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.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
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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