Unfamiliar Fishes By: Sarah Vowell

I was first interested in this subject matter when I read a book about Grover Cleveland.  I like to read about the actions of this country both positive AND negative.  It only strengthens my belief that "we the people" are to blame for all that this country does around the world, by allowing the politicians to act with impunity or even public scrutiny. 

Ms Vowell has a peculiar form of writing.  I tried to finish it but found it extremely difficult to do so.  The author rambled on about a movie, at nauseam. And generally strayed from the subject matter.  I may, in the future, try to fonosh this book, but for now, I could only give it 20%.

I am sure the author is a great author.  For those who have read her other work, you may disagree with me.  However I found it so distracting that I could not bear to continue. 

Hardcover: 313 pages
Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (July 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1410438252
ISBN-13: 978-1410438256

Inferno By: Dan Brown

I was hoping for so much more.  This is not what I expected.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, but I felt that it was so much about geography than the actual plot.  Maybe it was that I enjoyed 'The Lost Symbol' so much and it being in Washington D.C. area had a lot to do with it.  This was very slow in the beginning, even though there was a "murder" in the first few chapters.

The book is loosely based on Dante's Inferno.  I must admit that I had never read "The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri The Inferno" but found this book interesting.  There is so much description of architecture that it is at times numbing.  Brown takes you on a whirlwind tour of countries and gives you an intense history of many of the locations.  At about the midpoint of the book, it got a bit more interesting and the author threw in some shifting hero and villains for good measure.

The book dives into Trans-humanism and their view of life in particular.  ***SPOILER ALERT***  Inferno is the title of the book but you will be surprised of what it is and its purpose.
 
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Doubleday; First Edition edition (May 14, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385537859
ISBN-13: 978-0385537858

Ecomic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell

I love common sense thinking.  Unfortunately is is not so common these days.  Mr. Sowell breaks down the fallacies in economics as seem today.  He holds nothing back as is his style.

"Thomas Sowell is an American economist, social theorist, political philosopher, and author. He is currently the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University" ~ Wikipedia

Thomas Sowell delivers a common sense view of the fallacies that are fed to the public on a constant basis.  Many will argue his views which is fine, however at a 10,000 foot view it is CLEAR that what the politicians are asking for has not worked heretofore since there is an insatiable need to provide more of it.  If it were so effective in delivering what it claimed to, the problems would be solved.

The book is an easy read.  Not too many numbers which can be daunting to follow.  His insightful views start in the very beginning of the book when he explains the "undefined" words used by politicians of today such as 'fair'.  There is no standard definition of the word fair nor for its brother 'unfair'.  However these words tend to move people and bring them together regardless of their respective meaning and sometime opposing results.


One of my favorite chapters in the book was on the education system.  He blows the lid off of the scam in the Ivie League schools and education in general in my opinion.  I will not lie, although I oppose political parties, Mr. Sowell does align with my own views on politics, society, and economics.  As I have said before in other reviews, I am fiscally more conservative than Conservative and socially I am more liberal than Liberals.  I disagree with using force to make others act as there are ALWAYS unintended consequences that require more force to try to deal with those.  It is like big-pharma, you take a medication that causes worse side affects than the initial problem; which is then treated by more medications etc, etc.


I read several review on this book prior to embarking on reading it myself,  Ironically, I found many reviews of people that criticized Sowell in the same manner they claimed he criticized his "subjects".  Claims such as "who cares how much green space is there is in Maine if you live in the park-free suburbs of some city..." well unless you are compelled to live in such an area, I do not see how this becomes a country wide issue.  Also "women get to spend their husband's money".  Firstly, Sowell never said that.  Secondly, I have been married for 21 years.  My wife and I have agreed to our particular situation.  I would much rather her be home with the kids and be home when they arrive from school than the income she had the potential to make.  I do not discriminate on others who choose differently though.

The book is great.  I think all should read it.  If you keep and open mind, you can see that he is using common sense.  If you read it with agenda, you will not get anything out of it. 

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Basic Books; 2nd edition (March 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0465022030
ISBN-13: 978-0465022038

The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery By: Steve Sheinkin

Many hold Benedict Arnold synonymous with treason.  However, Arnold was, a heroic patriot in the beginning of the Revolutionary War. I will say that I had the propensity to ignore Mr. Arnold's Masonic past due to the disgrace his name eludes to, and sadly the disgrace is well placed.  

While reading the book, the author asks why Washington woul still trust and defend Benedict Arnold.  This does not show much on Arnold but more so on Washington.  Washington held true to his Masonic principles and his obligation; it was Arnold that was not worthy of being called a Brother.

This books paints an action packed life of a brave man wanting to and actually fighting for liberty; unfortunately it also shows that man's traitorous ways and how he not only sold out his Country but his Fraternal Brother.

The book is action packed describing the many battles Arnold was involved in, even those as a British officer.  Benedict Arnold the 6th, was on a mission to cleanse the name of the Arnolds.  His ironically, no one remembers the misdoings of the previous Arnolds.  It is a light read, possibly geared towards younger reader however due to the lack of material on Arnold, I decided to read it.   

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Flash Point; 1 edition (November 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596434864
ISBN-13: 978-1596434868

The Forgotten Conservative: Rediscovering Grover Cleveland By: John Pafford

I enjoyed this book.  Unfortunately, Grover Cleveland does not enjoy the vast amount of books written about him as does some of his contemporaries.  In this era were "great presidents" are chosen based on the spoils of war and the amount of graft of the tax payers, Cleveland rightfully does not rate well.

Grover Cleveland is one of my favorite presidents.  His fidelity to the Constitution is unequalled save for those who wrote it.  He erred on the side of liberty as opposed to those in power theretofore which err on the said of central power. 

The book was a great read.  The author was fair in his description of the Maria Halpin scandal in my opinion.  Other authors have either bypassed it or accused him outright.  Reading this book piqued my interest in the history of Hawaii and how they came to be a state.  The book describes Cleveland's opposition to the annexation.

In my opinion, Cleveland show us that political party ironically has no place in politics.  He showed fidelity to the Constitution.  Pleasantly absent in this book, which I found in the other two Cleveland books I read, were the connection to Clinton and the comparison of the present day politicians.  I was worried that the book was a high-jacking by the Republican Party of Cleveland and his "Constitutional" way, since it also appears that the Democratic party has jettisoned Cleveland from their ranks.

Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Regnery History (May 6, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00ATLA03C

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power By: Jon Meacham

Jon Meacham has done it again.  This is the second book I read of Meacham, the first being that of Andrew Jackson.  I truly believe Jefferson to be one of the most influential beings in this country's history.  I believe he, himself along with his contemporaries known as "Jeffersonian" to be truly remarkable (e.g. Madison, Monroe).

The book is not a puff piece on Jefferson, however it is fair in my estimation.  Meacham discusses the Hemmings situation which many authors tend to ignore all together or white wash the facts. Meacham dedicates ample time to Jefferson's France days as well as the latter years of Mr. Jefferson.  The vivid explanation of the twilight of his life, reminded me of a book I purchased but had not read "Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson" by Alan Pell Crawford which I now intend to read.

Meacham explained Jefferson's religion or lack thereof concisely.   Not nearly as detailed as Dumas Malone's multiple tomes, this book give sufficient details to the average reader.

The book is 800 pages but I did not even feel the length of the book because it held me throughout.  Highly recommend the book.

Hardcover: 800 pages
Publisher: Random House; 1 edition (November 13, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400067669
ISBN-13: 978-1400067664

Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion By: Janet Reitman

I will start by saying that I am not one to criticize anyone's belief system.  I have heard many rumors and accusations about this religion and decided to do a bit of digging.  In addition to this book, there are a few regarding one's "escape" from the church of Scientology which I intend to read.  Conversely, I plan to read books that are more "positive" about Scientology.  

Although, I did not expect a glowing portrayal of the "religion", I was surprised to read what I read.  This book does not show L. Ron Hubbard in a positive light.  Based on what I read, the man was a con artist  and the world was his mark.  I cannot see myself following a man's teaching that even at his zenith, was basically on the run from the law.  His own followers said, "You tell yourself it's for a good cause ... but a part of you knows you're full of shit."

More shady than Hubbard himself was his protege, David Miscavige. The dictatorial manner in which he ran the Scientology organization was similar to those of third world countries.  Imprisoning people based on his whim is insane.  There is no doubt that this organization is a very powerful organization.  Even writing this review makes me nervous as to a possible retaliation.  Reitman goes into detail about Lisa McPherson, her life, her death and the subsequent media circus and legal war that ensued eventually leading to nervous breakdown of the prosecutor. 

It is sad to hear about people who put their faith into someone or something that is created in a way to strip the person of all their money with the promise of some betterment.  This holds true for Scientology as well as the televangelist that tell elderly folks "Send us your savings, and God will provide you even more".  Shame on them.  Quite frankly, the punishment and the way these people live is akin to the stories of North Korean (Escape from Camp 14 by: Blaine Harden) concentration camps.  In these camps, prisoners are encouraged to turn on their families and friends regardless of what the penalty will be.

The book is interesting yet disturbing.  I am not questioning the beliefs or lack thereof, or even if it in fact is a religion at all; but one things remain true, this organization has left a trail of financial destruction and mentally unstable corpses along the way.   Ironically these actors that are Scientologist and are vociferously claiming about inequality, yet the organization they support and promote is predicated on charging enormous amounts of money usually destroying followers life savings. If it was so good and such a positive thing, why would it require so much money?  Why would the organization have a navy, hotels etc?   Again, the belief may or may not be effective, real or whatever else you think, but the oorganization itself does not seem one of good.          

Famous Scientologist:

Kirstie Alley	Christopher Masterson
Anne Archer	Danny Masterson
Lynsey Bartilson	Lisa McPherson
Catherine Bell	Jim Meskimen
Karen Black	Julia Migenes
Sonny Bono	Sofia Milos
Stephen Boyd	Elisabeth Moss
Grant Cardone	Haywood Nelson
Nancy Cartwright	Marisol Nichols
Kate Ceberano	Judy Norton Taylor
Erika Christensen	Eduardo Palomo
Jeff Conaway	Elli Perkins
Tom Constanten	Bijou Phillips
Chick Corea	Laura Prepon
Tom Cruise	Priscilla Presley
Sky Dayton	Kelly Preston
Doug Dohring	Lee Purcell
Bodhi Elfman	Leah Remini
Jenna Elfman	Giovanni Ribisi
Richard Elfman	Marissa Ribisi
Doug E. Fresh	Michael D. Roberts
Peaches Geldof	Ruddy Rodríguez
Beck Hansen	Billy Sheehan
Isaac Hayes	Alistair Harrison
Nicky Hopkins	Pablo Santos
Mark Isham	Reed Slatkin
Milton Katselas	Ethan Suplee
Jason Lee	John Travolta
Geoffrey Lewis	Greta Van Susteren
Juliette Lewis
Noah Lottick

Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (July 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0618883029
ASIN: B00A7K68UY