The Invention of Air by Steven Johnson

Steven Johson's book focuses on Joseph Priestly and his influence on science, faith and politics during and immediately after the American Revolution.  A contemporary and friend of Benjamin Franklin, Priestly conducted many observational experiments discovering that plants produced a chemical (later determined to be oxygen) that was necessary to sustain life in animals.

The free swapping of ideas without specific need for monetary gain provided benefit to society. Also the coffee shop meetings provided two benefits.  It was a meeting place to share ideas and the coffee provided more mental stimulation than the usual morning beer.

Priestly's friend, Lavoisier (the co-discoverer of oxygen) also had a hand in ensuring the victory for the American's in the Revolutionary War. Lavoisier's death in the French Revolution provides a cautionary tale of the dark side of revolutionary fever.

Recipes for Politically Cooked Books by Stephanie Sarich

The book, Recipes for Politically Cooked Books by Stephanie Sarich provides essays reviewing US politics from 2007 through the turbulent 2016 Election.  Stephanie gleefully disassembles the candidates talking points uncovering the shallow facade behind their self assured masks of incompetence.

Her  following essays  offer wildly inaccurate predictions covering celebrities, politicians and other members of society. Her predictive accuracy is not dissimilar to those insights offered by pundits paid to pontificate on cable TV. 

Stephanie provides a guide for outsiders like Russian agents and Hollywood movie types to understanding Iron Range culture and the less than mysterious ways of the Iron Range maidens. She also offers up twenty one reasons to love Living in Minnesota.

So sit back in a comfortable chair with a hot cup of egg coffee and a slice of potica bread. Take in the full force of this Iron Range Maiden's commentary on the current state of the human condition.

A paperback version of Recipes for Politically Cooked Books is now available. 

Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs

Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs crashes through events in Augusten's life dealing with all the messy bits that would make good fodder for an episode of I Love Lucy. Complex characters pop off the page or in this case the audio book version. His lipstick lesbian friend plunges into the dating world with an huge print ad in a major magazine. She and Augusten sift through the replies and he questions her rather superficial criteria to select acceptable gal pals. The meet-ups occur and chaos and heartbreak result.

An extended tale about dog adoption that appears to have gone horribly wrong takes us on a trip close to dog and owner hell. Can Augusten and his partner pull out of this mess before they get in way to deep with a dog who resists potty training.

Several stories are filled with tender sadness including Augusten's visit to a dermatologist about his hands and the visits of Augusten to his mom's fragile poet friend.

Augusten's brilliant brother takes a break from hacking into the high school's computer system to complete a project involving the neighbor's dog. In a later episode, Augusten discovers that his lack of math skills may limit his employment opportunities at a sail factory.

Life with Augusten is earthy, strange, crazy and occasionally beautiful. This journey is not for the faint of heart.

Possible Side Effects - 4 min.

Reading Biblical Literature: Genesis to Revelation by Craig R. Koester Ph.D.

Professor Koester takes his students through an enlightening trip through the bible.  Each book or group of books is set in the context of the events of the time that shaped the writing of each book.  Each book is looked at through the style of literature employed.  How is the literary structure used to convey the message? 

His description of the separation of the Jewish state into Israel and Judea helped clarify the sections in the Old Testament where the tribes were in conflict.  He also explained why the Jews in Samaria were not considered accepted as part of the Jewish community and both Judea and Israel.  Invasion, foreign occupation, and persecution also shaped the biblical text.

Reading Biblical Literature Genesis to Revelation Course Summary - 1 min. 

The Apocalypse: Controversies and Meaning in Western History by Craig R. Koester PhD.

The Great Course, The Apocalypse: Controversies and Meaning in Western History provides a thorough review of the last book of the new testament, The Book of Revelation.

I appreciated Professor Koester's efforts to place the book in historical context helping to interpret the figurative text as viewed from a person reading in the early first and second century A.D.  Attempts by many individuals in later centuries to use it to describe the current situation are probably misplaced although it highlights that the struggles noted in the book are universal and often faced by people thorough out history. 

Although Revelation is often thought of as a book that provides a fearful vision of the future, it offers a vision of hope that things will turn out alright in the end.  The struggle outlined is an adventure where evil forces attempt to cause misery but never succeed in the ultimate goal.

Before this lecture series I was unaware that the Book of Revelation was a source for many church hymns and religious music including Handel's Messiah. There are choral interludes between many of the significant passages in the book.

Apocalypse, Archeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls - 54 minutes

How to be a Gentleman by John Bridges

John Bridges provides a current guide to good manners in the book, How to Be a Gentleman Revised and Updated: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy (Gentlemanners).  I was familiar with most of the social customs listed in the book but appreciated the finer tips on how to behave in front of dignitaries and royalty. 

The tips are a useful refresher for all those who aspire to be a gentleman and a good guide to the social graces for young men navigating the social scene.  As many people have been fired for boorish behavior, it may also serve as a guide for staying employed. 

Early chapter of How to Be a Gentleman audiobook - 9 min. 

A gentleman is there when he is needed and knows when to leave - 53 sec. 

How to Boost Your Mental and Physical Energy by Prof. Kimberlee Bethany Bonura

 

  

Professor Bonura provides clear evidenced base information on how to boost your physical and mental energy through proper nutrition, exercise, mindfulness and sleep.  Her description and demonstration of the several kinds of Yoga breathing was very helpful. The bellows breath provides a boost of energy equivalent to a cup of coffee.  The box breath and a similar breath through the nose and out the mouth aid in relaxation and stress management. 

The series is available from the Great Courses. 

Box Breath -1 min.  (Inhale air through the nose; expand the diaphragm; exhale through the nose.)