The One with Book of the Dead

82. Title & Author: Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell (511 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Crime & Mystery

Completed: 15 March 2009

Summary & Review: 

Dr. Kay Scarpetta travels to Rome to investigate the shocking death of a young American tennis star. After Kay returns home to South Carolina perplexed by the odd symbolism of the murder, the killer strikes again and again, but now in Kay's hometown. With the help of her usual crew, she tries to understand the underlying motivation of the murders to track down the killer.

There have been several books that I have read in the past that I liked so much that I wished there were a couple hundred more pages to the book. I would race through the book because I couldn't put it down, but would regret each time I turned the page because I knew that I was getting closer to the end of the book. This, however, was not one of those books. After reading about sixty pages or so, I couldn't wait for this book to end.

Rating: 5.0

The One with Prey

81. Title & Author: Prey by Michael Crichton (502 pages)

Genre: Fiction--Thriller

Completed: 9 March 2009

Summary & Review:

After a swarm of nano-particle robots is released into the enrvironment, it begins to evole on its own with deadly consequences. Now, Jack Foreman must stop the swarm before it's too late.

I noticed that this book was on my father-in-law's book list and I agree with a comment he mentioned. He said this book was written like a screenplay for an action movie. That's exactly how it felt, but unfortunately it was a screenplay for a mediocre (at best) action movie. I liked this book less and less as I read it.

Rating: 6.5

The One with Moscow Rules

80. Tile & Author: Moscow Rules by Daniel Silva (433 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Thriller

Completed: 5 March 2009

Summary & Review:

Silva issues his newest installment of his series following Israeli spy/art restorer Gabriel Allon. After a Russian journalist is murdered in the Vatican while trying to meet Allon and give him secret information, Allon heads to Moscow to a hunt for the Russian weapons dealer Ivan Kharkov and the deadly weapons he sold to Islamic terrorist organizations. Allon works with Kharkov's own wife, Elena, to find the evidence necessary to bring Kharkov to justice. 

After having read two books by Silva, I think I can now declare him my favorite author within the Thriller genre. As I mentioned in my review of The Secret Servant (#65), I love  the character of Gabriel Allon (the fact that the character is an art restorer doesn't hurt). This was an entertaining plot from beginning to end and Silva's writing style is fluid and intelligent. I can't wait to read the next book in the Allon series.

Rating: 9.0

The One with Shadow Warriors

79. Title & Author: Shadow Warriors: The Untold Story of Traitors, Saboteurs, and the Party of Surrender by Kenneth R. Timmerman (391 pages)*

Genre: Nonfiction--Politics & Current Events

Completed: 24 February 2009

Summary & Review: 

Do you ever wonder how CIA secrets about ways we are fighting the war on terror seem to end up on the front page of the New York Times? Or, how it seems like the entire elite media is more concerned with attacking President Bush and making him look bad than keeping our country safe? Ken Timmerman shows just how deep the betrayal goes in Shadow Warriors, his exploration of the sabotaging and leaking that are gutting our ability to crack down on radical Islam.

When my dad, who received this book as a present from my sister Bethany, gave this to me to read he wondered how long I could go before I threw the book at the wall in frustration and anger. Well, I actually made it through the book, but not without nearly having blood shoot out of my eyes. I understand those who disagree with President Bush on policy issuses, such as immigration and economics, which are two things that I disagree with him on as well. But, when people, including CIA analysts and Senators, are leaking information, e.g. about NSA wiretaps and extraordinary renditions, simply for political gain, those people should be punished. They try to portray themselves as "whistle blowers" and "patriots," but in reality they are traitors. They are fighting the war on behalf of the terrorists; they are committing treason. As I said, I understand those who disagree with Bush, but at least he kept us safe. He made the hard decisions that showed real leadership. 

Timmerman's book was well researched and persuasively written. It is an eye-opener that I think American citizens should read, so I recommend this book. 

Rating: 9.0

The One with The Essential Second Amendment Guide

78. Title & Author: The Essential Second Amendment Guide by Wayne La Pierre (157 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--History & Politics

Completed: 22 February 2009

Summary & Review:

LaPierre examines the history and application of the Second Amendment. His chapters focus on the intent of the Founding Fathers in creating the amendment, what the amendment means in modern day life, and defense of the amendment to attacks from anti-gun politicians and lobbyists. 

I thought this was an excellent guide to the Second Amendment with convincing examples of the importance of it and the tactics by which people try to abolish this inalienable right of law-abiding United States citizens. I especially liked the quotes from the Founding Fathers with their thoughts on gun ownership in maintaining a free nation and people. 

Rating: 9.0

The One with Medici Money

77. Title & Author: Medici Money: Banking, Metaphysics, and Art in Fifteenth-Century Florence by Tim Parks (255 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--History & Art History

Completed: 18 February 2009

Summary & Review:

This book covers approximately a century during the 1400s in Florence, Italy, and five generations of the Medici family. This time span encompasses the rise and fall of the Medici bank and looks at their forays into art, politics, and religious power. 

While this book was quite broad in its scope and focused more heavily on the Medici bank thank on their artistic patronage, I enjoyed it. Parks was an entertaining author and was able to present the material in a unique fashion. 

Rating: 8.5

The One with Look Again!

76. Title & Author: Look Again! Art History and Critical Theory by Anne D'Alleva (172 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--Art History & Art Theory

Completed: 5 February 2009

Summary & Review:

The major art historical theories and approaches are summarized and explained within this book including Marxist, Feminist, Structuralist, Formalist, Iconological, and other methods. The author uses a lot of images as examples and analyzes them using the theoretical model she just explained.

This book was very helpful in that it clearly and concisely explained some fairly complex ideas and theories. Thus, it was a good introduction to all the major art historical approaches. But, as a white, American, heterosexual, Christian male I felt like I was constantly being attacked by D'Alleva since it seemed like she assumed all white males were sexists, racists, and bigots.

Rating: 7.0