Category: Non Fiction/Memoirs - GRANT LEISHMAN

a rubber face with a stripper's name by katja berg

13/8/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Katja Berg is your average, every-day, solo-mum who has gone through the trials and tribulations of falling in love with the wrong person and being left saddled with two children and a mountain of debts by her wastrel partner. A Rubber Face with a Stripper’s Name is her poignant story of her struggle to cope with the pressures of everyday life that being left in that situation can put on you. Born and raised in Denmark, Katja emigrated to Britain when she was eighteen and followed her love of flowers into opening up her own floral shop in Richmond, London. The birth of her twins Pepper and Magnus and the realisation that her partner and “soul-mate” Casper was a cheat, a liar, and a thief from their own savings and business, meant she had to face the dilemma of debt collectors, bailiffs and family court, while still trying to bring a sense of normalcy to her children’s lives and somehow find her own inner peace. We follow Katja as she attempts to navigate the judgements of other parents, family and friends whilst still trying to find her own happiness again, in the world of being a single mother.

It is true what they say that the best memoirs are often those of ordinary people, just like ourselves. We can all find something to identify with, in Katja Berg’s emotional and at times heart-wrenching story of love, loss and friendship. As a solo-father myself (for a period) I could readily identify with the struggles she went through. Berg said she wrote A Rubber Face with a Strippers Name to reach out to all solo-mums and tell them one simple thing; “you are not alone”. I think there is something in this simple story for any reader to extract. The essence that came across the most, to me, from Berg’s story was simply; friendship is something that must be treasured and it is not our right to judge anyone for their choices in life. We have no comprehension of the road they are walking and all we need do for our friends is be supportive, be there and listen – but don’t judge. The writing is clear, simple and to the point, with no restraint on language. There is no attempt to varnish the truth or hide from her own shortcomings. Berg understands that both parties in a relationship are responsible for the growth and development of their partnership. I thoroughly enjoyed this simple read and took much from the author’s perspective on life.

You can find A Rubber Face with a Stripper's Name, here, on Katja Berg's Amazon page:

malice intent: is love worth dying for? by alba castillo

28/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

For those of us fortunate and blessed to be brought up in a loving, protective and supportive family, it is sometimes difficult to understand that is not always the case for everyone. In Malice Intent, Alba Castillo shows us what potential disasters can confront us when we make poor decisions in life, for ourselves and those we love. Born in the small town of Santa Ynez in Spain to a strict Catholic family, Alba was a rebel from the beginning. Determined to break free from the life that seemed pre-planned for her in Santa Ynez, she left home early, to begin what seems like an aimless trek to find herself and her future. Pregnancy and motherhood did not dampen Alba’s desire to search for her destiny, but it was when she moved to America that her life truly fell apart and she began to spiral down in the depths of her own personal hell, which would include; domestic abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, illness, and a morbid desire to self-sabotage. Working her way through her travails and pain, she finally came to the one immutable conclusion; that the only person capable of changing our destiny is ourselves and that the power to do so is inside of all of us.

Malice Intent is a powerful book that explores some nasty and horrible topics, but partly because it is done through the prism of both the perpetrator and, indeed, the victim; the Author Alba Castillo, it is one that is both readable and insightful. Despite a large part of the story reading like one enormous “pity party” and a litany of horrors, what comes through loud and clear is the acceptance that we are the master of our own lives and we have to take control of what we can control; that we all have the power within ourselves to change our own future. I particularly appreciated the author’s courage to put her dysfunctional life out there in the open, for all to see. I have no doubt writing this was cathartic for the author, but equally it stands as a beacon of hope for others in a similar situation. The author’s writing style is plain, simple, and no-holds barred. She tells it like it is and opens her life, her decisions and her mistakes up for our examination and perhaps even judgement. This was an extremely easy book to read and one that would be of immense benefit to anyone who has experienced abuse or addiction in their lives. It is a timely reminder that; “there but for the grace of God, go I” and I would highly recommend reading it.

You can find Malice Intent, here on Alba Castillo's Amazon Page:

from hell to fire: book 1 sex and politics by allison brooks

10/6/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Allison Brooks was not your typical African-American young woman growing up on the mean streets of Compton during the eighties and nineties. She loved her music, probably more than anything else, but she knew she had to find a job that paid well and offered job security. Despite the paucity of woman fire fighters at the time, Allison set her heart on earning a permanent place on the professional fire fighting staff of Compton (L.A.). Based on true-life events, but fictionalised, From Hell to Fire, author Allison Brooks tells her story of prejudice, chauvinism and downright meanness she would face as one of the few woman professional fire fighters in the Mid 1990’s. Allison quickly discovered that politics and sex were two of the biggest components of a professional fire fighter’s life. Daily she would confront the outright sexism and unfairness a woman in that position was subjected to. This story is book one of the Allison Brooks story, with no doubt, much more to come.

From Hell to Fire is a no-holds barred look at life in a tough profession, at the best of times, but as a woman, even tougher. Allison Brooks tells the story in the vernacular of the street and doesn’t pull any punches, both as a professional fire fighter and as an African-American woman living in Compton. This hard-edged style certainly gave the story the “street credibility” it probably needed. What I particularly liked about the story was that interspersed among the tales of daily life in the fire station were some absolute philosophical gems expounding on the authors views on men, women, music, sexism, unfairness and life in general. Her explanation of the six types of women out there was both funny and insightful. There was a strong vein of self-doubt running through the entire book, which contrasted greatly with the self-assured professional that Allison portrayed to the outside world, especially to her colleagues in the Fire Department. This definitely gave the main character (the Shero, if you will) a much warmer edge than may otherwise have been the case. As a first novel (cum memoir) this was a solid first effort. I look for more depth and tightness in the sequel.

You can take a look at From Hell to Fire by Allison Brooks, here on Amazon:

winds of skilak: volume 2 by bonnie rose ward

9/5/2018

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Winds of Skilak Volume 2 is the continuation of the memoir of Bonnie Rose Ward and her husband Sam’s adventure on Caribou Island in the middle of Skilak lake, deep in the wilds of Alaska. These two modern-day pioneers literally carved a living out of nothing on Caribou Island. At times, especially winter, Bonnie and Sam would be the only occupants, of this lonely, snow-swept and freezing part of the Alaskan wilderness. Like true pioneers Sam and Bonnie would build their own cabins, hunt and track all sorts of wildlife for food, plant and harvest their own vegetables and live the true life of adventurers on the very frontiers of civilisation. Although they occasionally would have company to break the loneliness and the daily grind of living “off the grid” for the most part it was the indomitable belief this couple had in each other and an unshakeable faith that would sustain them through many trials and tribulations.

As a reader, I find all memoirs quite fascinating – it’s like being invited in to share the most intimate parts of a stranger’s life and thoughts. When the memoir details experiences as rich, diverse and for us simple city dwellers, so outside of our comfort zones, as Winds of Skilak Volume 2 does, the pleasure is doubled or even tripled. I haven’t read Volume 1, but that certainly wasn’t important. Right from the first page of this story, you are drawn into a world far from anything few of us will ever experience. I marvelled at the sheer grit and determination of both Sam and Bonnie Rose Ward. For Bonnie, living out in that wilderness, with little or at times no other female company on the island, was tough, but she took it all in her stride, with humour, faith and a positive attitude. Her writing is fresh, clear and even she admits to not having the words to describe many of the beauties of the Alaskan wilderness. As someone who can only ever dream of an adventure like this, I love the fact that Bonnie and Sam, through this book allowed me to share theirs, vicariously. If you love true life adventure tales, this book is an absolute “must read” for you.

You can take a look at both Volumes 1 & 2 of the Winds of Skilak, here on Bonnie Rose Ward's Amazon page:

follow your bliss: how to start living the life of your dreams by angela cecilia

8/4/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Follow Your Bliss: How to Start Living the Life of Your Dreams by Angela Cecilia is a self-help book that, follows the precepts of the Law of Attraction as espoused in The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and the plethora of books that have emerged since Byrne first took the world by storm back in 2006. The title itself was alluded to by Joseph Campbell when he stated (paraphrased): “If you follow your bliss, doors will open.” Cecilia has covered, in this book, many of the limiting factors that preclude us, as human beings from achieving happiness. Some of the areas she specifically looks at include: Learning to Love Yourself, Blame, Gratitude, Dreams, Forgiveness, Leadership, plus many more. As the title indicates, Cecilia shows, through reference to her own personal struggles, how following your bliss is the most certain way to achieving the life you were meant for and intended for. She lays out a clear path that readers can follow to emulate the success that took her thirty something years to achieve.

When I first picked up Follow Your Bliss: How to Start Living the Life of Your Dreams, my immediate reaction was; “here we go again, another Law of Attraction ride on Rhonda Byrne’s coat-tails”. I am pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised by the no-nonsense, practical approach to discovering your true potential, presented by author Angela Cecilia. By using her own life, fraught as it was with loathing and self-hate, as an example of what to do and what to change, she made the learning process highly personal and deeply resonant with me. To answer one of the fears she had raised when writing the book. “Yes, this material has all been covered by others hundreds of times, but yes, you did find something new, something real and something touching to me, personally and I’m sure other readers will find exactly the same thing.” Two quotes the author used in the book struck right to my heart. 1/ If you strive for conformity, everyone else will love you, except yourself. And 2/ We are spiritual beings undertaking a human experience, not the other way around. This book is full of insightful and practical advice and I can definitely recommend it to someone seeking solutions to their own unhappiness.

You can pop on over to Amazon, if you wish, and take a look at Follow Your Bliss: How to Start Living the Life of your Dreams by Angela Cecilia

rock candy mountain: a memoir by earl davis

26/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Rock Candy Mountain, by Earl Davis is a quite different type of memoir in that it focuses on just a short period of the author’s life, up until the age of fourteen, with most of the story revolving around a two-year period when he was thirteen. Born in the backblocks of Kentucky, Earl Davis just wanted to experience the world and at the age of thirteen, in the early 1900’s, he headed off from his shanty home, leaving behind an alcoholic, but hardworking, father and a loving mother to see what was beyond the mountains of his Kentucky home. Using the time-honoured method of the day, jumping freight trains and blinding passenger trains, Earl managed to crisscross the United States, and even briefly made it into Canada, finally ending up in Texas, lured by dreams of being a cowboy. Along the way, Earl grew up very quickly and realised the harshness of life, as well as the incredible kindness and heart of many people.

This book gives us a fascinating insight into life at the turn of the last century, in a dirt-poor State, like Kentucky. The authors descriptions of the beauty of his home state and especially his home town, with its freezing winters and its stifling summers, was a simple joy to read. Seeing all of this, through the eyes of a young boy and watching him develop, grow and learn many of life’s hard lessons, is what lifts Rock Candy Mountain above most memoirs I have read. Earl Davis invites us into his own private world and we are privy to the thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams of a often scared and lonely, but always game, young man. I found the style of this telling refreshingly simple and a joy to read. The highlight, for me, was the realisation that even in the depths of poverty; many ordinary people would go out of their way to help this young waif. Earl learnt many important lessons on life in this two year sojourn that would undoubtedly set him up for his future life. I can highly recommend this read. It is a deeply personal and touching insight into a time and ways, long forgotten.

Pop on over to Amazon and take a look at Rock Candy Mountain. It is well worth a perusal.

the wizard and the owl: of truth and wisdom by daniel socha

14/3/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Answer all the big questions of life in just a forty page book on Kindle – Yeah right! Well, that is exactly what Daniel Socha sets out to do in his book, The Wizard and the Owl: Of Truth and Wisdom. Socha attacks the big issues with a simple Socratic dialogue between an Owl and a Wizard. The Owl is seeking enlightenment and understanding from the wise Wizard, but the Wizard wants the Owl to come to his own understanding, so asks him questions that will make him think and ponder, to come up with the solutions to the questions himself. The author covers most of the big questions in life, including, but certainly not limited to: Death, Religion, Discipline, Forgiveness, Reincarnation, Anger, Love and a whole host of other issues we all ponder from time to time. He certainly doesn’t pretend to have the answer to everything, but what he does is makes you question your beliefs and consider other options.

I loved this neat little book, The Wizard and the Owl: Of Truth and Wisdom by Daniel Socha, if only because the author is not trying to ram a particular philosophy of life down the reader’s throats, but is merely asking questions that makes the Owl and by extension, the reader think long and hard about their own beliefs and where they were formed. Certainly, the book relies heavily on Buddhist philosophy, but at the end of the day, as much of that ties in with my own particular beliefs, it certainly did resonate with me. What I particularly liked was that Socha did not suggest he was the font of all knowledge. On more than one occasion the Wizard was forced to concede to the Owl; “well, we just don’t know, do we? We’ll have to wait and find out”. What was my best take from this pocket philosophy treatise? For me, it was the idea that we have to live in the present and the thoughts and actions of today will determine our happiness and life tomorrow. This is well worth a read and I highly recommend it, if you want to do some serious thinking and introspection.

Leader of the Pack: How a Single Dad of Five Led His Kids, His Business and Himself From Disaster to Success BY MATT SWEETWOOD

23/2/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

To all single parents out there (not just Dads) Leader of the Pack by Matt Sweetwood, should be required reading before you embark on your own journey of trying to raise children without a loving and caring spouse beside you. Matt, found himself in an abusive and destructive relationship when he married the beautiful and beguiling Charlotte. A man tortured by his own low self-esteem who manages to rationalise his own awful behaviour and neglect of his children’s needs by assuring himself that he is lucky to have gotten Charlotte to even look at him, let alone marry him (Phew! Haven’t we all been there!) It takes Matt, his family and his finances to reach the lowest nadir before he finally wakes up and takes action to deal with this abusive wife and mother. He learns a lot about himself during this long journey into the depths of “hell”, but does he learn enough to stop himself from making the same mistake all over again, the second time around?

Leader of the Pack is the most powerful personal memoir I’ve read in a very long time. Perhaps it was because the circumstances Matt describes hit so close to home for me, but nevertheless, one can but admire the author’s courage in bringing this, much too common problem, out into the light and exposing the insanity of his thought processes that led him down the road he travelled. I found the narrative of this harrowing tale so compelling I literally could not stop reading it. Readers will groan in disbelief at places and shout at the main character (Matt himself!) asking; “what were you thinking?” but all through it, the man’s simple desire to just be happy and to raise his five children the best way he can, comes shining through. Although this is specifically about Male solo dads and that is part of Matt’s advocacy, many of the circumstances faced by Matt are equally applicable to both sexes in a violent, abusive, co-dependent relationship. If I could give this book more than five stars, I surely would. Congratulations on such a frank and honest memoir, Matt Sweetwood.

You can pop on over to Amazon and check out Leader of the Pack on Matt Sweetwood's Amazon page here:

riding for the brand by lawrence h. lee

31/1/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
Riding For The Brand by Lawrence H. Lee is an autobiography of the working life of Larry Lee, of Western Airlines on the West Coast of the USA. Larry started at Western Airlines in the early days, at the age of just sixteen, as a junior stock clerk and through his over forty years of service he rose, through the ranks, to be, at various times, President, Chairman and CEO of Western Airlines. He oversaw the airline through its most difficult period that struck all airlines in the US, during deregulation of the air, in the 1980’s. At times, just days away from declaring bankruptcy, Lee, with his dogged determination, his love of Western and his belief in the people at the airline, he cajoled, managed and inspirationally led Western out of the mire and into profit. Resigning prior to Western’s eventual demise, with merger to Delta airline, this book tells the story of an upright, moral man determined to make a mark in the company and the industry he loved.

It became clear, after finishing Riding For The Brand, that Lawrence H. Lee and his beloved wife Margie are no longer with us, both having passed away, within months of each other in 2017, after an incredible 70 years of marriage. As a tribute, I assume by their children, to their father, the publication of this book could not be a more fitting record of what can be achieved with grit, determination and belief, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Although some might find passages of the book to by a little dry, I don’t count myself as one of those. There are plenty of humorous and fascinating anecdotes to keep the reader amused and as an insight into the rarefied world of both the airline industry and large corporations, I found this book to be both insightful and fascinating. Ultimately though, this story is about one man, a man of courage and conviction who was not only prepared to put his beliefs on the line, but also had faith in others around him to follow his lead. Lawrence H. Lee was a wonderful business leader and a decent human being. This book is a fitting tribute to the man, his story and the airline that he loved with a passion.

power to the people by colin griffiths

29/12/2017

Power To The People by Colin Griffiths was a little bit of a disappointment for me. I had read much of Griffiths' fictional work, which I had enjoyed very much. His story-telling was well known for its twists and turns and clever characterisations. Books such as; Mother, Dolls House and A Life For A Life were all very enjoyable reads. Here Griffiths has given us a partial memoir of his working life in the Steel Worker's Union. It is written in Griffiths' usual no-hold's barred, take-no-prisoners manner, but for me it could have been so, so much more than it was. It read like a summary of a working lifetime, with the main points highlighted.

The story of one of the most powerful unions, at its height, in all of Britain, told by a senior Union official could have been fascinating, even scandalous, but instead I was left not really understanding the intricacies of the operations, the people involved or indeed Griffiths' own involvement in the organisation. He assumed the reader had way too much understanding of how unions worked and were structured and so gave little if no guidance on bringing the reader to this knowledge. Much of the memoir was Griffiths' own unchallenged and often unsupported opinion of particulars players within the Union, their motivations, their weaknesses and their failings. There's nothing wrong with an opinion, but I did find it a little wearisome as I read. There were times it all seemed so rushed, that I couldn't help but wonder if it had been angrily pounded out in one late-night sitting with a bottle of Famous Grouse by his side.

I enjoyed the read (and it's not a long one), but I would hope the author would consider rewriting the story, with more structure, more emphasis on events and the people that made those events happen and less emphasis on personal vitriol and/or personal glorification. As I said, this memoir could be so much more than it is.

You can pop on over to Amazon to check out Power To The People by Colin Griffiths:

searching for the shire: memoir of a co-dependent housewife by florence st. john

4/12/2017

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Searching For The Shire by Florence St. John takes us on a journey of self-discovery through one woman’s life. Florence had always felt tolerated, rather than unconditionally loved, as a child and she spent her adult years seeking acceptance and yes, love, through a series of relationships and/or marriages that, it seemed were almost convenient, rather than for all the right reasons. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, at a time when women were stretching their arms and seeking more from the world, Florence decided to take the route of least resistance, that of marriage and motherhood. This would lead her eventually to the realisation that she was co-dependant and always needed other’s approval for her own happiness. In time, she will discover that it is okay to say “No” and it is okay to worry about your own personal mental health, than to always focus on “fixing up” others.

As someone who has lived a co-dependent relationship, in the past, I found Searching For The Shire to be a clarion call to my psyche. Reading Florence St. John’s words and deeds, I experienced many “Aha” moments as I was able to relate to her “need to be needed”. I suspect this issue is felt more intensely by women, but as a man, who has experienced these issues, I was very easily able to relate to her thought processes and decision making. At the end of the day, this book can give real hope and a path out of co-dependency for anyone suffering from this. The book is simply a summation of St. John’s life that led her to the point of needing to find an answer to her continual problems. My biggest takes from this story were 1/ It’s okay to be alone and 2/ How can you expect anyone else to love you unconditionally, when you don’t even love yourself? I think this book would prove very useful for those suffering from co-dependency or feelings of inadequacy.

Do pop on over to Florence St. John's Amazon page and check out her full portfolio of books:

the greatest gift by manuel viamonte jr. m.d.

27/11/2017

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The story of life is attempted by Manuel Viamonte Jr. M.D. in his book The Greatest Gift. Beginning from the very origins of the Universe, the author takes us through a journey from the formation of stars and our planet, right through to the ultimate creation(?), humanity. He leads us up to the present day and ask some deep and compelling questions: Does God Exist? What is our Purpose? Do we have a soul? How can we make our lives fulfilling and worthwhile? Viamonte puts forward his own prescription for a happy and healthy life, one that appears to lean heavily, but not exclusively, on modern, “new age”, thought, especially as it is applicable to “The Law of Attraction”. He offers us a vision on how to live each day to achieve our full potential as human beings.

Although the early parts of the story do rely heavily on some understanding of basic physics and the origins of the universe, for this non-scientific layman, it was written in such a way as to be (almost) totally understandable. The very nature of the breadth of this subject meant, given the relative size of the book, many of the topics could only be given a superficial brush-over and mention in passing. That having been said, the focus on day-to-day living and what is truly important to us to live full and contributing lives was well put together and extremely persuasive. Manuel Viamonte Jr. M.D. has clearly done his research and the references were extensive and exhaustive. What do we take from The Greatest Gift? Well, the greatest gift, is simply, life itself and it is up to us, as individuals, to use that life wisely, well, and with consideration for all others of our society; all other humans, animals, plants, and the environment in general. Harmony is the key to making The Greatest Gift work for us all.

You can see The Greatest Gift by Manuel Viamonte Jr. M.D. here on Amazon:

Borderline, the Illusion of Insanity: True stories about three generations of women affected by BPD by Florence St. John

19/11/2017

Reviewed For readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Three generations of women, all suffering from the same malady – Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This is the scenario presented to us by Florence St. John, in her memoir Borderline. As parents, we’ve all made that promise that we won’t treat our children in the same “awful” way our parents treated us. No, we will do things differently. Although Florence made all those same promises to herself about her own daughter, she soon came to realise that, in many ways, her daughter was a representation of herself growing up, with all the same anxieties and doubts that she had experienced. Florence takes us on a journey of her life, with an alcoholic father and a mother who raised her children in competition with each other, for her affection and love. Later in life, Florence will seek an understanding of her condition through research and group therapy. It will only be then that she will come to understand the true nature of Borderline Personality Disorder and its effects on her family.

I found Florence St. John’s story honest and objective. There was no attempt to shy away from her difficulties or to blame others. Yes, her Mother’s attitude toward her children did leave Florence floundering, but ultimately, she needed to discover that the power to healing and control lay within herself. I was impressed with the author’s ability to step away from herself and look at the difficult situation facing her own daughter, with objectivity. You could feel the love of her family flowing through every word and yet, equally you could also sense the immense frustration this woman was feeling at her inability to break the cycle of BPD and find answers. Borderline is not an easy book to read. I have no doubt, many other readers will feel the uncomfortableness I personally felt when reading aspects of Florence and her family’s life, that could be just as easily applied to my own. This isn’t a psychological treatise, it is a frank, honest, and open discussion about one woman’s fight for “normality” and self-discovery in her somewhat dysfunctional family. A tough, but rewarding read.

You can check out Borderline and other offerings from Florence St. John here on Amazon:

the sun in a tear by luca favaro

7/11/2017

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Luca Favaro is a nurse and in The Sun in a Tear, Favaro attempts to bring to life the real patients he has met and cared for his entire life. Much of his nursing has revolved around patients that many would consider difficult or depressing to care for; such as the elderly, the terminally ill and the mentally or physically challenged. Favaro brings a humanity and a love to these beautiful stories about beautiful people, many of whom will soon die. Some of these patients will give the author the help he needs emotionally and spiritually in what is often the darkest of times for the patient, rather than the other way around. Luca Favaro comes to realise that friendship and love are the two most important things in life and in the universe.

The author’s heartrending account of people’s resilience and triumph over the greatest of odds at a time when they often had every reason to feel hard done by, is inspirational. I particularly enjoyed his stories of his time with the mentally challenged patients. As a person who has worked with these individuals in the past, I recognized and empathized with some of Luca Favaro’s emotions of the time. I also wondered if they were laughing at us, the so called “normal” ones, with all our worries and stresses, while they relaxed, happy in their own little world. This is an exceptionally moving book and one that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most cynical of readers. It was a joy to read and a reminder of what is truly important in life. The Sun in a Tear should be recommended reading for anyone who feels life has been a little bit unfair to them. Kudos to the author.

At the moment The Sun in a Tear by Luca Favaro is only available on paperback, but I'm sure an ebook will shortly follow. You can check it out here on Amazon:

Coffee Shop University: A Book about Mythology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Politics, Economics and the Ecology... by mario Kfoury

29/10/2017

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Coffee Shop University by Mario Kfoury takes us on an almost 10,000 year journey through the history of man's attempt to understand the Universe and his place in it. Through the life of the author, originally hailing from Beirut and now living in California, we examine and briefly look at all of the great philosophies of humankind, from the teaching of Buddha, Confucious, Lau Tsu, right through the history of man, up to today's new understanding being uncovered in the area of quantum physics. The author also casts a scathing eye across the bastardisation of good teachings at the hands of organised religion. The ultimate conclusion appears to be that life is a never ending search for knowledge and social justice. Our lives and the future direction of humanity is in our own hands. We, as individuals can and should make a difference to our world.

As a starting point for examining the purpose of our life, Coffee Shop University is a useful tool. The author, Kfoury has clearly done his research well and I suspect there are very few philosophies or religions he has failed to cover in this book. The size of the book has meant that many important and interesting theories are given no more than a passing mention. As I said, if you are looking for something that lays out the full gamut of man's spiritual journey on this earth to allow you to find something of interest to further read about, then this would be a great book for that purpose. I did find Coffee Shop University an enjoyable read for two reasons; the author has similar beliefs to my own with respect to man's point in being and secondly because of the breadth of history he managed to cover, albeit it just touching the surface. A good, solid introduction to philosophy and worth the read.

You can check out Coffee Shop University here on Amazon: amzn.to/2yU1Lse

Butterfly Wish: A Doomed Interracial Love Affair Set in Post War South Korea by d davidson & r marcano

29/10/2017

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

A bittersweet wander down memory lane is what awaits readers of Butterfly Wish by D Davidson and R Marcano. Fifty years ago, two tough young men from New York were stationed at Osan Air Base, South Korea. Although the conflict was long over, the experience of living in a country where life was valued so little and almost anything was available, for the right price, would teach them much about life and even love amongst the B Girls of the hovel of a village that lined the Air Force Base. Both men experienced the comaraderie of belonging to a Unit but also the guilt and loss of living somewhere where they were neither wanted nor liked, except for their money. As seventy-year olds, Manny and Shane return seeking forgiveness, redemption or perhaps even some sort of reconciliation with those they had left behind.

I found this story to be very touching in places, but equally harsh and somewhat scathing of the attitude of US troops who were stationed in South Korea and one could imagine, by extension, to those who served later in Vietnam or were stationed in Japan, the Philippines or other Asian countries. The attitude of the US forces to the locals was incredibly stereotypical and most seemed unable to see beyond the thoughts of getting drunk and getting laid. Both Manny and Shane were good men at heart, but even they fell prey, at times, to treating the local women with disdain. One thing became clear, however, their brief experience in Korea would shape these two men's future. I enjoyed the writing and the frank retelling of events as they actually were without any attempts to gloss over or try to justify the horrors faced by the civilian population. It was hard hitting and yet deeply touching at times. In Butterfly Wish, Davidson and Mercano have brought alive something which very few of us would ever experience. An excellent job by the authors and a fascinating story.

You can check out Butterfly Wish here on Amazon:

Butterfly Wish on Amazon

Ben'oni L'Benyamin: From Sorrow to Strength: My Journey With Depression by rabbi sara berman

3/10/2017

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Depression is such a debilitating and yet such a misunderstood illness that it is fascinating to read a perspective on it, from a personal sufferer’s standpoint. Ben’oni L’Benyamin by Rabbi Sarah Berman is just such a view – from that of a sufferer, but with a unique and interesting twist. What Rabbi Berman has given the reader is not only an insight into the horror and helplessness of chronic depression, but she has also attempted to relate the symptoms and the effects of depression, to her own personal faith – that of the Jewish faith. The Rabbi takes us through the Jewish holidays, explaining their purpose and celebration for those of the faith and then ties this to her own personal battle with depression. Similarly, she looks at the relevance of certain, important passages in the Torah, to her illness.

As a Gentile, who only has a passing knowledge of the Jewish faith, I found Ben’oni L’Benyamin to be eye-opening, from a learning perspective about other faiths. That the author was able to so personally and intimately relate these passages and Jewish holidays, to her depression was equally fascinating to me. It is often easy to dismiss those with chronic depression and blame the sufferer, rather than address the problem. Rabbi Berman’s honest and frank appraisal of her illness allows us to look at the broader picture of mental health in general and how we, as a society, handle the mentally ill. Although much of her commentary related to the health care situation in the U.S. it seemed equally applicable to all of us, anywhere in the world. If you are of the Jewish faith, you will identify with this book very closely, but even if, like me, you are a Gentile, you can gain much from the experience of reading Ben’oni L’Benyamin by Rabbi Sarah Berman and I recommend you do. It will open your eyes to the plight of the mentally ill, as well as give you a fascinating insight into what it is to be Jewish.

You can check out Rabbi Sara Berman's Ben'oni L'benyamin, here on Amazon:

humans: from nothing to now by brett ashcroft harrison

24/9/2017

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Now, let’s be honest – at some time or another, we’ve probably all felt we had this weird thing called life, all figured out, only to be slapped down and reminded what specks of nothingness we really were in this great cosmos. Well, Brett Ashcroft Harrison not only thinks he knows the meaning of life and indeed the origins of life, he’s gone and written it all down in a book – HUMANS: From Nothing to Now. Harrison doesn’t hold back anything; this truly is the everyman’s definitive guide to the Theory of Everything. The author takes us from the tiny dot that contains everything and nothing that was the beginning of our Universe all the way through to why we are here, what our role is in the cosmos and what the future may hold for us. The point to note here is that Harrison has no pretensions to being a theoretical physicist, or a Stephen Hawking – he is actually a design engineer and yet he has created this amazing Theory of Everything, that if nothing else, is worth reading, just for the sheer balls of the author to challenge the existing scientific status quo.

I admit, Physics was never my forte at school and I found myself totally at sea with some of Brett Ashcroft Harrison’s explanations as to how the Universe was formed. I know he tried hard to put things in layman’s terms, but much of that still went straight over this reader’s head (It’s okay – I don’t understand the Big Bang Theory, either). I found the second half of the book to be more engaging on a personal level than the first. The author’s description of the purpose of humanity and the individual’s role within that purpose drew on some concepts I was familiar with and agreed with, but other aspects really challenged my thinking and made me look deeper at my own motivations, which I’m sure was the general purpose. HUMANS: From Nothing to Now is well worth the effort of reading. We should always be looking for other, plausible theories on life and this is an interesting view on Everything by one man.

You can check out Humans: From Nothing to Now by Brett Ashcroft Harrison here on Amazon:

five steps to men's mental health by dr. matthew anderson

30/6/2017

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Men commit suicide, in our society, at four times the rate of women. Why is that and why is it a serious problem for men and society in general? In Five Steps to Men’s Mental Health, Dr. Matthew Anderson attempts to analyse the problem and more importantly provide solutions to men who are unwilling to seek help at present, but understand they have a problem or are currently under treatment for mental health issues. Dr. Anderson seeks to provide practical exercises that will help men understand the differences in their thought processes, from women, always with the underlying theme that it is important to seek help (from anyone that is available) before it is too late. Although men suicide more than women, the Doctor notes that women seek professional help for mental issues, much more readily than men. This is clearly the problem and Dr. Anderson seeks to address this.

As a non-medical person, with a history of some issues in this area, I truly found this book enlightening and incredibly helpful. Although I feel totally in control of my mental health today, I could clearly see some of the patterns Dr. Anderson describes in Five Steps to Men's Mental Health, as having occurred in my own past and not always having been dealt with appropriately. The beauty of this book, from a layman’s perspective, is that it is not technical and full of jargon. Dr. Anderson pulls no punches and tells it like it is. He sets some very practical exercises that allow us, as men, to look at our behaviours, ask ourselves, “are they normal” and to act on correcting them, all preferably without having to seek professional help. If you are concerned about your own mental health, or even that of your partner, you will gain a great deal from reading and understanding this excellent and instructive guide. I highly recommend this book.

You can check out this excellent work here on Amazon:

find a job, now! 21 rules for success by annamarie altomare

13/6/2017

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Find A Job, NOW! by Annamarie Altomarec is a detailed, point by point, recipe for finding the job of your dreams in today’s crowded employment market. The author goes through every aspect of the job search, the application, the interview and the beginning of employment, to try to give prospective employees the edge when submitting their applications for the job they really want. She shows how to make you, your application and your personality appeal to the business you are applying for. The book is full of specific exercises designed to improve the applicant’s chances of being chosen amongst the often hundreds of other applicants.

What I particularly liked about Altomare’s approach in this book, was that it wasn’t aimed at the highly theoretical level of preparing for employment, but was wholly practical, with numerous, detailed exercises on how to prepare yourself to get the best chance of securing the position you want. Although many people may consider some of her points to be in the realm of stating the obvious, it is clear from her experience that many applicants continue to make the same mistakes time after time and suffer the pain of rejection, often to the point where they give up. I loved the way Altomare went right back to the beginning to address the very basics, such as: What job are you best suited for? What skills and talents can you offer a prospective employ and do these skills and talents fit with the job you are seeking. Find A Job, Now is definitely an instructional handbook that I would highly recommend to all prospective job-seekers. This book should be an invaluable resource to those seeking work, at ANY level. An excellent book.

You can checkout Altomare's exceptional employment seeking guide here, on Amazon.

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