Finished Sa 5/31/14
Considering that Jim Morrison's career only lasted four or five years he made an unbelievable impression.
I was surprised that he had an IQ of 149 and he was a college graduate
Attended St. Petersburg College (Junior College) and transferred credits to Florida State University at Tallahassee. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles and Morrison completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA's film school within the Theater Arts department of the College of Fine Arts in 1965. He never went to the graduation ceremony, and had his diploma mailed to him.
It's widely believed that he died of an overdose of heroin, but no autopsy was performed.
This is questionable since it seems that booze played a much bigger part in his life than drugs.
He published poetry under his full name, James Douglas Morrison.
There wasn't much input from the other band members, and I wonder if in later years they have made their feelings known. Only Morrison did not have any connection to Transcendental Meditation.
The book was written in 1980 and probably more has been uncovered since then.
Link to wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_morrison
Sunday, June 1, 2014
ROAD MANGLER DELUXE by PHil Kaufman with Colin White
Finished Sa 5/31/14
This book is not very well written, but the photos and Phil's most unusual life more than make up for it.
The following phrase (by Phil) describes the book and his life most eloquently.
"If it weren't for drinking, drugs, and a dead guy......I wouldn't have had a career".
Wikipedia link-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Kaufman_(producer)
This book is not very well written, but the photos and Phil's most unusual life more than make up for it.
The following phrase (by Phil) describes the book and his life most eloquently.
"If it weren't for drinking, drugs, and a dead guy......I wouldn't have had a career".
Wikipedia link-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Kaufman_(producer)
Thursday, May 29, 2014
THE BLACK BOOK by Ian Rankin
Finished Th 5/29/14
John Rebus investigates a hotel fire from many years ago. A body was found, but who did it?
A gay chef pulled the trigger, but the baron of a brewery had his hand over the chef's hand.
The chef had an Elvis inspired bar/restaurant
John's brother, Michael, has just gotten out of the joint on drug charges and is living in the Rebus family home. John has opened it up to student rentals.
More charm of Edinburgh, Scotland.... I seem to recall reading this before, but anything Rankin is worth another look.
John Rebus investigates a hotel fire from many years ago. A body was found, but who did it?
A gay chef pulled the trigger, but the baron of a brewery had his hand over the chef's hand.
The chef had an Elvis inspired bar/restaurant
John's brother, Michael, has just gotten out of the joint on drug charges and is living in the Rebus family home. John has opened it up to student rentals.
More charm of Edinburgh, Scotland.... I seem to recall reading this before, but anything Rankin is worth another look.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
THE ACCIDENT by Linwood Barclay
Finished We 5/21/14
The May selection for The Contemporary Book Club.
I loved this one, and read almost one third of the novel in one sitting
How a middle class town is affected by the economic downturn
Counterfeit drugs/knockoff handbags and high fashion goods/Chinese construction and electrical goods that are not up to code.
The May selection for The Contemporary Book Club.
I loved this one, and read almost one third of the novel in one sitting
How a middle class town is affected by the economic downturn
Counterfeit drugs/knockoff handbags and high fashion goods/Chinese construction and electrical goods that are not up to code.
THE GIFTS OF THE JEWS by Thomas Cahill
....HOW A TRIBE OF DESERT NOMADS CHANGED THE WAY EVERYONE THINKS AND FEELS
Finished Su 5/25/14 (recommended by Dr. Floyd)
This book is the second in Cahill's, 'hinges of history' series.
Reminded me of Joseph Campbell, and I actually found THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES in my collection, and that will be in my 'next read' stack.
An interesting historical perspective on the Old Testament. Sumerian culture GILGAMESH.
Bronze Age Gods. Christianity is actually early Iron Age.
Religions before the Jews were cyclical in nature. That which has happened will ALWAYS recur. The god of the Jews was only part of the future because the actions of individuals have a say in what the future will hold.
Cahill doesn't believe that every word in the bible is the 'absolute word of god'.
The book is more or less the story of Abraham, Moses, and David/Solomon.
The Jewish god is of spirit and cannot be depicted or even spoken whereas older gods could be shown.
Finished Su 5/25/14 (recommended by Dr. Floyd)
This book is the second in Cahill's, 'hinges of history' series.
Reminded me of Joseph Campbell, and I actually found THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES in my collection, and that will be in my 'next read' stack.
An interesting historical perspective on the Old Testament. Sumerian culture GILGAMESH.
Bronze Age Gods. Christianity is actually early Iron Age.
Religions before the Jews were cyclical in nature. That which has happened will ALWAYS recur. The god of the Jews was only part of the future because the actions of individuals have a say in what the future will hold.
Cahill doesn't believe that every word in the bible is the 'absolute word of god'.
The book is more or less the story of Abraham, Moses, and David/Solomon.
The Jewish god is of spirit and cannot be depicted or even spoken whereas older gods could be shown.
Friday, May 16, 2014
A RUMOR OF WAR by Philip Caputo
Finished Fr 5/16/14
I was looking for Norman Mailer's ARMIES OF THE NIGHT in my collection, and found this one. I had read it in 1996, but only remembered the basics.
A great read about the disillusionment of war, and especially the Vietnam experience. This was America's first encounter with the loss of a war, but I think Iraq and Afghanistan are now included.
Vietnam was our longest war, but I think Iraq is now the longer one.
Link to wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Rumor_of_War
I was looking for Norman Mailer's ARMIES OF THE NIGHT in my collection, and found this one. I had read it in 1996, but only remembered the basics.
A great read about the disillusionment of war, and especially the Vietnam experience. This was America's first encounter with the loss of a war, but I think Iraq and Afghanistan are now included.
Vietnam was our longest war, but I think Iraq is now the longer one.
Link to wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Rumor_of_War
THE LAST COYOTE by Michael Connelly
Finished Th 5/15/14
Part of the Harry Bosch series
'Hill Street Blues' is a phrase used by LA cops to refer to guys who must see shrinks. The behavioral science unit is located on Hill Street. This is probably the reason for the name of the popular TV show.
Premise is similar to real-life author, James Ellroy.
Harry's mother was a prostitute who was murdered in 1961. The crime was ignored by the police, and now, 1995 Harry decides to get to the bottom of the case.
The true killer is not revealed until the very end, because it appears to be part of a political/police conspiracy. However, it was really Marjorie Phillips Lowe's best friend who did the deed. They were best friends and Marjorie was in love with a political operative who really loved her and wanted to become a family with her and Harry. When she asked her friend to accompany her to Vegas to get married, her friend strangled her.
link to wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Coyote
Part of the Harry Bosch series
'Hill Street Blues' is a phrase used by LA cops to refer to guys who must see shrinks. The behavioral science unit is located on Hill Street. This is probably the reason for the name of the popular TV show.
Premise is similar to real-life author, James Ellroy.
Harry's mother was a prostitute who was murdered in 1961. The crime was ignored by the police, and now, 1995 Harry decides to get to the bottom of the case.
The true killer is not revealed until the very end, because it appears to be part of a political/police conspiracy. However, it was really Marjorie Phillips Lowe's best friend who did the deed. They were best friends and Marjorie was in love with a political operative who really loved her and wanted to become a family with her and Harry. When she asked her friend to accompany her to Vegas to get married, her friend strangled her.
link to wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Coyote
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