My Buy Essay

Archive for August, 2009

If the thought of a book on economics is about as exciting as watching your toenails grow, or you are under-whelmed with statistics and number crunching theory, then the bestselling book Freakonomics : A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything just might be the book to make you wake up without that extra cup of Starbucks’ best. Actually, Freakonomics is an engaging read because it seems to be more about sociology and psychology than boring numerical analysis. With its well-paced and easy reading style, this book shows how the resulting correlation and causality of data impacts our lives and definitely makes us think differently about facts and figures. The authors, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, contend, "What this book is about is stripping a layer or two from modern life and seeing what is happening underneath," exposing why conventional wisdom is so often wrong. In effect, there are real tangible benefits in thinking laterally. To be sure, their seemingly off-the-wall comparisons are definitely attention grabbers. Who would have ever thought to make the unlikely comparison of teachers and sumo wrestlers to show that economics is, in essence, the study of incentives. But for those of you who desire a smooth flowing book, with multiple concepts building to an ultimate conclusion, you might be disappointed. Actually, the book presents six wholly different topics, with no unifying theme. And while Freakonomics does jump seemingly randomly from question to question, there are some lessons to be learned. For example, the book demonstrates that the most obvious reason why something happens is not always the real reason. To be sure, sometimes the real reason doesn’t even make the list of possibilities. Or, as is often true in the case studies given in Freakonomics, the cause turns out not to be the cause at all, but the effect.

Perhaps the most hard-hitting and controversial riddle tackled by Freakonomics explores the cause of the dramatic drop in the U.S. crime rate in the chapter "Where Have All the Criminals Gone?" The book explains that by the 1990s violent crime had grown to epic proportions in the United States. Experts everywhere, from law enforcement to government agencies could only predict that it would get worse. The American way had somehow produced and coined the term "superpredator." "Death by gunfire", intentional and otherwise, had become commonplace. And then, instead of going up, the crime rate suddenly started to drop profoundly- by over 40 percent in just a few years. By studying crime statistics from all over the country in comparison with abortion statistics in the era after the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, Freakonomics arrives at a startling conclusion. The book submits that the highly publicized drop in America’s violent crime rate since 1990 is due almost entirely to legalized abortion, rather than better police work, new gun laws, or any of a number of other factors put forward by agencies of all stripes eager to take credit for it. Although the authors concede they have "managed to offend just about everyone," from conservatives, (because "abortion could be construed as a crime-fighting tool") to liberals, (because "the poor and black women were singled out"), they stick strictly to the evidence, admitting that this view "should not be misinterpreted as either an endorsement of abortion or a call for intervention by the state in the fertility decisions of women." The book verifies its conclusion by consistently dismantling argument after argument for the other touted factors and keeps returning to the cause and effect of evidence at hand. After all, the "truth" as the authors see it, is not always convenient.

The other topics explored in Freakonomics, while not as controversial, are equally interesting. In fact, some could be considered amusing. If you are looking to spruce up you intellect for the next cocktail party, or widen your eyes to the world around you, then this book is a necessary read. However, what might be considered a turnoff by some is the annoying insertion of quotations from external sources about how innovative or creative the authors are as a precursor to every chapter. That being said, it is refreshing to have an odd economist, or at least an economist who ask odd questions to tease out the most fascinating facts concerning the mysteries of the world around us.

One word of advice: don’t buy this book in paperback. At the list price of $25.00, it rings up at only 95 cents cheaper than the hardback book, which is a much more attractive and sturdy volume. Plus, because the hardback has been available for much longer, you can actually find the hardback for significantly cheaper (more than $7) if you search a few bookstores.

After almost a year in publication, Freakonomics continues to make the bestseller lists, currently holding (at the time of writing this review) the much vaunted Amazon #1 seller position. If nothing else, that is an important statistic to keep in mind.

For women in this day and age, hitting 50 doesn’t automatically call for breaking out the knitting needles. Today’s mature woman has the verve and style of a much younger person, yet she emanates the power and wisdom that can only come with those extra years.

While life may not exactly begin at 50, it doesn’t have to lose speed either. Women wanting to keep their lives glamorous, confident, sexy and successful can find a bonanza of experience and advice in “Fabulous After 50: And Sexy at 60!” (Plume, $13).

Co-author Judy Steinberg, an attractive, vibrant woman who is often mistaken for someone decades younger, was utterly shocked when she first experienced age discrimination. At that moment, she vowed to share her frank and funny insights with older women everywhere.

With great panache, Steinberg offers tips and tricks on everything from diets and exercise to interpreting what a man is really saying and the importance of female friendships.

Whether one is suddenly single or simply looking for some sisterly advice, Steinberg navigates the course by addressing issues specific to women who are old enough to remember “Sex and the Single Girl.”

The book is a salute to a new generation of vital, successful and gorgeous older women.

While truth may be stranger than fiction, a fictoid is definitely funnier than a factoid, says the author of an hysterical new book.

What exactly is a fictoid? A fictoid is a bit of fictional history making a statement or telling a story in one sentence.

“A typical fictoid tells who did what, when and where,” says Bill Dutcher, author of “Fictoids: Short Fiction…Very Short” (Dutcher & Company, $12). Neither historically accurate nor politically correct, the book takes a random walk through cultural history from 1220 B.C. to 2004.

Readers can learn who invented self-storage and who invented both the periodic table and the occasional chair; why Henry the Ninth couldn’t get a date; who founded General Eclectic; who recorded “You were always there for me…but I was always here”; who told his bankers “You can call my loan, but it won’t come”; who opened a high-priced helium bar, believed to be New York’s first Squeak Easy; and whose unauthorized autobiography sold more than one million copies.

The book introduces such colorful characters as Sleeping Beauty’s sister Lazy Susan, Norwegian film star Harrison Fjord, classical rap artist Yo Yo Mama and assistant press secretary Feckless Spinmeister. The illustrations were done by The New Yorker magazine cartoonist Jack Ziegler.

Imagine being halfway through college without cracking a textbook. Need a mentor? About 250,000 are standing by to help in your job search. Buying a home? How does no down payment sound? These are examples of the billions of dollars in military benefits available to service members and veterans. However, these extraordinary benefits often go unused or overlooked.

A new book called “The Military Advantage: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Military & Veterans Benefits” (Simon & Schuster, $20) could help the 30 million men and women who served unlock those benefits and make the most of their military experience.

The guide is full of insider tips, little-known benefits and shortcuts. It addresses the ins and outs of the system, identifying what can be claimed-or lost if left unclaimed. It offers tips like these:

GI Bill and Scholarships

• You may have up to $50,000 in educational funding just waiting to be used.

• Military experience can count toward college credits-you may be only a few credits shy of an associate’s degree.

• There are $300 million in scholarships for military members, spouses and children; in some cases these cover full tuition.

VA Home Loans

A VA home loan offers advantages not associated with other types of loans. They include:

• Upper limit of $417,000 with no down payment required in most cases.

• No monthly mortgage insurance premium.

• Veterans with disabilities may have their loan fees waived.

• Veterans with permanent and total service-connected disabilities may be eligible for a grant up to $50,000 to adapt a house to meet their disability needs.

Careers

The book explains career services available to veterans, including:

• A nationwide, free mentoring service to quickly network with 250,000 other service members, veterans and spouses.

• Where to find online tools to translate your military skills to civilian terms to find jobs related to your military specialty.

• Tips on hot careers. Keep your security clearance active-civilian workers with clearance earn 24 percent more than their counterparts and there’s never been a greater demand in classified programs.

• How to flag your resume for military-friendly employers.

This 310 page saga is Scott Underhill’s second superbly written novel. I have had the pleasure of reviewing both of his books – and they are equally outstanding, yet profoundly different pieces of fiction.

Give a Little certainly provokes empathy for each of its characters. It is an emotional roller-coaster ride for the reader, while the family members in the book heal old wounds and the father battles alcoholism.

When the back cover states “Come meet Jaden and Simmeon Randel, two brothers you won’t forget” – they were not exaggerating. These two identical and opposing twins are the main characters in this novel.

One boy is a handsome football star that shares a love of the sport with his father. The other boy is portrayed as a deformed shadow. Both twins are struggling to find out who they are as individuals, and where they wish to take their lives in the future. Both make heroic sacrifices out of love for one another.

Never rivals (except for their father’s love), Simmeon and Jaden depend upon each other for their successes – until they fell for same girl. Events unfold that help these boys to see each other as individuals and as an inseparable entity. Give a Little portrays the deep connection twins feel through deep level psychic connections where they can actually feel when the other is distraught or in pain.

Get this book &ndash you won’t regret it.

ISBN#: 0975357182

Author: Scott Underhill

Publisher: WordPro Press

Any time of year can be the right time to get your home office organized-and while you’re at it, your finances, too. Here are some tips:

• Take out the garbage. Start with your desktop-not your computer, the real one. If your desk is covered in paperwork, weed out what’s important and store key documents in a central place. This could be a good time to dust off your credit report as well. If you are the victim of identity theft, one of the first places it can show up is on your credit report.

Even though new legislation entitles you to one free report each year, it’s estimated that only 10 percent of consumers are taking advantage of it. According to Money magazine, 33 percent of those who did get a report found errors.

To request a copy, visit annual creditreport.com or contact one of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.

• Make everything within reach. When organizing your office, it’s important to keep frequently used items close at hand. The same applies to your financial goals. Set goals you can reach. For example, start your retirement fund by putting a set amount every month into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

• Have a backup plan for files and finances. If you have important documents stored on your computer, back them up onto CDs once a month and store them in a fireproof safe. When it comes to financial backup, create an emergency fund of at least three months’ salary. Also, update your life insurance policy. Newsweek recently stated that for a married couple with two children, it is advisable to have life insurance protection that equals eight times your annual income. And while you’re at it, make sure your will is current.

• Shred it and forget it. If you don’t have a paper shredder, get one. Shred old quarterly statements on investments once you have the annual statements. Also, shredding anything you don’t need that contains your Social Security number or birth date can be your first line of defense against identity theft.

• Make it automatic. One easy way to eliminate clutter may be to sign up for online banking and cut down on the need for paper statements. Plus, you can set up monthly withdrawals from your checking account that are deposited into an IRA-starting with as little as $25 a month.

The guidance of a financial professional can often be helpful when making changes such as these. For example, the financial professionals at Primerica have created a guide that shows you how to take control of your financial life.

Going Deeper by Jean-Claude Koven is certainly a nicely presented, hard-cover book. This fiction fantasy has an obvious inclination to aid readers who are embarking on their personal spiritual quest.

The main character, Larry, is going through a break down, of sorts. He decides the best cure is to retreat into nature. The problem is that along the way, Larry begins to hear the voice of his dog speaking like a guru. Unsure if he is going completely mad, he continues in shock until he is able to absorb the shift in reality. Between Zeus, the talking dog, and being visited by a variety of spiritual guides, Larry learns the answers to his many questions about life, meaning, destiny and more.

One could say this is definitely a unique story line! Personally, I found the book difficult to read, as it was a little too deep, sometimes tedious and occasionally the story line seemed a little ridiculous. I truly believe it was the authors intent to include a vast amount of information that may guide spiritual seekers, but it is written with some elements of humor and zest. Jean-Claude has been on an extensive journey of his own and elements of many belief systems can be seen throughout the book.”

ISBN#: 0972395458

Author: Jean-Claude Koven

Publisher: Prism House Press

One of my favorite “reads” are almanacs. From the formerly named Information Please almanac to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, these handy paperback books contain a wealth of information on virtually any subject, particularly the more generalized tomes such as Information Please.

In November 2005, I visited my locally owned drugstore and found that they had free copies of Grier’s Almanac available for customers. Similar in design to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, I took a copy home with me.

Although not peppered with stories such as can be found in the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Grier’s contains the usual “zodiac” information which farmers in time’s past would rely on to help them determine when to plant. In addition, you can find information on daily weather predictions, a fishing calendar, an exhaustive list of holidays for the year, and interesting chronological information on events that happened on particular dates throughout history. In the back of the almanac is a section devoted to all kinds of classified ads.

As with most almanacs in this particular genre, Grier’s has its share of ads. Some are helpful and include ads for insurance and gardening, while others are bizarre and include ads for oils and candles to help make your opposing lawyer stupid. Okay, if it works than that is great!

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Grier’s is that 2006 represents their 200th anniversary edition. For two straight centuries the almanac has been published including throughout the Civil War period, a remarkable feat indeed.

Grier’s is written for the southern states only from Virginia to Texas. As mentioned, copies are free and can be found in many drugstores, feed and seed establishments, and retail outlets throughout the south. Annual circulation reportedly exceeds three million copies.

Congratulations to Grier’s Almanac Publishing Company of Atlanta for 200 consecutive years of service!

What does it take to grill the perfect steak? According to a new cookbook, the answer is a few good Marines.

Weber’s new grilling cookbook, “Command of the Grill-A Salute to Steak,™” features grilled steak recipes by active, reserve, and famous former U.S. Marines. One hundred percent of the sales from the $10 cookbook will go to four charities that directly benefit U.S. Marines wounded or killed in the line of duty and their families: Fisher House™, Wounded Warrior Project, Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation.

To purchase a copy of “Command of the Grill-A Salute to Steak” and directly help Marines, visit .commandofthegrill.com.

“We hope to raise at least a half-million dollars from this effort,” said Mike Kempster Sr., executive vice president, Weber-Stephen Products Co. “We want to show our support for brave men and women who have been separated from their families, wounded in the line of duty, and need help coping with new challenges when they come home.”

The book features recipes from “honorable mentions” and winners at grilling competitions held at Marine installations across the country, including Capt. Eric Peter Dominijanni’s Disco’s Hot and Tangy New York Strip Steaks. In addition to the winners’ background information and anecdotes, the “Command of the Grill” cookbook also features grilling advice and tips; profiles of the four charities; and recipes from 10 famous former Marines, including Ed McMahon and Lee Trevino.

Disco’s Hot and Tangy New York Strip Steaks

from Captain Eric “Disco” Dominijanni, 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion, MCB Camp Lejeune

Marinade

1 can (12 ounces) cola

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup garlic teriyaki sauce

1 habanero chile pepper, finely chopped with seeds

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

1 tablespoon freshly ground ginger

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

4 New York strip steaks, about 8 ounces each and 3/4 inch thick

Extra virgin olive oil

1. In a medium bowl mix the marinade ingredients. Place the steaks in a large, resealable plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Press out the air, seal the bag, and turn several times to coat the meat. Place the bag in a bowl and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, turning the bag occasionally.

2. Let the steaks stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling. Remove the steaks from the bag and reserve the marinade. Pour the marinade into a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and boil for about 10 seconds. Set aside about half of the marinade for basting the steaks. For the remaining marinade in the saucepan, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until it has reduced to the consistency of a dipping sauce, 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

3. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels. Lightly coat the steaks with oil.

4. With the lid closed, grill the steaks over direct high heat (500

Want to learn how to avoid products full of added sugar and other nutrient-deficient refined carbohydrates (as well as harmful trans fats) while grocery shopping?

Countless people worldwide are following the Atkins Nutritional Approach. Now, a new book called “The Atkins Shopping Guide” (Avon Books/ an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) arms you with the skills you need to navigate your grocery store so you can stock your low-carb kitchen.

The guide contains everything you must know to choose the right foods to do Atkins correctly. It also provides useful pointers for shopping at “super stores” and natural food retailers, all in a handy format perfect to carry in your pocket or purse.

Forget measuring, weighing and counting fat grams and calories. This book takes you aisle-by-aisle through the grocery store, helping you select the right foods to correctly follow a controlled-carb lifestyle, including vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry and meat, cheese, and other dairy products. There are also extensive sections on packaged foods.

The No. 1 New York Times bestseller, “Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution,” forever changed the way Americans eat by offering a healthy, nutritious approach to weight loss and weight maintenance, while revealing that the typical American diet, which is high in carbohydrates, has contributed to the nation’s obesity epidemic.

Whether you’re just beginning to do Atkins or have used it for years to maintain your weight, “The Atkins Shopping Guide” will show you how to read food labels and compare different products in a product category such as tomato sauce or peanut butter.