A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc (January 2012)

226 pages, Audiobook (purchased myself for $11.95)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

In a book filled with scientific theory and detailed observations, Lawrence Krauss weaves together an intricate picture of how there can be something from nothing.  Using the latest research and theory in cosmology and quantum mechanics, Krauss dives into much detail from the Big Bang to virtual particles in order to outline how the underlying physics of our universe requires that some will always come from nothing.

Another purpose of this book is to continue a debate between scientists and philosophers/theologians on the concept of first cause (that there must be a creator/god). This is an attempt to try to prove that by the current understanding of physics, that science can now prove that there is no longer a first cause. It's not quite there yet; there are many holes to be filled, but it provides a great deal to think about. 

The book is a thick read, I personally had to read it twice. One chapter I had to read 5 times.  It isn't an easy read, but well worth it in the end.

Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 3

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

240 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This memoir, much like the first in this trilogy, includes midwife and nurse’s stories from London’s East End. Many of the stories in this volume are arranged to highlight certain health issues of the day (twins/triplets, infanticide, tuberculosis, abortion), and include accompanying statistics and historical information. It is also worth noting that some of the stories included are of a bit more seedy nature than those included in the first two volumes, but I felt they were tastefully presented and the people therein were depicted with dignity. Happily, the last few chapters let you know what happened to all the nurses and nuns that you have come to know throughout the three volumes in this series. Wonderful series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

223 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

In her first book, Jennifer Worth introduced us to the life of a midwife in London’s East End in the 1950’s, and in this second book, we take up the stories of some secondary characters from the first book (Jane, Frank & Peggy, and Sister Monica Joan) as well as the story of an old soldier by the name of Joseph Collett. This book contains much less of Worth’s own experiences and more of the stories of others that she encountered while working as a midwife. Some of the stories within have more to do with the institutional workhouse than others, but most have some connection thereto. I enjoyed the layout of the stories, logically arranged into three parts and appreciated the author’s reflective, non-judgmental voice throughout the telling never condemning a person for actions or choices that were clearly a product of the times and the situations people found themselves in. Wonderful read and an excellent continuation of the first book in this series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

279 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This is Jennifer Worth’s memoir of life as a midwife in London’s East End in the 1950’s. This story was not only interesting, but also very entertaining, and provides a look at 1950’s midwifery, the culture of the East End and a way of life that is now gone. The collection of anecdotes about patients, nuns, fellow midwives, and East End culture are threaded together in a seamless presentation that is at times poignant and others hilarious. It is worth noting that this book is the first book in a trilogy, followed by Shadows of the Workhouse and Farewell to the East End. Also, if you are watching the TV series currently airing on PBS, that TV series contains stories from all three books in the trilogy and is not confined to the content from the first book. Highly recommended read!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

Publisher: Riverhead (March 2006)

294 pages, Audiobook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

For the past few decades, the modern workforce centralized around people who excelled at left brained activities. But due to abundance, automation, and cheap labor overseas, the modern workforce will have to excel at both left and right brain activities. This is the central argument in Daniel Pink's book A Whole New Mind. 

In the first section, Daniel Pink outlines the current migration from the knowledge age to the conceptual age by contrasting left and right hemisphere thinking, arguing that cheap foreign labor and software is devaluing left hemisphere and increasing the importance of whole minded (right and left brain) thinking. 

The second half is focused on what Mr. Pink calls the six senses, aptitudes that are essential to compete in the conceptual age:  design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. A chapter is devoted for each aptitude.  At the end of each chapter a portfolio is provided with exercises and resources. 

A Whole New Mind is an intelligent, but simplified look at the changes coming in our future economy. It's raising an important flag in a world that still over values science and engineering, and looks down on the liberal arts.

The Frontiersmen by Allan W. Eckert

The Frontiersmen by Allan W. Eckert

Winning of America Series, Book 1

Publisher: Jesse Stuart Foundation (August 2011)

652 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $9.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Mild Sexual Content and Violent, Gruesome Battle Scenes

Beginning in 1755, with the birth of this story’s central character, Simon Kenton, and ending with his death in 1836, this is a non-fictional history told in the style of a novel, following three main characters (Simon Kenton, Blue Jacket and Tecumseh) and their exploits in the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky wilderness from 1768 through the resolution of the Battle of 1812. The story is told from both the viewpoint of the Frontiersmen and the Shawnee Indians. Other notable characters such as Daniel Boone also play a large part. The story is presented in such a compelling way, that I will never again think of history as a dry subject and I had no problem at all making my way through this large book. I appreciated that all major and minor characters featured in the book either met their resolution in the course of the story or in the following epilogue, so I wasn’t left wondering what happened to anyone. This is an excellent book and I look forward to reading other books in this Winning of America series!

White People, Indians and Highlanders by Colin G. Calloway

White People, Indians and Highlanders by Colin G. Calloway

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 2008)

391 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $13.72)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This book is about the similarities in culture and history of the Scottish Highlanders and the Native Americans, particularly the commonalities of their interactions with the English, the removal from their homelands and the decline of their cultures as they knew it. An interesting look at events and perspectives usually left out of most history books. While there are obvious differences between the two cultures and their historical experience, the similarities are astounding and very thought provoking. There is also a bit of commentary at the end regarding the significance of modern day people identifying with ones ancestry or heritage; idealized, romanticized or real. Interesting read!