Book Reviews by Todd Rutherford 010511

Joe Carroll's How to Get a Great Job in 90 Days or Less is for the scores of people out there who have been searching for a job with little luck and lots of frustration. Carroll takes a bold approach by assuring the reader that by applying his principles, a job in 90 days or less is within reach. With none of the usual dilly-dallying in other, less effective job search guides, this book gets right to the root of finding success in the job market: analyzing your skills, what you do for a living, and how to acquire the skills that are necessary for finding employment, which includes networking.

Much of what Carroll discusses in his book is fundamental to everyday life; ironically, however, it is often the least implemented. The chapter on fitness, for example, is both fascinating and true. It takes a "lean horse" to stay in the race, and the author suggests that there is a definite inverse correlation between the rise in obesity and the decrease in efficiency in today's sedentary culture.

How to Get a Great Job in 90 Days or Less is much more than a job search book. It is a blueprint for establishing a successful and satiating career. In fact, it provides techniques and strategies that one would expect to find at a career counseling session.

A resounding theme inside the pages of this book is that of passion. The author asserts the concept that a perfect balance between passion and purpose can, in truth, lead to the fulfillment of one's calling in life. The author brilliantly involves the reader, bringing him/her in--as part of the content. For example, Carroll asks questions throughout his book, specifically in Chapter 1, where he guides the reader in determining his/her passion. He asks questions such as, "If you could do anything you wanted, and money was not an issue, what would you do? What do you do sometimes that can take hours, and yet, you don't even notice the passing of time?" The reasoning here is: find your passion, and you find your calling.

How to Get a Great Job in 90 Days or Less is a goldmine of effective strategies for finding a more lucrative, desirable career--rather than settling for an unfulfilling job, just to pay the bills. The chapter, "10 Job Secrets They Never Taught You in College," focuses on common sense approaches to finding a job about which you are passionate. Several points that Carroll makes are the importance of direct communication via the telephone, and reaching out and networking with those whom you know. He further asserts that non-aggressive forms of communication, such as through job search sites on the Internet, are not always the means that are most productive in securing a job.

Indeed, Joe Carroll and his words of wisdom are as credible as are his qualifications; he is a career coach, author, and international speaker with twenty-five years of experience in the work field. Having experienced downsizing several times, Carroll has been on both ends of the job spectrum. He is a testament to the fact that the principles in this book are legitimate and would be beneficial to anyone willing to try them. This book is not just for the unemployed, but also for those individuals whose careers and passions are not aligned. This is a must read book for all who are interested in building a solid foundation for a successful career.

###

Yawm ad_Din Protocols, by G?rard de Mar?oux, is an intriguing book depicting the age-old clash between Islam and the Catholic Church. The story takes place in the year 2017. This is a highly charged topic and Mar?oux has exhaustively researched it. With thorough character development and a writing style that fuses a heavy subject matter with an aesthetically pleasing and quite interesting story, the author keeps the reader completely engaged.

The central character of the book is the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, Siegfried von Hirshorn, who is often called "Prince," due to his cardinal-like title. Having dedicated his life to the Church, he holds a doctorate in theology. The book opens with a meeting between Siegfried and his father's longtime friend, newly crowned Pope Enyo I. Yawm ad_Din Protocols thrusts us into a chaotic 2017, where constant protests are occurring outside the Vatican. Examples of what protestors are saying include, "Butcher those who mock Islam," "Europe is the cancer; Islam is the Answer," and "Your 911 is on the way."

Comparable to the style and content of Dan Brown, this book fascinates on many levels--especially the way the secret societies of medieval times are woven into the story. Mar?oux is a master at building tension right from the start with such passages as, "Your knights used to be warrior monks who fought to defend the Temple in medieval times. Now you are engaged in humanitarian endeavors, and," he paused briefly, "that is wonderful, but I am afraid we are going to need more help than that."

In this alternate universe, the President of the United States is Hassan Mechal, and he and Pope Enyo, are receiving constant terror threats, some of which are being carried out. Though the moment is undoubtedly tense, there is a sense of excitement when Siegfried brings up the possibility of reforming the Knights Templar. Terrorist attacks have escalated in number, and a bomb explodes while Siegfried and the Pope are meeting together; there is little doubt that drastic action has to be taken immediately.

The other character of note in this book is Kemal Beaumont, the mastermind behind the plan to reinstate a religious order like the Knights Templar. Beaumont is the quintessential character highly representative of the clash between the Church and Islam, as his wife is brutally murdered for converting from Islam to Christianity. This tragic image is strongly depicted by such words as, "In a sense, she was a martyr to her new faith, because the men who killed her wrote the words `TRAITOR' and `ALLAHU AKBAR!' in her blood on the wall above their conjugal bed." In this story, there are countless people in similar situations that lose their loved ones in the name of faith.

Ultimately, Yawm ad_Din Protocols sets the stage for a new-age order, imitating the original Knights Templar, in an effort to help protect the Church. "His two brothers, Silas and Zenon, enthusiastically shared his dream of a new order of Templars to defend the Temple--the Church, which was again under assault from Muslims, as it had been many times in the past." The conflict between Islam and the Church that had been buried in history is unearthed in this book--in a new age, same problems.

The riveting storyline, coupled with dynamic characters make for a relentless tale that will have readers turning pages till the end. G?rard de Mar?oux entices his readers with an inordinate amount of research that results in an authentic and thoroughly believable plot. Set in 2017, Yawm ad_Din Protocols is relevant to today's society and can be appreciated by all.

###

Finding Your Road to Success--How to get there without getting lost, by Patrick Daniel, CA, is a roadmap to attaining success--and shattering this notion that success is a myth based purely on luck. Through a series of inspirational quotations and personal experiences, Daniel provides his easy-to-understand principles that lead to success.

From adolescents to young adults, and even the elderly, Finding Your Road to Success is aimed at a variety of age groups. Indeed, all can benefit from the proven methods and mindsets presented in Daniel's book. The author reminds us that the human mind cannot retain more than 40% of what it reads the first time around, therefore he suggests adopting a textbook approach with a series of routines that will make this book a cinch to comprehend:

1) Highlight, underline, or use sticky notes for the areas that resonate most strongly.

2) Read, Reread, and Refresh.

3) Attempt to apply and implement into daily routine whenever possible.

Finding Your Road to Success does quite an impressive job in fusing the philosophical nature of success with practical experiences that reinforce an idea. Right from the Preface, Daniel presents readers with inspirational quotes--an excellent way to align their minds with the purpose of the book. Examples of motivational quotes include, "If you expect to be successful, you'll be successful. If you expect to fail, you probably will."

This book emphasizes the journey to success and the need for a map to help in negotiating the twists and turns that occur along the way. More than anything else, Daniel is adamant in pointing the reader away from a negative attitude toward a more positive and constructive frame of mind. At the same time, readers will appreciate his straightforward nature, especially when they come across passages that hit home. For example, one such hard-hitting, eye-opening truth is, "If you feel that your life is not going as you planned, it's most likely your fault. Don't forget, the biggest obstacle to achieving your success is you."

With a number of practical examples to help illustrate important points in achieving success, Finding Your Road to Success is invaluable in uprooting destructive attitudes that serve only to defeat. Furthermore, the book is thoroughly engaging and entertaining as a result of Daniel's down-to-earth examples, many of which deliver moral lessons while imparting a refreshing touch.

One such moral lesson is captured in the tale of the "Donkey in the Well." Instead of being buried in dirt by the townspeople, the donkey in the well used the dirt to climb up, and ultimately out, of the well. The take-home point is that life will throw a barrage of obstacles at you; however, those who succeed use each obstacle as a stepping stone rather than a source of misery, depression, and defeat.

Daniel uses his life experiences and managing of finances to build a strong rapport with the audience. As a successful chartered accountant and owner of his own accounting company, the author's credentials are unquestionably well suited for this book. Finding Your Road to Success is a must-read for anyone who needs a shot of optimism. "Life is filled with solutions, not problems," is at the core of Daniel's "glass half-full attitude," and you'll find this attitude with every turn of the page.

###

Jerry L. Strnadel's Code Red: Could Terror From Within Cause an American Chernobyl? You be the Judge! sheds light on the dangers of nuclear reactor plants. Coming from the voice of experience from Jerry Strnadel, a former nuclear security officer, this book seeks to create awareness about the vices at the top rung of corporate America, which reek of corporate greed. Code Red mixes in politics, Wall Street, and the financial divide between the rich and poor to create an alarming piece of literature that urges society to wake up and understand that the behavior of authorities at nuclear plants can have catastrophic consequences for ordinary, middle-class citizens.

Code Red opens up with background information describing Strnadel's twenty-two years tending the family farm. After losing his farm to government policies and inflation, he began a series of training sessions in order to work as a nuclear security officer. Jerry describes the constant chaos that was the nuclear plant: "You received a call from the Central Alarm Station notifying you there was an alarm on the south side, on zone such and such. Before you completed assessment of the first alarm, you were told once again they now received another alarm on the opposite side of the plant."

What's worse is the maltreatment and constant intimidation the officers must endure. Being on the inside, looking out, Strnadel captures an accurate picture of the often senseless behavior of the "Big Boys" at the top of the government ladder. A memorable passage early in the book that essentially serves as a snapshot of this perception is, "I had been driven off the farm by big, could care less government, and now I'm seeing the same thing happening with Wackenhut. Their arrogance and attitude, plus using fear and intimidation to control their officers was appalling." The state of the nuclear plant is in the hands of individuals who sometimes fire their best officers for little or no reason. One can only imagine the dangers that such an ill-managed nuclear reactor plant could present to society.

The turning point in Code Red takes the form of a letter that Strnadel delivers to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, resulting in a restructuring of policies and the termination of some corrupt authorities. The letter points out the "reign of terror" by "higher-ups" Robert Brown and Daniel Boland. While Strnadel shows exemplary courage in facing these atrocities, "It is a shame that the chain of command did not band together to stop Brown's tyranny. Instead, they flushed their integrity down the commode and became their `yes' men."

The letter changes everything, and the situation goes from atrocious to outright nonsensical. Following the termination of fifty officers, Robert Brown and his regime eliminate vacations to compensate for the extra overtime they have to pay the "surviving" workers. The end result of Strnadel's efforts were apparent in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's return letter: "As a result of your letter, and other issues that had developed within the security organization and program, Mr.------ directed that an independent assessment be performed. Following the assessment, the security program was reorganized. Some managers were removed and reassigned outside the security organization, and some work related policies were changed."

Ironically, Wackenhut reemerges after seven years to take over the plant once again. This time, the prevailing attitude is straightforward, essentially stating, "THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO FIRE YOUR ASS ANY DAMNED TIME THEY WANT TO, WHETHER THEY HAVE GOOD CAUSE OR NOT."

Strnadel uses strong imagery and details to show the excessiveness of Wackenhut and its managers. One such instance that is representative of the sometimes-outrageous behavior occurred when a female officer, thoroughly under the influence, unveiled the fact that she had been engaging in oral sex--on site--with the supervisors. This kind of behavior should be unheard of at a nuclear plant, or in any professional environment, for that matter. Strnadel, the President of the Union at the time, puts it best when he states, "Actions such as these cause a lack of respect for the Company, its management, and its supervisors. Respect is something that has to be earned. Bestowing a title of manager or supervisor on someone does not necessarily mean they are going to be respected; it still has to be earned."

Later in the book, Strnadel moves on to talk about political ideologies, and more specifically, points out the shortcomings of the Republican Party. He is adamant in his belief as he states, "As for the Republicans, this is the most pathetic display of leadership by the Republicans that I have ever witnessed. I cannot believe that anyone with any common sense would vote for these morons, who are, and have been destroying the middle-class. God Help Us, if these idiots take over control once again."

This book is quite unique in that it will pique the interest of readers from many ways of life, particularly the middle class. There are very few "whistle blower" books on the market with authors who are willing to put their names "out there" to show the world what is really going on behind the scenes. Strnadel has established credibility based on his qualifications and experiences. Code Red captures the reader's interest and keeps it, as it presents relevant issues in society; this one is a must read for anyone who wants to know what lies below the surface in today's climate of unquestioned power.

###

The Enchanted Places audio book, written by Christopher Robin Milne and recorded by Peter Dennis gives readers a sneak-peek into the life of Christopher Robin Milne, son of the famous author, A.A. Milne, and better known as the Christopher Robin from the classic Winnie-the-Pooh tales. Not only were Peter Dennis and Christopher Robin Milne the best of friends, but Dennis' enchanting voice and versatility has turned him into the Winnie-the-Pooh ambassador and will leave his audience mesmerized.

Written at the request of C.R. Milne's daughter, Clare, Peter Dennis' audio book is Christopher Milne's autobiography, which captures the peaks and valleys of his life and sheds a positive light on the immortal character of Christopher Robin. Although they undoubtedly overlap throughout the book, the autobiography is written from a kind of dual perspective: from the viewpoint of the fifty-four year-old Christopher Milne, as well as from the boy Christopher Milne, after whom Christopher Robin is modeled. Through this introspective work, the author sheds his insecurities as he reflects on his relationship with his father.

The Enchanted Places audio book is fascinating on many levels, especially for the hundreds of thousands of children that woke up to Winnie-the-Pooh on television, and went to sleep fondly listening to stories about their beloved Pooh Bear and Christopher Robin.

Christopher Milne's autobiography is most intriguing, in that it takes us through much of Christopher's life, from his nursery days to his childhood in London and Sussex in 1920 on Crotchard Farms, all the way through his marriage, and his role in the war. Though Christopher Robin Milne never wished to be remembered as an ethereal character that would never grow old, this audio book captures the essence of his struggles with self- acceptance.

The passage that reveals the innocence and love of nature that would be instilled in C.R. Milne for life appears in a Preface to Parents, written by his father: "In real life, very young children have an artless beauty, an innocent grace, an unstudied abandon of movement, which taken together, make an appeal to our emotions similar in kind to that made by any other young and artless creatures...the beauty of childhood seems in some way to transcend the body. Heaven does really appear to lie about the child in its infancy." Also, Milne recites his father's poems, such as "Market Square," and "Vespers" in order to better depict the relationship between his father and himself.

C.R. Milne dwells on his childhood and his adoration of his nanny, much more than on his father or mother. Surprising to many is Milne's portrayal of the relationship between himself and his father, as evidenced by such lines as, "Some people are good with children. Others are not. It is a gift. You either have it or you don't. My father didn't. Not with children that is. Later on, it was different, very different. But I'm talking about nursery days. It was difficult for him, of course, for there was nanny in the way...where did he fit in, nowhere special...no, my father couldn't compete...people sometimes say to me today, `How lucky you were to have such a wonderful father,' imagining that because he wrote about me with such affection and understanding he must've played with me with equal affection and understanding. Can this be really totally untrue?" This passage is indicative of C.R. Milne's struggles with accepting the character that bears his namesake.

Evidently, this text also reveals that A.A. Milne never really had a strong relationship with his son, at least not during Christopher Robin's childhood, and perhaps used a fictional character to help create a situation that he would have liked to have shared with his own son.

Clearly, this passage is from the perspective of Christopher Robin the schoolboy. C.R. Milne, the adult, has now been able to forge an image of his father that is predicated on his appreciation of his father's skill and sympathy with which he evokes a character who is at once shy and resolute, tactful and determined, and the rituals by which he lived.

The Enchanted Places audio book is replete with rich details and remarkable facts that would have otherwise perished into history, never to be known. This book is undeniably a must-read for everyone--including the Epilogue, as it discusses Christopher Robin Milne's difficulty in living, in a sense, with two different identities. Milne states, "Unfortunately, the fictional Christopher Robin refused to die and he and his real life namesake were not always on the best of terms. For the first misfortune, as it sometimes seemed, my father was to blame. The second was my fault." Christopher Robin emphasizes the clash between Christopher Robin the schoolboy--a boy who loved his bear--and Christopher Robin the man. The Enchanted Places is C.R. Milne's courageous attempt to face his vulnerability, shyness, and his bouts with jealousy.

The Enchanted Places will captivate its readers and bring Christopher Robin's character to life and closer to the actual Christopher Robin Milne. There are very real elements here, such as jealousy and father-son intimacy, both of which give this audio book a larger-than-life quality. Also, Peter Dennis, devoted family friend, lends an unmatched authenticity as he narrates from the heart the cherished details of the Milne family. Truly, there is in this book an aura that will help readers worldwide relate to the author's account as it rekindles a love for their favorite children's story.

###

Abdullah ibn Abi Sarh's Biography of the Prophet Muhammad - Illustrated is an aesthetically appealing and easy to comprehend biography that unearths the real history of the legendary Prophet Muhammad. While there are many scriptures of Islam (e.g., Qur'an, Hadith, Siras, etc.); examining them either requires extensive amounts of time, or they are often too complex and sometimes prone to misconceptions. Abi Sarh addresses these issues in order to make the history of Islam easier to understand for Muslim youth, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about the lore of the Prophet Muhammad.

While this text touches on extremely sensitive global and national topics of terrorism, Biography of the Prophet Muhammad - Illustrated is thoroughly educational. Following the September 11th attacks, there has been a constant dichotomy facing Islam and its followers. For example, some Muslims state that Islam is a peaceful religion, yet there continues to be bloodshed in the name of Islam and jihad.

Abdullah ibn Abi Sarh's purpose in writing this book is three-fold: "First, because there is so much persecution and suffering in the name of Islam, the second reason is because there is no other illustrator who dares to create a biography of Muhammad," and finally, "this illustrated book will help people to understand Islam quickly, accurately, and without spending too much time reading the whole Islamic main literatures that are hard to understand." Essentially, the author is trying to portray Islam as it was perceived through the unfiltered eyes of the Prophet Muhammad.

The book is fascinating because of the creativity that Abdullah utilizes in developing the structure of the text. Despite dealing with extremely sensitive religious and cultural issues, Abdullah ibn Abi Sarh's illustrations and animations put readers at ease. At the same time, the text has a format similar to a comic book, which is less intimidating for readers. While there is nothing comic about the topic of Islam, terror, and mainly the Prophet Muhammad, it is more probable that younger generations will be more inclined to read something formatted thusly, rather than dense, time-consuming scriptures that can seem rather daunting and difficult to understand.

This account of the life of the Prophet Muhammad begins with the death of his father, Abdullah--while Muhammad is still in the womb. Overcome with depression, his mother Amina gives Muhammad to Halimah, who nursed him for the first five years of his life, before returning him to his mother out of fear that his constant seizures were a sign of demonic possession.

Throughout the illustrations, the author weaves scripture from the Qur'an. When the Bajilis steal Muhammad's camels, he refers to the Qur'an 5.33: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land; that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter."

Overall, Abdullah ibn Abi Sarh's Biography of the Prophet Muhammad - Illustrated is a thought-provoking book, and an ideal introduction to further studies or research into Islam and the Muslim culture. Simply formatted, this is a must read for all, particularly for Muslims, educators, historians, and anyone interested in learning about the legendary figure of Islam, Prophet Muhammad.

###

Greg Messel's Expiation is a riveting love story that transcends the material world and imbues the reader with raw emotion. Expiation is not a tearjerker, so leave the tissues aside; however, it is genuine in its portrayal of feelings, set on a realistic political backdrop of the 1970s in Northern California. Few books can truly affect the reader emotionally the way that Expiation does, and it is a reminder that the memory of your first love never dies, despite many relationships that follow.

Reminiscent of Nick Cassavetes' Notebook, this story opens in 1999, prior to the Y2K scare. Dan, the main character, receives a call from his daughter informing him of his mother's death in Seattle. Dan, who has already lost his wife, Wendy, and his father, is shocked at his mother's sudden demise.

At the funeral, he spots his high-school sweetheart, Katie, and thinks, "I'm sure my solemn, sad mask slipped as I registered complete astonishment. It had to be Katie! I briefly broke ranks and gave her a quick hug, saying, `Wait for me afterwards.' I sure hoped that was Katie or else I had just picked up a woman, who was a total stranger, at my mother's funeral."

Interestingly, Dan's walk down the aisle of the church--to bid his mother a final farewell--was more of a walk down memory lane. The memories flooded back to his high-school days, where he and Katie reigned over the high school. "In our high school years, Katie and I dwelt in a privileged existence. We had everything at our disposal as the royalty of our popularity-fueled high school world. We were mostly oblivious to our status and thought it was just the way the world was structured. Then it all came apart after high school graduation and the intrusion of the harsh, real world."

This book is truly about expiation, or atonement for one's mistakes. Dan is portrayed as constantly wondering, "Does she still harbor resentment towards me because of my insensitivity to her feelings so many years ago? How could I've so carelessly tossed away a jewel such as her?"

As the funeral progresses, it is astonishing to see Dan so immersed in Katie, conducting a mental and physical inventory of her and comparing it to the image of the Katie still engraved in his mind. While it seems a bit over-the-top that a man could pick up a girl--even if she is his first love-- at his own mother's funeral, it's a testament to destiny, and the notion that unexpected encounters can often make for out-of-the-ordinary behavior.

Expiation blends the past with the present, with numerous flashbacks of Dan and Katie's "golden days." Though it seems an awkward place for a reunion, the audience will be able to connect with Messel's intent to depict the closing of one chapter, and the re-entering of another. In fact, Expiation is structured like a wide-angle zoom lens: one chapter will zoom all the way out to the present, while the next will zoom all the way in to 1968, and the young, popular couple that was the epitome of Ballard High School.

This is a must read for all romance aficionados, young adults and beyond. Expiation will leave you searching for answers: Can Dan and Kate's past cross the barrier that thirty years of separation has created? Will Dan's expiation be complete and their love rekindled amidst the political chaos of Y2K and the new millennium? Plunge into Expiation and the author will "put you there," and have you turning pages to the end.

Article Source: http://casinoarticles.us

To learn more about these authors, visit New Book Releases. Also, stop by GettingBookReviews.com where you can find out all about book reviewers and what they can do for you.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated