Audible Book Review: Evolution Impossible by Dr. John F. Ashton

I liked the arguments but this might be a book that is better in print, although even then I think it will be dry.

Evolution Impossible
12 Reasons Why Evolution Cannot Explain the Origin of Life on Earth
By: Dr. John F. Ashton
Narrated by: John McLain

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
Release date: 03-14-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Apologetics, Nonfiction, Spirituality
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0

Publisher's Summary
One of the most compelling and authoritative rebuttals of evolution today, Evolution Impossible shows listeners how fossils are evidence of extinction, not evolution; why mutations never produce new genetic information; how the lack of transitional fossils undermines secular timelines; and why living cells and new classes of organisms don't form by chance.
Using recent discoveries in genetics, biochemistry, geology, radiometric dating, and other scientific disciplines, Dr. Ashton explains chapter by chapter in straightforward language 12 compelling reasons why Darwin's theory of evolution is just a myth.
Taking the evidence refuting evolution to a new level with a wide-ranging analysis, this is a must-listen book for all students, Christian educators, scientists, and anyone eager to defend a biblical worldview.
©2017 Dr. John F. Ashton (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
The author presents one theory after another that purports to support evolution. He then proceeds to debunk the evolutionary arguments, explaining why it has no factual proof or how the supposed scientific support falls short. There is no transition evidence, no mutation evidence, and no fossil evidence that supports the theory of evolution. There also are proven errors in age dating.

I have read numerous works favoring creation or debunking evolution and even taught on creation at church many years ago (in the 1980s). Clearly, I already believe these arguments against evolution, but I do like to read current works since there is always new material, including archeological findings that support the Bible, and studies that support the theory of a young earth.

I enjoyed the author’s topics but found the work to be dry, like a school treatise. This lessened my enjoyment, and I was disappointed since the cover made it look like it would be more engaging. One of the later chapters shares scholarly scientists who support the theory of creation rather than the theory of evolution. This is a lot of listing references. I noted there are many reviews that reject the arguments, but they are not open-minded. I do recommend this be read with an open mind.

Audio Notes: John McLain does a good job on the narration. He provides a clear performance with energy which tries to add to the dry nature of the material. After thinking more about this, I think I am glad I listened to this.

Source: September 2022 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook and Nonfiction goals.

Audible Book Review: How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe

This course is very informative. I am glad I listened to it and got the pdf before the free download became unavailable in my library.
How Great Science Fiction Works
By: Gary K. Wolfe, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Gary K. Wolfe

Series: The Great Courses: Genre Fiction
Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
Lecture
Release date: 01-08-16
Publisher: The Great Courses
Genre: Nonfiction, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Robots, spaceships, futuristic megacities, planets orbiting distant stars. These icons of science fiction are now in our daily news. Science fiction, once maligned as mere pulp, has motivated cutting-edge scientific research, inspired new technologies, and changed how we view everyday life - and its themes and questions permeate popular culture. Take an unparalleled look at the influence, history, and greatest works of science fiction with illuminating insights and fascinating facts about this wide-ranging genre. If you think science fiction doesn't have anything to do with you, this course deserves your attention. And if you love science fiction, you can't miss this opportunity to trace the arc of science fiction's evolution, understand the hallmarks of great science fiction, and delve deeply into classics while finding some new favorites.
These 24 captivating lectures reveal the qualities that make science fiction an enduring phenomenon that has been steadily gaining popularity. You'll grasp the context and achievements of authors like Arthur C. Clarke, H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Ursula K. LeGuin, and many more. You'll experience the wonder, horror, and incredible imagination of works like Frankenstein, the Foundation series, Stranger in a Strange Land, and dozens of more recent stories as well. You'll also see this genre's influence in movies like Star Wars and TV shows like The Twilight Zone.
Science fiction can take us places in time and space where no other form of fiction can - outer space, the far future, alternate universes, unfathomable civilizations. The best science fiction expands our imaginations and makes its mark on our reality. And while few writers would ever claim to predict the future, sometimes authors get it almost eerily right: Gernsback describing radar in 1911, Bradbury describing giant flatscreen TVs in 1951, Gibson inventing "cyberspace" in 1984, and so on.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Review:
This lecture is very informative on the history of science fiction writing themes, notable authors and their works. The material is presented in logical groupings, and it kept my interest. It supplies a great resource for me to look for more authors and works in the genre that I will want to read/listen to. What this course DID NOT clearly include, though implied by the title, is what writing features make great science fiction. I know that I have often commented on the “irony” aspects of science fiction stories that I read. I was hoping to learn the elements of the genre to look for as I read.

There were some genre features shared such as the fact that science fiction is deemed to be a category presenting future worlds although time travel and alternate worlds fit too. Science fiction is distinguished from fantasy which generally contains more world building than connection to possible realities. The material presented described the creative use of futuristic technologies that often became real in a matter of years. It made me wonder if science developed on the creative ideas or if the authors had leaks of real projects.

Another part of the features that did contribute to the writing of science fiction are subsets such as the various means to make space travel possible and “The Artifact” as a specific theme to build stories on. The course also covers post-apocalyptic and dystopian themes. I enjoyed hearing authors and titles that I am familiar with. And now have more to look for. I do recommend this to anyone interested in the history of science fiction.

Audio Notes: The author does a good job narrating this lecture material. As noted in my comments above, the material is grouped well and makes the listening move along well. I am glad that I got to listen to the free book while available in my library. But I am also very glad to have the pdf available for future resource material.

Source: September 2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Nonfiction goals.

Audible Book Review: The Science of Sci-Fi by Erin Macdonald

I found this interesting even if I didn't grasp all the true science.
The Science of Sci-Fi
From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel
By: Erin Macdonald, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Erin Macdonald

Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
Release date: 11-19-19
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Nonfiction, Science & Engineering, Science
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25

About This Audible Original
Science fiction allows listeners to go places they can only dream of seeing—other worlds, distant stars, entirely different galaxies. While not every story is concerned with the hard science behind space travel and other futuristic ventures, fiction can give listeners an amazing insight into what people could be capable of and what people dream of doing.
In the 10 lectures of The Science of Sci-Fi: From Warp Speed to Interstellar Travel, Professor Erin Macdonald interweaves real science and the achievements of the imagination to reveal the truth that underlies favorite stories and sheds light on what the future may hold. From faster-than-light travel to journeys through time itself, science fiction makes humanity seem limitless. So, what scientific boundaries are people pushing against while seeking to fly among the stars?
Beginning with an overview of the physics of time and space, Professor Macdonald shows how stories extrapolate current knowledge to create visions of the future and how likely—or unlikely—these fictional journeys could be. What would happen if a spaceship flew into a wormhole, as it does in the film Galaxy Quest? Or, what would happen if someone fired a rocket launcher on the Moon like the soldiers of Mass Effect? Could someone ever break the bounds of light speed as they do in Star Wars and move across the universe without spending decades trying to make it to a distant exoplanet? Is the transporter technology of Star Trek really possible?
As listeners look closely at artificial gravity, inertial dampeners, tachyons, red matter, time dilation, and other sci-fi mainstays through the theories of some of science’s greatest thinkers, they will find that their favorite science fiction stories become even more astonishing.
©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
It is clear the author not only understands the science, but she enjoys the interplay between real science and science fiction. She explains how some television shows and movies have used realistic and possible technology and sometimes use elements that aren’t so likely in real science. At least not that we know of.

Erin Macdonald delivers this course in 10 lectures/chapters that make it a bit easier to digest. She includes some history of science and great scientists, like Newton, Galileo, Einstein, Tesla and more. I clearly did not grasp all the scientific theory, especially the physics, yet she made it engaging by the examples and uses she shared. I really enjoyed the references to well-known and lesser-known fictional stories. This brought it to a level that the lay person, and sci fi fan, could relate to.

I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this as much as I did. I recommend this to any reader who is interested in what is real and what could be in the technology of fictional sci fi.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the author’s narration. Her energy and love of the subject enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 3/28/2020 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: On the Duty of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

This essay is timely even 173 years from when it was written.

On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
By: Henry David Thoreau
Narrated by: Jim Killavey

Length 1h 3m
Release date: 01-12-12
Publisher: Jimcin Recordings
Genre: History, Nonfiction, United States
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 3.75

Publisher's Summary
This essay by Thoreau first published in 1849, argues that individuals should not permit governments to overrule their consciences. It goes on to say that individuals have a duty to avoid allowing the government to make them the agents of injustice. The quote: "That government is best which governs least," sometimes attributed to Thomas Jefferson or Thomas Paine, actually was first found in this essay. Thoreaus' thoughts were motivated by his disgust with slavery and the Mexican-American War but they are still relevant and resonate today.
Public Domain (P)2011 Jimcin Recordings

Review:
I had not read this essay in years. I was surprised how timely the message is. Thoreau questioned injustice and immorality supported by national government (particularly slavery and the Mexican-American War). Thoreau argues that each citizen must investigate and search out the facts if he believes that the government is acting unjustly. Thoreau espoused less government (see the quote in the blurb) and encouraged taking action to refuse to support unjust situations.

The underlying message of this essay is still applicable in modern day protests. One of the big differences though is that Thoreau did not promote violence, although he did not rule it out. Thoreau did not speak in favor of censorship but encouraged open debate.

It is interesting to learn (from outside research) that Thoreau exercised his right to civil disobedience by refusing to pay taxes for which he was jailed. A friend bailed him out by paying the taxes. I dd note from the essay (and independent research) that it is frustrating to know that civil disobedience might not change the policy or authority. I enjoyed reading this piece of historic writing and recommend it to anyone who finds public debate interesting.

Audio Notes: I found the narration by Jim Killavey to be clear but flat. I would recommend reading the text or looking for a different narrator.

Source: August 2021 Free Kindle and Audible for $.49. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kröger, Melanie R. Anderson

This is packed with recommended reading!

Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction
By: Lisa Kröger, Melanie R. Anderson
Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
Release date: 09-17-19
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Celebrities, Entertainment, Literature History, Nonfiction, Women
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Satisfy your craving for extraordinary authors and exceptional fiction: Meet the women writers who defied convention to craft some of literature’s strangest tales, from Frankenstein to The Haunting of Hill House and beyond.
Frankenstein was just the beginning: horror stories and other weird fiction wouldn’t exist without the women who created it. From Gothic ghost stories to psychological horror to science fiction, women have been primary architects of speculative literature of all sorts. And their own life stories are as intriguing as their fiction. Everyone knows about Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein, who was rumored to keep her late husband’s heart in her desk drawer. But have you heard of Margaret “Mad Madge” Cavendish, who wrote a science-fiction epic 150 years earlier (and liked to wear topless gowns to the theater)? If you know the astounding work of Shirley Jackson, whose novel The Haunting of Hill House was reinvented as a Netflix series, then try the psychological hauntings of Violet Paget, who was openly involved in long-term romantic relationships with women in the Victorian era. You’ll meet celebrated icons (Ann Radcliffe, V. C. Andrews), forgotten wordsmiths (Eli Coltor, Ruby Jean Jensen), and today’s vanguard (Helen Oyeyemi). Curated reading lists point you to their most spine-chilling tales.
Part biography, part reader’s guide, the engaging write-ups and detailed reading lists will introduce you to more than a hundred authors and over two hundred of their mysterious and spooky novels, novellas, and stories.
©2019 Lisa Kröger and Melanie R. Anderson (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
This is a fascinating and extremely informative work. I enjoyed the format used. The authors define a subgenre giving the history of its development, and its main characteristics and elements that help the reader identify the subgenre. The authors then highlight the female authors who contributed to those subgenres. When appropriate the authors mention peer males in the subgenres. Individual authors are then highlighted with a bit of history of their lives and how or why they started writing in the genre. Then there are recommendations of the best of the specific works by that author with the addition of similar works in the same subgenre by other female authors. There are also selected quotes shared which add interest. The subgenres include the classic gothic, terror, guts and gore, occult, haunting houses, new goths, and speculative fiction (modern vampires, apocalyptic, eotwawki).

I thought that I was aware of the female authors of horror, but I had only a small list. Even then, there are many I haven’t read. The big thing I missed with the audiobook is a pdf with lists, which are sometimes provided with audiobooks. Although it was easier to listen, I wasn’t in a situation where I could take notes. It might be appropriate to get the hardback as a table reference book or the kindle version as a searchable book. I recommend this to readers who want to find book choices in any horror genre.

Audio Notes: Erin Bennett does a nice job of narration. There could have been some clearer pauses particularly when quotes are given but now that I look at the Kindle sample, I see that they are boxed items so it may have created a bit of a challenge to read those smoothly in the text. The audio is fine but to reference you have to go back to the audiobook.

Source: September 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Book Review: The Iron Triangle: Inside the Liberal Democrat Plan to Use Race to Divide... by Vince Everett Ellison

I could have highlighted almost every page of this book!

The Iron Triangle: Inside the Liberal Democrat Plan to Use Race to Divide Christians and America in their Quest for Power and How We Can Defeat Them
by Vince Everett Ellison

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Outskirts Press (October 6, 2019)
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1977211992
Genre: History of Religion & Politics, Nonfiction, Political Parties
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

To save America and the world, Conservatives must first answer this one very important question: Why do the vast majority of Christian African Americans vote for the Atheist/Anti-Christian, Liberal Democrat Party?
This book answers that question. Why is this important? The answering of this question and the implementation of the suggested remedies will greatly improve America's chances of ushering in an enlightened era of freedom and prosperity, while critically damaging its primary source of evil: The Democrat Party. This evil party could not survive without 90% of Christian African American vote.
Conservatives wonder: Why would African Americans forsake their children, spouses, communities, lives, freedom and GOD for the Democrat Party? Presently, Democrats control every Black ghetto, every failing Black school, every drug corner and every prison in America. Amazingly, the majority of African Americans love them for it. Why? This book explains it.
This book argues that falsely accused White Christian conservatives have nothing more for which to apologize. Despite slanderous accusations of racism and hatred, this book reassures Conservatives, and encourages them to press forward. The real oppressors are now unmasked. To control African Americans during and after the Civil Rights Movement, White Democrats organized and formed an unholy alliance with most Black preachers, Black civic organizers and Black politicians. I call this trifecta the "Iron Triangle." It has worked perfectly.
This book exposes the greatest continuous betrayal in history: The betrayal of America in general, and of Black America in particular by the Democrat Party and the Iron Triangle. It utilizes lessons and anecdotes from my life experiences in the Jim Crow South, in the Black church, as a correctional officer, leading civic organizations, and involvement in politics to illustrate these facts. It traces the origins and explains the rationale behind the Black community's fatal attraction to the oldest and most prolifically evil organization in history. It further explains how liberals have used this deadly infatuation to take over the Democrat Party and America.
This book explains why undermining Christianity and inciting racial discord between Black and White Christians is essential to Democrat Party survival. It explains why Democrat Party leadership believes the gospel of Jesus Christ is poisonous, racial reconciliation is catastrophic, and atheism is necessary. This book explains how their plans can be countered. It is a primer, designed to teach Conservatives how to communicate with a Democrat who has been indoctrinated with a lifetime of lies. This book teaches history, psychology, religion, philosophy and truth. So let's talk to and reason with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and our fellow countrymen. Then, lets dismantle this Iron Triangle and save America.

Review:
As soon as I started this I was pulled in and engaged by the arguments. The more I read the more my heart hurt for the terrible treatment of the black community in early America, continuing oppression after the Civil War, and economic oppression even to today. Jim Crow laws were enacted by white Southern Democrat-dominated state legislatures to disenfranchise and remove political and economic gains made by black people during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Even after the slaves were ‘supposedly’ given their freedom, they were oppressed by the ‘white master’. Prior to the war, plantation owners often used black bosses to manage the slaves and enforce the rules. They also allowed black churches with a trusted black minister/preacher who answered to the land owner. After the war, the white leaders continued to go to the black preachers as community leaders who would actually sell the votes of their congregation to the Democrat leaders.

The leaders mouthed promises or reassurances, but the policies continued to oppress the black community. Economic opportunities were denied to people of color and even after the passing of the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s, the situation of the black communities, particularly in Democrat led states, counties, and cities, failed to improve.

As Ellison points out, the policies of the liberal agenda (abortion, government welfare, and basic income programs, to name a few) are in opposition to Godly principles. Why would any true faith believers support such agendas? Why do the people continue to vote the liberal or Democrat party line that hasn't helped them in over 100 years? There is a mixture of conditioning, Stockholm Syndrome, untruthful media, and, (very disturbing to me) the betrayal and sell out by the black community leaders, both individually (church leaders) and in civic organizations. Look at many of the black leaders who have built their own wealth while doing little more than commiserating with their community members.

Many families lost the man as the head of the household and the mothers had to struggle to take care of their families. Children might leave school early to work or worse, to try to gain income through gang involvement. Government stepped in to take control of schools and to provide welfare programs which only led to further dependence on the leaders rather than providing a way out. Too many black communities are trapped in the cycles of poverty due to government aid rather than opportunity to succeed with education, trained skills and entrepreneurship. The young people are caught in gangs and violence instead of being given better education and a solid grounding in Christian values that would help them to find a way out of the poverty and violence cycles.

I assure you that I am not doing justice to the wealth of information and wisdom shared in this book. Mr. Ellison presents clear historical detail, current day examples, and logical arguments. I have sticky notes and turned pages (I didn’t have a marker handy) throughout the book. I think the book could have used a little tighter editing but that didn’t reduce the power of the arguments. Sadly, the bottom-line indicates a high level of corruption by those blinded by power who continue to mislead the faith based community I highly recommend this book to everyone who is willing to have an open view to seeing manipulation that has a serious impact on the lives of Christian African American and America society as a whole.

Source: Purchased in March 2021. This qualifies for 2021 Fiction and Print goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Madman's Library by Edward Brooke-Hitching

This is fascinating - especially for book nerds (like me)!
The Madman's Library
The Strangest Books, Manuscripts and Other Literary Curiosities from History
by Edward Brooke-Hitching

ASIN : B08M5GNCM2
Publisher : Simon & Schuster UK (October 1, 2020)
Genre: NonFiction, Educational, World History
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

'Anybody who loves the printed word will be bowled over by this amusing, erudite, beautiful book about books. It is in every way a triumph. One of the loveliest books to have been published for many, many years' Alexander McCall Smith
'Quite simply the best gift for any book lover this year, or perhaps ever' Lucy Atkins, Sunday Times Books of the Year
'An utterly joyous journey into the deepest eccentricities of the human mind… The most cheering, fascinating book I’ve read for ages' Guardian
From the author of the critically acclaimed and globally successful The Phantom Atlas, The Golden Atlas and The Sky Atlas comes a stunning new work. The Madman’s Library is a unique, beautifully illustrated journey through the entire history of literature, delving into its darkest territories to hunt down the very strangest books ever written, and uncover the fascinating stories behind their creation.
This is a madman’s library of eccentric and extraordinary volumes from around the world, many of which have been completely forgotten. Books written in blood and books that kill, books of the insane and books that hoaxed the globe, books invisible to the naked eye and books so long they could destroy the Universe, books worn into battle, books of code and cypher whose secrets remain undiscovered… and a few others that are just plain weird.
From the 605-page Qur'an written in the blood of Saddam Hussein, through the gorgeously decorated 15th-century lawsuit filed by the Devil against Jesus, to the lost art of binding books with human skin, every strand of strangeness imaginable (and many inconceivable) has been unearthed and bound together for a unique and richly illustrated collection ideal for every book-lover.

Review:
I enjoyed the great extent of details and illustrations shared in this book. The introduction indicates the Google Books project set out in 2002 to scan the then known 129,864,880 books. The book opens with illustrations of a multi floored library, then a partially naked alien warrior (with exposed parts), and Chinese illustrations of figures using flatulence as weapons. So now that he has your attention, the author can share about size (so large to require an engine to turn pages, small enough for a locket and smaller), and materials (including skin and tin, inks and bindings with poisons like arsenic).

Scan the table of contents and you will see the diverse topics the book is going to share. I loved the Books that Aren’t Books chapter and Cryptic Books. The Curious Collections and Curiosities of Science are cool too, as are all the chapters.

This is certainly a good table conversation book but it could also be great for creative inspiration for book nerds. Not that you want anyone inspired by the blood and skin books but there are plenty of items that are worth being inspired by! I recommend this to every book lover to enjoy the history and variety of books.

Source: 4/4/2021 from NetGalley Read Now. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley goal.

Audible Book Review: From Here to Equality, Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century, by William A. Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mulle

I appreciate all of the information and arguments set forth in this book.

From Here to Equality
Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century
By: William A. Darity Jr., A. Kirsten Mullen
Narrated by: JD Jackson

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-20-20
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Economic Theory, Nonfiction, African American Demographic Studies
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Racism and discrimination have choked economic opportunity for African Americans at nearly every turn. At several historic moments, the trajectory of racial inequality could have been altered dramatically. Perhaps no moment was more opportune than the early days of Reconstruction, when the US government temporarily implemented a major redistribution of land from former slaveholders to the newly emancipated enslaved.
But neither Reconstruction nor the New Deal nor the civil rights struggle led to an economically just and fair nation. Today, systematic inequality persists in the form of housing discrimination, unequal education, police brutality, mass incarceration, employment discrimination, and massive wealth and opportunity gaps. Economic data indicates that for every dollar the average white household holds in wealth the average black household possesses a mere 10 cents.
In From Here to Equality, William Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen confront these injustices head-on and make the most comprehensive case to date for economic reparations for US descendants of slavery. Taken individually, any one of the three eras of injustice outlined by Darity and Mullen - slavery, Jim Crow, and modern-day discrimination - makes a powerful case for black reparations. Taken collectively, they are impossible to ignore. ©2020 William A. Darity Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen (P)2020 Tantor.

Review:
I chose this as a resource to offer background and solutions and thought it was good to listen to during Black History Month. It is laid out in the nature of a study text or resource book but the material kept my attention.

The authors do a thorough job of documenting the history of slavery, then the struggles and failures of reconstruction, followed by discriminatory practices for years and years. The treatment of African Americans, initially as slaves but also as freed men and women through the 1960s, was horrendous and reprehensible. Promises were made and repeatedly broken and that is the mild side of abuses.

The plight of the African American did not stop with the Emancipation Proclamation nor the passage of the 14th Amendment in 1868. The African American people continued to be put into low paying jobs with their wages set at a significantly low rate and then taken with inflated supply prices. Groups of African Americans continued to seek reparations, which was then considered to be “40 acres and a mule”. The authors’ primary argument is that the descendants of slaves (now noted as ADOS - American Descendant of Slavery - have been repeatedly denied the ability to gain basic wealth that can be passed on to the next generation thus creating the current situation of economic inequity. The slaves were treated as chattel with little to no possessions, and after gaining freedom their wages and land were repeatedly stolen as they were often burned out and dispossessed when they managed to gain a homestead or small business. Even after African Americans fought as soldiers in World War I, they were denied the ability to obtain low loans to buy into private housing. There are programs and institutions that continue even today which contribute to the inequality. Although there are clearly instances of awful prejudice, it seems to me that much injustice is the result of politics rather than societal racism.

I appreciated that the authors were factual in noting which political parties and politicians supported freedom and recompense for the freed people (more often the ‘radical’ republicans) and which continued to suppress, obstruct and outright stole from the black people (the democrats and the men who outright viewed the slaves as lesser beings). The authors also lay out the typical arguments against reparations and respond to each argument. It certainly isn’t good enough to say something along the lines of “they have more opportunities here in America than if they had remained in Africa or ended up in Haiti or Jamaica.” On the other hand, I hardly agree that it is appropriate (or helpful to their sincere cause) to loot and burn the property of others in the claim of reparations.

The frustrations of those who feel they have not been treated fairly are clearly expressed as real and understandable. Recompense has been denied for far too long. When the figures are extrapolated for time it seems staggering. Then, when divided out it seems like it would not be enough to make up for years of loss, oppression and suppression. The authors make a very strong case that some solution needs to be made and the sooner the better.

I am extremely glad that I listened to this work. I think it would be wonderful for everyone to read it and it should be required reading for any committee member working on reparations efforts. I recommend this to anyone who wants a better and more comprehensive understanding of the history of abuse, suppression and discrimination which are the basis for the arguments for reparations.

Audio Notes: JD Jackson does an excellent job narrating a complex work. The material is heavy but moves along quickly. Mr. Jackson doesn’t allow his presentation to get bogged down even when presenting dry statistics and figures. I am glad that I listened to the audio although having a hard copy would allow a reader to go back to look at details.

Source: Source 6/28/2020 One June Credit at Audible. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook and 2021Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Jingle Bell Pop by John Seabrook

I really enjoyed this informative little work and wished there had been more.
Jingle Bell Pop
By: John Seabrook
Narrated by: Erin Moon

Length: 1 hr and 14 mins
Release date: 12-06-18
Publisher: Audible Originals
Genre: Christmas, Music, Nonfiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Original
It seems like every year, the holiday season arrives earlier and earlier. Before Halloween’s ghosts and ghouls have even had their chance to come out of the shadows, sleigh bells and ribbons begin to materialize at the mall and towering tinsel-tinged trees appear in our living rooms. But the most telltale sign of the arrival of yuletide festivities is the unceasingly merry melody of the seasonal songbook, from "Silent Night" to "Santa Baby." Love them or loathe them, these holiday earworms are here to stay. But how do these songs endure for decades? And why are there so few contemporary Christmas carols?
In this holly jolly Audible Original, New York Times bestselling author and New Yorker columnist John Seabrook uncovers the mysteries of the holiday music machine, exploring how these hits were made and why they’ve dominated the soundwaves each and every winter. From the mid-century reign of songwriter Johnny Marks ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer") to the manufactured musical nostalgia of modern holiday hits like "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Seabrook, alongside a cast of singers, songwriters, and producers, reveals the untold stories behind the songs that have us rockin’ around the Christmas tree year after year.
©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
This little treat shares the history of the most famous and classic Christmas songs. Songs discussed include hymns such as Silent Night and Holy Night, 50’s-60’s classics like White Christmas, Santa Baby and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a few modern songs like All I Want for Christmas Is You. Song writers, producers and singers contribute to the factors that contribute to why/how a particular song might get included in the top 25 of ever repeated seasonal music. The summary was that the best of the Christmas songs are over 25 years old with little likelihood of new hits.

I found the historical and trivia details interesting. Although it seems appropriate to keep this type of work shorter, I would have enjoyed more of the history and music. I recommend this little tidbit to music fans and those who love perennial Christmas songs.

Audio Notes: Erin Moon did an appropriate job of narrating with a few interview voices included. There were some brief tidbits of songs and I would have been fine with a little more. I am glad this little work is available.

Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sale $2.98. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Book Review: The Prepared Investor: How to Prevent the Next Crisis from Affecting Your Financial Independence by Christopher Manske

This shares some good advice to help any investor prepare for inevitable market drops.
The Prepared Investor: How to Prevent the Next Crisis from Affecting Your Financial Independence
by Christopher Manske

Hardcover : 240 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-0990439660
Publisher : Changing Lives Press (October 20, 2020)
Genre: Investment, Nonfiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Why do some crises affect the stock market far more than others? When faced with disaster, why do investment advisors keep telling clients to just be patient? Christopher Manske reveals that investing through crisis is very different from the standard dogma accepted today. Like Outliers showed a different way to look at success and Nine Lies About Work turned the establishment upside down on leadership and teams, The Prepared Investor demonstrates how readers can protect and grow their net worth in the face of calamity. By offering a new lens to examine major catastrophe, Manske gives a compelling and instructive approach to maximizing one’s portfolio despite tomorrow’s uncertainty. Using twenty specific action steps that highlight how different crises affect investors, readers will see how a few National Guardsmen sank the entire stock market, how the secret Napoleon knew explains investors’ selling behavior, and why a simple statement from particular leaders can be just as much a crisis as an airplane flying into the World Trade Center. Manske shows readers how foolish it is for Wall Street to approach all types of calamity with the same “just hold on” solution.

Review:
Mr. Manske shares specific examples of crises in the past with graphs showing how the market reacted in each case. He also provides hypothetical cases of prepared investors and how they might react when a crisis hits. I really appreciate how the author lays out specific action steps to take to prepare for a variety of crises. I particularly liked how Manske suggests keeping a journal of important leaders and news events to develop a pattern of cause and effect. This is to allow the investor to be ready (or at the very least less surprised) when a perceived catastrophe impacts the market. A prepared investor can move to use a crisis as an opportunity to gain instead of just submitting to sudden loss.

In addition to preparing for major market fluctuation, Manske provides some fascinating historical details which enhanced the financial aspects of the book for me. I learned that issues that might seem important to smaller investors might not cause the same response by the large investors. The author explains the factors that impact market flow and this helped me to see a broader picture and to better understand how foreign and domestic news might trigger reactions particularly from the large institutional investors who are really the entities that have the ability to move the market up and down.

I have been investing in the stock market since the market drop in March of this year so I am still new to the field. I can say from my limited experience that it is important to study before risking any funds in market investing.

The book is laid out in a fashion that builds on twenty action steps. The author provides graphs and history which helps the information flow more easily so it is not overwhelming. It is written at a level and in a format that can be understood by less experienced investors. I would recommend The Prepared Investor as an important help to a new investor like me, but I think it would have good insight and information for longer term investors too, even if just to reinforce and remind them of actions that they may have already learned but are not implementing as well as they might.

Source: My thanks to Mr. Manske for offering this book for my review. This qualifies for my 2020 Author Review goals.

Audible Book Review: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

This helps me to see and understand other views.

The Righteous Mind
Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
By: Jonathan Haidt
Narrated by: Jonathan Haidt

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 07-23-12
Publisher: Gildan Media, LLC
Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Why can’t our political leaders work together as threats loom and problems mount? Why do people so readily assume the worst about the motives of their fellow citizens?
In The Righteous Mind, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the origins of our divisions and points the way forward to mutual understanding. His starting point is moral intuition - the nearly instantaneous perceptions we all have about other people and the things they do. These intuitions feel like self-evident truths, making us righteously certain that those who see things differently are wrong.
Haidt shows us how these intuitions differ across cultures, including the cultures of the political left and right. He blends his own research findings with those of anthropologists, historians, and other psychologists to draw a map of the moral domain, and he explains why conservatives can navigate that map more skillfully than can liberals. He then examines the origins of morality, overturning the view that evolution made us fundamentally selfish creatures.
But rather than arguing that we are innately altruistic, he makes a more subtle claim - that we are fundamentally groupish. It is our groupishness, he explains, that leads to our greatest joys, our religious divisions, and our political affiliations. In a stunning final chapter on ideology and civility, Haidt shows what each side is right about, and why we need the insights of liberals, conservatives, and libertarians to flourish as a nation. Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2012 Jonathan Haidt (P)2012 Gildan Media LLC

Review:
I often find myself struggling to understand how others view policies and political persons with such a different view from mine. I bought this book with the hope that it might give me insight…and I am happy to say it did.

Haidt presents his material in a clear essay format. He states the point he wants to make, discusses it with examples, shares supporting and opposition views, and then summarizes the evidence that he has argued. I found this helpful particularly since it has been 40 years since I studied sociology, psychology and religion in college. It helped to have the information laid out in a manner that I could process and understand.

I was surprised to hear Haidt discuss evolutionary psychology which I didn’t know existed. I am not a proponent of evolutionary theories, but I found his arguments of moral intuition, basic foundations and adaptations very interesting.

Haidt explains that the terms “left” and “right” came from the 1700s during the French revolution. When the National Assembly met to put together a new constitution, the participants sat on either side of the table. Those who wanted more change were on the left and those who wanted to stay closer to tradition were on the right.

Haidt shares a matrix of six “foundations of morality”: 1. Care/Harm (cherishing and protecting others); 2. Liberty/Oppression; 3. Fairness/Cheating (proportionality); 4. Loyalty/Betrayal (ingroup); 5. Authority/subversion (respect); and 6. Sanctity/degradation (purity). He also argues that humans are ‘groupish’. Haidt presents sound basis to support this theory that was apparently abandoned for many years. He notes that the groupish nature of man has aided in his survival.

Haidt shares which of the moral foundations are the strongest and most relevant to American liberals, Libertarians and social conservatives. Among the points, Haidt notes that our foundations “bind and blind us”. One of the most pointed things that Haidt shared was in the last chapter where he points out that some people, who score very high on the care morality foundation, often cause damage by tearing down their group supports. The example is ‘trying to help the bees even if it means burning the hive’. Haidt makes it clear that it is important for all insights to be shared and to seek compromises. If you want to understand others better, I recommend you read this book!

This definitely helped me understand the mindset of the other views. It still doesn’t help me understand the basis for the hate and violence. I don’t always agree with other policies or views but that doesn’t mean I hate the people or want to destroy them. That to me falls in the ‘cutting off your nose’ or “burning the hive” mentality.

Audio Notes: Jonathan Haidt narrates his own work and I thought he did a great job. He clearly cares about the information and wants to make it understandable while supporting it with other psychological citations or testing and surveys. I enjoyed listening but I suspect that having the print version would allow the reader to go back and be reminded of arguments. The pdf support of the described figures is helpful for the audio listener.

Source: 10/16/19 September 2019 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Caffeine by Michael Pollan

This is fascinating, quick history about coffee.

Caffeine How Caffeine Created the Modern World

By: Michael Pollan

Narrated by: Michael Pollan

Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins

Original Recording Audiobook

Release date: 01-30-20

Language: English

Publisher: Audible Originals

Categories: Home & Garden, Food & Wine

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Michael Pollan, known for his best-selling nonfiction audio, including The Omnivores Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind, conceived and wrote Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World as an Audible Original. In this controversial and exciting listen, Pollan explores caffeine’s power as the most-used drug in the world—and the only one we give to children (in soda pop) as a treat. Pollan takes us on a journey through the history of the drug, which was first discovered in a small part of East Africa and within a century became an addiction affecting most of the human species. Caffeine, it turns out, has changed the course of human history—won and lost wars, changed politics, dominated economies. What’s more, the author shows that the Industrial Revolution would have been impossible without it. The science of how the drug has evolved to addict us is no less fascinating. And caffeine has done all these things while hiding in plain sight! Percolated with Michael Pollan’s unique ability to entertain, inform, and perform, Caffeine is essential listening in a world where an estimated two billion cups of coffee are consumed every day. ©2019 Michael Pollan (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review: This work starts with self-deprecating humor that charmed me into a comfortable listening mood. Mr. Pollan choose to stop drinking caffeine to observe the effects as part of his research. According to him, this contributed to being unfocused and having to struggle to get the book on track. In spite of this proclamation, Pollan does a great job of delivering a lively history of the origins of caffeine and how it came to be a staple of working people everywhere. The description of the influence of caffeine in man’s development, work, politics, economics, and even war, is fascinating.

Pollan presents the position that caffeine does have scientific support showing a “pick-me-up” and focus effect. It is addictive to insects and addictive to humans. I was feeling fine accepting myself as a caffeine addict until Pollan mentions the negative impact on sleep patterns. Then I had to consider my afternoon consumption and remind my office staff to switch to decaf after noon.

The book is not an exhaustive history of caffeine and doesn’t’ purport to be a scientific tome. It is a light history in a quick, easy listen. The author moves among his themes which help to keep my interest. I recommend this especially to caffeine lovers and to others who would like a short history.

Audio Notes: Michael Pollan narrates his own work. He does a nice job delivering the work with a light humor. I totally enjoyed this quick listen.

Source: 2/8/2020 Free Member Audible Originals. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook and nonfiction goals.

Audio Book Review: The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis by Jeff Kinley

I really liked the information shared in this.
The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
Tom Parks (Narrator)

Audio CD
Publisher: christianaudio; Unabridged edition (August 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1683667913
Genre: Christian Prophecies, Inspirational, NonFiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Will God’s Wrath Fall on America?
What happens when a country glories in its immorality, turning away from faith in God and obedience to Him?
Jeff Kinley, author of As It Was in the Days of Noah, explores historical and biblical precedents for the demise of a nation and addresses pressing questions such as…
How did we get to this point?
Is America in Bible prophecy?
Will Christians face widespread persecution here?
What effect will the rapture have on America?
How should I respond to the moral decline?
This forthright survey of current events and trends offers valuable perspective on the future of America—along with powerful motivation to embrace the only source of lasting hope.

Review:
Often we wonder how, and if, America fits in End Times. To answer the question Mr. Kinley begins with history. He establishes the importance of prophecy in the Bible. Much of the prophecy has already come true, supporting the reliability of the source. But there is more to come.

The author explores the current state of America by sharing historical detail of Christian roots in its founding. Mr. Kinley then addresses America’s long-time relationship with Israel by discussing the Biblical principle of blessings falling on those who support God’s chosen people, Israel.

There is more historical detail showing the progressive moral decline in especially since God was removed from schools in 1962. Step by step our society has moved away from revering God, to a point of ignoring Him and more recently outright rebellion and rejection of His laws. Soon we can expect to see increased persecution against Christians.

The author spent a long chapter discussing the horrible impact of abortion. The Bible supports the position that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16, Isaiah 44:24, Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:15 and more). So does science. God punished His most beloved chosen people, Israel, for worshipping idols and killing children. Do we really think He will let any other nation get away without punishment for the same sins?

The next question is how close to the end are we? Many people speculate and some (always falsely) set dates. There are some clear signs and seasons, but no one knows the date. This is more reason to be ready and to feel the compulsion to share the gospel with others. The final message is that it doesn’t really matter what role America plays in the end times. What matters is if we are ready and if we are sharing the message of salvation with others.

At times the book seemed to go on and on with a couple of the points. Still, I was impressed by the thoroughness of the arguments and information shared. I highly recommend this to readers who are interested in Biblical prophecy, not just America’s place.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Tom Parks. I appreciated that his presentation of the facts and arguments is made with directness and genuine feeling. I am glad that I listened but I ended up buying an extra copy of the book for myself.

Interestingly, my first review draft was 718 words; the second was still 576. It took four drafts to get it under 400.
Source: Print books at discount for book club and I picked up the Audio CD. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens by Anne Kuo

Highly recommended if you are interested in starting a hen house or just want fun information about chickens.
The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens
by Anne Kuo

File Size: 8171 KB
Print Length: 236 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Rockridge Press (May 21, 2019)
ASIN: B07RDZ6PWZ
Genre: Animal Husbandry, How To, NonFiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

The book new chicken keepers will crow about.
The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens makes it simple and easy to start keeping these surprisingly smart birds right in your backyard. From constructing coops to rearing chicks, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make sure your chickens stay happy and healthy all year round.
Which breed of chicken is right for you? What’s the best coop-bedding material? What sort of feed should you use? Let expert chicken keeper Anne Kuo answer these questions—and many others—in The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens.
The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens includes:
All cooped up—Create the perfect home for raising chickens using detailed backyard coop designs and construction guides.
From chickens to eggs—Find out how to pick the right breed, raise chicks, collect eggs, keep your birds safe from predators, and more.
Learn to speak bird—Start talking the talk thanks to an extensive glossary of common chicken-keeping terms.
Get your own flock started in no time—The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens shows you how.

Review:
This is a great resource for anyone looking to start raising chickens. It covers pros and cons, rewards and costs, joys and losses. As noted in the blurb, the book covers from preparing to house your chickens, selecting them, caring for them with proper food, exercise, safety and health issues, and ultimately enjoying their unique antics, attention and morning songs.

I was impressed with the extent of information shared in an easy to read and reference style. There are pictures, highlighted definitions, and specific how-tos shared, all of which contribute to an engaging flow. Having recently raised chickens I wish that I had read this first. Fortunately my husband is a great hands on, common sense guy (which off sets my book learning, follow directions style). This is really well done and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to start a flock.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Audio Book Review: Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

I found this Wonderful!

Liturgy of the Ordinary
Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
Author Tish Harrison Warren
Narrator Sarah Zimmerman

Runtime 4.63 Hrs. - Unabridged
Publisher christianaudio
Downloads ZIP M4B MP3
Release Date December 4, 2016
Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

In the overlooked moments and routines of our day, we can become aware of God's presence in surprising ways. How do we embrace the sacred in the ordinary and the ordinary in the sacred? Framed around one ordinary day, this book explores daily life through the lens of liturgy, small practices, and habits that form us. Each chapter looks at something―making the bed, brushing her teeth, losing her keys―that the author does every day. Drawing from the diversity of her life as a campus minister, Anglican priest, friend, wife, and mother, Tish Harrison Warren opens up a practical theology of the everyday. Each activity is related to a spiritual practice as well as an aspect of our Sunday worship. Come and discover the holiness of your every day.

Review:
This is a wonderful work that makes a connection between the Sunday liturgy rituals and an ordinary day of life (daily living). Ms. Warren relates the liturgy of the Sunday service to every part of our ordinary ‘getting thru the day’ lives encouraging us to remember God's gifts and presence throughout the day.

I took notes as I listened which gave me a one line summary of each chapter:
     Waking – Baptism and Learning to Be Beloved. The day starts with a reminder that at baptism we are marked as God’s children, we come under his covering and are able to see ourselves as God’s Beloved.
     Making the Bed – Liturgy, Ritual, and What Forms a Life. The simple task of making the bed reminds us that life is filled with repeating mundane routine tasks but we can take time during those rote actions to think upon God and about how He spends each day overseeing our daily lives.

The pattern continues following the chapter headings which can be found at the “look inside” feature at Amazon. I would share my summaries, but I would rather encourage everyone to read or listen to the book.

I realize that many have never experienced a liturgical service and do not know what “liturgy” means. A definition (found online) of liturgy is “the ritual or script for various forms of public worship in churches.” Examples of liturgy rituals include: baptism, sharing communion, readings of the Bible during service, sharing responsive readings, confession, passing the peace (shaking hands with others during church service), the blessing of the people by the priest (or pastor), bowing for prayer. I was raised in the Episcopal church so I grew up with the liturgy of the church. I now worship in a Pentecostal church and I love the freedom of worship (raising hands, praying for one another, speaking in tongues, believing and praying for healing). But I miss the special acts of liturgy such as saying the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles' Creed and the general confession.

Having the childhood background of liturgy is part of the reason that I was delighted by this book. However, I do believe that the inspiring wisdom conveyed, the intent of bringing to mind God’s presence in every part of our daily lives, is worthwhile for everyone regardless of the church you attend (or don't).

Audio Notes: Sarah Zimmerman does a lovely job with the narration. Her reading blends into the work providing appropriate reverence and inspiration. I enjoyed the audio version.

Source: 6/3/19 Christianaudio.com June free download. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute

This is a wonderful resource and I recommend it to everyone!
The Anatomy of Peace, Expanded Second Edition
Resolving the Heart of Conflict
By: The Arbinger Institute
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-13-15
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Relationship, Self Development
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
What if conflicts at home, conflicts at work, and conflicts in the world stem from the same root cause? What if we systematically misunderstand that cause? And what if, as a result, we systematically perpetuate the very problems we think we are trying to solve?
From the authors of Leadership and Self-Deception comes an international best seller that instills hope and inspires reconciliation. Through a moving story of parents who are struggling with their own children and with problems that have come to consume their lives, we learn from once-bitter enemies the way to transform personal, professional, and global conflicts, even when war is upon us.
Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2006, 2008, 2015 Arbinger Properties, LLC (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
When I picked this audiobook (originally and last week for reading), I wasn’t sure if I would like it or have to push through it. I was wonderfully surprised when I recognized the narrator’s voice (from fiction series Monster Hunter International) and was pulled right in. Although this is nonfiction to the extent it is a self-development work, it is told in an engaging story through the eyes of parents who are struggling with out of control teens. The primary character is also suffering from implosion at his company so the lessons in the workshop hit home doubly for him.

The parents meet in a two-day session to support their children who are entering an intervention camp program. The parents have reason to be secretive, wary and judgmental until the leaders share a story of political/cultural enemies who found their lives transformed by changing their views. The leaders are two unlikely companions: Yusuf al-Falah, a Palestinian Arab and Avi Rozen, an Israeli Jew.

The premise of the presentation is that people live with either a heart at peace or a heart at war. Too often it is the heart of war as we set expectations for others that we don’t necessarily require of ourselves. Since a ‘heart at war needs enemies’, we lift ourselves up at the expense of others and find (untruthful) ways to justify our own behaviors – most often by transferring the blame to others. It often involves self-betrayal (our desires supersede honor) which fuels the anger and unhappiness within us. We must determine to see the worthiness of others so that we can provide ourselves with a heart at peace.

This reminded me very much of the transactional analysis program I took in my 20’s. The bottom line I was reminded of is: we cannot change the behavior or actions of others but we can accept responsibility for and change our own actions (and reactions).

The audio book came with a download resource of the graphs and worksheets that provide direction to identify strengths and weaknesses and help focus on getting out of wrong thinking ‘boxes’. I see so many people, family and strangers, who I think could benefit from reading this book.

Audio notes: I recognized the voice of Oliver Wyman immediately and it made my heart happy. This is very different from the Monster Hunter series he narrates but he does a great job with this too. His voice and character voices pulled me in right away and helped me feel as part of the workshop with the characters. The story and narration are a great fit.

Source: Audible Daily Deal 2016, $2.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and nonfiction goals.

Audible Book Review: The More of Less by Joshua Becker

This audiobook added to my motivation to declutter and downsize.
The More of Less
By: Joshua Becker
Narrated by: Joshua Becker

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-03-16
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Cleaning, Nonfiction, Self Help
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0, Overall, Story and Performance

Publisher's Summary
Most of us know we own too much stuff. We feel the weight and burden of our clutter, and we tire of cleaning and managing and organizing. While excess consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, fancier technology, and cluttered homes, it never brings happiness. Rather, it results in a desire for more. It redirects our greatest passions to things that can never fulfill, and it distracts us from the very lives we wish we were living. But it doesn't have to be this way.
In The More of Less, Joshua Becker helps you:
Recognize the life-giving benefits of owning less
Realize how all the stuff you own is keeping you from pursuing your dreams
Craft a personal, practical approach to decluttering your home and life
Experience the joys of generosity
Learn why the best part of minimalism isn't a clean house; it's a full life
It's time to own your possessions instead of letting them own you. After all, the beauty of minimalism isn't in what it takes away. It's in what it gives.
©2016 Becoming Minimalist LLC (P)2016 Tantor

Review:
There are mixed motivations and mixed methods, but the goal is to minimalize the stuff we are responsible for and the time it takes from being with those we love or doing things we would love to do. This was a good resource to go with the decluttering book I read a few weeks ago.

Mr. Becker kept the topic interesting as he shared how he first realized that he was being controlled by his possessions. He decided that having time to spend with his young son was more important than working more, acquiring more and being responsible for more. He explained how some ideas worked and some didn’t and he noted how it is important to discuss steps with your spouse/significant other.

Becker shares how others made a similar decision and how each person can start at their own pace. Some people moved in to ‘tiny homes’ so they could move about more freely. Some sold their possessions so they could travel and explore or go on missions to help others.

This work tends to cover the reasons that people choose to minimalize more than provided details on how to accomplish the goal. He does give some steps that worked for him and others, but he stresses that each person can work in their own way at their own pace. Becker encourages his readers to make the transition a life change, not just a short term project. He shares some Biblical foundations and supports that were fine with me, but might not be comfortable for everyone.

I enjoyed this and think it is handy to have to remind me to keep working on reducing my clutter even if it is a little at a time. I recommend this to readers who are interested in the idea of pursing living with less.

Audio Notes: Mr. Becker serves as his own narrator and I felt he did a fine job. He was clearly comfortable with the material and delivered it in a natural manner. I think listening was easier for me although some people might like have the print version for easier reference back.

Source: January 2017 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019 Audiobook Goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily: Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen by Lisa Steele

This was fun with some good images and tips.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily:
Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your Hen
by Lisa Steele

File Size: 40368 KB
Print Length: 176 pages
Publisher: Voyageur Press (October 9, 2018)
ASIN: B07HKWDS55
Genre: Animal Husbandry, DIY, Nonfiction, Reference
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Spoil your chickens and beautify your coop with 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily.
Join Lisa Steele, chicken-keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, on a behind-the-coop tour like you've never seen. Lisa has spent years figuring out the best ways to keep chickens healthy, the natural way, and she's collected more than just your average tips.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily includes simple ideas for re-using and upcycling old items, as well as detailed information on using natural ingredients to enhance and improve your chickens' lives without breaking the bank.
This guide includes these handy ideas and much more:
Feeding: Try homemade scratch, growing fodder, or frozen treats
The Run: Make a chicken swing or DIY scarecrow
Chicken Health: Find ideas for boredom busters, homemade salves, and herbal teas
The Coop: Keep it clean with a natural coop cleaner and make your own coop curtains
The Garden: Build an herb drying rack or brew a batch of chicken poop “tea”
So what are you waiting for? Make your chickens the happiest birds on the block!

Review:
Since we have added our hen house this year, I thought this would be a good book to read. I loved the pictures of fluffy chickens, including some on swings and wearing tutus! There are good tips for cleaning the coop, the chickens and the eggs. There are some homemade recipes for food treats, herbal teas (I’m excited to try these) and homemade salves. I like the suggestion of sanitizing lotion at the pen. I am very careful to wash my hands anytime I pet the chickens (yes, they like to be petted), collect eggs or touch the coop and run gates.

I made note of herbs and treats that are healthy and those that are poisonous to chickens. the I know I won’t implement all of the ideas, but there are healthy ones and fun ones. I might not be making curtains to spruce up our coop but I will try the frozen treats. And I hope to get hubby to make a swing for the chickens to play on. The recycling ideas are wonderful too - wish I had more time for those. I certainly can recommend this to new chicken breeders and to those who love to learn fun ideas and things about chickens.

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Unclutter Your Life! How to Tame Your Mess, Calm Your Mind, Lighten your Load by Jen Williams

This book provides great tools to help get uncluttered and stay uncluttered.

Unclutter Your Life! How to Tame Your Mess, Calm Your Mind, Lighten your Load

by Jen Williams

File Size: 689 KB

Print Length: 39 pages

Publication Date: July 19, 2012

ASIN: B008ND0OE8

Genre: NonFiction

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Escape the evil grip of clutter!

Unclutter Your Life: How to Tame Your Mess, Calm Your Mind, and Lighten Your Load reveals exactly how to gain control of your stuff and your life. It’s 40 pages of no-nonsense, simple, straightforward and meaningful information.

Come along on a journey of life assessment, self-discovery and goal setting that brings you closer to living a clutter-free life than ever before. Along the way you’ll learn the health, emotional and time-wasting impacts of clutter in your life and your surroundings. You’ll understand the behavioral and psychological reasons why you clutter. And you’ll know exactly what it takes to break free of clutter’s grip – once and for all!

So scroll up, click "buy" and start to unclutter your life today!

Review:
This is a wonderful, quick book of detailed plans for uncluttering. It is only 40 pages long but it is packed with great tips. By sheer coincidence I was doing some uncluttering while I listened to this (my Kindle reads to me). But I am very guilty of a) collecting clutter and b) sorting only to set the boxes in another place instead of removing them to either trash or donation facility.

As an older couple I am aware that my husband and I have collected lots of things we don’t use. Bit by bit I have become aware that weI need to give away things so others can use what is sitting on our shelves and in our closets and drawers. I can see a big benefit in uncluttering just by traveling in a Motorhome. It is a small space and everything needs to have its own place and there is no room for unnecessary baggage. (I also spent a lot of time on boats which are small spaces too.) Also, I have slowly been implementing strategies in my office to help keep my desk less cluttered and it is a nice feeling to walk in and not have files on every surface.

These sort of facts are mentioned in the book and a nice thing is the author gives you a choice of plans and strategies since there is no one plan that fits every personality. There are fast plans and slower methods and even a choice of how and where to start. Granted, a lot of the information may seem basic common sense. But the plans and strategies help provide specifics to get the job done.

The suggestions even include hiring a professional if you can't do it yourself. I had a friend who was cleaning house for me for a while and she always was good at throwing away and organizing. I think I would prefer to do it myself because I could sort through things to discard, keep and giveaway. On the other hand, that may be a sign of not letting go enough. In any event I need to find time to sit down and pick a plan so that I can seriously begin to unclutter.

I thought it would help to see the table of Contents (which is available to see on the Look Inside at Kindle.)
Chapter 1: The Benefits of Uncluttering
Chapter 2: What Should I Do With My…? Clutter Defined
Chapter 3: What Makes It So Difficult?
Chapter 4: Action Plans for Success
Chapter 5: Seven Strategies to Unclutter
Chapter 6: Escaping the Clutter Trap: Creating New Habits
Chapter 7: When Clutter Is A Mental Illness: How to Help Those You Love
Conclusion and First Steps

I found the book useful and plan to re-read it as I set up my plan to tackle clutter. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs to unclutter and create new habits to stay uncluttered! $5.00 might seem a lot for 40 pages but I think the content makes it worth the price.

This book qualifies for "U" in my Alphabet Soup Challenge. It is a free Kindle book I downloaded in 2013 so it is a TBR book too.

Book Review: The Cancer Solution: Taking Charge of Your Life with Cancer by Jack C. Westman M.D. M.S.

This book is full of thought provoking arguments and practical recommendations.
The Cancer Solution: Taking Charge of Your Life with Cancer
by Jack C. Westman M.D. M.S.

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: ArchwayPublishing (January 15, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1480813087
• Genre: Nonfiction
• My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 8, 2015
This book should be read as a requirement for anyone diagnosed with cancer. It will serve as a tremendous practical guide for cancer patients and their families.
—Thomas N. Seyfried,
Professor of biology at Boston College and author of Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer.
...

Review:
I am glad that I received this book for review. I took a bit of time reading it so that I could absorb the depth of information.

The author lays out his data and rational arguments in distinct sections with clear support and references. The information is presented in direct fashion that makes it understandable, even by a lay person. I appreciated all of the information but particularly the explanation of the nature of cancer as neoplasia, a decease of cells that take a turn from normal deterioration to a mutated deterioration that results in cancer. This would explain why there are so many different types of cancer. As the author explains, unfortunately the focus of research has most often been on treatment of the symptoms without determining a way to stop the cause.

There is an interesting discussion on the definition of cancer that implies that there is a large incidence of over-diagnosis resulting in over-treatment. But what is a patient to do? Does the patient take the advise of the doctor (the expert) or risk refusing the “standard” diagnosis and the “standard” treatment recommendations? This is a major dilemma facing many patients, including me when my cancer was diagnosed. As much as I appreciated the information gathered and provided by Dr. Westman, this book doesn’t resolve that patient dilemma.

I liked the chapters presenting nutrition therapies and known factors (ultraviolet light, smoking and others) that stimulate neoplasia. I would certainly seek to choose foods that strengthen my immune system while minimizing those negative factors in my life. The chapter on Taking Charge of Being a Care Recipient or Caregiver offers positive and practical suggestions for coping with either situation. It is important to realize that caregivers have a special role and they often need support too.

As Dr. Westman notes, a known problem with Chemotherapy is that it not only attacks malignant cells but it attacks good immune cells that every person needs to fight off other deceases. I was aware of this negative factor which was a reason I hesitated on agreeing to the Chemo. Although I appreciated the important information shared in this book, if I had read it before my experience I think my decision would have been even more difficult.

I would recommend this book as a source of data to understand the nature of the decease of cancer, alternative approaches to diagnosis, treatments, research and the current state of affairs relating to these issues. There are good practical details that would help any person facing a situation involving cancer. The information is helpful even if it might not help make a final decision regarding personal treatment. That involves a lot of uniquely individual factors, professional provider advise and personal character and faith.

I received this book for an honest review through The Cadence Group.