The Brethren: Inside the Supreme Court by Bob Woodward, Scott Armstrong

When I started this book, I thought it would be a partisan hack job.  Seems that these days, Anti-Trump books are all the rage.  This book was different since it dealt with a subject that I vaguely knew details about.  Obviously this book was originally published 1979.  Of course I had read about the Supreme Court and the justices, but this book gave some good insight into the minds of these enigmatic people who have, what appears to be, unbridled power.

I will be honest, maybe my naiveté shows here, but I wanted to think that the Supreme Court was bound by the "blindfold of justice" and would decide based on constitutionality and not partisan or personal beliefs.  This book opened my eyes.  This book covers some of the landmark cases that came before the Supreme Court that even still today, in some cases are the third rail for some such as desperation of schools, abortion, death penalty, Vietnam war, and pornography.  





Hardcover: 467 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (December 10, 1979)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780671241100
ISBN-13: 978-0671241100
ASIN: 0671241109

The Right Side of History By: Ben Shapiro

Certainly not what I expected.  Love him, hate him or love to hate him, Ben is certainly a figure that regardless where you stand, you have to give him credit, one of the most
nimble people to debate.  His quick witted and thoughtful responses are interesting to watch weather you agree or not.  This is the Spairo I was expecting to read.  Instead I got a decent book about Judeo-Christian society and its norms.  Again not what I expected.

I applaud Shapiro on his faith and the decisions he makes regarding said faith.  I can certainly appreciate them.  I disagree with some of his beliefs but that does not take away from his execution
of his faith.  For all of you anti-Trumpers, that love to hate him, I will have you know that he is NOT a shil for Trump.  He slams him consistently when it makes sense.

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Broadside Books (March 19, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062857908
ISBN-13: 978-0062857903
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches

Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service By: Gary Sinise

An amazing "A-Political" book by an, unbeknownst to me until now, amazing person. It was not what I expected.

Sinise opens up and shares intimate details of his life; past, present and future. I obviously knew who he was and had seen his work, but I had never actually put it all together in the aggregate. After reading the book, I realized that not only was he an amazing actor, business man (Steppingwolf ), humanitarian, community advocate, Christian, but an amazing person in general.

The book starts, as expected with his youth and how he discovered acting which eventually saved his life. He was not a criminal as a youth, but he recognized he was heading in the wrong direction. He started a theatre company that today continues to thrive and is recognized internationally with John Malcavich and others, including his future wife. Sinise covers his exploding acting and directing career on and off broadway as well as movies and TV. The later chapters cover his amazing work for the servicemen and women and children of the same, not to mention foreign children the same.

The chapters on his wife's alcoholism were especially moving and emotional for me. His never ending support and love for his wife during her darkest time was fuel for me and made me analyze my love and support for my wife. Luckily for me, it is my wife that has been there for me during my darkest times and for that I am forever grateful.

Sinise and his various organizations do an incredible job with our military personnel. At many times during the book, I actually had tears in my eyes. Being a former Navy member brought back a lot of my memories of my time serving during the Gulf War. Although I have done a lot of events to support the Wounded Warriors, I see that I have not done as much as I want or should.

Buy this book. Buy a few and give them out. I ordered five for my local Veteran's home. Support the various organizations as liberally as you can. These orgs are non-partisan and help the troops that protect us regardless of the party in power. Calling what Sinise does with vets "amazing" is an colossal understatement.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Sinise, although not a vet, is a true hero. When you are around and about and see a military person, pick up their check. This was done to me while I was in the airport coming back on leave. It stays with me today and I remember exactly where I was and how it made me feel over 28 years ago.

God bless you Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan).

Sinise and his daughter

First scene of Lt. Dan

Gary and Moira Sinise

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 12, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400208122
ISBN-13: 978-1400208128

1984 By: George Orwell

I originally read 1984 almost 22 years ago. At the time I thought it was farfetched and a little off the wall.  However comparing it to today, it is a very scary scenario that is very true today.

For instance the Thought Police.  This is very much like what we have today. With the Introduction of today's "hate crime" laws, even though your ACTUAL crime is the same (e.g. murder) if your thoughts are a particular way before committing the crime, your penalties are harsher.

The "Telliscreen" is a TV like screen with monitor and microphones that watch your every move.  Fast forward to 2019, we have the cellphone. NSA monitors calls, locations, searches and have even been known to enable the microphone to listen to your surrounding even when you are not on the phone.

The wiping of history, the quote of "The Who control the past, control the future" is exactly what you are seeing today with anything associated or named after ANYONE from the "civil war" is not only removed but books such as The Adventure of Tom Sawyer are being banned a la Fahrenheit 451.

The "party" and the requirement to be In full compliance with it. The way it [the party] has become the central and focal point for the people. It has become a religion.  If one strays away from the 100% support and adherence to the party precepts, you are deemed an enemy of the party. Sadly we are seeing that today.

Newspeak is very much alive and kicking. Gone are the days when words (pronouns) like he and she are frowned upon and can cost you your job and/or life as you know it. Where a flag or a hat represent hatred to some. Words, names, and anything that does not meet the agenda of a particular party, are banned in society and is some cases removed from dictionaries.

Sadly this book is very apropos regarding how our country and its citizens are behaving today.


Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Everyman's Library; First Edition edition (November 3, 1992)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0679417397
ISBN-13: 978-0679417392

My Mother Was Nuts By: Penny Marshall

This was a great book. I had it on my list for a while and decided to read it while I was reading the Robin Williams book.  While reading the book, one day I was at the Supermarket and saw a special edition of a magazine titled "The Penny only we knew". It was weird timing to say the least.  The book however is very funny and keeps you interested at all times.  She certainly had a remarkable career and was surrounded by famous and interesting people all of her adult life.  Although her brother, Garry Marshall, gave her he first break in front of the camera, she nailed it and became not only a huge success in front of the camera, but equally if not more successful behind the camera as a director.  

Along the way, she had a daughter with her first husband and later had an abortion and a subsequent miscarriage. She traveled the world and had many close friends in the music, TV and movie industry.  She became lifelong friends with Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia of Star Wars) and dated Art Garfunkel, and in the end her friends were an integral part of her life. I loved how she referred to people like Bobby D for Robert DeNiro, Artie for Art Garfunkel etc. 

Penny Marshal was not the sweet little girl. She was kind a freaky and did a lot of dope. She seemed to have been a fun person to hang with. Sadly a few years after writing this book she lost her brother Garry and her best friend Carrie Fisher.  In the book she covers a lot of friends that had died.  She is now with them. It is a huge loss with her death. She will always be remembered. The impact that her and her brother had on TV and the big screen will be hard to match. 

Penny with her close friend John Belushi in New York in 1976. John passed away in 1982.

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: New Harvest; First Edition edition (September 18, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780547892627
ISBN-13: 978-0547892627
ASIN: 0547892624

Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life. By: Gary John Bishop

This book was a good read. If you enjoy self-help books, this is one to add to your list.  Short, concise  but not that much in the form of new, ground breaking information.  For me, the final chapter is the best of all.  It builds off of all the information learned in the previous chapters culminating with "You will die".   Not a huge breakthrough since we all know we WILL, but something about it stuck with me.  He describes the regret and sorrow of getting to the point you are ready to die and regret not even trying.

Probably a book you want to read once a year to reaffirm the mantras and get back in the mindset.  I can tell you that for me, it defiantly motivated me to get off my ass.  Hopefully it last longer than a couple of months.

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: HarperOne (August 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062803832
ISBN-13: 978-0062803832

Robin Williams: When the laughter stops By: Emily Herbert

A very sad book indeed.  I always liked Robin Williams although I did not see all of his work.  After this book, I vowed to watch all of his movies.  This is a sad story of yet another star that burnt out too soon.  Robin Williams, a Hollywood 'A' lister who started his career early on in his life.  Eventually going to Juilliard School for a brief period.

An amazing comedian and later an amazing actor.  He was able to play roles that were comedic, serious and even dark.  Williams suffered, like many others of substance abuse and depression.  It is so incredible that someone that brought so much happiness to people and appeared to be happy could have been driven to eventually commit suicide.  William was reported to have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.   William had been involved in charitable organization with Michael J. Fox, also suffering from advance Parkinson's.  One can only assume that he saw the effects of that debilitating disease and could not fathom how he would cope with it.

Williams was an avid gamer and some say that his level of gaming caused or added to his depression.   He was a big bicycle rider and had a huge collection.  Williams left 3 children, 3 X-Wives, and countless adoring fans.

Paperback: 244 pages
Publisher: John Blake (November 15, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781784183004
ISBN-13: 978-1784183004
ASIN: 1784183008