Category: Non Fiction/Memoirs - GRANT LEISHMAN

near death experience: out of the darkness into the light by bernard j. fleury

6/3/2019

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Are you afraid of death? I guess the answer for most people would be – yes! And for some, an emphatic, yes. In the short treatise, Near-Death Experience: Out of the Darkness Into the Light, author Bernard J Fleury examines the evidence that has been compiled regarding near-death experiences and adds some of his own, to assess whether we should be concerned about death or not. His extensive research has led him to believe that there is a commonality between near-death experiences that relates to a number of stages of near-death. The most common of these, especially among children who have experienced near-death (almost 100%) is that of children, who are untainted by societal norms and religious connotations, is that of the experience of light. That aside there are also many other fascinating research studies, some independent of knowledge of other studies, which find a remarkable commonality between the experiences e.g. light, a tunnel, the speeding up of travel through the tunnel and a light being that radiates warmth, love and peace.

Although relatively short, I did find Bernard J Fleury’s work, Near Death Experience: Out of the Darkness Into the Light, a fascinating read. For me, the author’s ability to grasp the commonality between the differing studies, many of which were large and significant and tie them together into a work which suggests that, no, there is no intrinsic need to fear death, to be satisfying and relieving at the same time. His conclusion, that we are spiritual beings, merely existing in a mechanical machine (our bodies) was very much in line with my own thinking on the subject and I was rewarded to have many of my own perceptions of this area validated by the author’s work. This is a quick read and one that is highly rewarding. If there’s one thing we all think about, as we get older (as I now am) it is – “is this it? Will there be nothingness after life?” What is rewarding from the author’s work is the idea that although we do not know what after death will hold, we can be certain it is not nothingness and in fact is a continuation, of some sort, of our spiritual being. I enjoyed this read and as part of a series, I would hope there would be more anecdotal evidence in other books in the series. I can recommend this read, highly.

You can find Near Death Experience: Out of the Darkness Into the Light, here on Amazon:

triumphant ride: by permit only by herman cajigas jr.

5/2/2019

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Herman Cajigas was just a normal, teenage boy growing up in New York City in the 1970’s. From a hard-working immigrant family from Puerto Rico, Herman and his classmates were enjoying their final year as High School Seniors before heading off to various colleges. A school field trip to Wildwood, New Jersey would irrevocably change Herman’s life forever. An accident at the beach sees Herman robbed of his mobility and trying to adjust to life in a wheelchair, as a quadriplegic. Triumphant Ride: By Permit Only brings us author Herman Cajigas Jr.’s inspiring story as he comes to terms with the cards fate has dealt him and determines how he will succeed in this life, confined to a wheelchair. Rising from his impoverished but happy childhood, Herman’s grit and determination carry him from hospital, to University and on to be an inspirational entrepreneur in the booming tech industry – along the way finding his soul-mate and the love of his life.

Triumphant Ride: By Permit Only is a simple, straightforward summation of author Herman Cajigas Jr.’s inspirational life. The messages he brings in this journey are ones of humility, acceptance and raw courage to go on, no matter what the circumstances life throws your way. If anything struck me most, as a reader, it was Herman’s humility and his determination not to see himself as handicapped by his injury, but instead to look for ways in which he could still do all the things he desired to do. I liked that he was also prepared to examine his own character, recognise his own flaws and work on improving them. Running through the narrative is a simple expression of faith, but not the type engendered perhaps by organised religion. Herman lived his life according to the dictates of what we now know as The Law of Attraction. His faith in family, in his beloved wife and in a higher power, as recognised by the Universe shone through every page of this book. I found the story more compelling perhaps because of the no-nonsense and straightforward style of the writing. There was little hyperbole or attempt to claim greatness at overcoming his limitations, just a sweet and delightful joy at being alive, being in love with life and still able to do the things he wanted to do. This is an inspiring piece of work and one I can highly recommend. “There, but for the grace of God, go I!”

Triumphant Ride is, unfortunately, not yet available for purchase, but when it is, it will be well worth looking out for.

free traffic frenzy: how to get 450,000+ website visitors by don sevcik

12/1/2019

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Free Traffic Frenzy: How to get 450,000+ Website Visitors by Don Sevcik is a targeted and focused book aimed at those of us who use the internet to either sell something or draw people to our website to impart information to them. The author goes into great length and detail explaining exactly how to use SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) to massively increase the amount of traffic to your site and perhaps more importantly to keep that traffic on your site and browsing until they purchase. This is not one single fix to attract traffic, rather this is a combination of small tweaks and intentional actions that many website owners overlook, to take advantage of the algorithms that drive, principally the Google search engine. The author uses his own particular website, a math problem solving site, and by discussing the issues and problems he has encountered and the solutions to these, he is able to impart knowledge that can help anyone dramatically increase the amount of traffic that is driven to their website.

What I particularly liked about Free Traffic Frenzy: How to get 450,000 Website Visitors was that although some of the technical issues discussed were well outside of my grasp, as a reader, the concepts that underline these “fixes” were perfectly explained and outlined using real world examples by author Don Sevcik, so although I personally may not understand exactly how to implement the changes, I can certainly explain them to someone who has the technical know-how. I thought the author’s ability to relay information that is sometimes complex and technical, in laymen’s terms, was the biggest selling point of this book. There are thousands of books out there that purport to tell you how to understand and optimise search engines, however, this one stands out for two reasons. Firstly, the author has clearly achieved success with this formula on his own websites and secondly, many of the fixes and suggestions are straightforward and common sense even to those of us who are less “tech savvy”. If you are looking to take your business and website to the next level, this is an excellent book to start with.

You can find Free Traffic Frenzy, here on Don Sevcik's Amazon page:

reconstructing the shield of achilles by kathleen vail

4/12/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles by Kathleen Vail is a scholarly attempt to put some meat and vision to the legendary shield of the warrior Achilles from Greek fable and mythology, especially as described by Homer in his numerous epic poems, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. The author takes us on a trip through legendary Greek history, describing in detail the circumstance and the background to the most famous of all Greek battles; the Battle for Troy and then its aftermath. We are shown various other scholars’ depictions of their view of what they believed Achilles’ shield would have looked like, before the author creates her own version of the fantastic amour that was the Shield of Achilles. Using Homer’s direct translated text, she follows the journey of the shield subsequent to the death of Achilles, as Odysseus takes control of the legendary armour. She finds considerable justification for accepting the words of Homer as being, in some part, real and truthful, rather than just fanciful meanderings.

As a big fan of both Homer and the fables of Greek mythology, as a layman, I still found this book, Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles to be a fascinating insight into the Greek traditions, heroes and fables of the time. Author, Kathleen Vail has produced a book here that is as useful to a Greek Scholar as it is to someone with a love of heroic adventure and the time of mythical Greek lore. I don’t usually quote from books I review, but one passage in this book is so telling and reminds us all why the study of history and especially of archaeology, is critical to us, as a human race. “Human history is rendered tangible in the physical form of archaeological artifacts. In our search for archaeological treasures, we find meaning and significance in our collective human life on Earth. With each discovery, we gain extraordinarily perceptive records. From this unique perspective, we gain both a telescopic view into the lost and distant past and a microscopic view of iconic moments in the human experience.” For me, this perfectly sums up the field of study and the importance of this book. Perhaps the most ironic observation in the book is that Achilles, the greatest warrior in history, actually hates war. As a final note, the photographs and renderings of Greek history and mythology give the book an impressive perspective that even the layman can truly enjoy. This is a fantastic book and receives my wholehearted endorsement.

You can take a look at Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles, here on Kathleen Vail's Amazon page:

NEVER A $7 WHORE: My Journey from a Lady of The Night to the Lady of the Boardroom (The $7 Series Book 1) by toni crowe

29/10/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Never A $7 Wh*re by Toni Crowe is a short but frank and honest expose of how the author got trapped into a prostitution ring, as a young, teenage, mum, with a toddler. Toni, who, in later life did go on to much greater and better things than being a call-girl, explains how, as a young woman, she wanted desperately to model, to live the “glamorous” lifestyle she believed models indulged in. When a chance encounter with high-rolling pimp, Prince, on a railway platform as she returned home from her day job, seems to offer Toni the excitement and entry into the world of modelling, she ignores all the “red flags” and jumps in feet-first. By the time Toni realises the truth about her lover and the future that confronts her as a member of Prince’s stable, she goes into survival mode, firstly figuring out how to keep her morality intact, while living in a house of whores and secondly how to escape and break the bonds, Prince and his number one bitch, Baby, have over her.

As I said earlier, Never a $7 Wh*re, by Toni Crowe is short – too short in my opinion, but that being said, it in no way lessens the power of Crowe’s narrative and the salutary lessons that can be gained from her story of survival. Two things came shining through from this story. Firstly, Crowe’s absolute belief in herself and her own abilities to manage the difficult situation she found herself in. She never blames anyone else for her problems and understands that with the right mind-set and attitude, the seemingly impossible is always possible to achieve. As a reader, one can but marvel at her courage in the face of violence, drugs and the sleazy world of prostitution. Secondly, her book is a salutary warning to all young people to carefully examine the “opportunities” you are being offered. As the author so eloquently puts it, (paraphrased) “in the adult world, there is never offered, something for nothing. There is always a price to pay and someone to pay it to.” I did feel the book was too short but if it was intended as a primer to make me want to find out more about this amazing woman’s life, it did serve the purpose. I’m keen now to know how she turned her life around, after this experience, to become a senior executive in a number of Fortune 500 companies and others. This is a well-written and fascinating tale.

You can find, Never a $7 Whore, here on Toni Crowe's Amazon page:

straining forward: minh fuong towner's story by michelle layer rahal

9/10/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

Author Michelle Layer Rahal has brought us a stunningly honest and frank portrayal of the life of a Vietnamese boat person, in the 1970’s. In Straining Forward we read the biography of Minh Phuong Towner, as she is caught up in the tumultuous events of the Vietnam War, or the American War, as the Vietnamese called it. Told through the eyes of Minh herself as if an autobiography, it covers the full gamut of Minh’s life. Born into a relatively middle-class environment in Saigon, Minh had all the advantages of wealth and position and in many ways was immune to what was happening outside of Saigon, in the rest of Vietnam. This all changed though on New Year’s Eve 1968, when the Tet Offensive brought the war directly into her quiet, suburban neighbourhood. Having watched the deaths of her beloved Father and several of her siblings, at the hands of the North Vietnamese, Minh and her brother make a dash for freedom, that leads them on an horrific journey, including torture, detainment in prison, escape, a dangerous sea journey and finally from a refugee camp in Taiwan, to France, Australia and ultimately the United States. Minh, though, is deeply traumatised by her childhood and this trauma will be something she will carry for the rest of her life and will influence her decisions and behaviour forever.

Although Straining Forward is presented, by Michelle Layer Rahal, as a spiritual journey, a search for meaning in life and a relationship with God, it would be wrong to dismiss it as just another Christian testimony. There is much more to this book than just its spiritual nature. It is truly an eye-opener on the effect of war on children, on refugees and what childhood trauma can do to a person later in life. I particularly enjoyed the story of Minh’s life in Vietnam, after the North’s invasion. The trials that tested her, she faced with stoicism and bravery, but what they did was remove her self-belief and her self-esteem. She truly believed that she was unworthy of being loved and gravitated towards safety and security, rather than happiness, as her first objective always. That this become apparent much later in life, when she understood that in many ways she had turned into her cold, calculating mother, without her even realising it. This is an extremely powerful story and one that grasps both the frailties of the human person and celebrates the triumph of the human spirit over immense challenges. One cannot read Minh Phong Tower’s story and fail to be moved by the tragedy of her life, but also by her indomitability and her determination to succeed, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This is a story that lingers long in the mind after reading and it is something I can truly recommend anyone feeling down or depressed should read. “There, but for the grace of God, go I!”

You can find Straining Forward, here on Michelle Layer Rahal's Amazon page:

his garden: conversations with a serial killer by anne k. howard

29/9/2018

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

His Garden: Conversations With A Serial Killer by Anne K. Howard takes us inside the mind of a serial killer. In just a few short months in small-town Connecticut seven people went missing and just one man, William Devin Howell, better known as Bill, knew exactly what had happened to them. Author Howard, struck up a relationship with Howell, for the purposes of this book, whilst he was already serving time for the murder of one of the seven victims. Initially treated with suspicion by Howell, Howard was eventually able to win over the killer’s trust to the point where Howell thought of her as a friend. He had promised to Howard he would “tell all” once his trial was completed. When he decided to plead guilty to the remaining six murders he openly confessed everything to the author and attempted to describe and justify his reasons for killing the six women and one man, most of whom were drug-addicted prostitutes at the time of their murders. In a series of letters, telephone calls and face-to-face meetings (through prison plexi-glass), Howard has managed to capture the essence of this man’s/monster’s need and desire to kill and yet, like us readers, she remains perplexed how this all came about to Howell.

This is the first “True-Life” murder story I have read and in His Garden: Conversations With A Serial Killer, Author Anne K. Howard has painted a picture of a complex and strangely normal person who somehow managed to turn into a monster killer who would become Connecticut’s most prolific serial killer. Particularly fascinating for me, was that Howell didn’t really seem to fit the profile of a serial killer. He certainly wasn’t a loner and was both gregarious and well-liked outside of his predilection for picking up prostitutes for sex and then sometime raping and murdering them. In many ways Howell portrayed himself as a loveable rogue, which the author seemed to reinforce. Yes, he was a drifter and a drinker, but everyone who knew him appeared to have a few good words to say about him. This story was no doubt the author’s attempt to reconcile the William Howell, the happy-go-lucky drifter, with the William Howell the raping, murdering monster, he clearly was. At times the story is hard to read, especially the effects of Howell’s crimes on the families of the victims, something Howell still fails to realise, but it is riveting stuff to read and helps us to answer, in some small way, what makes a monster? This is an excellent read and one I highly recommend.

You can find His Garden: Conversations With A Serial Killer, here on Anne K. Howard's Amazon page:

the road from wigan pier: memories of a lancashire lass by elizabeth smith

23/9/2018

The Road From Wigan Pier: Memories of a Lancashire Lass is the story of Elizabeth Smith's hard-working family life, lovingly put together, in a published form, by one of her daughters. That in itself is enough to recommend reading it. But, more than that, the struggles and hardships, the everlasting love affair of Elizabeth and her husband, make this story a very typical social commentary on the working-class society of middle England, for the greater part of the twentieth century.
What could have potentially come across as an average, humdrum existence during the incredibly tough times of the Depression and World War II, is actually lifted to the level of an inspirational story of a woman's abiding love for her family and an amazing generosity of heart and spirit.
As readers, I think it does us a lot of good to read the memoirs of someone "ordinary", just like us, because what we realise before very long is that Elizabeth was far from "ordinary". In fact, I would go as far to say that we, the baby-boomer generation onward could gain much from reading just such a memoir and give thanks to our parents, our grandparents and our great-grandparents for their commitment and struggle that allowed us the freedoms and luxuries that we enjoy today.
A very easy to read book, The Road From Wigan Pier is a bittersweet reminder that life was not always as easy as it is today - a timely reminder to those of us feeling some sense of entitlement.

You can find The Road From Wigan Pier by Elizabeth Smith, here on Amazon:

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:

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