Review: Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present

Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present by Michael B. Oren

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Roughly three quarters of the book is given to American relations wiht the Middle East from 1776 to WWII, about 175 years. Post-WWII to the War on Terror is the final quarter, roughly three quarters of a century. As result, tying in where we are now seems rushed, almost glossed over.

However, the author does succeed in documenting his case that from birth of this nation until know the relationship of America to the Middle East has been a contradictory blend of exotic allure and Islamophobic revulsion.

I found it most interesting that even back in the terms of Thomas Jefferson the nation struggled with waging war or seeking peace, claiming acceptance of all beliefs while reviling the Islamic faith.

Also, the narrator has an occasional but distracting habit of putting the wrong syllable emphasis into a word.



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Review: Death Be Not Proud

Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



"As a professional writer, Johnny's father was capable of incarnating the spirit and intelligence of his ardent and precocious son. I am really convinced the world lost a brilliant inventor-scientist, but through this book we can all meet this atheist old soul and travel with him through 1940s cancer treatment.

Inlcuded in the book is many letters, quotes, and writings of Johnny. Among this impressive intellectual output, signifying an accomplished and seeking mind, is Johnny's list of chess tips, which I am saving.



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Review: The Story of the Second World War

The Story of the Second World War by Katharine Savage

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A good, quick read about thi epic European struggle that consumed so much of the world. I always pick up something new. This time I was appalled by Hitler's strategic use of German lads raised by charitable Norweigans to effect the invasion and occupation of that country.



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Review: Son of Harpo Speaks!: A Family Portrait

Son of Harpo Speaks!: A Family Portrait by Bill Marx

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I am not sure if this audiobook is the same content as the printed book, but it is the potential differences that are the charm of this edition: music interludes, a cast of voices, etc. So, this is more an audio production than a straight reading of a book's content.

Don't execpt any diry on the Marx borthers, although Bill does divulge some of Groucho's penis problems and Harpo's casual nudity. Rather, this is an open and easy-going recollection of talented musician adopted into the Harpo Marx family and soon at an early age prop assistance and msuic arranger to his "Dad".

As such, this life story goes beyond Harpo's life (although Harpo audio-communes with Bill from a reverberated beyond-the-grave) presenting Bill's recollections of being in the wings as Harpo performed for film, TV, and stage onto Bill's own music career, such as touring the U.S. and Canada with Carol McLaughlin resurrecting Harpo's music.

There are also anectdotes about having Jack Benny for a neighbor, dealing with Marx family legal issues (recast as a complex plot for a Marx Brothers film treatment), how Zeppo was apt to swing a fist, and more.



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Review: Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin

Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin by Hampton Sides

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Well, this well-researched, fasinating book puts in the final nail in the coffin of MLK assassination consipiracy theories, IMHO.

It ends up that James Earl Ray/Ramon Sneyd/Eric Stavro/Galt/etc. was a petty criminal from a family of them with a murderous bent born of neo-Nazi thoughts, George Wallace worship and a specific loathing for MLK.

His basic false identity skills kept him on the run long enough to get almost half-way to Rhodesia where he hoped to be an Afircan-slaying merc.

It wasa bit confusing for the author to always call Ray/Galt/Sneyd but he then current alias, but I can understand his reasons.



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Review: Pulp Physics: Astronomy: Humankind in Space and Time

Pulp Physics: Astronomy: Humankind in Space and Time by Richard Berendzen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a great, warm and encomapssing delivery about the history of physics from Greek thought to Galileo, and Newton to Einstein. Then, we get the astronomy from ancient astrology to the possiblity of wormholes and interstellar communication in future millenia. The author never talks down to the listener and no more than a high school education is required to understand what is delivered by this avuncular and erudite teacher.



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Review: Their Master's War

Their Master's War by Mick Farren

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I am not a very good judge of sci-fi, since I basically only read non-fiction, but I found this space adventure tale engaging; a fun, fast read. I especially appreciated Farren's details on what jumping across space would potentially be like, physically, as well as translating the attitudes of an underclass onto this galactic-scale canvas.

I dipped my two into these waters intrigued after I interview the author about his proto-punk band The Deviants.



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