Tag: Book Reviews

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: ‘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.

Book review: ‘Healthy Joints for Life’ by Richard Diana MD

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‘Healthy Joint for Life’ by Richard Diana MD is about learning to reduce joint pain. Photo: google

Richard Diana, MD is a board-certified surgeon, clinical instructor at Yale School of Medicine and attending surgeon at Yale-New Haven Hospital. After years playing football with the Miami Dolphins he retired after Super Bowl XVII to attend Yale School of Medicine and has been an orthopedic consultant to several athletic programs. In his book “Healthy Joints for Life: An Orthopedic Surgeon’s Proven Plan to Reduce Pain and Inflammation, Avoid Surgery and Get Moving Again” he applies his experiences and training to write about ways to reduce joint pain.

“Healthy Joints for Life” is a ground breaking book by an orthopedic surgeon and former NFL player. It involves no surgery, no medication and no drastic measures and is based on cutting edge research that has identified the role that the molecule known as NFkB plays in the regulation of inflammation. His plan for reducing joint pain includes an eight week program that teaches readers to take advantage of this research to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and rejuvenate their joints. It includes information about which foods to eat to reduce inflammation, simple exercises based on mobility and the right supplements to take to increase overall mobility. In the introduction, the author introduces himself and describes how his past experiences shaped his life. The book is divided into two parts: in part one he explains how joint pain works, including what joints are, how they work and how food affects them; in part two he introduces his plan and how to tailor it to meet an individual’s need. He also includes personal anecdotes and experiences.

The main theme of “Healthy Joints for Life” is that “to control joint pain, you need to control the information.” Richard Diana does his best to keep the science behind this information at a level that can be easily understood. For those wanting an in-depth explanation he includes a longer explanation in an Appendix. Other than that, everything else is within easy grasp of most readers and includes diet and exercise information that anyone can use to lessen their joint pain. It is an excellent reference guide for anyone interested in learning more about how the body works and how external factors affect it.

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

Book review: Thoughtless series by Gregory Nicholas Malouf

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‘Empty Earth’ is book 6 in the Thoughtless series by Gregory Nicholas Malouf. Photo: google

Gregory Nicholas Malouf is the founder of Epsilon Healing Academy and a successful businessman and entrepreneur. After a traumatic childhood he became a workaholic in order to run away from his past and achieve what he considered the perfect life. Despite his success he failed to achieve fulfillment and eventually changed his spiritually empty life into one filled with love, peace and abundance. He has written numerous self-help books but he is best known for his Thoughtless series. With this series he aims is to help people better themselves and find a peaceful more fulfilling life. He challenges readers to look within themselves and develop a deeper connection to their Self.

In his previous books he defined the Self. The Self by nature is authentic and needs no outside fulfillment. When the connection to the Self is lost that is when the sense of fulfillment is lost and shallow love begins. Shallow love is the attachment to someone or something that people develop in an effort to fill the void in their lives. The loss of connection with the Self can also cause the development of fears and phobias. Previous books in the series include “Shallow Love,” “Tunnel Vision,” “Self Fulfilled,” “Overzealous,” and “Victim State.”

“Empty Earth” is book 6 in the series and in it the author offers readers ways to presently start living the life they desire and deserve. This comes by connecting to the Self and appreciating who and what they currently have. In book 7,“Unmalice Curse” he writes about learning how to be aware, end old distorted beliefs and replace them with new ones to be able to live wholly in the present. Among the tips he gives is learning how to listen to and trust the inner voice. Judgement becomes the central theme in book 8: “Judging is a Trap.” He writes that once people overcome the opinions and behaviors of others it can free their mind to accept love, joy and peace into their lives.

All the books in the Thoughtless series are small and easy to read. They are recommended for anyone looking to make a change in their lives. Some of these methods may be hard to put into practice but he shares personal stories of how they worked for him. He practices what he preaches and that gives his work a sense of authority and authenticity.

“The purpose of life is to evolve……The purpose of everyone on earth is the same: to learn to forgive so we may live in complete peace and joy, and with sustainable love.” Book one – “Shallow Love”

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

Book review: ‘Breaking the Trust Barrier’ by JV Venable

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‘Breaking the Trust Barrier is JV Venable’s book about building and leading high performance teams. Photo: google

JV Venable is a graduate of the USAF’s Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and an inspirational speaker, seminar leader and coach on building and leading high performance teams. He has led individuals, teams and organizations at the highest ends of performance and risk in both peacetime and in combat. He was also the commander and demonstration leader of the US Air Force jet demonstration team, The Thunderbirds. Since then he has used that experience to write “Breaking the Trust Barrier: How Leaders Close the Gaps for High Performance,” a book about building and leading high performance teams.

In “Breaking the Trust Barrier,” JV Venable shares his lessons learned as commander and demonstration leader of The Thunderbirds. Some of the maneuvers required teamwork that meant the difference between life and death. The distance between jets was down to a mere eighteen inches and closing the gap to sustain that kind of separation requires the highest levels of trust. It is this closing of gaps that the author defines in the first chapter. Subsequent chapters describe how the close the different types of gaps found in everyday life that inhibit the growth of trust. These gaps include Traction Gap, Engagement Gap, Passion Gap, Confidence Gap, Respect Gap, Integrity Gap, Principle Gap and Empowerment Gap. Since he uses common Air Force lingo he includes a helpful Glossary at the end of the book.

Trust is the central theme of this helpful reference book about increasing leadership abilities. Secondary to that is identifying and “closing the gap” that can cause a lack of confidence and cause leaders to be anything but stellar. Together with inspirational stories the author gives step by step examples on how his tips can be used in virtually any scenario. Overall it is easy to read and the subject matter is easy to follow but sometimes the terms he uses require a little more thinking. It is geared towards leaders but anyone can benefit from it.

“…there are many common traits that successful people share. One trait that seemed of paramount importance was a desire to improve, no matter what one’s current level of success might be.”

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

Book review: ‘The 10 Laws of Trust’ by Joel Peterson

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In ‘The 10 Laws of Trust’ Joel Peterson writes about how to establish and maintain a culture of trust. Photo: google

Joel­ Peterson is the Chairman of JetBlue Airways and the Founding Partner of Peterson Partners, a Salt Lake City investment management firm. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and teaches courses in real estate investment, entrepreneurship and leadership at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. In “The 10 Laws of Trust: Building the Bonds That Make a Business Great” he writes about trust and how it can either make or break a business.

Trust is necessary in healthy relationship from business dealings to personal relationships. It is the glue binds but when it is broken it is difficult and sometimes impossible to repair. In “The 10 Laws of Trust,” Joel Peterson starts off in the Introduction by stating the goals of this book: “to examine what trust is, present methods for harnessing it, and consider how to restore trust or recover from its breach.” In the chapter titled The Power of Trust he defines the three types of trust, these being reciprocal, representative and pseudo-trust. From there each subsequent chapter represents each of these ten laws: Start with Personal Integrity, Invest in Respect, Empower Others, Measure What You Want to Achieve, Create a Common Dream, Keep Everyone Informed, Embrace Respectful Conflict, Show Humility, Strive for Win-Win Negotiations, Proceed with Care. In the final chapter, Restoring Trust, he goes into the fact that betrayal is a natural part of life, that sometimes it is not personal but that it is usually damaging, along with the steps people can take to recover from betrayal.

“The 10 Laws of Trust” by Joel Peterson with David A Kaplan is an excellent reference on the topic of trust. It is easy to read and understand and shows readers how to establish and maintain a culture of trust. Standout chapters include Start With Personal Integrity and Embrace Respectful Conflict because the first deals with how team members trust leaders who show that they are not perfect and still learning and the second gives tips on conflict resolution. His tone is down to earth and he comes across are relatable because he shares his personal losses and the lessons he learned. It may be a small book but it is a playbook for business filled with practical advice suitable for everyday situations.

“….trust should be granted to people with the character and competence to make responsible use of the authority with which you have entrusted them. But everyone should have the opportunity to earn your trust.”

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

Book review: ‘Lulu’s Kitchen’ by Lucy Buffett

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‘LuLu’ Kitchen’ is Lucy Buffett’s most recent cookbook. Photo: google

Lucy Anne Buffett, known mostly as LuLu and Jimmy Buffett’s younger sister, is a former personal chef who has cooked for high profile clients from coast to coast. She has two restaurant locations and her first cookbook, formerly known as “Crazy Sista Cooking” has been reprinted as “LuLu’s Kitchen: A Taste of the Gulf Coast Good Life.” It has been updated with a new introduction and new photography and includes authentic family recipes from her Alabama and Florida destination restaurants.

“LuLu’s Kitchen” is Lucy Buffett’s culinary guide to classic Southern coastal cuisine and contains more than 120 signature recipes. A note on the revised edition starts it off and is followed by a word by both Jimmy Buffett and LuLu. Recipe sections include: Gumbo Love & Other Deep South Soups, Sassy Salads, Sandwiches & Such, Perfect Sauces & Salad Dressings, Sweet Things, Child’s Play, Life Is Good Grits and Party Favors. Sprinkled in between recipes and cooking tips are family stories and the stories behind some of the author’s favorite recipes. This part cook book, part autobiography is filled with interesting stories, pictures and cooking tips.

Cookbooks come and go but this one stands out because it is more than just recipes. In the section titled LuLu Food Philosophy, LuLu writes about her love of cooking what she has learned throughout the years about cooking and life. It is a charming book that is easy to read and the recipes are simple enough for anyone to try. The author’s voice is friendly and the overall tone of the book is relaxed, much like the coastal food she writes about. It is recommended for fans of well-developed cookbooks and readers who appreciated multi-dimensional books.

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