Reviews (20)

To Own A Dragon
As a previous reviewer recommended, Blue Like Jazz is a better introduction to Don Miller than this book, To Own A Dragon.Nevertheless, this book is written in the same style as Blue Like Jazz - personal, written to normal human beings from a normal human being, realistic, refreshing.
Learning to Truly Live and Not Just Exist.
Long before BLUE LIKE JAZZ became a huge sensational hit and established Donald Miller as a leading Christian writer, I became acquainted with Miller through his first book PRAYER AND THE ART OF VOLKSWAGON MAINTENANCE (as much as I like BLUE LIKE JAZZ, PRAYER is my favorite).Apparently the book didn't sell very well, but I knew after reading it Miller would be someone to watch.I especially loved his flowing, prose-as-speech style of writing.It reminded me of my own writings.
March Sadness
I interviewed Donald Miller during March Madness, and my first question was "What do you want to talk about?" He said, "Well, if you really want to know, March Madness." We talked basketball a while, about our bad picks.
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Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Christianity    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Family Relationships    5. Christianity - General    6. Fatherhood    7. Miller, Donald,    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Religion    10. Religious    11. Religious aspects   

Reviews (3)

Beautifully written about life, music and love
Trough the story of her great uncle Nasser Ali Khan, Marjane Satrapi ones again takes us on an interesting trip to everyday life in Iran. I loved Persepolis and Embrodieries for their humour, sharp observations, educational details and relatable themes. Satrapi doesn't fail in this book either. Chicken With Plum is beautifully written about life, music and love. As always Satrapis childlike cartoons add an invaluable extra dimension to the story. I loved it.

Disappointing
I bought 'Chicken with Plums' because I really liked Satrapi's 'Persepolis'.
Chicken with Plums packs quite a punch
I have read all of Marjane Satrapi's American releases, and I have been a fan since the first one, Persepolis.In Chicken with Plums, Satrapi tells the story of her uncle, Nasser Ali Khan, a musician overtaken by a sense of meaninglessness over the loss of his tar.Satrapi's straightforward, simple style quickly drew me into the story, which I read in a single sitting.Despite the simplicity of its approach, however, Chicken with Plums packs quite a punch.Like a Greek tragedy, it leaves you feeling stunned, full of joy and a little bitter.Her uncle's tragedy acquires meaning through her telling of it.Another successful effort on the part of Marjane Satrapi! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Comic books, strips, etc    4. Comics & Graphic Novels    5. Fiction    6. Graphic Novels - General    7. Graphic novels    8. Iran    9. Khan, Nasser Ali    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Tar (Lute) players    12. Women    13. Fiction / Graphic Novels   

Reviews (10)

Endearing Ocean Story
What an endearing story about the ocean.As an avid SCUBA diver, I loved the idea of a baby whale following a swimmer along the coast because it lost its mother.
A book for everyone
This is a great book.Easy to read and it paints a beautiful story of one woman's experience.I could not put it down and wanted to read the end first to see what happened.I passed it on to my husband, 11 year old son and 14 year old daughter.It is a nice book with a nice story.Not too many of those books out there now.Will make a great gift for anyone who loves to read.

Take a pass on this one
The idea behind this book was a good one and the reason that I purchased it in the first place.The opportunity to swim with a baby whale in the wild is something many of us only dream about, yet Ms. Cox got to experience it firsthand and it makes sense that she would want to share that story.Unfortunately, this book does not get the job done.It is so poorly written that I had to force myself to keep turning the pages.I kept hoping that maybe I just needed to get used to her writing style, but there is no style... it's just written badly.The narration is often choppy, the paragraphs don't flow, and much of the detail about the ocean seems a bit over the top.As one other reviewer put it, it's as if every detail of her every swim in the ocean was combined into that one day.Not very realistic. If you are going to enjoy this book at all, perhaps a little suspension of disbelief is in order.Whole sections are just plain boring, and to add insult to injury, the illustration on the front of the book is not that of a gray whale (the species that Cox swims with in the book).It's a sperm whale.A small thing, yes, and a decision made probably more for marketing purposes than out of ignorance, but it still serves to make the overall package even less honest or appealing. After plodding through about half the book, I finally quit and returned it for a full refund.Save your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. California    4. Cox, Lynne,    5. Fishes    6. Marine Life    7. Marine Mammals    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Santa Catalina Island    12. Swimming    13. Women    14. Nature / General   

Reviews (5)

Simply ... amazing!
This is a great book for anyone who has ever battled depression or knows someone who has. It really hit home for me and while I never went as far as to take my own life, I felt many of the feelings she describes after the birth of my second child. It's nice to know you are not alone. Thank you for sharing your story of hope and healing. MOPS was also a saving grace for me in my struggles as well. THANKS MOPS!!!

Couldn't put it down--and you won't be able to either
Women especially will connect with this book, whether they've experienced postpartum depression or not. As I read it, I realized how many women in my own life had experienced abuse, rejection, and depression that was so debilitating they considered taking their own life. You'll want to read this book for yourself and recommend it to others to share in Tina's struggles, her miraculous rescue, and her ultimate triumph through faith, medical help, and the support of her friends and her husband. A great read that you won't forget.

Powerful and Thought Provoking
I have read literally thousands of books in my lifetime, but I have never read a book quite like this. First, I am from Wisconsin and have actually been to many of the places that Tina mentions in her story. Second, I too have struggled for many years with serious depression. I've never actually attempted suicide, but I came very close to it one night 10 years ago. It is only by the grace of God that I didn't attempt suicide that night. I truly believe that God intervened in my life that night. Even though I didn't yet know Christ as my Savior.I have struggled with serious depression off and on for the past 15 years. There have been five or six periods in my life where I have felt seriously depressed for months at a time. There is definitely a stigma in the church when it comes to depression.A lot of people simply don't know how to handle it. I could relate to so many of Tina's struggles. Tina's story is also my story. I am so thankful that Tina had the courage and strength to share such a deeply personal struggle with the world. I believe that this book will give hope to those of us who struggle with depression. But I believe it will also help those who have never had a problem with depression to be more compassionate and understanding. Struggling with serious depression can make you feel so alone and like there is no one who really understands. But this book showed me that I am not alone in my struggles and that even if no one else does, God understands and cares. I cried numerous times as I read this book. This book has helped me believe that there is hope and help is available. I do not have to suffer alone. Reading Tina's story also makes me want to begin counseling in order to deal with my depression and other issues openly and honestly.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Christianity    5. Consolation    6. Depressed persons    7. Depression    8. Depression, Mental    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Religious aspects    11. Religious life    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / Women    14. Biography: general    15. Coping with illness    16. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Editorial Review

There is a passage early in Augusten Burroughs's harrowing and highly entertaining memoir, Read more

Reviews (539)

Mental Illness Is Not Funny
I picked this book up after I had read that the author had been declared by some media outlet as one of the "fifteen funniest people in America."
Yes...some of it really is funny...
...But!! Not enough to grab me by the collar!I agree with others here who said they liked some of the aspects of this "memoir", save for the disturbing sex scenes. I do believe it's hard to take in when a 13 year old is having a very adult relationship with a 32 year old. I found nothing tasteful about this. Nor did I see much humor in this. However, to be fair, there are very funny moments here. Love the scenes with the shrink's family. But by page 125 or so--the writing gets a bit sloppy and the story begins to lose its muster.
This book is an act of self gratification
I bought this on a whim because a few people had told me it was "hysterical" and it was a best-seller, so I figured it must be pretty good.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Amherst    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Burroughs, Augusten    9. Childhood Memoir    10. Childhood and youth    11. Homes and haunts    12. Literary    13. Massachusetts    14. Novelists, American    15. Personal Memoirs    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (2)

A good light read
I was actually disapointed in this book. Given the authors background I was hoping for a book that went into some detail into his methods, beliefsand techniques of crisis negotiation. What I got was a very light but enjoyable read that covered his career in the FBI (including his battles with the beaucracy which I felt did not add to the story) and four incidents of crisis negotiating, which had some good basic tips.Waco got a mention- but only to say he will leave it to the next book - rather frustrating.
excellent autobiography
This is a fascinating look from a different perspective at some of the major FBI incidents spanning a twenty-five year career that ended in retirement in 1995.Clint Van Zandt provides a little background material about his growing up and makes no apologies for being a family man who loves his country and his agency.However, the autobiography takes off with the specific incidents including some overseas especially the more famous ones like the 1985 siege of the Covenant, the 1993 Waco confrontation with the Branch Davidians, the Unabomber, and his paradigm suggestion that Oklahoma City was tied to Waco not the Middle East.This is an excellent autobiography of a dedicated law enforcement official who spent a career FACING DOWN EVIL as it is the behind the scenes look at these cases and more that will grip the audience.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Espionage    6. Federal Bureau of Investigation    7. Hostage negotiations    8. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    9. Intelligence Agencies    10. Officials and employees    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Political Freedom & Security - Intelligence    13. True Crime / Espionage    14. United States    15. United States.    16. Van Zandt, Clinton R   

Reviews (169)

DELIGHTFUL!
My best friend recommended this book when I told her I was reading Ramona the Pest to my daughter. What a fun book! Haven Kimmel's voice was so true that I felt like I was eight years old all over again. Did not want it to end. What a GREAT read! Will look for more from this author.

Beautifully Written Love Letter to Small Town America -- and its Families
Haven Kimmel has a gift with words!Her story of growing up in small town America, with a slightly off-kilter family (aren't they all?) is just wonderful.Full of the wonderful little details that make a story real, and written from the child's perspective, Kimmel makes us laugh out loud at her childhood antics (and her family's). She also paints a vivid portrait of growing up in a teensy tiny town in the Midwest -- that rings true to any reader who grew up in a similar town, or has passed through one on his/her way from city to city. I loved this book!

A Girl Named Zippy
The cover photo of an alert non-Gerber baby.An old family photo topping each chapter.These help set a whimsical tone skillfully followed through with words only a mother could love.From tufted-head to stubbed-toe, this book celebrates the spunk of youth with countless recalls of which our inner tot can relate.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Childhood Memoir    7. City and town life    8. Girls    9. Indiana    10. Mooreland    11. Mooreland (Ind.)    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Regional Subjects - Midwest    14. Social life and customs    15. Women    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    17. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (7)

Lovely and sweet
Even if you didn't watch Mister Rogers, he's so permeated our culture that he's become an icon. And knowing Mister Rogers, he probably would have found that notion laughable. But it's true. Mister Rogers represents everything that is good. He loves us---and he's proud of us---just the way we are.
WOW!
I'm only halfway through reading the book - but am ordering copies as gifts to share with friends and my minister.What a man!(both of them)

So Proud & Grateful!!
I picked this book up at the library quite by accident.It looked like a "quick" read and I was intrigued by the title.I was influenced greatly by the show "Mister Rogers Neighborhood" when I was little.Even after I was way too old and the other kids thought he was lame,I secretly tuned in to see whatwas happening.Even though my neighborhood and upbringing was nothing like what I imagined it to be like in those little models of homes at the beginning of the show, I longed to live in a place like that secure from the dangers that filled my young mind and surroundings.Escaping to that world and imagining what it would be like to have a neighbor like Mister Rogers was something I spent a lot of time doing.Not to mention how much I loved the idea of the trolley taking me to the Land of Make Believe - wouldn't that be the coolest?From the first few pages of this book, I knew I was hooked on Tim Madigan's style of writing.He is a journalist by trade and had met Mister Rogers in order to write about him.He also had met Captain Kangaroo (another of my faves - Captain Kangaroo looked exactly like my dad and could be just as silly), but formed a bond and friendship with Fred Rogers from their first meeting - even attending church that weekend with Fred and his wife Joanne.Soon, I was reading more about both the author's difficulties in life and what a wonderful person Mister Rogers really was by how he supported the author through those difficulties.Mr. Madigan is able to portray his own discomfort with the intimacy that Fred Rogers offers, yet he is drawn to someone who he later compares as being close in spirit to people like Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II.It is apparent throughout these pages and the correspondence shared between the two of them, that they explore their own spirituality, death and dying, social justice, fatherhood, relationships with siblings and parents and most of all, forgiveness and being able to be intimate with those around you and connecting with people on a spiritual level.The author talks several times about how many of Fred Rogers' qualities remind him of what it must have been like to interact with Jesus.The whole book is both uplifting and poignant. One of my personal favorite influences throughout the book is Tim's mother.She is apparently strong in her Catholic faith and had been throughout raising 7 children and working as a school nurse.In the author's words, she did this "despite suffering from increasingly debilitating arthritis, and somehow managed to remain a woman of indomitable good cheer, a constant source of tenderness, love, and support for [her children}".He remembers fondly that "she rose each morning to have uninterrupted time to pray and read the Bible, savoring those quiet moments in the morning with God and a cup of coffee."How many of us long for our own children to view us in such a manner, but find it difficult to spend that kind of time nourishing our own faith?I am sure that Mrs. Madigan had her momentary lapses as a great wife and mom, but I found myself longing to be like her so that my own children could draw from my strength.The author takes us through his 7 year friendship with Fred Rogers and it is their correspondence that tells their story throughout most of the book.Mr. Madigan veers from this format temporarily in the chapter that tells of his brother, Steve's, death from lung cancer.During that chapter, he shares with us some words of his mother as she sat by the bedside and helped to care for her son while he died.The author is profoundly grateful that his mother has shared her thoughts in written form and preserved for future generations just a small amount of her faith and strength and is reminded of how Mary must have felt to watch Jesus die on the Cross.For sure, the whole Madigan family is a picture of strength and faith during that time, including his brother Steve.Their friendship is cut short, obviously, by the death of Mister Rogers in 2003.This book, though, preserves just a small amount of the great man that was Fred Rogers.For that, I amgrateful and also proud of Tim Madigan!I will be buying several copies of this book to give to my friends at Christmas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    6. Friends and associates    7. Madigan, Tim,    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Rogers, Fred    10. Television Plays And Programs    11. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (158)

I LOVED this book!
This book had me laughing out loud from start to finish. Jacobs is clever.And he seems completely honest and unafraid to write candidly about the sorts of thoughts and feelings that everyone has but few admit.Well okay, maybe not everyone; maybe just me and him. Anyway, I have trouble imagining any intelligent person not liking this book.

Now, I Know!
A plain- old -fashion-just down right-enjoyable book full of twists, turns and laughs!
amusing and diverting
This is a great book to read right before bed as it is light, easy to follow and profoundly amusing. It cheers you up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1968-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Books & Reading    6. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    7. Encyclopaedia Britannica    8. Encyclopedias (Multi-Subject)    9. General    10. History    11. Jacobs, A. J.,    12. Learning and scholarship    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Scholarship And Learning    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Military    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies    7. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (14)

I beleive half of what she said.
Interesting tale, but like another reviewer said, save your money and borrow it from someone else.It was interesting that the author claimed to always be the innocent one in all the drama and scandal.I found that hard to believe.Regarding other things she said seemed to make sense and definitely revealed life at the Playboy Mansion as less glamorous than you'd think.It really annoyed me when she complained about Hef not paying her student loans.Had she finished taking the bar exam and pursued a career in law she would've been able to pay them herself.She lost most of her credibility when she said that and it was right in the beginning of the book.

Amusing, if you can borrow it, but save your money
I love to read autobiographies and the like, and Bunny Tales was my most recent read.The grammatical errors were numerous, but I was able to work past them and focus on content.The stories of the parties and sexual escapades I have read before - no surprise there.As for Hefner, he can live anyway he chooses; don't knock it if you are going to live it. He doesn't owe these girls anything, yet St. James comes across as selfish and superficial and most of all, ungrateful.
Interesting Read
Although I agree that this book was filled with too many contradictory statements and spelling/gramatical errors to count, it was nonetheless a very interesting read. I was intrigued to find out what actually happens behind the closed doors of the Playboy mansion, and I'm left wondering if what is shown on "The Girls Next Door" isn't all for show? I'm guessing it is, however what reality TV show isn't?
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Models (Persons)    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Playboy Enterprises    9. Rich & Famous    10. St. James, Izabella    11. United States    12. Women   

Reviews (61)

Rubin Cartert, the true story - it's not enough to see the movie
If you have seen "The Hurricane" motion picture, starring Denzel Washington (an amazing peformance), surely you'd think that you know everything there is to know about Rubin Carter. Unfortunately, that's incorrect. Furthermore, it's not even close.
A True Account
I bought this book my sophomore year of high school and that was over 7 years ago.It has literally been my bible to life.Rubin and his book have changed my life more than anything else I have ever encountered.Too often than not we find false heroes in this world.People like Paris Hilton who some look up to as a hero or a role model, but the true heroes in this life are often over looked or never seen at all.Rubin Carter is a true hero, I have never even heard of such a troubled life an to come out on top both a champion of his sport and one in life.A wise man told me once that it is now how we live this life but what we do during it.If your looking for a uplifting book of a true hero an a book that will give you strength when all doubt you, this is the one.

Brilliant and Touching
Obviously no one can write his story better than Rubin himself.This story is both and inspiring story of a man who has never stopped fighting and a terrifying reality check into the American judicial system.This book is filled with an anger that is only kept in check by the author's own love and compassion.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Boxing    5. Criminals & Outlaws    6. People of Color    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Prison Life    9. Sports    10. Sports - General    11. Biography & Autobiography / People of Color   

Reviews (38)

He phoned this one in.
Deeply disappointing in quality and quantity for this Bryson fan. I order his titles automatically, but would have passed on this had I read the reviews first and realized it was a CARE puff piece .

An easy-to-read introduction to Africa
This is a good-humored and entertaining record of Bryson's visit to Kenya.It's a short book about a short trip, and so it would make a good read for someone just beginning to get interested in Africa.

Bill Bryson's African Diary
Though short, the sad realities don't necessitate a longer one.As usual, Bryson's writing is very enjoyable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Bryson, Bill    4. Description    5. Description And Travel    6. Kenya    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Travel    9. Travelers    10. History / Africa   

Reviews (2)

Market Analysis
If you believe Market Analysis,you ought to choose Jesse Livermore.If you believe Company Analysis,you ought to choose Warren Buffett.If you believe Country Analysis,you ought to choose Jim Rogers.Good lucky!

Picture this; it's the early 1900's, the dawn of the Roaring 20's. Gatsby like characters abound ...
Picture this; it's the early 1900's, the dawn of the Roaring 20's. Gatsby like characters abound and are romanticized in the Saturday Evening Post, Horatio Alger rags to riches stories are all the rave. Along comes Jesse Livermore, a ballsy, throw caution to the wind and risk it all by leveraging it up to the hilt and letting it ride type of guy. It's a time when the market is on fire and behaves something like the late 90's but the regulators are nowhere to be seen. Charles Ponzi takes Boston by storm with his promises of 50% in 45 days with his Ponzi Notes and creates an all out frenzy engulfing what seems like half of the City.
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Subjects:  1. Business    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Finance    6. Investments & Securities - General    7. Investments & Securities - Stocks    8. New York Stock Exchange    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Securities    11. Speculation    12. Stocks    13. Business & Economics / Finance    14. Stocks & shares   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Business    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Rich & Famous    8. Business & Economics / General    9. Business & Management   

Reviews (139)

An elegiac last call from the greatest American author
Kurt Vonnegut has his detractors, some of whom can be found reviewing this book, but thankfully he also has numerous fans -- and you can put me at the forefront of his supporters any day. In this work (which will most likely be the now eighty-four year old author's last) Vonnegut looks back at the life he has lived, the people he has met, those who have influenced him, the world he has inhabited, and reflects on where the human race seems to be headed. Surely there will be people who disagree with Vonnegut's politics, but what he is preaching (if anything) is the importance of kindness -- and, really, who could possibly find fault with that? He challenges his readers to stand up to the political machines, the corrupt corporations, et al and to hold on to their integrity in a world that no longer rewards honesty and hard work. Vonnegut certainly has no love for President Bush and the current administration -- which naturally provokes a knee-jerk defensive position from the conservatively inclined reader, but if you take the politics out of the equation you are left with what Vonnegut recommends to a man on page 107: "There's only one rule that I know of: Go****mn it, Joe, you've got to be kind!" Again, who could argue with that? Wouldn't the world be a better place -- and wouldn't life be a lot easier to live -- if we just made the modicum of effort that it takes to be nice to each other? Perhaps, being apolitical myself, it's easy for me to put aside my differences with Vonnegut and focus on what he is trying to say. There are also those who complain that Vonnegut is overly simplistic. Well, if I've learned anything it's that oftentimes the most obvious things are the hardest to see -- and if everyone already knew what Vonnegut is saying the world wouldn't need much fixing in the first place. Turkish author Orhan Pamuk just won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Literature, and I'm sure that he deserves it, but it just stupefies me that Vonnegut has never been honored with that prize during his long career. With a canon that includes "Mother Night" (my favorite Vonnegut book), "Slaughterhouse Five", "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater", "Breakfast of Champions" and so much more he just seems like a great choice. And at eighty-four Vonnegut has lost none of his mental prowess and signature wit. If this elegiac work proves to be Vonnegut's last it would be a fitting, melancholy note to end his career on. I just can't help but selfishly hold onto the hope that he will be around a while longer to entertain us with his unique blend of comedy, tragedy, and poignant themes. God -- or whatever is out there -- bless you, Mr. Vonnegut.

A master writer but not at his best
I have long been a fan of Kurt Vonnegut.Yes, he is a socialist and, yes, his writing is not balanced.He is espousing a point of view.Nothing is masked.I accept that and appreciate the wit and originality for what it is.He has written masterpieces of American literature and this is written as the words of an aging great man.
ICONOCLASM TRUMPS TALENT
Not having read any of Vonnegut's work for 30 years, I opened A Man Without a Country and remembered why I'd SO assiduously avoided him. As a natural conservative I much enjoy the thrust and parry of lively political debate. But KV, like almost every socialist I've ever met, doesn't do debate, preferring mockery, innuendo, myth and wilfully distorted facts. It's the superior sneer of the self-styled intellectual who doesn't know what he's talking about. His unwavering belief in doctrinal socialism brings to mind a line from Emerson: "Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
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Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. 20th century    3. American - General    4. Authors, American    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography And Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Essays    10. Form - Essays    11. General    12. History - General History    13. Literature - Classics / Criticism    14. Personal Memoirs    15. Political Process - General    16. Politics and government    17. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    18. United States    19. United States - 20th Century    20. Vonnegut, Kurt    21. History / United States / 20th Century   

Reviews (11)

Inspirational Tale of Holiness
Did you ever have a plastic statue of St. Jude in your sock drawer? Fr. James Martin did. When he was a teen, he was afraid his friends would see the statue if it were prominently displayed in his room so he relegated this "Saint of Impossible Causes" to the sock drawer where he couldn't cause any embarrassment. That is just one of the stories Fr. Martin shares in "My Life with the Saints," a spiritual memoir focusing on how he became introduced to various saints and the impact they have had on his life.
Saints as fellow travelers
A friend recommended this book, and when I first started the book it wasn't quite what I had anticipated. However within the first few chapters I was hooked!
New Friends
Feeling lonely? This book offer new friends for young people and not so young anymore.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Christian saints    7. Christianity - Catholicism    8. Christianity - Discipleship    9. Meditations    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Religious    12. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    13. Saints & hagiography   

Reviews (33)

Waist Deep
I can see why fans of John Daly would love this book - he portrays himself as the good ol' boy that many golf fans know and adore. But the BS here is waist-deep. The book actually made me sad - there is absolutely nothing to admire about this guy. He has squandered his talent and his money. He tries to portray himself as a champion, but anyone who follows the Tour knows he is the biggest quitter of all time. Whenever he is playing poorly or is out of contention, he throws in the towel - he has probably shot more final rounds in the 80's than any Tour player in history. Bottom line - if you're already a Daly fan, you'll probably love this book. But if you read it wanting to find out more about him, it will reveal him as one gigantic, pathetic waste of talent.

A True Character
Though not particuarly well written, this autobiography is nonetheless engaging and entertaining.Many of Daly's personal faults are already well known, so there is not too much in this book anyone will find shocking.Despite what another reviewer wrote, I never felt that Daly was making excuses for his behavior, giving his side of the story and providing more context to the myriad of situations he has created and found himself in over the years.He is by and large unapologetic, which in a way is refreshing.He seems mostly at peace with who he is and his take me or leave me attitude is sad in some respects.His ongoing gambling problem, poor diet, poor romantic choices, binge drinking, etc have kept him from regaining his position as a great golf player.If you like Daly buy the book.He is a definite character and overall a likable one who seems to generally appreciate his fans and those less fortunate than himself.

putting it all out there
I enjoyed reading this book. You feel for John. He's a good guy. Some of his unwanted drama is self-inflicted and some not. I can't imagine anyone to be as good as he is with all the distractions. Bottom line, he lives large and doesn't just amble through life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1966-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Daly, John,    7. Golf    8. Golf - General    9. Golfers    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Sports - General    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Editorial Review

Karen Armstrong speaks to the troubling years following her decision to leave the life of a Roman Catholic nun and join the secular world in 1969. What makes this memoir especially fascinating is that Armstrong already wrote about this era once---only it was a disastrous book. It was too soon for her to understand how these dark, struggling years influenced her spiritual development, and she was too immature to protect herself from being be bullied by the publishing world. As a result, she agreed to portray herself only in as "positive and lively a light as possible"---a mandate that gave her permission to deny the truth of her pain and falsify her inner experience. The inspiration for this new approach comes from T. S. Eliot's Read more

Reviews (80)

Wonderfully Touching and Powerful
Thank you Karen for recording your experience in such a truthful and therefore powerful way. Your courage and determination in the face of inhumanity is a familiar drumbeat that we would all do well to march to. Your stories of survival with compassion and mercy are