The One with Byzantine Art

68. Title & Author: Byzantine Art by Robin Cormack (217 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--Art History

Completed: 30 November 2008

Summary & Review:

Professor Cormack introduces the major trends as well as the historical context of Byzantine and early Christian art. The book has six chapters tracing developments of this art from before the time of Constantine until the fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Turks in the fifteenth century and includes numerous illustrations.

While I really like the art of Byzantium and early Christianity, I didn't really enjoy this book. Several things contributed to this dislike, first of which was Cormack's organization of the book. He would jump from topic to topic with no clear organization and I would read dozens of pages without seeing his point. Also, the illustrations of the works he was talking about in the text were on completely different pages, often quite far from where they were discussed. It was enormously inconvenient to flip back and forth between the text and the image.

Ratings: 5.5

The One with The First Commandment

67. Title & Author: The First Commandment by Brad Thor (458 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Thriller

Completed: 29 November 2008

Summary & Review:

After the president is black-mailed into releasing five of the most notorious terrorists from Guantanamo Bay, one of them begins targeting the loved ones of DHS agent Scot Harvath. Tracking down the killer is made even more difficult as the president warns Harvath not to get involved because they guaranteed that none of the released prisoners would be harmed. Will Harvath betray the president's orders and stop the killer, or watch as his loved ones are killed?

The plot of this book was very fast-paced throughout the entire book which made it an entertaining read. Thor's writing style wasn't as fluid as say Daniel Silva's, but the plot made up for it. But, the biggest downfall of this book was probably the protagonist, Scto Harvath. His character was just too typical and there was nothing very unique about him to make me really want to follow him in a series. Like I said, however, those weaknesses didn't keep me from liking the book.

Rating: 7.5

The One with Know Them Which Labor Among You

66. Title & Author: Know Them Which Labor Among You: Biographies of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles published by BYU Acadmeic Publishing (82 pages)

Genre: Nonficiton--Religion, LDS

Completed: 25 November 2008

Summary & Review:

This book includes short biographies of all fifteen current, living members of the First Presidency (pictured) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles including Presidents Monson, Eyring, Uchtdorf, and Packer, and Elders Perry, Nelson, Oaks, Ballard, Wirthlin, Scott, Hales, Holland, Bednar, Cook, and Christofferson.

I really enjoyed learning about these amazing men. They come from such different backgrounds and professions, but all of them have their calling in common to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. The biographies where short, but they were good basic introductions.

Rating: 8.0

The One with The Secret Servant

65. Title & Author: The Secret Servant by Daniel Silva (500 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Thriller & Action

Completed: 23 November 2008

Summary  & Review:
Israeli spy Gabriel Allon is in London to warn the British of an imminent attack by Islamic terrorists. After figuring out the attack is going to be a kidnapping of the American ambassador to England's daughter, he rushes to save her before it's too late. Unfortunately, the terrorists get away and Allon is in too deep now to walk away. As the deadline to meet the terrorist's demands nears, Allon will risk everything to get the girl back alive. 

I thought that the plot and the way the book was written were  both intelligent and entertaining. I really like Silva's writing style as well as the protagonist, Allon, he thought up. It was refreshing to be following something other than a white guy from Washington D.C. in a thriller, and the insights into Israel that Allon's perspective brought were interesting. I recommend this thriller for its intelligence, fast-pace, believable plot, and intriguing protagonist.

Rating: 9.0

The One with Playing for Pizza

64. Title & Author: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (262 pages)

Genre: Fiction--Sports

Completed: 11 November 2008

Summary & Review:

3rd string quaterback for the Browns, Rick Dockery, ends up being put in for the last 11 minutes of the AFC championship game versus Denver (Go Broncos!). The Browns have a commanding lead and it would take a miracle for the Broncos to win it. Unfortunately for the Browns, Dockery is that miracle, and after throwing three interceptions and losing the game he is run out of Cleveland and the NFL. With little to no prospects in North America, Dockery's agent finds him a starting QB position on the Parma Panthers. Yes, Parma is in Italy. 

This was a pretty fun book. Every so often Grisham will take a break from his usual legal thrillers and write something a little more lighthearted, like this and Skipping Christmas (review #3 on this list). It was an interesting and entertaining look into a less famous aspect of Italian life, football Americano.

Rating: 8.0

The One with Killer Weekend

63. Title & Author: Killer Weekend by Ridley Pearson (369 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Thriller

Completed: 1 November 2008

Summary & Review: 

Earlier in Sheriff Walt Fleming's career he saved the life of a woman when he was just a rookie police officer. Now, this same woman returns to Sun Valley, Idaho, as the Attorney General of New York to announce her candidacy for president at a glitzy weekend conference, and Walt is, once again, who will have to protect her from an assassination threat.

I thought this book had a creative, fast-moving, and interesting plot. Plus, Pearson was a talented storyteller so I enjoyed every page of this better-than-average thriller. 

Rating: 8.0

The One with Beyond Belief: Damien Hirst

62. Title & Author: Beyond Belief: Damien Hirst by Will Self, Rudi Fuchs, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Damien Hirst (183 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--Contemporary Art

Completed: 28 October 2008

Summary & Review: 

This book was published in connection with Hirst's recent show of the same title. It includes two essays on Hirst's work, an interview with Hirst by Obrist, and images of the pieces in the show. 

The more I learn about Hirst, the more I dislike his work. I have read these past two book as part of my research for an essay I am writing about him. I think he is a fraud. He tries to convice his viewers that his disgusting, sadistic work is justified being such because they have some sort of deep meaning to them. I don't think they do. I think Hirst makes the work he does for money, fame, and notoriety--and guess what? It has worked. But, this book did include outstanding images of the only piece by Hirst that I actually do like, For the Love of God. (shown below)

Rating: 4.0

Damien Hirst, For the Love of God, 2007

Diamonds, platinum, human skull

The One with Damien Hirst: Void

61. Title & Author: Damien Hirst: Void edited by Heiner Bastian, Celine Bastian, and Aeneas Bastian (55 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--Contemporary Art

Completed: 21 October 2008

Summary & Review: 

This book includes two short essays about the work of Damien Hirst, centered around the work Void. It also includes numerous pictures of Hirst's recent work with commentary by the artist.

I realize more and more how much I don't like Hirst's stuff. His work is so empty--or in the words of Michael Fried, his work has no "subjectivity" of its own. Hirst tries to act like there is meaning behind his work, often by giving it a "witty" title, but I don't buy it. He should just admit that it is what it is: art aimed to shock in order to garner attention and fame (and money).

Rating: 3.0

The One with Midnight Sun

60. Title & Author: Midnight Sun (partial draft) by Stephenie Meyer (264 pages)
Genre: Fiction--Adventure & Romance

Completed: 19 October 2008

Summary & Review: 

This fifth installment in the Twilight Saga recounts the same story as book one, Twilight, but from Edward's perspective as narrator, rather then Bella's. Meyer had been planning to publish this book--complete--fairly soon but a draft she had sent to some people to look over and edit was leaked onto the internet. Meyer was very upset and said she wouldn't be publishing this book anymore, but posted the partial draft on her website for download.

Even though this was only a partial draft and a rough edit, I enjoyed reading it. I probably even liked this better than the same story from Bella's perspective found in Twilight. But, like Paige observed, this book probably wouldn't work without the background that the rest of the books in the saga give you. Reading this really made me like Edward's character a lot more. The way he came across in the other books in the series made him seem kind of lame. But, here you got to see what he was going through the whole time. Plus, you get more perspective on the dynamics of the Cullen coven.

Rating: 9.0

The One with Step on a Crack

59. Title & Author: Step on a Crack by James Patterson with Michael Ledwidge (388 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Thriller & Suspense

Completed: 14 October 2008

Summary & Review:

After the First Lady dies due to an allergic reaction, the rich and famous gather at St. Patrick's cathedral for her funeral. Shortly after the doors close, a group of hijackers take the entire funeral party hostage for ransom. NYPD dectective Michael Bennett is called in to help negotiate the release of the hostages from the police-surrounded cathedral, yet the hijackers seem to have every move that the FBI and police pull figured out before they even try it. 

This was a great book. It was one of the best "thrillers" I have read on this list so far. The story and premise were great and Michael Bennett was an interesting new protagonist, even if his family life was a little unlikely. As usual with a Patterson book, the chapters were incredibly short, but that didn't bug me as much with this one as it did when I read Cross. 

Rating: 8.5

The One with Ties That Bind

58. Title & Author: Ties That Bind by Philip Margolin (440 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Thriller

Completed: 11 October 2008

Summary & Review:

Attorney Amanda Jaffe agrees to represent a client no one else will: Jon Dupre, a pimp and drug dealer accused of the murder of a prominent United States senator. While reasearching the case, Jaffe soon finds a conspiracy that implicates many of the most prominent citizens in Portland. This conspiracy has roots that go back to a club that was formed between three friends nearly four decades ago.

Although it took me a little while to get into this book, overall it was pretty good. The twist at the end was great, and was one I didn't expect at all. 

Rating: 7.5