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Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Walter Isaacson

May 04, 2004
It was a pleasure to read a true perspective of this founding father. This book made him more human than history has made him in the past. The author did a fantastic job in trying to explain why he was the way he was and painted a vivid description of the life and times. On the other hand, I have always found it interesting how he stayed gone most of the time during the revolution as well as many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. I would love to read about those that stayed and fought knowing they could be hanged for treason.

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A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Augusten Burroughs

April 29, 2008
I read this book in two days because it was so harrowing and riveting. The author grew up in a household with a depressed mother and a cold, uncaring father who showed signs of being a psychopath. It's amazing that Burroughs survived with all of his intellgence and sanity intact. There may be some people who think that households like this do not exist, but they will have to think again. The more people that survive child abuse and speak out about it, the better. Burroughs has done a great service and has created beautiful, horrifying art at the same time. Highly recommended.

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What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Scott McClellan

May 28, 2008
Scott McClellan spends the first 100 pages of this 200 odd page book telling us about childhood, his powerful mom and his early political education. He assumes that he is an important enough historical figure that we really care know about his collegiate tennis career, etc, etc. These revelations are not why I read this book and I doubt it is why many others have chosen to either. He spends the next 100 pages saying virtually nothing that we don't already know if we have been following the news for the last eight years. From his key insider postion in a rermarkable White House in extraordinarilly remarkable times, Mr. McClellan has produced an totally unremarkable book. Upon completing it I could only recall one phrase that describes my overall level of ... Read More:

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Barack Obama in His Own Words

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Barack Obama

March 27, 2007
Barack Obama in his own words.
This was helpful as a quick guide to see where he had stood, using exerpts from prior interviews.
It is the sort of thing you want to take with you when riding the train or bus. Nothing in depth.

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The Soloist (Movie Tie-In): A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Steve Lopez

September 30, 2008
Steve Lopez has written a moving story about Nathaniel, a homeless man, once a student at Julliard School of music. Mental illness has over taken his life and robbed him of what could have been another famous performer of classical music.
Through Steve's articles in the LA Times, he opens a world to a stranger that he met on a street corner, living on Skid Row, and whose world revolves around nothing but music. Music takes Nathaniel into a mind of his own world that no one seems to understand.
Beethoven rules his life. Nathaniel receives an opportunity to meet Yo Yo Ma who attended Julliard the same time he attended classes before his breakdown. Yo Yo gives Nathaniel an opportunity to play his cello.
Many times Steve wants to give up on Nathaniel, ... Read More:

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The Groucho Letters: Letter From And To Groucho Marx

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Groucho Marx

August 21, 1994
This was my first "Amazon Experience". Like most potential Amazon users, I was a "nervous Nellie", however, I was pleasantly surprised by the efficient service and the quality of the goods I received. I feel confident to continue using Amazon, whenever the need arises.

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The Clash

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: The Clash

November 04, 2008
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins for ReviewYourBook.com 11/2008
ISBN: 978-0446-53973-9
"Huge book of photos and memorabilia" 4 stars
"Who is The Clash?" That was my first thought when picking up this book. They are a bit before my time, yet this book is still interesting.
There are plenty of posed photos. Better yet, there are many candid photos. Some show them in concert. Some show them behind the scenes. Most of all, it has each of their takes on certain points in their fame. If you are a Clash junky, put this on your Christmas list.

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Lost Boy

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: David J. Pelzer

2001-12
Oh how I felt for this child. My heart was torn in two. Child abuse just astounds me. How does it happen. And then the ignorance of the legal system! The school dragging their feet along, knowing something was wrong. I cried through this book.

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What I Talk about When I Talk about Running

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Murakami, Haruki

July 01, 2008
I'm a total Murakami fan, so when I saw this new book--with a playful title from another fave author of mine, Raymond Carver--I couldn't wait to indulge myself with a good read. I was not disappointed. I'm a runner and a reader and a curious watcher of other runners--Murakami lets me indulge all three passtimes, with an overall free-flowing movement that covers the many self-assumptions and insights runners are privvy to in their practice.

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Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip--Confessions of a Cynical Waiter

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Steve Dublanica Aka The Waiter

July 29, 2008
I've been a loyal reader of Waiter's blog for a long time now, and I'm a real fan of his work. As such, I was excited to read the book, and to contribute to someone who I feel has been producing really excellent content for years.

That said, I was honestly disappointing. The book seemed to contain a lot more stories and confessions more suited for a therapist than readers. Sure, I care about this man, but I was hoping for entertainment and the occasional thought-provoking anecdote, the sort of thing I read on his blog. Instead, the book seems to be filled with soul-barring confessions and introspection.

In short, I think Waiter missed the mark with what people want to read. I would have been just as happy to pay for a collection of the best stories from his ... Read More: