Blog Archives
Wisdom Of The Men
![Wisdom Of The Men by [Clint Arthur]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61wVT6cEX8L._SX260_.jpg)
No man is an island. Nothing emphasizes that point more than this book does. Wisdom of the Men is a story about Clint Arthur’s life and the various wise and successful men he has encountered. He went from being a taxi driver earning very little to a successful man capable of building beautiful homes for his family in the Hollywood Hills as well as becoming a well sought-after speaker and bestselling author among other things. The man wears many hats and he wears them well. This is a book about not just changing your self but also changing the environment around you and the world at large.
One thing that stands out in this book is the importance of the company one keeps. The book embodies the old saying, “show me your friends and I will tell you who you are”. In this enlightening memoir we are told to “keep the company of wise men and you will gain wisdom”. This thought-provoking book brings you into the circle of wise men and shares many stories and life lessons in doing so. Author Clint Arthur’s entertaining anecdotes along with pragmatic life lessons will help readers see how to go from being an ordinary person who gets by to becoming an extraordinary person at the top of their world.
Articulately written, Clint Arthur takes his time narrating the story. He does not shy away from sharing his fears. He takes time to narrate all the chapters in full and glorious detail. All while being supportive to those who might not be at the same stage of life.
I feel like there are two important takeaways from this book. The first is that you will not and cannot do it on your own. You need, not just people, but quality people in your life. The second is that if you are afraid, you are on the right path therefore embrace the fear and let it drive you.
Rarely does a book turn out to be a manual for success in life. Wisdom of the Men is an entertaining personal transformation manual that has the potential to change your life.
Pages: | ASIN: B08H13CBY8
The Thompson Family
The Thompson Family: Untold Stories From The Past (1830-1960) is the first of several volumes of books written by Dr. Walter B. Curry, Jr. that tell the history and stories of the Thompson family throughout the past. The book is primarily narrative essays and analyses, however, it also contains an introduction, the genesis, pictures and so much more that ensures readers feel like they know the people the author is writing about, and readers feel with them and for them. In this illuminating book, you will read about Milledge Thompson who freed himself and his family from slavery, Otis Thompson who had so many vocations throughout his life and so many more interesting and accomplished people.
The author writes in a very clear and straightforward tone but still manages to provide us with vivid imagery and details that lead the reader on a phenomenal visual journey. As we travel throughout the pages of this family saga it almost feels like we are right there with these people experiencing everything they are experiencing. We visit and get touched by so many lives just by turning from one page to another.
The author writes about people that are deceased, but also about people who are still live and well. In any case, the author is able to describe these people in a beautiful and compelling tone that leaves the reader with a genuine and sincere presentation of who these people were, what they have done, loved, and fought for.
Another thing I loved about this morally and spiritually uplifting book is that it contains so many peoples’ stories written so engagingly in several short essays that it leaves you wanting to find out more about these intriguing people, their ancestors, and their descendants.
The Thompson Family: Untold Stories From The Past (1830-1960) is a well-crafted and and well-researched book that details a stirring and inspirational history of so many impressive people. Readers will learn about a collection of little-known but exceptional people and read of achievements that were hard won but rarely shared.
Pages: 122 | ASIN: B09FS5DS7H
Celebration of Sisters
![Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve by [Judy Lipson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/411TAPn21OL.jpg)
We will always carry the people we love most with us throughout our lives. It took a while for Judy Lipson to figure this out and not feel overwhelmed; even seeing people who knew her sisters was a harsh reminder of their passing. Lipson grew up tight-lipped, unable to express her grief for over thirty years. Lipson writes about losing her sisters, one to an accident and the other to a long, hard battle with mental illness. With this book, Lipson hopes to connect with people who feel the same inability to grieve their loss and help them.
The bond between siblings is a powerful thing. In Judy Lipson’s Celebration of Sisters: It’s Never Too Late to Grieve, we learn of Lipson’s greatest tragedies and the grief she has over losing two of the most important people in her life, and the journey she has taken to heal from their loss. The book starts with the harrowing stories of Jane and Margie’s deaths. Lipson’s grief is palpable through her strong writing; her readers will feel the hard, cold reality of her loss. Starting with the loss of her sisters, Lipson helps readers to slowly understand her upheaval and why it took so long for her to find help.
Lipson shares memories from her childhood. These heart-warming stories relieve the depressing atmosphere of the book and encourage readers to continue with Lipson through her journey of healing. This is a very emotional story that will certainly tug at the heart. Readers will be overcome with empathy, but the story is ultimately uplifting.
Lipson’s story of the passing of her sisters creates a strong foundation for the story structure. As we continue on to the beginning of Lipson’s life, working our way through her childhood and slowly into adulthood while revisiting her sisters’ deaths; this creates an almost half biography/diary sort of structure that is a bit chaotic, at times jumping around the timeline of Lipson’s life, but otherwise engaging. While I enjoyed all the memoires that Lipson shares throughout this impassioned memoir, I felt that some of the memoires were repeated, which sometimes helped to reaffirm the scene but other times it felt repetitious.
I found this book to be a heart-aching reminder of my own loss. As a very empathetic person, I could not help but shed a few tears when I read about Margie and Jane. Even though this was an emotionally difficult book to read, I would recommend it to anyone who struggles with the grief of losing loved ones.
Celebration of Sisters is a sentimental view into the life of someone who experienced tragedy and came out the other side to tell her story, and the story of those that are now gone. Readers who are looking for an emotionally honest and engrossing biography will find this book hard to put down.
Pages: 150 | ASIN: B08VZPCK8X
The Memoir of a Schizophrenic
![The Memoir of a Schizophrenic by [Karl Lorenz Willett]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414P+lTZALL.jpg)
The Memoir of a Schizophrenic by Karl Lorenz Willett is a beautifully written account in the form of a diary or journal which has been produced over numerous years. It follows the internal struggle of the author. It is a biographical account of his life and the battles he has faced from a very young age all the way through life’s milestones. You get to see what it is like for someone suffering with schizophrenia to be put into situations which others may see as everyday life such as Karl’s struggle with finding employment to suit his skills, especially during a time when so many others were also struggling nationally.
The reader is able to follow Karl’s faith and bare witness to the times in his life where he forces himself to be positive, you see him consistently trying to improve himself as well as his mental state. It is a refreshing read that really provides an insight into what it is like daily for someone with schizophrenia. It touches upon the common issues they face and the theme running throughout all the accounts, of living with a mental health condition is extremely relevant in today’s society. This would be a great tool in raising awareness as well as educating people on some of the aspects which may be present in those also battling.
Another theme which is touched upon is that of race. These external battles are almost a mirror for the protagonists internal struggle and only amplify what Karl had to contend with throughout his life. Although you do get an insight into his younger years, these are brief and I was left wanting to know more because what is given, “I experienced short-lived delusions and visual hallucinations”, is interesting and I wanted to delve deeper into these motives and emotions that are otherwise summed up quickly.
The Memoir of a Schizophrenic by Karl Lorenz Willett is long but very informative and thought provoking. Readers will really sympathize with Karl as they get to see further into the way his brain processes situations and the will he has to change and battle these parts of himself, as well as embrace them. This impassioned memoir provides readers with a stark glimpse into the life of a man that is struggling with a devastating psychological condition.
Pages: 925 | ASIN: B09HRDMYP7
The Demon In Disguise
![The Demon in Disguise: Murder, Kidnapping, and the Banty Rooster by [Ashley Elliott]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41irlP5hZjL.jpg)
The Demon In Disguise, by Ashley Elliot, is the captivating true story of Ashley’s lengthy journey to obtain justice for the murder of her father. On May 18th, 2002, Carter Elliot and Timmy Wayne were the first double-homicide in the history of Conway, Arkansas. With no evidence, DNA, witnesses, or fingerprints this case goes on for years. Not only is Ashley fighting for justice for her father during this time, she’s then dealt another blow when her mother is kidnapped.
Author Ashley Elliott does an excellent job recounting her turbulent journey. Detailed and cerebral, the author’s way of writing makes the reader feel like they are living the story with her. By being written in first person, we feel the emotions Ashley feels throughout this book. The manner in which it is written is clear and direct which helps make the chapters containing legal matters and criminal investigation easier for the average person to understand, and more engaging because we can connect on a human level rather than being taken through dry legal procedures.
This is an eye-opening murder mystery that is heart wrenching at times and intriguing when you’re able to overcome the emotional obstacles inherent in this harrowing story. While I was reading, I felt angry, mainly by how her family treated her, and the reality of how criminal law works.
The Demon In Disguise is a riveting true crime story that is emotionally turbulent and persistently intriguing. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotional and gripping crime stories. The insight into criminal law alone is enough of a reason to read this book. The Demon In Disguise was such a mysterious case and the story does a great job of slowly unraveling that mystery to readers. This is a crime thriller that I got lost in and had to keep reminding myself that the narrator really had this happen to them; so chilling.
Pages: 225 | ASIN: B09B4DK8V9
A Very Long Way
![A Very Long Way by [Naomi Fryers]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lWV33gGoL._SY346_.jpg)
A Very Long Way by Naomi Fryers tells the fascinating true story of her complex, challenging and sometimes humorous journey through life. She tells us of her life from grade ten onwards and it is so full of big impacting life situations that readers will be left shocked more often than not.
This emotionally-resonant memoir includes many situations that young adults and new adults face in society. This helps the reader relate to the author among the partying and heartbreak, and even death, that fills this story.
Naomi Fryers is observant and her quality writing ensures readers get a clear picture of the story that is unfolding. Set in the semi-urban town of Epping, Victoria, this enthralling memoir tells a poignant coming of age story of a girl into a woman amidst the myriad of struggles that life presents. She is hit by many hard and hurtful things that I was personally able to relate to. That is the one thing this book does so beautifully, it makes readers relate and feel connected.
The fact that this book includes mental health awareness is something that I greatly appreciated because I feel that this is an essential aspect that is ignored today. Yet, Naomi narrates her life perfectly with no filler narration and explicitly tells us she was depressed, suicidal, and so hurt with life.
The author’s fierce will to express herself while holding nothing back takes readers on a very deep exploration of character, much deeper and more candid than I was expecting, but appreciated. And because of this we get a better understanding of mental health.
She is a resilient spirit with words that leave an impact. Naomi Freyer’s detailed and in-depth explanation of every emotion and scene is terrific, coupled with riveting storytelling skills readers will surely be glued to the pages.
A Very Long Way is a short but potent memoir that explores mental health issues, relationship, and so much more. This is a stirring and well crafted-story that will stay with you long after you’ve put the book down.
Pages: 96 | ASIN: B09HQPTRVK
Emily and the Monster – Book Trailer
The moving true story, caught by the author from a shining star, of a little girl who died too young. Then, of her bravery as, all alone but for her parents’ love and the kind eyes of a dog, she at last found her way through the thickets in the valley of the shadow of death to heaven. And who do you think was there to welcome her?
©2019 Ruth Finnegan (P)2021 Ruth Finnegan
Fighting Fires
All Walks of Life (And Death) shares your personal stories from your 42 years as a firefighter paramedic. Why was this an important book for you to write?
To document my career since I felt I was in the business at the right time, as both firefighters and paramedics were evolving and I was fortunate to be there for a lot of changes. The other reason was to educate the public about this profession as most have no clue what firefighters or paramedics endure or exposed to throughout their careers.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The few time that I actually got emotional on the job. Most notably the infant that I refused to accept from another first responder that he was already dead and the spinal cord injury I took care of in the Emergency Room.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you first became a firefighter?
That you must keep yourself from letting the politics of the job get to you. You get passionate about the job of fighting fires and treating patients, but you cannot let that passion drive you to fight the political issues that we will encounter.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
That they get a better understanding of the raw nature of the job and there is much more to it than the cleaned up version of what one sees on television shows. To realize the extent of emergency medicine that is practiced by paramedics and they are not just ambulance drivers.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
What if you can find out what type of emergency calls first-responders go to on a daily basis?
What if you could get a sneak peak behind the curtain to see exactly what kind of scenario they are running in to?
This book will expose you to the typical life of a firefighter or paramedic, or even a law enforcement officer. You will see how the author got started in the field and had an exhilarating forty-two years on the job highlighting the good, the bad, the sad, the ugly, and the downright messed up world a first-responder is exposed to. This book will show you that everyone from all walks of life will have some type of emergency and how responders provide the same level of care and support to all.
LITERARY TITAN 