Reviews and Comments

After reading this I am even further convienced that I am not sensitive. However, I had a better understanding of what an empath actually is. It is not NECESSARILY a bunch of tree-hugging-hippie crap, but some of it is, the idea that a black crystal held close to you will help you makes it so far out there that I really wanted to through out the baby with the bath water. returnreturnI hae had a number of relationships that have claimed to be empaths, including my wife. Based on Dr. Orioff's description I may well be an "energy vampire" making it even more struggling that I would be attracted to ladies like this. I know it is part of the whole opposites attract. I suspect that if Judith were our consular she would recommend we divorce. Luck for me my wife is even more committed to the sacrament of matrimony than I am. returnreturnThis book is certainly aimed at the sensitive. But there is some value in the loved one of HSPs reading this as well. It isn't easy reading, it is hard not to just dismiss Orioff as a whack-job, but ya do what ya can.

This one takes a "life story' of a minor character who appeared in one episode of the show. The story of Rugal is of a Cardasian boy whose was orphaned during the Occupation, raised by Bajorrns and on a trip with his adoptive dad to DS9 he was kidnapped and brought back to Cardassia wher his birth father was a politician. He fights with his own mortality, identity, tries to just fit in, tries to over though the state, starts a terrorist group and eventually joins the military, while trying to navigate his new country. I can't do this one justice with a simple review, if you love anything about Star Trek, pick this one up.

Knost does one of the things I hate when authors do, quotes themselves and their other works in their own writing. Other than that, it is pretty good. Gives a good argument for not being an ass to your kids and to not smack 'em even though you want to.

One of the better Star Trek novels I have read in some time. Kirk has been sent a on a mission to steal a Romulan cloaking device. No one questioned it as the time. They take some R&R at a science symposium. Things turn weird when one of the scientists starts spotting some bigoted conservative propaganda. returnreturnS.D. Perry is a great author. She did a fine job letting us get inside of Kirk's head, in particular she did a great job as showing as to how Kirk justifies to himself his treatment of women.returnreturnThis would be the first time in the Star Trek timeline that I am aware of Section 31, the Federation's NSA, shows its head. If it wasn't for the giveaway on the cover, it would be much more suspenseful, then again if it wasn't for the giveaway on the cover, I might not read it at all. No need to read the other books in a series to get this. As long as you have seen Star Trek: The Original Series a few episodes to know the characters you should enjoy this book. Highly recommended.

Certainly the best I've read in Butterworth's Mash series. Contrary to what the title says nearly all of this story takes place in Maine. So better than the last couple were he spends the whole time trying to figure out how to get his characters to some far off place like Morocco.

We are introduced to a new character, the ugliest state trooper in Maine, who is a great doctor but without the doctor training. Even being so ugly he apparently still can get the ladies, including some hookers that Don Rhotten brings with him to Maine, and the star of a new TV show that is going to be shot in Maine.

All in all a zany adventure in the deeps woods, with a few distractions of Hollywood mogul who knows how to write a contract to screw over everyone else, and Boris the opera singer gets to hide out in the woods and cook instead of singing in the great Paris opera. returnreturnPick this one up if you can find it.

Against intellectual monopoly was a fantastic read. Two economists take a deep dive into one of western societies longest standing traditions, IP: Copyright, patents, and trademarks. returnreturnWe've been told since a young age that patents helped usher in the industrial age, and should have similar positive effects on the information age. But is it true? returnreturnLevine and Boldrin argue that its not. Not only is government granted monopoly bad for individual freedom, but it hurts the economy and is one of the biggest detriments to moving to the next stage of human development. returnreturnI cannot recommend this enough. Whether you think the IP debate is settled, whether you've already picked your side, or whether you think its all boring, I think this book will open your eyes to a bigger picture, that is surprisingly thrilling given the subject, the authors and the published (Cambridge University Press)

Butterworth's next installment of Hooker's Mash series was alright. Zany as ever, but I kept waiting for all of the characters to get together and actually start the story. It felt like so much of it was leading to that, and it never really happened.

Actually much of the story ended up being a love story between newly introduced, overly conservative Feminist Penelope Quattlebaum and the Sheik of Abzug.

Enough to think picking up the next one is worth it, not enough to recommend this on its own.

Butterworth's next installment of Hooker's Mash series was alright. Zany as ever, but I kept waiting for all of the characters to get together and actually start the story. It felt like so much of it was leading to that, and it never really happened. returnreturnActually much of the story ended up being a love story between newly introduced, overly conservative Feminist Penelope Quattlebaum and the Sheik of Abzug. returnreturnEnough to think picking up the next one is worth it, not enough to recommend this on its own.

This book was fantastic. returnreturnMrs. Sadiler comes from an earlier time but she did a wonderful job correlating everything together still just as useful today as in 19th Century as when first published. returnreturnShe starts out with a theological overview of what the teachings of the Church are on Purgatory. It is not just her writings but writings of theologians through the centuries. returnreturnShe also goes through historical references to Purgatory and similar "in between" places throughout the world. Including several native tribes, Buddhists and other east Asian cultures, as well as the European anchinest and Jews around the time of Christ. returnreturnShe ends with poetical writings including prayers for the deceased. And even exerts from Dante. returnreturnLots of recommendation on why and how to pray for your dead. Both those you have loved and those you have not known. Protestant and Catholic. It connects you to your loved ones, gives hope for the hopeless, and shows that not all is lost. The fire cleanses and that's a good thing. returnreturnRegardless of your religious faith I highly recommend this book.

When I was in High school I really like Dave Barry. So when I saw this audio book at the public library I decided I had to pick it up. One of two things is true, either my tastes have changed completely, or Dave Barry has gotten less funny over the years, I believe its the alter and probably why he doesn’t have a indicated column any more. returnreturnThis collection of short stories is supposed to show the humor found in the author's everday life. In fact is only highlights how boring the life of a 65 year old author who fathers a teenage girl is. returnreturnYou could tell he was trying to be funny, but that was it. The story about taking his daughter to a Justin Beiber concert was the only laugh I had in the whole book. Almost a whole disc was taken up on their trip to the Holy Land and the family's search for free wi-fi there in. We get it, tourists are dumb and your wife loves to shop, its not funny. returnreturnThe last part about "how to become a professional author" was so bad if it wasn't the last story I wouldn’t have finished the book, your sarcasm just makes me mad. returnreturnAll in all, skip this book and pick up one of Barry's early works, to see if my recollection is correct.

I was disappointed by this book. Since I first heard of it I thought it would be great. I was under the impression I would get some good insight here into how to better witness to individuals who had been turned off of Jesus by the idea of the cross. Some better way to present the idea of "Jesus dying for our sins" to someone who felt that was pretty morbid. But this didn't give me that. Flood's book was just too deep for me I guess. I lot of differences between restorative justice and punitive justice. It probably matters to someone with a degree in Theology, but for this engineer Political Scientist it all looked the same to me. I had to keep looking up which one was which because my brain just doesn't work like that. Some interesting passages on the love of God, but not worth buying.

A collection of the first 10 issues or so from the Batman and Robin series after the Flashpoint action caused a reboot. I liked the Earlier ones with Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin. Damian is still Robin, but Bruce Wayne is back as Batman (and Grayson appears to be missing, but I'm sure nightwing is out somewhere). returnreturnSome interesting stories. The authors at DC, however, seem stuck on this "Why Can't Batman Kill People" stint. But the experience with "Nobody" was alright. Didnt' leave me wanting more though...

The book that started it all. It's been a long time since I have seen the movie, some of these stories were familiar, some not. But the book was pretty darn good. Its kind of funny how dis-similar it is to the TV show, what with Hawkeye coming to and leaving Korea in only 18 months. (While he is on TV for how many years?) returnreturnFather McClay ass the bead rattling "Dago Red" is pretty hilarious. And "Spearchucker Jones" is a character that just isn't politically correct at any time. Kicking the holy roller out for being a Christian was a differ net idea than I expected, but don't forget that they are the professionals from Dover and they go to Soul to find the Epileptic Whore. returnreturnIt is a fun fast story. Its no wonder that it was adopted for the screen, but had to be changed to fix the medium. Usually the book is better, occasionally the film/show is better, in this case they are both great on their own. Whether you are a fan of the screen adaptation or not, I recommend taking it for a spin.