A humerous, but insightfull and moving journey of an honest man, well sort of.
591795
If you liked the Rosie Project, you should love The Rosie Effect. Don Tillman and Rosie collaborate in the BUD project. Along the way, Don, the compulsive truth-teller and honest man, learns to spare the feelings of others by shielding them from the truth. Unfortunately, he hopelessly tangles himself in the thickest web of deceit. His growing cohort of friends risk all to assist him extricate himself before the authorities and Rosie catch up with him.
His loyalty, willingness to sacrifice himself, and his genius for problem solving, make Don the person most would welcome as a friend. Next to Don, Id like to see Graeme Simsion as a friend. His writing brings moments of genuine hilarity as well as deep pathos. I anticipate the next volume in the Rosie series.
4082627
Repentance is a journey, not a destination.  Abramoff's "Capitol Punishment" chronicles such a journey.

As the narrative unfolds, Abramoff's story brims with confidence and success - from president of the College Republicans though a hiatus in the movie industry and finally into the world of lobbying.  Much of the book is densely packed with detailed accounts of many events and moments penned in Abramoff's light and humorous style.  For those who are familiar with the history, they provide Abramoff's perspective to an already well-documented story.

The mood turns and the pace quickens towards the end of the book as the wheels start to come off Abramoff's life and career.  Details give way to patchiness and confidence to fear and uncertainty.  It is clearly a very personal struggle which at time Abramoff appears to be reluctant or perhaps unable to articulate in detail.

The book is not a tell-all account filled with venom and vindictiveness but rather what appears to be a sincere investment in trying to make sense of how such a large life can come crashing down.

If you intend debating the facts or morality with Abramoff then you may find the book a frustrating read.  But if you are willing to join Abramoff on his journey, you will discover the ongoing struggle of a man torn between his emotional connection to his achievements and his moral scrutiny of such achievements.  This tension is particularly evident in the final chapters as Abramoff's earlier exuberance in sharing his conquests are tempered with moral reflections of the past.  The link between Amramoff's remorse and his life as a lobbyist is not always clear ...but then again, in repentence it never is.
2319142
I liked it quite a bit, even if the journey might have gone a bit too easily
689428
It is a beautiful thing to see the political awakening of a young man. And it becomes even more notorious when we know that this man will be a true revolutionary years later.
`The Motorcycle Diaries' is the account of a journey made by Ernesto `Che' Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado throughout South America in early 1950's. Beginning as a pair of youngsters' journey, this trip become more a self-discovering journey having as background the impoverished and exploited, but above all, not well known America.
As most young people, Che and Granado had late-adolescent angst and trying to find a relief they went in a journey in the heart of South America, trying to find what was beyond their middle-class homes. What they find out was much more than what they were expecting to: poor people, with almost no conditions of living, consumed by diseases and being exploited and ignored by the government and the system.
It is a joy to see Che transforming from almost a brat into a real man of value, fulfilled with social and political conscience, caring for the poor and sick people. At first, he and his friends are only two guys who want to be on the road and learn about the world. But little did they know how was this world they were about to learn about.
Nearly the end, Che is another completely different person. He, now, has social and political thoughts --almost Marxist ideas -- about the world we live in and how South America has been systematically exploited throughout the years.
Sometimes painfully funny, sometimes extremely sad `The Motorcycle Diaries' is a pleasant read, written with heart and soul, by someone who was destined to be big, a person who was destined to change and touch the lives of thousands --as Che did indeed.
2128814
Honest and moving.
In addition to the content that was "honest and moving" -- that is, in addition to the narrative of the author's internal journey, I enjoyed the description of the physical journey, too.
Very worthwhile.
2648925
Actor, artist and blogger Clay Rivers has written a breezy, entertaining, yet candid account of his journey through life so far. A very private person by nature, at the urging of his friends and colleagues, Rivers has recounted his trials and adventures as an African American, gay, Christian Little Person--what he refers to in a recent interview as his "quad-fecta." Rivers has met his personal and sometimes very public challenges with grace and thoughtfulness, and delivers his anecdotes, including some devastatingly poignant moments, with wry insight and martini-dry humor. Highly recommended.
487306
After reading many volumes by those who loved this man and those who hated him for one reason or another, it is refreshing to learn from his own pen what he really thought, and what motivated him. He freely admits his faults and that he often changed his course as he learned what worked and what didn't. He was very human, but constantly striving to improve not only himself but to provide a smoother road for others through his own experiences. This volume gives some excellent advice on how to improve yourself. Having read some of his other writings, particularly his autobiography, I have gained a great deal of respect for him.
4548881
An entertaining and nostalgic journey through an interesting life, snatches of the the past one might say,brings to life a journey we all take and reflect on,few of us put it on the record,most people don't have a lot to relate anyway,  The author has and it's to our advantage , An undercurrent of humor all through makes it a light but absorbing account, brings to mind the oft quoted , Life is a journey ,not a destination,well worth the read.
2128014
One may not agree with everything Lewis argues, particularly about the self-refutation of what he calls naturalism.  But it is thoughtful book that in many ways traces his own intellectual journey from atheism to Christian faith.
3273990
A very intimate look at a dude that you might not imagine had such demons.
418637
Tom Harvey has graced us with a rare and priveledged look into his life as he might share over a glass of wine with very close friends.  The honesty however, and style lead us on to believe we are looking through a personal window of his yesteryear unguarded and openwide with vulnerability.  And perhaps there are times when we share the tears with him, and want to hug and thank Tom for remembering some things so profound.... B. W. J.
2964699
This book is for anyone who happens to be a devout fan of Mr. Malcolm Muggeridge; it delves into his journey as a lecturer, teacher, journalist, broadcaster, solider, and spy. Although the book contains copious journal entries that have been heroically collected over a long period of time, it still brings incredible insight into his thoughts from the earlier stages of his life as a young and avid socialist to the latter part of his life as being one of the most eloquent writers representing Christianity. This book almost provides a sort of 'behind the scenes' look in the journey Mr. Malcolm Muggeridge has taken, although his autobiography 'Chronicles of Wasted Time' provides a vivid scene of his life from the beginning, this book in actuality transcribes his exact thoughts he had during his earlier years. Some parts were dark and dismal but written with such candor, while other parts were full of humorous descriptions as he criticizes and berates some of the characters he as encountered during his life. There are quotes, poems, litanies, sonnets, and of course a myriad of thoughts that keep pouring out. The introduction and the post script are brilliantly written, every now and then I read them to become inspired and enlightened. But all in all, a great and vastly interesting read.
4575638
a clear, honest voice in a heartbreaking yet nuanced account of life in the chassidic community. This is a man who simply needs to tell his story--the reader does not have the sense that he has an ax to grind or a score to settle, which seems to be the case with similar memoirs. The intelligence and sensitivity of this book is inspiring and Deen's presence is comforting and engaging. In an increasingly polarized society, Shulem Deen came from a small, inclusive world, but is able to see the big picture.
3800121
Debu's journey brings together many opposites: east and west, thoughts of  adults on the young, old country -- new country, Hinduism -- Christianity,  tradition and modernity.  His odyssey takes him from an ancient land to a  new one; sacred rivers flow through each, he creates himself anew as he  moves between cultures.  It is a voyage of discovery, but not just of  places and environments and new friends and colleagues; there is an inner  voyage that takes place too.  In this kind of journey -- which takes place  over decades, on several continents -- although most of these stories are  set in Idaho in the last 20 years -- there is ample room for reflection,  and doubt and crises of identity.  Do I belong to one culture?  Or another?  Or does that question even have meaning any more?  Not least of the gifts  of this book is that as Debu ponders the changes that have come about in  himself, among his fellow Indians who have come to the United States, and  in everyone who has come to the American West, he sees himself in new ways,  and we see ourselves in a new light too.  That is a valuable gift.
53113
Up front, I'm sort of an insider.  "Sort of" because it takes seven steps through our common family tree to make the link between the author and me and I've never met him.  Nevertheless, he's a cousin , so I'm probably positively biased.

Peter is a remarkable person.  Not only a gifted writer, a diplomaed musician, an erstwhile songwriter, a Princeton graduate, a unique blend of social worker and management consultant who's worked on both sides of the Atlantic, but most importantly someone with an extremely strong and courageous personality (he even uses the word arrogant to describe his youth) which has permitted him to break all sorts of barriers.  Some of the barriers were physical due to his blindness, but most were social.

The book's title announces the war of the barriers, but the content goes much further.

The central incident of the book is his coupling with his fifth seeing eye dog.  He reveals to the reader, almost minute by minute, the process whereby man and dog establish the most initimate bond possible.

The key feature of the book is the detail of his description of what goes on inside a blind person as he leads his normal life.  He invites the reader inside his self as he scrutinises, without visual sight, the world around him. He maintains a delicate balance, avoiding voyeurism, narcisssism and bad taste.  His honesty is overwhelming.

Some readers may possibly find the detail tedious.  I let myself go, lapping up the detail, enjoying his writing style and cruising through the pages.  I couldn't put the book down.

Last, but not least, it ends with a beautiful love story.
2334469
I was pleasantly surprised and contented with Larry Taunton's book about his relationship with Hitchens. As a non-believer or infidel, I found his account honest and even handed. I'll say one thing for Hitch; I've read most of his books, but some people can be too smart for their own good. and
pummel the writing with confusing words and phrases, not to mention all those flings of French expressions. Otherwise eloquent.
2017382
I felt a bit vouyeristic but thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Often hoping upon hope that something great would arise from the sadness. Alas, the good memories, or the insistence that the memories were good, could carry him through. Made me reflect on my own upbringing quite often.