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John Adams

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: David McCullough

January 29, 2008
Having read this book ~ and now seen the 5-part TV series based on David McCullough's book, John Adams, I am all the richer for it!

The obvious reason why the United States Postal Service sponsored and highly advertised this HBO miniseries last summer (2008)-are the thousands of letters sent (or not sent) between Abigail Adams and her endeared (or endured) husband, patriot, father of their 4 children during the tumultuous early years of the birth of our country and all through their married life. The letters are real and exist.

In letters, supposing we write what is on our hearts and minds (and often cannot express in spoken words). Now, imagine if your journals and diaries and personal letters became public domain ... Read More:

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The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Neil Strauss

September 06, 2005
If you are looking for a how to pick up girls book this is not the one. It is very entertaining and well writen book about a man who undertakes this journey. It may give you an idea on were to go to pursue more knowledge on how to pick up woman.

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The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Annette Gordon-Reed

September 17, 2008
Thoughtful best describes Gordon-Reed's treatment of the Thomas Jefferson-Sally Hemings relationship. The most important aspect of this work is her research of the attitudes and behaviors prevalent after the Revolutionary War. It is very easy for one not familiar with that timeframe (and how could we be, as it was two hundred years ago) to assign "Victorian" bias to an inter-racial relationship. The author's thoroughness in explaining and identifying morals and ideas of the post-revolutionary era, as well as European/French laws and philosophies, allows the reader to understand the basis of how this relationship was created and endured for 38 years. She is not critical of either party, even Jefferson, who ensured his career was not jeopardized by never ... Read More:

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The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, Madness, and the Fair that Changed America

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Erik Larson

May 03, 2005
I first learned of this book written by Erik Larson on C-Span's Booknotes. In hearing Larson's explanation of the Chicago's World's Columbian Exposition, I became intrigued by what it took to build and what this Fair represented not only to Chicago but to the United States.
Larson goes into great detail to explain the types of building and expositions that were on display. In explaining the planning and development of the lakefront area, he brings in the major architects of this lavish Fair, they being Daniel Burnham and Frederick Law Olmsted. These rather famous professionals had to overcome financial constraints along with a rather short time span to accomplish this large task. Larson indeed goes into the details and arguments that ultimately ... Read More:

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SELECTIONS FROM: 90 Minutes in Heaven: An Inspiring Story of Life beyond Death

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Don, Piper, Cecil, Murphey

February 01, 2008
I also agree with what some of the others are saying...this was not at all what I had expected. I have read MANY books like this and I always finish them within a day because I'm so interested but I have to be honest...I got a little bored with this one (sorry!). If you're looking for books on near death experiences (NDE), I would not recommend this at all; there are much better options out there. However, if you are looking for a story on what happens AFTER the NDE, then this might be for you.

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I Hate Your Guts

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Jim Norton

November 04, 2008
Yimmy Norton follows up his first literary masterpiece (Happy Endings) with this fantastic piece of work. Everything now a days has to be so politically correct and I am thankful there are still people like little Yimmy out there who has no second thoughts about tearing into the phony people who pollute the world in which we live. This book takes on everyone from Al Roker to Benjamin Bornstein who is NAAAHHHHHHHT FUNNY. I hope his next literary adventure goes through experiences of a cuckold and how he goes about prepping the bull.

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The First Billion Is the Hardest: Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: T. Boone Pickens

September 02, 2008
The title, "The First Billion is the Hardest: Reflections on a Life of Comebacks and America's Energy Future", is misleading.

"The First Billion is the Hardest" suggests a discussion of making money, but it doesn't build upon this theme at all.

If you're looking for a detailed biography of Pickens' oil career, this is your book. All but one chapter are dedicated to the high-risk career T. Boone Pickens has lived - with all of the triumph and agony that came with it.

If you're looking for details on America's energy future or the Pickens Plan, this is not your book. You're better off going to his website www.pickensplan.com. Only one chapter mentions this.

Yet another misleading feature are his "Booneisms". ... Read More:

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The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: John Grogan

October 21, 2008
John Grogan's memoir, "The Longest Trip Home", is well written and full of humor. It also struck a very serious chord with me as it deals with the very normal "coming of age" concept and Grogan's relationship with his parents. The memoir begins with Grogan's childhood and takes the reader on a journey through the rest of his life up to the present day. He talks about his experiences growing up in a Catholic home with Catholic parents and what it was like to attend a Catholic school. Grogan shares with the reader his bond of friendship with fellow boys in his Michigan neighborhood while recounting some very humorous events. He also tells of his romantic "firsts" as well as forging a family lifestyle with his wife Jenny and their three children. The book certainly ... Read More:

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Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Maureen Mccormick

October 14, 2008
I was a Brady Bunch fan back in the day and of course wished I could look and be like Marcia Brady. Didn't every young girl? At any rate, I thought this book was excellent. Despite the horror her life became, I thought it was courageous for her to write this for the world to know. In a way it's like pricking a ballon and letting the air out. Some may be disappointed to discover the truth, others may be relieved that she was just an ordinary woman with serious problems. This was also a survival story. I give Ms. McCormick a lot of credit for pulling through. At any rate, this book kept me turning the pages. I loved discovering the behind-the-scene facts. It makes me now want to watch the shows all over the again, just because now I know what was going on. I ... Read More:

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Boys Will Be Boys: The Glory Days and Party Nights of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Biographies and Memoirs
by: Jeff Pearlman

December 01, 2008
Book felt very choppy...not a good flow and nothing of great substance. It's an entertaining read if you don't like the Cowboys (I'm an Eagles' fan...I know, it's sad). So, I would just stick with Jeff's articles on ESPN. They are more concise and hard hitting.