AudiobooksNow News Archives - Page 4 of 8

Showing Compassion and a Sense of Humanity…”Wonder”, by R.L. Palacio

“It’s okay, I know I’m weird-looking, take a look, I don’t bite”…… and such is the story-line for author, R. L. Palacio’s newest book…Wonder. It has always been a mystery to me why anyone can be non-compassionate, when it comes to treating others who have challenges or frailties. If you are fortunate and blessed to be what we think of as “normal”, then that should make it compulsory to be kind and sympathetic to those who were not so fortunate. The story of August (Auggie) Pullman shows the kind side of kind people, and the cruel side of cruel people……with not all cruelty coming from his child peers……hard to believe that adults would ever be as cruel as they sometimes are.

Auggie is just 10 years old, and is starting in a private school for the first time. He has a very severe facial deformity that causes others to feel very sorry for him, or very cruel to him. He has a great attitude, as evidenced by the first sentence of this review, but even with the best attitude, his everyday life is full of very high moments as well as those dreaded low ones. Author Palacio captures the story of Auggie’s personal growth as well as others who surround him each day. It is a complicated web of emotions among family and friends as they cheer for him as he learns some of life’s hardest lessons.

Whether author Palacio had intended it or not, the book has spurred a new discussion of showing compassion and a sense of humanity when interacting with those who through no fault of their own, have physical or mental challenges. Hopefully, those who read the book, or see the movie, will either reinforce their current sensitivity toward those like Auggie, or will have a change of heart and develop the sensitivity they should have as a human being.

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The Miracle Of Dunkirk, “Dunkirk”, by Joshua Levine

We have all heard about the battle of Dunkirk with the Allied troops against Hitler’s Nazi army. It was truly a miracle that 400,000 Allied troops were trapped against the coast of Dunkirk, and sure to perish. However, 338,000 of those troops were rescued, and within eleven days were evacuated into England. Many wondered how that was possible against such a forceful army as Nazi Germany.

Author, Walter Lord took on the task of laying out the happenings of May 24, 1940 in the same methodical, deliberate method with which he wrote his most famous, acclaimed book, Titanic: A Night to Remember. It is said that he is so precise in his detail that he documented the sound in Titanic by counting the number of plates, cups, and pieces of glass that were breaking all at once. Some have said that had Lord only written that one book, he would still be the favorite author of many.

The Miracle of Dunkirk is a fast paced novel, with no explanations of how the Allied troops got themselves into that position in the first place, but jumps right into the rescue. Lord’s “in the weeds” perspective is focused on individuals, not a chain of events leading up to the battle, which some critics find to be problematic. But many wholeheartedly agree with the author’s method because he introduces interesting characters, from the soldier waiting to be rescued, to the captains dodging German torpedo boats, even including civilian day-sailors crossing the Channel to lend assistance. This rescue of so many by non-military transports surpasses any other similar attempt. Lord was totally immersed into the experiential aspect of the situation.

The Miracle of Dunkirk will be adapted to screen by Dark Knight director, Christopher Nolan. The film will be called Dunkirk and was shot in IMAX, and is a big budget film, retelling the BEF’s remarkable escape.

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Master of Military Strategy and Lethal Warfare…”Thrawn”, by Timothy Zahn

Even though Thrawn seems to be one of the most iconic villains in the history of Star Wars, many avid readers find themselves rooting for him and The Empire in the book by Timothy Zahn. Of course, they are not the good guys, but his character development is the best of any of the main characters. Author Zahn chronicles the fateful events that gave the blue-skinned, red-eyed, master of military strategy and lethal warfare his rise into the highest levels of power……and infamy.

Reviewers generally seem to approve of Thrawn more in Zahn’s book much more than in the Legend series, and much better than he is portrayed in the Rebels film series. A definite plug has been given to the audio book format. Reviewers feel that the narrator, Marc Thompson is so good that he is by far the choice to narrate all Star Wars books. Lucasfilm does a great job in creating the perfect mood with the appropriate music and sound effects. One critic says it is more like listening to a radio drama, than an audio book.

As one reviewer adequately stated: “This is a perfect character study. It’s the Thrawn we always wanted but never got in Legends, and finally, he’s in all his glory, in the Star Wars canon”.

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Follow the Evidence Before Time Runs Out…”Burial Hour”, by Jeffrey Deaver

American novelist, Jeffrey Deaver, is a number one bestselling author who has published another (the thirteenth) book in his Lincoln Rhyme thriller series. Rymes and his partner Amelia Sachs, are investigating a kidnapping that occurred in broad daylight. The only “evidence”, or calling card as some would call it, was a tiny noose left lying on the street. Then, a bizarre recording surfaces with the sound of the victim being strangled, gasps being heard, as an eerie piece of music plays in the background.

Regardless of how they made every attempt, the perpetrator got away. To their chagrin, another similar kidnapping occurs in Naples, Italy. They immediately head to Italy to combine efforts with the Italian officials, which can prove to be very complicated. They can only follow the evidence before their time runs out to find the killer, who has identified himself as The Composer.

Some critics were not so thrilled with Deaver’s insertion of his political views into The Burial Hour, which has not been done in previous installments of the series. Not sure why he would choose to alienate at least half of his readers. Usually, accomplished authors are able to avoid such personal controversy in their literary works. The readers can evaluate for themselves whether they think the addition of political ideology is pertinent or immaterial to the success of the book.

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From The Bravery on the Battlefield, to Their Journey to Recovery…”Portraits of Courage”, by George W. Bush

President George W. Bush has published a new book (Feb. 2017) that is a beautifully done tribute to some soldiers that he had to send in harm’s way after 9/11. It has been described as a vibrant collection of oil paintings depicting 66 of the soldiers, and a four-panel mural. President Bush painted the portraits, then gave the story of each soldier written in his own words.

It is a very daunting job, as President of the United States, to have to ask our military to travel into harm’s way for months, sometimes years at a time. President George W. Bush has made it his mission to create an initiative, The Military Service Initiative, to help post 9/11 veterans and their families in making a successful transition to civilian life. They also address issues such as veteran wellness, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injury. Readers can see the faces of those who answered America’s call to service, and learn life lessons from their bravery on the battlefield, but also from their journey to recovery and the contributions they are making as civilians.

Net profits from all books will be donated to the Bush Institute Military Initiative, through the George Bush Presidential Center on the Dallas campus of SMU. The exhibit is open from March 2 to October 1, 2017.

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Acting as Computers….”Hidden Figures”, by Margot Lee Shetterly

Only when she was grown and married, did author Margot Lee Shetterly discover the amazing people with whom she shared a neighborhood as she was growing up. Margot grew up in the Hampton, Virginia area, with Langley Air Force Base just miles away. Langley was the headquarters of the Aeronautical Research and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). NACA had the mission to transform flying gadgets into war machines. They were dissolved as an agency in 1958, and was replaced by the agency we all know today, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA). At that point the race for space superiority gained speed. In this fertile environment is where author Shetterly found a most miraculous story.

On the cusp of the beginning of World War II, with no computers or technology to speak of, the government needed help with their aeronautical advancement and number crunching. The solution was to hire women to shoulder the burden ……… they acted as computers, freeing the engineers to focus on their trained profession. The women were extremely successful and sharp, carrying out the task with excellence.

The author described the chosen women as both ordinary and extraordinary, as she shines a light on the women’s lives and accomplishments. The African-American women were called the West Computers, after the area to which they were assigned. Author Shetterly decided that books have been written about the astronauts, the engineers, and now it was the women’s turn to have their story told. They were at the heart of all achievements accomplished by the Center. They crunched numbers for every function of a plane, contributing to the constantly changing designs, making the flying machines of war, faster, safer, and more aerodynamic. Katherine Johnson worked on computations for Mercury and Apollo missions, and Christine Darden’s work advanced supersonic flight. In the 1970’s new technology advances made the job of the Western Computers obsolete. It is not known exactly how many women participated in the Western Computers project, since social customs of the era dictated that women could only work until they were married and had children. After that occurred, their careers were over, and they became full time homemakers and mothers.

The book has been adapted for screen, starring Octavia Spencer and Taraji P. Henson, and is now in theaters. “Langley was not just a laboratory of science and engineering…….in many ways it was a racial relations laboratory, and a gender relations laboratory, says author Shetterly.

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“The Fly Over Country”….”Hillbilly Elegy”, by J.D. Vance

It is an interesting thought that a young man from a very poor background in the Kentucky area of Appalachia can join the Marines, attend The Ohio State University, then be accepted into the prestigious Yale Law School. How does this happen? Can you even imagine how intimidated such a young man would be as he enters the stately buildings in New Haven, and Yale. And the readers must keep in mind that Vance was only 31 when writing this book.

As the two coasts call the area where Vance grew up, the “fly over” part of the country, those who have never left their area on each coast can never really understand the personal struggle of someone like J D Vance because they have not had the benefit of living in a quietly poor community, where jobs may be scarce so that a Dad might have to travel to find a job, leaving his family to handle their many struggles. The inner city struggles are much different…….more violence, drug dependency, although the “fly over country” has certainly developed its share of the drug problem. The main struggle for areas like Appalachia in Ohio is their struggle to have their problems and concerns heard by those in government. Vance’s description of his childhood and the sting of being called “redneck”, and yet the desire to lash out at anyone who utters this as an insult, is a partial explanation of why someone like Donald Trump was elected. The Appalachian people are sick of hearing empty promises from their leaders, so when a non-politician gives these people hope that actual economic help may be actually given, they showed as in Vance’s book, how conservatism gives more opportunities for advancement, not just more liberal band-aids.

Vance focuses mostly on his own personal story to try to convey that ordinary “simple” social welfare solutions are not enough. It seems that those solutions are not only inadequate for the people of Vance’s Ohio Appalachia, but for all other economically repressed areas. Vance understands this, and accuses most political leaders of over simplifying the problems, therefore, they do not solve the complicated problems. Vance attempts to give a native Appalachians view of their life and culture. “Hillbilly Elegy” is a story that demonstrates the full measure of the brokenness that wracks Appalachia, but it is also a story that exemplifies the depths of familial love and opportunity.” Perhaps through someone like Vance, bridges can be built between the perceived different cultural barriers.

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Searching for the Meaning of Existence…”A Dog’s Purpose”, by W. Bruce Cameron

The delightful novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, is a must read for anyone who enjoys animals, especially dogs. It is an interesting concept to think that one dog (Bailey) has a much shorter than expected life, but gets several more chances to answer the question many of us ask ourselves……..why am I here at this moment in time? The reader travels the journey with Bailey, as you see his world through his eyes, as he serves as a motivator and teacher for a wide spectrum of owners.

A Dog’s Purpose is currently due to premier as a soulful family film. Bailey, in his search for the meaning of his own existence, finds himself dying then coming back as a different breed of canine puppy. One of his owners is eight year old Ethan, where he has a loving relationship with the little boy, as they have countless adventures together. The story gives a dog’s eye view of the importance of human-animal bonding, which is a very popular subject in human mental and physical health. Bailey, in his various lives, teaches his human owners the importance of believing that love never dies, that our most important friends never leave us, and that “every creature on earth has a purpose”.

The screen adaptation of A Dog’s Purpose is directed by Lasse Hallstrom (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, etc), and produced by Gavin Polone (TV’s Gilmore Girls). Josh Gad is the voice of Bailey with actors Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, Peggy Lipton, and Dennis Quaid. The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures.

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Love Choices, Sarcasm and The Love for Princess Leia…”Princess Diarist”, by Carrie Fisher

Many have written reviews of The Princess Diarist by author and actor, Carrie Fisher. Some were dated before her very untimely, sad death, followed closely by the death of her Mother, Debbie Reynolds. They were so very close, that many have surmised that Debbie passed from a broken heart when she lost her beloved daughter. It is with respect and sadness that this review is written.

Upon discovering the journals which had been left under floor boards for forty years, author Carrie Fisher decided to write a memoir of sorts that commemorated her iconic first film, Star Wars that was shown in 1977. Back then, Carrie was just a teenager who made the usual awkward mistakes that many experience, except that hers were recorded and published for all to see, given her new celebrity status, and the Hollywood Royalty that were her Mother and Father (Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher). It is difficult enough for the average child to go through the breakup of their parents, but one can only imagine how bizarre it must have been to have been a child involved in the Liz Taylor, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds triangle. The press had a field day, which caused great sorrow for Debbie and her daughter.

The Princess Diarist has been described as extremely honest, humorous, and sad all at the same time. The torture it must have been on the Hollywood “roller coaster”, when one minute you are the latest darling in your metal bikini, and the next minute those same people treat you with such cruelty.
Carrie Fisher speaks about herself…….about her addictions, her bad choices in love, her sarcasm, and her love for Princess Leia. “It is a look inside the head of a young, inexperienced woman, who loved the wrong man, and fell into sudden fame……..funny, wise and insightful…….a great read for women, who are Star Wars fans, and have loved Han Solo for as long as they could remember”.

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Shaking Up the Establishment…”Great Again: How To Fix Our Crippled America”, By Donald J. Trump

If you have read a biography of author and businessman, Donald J. Trump, you already know that he is the definition of the American success story. He is constantly upgrading the standards of excellence, while at the same time, increasing his interests in real estate, sports, and entertainment. Mr. Trump has written more than fifteen books, with his first book, The Art of the Deal, being a classic and iconic book in the business field. Mr. Trump was himself, a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance.

Crippled America: How To Make America Great Again, is Mr. Trump’s latest book. He calls this book a blueprint of how to Make America Great Again. His idea is that the country just needs someone who can courageously say exactly what needs to be done, and it does not happen through career politicians.

To quote Mr. Trump: “I am shaking up the establishment on both sides of the political aisle”………. because he is a different kind of candidate who did not take money from special interest groups during the primary campaign. He spent his own funds to run his campaign until he received the Republican nomination. Through staying above the usual handouts for money, Mr. Trump has established his agenda for bringing America back to greatness and prosperity.
Excerpt……..”We need someone with a proven track record in business, who understands greatness, someone who can rally us to the standard of excellence we once epitomized and explain what needs to be done.”

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