Holmes: Man and Machine
Book title: Sherlock Holmes
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
All through Conan Doyle's stories we are given, through Watson, insights into Holmes's peculiar character. The cool, analytical reasoner - immune to all distracting emotions. But this is contrasted to Holmes's sense of decency and underlying humanity. His vices which are revealed throughout his adventures seem unimportant when you look at the ultimate aim of his powers - the search for justice.
EAN: 9780312138240
Publisher: Bedford/St Martins
Authors:
Doyle
Riveting yet disturbing I couldn't put it down
Book title: The Last Dive : A Father and Son's Fatal Descent into the Ocean's Depths
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Bernie takes you on a trip with the Rouses. At the same time you learn some history of wreck diving and the people that (for better or worse) were involved. I was truly disturbed by the attitude of many of the wreck divers, especially one quick passage about a diver that let another die when he might have been able to save him. I also disagree with the philosophical statements, but I must admit, these were very few, two that I can think of. Overall it was an intriguing story, one that I couldn't put down. You feel as if you know some of the people when you are done and wish you could join them. If you are a diver READ THIS BOOK. Most accidents are diver error and reading of others might help you be better prepared. If you are not a diver but like adventure books you will enjoy this because you will feel like you are there.
EAN: 9780060932596
Pages: 384
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Authors:
Bernie Chowdhury
Should have been "Hacking Unix Exposed"
Book title: Hacking Linux Exposed, Second Edition
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
I am in charge of network security for a large firm. We use largely FreeBSD and OpenBSD machines instead of Linux whenever possible. One of the junior folks was trying to convince us that Linux isn't all that bad, and pointed to this book as proof that it can be secured.Well, we're not about to switch. However this book covered so many unexpected issues that affected our *BSD boxen that we spent a solid week implementing changes on all our systems. The detail of this book was superb, and it was easy to figure out the differences between their Linux-specific solutions and what was needed on our *BSD systems when they weren't exactly the same.Got Unix? Buy this book.
EAN: 0783254040601
Pages: 712
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
Authors:
Brian Hatch
James Lee
George Kurtz
Hit the Road and Find Yourself
Book title: On the Road
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Kerouac's ON THE ROAD and Pirsig's ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE inspired me to hit the highways in this great country. I camped around the U.S. for several months, spent time with people from all walks of life. Along the way, I helped others and others helped me. Kerouac's book promotes extroverted self-exploration, while Pirsig's book encourages healthy introspection. Regardless of your age, if you are independent, read these books and hit the road. You will be delighted with what you discover about yourself and reassured in what you experience with others. When you get home...write about your experiences...there may be a book in there somewhere. Robert John Estko - author of the suspense thriller, EVIL, BE GONE (available on Amazon.com)
EAN: 9780140042597
Pages: 307
Publisher: Penguin Books
Authors:
Jack Kerouac
A New Way of Thinking
Book title: Johnny Got His Gun
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
This novel is by far one of the most brilliant pieces of work I have ever encountered. I have never before thought of war as in-depth as Joe did in this book. Reading this definitely shines a completely different light on the subject of war than what is usually seen. In this book, we see the anguish, heartache, and regret of a young, innocent soldier turned into an immobile torso. The author does not attempt to shield us from the reality that was shoved into Joe's face from the beginning. In essence, this book strips all euphemisms of the past, and puts the harsh brutality of warfare into perspective for any citizen - war hero or civilian. Everyone should read this, if not to educate themselves about war, then to sharpen their own consciensness of human strife.
EAN: 9780553274325
Pages: 256
Publisher: Bantam
Authors:
Dalton Trumbo
The White Fox Chronicles- Gary Paulsen
Book title: The White Fox Chronicles (White Fox Chronicles)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Hardcover
I really thought that The White Fox Chronicles was a great book because of its originality. Paulsen did a really good job of describing futurism in the "Valley of the Sun". In this superb story, Paulsen tells about a Gorilla Army called the CCR, or the Confederation of Consolidated Republics. The CCR invade on most of the world, shooting first, interrogating later. The only sliver left of civilization is in the prison camps. Living in L.A. as a young boy, Cody Pierce is stripped of his family, friends, and dignity as an American when he was taken by the CCR. But when he grows older, he grows smarter. Pierce, known by most of the prison camp as "The White Fox" and his silent friend Luther decide to escape because they're fed up with being prisoners. I hope you'll want to find out what happens next, I know I would.
EAN: 9780385322546
Pages: 288
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Authors:
Gary Paulsen
A great education about health and nutrition!
Book title: Fit for Life
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Thanks to this book I have developed a great respect for foods and their proper consumption. I am eating more fruits and vegetables than ever. I still eat chicken (rarely) and fish. Meats are no longer appealing to me. Thanks to this book and Marilu Henner's "The 30 day total health make over" I have gotten back in shape at the age of 36 and after having 3 children. I feel very strong, healthy and energetic. I love it when people who haven't seen me for a while open their eyes wide and ask me how I lost so much weight (20 pounds, all I needed to lose). These two books have changed my eating habits forever. The concepts are presented in a way that is easy to understand and that makes sense.
EAN: 9780553173550
Publisher: Bantam Books (Mm)
Authors:
Marilyn Diamond
A Classic for a Reason
Book title: The Oregon Trail (The Penguin American Library)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
The Oregon Trail still stands as a classic of American literature and of a rapidly vanishing past. Written as an account of a summer he spent traveling the Oregon Trail, Parkman captures the details of communal Native American life with no sentimentality, just hard reality. Even though written in 1846, Parkman is amazingly precise in his estimation of the vanishing frontier and Native American way of life. At times, he is rather callous toward the Native Americans, but this also reflects his times and environment. Highly recommended.
EAN: 9780140390421
Pages: 464
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Authors:
Francis Parkman
David Levin
A masterpiece
Book title: Crime and Punishment (Penguin Classics)
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Paperback
Raskoinkov, a student that thinks himself a superman & smarter then everyone else. Is really a lazy, do nothing, want-to be. In Old St. Peterburg, To prove his theory that violence purifies, murders an old women, a money-lender & her sister with a ax. No sooner is the deed done than remorse lays siege to his resolve. What follows is one of the GREATEST psychological studies in world literature. A masterpiece of Insight that calls into question the very nature of good & evil. Some parts of this book may put you to sleep. But, those parts build on the parts that will keep you turning the pages.
EAN: 9780140445282
Pages: 656
Publisher: Penguin Books
Authors:
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Great:***wickedly Funny Twisted plot,and Happy SGT Wield!
Book title: Pictures of Perfection (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries (Paperback))
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
*****
This is a Dalziel/Pascoe mystery, with the usual careful plotting and great dialogue. However, this book is above and beyond even Reginald Hill's great usual: there's a bizarre shock in store for the reader. (Who will enjoy it later, very much) It has wickedly funny plotting, some of the most unusual characters, and to my delight an unexpected chance at happiness for poor sweet Sergeant Wield. Wield has suffered through plenty of Dalziel's bossiness and the dismay of "coming out" to his fellow detectives. In this story he meets a man he initially finds very annoying, but as the story develops, we can see the promise of love on the horizon.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
I thought this mystery was wonderful as a kind of "fun" romp with the characters. Hill is showing us he cares very much about them all.
EAN: 9780440218005
Pages: 352
Publisher: Dell
Authors:
Reginald Hill
