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Dry - A Memoir

5 stars (Not So Dry After All) - Perhaps the most astonishing thing about this powerful memoir is its essential kindness and good feeling for humankind, an attitude sustained through a series of dizzying life experiences which could have soured the Dalai Lama. Burroughs' cheerily ironic point of view encompasses his terrifying childhood,his surreal career in advertising, and, most powerfully, his experiences in rehab. While on this journey with him, you experience his growth through a process of discovery, as layer upon layer of denial is peeled back and his true history and true self are revealed to him and to us. The dryness of the wit lies entirely in his refusal to feel sorry for himself; and the final phase of his recovery begins when he is at last willing to open that hardest of all human doors, love. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down, and read entranced on the bus, at the lunch counter, and through one very dull concert. It will certainly offer you several of the more entertaining hours of your life. 4 stars (Excellently written) - Mr. Burroughs has done an excellent job in communicating his experiences of alcoholism and the struggle of rehab and the 12 step programs. He has been able to share the reality of his experiences and at the same time show a great deal of humor and sophisticated irony. A very good book and one that I will read again. 4 stars (Very Good) - I started this book yesterday and read about 3/4 of it in one sitting. It's an interesting read - and the subject matter is a little less uncomfortable than "Running with Scissors". I can't help but compare this to "A Million Little Pieces", which also deals with someone going to rehab. I feel that James Frey's book was more upsetting but geniune. There were times that I had to put the book down because it was so graphic and heart rending. Anyway, "Dry" is a good read, and if you liked "Running with Scissors" or books in the vein a la David Sedaris, read it. ...
Picador :: Reading Group Guide :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States :: Personal Memoirs :: Novelists :: American :: New York (State) :: New York :: Literary :: :: Dry - A Memoir

 

A Widow-s Walk - A Memoir of 9-11

5 stars (An unbelievably touching book) - I originally bought this book for the sole reason that Marian and i were childhood friends who grew up on the same street together in Staten Island. I knew of Dave's death shortly after 9/11 and kept Marian and her family in my thoughts daily. I knew Marian was gifted but was totally unprepared for how much this book would touch me and change my life. I now view the people i love in a different way. Her book was beautiful and so well written. I felt like i can somewhat understand what all of these brave people went through both firefighters and their families, in the wake of 9/11. 5 stars (More than a Memoir) - To be honest, I am generally not a fan of memoirs of this type. I mean yes this is a woman who suffered a profound tragedy but does this mean she can write? Well, after devouring it's nearly 450 pages in a couple of sittings, I think it can be said, that Marian Fontana is a writer. A damn good one. She deserves not only to have her story told but to tell it herself. This is both an honest and humorous look at the grieving process as well as a fascinating piece of history. Fontana's account of how she and her some of her fellow widows organized and stood up not only for 911 victims and their families, but for firemen themselves, gives us an inside look at just how these men who perform the most dangerous and lauded of work, are basically treated like crap. There is something very special about this book and just how close it puts you to the incredilby profound grief that enveloped Ms. Fontana's life. Yet, I never really felt sorry for her because I don't think she allows the reader to do that. She is a strong person yet she admits her flaws, thus making her even stronger. This is a must read for anyone interested in 9-11 as well as anyone interested in grief, love and loss. 5 stars (Sharply observed and moving) - One of the memorable images seared into the world's consciousness on September 11, 2001 was ...
Simon - Schuster :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Women :: Widows :: September 11 Terrorist Attacks :: 2001 :: Psychological Aspects Of Bereavement :: Political Terrorism :: P :: A Widow-s Walk - A Memoir of 9-11

 

The Big House - A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home

4 stars (Great reading) - Owning a summer home that has been purchased from an extended family, the story is so familiar, but I could never tell it as George Colt has told it. I gave it four stars because I think you have to have lived the experience to appreciate the subtle touches in the story. 5 stars (The Big House - A Bigger Book) - If you have ever had a "summer place" - large or not so large - and people to take there whom you love, this is your book, assuming you are still able to read. Rich and sensitive, loving and intelligent, it takes you back to re-savor those days when the world was younger, better and hopeful. 3 stars (House is Interesting. WASPS: not so much.) - Both of my parents are from New England, and I've spent some time in both Cape Cod and Connecticut. I expected to enjoy this much more than I did. It's written well and impeccably researched. But the forward motion really meanders, with only the question "will the house stay in the family or be sold?" to keep you reading. It makes sense that the author then tries to describe his family, to keep you invested. But, though the author clearly adores his extended family, they never became vivid to me. He keeps telling us how charming and "attractive" (the highest WASP compliment) they are, but I keep saying people who are cold, antisemitic (a section where a mother refuses to let a duaghter who's married a Jewish man stay at the house is glossed over as if the genteel antisemitism is just another trait of a vanishing society). The house itself does fascinate. Colt is most interesting when he writes about himself-- my favorite section was the section where he describes the books in the house. I think the book will mean a lot more to you if you either are from that area (try as he might Colt never succeeded in making Wings Neck sound appealing to me-- full of rocks, poison ivy, weeds, and inscrutable people)... or know the world he's writing about. Somehow Colt does NOT succeed in evo...
Scribner :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States - State & Local - New England :: Sociology :: Social Science :: Reference :: Personal Memoirs :: Customs & Tr :: The Big House - A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home

 

Every Second Counts

5 stars (An inspiring and honest at the real Lance Armstrong) - Just as good as his first book, this book is a great "pick me up". It is good to learn a little about the dynamics of the Tour de France and how the result of one man standing on the podium is the work of many - often thankless. A real insight to what sets Armstrong apart, yet making him still so human. Definitely recommend! 3 stars (Very Inspirational) - Overall, it was a great book. Since I had read the first one, I felt it was a little repetitive, but you can never get enough inspiration, encouragement and motivation from Lance Armstrong. 5 stars (Thank You Lance) - Lance Armstrong shows in both this and "It's not about the bike" that he really is an average Joe deep inside. He shows the same fears, questions the same problems, and makes you feel that he could be your next door neighbor or a friend at work. He shows that with all he's done that what really matters is being honest, caring, and human when others may not. Thank you Mr. Armstong for giving so many people hope, and showing the rest that we can help do more. ...
Broadway :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States :: Sports - General :: Patients :: Motivational & Inspirational :: General :: Diseases - Cancer :: Cyclists :: Ca :: Every Second Counts

 

Embedded Balls - Adventures On and Off the Tour with Golf-s Premier Storyteller

5 stars (Great writing team) - Once again Jacobsen and Sheehan have outdone themselves writing a book about their love of the game and the great stories that have ensued from the fairways worldwide... I laughed until I cried and am going to pass the book on to my friends in the dental society (and huge golf fans) in golf course mecca in Central Oregon.. 5 stars (Jake does it again) - Peter Jacobsen returns from a decade-plus absence with a book that is better than his first effort - and that's saying something. "Embedded Balls" includes a look at what is wrong with the Tour today and how to fix it. Along the way, you will laugh out loud and get an insiders look at many characters on the Tour. ...
Putnam Adult :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Tournaments :: Sports - General :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Personal Memoirs :: Humor :: Golf - General :: Golf :: Biogra :: Embedded Balls - Adventures On and Off the Tour with Golf-s Premier Storyteller

 

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

5 stars (Most moving and gripping) - I was not sure when I started this book whether I really wanted to know the details the author went thru, and early in the book I was astounded at how imprudent he was. But the account soon caught me up and I was totally mesmerized, and the book I found to be a triumph, ranking with Alive, by Piers Paul Read, as one of the most gripping survival stories I have ever read. I felt it was better than Touching the Void, by Joe Simpson, even though that book is on edge of the chair reading. Despite Ralston's imprudent behavior I found him an admirable person and the fact that he is still climbing mountains and doing other unbelievable things I concluded was inspiring, imprudent as it no doubt is. This is a great reading experience. 5 stars (Hard place felt) - This book was very good at describing the surroundings in such detail that the mood was set for the story. Granted, even though it is a true story, one could just feel the tension mounting, and could follow the time line of events that led to Ralston's freedom from his rock/hardplace captors. 1 stars (Dont Read this Book) - This is the most boring book I have ever tried to read. It was a Summer Reading book and I couldnt even finish it. It is soo technical, it is courageous how he lived through that ordeal, but the book dragged and was horrible, i give it 0 stars. ...
Atria :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Outdoor Life :: Mountaineering :: Inspirational - General :: Hiking :: General :: Biography&Autobiography :: Biography & Auto :: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 

It-s Not About the Bike- My Journey Back to Life

5 stars (An Inspirational Story and Individual!) - The book covers Lance Armstrong's life - from birth, to his first bike, initial cycling successes, cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, returning to cycling to win the Tour de France, and becoming a first-time father. The book is hard to put down, and well-worth reading. Lance's mother was only 17 when he was born, played a very large role in his development, and continues to be very close to him. His father left before Lance reached his second birthday, and she worked two jobs while finishing school and raising Lance. She taught Lance never to quit. Lance got his first bike at age seven, and loved it. In high-school he tried football (not coordinated enough), then swimming (the 12-year-old was initially put in with 7-year-olds) and soon became quite good. At age thirteen Lance entered and won his first jr. triathalon, followed by another in Houston, and by age 15 was entering adult competitions, going from 15th place the first year to 5th the second. Lance began earning $20,000/year as a competitor, and then ended up winning the World Championship in Norway. Before this happened, however, Lance had to learn racing tactics (eg. saving himself until close to the end), and as often as not became too eager and faded before the finish. Then came cancer - described by Lance as the "best thing that happened to me." Early symptoms were attributed to "bicycle injury," or "flu." However, after coughing up blood, Lance sought help - eventually resulting in the diagnosis of advanced testicular cancer which had spread to the lungs (12 locations) and his brain (2 locations). Initial testical removal and chemotherapy took place in Austin, with little adverse impact. Getting a second opinion took him to Houston, and a third in Indianapolis, where brain surgery and much more aggressive chemotherapy were undertaken. Lance not only lost all his hair, but also ended up with prolonged daily retching. Along the way, Lance ...
Berkley Trade :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States :: Sports - General :: Specific Groups - Special Needs :: Patients :: Diseases - Cancer :: Cyclists :: Cycling :: It-s Not About the Bike- My Journey Back to Life

 

The Sixteenth Round- From Number 1 Contender To -45472

4 stars (Brilliant and Touching) - Obviously no one can write his story better than Rubin himself. This story is both and inspiring story of a man who has never stopped fighting and a terrifying reality check into the American judicial system. This book is filled with an anger that is only kept in check by the author's own love and compassion. The reader whould of course keep in mind this is an autobiography and therefore is skewed to the writer's point of view and emotional state. 2 stars (The rounds go on and on...) - I purchased this book, after viewing the much celebrated movie, "The Hurricane." The book is mediocre. I found it difficult to believe much of the writer's exaggerated boasting regarding his many talents. I had erroneously gathered from the movie, that this was a self-effacing, self-made man, not so. The reader is ever searching for the "real meat" of the story, however, the bulk of the story is about the author as a "ghetto-bad boy." The last few chapters of the book are short and quickly race you through the actual murder and trial. Overall it is not well written and disappointing. 5 stars (A touching story inspires child.) - This story reached out and touched the lives of many people. It also made people realize not to be racist. I know that I used to be racist and this turned my life around. The fact that rubin was in jail for a crime he didnt commit just because he wasnt white isnt at all fair. His story inspired me not to be racist and to get others not to hate the non-white. It has touched many lives and i like that. I am one of Rubin's biggest fans. ...
Penguin Global :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Sports - General :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Prison Life :: Personal Memoirs :: People of Color :: Criminals & Outlaw :: The Sixteenth Round- From Number 1 Contender To -45472