Book Review – Page 12

Category: Book Review

Medicare explained brilliantly

Posted on January 14, 2015January 14, 2015 by Jack

This is a review of Medicare For Dummies which was much better than expected. In fact, it was very good but I did have low expectations when I first saw the book.

Many years back my job involved computers and programming. I don’t remember the exact story so this will be a bit vague. For some reason I need to learn quickly about some commonly used program. I figured since I knew nothing about program X, most books or webpages about X would be way over my head.

So I figured I would start with the “Dummies” book and progress after I got the basics. It turn out badly. I didn’t really learn anything useful and felt insulted and frustrated in the process.

This book is much different. Continue reading “Medicare explained brilliantly”

The Rosie Effect: more than funny

Posted on January 3, 2015January 12, 2015 by Jack

Let me start by saying The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion is the second book in a series. I had read and reviewedThe Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion several months back.

I thought it was a great book which was laugh-out-loud funny. And the second book continues the humor. Continue reading “The Rosie Effect: more than funny”

Full Irish – political suspense

Posted on December 11, 2014December 11, 2014 by Jack

Mix a bit of suspense with politics in a fast moving and very entertaining novel and you have Full Irish by Pete Morin and Susanne O’Leary.

<br /> I was quickly drawn into the story when an Irish politician was murdered on his way to a meeting to deliver a small but mysterious package. The action quickly switches to a Boston law office and Massachusetts politics. And then back to Ireland. The 2 stories quickly come together in a transatlantic web of political intrigue and corruption.

I read Kindle edition so had no idea as to the number of pages. I just checked the Amazon site and they say the paperback has 260 pages. But it is fast paced and a quick read. I read the book in a few sittings. I have linked to a page that has both the kindle and paperback editions listed. I recommend the kindle if you have one and enjoy it. It is considerable cheaper.

At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope you do too.

A History of New York in 101 Objects

Posted on December 3, 2014December 3, 2014 by Jack

Some love New York City or at least find it interesting. Some love to hate it. Some don’t care much one way or another. Unless you are in this last group, you probably will like this book.

I am now reading A History of New York in 101 Objects by Sam Roberts. Continue reading “A History of New York in 101 Objects”

Rio Roosevelt Revisited

Posted on September 17, 2014September 17, 2014 by Jack

Like many Americans, we are making our daily journey to the TV to watch the Ken Burns documentary on the Roosevelts. So far I have found it very enjoyable. But last night’s third installment reminded me of an excellent book I read a couple years ago.

The book is The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. After former President Theodore Roosevelt lost Continue reading “Rio Roosevelt Revisited”

Nine Years Gone by Chris Culver

Posted on September 13, 2014October 10, 2014 by Jack

I was pleased when I saw a new book by Chris Culver on NetGalley. I had previously reviewed a book of his and liked it very much.

I applied for a review copy on my Kindle and was soon engrossed in Nine Years Gone. I was again impressed by Chris Culver’s skill in pulling me into the story. I was amazed by this ability when I read my first Chris Culver book. This time Continue reading “Nine Years Gone by Chris Culver”

Is it 1984 yet? American Corporate Security State

Posted on September 7, 2014September 8, 2014 by Jack

I read The Rise of the American Corporate Security State: Six Reasons to Be Afraid by Beatrice Edwards and both the title and subtitle tell us what the book is about. Should we be afraid of our government?

Well, I would guess most are not afraid of all government. The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and indeed most agencies do not put fear into most of us. But there are parts we fear. The IRS may come to mind.
Continue reading “Is it 1984 yet? American Corporate Security State”

Gaslight mystery in old New York City: Murder On Astor Place

Posted on August 23, 2014March 2, 2015 by Jack

I read a review of the latest addition to the Gaslight series (a mystery in old New York City). It was a favorable review but I have no idea where I saw it. The series involves several murder investigations in old New York City. Yes back in the 1890s when Teddy Roosevelt was a New York City Police Commissioner.

I like some historical fiction and a good mystery so I thought I would give it a try but Murder in Murray Hill which was the new one was 16th in the Gaslight series. So it seemed to me that it was better to start at the beginning.

I did a bit of looking around and learned Continue reading “Gaslight mystery in old New York City: Murder On Astor Place”

Hangman by Stephan Talty

Posted on August 8, 2014August 15, 2014 by Jack

Last year I reviewed a first novel by established non-fiction writer Stephan Talty. I liked it very much and thought it was a great introduction to a new series about Detective Absalom Kearney.

The second book in the series came out a few months ago and just read it. I thought Hangman by Stephan Talty was a great followup and if anything I found it even more compelling than the first.

<br /> The book starts with what seems a very unlikely escape of a serial murderer known as the Hangman. He had recently terrified the residents of Buffalo, NY with a series of murders of teenage girls (involving hanging). The manhunt begins and soon after the murders and the terror begins again.

Homicide Detective Absalom (Abbie) Kearney, who Continue reading “Hangman by Stephan Talty”

The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion

Posted on July 28, 2014August 5, 2014 by Jack

I was going on vacation and was thinking I’d take a book along for those inevitable down-times when there is nothing much to do. Typically I end up watching a TV and not making much progress in the book. This time was different.
Continue reading “The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion”

Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York by Ted Steinberg

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Jack

The full title is Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York by Ted Steinberg. It is the subtitle that tells what this book is about.

I had written about this book while I was reading it and thought I would review it when finshed.

It is a bit unusual. It is a different perspective on history Continue reading “Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York by Ted Steinberg”

The Four Pillars of Investing by William Bernstein

Posted on June 7, 2014July 28, 2014 by Jack

A few weeks ago a wrote a review of the short free ebook on saving and investing by Dr. William J. Bernstein. I thought the book was a very good but short.
Continue reading “The Four Pillars of Investing by William Bernstein”

By Any Means by Chris Culver

Posted on June 3, 2014June 7, 2014 by Jack

A total surprise. I was expecting a more or less usual crime novel when I downloaded By Any Means (from NetGalley) by a new (for me) author. Instead I was amazed by Chris Culver’s skill in sucking me into the story and then the life of his main character. I now know that By Any Means is Chris Culver’s third Ash Rashid novel. Continue reading “By Any Means by Chris Culver”

Inheritance by Sharon Moalem

Posted on June 2, 2014June 1, 2014 by Jack

I enjoyed reading Inheritance: How Our Genes Change Our Lives—and Our Lives Change Our Genes by Sharon Moalem.

<br />
I think this is a wonderful book written for the general reader. At least I think it would be easily understandable by most people. A word of warning – I am a geneticist so I may not be the best judge of that but most of the reviews I’ve read seem to agree on this point.

Dr. Moalem is accomplished in his field. He knows the details and nuances but is able to explain a complicated subject in an easily understandable way.

I thought the opening chapter and the ending where he summarized were particularly well-done.

Ice Cold: Tales of Intrigue from the Cold War

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Jack

Mystery Writers of America Presents Ice Cold: Tales of Intrigue from the Cold War edited by Jeffery Deaver and Raymond Benson is a good collection of short stories. They are particularly enjoyable for those of us old enough to remember practicing ducking under our desks at school to protect us from a nuclear bomb. Continue reading “Ice Cold: Tales of Intrigue from the Cold War”

Category: Book Review

Medicare explained brilliantly

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The Rosie Effect: more than funny

Like this:

Full Irish – political suspense

Like this:

A History of New York in 101 Objects

Like this:

Rio Roosevelt Revisited

Like this:

Nine Years Gone by Chris Culver

Like this:

Is it 1984 yet? American Corporate Security State

Like this:

Gaslight mystery in old New York City: Murder On Astor Place

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Hangman by Stephan Talty

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The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion

Like this:

Gotham Unbound: The Ecological History of Greater New York by Ted Steinberg

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The Four Pillars of Investing by William Bernstein

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By Any Means by Chris Culver

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Inheritance by Sharon Moalem

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Ice Cold: Tales of Intrigue from the Cold War

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