Jack: Straight from the Gut

Title: Jack: Straight from the Gut

Author: Jack Welch, with John A. Byrne

Pages: 496

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: A-

Synopsis: This is the autobiography of Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric.  During his tenure as CEO (from around 1980 to 2000), General Electric's value rose 4000% (and Welch has been handsomely compensated as his net worth is currently estimated to be around $720 million).  Welch started at GE in 1960 as a junior chemical engineer, with a salary of around $10,500.  From his work ethic and performance, he climbed the internal ladder and was named CEO just 20 years after starting at GE.

My Review:  This book was suggested to me by our own CEO, so I added it to my list.  I found the book at the DI just a couple of weeks later, so I figured it was a sign that I ought to read the book.  I found the book to be an eye-opening look at Welch's career including the highlights as well as some of the decisions that he regretted.  It seems like Jack Welch was an incredible worker and motivator, however, I simply cannot fathom getting much work done while golfing as much as it sounds like he does.

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues #1)

Title: The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues Book One)

Author: Rick Riordan

Pages: 220


Genre: Children's Fiction

Grade: B

Synopsis: Just minutes before the wealthy matriarch Grace Cahill died, she made a small change in her will for her heirs.  She left them with a choice, one million dollars or a clue.  The Cahill family is the most powerful family in the world and most of the world's greatest leaders are descendants in the family.  However, the source of the world's power has been lost, but many believe that the clues Grace Cahill has left behind will help someone rediscover this power.  Young Amy and Dan lost their parents at a young age and were close to Grace Cahill.  Now they must decide whether or not to take the money or join the search for the clues.

My Review: This book was chosen as one of the monthly selections in Alison's book club.  While clearly a children's book, I enjoy reading this type of book every once in a while.  In typical Rick Riordan fashion, this book was an enjoyable adventure with the kids figuring things out and having adventures that may be slightly unbelievable.

Between Shades of Gray

Title: Between Shades of Gray

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Pages: 338

Genre: Memoir

Grade: B+

Synopsis: As World War II is breaking out in Eastern Europe, a Lithuanian teenager Lina and her family are torn from their home by the Soviets and sent to work in Siberian prison camps.  Just as Hitler is cramming the Jews on train cars and shipping them to concentration camps in Poland, Stalin is doing much of the same to people in his country.  This is an incredible story of survival during difficult, cold times.  Frankly, it is amazing that anybody lived to tell the tale.

My Review:  What I find most amazing about this book and this story, is how little publicity Stalin's genocide has received.  Everybody knows about Hitler and the Jews, but Stalin and his brutality has been far less publicized.  Estimates of Stalin's brutality range from 15 million deaths to 50 million+, but probably most likely in the 20-30 million range.  This book is a tearjerker.  

East of Eden

Title: East of Eden

Author: John Steinbeck

Pages: 21 discs

Genre: Fiction, Classic

Grade: B+

Synopsis: Adam Trask moves into the Salinas valley in California with his pregnant wife where he buys a large plot of land and is looking forward to living out his days as a family man with his wife and twin sons.  Adam and his wife Cathy come from very different backgrounds.  Adam begrudgingly served for years in the army (to appease his father), while Cathy murdered her parents and had been a prostitute (neither fact of which Adam knew).  Adam becomes close friends with Sam Hamilton and others in the Salinas valley.  After Mr. Hamilton helps to deliver the twins, Cathy runs away from home to start another life.

My Review:  It is unfortunate to narrow down a book of this scope and magnitude to a single paragraph synopsis, because there is a whole lot that goes on in the book.  Steinbeck has a particular penchant for describing the characters hearts and desires, so that you feel like you are quite familiar with each of the characters in the book. I'm not terribly familiar with Steinbeck's books (having only previously read Tortilla Flat and The Pearl), but this book went into surprising places and unexpected stories.  I found myself really enjoying it.