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January, 2004

Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
Author: Isaacson, Walter
Genre: History
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: January, 2004

Review:A very entertaining and enlightening book about the life of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was quite a character - a successful entreprenuer, a world-class inventor, an astute politician and diplomat and one of the most accessible of America's founders. I am thoroughly enjoying this book.

Less Than Zero
Author: Ellis, Bret Easton
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: January, 2004

Review:I read this review in one sitting, and when I was done spent more time thinking about it than I did reading it. In the end, I decided that I liked it. It's one of those books, like Catcher in the Ride or On the Road, that some read and ask "What was the point?". But others read and say, "Wow, that book really captured a very real human element." Less Than Zero takes place in Southern California (LA and Palm Springs), and is about rich college-age kids who live decadent lives, but struggle to find any meaning in them. It tells of a lifestyle I couldn't possibly imagine, yet the characters are very human and very compelling. Full of drugs, sex and abuse, this book is not for the queasy. But I enjoyed it and thought it was a profound tale of human lives going nowhere.

The Birth of the Republic
Author: Morgan, Edmund S.
Genre: History
Rating: Good
Last Read: January, 2004

Review:A brief history spanning from 1763-1789. This book was my reintroduction to the founding years of the United States. A quick read, very educational. Includes the Declaration of Independence, Articles of the Confederation and the U.S. Constitution.

The Crystal City
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Good
Last Read: January, 2004

Review:I thought this was the last installment of the Alvin Maker series. Many have told me otherwise, but I thought it was a suitable ending to the series. Same great characters from earlier books in the series. Like most Card books, a page turner, although not as compelling as earlier books in this series.

The Worthing Saga
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: January, 2004

Review:This book is really two books: the first a novella, the second a collection of short stories. Card wrote the short stories early in his writing career and some are rough around the edges. The novella was written long after the short stories but were loosely based on the short stories. A fascinating read, lots of good ideas, and great insight into how Card developed as a writer.