On the strength of the amazing Bottom of the 33rd , I picked up Barry's latest offering. The author tells a st Too Much and Not Enough - 3 Stars
On the strength of the amazing Bottom of the 33rd , I picked up Barry's latest offering. The author tells a story through the extensive development of the characters. Through anecdotes of a myriad of intertwining characters, we explore the story and history of dozens of men and woman in the quiet heartland of the United States. While Barry's style is compelling, it proved more of a distraction this time around.
I essentially power read through this book in one night. Overall, I found it helpful when it comes to explaining positive reinforcement training and iI essentially power read through this book in one night. Overall, I found it helpful when it comes to explaining positive reinforcement training and in solving problems with dog behaviour.
As I am new to training a dog, I found the explanation of each training elements to be quite helpful. That said, I did not find the layout to be helpful as there lacked a sense of cohesion. As a first timer, this book left me a bit high and dry when it comes to knowing where to start. Thankfully, I am using the Power of Positive Dog Training as a companion and they make up for each other's deficiencies.
This volume has helpful information for new puppies, house training and crate training. It provide excellent information on these elements that was lacking in other books. In addition, there is extensive information on understanding a dog's mood and behaviour.
This provide much practical information and plenty of positive methods to shape and reinforce behaviour in your dog. Coupled with a rough training schedule and from The Power of Positive Dog Training, I feel as if I have the comfort to start the process....more
If anything, this book has convinced me that Positive Dog Training is the method to employ. It provides a very detailed look at the reasoning and effeIf anything, this book has convinced me that Positive Dog Training is the method to employ. It provides a very detailed look at the reasoning and effectiveness of positive reinforcement training. This is helpful for someone who wants to know more than the method of training but wants to know why they are doing what they are doing. It also give some very detailed information on teaching specific commands and a suggested order.
In my case, I was reading this on my Kindle. While I love my ereader, I need paper book for my reference material. While the information was good, I still went out and bought a hard cover training manual for reference.
I also felt that there was not enough information regarding puppyhood and suggested times to teach and train. Overall, if you want the background and then the training plan, this is a good option. If you are looking for more than that, you will want to look elsewhere or supplement your reading....more
Another volume in my preferred throne reading is complete. It isn't as good as the other volumes as it simply rehashes other volumes. I have read quitAnother volume in my preferred throne reading is complete. It isn't as good as the other volumes as it simply rehashes other volumes. I have read quite a few and many of the articles were familiar. If you don't have much experience with this series, this slim volume will do the job. ...more
I generally read fiction but will take a chance on non-fiction when the Posted to The Literary Lawyer.ca
Disturbing and Eye Opening - 3.5 Stars
I generally read fiction but will take a chance on non-fiction when the topic grabs my attention. Five Days at Memorial is certainly thought provoking and deals with issues that many people who do not work in the medical field (and some who do) will find controversial.
The story is set in Memorial Hospital in New Orleans after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina and the breaking of the levees. After surviving the hurricane winds, the hospital is confronted with fifteen feet of water that is guaranteed to disrupt the Hospital's main power supply and force it survive off back up generators. Subsequent power failures left the hospital without power, clean running water, working toilets, air or medical oxygen lines. Near the end of the 5 day ordeal, at set of patients are given morphine shots that likely played a role in hastening their death. The players in the story are left to piece together the puzzle and make a judgment whether or no this was murder or this was justifiable end of life care.
My wife is a nurse and as such, we have discussed this issue on multiple occasions. It is common practice to prescribe morphine to patients when they are close to death. The result for many patients is a suppression of their breathing but a reduction of pain. The morphine inevitably hastens the dying process but the patients are not in pain or are in less distress as they are dying.
The Good
The story is more complex than my explanation would lead you to believe. The situation was in fact dire but the physical condition of the patients prior to their death was less clear. The story does not lead to simple conclusions. It is not simply a matter of right or wrong. The novel deals with issues related to euthanasia, trauma care in disasters, triage practices, politics, ethics and emergency preparedness to name a few. There are enough important issues in this novel that you could easily take a month to read it while mulling over the issues raised.
Being a fan of crime and thriller fiction, I appreciated the writing style of the author. Overall, it had a journalistic feel but the author was quite adept at developing the characters of the story and the reader was able to identify with the major players. Her description of the disaster and days following was exciting and grabbed your attention.
The Bad
The book was really two separate stories. The first half was a story of the disaster and the immediate fallout at Memorial Hospital. The second half was a story of the subsequent investigation and the repercussions of the actions immediately after the storm. While the first half grabbed my attention, I quickly lost interest with the second half of the book. I would have been happy to read a short epilogue relating what happened to the major characters. The investigation portion was so bogged down in facts and minutia of the investigation that I skimmed over substantial portions.
This story also requires your full attention. The cast of characters can put some epic fantasy series to shame. In fact, the first 5 pages or so are devoted to listing the names of the persons involved, their part in the story and where they worked. It was quite daunting and became unruly by the end.
Final Thoughts
Despite the 3.5 star rating, this is one of the finest and most thoroughly researched pieces of non-fiction I have read. The author's dedication to her research was apparent and she should be commended. Had the book been about 100 pages shorter, I would have found the experience of reading it to be more rewarding. This is not light reading but I recommend it to fans of non-fiction....more
I am writing this review about 9 months after having read this. I have been putting off writing this review as I have been finding it difficult to express my feelings on the subject. For me, the game of baseball holds a special place in my heart. Whenever I have a chance to sit down and watch a game, it brings back feelings that I have had since childhood. Feelings of excitement, anticipation, potential and awe. My first heroes (that were not within my own family) were all out on the baseball diamond and graced the faces of my baseball card collection. Maybe Kelly Gruber is no one to you, but the former third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays was my hero! For me, this story distills these feelings and infuses them into the real life people in this real life story.
In short, the book tells the story of the longest baseball game played. It was a 33 inning affair that occurred between two minor league baseball teams. The game was filled with players who would go on to successful careers and players who would go on to non baseball related jobs. The author does a superb job of detailing the game itself while at the same time providing insight and back story into the players playing the game and various persons connected with the game and in the stands.
If you thought that authors such as Patrick Rothfuss and Anthony Ryan were skilled at detailing the creation of myth over thousands of pages, than you will be amazed at the authors ability to create legend within a mere 257 pages. The book also serves a case study in myth making. He takes a game that is a footnote to history and an unimportant game in the career of future hall of famers, Cal Ripken Jr. and Wade Boggs but by adding the emotion of the game, the history of the players and a wide array of other stories, he has created something bigger than the sum of its parts.
This is my best effort at reviewing what may be the best piece of non-fiction I have ever read. My reaction to the book was quite emotional. It may hold interest to a passive fan but it will be absorbed and understood by everyone who knows that baseball is more than just a game....more
I read this with my 4 and 6 year old daughters. The book is filled with colorful photos and crazy facts. I would say that my 6 year old understood aboI read this with my 4 and 6 year old daughters. The book is filled with colorful photos and crazy facts. I would say that my 6 year old understood about 3/4 of the book. There were a few concepts that she couldn't quite understand but it didn't bother her in the least. I was always a fan of Ripley's as a kid and it was fun to share that with my kids. They are eager to start reading the second book in the series....more
On some level, I feel bad giving a star rating to what is essentially a person's memoirs. The reader is simply Disappointing read after a great debut
On some level, I feel bad giving a star rating to what is essentially a person's memoirs. The reader is simply reading recounting of a period of time in a persons life. Regardless of my final star rating, Dirk Hayhurst writes honestly and provides a telling story of his experience breaking into the majors.
After reading The Bullpen Gospels, I was excited to read his second installment and was looking forward to his sarcasm and his comical take on life in the minors. In this second installment, Dirk breaks into the majors and we get an inside look at big league culture. We obtain a first hand look at dreams colliding with reality.
Unlike the Bullpen Gospels, this book is lacking in the humour of its predecessor and it is less telling when it comes to teammates, coaches and staff. A major portion of the story deals with his upcoming wedding and its collision with his break into the majors.
The author often comes off as whiney and, at times, as a bit of a douche bag. At times he realizes he has been a jerk while at other times he seems oblivious to it.
Regardless, the book in interesting in the insight into the experience of "making it to the bigs". Like a millions before me, I had dreams of playing under the lights as a professional ball player. That didn't quite work out for me. After reading this, I think I may not have enjoyed making it big.
On a positive note, Dirk Hayhurst is a Christian and he makes it obvious throughout the book. On a refreshing note, he choses to be honest about his experience and not inject afterthought and hindsight to his stories. Don't be fooled by his profession of faith. The content of the book is not for your grandma. The cast of characters are often crude. Boys in a locker room. What can I say.
Overall, an enjoyable read for a baseball fan and an insightful look into major league culture....more
As usual, my preferred throne reading delivers another excellent installment. These books are filled with various funny, interesting and compelling stAs usual, my preferred throne reading delivers another excellent installment. These books are filled with various funny, interesting and compelling stories that cover topics from the weird and unexplained, pop culture to history. These interesting stories threaten to keep you in bathroom long after you mission is complete. Amongst my favorite story is "acoustic kitty". As part of the CIA's attempt to use animals for surveillance purposes, acoustic kitty was fit with state of the art equipment to the tune of major dollars. On her first test run, kitty was promptly run over by a car. Apparently, the CIA abandon the use of spy cats after this incident. This is well worth a read....more
I had been wanting to read this for sometime after watching the movie Capote . If you found the movie to be intriguing, the book A chilling 4 Stars
I had been wanting to read this for sometime after watching the movie Capote . If you found the movie to be intriguing, the book is even more so.
Having taken six years to write, In Cold Blood is epic in its scope. Never have I read a true crime account that has delved so deeply into the lives and motivations (or lack thereof) of the criminals.
The story is a chilling tale of two psychologically damaged criminals who moved from lives of petty crimes to the ultimate crime of murder. The book is written in with a narrative that feels similar to a regular crime novel. The form of the narrative is unlike most nonfiction and it is done to great effect.
The book is a classic and there is little more I can add to what has already been written. Suffice to say. Regardless, it is a chilling look at capital punishment, insanity and psychotic personalities.
A note on the Audiobook
This review is for the audiobook format. The story was narrated by Scott Brick who is a personal favorite of mine. Listen with confidence as the narration is top notch....more
I am a big fan of the Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. This volume is slimmer than the regular issues but still makes for excellent throne reading. I am a big fan of the Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. This volume is slimmer than the regular issues but still makes for excellent throne reading. ...more
Don't misinterpret my rating. I gave it 3.5 stars based on entertainment value alone. To sum up the belief the author, in the past, aliens visited pre homo sapien man, bred with the women and came back later to check up on us and breed a bit more.
The author attempts to prove his theory that aliens visited ancient man by stating repeatedly that ancient man, given the knowledge they apparently possessed, could not have accomplished, without help, many of the wondrous things they have been credited with or have obtained. Clearly the author believed that ancient man was a stupid religious being.
I could rant on the stupid theories in the book but I will let you do it yourself. Although many of the theories are nothing but wild postulation, the subject matter is interesting. I have always been intrigued about the possibility of alien life, so, crazy as this guy is, its a fun subject.
I read the book like a wild piece of fiction and was not disappointed....more
Nothing groundbreaking in this short read. I was interested in reading this after my visit to Cuba. Ernesto "Che" Guevara was, if nothing els2.5 Stars
Nothing groundbreaking in this short read. I was interested in reading this after my visit to Cuba. Ernesto "Che" Guevara was, if nothing else, an interting and complex person.
In reading the novel you follow a young Che on a trip through Latin America before he graduates Medical School and before he meets Fidel Castro and puts himself in the history books. Essentially, the book is a diary of his trip. For a non "professional" writer, he wrote quite well. In reading you gather snippets of the beliefs lead him to follow the path that he did.
Outside of these brief snippets, you read some travelouge of his visits to latin american countryside. This becomes rather boring..... The book lost me at the end when I began to read a reprint of a speech he had given to graduating class of a cuban medical school. I was eerily simlar to the propoganda that was spouted by tour guides during my cuban vacation.
Overall, its interesting only if you want to get to know Che in his early years. Otherwise, you will want to skip it....more
A good read for a Jays Fan. The book is a gentle romp through Blue Jay lore and history. It's an easy read with short chapters that serves as a trip dA good read for a Jays Fan. The book is a gentle romp through Blue Jay lore and history. It's an easy read with short chapters that serves as a trip down memory lane. The "100" chapters seemed to be organized in no specific order and were occasionally repetitive.
The best Grisham novel in years. As a criminal defense lawyer myself, I am interested in reading of miscarriages of justice. My father in-law on the oThe best Grisham novel in years. As a criminal defense lawyer myself, I am interested in reading of miscarriages of justice. My father in-law on the other hand, is a retired police officer and he simply found the book to be distasteful. In my practice I have found that most people do not believe that people can be wrongfully convicted or that crown attorneys (district attorneys in the us) or police officers may press matters through the system for reasons that are not related to justice. This work is certainly worth a read as it rings with truth....more
Tim The Enchanter
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