Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly

In Bill O'Reilly's, Killing Jesus (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series), Bill and his co-author provide a historical reconstruction of the life of Jesus. The author's are careful to note that their version of events is their best attempt to piece together the past. They use sources outside the Bible to give a fuller picture of the main characters and events in the life and crucifixion of Jesus.

It puzzled me why Jesus would choose fisherman to be members of his group of disciples. The authors noted that the fisherman needed to be conversant in many languages to successfully sell fish. This skill proved to be useful later in spreading the gospel.

The authors uncover the underlying threat that Jesus posed to the operators of the Jewish temple by his condemnation of the money changers.  In order to purchase perfect sacrificial animals or birds, the Jewish faithful were required to use the services of the temple money changers to convert the Roman currency into shekels.  The money changers often used unfair exchange rates to extract extra money for the temple. The faithful were understandably unhappy about the situation and supported Jesus when he called the money changers out for their dishonesty. As Jesus posed a threat to this temple monopoly, he had to be eliminated.

The detailed description of the hedonistic rulers of Rome and the gruesome methods of execution made for some difficult listening. The authors also carefully describe the various types of torture prior to the crucifixion of Jesus.

The book provided me with a clearer understanding of the setting and the motivations of the central characters in this part of history.

Killing Jesus CBS 60 minutes - 3 min.

Killing Jesus - Glenn Beck interview - 18 minutes

The Entrepreneur's Tool Kit by Michael Goldsby

Professor Michael Goldsby's, The Entrepreneur's Tool Kit, provides a 24 part lecture series on the essential tools needed for people wanting to start their own business. The course takes us on a journey from initial background research to start a business, through the expansion phase and finally to selling or being pushed out as an owner of a business.

An entrepreneur's desire to find a way to make life better for people by improving on existing services or developing something new provides a positive benefit to society. Doing the hard work analyzing the profitability, the cost and the competition keeps the dream grounded in reality. 

Even for those who do not wish to start their own businesses, having an entrepreneurial mindset can make a person's current work more customer focused by providing better service.

Entrepreneur's tool kit - 1 minute

Entrepreneurship Thinking - 13 minutes

52 Small Changes - One Year to a Happier Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal

Brett Blumenthal's 52 Small Changes: One Year to a Happier, Healthier You provides a weekly guide to a yearly wellness plan.  Each chapter varies from five to ten pages on each topic. She provides recommendations for addressing the concern of the week with an extra credit section for those who need a challenge.

She organizes the recommendations into four categories:

• Diet and Nutrition
• Fitness and Prevention
• Mental Well being
• Green Living

Some of the Green Living topics include reducing allergens in your home, reducing the use of harmful chemicals, reducing dust and decluttering your home. Last weekend I read the chapter on reducing clutter. I was inspired to clean the home office. After a couple hours listening to my MP3 the task was accomplished and that nagging burden was off my worry list. 

52 small changes Week 1 drink water - 2 min. 

Brett Blumenthal - Week 10 take time to stretch - 4 min.

Medical School for Everyone by Roy Benaroch M.D.

Each episode in Medical School for Everyone: Grand Rounds Cases covers a specific patient presenting with symptoms.  The doctor includes the interview with the patient, the examination results, test results and then reviews the possible diagnoses. We are encouraged to not jump to a conclusion but gather as much information as possible. Prematurely assuming a  diagnosis may cause us to ignore facts that don't fit our preconceived ideas about possible causes. 

A wide range of cases are covered. One man presents with frequent headaches, a woman with hip pain, and a child presents with a skin rash. The outcomes are not always positive. Some patients presenting what appear to be minor problems die within one or two years after initially seeking treatment.  Other patients receive a proper diagnosis and are able to resume normal activity.

Part of my job involves addressing ergonomic concerns with employees and resolving indoor air concerns.  I am not a medical doctor but often do environmental investigations or ergonomic assessments based on recommendations from a health care provider.  This course reinforces the need for a team approach to provide the best care for the people in our care.

This series of lectures are available from the Great Courses or through the Great Courses Signature Collection for an additional fee through Amazon Prime.

Medical School for Everyone - Grand Rounds Cases - 36 seconds

Medical School for Everyone - Celiac Disease - 6 min. 

The Essential Engineer by Henry Petroski

Henry Petroski's book, The Essential Engineer: Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems, differentiates the contributions that engineers and scientist bring to the world.  The two fields are complementary. Engineers designed the Large Hadron Collider allowing scientists to conduct experiments. Electron microscopes designed by engineers allow scientists to make observations at the sub micron level.

After reading the Miracle Cure, I was impressed and the engineering problem solving that was required to produce Penicillin from Penicillium spp. The engineering required to scale up the production took many years.  This is often why the conversion of scientific knowledge occasionally into practical use is often very difficult (see nuclear fusion).

The book describes the engineering difficulties faced as we attempt to transition to a sustainable future.  Gasoline is a very energy dense fuel. It is difficult with current technology to get even close to the power production from battery powered vehicles. The engineers designed the automobile as a solution to the problem caused by animal waste from horses. Engineers are now face with a more difficult problem to replace gasoline as a fuel source.

 

The Essential Engineer interview by Henry Petroski 6-min.

The Art of Talking to Anyone by Rosalie Maggio

Rosalie Maggio's book, The Art of Talking to Anyone: Essential People Skills for Success in Any Situation covers the basics of conversation at home, work and various social situations. Of particular interest is her suggestions for conversing with individuals at a wake or a funeral. She suggests sharing remembrances of the person and allowing time for the bereaved individual to talk with minimal interruptions. 

For rude or inappropriate persons she suggest creating as much distance between yourself and the person as possible. Some verbal responses include and I am paraphrasing, "You must have me confused with someone else," or "I have no desire to talk with you after what you just said."

When you have an excuse for not doing a favor for someone. Stick to the one excuse and don't get into an argument about it.

At an initial encounter at a social gathering if a person can't take their eyes off you or if they make furtive glances at you they are interested. If they spend time looking around for other people to talk to that's a strong sign of disinterest.

The book is a good review for individuals wanting to brush up on their social etiquette.  The advice is sound and well presented. 

A brief review of The Art of Talking to Anyone - 31 seconds