Becoming

Title: Becoming

Author: Michelle Obama

Pages: 426

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: A+

Synopsis: This book was written (and in the case of the excellent audiobook read by) Michelle Obama. She describes her life as a young girl on the south side of Chicago, their early years of marriage and then she sheds her unique insight on the presidency of Barack Obama.

My Review: This book was incredible. I found it to be inspiring and I think that it would be even more so if  you are a woman, African-American or any other class that is commonly overlooked or disrespected. I put this up against the best biographies, memoirs and autobiographies that I have read. The United States has had many strong First Ladies, but only two were attorneys and Michelle certainly ranks up there as one of the most well-educated. As you read this book, you can't help but compare Obama's presidency against Trump's and for most Americans I believe at least a small part wishes that we could return to the era where the biggest controversy was that the President wore a tan suit. The second comparison is between Michelle Obama and the current First Lady, Melania Trump and the successes of their pet projects (mainly healthy school lunches for Obama and anti-bullying for Trump (who is unfortunately married to the bully-in-charge)). Excuse me for digressing and suffice it to say that I loved this book.

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo

Title: The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo

Author: Amy Schumar

Pages: 323

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: B

Synopsis: Amy Schumar is a comedian who has apparently lived a full enough life to warrant writing an autobiography. The book is mainly a collection of essays and stories of her life trying to make it as a comedian and having as much sex as she possibly can (yes, really).

My Review: I actually found this book to be more entertaining and enjoyable than I had expected.  I'm not sure if I've actually seen anything that shes in besides SNL, so I'm not terribly familiar with her, but the book felt like an honest view into her life interspersed with loads of lame jokes.

From Heart to Heart

Title: From Heart to Heart

Author: Russell M. Nelson

Pages: 481

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: A

Synopsis: This is the autobiography of Russell M. Nelson, written at the urging of President Spencer W. Kimball. It covers Nelson's life up until the late 1970's, which was before his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve.  The book covers Nelson's early life in Salt Lake City, college and medical school at the University of Utah, his work on the first heart-lung machine, his professional life, church responsibilities and callings and his family.  He was a world-renowned heart surgeon who was able to balance a very demanding occupation with demanding callings as a Stake President and General Sunday School President, among many others.

My Review: This book was absolutely fantastic.  If you can get your hands on a copy (you can find it in the Church History Library), then it is well worth your time.  It was written for his family, but is an inspiring read for anybody.

Desert Solitaire

Title: Desert Solitaire - A Season in the Wilderness

Author: Edward Abbey

Pages: 10 discs?

Genre: Memoir, Autobiography

Grade: A-

Synopsis: In this book, Edward Abbey recounts his experiences as a park ranger at Arches National Monument in Moab, Utah.  Arches had not yet been made into a National Park and was only accessible via a dirt road with very limited facilities.  For a couple summers (about April to October), Abbey was the only ranger for the park an lived in a small trailer near balanced rock.  The memoir is filled with stories of his experiences in the southwest and his musing and commentary on modern society and mainstream culture. included are stories about rafting down the Colorado River from Moab to Wahweap, while the Glen Canyon Dam was being built (he and his companion were probably some of the very last to see Glen Canyon before Lake Powell started filling), climbing a mountain in the Henry mountains east of Moab, descriptions of the wildlife, snakes and plant life and search and rescue operations for lost tourists.

My Review: Surprisingly I found that I really enjoyed this book.  I wish that I could pinpoint where, when or who recommended it to me (probably back in 2008).  There are a few points in the book where Abbey goes off on modern society and modern conveniences and complains against people who day-trip to the National Parks (of which my family and I are very guilty of).  He talks quite a bit about what we need to do to be good stewards of our precious environment and complains often about the prevalence of paved roads and Americans reliance on the automobile (This book was published in 1968, and I'm sure it's only gotten worse).  Even with all of the author's tangents I liked the book.

What is the What

Title: What is the What

Author: Dave Eggers

Pages: 560

Genre: Autobiography (classified as fiction)

Grade: B+

Synopsis: This is the autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan who was forced to leave his home, village and family when he was 7 years old and civil war broke out in Sudan.  He trekked with many other young boys across Sudan by foot all while being pursued by government bombers, rebel groups and militias and wild animals.  They first temporarily settled in a refugee camp in Ethiopia before being forced out once again and finally settled in a more permanent refugee camp in Northern Kenya.  After many years, Achak was resettled in the United States, where he found freedom along with a myriad of other challenges. Deng and Eggers classified their book as fiction as many of the stories and experiences took place when Deng was very young and while they believe they are true and reliable, they are still subject to the years of Achak's memory.

My Review: This is one of those books that is both hard to put down and hard to continue.  The stories are fascinating while at the same time they are heart-wrenching and disturbing.  I felt especially sad that I was so unfamiliar with the plight of the Sudanese Lost Boys and the violence of the long civil war in that country.  More recently the genocide in Darfur has been in the news and to a large extent it is a continuation of the same violence that started many years ago in South Sudan (which finally gained independence in 2011).

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 Pursuit of Happyness

Title: The Pursuit of Happyness

Author: Chris Gardner

Pages: 5 discs

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: B

Synopsis: Chris Gardner is an African-American from Milwaukee trying to break out of the shell that he was born into.  His mother was an ex-convict and his father had violent tendencies. Gardner enlists in the Navy to get away from home, but before too many years pass, he finds himself homeless in San Francisco with a young child to care for.

My Review:  The book is inspiring when Chris details the struggles that he went through to reach his lofty goals and break-through the racial barriers.  He had complete confidence in his ability to reach his dreams if he worked hard and continually proved that he was ready and able to work. 

Disclaimer: There is quite a bit of street-language and street situations that would not be suitable for children.

My Life

Title: My Life

Author: Bill Clinton

Pages: 42 discs

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: A

Synopsis: This book is the story of Bill Clinton's life. From his upbringing in Hope, Arkansas to the White House. It is the most detailed and honest (at least it seemed that way) account of a president's life that is out there.

My Review: Surprisingly, I loved this book.  I started this book way back in November/December.  I listened to the first 30 discs in the car as I commuted to work, but I had to return the discs before I was able to complete the book.  I borrowed the CDs from the library again and listened to the rest of the book while I worked on sanding, painting and finishing the toy room in our basement (details here).  Before I read this book, I would not have classified myself as a fan of President Clinton, but I was fascinated by by his stories and the honesty that was apparent in the book.  I enjoyed the details that were shared about the life of a President by a former President.

but enough about me...

Title: but enough about me... A Jersey Girl's Unlikely Adventures Among the Absurdly Famous

Author: Jancee Dunn

Pages: 274

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: B

Synopsis: Jancee Dunn was a pretty regular girl growing up in New Jersey who was given a chance to work at Rolling Stone, on Good Morning America, and as one of the first VJs for MTV2.  Interspersed with her autobiographical stories are lessons that she learned and anecdotes from her numerous interviews with famous musicians and movie stars.

My Review:  I enjoyed this book.  It was light, generally interesting and quite humorous at times.  There isn't anything terribly special about Jancee Dunn, but she is a good storyteller and has plenty of stories to share.

Disclaimer:  There is a bit of language.  As you can imagine, not all of the musicians and actors/actresses are known for their clean language.

Naked

Title: Naked

Author: David Sedaris

Pages: 3 discs (abridged)

Genre: Autobiographical Essays

Grade: B

Synopsis: This book is a collection of autobiographical essays by comedian David Sedaris. He writes about his strange urges to lick things (light switches, mail boxes, etc.) growing up and when his teachers would stop by to discuss his quirks with his parents, his mother would serve drinks to the teachers as she empathized with their struggles. He also wrote about many other dysfunctions of his family ending with his self-deprecating visit to a nudist colony.

My Review: I didn't realize that this was a collection of essays until I sat down to write this review. Everything seemed to flow well together, but there didn't seem to be a climax or highlight of the book (which I now attribute to it being a collection of essays). The essays were funny without being dirty or mean, although the language is poor.

Disclaimer: As mentioned, swearing in the book is quite prevalent.

The Autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809-1882

Title: The Autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809-1882

Author: Charles Darwin, edited by Nora Barlow

Pages: 243

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: D

Synopsis: Charles Darwin wrote his autobiography throughout the later years of his life. He intended it to be solely for his children, but his son first published the autobiography in 1887 (with most of the personal details omitted - which have now since been included). Darwin writes about his early life, school years and published works, spending very little on information about his family or other personal topics.

My Review: Very few books take me this long to read (4 weeks or so). Alison's had this book from some class at the U and I was interested in reading it but, there was nothing about this book that motivated me to pick it up and continue reading once I had started (and in fact, I skipped the 90+ pages of the appendix). For Darwin enthusiasts, this book is a gem. For the rest of us, I'm sure we can find something else...

On another note, The book is free to anybody who wants it (first come first served)...

Cheaper by the Dozen

Title: Cheaper by the Dozen

Authors: Frank B. Gilbreth Jr., and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Pages: 180

Genre: Autobiography

Grade: B+

Synopsis: This book is the true story of the efficiency expert Frank Gilbreth and his wife's adventures of raising 12 children. Two of his children reminisce about the experiments and excitement of growing up in a house where the father is a motion study expert. He often uses his children as guinea pigs for his newest hypotheses and teaching methods.

My Review: This was quite an enjoyable and quick read. I had to look up whether or not this book was billed as a true story or not (it is) because some of the stories are quite off the wall - but not quite unbelievable. If nothing else, the book is good for displaying various teaching methods. Some of which work and some of which don't.

From the Book: "(p 2) Dad took moving pictures of us children washing dishes, so that he could figure out how we could reduce our motions and thus hurry through the task. Irregular jobs, such as painting the back porch or removing a stump from the front lawn, were awarded on a low-bid basis. Each child who wanted extra pocket money submitted a sealed bid saying what he would do the job for. The lowest bidder got the contract."

"(p. 54)"I give nightly praise to my Maker that I never cast a ballot to bring that lazy, disreputable, ill-tempered beast into what was once my home. I'm glad that I had the courage to go on record as opposing that illegitimate, shameless flea-bag that now shares my bed and board. You abstainer, you!""

Mafia to Mormon

Title: Mafia to Mormon - My Conversion Story

Author: Mario Facione

Pages: 105

Genre: Autobiography

Letter Grade: B+

Synopsis: Mario Facione grew up in Michigan and began experimenting with theft and deceit when he was quite young. This is the story of his conversion to the LDS Church. He became a successful businessman and had a few dishonest business dealings on the side. He was very successful in these and he and his family lived very well. Missionaries were prompted to visit his house one day and the incredible story of how he was converted and what he had to give up in order to free himself of all his ties to the mafia is what follows.

Why I Chose This Book: My parents read this book when it first came out. I had checked the Salt Lake City Library for it at the time but they did not have it. I remembered the book a couple of months ago and placed my name on the hold list in order to get a copy.

My Review: This book won’t win any awards for its writing or the proofreading but nonetheless, I really enjoyed it. It’s a very quick and easy read and it will leave you feeling good. The strength of Mario’s testimony is inspiring and there is something that everybody can learn from reading this book.

From the Book: "(p. 27) The biggest score I made was $500,000 in one week. I had eleven guys with trucks that could move equipment and hit eleven different jobs in seven days. For the most part, I remained in the background overseeing the operation. Sometimes, though, I tagged along on the jobs I thought were going to be the slickest, just to get in on the excitement of it."

Gifted Hands

Title: Gifted Hands

Author: Ben Carson & Cecil Murphey

Pages: 232

Genre: Biography/Autobiography

Letter Grade: A-

Synopsis: This is the story of a young pediatric neurosurgeon who is the best in his profession. He attempts (and usually succeeds) at surgeries that no other doctor is willing to attempt. The African-American surgeon (Ben Carson) grew up very poor in inner-city Detroit. With the motivation of his mother (who only had a third grade education) and his own desire to be the best, he rises above the stereotypes and graduates from Yale and then the University of Michigan with his medical degree. He has spent most of his time as a surgeon at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. He shares numerous experiences where the reader is left with no doubt that the Lord was guiding him. His faith in Christ is very apparent from this book.

My Review: I really enjoyed this book (I read it in only 2 days!). His story is inspiring and amazing and he never fails to give credit to the Lord for his successes. There are a few sad stories but most of them are simply miraculous. He obviously feels very strongly about his Adventist faith and comes across as a little preachy at times. The book is an easy read and one that will not soon be forgotten.

From the Book: "(p. 119) I learned something from that experience. No knowledge is ever wasted. To quote the apostle Paul: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28). The love I learned for classical music helped draw Candy and me together and also helped me get into one of the best neurosurgery programs in the United States. When we work hard to acquire expertise or understanding in any field, it pays off. In this case, at least, I saw how it certainly had yielded results. I also believe that God has an overall plan for people's lives and the details get worked out along the way, even though we usually have no idea what's going on."

A Train to Potevka

Title: A Train to Potevka

Author: Mike Ramsdell

Pages: 345

Genre: Thriller, Autobiography

Letter Grade: B+

Synopsis: This is the story of an LDS CIA agent who works covertly in the Soviet Union and Russia. Although he classifies it as a work of fiction (because of the sensitive nature of many of the stories), I would classify it as an autobiography. The stories told are incredible and often inspiring. He was blessed with many miracles during his trials. The main story is of a covert operation in a Siberian town that goes wrong. Mr. Ramsdell is forced to evacuate the city and go to Potevka on a slow peasant train. Although the book mainly follows his journey and adventures in Russia, he intertwines many other stories from his youth in Bear River, Utah and family life.

My Review: I enjoyed this book. While reading it, it is apparent that the book has been written by an "amateur" and not a professional writer. That's not to say its not well written though. The book is inspiring and draws heavily upon Mike's LDS mission and church experiences. When he breaks away from his stories about Russia, the book slows down but it always seems to pick up again. This book has a hard-to-explain human quality that really makes the stories easy to envision and hard to put down.

From the Book: "When I was younger, I always thought that after a person reached a certain age of maturity, life's troubles would finally be behind him. Yet, for whatever reason, the Good Lord apparently has a different plan for some of us."