BOOK REVIEW: The Double-Edged Sword

(Originally published 2011, Paperback edition 425 pages)

Many people who have reviewed this work know who Mr. Kaku is, but I sure didn't. What attracted me to his book was that the author is a theoretical physicist and his intent to was to make his predictions rooted in physics and not flights of fancy. He interviewed 300 top scientists and wrote the book for the general layman. As long as you're intellectual curious and can read, you will not find Mr. Kaku's work difficult to follow. He makes quite a few pop-cultural references to Star Trek, The Terminator, Star Wars technology as well as their feasibility.

The author has broken each chapter into time sections. First he gives a general overview of physics up to present day then explains the advancements we should see between today and 2030 (Near Future,) 2030 through 2070 (Midcentury,) and 2070 until 2100 (Far Future.) Topics which are covered include computer technology, artificial intelligence, medicine, communication, space travel, germ warfare, cloning, nanotechnology, and energy. Mr. Kaku only skims certain social aspects of the future. This is the biggest problem with his work. He does acknowledge that advancements may be hindered by human fears or superstitions, but ignores such things as companies incorporating planned obsolescence such as how light bulbs are built to wear out instead of lasting practically forever. Also, religious fundamentalism like is seen throughout the Middle East and the United States Bible Belt are huge roadblocks to scientific advancement and acceptance.

Overall, the book has an upbeat, geewhiz feel. I even learned a great deal about where we are today when it comes to scientific discoveries. "Physics of the Future" is very interesting because the author does an excellent job describing how the different scientific principles work and the difficulties ahead. As with any science book worth its salt, evolution is taken as a given. People who are religious creationists should read the book purely to understand the whole Adam-and-Eve thing is nonsense. As Mr. Kaku aptly writes in his work, "...One is free to ignore science and technology, but only at your peril. The world does not stand still because you are reading a religious text. If you do not master the latest in science and technology, then your competitors will."

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #347)

BOOK REVIEW: Crime Certainly Does Pay

(Originally published 1968, Paperback edition 276 pages)

Mr. Maas's "The Valachi Papers," which was published in 1968, was the first to truly open the doors about the inner workings of the Mafia. Joe Valachi worked for the Mafia from the early 1930s until 1963. He saw the rise of organized crime and the internal battles to consolidate the different families. Crime does certainly pay, but it isn't exactly conducive to reaching retirement age and enjoying your golden years. They may live by a certain code of conduct, but it didn't stop these grownup bullies from screwing each other if they could attain more power. There are so many mob people murdered in this book, I quickly lost count. Joseph Valachi is not someone to admire. He may only have had a 7th-grade education, but street smarts and sheer luck allowed him to live as long as he did.

The first two chapters are quite tedious, because Mr. Maas explains his involvement with Joe Valachi, how the government backtracked on publishing Valachi's material and the author decision to still go ahead with writing his own book based on his research as well as the Valachi's writings. Since the early 1960s, when the Mafia was more of a ghostly apparition to the general public, much has been discovered about the Mob. However, Joe Valachi's story is a facinating look at history. Many famous mobsters such as Lucky Luciano and Dutch Schultz are in the book. Other important Mob events like the Castellammarese War were new to me.

"The Valachi Papers' is riveting material. It covers many of the Mafia's enterprises. Joe Valachi was involved in the numbers game, slot machines, legitimate businesses, the black market during WWII, dealing in heroin, and executions. His matter-of-fact attitude about people being murdered was extremely chilling to read. For all the Mafia's posturing about honor and loyalty, they're essentially self-serving animals that highlight the darkest aspects of the human condition. It's a great read. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #346)

BOOK REVIEW: Used And Tossed Away

(Originally published 2010, Paperback edition 435 pages)

Outside of watching my two sons play school basketball and track as well as grassroots soccer, my interest in following any sport is zero. I'd rather spend my time reading. The reason Mr. Dohrmann's book attracted my attention was the glowing reviews it received in various articles. I've witnessed first hand, as a parent, the difference in the quality of coaching boys receive and how it has a HUGE impact on helping young boys develop into decent men. Above all else, sports should be about them becoming good athletes, but not at the expense of understanding the importance of teamwork, good sportsmanship and character. The boys need male mentors who are looking out for their welfare. Well, "Play Their Hearts Out" just blew my expectations clear out of the water.

Mr. Dohrmann's story focuses primarily on two individuals: Joe Keller and Demetrius Walker. However, the author does an excellent job of describing the backgrounds and development of other young players as they grow from young, middle-school boys into men. Joe Keller and another grassroots "coach" Pat Barrett epitomize the worst kind of mentors. The boys are simply a means to an ends for these dreams of becoming rich. Like any good reporter, the author gives the full measure of Joe Keller; his good qualities as well as bad. Sadly, Pathological-Liar Joe's objectives included using talented, vulnerable kids and their hopeful parents as his ticket to riches. There is very little I found appealing about Mr. Keller. He is a boorish, two-faced, hot-headed man-child unwilling to take responsibility for his destructive actions. The talented player Demetrius Walker shows what happens to a kid who is exploited by adults more concerned with making a name for themselves.

Unscrupulous agents, college coaches and other profiteers such as athletic shoe companies permeate the entire book. The story has a great deal of heart and information for parents with talented kids in sports. Grassroots basketball as depicted in California is like feeding your kid to the wolves. Apparently, there are some wonderful coaches/mentors out there, but they're the exception to the rule. Mr. Dohrmann's work is an excellent, well-balanced and thorough look at the collision of youth basketball and capitalism. It's a great work that should be read by anyone who cares about kids or sports. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #345)

BOOK REVIEW: Pot Calling The Kettle Black

(Originally published 2010, Paperback edition 368 pages)

Nuance is not a word to describe Mr. Feldstein's depiction of President Nixon. Holy criminy, Nixon comes across as simply a paranoid, vengeful, foul-mouthed scumbag. Granted, our Thirty-seventh President's time in office oozed improper and illegal behavior, but the author avoids talking about any of Nixon's policy achievements. The book focuses on the twenty-five-year antagonistic relationship between muckraking reporter Jack Anderson and Tricky Dick. President Nixon unethically used the IRS, CIA, FBI, tax audits, government lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, illegal wiretaps, burglary, forgery, and sabotage in his attempts to destroy his enemies. It truly is a great example of the abuse of power.

Both Jack Anderson and Richard Nixon were driven by personal, reckless ambition and ultimately undone by their hubris. Neither man comes out of this book smelling like roses. Mr. Anderson's tactics in his efforts to get the inside scoop, his carnival-like showmanship, and glaring conflicts-of-interest showed him to be just as much a hypocrite as President Nixon. Misbehaviors of other notables such as Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Reagan, Martin Luther King, J. Edgar Hoover, Howard Hughes and the notorious Nixon Plumbers are also given their due. Mr. Anderson repeatedly undercovered and published classified government information that had an impact on Nixon's policies. It is easy to see why the President was infuriated and obsessed with taking down Anderson. Both men felt they were on the right side of what was good for our nation and were willing to do highly unethical and illegal things during their lifetime personal crusades.

Mr. Feldstein depicts Anderson as a more complex, troubled individual who did the public a great service, but in a very sloppy, hypocritical manner. However, the author clearly shows he's no fan of President Nixon. Though the information in this book is truly entertaining and informative, Mr. Feldstein's heavy-handed depiction of the President gives his work the patina of a tabloid newspaper. It would be best for the reader to keep in mind the author focused on President Nixon's relationship with Jack Anderson. Nixon is shown as the major wrongdoer and the carnival columnist is viewed as the lesser of two evils. The book is well worth reading, but not a work that will go down well with Nixon apologists such as G. Gordon Liddy.

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #344)

BOOK REVIEW: Dupe 'Em While They're Young

(Originally published 2010, Hardcover edition 381 pages)

Beyond an occasional news blurb, TIME magazine's May 6, 1991 article about Scientology was the extent of my knowledge about this "religion." One thing I took away from the highly negative TIME article was that the Scientologist organization had a very nasty mean streak to them. After reading Ms. Reitman's "Inside Scientology," I had to take a day off before writing this brief review because I was so angry. There are plenty of books out there about this highly secretive cult that I intentionally avoided because I was looking for a more impartial, broad overview of Scientology. The very qualified and reputable reporter's, Janet Reitman, expose was the first one that fit the bill.

Just to get it out there, I'm agnostic. All religions usually have two things in common when recruiting new members, get 'em while their young or adults who are in deep emotional distress. The two largest religions born in this country Mormonism and Scientology are utterly silly at the core of their spiritual beliefs. Ms. Reitman didn't have an ax to grind against Scientology. She was simply curious about the secretive institution. The author spent five years investigating it and she doesn't paint a pretty picture of L. Ron Hubbard (likely a manic depressive as well as a paranoid schizophrenic) and his successor, David Miscavige. The first third of the book revolves our Hubbard, his creation and eventual death. The remainder of the report focuses on Miscavige (the little dude has a serious Napoleon complex), Scientology's recruitment efforts of celebrities especially Tom Cruise, and tragic victims of the church. The detailed story of Scientologist Lisa McPherson was especially difficult to read. Their attitudes towards psychiatry and what they deem as Suppressive Persons is not only loony but dangerous.

Scientology is plainly shown to be the worst of both worlds. It's a religious corporation/cult. Money-making is their golden idol. In this age of the Internet, any individual who doesn't do their homework about Scientology before getting involved with it are not the brightest bulbs on our planet. Their cosmic beliefs are stuff the highly charismatic and intelligent Hubbard pulled out of his backside and convinced young, impressionable people that it was cherry pie. Ms. Reitman has done the public a great service by giving a very good description of Scientology and also why the IRS gave them tax-exempt status. I can't recommend highly enough this well-written book for every independent-minded person out there.

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #343)

BOOK REVIEW: Cronies In, Experts Out

(Originally published 2008, Hardcover edition 274 pages)

When Ronald Reagan was elected president, I was attending college. I was neither liberal nor conservative, but eager to become a well-informed, critical-thinking U.S. citizen. So, for the next three decades, I spent a great deal of time and energy reading a wide variety histories, social issues, and opinions. Hedrick Smith's tome "The Power Game' was extremely illuminating in this area. Over the following three decades, conservatism was our country's zeitgeist. What I found disturbing was the ever-increasing harshness of Republican assaults on government as an evil entity. President Reagan drove our country's deficit to record-breaking heights with nary a peep from Republicans. Then President Clinton took drastic austerity measure to balance our federal budget while the Republicans hounded and blamed Democrats for the huge deficits they conveniently forgot to mention were caused by Reagan. Then President George W. Bush came into office and drove the deficit waaaaaaay beyond Reagan's shenanigans and, once again, nary a peep from Republicans. Now President Obama is elected and conservatives have found Jesus again about out-of-control spending and, surprise surprise, they're blaming the Democrats again. The pattern to me looked like the Republicans where intentionally trying to destroy any sense of a functional government. But I silently thought that was just plain crazy. Well, along came Mr. Frank's book.

The author not only reaffirms my theory but convincingly lays out how the far-right conservative movement is trying to cripple the government and any forms of liberalism. The hardcover was published in 2008 a short time before the sub-prime mortgage fiasco sent the economy into the crapper. Mr. Frank's book holds up in the wake of President Obama's election and the stalling tactics used by Republicans in such areas as judicial appointments and their assaults to prevent the highly capable Elizabeth Warren in running the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Just compare the continual glowing praise of President Obama from Governor Chris Christie after Hurricane Sandy to the horrible Mike Brown debacle after Hurricane Katrina. The Democrats believe government can be a source of good. The Republicans, to paraphrase Grover Norquist, just want to weaken it enough so they can drag it to the bath tub and drown it. The book shows how Washington has become a huge cash cow for business interests, lobbyists and anyone with strong hard-right views. The author focuses on many of the famous odious zealots such as Tom Delay, Jack Abramoff and Grover Norquist as well as some less renowned ogres.

Mr. Frank's book is for citizens who are liberal, independent, or moderate Republicans who believe government's top priority should be all its citizenry and not just big business. The author puts it best: "Fundamentally amoral, capitalism is loyal to no people, no region, no heroes, really, once they have exhausted their usefulness - not even to the nation whose flag the wingers pretend to worship." And THAT'S why we need a functional government; to protect us from a plutocracy and not turn into another Saipan* (*read the book.) If you're of the Rush Limbaugh mindset or drink the FOX News Kool-Aid, don't even bother reading this thing. Our country needs a two-party system where compromise is not viewed as an apostasy. Right now, the Republicans are more focused on their jihad and that's just sad for our nation. The material in the book is historically accurate and the author's assessment is dead on. Heck, even Reagan apostle/columnist George Will is impressed with Mr. Frank's bona fides. The highly readable and informative "The Wrecking Crew", despite being five years old, is still extremely relevant. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #342)

Our Dad's A Banjo-Playin' Motherpluckin' Idiot

My two adopted African-American sons, Zac and Jon, were adamant that it was NOT appropriate nor a sign of solidarity for me, their whiter than white dad, to celebrate Black History Month by trotting around the entire month of February as

Minstrel Meyers.

BOOK REVIEW: The Winter Of His Discontent

(Originally published 1977, Mass Market Paperback 480 pages)

The final installment of Thomas Covenant's first trilogy is the darkest of the three. Seven years have passed since the second book ended and Covenant returned to his own world. The Land is in a perpetual winter and most of it is under Lord Foul's control. When Thomas Covenant is summoned, once again, to the Land, he's mentally and physically a mess. Heck, EVERYONE is a mess. There is no humor to be found between the covers of this book. However, the story is a gripping, satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

The story focuses on mostly Thomas Covenant and his journey to confront Lord Foul. Two other key characters, Triock who has a deep hatred of Covenant, and High Lord Mhoram, the leader of Revelstone are also given time in the limelight. The author spends ample time delving into these three character's internal struggles about how they don't believe they can measure up to the demands of their tasks. For a fantasy novel, Mr. Donaldson's sure has created very believable people.

As like the second book, "The Power That Preserves" is not a stand-alone book. It is important to read the two prior works; "Lord Foul's Bane," and "The Illearth War." The reader likely knows Thomas Covenant survives because a second trilogy was written in the early 1980s and a quadrilogy entitled "The Final Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" is currently being written. However, this does not diminish the high-level of entertainment, excitement and suspense of the first trilogy. I will reread the second trilogy next January. Three fiction works in a row seems to be my limit before I get restless and prefer some nonfiction material. Mr. Donaldson's work ranks right up there with "Lord of the Rings" as solid adult fare. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #341)