Literature
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- Written by: FDD10
- Category: Literature
- Hits: 43
The Pilot Who Wore a Dress: And Other Dastardly Lateral Thinking Mysteries
by Tom Cutler
I enjoyed this collection of old and new thinking problems. As with other books in the genre, I agreed with some of the stories (that I solved) and didn't with others. ;-) I don't remember Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories being part of any other collection. It was a nice touch. The English dialect and side-stories didn't cause me too much pause, and I didn't feel preached to (as other books have done). I particularly enjoyed learning about inverting beers -- something I'm sure to try.
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- Written by: FDD10
- Category: Literature
- Hits: 38
This biography of Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney gave a good insight into Catholicism in America during the Antebellum period. It details Fr. McGivney's life in Connecticut and his travels to seminary in Maryland and Niagara University in Western New York. It is a glimpse of the hardships those first members of the Knights of Columbus would have burdened. It explains why the order was created and how would benefit from it's creation.
It's amazing the characters in the council chambers today seem similar to those who huddled in St. Mary's near Yale almost 140 years ago. The hard-working, gruff wardens, the erudite parlimentarians, and the smooth and savvy leaders. It paints a picture like a Dickens novel of how life might have been for a minority population in a hostile world.
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- Written by: FDD10
- Category: Literature
- Hits: 42
I should have liked this book. I really should have. Maybe I have biases, but I found the premise of Jesus as a Chief Executive Officer of some organization somewhat troubling. Laurie Beth Jones writing is good (a bit dated calling 'a spade a spade'). I just couldn't get wrapped up or passionate about the arguments. The chapter length was ideal -- short with some reflection questions. Her knowledge regarding religion and Biblical texts was impressive. The attempt to draw from those stories and apply the morals to modern day situations was laudable, but it didn't quite strike home to me. Maybe I'm not in the same situations the author found herself in. I did walk away with some good ideas and inspired to be more Christ-like in my civic and business dealings.
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- Written by: Jim
- Category: Literature
- Hits: 49
This book was given to me by my brother Tom. He quite rightly judged is as a good read for me. It takes place in Charlottesville, VA, Washington DC, Breezewood PA, and other locations I'm somewhat familiar with. The author pays homage to science fiction authors (like William Gibson), and has the appropriate amount of detail for sporting events, J. R. R. Tolkein novels, firearms, computing and other technical studies.
The story's protaganist is Gibson Vaughn. his father was a chief-of-staff of an up and coming Senator, Benjamin Lombard. His father died unexpectedly which left an impact on Gibson. Gibson was a teenaged computer hacker and threatened to bring down the Lombard dynasty. He was arrested and given an option of jail or the Marines. He didn't go to jail. He's contacted by a group of people to find his old friend and Lombard's daughter -- Bear.
The chapters are short which keeps the pages turning. I found the characters very believable. The locations were familiar and well detailed. I could look forward to a sequel or another book by Mr. Fitzsimmons.