by Elizabeth Gaskill
*** [3/5]
The best part of this book for me was the insights about the labor conflicts with unions in northern england in the early industrial age. The book is also the story of a romantic journey of the heroine, who is a very likable and fun character. The love interest is a bit unbelievable, even for the age of expressionless bonds. On the whole the length of the book is a bit long for the outcome, but there are some gems in there.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Life amoung the Chickens
by P.G. Wodehouse
*** [3/5]
As fun as you might expect from Wodehouse, but Jeeves is not in this saga so it is short on panache. It did rather seem like too much time had been spent with the chickens by the time the book ended, but no reason not to read a fun story.
*** [3/5]
As fun as you might expect from Wodehouse, but Jeeves is not in this saga so it is short on panache. It did rather seem like too much time had been spent with the chickens by the time the book ended, but no reason not to read a fun story.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Fluid Mechanics
by P.K. Kundu
* [1/5]
Ok - I have had no time to read any real books so I thought the least I could do was review a few of the books I have spent quality time with.
This book was disappointing. The graphics are poorly drawn and the text is difficult to follow. The material is covered in a good manner but the student is left to draw the pieces together independently. Probably the most annoying aspect of this textbook is the lack of example problems with full solutions. The odd problems don't have solutions so there is absolutely no way for the student to test knowledge or review for an exam using this book. In my opinion this book poor beyond belief and should not be used as a textbook. I admit that I recently purchased an alternative textbook to supplement this book.
Although the class using this is graduate level, I think an undergraduate text would be more appropriate than this sad book.
* [1/5]
Ok - I have had no time to read any real books so I thought the least I could do was review a few of the books I have spent quality time with.
This book was disappointing. The graphics are poorly drawn and the text is difficult to follow. The material is covered in a good manner but the student is left to draw the pieces together independently. Probably the most annoying aspect of this textbook is the lack of example problems with full solutions. The odd problems don't have solutions so there is absolutely no way for the student to test knowledge or review for an exam using this book. In my opinion this book poor beyond belief and should not be used as a textbook. I admit that I recently purchased an alternative textbook to supplement this book.
Although the class using this is graduate level, I think an undergraduate text would be more appropriate than this sad book.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Marjorie Morningstar
by Herman Wouk
*** [3/5]
I had high hopes for this book because I enjoyed other books by Wouk so much. Unfortunately this one was disappointing because the plot was a bit predictable. The heroine is far less interesting than some of his past characters, and her entire story of life before marriage reads more like sad drama that real angst. Not a bad read, but far from the expected level.
*** [3/5]
I had high hopes for this book because I enjoyed other books by Wouk so much. Unfortunately this one was disappointing because the plot was a bit predictable. The heroine is far less interesting than some of his past characters, and her entire story of life before marriage reads more like sad drama that real angst. Not a bad read, but far from the expected level.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J.K. Rowling
***** [5/5]
***** [5/5]
I think everyone has already read the Harry Potter books but if you have not you should. The stories are great and the characters are lively and intriguing. This was the last book in the series but like all the predecessors the book was hard to put down.
The Book of the Dead
by Douglas Preston
* [1/5]
* [1/5]
I read this book because I am a sucker for Egyptian themes but it was not well composed. The theme is muted and only a few Egyptian artifacts are present in the plot. The book is structured as a mystery but doesn't have any surprise elements.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Price of Love
by Arnold Bennett
[***] 3/5
This was an interesting book with a nice series of plot twists. The heroine struggles with the vices of a new husband as the events of theft unfold over several months.
The characters are well developed but the plot is not as compelling as it could be. Several good twists, but the real value of the book is the moral questions the characters struggle with and how each individual deals with temptation.
[***] 3/5
This was an interesting book with a nice series of plot twists. The heroine struggles with the vices of a new husband as the events of theft unfold over several months.
The characters are well developed but the plot is not as compelling as it could be. Several good twists, but the real value of the book is the moral questions the characters struggle with and how each individual deals with temptation.
Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde
*** [3/5]
Well I finally got around to reading this book. As one of the few classics I had missed I am not sure why I put it off except that it always looked so dark to me. Well ....
This is one of the darkest books around. The plot focuses on Dorian Gray, who doesn't age but his deeds are reflected in a portrait. The story is an exploration of morality in this time period, but it rather drags on after Wilde makes a few points around the mid-point.
More info.
*** [3/5]
Well I finally got around to reading this book. As one of the few classics I had missed I am not sure why I put it off except that it always looked so dark to me. Well ....
This is one of the darkest books around. The plot focuses on Dorian Gray, who doesn't age but his deeds are reflected in a portrait. The story is an exploration of morality in this time period, but it rather drags on after Wilde makes a few points around the mid-point.
More info.
Friday, June 29, 2007
LibriVox
***** [5/5]
Well this isn't a book review but I thought it was worth mentioning. I found this new website that provides access to books in the public domain. I think this is an amazing idea and great content. Check it out!
Well this isn't a book review but I thought it was worth mentioning. I found this new website that provides access to books in the public domain. I think this is an amazing idea and great content. Check it out!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
April in Paris
by Michael Wallner
**** [4/5]
This was a dark book. An interesting look at war from the side of a German soldier stationed in Paris. He expresses a different perspective than you would normally read and interesting human relationships are explored.
Several unpredictable twists to the story. Recommended read.
**** [4/5]
This was a dark book. An interesting look at war from the side of a German soldier stationed in Paris. He expresses a different perspective than you would normally read and interesting human relationships are explored.
Several unpredictable twists to the story. Recommended read.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
The Queen of Babble
by Meg Cabot
[0/5]
This book was terrible. Seriously.
The heroine is an insipid moron. It was like watching a horrible accident when you can't look away and you keep watching her do one more stupid thing.
There are funny moments in this book, but in general it appears to have been written for other insipid readers who don't mind wasting time.
To make it worse, the end it trite, off color, and poorly executed. Don't bother!
[0/5]
This book was terrible. Seriously.
The heroine is an insipid moron. It was like watching a horrible accident when you can't look away and you keep watching her do one more stupid thing.
There are funny moments in this book, but in general it appears to have been written for other insipid readers who don't mind wasting time.
To make it worse, the end it trite, off color, and poorly executed. Don't bother!
Friday, June 15, 2007
One of ours
by Willa Cather
**** [4/5]
I am not sure why I didn't read this book before. I went through a Willa Cather phase several years ago and somehow missed it. I now believe it is one of my favorites of Cather's books, a close second to "Death Comes to the Archbishop."
Tells the story of a farmboy named Claude who ends up entering the first world war. As usual, Cather explores the characters in great detail. I suppose what I didn't like was way the plot wrapped without much closure. Great book, well worth the time.
**** [4/5]
I am not sure why I didn't read this book before. I went through a Willa Cather phase several years ago and somehow missed it. I now believe it is one of my favorites of Cather's books, a close second to "Death Comes to the Archbishop."
Tells the story of a farmboy named Claude who ends up entering the first world war. As usual, Cather explores the characters in great detail. I suppose what I didn't like was way the plot wrapped without much closure. Great book, well worth the time.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival
by Anderson Cooper
**** [4/5]
I really enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. Be warned that this is a very graphic description of many of the events that the author witnessed in many ugly situations.
If you are interested in foreign affairs this is a wonderful read. The many events that Cooper has covered are written about in lively color and tell a much fuller story than the sound bites that are actually aired by the media. Although like most people I understand the media needs to keep coverage of some events limited for viewers, I really liked this viewpoint. He also weaves in descriptions of how his personal life influenced his journalism which makes the story richer. I think this helps the reader understand how some people can survive the life of journalism of this type.
Great read.
**** [4/5]
I really enjoyed this book much more than I expected to. Be warned that this is a very graphic description of many of the events that the author witnessed in many ugly situations.
If you are interested in foreign affairs this is a wonderful read. The many events that Cooper has covered are written about in lively color and tell a much fuller story than the sound bites that are actually aired by the media. Although like most people I understand the media needs to keep coverage of some events limited for viewers, I really liked this viewpoint. He also weaves in descriptions of how his personal life influenced his journalism which makes the story richer. I think this helps the reader understand how some people can survive the life of journalism of this type.
Great read.
Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power
by Robert Dallek
**** [4/5]
This was a very informative book. A bit drier in tone than it really needed to be compared to some biographies.
The book was billed as a book about both men, but in my opinion it really focused most on Nixon. The book did stay mostly tuned to the foreign policy decisions made during the Nixon administration. If you are interested in the gritty details about the way the US interacted with other nations during this era and the way the power play of the two men influenced this you would enjoy this book.
**** [4/5]
This was a very informative book. A bit drier in tone than it really needed to be compared to some biographies.
The book was billed as a book about both men, but in my opinion it really focused most on Nixon. The book did stay mostly tuned to the foreign policy decisions made during the Nixon administration. If you are interested in the gritty details about the way the US interacted with other nations during this era and the way the power play of the two men influenced this you would enjoy this book.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
The Edge of Winter
by Luanne Rice
** [2/5]
This was a fairly trite story. It explores the events of one spring when the conflict is based on the potential removal of a sunken U-boat from a local beach and an injured owl. The whole thing reads like the target audience was junior high kids rather than adults (may be it was?).
Not worth your time. The end is contrived and the plot is weak.
** [2/5]
This was a fairly trite story. It explores the events of one spring when the conflict is based on the potential removal of a sunken U-boat from a local beach and an injured owl. The whole thing reads like the target audience was junior high kids rather than adults (may be it was?).
Not worth your time. The end is contrived and the plot is weak.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Amsterdam
by Ian McEwan
*** [3/5]
I read this while traveling last week.
This book had some good plot elements but the pace was a little slow. The story focused on the way human insecurities of several of the key characters led them to bad decisions. This book was better than the normal best seller.
Not a top pick but an interesting read.
More info.
*** [3/5]
I read this while traveling last week.
This book had some good plot elements but the pace was a little slow. The story focused on the way human insecurities of several of the key characters led them to bad decisions. This book was better than the normal best seller.
Not a top pick but an interesting read.
More info.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
A G-Man's Life: The FBI, Being 'Deep Throat,' And the Struggle for Honor in Washington
by Mark Felt, John D. O'Connor
***** [5/5]
I read this book because I was interested in watergate, but most of the book actually focused on the life of Mark Felt. As it turns out I was probably happier with the book because it focused on his career. Really interesting person and a great story about his struggles in politics.
After reading this I really respected many of the decisions he made and his motivation for being deep throat. Great read!
***** [5/5]
I read this book because I was interested in watergate, but most of the book actually focused on the life of Mark Felt. As it turns out I was probably happier with the book because it focused on his career. Really interesting person and a great story about his struggles in politics.
After reading this I really respected many of the decisions he made and his motivation for being deep throat. Great read!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero
by Henryk Sienkiewicz
***** [5/5]
My intern gave me this book suggestion last summer. I really enjoyed it!
The story of the apostles in Rome after the death of Jesus was well crafted. Some of the characters had weak motivation but the story pulls together and is very compelling. I can't speak to the historical accuracy but it seemed to have been well researched and contained details of the period that add to the tale.
Great book. A must read classic (not that I am the first one to notice).
More Info.
***** [5/5]
My intern gave me this book suggestion last summer. I really enjoyed it!
The story of the apostles in Rome after the death of Jesus was well crafted. Some of the characters had weak motivation but the story pulls together and is very compelling. I can't speak to the historical accuracy but it seemed to have been well researched and contained details of the period that add to the tale.
Great book. A must read classic (not that I am the first one to notice).
More Info.
Angels and Demons
by Dan Brown
* [1/5]
I don't know what I was thinking when I read this. I had already read 2 other Dan Brown novels (including the famous one) and they just make me purple face grumpy with the inaccuracy.
So this is a story of another fast paced chase through ancient churches (hmmm .... pattern?). I could live with the power fiction components, but when the author puts our hero in a helicopter with a bomb and he jumps out and survives because he had the forethought to grab the parking tarp I nearly gave up.
Bubble gum and not even the good stuff. This is more like the really cheap gum you get out of the machine at the grocery store and it gets hard in about 1.5 chews. Don't waste the ink on your library cards.
More info.
* [1/5]
I don't know what I was thinking when I read this. I had already read 2 other Dan Brown novels (including the famous one) and they just make me purple face grumpy with the inaccuracy.
So this is a story of another fast paced chase through ancient churches (hmmm .... pattern?). I could live with the power fiction components, but when the author puts our hero in a helicopter with a bomb and he jumps out and survives because he had the forethought to grab the parking tarp I nearly gave up.
Bubble gum and not even the good stuff. This is more like the really cheap gum you get out of the machine at the grocery store and it gets hard in about 1.5 chews. Don't waste the ink on your library cards.
More info.
The Codex
by Douglas Preston
** [2/5]
This was completely different than the last book I read. My grandfather called books like this brain bubble gum.
While not a challenging read it did have a decently composed plot, although many of the twists were fairly easy to spot by chapter 2. Good action and a fast pace so if you need something to entertain you on the airplane this is a fine. Just don't be fooled by the title that this might have any historical interest or significant references to accurate historic events.
More info.
** [2/5]
This was completely different than the last book I read. My grandfather called books like this brain bubble gum.
While not a challenging read it did have a decently composed plot, although many of the twists were fairly easy to spot by chapter 2. Good action and a fast pace so if you need something to entertain you on the airplane this is a fine. Just don't be fooled by the title that this might have any historical interest or significant references to accurate historic events.
More info.
Edison: A Life of Invention
by Paul Israel
ISBN 0-471-36270-0
**** [4/5]
I picked this book up on a business trip because I was interested to learn more about Edison.
I really enjoyed this book and learning the details of the great inventors method. Warning, this is complete non-fiction and a bit dry so you need to really engage. One of the best features of the book is the reproductions of invention ideas and patent illustrations.
A few interesting factoids that I didn't realize, apparently Edison was also deeply involved in the evolution of the telephone (who knew?). He invention style was more methodical than I would have guessed and he had a very systematic when looking for filament materials for lightbulbs.
I enjoyed it. Good book to pick up.
ISBN 0-471-36270-0
**** [4/5]
I picked this book up on a business trip because I was interested to learn more about Edison.
I really enjoyed this book and learning the details of the great inventors method. Warning, this is complete non-fiction and a bit dry so you need to really engage. One of the best features of the book is the reproductions of invention ideas and patent illustrations.
A few interesting factoids that I didn't realize, apparently Edison was also deeply involved in the evolution of the telephone (who knew?). He invention style was more methodical than I would have guessed and he had a very systematic when looking for filament materials for lightbulbs.
I enjoyed it. Good book to pick up.
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