Nonfiction Book Reviews by the Staff of Campbell County Public Library System

Leisureville: Adventures in America’s Retirement Utopias

2008-07-11T11:24:00.001-06:00

by Andrew D. Blechman. (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2008.)

This thirty- something author can’t understand why retired people flock to retirement communities which are purposely insulated from the outside world and void of whiny children and teenagers with attitudes. He toured the largest gated retirement community in Florida called “The Villages” which spans three counties, has over 75,000 residents and 100 miles of golf cart trails. All residents automatically belong to one dozen county clubs and a carefree lifestyle of golf cart transportation takes people to social events, recreational activities, free entertainment, and hundreds of inexpensive clubs and restaurants. Strict covenants ensure immaculate neighborhoods, the weather is pleasant and crime is nonexistent. Interesting interviews with the residents include some hilarious senior humor, but the author found everyone’s “Stepford Wives” smiles unsettling and noted that the sinister side of “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown” may include heavy alcohol consumption, a raunchy singles scene, and exhausting bingo games.

In the author’s opinion, life without the benefit of children constitutes age segregation and a social loss that negatively affects all generations.

Escape by Carolyn Jessop, Broadway Books: 2007

2008-04-29T15:07:00.003-06:00

I found this to be a fascinating book. Jessop opens up the world of polygamy in the FDLS religion with a double edged sword. Her life was a constant issue of pain, both physical and mental until she escapes. This generational believe in polygamy was all she ever knew. How sad that her fondest memory of her grandmother was sitting on her lap being told it was her duty to produce as many children as she could so her husband would let her go to heaven. Her determination to break free was actually instilled in her by an ex-con living on the grounds of the motel she was managing for her husband. Fortunately, she had the self determination and help from some ex- FLDS members to see that she survives in the outside world and gets sole custody of her children. Many concepts of the religion in this book was eyeopening for me. It has definitely helped me better understand the situation in Texas that is in the news lately.

The Genetic Strand by Edward Ball, New York:Schuster 2007

2008-04-03T10:43:00.004-06:00

This started out with such a bang and fizzled with disappointment. Edward Ball inherits an antique walnut secretary from a distant cousin. Within the secretary, he finds a hidden drawer with several packets of human hair. The packets are dated from 1802 to 1842 and contain snippets of hair from Ball's relatives. Since mitrochondrial DNA is pasted from mother to female child unaltered for generations, Ball enlists the help of several female cousins. Through extensive and varied DNA testing, he discovers what he thinks to be interesting, enlightening theories into his genetic past. From here the author spends too much time explaining the process of DNA extraction, false theories and a disgruntled Nobel geneticist. The book ends too quickly with not enough development into the historical evidence provided by his relatives. There are several excellent books available now that address the study of genealogy and mitrochondrial DNA, but this one will not go on my list.

Ethnicity & Family Therapy, 2nd edition. Edited by Monica McGoldrick, c.1996.

2008-03-07T09:12:00.003-07:00

Have you ever wondered why your family members behave the way they do? Or why the ethnic family you know seems so different from your own? This book was written for professional mental health therapists, but may be of interest to anyone who belongs to, or knows families who immigrated to America within the past several generations. As each generation becomes more "Americanized" these behavioral differences begin to subside.

The book examines the obvious and subtle characteristics that affect the way various ethnic groups generally behave, think and feel. Studies have found that certain cultures have a tendency to complain, while others consider complaining unacceptable. During times of conflict, a high level of verbal interaction is prevalent in some ethnic groups, while others avoid communicating altogether.

The studies mentioned in this book analyze ethnic groups from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, India, and Slavic countries. It also covers Jewish, Latino and Native American families.

Psychology buffs will find this fascinating reading!

2008-03-06T11:28:00.005-07:00

The Glass Castle: a Memoir
Walls, Jeannette. New York: Scribner, 2005.

The first thought that came to me after reading this memoir: How does someone raised this way become so successful in adulthood? Jeannette Walls is now a successful journalist living with her husband John Taylor, also a successful writer.

Growing up in nomadic poverty with alcoholic parents had to be rough. Walls talks about life at her grandmother’s house with clean sheets and food to eat as if it was something out of the ordinary. As long as her grandmother was alive, the Wells children had a safety net, but upon her death the children moved into the downtown Phoenix house to fend for themselves. The parents were there but not really present. Another amazing thing about the mother is that she was raised with money but really preferred to live a homeless adventurous life.

This was truly an eye opening read for me. I thought my own family was dysfunctional, but we didn’t hold a candle to the Wells clan.

Leadership Challenge

2008-03-06T09:59:00.004-07:00

Leadership Challenge: How to get extraordinary things done in organizations. By James M.Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner 1st edition Josseu-Bass publishers, San Francisco. 1990
After looking this up I’ve found that it must be pretty sound as it is being published in the fourth edition and due out in August, 2008. The book’s premise is that “Leadership is Everyone's Business." The "five practices" and how they have remained constant. They are:
5 Practices:
• Model the way.
• Inspire a shared vision.
• Challenge the process or searching for opportunities
• Enable others to act
• Encourage the heart
These are not accidents but conscious practices of a leader in our circle, a global community in the newest edition.
The Ten Commitments are:
Challenge the process by
• 1. Searching for opportunities
• 2. Experiment and take risks
Inspiring a shared Vision
• Envision the Future
• Enlist others
Enabling Others to Act
• Foster Collaboration
• Strengthen others
Modeling the way
• Set the Example
• Plan the wins
Encouraging the Heart
• Recognizing Individual Contribution
• Celebrate Accomplishments
Look for the 4th edition soon!
Respectfully submitted by Ara Anderson February ,2008

2008-02-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Amish Grace: How forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Weaver-Zercher copy right 2007.

This is an insightful account of how the Amish people have come to grips with the shooting of Amish school children in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. Forgiveness is but a part of long healing process, even for the Amish. The book gives the history of the shootings, the surprise and aftermath which delve into the roots and growth of forgiveness.

This is a well documented work that looks cross culturally at different approaches to the healing processes of profound loss. It reveals, with candor, how the Amish look at forgiveness and still practices shunning. It is interesting how the Amish admonish certain religious expectations and behaviors within their own religious circle, while condoning those same behaviors by our government, as justified and prudent.

The other 90% : how to unlock your vast untapped potential for leadership and life

2008-01-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

by Robert K. Cooper 158.1 COOPER 2001

Dr. Cooper believes that we are using less than 10% of our brain. Combining art with science, help is offered in the form of specific, little-known practical ways to use the latest research in neuroscience, performance psychology, and work physiology for excelling in a pressure-filled world. Wonderful stories make this not only informative, but entertaining as well. This practical self help book that can be applied to any area of your life to use not only the brain in your head but the ones in your heart and gut, also.

2008-01-18T13:27:00.001-07:00

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

Greg’s decade-long odyssey to build schools, especially for girls, throughout the region evolved because of his belief that education eradicates poverty and ignorance. He builds schools which provide both girls and boys with a balanced, non-extremist education. After decades of being separated from his family, he now directs the Central Asia Institute (CAI). His efforts have built fifty-five schools serving Pakistan and Afghanistan’s poorest communities. He lives with his wife and children in Bozeman, Montana, and is living proof that one passionately dedicated person truly can make this a better world.

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen 2007

2007-12-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

Tess Gerritsen has surpassed herself with this thought provoking book. It is written in the present day Massachusetts and 1830 Massachusetts. In the beginning, we are enticed into finding out who is buried in Julia Hamill's garden. We are then lead through history in persuit of medical educations, ethnic bias, murder and madness. One of the major characters is Oliver Wendell Holmes. No, not the Supreme Court justice, but his father, renowned physican and author. Holmes and his friends uncover murder and secret societies in urban and surburban Massachusetts. You will follow Julia, the present day character, through an unlikely friendship and fascinating genealogical journey. This was one book I couldn't put down, but didn't want to end either.

Identical strangers: A memoir of twins separated and reunited

2007-12-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

by Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein, copyright 2007.

Elyse Schein, who was adopted as an infant 35 years ago, found out from the adoption agency that she had an identical twin. This books recounts her search for her twin sister and their search for their biological mother. They discover that when their mother gave birth to them, she was a schizophrenia patient in a psychiatric hospital. They poured over numerous studies on identical twins that were raised apart. “Twin researchers make the claim that twins raised apart are more alike than twins raised together, who make an effort to differentiate themselves from each other.” The similarities between the two women are remarkable and their new relationship is unique, but they grapple with difficult emotional issues while trying to come to grips with their past.

The Freedom Writers diary by the Freedom Writers and Zlata Filipovic

2007-12-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Call # 305.235 FREEDOM This true story is an inspiring account of Erin Gruwell, a first year English teacher, and her high school students of Long Beach, California. Other teachers considered these teenagers "unteachable” but naive Erin is extremely dedicated and determined. She refuses to give up on these students and uses the Holocaust as a starting point to teach English but also inspires the students to start keeping diaries of their lives that showed the violence, homelessness, racism, illness, and abuse that surrounded them. Their lives are transformed to become productive students with bright futures.

The Devil's Right-hand Man: the true story of serial killer Robert Charles Browne, by Steven G. Michaud. (c. 2007)

2007-11-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

Call # 364.152 This is a well researched book about Browne and his victims in Louisiana and Colorado. According to Browne, all of his victims will never be found. As he is in prison serving time for the murder of a child in Colorado Springs,CO, he writes to authorities, " The score is you one, the other team forty eight." Having been raised in Louisiana, I found this very interesting, since my ancestors came from the very area where he started committing his murders. In fact, the lead detective in Winn Parish, Greggory Davies is a cousin. The one small area that I picked up in the book that bothered me were a few typos.

You Staying Young: The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. (c.2007)

2007-11-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

"Aging is inevitable, but the rate of aging is not."

"Genetics load the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger."

It’s easy to get lazy when it comes to taking responsibility for our health, so sometimes a little inspiration can jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. This book explains why the body ages and discusses 14 major causes of accelerated aging. It suggests numerous anti-aging techniques involving diet, exercise and nutritional supplements. Eating certain foods and taking certain supplements can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Some simple suggestions include walking a half hour each day, consistently getting enough sleep and relieving stress with yoga, meditation and chi gong. There are many things we can do to improve brain function, digestion, and bone health. This book makes suggestions on how reduce physical wear and tear, prevent accidents at home, reduce environmental toxins, increase muscle strength, manage stress and anger, and preserve eye sight and hearing. Living longer is about maintaining a high quality of life not just "taking longer to die."