Reading 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2010

Book 27 - Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home - Nando Parrado

2010-07-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

What a book, what a read and what an individual. What a story.

This is one of those stories that really does challenge everything that you believe about yourself, and about others. It also challenges how you think you would react in terrible circumstances. It really was an amazing read, and I would love to meet the author, one day. He rocks.

In this book, Nando accounts first hand the hardships encountered by a football team that had crash landed in a remote spot in the Andes. Here is the overview (from http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400097678)

In the first hours there was nothing, no fear or sadness, just a black and perfect silence.

Nando Parrado was unconscious for three days before he woke to discover that the plane carrying his rugby team, as well as their family members and supporters, to an exhibition game in Chile had crashed somewhere deep in the Andes. He soon learned that many were dead or dying—among them his own mother and sister. Those who remained were stranded on a lifeless glacier at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, with no supplies and no means of summoning help. They struggled to endure freezing temperatures, deadly avalanches, and then the devastating news that the search for them had been called off.

As time passed and Nando’s thoughts turned increasingly to his father, who he knew must be consumed with grief, Nando resolved that he must get home or die trying. He would challenge the Andes, even though he was certain the effort would kill him, telling himself that even if he failed he would die that much closer to his father. It was a desperate decision, but it was also his only chance. So Nando, an ordinary young man with no disposition for leadership or heroism, led an expedition up the treacherous slopes of a snow-capped mountain and across forty-five miles of frozen wilderness in an attempt to find help.

Thirty years after the disaster Nando tells his story with remarkable candor and depth of feeling. Miracle in the Andes—a first person account of the crash and its aftermath—is more than a riveting tale of true-life adventure: it is a revealing look at life at the edge of death and a meditation on the limitless redemptive power of love.

Overall, 4.95 out of 5, the highest rating yet. It was a great book.

Book 26 - LIKE A SAMURAI: The Tony Glynn Story, by Fr Paul Glynn SM

2010-07-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it - we are now over half way through the year, and this is book 26, half way through the blog challenge. Bring it on. Yee Hah.

Another amazing book, and another amazing story of an inspirational individual.

Father Tony Glynn made a real difference throughout his life, which was dedicated to better relations between Australia and Japan. He not only focused on that relationship, but also the one between Buddhists and Christians, and he was wise enough to see the unique qualities in both.

Also, would you believe that my great Uncle, Father Guinea, was featured in the book - imagine that.

Anyway, here is a great review that I found on the book.

LIKE A SAMURAI: The Tony Glynn Story, by Fr Paul Glynn SM

Here is a review by Tim Cannon, which can be found at: http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/2009/jul2009p17_3092.html

Many readers will be familiar with Fr Paul Glynn, an Australian Marist priest, and author of such titles as Song for Nagasaki and Smile of a Ragpicker. Fr Glynn spent some 25 years in post-WWII Japan, and his latest offering tells the less widely known story of his older brother Tony, also a Marist priest, who spent the greater part of his life in Japan.

Like a Samurai: The Tony Glynn Story is the biography of an authentic missionary of the modern era. Today Japan remains a predominantly Buddhist nation, with only 0.7% of the population identifying as Christian, the bulk of them Catholic. When a 25- year-old Fr Tony Glynn first set foot on Japanese soil, Catholics were even fewer in number. During their time in Japan, the Glynn brothers were true pioneers on a daunting cultural and spiritual frontier.

It was there that Fr Tony built a parish, literally from scratch, which, by the time of his death, was enthusiastically attended by hundreds of parishioners each week, and was renowned for its charitable works and the unfathomable generosity of its cheery Australian parish priest.

This is a rollicking tale, and a wonderfully vivid example of just what can happen when Christians place their lives in God's hands and unabashedly seek out His will. Indeed Fr Tony's story is in no small way reminiscent of the missionary adventures of St Paul, and as this commemorative "year of St Paul" draws to a close, readers young and old will no doubt draw inspiration from this modern exemplar of daring and enthusiastic ministry.

In addition to his work in Japan, Fr Tony's efforts would eventually lead to a pioneering mission of Christian reconciliation back in Australia, as well as in New Zealand, in the aftermath of a war which had yielded a bitter crop of resentment on all sides.

The seeds of this remarkable story were being sewn even before Tony Glynn was born. Thus the author commences with a fascinating account of Fr Tony's Irish ancestry, and of the family's experiences settling in Australia several generations prior to Tony's birth.

The centrality of the Catholic faith to the lives of Tony's parents (and certain other relations) is shown to be of vital importance to the fruition of many graces - including several vocations to the priesthood and religious life - among Tony and his siblings.

Providential encounter

Tony's path to Japan was forged by a providential encounter in the seminary with Fr Lionel Marsden, an Australian military chaplain who had been taken prisoner by Japanese forces during the war. "Padre" Marsden's brutal experiences had eventually led him to resolve to return to Japan after the war to establish a Marist mission, and to preach Christ's gospel of love and forgiveness. It was a mission which very much appealed to the young Tony Glynn, and shortly after his ordination, he departed for a new life in Japan.

Throughout the book, Tony's magnetic personality, his energy and enthusiasm, his can-do attitude, and his infectious and often self- deprecating sense of humour shine through. As the author frequently notes, these personal qualities, coupled with a deep devotion to personal prayer, the Mass, and genuine service to others, enabled Fr Tony to achieve the unachievable.

The book details Fr Tony's many remarkable achievements: building a parish from the ground up in a foreign land, and without a penny in the bank; running fund- raising drives in the USA; establishing goodwill exhibitions of Japanese art in Australia and New Zealand; and pioneering a reconciliation effort between the Australian people and the people of Japan.

The book's cover features a picture of Fr Tony Glynn bearing two armfuls of samurai swords. These were taken from slain or captured Japanese soldiers by Australian and New Zealand forces during the war, but which were to be returned to the families of the Japanese soldiers as a gesture of reconciliation.

His close work with Buddhist spiritual leaders in Japan, and his openness to the goodwill of all he encountered, invariably drew more and more people to his humble but widely renowned parish.

There is a certain earthy humility which pervades the pages of this book, and which is persistently apparent in its subject, Fr Tony Glynn. I never met the man, but having read Like a Samurai, I feel as though I have. When an ordinary bloke like Tony Glynn opens his heart and his life to God, the mind boggles at the sheer extraordinariness of what he can achieve.

Overall, a good read, 4.25 out of 5.

Book 25 - The Time of my Life - Patrick Swayze

2010-06-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I loved Patrick Swayze. He was the man - from Roadhouse to Ghost, to Dirty Dancing to Next of Kin, they were all great in their own way. The man could act, dance and appeared to be living the dream.

What was amazing was that he was always destined for greatness. His mother named him Patrick, as she thought his name would look good on a billboard. Imagine that. His mother was a dance instructor, and that is where Patrick learnt the art of dance, and met his life long love Lisa Niemi. She is extremely attractive, and the pair looked like the perfect couple. She also followed a career in dance, though appeared to take the support role, and let Patrick take the lime light.

Patrick Swayze was a fighter, he suffered major injuries during his dancing and acting career, which did not stop him one bit. He trained and worked with significant pain. He also suffered the pain of alcoholism, he lost his father (which was extremely tough) then he lost his battle with cancer.

You know, this was one of the most motivational books that I have read as part of this blog. Patrick Swayze never gave up, never did things in halves, never lost his sense of family (or earthy things - the pair loved horses) and he never lost his sense of fighting when the chips were down.

He and Lisa Niemi spent time on the bread line, they fixed furniture to make ends meet, they separated for a period, and they, sadly, never had kids. They had a great life, though, and one that gave us all joy and happiness. It was an amazing journey, and one that I loved. It is time to pull out Road House again and watch him go around with Sam Elliot, including getting stitched up without pain killer. You know, if that was real life, especially after reading the book, it is not a stretch to imagine him doing that.

The blurb from the book reads:

"In September 2009 movie star Patrick Swayze lost his long and bravely fought battle against pancreatic cancer. Dedications soon came flooding in from Swayze's many friends in film and television as well as from his legions of adoring fans. His was a life richly led and this memoir, completed just weeks before his death, is a testament to the strength and passion of this remarkable man. It was January 2008 when Patrick Swayze was given the worst news of his life. What he hoped was just a stomach ache was actually stage four pancreatic cancer. This book isn't just the story of Patrick's fight against cancer. In the public eye from the early 1980s, this is the story of a remarkable life and career. Intended as a low budget, straight-to-video production, Dirty Dancing became a cult hit and remains one of the most enduring films of the 80s. Ghost cemented Patrick as a hugely bankable star, in a role that has had a considerable cultural impact. Most recently Patrick returned to the public's adoring arms in TV's The Beast. This book will chronicle Patrick's personal life, too -- including his treatment for alcoholism following the death of his father and sister's sudden death. What remained a constant in Patrick's life was his marriage and Patrick and Lisa's love story is inspiring, honest, heartfelt and transcends the typical celebrity marriage. This is a book that anyone who has faced cancer or a terminal illness can turn to: Lisa and Patrick have shown the world that cancer isn't just a diagnosis given to one individual, but a disease that can bring a household together or pull a family apart. Bold, honest and inspiring, Patrick Swayze's memoir is the story of a remarkable man's life and career and of his refusal to give up without a fight."

A 4.75 out of 5 for me for this one. Loved it. Loved the fight, loved the spirit, loved the ups and downs and loved the down to earthiness of this man, who the world will miss.

Book 24 - Raising Boys

2010-06-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

Raising Boys, by Steve Biddulph, is an absoutely must read for any parents of young males.

I really learnt so much from this book, with the one major thing being that ADD could also be a case of DDD (dad deficit disorder - now that was an enlightening point - I need to be home more - very close to my heart).

Apparently, "Raising Boys has created shifts in how parents understand the development and needs of boys from birth to the teenage years. It covers both the social forces and the biological and hormonal forces that make a boy what he is, and how to use these to help boys be safe, caring, energetic, and in love with life."

"Boys worldwide have three times the death rate of girls, and are disappearing from higher education, while girls do better and better. This book is incredibly timely, and much loved by parents.
The three stages of boyhood. What mothers can do. What fathers can do. What if you are a single mother ? Finding a boy-friendly school. Boys and sport. Boys and sex.
Ideal for mothers who are just not sure if they understand boys. For fathers who want to play an active role in raising their son."

Again, and finally, this is a great book, and one that explains so many of the issues that we face as parents (actually of both boys and girls). It tackes the touch stuff, like homosexuality, and the soft stuff, like puberty and masdurbation. Very enlightening, and my wife and I are applying the messages already.

Anyway, if you are raising kids, get this book.

4.5 out of 5 from this little no-one who is critiquing books for the 2010 calendar year.

Book 23 - The Shack

2010-06-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

This book really is a great read, and I would recommend it for everyone on the planet to have a read of. It is written by William P. Young, and it was published in 2007. It became a best seller in 2008, and you can see why, when you read it.

I actually really believed it was a true story, but it is a novel, apparently. I got some information from Wiki, below ...

The novel is all about Mackenzie Philips, a father of five, called "Mack" by his family and friends. Mack is set up as a friend of the authors, and the book is focused on an event that occurred after Mack took his three youngest children on a camping trip to Wallowa Lake near Joseph, Oregon, stopping at Multnomah Falls on the way. Two of his children are playing in a canoe when it flips and almost drowns Mack's son. Mack is able to save his son by leaving his youngest daughter Missy alone at their campsite. After Mack returns, he sees that Missy is missing. The police are called, and the family discovers that Missy has been abducted and murdered by a serial killer known as the "Little Ladykiller." The police find an abandoned shack in the woods where Missy was taken, but her body is never found. Mack's life sinks into what he calls "The Great Sadness."

At the beginning of the book, Mack receives a note in his mailbox from "Papa," saying that he would like to meet with Mack on that coming weekend at the shack. Mack is puzzled by the note - he has no relationship with his abusive father after Mack leaves home at age 13. He suspects that the note may be from God, whom his wife Nan refers to as "Papa."

Mack's family leaves to visit relatives and he goes alone to the shack, unsure of what he will see there. He arrives and finds nothing, but as he is leaving, the shack and its surroundings are supernaturally transformed into a lush and inviting scene. He enters the shack and encounters manifestations of the three persons of the Trinity. God the Father takes the form of an African American woman who calls herself Papa, Jesus Christ is a Middle-Eastern carpenter, and the Holy Spirit physically manifests itself as an Asian woman named Sarayu.

Mack tells the story of the time that he shares speaking with, dining with, and learning from Jesus, God and the holy spirit. There are some great interactions.

It is really a powerful book, and there is one part that was quite amazing, where Mack is weeding a garden with the Holy Spirit. It turns out that they are in Macks soul, cleaning it up. Amazing stuff, and just one of the phenomenal little quirks in the book. The big one is really about forgiveness ...

In summary, the book explains what I really thought to be unexplained, in many ways. The author is am amazing chap, to be able to articulate the messages, as he has done. Very clever, very insightful.

Look, I must say, though, that my wife read this book, and loved it passionately, and I read 'The Five People you Meet in Heaven' first. We each liked the book we read first more than the preceding book, so that was interesting. The Shack was great, but I preferred the former, even though they really were about different messages and story lines.

Anyway, a great read, and highly recommended. 4.5 out of 5 from this little book critic.

Book 22 - Tombstone

2010-06-06T16:57:00.000-07:00

Tombstone is a town that I have always been fascinated by. It was founded in 1878, when a struggling prospector found silver in the jagged mountains of Arizona. Within a year the town of Tombstone was filling up with merchants, tradesmen, gamblers, whores, and gunslingers, and was what I imagine to be a wild west town.

In this book, Matt Braun hypothesises that "the Earp family came to Tombstone - five brothers with their women and their wives and along with Doc Holliday and a band of thieves, Wyatt Earp treated the Arizona territory as his personal stomping grounds."

Now, I am not sure that I completely believe this side of the Tombstone story. Matt is convinced, though it is the only book, or text, or even movie, or anything else, that depicts Wyatt Earp in this way. Yes, Wyatt Earp, his brothers, and Doc, were all rat bags and were wrapped up in gambling and all sorts of money making schemes, but I am not sure that they were into stage robberies and other things that Matt says there were.

Then, there was the legend of the OK Corral shootout.

In this book, private detective Luke Starbuck was sent to Tombstone to find the truth. And when he got there, Starbuck's mission turned into one burning, personal obsession: to kill Wyatt Earp. See, Wyatt lived to a ripe old age, though this book says that Luke Starbuck was intent on killing him, hunted him, etc. It also says that Wyatt never remarried after he left Mattie Blaylock, which we know to be incorrect, as he married Josephine Marcus.

Really, on reflection, I am not sure if Matt is trying to tell us a true story, here, or if it is all a made up yarn. See, the other thing is, Luke Starbuck, at the end of the book, is all upset that he has not become a famous house hold name, like Wyatt Earp did. Sounds far fetched.

Anyway, overall, the book was not a bad read. It was sort of a 'dime novel'. It has 20c on the front of it, so I am guessing that I bought it on the cheap somewhere.

I love the story of Tombstone, and the Tombstone movie, where Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer are the main actors, is still one of my all time favourites. Great movie - if you haven't seen it - get into it, quickly. I suppose I was a little disappointed that this book did not have the same story line as the movie, and proposed theories that I really thought were a little out there. Anyway, Matt appears to be a good writer, though, and overall 3.5 out of 5 for this one. Not a bad read.

Book 21 - Ned Kelly's Last Stand - Frank Clune

2010-05-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

You know, after all this time, and for all of my life, I realised that I had not read a book about our most famous outlaw - Edward Kelly. Well, I have now, and it was a great read.

This was the oldest book that I have read as part of this bog, by far, it was published in 1964 by Frank Clune, who really did an outstanding job of the research for the book. Frank documented Ned's life and he detailed the lives of the other Irish immigrant families and how they really were targeted (some would say unfairly) by the Victorian Police Department of the time. Actually, Frank is scathing of the Victorian Police, as he describes them as lazy, corrupt, inept and in many other defamatory ways throughout the book.

To Ned's life - he and his family were targeted by the Police force - generally for things that were minor, or for crimes they just did not commit. Ned and his brother Dan both served time in jail, as did Ned's mother - for a crime she was innocent of. That was the turning point for Ned, and he went on a one man mission to make the point that the police force was victimising him and his family. The first lot of police officers that were sent to capture Ned were shot dead (in self defence - is the way Ned described it). That was the crime that he would eventually hang for, but following that, he, Dan Kelly, Joe Byrne and Steve Hart went on a crime spree that lasted nearly two years, and ended in the gun fight at the Glenrowan Hotel. The final battle was a shambles for the Kelly Gang, which saw Joe Byrne fatally injured and Dan Kelly and Steve Hart apparently take their own lives with some sort of poison (though that was never conclusive).

Ned could have escaped, though he went back into battle, armour clad and injured, nearly unable to walk. He was finally felled, and he was found to have 28 bullet injuries in the parts of his body there were not protected by his suit of armour. Eventually, his armour was probably his downfall, as it restricted his movement, and in the end, he thought it made him invincible.

In the end, Ned has become a household name. He was a Robin Hood - stealing and providing for poorer families. He never had to worry about people 'ratting' on him, as he gave a lot of people the proceeds from the banks that he was robbing. That was, though, all except for Aaron Skerritt, who was killed by the Kelly Gang for being paid to provide information on there whereabouts.

What must be said, though, is that he was a rat bag. Ned robbed, killed and generally broke the law. he was a self proclaimed horse thief, and he admitted stealing many horses (of which he was never tried or found guilty of). He is now a famous Aussie icon, and we all know the famous words he used when he was being hung - 'such is life'. The book was a good read, and it seemed very accurate. At the end of it all, you loved Ned, and detested Police Officers, which I think was the author's intent.

One final thing - there is a comment in the book that goes along the lines of - Ned Kelly was an outlaw, and is now infamous in Australia. He never, though, really changed anything in our history, other than to write his name indelibly upon it. He lead a team of four men - he was a great leader, very courageous and very driven. If he could have mustered a bigger team, maybe int the hundreds, he may have had a bigger impact on Australian history (especially politically), where he may have been able to petition some sort of change, maybe against laws and a police force that at the time persecuted the innocent.

3.75 out of 5 - a good read, and interesting.

Book 20 - Have a little faith - Mitch Albom

2010-05-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I got a reply from Mitch - it was short and sweet:

Hi Anton,

Thanks so much for your kind words.

I am glad they were able to acknowledge the email. I have responded to say thank you for replying.

Book 20 - Have a Little Faith - Mitch Albom

2010-05-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Well, another book from Mitch out of the way. I think I have read them all, now. This one also did not fail to disappoint. It was a great read, and one that has caused me to think deeply about my life, my faith and my legacy.

There were so many great features of this book, though the one that stands out for me was when he asks his Rabi about happiness, and what really does it mean to be truly happy. The reply that he got was simply "to be grateful, when you are grateful, you are happy". Love it. How simple, but how true.

Now, again, as with my last blog, I am going to use the blurb from Mitch's web site, to tell the story of the book, but before I do that, here is a message that I sent Mitch, to say hi, and to say thank you ...

Hi Mitch,

I am an Aussie who picked up one of your books in a second hand shop in Perth (Tuesdays with Morrie). I read it in a day, as I have all of your other books, which I purchased as soon as I had read the first one. I have loved all your books, and I just wanted to say thank you for all of the stories, for the challenges, for the stimulation and for the tears.

You are an amazing author, and you have some great stories to tell. Keep up the great work, and I wish you all the best.

PS, I just finished reading Have a Little Faith, and like the others, it was a great read. It has prompted me to spend more time with my parish priest and to discuss the finer points of the teachings of my faith.
Thanks again. Love your work.

I hope to receive a reply.

Here is the blurb about the book:

Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Have a Little Faith is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story.

4.75 out of 5 again, just go and read it.

I will let you know if Mitch replies.

See you soon.

Jimmy A

Book 19 - For One More Day - Mitch Albom

2010-05-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Another book from my favourite author of all time, and a man that is continuing to have a profound impact on my life. He is the man, and I have a platonic man crush on him. He rocks.

This really is a great read, and the key message from the book is that "every adult male should love and cherish their mother more" (me included).

Now, when I started these blogs, I said I would never use the blurb from the web to describe the book, and I would do it in my own words, but on this occasion, I have decided to do that, as when I was doing a search for more information on Mitch Albom, I found the attached blurb at http://mitchalbom.com/books/node/3873:

For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one?

As a child, Charley “Chick” Benetto was told by his father, “You can be a mama’s boy or a daddy’s boy, but you can’t be both.” So he chooses his father, only to see the man disappear when Charley is on the verge of adolescence.

Decades later, Charley is a broken man. His life has been crumbled by alcohol and regret. He loses his job. He leaves his family. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. And he decides to take his own life.

He makes a midnight ride to his small hometown, with plans to do himself in. But upon failing even to do that, he staggers back to his old house, only to make an astonishing discovery. His mother -- who died eight years earlier -- is still living there, and welcomes him home as if nothing ever happened.

Albom has said his relationship with his own mother was largely behind the story of the book, and that several incidents in “For One More Day” are actual events from his childhood.

I think the real reason that I am taking the easy way out on this blog, is that I found the official Mitch Albom web site, and instead of doing more work on this blog, in my words, I am going to spend that time contacting Mitch and let him know that his books are just amazing, and that he has had a major impact on my life. I can safely say that I am a changed man from reading his books, and if doing this blog has done nothing else, it has introduced me to his works, which I am thankful for.

4.75 out of 5 for this one, not as good as several of his other books, but way better than most on the book shelves.

Life is a funny thing. I actually bought Tuesdays with Morrie (his first best seller) at a second hand book store in Perth. I went in there one day to buy a book, I was in a hurry, I picked that book up and started reading. I could not put it down. I read it in a day, as I have his other books. The last one that I just read, Have a Little Faith actually took me two days, so I was a little slow on that one. Watch this space for a blog about that one.

Book 18 - The Damage Done: Twelve Years of Hell in a Bangkok Prison

2010-05-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Well, book 18 done, and I have got three to four books that I have read and that I have not done the blog for yet. I am actually nearly half way there.

This book really is quite a moving read. What is quite strange to me is that I never ever really cursed or attacked Warren Fellows (the author and the subject of the book) in my mind or from a moral perspective. See, the book is about his journey through the Thailand prison system after being caught with drugs the same country.

Yes, he was a drug trafficker. Yes, many people would have suffered due to the drugs that he sold. Yes, maybe I should be more morally judgemental on Warren and, like many of the other (somewhat pathetic) critical assessments of his book, attack him and vilify him for selling drugs.

I have questioned myself over this very sensitive issue, and wonder if I am not normal, or I am too understanding, or if I maybe am too soft, to be able to look past the fact that he was a drug dealer and did time for his crime. Strangely enough, and on further reflection, I am quite comfortable with the fact that I just enjoyed the book, at most times I felt sorry for his suffering, and thought that maybe he paid for his crime, well and truly (and maybe many times over).

Then, I wonder if it is because I have never been touched by drugs. I have no-one in my family that is addicted to drugs, and it has never been a part of my life. I have never been around it, I always said no to the idiots that took drugs, and my life has been one of predominantly clean living. I wonder if the people that write the sort of blogs, as shown below, about this book, are from drug affected families, or the like, or are reformed addicts themselves, and are venting their own anger at a book and at a system that they are a part of. Look, I don't know that to be the case, but have a read of just this one, below, from http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews33486.html:

I have been to Thailand 10 times in 12 years and have only ever found the Thai people friendly and kind. Why? Because I have never done anything illegal. I have just read the book THE DAMAGE DONE 12 YEARS IN A BANGKOK JAIL by Warren Fellows and why yes the conditions in Thailand jails in 1978 were horrific and disturbing I still find it difficult to feel that this man deserves the praise he is given by many. People have seemed to have over looked that he was guilty and knew the consequences of ...

Or, is it jealousy ... is it that Warren has got a story to tell, and that he is able to share his story candidly, get some exposure for it, and this makes people a little envious. Who knows, and really, who cares. Enough about Warren Fellows, and onto the book review.

In many ways, and on many levels, you would not be a very compassionate human being if you did not at some point feel some sympathy for the position Warren Fellows found himself in. He experienced the worst of life, what he saw in some of those prisons can only be described as grotesque, gruesome and even sick. He saw death, he saw suffering, he saw insanity, and he was brutality. Actually, in jail, he became a drug addict himself, obviously something that I wouldn't condone, but in the circumstances could understand. Thailand prisons appear to be horrible places.

Look, if you get a chance, have a read of the book, it is quite a good read, I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed reading about how the human spirit can overcome even the most trying circumstances. There was a point in the book where Warren asks God "when will you stop this, how much more do you want me to see" (or something similar). The old proverb, we are never sent more than we can handle, comes to mind, so I can only presume that Warren Fellows is viewed by our creator as someone with broad shoulders. It was not actually Warren's story that you will be touched mostly by, as you read the book, it is the story of his close friend, who Warren implicated in this whole affair and who's shoulders weren't broad enough to carry the load ...

In summary, the book is about a 4.25 out of 5, very good, without being great.

Let me say that I would never condone anything illegal, I would never take or sell drugs, and I really do deplore people that do. I have kids that I hope will stay away from that scene. Warren Fellows paid for his crimes. I hope he lives a long and happy life after what he has had to endure.

Book 17 - The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom

2010-05-11T04:08:00.000-07:00

Look, do not go another day without reading this book. It is just fantastic. I loved it. It was amazing, and now it is the best book that I have read. I loved it. Mitch Albom is my favourite author, by far, and I think I might have a slight man crush on him (in a platonic way, of course).

This book is about his uncle, who dies, and meets five people as he enters into Heaven. I am not going to spoil the story for you, by telling you about it, suffice to say that the five people are special people from his life, and each one is there to give his uncle a key message about the life that he lead on earth.

See, Mitch's uncle was a maintenance man at a theme park, and he worked there well past his retirement years. He died doing a great deed, though he never ever really accepted the value that he added to the world during the course of his life - that was until he met five people on his way to heaven.

Look, I asked my wife to read this book, and she was not as taken by it as I was, but I just loved it. I read it in a day, and I cried on the plane, as I was reading it. Loved it.

I have since read another Mitch book, and have got another on the list, too.

Watch this space, or go to www.antonguinea.com.au for motivational products.

5 out of 5 for this book.

Book 16 - The Accidental Zillionaire - Demistifying Paul Allen

2010-05-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

Laura Rich really did a good job of this book. It was extremely well researched and very factual, albeit a little bland (given all of the detail included about Paul Allen's business dealings through the middle part of the book).

Paul Allen was actually the co-founder of Microsoft - yep, with Bill Gates. I have never heard of him, and I certainly didn't know Bill had a business partner in the early days. Paul was actually the 'geek' of the operation, from all reports, and he was into the technical side of the business. Bill was the business man, and drove the business forward.

Microsoft started in the mid 1970s, and eight years later, after a cancer scare, Paul decided to finish up with Microsoft. He had, though, prior to that, obtained a 35% share of the business. Now, there is no need to explain to you how much money that would equate to. Paul Allen is one of the richest people in the world, and he has just been living off the profits of a company he started, and then left, over 25 years ago. No wonder they call him an accidental zillionaire.

He seems to be the real nerd, still. He dresses poorly, and apparently has no social skills. Maybe he doesn't need them, with all that moolah. And, he spends like crazy - millions here, billions there, all on business ventures, most of which have not been successful, apparently. But, in saying that, he could make several hundred million on an investment, and that is not successful (at least compared to Microsoft). There you go.

Other key points from the book:

Him and his people would not support the book
He is still followed around for investing advice, even though he is not considered a successful investor
He has invested in everything from movies to cable companies
His vision is a cable world (I think we might be moving past that now - wonder if he has)

Look, again, I am not qualified to write a blog about one of the richest men in the world, but it is only a book critique, after all.

One thing he seems to do well, is to create loyal employees. He has had the same people rotate through his businesses for many years, apparently. He likes mixing in influential circles, as you would, and he is a fan of Jimi Hendrix - loves his music, apparently.

Anyway, it would be good to have just 1% of his money - you would never have to work again. Good on him. Kudos to Paul Allen, I reckon - go son!!

Overall, not a great book, but interesting. 3.5 out of 5.

Book 15 - Father Joe

2010-04-12T02:29:00.000-07:00

This was quite a good read. The start and the end were really well put together, though like some of the other reading that I have done for this blog, I think the padding in the middle was somewhat superfluous, and somewhat of a struggle, but it was all worth it, as the book had an amazing ending, and a great conclusion.

Onto the content ... Joseph Warrillow, aka Father Joe is a monk who has devoted his life to his religion. He lives in a monastery, with other monks, who also have a life long devotion to their religion. Tony Hendra, as author, explains in essence, the role that Father Joe has played in his life, especially during tough times, which for Tony, there have been many.

Tony was taken to Father Joe as a 14 year old, by the husband of the married woman that Tony was having an 'affair' with (he started young, apparently). The affair was not too 'sexual', as the pair was busted by the husband, before it got too out of hand. But, it was off to the monastery, for a meeting with Father Joe. Tony was obviously terrified on the way, but the meeting was the first of many that the two were to have over the next 40 or so years.

Tony was not chastised, as he was prepared for, by Father Joe, who took a very soft approach to the situation. He was very calming, very understanding and very friendly. He called Tony 'Dear', from that point forward. The meeting had such a profound impact on the young Tony that he decided to become a monk himself. He worked and studied hard towards that endeavour, that was, until he hit university and discovered girls and alcohol. Sounds familiar ...

So, onto and through a working life in the media business, with many visits back to see Father Joe along the way, Tony marries (twice), fathers several kids and manages quite a successful career. Tony is actually a very educated, very academic and very intelligent individual (evidenced by all of the big words - most of which I did not understand - that he used in the book). His grasp of the English language is amazing, though I need to say that some of the words and some of the intense vocabulary was not actually required and was a little over the top. That is just my call, and once again, I need to say that I might not be hugely qualified to critique a best selling book. Once again, though, my blog, my call, I guess.

So, coming to the end of the book, and really, to the end of the life of Father Joe, the ending is somewhat unexpected. Inevitably, Father Joe passes on, which is sad and which is in a quite inhumane way. Mind you, he beat cancer twice before it got him, and affected his looks and his eyes. He loved Tony with a father like love until the day he died.

I won't spoil the ending of the book for you, though I will say that it is very sad, and very unique. Very impressive really, and it does demonstrate the importance that some lives have on others.

Overall, a 4 out of 5. A good read, and very enjoyable. Feel good at times.

Book 14 - Tuesdays with Morrie - an old man, a young man and life's greatest lessons

2010-04-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

Finally, after 14 books, I have found one that I just could not put down. It contains 189 pages of great reading, and I got through it in one day. Not only could I not put it down, but I thought it is potentially the best book that I have ever read (now, I tend to say that a lot, if you know me), but this one is just a pearler, and I would encourage you to get out and get yourself a copy. Then, take on board Morrie's thoughts and implement them into your own life. In short, Morrie rocks. He was a fantastic individual, and he had some great messages for the world. Here is a summary of the book.

Mitch Albom was a university student and under the tutor of a career professor, Morrie Schwartz. Morrie was a Sociology professor, and was well versed in all things to do with interpersonal relationships. Morrie used to take the time to speak with his students, to make sure they were wall coping and to ensure that they had all understood the messages that he wanted to impart on them. Mitch, on graduating, had developed a close relationship with Morrie, and e gave Morrie an embossed brief case as a thank you gift, when he graduated from college. He also said that he would keep in touch - which unfortunately, he never did.

It was not until about 20 years later, when Mitch was about 37 (my current age), that he again made contact with Morrie. Mitch saw an interview on Television with Morrie, and the interview was about how Morrie had contracted ALS (a degenerative disease), and how the disease would, over a period of about 5 year, take Morrie's life in a slow, very painful and very inhumane way. The disease kills muscles and nerves, so it slowly stops the body from functioning. It starts in the lower limbs and works its way up, until it gets to the lungs and stops them from functioning. Death then comes quickly.

So, in the ensuing 20 years, Mitch had become very successful, as a journalist, and when he saw the interview, he contacted Morrie to request an interview. From that first interview, Mitch travelled the 700 miles (one way) to chat with his old mentor on Tuesdays for the coming months, up until Morrie finally passed away. Mitch spent the last few months with Morrie, who was always extremely positive about life, and felt himself lucky to have had such a great life and a great family (a loving wife of nearly 50 years and two sons who adored him). He needed constant care, though was always smiling.

Mitch used to meet Morrie on Tuesdays during college, when he was working on his thesis, and again they were meeting on Tuesdays. Morrie said that they were 'Tuesday people', as they functioned better on Tuesdays. Morrie loved the idea of writing a book from the Tuesday discussions and even allowed a tape recorder to be used, so that Mitch would not forget anything.

Every Tuesday, they covered a different topic, from family, to emotions, to fear of aging, to forgiveness, and a range of other important life issues.

Over the course of 14 visits, Morrie slowly passed away, and Mitch slowly got life messages that he could not have got elsewhere. Now, I won't try to give you all of Morrie's messages here, as I won't do them justice, but one that jumped out at me was how Morrie "mourned his dwindling time, but cherished the chance it gave him to make things right".

Finally, Morrie passed away, although he had his funeral while he was still alive (very unique). Morrie wanted to be buried in a nice spot, under a tree, and he asked Mitch to come and visit him. He said that Mitch would be able to do all the talking then, and Morrie would listen. On his first visit to Morrie resting place, Mitch spoke to Morrie ... "I tried doing that in my head and, to my happiness, found the imagined conversation felt almost natural. I looked down at my hands, saw my watch and realized why. It was Tuesday."

Look, this was an amazing book - if you only read one book in your life, make it this one. It was amazing.

5 out of 5 from Jimmy for Tuesdays with Morrie. Loved it.

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 13 - Making Common Sense Common Practice - Models for Manufacturing Excellence

2010-04-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

Here we are, one quarter of the way through the book reading challenge for the year. Loving the book reading and living the dream, as always.

Although this blog was founded on biographies, and was designed to explore people, places or events, this book is very different to that. I could probably fit it into the event category, as it tells a hypothetical story about how a business turns its fortunes around, with the help of strategies from the author, Ron Moore. Ron is a great business mind, and his theories and practical examples for business improvement are outstanding and somewhat easy to adopt and implement.

The reason that I read the book is that I am consulting to a Diamond mine in outback WA at the moment, and the Operations Manager up there read the book, liked it, and recommended that I read it. I committed to do that, over a weekend, all 475 pages of it, and provide feedback on how it could be used to help the operations overcome some of their challenges and to keep continuously improving.

Really, there was a wealth of information in the book, though being a Maintenance Engineer (for want of a better description of the role that I am fulfilling at the moment), the chapters on maintenance systems improvement were the ones I was interested in.

In summary, there were only four pages in the whole book that I 'dog eared' for further review. Saying that, though, I highlighted information on most of the pages in the book (that I thought were important). So, what was on the four pages that I dog eared. Here are the key messages for any Maintenance Manager in a plant of any kind:

1. From page 75: The hypothetical company was struggling with plant reliability issues (everything kept failing), and it "wasn't routinely repairing things. Its new "model" for behaviour was "fixed forever" as opposed to "forever fixing." Now, this is not rocket science, but in a plant that has reliability issues, a change of thinking, and culture, like this is the first step in the right direction.

2. From page 221: There was a very clear definition of the four maintenance types provided - these included Reactive Maintenance (breakdowns), Preventive Maintenance (time based), Predictive Maintenance (condition monitoring based) and Proactive Maintenance (root cause based). Again, simple philosophies, but the understanding of these, and what percentage of each is being carried out in the plant is crucial if improvement is to be achieved.

3. From page 434: There was a 10 point plan provided by Ron Moore, to achieve manufacturing excellence. I won't list the whole ten here, but the essence includes; optimising uptime, minimising losses, applying best practice, implementing a suitable organisational structure and measuring performance. Do these things, and plant performance will improve.

4. From page 453: There was a job description for a Reliability Engineer provided by Ron Moore. In an effective maintenance (or Reliability) department, a competent and committed Reliability Engineer is an essential element. The key attributes of that role include loss accounting, root cause failure analysis, condition monitoring, shutdown support, proactive support and facilitation and communication within and external to the maintenance department.

Overall, the book was a good read - on one condition - you have an application for it. I would not recommend reading this book, unless you were trying to fix your plant, improve your manufacturing process or something similar. I have tried to read many of these types of books in the past, without a case study to apply it to, and I found it difficult. This time it was easier, as I had a case study. Therefore it was a great read, great timing, and it contained great information. I really like Ron's ideas and strategies, and I am sure, applied correctly, would make real differences to organisations.

Overall, from a business perspective, I give the book 4.25 out of 5. Very relevant and very full of great tips.

If you are interested, or for four more great books, go to: http://www.antonguinea.com.au/.

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 12 - Worthless - Marilyn Hardy

2010-03-30T03:34:00.000-07:00

Marilyn Hardy is one tough woman. She has had one of the hardest life you will ever read about. But, in saying that, she is very happily married now, she is healthy (ish) and she is comfortable in life. Her third and current husband is a self employed plumber, who loves her dearly.

So, born in England, she was born to a miner and a house wife. She had a very tough, and a very poor, upbringing. She craved love from her mother, which she never received, and who disowned her, and her siblings later in life. She never ever got her mother's love, or her mother's affection, which hurt Marilyn badly. Marilyn did, though, get that love from her father, though he was a hard worker in the underground mine and it was her mother that she spent most time with.

Now, she worked very hard to support her mother, especially during times when her mother was bed ridden with illness, which was regularly during her childhood. Marilyn really did do it tough. She was sexually molested by a young male at about the age of 11. Her mother scorned her for being 'dirty'. Her father never found out to support her. Very sad.

As she grew, she finished school, she married, and was happy. That was, until her husband started beating her, after drinking heavily. Actually, both of her first two husbands were viscous alcoholics. She was beaten badly, though through all that, and through three pregnancies, she managed to qualify as a nurse. Marilyn ended up working in a mental home, were she was assaulted by one of the patients. That really rocked her.

Marilyn struggled financially to raise her kids. She was severely poor. She struggled to put food on the table. She went to bed hungry regularly, though she managed to raise happy, healthy kids. She has a very happy family, given all that she has been through.

From a health perspective, she has had more issues that are worth mentioning here, from heart problems, to a twisted bowel, though it appears that she is over most of her challenges. Go girl.

Perhaps the most tragic issue in her life has been the loss of her teenage nephew, who was killed in a car accident. Very sad. Her sister and family had moved to Australia, of all places, and Marilyn travelled home for the funeral. Again, a tragedy.

In saying all that, this is a book that will just keep you reading. It is hard to put down, and you will really support Marilyn on her journey through life. She is a real trooper, and she should be proud of what she has achieved in life. Her kids love her, she is close to her siblings and she is happily married. Very inspirational.

A 4.25 out of 5 for this one.

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy

Book 11 - Gordon Ramsay - The Biography

2010-03-30T02:12:00.000-07:00

Gee, I am glad I can read. Reading is so much fun, and you can learn so much from these amazing people. Which I try to do. With this book, as good as it started, and as good as it finished, there was a period in the middle where I was not sure that I would actually finish it. To the point of reading 3 other books in the time that it took me to finish reading about Gordon Ramsay. Neil Simpson is the author, and he did a good job, without doing outstandingly. He researched well, and told a reasonably good story.

I have said this again, and I will say it again - am I really qualified to talk about someone who is so famous and healthy. Being my blog, I guess I can.

Starting with his early life, Gordon Ramsay was raised in an interesting environment. He never got much love or much support from his father. His father never showed him any support or encouragement, which he actually craved.

Get this, Gordon Ramsay was headed to a professional soccer (or football - depending on where you are) player. He was fit, he was a machine, and he was driven from a young age. He did what it took. What a machine, even at an early age, hitting his goals. Go son. He got to the top of the sport, but then, like a lot of sports people, he did a knee. He had to have an operation and never ever really recovered. He was sacked from the team on a Friday afternoon. He was shattered. To the point that he does not have business meetings on a Friday, for that reason. He is worried about what could happen. Unbelievable.

Then, as well as his dad not supporting him through the failre, he had to find something else to do. Yep, you guessed it, he took up cheffing. Really, the rest is history, but what we don't see is how much work he has put in. He sourced the most famous people in his industry, did huge hours and massive shifts for many years, until he was ready to purchase his own restaurant. Again, the rest is history. Gordon Ramsay genuinely loves cooking and loves food. He is a natural chef, and lives his dream.

He is though, a tough boss, and swears like a trooper, and gives it to his staff. But, in saying that, they love him, and some have worked for him for many, many years. By doing that, they have learnt heaps, and have got heaps of awards in their own rights. Good on them, and good on Gordon, who is big on mentoring.

Gordon is happily married with children, though he spends Monday to Friday nights at his restaurants. He then goes home to his wife, where they chat into the night. She is now running her own business also, so they are a busy lot. He does not work on weekends. What a great strategy.

In many ways, he is very motivational. One of his life's challenges is his brother, who has been a life long drug addict. He has tried many times to help his brother, without success, but finally that has happened, and his brother is clean. Get this - at support groups for his brother, they told Gordon that he also has an addictive personality. That, he craves attention from others, his father included - he works so hard just to get kudos from others. There is a thought ...

Finally, to Gordon's on screen stuff, where he is a swearing trooper. He has got records for the most amount of swear words in short periods, and in short shows. He is a swearing machine. Some people respond, others don't. Most of his shows have been acclaimed, though some have been criticised by many. It has not hurt his ratings overall. He is still extremely popular. Good on him.

He is in huge demand. Gordon Ramsay runs several restaurants simeltaneously. He can do heaps of work at the same time, and people love having him in their restaurants. He turns them around.

Overall, apart from a lot of the pages through the middle of the book, it was quite motivational. I did enjoy it.

Overall, a 3.75 out of 5. Gordon rocks really, and there are many lessons to be learnt from him. Obviously.

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy

Book 10 - Blog 1 - Left for Dead, How I survived 71 days lost in a desert hell

2010-03-25T03:21:00.000-07:00

10 books down, now. Wow, I am about 20% of the way through this challenge for the year.

Well, the lasest book was about Ricky Megee, who was basically mugged, and left for dead in outback Northern Territory. It was an amazing read, and I would probably rate it as the best of the books that I have read so far.

In this book, Ricky share the trials and tribulations of surviving in a desert with no food, no water, no shoes, pretty much nothing of anything apart from his car keys and a few dollars of change that was left in his pockets when he was dumped.

Ricky tells the story from his early years, when he was a bit of a rat bag, he held down jobs like debt collecting and night club bouncing, among others, which exposed him to drugs and alcohol. Now, I don't think he ever suffered from addiction to anything, but being around that scene I think appeared to sour his reputation and it bought him to the attention of police officers and he appeared to end up with a big file, though not much in the way of criminal record.

After moving constantly, to run away from trouble, he had decided to settle in WA (Port Hedland), and was on a final drive back up there to start work when he stopped to pick up some locals in an outback country town. That is when the fun started. After stopping, Ricky was drugged, mugged, had his car stolen and was left for dead under a tarp out in the middle of outback Australia. No shoes, no water, nothing other than the clothes he was wearing. What a position to find yourself in. Bugger that.

Anyway, Ricky details brilliantly how he had to drink his own urine, amongst other things, just to survive. He went through a world of hurt, walking and starving and suffering from dehydration for days on end. Finally about half way through the 71 days, he came upon a water hole (wet season - thankfully) which was full. He camped next to the water hole for the remainder of his 'adventure' until he was finally rescued by the station owner. He found an old feeding trough, which he turned upside down and used as a shelter. It got hot enough during the day to cook food on. He lived on vegetables from around the water hole, grasshoppers, frogs and a range of other things. He tried to catch a big goanna, without luck. He tried cockroaches, which he said were the vilest thing he tried whilst he was out there.

When he was finally rescued, the police would not help him, due to his huge file, and they went to the point of trying to convince the public that he had staged the whole thing. What a load of bollocks, why would anyone in their right mind do that. He finished the whole experience a shadow of his former self. He was that skinny, he looked like he was from the third world. He endured so much, that he could not have possibly done that deliberately.

Again, a great read. Loved it. Go Ricky. I want to meet him one day.

I rate this book a 4.75 out of 5.

Ricky's key messages are to never give up. Do what it takes to overcome the obstacles in your life and move forward, how ever difficult that may seem at the time. Great advice Ricky!!

Book 9 - Blog 2 - Robbie Williams, Angels and Demons

2010-03-25T03:07:00.000-07:00

Here is one successful guy. He has taken the world by storm. He has a talent and loves it. Good on him. He has gotten over some huge hurdles to get where he is at right now.

His addictive nature has meant that he has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for most of his adult life. I heard on TV recently, that he is still a smoker and is trying to give up. I hope he can, as smoking would not be good for his singing, I wouldn't think. He has been in and out of rehabilitation clinics, and he has had the support of big names like Elton John. People have certainly taken him under their wing, to help him out.

Robbie keeps regressing, though, and he returns to substance abuse. I am not sure if he is managing that part of his life at the moment, or not, but I hope so. I am sure he has got a lot more to offer the world.

It was interesting to read how him mother still continues to be a 'dominant' force in his life, attending his business meetings, vetting girl friends and generally taking a high level of control over Robbie's life. His sister, who he is at times close to, has a role to play in his life, too, as does his father, at different, times, and depending on the state of the relationship.

Robbie has always been driven by proving people wrong. He gives it to his former teachers, who said he would not amount to anything. He can tell you everyone who has ever wronged him, and is driven by both revenge and proving his point or his capabilities. What ever motivates him appears to be working, as he is getting bigger and bigger.

He has always wanted to be the life of the party, which drives this entertaining character that he uses. You know, off stage, he hates the name Robbie - he is Rob. That is it. Robbie is his stage name only, and he gets in and out of character brialliantly from all reports. He actually hates the lime light, and gets quite depressed during and after his shows, though apparently this is changing, as his mental state improves (as he is becoming less dependent on substances for his sanity).

He has never seemed to find love, though, and it will be interesting to see how this area of his life progresses. He is a sex machine, and will get with anyone who shows some interest. He is just as quick to dump them, though, especially if they are fans.

Robbie Williams is also very paranoid of being injured by fans or being assassinated (mind you, he once got pushed off a stage by a mad fan), like JFK. It causes a huge amount of grief in his life, and he has body guards with him at all times now. He has a massive entourage, apparently, and he pays them well do be at his beckon call (good on him - he appears not to enjoy his own company much). Then, he criticises the loyalty of his employees, forgetting they are employees, and nothing more. Not servants, only alive to serve Robbie Williams.

Anyway, I enjoyed the book, the story was great, the star of the book was successful, but troubled. And, you know what, he really doesn't care. He really doesn't give a s*** what people think about him (in some ways), he is his own man and he will do as he pleases, when he pleases, for how long he pleases. Good on him, living the dream. Glad it is not me.

Book 9 - Blog 1 - Robbie Williams, Angels and Demons

2010-03-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a while since I blogged last time. I have been putting it off, as it takes too long to put all of the book information in. With that said, I am going to change the structure of the blogs from here on in. The new rules are:

1. No book information to be provided (too time consuming)
2. Only one blog per book - after this book (same reason as above)
3. Not too tight on learnings - if there are some, great, if not, no problem (same reason as above).

Anyway, onto Robbie Williams.

I think there are more demons than angels in Robbie's life.

It is funny again, where I feel like I am unqualified to discuss the life of someone so famous, and someone that people look up to and love. Robbie Williams is a true super star, and he has signed contracts for up to $80M as record deals, so he can be considered to have been very, very successful.

The book was a good read, without being great, and Paul Scott did a top job of researching the material and getting inside the life and time of the man, who, for all his successes, struggles with his excesses (what a play on words - look out).

Robbie was born in February, 1974, and has changed the world, but in many ways, nearly self destructed his own. His father was actually an entertainer, too, though is mother has been the one that has had most influence over Robbie's life. He has been estranged for long periods from his father, who no doubt suffers because of that, and would be one of the proudest dads on the planet. His parent's relationship ended early in Robbie's life, and it affected him greatly, from what I can tell. Although his dad though the weekend visits with his son, including taking him to the races, of all places, were great, Robbie disliked them immensely.

In saying that, he has an amount of admiration (and thanks) for his father, who he has said taught him some of his stage savvy. One of the problems with Robbie is that he changes his mind all the time, and one moment he is mates with someone, the next, he is bagging them in the media or in his songs, which appears to be his chosen avenue of revenge. Good on him, I suppose, if he has got it, flaunt it. He holds a bad grudge, too, apparently, and never forgets those who wronged him.

He started singing and performing at the age of 16, in boy band Take That. He was the odd one out, in the band, as he had some spunk and some flair. He was recognised for that, and he earned significant amounts of acclaim. Even at a young age, he was a famous rock star, though he did not get on well with the band members, who of course, he still bickers with or writes nasty songs about.

His exit from Take That was nasty, as was his split with other managers, and he has coughed up oodles of cash in settlements from litigation. This has to be seen as a sympton of his apparent inability to manage his personal relationships. In saying that, though, his relationship with his song writer (who really took Robbie's words and made them flow - and subsequently famous - before Robbie started writing his own lyrics, and the accompanying music) lasted many years, before it too soured.

Key thoughts
I hope my kids don't grow up like this bloke. He is a loose unit, and I hope they are successful, without the self destruction (and addiction - more in Blog 2) that Robbie has suffered with during his life).

Book 8 - Blog 2 - Don't Kiss Them Goodbye

2010-02-23T00:32:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

Don't Kiss Them Goodbye
Pages: 193
Pages read: 193
Words on page 50: 319 (29 x 11)
Words in book: 61,567 (averaged)

ISBN: 978-1-41651-132-8
Author: Alison Dubois
Published: 2005 by Simon Schuster

You know what else, Alison has been studied by a University, and a Professor, who studies those with her gift. She calls herself a Medium and a Profiler, and she has been proven to have the gift. I am guessing that this would be great for her reputation, to have that in her back pocket.

With this second blog on Alison's book, I thought I might recount my own experiences, not that there have been many, but one sticks in mind. In my short 37 years, I think I have come close to dying on two occasions. The first time was, as a 15 year old, when I was 'encouraged' (code for peer pressured) to jump off a huge mountain (about 30 metres high) into a big pool of water. The problem was, half way down, the mountin jutted out with a massive rock formation. This meant that you had to jump right out, and make sure that you missed it. Very scary, and it could have been a tragedy, especially when I slipped on take off (after a run up). I really thought I was dead, and would have hit it. Apparently, I just missed it, and was very lucky.

Time 2, I feel asleep at the wheel in a ute driving in outback Northern Territory (from a Gas Plant to Alice Springs). I was about to go around a corner, and if I went straight ahead, I was heading off a cliff, again very scary. So, I woke up just in time and pulled the ute around. I really felt like I was on two wheels, not sure if I really was, but I was lucky not to roll the ute (which was a Hilux - famous for rolling - hence the nickname Rollux), which felt like it was about to topple over as I corrected and took the corner on. What a way to wake up.

Now, was someone looking after me on both occasions, or was I lucky, or what was it all about. You tell me.

I really do believe that there is a higher power keeping an eye on us. I am not sure that I ever heard a voice at the time, or the like, but I certainly did get lucky. I quite easily could have been killed on either occasion. I do feel lucky.

Apart from all that, I have never had any other experiences with the after life, or a great aunty that died at some stage, somewhere.

Anyway, on all that, let's finish with the key messages from Alison.

Key Messages
1. If you have the gift, use it, don't ignore it - even if you use it in private, not public
2. If your kids have the gift, don't ignore them, support them and tell them that it is all ok

Not really much more to tell you, other than that Alison has made a differnence to the world, she is inspirational and I really got to like her and her stories.

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy

Book 8 - Blog 1 - Don't Kiss Them Goodbye

2010-02-23T00:11:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

Don't Kiss Them Goodbye
Pages: 193
Pages read: 193
Words on page 50: 319 (29 x 11)
Words in book: 61,567 (averaged)

ISBN: 978-1-41651-132-8
Author: Alison Dubois
Published: 2005 by Simon Schuster

Yep, read the book before I started blogging again.

Would you believe it, after watching (very occassionally, really, as I am not a fan of TV) Medium (the show), I have read the book, and learnt more about Alison Dubois. Alison 'speaks to dead people' and predicts the furture. Quite amazing really, though if you are skeptical, I am not sure that this blog will convince you. I enjoyed the book, nevertheless, and there were some great examples of Alison 'gift', as she calls it.

Alison was first contacted by a dead person (her grandfather) at the age of 6. She said that she really was unaware of what it all meant at that age (understandably so, I reckon). She struggled with her parents ignoring her gift, and she said that made it hard for her to both accept her gift, and understand what it all meant. I think, based on that, that Alison was very keen in the book to provide parents with advice on how they should handle kids with similar powers to Alison. Probably good advice, if your kids speak to dead people also. I am not sure how I would manage it all, if my kids every came to me and said that they are talking to old aunty so and so who died a while ago. It must be strange.

Anyway, Alison is certainly able to substanitiate her gift, and it is amazing to read some of the stories to demonstrate her ability. The most powerful for me waas the one where a voice told her to move her bed, then during the night, a car ploughed through her wall and would have killed her, if she had not moved it. That is spooky. She also helps locate missing persons, and she has had some great results there, too.

What I found interesting was that, in the show Medium, Alison dreams a lot of the messages that she receives. In the book, she said that she rarely dreams stuff, she is just able to connect to the gift. Interesting. She consults to the show producers, to keep it authentic. In real life, she is married to an Engineer and has three girls.

Also interesting is her age - she is only 37, my age. Get that. She is a 72 baby. Any she is born on the 24th of January, me 24th of October. She appears to have done so much in her short tim on the planet. Good on her.

See you soon. Keep reading.

Jimmy

Book 7 - Blog 2 - Ian Thorpe, The Early Years

2010-02-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

Book 7 - Blog 1 - Ian Thorpe, The Early Years

2010-02-16T05:07:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

Ian Thorpe, The Early Years - unauthorised biography
Pages: 154
Pages read: 154
Words on page 50: 385 (35 x 11)
Words in book: 59, 290 (averaged)

ISBN: 1-877096-12-1

Author: Will Swanton
Published: 2002 by Legend Books, Melbourne

Price: $5

Yep, another book that was bought on sale. It was bought at a discount book shop in Murray Street, Perth. I bought about 4 books, while I was there, and you will hear about them over the coming weeks. See, not only is Jimmy a bargain hunter, but if Jimmy paid say $30 (average price for a new book from the Gold Plated Borders book store), it would be over $1,500 this year alone, just to read one book per week. This way, it will cost an average of say $5 per book, which will be about $250 for the year. Jimmy loves that, but understans that Borders will have to cut back on some of the diamond casings. Poor dears.

Now, onto Ian Thorpe. This book is one of those ones that not only have I read it before I start blogging, but it is one where you love the subject even more after you have read the book. Ian Thorpe really is the epitomy of all things mature (for a young successful guy), all things committed and all things focused and driven to achieve all of his life goals.

Will, like others (particularly) that have put together unauthorsied biographies, did an amazing job of researching this book. He really was thorough, and he covered every base during the life of Ian Thorpe, up to the time of writing, which was pretty much, just after the 2000 Olympics.

Look, Ian Thorpe is the man, we all love him, we all admire him, we all try to relate to him, and we all want him to keep representing Australia and living his dream (and ours).

Strangely enough, Ian Thorpe only started swimming because his sister was a swimmer, and he got sick of going to her training. He jumped in one day, and kept swimming. Go you good thing. It was evident from early on that he was going to be successful. He just had it, apparently. He had a great stroke. Even more importantly, he had big feet ... Apparently, they are like flippers. They push him through the water like an outboard motor, and he uses them to produce a turn of speed at will. His big feet got him into drama at one stage though. Get this - a German swim trainer, although never stating tha the was talking about Thorpe, said publicly one day that big feet are a sign of performance enhancing drug taking. What a load of crap, of course, but Ian Thorpe took it personally, and to prove his innocence decided to be the first tested for drugs at the Sydney Olympics. Go son, step up and prove them wrong.

By the way, he smashed them at the Olympics, his first and went home with golds and silvers. Go again, son.

In his personal life, he is very human, and donates oodles of cash to charities, particularly cancer research. This is due to him having a young mate that had to recover from cancer. His mate was (and probably still is) his best friend. He made every effort to help his buddy, and connected him with famous sports stars, and did everything to brighten his spirits. As you should, as a famous personality. Good on Thorpey, though.

Actally, I have got too much to write, so I might do anohter Blog about this book.

See you soon. Keep reading.

Jimmy

Book 6 - Blog 2 - One Step at a Time

2010-02-15T03:52:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

One Step at a Time
Pages: 51
Pages read: 51
Words on page 30 (there are only 51 pages, and page 50 has got hotos on it): 440 (40 x 11)
Words in book: 22,400 (averaged)

Published: 1984 by Marie Oram

ISBN: Not applicable - this book is the epitomy of self publishing, with no ISBN, nothing fancy, hand drawn pictures, and written with love and all the best intentions

Well, there was not a lot to go after page 38 (a lot of photos were included, which were great, and shows the effort that Marie went to, to publish the book), and I got through it quickly and easily.

In the final pages, Marie took us further into the life and times of Harold, and the township of Baralaba. She picked out all of the funny stories that Harold could recall, like the snake in the lantern, the bull head butting Harold or the emu that stole the cake, and each were told in a humourous way.
Harold Hansen really did seem like a great guy. He took over the family farm after the death of his parents, until he could cope no longer.

He never married, and I found this out from Marie's daughter in law (Helen Oram) that he never wanted to burden anyone with his injuries. What a person. Helen also sent me an email, when I mentioned that I had read the book. It is fitting to finish this blog with her words:

"I was fortunate enough to have actually met Harold and spent a good couple of hours one day (while I was supposed to be helping with the mustering and yard work) talking to him. He was an incredible man. I spoke about him for years, especially his heroism in his story and his indefatigable cheeriness and statesman-like bearing (which was also quite astounding given his physical deformities.) I also felt great joy when he died – as I saw it as a great release for a particularly beautiful and strong spirit."

Here here!!

Key Messages
I think the key messages from Blog 1 will cover it.

Never give up, keep trying, and always remember that it is not what happens to you, but how you deal with it, that matters.
Readability: 4.5 (out of 5)

Interesting Information: 4 (out of 5)
Overall book quality: 3.5 (out of 5)
Overall book rating: 7.5/10

Places visited: 1
People met: 0
Books given away: 1 (to Gemma, my wife)
Books purchased second hand or cheap: 2 (Book 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 6 - Blog 1 - One Step at a Time

2010-02-15T03:39:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

One Step at a Time
Pages: 51
Pages read: 38
Words on page 30 (there are only 51 pages, and page 50 has got hotos on it): 440 (40 x 11)
Words in book: 22,400 (averaged)
ISBN: Not applicable - this book is the epitomy of self publishing, with no ISBN, nothing fancy, hand drawn pictures, and written with love and all the best intentions

Author: 1984 by Marie Oram
Price: Borrowed (it is one of the last copies in existence, so I was under instruction to look after it and to guard it with my life)

What a great book. It was written by one of my best mate's (Joe Oram) mother in Baralaba, Queensland. The book is a biography of a local guy, Harold Hansen.

The book is predominatly a recount of both the life and times of Harold, but it is also a look at the (albiet abbreviated) history of Baralaba, including some of the major events, such as flooding, that have shaped the history of the town.

As far as Harold was concerned, he had a very tough start to his life. At the age of four, he fell down the stairs of the family home, severely injuring his hip joint. Of course, being 1919, the diagnosis of a hip joint injury was slow in coming. The protracted diagnosis was of course followed by a delay in treatment, and by the time Harold was treated (in Brisbane - which was a long train ride from Rockhampton back then - and he was in intense pain for the whole trip), his joint had deteriorated, and he spent the next three years in hospital being operated on and generally being cared for.

Now, there was a story in teh book that nearly made me cry. Little Harold, all of about 6 years old at the time, got sick from the anethetic during the operations. Eventually, he asked the doctors to operate without pain killers. Holy crap. The way Harold (through Marie, the author) told the story, was that it was excrutiatingly painful. Pain beyond belief. Harold promised the doctor that he would not move during the operation, and he was true to his word. Harold went on to say that, even at that age, he understood that if you want something badly enough, you will go after it, and make it happen. What a guy. My sort of man.

The three years that Harold spent in hospital were spent on his own, he said he spoke very little, and was only visited by his father rarely, when he could get away from the farm, that he was trying to build up and use to support the growning family.

The book, which is really well written, and well researched (Marie was obviously very proud of her association with Harold, and both hers and Harolds willingness to share a great story come through in the book) and it goes on to document Harold's schoold days, some of which were spent in a one class school. That school vanished in teh 1920's, when Baralaba was flooded.

Harold's parents were amazing people, and the daily chores of running a dairy farm must have been enormous. From tending to pigs, cows and milking, to making cream, butter and curing meat to sell to the locals must have been taxing. On his return, Harold was not able to greatly assist in many of these tasks, until he taught himself to walk and to function again (hence the book title). This was an agonizing affair, and I can only think that if the same thing happened in 2010, he would have been given the best care, the best surgeon and the best physiotherapist. Apparently, right up until his death, Harold suffered from leg deformity, but it did not stop him from taking over the farm, on the death of his parents. Both of his parents died within a three week period. That must have been heartbreaking for him, as he, and Marie, speak with enormous admiration of both his mum and dad. Dad did the traditional farming, which mum managed the house and the kids. It was a great partnership, apparently.

Key Messages
I must say that I resonated with Harold, his never say die attitude, and his ability to overcome adversity. Here is a summary of his attitude:
1. No matter what it is, you can achieve it, if you want it badly enough
2. Keep trying, never give up and you will climb every mountain that you set foot on
3. Life deals you hard blows, but it is not the blows, but your reaction to them that matters

Love your work, Harold, and Marie. Again, a great little read. It was only a small book, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Keep reading.

Jimmy

Book 5 - Blog 2 - Diana

2010-02-10T04:38:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

Diana - Her True Story
Pages: 174
Pages read: 174
Words on page 50: 429 (39 x 11)
Words in book: 74,646 (averaged)
ISBN 1-85479-128-1

Author: Andrew Morton

Published: 1992 by Michael O'Mara Books Limited, London

Price: $5.00 (saw it on ebay one day, and I just couldn't resist)

So, given that I have read the bok, and done a blog on it already, this blog is just to make a few additional comments.

The first comment relates to a question raised by Andrew Morton, the Author, where he asks "what is the future of the royal family in England". What a great question. As an Aussie, and given that we are still part of the monarchy, apparently, I would have no idea what the royal family actually does. Charles, at least in the book, has got a great life, playing polo, shooting and spending time with Camilla. Yee Hah. I am sure he does more than that, but hey, who pays them, and what work do they actually do to earn their keep. Then, why is Australia still part of England. Really, actually, I don't mind it. I am not a staunch believer in Australia becoming its own entity. I just would not know what they actually really do, and I wonder how they get paid etc. The song from John Fogarty, Fortunate Son, comes to mind here. Silver spoons also sound a relevant analogy.

Anyway, that is enough about that. Good on the royal family.

I don't feel strongly enough to elaborate further, just to say that I love being Australian. We are the lucky country. Bring it on ... Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi!!

Key Messages:

I think there are a few things that we can learn from Diana. These include:

1. Follow your head, sometimes and not your heart. Diana was smitten with Prince Charles, though she was never going to be comfortable with his relationship with Camilla. Although she would never have been able to make a different decision, due to her love for Charles, the message is to know what you are doing, and think though your decisions always. Think about the consequences and think about how you will live with the future after you have acted in a particular way. If you can live with it, go ahead, if not, rethink the decision.

2. You have the power to change your life. When things are not going your way, it is up to you to change it. Diana suffered for a long time, and in silence. She was strong. But, guess what, she could have changed it. Maybe that is something that we can learn from. Make decisions that change your life for the better. Fix your situation, if you need to!

Readability: 4 (out of 5)
Interesting Information: 4 (out of 5)
Overall book quality: 4.5 (out of 5)
Overall book rating: 8/10

Places visited: 1
People met: 0
Books given away: 1 (to Gemma, my wife)
Books purchased second hand or cheap: 2 (Book 1, 2, 3, 5)

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

PS, if you look up Princes Diana on Wiki, here is what you find:

A public figure from the announcement of her engagement to Prince Charles, Diana remained the focus of near-constant media scrutiny in the United Kingdom and around the world before, during and after her marriage, even in the years following her sudden death in a car crash, which was followed by a spontaneous and prolonged show of public mourning. Contemporary responses to Diana's life and legacy were mixed but a popular fascination with the Princess endures. The long-awaited Coroner's Inquest reported its conclusion on 7 April 2008 that Diana and her companion Dodi Fayed were unlawfully killed by the negligent driving of the following vehicles and also the driver Henri Paul of the vehicle in which she was travelling.

Book 5 - Blog 1 - Diana

2010-02-10T04:19:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

Diana - Her True Story
Pages: 174
Pages read: 174
Words on page 50: 429 (39 x 11)
Words in book: 74,646 (averaged)
ISBN 1-85479-128-1

Author: Andrew Morton
Published: 1992 by Michael O'Mara Books Limited, London

Price: $5.00 (saw it on ebay one day, and I just couldn't resist)

Well, I have finished reading this book already, which is unusual for this blog, as I have not done the first blog installment. In all honesty, the reason for that is twofold. Firstly, I read the book in one day. I was travelling to WA, from Queensland, for work on Monday, and I got through the whole book. Therefore, I did not have a chance to do a blog at some point during the book. Secondly, I am not sure that I am really qualified to write about Princess Diana. It is actually quite difficult to put pen to paper (so to speak) and write something about a person who did so much for the world, and for the underprivileged. She was obviously an amazing woman, and I have got my head around doing a blog entry about someone so famous. So, here goes.

Andrew Morton mentions several times throughout the book that he has been given all of the correct information, and that the interviewers were true and correct. We can, though, presume that the book is authorised.

Now, following reading this book, you will be left very clearly with only a few thoughts and feelings about Diana. These thoughts and feelings are simply - the poor girl, what a tough existence she lived whilst part of the royal family, Princes Charles sux - he was a horrible husband (and father) and crippled her self confidence, and what a loss she was to the world - we lost a very special person when Diana passed on. This book was written before she passed on August 31, 1997, and I can still remember exactly where I was when I found out the day she died. I was standing on a sporting oval, and was working as part of a working bee, putting up light poles so that we could play cricket and rugby league at night time. I was in a small mining town in WA called Pannawonica, and it was mid afternoon when I heard, and when word passed around our group. We were all quite upset about it. It was a big shock, even in outback Australia.

So, Diana Spencer was born in 1961, into a life that was challenged from an early stage. Her parents separated when she was young. She was one of four children, two sisters and a brother. Her sisters were quite a few years older than her, so she struggled with her sibling relationships for many years. Her brother, Earl, and her, were quite close.

She was sent to boarding school, and with one older sister a very high achiever, and one a bit of a rat bag, her teachers wondered which sister she would emulate. She certainly struggled academincally, though was both an outstanding sports person, as well as a dancer. She was gifted in many ways, and she was loved by many people, particularly her close friends and the house mates that she moved in with after her school days. She was given a house (not a bad pressie, hey) for her 21st (I think it was that birthday - might have been earlier). She really had resigned herself to being low paid for her working life. Shit, how that changed. Her jobs included cleaning, teachers aide and dancing teaching.

During her years in her own home, with her house mates, the story goes that they were practical jokers, and threw eggs on people's cars, amongst other naughty stuff. She really was quite normal. Until, that is, when she met and married Prince Charles. Her older sister was actually going out with Charles, before he showed an inerest in Diana.

They married, and then the fun started. I could blog about this for days, but here is the shortened version. She was treated very poorly by both her husband and his family. Andrew Morton realy does paint a bad picture of how she was accepted. They really never accepted her into their lives. This resulted in her self confidence plummeting, and she became suicidal. She attempted (somewhat veinly) to take her own life. It really was difficult reading, going through how Charles continually bagged her, and told her she was not good enough. ALl the while, mind you, he maintained a relationship with Camilla. Now, I don't know about you, but I think she is a terribly bad looking woman - that is just me, though. Charles obviously saw something in her, and it did drive Diana mad. Charles and Camilla had pet names, spoke regularly, swapped presents, and even lived close (and holidayed together) all while he was married to Diana. Charlie, what is going on there, brother. Mate, no excuses for that.

Anyway, Diana became Bulemic. She struggled with that disease for many years, until finally her and Charles decided to separate. Then, of course, that, plus most of ther other big decisions made by her and Charles, had to be ratified by the Queen. Holy Dooley. Talk about control.

Anyway, finally, she got herself together, got her illness under control, and moved on. It must be said, though, that she did not really cope well with all the attention that she got when she became a public figure. That did not help her illness or her self confidence.

She found solace in her charity work, and even befriended Mother Teresa. She became a friend to the underpriveleged, and as we have all seen, she made a huge difference to the world. And, get this, Charles hated the fact that she was more popular than him. Hee Hee. Anyway, I could go on, but that is about the crux of the book.

Feelings

You finish reading and love Diana more, and dislike the royal family, Prince Charles particulary more.

The book is a good story, and it is one that just keeps you reading. It is not the best book that I have ever read, but it is certainly interesting reading about someone so famous. It really is weird writing about someone so famous.

Anyway, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 4 - Blog 2 - Close To Flying

2010-02-03T02:57:00.000-08:00

Book Details:

Close to Flying
Pages: 304
Pages read: All
Words on page 50: 312 (26 x 12)
Words in book: 94,848 (averaged)
ISBN 9781740666671
Author: Cadel Evans (and Rob Arnold)
Published: 2010 by Hardy Grant Books

Price: $39.99

Well, the fourth book is done (though I am nearly a week behind). I think I will have to go on some sort of reading frenzy, soon. Knock one or two over in quick succession. Actually, the next one will be interesting, it is about Princess Diana. That will be great to read, I never knew much about her.

Anyway, on to Cadel Evans.

This book really was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Cadel is a world champion, the photo on the back of the book tells the story, with him in his (five striped) world championship jersey. By the sounds of it, he deserved it, as he has been a consistent competitor for many years now. I really didn't know much about Cadel, and I certainly didn't know how much he has achieved. Particularly, how much he has achieved to make cycling popular. What a guy. Apparently, he is the reason (or one of them) that we all watch the Tour De France on TV now. Even though his predecessors (and there were some good riders, like Robbie McEwen) were great riders, our nation appears to be 'Cadel struck'.

His performances seem to say that he deserves every accolade. His effort over many years have been huge, mate, he rides up to 40,000 ks per year. Holy crap. I thought I was doing well with about 2,000 in the saddle. What a machine. He has twice gotten a second in the Tour, and although he has won other races and gets high rankings in yet more, it is the Tour that everyone remembers. His goal to win one is as yet, unfulfilled, needless to say that I am sure in 2010, he will be on the job. Go son, I will certainly be barracking for Cadel. I am going to start a scrap book, and collect all that I can about the tour, particularly Cadel's performances at this year's tour.

I really enjoyed reading about Cadel (have I mentioned that), though I was surprised that Rob Arnold (in my opinion anyway) went to great pains not to paint Cadel out to be a really likable guy. He said he does not like the publicity, has head butted journos, etc. According to Rob, Cadel is not a really nice guy (look, I might have got that wrong, but hey, whose blog is this). Don't get me wrong, Rob did an outstanding job of the book, and he is very accomplished himself in the sports writing arena, especially writing about cycling. Kudos to him, definitely.

It was great to read that Cadel is happily married to Chiara, and Italian. What a lovely name. She appears to be there for him at every turn, every high and low and every adventure. They still travel home to Aussie to spend some time here each year. Good stuff, mate, you can take the boy out of the bush, but not the bush out of the boy, as they say. He remembers his roots.

The information about drug taking in cycling was amazing to read. No results are really final at the time of racing, as a drug test could mean that people climb the rankings down the track (so to speak) at some stage. Very wierd. And yep, Cadel has always been clean. To the point of being one of the fittest athletes to go through the AIS (in all its years). Good on him. He was just a country kid who loved riding a mountain bike. His training involved just riding for fun. He ended up a world champion mountain biker, and ended up at the AIS where he met some great coaches. He transitioned to road cycling and has changed the world. What a story. There should be more Cadel Evans out there.

Key Messages

Look, there are only 2 points that you need to take from this book:

1. Do what you love and it will not feel like work - cycling has never been hard work for Cadel. He has always loved it, and his love of the bike has kept him riding and kept him improving (oh, and so has his incessant drive to win).

2. Work hard and reap the rewards - Cadel is an example of what is possible, if you spend enough time in the saddle (again so to speak) riding the wave of life. Work hard at what you do, do everything to the best of yoru ability and you will become the best at it. Go son.

Readability: 4.5 (out of 5)
Interesting Information: 4 (out of 5)
Overall book quality: 4.5 (out of 5)
Overall book rating: 8/10

Places visited: 1
People met: 0
Books given away: 1 (to Gemma, my wife)
Books purchased second hand or cheap: 2 (Book 1 and 2 and 3)
Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 4 - Blog1 - Close to Flying

2010-01-28T03:11:00.000-08:00

Book Details:
Close to Flying
Pages: 304
Pages read: 70
Words on page 50: 312 (26 x 12)
Words in book: 94,848 (averaged)
ISBN 9781740666671
Author: Cadel Evans (and Rob Arnold)
Published: 2010 by Hardy Grant Books

Price: $39.99 (sheeshe - is Borders publicly listed - maybe some shares might be in order - the words wounded bull come to mind)

Well, after two average books, it is great to finally find a book that is hard to put down. What a story, Cadel is the man, and Rob Arnold (Journalist and co-author) has done an outstanding job.

So far, the book has touched on Cadel's early years, where he was bought up in the NT. He was bought up by his mum, predominantly, although his father has always been in his life, and understandably, they are very proud parents. Actually, in some ways, to this point in the book anyway, Cadel's story is somewhat akin to Lance Armstrong's. Lance was raised by a single mum, was given a lot of freedom as a kid, and was unconditionally supported by his loving mother to achieve all that he was capable of. By the way, that is another great read, Lance's first book. Looks like Cadel and Lance are competing in France and on the book shelves. Go boys.

Lance was raised, for his early years at least, in Australia's Northern Territory. His mum tells some horrible stories about living up there, about the alcohol, the aboriginals, the lack of services and the general challenges of living in an outback location some 25 years ago. I can relate to a degree, as we lived about 2 to 3 hours drive from where Lance spent his early years. He was near Katherine, we were living in Jabiru (not at the same time - about 20 years apart). But, the life style can be understood once you have seen the area. Just watch Crocodile Dundee, some of that movie was filmed in the area. A bit of trivia for you ...

Unfortunately, I have just got to the point where Cadel has been kicked in the head by a horse (at age 8). Cadel has a fractured skull, is in hospital in a coma, has been operated on and is not assured of making a full recovery. It is obvious that he will (given what he had done since), though I am sure tit will be a hard road. Looking forward to reading about it.

This book is really well written, with an obviously large amount of time and research being dedicated to the project. You know what, it is the first book that I have paid full price for - as part of this blog project at least - and holy crap, did I pay for it, though it is great quality. That might be giving me a message. You get what you pay for, I suppose.

Anyway, I look forward to the rest of the book. Cadel has only had one bike so far, and after a short time, he tried (until dad intervened) unsuccessfully to get the trainer wheels off the bike. Dad assisted, and apparently he has been riding fast since. Cadel was actually a mountain biking world champ, prior to switching to road racing. An accomplished athlete, and someone committed to his profession, obviously. He missed out on winning several Tour De Frances, with second places in both, and I would say that is an unfulfilled dream for him. Good luck with that - big job.

Feelings

Cadel is an inspirational guy - as a general fan and a committed cyclist, it is great to read his story.

I love the story of Cadel's committed mother. They say that behind every good man is a good woman, well what about behind every athlete is a supportive mum. Good on her, and I am sure she would do it all over again.

Not a great deal more to report, as yet.

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 3 - Blog 2 - Hollywood Insider Exposed

2010-01-24T13:34:00.000-08:00

Book Details:
Hollywood Insider Exposed
Secrets, Stars and Showbiz
Pages: 255
Pages read: 64
Words on page 50: 363 (33 x 11)
Words in book: 92,565 (averaged)
ISBN 9781741106985
Author: Nelson Aspen
Published: 1998 by New Holland Publishers Australia (Pty Ltd)

Price: $9.95 (on sale)

Well, book 3 has been completed, albeit, 4 days late. I will have to make that up this week. I am back at work today (working away), so I will have more time to read at night times.

Nelson's book was readable. It really didn't excite me greatly, and it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down. In saying that, Nelson does appear to be a good guy, and he works hard on both his reporting and his philantrophy. He does support some good causes.

As for the second half of the book, some of it was more about others than it was Nelson, unfortunately, and I think that is what lost me. He talked about famous Dames of show biz, though none of the names sounded familiar (showing my lack of knowledge on all things Hollywood, I am sure). His chapter on his idol, Carol Lynley was interesting, and he was a devoted fan who even as a young boy was able to have a nice lunch with her (thanks for his dad's contacts). All his dad asked in return was that he did the same for his own son, one day. Now that is a Dad's love of his boy, and I can certainly relate to that, having two growing lads.

I really loved his chapter on his marathons. Good on ya, mate, run Nelson run. He found marathon running later in life (as we all do), and he listed his marathon times in the book. He even mentioned one of my heros, Dean Karnazes, who is touted as being the fittest man on the planet. Nelson continues to run, and I hope he can break the four hour barrier, which he appears to be getting closer and closer to doing.

The "Day in his life" chapter was also interesting, and it gave a real insight into how he works and lives. I think that I really prefer reading about someone that I know, and can relate to, rather than people that I have never heard of. In that sense, this book was not a true autobiography, but hey, it was close enough. It still goes down as book 3. Each day of his life starts at about 4.10 (holy crap) and involves a lot of media (as you can imagine) and a lot of exercises, which he appears to do religiously (committed man). Nelson also mentioned the process for covering the big events, such as the Oscars, which was detailed in a way that showed it is not all glitz and glamour for the journalists. That would be expected, though, I would have thought. Even on TV, it appears that they are doing what they can to get a word with the big names. Once again, I think we would all love his job.

Nelson talked about the moments that changed his career, and that was interesting. We all could list a range of the things or people that have provided us with opportunities throughout our lives, and Nelson calls it being in the right place at the right time. I personally think it is a little more than that, but hey, each to his own. His chapter on his best friend was also very interesting, and contrary to what you would think, his best mate is not a super star, but a stock broker, and they get on famously still. It shows he is grounded and can maintain great relationships.

The one thing he didn't mention (deliberately, I presume) was his sexual preference. He mentioned that some of his critics might be homophobic, so that might give it away. Good on him, it would be a shame if we were all the same. Talking of his critics, apparently he gets criticised for having teeth that are too white, a waist line that is too thin, and for his apparently fake tan. Gee, critics are tough. Nelson usually look well presented to me, and being in shape with white teeth does not appear to be a negative, but something that should be encouraged.

I think I grew to like Nelson more as the book went on, though I would not read it again. I would like to meet him, which I might try to do at some stage this year. He was good enough to give tips for aspiring actors in the book, too, which seem like good ideas. I loved his affiliation with all things about ships and his continuing passion for ships and big boats.

In summary, the book was OK, by the end of it I had warmed to Nelson Aspen. I would still like to see him with more energy and more life. I am sure he thinks he is like that already, but I always thinks he looks like it is his last show on Sunrise, as he is a little reserved. Yes, always happy though, and seems to love his job.

Key Messages

1. Perservere and do what it takes to get there: I think Nelson Aspen is an example of what is possible in life.

He has had a range of jobs in his life, though has now found his niche. Well done, brother. He has persevered, and is living his dreams.

2. Take every opportunity: He really has made the most of every opportunity and has again reeped the rewards. He is wired to look for the next story, or the next possibility, so it is engrained in him not to miss an opportunity.

3. Network and win: Nelson Aspen appears to be the king of networking. He is an outstanding example of keeping in touch, mixing with the right people, knowing people in the know and generally having contacts that he can call on, as required. Very impressive, really.

Readability: 3.5 (out of 5)
Interesting Information: 3.5 (out of 5)
Overall book quality: 3.5 (out of 5)
Overall Rating: 7 (out of 10)

Places visited: 1
People met: 0
Books given away: 1 (to Gemma, my wife)
Books purchased second hand or cheap: 3 (Book 1, 2 and 3)

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 3 - Blog 1 - Hollywood Insider Exposed

2010-01-19T14:41:00.001-08:00

Book Details:
Hollywood Insider Exposed
Secrets, Stars and Showbiz
Pages: 255
Pages read: 64
Words on page 50: 363 (33 x 11)
Words in book: 92,565 (averaged)
ISBN 9781741106985
Author: Nelson Aspen
Published: 2008 by New Holland Publishers Australia (Pty Ltd)

Well, book 3 has been commenced. I think I might be a few days behind, as I think I should be finished book 3 by now (tomorrow is January 21). No worries, I will catch up during the next week or two, when I am on a plane flying to Western Australia for work.
Anyway, book 3 is all about the glitzy and glamorous life of Nelson Aspen. Nelson is the Hollywood reporter that appears on the morning show, Sunrise, each morning, along with Kochy and Mel. As you would expect from a book like this, the names and the stars mentioned are huge. From Brangolina to Ellen to Jim Carey, amongst many, many others. There really are too many to mention. There is an index at the front of the book, and it lists all of the celebrities that are discussed in the book, and it takes up two whole pages of names.

Nelson starts the book off on a really positive note, where he focuses on the use of gossip for the entertainment of the massess. He says that it is good for the water cooler, not good for the masses. Intriguing, given his role in life. As I read through the book, it is interesting to see that he dedicates chapters to celebrities, such as Brangolina and Ellen and Portia. I guess, at a stretch, you could say that the chapters are not gossip. Maybe I don't really have a good understanding of the word gossip. He probably thinks that gossip is anything harmful, or negative. In some ways, I think talking about other people is gossip. This blog is probably gossip, then. Well, I'll be. Another good thing is that he is very positive in his notes and review of the celebrities. He really does discuss their positive sides, and talks about how much he enjoys spending time with them. He rates Brangolina as his favourite couple and favourite celebrities. He rates Jeff Goulblum as the tallest, at 6 foot 5, and he says Jeff is quite daunting, staring down at you. He would be. Apparently, Ellen and Portia have a great relationship, and his mentor Mary Stuart, was a huge role model for him. Nice.

Oh, and Nelson explains why they call them 'soap operas'. "They were called soaps because the programs were sponsored by the makers of household products like laundry and dish detergents." Yep, every day is a school day (you always learn something).

Nelson appears to be a very rounded character. He appears to be very likable, he maintains great relationships with celebrities, and he has an outstanding contact list - as you would expect. He loves his job, stays fit, is up early every day and is quite popular with viewers. He has had some auditions for acting roles, with only limited success. He is living the dream, and he lives in Hollywood, mixing with stars at every opportunity. Let's face it, who wouldn't want his job. What a blast it must be.
The one thing that I can't get my head around, is that they call him "Hollywood's happiest TV personality." Now, that might very well be right. I am sure it is, but I find him a little unenthusiastic, if there is such a word. He might be happy, but I don't see him as very energetic. He just seems to smile alot. Is that happy, I guess so. When I think about happy TV personalities, I think of Richard Reid (the Hollywood insider on the competition network) or Steve Irwin, for example.

These guys are buzzing. They have natural energy. I have never really watched Nelson, but the book looked interesting, so I bought it cheaply (on sale - another book at discount price) for this blog. I thought I better watch Nelson on TV, so I watched his coverage of the Golden Globes, and he really seemed to just smile and talk without much passion. Well, it obviously works for him, and his fans, I just don't find that sort of personality entertaining, or inspiring. I am more in for someone who is pumping and roaring with life. Anyway, that is Jimmy's call on Jimmy's blog.

Nelson also does some great charity work, which is very moral and responsible. Great work. And, he is a comic book and super hero fan. Each to his own, I suppose.

Feelings

I think there are many positives from Nelson's life and his example that we could all take something from. Get up early, make the most of your life, mix with amazing people, stay fit and live the dream. I think probably sums up his life. He just needs to liven up a bit, and get excited occasionally. But, hey, who am I really to comment, he might say.

Until next time, keep reading.
Jimmy A

Book 2 - Blog 2 - Mr Nice

2010-01-14T14:40:00.000-08:00

Book Details:
Mr Nice
An Autobiography
Pages: 466
Pages read: 123
Words on page 50: 468 (39 x 12)
Words in book: 218,088 (averaged)
ISBN 0-7-493-9569-9
Author: Howard Marks
Published: 1997 by Vintage

Well, book two for this blog is complete. Thank God. It really was a huge book. Although Howard did a pretty good job of the book, it was a huge effort to get through it, especially about a 100 page section from about page 250 to 350. During this section, there was extended dialogue about every conversation about drug dealing and importation that Howard had with all of his contacts. It was a little mind numbing. I guess for some people, this might have been interesting, but I am not sure how much value it added to what could have been a really good read.

On either side of that section, it was very readable. During his drug trafficking career, Howard Marks was actually busted twice, the first time, he did 2 years and the next about 6 or 7. The times that he spent in prison, and the way that was depicted was amazing to read. For his second stint in prison, he was housed at Terre Haute (USA), which was described in the book as the worst of the worst, as far as prisons go. Some of the names that he either met, or just mentioned in the book, were also amazing, including Bill Clinton and other country presidents.

He explained really well the process of how most drug dealers become 'snitches' for a reduced sentence. Howard refused to do that, which I thought was quite brave, as he was willing to do a longer stay in prison. In the end, the only way that he was busted was when his contacts 'ratted' on him. It is was not for that, he may have gotten off a second time. The book explained how he made up crazy stories to get off the charges, the first time, he claimed to be smuggling drugs for a spy agency (to bust those responsible). Then, the second time, he was going to make up a story about smuggling drugs to Australia, instead of into America (where he was eventually deported to and imprisoned).

He was somewhat confident of an early release from prison, as he wrote that Bill Clinton was running for president at the time. "An Oxford-educated, dope taking, philandering, draft-dodging leader was just what this ridiculous country needed". Very amusing. In the end, he did get an early release, as he was originally sentenced to 25 years jail. He only served a quarter of that time.

Probably the most interesting part of the book, involved what lengths the DEA went to to imprison him. If you believe Howard Marks, the DEA are corrupt, dishonest, willing to change evidence and do whatever else it takes to get a conviction. The way he described the DEA agents (with fat arses) was comical.

One of the saddest parts of the book was the imprisonment of his wife, for involvement with his drug trafficking. She was released after several years, though it was tough on his family.

The story finished on a really happy note. His young son, named after his brother in law Patrick (who ended up snitching on him - shattering for Howard) did not speak for the seven years that Howard spent in prison. He stopped talking when Howard was arrested. When he saw his son again, on his release, "his blue eyes shone, and his soul smiled. He ran towards me. Hi Dad.'

Key messages from the book

I am not sure there are any great messages from Mr Nice. I would say that Howard Marks appears to be an extremely likable individual. That helped in at many times during his life, and was even noted in his trials. I would say that it is important to be a nice person throughout your life, and treat everyone in a courteous and friendly manner.

I would also say that drug trafficking and drug taking are just totally inadvisable. I am totally against drugs, and although I chose to read this book, that was one part of the book that I struggled with. How could you take or sell drugs, regardless of whether or not you thought they should be legalised. Stay away from it, if Jimmy's recommendation.

Readability: 3.5 (out of 5)
Interesting Information: 4 (out of 5)
Overall book quality: 3.5 (out of 5)
Overall: 7.5 (out of 10)

Places visited: 1
People met: 0
Books given away: 1 (to Gemma, my wife)
Books purchased second hand or cheap: 2 (Book 1 and 2)

Until next time, keep reading.

Jimmy A

Book 2 - Blog 1 - Mr Nice

2010-01-07T18:11:00.000-08:00

Book Details:
Mr Nice
An Autobiography
Pages: 466
Pages read: 123
Words on page 50: 468 (39 x 12)
Words in book: 218,088 (averaged)
ISBN 0-7-493-9569-9
Author: Howard Marks
Published: 1997 by Vintage

Well, the story about this book is interesting. We were still in Vietnam, we were in Mui Ne, and we were having lunch at a nice little Vietnamese restaurant. I walked out of the Restaurant to take a photo of Hat Chi Minh (my hat - so named after Ho Chi Minh, the great president of Vietnam) with some interesting cooking utensils outside. As I took the camera out of my pocket, my wallet fell out with it. I didn't realise that, and when I sat down to lunch, my wallet was not in my pocket. I freaked out, and retraced my steps for the day for about an hour, while the family finished lunch. As I was still away, Gemma, Ged and Jeremy tracked me down at one of the places we had been, with the wallet that was sitting outside the restaurant the whole time. What has this all got to do with the book Mr Nice - nothing really, other than the book was the first thing I bought after the return of my wallet. I was absolutes effen estatic, as I thought I had lost all of the cards and identification that was in the wallet. It was great to find it. Absolutely. I was on a high when I bought this book for 70,000 VND (about US$3.50). This book is the second that was bought at under wholesale price. Mind you, the quality is crap, and it is obviously a pirated version. Only in Vietnam can you get bargains like that.

Anyway, onto the book.

My Nice is the autobiography of a con man and drug dealer named Howard Marks. The book is his recount of the life of someone that has served time for drug smuggling. It tells of his journey from country boy, living in Wales, to studying Physics at Oxford (he was given every opportunity in life) to marrying young and then to smoking copious amounts of hashish and ingesting copious amounts of LSD.

In his twenties, Howard Marks was smuggling massive quantities (tonnes) of drugs into countries around the world, and was benefiting greatly from the profits. He became very wealthy from the proceeds, and was reinvesting the money into both legitimate businesses and other drug smuggling operations.

The books is quite a good read. It is witty, satircial and mentions some big names, such as John Lennon and members of the IRA. Howard Marks learn the art of deception, he used aliases and he paid people handsomely for their involvement in his schemes. He was a good business man, by all accounts, and the businesses that he set up seemed to be very successful (both in their chosen endeavours, and in covering and concealing drug transactions and the proceeds of such).

Strangely enough, Howard Marks seems like a likable guy. He is obviously a ratbag, and sold drugs, which I vehemently detest, but he appears nice enough. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

Feelings

No real emotions stirred as yet from the book. I am looking past the fact that Howard Marks is a drug dealer, as that would put me off.

Other than that, there certainly are some amusing sections, like his commentary with some of the people that work in his drug smuggling operations. Very funny.

I am not really sure what I am going to be able to take from this book, but hey, there is only one way to find out, and that is to keep reading.

Until next time, you do the same.

Jimmy A

Book 1 - Blog 2 - The Girl in the Picture

2010-01-07T17:41:00.000-08:00

Book Details:
The Girl in the Picture
The story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War
Pages: 372
Pages read: 372
Cumulative pages read: 372
Words on page 50: 297 (33 x 9)
Words in book: 110, 484 (averaged)
Cumulative words read: 110,484

Well, book one for this blog is complete. It really was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in learning about the sufferings of war, and even about some of the more detailed aspects of what happened in Vietnam. The book also considers, not in great depth, the happenings after the Vietnam War, and the fact that the country then started warring with Cambodia. They had a tough time, the Vietnamese, none more so than Kim Phuc.

Kim, if she stayed in Vietnam, was destined to a life of poverty. Her communist government was controlling her every move, from what she would stay, to who and when interviewed about her story. She became world renowned, especially at events like world youth events, or major anniversary dates of the Vietnam War (like the 10 and 20 year anniversaries). She was not paid anything for many of the interviews, although at the time that she was living in Vietnam, she received the travel and accommodation free of charge.

Finally, she was given the opportunity to study in Cuba, where she eventually studied English. In her early years there, her quality of life was good, though it deteriorated with the demise of the economic situation in that country. Whilst in Cuba, Kim Married Toan.

Kim eventually got the opportunity to travel to Canada. While she was in Canada she took the opportunity to relocate to that country, and live in total freedom for the first time in her life. She was not controlled by a communist regime any longer. Although her and Toan continued to live in poverty, being unable to work, due to Visa delays, they were ecstatic with the move, and they had children and moved Kim's parents over from Vietnam to live with them. Toan is working two jobs to support the family, though it all seemed rosy at the end of the book.

For all of her suffering, heart ache and pain, Kim Phuc finally found happiness and a life that she longer for, for such a long time. Hers was a journey of endurance and tolerance, underpinned by strong religious beliefs and an at times strong family support network.

Key message from the book

I think there are several key messages to be taken from this book.

1. No matter what happens to you in life, there is always hope. And, there is always someone with a bigger burden to bare. Kim Phuc should have received much needed medical attention in the years following her burns. She did not receive that care until at least 10 years later, so the pain she must have endured during those long years would have been excruciating. If she can bear that burden, we can bear our trials and tribulations.

2. You must always maintain a positive outlook on life. One person that met Kim could not believed how"somebody who has met death up close can be so full of life? Smiling all the time, with everyone." A positive frame of mind with create positive outcomes, as they did for Kim.

3. Believe, and you shall receive. This is true for all aspects of your life. Believe in a greater good, and the fact that the universe provides, and it will do just that. In Kim's case, it was a belief in God that got her through. She believed that "the Napalm bomb was unknown and unexpected, and an "accident" but she came to believe that God, when he saw need, would deliver other "accidents" in her life to offset the suffering and evil wrought by the bomb; these accidents would be good people, strangers to her, wanting to do acts of goodness. How true it is - the universe provides.

Until next time, read hard.

Jimmy A

Oh, and by the way, when we were in Vietnam (today we are on our way home to Australia) we visited the place where the picture of Kim Phuc was taken. It looks different now to what it does in the picture. It was quite amazing to stand somewhere that significantly changed the worlds opinion on war.

Readability: 4 (out of 5)
Intesting Information: 4 (out of 5)
Overall book quality: 4 (out of 5)
Overall: 8 (out of 10)

Places visited: 1
People met: 0
Books given away: 1 (to Gemma, my wife)
Books purchased second hand or cheap: 1

Book 1 - Blog 1 - The Girl in the Picture

2010-01-04T06:28:00.000-08:00

Book Details:
The Girl in the Picture
The story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War
Pages: 372
Pages read: 266
Words on page 50: 297 (33 x 9)
Words in book: 110, 484 (averaged)
ISBN 0-14-028021-9
Author: Denise CHong
Published: 1999 by Simon and Schuster Australia

Comments:

Well, this book is an amazing read. Kim (or Phuc, as they call her in the book) has had a terrible life since she was burnt by a Napalm bomb (dropped by South Vietnamese fighter planes) on their own civilians on June 8, 1972. She as photographed by a Vietnamese journalist as she ran away from the blast, still on fire, with burns to a high percentage of her body. Her face was not burnt, thankfully, and she notes "thank God my face was not burned. Even if my character was as good as an angel, if my face were ugly, it would be better that I had died".

That might have been one of the things that ensured Kim maintained a strong positive attitude both during her recovery, and into her life as a recovered burns victim. She was burnt at the age of nine, and after the Vietnam war ended in her area, the Vietnam - Cambodia war started, so Kim and her family lived in constant fear for many years.

She came from a strong Caodai (religious denomination) background, and she was thankful to Caodai that she was alive and was able to live a somewhat normal life. She lived in pain constantly, though, and her mother and father were there for her always. That is, until later in life (early in her twenties) that she adopted Catholicism. That was against her parents wishes, and although they did not disown her, they stopped supporting her when she needed it most.

Communism came to Vietnam, and where her family were previously wealthy restaurant owners, they were now stripped of their ability to earn a living by a communist government. Kim tried to study medicine (to follow her passion to help people - that she developed in the hospital during her recovery). She told her parents that they gave her life, but the doctors and nurses kept her alive. This drove her to enrol in Medicine.

It was about ten years after her burns, that things started going horribly wrong for her. Her mum (who had all of the families lives taken responsibility for supporting everyone, including all of her children and her husband) cut off her support, due to her Christianity. Kim was forbidden by the state from continuing to study medicine, then she started to become an international celebrity, as the face of the Vietnam war. She was the girl in the picture.

As she was 'forced' by Vietnam to take interviews, both domestically and internationally, she was forced to lie about her position in life, which was one of poverty and near starvation. She enjoyed the overseas 'adventures', though life for her in Vietnam was unchanged, and she returned each time to poverty. It was not until she befriended the then president of Vietnam that her situation changed.

Feelings

Kim Phuc is a very resilient woman. She is struggling in life (at age 23 - currently as far as I have read).

It was amazing that after she turned to Catholicism, and was baptised in that faith, things started changing for the better in her life. She asked the Lord for very specific things, and he delivered each time, further strengthening her beliefs.

Although I am a catholic, in my mind, it is more a case of the universe provides. What you want and need in life, will be yours, if you are committed and do what it takes to make it happen. Kim is an example of how to do that.

I can't wait to finish the book, and give you some more insights into her life.

The reading effort has started

2010-01-01T05:52:00.000-08:00

Well, it is now five minutes since I wrote the first post, so it is time to let you know what the first book of the 52 book reading challenge will be.

The book that I am going to read first is titled:

The Girl in the Picture
The story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War

The book is about (in essence) a photo that was taken during the Vietnam War. A bombing of South Vietnamese fighters (on South Vietnam civilians - go figure) went wrong and innocent people were killed and injured by Napalm bombs. One of the injured was Kim Phuc, who was nine at the time. As she was running away from the bomb, and with serious burns injuries, she was photographed, and the photo became (apparently) a very important image of the war.

Given that I am still in Vietnam, finishing a holiday with my family, and that this book was bought for $90,000 Vietnam Dong (about $6US, or a little bit more in Aussie Dollars), it really was a bargain. That is the first of the bargain books to be read this year.

What happened was, this little old lady on the streets of Saigon wanted to sell me this book, but I didn't want to buy anything at the time. She, like most people with something to sell in Vietnam, was extremely persistent and she followed me and Gemma (my wife - who cannot cook really well (unlike the Julie in the movie that has inspired this blog - but she is a great wife, anyway) and our two boys Ged and Jeremy, about two blocks shoving this book in my face. I even put it at her feet and walked away, and she chased me again. Finally, I parted with the money, though she was disappointed with the price. Hey, I did not really want the book, but I was meant to have it, I think. Strangely enough, the next day we did a tour to the exact place where the photo that the book was written about, was taken. That is fate.

Anyway, it is proving to be a great read, and very enlightening.

I will tell you more soon.

Until next time, read hard.

Jimmy A

How it has all begun

2010-01-01T05:28:00.000-08:00

Hi,

My name is Jim Agalby, and during a recent overseas flight (from Australia to Vietnam), I watched the movie Julie and Julia. It was not a great movie, but I loved the theme, where Julie cooked the recipes in an old (best selling) cookbook by Julia. Not only did she cook all of the over 300 and something recipes, in a year, she blogged about them. What a great idea.

Watching the movie, I was interested in the whole blogging thing, and I was thinking about the topics that people might like to read about in a blog. One topic that I thought of was books, and book reading. I read a huge amount of books, and I thought the world might like to follow a reading journey with me, over the course of 2010.

So, for the next 12 months, I have set myself a challenge.

Here are some of the rules of the challenge, of reading 52 books in 52 weeks, in 2010.

1. The book must be about a person, place or particular event
2. Each book must have at least two blog posts, one part way through and the other at the end of the book
3. Each book must be summarised in several 'learnings' or key messages (or, in other words, what can the reader of this blog take away from the book, to teach them something, or to help them improve something in their life?)
4. At least 52 books must be read and blogged about by January 1, 2011
5. At least 5 of the people or places depicted in the books must be met or visited prior to January 1, 2011
6. At least half of the books must be purchased second hand or below full retail price (bargain hunting)
7. All details about all books must be recorded, including the book details, the number of pages read, the number of words per book etc (the number of words on page 50 of every book will be recorded - not sure why, but it sounds like a good idea right now)
8. Upon request, my copy of the book must be sent to the person that requested it
9. Each book must be rated out of 5 for readability, storyline and learnings provided
10. Not sure about if a tenth is needed or not. Probably not, but I might add to it later.
Got it - the book cannot be a self help book. That is the only stipulation.

Anyway, I have not read for a few days, in anticipation of starting this little challenge, but I started reading last night (New year's Eve, 2009). That gives me a full 365 days to do all of the above.

I hope you enjoy the blogs, and until next time, read hard.

Jimmy A