An Excellent Historical Murder Mystery!

The Case of the Unknown Woman by F. Alexander Shipley is an extremely well researched book. The look at this tragic and historical murder case was interesting enough but it was thoroughly enjoyable to read also because of the storytelling of Shipley. I do think the book would have played just as well if he didn't "fictionalize" or "dramatize" some of the scenes within the story. He appears to have recreated dialog and actions and people's thought a little too freely. The story didn't need it in my opinion, however, it didn't take away from the historical nature of the book.

I found that the cast of characters that populated the case history left me wondering who the killer and victim, as it were, could be! The author is to be commended for producing this very worthwhile historical mystery. I enjoyed it very much.

 

I received a complimentary copy of The Case of the Unknown Woman: The Story of One of the Most Intriguing Murder Mysteries of the Nineteenth Century as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

J.B. Morehead: An American Hero

J.B. Morehead: An American Hero by Catherine C. Morgan is a sometimes interesting biography of a little known Air Force pilot in history. Moreland's experiences in World War II I found fascinating. I wish there was more written about his war experiences. By contrast a great deal of the book is about hunting which I have no interest in what-so-ever. I find nothing noble about sport hunting and the endless photographs of the subject holding dead animals was just plain tedious. Catherine Morgan's writing style is perfectly suited to this type of book and I'm sorry to read that she pre-deceased the books pubication. People interested in World War II exploits, hunting and pilots might find this biography worth the read. I received a complimentary copy of J.B. Morehead: An American Hero as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Reagan's Secret War: The Untold Story of His Fight to Save the World from Nuclear Disaster

An Amazing Book and an Amazing Look at President Reagan, May 31, 2012

This is an amazing work by Martin and Annelise Anderson. I believe it is the best book yet that gives a true look at Reagan concerning many facets of his presidency but mostly concerning his thoughts on war, nuclear weapons and human rights.

Using Reagan's own words from his diary, speeches, meetings and memoirs and using quotes from others who were witnesses to events - this book tells a complete story of Reagan's quest to cut down and hopefully eradicate nuclear weapons. More than any president before or since he had a true vision which he tried to fufill.

Everyone, Reagan supporters and Reagan dissenters should read this book in order to learn something about the character of this man called Ronald Reagan.

Abolish the Absurdities: It's Okay to Believe in Both Creation and Evolution

Regardless of which side of the issue you are on, Abolish the Absurdities: It's Okay to Believe in Both Creation and Evolution, by D. R. Cruise will get you thinking. The author appears to believe in God and evolution and there does seem to be good evidence for both. God would have Created everything and guided evolution along.

In my opinion the author relies a little too much on the internet for his research but I suppose in this modern age people will be doing so more and more. Cruise presents the evidence for both sides of the issue then presents the thesis of the title. Very interesting read. I received a complimentary copy of Abolish the Absurdities: It's Okay to Believe in Both Creation and Evolution as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You've Always Believed About Thomas Jefferson

Refreshing Honest Look at Jefferson, April 25, 2012 

The Jefferson Lies is a refreshing honest look at Thomas Jefferson. It is well researched and well written by David Barton. The obvious conclusion is that "historians" and authors have been putting their own faulty interpretations onto to Thomas Jefferson for years!

The book studies seven "lies" that have been perpetuated for years about Jefferson. Number one examines the myth that it is a fact that Jefferson had children with his slave Sally Hemmings. Barton examines in depth the origination of this story including the statements made by Thomas Woodson a supposed son of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings. Although Woodson may have truly believed he was a son of Jefferson, the DNA of his line proves that he had no Jefferson family DNA. The 1998 report that Jefferson fathered at least one child by Hemmings was erronious. In fact, there were something like 26 Jefferson males who could have been the father of one of Sally Hemmings' sons, including Randolph Jefferson who it has been recorded used to congregate with the blacks of Jefferson's planatation. Thomas Jefferson was actually one of the least likely suspects and I believe Barton has pretty much proven this.

Another myth that Barton explodes is that Jefferson was not a Christian. However, Jefferson's own writings refute this. It is true that his religious beliefs did change over the years but the changes can be traced to exactly the situation that was going on within the Christian movement in the part of Virginia he was residing. He was not a religious free-thinker at all but conformed to the beliefs of the religious leaders of his area and day.

David Barton has given the world an excellent book that should be read by everyone who actually wants to know the truth about Thomas Jefferson. 

Doctor Who - The Daemons [VHS]

Poor Picture Quality - Poor Show, March 24, 2012 

Doctor Who: The Daemons wouldn't even be a good story if the sound and picture were pristine! However, the sound and picture aren't pristine and with the pretty lousy storyline and execution, the show really suffers. The color by the way was restored by taking it off a home video tape that recorded the show as it aired in the United States. The BBC in their idiocy wiped the original color shows, I guess, and using a lot of technology they put the color back onto a black and white PAL tape. It looks muddy and doesn't fit the picture exactly. American television had something like 525 lines and British television had 625 so right there you can guess that the quality would suffer.

The characters of the village are unbearably awful! The witch with her protruding teeth, who I guess is supposed to be humorous with her amorous advances towards Benton, is just disgusting. I don't find witches good or humorous, either in fiction or reality. Then, there is the bad acting by many of the other townspeople as well.

The incessant dancing around the May Pole is just sickening. I believe Barry Letts was responsible for this ham-fisted show and I have no idea why so many of the actors acted like this was such a wonderful program. Maybe their drinking escapades in the local pub were fun, but the show is rotten. If you've never seen it, be weary of all the positive reviews, it might just have to do with the demonic subject matter rather than the quality of the programming.

Excellent Meditations on the Life of Christ

Twenty Steps on the Way to Glory by Rev. Emile R. Guilmette, S.M. is an excellent resource and thoughtful study on using the rosary.

Guilmette writes in a clear style that helps the reader to understand the Mysteries of the Rosary. Each of the four Mysteries, The Joyful Mysteries, The Luminous Mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries, The Glorious Mysteries are written about as mediations on Jesus' life and minstry. The author uses many Biblical quotations in his examinations.

Rev. Guilmette wrote that he had been inspired by the late Pope John Paul the Second to write this book when he dedicated the year of 2002 as the Year of the Rosary. Anyone interested in understanding the rosary and especially Catholics who pray the rosary or want to pray the rosary, will find this an excellent resource and a great study of this ancient practice. I recommend this book over say The Rosary written by the near heretic Garry Wills.

I received a complimentary copy of Twenty Steps on the Way to Glory as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Tim Conway Harvey Korman Together Again - What a Treat!

At the beginning of the DVD, Tim Conway Harvey Korman Together Again, Harvey Korman introduced Tim Conway as, "the funniest man alive!" and I think that just might be the case! I just finished watching this gem of a video.

Although Louise DuArt is good, the best thing about this video is Conway and Korman. They still had comedic chemistry on stage and both appeared to be trying to out ad-lib the other!

I am terribly sad that I missed seeing these two live, but seeing them preserved on this film is the next best thing. As I am a filmmaker, of a sort, myself, I would give anything to have the likes of Tim Conway in a film of mine. He still has it!

The video ends with "The Dentist Sketch" which has been updated a little since the television version, but it is still a real laugh getter! To my surprise, the Special Feature section contained a commentary track! Not only that, but, we can see the two of them in the corner commenting on the show. But get this, this is the great part, the commentary is just as funny as the show! So it's like getting three hours of great comedy for the price of a 90 minute video! I know I'm gushing a little here, but I'm just very happy with the product. Tim Conway even mentioned that, like me, Laurel and Hardy were two of his influences!

One last thing - I think that this is a pretty clean video and would be appropriate for a younger audience as well. Harvey Korman is missed.