Memorial Day 2011: Two Names That Matterby Walter Brasch
Unless you were in a coma the past few years, you probably know who Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton are. You heard about them on radio, saw them on television. You read about them in newspapers and magazines, on Facebook, Twitter, and every social medium known to mankind. Because of extensive media coverage, you also know who dozens of singers and professional athletes are.
Here are two names you probably never heard of. Sergeant First Class Clifford E. Beattie and Private First Class Ramon Mora Jr.They didn't get into drug and alcohol scandals. They didn't become pop singers or make their careers from hitting baseballs or throwing footballs. They were soldiers. Both died together this past week from roadside bombs near Baghdad.
Sgt. 1st Class Beattie, from the small rural suburb of Medical Lake, Wash., spent 17 years in the Army, and was in his third tour of duty in Iraq. On the day he was killed, according to the Spokane Spokesman–Review, he had participated in a run to honor fallen soldiers. Sgt. Beattie was 37 years old. He leaves two children, one of whom was three weeks from graduating from high school; four sisters, a brother, and his parents.
PFC Mora, from Ontario, Calif., a city of about 170,000 near Los Angeles, was in his first tour in combat. He was 19 years old. "He was a very serious student, and education was important to him," Carole Hodnick, Mora's English teacher and advisor, told the Ontario Daily Bulletin. Hodnick also remembers him as having "a charisma about him, and the students just fell in line with him."Clifford E. Beatttie and Ramon Mora Jr. were just two of the 6,049 Americans killed and 43,418 wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan in war the past decade, the longest wars in American history.
You can't know or remember all of their names. But you can remember two. Clifford E. Beattie. Ramon Mora Jr. Two Americans. One near the end of his Army career. One not long out of Basic Training. A White Caucasian and a Hispanic. Two different lives. Two different cultures. Two Americans.Clifford E. Beattie. Ramon Mora Jr. Killed together more than 7,000 miles from their homes.
As you prepare for Memorial Day barbeques, surrounded by celebrity-laden news, remember the names of Clifford E. Beattie and Ramon Mora Jr., and all they stood for. Theirs are the names that matter.
[Walter Brasch is a social issues columnist and author. His next book is Before the First Snow: Stories from the Revolution, available at amazon.com and other stores after June 20. For more details, see YouTube.]Walter M. Brasch, Ph.D. Latest Book: Before the First Snow: Stories from the Revolution (http://www.greeleyandstone.com/) http://www.walterbrasch.com/http://www.walterbrasch.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
ALLBOOKS REVIEW INTERNATIONAL will now post your Youtube videos and Book Trailers. Must be related to your book. Contact us today. www.allbooksreviewint.com
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
3:41 A Novel (Review)
Genre: Fiction
Title: 3:41
Author: Dennis Aiden Lockhart
An absorbing, intimate novel that follows the attempt by middle-distance runner Tim Hardman to run a world-record mile despite the challenges of suffering short-term memory loss, being divorced, having no income and living in a shack in the high desert of Southern California.
Hardman had a beautiful wife and was on the verge of creating a successful running career when he pushed himself too hard at the US Olympic trials and collapsed on the track. He subsequently lost his wife, his career and his short-term memory, leaving him unable to remember the previous day, and so he keeps track by writing notes and making videos.
However, he continues to train. As a result, Hardman enters a marathon and completes what he perceives to be a tedious race by breaking it down into a series of short sprints between drinks breaks. This passage reveals how Hardman lives from one day to the next, unable to recall his last day. It also summarises the style of the novel: significant blocks of free-flowing stream of consciousness text broken up by drinks breaks of articles, letters, news reports and interviews. For those who are challenged by the density of stream of consciousness writing, you will enjoy, just as Tim did during the marathon, these drinks breaks of correspondence and articles which allow the reader to take time-out from Tim’s internal monologue to reflect on the other characters’ perception of his world.
These breaks add depth to Hardman’s psychological attempt to unravel how religion, sex, family relationships and an obsessive drive to succeed have combined to produce both success and failure. They also reveal the influence of other people in Tim’s life, the multiple layers of cause and effect, and how appearance can be a facade.
By the end of the book, Lockhart discloses how each character is running their own race, of which Tim is an unknowing participant. And just like the competition in a running race, the closer Tim gets to achieving his goal of running a world-record mile; the more the reader is uncertain whether another character might head him off before the finish line. The novel gains pace because of this rising threat; knowing that any one of the characters, even those who have acted with the best of intentions, could thwart Hardman’s ambition.
Sometimes the “drinks breaks” reveal the characters in too obvious a way, and there are times when Lockhart lingers a little long on an idea rather than focussing the reader on the end of the race. However, it is a well-written, intimate revelation into the mind of a selfish, flawed, obsessive and single-minded medium-distance runner.
Reviewer: Wheldon Curzon, Allbooks Review International www.allbooksreviewint.com
Title: 3:41
Author: Dennis Aiden Lockhart
An absorbing, intimate novel that follows the attempt by middle-distance runner Tim Hardman to run a world-record mile despite the challenges of suffering short-term memory loss, being divorced, having no income and living in a shack in the high desert of Southern California.
Hardman had a beautiful wife and was on the verge of creating a successful running career when he pushed himself too hard at the US Olympic trials and collapsed on the track. He subsequently lost his wife, his career and his short-term memory, leaving him unable to remember the previous day, and so he keeps track by writing notes and making videos.
However, he continues to train. As a result, Hardman enters a marathon and completes what he perceives to be a tedious race by breaking it down into a series of short sprints between drinks breaks. This passage reveals how Hardman lives from one day to the next, unable to recall his last day. It also summarises the style of the novel: significant blocks of free-flowing stream of consciousness text broken up by drinks breaks of articles, letters, news reports and interviews. For those who are challenged by the density of stream of consciousness writing, you will enjoy, just as Tim did during the marathon, these drinks breaks of correspondence and articles which allow the reader to take time-out from Tim’s internal monologue to reflect on the other characters’ perception of his world.
These breaks add depth to Hardman’s psychological attempt to unravel how religion, sex, family relationships and an obsessive drive to succeed have combined to produce both success and failure. They also reveal the influence of other people in Tim’s life, the multiple layers of cause and effect, and how appearance can be a facade.
By the end of the book, Lockhart discloses how each character is running their own race, of which Tim is an unknowing participant. And just like the competition in a running race, the closer Tim gets to achieving his goal of running a world-record mile; the more the reader is uncertain whether another character might head him off before the finish line. The novel gains pace because of this rising threat; knowing that any one of the characters, even those who have acted with the best of intentions, could thwart Hardman’s ambition.
Sometimes the “drinks breaks” reveal the characters in too obvious a way, and there are times when Lockhart lingers a little long on an idea rather than focussing the reader on the end of the race. However, it is a well-written, intimate revelation into the mind of a selfish, flawed, obsessive and single-minded medium-distance runner.
Reviewer: Wheldon Curzon, Allbooks Review International www.allbooksreviewint.com
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Quote for today!
"All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind." Khalil Gibran
Monday, May 9, 2011
2012: The Awesome King of Destiny (review)
Genre: Fiction - Thriller
Author: Byron De Vere
2012: The Awesome King Of Destiny is a thriller with twists and turns and plots within plots. This is a story where the goal is nothing less than world domination. An ages old text that predates Christ, predicts a savior that will unite the world, provide an end to war and strife and the elimination of poverty and hunger. There also exists a secret society that is not content with mere prophesy. To elevate one of their own they will use every tool in the technological chest, including brainwashing and cloning. The twist is a readymade savior who is reluctant to assume his role. In fact he is vehemently against the idea of becoming the ‘’Awesome king Of Destiny’, yet this is what he becomes. What he lacks in charisma, his team makes up with planted politicos, huge amounts of cash, threats and ultimately, marketing.
As you would suspect, this conspiracy is not unopposed. Certain factions of the Catholic Church, family members of the brainwashed savior and other secret societies fight to stop the ascension. The story is replete with assignation attempts, murder, double dealing and political intrigue. All in all, a plot worthy of a Dan Brown novel.
I loved the plot, but the execution left something to be desired. The story was abrupt. The transitions were difficult to follow and there were many one sentence paragraphs. I would suggest a more active voice and the elimination of so much use of the past tense, especially the word, “had”. In addition, this is a story that probably needed another hundred pages because it felt rushed. This made the story awkward and left me feeling like it was incomplete, overly simple, too pat and too predictable.
Reviewed by reviewer Gregory J. Saunders, Allbooks Review, www.allbooksreviewint.com
Publisher: St. Clair Publications
ISBN: 9780982630228
Price: $17.95 (stan.stclair.net)
Available: http://stan.stclair.net
http://www.amazon.com/2012-Awesome-Destiny-Byron-deVere/dp/0982630220/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300139150&sr=1-1
Author: Byron De Vere
2012: The Awesome King Of Destiny is a thriller with twists and turns and plots within plots. This is a story where the goal is nothing less than world domination. An ages old text that predates Christ, predicts a savior that will unite the world, provide an end to war and strife and the elimination of poverty and hunger. There also exists a secret society that is not content with mere prophesy. To elevate one of their own they will use every tool in the technological chest, including brainwashing and cloning. The twist is a readymade savior who is reluctant to assume his role. In fact he is vehemently against the idea of becoming the ‘’Awesome king Of Destiny’, yet this is what he becomes. What he lacks in charisma, his team makes up with planted politicos, huge amounts of cash, threats and ultimately, marketing.
As you would suspect, this conspiracy is not unopposed. Certain factions of the Catholic Church, family members of the brainwashed savior and other secret societies fight to stop the ascension. The story is replete with assignation attempts, murder, double dealing and political intrigue. All in all, a plot worthy of a Dan Brown novel.
I loved the plot, but the execution left something to be desired. The story was abrupt. The transitions were difficult to follow and there were many one sentence paragraphs. I would suggest a more active voice and the elimination of so much use of the past tense, especially the word, “had”. In addition, this is a story that probably needed another hundred pages because it felt rushed. This made the story awkward and left me feeling like it was incomplete, overly simple, too pat and too predictable.
Reviewed by reviewer Gregory J. Saunders, Allbooks Review, www.allbooksreviewint.com
Publisher: St. Clair Publications
ISBN: 9780982630228
Price: $17.95 (stan.stclair.net)
Available: http://stan.stclair.net
http://www.amazon.com/2012-Awesome-Destiny-Byron-deVere/dp/0982630220/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300139150&sr=1-1
Allbooks Reviews INTERVIEW: Nemo James
Please state your name and location.
Nemo James, Mlini, Croatia (near Dubrovnik)
Tell us the title and publisher of your book
Just a Few Seconds
Tell us about yourself:
I was a professional musician for 30 years, probably the only musician in history to quit a successful music career to become a squash pro, which led me to pursue a career as a singer songwriter.
When was the book released?:
March 2011
Give us an overview of your book.
Derek dreamt of becoming a professional musician from the first time he picked up a guitar following a talent contest disaster. Thought of by his friends as being the person most likely to make the big time he turned professional but was continually side tracked from stardom by the need to earn a living from music.
His journey takes him all over the world from private gigs for the rich and famous to the roughest pubs. Starting in the late sixties when heavy rock was born, through to the 1980′s and 90′s when discos and electronics decimated live music in dance halls.
An amusing and heartrending story of perseverance showing how the road to success can lead us down the strangest of paths.
What inspired you to write this book?
Having reached a watershed in my life I felt the need to write down the story so far before taking a different path.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
Most (if not all) autobiographies are written by famous musicians and generally follow the all too familiar “sex, drugs and rock and roll” theme. Just a Few Seconds tells of what life is like for the 99% of musicians that don’t became famous but still have a story to tell. Working musicians have been earning a good living in society for thousands of years but very little is known about them.
Where can people buy your book?
From Amazon or ordered from any book store. The ISBN number is 978-0956798602.
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Yes I am currently writing “Croatian Diaries” which follows on from “Just a Few Seconds” and tells of my life adjusting to a strange sleepy seaside village in Croatia.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
Get as many people you can to proof read it for you. I used a professional editor and still had three other readers find plenty of mistakes that the previous one had missed. I have just released a third revision and feel confident that my book is finally error free after 20 draughts of my own and six proof readers.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I have been very happy with their service. The review of my book was well written and honest. I will certainly use them in future and would have no hesitation in recommending them to other writers.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Yes, the cost of a review is very reasonable at less than half of what I paid a similar reviewer for the same service.
Thank you for the interview and the very best of luck with your book.
www.allbooksreviewint.com
Nemo James, Mlini, Croatia (near Dubrovnik)
Tell us the title and publisher of your book
Just a Few Seconds
Tell us about yourself:
I was a professional musician for 30 years, probably the only musician in history to quit a successful music career to become a squash pro, which led me to pursue a career as a singer songwriter.
When was the book released?:
March 2011
Give us an overview of your book.
Derek dreamt of becoming a professional musician from the first time he picked up a guitar following a talent contest disaster. Thought of by his friends as being the person most likely to make the big time he turned professional but was continually side tracked from stardom by the need to earn a living from music.
His journey takes him all over the world from private gigs for the rich and famous to the roughest pubs. Starting in the late sixties when heavy rock was born, through to the 1980′s and 90′s when discos and electronics decimated live music in dance halls.
An amusing and heartrending story of perseverance showing how the road to success can lead us down the strangest of paths.
What inspired you to write this book?
Having reached a watershed in my life I felt the need to write down the story so far before taking a different path.
How is your book different from other books in this genre?
Most (if not all) autobiographies are written by famous musicians and generally follow the all too familiar “sex, drugs and rock and roll” theme. Just a Few Seconds tells of what life is like for the 99% of musicians that don’t became famous but still have a story to tell. Working musicians have been earning a good living in society for thousands of years but very little is known about them.
Where can people buy your book?
From Amazon or ordered from any book store. The ISBN number is 978-0956798602.
Are you working on another book? If so when do you expect it to be published?
Yes I am currently writing “Croatian Diaries” which follows on from “Just a Few Seconds” and tells of my life adjusting to a strange sleepy seaside village in Croatia.
If you self published, what advice can you give to fellow writers?
Get as many people you can to proof read it for you. I used a professional editor and still had three other readers find plenty of mistakes that the previous one had missed. I have just released a third revision and feel confident that my book is finally error free after 20 draughts of my own and six proof readers.
How did you find Allbooks Reviews and what are you hoping for in your relationship with us?
I have been very happy with their service. The review of my book was well written and honest. I will certainly use them in future and would have no hesitation in recommending them to other writers.
Was the low cost a surprise? What other things would you like Allbooks Reviews to offer writers?
Yes, the cost of a review is very reasonable at less than half of what I paid a similar reviewer for the same service.
Thank you for the interview and the very best of luck with your book.
www.allbooksreviewint.com
Monday, May 2, 2011
Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys/Review
Genre: Children
Author: Jane Matlock
“Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys” is an entertaining children’s book written by Jane Matlock. This short story stars an eager protagonist (named Franko) with his special toy. However, every special toy that Franko builds, he ends up breaking it somehow. After breaking and finding five “special toys”, Franko becomes fed up and discouraged. In the end, Franko realizes that there are many things that you can do. You don’t need a special toy. You can learn how to skate, to dance; the possibilities are endless. This incredible children’s book teaches little kids that you don’t need objects to have fun. Friends and learning are all you need. “Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys” is written in a fun poem form with fitting, colourful pictures. The words rhyme and kids (from age 7-8) will enjoy this great read.
Author Jane Matlock has a great love for language, creativity, poetry, and any form of art. “Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys” is her very first published book. She is an adventurous woman and loves to travel. It was inspiration and experience from her travelling that influenced the writing of this book. Jane currently resides in Sydney, Australia. This book is recommended by Iris Park, Allbooks Review. www.allbooksreviewint.com
Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys
Jane Matlock
ISBN: 978-0-9756719-1-7
Price: $ 17.99 US
For more info: . www.fabulousfranko.com and www.think-a-lot.com
Author: Jane Matlock
“Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys” is an entertaining children’s book written by Jane Matlock. This short story stars an eager protagonist (named Franko) with his special toy. However, every special toy that Franko builds, he ends up breaking it somehow. After breaking and finding five “special toys”, Franko becomes fed up and discouraged. In the end, Franko realizes that there are many things that you can do. You don’t need a special toy. You can learn how to skate, to dance; the possibilities are endless. This incredible children’s book teaches little kids that you don’t need objects to have fun. Friends and learning are all you need. “Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys” is written in a fun poem form with fitting, colourful pictures. The words rhyme and kids (from age 7-8) will enjoy this great read.
Author Jane Matlock has a great love for language, creativity, poetry, and any form of art. “Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys” is her very first published book. She is an adventurous woman and loves to travel. It was inspiration and experience from her travelling that influenced the writing of this book. Jane currently resides in Sydney, Australia. This book is recommended by Iris Park, Allbooks Review. www.allbooksreviewint.com
Fabulous Franko and his Fabulous Toys
Jane Matlock
ISBN: 978-0-9756719-1-7
Price: $ 17.99 US
For more info: . www.fabulousfranko.com and www.think-a-lot.com
Sunday, May 1, 2011
RealTime Publishing Author, Shirley A. Roe-Award Winning Author Releases New Book
WOODSTOCK, ON, May 01, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- RealTime Publishing are delighted to announce that Shirley A. Roe's latest book, Now My Life Begins is now available in both print and ebook version. Books can be purchased on Amazon.com in print or kindle and ebook at: http://www.theebooksale.com "Shirley introduced us to the Whittaker family in Dreams and Nightmares" states Richard O'Brien, founder of RealTime Publishing. " Dreams and Nightmares was the winner of the UK Blether Gold Award. The second book in the series, 'The Whittaker Family Reunion' takes readers back to 1881 where the family is reunited once again. This book was nominated for the Indie Excellence Award. Fans of Roe's claim her characters are so real, they become family and friends in their minds. Readers feel their pain, their fear and their happiness. Roe's books are written to appeal to young adults as well as older readers. Christian readers appreciate the references to the family's never ending faith in God and each other. Well received by readers of romance, adventure and mystery as well as historical fiction. The third book in the series, Return to Whittakerville was released in summer of 2009 followed by Snow Eagle in 2010."Fans are happy to hear that a screenwriter is currently working on bringing the Whittaker family to the big screen. Author, Shirley A. Roe divides her time between Southern Ontario, Scotland and Florida. In addition to being an author, Shirley A. Roe is the Managing Editor and founder of Allbooks Review, an author promo and review source. Her credentials speak for themselves. Often a guest speaker at Writer's guilds, conferences, libraries and schools, she is a sought after guest on many radio interview programs. Roe's syndicated column for the California Chronicles is well received. She is a regular reviewer for Foreword Magazine, Midwest Reviews, Mystique Books, Poetic Voices and several other prestigious review publications. Currently working with a group of gifted students in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, she loves to inspire a love of books.RealTime Publishing is delighted with the announcement. "Shirley is one of our finest authors," concludes Mr. O'Brien,. "Also nominated for an IPPY Award, we believe she can go all the way and can count on our total support throughout. Congratulations Shirley." Books can be ordered from the publisher, amazon.com and most bookstores including Borders, Waterstones and Books A Million. Also available in ebook and Kindle format.Contact information, info@realtimepublishings.com or contact Shirley SRoebooks@aol.com.
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