My Buy Essay

Archive for May, 2009

Synopsis

The Real Story is a short but intense tale set in a future in which humans travel between the stars using “gap drives,” controllable brain implants are punishable by death, and a private company called the United Mining Company runs law enforcement for all of known space. Ensign Morn Hyland lives aboard a police ship with most of her family, chasing down pirates and other illegals who prey on the weak or smuggle goods into forbidden space.

Through a strange turn of events, one particularly nasty perpetrator ends up with Morn as his companion–or at least that’s the way it appears to the folks at the space station’s bar. Why would a young, strong, beautiful police officer associate with a crusty, murdering pirate? People watch with interest as Morn appears to fall in lust with another racy illegal, Captain Nick Succorso. Morn and Nick must have plotted together to frame Angus and escape together, right? But the real story was quite different.

Review

This novella is a prelude to four subsequent volumes, and it tells a simple and one-dimensional story. An intergalactic setting in the far future revolves around two rival space pirates named Angus Thermopyle and Nick Succorso, and, between them, a UMCP (United Mining Companies Police) ensign named Morn Hyland. The story is told from Angus’ point of view, and he is one of the most depraved and sorry figures ever depicted in a work of fiction. His repeated violations of Morn — described in graphic detail — have drawn hostile reviews and cries of misogyny, but Donaldson’s purpose is to evoke a thoroughly dark and sordid mood in this series. ‘The Real Story’ is simple and short., and indeed, as a stand-alone novel, this book is lacking is depth, character development (with the exception of one character, and though we come to understand his decisions, his motives are largely unrevealed) and a satisfying conclusion, there are two points that are vital to note. These two points are apparently contradictory, but I’ll attempt to explain:

1) This was written as a short novella. It wasn’t intended to be the first in a series, and as such it doesn’t bear many of the traits usually associated with the first book in a series, such as hints of larger plots or other elements designed to draw the reader back for book 2. As a stand-alone novel, Donaldson kept this in a drawer, unpublished, for some years. Only as part of a larger series does it work, yet it doesn’t read like the beginning of a series. Once you understand this, the flaws are less glaring.

2) In apparent contradiction of point 1, above, please understand that it IS the first in a series. The series itself is probably the best science fiction I’ve ever read, but it really doesn’t get going until mid-way through book 2. Again, once you accept that most of the “good stuff” comes after ‘The Real Story, it’s easier to bear to flaws.

Though I don’t seek to excuse any form of weakness here (after all, whatever it was intended to be and however great the rest of the series, the first book should still be complete and engaging), I do seek to prevent people being deterred by the lukewarm reviews of this first installment. It’s not bad by any means, merely incomplete. I would issue a couple of warnings though: Firstly, this book is grim and brutal; be prepared. And secondly, Donaldson tells character-based stories in fantastic settings – if you’re looking for detailed high technology and hard science, this might not be your scene.

A short history of the audio book

In 1920 the Royal National Institute for the Blind in England was allready doing research on how to create audio books for the blind. At that time there were a lot of ex World War 1 soldiers who had gone blind as a result of the fighting. In 1926 the RNIB started to use LP’s to record audio books which could be played on record players (the kind with the big horn, you had to swing a handel a couple of times befor it would play).

In 1936 the “Talking Book Service” was launched.The first two books were:’The murder of Roger Ackroyd’ by Agatha Christie and Joseph Conrad’s ‘Thyphoon’. The records used at the time could hold 25 minutes of spoken tekst, so they needed about 10 records for an average audio book.

In 1940 the studio used by the RNIB was bombed, and one month later a replacement studio was bombed as wel.The RNIB wanted to start publishing audio books again, but they needed certain materials which had been destroyed.

In America, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), had started producing audio books as wel, and they did send the much needed parts to help their English counterparts. Unfortunatly the shipment got lost during a bombing raid of the London harbour! A second shipment however did make it, and the RNIB was able to start again with the production of audio books.

In the sixties the audio books started to appear on casettes, and later, after the infention of the compact disk player, on CD’s.

Nowadays the audio books have become more are popular then ever befor, in spite of their age. One of the main reasons for their ever growing popularity is the fact that audio books can be downloaded straight from the Internet. There are a good few audio book publishers who provide this service, and it looks like their on to a winner.

Audio books, more then 70 years old and still gowing strong.

When Marlo Thomas was an 18-year-old up-and-coming actress, she was devastated when journalists began debating whether she’d ever be as good or popular as her famous father, TV star Danny Thomas. She went to him in tears, insisting that she wanted to change her name.

“I raised you to be a thoroughbred,” Danny told his daughter. “They wear blinders and run their own race. That’s what you have to do: run your own race.”

That single comment inspired Thomas’ wildly popular 2002 best-seller, “The Right Words at the Right Time,” a collection of first-person stories about the power of words by such icons as Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey.

After the book’s release, people from across the country approached Marlo to share their own “right words” stories. The result is Thomas’ new book, “The Right Words at the Right Time, Vol. 2: Your Turn!” (Atria Books, $25), a moving collection of 101 unforgettable stories in which everyday Americans recall the pivotal moment in their lives when words made all the difference.

Like the tale of a Gulf War veteran, whose life was transformed by two words spoken to him by a young stranger at Burger King. Or the aimless mechanic, who found salvation in a Help Wanted ad. Or the bereaved fianc

The Road of Silk is an adventure fantasy, with mystical and magical elements and a high energy feel to it that any reader will enjoy. Although this novel is written for an adult audience, I believe anyone over the age of 10 could easily become immersed in its pages. This is a co-written work between Matt Afsahi and Barbara Dysonwilliams, who have written many of their own books in the past. In The Road of Silk, they successfully combined their wide range of knowledge in journalism, art, archaeology, literature and languages into a wonderful piece of work.

Six main characters play important parts in this battle of good against evil – where there is little hope of survival. Running is not an option, as it would only result in a gruesome war. Queen Yasmin, a stunningly beautiful young woman, is more than willing to sacrifice herself and marry an evil King whom she cannot love for something bigger than herself – the safety of her people. For her, war is a tragedy to be avoided at all costs, even if it means sacrificing love and happiness.

Queen Yasmin finds love where she did not expect it, and learns hidden family secrets that alter her future forever. She discovers a great power within herself and the journey helps her to find the strength and confidence that will help her rule justly and wisely. Along the way a deep friendship develops between unlikely characters that breaks through belief systems and ingrained feelings of duty.

Forced to make choices in challenging situations helps the six main characters grow into better (or sometimes worse) people. They all end up facing their greatest fears and their choices will determine their fate.

The Road of Silk was definitely an entertaining read. It had a smooth story line with interesting characters and had a sense of fun and energy to it throughout. I felt the authors were trying to tell readers that friendship and honor will seek us out when we live consciously. Living is about choices, after all &ndash and few of the choices are easy.

ISBN#: 0974764469

Authors: Matt Afsahi and Barbara Dysonwilliams

Publisher: Synergy Books

The Seventh Jewel is a fantasy-adventure fiction geared for youth (ages 11 and up). J.J. Pritchard crammed several tantalizing elements in only 278 pages. The reader is taken on a journey that involves a treasure hunt, a noble quest and the discovery of an ancient civilization. The author touches upon family relationships, dealing with death and coming to terms with loosing a limb. The Seventh Jewel is also an educational book that brings up serious issues from poverty to discrimination. Mr. Pritchard’s approach to encourage readers to use his glossary of the ancient Inca language was very well done.

J.J. Pritchard, author of 6 books including The Seventh Jewel, has participated in a climbing expedition in Peru. His first hand knowledge of Peru, global warming and ancient Inca history is shown by tasteful and accurate use of facts. He couples this with highly plausible events throughout the story, making this book very well rounded, unique and realistic.

There are four main characters: Emma, a gutsy and witty teenage amputee, teaches the reader understanding and respect for what amputees experience. I think she could be a role model for many readers. Joel, her brave 11-year-old brother, displays a loyal adventurous heart. Uncle Jake, a well-connected treasure hunter by trade, plays the part of a hero and protector during a few points in the story. Estrella, a beautiful professor, has a chip on her shoulder that begins to melt when she meets Uncle Jake. Her life long dream is to honor her people by discovering the mysterious jewel of the Ancient Inca.

They are all thrown together when scientists discover that knowledge of an extremely rare element may exist in the ancient records of the Inca. This element has the potential to combat global warming and it is worth an inconceivable amount of money. Because of this value, people of questionable character are attracted to treasure hunt &ndash but they play by their own rules and answer to their own ethics.

The Seventh Jewel was an exceptional read. I highly encourage readers to pick up a copy of J.J. Pritchard’s latest book. You won’t be disappointed!

ISBN#: 0595336744

Author: J. J. Pritchard

Publisher: iUniverse

Take it from those in the know-two of America’s best-known doctors and the Joint Commission, watchdog for quality and safety of health care in America-there are steps you can take to make sure you get the very best medical treatment possible.

Dr. Michael F. Roizen is a practicing anesthesiologist at the Cleveland Clinic and founder of RealAge.com. Dr. Mehmet C. Oz is a practicing cardiothoracic surgeon at New York Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center.

Together, these doctors have joined with Joint Commission Resources to create “You: The Smart Patient: An Insider’s Handbook for Getting the Best Treatment,” a new book that shows how every patient can take charge of his or her own health care and get the best treatment available.

The book gives readers clear, definitive information on such topics as creating a health profile, choosing the right doctors and hospitals, avoiding medication errors, preventing infections, understanding prescription drugs, working with doctors to safely use alternative treatments, and helping a loved one by being his or her health care advocate.

Here are a few useful tips from the book:

• Stick to the facts. Patients often give doctors too little pertinent information and many distracting off-topic details. The first sign of a smart patient is a health profile. To create a health profile, find the sample form in the book labeled “Your Health Journal” or fill one out online at .jcrinc.com and .RealAge.com.

• Have a tattle plan. Bring your spouse to the doctor’s appointment. There are questions he or she may be able to answer that you can’t.

• Find Dr. Right. One of the most important decisions you will ever make is choosing your doctor. To find a great doctor, ask the ER nurse-manager at the best local hospital. A nurse in the intensive care unit is also a good choice. These registered nurses get a battlefield view of doctors at their best and worst.

• Go board-certified. The American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes 24 areas of medical specialty including anesthesiology, cardiology, internal medicine and pediatrics. You can search for board-certified physicians at .abms.org or call (866) 275-2267.

• Case your hospital. To find the best hospital for you-whether it’s a small community hospital, a hospital in your rural area or a large teaching hospital-go for an accredited hospital listed on the Joint Commission’s Web site at .jointcommission.org. Joint Commission accreditation is the Gold Seal of Approval for a hospital-and that’s what you want. The Joint Commission also evaluates ambulatory clinics, home health agencies, home medical equipment companies, nursing homes, laboratories and behavioral health care facilities.

• Know your hospital’s numbers. Research has shown that for several common operations, hospitals that perform a specific number or more of that operation every year have better success rates. Your surgeon should be able to give you this info, as should the hospital’s information line.

• Make a new “phriend.” Your pharmacist is the least expensive and most accessible health resource you have. Smart patients develop a personal relationship with a pharmacist, which makes it easier to ask questions.

• Insist on being scanned. In the hospital, have staff check your hospital ID bracelet before they give you any medication, take blood or wheel you off for a test. If your hospital uses a bar-code scanner on ID bracelets, insist they scan you every time.

• Do you know how fast your ER treats heart cases? What is their average time for getting heart attack patients into surgery? Hospitals are required to document their times.

Fascinating from the start, The Sweet Shade of a Chinaberry Tree, by Janice Parrish, is certainly hard to classify. A creative fiction based on the author’s own experiences while growing up in Southern States in the tumultuous 1960’s &ndash a time of great change for America – could also be classified as an inter-racial romance or possibly a drama.

The Sweet Shade of a Chinaberry Tree involves multicultural and social issues, true young love, the relationship between the main character and her parents and so much more. The setting is based in Alabama, USA during the summer of 1963.

The novel follows 19-year-old Gaynell McGowan from the moment she returns to her home town during a summer break from college where she had learned all kinds of novel ideas that would forever alter her view of the people she once believed in and knew so well. Failing to fully complete her college course, Gaynell is assigned a paper, which lead her into the most tender and truest of loves anyone could ever experience. Readers will thrive on the thrilling, secretive, inter-racial romance and the incredible sacrifice Parrish’s characters endure.

A town, stubborn in their ways, is afraid of racial change and this fear empowers a threat so great that it has begun to rip the town apart and shatter families. The small town is facing the challenge of having the first school in Alabama become integrated with black students. Under orders from the government, bigoted and heartless behavior toward a set of people who just happen to have a darker skin begins to tear the town apart. So-called “normal, god-fearing” individuals strengthen their resistance and suppression, while a few individuals turn to hateful, murderous, cross-burning tactics.

My respect for the author grew when I read her statement “In Gaynell McGowan, I have found the voice to express the inhumanity we Southerners covered with good manners and lace tablecloths.”

So many aspects of this time period and radical change are covered in her fantastic array of characters that I could not possibly do it justice in this book review. All that I can say is that this book has found a spot on my shelves indefinitely and the characters are locked in my mind forever. While I did not spend time in the Southern US, I did grow up around those that struggled with this issue and feel the way this author portrayed the people could not have been more realistic or more heart-felt.

The Sweet Shade of a Chinaberry Tree would be an excellent historical fiction movie not just because of the first hand experience, but also due to the excellent research the author put in to get the right feel for this dramatic period.

ISBN#: 0-7599-4807-0

Author: Janice Ward Parrish

Publisher: Hard Shell Word Factory

Published: 2006

The Time Has Come is the first book of a mystical and spiritual trilogy written by Barbara Oleynick, a highly educated nurse who’s life work is to help make the world a more peaceful place in any way that she can. Barbara is an English instructor, a faculty member of a community college and an accomplished musical theater director and producer.

This book is like a combination of the movie the Golden Child (with Eddie Murphy), Micheal Scallion’s land change predictions through his spirit guide, and vibration-frequency theories which are currently being studied in both traditional and alternative sciences &ndash all rolled up in one fiction story.

A 13-year-old child, Rachel, has a baby girl named Grace who is sent to bring peace to the world. I cried huge crocodile tears at Grace’s birth, again at the love in Albert and Henna’s home and yet again found myself sobbing when their drug-crazed mother murders Rachel’s sister.

In the beginning, The Time Has Come is only religious in that the Creator is thought to reside in every molecule and that there is purpose to our lives. The author briefly discusses historical religious events at various points in the story. The aspect that appealed to me the most was the main focus of each person having a legacy to leave behind and that it is up to each one of us to find a way to perform the tasks set before us.

I found on the whole, the story line was interesting and yet shocking to my nerves at the same time. Despite this, I felt the author became too heavy with spiritual ideas and the depressing negative world news during the final chapters.

ISBN#: 0975592254

Author: Barbara Oleynick

Publisher: Synergy Books

192 Pages

Can you stay young in your 50s, 60s and 70s? Is it really possible to fight the aging process? As the population of seniors in America grows, more and more people will be looking for ways to do just that.

In the past century, the average life expectancy in the United States has increased by 27 years. In fact, there are now about 70,000 people in America who are 100 years of age or older, and that number is expected to rise to nearly 1 million by 2050.

Barbara Morris, a pharmacist and motivational speaker, says that with the right outlook and motivation, it is indeed possible to enjoy at least 25 more years of “the good life.”

In her new book, “Put Old on Hold,” Morris tells you how to look, act and feel young at any age.

One way, Morris says, is to never tell people how old you are.

“Society attaches enormous significance to chronological age and most people have a stereotypical image of what a person at a specific age should look like, think like, dress like and speak like,” Morris writes.

She suggests the following additional tips for living and feeling young.

* Have a clear vision of what you want your life to be like in 25 years. Know how well you want to function, mentally and physically, 25 years down the road. Have a clear vision and make a commitment to achieve it. This commitment will drive the choices you make about how you will live your life.

* Take an inventory of your youthful assets. Monitor and manage how you are changing. Identify and sharpen important youthful attributes such as mental and physical strength and flexibility. Remember, it’s much easier to keep what you have than to regain what you lost. Be proud of what you can do.

* Indulge in positive thinking. You are what you say you are, so don’t tell yourself you are getting old. Replace negativity with positive affirmations of your plans for improvement.

* Get in control of your health. Work with a traditionally trained doctor, but make sure she or he has expertise in anti-

aging therapies.

* Do not plan to retire. Instead, plan to have the time of your life. Go back to school or start a new business or career. Remember, if you have made your health a priority, you can have a great second life that’s better than the first.

Tracie’s Story: Book Review

Tracie’s Story, by Marguerite Ashton, had sucked me into the story right from the start, and I had difficulty tearing myself away from the book all the way to the end. This is very a moving tale that is based on a true story of a woman brought up by an alcoholic single mother.

As a child, Tracie bravely accepts the barrage of difficulties, disrespect and responsibilities of handling a helplessly drunken parent &ndash but it leaves her emotionally scarred. While driving under the influence, the thoughtless mother inflicts a permanent and visible disability on her child that serves as a constant reminder of her past. Every mirror, every pair of eyes reflects her abnormality and this becomes a torment for Tracie. As an adult, she struggles with her inner demons and the mind-numbing addictions to both alcohol and her work.

Marguerite Ashton uses a direct and simple writing style that envelops the reader in Tracie’s world so deeply that the real world fades away for a little while. The ending left me with a feeling that the book is not finished. Yet, because I was thinking about it for days, I would have to say the ending was quite effective.

ISBN#: 1-4137-7386-9

Author: Marguerite Ashton

Publisher: Publish America