Books I Read: May to early October

After a long break, I'm back to one of my favorite pass times: reading. Here is a list and small reviews of the books I read this past summer. Roughly from May to the first week in October.


The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil

By Philip Zombardo (2007)

If you've ever taken a psychology, sociology, or philosophy class, there's a god chance you've run across this college experiment where students are transformed into guards and inmates in a mock prison. A dark and sobering journey through the human psyche and the roles we play in society, this book chillingly showcases the ease in which good people can endorse abuse, defamation, humiliation, and a complete lack of humanity when certain social constructs are put into place. Though later recreations of this experiment have questioned Zombardo's findings, it's a good read none the less.

Willie Nelson: An Epic Life

by Joe Nick Patoski (2008)

I returned to this book having read up to 1986 last fall before seeing Willie live for the first time (he's amazing). Anyone wising to become a Willie Nelson historian must read this book, as Patoski meticulously travels down the long road of this legend's life. E enjoyed the book but I must admit it is often a taxing read as Patoski gives such long detail and backstory into so many locations, musicians, promoters, etc, that while I enjoyed him painting this exceptional backdrop, I found myself wanting to hurry things along and focus more solely on Willie. That being said, it's a worthy read and after finishing it one can only conclude,"Fuck, Willie has had an epic life."

American Gods

by Neil Gainman (2001)

My first exposure to Neil Gainman, I couldn't not put this book down. Old gods come to life in the modern world, battling for existence, dealing with old age, and giving joyous glimpses into man's fantastic mythical library all the while locked up in a mystery tale of old vs new, with tricksters afoot. 4 stars.

Jesus Interrupted
by Bart D. Ehrman (2009)
I've read several of Ehrman's books and this one inparticular presents a throughal introduction tion the literary analaysis fo the bible that has been going on for the last 200 years. Still think the bible has no contradictions, read this book. Should be mandatory reading for all believers.

I am Ozzy

by Ozzy Osbourne (2010)

 If you're a big Ozzy fan, having followed his career and read any of the legendary stories surrounding his seemingly impossible life, than this book won't have much for you. Ozzy gives little additional insight into the defining moments of his career (mostly because he was always fucked up out of his mind) and takes an apologetic stance on tings like the dove heads he bit off, chicken murders, Alamo pissing, Sharon chocking, etc. I did really enjoy the style of the book written like a long conversation between the reader and Ozzy filled with his funny quips and working class British charm. I also enjoyed the early chapters of the book where Ozzy details his early life, family , home town, musical first steps, and the beginning of Black Sabbath. Unfortunately, after this years and decades slip by in Ozzy's narrative giving no mention to most of his albums or tours, instead telling endless tales of how fucked up hew was on this and that drug. The book makes one ting clear, without Sharon taking the reigns (ya I hate her too) and great musicians falling into this lap, Ozzy today would either be dead or largely forgotten.

Operation Mincemeat

by Ben Magintyre (2010)

I can not imagine the hours and hours of research that Magintryre must have completed to write this engrossing WW2 masterpiece. Telling the triumphant and very odd true story of British Intelligence bamboozling the Nazis with a fake dead soldier. Magintyre gives such depth and detail to this work, every character is 3-dimensional and pulsing. No history class or documentary more entrenched me in the time of WW2 like this read. I couldn't put it down.

The Sun Also Rises
by Ernest Hemingway (1926)
A literary classic from the prolific Hemingway. I did not enjoy this novel right away, it took some mulling over before the style and prominent subject matter rose to the surface. Dinners, drinks, bullfighting, and a lot of conversation from suffering souls often going through the motions of life. Lots of good discussion material here.

The War For Late Night

by Bill Carter (2010)

Bill Carter is a genuine craftsman, fleshing out all the late night hosts, executives, producers, agents, and surrounding circumstances behind NBC's late night debacle with Conan and Leno. It's really an amazing read not taking sides but also not holding back faults or wrong decisions. Whenever I tell someone I read this book they automatically ask, "Who's side are you on, Leno or Conan?" I think the book somewhat redeems Leno, but ultimately both men were put in tough decisions and being very different people they hand radically different perspectives on the situation; neither of which I can completely object. If you want to know the real, detailed story of the Late Night War, read this book.

What is God?

by Jacob Needleman (2009)

Jacob Needleman is a fucking moron. Unless your some New Age spiritual, he has no answers for you. He looks down at science and logic, instead choosing to embrace 'feelings' and fringe religious sects to prop up his spiritual bullshit. 'Attention' is his ultimate path to God, though sadly it is fleeting lasting only for a moment; you need to keep practicing your entire life.

The Case for God
by Karen Armstrong (2010)

I was with Karen through most of this large book. The majority of it is good and insightful tracing the origins of belief in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and noting the shifting views of belief over time as new cultures and powerful thinkers, Augustine, Kant, etc., come into the fold. I do think she over looked what belief and practice meant to the majority of believers outside of the high towers of both academia and church hierarchy. It's the later chapters of the book when Armstrong starts bashing current views of god, disregarding the arguments of fundamentalist and the new atheist with quick strikes of the pen, that she loses me. She says fundamentalist are wrong because they mistakenly view god as a personal being, watching and judging us. After dismissing them, she quickly throws out the new atheist because she sees them as simply a response to the already discarded fundamentalist. The title of this book is a huge miss advertisement, as she really doesn't make a case for god. At the end she concludes that god is a concept much less tangible and understandable than we currently imagine and the only way to get in tune with this 'unknown quality' (how do we even know it's there at all) is through a life's worth of religious practices, rituals, and prayer. Which practices, rituals, or prayers you ask, well she doesn't specify at all. So what's the point, be fervor and devout to whatever good rituals you run across or your society pushes on you and hope for the best, though god seems unknowable, intangible, and unpresent in this system. Stupid Karen, really stupid.

Big Man

by Clarence Clemons and Don Reo (2009)

A collection of stories and tall tales centering around the E Street Band's Big Man, recently deceased saxophone player Clarence Thomas. The book is by Clarence and long time Springsteen associate Don Reo. At first I enjoyed the book well enough as Clarence described his early years in interesting stories, but after a while I really lost all interest in the work as it lost it's chronological flow and central focus. I understand it was just suppose to be a collection of stories but I think the book would have been better served with something of a biography of Clarence ruddered in between these stories. Also get rid of Don, his stories are totally lackluster spending way to much time praising the E Street Band over and over as the best live band ever. I think most people who pick up this book will know how good Bruce and they boys are, stop preaching to the choir. The book does contain some good insights into the band, but not enough to really hold my interest.

The Secrect Lives of Men and Women
by Frank Warren (2007)

At times funny, inquisitive, haunting, and crazy, it's amazing to read what's on other people's minds and the strange occurrences they've faced.

Fun Home

by Alison Bechdel (2007)

A graphic novel by a literary junkie looking back on her childhood; recounting and re-examining her recently passed father. Smart and personal, I really enjoyed this work and journey, people are complicated creatures and when we look back on those closest to use we are bound to learn some new things about them and ourselves.

Dark Tower II: The Drawing of The Three
by Stephen King (1987)
Finally got around to reading (finishing if we want to be technical) Stephen King's Dark Tower sequel. I loved the original and the main character Roland, who's a bit fucked up and beaten to near death in this book but man he still kicks ass. Another dark fantasy classic.

Eating Dinosaurs
by Chuck Klosterman (2009)

This is my second Klosterman book, the previous being Fargo Rock City, and again I massively enjoyed it. The book lacks a central theme and is essentially just Klosterman bringing up random subjects on his mind and spinning brilliant, and very funny, narratives around it. Topics include Klosterman arguing points on time travel, Nirvana, sports, journalism, and Weezer to name a few.

Darkmans

by Nicola Barker (2007)

A big undertaking at 800+ pages, Barker's novel kept me turning pages with fantastic characters, dark humor, and strange occurances. The journey was well worth it, this UK novel playing out in my mind like an award winning HBO mini series.

Bloody Crimes: The Chase for Jefferson Davis and the Death

Pagant for Abraham Lincoln

by James Swanson (2010)

A history lesson wrapped in a frank, well researched narrative. James Swanson taught me everything I never knew about Jefferson Davis and the amazing procession that was Lincoln's national funeral. Wonderful, history coming to life.

The Reason for God: Belief in and Age of Skepticism

by Timothy Keller (2008)
I'm not going to lie, this book sucked and was tough to get through. When I got it from the library it had four different bookmarks in it, apparently I wasn't the only one bored with this read. My main complaint, besides Tim never fully addressing or understanding the religous contentions he argues against, is that he's a poor writer. He spends so much time quoting other books and authors instead of making his own arguments for god. One often feels they would be better off just reading a book by C. S. Lewis.

All-American Poem
by Matthew Dickman (2008)
Good all American poetry with a modern day flavor.

Post Secrect: Confessions on Life, Death, and God

by Frank Warren (2009)
Great secrects revealed here. I'm really glad the library is stocked with these books, because as engrossing as they are, I don't see myself ever buying one.

The White Tiger

by Aravind Adiga (2008)

This book takes you to modern day India with such wit and wonderful narrative, I was blown away. I can't praise this book enough, it seriously felt like real trip to India with close studies into the countries religion, class system, and the changing horrors of life in the city or out in the country.

The Turn of The Screw

by Henry James (1898)

The writing style took a little while to get used to, but I did enjoy this literary classic; on that I mistakenly overlooked in my college days. The great thing about finishing this novella is the questions it brings up and different perspectives it raises in readers; great discussion material.

The Moral Landscape:How Science Can Determine Human Values

by Sam Harris (2010)

Sam makes the profound argument that science should have a say on moral issues and societal decisions. Forget religion and moral relativism, rational thought and scientific investigation should be calling the shots. I don't want to ruin the books conclusion but here's a little spoiler, "Sam is 100% right."

Postscript: A Life of Secrects

by Frank Turner (2007)

Another big book of secrects, beautifully displayed by Turner. People do fucked up shit.

The Psychopath Test

by Jon Ronson (2011)

An amazing adventure with a writer just as curious as the reader into the strange world of psychopaths: the history, definition, process of labeling, habitat, labelers, and curiosity of the possible psychopaths wandering the world amongst us. Upon finishing it, I instantly wanted to read Ronson's entire works (he has a lot of good documentaries on Youtube).

The Photographer

by Emmanuel Guibert (2009) 

A comic book-esque photobook detailing one photographers journey to Afghanistan during the war with Russia in the 1980s. Really revealing of the people and the culture. I had no idea Afghanistan was so beautiful.

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll (1865)

A silly read of wit and wonder, I enjoyed tagging along on Alice's strange adventures and only wish I'd taken the plunge down the rabbit hole years earlier.

Firmin

by Sam Savage (2008)

The wonderful tale of a book lvoing rat with a huge imatination, too bad he lives in a Boston neighborhood dying and set for destruction. Sam Savage's first novel and one he should be very proud of.

Death by Blackhole and Other Cosmic Quandires
by Neil deGrasse Tyson (2007)
Wow the thins you can learn from this book about science, history, and logical thinking. Thank you for pulling me back into the science department Mr. Tyson.

Every Other Monday
by John Kasich (2010)

Simply put, this is the worst book I've read in a long time. I valiantly suffered through half of it, skipped through half of it, and finally abandoned this piece of shit with a foul taste on my brain. On premise a group of guys meeting every other week to discuss the bible, could of been an interesting read it Kasich had any idea how to organize a fucking narrative. For god sakes man stop bragging about your fucking club and how unique and different it is form other bible studies ( yuck yuck, I need to remind my readers a million times how we're just a bunch of regular dudes working through the bible as a team) and tell a fucking story. Thee is absolutely nothing to gain from reading this hog wash, the majority of the test is just rehashing the same ideas and compliments to his study members add noisome. If I was the publisher, I would have punched Kasich in the face after reading chapter 1 and sent his Jesus ass packing. If I ever meet someone who's finished this literary abomination I'm turn over whether to applaud their shocking accomplishment or shudder at their mental depravity. I'm ashamed this book was purchased by the UMD library

Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock

by Sammy Hagar and Joel Selviz (2011)

A rocking ride with Sammy through his entire career and buisness endeavors outside of music. I like Sammy, he seems like a fun guy and in the book you get the feel that he's honestly recalling things how he remembers them, but he also spends alot of time tearing people down and bragging about his accomplishments. Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth get the worst of it, little chance they will ever go on tour with Sammy again, but hey it sells books. Sammy also has some intersting revelations on ghost, aliens, and how to make it in the music buisness. Pretty decent read.

God, No!
by Penn Jillette (2011)

Over the last few years I've become a big fan of Penn & Teller, mostly because of their HBO show "Bullshit". When I heard Penn had written a book called "God, No!" I was really excited to read it, especially when I heard my library was stocking it. I waited a week for it to arrive, checking the shelf everyday, putting aside "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Absolute Monarchs" to dive in. Sigh, I broke an age old rule with this book: never judge a book by it's cover. The title with a picture of Penn stamped on the cover wearing a priest outfit and clasping his hands with a shit eating grin (not to mention the referral by Richard Dawkins) I though this was going to be Penn's book on the merits of atheism, and how most people share a lot of the same beliefs as atheists. I was mistaken. I should have focused on the full title, most importantly the ".....and Other Magical Tales" bit. Essencially this book is just a collection of stories and thoughts by Penn Jillette. Many of them touch on religion but a good number don't. Once I realized this wasn't really an atheist book but a Penn Jillette though and adventure book, I still enjoyed it, Penn's certainly lived an entertaining life and has some crazy store's, but he just doesn't wrap stories around ideas and arguments quite as well as someone like Chuck Klosterman would. The nice ting is, if you're reading a chapter and lose interest, just skip it and go to the next chapter. So, if you like Penn and you want to learn more about his life and thoughts (I found I disagree with him in a number of areas) than read this book, but if you're looking for a good book on atheism go else where (don't let the 10 commandment chapter grouping fool ya).