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Brief Book Reviews - Page 1 |
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Index to Brief Book Reviews:
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty Now, here is a book that proves that the study of philosophy does not have to be dry, boring, and, oh, so academic and unrelated to ordinary life. Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein, the authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes, have written a book which shows that philosophy can have a funny side, that philosophers can be humorous, and that philosophical concepts can be illustrated through, of all things, jokes. The last time I read anything approaching a lighthearted and jocular view of things philosophical was when I read The Bluffer's Guide to Philosophy by T.V. Morris, which was published way back in 1989 (and that was in the last century for those who are calendar-challenged). Cathcart and Klein, by the way, are not "professional" philosophers in the sense that they make their living as philosophers, but each of them did at least major in philosophy at Harvard which, I suppose, gives them some credibility and a right to pen a tome of this sort. Anyway, the result is definitely worth a read. Almost the whole panorama of philosophical disciplines is included and various related questions and problems illustrated with humorous anecdotes or, if you insist, jokes. A few I had heard before, but most were new to me. I will admit to laughing out loud at a number of them and snickering at most of them. A few were real gems and deserved a genuine belly-laugh. All in all, it is a book that philosophy professors should keep handy (secreted under the lectern, maybe) so as to shock their students now and then so as to keep them alert (or wake them up -- yes, I admit to nodding off in some of my philosophy classes as an undergraduate). Of course, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar will never make it into the Great Books of the Western World or be considered among the most important philosophy books ever written. Despite that fact, I don't mind proudly displaying it on my bookshelf anyway, just to prove that I (and I have written a few serious philosophical treatises in my time) am not totally devoid of a sense of humor. Besides, I now have a handy resource for philosophically-related jokes when I want to impress my friends with my erudition. There's nothing like a good practical illustration (in this case, a joke) to make an important point during a discussion or argument. An added bonus in the book is a short section on "Great Moments in the History of Philosophy," provided with a bit of a twist, of course. Again, just fun. A short glossary is also provided, although it certainly does not come up to the level of The Oxford Companion to Philosophy or Antony Flew's A Dictionary of Philosophy. Well, what do you expect when a book is titled Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar? My advice is to just sit back and enjoy the book and maybe learn something about serious philosophical inquiry, even while laughing now and then at the whole foolishness of the human condition and the lengths humankind will go to to avoid serious philosophical thought. I found the book thoroughly entertaining and a delightful diversion. Highly recommended for times when you just need a little humor in your life (or in a philosophy class).
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty First let me say: There is nothing I found in the content of Joe Calloway's "Work Like You're Showing Off!" that is original. Those readers who have read as many self-help motivational books as I have over the past five decades will be familiar with the themes presented and discussed. Those who have read such iconic works as Robert Collier's "The Secret of the Ages," Napoleon Hill's "Think and Get Rich," or Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking" will recognize and be acquainted with much of what Calloway offers in his book. So, why bother with "Work Like You're Showing Off"? A number of reasons come immediately to mind. First, Calloway's approach to the subject is somewhat different. He uses as a basis for his recommendations the concept of "showing off," an idea which is not explicitly promoted in the works by Collier, Hill, and Peale, nor do I recall any other author using such a concept as the starting point for a motivational book. Oh, I imagine one could argue that books such as those by Dr. Wayne Dyer or Robert Ringer or Willard and Marguerite Beecher use some "showing off" principles as a motivational and personal-growth device, but I don't think they're even remotely similar to the suggestions put forth by Calloway. Second, Calloway is to the point. That is, in a mere 109 pages and twenty-seven brief chapters he summarizes the major principles he is promoting. His book is more like a handbook of advice via aphorisms than a long, drawn-out psychological explanation and philosophical justification for what he is suggesting the reader do in his or her life for personal betterment. In fact, this book is so small, one can carry it around to consult as the need arises. Third, Calloway offers some very interesting twists to the usual presentation of motivational principles. And he does this with prose that is both easy to read and digest and often entertaining, although he doesn't pull any punches and can be rough and tough with the reader when appropriate. But then, he has more than twenty years of field work from which to draw. Fourth and finally, we all need a "kick-start" now and then, as well as a reminder about how we might want to act in order to achieve those goals we find so desirable. Calloway provides much advice that certainly ought to be considered. We often forget those most simple principles which can contribute to enhancing our career not only in the workplace, but in ordinary life as well. "Showing off," at least in the way defined and described by Calloway, is a good and positive affair. So, if you need to put some "zing" in your life, whether at the office or elsewhere, this just might be the book you want to read to help you out.
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty How times have changed! When I was a mere youth back in the 1940s and 50s, all that the "old folks" talked about was how they would retire someday, draw their Social Security, and spend their time idly pursuing idle pursuits. Of course, most of them expected to be gone from planet Earth sometime within their sixties. Things are different now, of course, and the game of life in regards to retirement has radically changed. And this is the main thrust of Marc Freedman's "Encore." Now that people are living longer and healthier, and some are being forced into retirement at an earlier age, and many (if not most) of these retirees are still physically and mentally capable of working and contributing to the body-politic, and, moreover, they don't want to sit around in the rocking chair waiting for the grim reaper, the question is: what are we going to do with them now? Or better, what are they going to do with themselves? This is an important issue, not only for the so-called "baby boomers" as Freedman's book mainly emphasizes, but, in my view, it is also an important issue for those of us who are "pre-boomers." After all, I am (all too rapidly, I might say) approaching my biblically-sanctioned three score and ten and, yet, yet I don't consider myself as "retired." After all, what really is "retirement"? Retired from what? Retired when? Does the traditional concept of "retirement" actually have any meaning today? In fact, I and many of my personal colleagues have never retired, strictly speaking, although we now work in different capacities from what we did previously. Freedman proposes the idea of the "Encore Society," that is, as the subtitle of his book states, "Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life." The author of "Encore," who is the founder and CEO of Civic Ventures and spearheaded the creation of Experience Corps, wrestles with the entire problem of retirement as it was conceived in the past and how it might be redefined in contemporary society and our current and future economic marketplace. Let no one doubt it; the whole picture of "retirement" is undergoing a fundamental modification. And that is why this book can be so valuable to readers that may be approaching the time of retirement decision-making. While many are dreading a confrontation with the issue of freedom "from" work, Freedman offers the alternative of freedom "to" work. A special highlight of "Encore" is the author's inclusion of true stories of people who have chosen not to retire from working itself, but to change careers and many times for the better, particularly for work that is personally meaningful and self-satisfying. Here are the practical hints and tips for the transformation that millions of our baby boomers may want to or have to make. This book is an interesting read and presents much valuable information and advice.
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty Well, I'll say one thing right away. I wish this was the book I had in my hands last year when I was hospitalized for a cardiac problem. What You Don't Know Can Kill You by Dr. Laura Nathanson is a valuable guide to walking through the miasma of the world of current medical practice. Having this book at hand, for instance, would have caused me to question much more intensely the rather exorbitant bill (in my opinion) from the initial emergency room visit -- I mean, over three thousand dollars for a couple of hours stay and not that much was done for me, except to recommend that I go to a cardiac center for treatment. I still don't know what charges in detail were on the bill since I never received an itemized bill. And I thoughtlessly let it go at that. No more, after reading this book. Next time will be a different story. The purpose of this book is to help us protect ourselves and our loved ones from medical disasters, most of which may be preventable with just a little knowledge of the medical game. Our health care system has become so complex and, from the view of the ordinary consumer, so frustrating and impenetrable that professional help is needed. And Nathanson is apparently committed to helping with this task. She also has a personal interest in the project. She was widowed after the misdiagnosis of her husband. Nathanson divides her work into four parts: (1) The Dicey Diagnosis; (2) In The Hospital; (3) Afterwards; and (4) a Workbook to use, which walks you through medical charts, physician narratives, data reports, and so forth. The first part provides some "red flags" to be aware of during the diagnosis stage. The second part discusses the "sensitive" sentinel, the "vigilant" sentinel, and the "hypervigilant" sentinel. In other words, be on your guard, whether it's you or someone else that's involved in medical treatment. Be forewarned. Be watchful. Ask. Don't assume. Be "vigilant." Valuable recommendations these days. While this is a very practical guide to see one through any medical experience, Nathanson's narrative is very personal as she relates her own experiences as she goes through the trials and tribulations with her husband's problems, which eventually results in his death. One can only sympathize with her in this regard. But one can also learn much from her own personal experience and she freely contributes that to us and for that I thank her. I only wish I had had this book in hand last year!
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty Arianna Huffington's On Becoming Fearless will probably be an important read for many women. And make no mistake about it -- it is a women's book. So, why have I, someone of the male gender, taken the time to read and comment on it, considering that it clearly falls within the genre of female self-help and/or women's studies? Well, it could be that it was sent to me for review and I felt an obligation to do so. Or it could be that someone thought this was an issue I should read about or -- heaven help me! -- needed to read about. Or it could simply be that someone thought I'd be a valuable commentator on Huffington's book. I prefer to think the latter is the case. I do think that much of what the author says in her book is rather commonsensical and obvious to the core, but that may well relate my own experience with the female gender over the years. The most influential person in my life was my maternal grandmother who was, as far as I recall, "fearless" in the face of most anything. My paternal grandmother, for that matter, was not exactly a "milquetoast" either. And we're talking 1940s here. These were women who knew who they were and did not suffer from lack of personal strength. My own mother, while not a "feminist" in the contemporary sense, was an independent person who never failed (as far as I can remember) to stand up for herself and her own opinions. This being said, I have to look at Huffington's writing as something outside of my personal experience. But that doesn't mean I am entirely ignorant of the problems that women have had in the past and present. I do recognize that, in general, there has always been a problem to be addressed regarding women's roles and hopes in American society. I read and watch the news, read reports, and am aware of what's being discussed and commented upon. My "problem," I guess, is why "fearlessness" is an issue of such import in light of the fact that women have broken through the last vestiges of the concrete and glass ceiling. Evidently, if we are to believe Huffington it still is. However, in discussing this matter with the few women I regularly discuss political and social issues with, they tend to dismiss it as an anachronism. Am I missing something here? Well, regardless of what I think, Huffington does have something to say to women and every right to say it. If it helps some young women, fine. If someone decides it's simply a regurgitation of old platitudes left over from the "empower women" movement, but a young women still needs to hear it, fine. While this is not a great book, some women may find it a source of inspiration. And if that's true for some who need inspiring, then that's fine, too. Fortunately, most, if not all, of the women I come into contact with on a regular basis, are "fearless" already and, yes, fearless in love, work, and life. Maybe I live in too small a town. On the other hand, maybe Huffington and the other "celebrities" she quotes live in a different world. Regardless, the issue about women's role in life and love, which has been around from time out of memory, will be with us for the foreseeable future. Order at Amazon Books: Hardback - Order at Amazon Books: Paperback
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