Subjects:  1. Biographies    2. Leadership    3. Success   

Subjects:  1. Basketball - General    2. Basketball coaches    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Olson, Lute    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Sports - Basketball    10. United States    11. Sports & Recreation / Basketball   

Reviews (4)

Fascinating and thought provoking
There is something to be said of a person who can go through a horrific journey such as the atrocities of Auschwitz and recall it with such clarity in order to help others. I was completely emotionally overwhelmed by the first half of the book-which is a narrative of what he experienced and fascinated with the next half which is an explanation of logotherapy.
viktor frankl wrote this book in 8-9 days; you can read it in 2 ~
a Best Seller through the 1950s and 1960s, this is one of the 20 top books to read before you try to live your life...
A must read!
I'm surprised there aren't a lot more reviews on this book. It might just be the best book I've ever read (and it's really short and easy to read).
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Historical - Holocaust    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Counseling    6. Social Psychology    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (17)

Really Great Book
If you want to know the history of your parents or grand parents on a more personal level this is a great book to have. It would be nice to have a CD included to type on the computer, because not everyone has the best hand writing

Book ?'s Too Focused on Emotional Rather Than Factual Data
I bought this book for my 62-year-old mother and my 95-year-old great-aunt to fill out so that I could keep a written document of their memories.Both separately told me the same thing - that the book asked far too personal of questions. Neither was willing to fill it out.It asked questions about their feelings about their childhood, feelings about marriage, etc.I had not wanted to record their feelings, but rather more historical type of data such as the cost of bread, the local scenery when it was all orchards, etc.If the book were full of more factually-based questions as opposed to emotionally-based, it would be more suitable.
A Beautiful Way to Preserve Memories
My grandparents are elderly.One evening my grandfather was recounting an interesting story about his father that we had never heard before - it suddenly dawned on me that there may be many more wonderful stories that we may never hear.I searched and searched for a journal or diary that they could use to preserve these memories and stumbled across this Journal.First of all it is a beautiful hard-bound book - truly a keepsake.Inside is is divided into logical sections and provides a good mix of questions as well as space for additional thoughts, pictures or memories.I really liked that it had questions that covered all parts of my grandparents lives (i.e. growing up, high school, college, military etc) - they don't have to fill out every section - but at least it gives them some guidance.I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in preserving their family history.A beautiful gift. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blank Books / Diaries / Memory Books    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. Genealogy    6. General    7. Inspiration & Personal Growth    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Reference   

Reviews (17)

Terrific Views of Founders
This book is a series of essays on several of our Founders such as Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Burr, Hamilton, etc.The essays address how each fit into his generation and treatment by contemporaries and historians.It is not, by any means, a recitation of dates and events.
Sets the Players in Their Time

rtaylor
For any reader of the Revolutionary period, this is a must read.Gordan Wood distills the thinking of the period and gives the reader a understandable idea of the dynamics of the era that even those who participated did not fully comprehend at the time.The clashing of ideas and those who held them are in the end notable in the key element to the genius of America; the ability to reach consensus and compromise when it is needed.Note the world today to see what results when that is not achieved or here with the American Civil War. Thank you Gordon Wood, and please keep writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1775-1783, Revolution    2. Biography    3. Historical - General    4. History    5. History - U.S.    6. History: American    7. Political Doctrines    8. Revolutionaries    9. Statesmen    10. U.S. History - Revolution And Confederation (1775-1789)    11. United States    12. United States - 18th Century    13. United States - Revolutionary War    14. History / United States / General   

Reviews (216)

Unbelievable but thought provoking
Unbelievable I say not as a skeptic, but as a true rational person. This same skepticism opens up other horizons in one's thinking - is this all true? Yogi Paramahamsa, the author, renders in this charming and lucid storytelling, facts he came across in his life - like his Master being able to 'know' that they will have guests arriving in the middle of the night; another yogi predicting the author's arrival and telling him of what he did miles away and many more such incidents.
A fantasy book not a spiritual guide
This book is full of stories, or perhaps lies might be a better word, because nowhere is it indicated that the stories are not the truth.
Best book for possibilities of Self Awareness and Spiritual insight
A great introduction to saints, saintly lifestyle, Yogic siddhis, miracles, Krishna Consciousness, etc is easily found in the engaging book of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda - Autobiography of a Yogi . It has given inspiration to do spiritual labour to me whenever I glance at its devotional pages.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1893-1952    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Eastern - General    5. Eastern - Gurus    6. India    7. Paramahansa,    8. Religion    9. Religious    10. Yogananda,    11. Yogis    12. Religions of Indic & Oriental origin   

Reviews (167)

the rose that grew from concrete
It has been a great inspiration and very deep in emotions, Tupac wa s and still is a great human being with all our ups and downs...a great man with a hard core, but very sensitive and deep in his thoughts..

he was a thug, but he was deep...
the poems are raw and grimey...he shows you the pride of a pantha in his words. he was a gangsta, but he was also an intellectual and a philosopher; he had great pedigree( his mom was a black pantha ) his poems about her made me want to cry; he was better read than you think. he did so many things well: wrote poetry, danced, rap, made movies. seems like the most brilliant people are the most tragic and self-destructive. it's like god gave them an achilles heel to balance everything out. whenever i would read about him getting arrested or hear about drama he had been in, i thought he was just fronting his image, being a poser, because rappers were supposed to be like that. but i think he tried to please too many people. don'tcha hate people who have the world in the palm of their hand and they kiss it goodbye? He had money, he was popular, he could have any woman he wanted, yet he couldn't let the streets go....

There will never be another Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur is a true poet and one of my idols... When I started reading "The Rose That Grew From Concrete", I was like "Dayum! This brutha is DEEP!" After reading the book, when I listened to his songs and concentrated on the words instead of the beats, I realized that Tupac is a true poet, in my definition... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. American - African American    3. American - General    4. Genres & Styles - Rap & Hip Hop    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Poetry    7. Rap (Music)    8. Poetry / General    9. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (28)

The best book for recovering bulimics I have ever read
This is the best book that I have read thus far in my recovery. Jenni touches on all of the emotions, insanity, and obsession of the disease with humor and strength. She provides hope for all of us trying to recover. It is a great book .

Creative and motivating approach to eating disorders
****
Not triggering, a daily inspiration
Life Without Ed is one of the only books I have read on eating disorders that is NOT triggering (Jenni does not give any tips or tricks).I find hope and inspiration every time I read it. I actually carry it with me daily just in case I need to refer back to it.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Case studies    4. Eating Disorders    5. Eating Disorders - General    6. Health    7. Patients    8. Psychology    9. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    10. Schaefer, Jenni    11. Specific Groups - General    12. Treatment    13. Coping with eating disorders    14. Psychology & Psychiatry / Eating Disorders   

Editorial Review

A series of anecdotes shouldn't by rights add up to anautobiography, but that's just one of the many pieces of receivedwisdom that Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman (1918-88)cheerfully ignores in his engagingly eccentric book, a bestsellerever since its initial publication in 1985. Fiercely independent (readthe chapter entitled "Judging Books by Their Covers"), intolerant ofstupidity even when it comes packaged as high intellectualism (checkout "Is Electricity Fire?"), unafraid to offend (see "You JustRead more

Reviews (204)

Think while laughing !
A really great book by a great man.I almost laughed out loud while on a train and am sure people thought I was crazy. The book made me wonder how can you lead such an interesting life and yet win a Nobel Prize in physics (I guess you can).
Fantastic read
This is a fantastic book!Richard Feynman is a fascinating person and an excellent writer.His view of the world is exciting and interesting and his life experiences make for enjoyable stories.One lesson that comes through in this book is 'Think', don't be afraid to stop and think about something, a problem, a point of view, etc.Through these stories and the life of Richard Feynman, we are all shown what it is to live a life well.Get this book!
Feynman at his Finest
This book is by far the best non-technical science book. Period. You don't have to be a scientist to love the spirit of Richard Feynman. From discovering the behaviors of ants with sugar to his stints as an artist and musician, Feynman reminds us all that the world is still our playground, waiting to be discovered.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Physicists    7. Physics (General)    8. Science    9. Scientists    10. Scientists - General    11. United States    12. Mathematics and Science    13. PHYSICS   

Reviews (19)

Everyone should read this book
Whether or not you have personally experienced mental illness in your family or have experience in the criminial justice system, this book will open your eyes. I want to thank the author for bringing this difficult and stigmatized subject the the attention of the average citizen. A very important book that will hopefully bring about change in both the mental health system and the criminal justice system.

In depth and accurate
I found myself fascinated from the point of view of nurse, police dispatcher, and victim of a brutal assault by a man who had gone off his meds.I like the way he writes and plan to read more of his books.

A Powerful Must-Read
This book is a must read for, well, everyone.It especially will be helpful to those whose lives are impacted by a friend or family member's illness or those who work with the mentally ill, but is a well-written and thought provoking read for anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Case studies    6. Family relationships    7. General    8. Medical - General    9. Mental Disorders    10. Mental Health    11. Mental Health Services    12. Mental Illness    13. Mentally ill    14. Parental Memoirs    15. Psychology    16. Specific Groups - General    17. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Health   

Reviews (278)

Sad, yet Excited Story
I am only about halfway through "Princess," yet I absolutely adore it. Seeing what actually happens in Saudi Arabia, even to princesses, makes me want to help them. Nobody deserves to be treated the way she does, and I hope that someday, I'll be able to help Sultana and many others fight for women's rights. It's time we took a stand.
A must read!!!!
I currently reside in Geneva, Switzerland and was curious to know more of the veiled women that I see walking the streets in the summer. This story is riveting to say the least and to know that these customs still exist is saddening. I would have never believed until I saw it with my own eyes. Saudi Royals in stretch limos, their entourage in tow, rolling out the red carpets, literaly, as 10 individuals empty out a Louis Vutton store. They were purchasing 10+ bags ranging over $2000.00 a piece. It was a site. Their wives following behind them like wounded yet well trained dogs. Sasson captures, what I believe, to be the true essence of Saudi Royal life.

Couldn't put it down!
This book...is overwhelming to say the least. But it's excellent. It really opens your eyes to the way things are over there. Some items will appall and make you sick but others will make you smile. Can't wait to read the rest in the series! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1956-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. General    7. Middle East - Saudi Arabia    8. Princesses    9. Saudi Arabia    10. Social conditions    11. Sultana,    12. Women    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Women's Studies   

Reviews (10)

From Slavery to the Senate- an incredible history
Mr. Otis Graham spins an engrossing tale about the rise of a former slave to become a millionaire and U.S. Senator, and the descent of his intended "dynasty" into destitution and petty crime. As equally fascinating as the family's personal story, is the national backdrop against which the drama is played out. This is the story of an entire black elite which could not relate to, and even disdained poorer and darker blacks but which could not gain the full acceptance it so desperately sought from upper class whites. It is the story of a time when black people had to try to navigate their way in a truly foreign America where race meant absolutely everything.
Please don't tell the whole story in your reviews!!!!
I usually find the reviews extremely helpful, but several of the reviews go into so much detail that essentially it ruins the reading experience for everyone else. It's obnoxious and unneccessary to tell the whole story in the process of reviewing a book. Providing a critique does not require giving away the story. I honestly feel I've been cheated by the previousreviews and I don't need to buy the book!!
Intriguing look into early black America
First of all you should know that The Senator and the Socialite reads like a novel as opposed to a history book. Those of you who would not normally venture into the non-fictional history section at your local library will enjoy this book as much as those who would.
Read more

Subjects:  1. African American legislators    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Blacks In The U.S.    7. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    8. General    9. Historical - U.S.    10. Legislator's spouses    11. Legislators    12. People of Color    13. Political    14. U.S. Senate    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (5)

Publisher's Weekly Reviewer is off the mark
The Publisher's Weekly Reviewer is off the mark in his closing statement that 70 percent of the Russian population voted for Putin.S/he has no clue about the true political situation in Russia.During elections, competing political parties have no chance in gaining votes due to the Kremlin's firm grip on campaign activities.What the Kremlin wants is what the Russian people get.Does this reviewer really think the elctions are free and fair and that 70 percent is anything close to an accurate figure?There is no real democracy in Russia, and the majority of voters are so impoverished economically and uneducated (through no fault of their own) that when it comes to elections that you can't really expect them understand how to vote when they can't even buy medicine or food.Politkovskaya was murdered today.Sure her work was often over-emotional and perhaps it isn't brilliant in translation, but she was one of the few brave journalists to tackle the tough issues and to not self-edit.Her death follows that of Starvoitova, Gongadze (Ukraine), Khlebnikov and countless other post-Soviet journalists.Do some homework next time you write a book review.
Anna is Dead; Does That Convince the "Publishers Weekly" Reviewer?
Or is that just more "anecdotal" evidence?
This book has the wrong title
Readers who buy this book with the hope of learning about the overall situation in Putin's Russia, as the title promises, will be sorely disappointed.It's really just an author rant about soldier abuse in Russia's military today - a serious human problem, to be sure, but a very small slice of what a Western reader would want to know about this vast and complicated country.And even on the narrow subject the author actually addresses, the level of writing and analysis is little above a blog posting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1952-    2. 1991-    3. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    4. Government - International    5. History - General History    6. Modern - 21st Century    7. Political Freedom & Security - General    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Post-Communism    13. Presidents & Heads of State    14. Putin, Vladimir Vladimirovich,    15. Russia (Federation)    16. Russia - History    17. Social conditions   

Editorial Review

One of the most beautifully crafted books I have ever read, with some of the most poetic prose passages I could imagine, such as the following, resonating with a stately and timeless quality so absent in our modern life: Read more

Reviews (97)

FEMALE AFRICAN BUSH PILOT IN THE 30's GIVES INSIDE VIEW
Beryl Markham's book West with the Night is a true story of how she lived and worked in Africa as a push pilot back in the 1930's -- almost amazing for a woman...what an experience alone-- what an adventure-- but her writing -- ahhh that's something amazing in itself....from dealing with the Blackwater Die to the lion who almost ate her to search for a Libyan port and a fallen colleague-- a beautiful book...each chapter is written almost like a true short story....she's a beautiful writer and to think this is a piece of our women's past that is here to still cherish-- belongs on the shelf of every women's studies office...great for a young woman to read....especially great gift to a chick going off to college.

Beautifully Written
West With the night is Beryl Markham's memoir of life as a bush pilot in 1930s Africa. The beautifully written prose paints evocative pictures of the Serengeti in the reader's brain, and each paragraph is dense and satisfying. A wonderful read, especially for fans of Out of Africa - and some of the same people are mentioned in this book.
Probably the most beautifully written book I have ever read.
The exceptional wordcrafting in West With The Night brings Africa alive and makes it almost a personal experience. Beryl Markham was a most interesting individual and her life growing up in Africa is the beautiful background for this book. I have only reread one book in my sixty-some years and this is it. I enjoyed it at least as much the second time around.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Aviation - History    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Great Britain    7. Markham, Beryl    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Women    10. Women air pilots   

Reviews (7)

skip this biography
avoid books where the author's personality and florid prose obscure the subject. besides, what precisely does jenkins have against short sentences and one-dollar words?

Good, short, reverential biography
The late Roy Jenkins, in assessing Roosevelt, rates him in the top three of all American Presidents, along with Washington and Lincoln. Whether you like FDR or whether you are one of his critics, it is hard to dispute Jenkins' conclusion. Jenkins believes that had FDR not run for a third term, he would have been one of the better, near great Presidents, but that it took WWII to make him the icon he became. Jenkins fails to point out that FDR did not create any appreciable number of private sector jobs prior to WWII and that, in fact, unemployment was almost as high as it was eight years earlier, when he took office. The reason may be that Jenkins had been a Labour Party member of the House of Commons, accordingly, his world view was that of a government interventionist. However, I ultimately agree that nontheless, FDR was, at least, a better than average President during the depression years, due to the great optimism that he conveyed.
The Good Brief Book on Roosevelt
This is a very good brief introduction to Roosevelt, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a brief understanding of Roosevelt. It is very easy to read and suitable for high school students. Being written by a man from Britain, it also shows how the world views FDR - as one of the most important leaders in world history.
Read more

Subjects:  1. (Franklin Delano),    2. 1882-1945    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Political    9. Presidents    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. Roosevelt, Franklin D    12. Roosevelt, Franklin D.    13. United States    14. United States - 20th Century/Depression   

Editorial Review

An inspired blend of memoir and literary criticism, Read more

Reviews (287)

A book of books.
Nafisi's memoir, "Reading Lolita in Tehran", takes its readers deep into the life of a woman living under the ever increasing repression of the Iranian regime.She is an academic whose love of books drives her to use them as lenses through which to view the horrifying events that surround her. Each of the book's four sections takes the works of a different author and uses them to illuminate aspects of the oppressive Islamic regime under which she lives. The book presents a startlingly vivid picture of day to day life in Iran as suffered by a woman who, though very intelligent, is unsure of whether her allegiances lie with her government or with the west. Though Nafisi explains the political events surrounding the Iranian revolution and the Iran-Iraq war, she does so not from the view of the history that's been written, but from the view of a citizen living in the times, providing an essential shift in perspective.
A Stunning Reality
Although many people might question whether everything in this novel is true or not, it states on the front that it is a memoir, therefore that is how I thought of it while reading.As far as I am concerned, everything but the names and some situations ("to protect individuals") is the truth, and since I have not been to Tehran, I would not know any different.I found this book captivating in most every way from the detailed descriptions of the "girls" in the book club to the references to other novels such as The Great Gatsby.Although I have not read all of the books Nafisi referenced in her memoir, I still understood her story and appreciated her sharing the private (or public) moments with her readers.I was shocked when I read about some of the laws that women (and men) must obide by in Iran, and this book sparked my interest regarding the stunning ways of the country enough from the very beginning to encourage me to look even further into the culture.Being a secondary education English major, I would suggest this book to anyone from the age of 13 on, with hopes that he or she would read it, appreciate it, and try to gain some knowledge on a very different culture than our own while recognizing the everyday freedoms we take for granted on a daily basis.

A Vision of a Fundamentalist's Dream
If anyone wants to know what living in post-revolution Iran is like for a woman, this is the book.Great detail is given to how the messages of western literature apply to life in the theocratic totalitarian state. The scariest thing, for me, is how closely the vision of Iran held by muslim extremists conforms to the stated vision of the U.S. held by christian extremists.This touched me with reality the way The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood touched me with fictional possibility.
Read more

Subjects:  1. American literature    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Books & Reading    7. Books And Reading    8. English literature    9. English teachers    10. Ethnic Cultures - General    11. Iran    12. Regional, Ethnic, Genre, Specific Subject    13. Study and teaching    14. Women    15. Women In Islam    16. Women's Studies - General    17. Biography & Autobiography / Women    18. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

Muscle men, midgets, socialites, circus performers and asyluminmates: in the 1950s and '60s, photographer Diane Arbus (1923-1971) cast herstrong eye on them all, capturing them as no one else could. Herdocumentary-style photos of society's margin-walkers were objective andreverential, while she often portrayed so-called normal people looking farmore freakish than the freaks. Her powerful work was well-received in itsday. Arbus received Guggenheim Fellowships in 1963 and 1966 and wasincluded in a major show at MOMA in 1967. But her work entered the realm ofnear-myth after her 1971 suicide. Read more

Reviews (9)

Distortions
Diane Arbus Revelations may be a bargain, price-wise.However, there are many other women photographers who have produced much finer photographs.To me this book reveals Arbus as one who used photographs very selectively to portray a distorted, negative view of a subject.She seemed to exploit gloom as a trademark to make herself unique and gain notice.
well done retrospective for a great show
This was one of the greatest photography retrospectives and the book pretty much summarizes as well as delves deeply into the issues covered by the show.If you missed the exhibition, this book is a good substitute.If you want to know about what you saw in the show, this is an indispensable guide.Highest quality reproductions, even in the paperback.

A brilliant tribute to a great artist
Diane Arbus was best-known for her stark, black-and-white photographs of the outer fringes of society. She was very much of her time period, since the things she had to go outside of the lines to photograph (inter-racial couples, people with tattoos, drag queens, etc.) are now a part of every day life. I was fortunate enough to see a display of her work at the L.A. County Museum of Art, and this volume is a wonderful companion to the show. Not only are all the plates from the show included, but also copies of correspondence, pictures of her cameras, and the story of her sad, short life. In many ways, she was ahead of her time, with the un-smiling, un-flattering portraits of real people, at a time when most photography was glossy, and reality was still somewhat hidden.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1923-1971    2. Arbus, Diane,    3. Exhibitions    4. General    5. Individual Photographer    6. Photo Essays    7. Photography    8. Photography, Artistic    9. Photography / Individual Photographer