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Friday, January 21, 2011

Self Help

Book Title: Self Help--Your Complete Book Bad Advice For
        Every Situation in Life
Author: Quentin Smeltzer
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781432753146
Reviewed by Michele Tater for Review The Book

“I went to a bookstore and asked that saleswoman, Where’s the self-help section? She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.” ~George Carlin

If the “bad advice” in the title of this book is not warning enough, do not follow anything mentioned in this book. It’s like the stunts you see on TV where they tell you that they are done by professionals and not to be done by amateurs. The author is not a doctor of any kind and therefore can not really give you self help tips that he not is qualified to give.

That beginning said, I think this book have value in what not to do in your life unless you want to loose your job, your family and any self esteem that you may have had. The book is broken down 44 chapters that are short,  sweet and easy to read. These chapter advise you on to succeed in nothing really and how to be well at something your are not and probably won‘t be even after you read it. The writer’s views of the men vs. women paradigm are funny in a non-threatening way, at least for me, I happen to be in a marriage where we know how places, sort of speak. Some people may take offense to these points-of-view but I think they maybe in denial. Just kidding, see someone might take Mr. Smeltzer the wrong way, but if you are an open mined person with a good sense of humor you will enjoy this book.

The author is self professed stand-up comedian that shows in his humorous way of writing. If anything is book will make you lol (laugh out loud) and have great aha moments, along with huh moments. I found it simple to read, not that the writer was simple or anything, it was just written in easy language. I do recommend “Self Help” to someone that is employed, in a great relationship and not easily swagged by what they read.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Run Dog

“Its not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” ~Mark Twain

The book “Rundog” is an historical excerpt from an author from the year 2099, about the future universe of the year 2075. I know right! I don’t think this has ever been done before, or if it has not done so well.

Most of the storyline or should I say the history, centers around the character Nyssa Persson. She is a girl with a checkered past that has been given an unusual second chance at a better life as a Rundog, which can be described as an elite spy-like operation. Even though she is literally pushed into a lifestyle that is foreign to her, Nyssa knows she needs to adjusted to survive. Her new routine consists of dietary and wardrobe changes along with relentless physical training. The reader gets to follow Nyssa in her transformation and her adaptation to her new world.

Another character that needs mentioning is Kazuo Yamazake, who is head of a security crew for a shady tools dealer who supplies to auto assembly complexes. Kazuo knows his boss’s under the table dealings, but he chooses his job over any ethics he may have. He turns a blind eye to the ramifications that his employer’s decisions could cause. However, Kazuo may grow to question this decision.

Someone else that I think needs to be told about is Tomas Redfoot. He his a hard working truck driver who is just trying to make enough money to support his wife, two daughters and a son. He is having the worst luck ever in trying to keep his truck running within legal requirements. Tomas is plagued with truck repairs and set backs. Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel for this poor soul?

Included in “Rundog” is an Appendix which explains the symbols that are located throughout the book as marks for narrative theme changers. These symbols are related to the dual-psign glyphs that are used in Rundog training. Although interesting and an unique addition, they are not needed in the reading and the understanding of the book.

Since this a world of the future there are many words that are not familiar or not fully explained in the main text of the book, so the author was astute enough to add a glossary. I found this glossary very helpful, but with only one drawback. There are no marks or marking to alert the reader that the word is further explained elsewhere.

With that being said, my over all opinion of “Rundog” is that it is an intriguing book of a “world” of the future. Even though is this “world”, there are many things that are different, there are others that stay the same. The core of human beings stay the same, they strive to be happy. Some find this happiness in business or physical affairs, while others find it in the environment and the sentiment beings living in it. I can not wait to read “Dog Dew” next…