What is The Art of Watching Films? - Book Review

The book our best friends, The Art of Watching Films lay emphasis on the narrative films. It challenges students to make efforts to bring their movies on to a next level by the power of observation. 

The book tells the students on how to develop habits and skills of perceptive watching and find out complex aspects of making movies that might be overlooked by them otherwise.

Students are introduced with the production process and formal elements of making movies in the book The Art of Watching Films. They get to know on how to understand and analytically view movies within their social, cultural and historical contexts.

The analytical framework that is being applied to all films is been presented in this test book. The movies that are being talked here include Man on Wire, Iron-Man, Vertigo, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Avatar and The Hurt Locker.

Students and instructors will be able to access the content of this course through the Connect digital learning platform. They can either purchase the standalone access to Connect or they can purchase the bundle and take a printout.

A subscription-based learning is being provided by McGraw-Hill Connect which students and instructors can access through their tablet and personal computer. 

Book Review - Dagger 22: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan by Michael Golembesky

“Dagger 22: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan” is a sequel of New York Times bestselling book Level Zero Heroes.

Level Zero Heroes is a bestselling book from Michael Golembesky which tells us about the Marine Special Operations Team 8222 carried out in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan. This operation was just the starting of warriors who have become tough after the battle.

The winter season of Afghanistan is unforgiving and this team of 22 men of Marine Special Operations Team 8222 has finally settled down. They have a call sign Dagger 22. The valley of Bala Murghab, Afghanistan is very remote and hostile.

It is during this time that the Taliban fighters become dormant and they will continue to rest till the new spring season begins. But, it looks that this winter season will be quite different from the previous one.

The Marine of Dagger 22 along with International Security Forces (NATO) and Afghan forces push their way in the battlefield in this harsh winter season. They want to accomplish their objective before the ice starts to melt.

One fire fighting after another, the forces begin to tighten their grip around the village of Daneh Pasab and the command cell of Taliban that is in operation there. The book “Dagger 22: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan” by Michael Golembesky tells us about the episode that happened on April 6, 2010 when the ground forces comprising of Marine Corps, Afghan Commandos, U.S. Army Special Forces carried out a night operation to overcome the heavily armed forces of Taliban.

They stopped the offensive that used to start in spring season before it even started by breaking the grip that the Taliban had in the valley.

But one thing is certain, that there is nothing in this Bala Murghab valley that comes easy. This area is being considered as having one of the most brutal environments on earth. The combat team of Dagger 22 leans on each other to move ahead and complete their mission.

Book Reviews

The book “Dagger 22: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan” by Michael Golembesky is a follow up from the bestselling book Level Zero Heroes. The book tells about the life faced by Marine Special Operations Team “Dagger 22” on the battlefield of Afghanistan.

Book Author

Michael Golembesky has been a staff sergeant and has served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years. He has been a combat veteran for both Iraq and Afghanistan wars. With Marine Special Operation Team 8222 (MARSOC), Michael Golembesky has served as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller. The earlier book written by him, Level Zero Heroes, went on to become the New York Times bestseller. 

Book Review - The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt by Maria Cornelius

Eight national championships backed by 1098 wins, Lady Vol Coach Pat Summitt has carved out a permanent name for her in the world of sports. She is a true epitome of passion, leadership and perseverance for the game.

What make her special is not just her victories on the court. Pat Summitt became the head coach of Lady Vol at the age of twenty-two years. She was the lady behind establishing University of Tennessee Lady Vols as the top athletics program for women in the country.

Victory did not came in easy for Summitt, but through her grit and determination she surpassed all the obstacles and went on to become one of the most successful coach in the history of NCAA basketball. The true legacy of this lady is seen in the lives that have been impacted by her.

Ever since she started her career, she has been a role model for young women. In the book “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt” by Maria Cornelius tells us about a woman who wanted nothing in her life except for the best from people around her and her players.

The performance graph of Pat Summitt had never gone down even during the final period as the head coach. But, her worst fear was yet to come, as she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In the book “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt” by Maria Cornelius reveals about the final coaching season of this great coach from people who knew her best, from support staff to players to advisors and closest friends.

Starting from the diagnosis that shocked everyone in Tennessee in the summer of 2011 and moving on to the last game of the 2011 – 12 season; this book takes us behind the curtains of the coaching career of Summitt.

The writer of the book tells about how her diagnosis had affected everyone attached to her, including her fans, staff and players.

The book “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt” by Maria Cornelius has been forwarded by Swish Appeal editor Mike Robinson and former Lady Vol Candace Parker. The book raises the curtain from the life story of Pat Summitt that kept the young women team united and brought incredible fan following for the sports.

The determined spirit, sense of humor, love, and selfless attitude will carve out a special place in your heart as you read the book.

Book Author

Maria Cornelius has been writing for Lady Vols basketball program for national, regional and local media since 1998. Cornelius is a freelance writer and lives in Knoxville. She works both as a freelance writer for Inside Tennessee and full-time for Moxley Carmichael, a well known public relations and communications company in East Tennessee.

Book Review - Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love and Writing (Signed Book) by Jennifer Weiner

Jennifer Weiner is a woman of many trades. She has been the #1 New York Times bestselling author, a Twitter phenomenon, and an unlikely enforcer of feminism. In her personal life, she plays the role of a sister, a daughter and a mother. She used to do rowing earlier and is a current cyclist. She is also a reality TV junkie.

Now she is making her place in the non-fiction book writing department. “Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love and Writing (Signed Book)” is her first presentation in the department. She has picked up different moments of her life and presented them in form of short essays.

Jennifer Weiner also talks about modern womanhood which is not only moving but uproariously funny with the best of Nora Ephron, Fren Libowitz, and Tina Fey.

Jennifer spent her childhood in the picturesque Connecticut hometown and did her studies from Ivy League College. She went on to work in newsrooms in Philadelphia and central Pennsylvania. He voice was heard as a columnist of New York Times, an activist and novelist.

No essay can be said to have crossed the limits and are an honest and intimate depiction whether it is money, envy, weight, sex, the death of her estranged father and the newfound lesbianism of her mother.

From the time of her adolescence, to modern childbirth to her six year old daughter using the word letter “F” for the first time as fat. Through her candor and wit, Jennifer Weiner has entertained reader from across the globe.

The book “Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love and Writing (Signed Book)” is deeply touching and at times hilarious and depicts a new side of a woman who penned down Best Friends Forever and Good in Bed.

Book Author

Jennifer Weiner has written fourteen books and is the #1 New York Times bestsellers. Some of her well known works include In Her Shoes, Who Do You Love and Good In Bed. She has passed out from Princeton University and has contributed to the Opinion section of New York Times. At present she lives with her family in Philadelphia. You can know more about her on her website JenniferWeiner.com

Book Review - When Nobody Was Watching: My Hard-Fought Journey to the Top of the Soccer World by Carli Lloyd

When Nobody Was Watching: My Hard-Fought Journey to the Top of the Soccer World is a wonderful biography book that tells about the celebrated star of the US Women’s National Soccer Team.

In the year 2015, FIFA championship was won by the US Women’s National Soccer Team for the first time in sixteen years. The highlight of this match was a brilliant and electrifying performance from midfielder and team captain Carli Lloyd.

History was created on that day when hat trick was created by Carli Lloyd with the three goals of the game scored within the first sixteen minutes.

This success and glory did not came to Carli in just one day as there was a time when she was on the verge of quitting the sport almost. In the year 2003, the soccer career of Carli was falling apart and she was struggling miserably.

The big turnaround came in her soccer career when she found the great trainer, James Galanis. The raw talent and dedication towards the game was put together and in shape by Galanis. The trainer put in the missing elements of character, mental toughness and fitness in Carli’s game.

Carli Lloyd and her trainer formed a wonderful team together as they worked day and night and ironing out the shortcomings. It was the hard work that was put in by Carli and the technical input was put in by James Galanis, who have all the trust in Carli’s abilities.

Despite all the criticism, from the time she was sitting on the bench and her self-confidence was dipping down, to becoming one of the best players in the world, the book When Nobody Was Watching: My Hard-Fought Journey to the Top of the Soccer World gives us a deep look in the life of Carli Lloyd.

The book is a reflection of the turnaround in the soccer career and the one that took US women’s soccer team to the top in the past nearly two decades.

Book Author

Carli Lloyd is the current FIFA World Player of the Year and is a co-captain of the Women’s National Soccer Team of USA. The midfielder has also scored the gold-medal winning goals in both the 2012 and 2008 Olympics. She has made appearance in three FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.

Wayne Coffey has written more than thirty books and is an award-winning sports journalist. Some of his works have been New York Times bestsellers including Wherever I Wind Up with RA Dickey, The Closer with Mariano Rivera and Above the Line with Urban Meyer.

Book Review - A Perfect Union of Contrary Things by Maynard James Keenan

“A Perfect Union of Contrary Things” is one and only authorized biography of Maynard James Keenan.  The book takes us on a journey starting from the childhood years of Keenan in Midwest to the time spent by him in the Army. 

The book also tells us about his stint at pet shop in Boston to him becoming internationally famous.

We also get to know about the influence made by him on regional winemaking and contemporary music. The book “A Perfect Union of Contrary Things” is a wonderful depiction of a dedicated and versatile artist. It pays homage to places and people who shaped this person and his art.

Till this time, the thousands of fans of Maynard only knew about the abridged version of his story. The book “A Perfect Union of Contrary Things” tells the readers about the moments of disappointment and triumph and the circumstances that made Maynard to take one step after another.

The readers also get to know as to what made him change directions and opportunities surprised him and how he explored them. 

The book also contains humorous anecdotes in the own words of Maynard and the commentary that was made his instructors, friends, family members and industry colleagues.

The book also contains a note from Alex Grey, who is a longtime friend of Keenan and an American visionary. Readers can also enjoy many photographs of Keenan from his childhood till the present time along with representation of his early writings and drawings.

The story of Maynard will encourage people to follow their dreams. It shows how one can stay composed and calm during bad times and how to work without tiring to achieve ones dreams.

Book Review - The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Are you ready to see your fixer upper?

These popular words have now become synonymous with Chip and Joanna Gaines, the dynamic husband-wife and the stars of Fixer Upper on HGTV. The airwaves has been filled with anticipation by this question, and the countless fans, that continue to grow, puts forward a variety of questions, such as – Who are these people? How they are able to achieve such a phenomenal success? And is Chip similarly funny in real life too?

Chip and Joanna Gaines renovates homes in Waco, Texas and have changed lives in an engaging and winsome way. It is needless to say that the husband-wife are more than just the stars of ‘Fixer Upper’ and there is no doubt in saying that they have gone on to become the best new friends of America.

Chip and Joanna have come up with their first book “The magnolia Story” which tells in detail the life of husband-wife. Starting from the first renovation project undertaken by them together, to an assignment in which they almost lost everything.

The book also talks about their childhood that shaped what they are now and through the thick and thin of life which is shared by them on the farm today. Both of them studied at Baylor University in Waco. But, the life of two crossed when Chip went to a local Firestone tire shop where Joanna happens to work.

At that time, Chip was working as a serial entrepreneur and was running a lawn care company, flipped houses and sold fireworks. Chip and Joanna married soon and started living in their first fixer upper. They had children and moved further in their renovation business.

One fine day, a television producer took note of Joanna’s work one a blog and the rest is history.

In the book “The Magnolia Story” the countless fans of Gaines get to know about the behind the scene happenings:

• Chip ran up to the grocery store and left his sleeping baby behind
• The agonizing decision taken by Joanna to move out from the business and focus more on raising the kids
• A houseboat is purchased by Chip but it turns out to be a leaky mess
• The big breakthrough by Joanna in discovering the secret of creating beautiful homes
• The financial twists and turns that they went through as they try out their entrepreneurial mind
• Photos and memories of the wedding of Chip and Joanna
• Why they picked up the word Magnolia in everything that has been done by them
• How the couple takes up the popularity of Fixer Upper and how they bolster their business

And in the last but not the least, all the fans want to know if Chip is really that funny in real life too?

Book Review - Shaken Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms by Tim Tebow

Have you ever realized as to how you behave when your life is all normal and steady?

Have you ever realized as to how you behave when there are problems cropping up and it is almost like a bad storm in your life?

Most of the times in our life we are only at the receiving end.  Much of which comprises of heartbreaks and broken dreams. It is not easy to spend life when things around us are all broken and in bits and pieces.

It is possible to pass through these tough times when we keep our feet on the ground and face the truth on the front. In the book “Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms” the writer Tim Tebow shares the experiences of his own life when he is faced with disappointment.

He talks about how he maintained his calm and composure when he was the subject of intense media scrutiny and is being criticized by many.

After an exceptionally successful football career with the Florida Gator and after a wonderful playoff runs with the Denver Broncos, Tim Tebow was sold to the New York Jets. But, he was there for only one season.

In the book “Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms” from Tim Tebow, the writer talks about how he found strength in himself by laying his trust on the God and not on the world. This book is quite moving in the sense that it brings calm and peace to your inner-self.

Book Author

Tim Tebow is a first time NFL draft pick, two-time national champion and a winner of Heisman Trophy. He has played in the NFL for the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos. He has also joined the SEC network. Apart from this, Tebow has also made contribution to a variety of ESPN platforms, on SEC nation and the traveling road show from the network. The NFL player founded the Tim Tebow Foundation in the year 2010 which is his true passion now. The aim of the foundation is to bring Love, Hope and Faith to those whose life is filled with darkness. The foundation is already serving thousands of children every day.

A.J. Gregory has collaborated in more than thirty-five books, some of whom have been New York Times bestsellers, with some of the best known names in various industries. She has also penned down two books Silent Savior and Messy Faith. 

Book Review - Adobe InDesign CC Classroom in a Book (2015 release) Edition 1

Do you want to learn Adobe InDesign CC in the most comprehensive, easiest and fastest manner than you should pick no other than Adobe InDesign CC Classroom in a Book (2015 Release). 

This book from Adobe Press has 16 project based lessons on key techniques on how to work in Adobe InDesign.

The readers gets to know on how to create an engaging layout of the page, on how to use and create styles, edit the flow of the text, incorporate tables and graphics and create eBooks and PDF forms.

Along with learning the key elements of InDesign interface, some new features have also been covered in this revised version of CC (2015 release). The topics that have been covered include swatches, sharing styles, graphics cell for tables, more flexible table creation, paragraph shading, and setting across applications for Creative Clouds.

The book Adobe InDesign CC Classroom in a Book (2015 Release) has thorough description on each topic. This book is particularly good for beginners as they can learn the things at their own pace and can become familiar with the new features of the program.

Professionals who already have knowledge on working on InDesign can gain additional knowledge by reading Adobe InDesign CC Classroom in a Book (2015 Release) and can sharpen their skills.

Projects are given at the end of each chapter which can be completed by the reader through online companion files. Ebook readers will also get new updates on the latest features from Adobe.

All the buyers of this book will get complete access to the web edition, which contains complete ebook along with videos and interactive quizzes containing multiple-choice questions. Readers of the book can also download instructors’ notes.

Book Review - Just Getting Started by Tony Bennett

The age on ninety is only a number for singer and musician Tony Bennett, for he is still as productive and vibrant as ever before. He is known to have produced some wonderful music, including concerts, albums and personal appearances.

This wonderful artist has taken on another expedition and has penned down his next book. He came out with his first book in the 2012, titled “Life Is a Gift”, Tony talks about the lessons that he has learned in his life over the years.

In the latest book, Just Getting Started, he sends out a token of thanks to all those people who helped him in learning those lessons. Tony Bennett speaks about the people who have made a rich contribution to his life in his inviting and warm voice.

People he is talking about in this book include Amy Winehouse, Cole Porter, Martin Luther King Jr., Judy Garland, lady Gaga, Fred Astaire, and Charlie Chaplin. He also talks about the different members of his family and about the places that have made a significant difference.

“Just Getting Started” talks about the relationship that has been enjoyed by Tony with each of these loved ones, legends, humanitarians, and entertainers. Tony also talks about the lessons that he has learned have shaped his life in an invaluable manner.

Just Getting Started is a wonderful compilation from Tony Bennett and is said to be as unforgettable and enchanting as the music that has been created by him. It is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to know more about this remarkable star and human.

Book Author

Tony Bennett has many accomplishments to his name and is a proud recipient of many gold and platinum records. His achievements are clear and evident as his albums have been sold in millions of number.

Tony Bennett has won seventeen Grammy awards and two Emmy Awards. We should not forget that he has also been awarded the lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. This music sensation was born in August 3, 1926, at Queens, New York.

Book Review - CCNA Security 210-260 Official Cert Guide Edition 1

CCNA Security 210 – 260 Official Cert Guide

CCNA Security 210 – 260 Official Cert Guide is a good study guide for Cisco exam which focuses particularly on the objectives for the CCNA Security Implementing Cisco Network Security (IINS) 210 – 260 exam.

The book is written by two Cisco Experts Omar Santos and John Stuppi. They provide hints on how to prepare for the exam and tips on taking the test. This book will enable you to pinpoint your weakness and make improvements in both hands-on skills and conceptual knowledge.

The study material is given in a concise form, and focuses on understanding and retention of topics for exam. CCNA Security 210 – 260 Official Cert Guide provides an organized routine for test-preparation by using a series of proven techniques and elements.

Every chapter opens with the quiz “Do I Know This Already?” and helps you decide the amount of time you are supposed to spend on every chapter. A list of official topics for the exam has made referencing easy. Each chapter ends with exam preparation task that tests you on key concepts which you should know thoroughly.

You can take complete timed exams on individual topic areas through the powerful Pearson IT Certification Practice Test engine given in CD-ROM. The assessment engine will keep a track of your performance and gives feedback for every chapter.

This chapter-by-chapter assessment will help you find your current standing and the areas where you need to focus for betterment. The CD also has 90 minutes of video training on NAT, CCP, ACLs, object groups, port security on a Layer 2 switch, zone based firewalls and CP3L.

This official study guide with its assessment features, level of detail and challenging exercises and review questions, will help you master the techniques and concepts. It will enable you to pass through the exam the first time.

CCNA Security 210 – 260 Official Cert Guide is a self-study product from Cisco Press and is recommended from Cisco for hands-on training and simulation from authorized Cisco Learning Partners.

You can master all the topics on from this official study guide the CCNA Security Implementing Cisco Network Security (IINS), including

·        

• Implementing AAA using IOS and ISE
• 
  
• Security concepts and threats
• 
  
• VPN technology and cryptography
• 
  
• Bring your own device (BYOD)
• 
  
• Implementing SSL remote-access VPNs using Cisco ASA
• 
  
• Implementing IPs site-to-site VPNs
• 
  
• IP security
• 
  
• Network Foundation Protection (NFP)
• 
  
• Security Layer 2 technologies
• 
  
• Cisco IPS fundamentals
• 
  
• Understand, configure and implement Cisco firewall technologies
• 
  
• Securing the management, data and control planes
• 
  
•  Mitigation technologies for e-mail, web0based and end point threats

The CD-ROM has 90 minutes of video training and two free, complete practice exams.

Customer Review

The cert guides are valuable in both the cases, whether you want to take the exam for certification or otherwise. I refer the cert guides often as the information given in here is in a clear concise manner. Anyone who is attached with technology should be concerned about security and particularly about network security.

Book Review - I Am Brian Wilson by Brian Wilson

In America it is heard that there are no second acts, and the third act is something almost unheard of. This is what makes the story of Brian Wilson so astonishing.

Back in 1960s, Wilson was the co-founding member of the Beach Boys. A band that created the most timeless and groundbreaking popular music that was ever recorded. Wit wide-eyed lyrics, symphonic structures and intricate harmonies, the music from the Beach Boys explored the deepest sorrows and transcendent joys of life.

The possibilities of writing pop songs were expanded forever with songs like “Good Vibrations”, “God Only Knows” and “In My Room”. In 1970s, the career of Wilson was derailed due to drug use, mental illness and shift in fortunes of the band.

Setbacks like these did not stopped Wilson as he came back over and over again in the next few decades. He was able to survive and finally able to thrive.

Now, for the first time, Wilson tells us about his struggles, and from where he got the inspirations for his creations. He also tells about the debilitating lows and exhilarating highs.

In the self revealing book “I Am Brian Wilson”, the man talks about how he found his way back to creativity and stability. We get to know as to how he turned out to be a mesmerizing live artist and he completed the legendary unfinished record from Beach Boys, “Smile”, that were features of his genius abilities and destabilization.

Today, the old Brian Wilson, is much more calm, forgiving and filled with perspective. Whether you read about the childhood days of Wilson, his own inner demons or his band mates, the book, “I Am Brian Wilson” is written in his own unique way.

The book brings to limelight the man that was behind the evergreen music, who worked through all the turbulent times and was finally able to achieve harmony in life.

Book Editorial Reviews

KR

This book reveals a troubled yet hopeful life of a musical mad scientist. Like it was shown in the movie, Love & Mercy, Brian Wilson suffered a panic attack which forced him to stop touring with his boy band, the Beach Boys. He did not step back; however, as he kept thinking as to what kind of songs he wanted to write.

Blame it on his genes, Wilson was fighting from mental illness all the time. This was not all, as Wilson was also abused by his psychiatrist, his father and those unwanted voices in his head. This book is the true story of a music legend in his words.

Book Author

Brian Wilson became famous with the band the Beach Boys and is one of the deeply revered figures in the world of music. He is considered as one of the most influential composer of the last century and the man behind the most cherished recordings in rock history.

Ben Greenman is a New York Times bestselling author and has written in both fiction and non-fiction form. The most recent works from Ben is The Slippage.

Book Review - In Such Good Company by Carol Burnett

Comedy legend Carol Burnett made every burst out of laughter through her iconic weekly variety series, The Carol Burnett Show. The legendary comedian has now come out with a book In Such Good Company which takes us behind the scenes of the popular series.

The Emmy Award winning show was broadcast on television for more than a decade and it showed the wit, talent and comedy timing of Carol Burnett. The book In Such Good Company tells us about the little known stories of antics, sketches and guests because of which the show became legendary.

Carol has put everything before its readers starting from the original concept of the show to how it evolved and mushroomed into one of the most famous series in primetime programs of its time.

The book has been written with all the humor and charm that one can expect from the likes of master entertainer, Carol Burnett. She talks about the ingredients of the show that made it so popular at a time when TV variety shows were ruling the primetime.

The book In Such Good Company tells about the amazing star guests – the most popular and talented entertainers of that time and the talented costars that made every episode a special one.

Some of the topics that are covered in the book are:

• How the show almost went off the air because of the deeds of some vice presidents of CBS.

• How she found and employed Lyle Waggoner, Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway.

• Close friendships with many of the star guests and anecdotes from them, including Steve Lawrence, Betty Grable, Bernadette Peters, Jim Nabors, Roddy McDowell, Lucille Ball, Rita Hayworth, Gloria Swanson, Eydie Gorme, and Betty White.

• Carol also talks about the people who contributed from behind the scene including Bob Mackie, her costume designer and partner in crime, the cameraman who was wickedly funny who turned out to be a fixture during the Q&A opening of the show.

• The book In Such Good Company also talks about the unpredictable moments and the favorite sketches of Carol that surprised both the viewers and the cast.

This book can be described as a love letter from Carol to the golden period of television history which awarded her brilliant show 25 Emmy Awards. This book takes a look back at a show that was not only fun watching but also fun at making.

Book Author

Carol Burnett has been an actor in the movies, on television and on Broadway. She has been presented the Kennedy Center Honors, The Mark Twain Prize for Humor, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The career of Carol is marked with loads of achievements and she is a true role model for everyone.

Book Review - Living With No Excuses by Noah Galloway

How much brave and daring are you?

How much self motivated a person are you?

Do you have the capability and endurance to start from zero altogether when you have lost everything?

We often complain that God has not given us enough.

Think about the life of those people that goes upside down within the blink of an eye.

After losing an arm and a leg while fighting for the country, military hero showed that Noah Galloway showed that this loss was not enough to keep him from living his life to the fullest.

In this thought provoking, remarkable and inspirational book Living With No Excuses from Noah Galloway we get to know about the life of this wonderful solider.

He tells about how he lost his arm and leg during a combat and how he forced himself to relearn on how to live life and that too its fullest potential.

The book takes us back in time when Noah was a little boy in rural Alabama and how his military experience was and what all odds he faced in the battle field.

He recalls his early days when he lost his limbs and started to accept that as part of his normal life. 

He also tells as to how he prepares his mind to succeed in life against all odds.

The book Living With No Excuses tells a gripping story about a man whose life there is no word “impossible”. It teaches us that with the right attitude towards life and some amount of laughter we can overcome everything in our life.

Noah went on to conquer another battle after the tragic injury and that is at the Dancing With The Stars ballroom.

It is a must read book for anyone and everyone.

Book Review - The Clintons’ War on Women by Roger Stone, Robert Morrow

Hillary Clinton, the presidential candidate from Democratic Party is an epitome of women power across the globe. She has been a woman of many frames, playing the role of a wife, mother, grandmother and now a presidential hopeful. She has certainly been an idol for many women who want to make it big in their career.

 Book Review - The Clintons’ War on Women by Roger Stone, Robert Morrow

There is another side of Hillary Clinton, which has been covered up till now and if let out can be quite shocking to anyone. The book Clintons’ War on Women pulls the curtain from a chapter in the life of Clintons’ that is going to shock everyone.

It has been revealed in the book that both Hillary and Bill Clinton used to abuse women and others systematically, being it psychologically, physically and sexually, in their urge to fulfill the desire to obtain wealth and power.

New York Times bestselling author Roger Stone in one of his most daring works, along with alternative historian and researcher Robert Morrow draws a sketch of Hillary and Bill that is marked with cover-ups and crimes.

The book Clintons’ War on Women takes us back in time when Bill Clinton was at the reins of White House office and reveals about the actions that took place in Arkansas. It also talks about the deadly attack on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, at the time when Hillary Clinton was the secretary of state. Some revelations have also been made about the time they spent at the Clinton Foundation and during current campaigning from Hillary Clinton to become president.

This is the first time a book has been written to throw light on the violations from the politician couple in order to fulfill their objective to have power. Some of the darkest secrets of the family have also been revealed by Stone and Morrow in the book Clintons’ War on Women, including a drug rehabilitation taken by one of the members of their family which never came out in the open.

The book sprang surprise on everyone when it reveals that Hillary Clinton was in close relationship with a top female aide. These types of revelations, in their all likelihood have the power to derail the ambition of Clinton to take the office of White House again.

Anyone who is interested in knowing about the future of the United States than he or she must surely get their hands on this unvarnished, appalling and hideous truth about the Clintons.

Book Author

Roger Stone is a seasoned political operative and pundit. He has seen eight national presidential campaigns and has worked as a senior campaign aide to three Republican presidents. He has written Jeb and the Bush Crime Family, and The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ which has been a New York Times bestsellers.

Robert Morrow is a historian and political researcher with expertise on the JFK assassinations, the Bus family and the Clintons. He has done MBA from the University of Texas and a degree in history from Princeton University.

Book Review - Spaceman by Mike Massimino

We have always wondered, apart from astronauts, as to what it is like to zoom towards the sky faster than the speed of sound. Consider a scenario that you are strapped to a giant rocket which within minutes will accelerate from zero to more than 17,000 miles per hour and pierce the sky.

Consider another scenario that you are looking from moon towards the earth and can precisely see the line that separates day and night. Feel yourself in another situation in which you are standing in front of the Hubble telescope and are about to make an emergency repair, something which if not done correctly may ruin mankind’s chance to unlock the secrets of the universe.

Mike Massimino has been in all the above mentioned situations and numerous others like these. This is your chance to wear the astronaut suit of Massimino and experience first-hand the life of an astronaut.

The reference is being made to the book written by the great astronaut himself, ‘Spaceman’, which is sure to make you have a feel of micro-gravity and buoyancy of life.

Massimino dreamed to be on the moon ever since Neil Armstrong became the first man to do so. The journey to achieve his childhood dream was not an easy one. From a working class Long Island Family, Massimino worked his way up to complete his education from Columbia and MIT.

He flunked two times at the qualifying exams before he was selected for final round by NASA to become the astronaut. But, than the big bad news came, which turned his world upside down. He was told that he can never make the cut because of his poor eyesight.

This bad news did not stop him and joined the training for T-38 Air Force jets which prepared his body and soul for his journey to the cosmos. In the book Spaceman, Massimino describes about the beauty and surreal wonder of spacewalk. He also talks about losing friends because of the Columbia shuttle accident and how his enduring love developed for the Hubble telescope.

Massimino’s book Spaceman talks about teamwork which has the power to make anything possible and has stressed that one should never give up. The book lets us take a look in a world where a nerdiest science is in perfect amalgamation with thrilling adventure.

Book Author

Mike Massimino worked as astronaut at the National Aeronautical and Space Administration for nearly two decades starting from 1996 to 2014. He has been on two space missions, STS-109 in March 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia and STS-125 in May 2009 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. He is seen in the movie Hubble IMAX 3D, has made an appearance in The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Late Show with David Letterman, and CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory where he played himself. At present, he is living in New York City.

Who is Johan Cruyff? - Book Review

Johan Cruyff, is a well known name in the football world. He is known as ‘the European Pele’ which signifies that he is one of the most successful football players in history.

Johan Cruyff coined the term Total Football, a unique style of playing football introduced by him. Under the Total Football scheme a player is allowed to play from any position he wishes to.

This unique style of play introduced by Johan Cruyff is still being used by many football clubs across Europe, from Bayern Munich to Barcelona and from Cesc Fabrecas to Lionel Messi.

My Turn is an autobiography that lets us take a look in the life of this classy football player. Cruyff started his football career at Ajax, after conquering three European Cups and eight national titles, he moved to Barcelona.

Soon he was named European Footballer of the Year after he won the La Liga in the year 1973, in the first season. There was no stopping for this marvelous player, as his remarkable play helped the Dutch team reach the finals of the 1974 World Cup, he was also given Ballon d’Or three times.

Unfortunately, the Dutch national team lost to West Germany, but Johan Cruyff was judged as the player of the tournament and was given the Golden Ball.

Johan Cruyff who was in complete control of his game on the football field, earned bad name in his normal life as he was involved in a kidnapping attempt and bankruptcy. Back on the football field, after retirement in 1984, Johan had a successful career as the manager of Ajax and later on with Barcelona.

Barcelona won the champions league when he was the manager of the team and young Pep Guardiola was in his team at that time. In the year 1999, Johan Cruyff was judged as the European Player of the Century. He came just second to Pele in the pool for the World Player of the Century.

The football world came to a standstill in March 2016 Cruyff breathe his last after a short fight against lung cancer. My Turn by Johan Cruyff is a must read for any person who follows football.

Book Author

Discussion on the best football players of the world is not complete without the mention of Johan Cruyff. The football philosophy and style of play of this legendary player has been the source of inspiration and guide to many manager and players, including Xavi, Eric Cantona, Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola.

Johan Cruyff changed the structure and style of play of Spanish football and this can be clearly seen from the successes they have had both at the club and international levels. The wonderful and unique career of Cruyff can now be read by you in the book My Turn. You can now know the philosophy that changed the football career of Johan but also of many generations of managers, footballers and fans.

Book Review - My Last Continent by Midge Raymond

My Last Continent is a romantic story, although completely different from its genre department. We may not call this book as a completely based on romance between two characters. It is also a testament for a passion that is shared by them for penguins that they are studying at this unforgiving and brutal landscape.

Before you read the book My Last Continent by Midge Raymond, you should put aside any conception you might have about penguins. The fact is that this book is nothing like Happy Feet.

The story is been told in a reverse order, with the end being told first. Deb Gardner, is the narrator, and a post-doctoral researcher. She guides a bunch of environmental tourists towards a colony of penguin. Unfortunately, these tourists do not have any interest towards these remarkable creatures. 

Deb, on the other hand, has spent so many years trying to protect them. They are more interested in knowing about how a massive cruise ship, the Australis, sank killing all the 715 passengers and crew.

The heading of each chapter gives a time distance from when this dreadful catastrophe happened such as “four days before shipwreck”, “one week before shipwreck”, scattered with the story of Deb. She is switched between an air of sadness and resignation. It is not sure whether it is because of the passengers or the fate of penguins.

The tone of Titanic can be felt strongly in this book from the beginning and we can very well imagine, how devastating feeling it can give. Deb is a tough person, an independent traveler, and has comfortably settled down in the tough climate of Arctic Circle.

She is a guide on the Cormorant which is an eco-cruise ship and spending much of her time monitoring penguins. She compares herself with the ship, stating we both are built for ice. I have got a thick skin and a penchant for solitude, she has got a reinforced hull.

The life of Deb can be described to be as cold as the ice surrounded by which she lives in. A whiff of warm air comes in this ice cold life by the introduction of a charming rogue, Keller Sullivan. The surprising change in Deb’s life came when she was on a flight to Antarctica.

She was on her way to Mount Erebus, to conduct a census of a colony of emperors. The love mushroomed at a place where very few plants dare to sprout out, at the sub-zero temperatures. The romance between Deb and Keller keeps switching corners, at times intense and at times selfish.

Keller becomes a champion of the environment. He leaves behind Deb among the feathered inhabitants of the shrinking ice caps. He tries hard to reassure her that he loves her truly and deeply, but Deb finds it difficult to come to terms. Their meetings are of short duration and few and far between.

The unique scenario in the book My Last Continent by Midge Raymond, is not only refreshing but poignant as well. The frustration of Deb shown by Raymond should not be taken lightly. Interference of human is causing irrevocable damage to this precious environment.

Both the characters in the money earn their livelihood by ferrying wealthy tourists to this secluded habitat, which is highly endangered now.

The tale told in the book My Last Continent by Midge Raymond is completely sobering and absorbing. The book lets you appreciate a far reaching place on earth whose future has been so mercilessly destroyed by human intervention.

Book Review - Trump Revealed” by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher

Looks like, the magnanimous and larger than life personality of Donald Trump has overshadowed the current US presidential election fever. The talk of US elections is not complete without the mention of this vociferous and fearless businessman, who has risen to unprecedented fame through his comments, which in many cases have been controversial.

It is not just the opposition camp or the general public that are talking about him, but the media and book writers have got a new topic to explore and writer on.

Famous writers Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher are so much affected by the life of Donald Trump that they have decided to write a biography on him.

“Trump Revealed” by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher is a proactive, timely, authoritative and exhaustively searched biography on Donald Trump. The book tries to spread out some leaves of the life of this complex portrait, who, with all the skepticism may go on to become the next president of United States.

Donald Trump is such a personality that he will make you hear what he says. The aura of this man just cannot be ignored.

If you believe that you know Donald Trump enough, just hold on, as there are still many aspects of his life that you still might not be aware of. To sketch out a complete and much hidden picture of Donald Trump, a team of award winning researchers and reporters have been grouped by Washington Post.

This group has been assigned the task to explore in every aspect, the life of Trump, starting from his upbringing in Queens to his rise to astronomical fame in 2016 to become the Republican nominee in the race to become the next president of United States.

This comprehensive book tells about the fascinating family of Trump, his consistent and aggressive efforts to make room for himself in the social circles of New York, and his desires to strike big in everything he do – be it branded business, real estate and not the least, on himself.

Seasoned journalists, authors who interviewed Donald Trump for the book, “Trump Revealed”, explore everything from his alliance with power broker Roy Cohn to the dealings that he had with organized crime.

 The book also talks about his controversial business undertakings in Scotland, Florida, Atlantic City, New York City and Azerbaijan. The authors also mention about the fruition of his political viewpoint, and his multi-faceted lifestyle that comprises of a television star, global brand, celebrity, billionaire businessman and now a candidate to become US president.

There are very few famous personalities whose profile has been as diverse as that of Donald Trump, which includes entertainments, sports, and real estate and now politics.

The book “Trump Revealed” by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher also takes a look as to what role early life of Donald Trump has played in framing his views on global trade, race, immigration, economy, women and terrorism.

This book is quite revealing and is in line with its name. Whether you like Donald Trump, it is worth knowing about the life of this great personality.

Review - In Trump We Trust by Ann Coulter

Donald Trump says he will deport millions of people who are living illegally in the US.

Donald Trump says he will not allow Muslims to enter the country.

Donald Trump says he will build a wall separating Mexico and the United States.

These and many other controversial statements made by the Republican US presidential candidate have caused uproar across the globe.

But, if we look at it from a neutral angle, he is talking in the interest of his country.

The book “In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome!” depicts Donald Trump not as a politician memorable, but as a man who has the guts to take actions against corrupt and dysfunctional establishment.

Ann Coulter, with her unique skills in writing, sense of humor, candor and insight, has provided us with some reasons as to why we should join the revolution started by Donald Trump.

Looks like there is only one person for the US presidential race this time, Trump, for he creates so much news, regardless of good or bad, that it makes others inaudible at times.

The media is looking from every corner as to how he will conduct his activities if and when he becomes the president of United States. They are also trying to understand as how he managed to convince millions of people to support Republicans.

The media may be puzzled, but, the writer of the book “In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome!” Ann Coulter is not. She seems to understand clearly as to how Trump is able to beat all the other sixteen GOP contenders and is able to make a place in the thoughts of millions of Americans.

She attains the power to speak on behalf of the majority of people who are silent and saying things that they were not able to speak earlier.

To make America great again, Ann Coulter gives the reason that a bull in the china shop is just what is required. In the book “In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome!” which is all out praise for Donald Trump, Coulter gives us reasons to set aside Democrats who are moderates and conservatives and give their support to Trump.

Ø  Trump is putting America ahead of everything. He is more concerned about America than forming allies with enemies.

Ø  The decade’s long commitment to aggressive foreign policy has been abandoned by him. This has come at a time when the country is involved in wars for so long.

Ø  The hard hitting proposals on immigration from Trump have ended the Hispanic activities. He is defining as to who gets to live in the country.

In case you are already a supporter of Donald Trump than the book “In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome!” from Ann Coulter will help you strengthen your position.

In case you are not, then it is quite possible that your mind will change after reading this book.

Book Author

Ann Coulter has already written twelve New York Times Bestsellers, Adios America has been the latest addition to it. She lectures at different location across the country. At Present, she has more than one million followers on Facebook and Twitter

Book Review - Underground Airlines by Ben H Winters

Can you think that slavery still exists?

Yes, it does and that too in one of the most advanced and powerful country in the world.

The book, “Underground Airlines” by Ben H Winters brings to limelight just that.

Victor is an African-American prized hunter in US, unfortunately, it is not the America that every one of us knows, or, perhaps would like to.

Blinded and hidden by the glitz and glamour of the most powerful nation, lies a world that many of us cannot even dream of in these modern times.

Slavery has painted a black image of America for the world, and unfortunately it still exists, even though we feel proud to have sent a satellite to Jupiter.

Slavery has been abandoned by most of the Union, but there are four states who still keep it in practice. Abraham Lincoln lost his life fighting to end slavery. But, looks like the life of the great emancipator was not big a sacrifice to bring an end to one of the worst curse of the planet and of America.

Victor is given freedom, but it is not without a price. He is assigned the task to hunt down slaves who ran away from the bonded life on the plantations in South. He also has to find the secret Underground Airlines that facilitates in escaping slaves to Canada or more liberal states.

The book, Underground Airlines by Ben H Winters, discloses some astonishing truths about a black world that is hidden from the world. The four states who still practice slavery do not want to leave this, while the rest of the Union is complicit about it.

America has earned a bad name for this malignant practice and the rest of the world has shown its resentment by imposing trade embargoes on the US.

The morally ambiguous, conflicted and well-drawn character of Victor moves on in life, and uncovers the footprints of those who steal away their freedom, he is been haunted by the memories of his past where his own identity was in question.

Underground Airlines is a reminder of novel, Fatherland, written in 1992 by Robert Harris, in which disclosures were made on Germany’s role during the Second World War and the horrors of the Holocaust that remains secret till date.

It is worth mentioning here that, something which is the main similarity in the two books, characters who live these terrible times, do not view it in the same way as it is been viewed by the readers and outsiders.

Just like in Fatherland, Victor is propelled towards a startling discovery in Underground Airlines. His investigation takes him to a terrible truth about life that was lead by him and his fellow Americans. Something which they did not overlooked completely, but did take for granted.

Some critics has questioned as to whether Ben H Winters – a white writer, is the best person to pen down a book on this topic. Winters during various interviews has replied that the topic of slavery has affected almost every life in America and it is something that touches every person’s heart.

Keeping all this debate aside, the work of Ben H Winters is truly a remarkable one. The book, Underground Airlines, reminds us about history and warns us that it may be repeated again.

The rise of politicians like Donald Trump, who spread hatred among people, this book from Winters has come just at the right time.