The War Lust

So it has admittedly been a while.  But the Opinion Company is back!  Let's review some stuff....

Book: The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the Rush to Empire, 1898
Published: 1 edition (April 27, 2010)      480 pages
Rating: 3 of 5

Evan Thomas has authored a new and intriguing read on the events and players that lead America into war with Spain. I always enjoy historical information so I was excitied to read this one. After reading though, I have very mixed feelings.
On one hand Mr. Thomas does a great job in following the events (some even very minute) which lead to the conflict. He is unflinching when he points out the obvious war lust and blatant racism that drove the nation into a war that could've been avoided. I am more of a Civil War buff so it was nice to learn about this war in depth. I didn't honestly know a lot about it before picking up this book.
Another positive aspect is how in depth the author gets into the main characters. It was easily understandable and paints a very interesting picture of men like William Randolph Hearst and Thomas Reed. One can't help but wonder what would've happened if he had been elected president?

With all of the good points of the book though, I was also a little put off by a couple things. First and foremost there is a little too much conjecture in the book for me. I'm not saying that Mr. Thomas doesn't has some valid points. But some of it is a little confusing. I'm not really sure why William James is mentioned so thoroughly in the book. I'm assuming it is because he is an example of one of the deep thinkers in the USA at that time. So we get an insight into the mind of the intellectuals? Still doesn't really add to the book that much in my opinion.
And with a couple other reviewers I have to agree, I was wondering where was the comparison with the Bush administration. The book alludes to the idea that the Gulf War (the second one) corresponds with the push for war with Spain. But I really don't think it adds to the book. I'm not a Democrat or a Republican, but I don't think the author does a good job of proving his point either way. He should have chosen to put the idea to the fore and made backing points or he should've just dropped the idea completely.

PROS: Very insightful and in depth. Well researched. Lots of nice photographs give you a nice historical snapshot.
CONS: Seems to be a lot of conjecture in the book. Author alludes to a lot of background theories but doesn't really clearly state them.
BOTTOM LINE: Definitely a good addition to any readers bookshelf who is a history buff or enjoys following historical politics

A Sobering Examination of WWI For Younger Readers

Book:  The War to End All Wars
Author:  Russell Freedman
Rating: 4.8 of 5.0

Russell Freedman has created in this book a chilling and straightforward pictorial on WWI. The book is aimed at 12 years old and up, but that doesn't mean that everyone won't appreciate the book. There is much to be intrigued by. The photos are especially haunting. None of them are gory or too shocking for a younger reader, but they still get their point across very well. Pictures of the trenches, early tanks, ships sinking, and a picture of the village of Wytschaete near Ypres all bring home the horrors of war.

Also to be appreciated about the book would be how the author keeps the synopsis of the war to such a straightforward narrative. So much happened in the 1914-1918 period politically and on the battlefront. But Mr. Freedman does an excellent job of getting the point across without bogging down in the plethora of facts.


A good book for anyone just starting to learn about WWI whether young or old. Worth picking up. Thumbs up.

Growing Your Mixology Library

Book:  Wine Cocktails: 50 Stylish Sippers That Show Off Your Reds, Whites, and Roses (50 Series)
Author:  A. J. Rathbun
Rating: 4.0 of 5

First off, I have to say that I am a mid level wine enthusiast. I enjoy a full bodied red wine. I'm also a beer enthusiast as well (all craft beers). So on one level I wasn't interested in this book at all. I mean come on, the whole point of wine is to enjoy and savor it for it's own unique flavors. Not to dilute it where it tastes nothing like the grape at all.

So why did I review this book then? Well it is a great book if you appreciate it for what it actually is. It's not a 'wine lovers' guide or something as deep as that. I personally consider this book to be a great way to try out some new drinks. Most of us have our own little bar area. We add books on mixing drinks and making cocktails. Well, why not have this book as well?

Many of it's recipes are excellent for cool drinks during the summer. Can't you picture yourself right now floating in a pool enjoying a tall class of Sangria? Great book to add to your collection. Many of the recipes will be enjoyed by someone at your party. So I'm giving it thumbs up. Nice addition to your collection.

Like Water

Book:  Rainwater   Author:  Sandra Brown   Rating:  4.2 of 5


I have never read a Sandra Brown novel before so I din't know what to expect. I was happy to discover a novel with a lot of rich meaning and a nice story.
The book takes place in the depression era (1934 to be exact) where a hard working woman named Ella Barron struggles to take care of the tennants of her boarding house while dealing with a 9 year-old son with a severe case of autism. The novel begins with a new boarder moving in by the name of David Rainwater.


From there the novel follows an interesting path dealing with issues such as racism, bigotry, poverty, and even finding love when you have given up on it. The novel isn't a deep soul searching revelation by any means. But with fleshed out characters, exciting scenes, and triumph in the face of natural pains and the evil men do, the novel is a very satisfying read. Two thumbs up.

The Long Road

Book Title:  After The Fire, a Small Still Voice   Author:  Evie Wyld  Genre:  Novel  Rating: 3.2 of 5

I picked up this novel with not a lot of expectations. And I finished the novel with the same attitude.

The story revolves around two men in two diffrent time periods. It's set in Austraila. First we have Frank, a middle aged man with a girlfriend and a life in the city. There life seems ideal until one day it just implodes. Frank ends up leaving and taking up residence in a small metal shack near the ocean. He lives day to day rebuilding himself and reawkening to life.
The other half of the story revolves around Leon. We see how his life is affected when his father leaves his life of making candy and treats to fight in the Korean war. His father comes back a broken man. Leon himself ends up being drafted for the vietnam war. And the novel follows his trials as well.

The book won the 2009 John Llewellyn Rhys award. It's a literary prize awarded each year to an author 35 or under who writes a novel in English and it's published in England. It's been awarded since 1942. But how does it stand up? Decently well in my opinion.

The book is written very well with a lot of attention to detail. It does get a little gushy at parts and heads into too much romanticism. An example is Frank being in the ocean...'He floated on his back, feeling like a fat otter, letting the salt water into his mouth, to clean right inside him, where city dust lay on the tops of his lungs.' Yeah I live near the ocean and I personally don't think salt water doean't taste too yummy! And I'm not sure about the cleaning either.
Also another thing that might trip up us readers from the USA would be all the English slang terms used in the book. In one page she uses: windscreen, bonnet, buggered...etc. You can figure out what she's saying, but still it can make for a tough read in some parts.

Still with a couple hick-ups the book manages itself very well. Frank's story is interesting, but it's Leon's tale that will keep you reading. Rage, anger, and a past that won't go away make for a decent page turner. Good novel.

Slow. Too Slow.

Book Title:  The Lace Reader   Author:  Brunonia Barry  Rating: 2.1 out of 5.


This book is given a lot of praise and hype. You can get that much just by reading the jacket. But does it live up to it? As good as "The Sixth Sense?" In my opinion, no it does not.
I do like the set up. Set in Salem, MA, it follows a young woman with special powers learning to cope with the death of a loved one and also trying to figure out the truth of what happened to her.
It has all the makings to be great but I found myself loosing interest in it very quickly. One problem I found was the only two likable characters were the main one and her brother. Oh well, I still recommend it as an interesting read, but get it from the library. You'll be glad you did.

A Review From Nov 2009!

Hi,  I thought this would be fun for you guys to check out.  This is a review I wrote for The Hunger Games book back on Nov 23, 2009.  Enjoy my good taste.  ;)

Book: The Hunger Games    Author:  Suzanne Collins  Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Set in a bleak future where the United States has fallen into a dismal ruin. As a punishment for an earlier rebellion each district has to send a boy and girl to the Hunger Games. A fight to the death blood sport event that everyone is forced to watch. The book follows Katniss Everdeen who volunteers in place of her sister to fight in the games. And that's the plot.
The writing is very good. Suzanne Collins does a nice job of spinning the narrative into a tense and bloody story. While the basis of the book is simple and straightforward it does a good job of fleshing the characters out. Even adds a little romance to the mix.
The only downside I found to the whole thing is it is book 1 of a trilogy! Which I didn't know when I began reading it. So you can imagine how annoyed I was at learning it was to be continued. Oh well, sign me up for book # 2!
I have also read online that there is a movie in the works based off this novel. So do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Historical But Not Boring

Book Title:  Chasing Lincoln's Killer   Author:  James Swanson  Rating:  3.4 out of 5 stars

James Swanson does an admirable attempt to put together all the events leading up to, and right after Lincoln's murder. He does a pretty good job. Told from many different perspectives he gives you good insight into what each person in the story was most likely feeling back in 1865.
He avoids a couple traps along the way too, because he sticks with the facts to present the sad happenings without offending anyone. Swanson also does a nice job without being preachy or monotone.
At the same time though what really gives the book it's power is the striking black and white photographs. From the gun used to kill Lincoln to the 8 hoods the convicted conspirators wore in prison it paints a sad and horrifying picture of one of histories senseless murders.
A good book.

Hilarious! Just Ask Abraham Lincoln.

Book Title: My Custom Van: And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays that Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face
Author: Michael Ian Black
Genre: Adult Humor

I remember the first time I saw Michael Ian Black he was one of the commentators on the VH1 show "I Love The 80's." I remember thinking he was pretty funny. So when I saw he had a book I had to check it out. Frankly, it is pure gold.
In the book he writes about 50 essays ranging from the topic of how vampires would be good for the economy to how he could convince himself to eat dog crap for the rest of his life. Not that every essay is pure genius. 'One Day I am Going to Open a Scented Candle Shop' falls a little flat. But in general 99% of the book is right on. I'm laughing now as I recall the story, 'An Open Letter to the Hairstylist Who Somehow Convinced me to Get a Perm When I was in Sixth Grade.'

Yes, you do need to get this book. It's that funny....

Rating 3.9 out of 5

All That Road Going

Book:  All That Road Going: A Novel  Author:  A. G. Mojtabai

I will admit it. I'm more of a straight up "popcorn" book reader. While I do enjoy the classics as well ( Jane Austen, Henry James, Walt Whitman, etc.), I in general love a good action book. Or a good horror novel. Something with a lot of excitement, but not really deep.
Now, this book is not like the books I have mentioned. But it has to be one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. Mojtabai does a splendid job of carefully crafting out character after character. And then fleshing them out completely. Each one is absorbing and interesting. This is accomplished as quite a character study.

What makes this even more impressive is the fact that some of the characters almost seem to cliched to be interesting. The 15 year old mother who gives her baby up for adoption. The old man fleeing from his now senile lover.  Really, any of these could be boring or trite. But they are not. Each one is flawed, but mesmerizing as well.

All in all, a decent read and worth picking up.

Rating 3.5 out of 5

Like Water

This is a review for the book, Rainwater by Sandra Brown.  I gave it 4 out of 5 stars.  http://www.amazon.com/Rainwater-Sandra-Brown/dp/1439172773/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

I have never read a Sandra Brown novel before so I din't know what to expect. I was happy to discover a novel with a lot of rich meaning and a nice story.
The book takes place in the depression era (1934 to be exact) where a hard working woman named Ella Barron struggles to take care of the tenants of her boarding house while dealing with a 9 year-old son with a severe case of autism. The novel begins with a new boarder moving in by the name of David Rainwater.

From there the novel follows an interesting path dealing with issues such as racism, bigotry, poverty, and even finding love when you have given up on it. The novel isn't a deep soul searching revelation by any means. But with fleshed out characters, exciting scenes, and triumph in the face of natural pains and the evil men do, the novel is a very satisfying read. Two thumbs up.

RATING 4 of 5

Loves the Sound of Her Own Voice

This review is for the book for "Palimpest" by Catherynne M. Valente.  Audio Book version.
I gave it 1 star.

I found the premise of this book intriguing. Stripped down to the basic, it's the story of four people who end up having spontaneous sex with a stranger and enter Palimpsest. The experience will change their lives forever.... And that's it. There is no other scrap of plot in the whole story.

The only thumbs up I can give echos the other reviewers, Catherynne Valente has a truly musical quality to her writing. She can definitely turn a phrase. And it is a pleasure to read her construction. But it's not enough....

That being said though, that's all she does. Palimpsest is more like a drug trip hallucination than actual story. I'm not really sure she has a plot in mind at all. The problem is that while you at first enjoy listening to the musical quality of the story, you eventually become frustrated when you realize it's not going anywhere.
When I first started listening to it I tried to compare it to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. I figured I would appreciate it for the artistic quality even if I wasn't wowed by the story. But no, it's no Dark Side of the Moon either.

So overall I have to say I am really disappointed in the work. I would love to give it more than a 1 star, but a book has to have a plot that makes it worthy of reading. If not ultimately it ends up being a pretty little piece of garbage. And this is what Palimpsest is.

RATING 1 of 5