3 comments about Mormon Scientist: The Life and Faith of Henry Eyring.

1. I got this for my husband's birthday (he's a Mormon physicist) and he's really enjoying it.



2. In response to "science?" I'd like to respectfully point out that Dr. Henry Eyring was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize due to his scientific work which is still included in current scientific textbooks due to its relevancy and usefulness.
   
   This book is about an incredible scientist and how he not only contributed to our world scientifically, but how he also believed strongly in God and Christ and remained true to, and active in, his religious beliefs as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
   
   For those who read this book, I hope you do so to see how a person can believe in the importance of science and that this world was created by a loving God who wants us to learn to understand it. If evolution was used to create all life on earth, or not, is really only known to the Creator of us all, Who also knows the truthfulness, or falseness, of statements made by each of us about ourselves and others.



3. Henry Eyring fused science and religion. He never felt that his faith and profession were at odds. On the contrary, he felt that science enhanced his faith, and vice versa. I was impressed not only with Dr. Eyring's profession of faith and science, but I was amazed at his level of active involvement in each of them. He led Mormon congregations and scientific organizations, gave faith-promoting talks and wrote ground-breaking scientific papers.
   
   The organization of the book is refreshing for a biography. As the author says in the Introduction, "Rather than proceeding chronologically through his life, we'll look first at the things he accomplished (his Legacy), then at the family experiences that shaped him (Heritage), and then at the unusual way he thought (Paradoxes). We will close with a section called Testament, in which Henry bears witness to those things of greatest importance."
   
   This book not only gives insight into the life and mind of a world-renonwned scientist, but proves that a person does not have to choose science or religion -- both "disciplines" can be embraced.

No comments about Voluntary Madness: My Year Lost and Found in the Loony Bin.

5 comments about My Recycled Pets: Diary of a Dog Addict.

1. I loved how this is divided up into individual stories about each rescue. After the beginning information about the author, the stories begin. It took me 2 days to read the beginning and then 2 hrs. to read the individual stories. I just couldn't put it down. I hope she writes another book.



2. i love the way she writes, and the way she expresses her thoughts and feelings. and i love each individual dog's story... 100% worth the $ for any animal lover, anyone interested in rescue, and anyone who has a dog of their own!! definitely a must read



3. This was a great book and what made it even better was that it included resources at the end so you could get involved. The book is well written, draws you in and makes you feel like a part of each rescue and tragedy. I plan on reading this again and again. It gives you hope that one person can make a difference one or two dogs at a time



4. I loved this book! I found it very inspirational and motivational. Thanks to people like Randi, I have the most amazing little rescue dog and I love reading about other successful rescues as well. As a dog lover who also sometimes volunteers for dog rescue in the Bay Area, I was touched by Randi's stories. I also love her spiritual approach, of searching for divine order in a chaotic world. The book has inspired me to begin volunteering/fostering for rescue again, and to give dogs that might appear unreachable a second chance.



5. A current trend in books about dogs is that the dog(s) serve as a back drop for the author to talk about himself or herself. This book is not one of those books. And Randi Berger does a wonderful job telling the dogs' amazing stories.
   
   I truly enjoyed reading this book about troubled dogs who are rehabilitated by Ms. Berger and end up as wonderful pets.

5 comments about The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life.

1. Pat Conroy has been a favorite of mine for many years. His 'Cook Book' is more than just a composite of great food. It is a recipe for his life as a writer and a telling window into the motivation for his very entertaining story telling skills. He reveals both great recipes and his heart.



2. Pat Conroy's writing has always fascinated me because he takes you to those special places in the Low Country. What a wonderful combination in this book for someone who likes to cook and appreciates his writing. I agree with the other writers who are great admirers of him - this book is a treat. Contrasting the (pompous) negative review from the man who didn't appreciate Conroy's 'rehetoric'... I say 'baloney'. This is a special book and I hope he will soon write another.



3. It's the best. From one who remembers what went on in life by what she cooked, it's great to have his memories. Sharon Lee



4. I am entranced by Mr. Conroy. This is possibly because many parts of his life sound so familiar to me. In this memoir/cookbook he once again is enchanting. He fills me with joy/sadness as I recall similar memories. My favorite author. I wanted to make all of the recipes immediately and did so on a number of them. Some were excellent and some not so excellent; however the stories behind the recipes kept the disappointment at bay. I continue to try the recipes. Next is the pickled shrimp.



5. If you like Conroy you'll love this book. As with any cookbook you aren't going to like everything and I think this cookbook fell just short of average with the number of recipes that have caught my eye. It's also not a cookbook for the kitchen novice.
   
   As a book of short stories I loved it! It's part background (and I would guess a healthy dose of fiction) on recipes and people who have made Conroy the cook and author he is today. This book provides a culinary backdrop to the life of Conroy and help explain what he was eating when he wrote about the food and characters in his books.
   
   This isn't the book I'd recommend as your first, or even your second Pat Conroy experience, but I do feel that your Conroy experience isn't complete until you've read this book.

5 comments about The White Masai: My Exotic Tale of Love and Adventure.

1. Corinne Hoffman was hit by a thunderbolt when she first saw Lketinga, a Masai warrior, on a ferry in Mombasa. She ditches her boyfriend, sells her boutique in Switzerland, and marries the tall warrior and lives with him in the bush.
   
   Of all the 800 or so works I read and consulted in the preparation of my own book on romances involving female travelers, this one describes one of the greatest gaps in background, literally an Information Age woman with a pastoralist man.
   
   Barring one marriage-in-name between American photojournalist Wyn Sargent and a New Guinea tribal chief living in the Stone Age, described in Sargent's "People of the Valley," Corinne and Lketinga are pretty much the champs of record in terms of attempting a marriage across an abyss of incomprehensibility. With little but mutual attraction to base their relationship on, they have but fitful success.
   
   But what a mutual attraction it is! Hoffman describes Lketinga's facial beauty and powerful body in lyric terms. The book's photos, and those of the couple in magazines, show then as equally beautiful in opposite ways, she a porcelain blond, he dark warrior with face paint and a pleasing Michael Jordan-style moustache.
   
   Hoffman is quite honest, however, that her lover is initially pretty lousy in bed, due to Masai prosriptions against touching below the waist -- and a cultural lack of emphasis on lovemaking skills. Lketinga's aunt confesses that she has heard that white people put more effort into mutual pleasure.
   
   It's interesting to me how much complete squalor Hoffman puts up with in Lketinga's home village. Excrement litters the ground outside their hut, so tiny they cannot stand upright in it. Getting water is difficult. A young woman nearly dies in childbirth, and no one much cares except Corinne herself, who tries to get the woman to the hospital in her vehicle, a lifeline for the village.
   
   Readers can compare "The White Masai" to Sarah Lloyd's "An Indian Attachment." Lloyd also lives in squalor, with an Indian Sikh whom she loves, for two years.
   
   What women will do for love, when the object of their desires is a warrior with beautiful hair. To the other reviewers who don't understand why Corinne would ditch everything to live primitively in the Kenyan bush, her actions (comparable to Sarah Lloyd's) appear to be based on an atavistic desire by modern women to find traditionally masculine men, with beautiful chiseled bodies, tremendous pride, weapons (swords, kris, spears) worn at the waist ... as found among Masai, Samburu, Sikh and other men in the developing world.
   
   Anthropologist April Gorry (who studied women who entered affairs with men in Belize) did a marvelous job in her doctoral thesis noting that modern women love competent, strong men, rather than the drones and eunuchs found in the Western workplace. That BMW cannot substitute for the ease with which men in traditional societies display mastery of their environment, from climbing a coconut tree and anchoring a boat to guiding female trekkers up Himalayan peaks. Corinne Hoffman's tale is only the most extreme variation of a phenomenon involving perhaps 25,000 women per year.



2. I found this book at the library, and the first thing I first noticed was the word Masai, and thought back to some comments my friend Penny had made after her trip to Kenya where she visited a Masai village. She was shocked at the poor treatment of women. I opened the inside cover and read that the book was an autobiography about a Swiss woman who fell instantly in love with a Masai man and gave up her life in Switzerland to live with the man in the African bush. As a woman who also fell head over heels in love with a man from a completely different culture, I was curious to see what would happen.
   
   I actually knew what was going to happen. Like a person who jumped out of an airplane without a parachute and knows what kind of hell it feels like to hit the ground without one, I couldn't help peeling my eyes towards the sky and watching her hit the ground. This is not out of evilness, but out of loniliness, to see that I was not the only one foolish enough, stupid enough, naive enough, to make such a mistake. Reading the book was like watching a horror movie, where you are like, "No, don't go into that dark forest at night all by yourself. You're gonna get yourself killed." I was shouting out her, "No, don't go after this man who comes from a completely different culture. You're going to ruin your life. His life. IT WON'T WORK!!" I also began to read with a little satisfaction that I found someone who had even worse judgement than my own. At least, I did not give up everything for the man I loved and moved to his country. I don't think I would have done that. Also, there was some communication between him and me. For Corrinne, it seemed to be based entirely on looks. Yes, I can pat myself on the back, I am not the stupidest person out there. It brings up the issue of making judgements when in love. Isn't love very dangerous? Doesn't it lead us to situations we shouldn't be in? Is love ever clear? What separates those of us who make rash judgements for love and those who don't? Was her love with Lketinga ever real or was it just infatuation? Why doesn't she see all the warning signs of how they are incompatible?
   
   Besides all the love issues, the book did provide some fascinating insight into the life of the Masai people. Life sure ain't easy there. Corrinne suffers from malaria and then hepatitis, life threatening diseases that we never think about in our comfortable American lives. She also has to deal with everyday hardships like keeping clean, using the toilet and having a comfortable place to sleep. I was amazed at what a difference her store made in the lives of the people in the village. At first, I thought that nobody would have money to buy any of the items in the store, but the bigger problem was transporting the goods to the remote area. I do give her credit for being so brave in driving through the jungle back and forth. It was amazing that even in the African bush, relationship problems often come back to money. She was working hard, while her husband was wasting money on drugs and beer.
   
   One of the interesting parts of the story was how he changed because of her, and not in the best way. She pulled him away from his tradition and culture, leading to come conflict within himself. Before her, he never drank or kissed a woman's face. He probably would have been better off never having met her. Comprimising on tradition and lifestyle is not an easy task, especially when a person feels like they are giving something up of themselves.
   
   Every time she called Lketinga "my darling," I wanted to vomit. Didn't she see how he was treating her? How come everyone can see a train wreck coming except the people on the train?
   
   Also, I found it disturbing how she always talked about his looks, and how she liked how he did his hair and decorations. I did not really see why she fell for him or stayed with him beyond his filling her fantasy of the "noble savage."
   
   Well, the question is "Should you read this, too?"
   
   If you want to learn more about the life of the Masai people -- yes.
   If you want to warn somebody about the real dangers of love at first sight -- yes. ...less



3. Having been to Africa, I can only feel sorry for the Masai Community that they had to endure the presence of this ignorant women. Fortunately, I only paid a few dollars for the book, otherwise I would be annoyed that I spent the money. If you want to read about a women whose stupidity knows no boundaries, this is the book for you.



4. I recently visited a Masai village on one of my visits to Kenya, and I have a friend who is Masai. I have to say that to dismiss this book in a couple of lines and give it one star smacks of being a touch unwordly. So let's get some things straight. This is a very good, but not sensational translation, but it is perfectly readable. The scenario is quite amazing. The story of how a European woman falls for an elegant Masai warrior seems incredible and I'll leave it up to you to decide whether she is infatuated with the idea of Lketinga and his life, or really has a deep love for him. I couldn't quite work this out. But I did find the book a gripping read as she does everything to try to stabilise a relationship that was always going to prove tricky. There is some wonderful detail about the way the Masai live and I visited huts just like the one she lives in. I just could not imagine swapping my Western lifestyle for such a nomadic venture, even for one day. If you have a romantic nature, or are fascinated by a fresh perspective on how a Masai tribe lives, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It hasn't sold four million copies by being a one star book.



5. I first came across this book at the Dar es Salaam airport on vacation in Tanzania. I made a point to read it when I arrived home, out of interest in the Masai and also wanting to more about the "compelling love" between these two vastly different people. As other readers have, I found it difficult to relate to Corinne's decision to move to Kenya, etc., etc. -- but isn't that the point of reading a biography--to learn about someone else? As fascinating as I am (lol), wouldn't it be terribly boring to read about people just like ourselves all the time. It is decently written and translated. It is an interesting tale about cross-cultural love and moving to a difficult, untame place. In the end, I personally felt that it wasn't a story of a great love that was destroyed by these cultural differences. Obviously Corinne felt great attraction, but I was never convinced there was mutual love (or even real love on her part). It seemed more that she was at a point in her life or mental status where she needed change so badly she made some drastic decisions. In any case, this is a worthwhile read because it is enjoyable to see other points of view and to learn more about a life so different from our own.

5 comments about We've Always Had Paris...and Provence: A Scrapbook of Our Life in France.

1. Patricia and Walter Wells are not Julia and Paul Child! I must have imagined they were, because this little tome was a big disappointment for me. In the end they seem primarily a pair of very fortunate, albeit talented and ambitious, yuppies. An awful lot of self-satisfaction to plow through! Could've really lived without the details of Patricia's beauty routine!



2. This book gives us an interesting story of two people's lives as Expats in France, plus some very doable recipes. Patricia and Walter Wells took a chance on life abroad, planning for maybe two years, and worked and lived their way to a lifetime of genuine fulfillment. The recipes are new, exciting, and an unexpected bonus.



3. I bought the actual book (not on my kindle)because I was looking forward to the photos and recipes, what a mistake!
   The photos are dull. I noticed two of the recipes were already published (in slightly different form) from her "P. W. Home in Provence" book (Grape Harvest Cake and Corsican Ricotta Cheesecake).
   More disturbing pages 183 and 202 of this new book have exact passages from the Introduction of her "P. W. Home in Provence" book. Isn't there an editor anywhere? Is this legit to pass off without attribution?



4. If you have ever dreamed of living in a foreign country, this book will enlighten and entertain you. Two ordinary, extraordinary people who went to France for work, and stayed.



5. The book is a charming account of a life in France.
   It might seem self-indulgent, but one should note
   the humble origins of the authors.

5 comments about Vernon Can Read!: A Memoir.

1. A fantastic book detailing the magnificent journey of a tremendous American! This book is packed with historical facts about the lives of Black people in America. Vernon Jordan was born in 1935 and although he did not live through slavery, he certainly lived through the Jim Crow days. However with a good father and a strong mother, he didn't just survive - he flourished. Yes, Vernon could and did indeed 'read'. The names of people mentioned in this book are dizzying. This man dealt with a wide range of people in his career.
   I loved the potent messages that came through with great clarity. Such as "never expect defeat before making an honest effort" pg.2 or pg. 277 his beliefs in concerted efforts..."each person or group using their abilities, contributing what they can to move things forward." I must also mention how happy I was to note Jordan's love for the women in his life; his mother, his invalid wife Shirley - who died at age 48, and his daughter Vickie - the apple of his eye.



2. I also never heard of Vernon Jordan before the Lewinsky scandal. I am very glad I read this book. It is a shame that many Americans never heard of his interesting and enlightening story about coming of age in the civil rights era. That seems to me to be the theme of this book, that the civil rights era opened the doors to places of power not dreamed of before, if only one had the ambition and the character to find them.
   
   Like a few other reviewers, I also wish that the author revealed more about the period between when he was in charge of the Urban League. This period is when he made his contacts with very many powerful people in charge of corporations and institutions, received a fellowship at Harvard Business School, and started on his way to become a 'power broker'. I guess if you read between the lines the corporate/foundation contacts made him beholden to the business community, and then retiring from the Urban League to work for a powerful Washington law firm gave him a 'power broker' title. But its not really enough to make the connection, is it? And what about those Bilderberg meetings, Vernon? We would like to know more.



3. Read this book. Mr. Jordan not only provides insight and anecdotes about many events and individuals in American civil rights history, his words also give us a glimpse of the workings of an incredible mind. His memoirs are filled with stories and recollections proving that desire, determination and accountability to self and others are crucial for success in any of life's endeavors. Simply stated, I'm inspired.



4. This book is an unfortunate piece of near puffery: much form, much superficiality, little substance. But what does one expect from a Power Broker? Truth or Dare?

   In keeping with the unwritten Power Broker Creed, Mr.Jordan reveals very little about the inside mechanations that made him who he is (as opposed to who he was). That is to say, the book speaks volumes about those life experiences that made Vernon Jordan the moderate civil rights leader he was years ago, but says exactly nothing about the transition from that leadership role, to the man who had the president's ear (not to mention the man who kept his secrets)and the ear of the REAL powerful people in this global econonmy: the corporate mavens for whom Vernon was (is?) paid handsomely to dish out advice and counsel to.

   We never hear in any detail about how Jordan quietly but persistently accumulated the power he achieved and, indeed, what motivated him in this pursuit. And no, I was not interested in any Monica dirt: Monica and the whole presidential thing, was (and is) beside the point when it comes to a rigorous Jordan analysis. That whole episode merely served as a template (and not a particularly good one) for the kind of back scratchery at high level that Jordan has been doing for years.

   But then again, what does one expect? People like Jordan (and mind you, I am a big fan of his)live by the aforementioned unspoken creed: power is best accumulated and exercised quietly. Thus, one does not reveal the secrets of the kingdom to just any average reader (by the way Vernon, what really does go on at those Bildeberg confrences?).

   We will not get the whole unexpurgated version of Jordan's life until some biographer decides to swim against currents and put one together.

   Those of us interested in reading something much more telling than Jordan's superficial telling of the story of his life will have to wait. Just as we similarly anxiously awaited biographical treatments of other quiet power brokers in the Clark Clifford, Tommy "the cork" mode (the wait is soon over for those of us interested in Tommy the cork and, thanks to the same author, was over several years ago for a good analysis of Clifford's life. CLifford's own biography, Counsel to the President, left much to be desired, too).

   As a high school to college level autobiographical treatment of the life of an important figure in post-world war II america, Vernon Can Read suffices. As anything deeper, it does not.

   Vernon can certainly Read, but what Vernon wrote certainly leaves alot to be desired.




5. I listened to the unabridged audio cassette version of Vernon Can Read! This is a wonderful book. It has many dates and events in African American history of which Mr. Jordan contributed to, experienced and/or witnessed. These events are not only significant in the life of Mr. Jordan but also in the history of African Americans. The book is well written and easy to read and/or listen to. I told my five year old son about the experience of young Vernon Jordan and Mr. Maddock. It was inspiring to my son and we often listen to that portion of the tape while driving home from school. Mr. Jordan wanted the book to inspire his children and grandchildren and I suspect that it has. The book has also inspired my son. I highly recommend this book.

4 comments about When I Was Puerto Rican.

1. I enjoyed this memoir. It was honest. Esmeralda talks of her childhood, and unlike some memoirs does not portray herself to be anything but what she was. There were times she was a spoiled brat, times she embarassed herself, times she was scared. She lays it all out there. The memoir covers her childhood from I'm guessing 5 or so till age 14 or 15. I was not clear on what age she was when or what year it was at the time. That would be my only complaint. I felt as tho I was really getting to know her throughout the book, feeling her frustration at being the oldest of eleven children (must not have manufactured condoms yet), the difficulties of being poor, and her embarassment at going to the welfare office with her mother. Truly, not an easy childhood at all, especially being uprooted and moved every year or few months. Esmeralda definetly overcame all obstacles and became an amazing writer, injecting humor into truth.



2. This book begins the author's autobiographical series and speaks of her early childhood in Puerto Rico. The book centers on a relatively happy upbringing in a poor family living in mostly rural areas. Her mother offers the strongest pillar of support and provides consistency and dependability while at the same time dealing with issues of infidelity and inconsistency in her spouse. The books depends for its considerable success on intimacy, honesty and an abundance of details, and it provides all three for a stirring account written in a straightforward and simple style.



3. Great Title but maybe because the books speaks of being "Puerto Rican" in a different time- probably around 2 generations before mine- that I couldn't relate nor found interest in it. I think it would be a fabolous story if its one that has similar previous acquired knowledge or a personal understanding of having lived through that period of time. I think this is the type of story that one does or doesn't relate to and thus does or does not enjoy. I do however recommend it for those seeking to understand how life was for previous generations.



4. This is a rich and evocative memoir of the author's chaotic childhood. Growing up in rural Puerto Rico, while often living in primitive conditions, the author's lush and lyrical prose paints a vivid picture her early life. The flavor and rythms of her island home come alive under her expert hand, creating an unforgettable picture of her early childhood.
   
   The author grew up in a poor family. During her childhood, she lived in Puerto Rico with her unmarried parents, who were always at war with each other, as her father was a somewhat irresponsible philanderer. It was her mother who centered the family and who always sought a better life for all of her children. When an irrevocable break occurred between her parents, her mother moved to New York during the nineteen sixties, eventually settling with her seven children in the mean streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn in New York City.
   
   The author details her life's journey from rural Puerto Rico to Brooklyn. The author was transplanted to Brooklyn at the age of thirteen, and her description of her life in Brooklyn is every bit as interesting as that of her life in Puerto Rico. Her oftentimes bewildering transition from her native, Spanish speaking Puerto Rico to an English speaking environment is engagingly chronicled. The author takes the reader on her journey through Brooklyn's public school system to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, where she graduated and went on to attend Harvard University on a scholarship.
   
   This coming of age memoir is so engagingly written that I was left with the desire of wanting to know more about the life of this remarkable woman. I was also very taken with her writing style. So, I went ahead and bought every book that this author has ever written and look forward to reading each and every one.

5 comments about Don't Let The Lipstick Fool You: The Making of a Champion.

1. In August 2008, I had the pleasure of seeing an incredible champion represent America in women's basketball at the summer Olympics in Beijing. Lisa Leslie and her team annihilated their challengers. It meant this incomparable woman had been in four Olympics, won four gold medals, and her teams (since 1996) had a won lost record of 32-0.
   
   When I heard about her current book, I hurriedly purchased it. While I knew she was a warrior on the court, I wanted to explore what other influences shaped her indomitable spirit. Don't Let The Lipstick Fool You, revealed a life that would have caused many of us to despair. I was shocked to discover the hardships, personal upheavals, and cruelties she had to endure. In spite of these tribulations, she emerged out of the shadow of darkness ... a beautiful, poised, and self -assured woman.
   
   I first saw her on a summer day in 1998 crossing a street (near Columbus Circle) in Manhattan. What impressed me most (besides her obvious 6ft 5in frame) were her regal elegance and compassionate nature. Many celebrities have delusions of grandeur. However, Lisa Leslie is the epitome of a class act. She smiled at everyone and signed autographs for strangers that approached. With their applications, too often our society trivializes words like heroine, queen, and star. Reading her autobiography was a reminder for me ... these descriptions would be understatements.
   
   I bought a copy for my teenager. Like many tall girls, she is self- conscious. Ms. Leslie is the embodiment of what my wife and I have been trying to teach our daughter: Stand tall, walk proudly, and be humble and thankful for the talents, assets, and gifts ... bestowed upon you by God.
   
   I thoroughly enjoyed this exquisite book and recommend it to anyone looking for inspiration, hope, and a marvelous way to experience this journey, called life.
   Reggie Johnson, author, How to be Happy, Successful, and Rich



2. I picked up this book because of the respect for the athletic skills that Lisa Leslie shows on the court and the class she shows off the court. However, I learned a lot more than that. I had no clue that she had grew up in a home where her mother was a truck driver and a post office employee. I didn't know that she lived with her aunt and was helped out by her uncles in the game of basketball. I didn't realize that she had basically raised her younger sister, Tiffany and that her older sister had stolen her identity and ruined her credit. It was an informative book about one of the best basketball players of our generation. She was very open about things that happened like the fact that her college coach left because even though she had a better record than the mens coach they wouldn't pay her like it. I felt that Ms. Leslie was very very honest about how she felt during games and in her life about numerous subjects. I would highly recommend this book if you are interested in finding out what makes Lisa Leslie tick but also if you are just looking for a good autobiography of a strong woman that had to overcome numerous obstacles in her life.



3. I feel like I know Lisa now after reading her book. I not only like her as a player but as a person. It was an easy read and inspiring along the way.



4. Anyone who's a WNBA fan of any team other than the LA Sparks knows that the Sparks have gained the reputation of being the team you "love to hate"! But also, as a WNBA fan you have to give credit and your respect to all the women who have been responsible for the love and excitement we have for the league. They have blazed the trail for all the young talents we see today.
   
   Lisa Leslie is definitely one of those women. In her book, "Don't Let The Lipstick Fool You", you will get a better view of Lisa the person as well as the athlete. She shares her life, her beliefs, and her career. I truly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to any WNBA fan.



5. Lisa Leslie's bio/memoir is not just another story of an athlete's rise from hard times to good luck. This is the story of a woman's ruthless determination to honor the gifts and talents God has given her. There is no luck involved... just pure, unadulterated hard work, a loyal personal and professional support network and God's blessings.
   
   DON'T LET THE LIPSTICK FOOL YOU is one of those rare bios that shares the good, the bad and the ugly while inspiring each of us to follow our own journey, working through the dross to get to the silver, then the gold. From a latchkey home in Compton, California to the Olympic Stadiums in Atlanta, Georgia and Sidney, Australia, Lisa Leslie has traveled the road of disappointment, hardship, and betrayal to become a champion in her personal and professional lives.
   
   Leslie has earned the admiration and respect of many of her peers, as evidenced in the foreword by Earvin "Magic" Johnson; but she has earned mine through the sheer diligence, hard work and integrity that not only resonates through her life, but through the precious pages of her uplifting story. DON'T LET THE LIPSTICK FOOL YOU is definitely a keeper.
   
   Reviewed by Cxandra
   for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

1 comments about It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium.

1. John Ed Bradley's book, out in paperback, is just a heartrendingly pretty and loving glimpse into a former college football player's life after the cheering stops. Mr. Bradley wrote an article for Sports Illustrated back a few years ago that the book is based on, detailing the death of his beloved LSU head coach and Bradley's conflicting emotions concerning his playing days and the aftermath of what was a solid playing career that ended in 1979.
   
   This book is simply wonderful. I read it in a matter of hours, and enjoyed every page, every word. I have not read any of Mr. Bradley's fiction, having only grown familiar with him through his contributions to SI, bit can't recommend this book highly enough for any reader, no matter their age of devotion to college football.