William A. Swenson

charlaine harris is my guilty pleasure

Revisado: 02-20-25

I am the opposite of expected demo group, male and retired. yet I love all of her books. when I need to lighten my mood, relax, and just enjoy a good book I turn to c. harris. ironically her characters seem so alive (Vampires, get it). her ability to pace her plots and engage her characters is amazing. witches, Vampires, mind readers and werewolves what more do you need.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A revenge story

Revisado: 02-11-24

I am becomming a Thomas Perry fan. Another well written book that kept me reading. Small Town tragedy with a revenge theme. First recommendation for TP is Old Man, but this one is good too. Following a recent common theme there is a lot of "how to" description.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

sub-title says it all - fight against fascism

Revisado: 02-11-24

Another great RM history book. Fascism in unexpected places. Wisconsin, Minnesota for example. Henry Ford, Lindburgh, Father Coughlin, Huey Long, and many more. We have come close to fascism multiple times in our history - this book covers the middle of the twentieth century. Great history lesson and engrossing read.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Amateur author good not great results

Revisado: 02-11-24

I was enticed by the subject matter - conspiracies and secrets at an Ivy. Written in a style like Dan Brown's. If you ever had an idea for a book while at college you only wish it turned out this well. Well paced. Well researched. Characterization meh. Plot excellent. Very glad I read it and I recommend it if the subject matter interests you but don't mistake it for a Dan Brown best seller.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Nick Nolte is a hell-raiser. Imagine that.

Revisado: 02-11-24

If you like entertainment memoirs and Nick Nolte you will enjoy this. Well written. Not overly smug. Lots of crazy stories. Don't loan him your car.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Mainly about air war during WW2-excellent

Revisado: 02-11-24

Multiple topics ranging from the Norton Bombsite - yes he can make that interesting - to the problems of waging an air war against Japan (imagine flying a WW2 era plane over the Himalayas). The casualty rate of the crews is disturbing. Told with the usual Malcom Gladwell flair.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Analysis of C Nolan one of our great directors

Revisado: 02-11-24

Tremendous analysis of all of his movies (to date) with how he came up with the ideas, how the movie was made, analysis of what the darn thing means - as complete as a single volumn can be. Example of the detail: discusses a sound technique used in several of his movies called a Shepard Tone. Look it up. Nolan is like David Lynch in that he goes out of his way to be mysterious. The mystery is never without a purpose rather the mystery clarifies either the story or the characters (especially in Memento). If you are a fan, this book will make you a bigger fan and enrich your appreciation of his talent.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

The "meritocracy" is an illusion

Revisado: 02-11-24

How does one really evaluate "merit"? The SAT/ACT measure something, but what? Certainly not fairness of who is admitted to the Ivies (many more people have the same scores as those admitted but they are excluded). Many universities have equal professors, students and facilites but not the prestige. That is just the issue addressed by the title of the book but many other interesting topices in economics related to "merit" are covered in the book. An example: styles of learning (studying etc) can be divided into 2 different categories; the tortoise and the hare. Neither is superior but rather they serve different purposes. The problem is, most tests of meritocracy cater to speed not comprehension. In the real world both styles serve their purpose.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

niche book on accents and voice actins

Revisado: 02-11-24

Lake Bell is a world class voice actor, just a bit behind Mel Blanc (Warner Cartoons). This is everything you could want to know about Accents and voice acting. A charming and intelligent woman with a story to tell. She also is the talent behind the independent film "In a World," also recommended. By the end you will realize how much you did not know about the human voice and how glad you are to learn about it.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

We need 6 stars for Rachel Maddow books

Revisado: 02-11-24

For you younger fans of Rachel this is an important story of the Reagan administration, especially Iran-Contra. Most of this was familiar to me having lived through the mess, but if you are younger, this is an important history lesson. There are lots of small side stories for example the problem with our againg nuclear stockpile that is literally rotting away. For fans of her show, her dazzling personality comes shining through. Read or listen to all of Rachel's books and you will be entertained and better informed.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña