dixiedog
Ottawa Public Library
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dixiedog's rating:
Added Dec 23, 2021
dixiedog's rating:
Added Nov 06, 2021
Comment:
This book offers a brief but exceptional introduction to young students on a journey through the history of space exploration. After being involved with qualifying black boxes, sub-systems, systems and satellites in Canada for launch since 1973, I rate this book as a great place for young ‘Promising Space Enthusiasts’ to get started in learning about humankinds fascination with the stars, our history, the achievements, and where humanity is going.
This book is a quick read that warrants a second review and you could spend hours doing further Internet research into many of the cited 98 items in the 'Time Line,' noted on pages 38 and 39.
This exceptional, get started book, is highly recommended, by this book reviewer for enthusiastic students as young as age 10, and of course inquisitive teenagers and curious adults. Senior Doctor-At-Bass Fishing. D. AdamsThis book offers a brief but exceptional introduction to young students on a journey through the history of space exploration. After being involved with qualifying black boxes, sub-systems, systems and satellites in Canada for launch since 1973, I…
Welcome to MarsWelcome to Mars, BookMaking A Home on the Red Planet
by Aldrin, BuzzBook - 2015Book, 2015
dixiedog's rating:
Added Oct 30, 2021
Comment:
Dr. Buzz Aldrin’s and Marianne J. Dyson’s 96 page book is a National Geographic KIDS sponsored book which speaks for its quality. This book contains a BONUS – Explore space with hands-on science experiments inside.
The Apollo 11 astronaut invites young people to evaluate Mars as a potential planet for human colonization, and describes what Mars residents might experience while traveling to and living on the Red Planet. Mars is the only other world in our solar system that has everything we need.
This book offers a good introduction to young students to learn a little physics, science, and gain some knowledge of the planet Mars and the challenges that humans face in going there. Recommended by this book reviewer for enthusiastic students as young as age 10 and of course teenagers and adults. Senior Doctor-At-Bass-Fishing. D.A.Dr. Buzz Aldrin’s and Marianne J. Dyson’s 96 page book is a National Geographic KIDS sponsored book which speaks for its quality. This book contains a BONUS – Explore space with hands-on science experiments inside.
The Apollo 11 astronaut invites…
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 20, 2021
Comment:
This heavily illustrated book is a very quick read and could be nicely used by any parent to entertain their children before going to sleep.
As stated in the book: Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he’s a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem – at night, Chris doesn’t feel so brave. He’s afraid of the dark. And in closing Chris states: The dark is for dreams – and morning is for making them come true. Senior Dr. at Bass Fishing, D. A.This heavily illustrated book is a very quick read and could be nicely used by any parent to entertain their children before going to sleep.
As stated in the book: Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he’s a brave astronaut, exploring the…
The Search for Life on MarsThe Search for Life on Mars, BookThe Greatest Scientific Detective Story of All Time
by Howell, ElizabethBook - 2020Book, 2020
dixiedog's rating:
Added Aug 28, 2021
Comment:
This is a very comprehensive book. For those who want to know about all of the orbiters and the landers that have successfully visited or have failed to land successfully on Mars, what new missions are underway, or are in the planning stage, plus you want to know who was involved and what has been learned to date, this book is for you.
However, I must convey that I did struggle with the sheer breadth of scientific information provided in numerous scientific disciplines in a few chapters. An average layperson could not possibly understand all of the scientific facts and details presented, various interpretations’ of data, etc., in so many fields of study. However, scientists involved are required to interpret information obtained from events that took place over billions of years ago and all of this information was obtained from instruments on Mars located millions of miles away from Earth. The challenges are simply staggering.
While there are a host of interesting facts about Mars, this book will not be for every reader. However the author’s are to be commended on the number of world renowned scientists that were interviewed, and on the breadth of scientific information presented to readers. Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing. D.A.This is a very comprehensive book. For those who want to know about all of the orbiters and the landers that have successfully visited or have failed to land successfully on Mars, what new missions are underway, or are in the planning stage, plus…
Canadarm and CollaborationCanadarm and Collaboration, BookHow Canada's Astronauts and Space Robots Explore New Worlds
by Howell, ElizabethBook - 2020Book, 2020
dixiedog's rating:
Added Jun 05, 2021
Comment:
In the author of this book's own words on [page 201], “Many technical histories have been written about the Canadian Space Program. Instead of duplicating their excellent work, I took a different tack and tried to write a book that a non-specialist would enjoy. My goal was a broad overview of Canadian space work from the 1960s to today, focusing on the narrative of the astronaut program and how it has matured through the International Space Station. The idea was to attract the attention of the public and politicians and help readers understand the importance of the space program in everyday life. "
After working for over 50 years in aerospace and space equipment test qualification, and on many of the programs reviewed in this book, I agree that the author did achieve her stated goal very nicely. Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing. D.A.In the author of this book's own words on [page 201], “Many technical histories have been written about the Canadian Space Program. Instead of duplicating their excellent work, I took a different tack and tried to write a book that a non-specialist…
The Water Will ComeThe Water Will Come, BookRising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World
by Goodell, JeffBook - 2017Book, 2017
dixiedog's rating:
Added Apr 12, 2021
Comment:
If there is one book that should be read by everyone that basically will explain what all the fuss is about, this is it. This is a Five Star Plus Book!
Changes in the climate have been happening for hundreds of thousands of years, and until recent centuries, most of these changes were naturally occurring – for instance, because of ice-ages and then post-glacial periods. The present-day is not the first time carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere have been high. Today, sea level is 5 to 8 inches (13-20 centimeters) higher on average than it was in 1900. That's a pretty big change: for the previous 2,000 years, sea level hadn't changed much at all. The rate of sea level rise has also increased over time.
Obviously, sea-level rise must be considered as one of the greatest threats to hundreds of millions of people in this century. Regretfully, some politicians cannot bring themselves to deal with this problem and some ocean front land developers, have ignored the warnings from scientists for over 30 years, and one must conclude that they only think about profits, making money now and care little about the dangers which lie ahead. Some of the great risks to sea-level rise are as follows: the loss of personal homes, assets, employment, infrastructure (buildings, wharfs, bridges and roads), energy security, food security (changes in growing seasons and local growing capabilities), and an accustomed way of life in particular for Indigenous peoples, and for the environment there is the risk to useable safe water front due to contamination from abandoned septic systems, toxic chemicals, and abandoned and decaying infrastructure as whole communities will disappear.
The Water Will Come - MUST READ BOOK - is a very informative, disturbing and a thought-provoking read. It is a book that deserves the attention and time of every student, parent, Federal and Provincial Government politicians and officials. Highly recommended reading for conscientious Canadians by Senior Doctor-at-Bass-Fishing, D. Adams.
Also strongly recommended is 'The End of Ice' by Dahr Jamail.If there is one book that should be read by everyone that basically will explain what all the fuss is about, this is it. This is a Five Star Plus Book!
Changes in the climate have been happening for hundreds of thousands of years, and until recent…
The UnderdogsThe Underdogs, BookChildren, Dogs, and the Power of Unconditional Love
by Greene, Melissa FayBook - 2016Book, 2016
dixiedog's rating:
Added Mar 11, 2020
Comment:
The Underdogs was a very informative book and could enlighten non-dog owners on the type of loving and trusting relationships that many of us dog lovers have with ‘man’s best friend.’ The author touched on the journey through time and how dogs and man became connected and somewhat interdependent through perhaps the period 10,000 to 30,000 years ago. However, most of the book dealt with simply remarkable stories about service dogs and the organization ‘4 Paws’ that train them.
There were many remarkable stories and examples about how dogs can be trained to calm down a child experiencing an anxiety attack or to help them deal with some other developmental delay or physical disability. Some other stories involve how service dogs enrich the lives of adults living with various disabilities. Recommended reading by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing. D. A.The Underdogs was a very informative book and could enlighten non-dog owners on the type of loving and trusting relationships that many of us dog lovers have with ‘man’s best friend.’ The author touched on the journey through time and how dogs and…
The Day After TomorrowThe Day After Tomorrow, DVD
DVD - 2004DVD, 2004
dixiedog's rating:
Added Feb 18, 2020
Comment:
This is a great disaster movie. Check out the book behind this movie: The Coming Global Superstorm. - AND - After you have read that book, look up the book 'The End of Ice.' The facts learned in this book will raise the concern of any parent of young children and the future our generation are leaving them. Highly recommended viewing and reading by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing. D. A.This is a great disaster movie. Check out the book behind this movie: The Coming Global Superstorm. - AND - After you have read that book, look up the book 'The End of Ice.' The facts learned in this book will raise the concern of any parent of…
dixiedog's rating:
Added Feb 02, 2020
Comment:
This book was a sufficiently entertaining read; rated for teens and young adults. I found this book slow in the beginning but it did have its moments of excitement and heightened interest. The general description supplied by the Library adequately summarises this book.
A group of students are off to Costa Rica on a school trip. For some unknown reason while they sleep their airplane goes off course and crashes into a jungle perhaps thousands of miles from their destination. By chance, only 19 students in the tail section of the airplane survive.
It becomes obvious to the survivors that there will be no rescuers coming soon. The reader learns at the end of the book why the airplane ended up off course.
To some extent a leadership struggle develops between two boys, Joel and Tom. Tom is a loner whose parents were killed in an accident before he turned 10 years-of-age. He really wants no part in being the leader of the group but gradually he realizes he needs to step up and take leadership from Joel who makes a number of decisions that were badly thought out, resulting in further lives lost. Tom comes of age, develops numerous new friends and relationships, and integrates into the fabric of a divided group of students fighting for survival.
Recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.This book was a sufficiently entertaining read; rated for teens and young adults. I found this book slow in the beginning but it did have its moments of excitement and heightened interest. The general description supplied by the Library adequately…
The End of IceThe End of Ice, BookBearing Witness and Finding Meaning in the Path of Climate Disruption
by Jamail, DahrBook - 2019Book, 2019
dixiedog's rating:
Added Dec 29, 2019
Comment:
A MUST READ. Like the book ‘The Coming Global Superstorm,’ this book leaves any conscientious reader with a great deal to think about. It is disturbing that there are so many indicators out there forewarning world leaders about a global climate change that will so alter our world and potentially threaten the future of man’s existence, or at the very least, the security and existence of perhaps billions of its inhabitants and countless species on our island home.
From page 106, in this remarkable book – “We don’t have to look far to see who is most to blame for warming the planet. For nations, the United States is second to only China, followed by India, Russia, and Japan. For corporations (including state owned entities), only 100 of them are responsible for 71% of total global CO2 emissions.” Obviously fossil fuel producers are the worst investor owned emitters.
The lives of billions of people will become so desolate should the oceans rise as predicted by world renowned scientists. Billions of persons will be forced to abandon their homes and their way of life for a very uncertain future. Whole communities, coastal cities, most of the state of Florida and all similar low lying coastal areas, and even entire countries will be lost when the oceans rise by perhaps as much as 75 feet or more as scientists have warned.
From page 129: “Studies have predicted there will be as many as 2 billion refugees from sea level rise alone by 2100, with more than 13 million of those within the United States.”
The tell tale signs warning of the potential disaster include: the shrinking glaciers in Alaska, Greenland, Antarctica, and so many other mountainous areas throughout the world, the ongoing melting of permafrost in the far north, the loss of Arctic sea ice, the damage through bleaching of so many of the worlds coral reefs which provide food for over 10% of the world’s population, the risks attributed to rising oceans and the documented and unhindered damage to old growth forests due to only a few degrees rise in temperature, and the shrinking Amazon Basin with its vast biodiversity.
From page 167: “When a tropical rain forest is healthy, it sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere, but when rain forests are degraded by drought, wildfires, human caused fires, clear cutting, and human development, they release most or all of their stored carbon back into the atmosphere.”
The vast amount of entrapped methane concentrations in the Arctic is particularly of grave concern. From page 196: comments in this book by Dr. Ira Leifer - Atmospheric Scientist and Arctic Researcher: “Where he sees the currents strengthening, bringing warmer water into formerly chilly seas, is also where he is seeing the methane anomalies growing. These currents continue to penetrate further into the Arctic, and Leifer is especially concerned about possible rapid emissions of methane from the East Siberian Sea, which he believes will happen within a couple of decades.” This phenomenon is by no means limited to just the Arctic’s Siberian Sea. A massive rapid methane emission could be a game changer. Check out Dr. Ira Leifer on YouTube.
Many of these ignored warnings from so many world renowned scientists to world leaders will become apparent to us by as soon as, if not before, 2050 when scientists predict the game will change.
From the author on page 212: “Similarly, disrespect for nature is leading to our own destruction. By desecrating the biosphere with our pollution and having caused Earth’s sixth mass extinction by annihilating species around the planet, we are setting ourselves up for what I believe will ultimately be our own extinction. This is the direct result of our inability to understand our part in the nature of the world.”
This book is a very heavy and disturbing read, one that every Federal and Provincial politician should read. Highly recommended reading for conscientious Canadians by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.A MUST READ. Like the book ‘The Coming Global Superstorm,’ this book leaves any conscientious reader with a great deal to think about. It is disturbing that there are so many indicators out there forewarning world leaders about a global climate…
Code Name PaulineCode Name Pauline, BookMemoirs of A World War II Special Agent
by Cornioley, Pearl WitheringtonBook - 2013Book, 2013
dixiedog's rating:
Added Dec 01, 2019
Comment:
Code Name Pauline - Memoirs of A World War II British Special Agent is a true story about the life of Pearl Witherington. At age 29, Pearl, code name Pauline, was parachuted into France to aid the French Resistance as a special agent for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). Out of 400 agents sent into France, 39 were women.
Pauline began her career as a courier in occupied France and rose to command a 3,500-strong band of French Resistant fighters. She became one of the most celebrated World War II resistance fighters. Highly decorated by France, and while she did get recognized by Great Britain after the war in some small measure, she had to wait until April 2004 to finally be awarded by Queen Elizabeth II the CBE, Commander of the British Empire.
One can only imagine the life she lived in France during the war. The risks she took being found out by the Gestapo or being betrayed by an informant. Often Pearl and her colleagues lived without many of life’s comforts: a normal bed, a warm abode, appropriate privacy, tolerable sanitary facilities, hot meals, the support of family; she was always on the move with the constant risk of discovery, imprisonment, and torture or death.
This is not so much an exciting book but factual. Pearl was quite a women, dedicated, brave and strong of character. This book does, in some small measure, help one understand the risks that she and 400 other British agents took in trying to harass the Germans with hit-and-run actions; they could not afford to engage well equipped professional soldiers. Their efforts to hinder the Germans were especially essential once D-day started. It was imperative that German reinforcement troops and tanks be prohibited from reaching the beaches of Normandy once the landings were underway. Quite a number of the SOE agents simply disappeared during the course of the war and were never heard from again. A simple book basically told in Pearl’s own words. Recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.Code Name Pauline - Memoirs of A World War II British Special Agent is a true story about the life of Pearl Witherington. At age 29, Pearl, code name Pauline, was parachuted into France to aid the French Resistance as a special agent for the British…
Suitability
Ages 12
dixiedog's rating:
Added Nov 17, 2019
Comment:
Another winner by Canadian author Eric Walters – ‘We All Fall Down.’ This fictitious story helps the reader experience what it might have been like for a family to experience firsthand what it was like in New York in one of the twin towers that day. Highly recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.Another winner by Canadian author Eric Walters – ‘We All Fall Down.’ This fictitious story helps the reader experience what it might have been like for a family to experience firsthand what it was like in New York in one of the twin towers that day.…
Free Days With GeorgeFree Days With George, BookLearning Life's Little Lessons From One Very Big Dog
by Campbell, ColinBook - 2015Book, 2015
dixiedog's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2019
Comment:
Free Days With George by Canadian author Colin Campbell is another book for dog lovers.
Colin is crushed after being abandoned by his wife, suffers a horrible depression and does not manage to recover very quickly. On the advice of a friend he rescues a big abandoned dog who he names George who was obviously abused and was uncomfortable around men. It took time for George to trust Colin. While Colin rescued George, George in turn rescues him. They take up the sport of surfing which solidifies the bond between man and dog.
It was a very entertaining true story. Recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.Free Days With George by Canadian author Colin Campbell is another book for dog lovers.
Colin is crushed after being abandoned by his wife, suffers a horrible depression and does not manage to recover very quickly. On the advice of a friend he…
dixiedog's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2019
Comment:
The Coming Global Superstorm – was published in 2000 and was simply an incredible book or should I say a book containing two stories told somewhat simultaneously. It is a shame that there is only one copy of this book the Ottawa Library System. Equally surprising, is the fact that such a fascinating book has escaped the attention of other readers or at least readers who were compelled to write a review about it.
The very entertaining movie ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ was based on this book. Perhaps every third chapter told a fictitious story on the coming of a global superstorm in very general terms without the details of the family element portrayed in the movie so very nicely by: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ian Holm, Emmy Rossum, and Sela Ward.
The rest of the book informed the reader about the history of the earth going back over 4.5 billion years ago, back to the beginning of the Universe as we know it today. It informed the reader about the countless mass extinctions that have occurred throughout the history of the earth. It brings many facts to the attention of the reader, many suspicions about the interpretation of history. One must conclude that the earth will undergo another ice age. The increase in modern man’s Carbon Footprint on the world’s environment may simply bring on the inevitable far faster than one might expect another ice age or something much worse to happen. In many ways it will depend on whether this global changing event happens in the summer or the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Without a doubt we have been witnessing for some time now a significant change in the increase in the ferocity of hurricanes and typhoon, and the increase in the number of and ferocity of tornados and other adverse weather conditions. These phenomena and the melting of glaciers in Greenland, Alaska and other areas and the melting of permafrost and sea ice in the Arctic are clear evidence that weather conditions are changing. Any reader will recognize just how vulnerable our island home is to our carelessness and thoughtless ignorance.
There is a very strong argument that events depicted in the movie ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ are far more than just a fictitious story but depict a very strong possibility and foretelling about what is to come.
Art Bell’s book is the second ‘five star plus’ book that I have in the past ten years. This is a MUST READ for any environmentalist, history buff, or conscientious parent out there. After you read it, I strongly suggest that you read Dahr Jamail’s ‘The End of Ice,’ -2019, both books are highly recommended reading by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.The Coming Global Superstorm – was published in 2000 and was simply an incredible book or should I say a book containing two stories told somewhat simultaneously. It is a shame that there is only one copy of this book the Ottawa Library System.…
dixiedog's rating:
Added Oct 17, 2019
Comment:
Collusion – Book No. 1 in a contemporary series was another winner for Newt Gingrich and Pete Earley. Like their Brooke Grant Series: Duplicity (2015), Treason (2016) and then Vengeance (2017), this was a very entertaining book. This book is all about a former, but disgraced Navy Seal, and his attempt to smuggle out a Russia, a prominent Russian official who wants to defect to the United States. Recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.Collusion – Book No. 1 in a contemporary series was another winner for Newt Gingrich and Pete Earley. Like their Brooke Grant Series: Duplicity (2015), Treason (2016) and then Vengeance (2017), this was a very entertaining book. This book is all…
Harry's Last StandHarry's Last Stand, BookHow the World My Generation Built Is Falling Down, and What We Can Do to Save It
by Smith, Harry LeslieBook - 2014Book, 2014
dixiedog's rating:
Added Oct 17, 2019
Comment:
Harry’s Last Stand by Canadian author Harry Leslie Smith is a book every young reader under 30 should read. A quote from page 156: “It is terrifying that in a world of 8 billion souls, fewer than a hundred men and women control half its wealth, thereby having enormous influence on its politics.”
Harry describes the hardship he endured as a boy in England; the difficulty he had getting an education and often going to bed hungry. Harry belonged to a family poorer than almost any reader today can even imagine.
Harry’s warning to the youth and young adults of today is to be cautious and mindful of politicians who allow the hard earned benefits earned by his generation to erode with regards to the simple right to an affordable education and in particular, access to an affordable and universal National Health Service (NHS). In his youth, these and were only available to the rich and to corrupt politicians. Most workers in the coal minds and the work houses of that era, could not afford to get sick. Basic health care was beyond their reach or the depth of their pocket. You were fortunate if your children never went to bed hungry. Simple labourers and their families were there for the purpose of making money for the mine owners, business owners, and corrupt politicians; they were replaceable and were discarded when they were no longer useful to the ruling class.
This book is also a book that every politician today should read. Harry does indeed bring his unique perspective to readers on NHS cutbacks, benefits policy, political corruption, food poverty, the cost of education, and so much more. Highly recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing! D. A.Harry’s Last Stand by Canadian author Harry Leslie Smith is a book every young reader under 30 should read. A quote from page 156: “It is terrifying that in a world of 8 billion souls, fewer than a hundred men and women control half its wealth,…
InvictusInvictus, eBookNelson Mandela and the Game That Made A Nation
by Carlin, JohneBook - 2009eBook, 2009
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 29, 2019
Comment:
Invictus – ‘Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation’ was previously published as 'Playing The Enemy.'
As a previous reviewer points out, perhaps sixty percent of this book reviews Mandela's overall life: his views, his survival instincts, events leading up to his time in prison, and his time in prison but in particular the late period of incarceration when the South African Government had concluded that Apartheid had to end. Government officials had started to take a measure of Mandela to see if they could work with him and bring about a change in South Africa, one they could sell to the Afrikaner mentality, while securing their way of life and livelihood, and become a nation the world could accept. The second half of this book was more in tune with the movie Invictus.
The atrocities that were committed on the original population of South Africa and the injustice of the government were described in detail in this book. Another movie, 'Cry Freedom,' basically the Stephen Biko story also comes to mind. A young Denzel Washington plays Stephen Biko in this exceptional movie.
It was enlightening to have the opportunity to get to know more about certainly one of the greatest human beings of the last Century. A man that history must admire as many admire Mahatma Gandhi of India. I quote from page 256: It took a rare wisdom for Mandela to say to his people, as he paraphrased it for the author in an interview, "I understand your anger. But if you are building a new South Africa you ought to be prepared to work with people you don't like."
As Mandela would recite in his years in captivity, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul," - William Earnest Benley 1849-1903.
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie Invictus starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, Captain of the rugby team the Springbok. Both actors were at the top of their game.
While this book is certainly not as entertaining as the exceptional movie ‘Invictus,’ it is very informative and worth the read by those who want to know more about this truly exceptional man. Recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing, D.A.Invictus – ‘Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation’ was previously published as 'Playing The Enemy.'
As a previous reviewer points out, perhaps sixty percent of this book reviews Mandela's overall life: his views, his survival instincts,…
InvictusInvictus, DVD
DVD - 2010DVD, 2010
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 29, 2019
Comment:
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie Invictus starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, Captain of the rugby team the Springbok. Both actors were at the top of their game. I own the DVD and the book.
In the book one truly learns to appreciate the genius of Mandela and more about his whole life: his views, his survival instincts, events leading up to his time in prison, and his time in prison but in particular the late period of incarceration when the South African Government had concluded that Apartheid had to end.
I suggest that readers check out another exceptional movie on South Africa, 'Cry Freedom,' basically the Stephen Biko story. A young Denzel Washington plays Stephen Biko in this exceptional movie.
While the book is certainly not as entertaining as the exceptional movie ‘Invictus,’ it is very informative and worth the read by those who want to know more about Mandela, this truly exceptional man. Recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing, D.A.I thoroughly enjoyed the movie Invictus starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, Captain of the rugby team the Springbok. Both actors were at the top of their game. I own the DVD and the book.
In the book one truly…
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 27, 2019
Comment:
While designed for young readers, the title caught my attention and I wanted to read a Jerry Spinelli book. I am afraid that I did not find the book very interesting. However, it did depict how some children just do not fit into what might be considered as a common mold and how they become isolated by their peers. In spite of that isolation young Zinkoff's optimism prevailed.While designed for young readers, the title caught my attention and I wanted to read a Jerry Spinelli book. I am afraid that I did not find the book very interesting. However, it did depict how some children just do not fit into what might be…
BreatheBreathe, DVDInspire
DVD - 2018DVD, 2018
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 24, 2019
Comment:
JCLHeatherM – Jul 19, 2018 says it all very nicely. This movie is a little slow but it does depict how persons suffering from polio were isolated and locked away by doctors without any hope to enjoy even the simplest pleasures of life. It also exhibits how the courage, love and devotion of loved ones and friends enhanced Robin Cavendish’s life and how they collectively improved the mundane existence of others suffering from this horrible incapacitating disease. Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing, D.A.JCLHeatherM – Jul 19, 2018 says it all very nicely. This movie is a little slow but it does depict how persons suffering from polio were isolated and locked away by doctors without any hope to enjoy even the simplest pleasures of life. It also…
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2019
Comment:
This book was first published in 1956. It was re-released in 2009 in a collection of books known as: A Hard Case Crime Book.
A small time crook from Missouri, Walter Harsh, had the same rare blood type and physical appearance as a South American dictator known as, El Presidente. El Presidente had spent years swindling tens of millions of dollars from his nation's coffers and moved it out of his country with the help of a few trusted countrymen and his long time mistress. He had them invest the misappropriated money abroad in many different banks including numerous banks in the USA for a time when he intended to be retired from politics and out of the reach of authorities in his homeland. ‘Honey in His Mouth’ implies a great deal of Money in his hands.
His trusted band of co-conspirators had other plans. They plotted to kill the dictator when he left politics and with the help of their paid look alike, Walter Harsh, they intended to steel for themselves the 60 plus millions of dollars for themselves.
The ending of this book hardly played out in any fashion I could possibly have foreseen. It was a sufficiently entertaining story, quite different from books written today.
Recommended reading by: Senior Doctor-at-Bass fishing. D. A.This book was first published in 1956. It was re-released in 2009 in a collection of books known as: A Hard Case Crime Book.
A small time crook from Missouri, Walter Harsh, had the same rare blood type and physical appearance as a South American…
Mistaken IdentityMistaken Identity, BookTwo Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope
Book - 2008Book, 2008
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2019
Comment:
This is such a tragic story and one that should have been avoidable but for some poor assumptions and poor choices by a number of persons involved. Two daughters with similar features from two different families are involved in a tragic truck - van crash that takes the lives of five persons. A surviving young women is mistakenly taken under the care of the wrong family after being informed that their daughter had survived. This occurs while another family deals with the loss of what they though was their daughter. The wrong family arranged a celebration of life for what they thought was their daughter, purchased a plot and put to rest the other families daughter.
What became a happy ending after five weeks of hell for one family, became a nightmare for the other family. The clues to have avoided this unthinkable nightmare were right in front of those involved.
Only families of great strength, courage, and faith could endure such heartache and suffering and forgive those who erred in identifying the survivor of the accident. As a person of faith, this story leaves one with many questions as to how this type of occurrence could happen. Recommended reading by: Senior Doctor-at-Bass fishing. D. A.This is such a tragic story and one that should have been avoidable but for some poor assumptions and poor choices by a number of persons involved. Two daughters with similar features from two different families are involved in a tragic truck - van…
dixiedog's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2019
Comment:
Another good book by Hunt and Pineiro. This book is somewhat, at least in the concept, like their first co-authored book Without Mercy. This book traces the pursuit for a recently discovered Soviet Tactical Nuclear Bomb in Afghanistan. In this case, the recently found bomb has fallen into the hands of Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban who have one goal, to repair it and unleash it on some major city in Europe.
Russia has a team of highly trained Special Forces tracking it down to ensure that it is recovered. American Special Forces are also on the hunt to ensure it is located and destroyed. NATO are of one singular mind set, locate its whereabouts and blow it to pieces. Eventually the teams come together and work with one purpose in mind, ensure this bomb never gets far beyond the borders of Afghanistan to unleash an unimaginable horror on the people of Europe.
The authors did not depict NATOs leadership headed by a fictitious Canadian Major General Lévesque, the head of NATO forces in the area, in the best light what-so-ever. He was depicted as quite incompetent and this I found offensive. One does not get to this level of command while being totally arrogant and incompetent. This for me was a distraction while reading this book. The overuse of 'Eh' after every sentence by Lévesque was also a distraction.
This was a very complicated story involving so many terrorists factions, special forces from various nations, CIA operatives and agents, mercenaries of the CIA, terrorist financiers, Russian Mafia, etc., that I for one had some difficulty with keeping track of everyone in the 148 chapters of varying length.
While I much preferred the author's earlier work, Without Mercy, which I had a hard time putting down, I still do recommend this book to readers. Senior Doctor-at-Bass Fishing, DA.Another good book by Hunt and Pineiro. This book is somewhat, at least in the concept, like their first co-authored book Without Mercy. This book traces the pursuit for a recently discovered Soviet Tactical Nuclear Bomb in Afghanistan. In this…
The Grizzly MazeThe Grizzly Maze, BookTimothy Treadwell's Fatal Obsession With Alaskan Bears
by Jans, NickBook - 2005Book, 2005
dixiedog's rating:
Added Aug 12, 2019
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I preferred Nick Jans ‘A Wolf Called Romeo’ (2014) to this, his earlier work, ‘The Grizzly Maze – Timothy Treadwell’s Fatal Obsession With Alaskan Bears’ (2005).
The first half of the book indeed introduced Timothy Treadwell, his weaknesses, ignorance, and his naivety, Quote from page 42, “one thing everyone seems to agree on: Timothy Treadwell, from start to finish, holds his own opinions and beliefs about bears, and keeps counsel largely with himself on that matter.” While Treadwell had no credentials what-so-ever, he did spend 13 seasons among bears, and it is a shame that a great deal of what he learned was somewhat lost. Quote page 155, “All those hours in the field with the bears, those pages and pages of notes on behavior and genealogy, the years of knowledge he carried in his head – he had so much to offer.” He did gain a lot of on-the-job-experience studying and living with bears.
While he was obviously personable, and passionate about protecting grizzly bears from poachers, Treadwell was a flakey individual. Besides his own demise, his foolishness was also responsible for the killing of his gullible companion from California that season and as a result two bears were killed, something that he was committed to avoid.
One has to ask why Alaskan Park Services and other governing bodies did not inhibit Treadwell’s non-conforming behavior and adherence to the rules regarding avoiding close contact with grizzly bears. Rules which were put in place for the protection of the humans studying bears and for the bears themselves, were completely ignored by Timothy Treadwell.
The second half of the book dealt with a lot of information on black bears, polar bears, brown bears, and of course grizzly bears. Very informative but not necessarily what a reader might have expected from the title of the book. Senior-Doctor-at-Bass-Fishing! D. A.I preferred Nick Jans ‘A Wolf Called Romeo’ (2014) to this, his earlier work, ‘The Grizzly Maze – Timothy Treadwell’s Fatal Obsession With Alaskan Bears’ (2005).
The first half of the book indeed introduced Timothy Treadwell, his weaknesses,…
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