Book Club... And Then Some!
You Were Always Mom’s Favorite! Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives
by Deborah Tannen
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
I have cited a number of Tannen’s books in my textbooks, and I have always enjoyed reading them. With respect to readability, research, and her use of examples, this book is no exception.
For this book, Tannen writes, “in addition to analyzing transcripts of recorded conversations, I interviewed well over a hundred women about their sisters—women whose ages spanned late teens to early nineties, and who came from a wide range of ethnic, regional, and cultural backgrounds. Most were American, but some were from other countries. Americans included Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Indian-, Irish-, German-, and East-European-Jewish-Americans, and so on. They were straight, gay, deaf, hearing, married, and single. I made a point of including women of these many backgrounds in order to hear a range of experiences” (p. 5).
One discovery that interested me—and confirmed observations I have often published in my textbook chapters that discuss relationships—is that “communication is women’s work” (p. 177). “In many families,” Tannen writes, “communication is women’s work.” One of the important comments I make to my mail readers who want successful relationships, in a section entitled, “Essential Elements of Good Relationships,” is, “...for partners to continue in a relationship, they must find mutually beneficial ways of communicating” (p. 182, Communicating Effectively, 9th ed. (McGraw-Hill, 2009).
On the very next page, I write, “Men need to open up more, show their feelings, listen better, and reveal their responses.” From what I have read in Tannen’s book about what she learned from her interviews, I know she would agree completely with my admonishments.
The part of the book I found most interesting for me was her final chapter, Chapter 8, “Sisterness: The Good, the Bad, and How to Get More of the Lovely” (pp. 180-203), in which she discusses a number of aspects of communication, especially electronic forms such as Facebook and e-mail.
Whether or not the book is valuable for sisters—insightful or useful—you can read the reviews for yourself. Most reviewers found the book both helpful and insightful. One reviewer said, “Every woman with a sister should find examples that she can identify with. I plan on giving both of my sisters copies of the book.” Just to balance the scale somewhat, another reviewer said, “Seemed like Tannen was trying to put some sort of organization or categorization on those relationships, but couldn't quite pull it off. The stories are so individual that it is difficult to make any meaningful generalizations. Interesting -- sure -- but not a particularly compelling or cohesive read.”
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Get this book at Amazon.com You Were Always Mom’s Favorite! Sisters in Conversation Throughout Their Lives
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine
Book Club... And Then Some!
The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine
by Francis Collins
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
Before I was a speech-communication major in college—and since I was in the ninth grade in junior-high-school, I might add—I wanted to be a doctor. Most of my courses in high school and early college were all science courses. My interest in science did not wear off, and when I graduated from the University of Michigan, I had to make general science a minor since I had had so many courses in the area, and my graduation would have been delayed for at least a year if I had to pick up a new minor. All this is explanation for my love of science and, thus, of this book.
Collins has written a science book on DNA for the masses, and I absorbed the information like a sponge in water. It is a terrific read not just for Collins’ unbelievable knowledge, the revealing and interesting examples cited, the comfortable, readable, and friendly writing style, or even the specific detail he offers: “The best-understood genes are those that code for protein. This process involves first making an RNA copy of the DNA; that RNA is then transported to the ribosome ‘protein factories’ in the cytoplasm, where the letters of the RNA code are translated into the amino acids used by proteins....This translation is carried out using a triplet code word; for example, AAA in the RNA codes for the amino acid lysine, and AGA codes for arginine” (p. 7). Most of the language is not of this style and not nearly as complex.
But, getting back to my point about why the book is a terrific read. The book is a terrific read because of how it relates to us all. Collins writes: “The consequence of all this progress is that a new science has appeared at the very center of biology and medicine: you could call it DNA cryptography. We’ve intercepted a highly elaborate message of critical importance for the future of the human species” (p. 13). To drive this point home for every reader, Collins says, “Family health history turns out to be the strongest of all currently measurable risk factors for many common conditions, incorporating as it does information about both heredity and shared environment” (p. 14).
The book is as reader-friendly as a science book can be. At the end of nine of his ten chapters, Collins has included a box entitled, “What you can do now to join the personalized medicine revolution,” which offers specific methods for readers to take responsibility for their lives. If you think you may have trouble with some of the language, there is an eight-page glossary to assist you. Also, numerous figures help in explaining concepts.
This is a great book written by the Director of the National Institutes of Health who spent fifteen years as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institute of Health. Collins was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007, and the National Medal of Science in 2009. The book is copyrighted 2010.
----
Get this book at Amazon.com The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine
The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine
by Francis Collins
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
Before I was a speech-communication major in college—and since I was in the ninth grade in junior-high-school, I might add—I wanted to be a doctor. Most of my courses in high school and early college were all science courses. My interest in science did not wear off, and when I graduated from the University of Michigan, I had to make general science a minor since I had had so many courses in the area, and my graduation would have been delayed for at least a year if I had to pick up a new minor. All this is explanation for my love of science and, thus, of this book.
Collins has written a science book on DNA for the masses, and I absorbed the information like a sponge in water. It is a terrific read not just for Collins’ unbelievable knowledge, the revealing and interesting examples cited, the comfortable, readable, and friendly writing style, or even the specific detail he offers: “The best-understood genes are those that code for protein. This process involves first making an RNA copy of the DNA; that RNA is then transported to the ribosome ‘protein factories’ in the cytoplasm, where the letters of the RNA code are translated into the amino acids used by proteins....This translation is carried out using a triplet code word; for example, AAA in the RNA codes for the amino acid lysine, and AGA codes for arginine” (p. 7). Most of the language is not of this style and not nearly as complex.
But, getting back to my point about why the book is a terrific read. The book is a terrific read because of how it relates to us all. Collins writes: “The consequence of all this progress is that a new science has appeared at the very center of biology and medicine: you could call it DNA cryptography. We’ve intercepted a highly elaborate message of critical importance for the future of the human species” (p. 13). To drive this point home for every reader, Collins says, “Family health history turns out to be the strongest of all currently measurable risk factors for many common conditions, incorporating as it does information about both heredity and shared environment” (p. 14).
The book is as reader-friendly as a science book can be. At the end of nine of his ten chapters, Collins has included a box entitled, “What you can do now to join the personalized medicine revolution,” which offers specific methods for readers to take responsibility for their lives. If you think you may have trouble with some of the language, there is an eight-page glossary to assist you. Also, numerous figures help in explaining concepts.
This is a great book written by the Director of the National Institutes of Health who spent fifteen years as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institute of Health. Collins was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007, and the National Medal of Science in 2009. The book is copyrighted 2010.
----
Get this book at Amazon.com The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine
Monday, May 17, 2010
Bright-sided: How the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America
Book Club... And Then Some!
Bright-sided: How the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America
by Barbara Ehrenreich
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
In this 235-page book with 16 pages of notes, Ehrenreich, author of 16 previous books and a previous columnist at The New York Times and Time magazine, offers a rich and compelling read about the false promises of positive thinking.
First, those reading this review must know that I am completely biased in Ehrenreich’s favor—even though I am guilty of what she is accusing others of doing. Before supporting my bias, I have to admit that I have been lecturing to thousands of students a loud, clear, and upbeat message about how positive thinking (along with valuable communication skills, of course) is a well-paved, proven road to success. Also, anyone who reads my blog will know that many of my Thursday essays (and books of essays—see especially, You Rules—Caution: Contents Leads to a Better Life!) support a strong belief in positive thinking.
You might wonder, then, why I would be biased in Ehrenreich’s favor, because, she thinks it has undermined America. But, if you read her book you will understand my bias. I delighted, for example, in the debunking she gave to Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Robert Schuller, and, especially, Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria. The story she tells of visiting one of Osteen’s services is truly interesting—even delightful.
Also, she writes about the etymology of positive psychology because of the publication and popularity of Martin Seligman’s books (especially, for example, Learned Optimisim)—something I had only heard about previously and knew little about.) The unfolding of the Seligman story held my interest, and the details of her interview with Seligman was sheer delight, as was the connection of Seligman’s Positive Psychology Center with Sir John Templeton (p. 166).
If you would take the time to examine our culture as closely as Ehrenreich has, you would quickly come to the same conclusion she has, that we have produced a huge supply of successful religious and secular charlatans who, under the guise of instruction, simply want to separate you from your money. There is a great Woody Allen line from the movie, “Hannah and Her Sisters,” which says, “If Jesus came back and saw what they were doing in His name, He’d never stop throwing up.”
In this book, Ehrenreich traces the origins of the “cult of optimism” from its origins in 19th century America through to the prevalence of the “gospel of prosperity,” “positive psychology,” and the “science of happiness” in academia and literature. We are amidst a society of “irrational exuberance,” and it is precisely for this reason that Ehrenreich’s book is a must read.
This book is not a downer at all. The question she raises, “Why are we so relentlessly positive?”—even when positivity is unwarranted—is a legitimate one. The bottom line for readers is worthwhile and should stop many dead-in-their-tracks: Are we not too accepting? Are we not critical enough?
Ehrenreich's scholarship is impressive, the stories are fascinating, and the book is badly needed, but it will be valuable only if it truly changes attitudes and shapes minds.
----
Get this book at Amazon.com How the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America
Bright-sided: How the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America
by Barbara Ehrenreich
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
In this 235-page book with 16 pages of notes, Ehrenreich, author of 16 previous books and a previous columnist at The New York Times and Time magazine, offers a rich and compelling read about the false promises of positive thinking.
First, those reading this review must know that I am completely biased in Ehrenreich’s favor—even though I am guilty of what she is accusing others of doing. Before supporting my bias, I have to admit that I have been lecturing to thousands of students a loud, clear, and upbeat message about how positive thinking (along with valuable communication skills, of course) is a well-paved, proven road to success. Also, anyone who reads my blog will know that many of my Thursday essays (and books of essays—see especially, You Rules—Caution: Contents Leads to a Better Life!) support a strong belief in positive thinking.
You might wonder, then, why I would be biased in Ehrenreich’s favor, because, she thinks it has undermined America. But, if you read her book you will understand my bias. I delighted, for example, in the debunking she gave to Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Robert Schuller, and, especially, Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria. The story she tells of visiting one of Osteen’s services is truly interesting—even delightful.
Also, she writes about the etymology of positive psychology because of the publication and popularity of Martin Seligman’s books (especially, for example, Learned Optimisim)—something I had only heard about previously and knew little about.) The unfolding of the Seligman story held my interest, and the details of her interview with Seligman was sheer delight, as was the connection of Seligman’s Positive Psychology Center with Sir John Templeton (p. 166).
If you would take the time to examine our culture as closely as Ehrenreich has, you would quickly come to the same conclusion she has, that we have produced a huge supply of successful religious and secular charlatans who, under the guise of instruction, simply want to separate you from your money. There is a great Woody Allen line from the movie, “Hannah and Her Sisters,” which says, “If Jesus came back and saw what they were doing in His name, He’d never stop throwing up.”
In this book, Ehrenreich traces the origins of the “cult of optimism” from its origins in 19th century America through to the prevalence of the “gospel of prosperity,” “positive psychology,” and the “science of happiness” in academia and literature. We are amidst a society of “irrational exuberance,” and it is precisely for this reason that Ehrenreich’s book is a must read.
This book is not a downer at all. The question she raises, “Why are we so relentlessly positive?”—even when positivity is unwarranted—is a legitimate one. The bottom line for readers is worthwhile and should stop many dead-in-their-tracks: Are we not too accepting? Are we not critical enough?
Ehrenreich's scholarship is impressive, the stories are fascinating, and the book is badly needed, but it will be valuable only if it truly changes attitudes and shapes minds.
----
Get this book at Amazon.com How the relentless promotion of positive thinking has undermined America
Monday, May 10, 2010
Comedy at the Edge: How Stand-up in the 1970s Changed America
Book Club... And Then Some!
(Just an aside here. This is the 100th book I have reviewed for Bookworks.com. That shouldn’t come as a complete shock if you have been keeping up with the Andthensomeworks.com blog or are reading the blog on Facebook. It is a milestone only in that the century mark is often considered such. For me, it has happened rapidly even though it has evolved over time. Whether you are aware or not, my review of books serves a dual purpose. First, it alerts readers/followers to various books and my reaction to them. Second, it provides a continuing resource for information and ideas that I can use in my regular revisions of my college textbook, COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY, 9th ed. (McGraw-Hill, 2009. I am always on the lookout for new material, and books have supplied such a wealth of evidence and supportive substance that my quest has never subsided—and must not dwindle as long as revisions remain on the horizon. How many more revisions there will be does not depend on me or my decisions as much as it depends, of course, on the interest in my books by my professional colleagues as well as positive and supportive reviews/comments by my college-age readers.)
Comedy at the Edge: How Stand-up in the 1970s Changed America
by Richard Zoglin
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
For me, this was a fabulous book. I can’t say that I really have cared that much to know how various comedians (during the 1970s or whenever) lived their lives or began and developed their careers, but, having said that, I have taken a sincere and continuing interest in stand-up comedians since I can remember.
I have never thought much about my interest in stand-up comedians; however, when I began reading Zoglin’s book, I realized quickly I was familiar with most, if not all, those he discussed. For example, just in the first chapter alone I knew of Bob Newhart, Bill Cosby, the Smothers Brothers, Jonathan Winters, Stan Freberg, Bill Dana (as Jos Jim nez), and Lenny Bruce. I watched, too, and enjoyed George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Albert Brooks, Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman, Bob Hope, Robin Williams, Robert Klein, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Rodney Dangerfield, Woody Allen, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Roseanne Barr, Paula Poundstone, Sandra Bernhard, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jerry Seinfeld. These are names most of you reading this review will remember as well—some, of course, for being mega-stars as comedians, talk-show hosts, characters in sit-coms, or actors in movies.
What I truly enjoy was Zoglin’s readable, comfortable, story-telling style. The book is delightfully and fully engaging, and you really want to know what happened to each of the comedians he profiles, not just in the beginning nor just along the way, but what they decided to do at the end (or, in some cases, near end) of their stand-up careers. There is no question, however, and Zoglin details it all specifically, that the comedians he writes about changed stand-up comedy for good.
As an editor and writer at Time magazine, formerly serving as the magazine’s television critic and currently as its theater critic (I am quoting from the author’s blurb on the back flap), Zoglin spent more than twenty years covering entertainment, and in that position, he wrote cover stories on Bill Cosby, David Letterman, Diane Sawyer, and Arsenio Hall, among others.
The book is 247 pages long (and you will wish it were longer), and there are eleven pages of sources—many of those actual interviews with the comedians he profiled in the book.
Whether or not you enjoyed and appreciated the comedians of the 1970s, and whether or not you enjoy comedy in general, this book has merits far beyond these elements. It reads well, for one, it is great history, for two, and the detailed stories, examples, and insights make it an exceptional choice.
----
Get this book at Amazon.com Comedy at the Edge: How Stand-up in the 1970s Changed America
(Just an aside here. This is the 100th book I have reviewed for Bookworks.com. That shouldn’t come as a complete shock if you have been keeping up with the Andthensomeworks.com blog or are reading the blog on Facebook. It is a milestone only in that the century mark is often considered such. For me, it has happened rapidly even though it has evolved over time. Whether you are aware or not, my review of books serves a dual purpose. First, it alerts readers/followers to various books and my reaction to them. Second, it provides a continuing resource for information and ideas that I can use in my regular revisions of my college textbook, COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY, 9th ed. (McGraw-Hill, 2009. I am always on the lookout for new material, and books have supplied such a wealth of evidence and supportive substance that my quest has never subsided—and must not dwindle as long as revisions remain on the horizon. How many more revisions there will be does not depend on me or my decisions as much as it depends, of course, on the interest in my books by my professional colleagues as well as positive and supportive reviews/comments by my college-age readers.)
Comedy at the Edge: How Stand-up in the 1970s Changed America
by Richard Zoglin
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
For me, this was a fabulous book. I can’t say that I really have cared that much to know how various comedians (during the 1970s or whenever) lived their lives or began and developed their careers, but, having said that, I have taken a sincere and continuing interest in stand-up comedians since I can remember.
I have never thought much about my interest in stand-up comedians; however, when I began reading Zoglin’s book, I realized quickly I was familiar with most, if not all, those he discussed. For example, just in the first chapter alone I knew of Bob Newhart, Bill Cosby, the Smothers Brothers, Jonathan Winters, Stan Freberg, Bill Dana (as Jos Jim nez), and Lenny Bruce. I watched, too, and enjoyed George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Albert Brooks, Steve Martin, Andy Kaufman, Bob Hope, Robin Williams, Robert Klein, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Rodney Dangerfield, Woody Allen, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Roseanne Barr, Paula Poundstone, Sandra Bernhard, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jerry Seinfeld. These are names most of you reading this review will remember as well—some, of course, for being mega-stars as comedians, talk-show hosts, characters in sit-coms, or actors in movies.
What I truly enjoy was Zoglin’s readable, comfortable, story-telling style. The book is delightfully and fully engaging, and you really want to know what happened to each of the comedians he profiles, not just in the beginning nor just along the way, but what they decided to do at the end (or, in some cases, near end) of their stand-up careers. There is no question, however, and Zoglin details it all specifically, that the comedians he writes about changed stand-up comedy for good.
As an editor and writer at Time magazine, formerly serving as the magazine’s television critic and currently as its theater critic (I am quoting from the author’s blurb on the back flap), Zoglin spent more than twenty years covering entertainment, and in that position, he wrote cover stories on Bill Cosby, David Letterman, Diane Sawyer, and Arsenio Hall, among others.
The book is 247 pages long (and you will wish it were longer), and there are eleven pages of sources—many of those actual interviews with the comedians he profiled in the book.
Whether or not you enjoyed and appreciated the comedians of the 1970s, and whether or not you enjoy comedy in general, this book has merits far beyond these elements. It reads well, for one, it is great history, for two, and the detailed stories, examples, and insights make it an exceptional choice.
----
Get this book at Amazon.com Comedy at the Edge: How Stand-up in the 1970s Changed America
Monday, May 3, 2010
Showing Up for Life:Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime/Feeling Good Together: The Secret of Making Troubled Relationships Work
Book Club... And Then Some!
Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime
by Bill Gates Sr.
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
With a 34-word “Forward” by “Trey” (the name the family called Bill Gates III), I knew immediately I was in for a fun read. In 192-pages, and 49 chapters (averaging less than 4 pages each), Gates Sr. pens a book that can take just a couple of hours to read, but holds your attention throughout because of the light, breezy writing style, the interesting, and entertaining, anecdotes, and the implied instructions on how to live a good life—life’s most enduring lessons.
Incidentally, if you want some “juicy” insights into how Bill Gates III (Trey) grew into the kind of multi-billionaire he is today—from a compassionate father’s perspective—this book offers a valuable and insightful perspective. It gives you a step-by-step program for raising a multi-billionaire son! (This is the appropriate place for an emoticon that shows a wink!)
This book isn’t profound. It isn’t particularly illuminating. It isn’t the least bit complicated or challenging. As I was reading it, the thought crossed my mind that it was written for one reason only: Bill Gates Sr. is the father of Trey! But, if you’re looking for a quick, interesting, engaging book to take up a short amount of your time, this one is an excellent choice.
Feeling Good Together: The Secret of Making Troubled Relationships Work
by David D. Burns
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
There are four qualities that make this book stand out. First, it is extremely readable—what I’ll call user-friendly. Second, the chapters are brief, to the point, and easily grasp readers’ attention. Third, his examples are interesting, useful, and keep readers intimately involved in the text. Fourth, so much of what Burns says—like his emphasis on listening and self-expression skills for example—reaffirm and underscore the information I have in my book, Relationship Rules: For Long-Term Happiness, Security, and Commitment. It is as if the two volumes are companion texts that will offer ways to improve interpersonal relationships—and then some.
----
Get these books at Amazon.com Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime Feeling Good Together: The Secret to Making Troubled Relationships Work
Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime
by Bill Gates Sr.
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
With a 34-word “Forward” by “Trey” (the name the family called Bill Gates III), I knew immediately I was in for a fun read. In 192-pages, and 49 chapters (averaging less than 4 pages each), Gates Sr. pens a book that can take just a couple of hours to read, but holds your attention throughout because of the light, breezy writing style, the interesting, and entertaining, anecdotes, and the implied instructions on how to live a good life—life’s most enduring lessons.
Incidentally, if you want some “juicy” insights into how Bill Gates III (Trey) grew into the kind of multi-billionaire he is today—from a compassionate father’s perspective—this book offers a valuable and insightful perspective. It gives you a step-by-step program for raising a multi-billionaire son! (This is the appropriate place for an emoticon that shows a wink!)
This book isn’t profound. It isn’t particularly illuminating. It isn’t the least bit complicated or challenging. As I was reading it, the thought crossed my mind that it was written for one reason only: Bill Gates Sr. is the father of Trey! But, if you’re looking for a quick, interesting, engaging book to take up a short amount of your time, this one is an excellent choice.
Feeling Good Together: The Secret of Making Troubled Relationships Work
by David D. Burns
Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
There are four qualities that make this book stand out. First, it is extremely readable—what I’ll call user-friendly. Second, the chapters are brief, to the point, and easily grasp readers’ attention. Third, his examples are interesting, useful, and keep readers intimately involved in the text. Fourth, so much of what Burns says—like his emphasis on listening and self-expression skills for example—reaffirm and underscore the information I have in my book, Relationship Rules: For Long-Term Happiness, Security, and Commitment. It is as if the two volumes are companion texts that will offer ways to improve interpersonal relationships—and then some.
----
Get these books at Amazon.com Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime Feeling Good Together: The Secret to Making Troubled Relationships Work
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