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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

I've heard L. Neil Smith speak several times and I agree with him on almost everything. returnreturnI heard of this book and thought it was exactly what we needed. I expected it to be an updated equivalent to a Mary Ruwart standard, like "Healing our World" or "Short Answers to Tough Questions" returnreturnIt tries to be, it tries hard to be a new platform in a world where the Libertarian Party Platform doesn't say anything. returnreturnBut it doesn't. Not only is it published poorly, with grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes that even I can notice, but Smith has become nothing but an old man who thinks pretty damn high of himself, and talks as if everyone in the room agrees with him and he's trying to show how big his Libertarian penis is. returnreturnMaybe its a reminder that I need to be less L. Neil Smith, and more Jefferey Tucker. returnreturnIf you're a Libertarian looking to see how to explain your positions, this is not the book for you. Take a look at either of the ones I listed. returnreturnIf you are new to libertarianism and want to see what its all about again look at one of the other too, or get a modern perspective by clicking into Ernest Hancock. But this one is worth passing by for everyone, unless you are a statist looking for a reference book to show your college professors why no one should listen to libertarians.

This was a fairly good wrap up to the "Mission Gamma" Series inside the DS9 relaunch series. However, the most memorable part was the ending, but not for the right reasons. It was really rushed and tried to poorly set up the next book in the DS9 relaunch, while actually not telling us anything. If your in the series, its worth reading.

This Gray Spirit takes over where Twilight left off in every way, including every other chapter switching between DS9 in the Alpha QUadrant and the Defiant in the Gamma Quadrant. Again the story in the Alpha quadrant was better than that in the Gamma Quadrant, strange seeing this is supposed to be "Mission Gamma". The Federation announces that Bajor will be welcomed as joining the federation, the Bajorians are being douches about it and are still mad at Caradassia and Kira must navigate this nonsense without hurting anyone’s feeling, while the love story of Ro and Quark continues. returnreturnCommander Vaughn finds a new ally in the Gamma Quadrant only to have them double cross him and reveal a racisms that makes 1960s America look tame. Shar thinks if he can save these racists bastards he can save the entire Andorian people. returnreturnJarman does a much better job than George did on keeping her story focused and readable. Chapter sizes where manageable, and each chapter was almost its own cliff hanger wanting me to read through the unrelated next chapter to get to the conclusion of the one I'm on. returnreturnThere were a couple of Star Trek Univerise inconsistencies that must be dealt with, such as If Quark had access to a containment field within the bar, how come he never used it when things got crazy on the show like when the Klingons drank too much?returnreturnWhen a character we were just beginning to fall in love with dies at the end the whole future of the DS9 relaunch series will need to take a direct turn. Reminds me how much easier it is to kill off and get new mager characters in a book series than a TV seriesreturnreturnAll in all a great part of the DS9 relaunch and a desire to keep going after the disappointment of book 1 in the Mission Gamma Series.

The best part of this particular collection of Spooner's writings was the introduction by Smith. This introduction included mentions of other writings that were not included in this collection that I think would be more valuable, that is more informative, than what was. This includes Mentions of writings on an argument against Women's suffrage, and the necessity for paper inflationary currency. Of the collection that was included, I felt Spooner did a great job on the overarching message contained within "Trial by Jury" giving a good information on why the jury of the pears is so important, and a better idea of what Jury Nullification really is (a lot of "paleo-conservatives" seem to be promoting lately that the jury has the ability to actually strike laws from the books). I find it interesting how much he referenced England. It makes me wonder if perhaps in 19th century America more folks actually cared what England had did, most Americans now-a-days will give 0 credit to anything that is not American. I did not appreciate his continually long pointless quotes from other writers, particularly quoting in Latin and then trying to argue with himself the translation. Still many of the writings have the flavor of a student trying to meet the page/word number requirement for an assignment, but all in all a good collection on philosophy, and if one were to decide to purchase a collection of his works (which are available for free as they are in public domain now) this would be a good one. Also of note, either the table of contents or the titles in the book are wrong on the number of "No Treason: the Constitution of no Authority" however as I had read this essay previously I did not attempt to do so again. &c. viz. (common abbreviations in the writing for et cetera. and vis-à-vis).