Saturday, January 25, 2020

My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir By: Garry Marshall

What a great book.  Marshall's wholesome attitude and work ethic is refreshing.  One of the prolific directors of our times.  His story is incredible.  I found myself adding a bunch of his work to my Netflix "List".  Marshall created and directed Happy Days, Lavern & Shirley, The Odd Couple, Pretty Woman and countless more.  He launched the carriers of actors, actresses, producers and the like that also went on to entertain us.



The reason I chose this book was because I read his sister's book.  Mr. Marshall is the older brother of Penny Marshall know for movies like Big, A League of their own, and many more.  I read her story and was fascinated by all the actors and musicians you may not associate with "Lavern".  Garry Marshall's life was equally interesting.

His relationship with his wife Barbara gave me a retrospective view of my wife and our relationship.  I found many parallels between me in him from the prospective of work and family.  I want have what he had at his age.

I recommend this book to anyone who grew up watching his work.

Hardcover: 276 pages
Publisher: Crown Archetype; 1st Edition edition (April 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307885003
ISBN-13: 978-0307885005

Profiles in Corruption: Abuse of Power by America's Progressive Elite By: Peter Schweizer

This is the 4th book I read from this author.  Although this book focused entirely on the "Progressive" politicians and almost entirely on the Democratic 2020 Presidential hopefuls, he is normally fair and covers corruption in both parties.


It really is incredible to read this book and then listen to these politicians talk down to us with this moral indignation all the while they are totally corrupt and engaging in the very same things they accuse others of engaging in.  I always say that socialism is for the people not the socialists.  They talk a good talk, but they are all corrupt as they come.  

This books covers the sketchy rise of the candidates such as Harris, Biden, Sanders, Warren and many more. These folks and so many others are riding high on the MSM hearts.  We have seen time and time and time again and again that the MSM gets it wrong all the time. If you doubt it, look at Michael Avenatti, for gods sake, they were calling the 2020 election in his favor back in 2017.

The facts are clear.  When Obama was running for his second term, no one in the Democratic Party or the Republicans part would be able to beat him.  The only strategy was to wait him out.  The same is true with Trump.  He will win 2020 and there is nothing anyone can do.  They cannot even impeach him.  The Democrats are hurting the party by continuing with this approach.  When the information in this book comes out, they will be seen in the true light that they are; huge hypocrites. 

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Harper (January 21, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006289790X
ISBN-13: 978-0062897909

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Darkness to Light: A Memoir By: Lamar Odom

I am not a big basketball fan. I knew of Lamar Odom because of the Kardashians and even that was limited since I hardly watched it. For some reason I was interested in reading it though.



I was shocked how nonchalant he spoke about making it to the NBA. I am sure there was a lot of practiced and struggled, something i did not get out of the book.

The loss of his son was enough to send anyone into a tailspin, however his issues were present before, during and after. It was very sad to read about his downward spiral. To have it all and throw it away over substance is heartbreaking.  Hopefully his near-death experience, the love of his kids and the loss of the love of his life, as he stated, will keep him straight.

Odom's story is compelling and engaging. It's not a long book but I found myself not putting it down

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: BenBella Books (May 28, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1948836084
ISBN-13: 978-1948836081

Friday, January 17, 2020

The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances E. Jensen, Amy Ellis Nutt


This book starts off very cerebral, no pun intended. The author goes into detail about sections of the brain, how section inter communicate, what sections handle what human functions, etc.



I thought I was not going to like it but I found myself not wanting to put it down. I have a 20 year old and a 13 year old. Reading this book made me see my mistakes in my approach with the older one, and I immediately modified behaviors and tactics with my 13 YO.  

The book covers mental disorder in teens and young adults and what types of behaviors attribute to it.  I have kidded with friends that this book should have been names "Why is my kid an @$$hole".  While it does shed light on why, a lot, it turns out is parenting tactics. 

I recommend this book to anyone with teens, toddlers & families planning to have kids.  Even people without kids will benefit from this book. I have learned so much from this book.  Not sure how I stumbled onto this book.  I think it was a suggestion or an update I saw on goodreads.com.


Frances E. Jensen

Amy Ellis Nutt





Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Harper (January 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062067842
ISBN-13: 978-0062067845

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Chasing Cosby: The Downfall of America's Dad By: Nicole Weisensee Egan

A disturbing book about Bill Cosby and his disgusting practices.  I have read a lot of books, the most recent one, In Pieces by Sally Field and the one thing I have extrapolated from all of this is that these famous people are always in our faces telling us what to do, how to do it and calling out anyone that does not follow them lockstep.  But the reality is, they are mostly twisted and degenerates.  I know that is a bold statement and probably exaggerated, but when you look at the tax evaders, sexual deviants, drug and alcohol abuse, spousal abuse, children in disarray, you come to realize that they are no better than you.  Hell, for most of us, they could learn a thing or two from us.





This guy is the worst kind of deviant, not there is a good kind of course.  To premeditated rape of women by drugging them...... I have three sisters, a mom, a wife and many women I respect.  This guy should have been thrown in prison early on, not in his 70's.

Egan covers the multiple women that accused Cosby.  She goes over the #MeToo movement and how the more women came out against Cosby, the more victims felt they could come forward as well.  I understand how difficult it is for victims to come forward especially against a powerful attacker.  I am extremely cautious in believing women/men just because the accuse.  Sadly there has been many hoax cases that have screwed it up for everyone and made the public cynical about cases.  Not just rape, but race, LGBTQ, etc.

There is not doubt that Cosby is exactly where he belongs.  I cannot believe that he got as little time as he did.  His attorney, Thomas Mesereau was equally a PoS.  When I did digital forensics, I never took a case involving Child Pornography or child molestation.  Birds of a feather I guess.


Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Seal Press (April 23, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580058965
ISBN-13: 978-1580058964

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

In Pieces By: Sally Field

Field tells the tail of her childhood. It's strange to see her tell a tail of such an introvert and complicated youth yet know her to be such a vibrant actress today.




The book is poetic at times in her writing style. She sometimes makes small situations into grandiose ones and it's unclear if she truly thinks that way, if she is looking for dramatic effect or both. I did however enjoy the book. I have always loved her as an actress and as a younger boy, I had a crush on her from her Smokie and the Bandit movie. Man was I in love. Not so much on the crush now but certainly her talent.

I have read hundreds of biographies and memoirs but this book made me see a very human side of acting. Her description of home life and her kids makes you see that actors are just like you and me. I was just talking to a friend and I told her that I stopped watching award shows. Actors and Musicians screwed it up for me with their political grandstanding. This book reaffirmed that belief.

Prior to this book, and one of the reason I bought this one, I read the biography of Burt Reynolds. He admitted that Sally was "the one that got away". He should have said "the one I pushed away". What a horse's ass. Best thing she did was leave him. I really think he was envious of her success.

Sally Field is a remarkable actress. I love her work. This book is interesting and keeps you engaged. She is her worst critic and you can tell from her writing, her internal struggles and the relationship challenges she, as other Hollywood personalities faced. Multiple failed marriages, children from two different marriages. Read it. If you are a Field fan, it’s a must read.


Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Large type / Large print edition (September 18, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1538714698
ISBN-13: 978-1538714690