I don't know if it is still the only 'autobiography' of a serial killer, but it is the only one I have ever read. I didn't know anything about GaskinsI don't know if it is still the only 'autobiography' of a serial killer, but it is the only one I have ever read. I didn't know anything about Gaskins, and I thought I had read about most of the known killers. Perhaps because he operated in the Southern states he didn't receive much attention in other parts of the country. Gaskins almost seems sympathetic at the start, growing up poor in rural South Carolina. Before the reader gets to far the horrors of his random killings combined with targeted victims are overwhelming. I found his accounts of serving time in prison interesting, and the seemingly impossible murder of his last victim--a fellow inmate on death row that he managed to blow up. I don't know if this is a testament more of his conniving mind, or the ineptness of prison authorities at the time. If you're into this type of book, it's a quick read and interesting. If you're squeamish but want to know more look Donald Gaskins up on Wikipedia....more
I bought this book for my wife after we watched the Movie 'Love and Mercy' about Brian Wilson and his struggles with drugs and mental health. I knew aI bought this book for my wife after we watched the Movie 'Love and Mercy' about Brian Wilson and his struggles with drugs and mental health. I knew at the time she wanted Wilson's book 'I Am Brian Wilson', but yet I gave this one to her first. I think at the time it seemed to have a more positive outlook and although it is Mike Love's story, it covered the history of the Beach Boys as well. 'Loved' the book--is that a pun? You decide! The beginning is a little tedious as many bios are with early family life--which can get a little confusing with families as big as the Wilsons and Loves. After that the reader is immersed in Love's journey through his personal life and the Beach Boys. Insights into the development of Beach Boy songs, touring strategies, tragedies with drugs and relationships and a sense of what else was going on in the rest of the music world. I really have a better understanding of the legal proceedings involving Brian, Mike and various recording companies. If you like the Beach Boys--Mike's book is a must read to get a clear picture of the group and it's changes through time. The book includes photos, and an index. Now I'm on to Brian's book 'I Am Brian Wilson'....more
I discovered Bravo Network's show 'Inside the Actor's Studio' several years ago while channel surfing. I don't know who the guest was on that first shI discovered Bravo Network's show 'Inside the Actor's Studio' several years ago while channel surfing. I don't know who the guest was on that first show, but my wife and I would record episodes depending on the guest. These interviews by James Lipton seemed to be more revealing than others since the studio audience consisted of 'Actor's Studio' students.
Similar to my earlier reading selections this year on Alfred Hitchcock, and Robert Ripley I became curious about James Lipton and what his background was to land this seemingly odd man in such a prestigious role. On some episodes there would be allusions to his past, but the focus was always on the guest.
Lipton starts off 'Inside Inside' rambling a bit, and explains this is not a biography but the story of the Actor's Studio. As the reader soon learns though, the two stories are really inseparable. I'll try not to re-hash Lipton's entire remarkable life--after all you can read the book, or an abbreviated version on Wikipedia. His first 'acting' role was the voice of the Lone Ranger's nephew on radio while still a teenager, and worked as a copy boy for the 'Detroit Times'. He decided to go to law school, and wrote for several soap operas to finance school. He also ended up acting on 'The Guiding Light' for ten years. Writing and acting were too lucrative, so he dropped out of law school.
For a brief time Lipton was in the USAF, and wanted to be trained as a pilot. Due to a surplus of pilots this didn't work out. On an extended visit to France Lipton ended up becoming a pimp--which sounds uglier than the actual circumstances. Coming back to the US, Lipton studied voice, modern dance, classical ballet and became a choreographer. He appeared in a Broadway play, wrote the music and words for another Broadway play, and wrote two books. He went on to produce two dozen television specials including Bob Hope's Birthday specials, and Jimmy Carter's Presidential Inaugural gala. Finally the reader gets to the Actor's Studio part.
Parts regarding the Actor's Studio can seem a little dry in comparison! The Actor's Studio existed before Lipton's involvement, but was losing it's location. Lipton and others worked to incorporate it in to a three year program involved with New School University. This was also the start of the 'Inside the Actor's Studio' show, which was inspired by a French television program hosted by Bernard Pivot--that Lipton inadvertently discovered while channel surfing. Lipton retired as dean of the program at the New School, and such drastic negative changes were being made that Pace University picked up the program in 2008. In addition to Lipton's achievements previously mentioned, he became a certified single engine pilot. He also was a top equestrian show jumper, until retiring from the sport after several injuries.
About the last third of the book are anecdotes from Lipton's favorite and memorable shows and guests. Some of these I remember watching, others I neglected because I wasn't familiar with the guest. Lipton's last show was with Ted Danson in 2018 after twenty-four years of hosting the program. Sadly Lipton passed away in 2020 of bladder cancer at the age of 93. Truly a unique man....more
Wow--so much happened in this man's life. Youngest Medal of Honor recipient. Enlisted in the marines at fourteen. Stowed away on a ship sailing into tWow--so much happened in this man's life. Youngest Medal of Honor recipient. Enlisted in the marines at fourteen. Stowed away on a ship sailing into the battle of Iwo Jima. Survives throwing himself on two live hand grenades. After WWII enlists in the US Army and survives a parachuting accident where the main parachute and reserve chute failed to deploy. Eventually becomes the target of a murder plot involving his then current wife and a step-son. If you met the guy in a bar and he told you all these stories it would seem unbelievable--and I only covered the main points! A quick read, and timely for Veteran's Day....more
Almost gave this book a four star rating, and asked myself why not a five? Couldn't think of a reason! This is Ed Rasimus' second book. The first bookAlmost gave this book a four star rating, and asked myself why not a five? Couldn't think of a reason! This is Ed Rasimus' second book. The first book chronicled his first tour in Vietnam flying the F-105 as part of Wild Weasel teams. This book covers his second tour, where he has transitioned to flying F-4 Phantoms as part of the same strategy. Wild Weasel teams were designed to identify and target North Vietnamese SAM (surface to air) missile sights and destroy them to protect other air missions.
Plenty of recounts of the excitement of flying missions while avoiding these missiles, flak and enemy fighters mixed in with what life was like living at air bases in Thailand. Raismus also gives his opinion on the bureaucratic management of the war, and has an appendix listing the aircrews that were shot down during these engagements. The flying portions are not so technologically over-detailed to lose readers, but still interesting to those more familiar with the cockpit. Now I have to find his first book and read it!...more
This is a memoir of Leckie's experiences after joining the Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor. It starts with boot camp at Parris IslanThis is a memoir of Leckie's experiences after joining the Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor. It starts with boot camp at Parris Island and ends on his return to the US at the conclusion of the war. The reader relives the battles in the Pacific islands, shore leave in Australia, and even a stint in the brig. Prior to the war, Leckie was a newspaper sports reporter, and after the war he continued working for various publications and the AP. In addition he wrote history and children's books. According to his wife, Leckie was inspired to write his war memoirs after walking out of a Broadway production of 'South Pacific', stating that war isn't a musical.
One of my favorite quotes from the book. Leckie inadvertently ends up in a psych ward due to overcrowding in the regular recovery section. He is being interviewed by a psychologist. The psychologist finds out how well read he is, then is appalled that his assignment was first as a machine gunner, and then a scout, and what a waste of intelligence that is. "Intelligence, intelligence, intelligence. Keep it up America, keep telling your youth that mud and danger are fit only for intellectual pigs. Keep on saying that only the stupid are fit to sacrifice, that America must be defended by the low-brow and enjoyed by the high-brow. Keep vaunting head over heart, and soon the head will arrive at the complete folly of any kind of fight and meekly surrender the treasure to the first bandit with enough heart to demand it."
At first, I wasn't sure I would like this book. The first chapters are stories of McRaven's life as a child before the military. He seemed a little fuAt first, I wasn't sure I would like this book. The first chapters are stories of McRaven's life as a child before the military. He seemed a little full of himself, and I thought a whole book of this would be just a little much. However, by the time he joined the Navy, went through SEAL training, and told of his exploits as both a SEAL team leader, and later as a planner of special combat operations the book became hard to put down. The book demonstrates that often military training is often more hazardous than going on actual missions. Nail-biting action, mixed with a little humor and some heart-wrenching stories of fellow patriots. I have read accounts of the mission to capture/kill Osama bin Laden, but never from McRaven's side--as the master planner he was responsible for the mission's development and overseeing the operation through the command center....more
Patty Hearst's story of her early life, being abducted and held in captivity by the SLA, and her court battles after the capture of SLA members. ReallPatty Hearst's story of her early life, being abducted and held in captivity by the SLA, and her court battles after the capture of SLA members. Really I'd give this book a two and a half star rating. I remember following her abduction and the activities of the SLA in the newspapers, and as a teenager finding it fascinating. Heart's narrative seems for the most part dry and detached, which I totally understand considering her circumstances. I found the most interesting part, were her experiences in court. I always thought F. Lee Bailey to be a better showboat than an attorney, and her experiences with him seem to agree. Ironically due to plea bargaining her sentence was longer than the Harrises who were some of her kidnappers! ...more
One of my favorite books of the year! Very conversational, sometimes a bit rambling. You never know what tidbit you might find in the story of his lifOne of my favorite books of the year! Very conversational, sometimes a bit rambling. You never know what tidbit you might find in the story of his life. Whether it's how he tuned his guitar for a particular song, or his recipe for bangers and mash. Clarifies many legends/falsehoods. Some of my favorite parts are his memories growing up, and the start of the Rolling Stones. Keith really puts you there. Highly recommended for any Rolling Stones fan....more
Last year I read Dinesh D'Souza's 'Roots of Obama's Rage', and he made many references to Obama's book. I wanted to see for myself, so picked up a useLast year I read Dinesh D'Souza's 'Roots of Obama's Rage', and he made many references to Obama's book. I wanted to see for myself, so picked up a used copy. Obama is also a month older than me, so I thought it would be interesting comparing his early life to my circumstances and events going on at the time. Really a hard book to classify. His early life, including undergrad college, and his Chicago organizing days are somewhat autobiographical. His trip to Kenya at the end of the book where his visits relatives and learns more details about his father and grandfathers lives not as much. I found the early chapters more interesting. The Kenya trip grew tiresome and confusing with the multitude of relatives and keeping track of them all.
One very early point is that in the introduction Obama states that some of the characters in the book are composites of people he knew. Some journalists made a big deal that they couldn't locate some of these people--some journalists just won't do their homework anymore. Reminds me of movie reviewers that obviously don't watch the entire movie.
Another point is that Obama knew Rev. Wright while Obama was a community organizer. This is before his trip to Kenya, before he went to Harvard and before he met Michelle. Not only did he know him, he knew his reputation in the Chicago community and states this in the book.
Finally, I grew up in what I consider to be a middle class home, and I'm sure to some a 'privileged' upbringing. However, in comparison, Obama in Hawaii and even in Indonesia had a much more privileged upbringing than I did.
D'Souza's interpretation of Obama's anti-colonial sentiments based on his father's beliefs seemed assuming if this was his only source. I find Obama's writings to be more focused on the struggles of his father as a man than with his political beliefs.
Really, I'd give the book a two and a half star rating. Most of it is Obama's struggling to find his past and a place where he belonged. I was disappointed to not find any words of wisdom in a conclusion. The ending seemed to fall flat. He seemed to still be searching. I wonder if he still is....more
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