Unsinkable: The Full Story of the RMS Titanic by Daniel Allen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a history buff, I like reading anything about the past.  I found this book several years ago after I had seen the movie "Titanic."  Knowing that Hollywood likes to take liberties in the actual story, I wanted to know what the true story was.  However, it took me this long to finally get around to reading the book and I have forgotten about any of the specifics in the movie.  I guess now I need to see the movie again.

I really did enjoy this book.  Many would probably find it academic, but I like academic.  However, I did enjoy the writing and the author kept me interested in the events that unfolded over 100 years ago.  I also found his arguments compelling for laying blame where it needed to be laid.  The author also wrote to the general audience and not to those who may have astute knowledge of shipping and the terms related to it.


View all my reviews

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If I had known how good this book was, I would have read it years ago.  I absolutely enjoyed the story and I cannot wait until my girls can get old enough to read the story themselves.  I heartily recommend this book.


View all my reviews

Downey Elementary Election

Today, our daughters reported that the elementary school had a mock election for President.  When Angie was asked who she voted for, she said Barack Obama (much to the chagrin of her parents).  Lilli then announced that she voted for the white guy.  Angie said she voted for the brown guy.  When Angie was asked further why she voted for Obama, she said she did not see as many pictures of "Rominy" as Obama.

We are such good parents!  Our kids choose their candidates based upon their skin color and "not the content of their character."

Peace Like a River

Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the best fiction books that I have read although it took me 8 months to read it. (I read it only on my infrequent lunch breaks at work.) The storyline is compelling; the writing is fantastic. The story is told from the viewpoint of an 11-year old asthmatic boy, Reuben, who witnesses miracles by his father, a shooting by his brother, and the story to find his escaped brother on the lamb in the Badlands. Great book!

View all my reviews

The Rivalry

It's rivalry week. Love this video! From the 2006 game. It features the radio play-by-play guy from utah and then Greg Wrubell's call. (By the way, I purposely did not capitalize utah.)

Dead Heat by Joel C. Rosenberg
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Of the series, this book is the least interesting. Perhaps it was the strong emphasis on the "Rapture," but it seemed less "page-turning" then the others. All in all, it was a good read.

View all my reviews

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first met Deb, she told me that her favorite show was "Pride and Prejudice." So, one Sunday afternoon, Deb set me down in front of the TV and popped in the BBC video. I watched it and when it ended I said, "Is that the end?" She said no that there were several more episodes. Although she wanted to watch them all right then, I told her no. So over the next few Sundays, we watched the entire series. Watching Deb watch the show was a treat in itself. She absolutely loves the series. Then, I one Saturday, I noticed the book and decided to read it while the girls enjoyed story hour at the library. It took a while, but I finally got through it. Since the BBC series is so close to the actual book, it held no surprises for me. As I read the book, I saw the scenes being acted out just as they are done in the series.

I really did enjoy the book. I think, however, that having seen the series before reading it helped me follow along.

View all my reviews

A Princess of Mars

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I heard that the Disney movie, John Carter, was based on a novel, I decided to find the novel and read it. I was surprised that the author was Edgar Rice Burroughs of Tarzan fame. When I first started reading the book, I had a hard time with it. The story is about John Carter, from Virginia, who is somehow transported to Mars. I know what Mars is like, and basing a story on the planet with living beings seem far-fetched. However, as I read the book, the more became intrigued. I found the story compelling and interesting. I wanted to know what would happen next to John Carter.

I have not seen the movie, and based on some reviews, I may not want to see it. If the movie is somewhat faithful to the book, then I will probably enjoy it.

View all my reviews

Treasure Island

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I recall either reading this book in school, or having one of my teachers read it to me. However, I did not remember the details. As I read the book, it was something brand new to me. I found the story compelling, and I can now see how young boys would love to be a part of the story. To be the young Jim Hawkins would be the dream of many young boys. Alas, if I could be part of a treasure story, I would do it in a heartbeat!

View all my reviews

President Monson's Biography

To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson by Heidi S. Swinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Throughout the years, I have greatly enjoyed the addresses that I have heard from President Monson. However, reading this book brought to me new insights into the spirituality of this great leader. It astounds me what he is able to do. President Monson embodies President Kimball's "Lengthen your stride; quicken your pace." For anyone that believes that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, this is a must read.

View all my reviews

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have grown up watching "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." In fact, I have seen it more times the last few years with my daughters. I have always loved the movie. So, I decided to read the book. I knew that Hollywood will make changes in story lines to fit the time-frame of a movie and some movies are drastically different from the book (see Jurassic Park and Lost World). I was somewhat surprised at how different the book is to the movie. After having read the book, I think I like the movie better. Many scenes were lifted from the book, but many scenes from the book were left out of the movie. All in all, though, I would say the book is good.

View all my reviews

Of Mice and Cheese

Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Deb insisted that I read this short book. So I did.

The book is a very easy read. I read it in an hour. It basically is a story of two mice and two littlepeople (people the size of mice). The story is used to illustrate how each of us adapt to change (or don't adapt).

View all my reviews

The Future of the Middle East?

Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future by Joel C. Rosenberg
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Joel C. Rosenberg's fiction books. So, I decided to read this nonfiction book about his opinion on the Middle East. I was pleasantly surprised that in this book he also explains why he used some of the story lines for his books. The book centers on the prophecy of Ezekiel found in chapters 38 and 39. He uses reasoning and sources to arrive at the conclusion that Iran and Russia will form a military alliance against Israel and Israel will stand alone. Although I cannot argue against his logic and especially against his advice to prepare for such events, I still find it hard to fully accept his premise. As I read, I kept wondering if President Thomas S. Monson or any of the other prophets, seers, and revelators that I sustain would agree with him.

View all my reviews

A Novel of Socialism

Philip Dru Administrator : a Story of Tomorrow 1920 - 1935 by Edward Mandell House
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Several months ago, I heard Glenn Beck refer to this book. He said it was Woodrow Wilson's favorite book. First, a little bit of the plot line from the book.

The story is about a man, Philip Dru, who leads a revolt against the United States government because it had become too corrupt. After the revolution, he scraps the Constitution and makes himself "Administrator." He then changes every concept of national and state governments to reflect his view of governance.

I had a hard time believing the premise of this book. When Philip Dru set himself up as dictator, the author made it seem the American people would welcome such a thing. All I could think was "If any such thing took place here, I would be either fighting in an underground organization or in a government prison as a subversive."

The book goes into great detail of how the federal and state governments would be set up under this new government. It is a complete socialistic government ruling every aspect of each individual's life. No mention of pursuit of happiness or individual responsibility. As Glenn Beck says, this is a blueprint for socialism.

View all my reviews

Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh: An Army of One by Zev Chafets
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1992, I moved home to be with Mom to help her with Dad's cancer. Approximately a month after moving home, Dad died and I decided to stay in Swan Lake. A few months after settling into Swan Lake, my brother Brad told me about a talk show on the radio by a guy named Rush Limbaugh. He told me I should listen because I would like him. So I did. I remember thinking the first few times that I listened to Rush that this was not normal. He was attacking the normal way of thinking (at least what I perceived to be normal). However, the more I listened to him, the more he made sense, and I realized that Rush Limbaugh was indeed the "truth detector." I began to doubt the main stream media and began to realize the agenda behind the media to promote liberalism and that is what the rest of America believed. Since my first time that I listened to Rush, I have been a fan.

I had heard Rush Limbaugh tell his radio audience about a book written about him by Zev Chafets. He said it was a worthy biography of him. I was released in 2010. I finally got around to reading it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author gives us a wonderful glimpse into Rush's childhood (Rush was known as Rusty as a child), his early radio career, and his emergence as a national figure. He explores some of his missteps and his highlights.

View all my reviews

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was recommended reading by Glenn Beck. It is the biography of a German pastor during the Nazi era. His story is one of resistance to the prevailing national socialism brought to Germany by Hitler. He was a well educated man who explicitly knew that the Nazi regime, and specifically Hitler, were evil. He fought against them in a way a pastor could fight against the Nazis. As I read the book, and specifically the chapters relating to the resistance, I wondered if I could stand by my principles in the face of death. This is a man that I could use as a role model. As he faced his death (two weeks prior to the Allies freeing the camp he was imprisoned), he said that he was "on the road to freedom." He looked forward to meeting his maker, knowing that he had fought the good fight.

View all my reviews

Do You Believe in God and Angels?

Watch the two videos below, then read about this young man after watching the videos:





Bed Breedlove is 18 years old when he made this video.  As the video explains, he has a dangerous heart condition.  Then, on Christmas Day of last year (2011), he had a heart attack and died.  He was spared long enough to share his message to a world that is cold-hearted and does not believe in God.  What a powerful message.

A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


It was the best of books; it was the worst of books.  OK, that is really corny, but it does sum up how this book felt to me.  Reading Charles Dickens is very difficult for me.  At times, I would get lost in what he was trying to say.  In fact, I had to resort to Cliff notes on the Internet to fully understand some of the passages--especially when he would write using the dialect that the English would use, and when he would try to translate French idioms into an English equivalent.  They story is very tragic yet is encouraging. 



View all my reviews