If you were expecting a true crime story you will be disappointed and instead a bit humbled by the many years of service this couple have provided to the upper U.S. and Canada. Gene and Sandy Ralston have developed very precise sonar methods that help find missing bodies in large or unstable bodies of water. Where divers have given up and families still wait for closure this couple, asking only for gas money, will come in and spend hours locating missing people. Thanks to their big hearts more than 130 people have been located and laid to rest. The author also explores water related facts, myths and history of water deaths. 3 1/2 stars
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A memoir of how a traumatic experience can lead to a new path. Trish was in the middle of Hurricane Katrina and it almost ruined her until she saw the birds somehow coming back to New Orleans. They gave her not only a new hobby that would lead her to a new career but something more important - hope. For those in need of a life coach or people who follow the birds, this is a memorable look at loss, survival and looking for the sunshine no matter how bad the storm. 3 1/2 stars Lana Turner was larger than life. A pin up girl whose beauty made her a legend on the screen and whose bad taste in men made her a legend in the gossip columns. Her choice of boyfriends/husbands ran from good guys who couldn't handle the fame to bad guys who couldn't control their temper. Her only child daughter Cheryl was sandwiched between mom's crazy film schedule and the latest "pretend father" at home. When one of these marriages turned really ugly Lana used her daughter to escape scandal. Lana was not going to win any mother of the year awards. Casey Sherman does the tightrope between pointing out her faults along with the tough road she walked under controlling studio heads, mobsters and just bad luck for a well balanced study of the underbelly of old Hollywood. She worked hard, played hard and proved that she was much more than just a pretty face when it came to business. Old movie buffs, Tinseltown aficionados and those of us who pretend we don't pay attention to the Hollywood historical scandals will devour this. 4 stars
A blueprint that doesn't give you impractical advice like "don't fight" but instead helps you fight constructively and effectively. Fighting the right way will leave both parties feeling like change is possible instead of lashing out anger. A plan to tell your partner what they can do to help you instead of laying on blame and "flooding" them which forces them to attack and defend their position. I particularly liked the quick reference guide in the back of the book which allows you to easily review key points keeping fights light, fair and civil. These are geared towards life partners but the skills will help in any relationship squabble from social to work possibly even with teenagers. 4 stars
Happy book birthday to NAKED IN THE RIDESHARE by Rebecca Shaw and Ben Kronengold
A collection of essays and comedic whatnot from a pair of late night laughanados. While I missed some of what others will find hysterical due to my age I must admit that I was on the floor laughing reading an ode to Dr. Seuss teaching Sex Ed and how to tell if you are a former gifted child. The sections are divided up by milestones from childhood and beyond and offer a comical look at life of the GenZ generation. The perfect book to giggle while waiting for life to happen or if you need a break from true crime and reality tv. 3 stars Watching THE BEAR tv series has given me a new understanding and appreciation for those Michelin star seeking crazed chefs. THE DISH has given me an appreciation and greater understanding for the massive undertaking and everyone who contributes to getting that food on the table. Looking at one Chicago restaurant, the author takes one dish and dissects the myriad of people involved to make it happen as well as their dedication, work ethic and absolute faith in creating the best. From the organic small farmers and butchers who supply the restaurant to the head dishwasher and chefs, every history and struggle is laid out on the table. We can also get a taste of what is ahead for the restaurant industry and the pitfalls of its workers. This is not just a book for foodies but should serve as a reminder to give those people behind the scenes and in front a bit of patience, understanding and a round of applause for the magic they pull off every day. Must reading for armchair bingers of TOP CHEF and readers who live vicariously through chef's memoirs. 4 stars Little is known about Thomas Smallwood, born a slave but as a free man risked everything to help slaves and others north to freedom in Canada. He coined the phrase - The Underground Railroad and worked tirelessly by attacking slavers and the people who chased runaway and free men and women holding them in jails before selling them again down south or making them purchase their freedom again. One of the worst was run by Hope Slatter in Baltimore. This very illegal business was carried out in plain sight of the law and rarely was Slatter slowed down by the court system. Smallwood also wrote (using a pen name) scalding editorials about slavery and these slave jails. This is another fine example of a brave man who did not receive credit as did the other abolitionists and is past due for his story to be told. The author shares much information , names and dates but keeps the writing interesting and flowing. 4 stars
In 1923 Mae Foley and a small group of brave women join the prestigious New York City Police Dept. Beginning with Teddy Roosevelt's reign as Police Commissioner, women had gotten their toe in the door but still had an upward battle to prove themselves to their male counterparts. Mae began her career searching women who had been arrested and watching over subways to protect female passengers from lewd behavior and pickpockets but graduated to closing brothels and speakeasys during Prohibition. Once she made detective the fun began and Mae was very successful at undercover work even protecting female witnesses from gangster Lucky Luciano before trial and attending Nazi rallies. Anecdotes and hair raising stories of high speed chases and near misses with arrested women packing heat make this a historical romp that is entertaining and encouraging for women breaking into traditional male roles. 4 stars
In WWII there were women in every section of the armed forces even the intelligence agencies but until recently most of these women and their stories have remained hidden in file boxes. They fought discrimination on all fronts from not being given the necessary uniforms, supplies and training to pushback from higher ups in the field who clearly did not want them there or understand their purpose. Despite all of that, these women thrived. VALIANT WOMEN cannot tell all their stories but thanks to written documents now available and speaking to family and friends, Lena Andrews has compiled a montage of women in all aspects of the war in Europe and the Far East. I particularly enjoyed learning about the WASP pilots who not only had to find a way to deal with long flights with no bathroom breaks but had physical challenges guiding these massive planes. A great non-fiction addition to many of the historical fiction stories about some of these women. 3 1/2 stars
A journey from having full sight to losing it completely from an incurable disease. As his sight begins to close in an appreciation for other senses kicks in. As optimistic as Andrew Leland is thought out the book he is also very frank about what hurdles he had and those to come. One of the most difficult parts of having this disease is that it is gradual. If you have an accident and are disabled in some way you must adjust to your new world immediately but Andrew needed to learn how to live in a dark world that wasn't dark yet. His anecdotes on culture, history and blind activism is as interesting and his attitude is refreshing. He doesn't shame the world for behaving badly towards the blind but tries to help us see the world through their eyes to understand the difficulties. I think this would be beneficial to someone who has other sight impairments such as glaucoma or inoperable cataracts.. 3 1/2 stars
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