Tough as They Come by SSG Travis Mills

In many of our school systems across the United States we require our students to reading books like the “Red Badge of Courage”.  While that has it historical roots I think it would bring a better view point and a shot of reality to our youth if they also read “Tough as They Come”.  This would bring to light to many of the young people today why we cherish our freedom so much and what we are willing to defend our country for.  This book would provide a view point of a real combat soldier who knew what the risks he was taking to protect our country of millions of people he never knew or meet.  While serving his country, he was gravely wound and tells not from a general view point but his personal experience the pain, struggle and necessary support that is needed.  We need to bring to light the reality of war, the commitment need to protect the country and the horrific price some must pay.  I think this would be an excellent book not just for the youth of America to read but everyone.  It helps to bring you back to true roots of why we defend our country and the men and women we honor in doing so.  If you only read one book this year let it be this one.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of this book.

Visioneering by Andy Stanley

If you have never read a self-help- book this might be one for you.  The author does nothing new or inventive based on books I have read in the past thirty years.  While the book is structured in an organized manner and the personal examples help to provide insight into various situations it lacks originality.  If you enjoy the stories about Nehemiah from the bible this would be a perfect book for you.  The book is full of examples that relate back to Nehemiah’s experiences.  I would have preferred to see some examples from others within the bible but that is the authors choice.  My experience in reading these types of self-help book is you need to provide many examples to reach a boarder number of readers.  Limited examples and situations will only apply to so many people and others will lose interest quickly.  Again, if you are new to the self-help type book you might find this one interesting.  If you have read more than a few self-help books you will see many things that are familiar that have already been discussed and written about many times before.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of this book.

Lights Out by Ted Kopple

The book “Lights Out” hits very close to home.  I have several decades of computer programming and risk management background and the situations that the author describes are a real threat.  The ability to hack into nearly any system is not only an on-going issue but with each new development or technology introduced the exposure continues to grow and becomes a higher risk each day.  The continued attacks are not going away and the deregulation of the energy business has exposed many areas of inadequate systems that lack the ability to stop from being hacked.  The key concern is not only the hacking of the systems but what happens when those systems are shut down.  How many of us will be able to live without electricity, running water or the ability to dispose of sanitary waste.  After weeks or even months of critical systems being down the ability to live in the manner we have become use to disappears and is replaced with the basic needs of survival.  This book is hoping to alert people that the threat is real and bring this topic up so that we will take it seriously.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of this book.  

Tune In the Beatles: All These Years Vol. 1 by Mark Lewisohn

Finally, the first volume has been released and the level of information is fantastic. Over 800 pages of details behind each of the members of the Beatles band.  Where and how they grew up, family lives and how they finally got together.  The author starts with the history of how the Beatles families arrived in Liverpool and then goes all the way to the end of 1962.  Their trip to famous is an interesting, unusual journey and a fascinating read.  The author has researched nearly everyone who knew or worked with the Beatles, be it friends, family, musicians, associates. In addition to the amazing facts the author could unearth he was also able to locate many photos never been seen before.  I cannot wait for the next volume to come out.  A must for all music lover and baby boomers.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of this book.

In Such Good Company by Carol Bernett

While some of the younger generations will have no idea who Carol Burentt is or that she was one of the first woman to break the boundaries of TV entertainment that was dominated by men at the time.  The book is more of a stroll down memory lane but with a little more behind the scenes of what really happened.  She explains how she got in to the entertainment business, the breaks she needed to start her own show and the many stories behind what happened during some of the live taping of the show.  For the younger generations, back then there was no taping, editing and replaying it, what you saw on TV is what was happening including the flubs, goofs and bloopers.  I remember watching Tim Conway on several occasions entering the stage and within minutes does an ad lib, breaking up the cast members and then the audience goes into hysterics.  For those of us who remember watching her show you will be very interested in the behind the scenes stories that she has and the interesting relationships she developed over the eleven years she was on TV.  A must read for all baby boomers.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.       

Avenue of Spies by Alex Kershaw

Many of us cannot fathom what it was like living during the time of World War II.  The Avenue of Spies brings you within the life of a small family in the middle of Paris as the approaching Germany Army plan to take over Paris.  You are introduced to a Doctor, his wife and son who are now neighbors to the invading German army.  You get to experience their lives firsthand as their city is taken over, the many restrictions they are now forced to live by and the horror of daily arrests and executions.  Knowing any day, they could be caught they continue to help the allied resistance.  Many people are saved by the doctor hiding them in the hospital and in their own home.  Time eventually runs out and they are sent to jail, interrogated, and then send from one concentration camp to another.  As the allies come closer their chances of survival are all but non-existence.  To experience the true situation of the many people that risked their lives to help others during World War II you first need to read this book.  The danger and horror these people endure is amazing but that is overshadowed by the courage and bravely of these men and women.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.  

Secret Language of Dogs by Victoria Stigwell

Few books do I find informational enough to say you should read them before do it.  In the case of the Secret Language of Dogs I think every dog owner would benefits from reading this book.  It is a quick ready but is packed with very good information that can help every dog owner or someone contemplating getting a dog.  The book is full of visual examples of dog behaviors that may or may not have recognized by their owners.  This book addresses many questions as a dog owner we always wonder about like why they roll in stinky things, chase their tails, growl at certain things or excessive barking.  While this book will not answer all your questions it will address many and help to improve your dog’s physical and mental help and along the way it might help you also.  A must read for dog lovers.  

  

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.