Donna

Science for those not entirely science-grounded

Revisado: 01-24-23

Not quite a scientific review of the space program but in depth, thought-provoking and entertaining.

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Political philosophy, well tuned.

Revisado: 12-05-22

This was a good exercise in developing a philosophy as an American. Not political wrangling but making decisions about a stance in the belief of American freedom. It should be required reading in early college.

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Stress free summer reading

Revisado: 06-13-22

This made me think of Nancy Drew days. I was looking for something to take me away from the daily grind -- bingo. Pleasant characters, nice what-happened-to plot in a setting of above average food and writing. Beautiful performance, bravo Julia.

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Listen and learn

Revisado: 04-20-22

This is written and read beautifully by the author. It takes the reader from early memories of Ayaan's childhood to her working in the parliament of The Netherlands. Her homelife was far from American with the use of children as virtual slaves, and circumcision of girls and prearranged marriages. Because Ayaan was forced to move to avoid the repression of her activist (and unfaithful) father to Saudi Arabia and Kenya. Her impressions of each of these countries and cultures are eye opening to this sheltered, privileged American. She found Saudi homes to be run by lazy, dirty matrons compared to her own Somalian standards, even though she lived on dirt in some cases. But these many experiences gave her an understanding of these neighboring cultures as she rose through an education that suited her talents. She chose sociology and politics. Because she had learned many languages, she worked for the UN in Holland for a time while continuing her education. She eventually became a member of the Parliament where she focused on Muslim rights and freedoms. This also earned her the need for a body guard and the vicious death of a friend and filmmaker she collaborated with to tell the story of Muslim circumcision for women. An amazing story to remind me how wonderful my life is and American culture.

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History repeats itself (will we be ignorant?)

Revisado: 01-01-22

This book codified for me what I've been seeing everywhere around me. According to the author, Saul Alinsky taught the tools for changing a culture are shame, ridicule and intimidation. Aren't we seeing this in our schools, our governments, the media? My electric company sends me notes with frowny faces when I go over my self-imposed usage goals. My gas company does the same, comparing me to my neighbors. My interest in reading this was first as a Christian who wants to continue living in a world where religion is sanctioned and protected. It appears I may need to defend my faith more actively in the coming years. Essentially, Mr. Lutzer calls on Christians to hold fast to Biblical teaching and treat all people with respect without compromising the teaching of Christ. Stand firm. Definitely worth the read. (So is reading the Bible.)

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He wasn't the only one to fall for peacocks

Revisado: 08-15-21

I picked this up because of my own history with peacocks. Frankly, my own experiences were more interesting but the similarities caught my attention. This family had seen peacocks with horses and thought there was an appeal for their own farm. It's really just the chronicling of raising two boys, chickens, peacocks, snakes, dogs, cats…

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I needed this to soothe my aching American heart

Revisado: 07-19-21

As I write, America is looking at the next wave of Covid-19, Delta variant, and approaching the eve of a revolution into socialism in this country. I ache. This is an excellent, uplifting read. I knew of some of Mr. Sinise's history and appreciated his role in Forrest Gump as Lt. Dan - didn't everyone? He was able to share his story humbly, through his own writing with Marcus Brotherton and narration. He is a giant of giving and thankfulness for those who have defended freedom for America and other countries. I'm trying to think of people to recommend the book to so they, too, can be encouraged and maybe even inspired to support America's military and America.

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Reading is FREEDOM

Revisado: 06-15-21

This book was rejected by Simon and Schuster. Book is well written and well narrated. I appreciated the first 2 to 3 chapters that reviewed America's history with the robber barons of the railroads and other large industrial leaders of that day such as JP Morgan. These Manville companies that changed America and enriched many were part of that era, especially the barons. These tycoons soon tried to align business in politics in their favor, creating monopolies and generally bullying any other enterprise. The next several chapters give a thorough history of the rise of Facebook Google and Amazon. The comparisons are obvious. Senator Holly outlines the areas that these new companies on the American scene have learned to influence to their benefit, extending their reach globally. Finally, the author suggests how these companies are affecting the freedoms of Americans and how laws can be aligned to create more fairness in the big tech stratosphere. Well worth the read for several reasons.

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Another mystery

Revisado: 06-07-21

This would have been a fun read if it hadn't gotten so liberally salted with the f-word. Reminded me of Shakespeare and Hathaway mysteries on PBS (much cleaner). The detective, Cormoran Strike, is called in to solve the apparent suicide of a British supermodel. He develops a bit of a side-kick in a temp secretary who showed up for a week's work. Robin so loved the work over the grind of HR or other temp assignments, that she started looking for ways to stay on and Strike was appreciative. Both have love interests but still.... I won't read any more in the series because of the language, but I enjoyed the plot and the narration. Excellent, Mr. Glenister.

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Wrong audience

Revisado: 02-17-21

I'm not sure what drew me to this audio-read other than admiration for Conroy's use of the English language. I guess it was written up as a boy's development into manhood through basketball. His relationship with his father was violent and completely counterintuitive to bringing up a child in a loving family. Pat made it into The Citadel where the coach of his beloved basketball team was just as unappreciative of his efforts. Honestly, I put in about 7 1/2 hrs of the 13 1/2 and decided to skip to the end and bag the bad language and ugliness in the middle. The writing was excellent but I just don't want to fill my head with the language issue any more.

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