Insightful and Entertaining; An Experience Not To Be Missed
599085
As someone with little time for pleasure reading and habitually turned off by anything resembling "technology" in the title, Infinite Reality by Blascovich and Bailenson was a complete breath of fresh air! An incredibly compelling read, I couldn't believe what a page turner a book about the digital age could be. Each mention of perception theory or a previously executed study was instantly linked to something contemporary readers could appreciate, and every single example was engaging and purposeful.
A favorite chapter was "Virtually Useful." A very common saying when referencing virtual reality, "this is really cool...but what's the point?", is addressed flawlessly with a plethora of insights to possible uses of the newest virtual technology. PETA cites the benefits of a virtual zoo where visitors would experience watching animals in their natural environments rather than the repetitive behavior patterns they exhibit in captivity, while the authors explicate the benefits of a virtual window for those stuck in office cubicles (do a rudimentary form of these not already exist in tropical screensavers?)
Students of psychology or communication will instantly recognize some of the classic studies described, but will be able to appreciate them in whole new way. For instance, the classic "invisible guerilla" study was re-examined, and related to how people with racial bias actually see the world differently, something I hadn't previously considered in the context of this study.
However, one of the most fundamental chapters had to be "A Museum of Virtual Media". While seemingly a history lesson at first glance, this chapter was crucial to understanding the prior impact and forthcoming potential of new technologies on the human condition. Taking readers through milestones in communication technology, each example illustrated the tools humankind have created to facilitate virtual travel from the distant past to the present day. Way before digital technologies were invented; we have used storytelling, art, theater, movies, etc. to create worlds that are not "grounded reality" but forms of virtual reality. It was staggering to think that we've been doing this since ancient times, and "virtual reality" is simply a new label for a perpetual human behavior.
A truly wonderful manuscript full of exciting new technologies, insights to our future, and reminders of the significance and implications of our past, Infinite Reality is not just a great read, but an experience not to be missed.
1457913
Hilarious and hair-raising episodes, some endearing characters--and some truly grotesque ones--turn this Mississippi River Valley journey into more than an engaging page-turning flight from the Law. Elaborated with gambling, drinking, eating, good Cuban cigars and other fetishes--to say nothing of irony--it is an insightful look into both the inertia of family dynamics and the irresistible force of self-discovery and personal freedom. As a male reader delving into the adventures, trials and psyche of a female protagonist, I felt thoroughly entertained by the action--the sweat and smell, the chase and muscle of it all--and the wild characters she encounters who are determined to live their lives as they wish. The book is great adventure, visually descriptive, and revealing of deep human motivation and passion.
733538
It is often refreshing to read the observations of a foreigner on your own country. After traveling for nine months, Bernard-Henri Levy, or B.H.L. has written a provocative, entertaining, insightful book about America in the 21st century. His comments about the number of American flags on buildings and stores are funny and pertinent. The American obssession with their flag surprises many foreigners. Whether BHL writes about the power of religion, the American relationship with nature and the violence of hurricanes, banks looking like churches and churches looking like banks, the false representation of the birthplace of baseball, his observations are infused with cultural insight and his prose sparkles with intelligence and verve. He is most concerned, however, with the conditions of American prisons and the poverty he saw in the suburbs of LA and NY.  This book written by a Frenchman who does not have any anti-American feeling and appreciates the diversity and the richness of American culture might contribute to see this country in a new light. Linda
489088
A captivating read, serious, funny and entertaining. Krista Schlyer's "Almost Anywhere" is a probing journey book that combines the intensely personal (a journey through loss and grief) with the public - in this case, with a focus on natural history and the environment; the mapping is both internal/psychic and geographic, and a great reminder of the importance of the national park system. The book artfully balances reverence for nature and the seriousness of grief with absurdity, irreverence and laugh-aloud humor, as often as not aimed by the author at herself. Her very three-dimensional travel companions, Bill and Maggie, add enormously to the book's vitality. A wonderful new contribution by an important conservation photographer, writer, and speaker.
789377
Singer, composer and recording artist Lon DuQuette is a scholar, teacher and practitioner of the magick he writes so capably about and is also the author of over a dozen critically acclaimed books on numerous facets of materia esoterica. He is among the most respected and entertaining lecturers in the field of the Western Mystery Traditions and is responsible for the education and training of a generation of fellow initiates.

Reading "My Life with the Spirits: Adventures of a Modern Magician" affords the reader an unparalleled glimpse into the fascinating, frightening, and often very funny world of a modern ceremonial magician.  Reading this bounteous treasury of engaging anecdotes is the next best thing to visiting personally with the charming adept over a nice glass of wine and his esteemed wife's (and fellow initiate's) legendary broccoli quiche, the metaphysical properties of which the writer is convinced and manages to convince his reader.

Mr. DuQuette paints an absorbing picture of his background, his family life and youth and upbringing, and explains how his parents' choices failed woefully in meeting his personal needs and answering for him what were burning questions of ethical and existential import. Growing up in rural America in the 50s and 60s and propelled by the revolutionary spirits of the time, he eventually seized the opportunity to seek out his own spiritual path, in line with his belief in the supreme spiritual "sovereignty" of each person and the responsibility of each to work out his and her own path to growth in total liberty and with diligence.

"My Life with the Spirits" is an intimate, straightforward memoir/autobiography, and an often painfully honest set of revelations by a contemporary individual attempting to make sense of the way the universe is put together, determine how it works, and see if it cannot be made to work in a fashion more consonant with one's true will.

I thoroughly enjoyed "My Life with the Spirits" and only regret that Constance Duquette's recipe for broccoli quiche was not in an appendix. Absolutely essential reading for any "sorcerer's apprentice"!
89685
A wonderful collection of essays that clearly demonstrate why acclaimed economist Thomas Sowell is also one of the foremost philosophers of our time. Sowell writes with a clarity of thought and precision of language seldom seen or appreciated these days and his wry humor and insightful observations reveal the truth and depths of the difficult issues he covers. No hyperbole, no cant, no preconceived or superficial notions. His work, as always, gently exposes such mental laziness and the excuses that prop it up.

This book is five-star dining for the brain: Sowell skillfully crafts a refreshing, stimulating, satisfying, surprising and delightful experience not soon forgotten.
2541051
Suzanne Strempek Shea is a master storyteller whose non-fiction is as creative and imaginative as her novels.  I was eagerly looking forward to reading this book and it lived up to my expectations.

The idea of visiting one church a week for a year is daunting, considering the preparation and travel involved.  However, the author walked into every one with an open mind and a photographer's eye, gifting us with minute descriptions of everything from the church's building and decor, demographic profile and attire of the congregation, scripture readings, liturgy, music, sermons, bulletins, the weather, and the intangible --- without wasting a word.  Each chapter is prefaced with a brief history of the particular denomination, in itself very educational.  There is humor and introspection throughout.

Politicization of religion, both on the right AND the left, has probably alienated enough Americans to explain why church attendance is down.  Even so, several of Suzanne's spotlighted houses of worship were inviting.  SUNDAYS IN AMERICA is both thought-provoking and entertaining.  Amen.
2466199
This tale, Double Happiness, was a real pleasure to read. Having traveled abroad myself as a young man, I immediately connected with the authors compassion and respect for Chinas history, cultural diversity, and challenging social structure. The way he describes the complex mixture of emotions a traveler feels, from loneliness to excitement, wonder to skepticism, curiosity to confidence, is very insightful. I enjoyed how the book gives the reader a window into different, authentic parts of the the Chinese culture and also explores the rich, diverse landscape. His experiences teaching young Chinese students, learning how to live in the city on a teacher's salary and not get ripped off like a common tourist. These insights, set to a backdrop of historic political change, really gave me a new perspective on the relationship between China and Western Civilization. I loved the adventures that Tony describes while backpacking in the mountains, encountering Buddhist monks, staring death in the face, and stumbling upon unexpected romance. There are some great laughs in here as well. The author courageously bares his soul. He deals with internal struggles and the challenge of stripping away his own ego in an attempt to grow as a human being. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an entertaining read with a healthy dose of substance. There is much to learn on this journey.
4826532
Frank DeMarco's Babe in the Woods gives the reader a front-row seat on the journey of a diverse group of individuals into the unexplored realms of human consciousness. One key to the book's success is the mix of characters, which includes a priest, a psychic, engineers, an artist, and so on.  The main character, Angelo Chiari, is a journalist.  All are well-drawn and the interactions between them that help drive the plot forward are often quite moving.  The group has come together for a week-long program at an institute using audio-technology to enhance the latent human capacity to access different states of awareness.  DeMarco takes full advantage of his setup to present a wide range of stimulating opinions and insights into not only the nature of reality but also how different people respond to the unknown.  Chiari, initially a skeptic, is an ideal point-of-entry character for the reader: a journalist with a job to do.

The book works `from the ground up', gradually leading the reader from a starting point of `normal', everyday reality through increasingly intense altered states of awareness.  This step-by-step approach encourages the  reader to consider with an open mind the unfolding ideas and events on his or her own terms, rather than feeling preached to.

One of the most magical things about the novel is that it conveys a sense of possibilities.  It's exciting.  It's a voyage of discovery with these very human characters that engenders the sense that there is more to reality than what we take for granted.  More than that, it allows one to reasonably consider that these `other realms' are not the exclusive domain of rarefied mystics but may in fact be accessible to all of us.  DeMarco doesn't cram this point down our throats; it emerges gradually in the reader during the course of the book.  And that makes this unique novel both intellectually exhilarating and solidly entertaining.
2217767
Listen Harder is an entertaining and unique glimpse into the world of improvisation. Michael Golding takes the reader on a historic journey from the origins of contemporary improvisation to todays comedy clubs, sketch TV, classrooms, and educational theatre.  Along with his essays and stories, Golding includes improv memorabilia photos, notes, drawings, news clips, and worksheets  that provide an equally enjoyable and extraordinary perspective into the world of improvisation.
While many equate improv with making people laugh, Golding makes it clear improvisation is not confined to comedy. His accounts of using improv and educational theatre in the classroom as support for students struggling with lifes problems are timely and poignant.  Each chapter in Listen Harder will leave you with an appreciation for the craft of improvisation, or, feeling good about yourself.  Often it is both. Robin Dreizler
3488169
Michael Hogan's new memoir, Newport: A Writer's Beginnings, is a delight to read.  Filled with wit and wisdom, it is by turns entertaining and informative, evocative and moving.  The short vignette-like chapters chronicle Michael's growing up and his wising up; it's a kind of non-fictional bildungsroman, or novel of education.  Hogan beautifully describes his home city of Newport with its changing mix of ethnicities and its socio-economic divide.  He anchors his descriptions in details, in minute particulars that make the place and the time of his youth come alive.  His evocation of growing up Catholic, being educated by nuns and Christian brothers and Jesuit priests, rings true and full and fair.  His stories--the book is filled with stories--of writers and his references to and quotations from them, display a wonderful talent for making connections both rich and subtly nuanced.

Hogan's memoir surprises and delights.  It mixes and blends the mundane and the everyday with the sublime and the spiritual.  Courage and kindness, grace and generosity fill its pages.  Being tackled by a secret service agent, spoken to by John F. Kennedy, kissed by Allen Ginsberg at a public poetry reading--what more could you ask for?  I've read hundreds of memoirs, some going back centuries.  There are few I would read again.  One that I will re-read almost immediately is Michael Hogan's Newport.
62717
If I were to sum up this wonderful book in a few words, it would be "love in action."  The author takes us on an adventure, summed up in wry and witty humor, reflections on heartache and sorrow, and a wide variety of lessons learned in one woman's life.  Her journey, from childhood to present, is wrapped, like a wonderful present, in superb poetry (the book is worth the poetry alone!). This is your book if you want a thoughtful, insightful read captured in a richly descriptive and very personal style. My suggestion is that you read it, enjoy it, learn from it, and spend some time pondering it. A fantastic book!
599836
An enjoyable poetic experience that reads as a sign of the times. That is not to say that the poetry fastens itself to a temporal identity, but the poetry does dynamically speak to some of the current realities of interpersonal relationships and cultural phenomena.

The word play is humorous, descriptive and daring. It's lyrical prowess is to be taken at face value as the author is clearly humble and does not take himself to seriously. Yet, the content of these poems are highly relatable and even entertaining.

I highly recommend this lovely book of poems if you enjoy poetry, lyrical intelligence and witty writing.
4495253
Stevens is funny, in spite of the serious subject, she writes with self-aware irony and intelligent irreverence.  Her dialog provides a casual intimate honesty that is amusing / pleasurable to read and ultimately endearing.  This from the prologue:

So, setting aside hard truth, good taste and discretion, I too shall tell my story..Oh, and youll be pleased to know that theres a penis in it, but -spoiler alert - he gets knocked off in the third act.

The Trans world was a vague notion to me.  Stevens odyssey, opened my eyes to the multitude of complexities.  And the story truly is an  odyssey of wide ranging travels and endeavors.  The twists and turns of a life-long struggle to find or create a path forward is impactful.

Stevens writing drew me into her story.  It compelled my interest, informed me and was fresh and fun to read.  I feel I have grown in understanding and compassion. A lot for one little book.  Hope there are more from this author.
4886521
The Technology Salesperson's Handbook is as delightful and entertaining to read as it is insightful, thoughtful and packed with amazingly generous advice. Ken's writing style is conversational and natural, as if you're sitting across the table from him, enjoying a cup of coffee. It is evident that he practices what he teaches. So many people writing business books these days take themselves far too seriously, but Ken, for all his wisdom and experience, seems to have checked his ego at the door and traded it in for a hearty dose of empathy for his readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it not only to salespeople, but anyone who wants to learn more about the invaluable art and power of storytelling.
1442568
The Flavor of Favor is a captivating personal memoir based on the authors life. It delicately captures his experiences while growing up as an active and inquisitive young boy, born into a struggling middle-class polygamous family in Lagos, Nigeria and then continues on to his life as an immigrant in the United States of America, where he battles to overcome poverty and racial discrimination.

I found The Flavor of Favor refreshingly difficult to put down as it is written in such a way that I was able to feel the authors moments of joy, disappointment and pain.  It is also entertaining with some hilarious moments, one of which was when the authors father referred to the television as an idiot box.

This book is laced with valuable lessons in hard work, integrity and faith and I strongly recommend it to anyone looking for an inspiring, insightful, yet entertaining read.
3852957
a highly amusing and insightful look inside mystical America.
Written in a language that is engaging, thoughtful, and balanced, you are pulled into an interweaving story laced with unforeseen roadtricks and loops that tapdance on your neurons and make you awake to the magic of modern life.
Unlike many of you, I am not a Gaiman enthusiast, but after the dramatic effects of this book, I think I'll do something about that.
Fun and enjoyable reading!