"Padre Pio: The True Story" by C. Bernard Ruffin - Outstanding biography! Outstanding edition!

What more can I say really than what I wrote on the headline? C. Bernard Ruffin, who sadly passed away this March 2019, has truly written the best and most powerful biography of St. Pio. I found his 2nd Edition to be a wonderful and comprehensive book. I was very excited when I discovered, just by chance that he had updated his biography.

Ruffin was a Lutheran pastor who was interested in people whom God seemed to use and bring to bring Himself to humanity. Even if Padre Pio never had the stigmata, he would have been held in high esteem by many who appreciated people who strived to live a holy and upright life. However, we may never have heard of him. It was the reported stimatization that first caught the attention of laity. Then it was the miracles attributed to him. It is obvious to true believers that the hand of God was working in and through this friar's life.

Ruffin does a good job condensing the huge amount of information on St. Pio into a fascinating, readable account of his life. The author really should be applauded for his contribution on his learned research into Padre Pio's life and career. He interviewed many people who are no longer with us and has greatly added to the humanization of St. Pio showing him to be a real human being and not a holy caricature. In some ways I thought he bent over backwards too much trying to legitimize some of the miracles attributed to him. Apparently, he did this for the doubters. Personally, I'm tired of the doubters and non-believers many are so fanatical that nothing will ever change their minds. But, Ruffin tries very hard to choose the healings and stories that can be verified with contemporary documents and statements. Which is good for historical purposes and scientific purposes, although many doctors confronted with miraculous healings refused to acknowledge them as "miracles" and tried to rationalize such events with their own mumbo jumbo so they wouldn't have to give any credence to the existence of God.

This book is really a testament to the amazing efforts of Rev. Ruffin who did such a meticulous job in researching, interviewing, evaluating, updating and writing, that this book will be the go-to book for decades to come. I am so thankful that he completed this book in February 2018 before he died a year later.

For those interested, there are some videos available online form years ago where C. Bernard Ruffin gives us some insight in his interest and writing of the preeminent biography.

I am a very slow reader, but I was able to get through the over 400 page book quite fast considering. A miracle!? Well, maybe more because of the interest of the subject matter and because of Ruffin's easy writing style. God bless St. Pio and God bless C. Bernard Ruffin for writing these editions on Pio's life.

Wordperfect Office X9 for PC

Wordperfect works perfect!

I'm very happy with my choice of Wordperfect Office X9 for PC over other competitive brands specifically Word. It was easy to install and I had no problems doing so. I can open my older Word files in Wordperfect X( and have had no problems with that. Although I am new to Wordperfect and still learning, it is very intuitive and many tools are easily used without having to look up how to use them. I mainly got this software for the word processing, but there are other programs associated with this Office software including, Quatro Pro, Presentations and After Shot 3. I am very happy with this Corel software.

VEGAS Movie Studio 14 Suite

I Like It! October 22, 2018

 
VEGAS Movie Studio 14 Suite is the complete suite for video editing and has more things to offer than the last version. A couple of things I like are the new a hover scrub technology, and smart upscaling technology. You can create professional 2D and 3D titles, captions, and credits. RED cameras are now supported too. It does have an intuitive drag-and-drop workflow as they claim. It did take some time to learn this software and I still have not mastered it, but it is very good in my opinion.

The Dictator Pope by Marcantonio Colonna

A Masterpiece.

The Dictator Pope is truly a masterpiece as a study of Pope Francis and what makes him tick and also in its writing. The narrative flows so smoothly without pomp and circumstance. Henry Sire who originally wrote this using a pen name is quite a figure. I've watched him in a few interviews and he is obviously a learned and studied intellect.

I am a Catholic and I in no way find this book to be an attack on the Catholic Church. It is rather elucidating however in understanding the questionable actions of the current pontiff and how the Church got to this point.

I recommend this book for every practicing and believing Catholic.

Transporter The Series: Season 1

  Awesome, February 16, 2016

The Transporter: The Series is an excellent television show. I discovered it rather late, and have just found out that the series ended after two seasons. This is a shame Chris Vance does a great job portraying Frank the Transporter, in some ways I ended up liking his portrayal even more than Statham's because Vance's Frank is a more well rounded human being.

The character of Deiter is a fun one, he fixes Frank's cars and adds all sorts of extras on them. And of course, Frank's police officer friend, the same actor from the movies is in many of the shows. This is another plus as I always liked his character.

Each show is different with various reasons why Frank has to step on the gas. Some of the driving sequences and fight scenes surpass the movies. The shows producers could have left out the nudity however and some of the more perverse segments that seemed to have been added for no real reason. Although the series doesn't last long in terms of seasons, this is surely something that fans of the movies will want to have! It is much better than the lousy Refueled movie.

Murder on the Withlacoochee by Ron Johnson

  Good Read October 30, 2015

Ron Johnson did a nice job bringing to life the Withlacooche river area. It's filled with characters, murders and fighting between the air boat people and the noise haters. There were some annoying spelling errors, it could have used a good proof reader. But other than that I enjoyed this book, which had some good twists and turns and was a fast paced read. I would have liked to have read the third and from what I understand incomplete last book in the hoped for trilogy, which was cut short by the author's death.

Doctor Who:The Spectre of Lanyon Moor (Big Finish Audio)

Excellent! October 23, 2015

I have listened to about a dozen of the Big Finish Doctor Whos and it has been a real mix. The writing has been the main problem. Some of the storylines are just plain rubbish! This one from 15 years ago however, is excellent. In fact, it could have been a REAL Doctor Who from Colin Baker's time or even before.

I want to fess up here. I was NOT initially a Colin Baker fan. In fact, I hated him as the Doctor! I couldn't stand his acerbic personality and found him to be totally unpleasant as well as some of the shows. As time went on however, and Baker was allowed more room for humor, I began to appreciate his Doctor more. By the time Trial of a Time Lord came up I really began to enjoy his character. Baker was obviously finding his stride! and then it was all over. Sylvester McCoy started out funny and ended up sputtering! Just the opposite of Baker.

I can't stand the "new" Doctor Who for many many reasons and I started looking for more. I purchased all the DVDs available and even enjoyed listening to the very old audio CDs of the original soundtracks that edited in some narration. I enjoyed hearing Jon Pertwee in the two audio shows that he had done for the radio and hated very much some shows Tom Baker did that had a swamp in the TARDIS and dancing ballet shoes! Dreadful.

Then I discovered Big Finish classic Doctor Who shows. The funny thing is that of all the shows I've heard Colin Baker has been the best actor for these audio adventures. Despite how huge he's gotten since his TV days, his voice stayed pretty consistent. He has his character down still, the one I liked from the old days and he is fun to listen to.

Sometimes the storylines haven't been too good, but this one is wonderful! It IS a REAL classic Doctor Who episode. The story might be a little too reminiscent, there are some obvious similarities to a Pertwee story, but it is so well done, both with the writing, style and acting, that you can really "see" the show. It was like listening to a show that you missed from the good old days.

It was nice having a Brigadier story I hadn't "seen" before. Nicholas Courtney fell in easily to his Brig character and Dr. Smythe, The Big Finish companion for Colin Baker is a rather bearable character. James Bolam guested as well as another New Tricks actor. The cast was first rate and the sound effects and music were well done.

All around this one is a good one.

My God and My All by Elizabeth Goudge is a beautifully written biography about an extraordinary holy man.

My God and My All: The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi by Elizabeth Goudge was originally published in 1959 under Saint Francis of Assisi. I had read one other book on this popular saint sometime ago, however, what was different about Goudge's book is the beautiful writing style which vividly brings Francis and his age to life.

Goudge who was a popular novel writer who died at the age of 84 in 1984, did a wonderful job writing this biography of Francis who was born in the 1180s. Using her skills as a novelist she used the many stories and sources available about St. Francis to create this excellent moving biography of one of the Catholic Churches most favorite sain

At first, I wondered whether Goudge was going to strip away all the supernatural from Francis' story, ignoring the miracles and healings that are attached to him, like so many of the writers about saints do today. However, the author does include miracles and healings attributed to him.

Although she writes this biography like a novelist, Goudge never "invents" anything using poetic license. Whenever she speculates, she lets us know. She weaves Francis' life into the early Medieval history of Italy and Europe with ease.

My God and My All is a modern masterpiece that is beautifully written about an extraordinary holy man who revitalized the Church twelve hundred years into it's existence.

Anyone can read this well crafted book. Elizabeth Goudge was an Anglican, her father being an Anglican priest. All Christians should relish this wonderful book, but, unfortunately they won't. As a Catholic I found this book to be very refreshing, informative and beautifully written.

(I received a copy of this book for an honest review from Handlebar.)

Red Cliff International Version - Part I & Part II [Blu-ray]

  Amazing Modern Classic!, April 28, 2015

Red Cliff is an exceptional film. It is a modern day classic the Lawrence of Arabia of our time. John Wu has directed a masterpiece. The photography is just stunning. Although there are a lot of computer generated shots they blend seemlessly into the film and only enhance the motion picture elements.

The storyline is based on a telling of a historical event in Chinese history that is widely known in China but not so much outisde of Asia. Wu has enhanced the traditional storyline with his own additions. What is amazing is how fast this movie goes. Despite it being something like five hours long, one is spellbound with the acting, visuals and effects. The film is not slow or boring at all. I watched it again and finally ordered a copy of my own because this is such a wonderful film that I will definitely watch it over and over again through the years.

John Wu has out done himself with this truly great work of cinema. I only wish I had seen it on the big screen in the theater. The acting is terrific and even though there is not an English track and one has to "read" the movie, it is not too overwhelming to read since there are many extended visuals. I highly recommend this excellent film of the first order. It's great fun!

Thank you for reviewing Pius XII and the Holocaust

  Well Done Work, August 22, 2015

The book is a well written and well researched look at the so-called controversy on Pope Pius' alleged silence during World War II in relation to the Nazi's systematic imprisoning and killing of Jews. Snachez makes a reasoned analysis of the available facts and paints a realistic picture of Pius.

In some ways the author gives too much weight to some of the critics of the pope since some were obviously contrived and used false and manipulated evidence to prove their thesis (Hitler's Pope). He also doesn't seem to give too much weight to the many priests and religious who helped the Jews and later said that Pope Pius had instructed them to do so.

Apart from these gripes, I think the book is a good starting place for people who think they know what Pope Pius XII actually did or didn't do in relation to the Jewish Holocaust.

Discipleship: Living for Christ in the Daily Grind (New Expanded Edition) by J. Heinrich Arnold

Discipleship: Living for Christ in the Daily Grind (New Expanded Edition) by J. Heinrich Arnold is a book that every Christian can use on a daily basis. The book is totally grounded in the Bible and New Testament.

Arnold writes about various issues that people face in the world today and examines how one might respond to these issues using the word of Christ and the Bible.

I found it to be a very interesting and informative read. It might be best to read it slowly so as to absorb the writings and the wisdom of each entry and think about them. This expanded edition contains even more insight and writings by Arnold using letters and other source materials.

The back of the book contains a good "Index of Bible References." Anyone who wants to follow Christ and live closer to his teachings and the Bible should spend the time and read Discipleship published by Plough Publishing House.

(I received a copy of this book for review from Handlebar.)

Humility: An Unlikely Biography of America’s Greatest Virtue by David J. Bobb

There is one thing for certain humility is lacking today. Whether it is in regards to politics, entertainment or family and friends, humility is a rare commodity. David J. Bobb,  the executive director of citizen education for Hillsdale College, does a service to this age with his book Humility: An Unlikely Biography of America’s Greatest Virtue.

Bobb treats his subject skillfully and chose his autobiographical portraits well. Some of the people used as examples I was quite familiar with George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln are two of them, but I learned about a different aspect of their personality when seeing them through the focus of their humility. The thesis of Bobb's book is that these figures weren't great people despite their ability at being humble, but because of it.

Most people aren't naturally humble and when you factor in people who are spirited or powerful or who are driven, humility could look to be a failing, but like Jesus who chose to be humble unto death, these famous figures of history all strove to be humble along with their other strengths and features.

Also covered in the book are James Madison, Abagail Adams, and Frederick Douglass as well as others. I highly recommend this book Humility. It encouraged me to strive to be more humble in my own life. And it comes at the right time in our society and hope that Bobb might consider writing a second book examining other leaders in history who have have displayed the, oh so rare trait, of humility.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

American Saint: The Life of Elizabeth Seton by Joan Barthel is NOT for Faithful Catholics!

I was prepared to read a biography of the Roman Catholic saint Elizabeth Seton but was extremely disappointed right from the beginning of the book. Starting with the Forward I realized that this was just a book about the life of a Catholic saint. No, the Forward to this book was written by a noted Leftist and homosexual marriage advocate Maya Angelou, which for me is inappropriate for a book on someone who is revered for her Catholic faith and holiness.

If this wasn't bad enough the author Joan Barthel started off trashing Pope Benedict and the Catholic Church. The prepublication materials include this line, "Elizabeth began the fight for woman's rights in the church that is still being fought today, and the publication of her story could not be more timely." This says it all. The audience for this book are the Catholic heretics, anti-Catholics, and liberals. The same people who call the Catholic Church "misogynistic" (despite the fact that the Church reveres Mary and hundreds of women saints for their holiness in the Faith) will cheer at the misguided and idiotic nonsense that one can get from this useless pseudo biography.

So, the bottom line is this is NOT a biography on a Catholic saint, it is instead a Left-wing propaganda piece in the guise of a biography.

The Pope and Mussolini by David I. Kertzer Review

Unfortunately, The Pope and Mussolini is just another Vatican hit piece. The propagandist in this case, David I. Kertzer, cherry picking bits and pieces of information to shape his thesis of the wicked Catholic Church supporting, backing and actually creating dictators like Mussolini and Hitler. As Jack Taylor would say, "Gob-shite!"

The book is a bit like a partisan Democrat writing the history of the Republican Party. "Lincoln was a RACIST! He said it would be better for the blacks to move back to Africa!" Of course, this imagined Leftist author would forget to mention the 100 years of murder, torture and subjugation of the blacks in the Democrat controlled South of the United States.

Random House is publicizing this book by saying such things as this, "Shows how Pius XI's Secretary of State betrayed the pope to become his successor, Pius XII, also known as Hitler's Pope." Referencing John Cornwell's well refuted book Hitler's Pope: The Secret History of Pius XII. The Myth of Hitler's Pope: Pope Pius XII And His Secret War Against Nazi Germany by Rabi David G. Dalin totally destroys the whole Soviet inspired thesis of Pius XII being buds with Hitler. Doesn't matter to Random House, though, or this "author" Kertzer.

Some of Kertzer's other books include, The Unholy War: The Vatican's Role in the Rise of Modern Anti-Semitism, Prisoner of the Vatican: The Popes, the Kings, and Garibaldi's Rebels in the Struggle to Rule Modern Italy, and The Pope's Against the Jews. I'm glad to see that he doesn't have an axe to grind or anything.

Since religion and anti-Semitism seems to be so close to Kertzer's heart I looked real hard for a book on Hitler's Mufti, Haj Amin al-Husseini or Communism & anti-Semitism. I shouldn't have wasted my time, his anti-Semitism books are ALL only aimed at the Catholic Church!

He does seem to like to write about labor and Communism seeing that he's written, Family Life in Central Italy, 1880-1910: Sharecropping, Wage Labor, and Coresidence, Comrades and Christians: Religion and Political Struggle in Communist Italy, and Politics and Symbols: The Italian Communist Party and the Fall of Communism. My conclusion: Just another Leftist trashing Catholicism for the Cause. Enough said.

Doctor Who: Spearhead from Space - The Blu-ray Edition

How much, I wish, that they filmed all of the original Doctor Who in film so that they could all be put on Blu-ray.

This high definition release of Spearhead from Space, is just plain awesome. I've always liked this show anyway. Robert Holmes is the best writer the series ever had. So many of his stories are classics today.

Most of the Jon Pertwee elements of his era are there already in his first program! This openning show is, in my opinion, the strongest beginning show of any of the Doctors. Baker's The Robot was only a so-so affair, Davison's Castrolvala, was downright boring at times. And Colin Baker's Twin Dilema, I haven't bothered watching again since the first time I laid eyes on it.

But, "what is so great about this release?" you may ask. Well, where to begin. The show has literally never looked better. The picture is more than pristine! Every color is gorgeous. It looks like it was just shot today. The computer picture restoration has removed most of the flaws, as well as lowering the graininess of the original 16mm film. Unfortunately, the few shots that have dust particles in the frame were not altered, so the hairs are even more noticeable!

If you've always liked this story, it is totally enhanced by the fantastic image quality, and is worth purchasing just for that.

The Extras have a few goodies as well. I personally love the ones on the restoration processes. This one was a bit short however. I wish they had invested in making a more in-depth study in the restoration process. The real gem is the documentary on the life of Jon Pertwee. It is rather well done and is also in high definition. Using interviews with Pertwee himself, people who knew him and worked with him, and lots of photographs and video clips the film covers his life. It is a well researched affair and should be exceedingly interesting to anyone who is a Pertwee fan.

I already had the DVD version of Spearhead, but this one is SO much better that everyone should get a copy! People update to a high definition system, if you don't have one, just to watch this show.

Francis: Man of Prayer by Mario Escobar

As a practicing Catholic, I really wanted to learn more about Pope Francis than the mixed messages that were being distributed about him and his views in the press. Although author Mario Escobar’s biography does supply some background on the pope and fills in some of his beliefs, I came away not knowing him really, anymore than I did before reading this book.

I found the writing style rather boring and uninteresting and Escobar’s grasp on Catholicism rather lacking. I especially became annoyed when I read this passage which is the most idiotic suggestion I’ve ever read in a supposed serious biography of a pope: “(T)he Dominican Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva was built over the ruins of an ancient Roman temple of Minerva, goddess of wisdom, as if the cardinals were seeking the wisdom of a pagan goddess in electing their pope.” This is the height of idiocy and a great attack upon the Church. I find it unbelievable that a fine publisher such as Thomas Nelson would even have printed such rubbish! Frankly, as a Catholic I am offended at such an ignorant musing being put into print in a so-called biography of a pope.

This comment took place on page 71 which wasn’t even yet the half-way mark. I found the rest of the work quite tedious and it took me a very long time to finish reading it.

 

For anyone wanting to read an intelligent, serious and in-depth biography on the current pope, I suggest waiting a little longer until a much better researched project is published.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

American Phoenix: John Quincy and Louisa Adams, the War of 1812, and the Exile that Saved American Independence by Jane Hampton Cook

All in all I found American Phoenix: John Quincy and Louisa Adams, the War of 1812, and the Exile that Saved American Independence a fascinating read that really gives the reader a glimpse of the Adams'. Author Jane Hampton Cook did a fabulous job researching the time frame covered in this book and a great job giving meticulous details.

I was certainly enthralled in the story and did learn a lot about John Quincy Adams and his wife Louisa. I can't compliment Cook enough for compiling all these details and making such an interesting and exciting book.

The drawback, unfortunately, is squarely placed in Cook's lap, mainly her rather amateurish writing style. More specifically her bad habit of making modern comparisons in the middle of a book covering events in the 19th Century as well as her really terrible practice of using literary comparisons. These descriptive comparisons appear to be more at home in an elementary school writing assignment than a serious history. Some good editor was required to remove these ridiculous, obtrusive, literary foibles.

I would recommend this book, and give it 3 out of 5 Stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Survivor is Better Than DiAnn Mills' Last Book The Chase!

The Survivor is book number two in a crime trilogy by DiAnn Mills. Fortunately, I read the first one too. Although I enjoyed Mills' last book The Chase, this one, The Survivor is actually better. One of the things I couldn't stand about The Chase: A Novel (Crime Scene: Houston) was all the rhetorical questions the character was asking herself. Still a few this time around, but this time the amount is acceptable.

The Survivor is well written by Mills and the character development is done well too. The relationship between Kariss and Tigo was interesting and holds the reader's attention. The plotline works and is suspenseful. The secondary storyline was also good and captured my interest.

All in all a rather suspenseful mystery written by an award winning author. 4 out 5 STARS!

Lifted By Angels - by Joel J. Miller is an Excellent, Reliable Book on Angels

I had no idea, until writing this review, that the author of the book The Revolutionary Paul Revere, which I liked very much and found to be so apropos for today, was the same author of Lifted by Angels: The Presence and Power of Our Heavenly Guides and Guardians. The author in question is Joel J. Miller and I recommend both the above stated books. Lifted By Angels is a much different subject matter than the Paul Revere biography, but it is no less well written and interesting. I certainly believe in angels and unfortunately the reality of the fallen ones too, demons. What's interesting about this book is that Miller goes back to the Judeo/Christian writings on angels in the Old and New Testaments and clearly follows through this history the understanding of these beings. Miller also explores what the early Christians and Church had to say about them as well. Sometimes their theories didn't exactly mesh with other theories as in the case of when the angels revolt against God took place. One group consisting of the likes of Irenaeus, Cyprian and Gregory of Nyssa held that it took place after God made man. Yet others thought that it took place even before the creation of man. Lucifer through pride and envy held himself up as a god and he and his followers were booted out of the Heavenly realm because of it. Every time humans reject God and think they can do whatever they want they are basically following old satan's path. Anyway, I found the book useful in more fully understanding who angels are, what their purpose is and how they may interact in earthly affairs. It held my interest throughout and learned a great deal. Fantastic book containing the most reliable information on angels. FIVE STARS out of five!

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.