Book Review

Have you ever read a book that was just so interesting that you just couldn't wait to tell your friends about?  Here's where you can do that.  Just email the title and your thoughts on any book that you really liked, or maybe didn't particularly care for to Mike@joetomwhite.com and I will post the review here for all the world to see.

Now there's seven, send us yours:

 The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
There are some things of which it can be said, “If you weren’t there, you won’t understand.” That must certainly be true of war. The next best thing may be a good book with interviews of people who were there, up close and personal. Tom Brokaw, the NBC television anchor, has done an effective job of ferreting out the accounts of some of those who were personally involved
in World War II combat and some of those directly impacted in their families, their marriages, and their careers by the conflict. Love, hate, racism, loyalty, discrimination, honor, heartache, laughter, duty, it’s all there. In their own words. Some were self-sacrificing heroes; some were victims of either error or incompetence or both. It will make you proud to be an American; it will embarrass you as an American. A world war is no movie. And it is not glorious. But you’ve got to love and appreciate the people who fought, suffered, and, all too often, died far, far away never to be recovered. All combat veterans of all wars have paid a price the rest of us can only guess at.
--David Rix

"Am I Old Yet?" by Leah Komaiko
I'm a sucker for a good title and this was no exception. Since my latest birthday launched me into a new decade (I've already done the one with all the "5"s), the topic of aging had occurred to me lately. But when I got the book through an interlibrary loan and saw the subtitle--The Story of Two
Women, Generations Apart, Growing Up and Growing Young in a Timeless Friendship--I figured I had outsmarted myself. Again.  But I had asked for it (no pun intended) and decided I'd read it anyway. However, I did exercise some care as to where I left it laying around.
Since my 87-year-old dad just recently moved into an assisted living facility, I had been concerned about the transition. This book was helpful to my understanding. It is a true story about the author, a 40-ish divorcee and writer, making a first time foray into volunteer work. She is paired
with a blind but otherwise healthy (within reason; we're all on something) 94-year-old widow. The decision to write the book grew out of that relationship. If you would care to have a candid look into the world of life in a facility, I recommend it. The opening pages will have you rolling on the floor. With laughter, that is. But there are sobering moments as well.
Read it; it's a delight. And it may well be a blessing.
--David Rix


Richard Hayden and I went to radioman school in San Diego together in 1966. We got orders to different commands and lost contact with him.  Rich and I got a ham license at the same time and our calls are one letter different. About a month ago I checked the call sign listing to see if he was still operating and he was.  So I contacted him and we as we caught up on 35 years he informed me his wife is a published mystery writer and they go on signing tours arranged by the publisher.  They will be passing by Wichita Falls on May 28 and 29. Check out her web site  http://lchayden.freeservers.com/  
Rex King

A really good novel that I read sometime back is The Time It Never Rained, by Elmer Kelton.  The story is about Charlie Flagg, a rancher in the fictional town of Rio Seco, Texas during the severe drought of the 1950's.  (Sounds kind of like now days?) The author is a native west Texan who was farm & ranch reporter for the San Angelo newspaper during the 50's, so he had  first hand knowledge of the subject.  Anyone who enjoys westerns, stories about Texas or agriculture should find  The Time It Never Rained  a good read. It is one of my favorites, as are most of Elmer Kelton's books.  I have found his books in paperback at Hasting's but not at Book A Million.  -Steve Wolf

(Reviewed by John Johnson)
LEFT BEHIND SERIES;  Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins have written:  Left
Behind; Tribulation Force; Nicolae; Soul Harvest; Apollyon; Assassins;
The Indwelling; and The Mark to be available this Fall.  (In this
order).  To pick one book to review of the series would not do justice
to it or the series.  If you are concerned with any or all of the below
listed questions---reading is a MUST!!  I can also assure you that once
you begin a book you will read it through.
1.  Have you ever wondered about "The End"?
2.  Have you ever tried reading Revelation (the last book of the Bible)
and could not understand what you read?
3.  Do you enjoy reading a mystery, love, or suspense novel?
All of these will be experienced by the reader and so much more.  SAMS
have excellent prices.  Audio and childrens books are also available.
Go to www.leftbehind.com for more information.

I have heard it said many times, "Everyone likes progress...nobody likes change."  Spencer Johnson uses a parable of mice to help us see that change isn't always bad and from time to time we even have to look for change.  While it will only take a couple of hours to read this one, it could be just what you need to avoid fear of change and possible encourage you to do what you need to do next.

Mike

This is a book the my daughter Crystal brought home as a gift to my mom after returning from her 9 week mission trip this past Summer.  My mother, Ida Campbell currently lives at Lakeridge Place in Wichita Falls which is a great assisted living center.  Mother tells me that this book is very humorous and relevant to her because it was written as a daily journal about life at an assisted living center.  Click on the book for more information.  
Mike

Last update: 03/08/10