK, and Martin Luther King are just examples that come to mind.
   
   Read Rove to recognize that he is a political operator of the first rank and maybe the best in the last 100 years. He is right up there with FDR's James Farley who put FDR into the Governorship in New York and then the White House in 1932. It's interesting how both Farley and Rove had photographic memories, and both could tell you how each district voted in the last 50 years of each of their lives.
   
   The stories in "Courage and Consequences" are fascinating, and the color that Rove adds to them imparts a knowledge that you won't pick up by reading your daily newspapers. His explanation of the emotion he felt the day of September 11th, and what transpired made the book's purchase worthwhile by itself. As an example Rove takes you through the Secret Service's plans to move the President around once the planes hit the World Trade Center Towers in New York. The moment the President boarded the plane in Florida, the plane started to move. The steward was literally closing the door of Air Force One into the wind as the plane lifted off the tarmac. The angle of ascent was extraordinary, propelling everybody in their seats as the plane attempted to avoid a potential air launched missile. Fighter jets encircled the plane on the sides, and above and below. Rove could see the faces of the pilots. The order had been given that the fighters would use their planes as the last line of defense and physically block an incoming plane or missile by sacrificing their lives to protect Air Force One. Where else are you going to find this kind of narrative? Maybe in Hollywood, only this is real.
   
   Upon landing in Washington after several additional Secret Service ordered stops, the President was transported to his helicopter Marine One, which then flew at tree top level back to the White House darting over streets with buildings on either side. None of this information was ever released until now. You will remember the President was accused of being absent under fire while the buildings burned, but then again, the press seldom gets it right, no matter who the President is.
   
   You may not love the man, but you are going to get a very interesting narrative that will add dramatically to your understanding of how government operates, and how Presidents get elected in the media age that we now all live in. Whether it's beating Ann Richards for the Texas governorship, or failing in the midst of Hurricane Katrina, Rove is going to come at you from a different angle than you expected. In so doing, we may not always get the truth, but in a self serving book like this, you don't always expect the truth. You do expect, and have a right to receive information that you are simply not going to find anywhere else, and Rove does achieve this. You will find this book to be a very good read, and you will finish it quickly. It's a page turner.
   
   Richard Stoyeck



4. The Good
   - Interesting background on Mr. Rove
   - Insight into how some incredibly successful campaigns
   - Very specific information on many topics from the past decade
   - Written with personal bias
   
   The Bad
   - Often petty, an autobiography addressing specific claims made by specific journalists
   - Gaping holes in memory on certain topics
   - At times the book stops being about the Author, and focuses on the actions of his president (many other books on that topic already exist)
   - Written with personal bias
   
   As a political animal at times Mr. Rove falls back to spinning his story (as will happen in all biographies), but the piece I struggle most with is how he can go from being a courageous person in a fight, to then trying to sell himself as an innocent being attacked without provocation.
   
   Most reviews will be one star or five stars based on how the reviewer feels about the author and the administration her served. As a book I think it is three stars as the author tells you that politics is all about strategic planning, and then claims innocence.



5. I love reading the reviews from both sides. There seems to be an either/or mindset. To be honest, I started the book last night (Sunday) and have enjoyed it so far. It is well written, fast paced and interesting. Yes, I said it, Rove's book interests me.
   
   Sure, I voted for Gore, Kerry and Obama. I'm a centrist with liberal tendencies. That said, as I grow older, I become more conservative. What strikes be about Rove (and by extension, true conservatives) they have a belief system they wholly endorse and believe in. Insofar as my liberal colleagues, I fear it is what they DON'T believe in.
   
   Insofar as the book, Rove refers to himself as a nerd several times. That endears himself to me. He's honest. He's a political wonk and a smart man. Whether you agree with his politics, at least learn from the man.
   
   Indeed, as a CR (look it up, hippie) Rove and his cohorts used the Yippie manifesto to help THEM in recruiting and with their "radical" politics. Very interesting.
   
   We learn about Rove as a kid, his family (good dad/dysfunctional mother) and his first marriage (yikes). In addition, we get a glimpse of how politics used to be played. It is interesting, nostalgic and a tad sad that we no longer do things as simply as we once did.
   
   As I closed the book last night, Rove was in 1980 (a 30 year old man) and about to start a direct mail political company. The Regan Revolution had not yet started.
   
   Me? I'm interested to see what happens next.
   
   Is it revisionist? Well, duh. What memoir WOULDN'T want to set the record in the favor of the author.
   
   I'll pass final judgement after I finish the book.

5 comments about Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices.

1. I LOVED this book. It is a painful, yet beautiful story of a young man that was brave enough to seek truth, even if it meant the unraveling of everything he was taught to believe in. The beauty of the story is the depth of his love and compassion for the Muslim people, even though he no longer shares their faith. Not only is the story full of beauty, it also is full of espionage and thrilling missions that will keep the reader turning the pages until late in the night.
   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.



2. ...and I read a lot. I drive 2+ hours a day back and forth to work listening to Audio Books. This is a gripping story, I can't stop thinking about it. The risks he took, leading a double life at the top of the most violent group of killers in the world. Most books are interesting but I don't expect to ever shake this one. Mosab is still on a mission. We sit around fretting about the Middle East while civilization unravels. Mosab is perhaps the only man with a complete picture of the wretched travesty, and he's not sitting, he's carrying the world on his shoulders. Our leaders are lost, so Mosab is putting his life on the line to save as many as he can. My heart goes out to him. For those of you who pray, pray God will protect and sustain Mosab.



3. Originally I bought this book as a thank you for saving many Jewish (and Palestinian) lives. Once I started reading it, couldn't put it down. Devoured it. Can not recommend enough.
   
   
   P.S. Some things still puzzle me, namely how could 25+ y.o. "religious" in the eyes of Hamas still be unmarried? How could PA's intelligence unit not uncover him using the CIA equipment? How could he explain to Hamas insiders the fact that he was studying in university (why not focus every minute of your life on killing Israelis, I would ask if I was a Hamas henchman), mingling with the Americans, and disappearing during the day for prolonged periods at a time?
   
   In any event, this book is a must-read, and once again, thank you Joseph for saving lives. Doesn't matter in the end which God it is - Muslim, Christian or Jewish - you are going to heaven no matter what happens. Jewish scriptures say "He who saves one life saves the world entire".



4. Excellent read. I've never heard much about Israeli prison but this describes how Hamas leaders in jail scrutinize their fellow Hamas members, then arrange excruciating tortures with signatures to forced confessions to bestiality, incest, satyrism, etc. Israeli correctional officers are brutal and the facilities are inhumanly cold, hot, etc and lacking in proper toilets of food. Most disgusting was how Hamas and the PLO calculated how to start another intifada well before Sharon's visit to Dome of the Rock/Temple Mount area.
   Intriguing story line, great perspectives on daily life in the Israeli territories are backdrops to the writer's developing interest in Christianity culminating in his conversion.
   Definitely worth the time!



5. Mosab Hassan Yousef presents a very one-sided highly pro-Palestinian twist on his life in the 1990s as the son of a leader of Hamas. Contemporary Palestinian history emerges with the creation of Israel in 1948. Without regard for Jews forced to leave Muslim countries, the author recounts his youthful memory of innocent Muslims randomly shot and killed by IDF soldiers and Jewish settlers. In this history, Yasser Arafat is the peace-maker in the Middle East securing from Israeli Prime Minister Rabin a two-state solution for Palestine. As the author grows in awareness of the violence surrounding him and Shin Bet details of Hamas activities, he drifts into a sense of disillusionment and bewilderment at the Arab/Palestinian anti-Western all-pervasive apprehension of anything linked to Israel or the West. With nothing but his word to offer to substantiate his claim to a more accurate depiction of the history of Hamas and given his woefully inaccurate description of an earlier history we can document, it is difficult to accept his version of the Palestinian fate that cannot be reinforced by less biased sources. Yet there remains the curious matter of his conversion. Converts from Islam to Christianity are front-line candidates for the Koranic proscription of the death penalty. Additionally, the author's alleged collaboration with various Israeli agencies in finding and killing Hamas leaders would also appear to elevate his credibility. However, conversion and collaboration are very deceptive terms. All told, it is hard to trust the author.

5 comments about Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time.

1. This book was exciting, heartwarming and educational. It opened my eyes to a region of our world that I knew nothing about and a man who has dedicated his life to the education of their children. In doing so, he has also changed many attitudes towards Americans, for the better, in that part of the world. We could use many more Greg Mortensons in this world. Thank you Greg!



2. I always look at the negative reviews first as this can be where you find kernels of truth. I looked here but must disagree with most of what I saw. Yes the writing style is a bit different; Yes there are sometimes more detail than what you would expect; And yes Mr Mortenson definitely marches to a different beat, which can be distracting in parts.
   
   However, this story is so compelling that a much worse author could have still made an impact. I actually found Mr Relin's flowery language quite picturesque - it brought me into the place with my minds eye. Whether there is artistic embellishment there or not - I don't care. I have seen a lot more of this in many staid history books (think Civil War books by well known authors). I am reminded of Ken Burns style in thinking about the prose.
   
   This book did what every good book does - it prompted in me a call to action. I am off to the website to offer a little return gift for the gift I received in reading this book.



3. This book is a must read for everyone. Not only does it highlight the need for education in all communities, but it provides insight into the current area conflicts thereby adding another dimension to our understanding of current events. Greg Mortenson outlines the struggles and motivations of the people involved in conflict in a clear, consise way - - much better than any journalist I have read. Only my opinion, but if you have any interest in building a better world this is the book to read.



4. I am enjoying "Three Cups of Tea" THOROUGHLY, mostly because I am a pacifist. I also believe seriously in providing an education to the children, so that they can make a difference (social, political) in their country....



5. I've read many climbing books, but none of them really captured the culture of the communities surrounding the mountain like Three Cups of Tea. As noted by many other reviewers, this book is not about climbing, but rather one man's quest to build schools in remote areas of Pakistan. Regardless of your political beliefs about what is going on in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Three Cups of Tea is a well written book and definitely worth the read.

5 comments about The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun.

1. I liked this book. It was recommened by several magazines so I gave it a try.



2. I loved this book and could not put it down. It offered a lot of insight about the author's personality, struggles and resolve. I share the same personality traits with her, so I can relate to many things she was struggling with. Her insights are also very action oriented, and I was able to take some small steps immediately. I am tracking my happiness activities on my chart and found it to be very helpful.



3. I was looking forward to reading this book since I found the idea of it intriguing. As I was reading, I realized that something was bothering me, but initially I couldn't figure out what it was. Finally, about half way through, it hit me: the author seems to be boasting. She goes on and on about how great her life is by letting the reader know that she has a soul mate husband, wonderful kids, a great education, her dream job, perfect relationships with in-laws and parents, tons of friends and acquaintances, etc. It had me wondering why she even embarked on this project other than the obvious: money. If she's not as happy as she could be with all of these advantages, then I am not interested in her journey, anyway. If you're looking for something insightful, I would not recommend this book.



4. The author's first commandment is "Be Gretchan". That is what we get in this book. I laughed out loud at her sincere attempts to be nicer to her husband even though he didn't seem to notice when she did an "Extreme Nice" week towards him. Her honesty about needing and wanting a gold star for all of the things she feels she needs to do to be a good wife, a good daughter, and a good daughter-in-law yields a lot of good suggestions. It's just that she can't seem to let go of her strong need for approval and a pat on the back. Her husband's "please don't make me" plea not to be coerced into stuffing and sealing Valentine photo card envelopes which is solely her idea was a tender observation of her self-described personality traits (anger, self-righteousness and prickly critical reactions.) I thought the weakest part of her sojourn was spirituality and mindfulness. Especially her quick resistance ("Be Gretchan") to exploring or even reading about Buddhism and mindfulness: no desire to do extensive research here. Her ignorance and subsequent arrogance shows up when she comes up with her own "koans" as though she already has an understanding of what Zen Koans and Buddhism are about. Cleaning out one's closets does make one feel better. There ARE a lot of helpful suggestions. In the end, Gretchan has written a book about DOING THINGS that will make one happier: the ultimate Western World approach to completing goals in life. What she is less willing to explore by "being Gretchan" is Eastern, which teaches BEING in the world. There, the striving quiets down and the self is able to reflect its true nature. Without even trying.



5. Great book, I couldn't put it down! Gretchen Rubin does and excellent job of combining wit, philosophy and advice with her own personal journey on her "Happiness Project." It'll encourage you to improve your own life and even after a few chapters I could feel a difference.

5 comments about If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You.

1. I couldn't put this book down. I've never read (or been interested in reading) a biography. I am a mini-Kelly and I learned a lot from this book. I can't wait to buy one for all of my female friends!!



2. This is an amazing book that not only includes excerpts from Kelly's colorful life experiences but also unique, one of a kind, invaluable pieces of advice. I feel like a better person after reading this book



3. I decided to read this book because I've always had an interest in transitioning into publicity/PR and the book sounded like a great read for female professionals. I thought that, though I'm not necessarily interested in fashion, this would offer some solid career tips from someone that has seen it all. It did have a few tips here and there about being tough, but ultimately, it is titled and positioned incorrectly. It isn't about lessons for career women, but rather the author's memoir about how she landed a career in the fashion PR industry after a drug-ridden and messy period of time earlier in life. There is also an out-of-place section on her spirituality and there are spiritual tips sprinkled throughout.
   
   In fact, the lessons for the readers don't actually start until page 149 in the chapter - "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside." Up until that point, it is a story about how she was addicted to drugs, was saved by her powerful tribe at times, and eventually became really successful. The name-dropping is a bit much. We get from the start that she knows and has worked with some well-known celebrities, but it is overly discussed throughout.
   
   I wasn't looking for a tale of morality, but the whole thing seemed rather shallow. In a section titled "Everything Good Happens After Thirty," one bullet point of advice is: "it's time to step it up a notch and charge headlong into the land of overpriced luxury accessories." Is that really an important part of turning 30? And as my review title states - it is extremely over-indulgent and self-inflated. For example, on page 100 she writes, "A lot of women ask me, 'How do you have it all?'"
   
   If you are curious of the inner workings of the fashion PR industry or if you are a fan of Kelly Cutrone, then it would be a good book for you. She is witty and there were parts that were interesting. If you are a career woman looking for solid advice on being powerful, I think there might be better sources of inspiration for you.



4. She is crazy. I would keep book away from teens. She does large amounts of drugs but never says it is a bad thing to do. She wants you to think her life style is glamerous. Bad role model. Only read half the book it is so boring. Sad she has a show on MTV



5. How could being this rude, self centered and obnoxious ever work in most people's lives? Kelly is in a bubble where it is normal to be mean to the people she feels are below her.

5 comments about Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.

1. I love Chelsea Handler and was so excited to read this book. It definitely provided some chuckles but nothing like I thought it would. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book but maybe my expectations were too high. I love her straightforward manner on her show and couldn't wait to read about her adventures. The book just wasn't what I expected. Looking forward to reading her other books though.



2. I bought this book because I really loved her first book, "My Horizontal Life", but was disappointed with this one. It had its moments and was enjoyable, but I wouldn't give it a ringing endorsement.



3. I loved this book! I seriously caught myself laughing out loud all alone. A really good read. If you are a fan of Chelsea a must read.



4. Chelsea Handler is hilarious! I kind of think that nothing like this could happen to one person, but whether it's all true or not it was a LAUGH OUT LOUD read for sure!



5. I loved the book. It was light and funny. My only complaint is that it was short book and I zipped thru it in no time.

5 comments about My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands.

1. This book is a frickin' riot!! What I wouldn't give to hang out with Chelsea Handler for a night!! Some stories had me laughing to the point of exhaustion!



2. I laughed out loud, read chapters to my husband who also laughed out loud. I think this book takes a certain mind set to enjoy. I think all the people who wrote negative reviews should have thought before purchasing the book "what type of book they were purchasing?" What did anyone expect from a book by Chelsea Handler titled MY HORIZONTAL LIFE? This book is funny. Don't let anyones opinion stop you from reading something they don't know if you would enjoy. Read on



3. This book is hilarious! I have been laughing out loud reading it, and can't wait to read more Chelsea Handler. Guys - this is definitely geared towards women.



4. I really enjoyed this book, its really funny and I really liked how she didn't sugar-coat anything. She did a really good job. Ill definitely buy more of her books.



5. This book really is more of a story about her life, which I enjoyed reading. Of course there were some funny parts, but it's mainly about the problems she's had with men. I would still recommend it if you're a big fan of her like I am.

5 comments about Not Without Hope.

1. I was hooked on page one. This is definitely in my top five list of the most loved books. It tells of disaster, life's elements and what people are made of. I picked this book up from the "okay" pile at a grocery store. It should be number one! I was captivated from the very begining...four friends take on some "bonding" and innocently intended fishing time. Young men who had their whole lives ahead of them. It tells of the past and future of promising careers, their relationship to each other. I know those men now. I lived through their terror and demise through a graphic,tragic account play by play. When I was in the middle of the book and crying I realized that the story had just begun. I thought...what more could go wrong? I felt their pain, their loses, their hope and their lives. The author is an amazing human being and taking that courage to survive alone depicts his super human strength that is inside him.
   I was so captivated that I couldn't "stop" reading because my heart and soul was into these four strangers who are strangers to me no more. The book made me look within myself for courage, strength and hope under devastating circumstances. I have a new view on humanity, the elements of sea and air and survival. Hooray for you Nick, it is a beautiful, sad, astounding and "impossible to imagine story". I can't imagine finding my next book of choice to even come close to this confession of the bravest soul I would ever get to know on paper. Las Vegas Nevada.



2. Nick is not one to dive beneath life's surface now, before, or during the accident. There is is a sense that more is waiting to be told.
   
   When his friends counted on him to help retrieve life jackets from the boat, he refused to dive under. But 24 hours later when Nick was the sole survivor, he suddenly was able to search under the craft.
   
   When Corey wanted a chance to climb on the boat, Nick fought him off. Then he justifies it by saying, "There isn't room." Why didn't they take turns on the boat? Why was Corey always the one left in the water? Nick says that Corey went crazy at the end. Maybe Corey was mad as hell that Nick would not share the safe spot.
   
   Maybe Corey was mad as hell that Nick took it upon himself to declare Marquis's death. Nick let Marquis float away and fifteen minutes later, Nick says, Corey went crazy on him. Did Nick have any prior experience in declaring people dead? And once Marquis was gone, why wouldn't Nick let Corey on? Nick says he was holding on to Corey for Corey's sake but maybe Nick was holding Corey OFF the boat. Only Nick knows and only Nick will always know. I wonder how any of us would handle ourselves out in the middle of a stormy ocean when that human survival instinct kicks in.
   
   Nick details his efforts to save the others and the tale as told is spellbinding but only because it offers insight into one man's death defying efforts to survive deep, frigid, roiling waters. Without a doubt, Nick battled the elements. His fortitude is inspirational. But a surface kind of guy comes off shallow in the telling of his story.



3. Just finished the book and you just go, "Whao"! Could not put it down. Great read. Nick Schuyler just had everything going for him that day.



4. I appreciated the honesty of the author. The story was very well told. Even though I knew the outcome it had me hoping for a better ending. The details sometimes made me feel as if I was there.



5. On February 28, 2009, Clearwater, Florida is chilly even with the Phillies in town for Spring Training. Early that morning four twentyish men sail from Tampa Bay into the Gulf of Mexico for a day of camaraderie fishing before leaving for different parts of the country. Three of them are football players with two in the NFL (Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith) and the third Will Bleakley having played recently at the University of South Florida. They and the fourth Nick Schuyler expect a fun day. However, 35 miles from Florida, disaster strikes when their boat capsizes. They survive clinging to the ship for hours, but hypothermia eventually kills Marquis, Corey and Will in that order. Almost two full days since the boat turned over, the Coast Guard rescues Nick whose survival is believed to have been caused by seasickness, which led him to wear much warmer clothing than his doomed friends.
   
   Not Without Hope is an incredible account of death and survival as Nick not only fights the bitter cold, but the frightening fear of helplessly watching your friends die while wondering when your turn occurs. Readers will appreciate this powerful memoir as Nick struggles with survivor guilt and more. Although at times his vivid descriptions are redundant, fans will know how Nick feels as he pulls no punches with this deep harrowing description of forty-five hours in hell.
   
   Harriet Klausner

5 comments about The Glass Castle: A Memoir.

1. this stunning memoir released several years ago, and it was sitting on our bookshelf, as my wife had read it. i'd heard great things about it, and can only say they undersold it. rarely, if ever, have i read a true story that so defies the "good/bad" continuum on which we like to plot families of origin. really, jeannette walls' upbringing is ghastly, and one i would not want imposed on even the most annoying or horrible kid i've ever met. but, at the very same time (or, more accurately, intermittently) there are regular moments of love and insight and adventure that lift this off that continuum. i've met many kids from privileged surburban homes (the opposite of walls' experience) who's parents provide for physical needs, but spend their lives completely disengaged from their kids in every emotional and relational way. just when i was wanting to smack her parents, they did or said something breathtakingly wonderful. and just when i was thinking i might give them the benefit of the doubt (something the author seems at peace with doing, in the end), her parents become icons of off-the-charts selfishness and stupidity. it's an amazing story in-and-of-itself; but the implications are greater than the story. most parents (myself included) fall on both sides of the bell curve; only a few fall, consistently, to one side or the other; walls' parents are so outside the standard deviation in both directions that the bell is no longer meaningful.



2. This was a great memoir reminiscent of Mary Karr's Liar's Club. I loved every minute because her point of view was natural and real. My heart broke for these children who were so neglected and hungry. It's hard to understand how parents can rationalize their behavior other than that they were both sick. Good for Jeanette for rising above it all. Poor Maureen who was left with nothing. I'm about to start Half-broke Horses.
   Marcia Fine
   [...]



3. This is the best book I've read in a long time- Jeannette Walls has a moving story to tell, which she does with insight and humor. Her most recent book, "Half Broke Horses", the true story of her grandmother, is also a jewel. I saw Walls at the Miami Book Fair in November- she was quite inspiring, (and funny!), and she received a standing ovation after her presentation.



4. This book feeds pain bodies. The author gave me nothing but a string of negative incidents where her parents were neglectful and or feeding their addictions and being quirky and or mentally ill. It was boring. There is so much more to this story but Walls' holds back, most likely because it will be in another edition which her happy readers will buy into, and once again you will get only half a story. In my humble opinion it is half a book, and appeals to the voyeurs in us. If you are feeling sad in any way dont read this book.



5. If this were simply a novel, it would be a great read, but knowing that this is a true life memoir takes it over the top. A great read!!

5 comments about Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage.

1. I absolutely loved this book. It was also in great shape when i received it.



2. Elizabeth Gilbert has done it again and written a story story directly to my heart and soul. Though not at all like Eat Pray Love, Committed is just as moving. Anyone who has ever been in, ever lost, or ever hopes to have a successfull relationship would benefit from reading Committed.



3. Gilbert's voice is continually lovely, informative and sometimes laugh out loud funny.
   
   This book really helps to illuminate the de-valuazation that can happen to the SELF in marriages and when caring for children (which in our history both have fallen typically on women).
   
   The historical facts, which some non-sensical findings are only from years ago, are sometimes down right shocking.
   
   Loved it. Love her. Love myself.



4. As much as I enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love, I was relieved to read Committed, which (after the first few pages) provides another volume of Elizabeth Gilbert's delightful, humorous and insightful writing by a more grown-up woman. I shared the opening of Eat, Pray, Love with the writing class I'm teaching in Jerusalem, but realized that Committed was too advanced for these young adults. Why should they care about the challenges of marriage? But we grown-up's who know marriage from the inside will appreciate the deep thinking, the research Gilbert has so thoughtfully digested for us, and the optimism that superpowers this book. Not to mention the tension between exotic and commonplace which marks the relationship between this newly minted couple. Brava!



5. As noted, this is no Eat, Pray, Love but a historical look at the history of marriage in Western culture interweaved with the author's own struggle with marriage. While the historical information was interesting, it is hard to know if it is as slanted as the author's own opinionated view of marriage. At times Gilbert does address the issues from all sides but more often than not the reader is forced to see her view of marriage as an unnecessary act which forces women to be submissive to cultural expectations which force them to give up their dreams and indivuality. While a few stories touch on the surface the book lacks an in depth look at women who may choose to give of them selves to marriage and family which is in turn a deep part of their indivdual personality.
   
   The book is mostly a ramble with light structure and it was interesting to see how the author delayed revealing an important "committment" she made until late in the book. It seems there was really no struggle at all. This isn't for light reading and is great if you need to drift off for some rest.