Thursday, December 28, 2017

Why We Don't Suck by Denis Leary



 http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9781524762735?width=450&alt=no_cover_b4b.gif
Political humor is not lacking these days but most of what we get is censored.  Not any more, not being politically correct and swearing are all part of this book and if you have seen Denis Leary’s standup act you would understand the book would be half the size without it.  As excepted he goes after most of our political figures and inserts just enough logic to make us think after we stop laughing.  He tells several stories about being mistaken for someone else like Kevin Bacon, Willem Dafoe, Bryan Adams just to mention a few.  Mistaken not just by fans but other famous people.  He tells a few tales about being behind the scenes with some famous rock legends like the Rolling Stones, Rod Steward and David Bowie again just to name a few.  What’s left? Well him making fun of himself.  The stories are funny, touching and they show a sensitive side behind the funny man.  If you are looking for a good laugh, knowing that is hard to come by these days, then pick up this book and enjoy not being censored or politically correct for a while…even if it is only in your mind.


I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.          

Sunday, December 17, 2017

The Book of Joe by Joe Biden and Jeff Wilser



While the “Book of Joe” is small but it carries a powerful message.  The message is to stick to what you know is morally and ethically right, to do the right things in life no matter what.  A simple message but when looking over the life span of Job Biden he demonstrates this time and time again throughout his life in and out of his political career.  The book brings up an interesting thought, what if other politicians would take Joe’s advice.  I’m afraid we would be looking at an entirely different view point when it comes to our government.  The book goes over the hard times while he grew up, his goal and ambition as a young man and the struggles he encountered in life along with how he over came them.  I must admit I have little to no interest in politics, but this book was insightful and refreshing to read.  I would highly recommend this book even if you are not interested in politics.

 I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.          

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Chasing Phil by David Howard



 Back in the 70’s the FBI was designed to track down bank robbers, infiltrate criminal organizations and other illegal efforts.  The issue in the 70’s is the white-collar crime was new and they have little to go on or how to track or even convict people who were doing these types of fraud.  This type of crime was done with pen and paper not a gun and a mask.  Convictions were few because of the limited evidence that was collected and presented in court.  This book brings you into the experience of two the FBI agents that try to win over, gather evidence and work to convince the one of the worlds smartest con men.  You need to realize this is before personal computers, the internet does not exist, and the FBI’s red tape and limitation are at their worst.  Through all the struggles, entering in situation the bureau has never been trained for and the stress of being away from family creates an interesting story.  The creativity from a con man’s stand point is unbelievable how and what he came up with to con others out of large amounts of money.  How the bureau had to adjust and adapt to this type of a crime it’s like reading two books at once.  Great factual story presented from both the con man’s point of view and the FBI's.


I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.