Category: Book Reviews

Book review: ‘Grief Cottage’ by Gail Godwin

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‘Grief Cottage’ is Gail Godwin’s novel about a young boy sent to live with his great aunt on a South Carolina island.

Gail Godwin is a novelist and short story writer whose body of work includes 14 novels, two short story collections, three non-fiction books and ten musical works. A three-time National Book Award finalist, she has written more than a dozen critically-acclaimed books including the novels “Flora,” “Father Melancholy’s Daughter” and “Evensong.” Her most recent novel is “Grief Cottage,” a book about a young boy who goes to live with his great aunt when his mother is killed in an automobile accident.

The main character in “Grief Cottage” is Marcus, an eleven-year-old boy who is sent to live on a small South Carolina island with his great aunt Charlotte. Charlotte is a woman of few words and a reclusive painter with a haunted past. Since she spends most of her time in her studio painting and dealing with her own demons, Marcus is often by himself. As he explores the island, he becomes intrigued with the dilapidated empty cottage the locals call ‘Grief Cottage;’ named so because a boy and his parents disappeared from it during a hurricane fifty years earlier. Their bodies were never found and it has been empty since. He visits the cottage daily, each time getting closer even after the missing boy’s ghost appears to him. By getting to know his story, Marcus learns more about himself, his family and the memories that haunt people’s lives.

The story is told through Marcus’ point of view which gives readers an insight into his young life. He is wise beyond his years and that gives him an edge as he deals with the loss of his mother and his great-aunt’s tumultuous life. Ironically, he is often Charlotte’s caregiver when life beats her down. The book is mostly character driven and the narrative prose makes it an outstanding piece of modern literature. The author expertly balances the ghost story with Marcus’ personal growth. It is recommended for fans of coming of age literature and ghost stories.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘The Trial of Prisoner 043’ by Terry Jastrow

prisoner43Terry Jastrow worked in sports television for years producing and directing telecasts and that work earned him seven Emmy Awards. As an actor, he worked in theatre, film and television and in 2015 he wrote, produced and directed the feature film The Squeeze. His first novel “The Trial of Prisoner 043” is a political and courtroom drama that poses the question: what would happen if George W Bush were prosecuted for war crimes?

“The Trial of Prisoner 043” starts off with Chapter One, The Abduction, set in St Andrew’s, Scotland as former president of the United States George W Bush is playing golf. He is abducted by a team of paramilitary commandoes and transported to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to stand trial for war crimes relating to the Iraq War. The ICC prosecutes individuals for the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and since it has spent a year collecting evidence, it is time for Bush to be indicted as the one person most responsible for the war.

Even though the United States is one of the few western nations that do not participate in this court, the case moves forward, and it is presented to a panel of the judges with no jury. The rest of the book consists of the replaying of all the evidence for and against the Iraq War and the author uses real quotes from some of those involved in the war effort, including the head of the UN Iraq weapons inspection team, Laura Bush, George W Bush and Condoleezza Rice. In the end, he is released into US custody with the understanding that he will stand trial in the United States within twelve months for the same crime.

Even though this is a work of fiction it is based on true events. While the easy abduction of a former president may be hard to believe, it is not the most important part of the story. It is easy to read and understand and readers who are not into political drama should not be afraid to give this one a try. The courtroom drama more than makes up for any misgivings about politics, making it a suspenseful page-turner. One of the most interesting points the author poses is whether ISIS is a direct result of the American invasion of Iraq because the Iraqi Army was disbanded by the United States after the war. No matter which side of the political spectrum, the reader will appreciate the immense research Mr. Jastrow did for this novel. As proof, he cites his sources in the Author’s Notes. The subject is not overwhelming, so this book is recommended for anyone who appreciates a good courtroom drama based on modern day politics.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s.

 

Book review: ‘Fitter Faster’ by Robert J Davis

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‘Fitter Faster’ is the new exercise reference guide by health journalist Robert J Davis

Robert J Davis, Ph. D is an award-winning health journalist whose work has appeared on CNN, PBS, WebMD, and The Wall Street Journal. He has a master’s degree in public health from Emory and a PhD in health policy from Brandeis University. His past books include “Coffee is Good for You” and “The Healthy Skeptic.” “Fitter Faster: The Smart Way to Get in Shape in Just Minutes a Day” is his most recent release written with Brad Kolowich, Jr, a certified personal trainer. A science-backed guide, it gives readers information on living a healthy lifestyle.

“Fitter Faster” is divided into four parts: Part I, ‘Get Ready’ focuses on the benefits of exercise, Part II, ‘Get Smart,’ gives readers a rundown on aerobic exercise, strength training and stretching, Part III, ‘Get More Out of Exercise,’ discusses what kinds of food to eat to complement workouts and how to prevent exercise-related pain and Part IV, ‘Get Going,’ provides detailed workout plans with descriptions and photos of each exercise. Throughout the chapters, there are also sections titled ‘Fitness Journey’ which highlight real stories of real people who have improved their lives through exercise.

This reference guide gives well-balanced information for anyone looking to get healthy for the new year. From stretching and workout routines to proper equipment, dietary supplement and post-workout protein shakes, each part stands on its own. Standouts include Chapter 8 ‘Eat and Run’ which has useful information about what to eat to improver performance and Chapter 10, ‘The Workouts.’ After reading it, it is easy to go back and re-read whatever information needs refreshing. The language is down to earth and easy to understand without any unnecessary medical jargon. It is recommended for anyone who needs a fitness guide book that is easy to understand and does not fat shame.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘Into a Dark Frontier’ by John Mangan

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‘Into a Dark Frontier’ is the exciting new novel by John Mangan.

Lt. Col. John Mangan is a decorated combat rescue pilot, novelist and coffeehouse poet. He has deployed to the Middle East eight times and has commanded the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron in Kandahar, Afghanistan. His actions in combat have been documented in the books “Not a Good Day to Die,” “None Braver” and “Zero Six Bravo.” He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor twice, The Air Medal twelve times, and the 2009 Cheney Award. Now retired from the military, he has written his first novel “Into a Dark Frontier” about an ex-Navy SEAL named Slade Crawford.

The story takes place in the near future as Africa has collapsed into a failed state that is lawless and severely depopulated. It is now the playground for the outcast, the desperate, the criminal and the insane. The protagonist is Slade Crawford, who was falsely accused of terrorism, imprisoned and tortured. His personal life also took a beating when his son died in an accident and his marriage fell apart. At break neck speed, the action begins as he is fleeing for his life hoping to start a new life. He has been hired by the Judeans, a fundamentalist Christian community fleeing America to resettle in Africa to live and worship as they please. He is to ride with them to Africa, train them and escort them to their new settlement. Things do not go as planned when he crosses paths with an American colonel, Gary Kraven, who blackmails him into tracking down a blood cult that is ravaging its way across the sub-Sahara. The closer he gets to the cult, he more he learns about a global struggle that will change history forever.

“Into a Dark Frontier” by John Mangan is an action-packed page turner that pulls the reader in from the first chapter to the last. The characters are multi-dimensional with their own backstories and goals. Even the Judean community has its heroes and villains. Slade is the typical anti-hero who is deeply flawed and haunted by his past. Even though he seldom does the right thing he always does what he must do to get the job done. The action is fast paced, typically seen in the Dan Brown novels, and the details in the action sequences and military descriptions are believable and authentic without getting too technical. There are some darks and grisly scenes when the Judeans get captured and killed but it goes with the territory. With the introduction of Slade Crawford, readers now have a new action hero and hopefully there will be more adventures in the future. It is a must-read and recommended for fans of the black-ops genre and international spy novels.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘It’s Not Yet Dark’ by Simon Fitzmaurice

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‘It’s Not Yet Dark’ is the life-affirming memoir by writer and film director Simon Fitzmaurice.

Simon Fitzmaurice is an award-winning writer and film director. His films have been screened in film festivals all over the world and have won numerous prizes including Best Short Film at the Cork Film Festival and the Belfast Film Festival. His short fiction has been short-listed for the Hennessy Literary Award and his poetry has appeared in the quarterly publication West 47. “It’s Not Yet Dark” is his first memoir and upon its release in Ireland it was a best seller. In it, the author expresses him thoughts about relationships and family and what it means to be alive.

“It’s Not Yet Dark” is Simon Fitzmaurice’s personal journey that includes living with ALS. In 2008, he was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease and was given four years to live. Faced with lung function collapse in 2010, he determined that it was not his time to die and made the difficult decision to ventilate to stay alive. He had a full life with his wife and five children and a satisfying career in film that he was not ready to give up. Written using an eye-gaze computer, the author pulls the reader into a world filled with ups and downs. It begins with the exciting news that his film was picked to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival. And with the turn of a page he begins the shocking revelation of how he was diagnosed with ALS.

This is not a depressing book about someone suffering and dying from a debilitating disease. It is a beautiful and heartwarming story of a man whose life is touched by a disease but somehow manages to see the positive in life. Told in lyrical prose that includes imagery and metaphors, it is a well-balanced narrative about a life lived to its fullest. The language is simple and easy to understand and it being a small book, can easily be read in a day or two. Fans of autobiographies, memoirs and poetry will find it hard to put down. Even though it goes into detail about his struggles with ALS, it is inspiring and uplifting and highly recommended.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean’ by Jonathan White

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In his new book ‘Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean,’ Jonathan White explores the science and spirit of ocean tides.  Photo: Barnes & Noble

Jonathan White is a marine conservationist, a sailor, surfer and author. He has written for publications like the Christian Science Monitor, The Sun, Orion and Surfer’s Journal. His first book, “Talking on the Water: Conversations about Nature and Creativity” is a collection of interviews exploring human relationships with nature. After a boating incident involving tides while on a seminar in Southeast Alaska, he vowed to learn more about tides and their powerful forces. In his new book, “Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean” he shares what he learned during his years of research that took him across the world; from the Arctic, to China, France, Chile, Scotland, Panama and Venice.

In “Tides,” Jonathan White writes about that all-important force that keeps earth’s waters in constant motion. With global warming making headlines worldwide, he explores how tides are affecting sea level and people’s livelihoods. The book is divided into nine chapters that give readers unique stories about tides such as: The Perfect Dance: Birds and Big Tides in the Bay of Fundy and Fast Water: How Tidal Currents Slow the Earth and Bend Time. He uses pictures, scientific figures, line drawings, brilliant color pictures and personal anecdotes to share his knowledge of what tides are and how they work. It is a combination of travel log, personal journal and scientific textbook.

Jonathan White’s love and respect for the ocean comes through in every story and scientific discovery he shares. The material is interesting and easy to understand although sometimes it can get too technical for the lay reader. Thankfully, he does an excellent job of balancing the science and the personal stories so that everyone can get something out of it. It is recommended for readers who enjoy learning about oceans, tides and wildlife along with interesting cultural history.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘KNOLL: The Last JFK Conspiracist’ by Stephen Hillard

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‘KNOLL: The Last JFK Conspiracist” is the new novel by Stephen Hillard.  Photo: Barnes & Noble

Stephen Hillard is a private equity entrepreneur, attorney, television producer and author. He co-wrote the eight-book epic fantasy series Chronicles of Ara with Joel Eisenberg. His first novel, “Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien,” was published in 2011 and was surrounded by controversy from the beginning. “KNOLL: The Last JFK Conspiracist” is his most recent novel and it was just released last week. It is a political thriller that revolves around the events surrounding the JFK assassination as William “Bus” McIntyre investigates his father’s possible involvement.

In “KNOLL,” Banner McCoy is an NSA data analyst who is on the run after she finds out the truth about the project she is working on. Known as project KNOLL, it was supposed to gather evidence regarding the JFK assassination but in truth, it is out to destroy any remaining evidence of a conspiracy. It is doing this by detecting and destroying anyone with new information about the conspiracy to assassinate JFK. William “Bus” McIntyre is a small-town attorney who is haunted by his father’s murder. When he receives his father’s personnel file that contains a note about his involvement in Dallas, he becomes KNOLL’s latest target. Louie Diamond is a hit man working for the late Carlos Marcello and his latest assignment is to eliminate anyone with knowledge of the assassination. Their paths  cross in a small Louisiana town that still hides its secrets.

The author does an exemplary job with the characters. Banner’s and Bus’ stories are told in first person narrative which makes them more relatable and makes their stories more impactful. Bus is an intelligent and well-read small-town lawyer as evident in his narrative when he makes literary references to “Moby Dick,” Shakespeare and George Orwell’s “1984.” Banner connects with people via a blog and when she describes the company she worked for in San Antonio it is hard for anyone living there not to Google the place, especially since she encourages her readers to do so. By contrast, Louie’s story is told in third person and this makes him more detachable, menacing and with a sole purpose: to kill. The action is fast paced and since it is based on real events, it might bring back memories for readers who lived through the JFK assassination. “KNOLL” is part political thriller, part mystery and part historical fiction with just enough of each genre to appeal to most readers.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘Beyond Bedlam’s Door’ by Mark Rubinstein, MD

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‘Beyond Bedlam’s Door’ is the new book by Mark Rubinstein, MD. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Mark Rubinstein, MD is a physician, psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry who writes mysteries and thrillers about people driven by forces they cannot control. Some of these thrillers include “Mad Dog House,” “The Lovers’ Tango” and “Mad Dog Justice.” He has also written five nonfiction medical advice books and “Bedlam’s Door: True Tales of Madness and Hope,” a collection of true stories of patients who the author and his colleagues saw in psychiatric consultation. His newest nonfiction book comes out this month and is titled “Beyond Bedlam’s Door: True Tales from the Couch and Courtroom.”

“Beyond Bedlam’s Door,” is a sequel to “Bedlam’s Door” in the sense that he continues with true stories of patients that he has treated. Everyone has a story behind the smile and whether these stories are sad or frightening they all come from a shared human experience. Each chapter is a story of a patient and are as varied as humanity itself. Some of these are “Crossing the Line” and “The Arrangement” but the ones that stand out are “Sidney,” “The Prescription” and “That Terrible Day.”

In “Sidney” Dr. Rubinstein writes how having to take his rescue dog to the office while his apartment was being painted opened him up to the idea of therapy dogs. The subject of dogs comes up again in “The Prescription” when he advised a patient to get a dog to help him ease the unhappiness he was experiencing in his life. While it was not a cure all it allowed the patient to have a renewed sense of purpose and was instrumental in getting him and his wife to become closer. Many people remember where they were that fateful September 11 during the attack on the World Trade Center and “That Terrible Day” is a powerful account of one person’s experience. It is the story of ‘Joseph’ who worked in the North Tower and was seen for conditions related to that day including PTSD and survivor’s guilt.

Each of these stories has a different perspective on what it means to be human. The subject matter is fascinating and easy to understand. It reads like a case studies textbook complete with an afterword following each case that examines the course of treatment and gives a follow up on the patient. There is even a Glossary that explains some of the terms used in the book. Overall, “Beyond Bedlam’s Door” is a must read for psychology enthusiasts and should appeal to readers who enjoy true to life stories.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Book review: ‘Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness and Humanity’ by Ronald Epstein MD

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Dr. Ronald Epstein is a practicing family physician, a professor of family medicine, psychiatry and oncology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry where he also co-directs Mindful Practice programs. His landmark article “Mindful Practice” has revolutionized the way physicians view their work and how it affects patients across the board. Mindfulness is one of the topics of his new book “Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness and Humanity” and it shines a light on how doctors think and how they can provide safe, effective, patient-centered and compassionate care.

Mindfulness has become popular recently as people look for ways to deal with the stresses of everyday life. Webster defines it as “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something” and “a mental state achieved by focusing on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” In his first book, Dr. Epstein brings his innovative programs in mindful practice and combines it with clinical stories to give patients a voice. He gives healthcare professionals a guide to refocus their approach to medicine. By using the four foundations of mindfulness which include Attention, Curiosity, Beginner’s Mind and Presence, he concludes that they can make the biggest impact by simply looking inward. He begins by defining Mindfulness and each of these foundations becomes a chapter where he further defines what they are and how they can impact patient care.

Dr. Ronald Epstein learned a valuable lesson as a third-year medical student that brought medical practice into perspective. He learned that focus is one thing and that mindfulness is another. It can mean the difference between just going through the motions and giving a patient the quality healthcare they deserve because it makes them less stressed, more effective and more human. In down to earth language, he shares how mindfulness-based skills benefits everyone from physicians to patients and the healthcare system. With its personal anecdotes and insights into the mind of physicians it reaches a wide audience and makes healthcare easier to navigate.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

 

Book review: ‘Mangrove Lightning’ by Randy Wayne White

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‘Mangrove Lightning’ is the new Doc Ford novel by Randy Wayne White. Photo: barnesandnoble.com

The New York Times’ best-selling author Randy Wayne White is best known for his crime fiction and non-fiction adventure tales. He has written seven novels under the pen name Randy Striker and eleven novels as Carl Ramm. Written under his real name, his most popular is the Doc Ford series, crime novels featuring the retired NSA agent Doc Ford, a marine biologist living on the Gulf Coast of southern Florida. “Mangrove Lightning” is his most recent and twenty-fourth Doc Ford novel. In it Doc Ford is being haunted by the ghosts of a 1925 multiple murder.

In “Mangrove Lightning” Doc Ford is approached by Tootsie Barlow, a charter captain and guide who is distraught and muttering something about a curse. His niece has disappeared and he fears she might be in danger because his extended family have always suffered due to his family’s shameful involvement with multiple murders dating back to 1925. Together with his sidekick Tomlinson, Ford begins to investigate by following the trail that leads them from Key Largo to Tallahassee where the connection takes them to a history of Chinese slavery and rum runners from Cuba. Eventually they find Gracie at the hands of a madman as they race to solve an old murder case and save her at the same time.

Randy Wayne White begins the story with an Author’s Note at the beginning where he writes about how the events in the book are based on events that occurred in Florida during Prohibition but that he has taken liberties with the details. Since this is not the first Doc Ford novel the emphasis is on the murder mystery rather than the characters. This does not change the dynamic of the story but readers who want character background and intention will be left wanting more. While the action is fast paced and easy to follow some of the details about what the captive women go through may be too graphic for some readers. This plays only a small part of the story and overall “Mangrove Lightning” is an interesting crime novel for fans of the genre.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.