This collection of short essays provides thoughtful insights in easily digestible pieces from a very interesting writer. The author presents esoteric concepts in a manner that a non-scholar can easily process (because I am by no means a scholar on medieval Jewish thought, I believe I speak with authority on this). The topics range widely from understanding the importance of completing difficult tasks to contemplating the difference between law and justice (with a surprising reference to a Jason Statham movie that worked rather well). The accessible yet thought-provoking nature of the essays makes this a book I will return to often, and I look forward to reading other works by this author.

The concept of this book is intriguing, and I do think the author should continue developing the world and characters already established. That said, as other reviewers have mentioned, the book needs a more active editor to help address grammar and structure problems which take away from the story. I wouldn’t recommend this book necessarily, but would look to see what the author improves in the second book.

I received this as part of the Early Reviewers program. I also thoroughly enjoyed the trivia, and at times became utterly stumped despite what I consider to be a fair understanding of Israeli and Jewish history. This would be a fun book to keep near the dinner table or next to a comfy chair to periodically quiz family members (possibly to determine who does certain chores?). If you enjoy trivia and fancy a challenge, this book would be for you!

As someone with an interest in overland camping, I was excited to receive this book through LT Early Reviewers. If you are new to the concept, it can be relatively daunting. This book lays out the core concepts, basic necessities and more advanced ideas, and includes a variety of product recommendations and ratings. Overall, this is a good introduction and makes for a decent little coffee table book too!

I received this book as part of LT Early Reviewers. As a concept, this book had me very excited to read it. I enjoy spy/action novels, and one set around the 1953 Iranian coup? Sign me up! The book itself was disappointing though, as the author uses a lot of board room lingo (unironically using synergy for example) and the characters never felt natural to me. This detracted from the story a bit, but it may appeal more to people that use that language regularly. Overall, interesting concept but difficult for me to get through. I hope the author continues writing and refining their craft because if they could make the characters livelier the stories are there.

While I enjoyed the overall story and pace of the book, I wish the characters had more depth. That said, it is a debut novel and there is a lot the author can play with to write both prequels and sequels (a collection of short stories revolving around the main character's deep sea treasure hunting for example would be a must-read for me).
If you're looking for a fun mystery/adventure with an interesting plot and don't mind hanging with a new author while they find their voice, I would definitely recommend snagging a copy of this book. It would make for a very nice airplane or pool-side read!

If you're looking for an accessible overview of the key elements of the two great wars of the last century, this would be a good option. It is well written in short, digestible snippets, and the author does a good job of touching on key points without bogging down the reader.

That said, I think the title is a little misleading as there aren't a lot of "weird stories" included. Rather, they're just "the" facts, nothing about Hitler and Churchill having the same favorite author for example.

I'm glad I read it, and kudos to the author for making an accessible account of two events where it is easy to get lost in the minutiae.

Note: I received this book as part of the Early Reviewers program.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in understanding international relations, US history, and of course, military strategy. This is not some dry, dusty tome that only bespectacled historians can enjoy, as Hooker uses a very engaging writing style that makes even some of the more outwardly droll concepts (for example breaking down the civilian-military relationship and the role of the military in national politics) quite entertaining.

Hooker begins by approaching US grand strategy at a very high level, giving the reader a solid foundation, before delving deeper into key aspects of the broader strategy (e.g. maritime, air power, land power). While this is a book that should be mandatory for certain sectors (State Department, the Armed Forces, and any politician worth their salt), it is also highly consumable for someone with little knowledge of military strategy. And honestly, the aforementioned civilian-military section could almost be considered required reading for high school civics classes.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the book for me are the case studies Hooker contemplates, including US engagement in Grenada and Somalia (with which I was largely unfamiliar). He applies the criteria he outlines early in the book to evaluate these engagements, giving the reader concrete examples to contemplate when considering US involvement in future engagements. For example, he asks show more the question of whether or not Grenada truly was a crisis, comparing it to other similar events in the LATAM region.

All told, this book will be one I revisit frequently as the US continues to navigate the difficult waters of 21st century geopolitics. show less

Pappe presents a well-researched account of the Occupied Territories, which is approachable so long as the reader has a basic understanding of the region’s past… and the ability to overcome his writing style. Not a dispassionate writer (and nor should he be in his particular role as a respected revisionist), the tone he strikes and the rhetorical style he uses can be a bit off-putting for some readers. With this in mind, his work does a fantastic job opening up a world that many would rather keep hidden. Pappe cracks into the minds of the leaders from the 1948 War of Independence and, using new documents, unveils many disturbing intentions. From there, he follows the same process through to near present-day, revealing the darker side of Israel’s history. This book should be found in the library of any serious (or amateur) historian interested in the Palestinian people.

I'm not a teacher, but my wife is - so I hear a lot about differentiating in a high school science environment. I read this book and asked a lot of questions. The format of the book is approachable and has a LOT of great information for biology teachers. I wasn't able to follow through on any of the options presented, but my wife thoroughly enjoyed reading it and discussing with her peers. Recommended for teachers of biology (of course).

I received this book from the Early Reviewers a few weeks ago, and I'm totally ripped now. Well... not really. But this book does do a great job of explaining how to organize your fitness regimen, the importance of diet and general nutrition, and the importance of balance in your exercise routine. I have started integrating several of the recommended workouts into my normal routine, and I'm pleased with the results.

Probably not a coffee table book unless you're really into looking at shredded abs though!

My line of work is managing change - so this book was right up my alley. The author does a great job of organizing the issues he sees businesses face, bringing in examples from his own experiences to really drive the points home. I have recommended this book to several of my colleagues as I believe there is some significant value in understanding these obstacles. Understandably, the author does continue to plug his program - I mean, it is all about sales, right? So if you don't mind the occasional plug, I would recommend this to everyone interested in improving their enterprise.

I received this as part of the Early Reviewers. I do not suffer from gastrointestinal issues, however I did appreciate the way this book presented the issues associated with them. Many books will portray their diet as THE solution to all of your woes. The author was very careful to explain how their approach would take time, but could help you pinpoint specific dietary issues. The book itself was very approachable and I would recommend it to anyone who thinks they may be suffering from some form of GI problem - it can help you understand how to identify even the smallest issue. For example, it turns out that apples upset my stomach - which is sad because I thoroughly enjoy apples! But I also enjoy uninterrupted road trips...

This book was a very readable account of some of the main figures in Norman history. If you're looking for a scholarly work, this isn't for you. However, if you're looking for something to read casually, it's a very enjoyable book. Brownworth does a good job at breaking the pieces into manageable chunks - so you could easily read this book on lunch breaks, travel, etc. The author engages the reader by making the historical figures very human, without over-doing it as many popular historians do.

I'd recommend this to anyone interested in getting more involved in the time period, especially if they have little background in the era.

Note: If you don't want to read the book or you'd like a nice supplement, Brownworth has also assembled a podcast around this book. I read the book and then listened to the podcast, and they are almost identical.

A great introduction to the concepts of climate change, but if you are looking for something more in depth or cutting edge, this book isn't for you. Now, if you happen to be looking for a book to introduce someone to the concept of global climate change who might be a bit reticent, this would be a great book. The convenience of the language used lends itself to the casual reader, and won't put off someone who might be concerned about "a bunch of science-talk mumbo-jumbo."

Zebrowski also arranges the book in a very reader-friendly way. He builds on previous chapters extremely well, but each section could easily stand alone for a quick refresher. If you want a boring, science-journal-style piece of writing, this book won't be for you. Great read and very well written.

This is a great collection of Safieh's works. Perhaps if you are brand-new to the Palestinian situation you might be better off reading other works first to develop a basic understanding of the situation. At the same time, even if you are brand new the to the situation, you would be given a great deal of insight from one of the greatest minds involved with the process by reading this collection. The only thing I wish would have been included is additional comments at the end of each section by Safieh discussing his thoughts more in depth or addressing recent events and how his earlier works related to them.

All around this is a must-have for anyone interested in Palestine.

The Gnoll Credo is a pretty fun read, even if it is a bit disjointed. This is the kind of book that would do well in a reading group, because it raises a lot of questions which it then leaves unexplored. The fantasy aspect leaves something to be desired if you have no imagination, otherwise the lack of detail allows the reader to imagine a great deal more than Stanton could fit between the covers. Parts of the book really blur the lines of standard fantasy and academic reporting, which can leave a reader befuddled if they don't have the cognizance required to step outside boundaries.

An enjoyable read for anyone who wants a fun story of awkward friendship and cultural clashes.

This book offers an easy to follow overview of the energy crisis facing the world. If you have a friend who wants to learn more about the issues right around the corner, this book would serve as a good minimally-politically first foray into the field. Also, you do not need a geophysics degree to understand it.

At times it can be a bit folksy. At times the authors are a bit hard on themselves, leaving some concern about their overall credibility. This leads the reader to believe that they really are just presenting facts, as they know too little about the crisis to be trying to distort anything.

Overall the authors present all of the information they could get their hands on in an enjoyable format. Worth picking up if you are concerned about what needs to be done to avoid walking to work in the future.

While I normally enjoy a good hero story as much as the next man, this book glorifies Amihai Paglin's role in what could be deemed terrorist activities. Setting my biases aside, I was able to enjoy the book as a more intimate history of the IZL. Most of the literature I have come across has led me to believe these men were terrorist thugs. While this book did not assuage my concerns, it did present these men in a more human light. I feel that I understand the struggle these men went through more after reading this book, than after all of the textbooks I have pored over. The intimate details the author provides, mostly through interviews, made me more aware of why they took the actions they took. The members of the IZL also tried diligently to avoid civilian casualties, unlike the terrorists they are sometimes compared to.
A good book for anyone interested in Israel, it's foundation or the fall of British rule in the region.

Albom tends to write a lot of interesting thoughts regarding end-of-life experience. So, I went into this book thinking that it would be just another rendition of Tuesday’s with Morrie. I was not disappointed. have a little faith combines two stories into one book, juxtaposing an aging rabbi with an upstart preacher. Albom is asked to give the eulogy for his rabbi, by his rabbi. Throughout the course of an eight year friendship, Mitch develops a better understanding of what faith means to him. The meetings between two sometimes verge on lecture, while at others it seems like two friends chatting about the weather. The story is of how a powerful man like the Reb maintains his faith during the final years of his life, and how that touches Albom.

As a counterpart, Albom introduces Henry. Henry was a drug-peddling, drug-using failure. Then he found Jesus. His story is one of redemption and what someone can do with his life if they have faith in the Lord. Henry has taken over a run-down church in Detroit, which he uses to care for homeless people in the area. Throughout the course of this friendship, Albom realizes that Henry is not that different from his own Reb. Both came from humble beginnings, struggling to make their house of worship work. Both inspire their congregants with powerful words. Both do great deeds, while asking very little for themselves.

The two stories take place at the same time and the reader is treated to an insight into how the author changes during show more this time. On that level, it’s just another Tuesday’s with Morrie. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad read. It’s actually rather moving and inspirational, despite being, at times, a bit overdone. Also, some of the best bits are the wisdom on life passed on by the Reb and by Henry. Albom learns a lot about his man-of-the-world lifestyle might not be the thing most worth striving for in life. The two men of God challenge his belief system in such a way that he transitions into a faithful, if not God-fearing, man. show less

This book is an informative and accessible guide to ALS. The terminology is kept reasonably simple, while still maintaining a tone that shows command of the subject.

The information it provides for family care-givers is extremely useful, and again, accessible. You don't have to have an MD to understand and utilize the information that is packed into this guide.

It also provides a great guide to those who have ALS. From diagnosis to treatment, the information lets people know what to expect. It covers different types of care environment, drug options and rehabilitation options, along with a wide variety of other issues. It even covers end-of-life issues, which is something that is always difficult to cope with.

This book is highly readable and delves deeper than just the conflict and the politics behind it. Galloway shows the personally destructive force of war through three main characters. The changes wrought upon them can speak to more than just the tragedy of the Siege of Sarajevo. The story speaks to all conflict, all violence, the destructive forces in the world that threaten to remove from us our humanity. The people in this book make decisions to embrace their humanity, despite the consequences.

Moving and well worth the read.

Abramovitch is one of the unsung heroes of the last sixty years of Jewish history. His work with the common people supplying necessary aid such as clothing and education have allowed a great people to flourish.

This book outlines his work from the rise of Nazism to the post-Cold War era. All of which Abramovitch does modestly, never over emphasizing his role in the JDC.

Worth a look if you enjoy Jewish history, world history, or just an interesting, in-depth view of the last sixty years from the stand-point of a very interesting man.

I read this book in college for a German history class. Recently, I reread it and it seems even more striking today. The basic human traits make the characters highly relatable, and struggling to start a family in this current political and economic environment make me understand them even more. Fallada's book will always be a dear favorite to me.

The first time I had read this treat from Bradbury. The collection of shorts tie together seamlessly to produce an amazing collection. All of the stories explore aspects of humanity set in an inhuman environment and lead us to new conclusions about what humanity really is. I won't say much more, because this collection is a classic and has been reviewed by better people than I.

Well researched and an excellent source for understanding the politics of Michoacan. A bit hard to read for all of the details, but it is definitely worth the time if Mexico or Latin America is your area of interest.

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Tolan brings you into the character's lives in such a way that the story really hits home. Historically accurate and just an amazing read. I really hope more people find this book.

I had a professor of Japanese history who argued that this book was actually meant to praise modernity and mock the old ways. I agree with him wholeheartedly after a few more reads.

Zinn addresses some interesting points. However, there are other authors out there who do a much better job with these histories.