2018 Fall Book Reviews
I have started reading a certain amount of chapters each day, and so I have been reading quite a lot. Today we have another pack of book reviews, and these are the last ones for the year since I have some really, really thick books coming ahead. Also, I have been reading a lot of books about becoming a politician since I am writing about being one for a Vocation Project, I'm doing for my English class.
Books Read
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
The Summary
Thomas Edison: Inspiration and Hard Work by Janet and Geoff Benge
With only three months of formal education, Thomas Edison grew up to be one of the most successful inventors of all time. Applying scientific principles to practical use, he made scores of inventions and held over thirteen hundred patents, from improvements on the telegraph and phonograph to the development of the incandescent lamp and a whole system for distributing electricity.
Edison's rise from humble beginnings and his unceasing struggle to overcome obstacles illustrate the spirit of America. His genius and investigative methods shaped the future and continue to influence new generations.
Edison's rise from humble beginnings and his unceasing struggle to overcome obstacles illustrate the spirit of America. His genius and investigative methods shaped the future and continue to influence new generations.
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Since its publication in 1894, Rudyard Kipling’s beloved masterpiece The Jungle Book has been celebrated by generations of readers. Composed of seven tales, each one accompanied by a poem, The Jungle Book is a coming of age fantasy that introduces a lush, colorful world full of adventure and danger. The first three tales include some of the most charming and unforgettable characters in literature—the man-cub Mowgli, the black panther Bagheera, the wise brown bear Baloo, the ruthless tiger Shere Khan, and the hypnotic python Kaa. The other four tales each tell the story of a different animal, such as the travels of the white seal Kotick; the battle between the courageous mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and the deadly cobra Nag; Toomai and the elephant dance; and the camp animals of the queen’s guard.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.
Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection—he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?
"We, and our children, are lucky to have this book." —John Updike
How to Be a Successful Politician: The Ultimate Guide for New and Seasoned Politicos by Brian C. Haggerty
Finally, a politician's handbook written by a politician! Author, Speaker, Coach and Communications Expert, Brian C. Haggerty, a fifth generation politician, pens a concise, easy-to-read handbook which explains everything anyone needs to know and learn to become a successful politician. Everything from what to do, what to say; how to dress, how to carry yourself and how to walk; as well as the Dos and Don'ts, giving memorable speeches, the Top 10 Habits of Successful Politicians, as well as how to create and manage your image are all here! This book also contains many well-kept secrets that are used by the most famous and successful of politicians. But Haggerty focuses upon more than mere style. He emphasizes the importance of substance and character and challenges politicos to be the change that people want to see in their leaders.
What is the Trinity? by R.C. Sproul
The Trinity is truly a mystery. This doctrine teaches that the God of Christianity is one in His essence but three in His persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though the word Trinity is not found in the Bible, there is no doubt that the Scriptures teach this triune nature of God. Yet the concept still challenges our finite minds.
In this Crucial Questions booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul carefully explains the doctrine of the Trinity, stressing that Christians worship one God who manifests Himself in three distinct persons. He shows what the Bible teaches and outlines the chief errors on this doctrine that have afflicted the church. Above all, he affirms that while this truth is difficult to understand, it is not contradictory. Rather, it is a beautiful expression of the biblical teaching on the nature of God.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.
When Death has a story to tell, you listen.
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
“The kind of book that can be life-changing.” —The New York Times
“Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.” —USA Today
Can I Trust the Bible? by R.C. Sproul
There is a common assumption that the Bible is "full" of errors and contradictions, and that its often-unusual people and events render it useless for today. These ideas are fueled by the teachings of scholarly critics, who seem to delight in raising questions about the Bible's truthfulness and integrity.
But the critics of the Bible are wrong, according to Dr. R.C. Sproul in this Crucial Questions booklet. In fact, he says, there are many solid reasons to trust the Bible. With Jesus, with the apostles and prophets, and with men of God throughout church history, Dr. Sproul affirms a high view of Scripture—that it is inspired of God and therefore inerrant and infallible.
Why Coolidge Matters: Leadership Lessons from America'’s Most Underrated President by Charles C. Johnson
Imagine a country in which strikes by public-sector unions occupied the public square; where foreign policy wandered aimlessly as America disentangled itself from wars abroad and a potential civil war on its southern border; where racial and ethnic groups jostled for political influence; where a war on illicit substances led to violence in its cities; where technology was dramatically changing how mankind communicated and moved about—and where the educated harbored increasing contempt for the philosophic underpinnings of our republic.
That country, the America of the 1920s, looked a lot like America today. One would think, then, that the President who successfully navigated these challenges, Calvin Coolidge, might be esteemed today. Instead, Coolidge’s record is little known, the result of efforts by both the left and right to distort his legacy.
Why Coolidge Matters revisits the record of our most underrated president, examining Coolidge’s views on governance, public sector unions, education, race, immigration, and foreign policy. Most importantly, Why Coolidge Matters explains what lessons Coolidge—the last president to pay down the national debt—can offer the limited government movement in the post-industrial age.
How to Be a Successful Politician: The Ultimate Guide for New and Seasoned Politicos by Brian C. Haggerty
Finally, a politician's handbook written by a politician! Author, Speaker, Coach and Communications Expert, Brian C. Haggerty, a fifth generation politician, pens a concise, easy-to-read handbook which explains everything anyone needs to know and learn to become a successful politician. Everything from what to do, what to say; how to dress, how to carry yourself and how to walk; as well as the Dos and Don'ts, giving memorable speeches, the Top 10 Habits of Successful Politicians, as well as how to create and manage your image are all here! This book also contains many well-kept secrets that are used by the most famous and successful of politicians. But Haggerty focuses upon more than mere style. He emphasizes the importance of substance and character and challenges politicos to be the change that people want to see in their leaders.
What is the Trinity? by R.C. Sproul
The Trinity is truly a mystery. This doctrine teaches that the God of Christianity is one in His essence but three in His persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though the word Trinity is not found in the Bible, there is no doubt that the Scriptures teach this triune nature of God. Yet the concept still challenges our finite minds.
In this Crucial Questions booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul carefully explains the doctrine of the Trinity, stressing that Christians worship one God who manifests Himself in three distinct persons. He shows what the Bible teaches and outlines the chief errors on this doctrine that have afflicted the church. Above all, he affirms that while this truth is difficult to understand, it is not contradictory. Rather, it is a beautiful expression of the biblical teaching on the nature of God.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.
When Death has a story to tell, you listen.
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
“The kind of book that can be life-changing.” —The New York Times
“Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.” —USA Today
Can I Trust the Bible? by R.C. Sproul
There is a common assumption that the Bible is "full" of errors and contradictions, and that its often-unusual people and events render it useless for today. These ideas are fueled by the teachings of scholarly critics, who seem to delight in raising questions about the Bible's truthfulness and integrity.
But the critics of the Bible are wrong, according to Dr. R.C. Sproul in this Crucial Questions booklet. In fact, he says, there are many solid reasons to trust the Bible. With Jesus, with the apostles and prophets, and with men of God throughout church history, Dr. Sproul affirms a high view of Scripture—that it is inspired of God and therefore inerrant and infallible.
Why Coolidge Matters: Leadership Lessons from America'’s Most Underrated President by Charles C. Johnson
Imagine a country in which strikes by public-sector unions occupied the public square; where foreign policy wandered aimlessly as America disentangled itself from wars abroad and a potential civil war on its southern border; where racial and ethnic groups jostled for political influence; where a war on illicit substances led to violence in its cities; where technology was dramatically changing how mankind communicated and moved about—and where the educated harbored increasing contempt for the philosophic underpinnings of our republic.
That country, the America of the 1920s, looked a lot like America today. One would think, then, that the President who successfully navigated these challenges, Calvin Coolidge, might be esteemed today. Instead, Coolidge’s record is little known, the result of efforts by both the left and right to distort his legacy.
Why Coolidge Matters revisits the record of our most underrated president, examining Coolidge’s views on governance, public sector unions, education, race, immigration, and foreign policy. Most importantly, Why Coolidge Matters explains what lessons Coolidge—the last president to pay down the national debt—can offer the limited government movement in the post-industrial age.
The Forgotten Founding Father by Joshua Kendall
Noah Webster's name is now synonymous with the dictionary he created, but his story is not nearly so ubiquitous. Now acclaimed author of The Man Who Made Lists, Joshua Kendall sheds new light on Webster's life, and his far-reaching influence in establishing the American nation.
Webster hobnobbed with various Founding Fathers and was a young confidant of George Washington and Ben Franklin. He started New York's first daily newspaper, predating Alexander Hamilton's New York Post. His "blue-backed speller" for schoolchildren sold millions of copies and influenced early copyright law. But perhaps most important, Webster was an ardent supporter of a unified, definitively American culture, distinct from the British, at a time when the United States of America were anything but unified-and his dictionary of American English is a testament to that.
Things I Liked
Thomas Edison: Inspiration and Hard Work by Janet and Geoff Benge
This has nothing to do with the book itself, but the story of Edison's life. When he was young, he somehow convinced the neighbor's girl to eat mashed worms to see if that was what caused birds to fly. He also burned down a barn and a train, doing chemical experiments. And this all occurred before he was twelve. I thought this was a very interesting experiment he conducted, so I decided to tell you guys here. Edison has such an interesting life, and this book is all about it.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
I didn't realize how much I would like this book. It's a great animal story about how Louis overcomes his disability in not being able to speak at all which is detrimental for a trumpeter swan. I really enjoyed reading how Louis learned how to read and write, play the trumpet, make money, and eventually, woo the swan he falls in love with. Sam was also great side character.
What I also love about this book is that most of things done are legal. What I mean is that there are animals books where the animals are attacking people and stealing things, but this book has none of that. Although Louis' father steals a trumpet, Louis works really hard to pay it back, and his father risks his life just to pay the storeowner back.
How to Be a Successful Politician: The Ultimate Guide for New and Seasoned Politicos by Brian C. Haggerty
This is a really useful short book (80 small pages) about the do's and don'ts of politics such as interacting with people, giving speeches, using social media, and having a good public image. The book is very clear and concise about what to do and what not to do. Although the author is a Democrat, the book is very non-partisan, and I was able to learn a lot about leading a life in politics.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Without spoiling the story, I will say that the story is really sad, but it's a great novel. Even though the book is narrated by Death, it is generally not creepy or depressing. I love the setting (Germany during World War II) and although the book is fiction, it feels like it could be real because of the characters and the situations. It's a great book; I can't recommend it enough.
Note: The movie was great also. I may like it even more than the book.
Why Coolidge Matters: Leadership Lessons from America'’s Most Underrated President by Charles C. Johnson
This was a really interesting book about the precedents that Coolidge set in America, all of them positive. There were many quotes from his speeches and autobiography as well as comparisons to Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson (who is extremely racist and socialist; I apologize for calling him a "great American peacekeeper"; I have removed that from the article), Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, and Franklin Roosevelt. I learned a lot about "The Roaring Twenties" and the World War I eras as well as Coolidge's stance on certain issues.
The Forgotten Founding Father by Joshua Kendall
The Forgotten Founding Father by Joshua Kendall
I didn't realize how much I would like this book. It's a great animal story about how Louis overcomes his disability in not being able to speak at all which is detrimental for a trumpeter swan. I really enjoyed reading how Louis learned how to read and write, play the trumpet, make money, and eventually, woo the swan he falls in love with. Sam was also great side character.
What I also love about this book is that most of things done are legal. What I mean is that there are animals books where the animals are attacking people and stealing things, but this book has none of that. Although Louis' father steals a trumpet, Louis works really hard to pay it back, and his father risks his life just to pay the storeowner back.
How to Be a Successful Politician: The Ultimate Guide for New and Seasoned Politicos by Brian C. Haggerty
This is a really useful short book (80 small pages) about the do's and don'ts of politics such as interacting with people, giving speeches, using social media, and having a good public image. The book is very clear and concise about what to do and what not to do. Although the author is a Democrat, the book is very non-partisan, and I was able to learn a lot about leading a life in politics.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Without spoiling the story, I will say that the story is really sad, but it's a great novel. Even though the book is narrated by Death, it is generally not creepy or depressing. I love the setting (Germany during World War II) and although the book is fiction, it feels like it could be real because of the characters and the situations. It's a great book; I can't recommend it enough.
Note: The movie was great also. I may like it even more than the book.
Why Coolidge Matters: Leadership Lessons from America'’s Most Underrated President by Charles C. Johnson
This was a really interesting book about the precedents that Coolidge set in America, all of them positive. There were many quotes from his speeches and autobiography as well as comparisons to Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson (who is extremely racist and socialist; I apologize for calling him a "great American peacekeeper"; I have removed that from the article), Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Harding, and Franklin Roosevelt. I learned a lot about "The Roaring Twenties" and the World War I eras as well as Coolidge's stance on certain issues.
The Forgotten Founding Father by Joshua Kendall
I am doing a report on Noah Webster and American unity, so I have read three books about/by Webster. This was a very interesting biography because the author doesn't skim over any part of Webster's life including his negative qualities. This book gives the reader a good picture of all parts of the life of this forgotten Founding Father.
Things I Disliked
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
There are quite a few bad words especially the "s" word. Everyone calls each other swine in German. Also, the premise of the book is a thief, and stealing is not really presented as wrong, but more of a "don't get caught" scenario. In the movie, Liesel says that she is "borrowing" the books which is somewhat true.
The book didn't have a crease on the cover to bend it when you open the book, so my copy now has a scraggly line where I bent it. That's seriously all I disliked about this book.
Recommendation
Thomas Edison: Inspiration and Hard Work by Janet and Geoff Benge: R (Recommend)
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling: R (Recommend)
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White: R (Recommend)
How to Be a Successful Politician: The Ultimate Guide for New and Seasoned Politicos by Brian C. Haggerty: R (Recommend)
What is the Trinity? by R.C. Sproul: R (Recommend)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: R (Recommend)
Why Coolidge Matters: Leadership Lessons from America'’s Most Underrated President by Charles C. Johnson: R (Recommend)
The Forgotten Founding Father by Joshua Kendall: R (Recommend)
Why Coolidge Matters: Leadership Lessons from America'’s Most Underrated President by Charles C. Johnson: R (Recommend)
The Forgotten Founding Father by Joshua Kendall: R (Recommend)
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