Denise

I have never highlighted a fiction book as much as I did this one. Many insightful observations about humans told in a realistic story. A story that was never melodramatic and rang with truth and emotions. I enjoyed it immensely.

I only read up to page 102. I realized I already knew enough for my enjoyment of music. The details he was about to get into were not necessary for me. I skimmed parts of later chapters and realized that he was also covering music I did not really spend time with or was not in the form he was discussing. I will probably get rid of the book. The first third was good for me because it reinforced things I already knew or did; the rest, if I get to it, I'll get to in some other way.

The animated shorts I saw as a youth capture the good and quirky of these stories. I almost posted 4 stars for I found them mean at times, but I assume that is so a lesson is taught and/or a child is tested. My buddy Eeyore was plain mean! My absolute favorite part are the poems. Since this is such a heavy hardcover, I bought the kindle copies of “When We Were Very Young” and “Now We are Six” to have on my phone for those times of waiting. These poems tickle me pink. People will look at me funny as I smile and laugh reading them, to myself, in public (my lips will move).

The layout and print size of this edition is perfect for these stories.

This book was almost too simple a read. But, I liked it very much because I could see what was in the miniseries and what not. I hope to read, at least, Dick Winters' book. Others, I think, will be worth it too. I am fascinated by what people have and do go through in war. I want to understand something; I don't know what that something is, though.

I adored this book so much I have bought almost everything Tom Robbins has written. I picked this book up because Dan Fogelberg stated it influenced a song of his (blanking on the moment which one it was). It has been awhile since I've read it but I needed to rate it!

This book is something I have been trying to develop in my notes. A clear listing of what are practices in the Christian Spiritual Life. She does well explaining and guiding. A very good resource.

For writing style, this is one of the best books I have ever read. I'd read everything by him so I can read well-written books - easy to understand, a lot of information but not overwhelming, also complete information without nonsense and hyperbole. For topic, it was exactly what I wanted: a history of Genghis Khan without added sidetracks or commentary. The maps were well done and fit the text.

This was a good book. I kept putting it down for months at a time and picking it up again. I still remembered the story and it would hold me for the times I read it. (I do that with fiction - all at once or over many years.) I never wanted to not know what was going on in this world. It is very visual and suspenseful without being absolutely terrifying. I don't feel the need to continue in the series though.

I stopped reading the book at about 80% done. It got repetitive, tedious and shallow in details (a lot of names and locations). The first half I found interesting and insightful. I noted many books to look up. His theories and lived examples were laid out but he referred enough to other self-penned books and essays for me to rather read them for the in-depth information.

Overall, nope. I read other reviews and some of the introduction: this is not a great american novel. One of few books with that distinction that I absolutely cannot understand why people love it so much. It is too repetitious for me. Comedy of the absurd can only last for so long. The section where the explanation of what “Catch-22” means is all I really needed (I read it in someone's GoodReads review). Make it a short story in a magazine and it wouldn't have caught on so you make it a book. Not for me.

Update August 27, 2016: Yet, finished Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea. The short story/novella can resonate.

I overall liked this book. I liked the quips and insights but it was wordy at times. I didn't really like his speeches. Too many metaphors, examples and self-depracating humor made the speeches tedious and long-winded. His summaries and personal stories outside the quotes made the book.

Need the audible book to get through it but love the breadth of it. Dense but worth it. Nothing else has come close for this is global, most stay in the west.

This is one of those books where I am glad I read every word but I really only needed to read the intro and conclusion chapters. They say nonfiction is one where you should read the beginning and the endings then see where to delve into deeper, but I always get going from the beginning and don't pull up until the end, if I don't drop it completely. The book gets dull when going over some of its specifics but overall is an academic summary written in common language. More of academia can be written as clearly, I believe. For the future, I only need to reread the conclusion for high level insight. (Special personal note to remember: Inspiration is not the same as dictation. God could have inspired the original authors and the authors and scribes could still be human.)

Tough topic. It was readable and could be followed without a lot of rereading. I agreed regarding teaching the way of uncertainty.

I loved this book! Real voices and well told stories. One of my most favorite books of all time.

A book everyone should read, not just spiritual/religious individuals. Dr. King is capable of succinctly stating major and complex points. Summarizing issues that have plagued America, and unfortunately they still plague American. His final essay in this book conveys the thought processes of a highly intelligent and focused human being. You can learn how to become such an individual by seeing their thought processes and experiences.

I adored this book. A smooth read and informative.

I loved the characters not seen. Sometimes exposition can be too wordy, almost condescending. But here the conversation always fit and seemed real and necessary. The ending was still a shock even as you fell you know it's coming.

Verbose play. But I don't see how else to convey some of the ideas. That verboseness could be a point being made to. I liked it.

In the process of learning how to define African History (which is what this book is about), much African History is learned. What is the continent approach used for European history? Rulers. The very thing not so easily done in Africa. Africa needs to be respected for its diversity and not condescendingly generalized. Good summary of approaches and contexts.

This book did a fantastic job of comparing the two faiths. In the process, I learn more about my faith and some tips to deepen my practices. Need to reread often.

Enjoyed the character articles and comment boxes throughout. More than anything, the Chinese translations.

Absolutely loved this book. It is a lot of information in a very readable format. I especially like the last two chapters for they cover perspectives not usually dealt with in a history book or, at least, I have not found organized in such a clear manner.

I do NOT agree with the publication of this book.

I read the Introduction (and I checked, it's repeated in the Acknowledgments). Mother Teresa did NOT want these letters published. She is the one who was sainted! This book should NOT have been published. If you read it and it helped you, fine. But from the Introduction, I only hear the patriarchal tones of the Roman Catholic Church saying “we know better.” The private spiritual life of anyone needs to be respected.

This was muddier than Einstein's book. It had more assumptions regarding basic knowledge than Einstein. Einstein at least mentioned scientists and specific terminology.