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“Me, Chi and Bruce Lee” by Brian Preston
Tonight I watched the Nick Nolte movie, "Peaceful Warrior." I had read the book when I was first out of commission with a newly torn ACL. After a three hour hike up a mountain, the young protege says to his wise mentor, "You brought me up here to see a rock? I was so excited the entire journey. I thought you were going to show me something, not a rock." After a few minutes to allow his anger to subside, he quietly surrenders, "It's about the journey, not the destination."
Brian Preston proves this yet again in his raw and unfiltered "Me, Chi and Bruce Lee", a book about his adventures in martial arts that go from an injury while learning Kung Fu, to a seminar with Royce Gracie, to the backwoods of China, to the UFC. It is a book written with the honesty that only a true beginner in the martial arts could have written. With nothing to lose, he details his journey and his thoughts honestly and without bias. If he doesn't feel the "chi," he doesn't tell you he does. It's a refreshing and fun book.
I dug into this book enthusiastically, being injured myself, and it does not disappoint. Preston swears, and he tells it as he sees it throughout:
"Remember the holy embryo? I'm thinking at this moment Freud missed the mark when he attributed penis envy to women. It's men who have womb envy: women, without even trying, can miraculously produce an entirely new human being out of their abdomen. To match that, men in their jealousy have to invent all kinds of mystical nonsense about Holy Embryos and Immortality" (247).
He doesn't buy all the mystical nonsense that many martial artists proclaim is key and he doesn't make any bones about it. It's not all funny stuff like this though. There's also serious stuff that really makes you think (and made me upset):
"He presents a scenario where good intentions make things worse. 'A guy comes across a gang rape and interferes. He dies. Because the woman is a witness, now they have to kill her too. Is that the right outcome?'"
This as justification to not get involved, even being a skilled martial artist. This from one of Preston's instructors.
If you've ever had an interest in knowing what Royce Gracie is really like or why Jeff Monson took his clothes off at the Abu Dhabi World Championship of Grappling, you want to check this book out. Getting inside the head of serious martial artists, whatever their style, is always something interesting and unique. If ancient martial arts are more your thing, "Me, Chi and Bruce Lee" delivers there as well.
Preston spends weeks in China, watching Wushu demonstrations and asking the great Masters tough questions, like why they beat the young children dropped off to learn their ancient art. Along the way he meets many martial artists, some serious, some not, and learns something from all of them. He approaches his research and the writing of this book in a refreshingly honest way, that only a beginner could do.
Although Preston settles himself on Taiji, he provides an overview of many martial arts styles in his journey all around the world to meet the Masters and learn about their chosen martial art. It's a journey that every martial artist should take, but few will be able. Why not let Preston be your tour guide?
The book is scheduled to be released on January 6, 2009 and can be pre-ordered through The BBM Review store via Amazon for $12.21 here.
BBM gives "Me, Chi and Bruce Lee". . .
Read Kiddo Read
For as long as I can remember, books have held a place of great importance in my life. From the nightly bedtime books read to me by my parents, to the Nancy Drew books I read as an independent reader, to the first time of many times reading Jane Eyre and being told by my 8th grade English teacher that my writing was "very Victorian," to discovering Jane Austen, to uncovering obscure 18th Century novels-the books I have read chronicle my growth not only as a student of literature, but as a child growing up.
It was never a problem for me to find another captivating book to read, but today, in such a fast-moving world, it's hard for kids to settle down enough to find something that draws them in. Author James Patterson has taken this problem and provided a solution. ReadKiddoRead provides parents, teachers, and librarians a place to go to find truly great books, books that will have kids asking for me, instilling in them a love of reading that goes beyond iPods and texting. Separated by age category, you can easily navigate the website to quickly find some book titles when you're on your way out the door to the library.
My son does not want for books…while I may stop the "gimmies" when it comes to toys, if he finds a book he wants to buy, he gets it. To me, books are an investment. If he grows up to read anything for pleasure, my job will be done!
Please check out ReadKiddoRead for the little and not so little ones in your life. We have such an important job. Instead of buying those flashcards to make your own kiddos more advanced, just pick up a book and snuggle on the couch reading together.
James Patteron gets a resounding Black Belt for ReadKiddoRead!
ridiculous / hilarious / terrible / cool : a year in an american high school
Many years ago, a friend of mine was dating a very worldly European woman. I found her fascinating and loved to hear her perspective on American life. One observation that she made sticks with me today, especially as I enter a room filled with people. She observed how self-conscious American women are…that instead of just being, we were concerned with what others thought of our being. She noted that our posture gave us away with its self-awareness.
As I read through ridiculous/hilarious/terrible/cool: a year in an american high school, this memory came floating back to me. Elisha Cooper's book chronicles the lives of eight teenagers over the course of one year of high school. I live high school each and every day, over and over again. This time around I have a bit more say it what goes on and, more importantly, I'm very comfortable with who I am. I can't say the same for my high school days.
I loved Cooper's book for it's simplicity with such complex characters. Teenagers, by their very nature, are complex beings-stuck between childhood and adulthood, desiring to be independent, yet secretly terrified of letting go. Cooper shows his reader this not by his words, but by these eight teens' words, and more importantly, their actions. We see in these characters what teens truly are-funny, uncomfortable, passionate, hopeful, driven. In these pages, we see not the stereotypical image of teens, but who they truly are. How, for the most part, they want to be defined.
Even for me, a high school English teacher, I was startled by their drive, passion, and honesty. We enter their lives, see what moves them (college, an iPod, a better future), and see that they all, in some way, want to change the world. These optimistic look at teens is refreshing.
I found myself laughing out loud at a character who said one thing, but his action's clearly showed the truth. I shook my head at the personal lives of some of the characters who struggled, yet persevered to move beyond their present. And each and every character in this book had a name from my teaching career. We may meet Daniel, and Zef, and Emily, and Maya, and Anais, and Anthony and Aisha, and Diana in Cooper's book, but they represent Sally, and Mike, and Kristina and Jeff. In their uniqueness, they are one.
Consider adding this book to your Christmas list for your own favorite teen, or parent of a teen, or high school teacher. You can check out Elisha's Cooper's website for more info on the author and a link to purchase the book.
I give this a
The Secret Mountain books
Books make great holiday presents. I'm always searching for something a little different for my girls. It's overwhelming when you're in a book store and want to find something and go. But if you're looking for books for some special little ones in your life this holiday season, you won't want to miss The Secret Mountain's collection of books.
What makes these books so special is that each one comes with an accompanying CD which features music and compliments the books. If you were thinking that the music might be some kind of annoying kid tune that gets stuck in your head for all eternity, you would be wrong. If you've ever had a massage, then you know the type of music I'm talking about. The music is very Enya-ish, is soothing and pleasant. The CD's have been a big hit in this house, and there's finally some kid music that I don't mind!
The books don't disappoint either. We were given three books to review: "Dream Songs Night Songs: From Belgium to Brazil," "A Duck in New York City," and "Down at the Sea Hotel." After the delightful stories, the books have pages of songs and music. The stories themselves are very sweet and the illustrations are vibrant and inviting. Our personal favorite is "A Duck in New York City" which is just plain adorable and fun.
If I had to point out a negative, I might say that the stories are a little on the short side. Then again, these are perfect bedtime story books that won't have you falling asleep in your child's bed like I sometimes do. There really isn't anything not to like about this collection of books, so if you're looking for some unique holiday gifts for the children in your lives, you should definitely check them out.
For their bright illustrations, interesting stories, and great accompanying music, BBM gives The Secret Mountain books. . .
“Inside the Wire” by Erik Saar and Viveca Novak
There's lots of talk in the news these days about Gitmo. A seemingly black hole in the war on terror, the prison at Guantanomo Bay has always been controversial. While the general public hears the basics from the media, we don't really know what it's like inside. "Inside the Wire" takes you there.
Erik Saar, co-author of the book, shares his 6.5 month experience as an Arabic translator and army Seargeant, in vivid detail. It is a book that sends chills up your spine. It is a book that will have you debating well into the night as to whether or not Gitmo is serving its purpose and whether or not its purpose is just.
First working in the detainee cells as a translator and then working as a translator in interrogations, Saar presents a graphic and disturbing visual of what has been happening in Gitmo for years. While at Gitmo, Saar is able to speak with many of the detainees. His conversations with them are eye-opening and important for every American to read:
"Mustapha was confounded when I explained to him that Christians' motivation to do right comes from their gratitude for God's love and forgiveness, rather than fear of judgment alone. This was incomprehensible to him. He didn't believe in a loving God, nor did he know if he was assured paradise. He genuinely hoped the Americans would kill him so he could be certain of becoming a true martyr."
The detainees' views of women are also startling as Saar relays some of his conversations with the detainees. When referring to the women soldiers at Gitmo, one detainee says:
"I'm not a fool; there is no way these women in uniforms are really here as solidiers? Do you think we are stupid? All of the detainees know the truth-that they are here to service the real soldiers."
As disturbing as the conversations with the detainees are, there's something even more bothersome. Gitmo has not been easy on our soldiers. While the detainees are held without charge, some of our military get stuck there, in a psychologically trying place with a mix of people that is ripe for conflict.
"Inside the Wire" is a book that every American should read. It opens your eyes to the thinking of those we are up against in the war on terror. It shows you how hard our military works to keep us safe; and it brings to light what's been happening in Gitmo since the first detainees started to arrive.
BBM gives "Inside the Wire". . .
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