Master Your Metabolism, by Jillian Michaels. Crown (2009), 288 pages.
Another book of “secrets” to a perfect body. Sadly, I must report that this is once again not the case. There are no secrets. There is just much eating of vegetables and no eating of cake. The ubiquitous recipe section is as unhelpful and unnecessary as in every other weight loss book—though it is much shorter than most.
On the other hand, there is some really useful (and scary) information about plastics and how they affect our hormones and our metabolism. The book is worth the price just for those chapters. I was so horrified by her descriptions of the havoc plastic is causing in our bodies I threw out every plastic food storage container, as well as every ketchup bottle, cooking oil bottle, etc. in the cupboard.
For those interested in weight loss, forget it. You probably already have ten books that say exactly the same thing. If you’re looking for information about plastics/hormones/food however, you might find this book of interest.
An elite military unit has to grapple with codes and ciphers to find an antidote to a bioweapon
The Doomsday Key: A Novel (Sigma Force Novels). By James Rollins. Morrow, 448 pp., $27.99.
By Janice Harayda
What if the ancient Egyptians had brought to the British Isles the antidote to a deadly fungus that was threatening to wipe out the world in the 21st century? And what if their knowledge had passed to the Celts and early Christians, who left clues to the remedy in codes, symbols or conspiracies that involve the Vatican, a U.S. Senator, and shadowy global terrorist group called the Guild?
These questions underlie James Rollins’s latest technothrilller, a book that shows that you can write better than Tom Clancy and still serve up blarney. Rollins doesn’t trade in Clancy’s jingoism and alphabet-soup of acronyms, and he shows more respect for the English language than many authors who have left their mark on this paranoid genre.
But he has his own problems in his sixth novel about Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma Force, a fictitious unit of the U.S. Department of Defense. Rollins allows a subplot about genetically modified foods to sputter out about 75 pages before the end, which slows the pace and works against satisfying resolution to the plot. He gives the same emotional weight to so many events – a firefight, a reunion between ex-lovers, an avalanche above the Arctic Circle – that you can’t feel all you should for any of them. And only a conspiracy theorist or the most ardent fan of The Da Vinci Code might love his mishmash of real or historical figures, places or objects: Merlin, druids, Stonehenge, Celtic crosses, Queen Nefertiti, the Domesday Book, the Knights Templar, Saint Malachy, Princeton University, the Abbey of Clairvaux, Pope Benedict XVI and more. A few of these might have been intriguing. As it, when an off-kilter Freemasonry symbol appears near the end, you wonder: Will a reference to the Kennedy assassination be next?
Best line: “In Israel, botanists grew a date palm from a seed that was over two thousand years old.”
Worst line: No. 1: “Her methods were brutal – like murdering the Venetian curator – but who was he to judge? He had not walked in her shoes.” No. 2: “So in other words, we’re looking for a bunch of pissed-off Druids.” No. 3: “Her apartment was on the third floor. Though small, she did have a nice view of the Coliseum from her balcony.”
The Only Girl in the Car, by Kathy Dobie. The Dial Press (2003), 240 pages.
This book has much in common with the memoir Lucky. Both authors describe a rape in excruciating detail, while at the same time writing about their families and their years growing up with great humor and affection. In addition, Dobie has one of the most authentic voices I have read in a long time. Her descriptions of her childhood thoughts and feelings were so perfectly those of a child, I was continually recalling long-forgotten details of my own childhood—the snap of cold Silly Putty when I pulled it apart, the hiding place behind the rhododendrons, the smell of the monkeybars after a rain.
EXCERPT:
“It took me three years to get used to going to St. Rita’s Grammer School. I couldn’t understand the scratchy uniforms we all had to wear, the way my knees were always cold (why were the adults letting us go bare-legged in winter?) the black-winged nuns, the desks lined up like soldiers, the closed door of the classroom, which became a cell imprisoning me with a group of strange children. Where were my brothers? Why were they kept in separate classrooms, away from me and from each other? And where, above all, was Cindy, whom I slept with every night and woke with every morning, so in tune with each other that we never had to discuss whether we were waking up as rabbits or horses, nuzzling each other with our cold rabbit noses or galloping around the bedroom unable to get out because, as everyone knows, horses can’t turn door handles?”
Those of you who read and enjoy this book, and particularly those of you with daughters, would probably also like the movie 13. It is a true story, written by the mother and daughter who lived it—a gripping, fascinating, terrifying account of what it is like these days as an adolescent girl, and as a mother trying to raise one.
This review first appeared in February, 2004
By Cindy Blackett
It’s a few days before Christmas, and sixth-grader, Min, is being evicted from yet another foster home, not for anything she did, but because she and her foster mother Enid never hit it off–not that Min planned to try to hit it off with anyone anymore. Abandoned as a toddler by a woman who insisted she wasn’t Min’s mother (though how Min remembers this is unrealistic), Min has no idea who she is. All she knows is that she doesn’t belong anywhere, has no family, and no friends, other than Mrs. Willis from the Children’s Aid, who has always been kind and gentle with her. But even Mrs. Willis isn’t party to Min’s confidences, feelings, or tears–not that she indulges in the latter.
When Min and Enid arrive at Children’s Aid, Enid shuts herself in with Mrs. Willis, and begins to defend her decision to bring Min back. The discussion between the two becomes heated, the door swings open part way, and Min hears almost everything. Part way through this scene Dr. Jess Hart, who has been a Children’s Aid physician, and whom Min recognizes when she had pneumonia, arrives, and sits down next to Min. When Enid finally resorts to blaming Min for somehow failing to make it in her previous placements, Dr. Hart leaps up and bursts into the room, and begins bellowing at Enid, telling her that if Min were an adult she could sue her for slander. She then goes on to announce that she is taking Min home with her immediately–for as long as Min cares to stay with her. Mrs. Willis puts up a feeble protest, after all, who can she find to take Min at the last minute and right before the holidays.
Min is in shock, but remembering Dr Hart as a kind presence from when she was hospitalized, she is ready to go along with her. She realizes she feels safe for the first time.
With some minor ups and downs, Min and Jess (Dr. Hart) adjust to each other, and Min, all too quickly to be realistic, begins to open up . Starting at a new school after the holidays, Min makes friends for the first time. When Jess asks her if she can adopt her, Min is, of course, delighted, and the book ends on this happy note.
The only problem with this book is that it’s a child’s dream come true, and bears little resemblance to the experiences of real children in foster care.
The Citizen Wells blog has presented many articles about the Obama camp thuggery that has occurred over the past one and a half years and how it resembles the Nazi Brownshirt tactics and totalitarian state of “1984.” The attacks on Larry Sinclair, myself and others for questioning the “messiah”, Obama, aka Hitler, aka Big Brother, were a clue we were entering a new age foretold by George Orwell. Orwell had just witnessed the rise of the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany. I am as pleased with myself as anything I have written for exposing the Obama camp as Nazi Brownshirts. Here is an article from someone that has recently been shocked into believing Larry Sinclair’s story:
“After reading a bit about Larry Sinclair (yes, I do have his book, but have not had time to read it) I’ve come to wonder if Barack Obama does not have an explosive temper. We know he and those around him are resorting to something akin to racketeering to prevent Americans from expressing their opinion. Harry Reid just doesn’t understand. Neither does Nancy Pelosi. They’re losing their temper, turning nasty.”
“They are denouncing anyone who disagrees with Obama as a “Brownshirt” and calling us terrorists. If you followed Larry Sinclair’s story the past year, you will know the degree of harassment he has experienced from the same source. You get in Obama’s way and he’s gonna get you.”
“I gather this is what Sinclair has endured for the past year. We all know the White House now has an enemies list. From what I gather, Sinclair is close to the top of the list. I turned myself in today. Fortunately they are finally figuring out that what Obama’s White House has done is probably illegal.
I think we Republicans are now getting a taste of what Sinclair has endured for the past year. It isn’t pretty. In fact, it’s down-right un-American – unless you are a member of the SEIU. Then, you can do what you want, including Rush Limbaugh promoted death threats. Naturally they are blaming someone from New Mexico. If you read the tweets, I’m suspicious and suspect someone is making trouble for the guy, who is an admitted Libertarian. If you are a Union Thug, you can get away with anything, including near murder.
But – not just any Union Thug – the SEIU – OBAMA’S UNION!
Makes you think….and wonder what else Larry Sinclair is right about.”
Citizen Wells first article revealing the Obama Camp as Nazi like:
“I soon will post the information I have collected about Barack Obama. I just wanted to say where I am coming from. I am a student of history and am fairly well read. Much of what I am witnessing about Barack Obama reminds me of the period between World War I and World War II in Germany. People were ready for change. Unlike here, conditions were really bad.
Adolf Hitler began speaking about his vision for Germany. He also spewed racist, hate messages and blamed the jews for all of their ills. Obama speaks of change and many of those around him spew the racist, hate filled messages. This is too much deja vu for me.
I wrote this at 3:30 AM EST. I awoke and had to say this. God bless us all and this country.”
My epiphany
Citizen Wells first analysis Of Obama Camp Nazi qualities:
“April 16, 2008
I have been comparing the Obama campaign to pre World War II Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler for many weeks. Of course my claims have been dismissed by Obama supporters and many times I have been personally attacked for asking simple questions about Obama. I am a student of history and have read a great deal about the era leading up to the second world war and also during and after. The more I observe and think about it, the closer the parallels are.
The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party
The economic conditions in Germany after World War I were horrible.
Adolf Hitler honed his oratory skills and became a superb speaker.
Adolf Hitler surrounded himself with thugs and Jew haters.
Adolf Hitler and the Nazis blamed the Jews for their problems.
Adolf Hitler spoke of change and a new Germany.
The people of Germany got caught up in the euphoria of the changes that Hitler promised.
The Nazis burned books to eradicate records and contrary thoughts.
The Nazis bullied Jews and other segments of society.
The Nazis were elitists with talk of the Arayan Race.
Adolf Hitler had many people fooled including many jews that never thought all of that evil could happen in their country. moinansari reminded me of this important point. Thank You!
The Barack Obama Campaign
The perceived economic conditions are bad. The economic conditions are perfect here compared to post War War I Germany.
Obama worked on his oratory skills. He is a superb speaker with the ability to mesmerize his followers.
Obama has been surrounded by racists, anti semites, criminals and drug users.
Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, and others have blamed white people and Jews for their problems.
Obama constantly speaks of change.
Obama supporters are caught up in the euphoria of the moment and Obama’s promise of change.
Obama has denied having records, not provided records and been extremely evasive when asked to supply records.
Obama supporters have bullied bloggers when questions about Obama or his past are asked. Some of these attacks are clearly orchestrated by the Obama Campaign. Some of these bullies have attacked family members of bloggers.
Obama has recently shown his elitist attitude during his speech in San Francisco. His arrogance parallels Hitler’s Aryan race comments in regard to Obama’s God Like omnipotence in regard to having the answers to problems.
Obama has many people fooled including many Jews that are ignoring all the evil and anti semitism surrounding Obama.
Thanks moinansari and God bless you.
The parallels are clear and they are scary!
What is the lesson to be learned?
The German people blindly followed Hitler with his promises of change. Hitler and his cohorts were not scrutinized by enough people. Barack Obama is promising change and many are blindly following in a similar euphoric state. All candidates for the presidency must be questioned and carefully scrutinized.”
Article with comments
Christians and Jews supported this man
“The economy in ruins, you believed this man was
your salvation.
Why did you not read his book? There were many clues
to his personality and intent.
Why did you not question his mesmerizing speeches, often
aimed at the youth?”
Read more
Nazi disregard for human life
““Barack Obama is the most pro abortion candidate ever.”
Terence P. Jeffrey
“But, he argues, we cannot legally recognize them as “persons.”
Because if we do, then somewhere down the road it might threaten someone’s right to an abortion.”
David Freddoso on Obama
History can and does repeat itself. The evil capacity of humans
passes from generation to generation. Left unchecked, this evil
can grow to levels experienced before in history.”
Read more
History warns us:
The Citizen Wells blog has been warning for many months now that the
Obama camp is very much like Brownshirts in Nazi Germany. The analogies
are many and are scary. Some people scoffed at or ridiculed the articles
but many commented in agreement. Some that appreciated the warnings
are Jewish and one had just visted a Holocaust Museum. Even Winston
Churchill was ridiculed when he gave warnings about the Nazis. A commenter on PatDollard.com, tps, has written a compelling article and warning about the Obama camp. The writer claims to be a student of history and like anyone questioning the “messiah”, Obama, has been ridiculed.
Read more
You can search the Citizen Wells blog or internet for references to Nazi Germany, Brownshirts or 1984.
The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived: How Characters of Fiction, Myth, Legends, Television, and Movies Have Shaped Our Culture, Changed Our Behavior, and Set the Course of History. By Allan Lazar, Dan Karlan and Jeremy Salter. Harper, 317 pp., $13.95, paperback.
By Janice Harayda
Publishers have a phrase for books like The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived – “an impulse buy at the bookstore.” Boy, do they know me. I can’t remember what I was looking for when I saw this book near the cash register at a bookstore. Whatever it was, it’s vanished from my mind an episode of Wife Swap. But I keep dipping into this dish of literary tacos with mild salsa.
Allan Lazar, Dan Karlan and Jeremy Salter had the idea of selecting and ranking the 101 most influential people who never existed, giving you a few pages of sprightly text about each and defining “people” loosely enough to encompass King Kong (No. 74), Joe Camel (No. 78) and The Cat in the Hat (No. 79). This concept is nothing new. You can find similar books by searching Amazon for the “dictionary + fictional characters” or in the reference sections at many bookstores.
What is new is the packaging of the book, a trade paperback with a conversational tone instead of the usual professorial door-stopper. So The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived could be a handy book for, say, baby boomers who are having trouble explaining to their grandchildren exactly why Archie Bunker (No. 32) was so different from other sitcom characters of his day. It wasn’t just that he called his liberal son-in-law “Meathead”:
“Archie expressed what ultraconservative white people said behind closed doors on topics such as rape and poverty (the victims were to blame), homosexuality (perverts), militia groups (real Americans), welfare recipients (cheats who took hard-earned money out of his pocket) , college students (all pinko Communists), and support for the Vietnam War (real patriotism).”
Lazar, Karlan and Salter offer no narrative thread to connect the entries, so their essays tend to lack a context. Most readers under 40 might find it easier to fathom how Archie’s bigotry ever made it to prime time if they knew that he descended spiritually from Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) on The Honeymooners, who was always threatening to belt his wife. (“One of these days, Alice – pow! – right in the kisser.”) You could also argue that, for that reason, Kramden and not Bunker belonged on the list. But part of the fun of this book is comparing your list with the authors’ rankings of characters like Hamlet (No. 5), Pandora (No. 47), Prometheus (No. 46), Nancy Drew (No. 62) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (No. 44). Anybody want to argue that Perry Mason (No. 86) had less clout than Ally McBeal?
Best line: About the Marlboro Man (No. 1): “Advertising Age picked the Marlboro Man as the most powerful brand image of the twentieth century.” Why? Philip Morris had marketed Marlboros as a women’s brand that was “Mild As May”: “Marlboro’s new image boosted its sales four-fold from 1955 to 1957, and by 1972 it had become the top cigarette brand both in the nation and the world.” The original Marlboro Man and two other actors used for the role all died from lung cancer or emphysema.
Worst line: About the Loch Ness Monster (No. 56): Nessie is “the most popular tourist attraction in Scotland.” The most popular tourist attraction in Scotland has for years been Edinburgh Castle. Nessie isn’t even among the top ten on some lists. The rest of this section is also weak. As proof of the nonexistence of the monster, the authors say that the most famous photo of it turned out to be a hoax. What about all the sonar and other scientific reports that have shown that the creature never existed?
Recommended if … you’re not looking for a scholarly reference book but for the views of enthusiastic amateurs who get some facts wrong and serve up essays of inconsistent quality. Some entries are well-written, while others read like rough drafts.
Editors: Carolyn Marino, Jennifer Civiletto and Wendy Lee
Author: Benjamin Nugent Title: American Nerd: The Story of My People Publication Info: Scribner (2008) ISBN: 0743288017
Summary/Review:
The author sets out to write about the history, sociology, anthropology and psychology of the nerd confessing that he is taking “a serious approach to a subject usually treated lightly, which is a nerdy thing to do,” (p. 11). Early on Nugent defines the nerd:
I believe there are two main categories of nerds: one type, disproportionately male, is intellectual in ways that strike people as machinelike, and socially awkward in ways that strike people as machinelike… p. 8
The second type of nerd probably consists equally of males and females. This is a nerd who is a nerd by sheer force of social exclusion. p. 9
I would argue with his definition of the first category and the evidence he presents in the book even runs counter to the definition at time. The second category is such a broad catchall as not really have much meaning. Nevertheless, Nugent usually sticks to his thesis pretty well and the results are fascinating and informative.
Nugent looks to the history of nerds, finding examples in literature (such as the bookish Mary Bennett of Pride & Prejudice) to show that the type has existed for some time. He also derives the history of the term nerd from college humor publications to Saturday Night Live. The history of nerds is one of standing outside of the expected norm. In late 19th/early 20th Anglo-American history, the expectation was “muscular Christianity” with an emphasis on the man of action over the man of books. Over time, the qualities associated with nerds have often been the same that have come up in stereotypes of Jewish and Asian immigrants that ran contrary to the white muscular Christianity.
Various chapters focus in on aspects of the nerd subculture including Debate Club, the Society for Creative Anachronism, and nerd chic which Nugent argues isn’t nerdy at all. Nugent also touches on the parallels between nerds and people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.
The best parts of this book are autobiographical. Nugent confesses that he was a nerd until a dramatic makeover halfway through his teens which resulted in abandoning many of his nerdy friends. For the book, Nugent revisits many of these friends as adults and discusses them as case studies who are both inspiring and heartbreaking. Nugent uncovers a lot of self-loathing in these parts of the book and at times I found myself agreeing with him. One of the more interesting observations to come out these discussions is the idea that – unlike in Revenge of the Nerds where we see a cheerful, helpful nerd parent – many real life nerds come unstable family situations. The nerd child found escape in fantasy and the structure it provided. “It was no coincidence, I think, that we generally came to D&D from home lives that tended toward the unpredictable and confounding. We wanted a place where you knew where you stood, where everything was laid out so you could see it,” (p. 176).
I found this book interesting because its a topic I’ve never seen written about before and I enjoyed the multi-disciplinary approach but Nugent’s writing style leaves a lot to be desired.
