Friday, July 6, 2012

Book Reviews By Gary Roen


It Worked For Me In Life and Leadership
Colin Powell with Tony Koltz
Harper
10 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022
9780062135124, $27.99 www.amazon.comwww.harpercollins.com

“It Worked For Me In Life and Leadership” is a wonderful upbeat set of tips General Colin Powell has used to guide him through his life that he now passes on to readers.  He has 13 principals he discusses and tells about some of the people who have influenced him along the way.  He is very modest about himself and relates stories about his years of public service that are interesting also very revealing about many of the historical event he has been fortunate to be a part of.   Powell has always been an officer and a gentleman and “It Worked for Me In Life and Leadership” shows why


 Naked City The Television Series
James Rosin
The Autumn Road Company, Philadelphia PA
9780425246061, $19.95, www, amazon.com, www.classictvseriesbooks.com

“Naked City the Television Series” tells about the name of the show and how it changed the industry of television and how “Naked City” was different from others of the time,  how the show evolved.  There are episode guides for each season.  These are just a few of the things covered in this edition of Rosin’s expose of the groundbreaking series.  Recently Rosin has come out with revised editions of Wagon Train, Adventures in Paradise, The Invaders, and a new expanded and updated version of Naked City is due out in a few weeks. .Regardless of the edition Rosin has always made it fun to read about other shows and “Naked City” is another great look back at a very different era of television. 


God, If You’re Not Up There, I’m F*cked
Darrell Hammond
Harper
10 East 53rd Street, New York, New York 10022
9780062064554, $25.99 www.amazon.comwww.harpercollins.com

I was surprised how much Hammond is willing to tell about his drug use in his autobiography “God, If You’re Not Up There I’m F*cked.”  He reveals that on his way up the ladder of stardom he became addicted to drugs very early and he gives his perception of why he thinks he has been an addict for so long.  Also he tells about his days on “Saturday Night Live” and reveals many unknown secrets about the show.  Some may find the title offensive but his message in “God, If You’re Not Up There, I’m F*cked’ is clear about how weak someone can be to any kind of addiction. 


Hoist Up Your Muffin Top and Show Me Your New Belt
Terry Ayrault
Outskirts Press Inc
Denver, Colorado
9781432788018, $12.95, www.amazon.com www.outskirtspress.com

I do not know why movies and authors insist on filling works with so much toilet humor.  “Hoist up Your Muffin Top and Show Me Your New Belt” has more than its fair share of what many will find in poor taste.  Many of the pieces are too plain, dull, and worthless tales.  “Hoist Up Your Muffin Top and Show Me Your New Belt” is not funny as it claims on the back of the book.  Instead it is a waste of paper for the hard copy and an abuse of space for the e book edition. 


Key Notes A Collection of Short Stories
William Hatfield
Privately Published
9781463691110, $7.00, www.amazon.com

“Key Notes” is filled with 7 excursions into different realms of dark and sinister warped worlds of horror fiction.  Two in particular are told in as few as 66 words making them that much more memorable.  For each story the author tells the influence that caused him to write that tale.  “Key Notes” is a quick read that gives readers a deeper appreciation for the short story genre.  


Die Laughing
Louis K. Lowy
IFWG Publishing inc
9780615518466, $12.99, www.amazon.com www.ifwgpublishing.com

“Die Laughing” is a very funny novel of science fiction that will have readers laughing out loud at the many jokes that come throughout the novel.  Aliens kidnap a two bit comedian to carry out their plan to rob the planet of some resources.  He is given the choice of stardom or saving the planet.  The author has filled the novel with interesting characters with a setting of the 1950’s that is filled with different portions of that era’s most famous stars and events.  Readers will enjoy “Die Laughing for its oddball characters and fast paced satiric look back at the 1950’s


The Necromancer’s Apprentice
R. M. Prioleau
Privately Published
9780615450462 $5.99 www.amazon.comwww.rmprioleaucom

With clearly defined characters and a very evenly paced story “The Necromancer’s Apprentice” is a memorable tale in the fantasy genre.  Jasmine Na’Darod life changes forever when she and her family are on a quest to save her mother’s life.  She becomes an unwilling participant with a strange man who will take her down a very different path toward a strange, dark, and sinister existence.  “The Necromancer’s Apprentice” is an easy to follow narrative that is a wonderful addition to the fantasy realm of fiction. 


Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolan Final Judgment
Gold Eagle
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9,

“Final Judgment” opens with a Neo Nazi group taking over a courthouse with demands for their leader to be released.  Mack Bolan is called in to end the situation but it is more complicated than other missions because he has to be careful not to harm any civilians inside the courthouse while taking out the Neo Nazis.  “Final Judgment’ roars along with great action fans of the series crave. 


Tell Me A Story Stories From A Childhood In Old New York
Bea Gold
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
97814327778002, $38.95, www.amazon.com www.outskirtspress.com

“Tell Me A Story Stories From A Childhood In Old New York” brings to life what it was like to grow up in a Jewish home in New York in a different time from the present.  She talks about her family and where many members came from, different foods related to a Jewish upbringing, the importance of family and many other long lost traditions.  “Tell Me A Story Stories From A Childhood In Old New York” is a historical coffee table book with art and writings about Jewish culture that all ages of readers should cherish and enjoy.


Musika A Delightfully Harmonic Tale of the Origin of Music
By Albeto Herrera
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
9781432788070, $25.95, www.amazon.com www.outskirtspress.com

I don’t know how true the story in “Musika” is, but it is a fun tale that shows how music in a portion of the world began. The artwork, also by the author, is a bright happy addition that adds to the spirit of the book.  Both art and prose in “Musika” show the importance of birds and music in our society.