Book 101: Think No Evil

Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting…and Beyond, by Jonas Beiler, with Shawn Smucker

In October 2006, the world was shocked when a man entered an Amish schoolhouse and shot 10 girls inside, and then killed himself. When the Amish proceeded to forgive the killer, the concept of Amish forgiveness may have shocked the world even more.

Jonas Beiler is perfect to tell the story of the Nickel Mines schoolhouse shooting. While he was raised in an Amish family, he chose not to be baptized and left the Amish way of life. Eventually he became a counselor, and had a unique understanding of the struggles the Amish victims and their families went through after the shooting, and the modern world’s incredulity that the Amish could forgive the gunman.

In a half true-crime, half autobiography book, Beiler sets the scene of the Nickel Mines community, details some of his own life, and describes the horrific shooting. While he does heavily concentrate on forgiveness, the writing isn’t overly preachy. Beiler presents why the Amish forgive, and the benefits it gives them, and asks readers to consider doing the same.

I enjoyed this book, mainly for the insights into the Amish way of life.

4/5.

Book 87: Growing Up bin Laden

Growing Up bin Laden, by Najwa bin Laden, Omar bin Laden, and Jean Sasson

When I started reading this book, I thought I would be most interested in Najwa’s perspective, but the more I read, the more I learned from her son, Omar. Najwa’s story is limited in that she lived her entire life with her husband in purdah, or isolation, and thus wasn’t privy to any details of what was happening. Her role was to be a happy, submissive, sweet, unquestioning wife and she fulfilled that perfectly. I was more infuriated with her, for her unquestioning obedience, but I can understand that that is due to a difference of upbringing, life experiences, culture, and religion.

Omar, the fourth son of Najwa and Osama, had a difficult and bewildering childhood. The family went from living in luxury in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to middle-class life in Khartoum, Sudan, to living on the side of a mountain in Afghanistan, each step accompanied by more involvement in al-Qaeda and jihad. Omar is an extreme opposite of his father in every way – never understanding the thirst for violence shown by Osama, Omar instead dreamed of peace, and an ordinary life. But he was constrained by his culture, and suffered emotionally and physically for many years before he developed the courage to get out.

This book is educational, as it provides a narrative timeline of the development of al-Qaeda, and the increasing terrorist activity of the organization. We see how Osama bin Laden changed from a student of economics to the world’s most wanted man, and the senselessness of many of the acts he and his group endorse. Omar describes an incident where men killed a monkey, because they were convinced the monkey was a Jew. The book is both terrifying and enlightening, as I don’t realize how people could believe such…garbage? Idiocy? But then I saw how so many of the recruits were boys from villages, who were easily swayed by powerful speakers and religious authorities, and who had no real opportunities in life other than the fighting offered by jihad violence.

4/5.

Book 76: Heart of a Patriot

Heart of a Patriot, by Max Cleland

While reading “Heart of A Patriot,” I kept turning to discuss certain points with my father, as I was continually inspired and amazed by Max Cleland. In this book he briefly describes his childhood and coming of age during the Kennedy era, which inspired him to get into politics. He then delves into his time in Vietnam and the subsequent grenade explosion that took his legs and arm. He spares nothing in recounting his recovery, both physical and mental, and his sheer determination to walk again despite overwhelming odds was incredibly inspiring.

Cleland used politics as a way to find purpose in his life – he wanted to *do* something. And he definitely did something – Georgia state senator, Veterans Affairs Administrator, Secretary of the State of Georgia, U.S. Senator, 9/11 Commission, and Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

During the 2002 Senate race, Cleland lost his seat to a Republican, likely due in large part to a smear campaign that he felt “took away his service.” His vote for the Iraq War authorization also caused him grief and doubt, and he discusses the thought process behind voting for the resolution in the book. I enjoyed some of the lighter information as well, such as the historical desks in the Senate offices.

Cleland is very clearly a Democrat, and his book tells it how *he* sees it – and I find nothing wrong with that. Even so, if you may have political views on the other side of the spectrum, don’t let that stop you from reading this book. While much of it is political, much is also not, particularly Cleland’s battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the disastrous 2002 Senate race. Some people have said that he sounds like a crybaby, but nothing could be further from the truth; he suffered from extreme depression and anxiety, and fought like a man to overcome PSTD and live a normal life. Cleland’s struggle is inspiring, and I think it’s pretty cool that a normal guy was willing to talk about his struggles so openly, in the hopes that it would help someone else.

4/5.

Book 57: Going Rogue

Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin

I really wish Palin would have done more with her book, rather than spend half of it talking about the 2008 presidential campaign (and her thoughts on why they lost). I would have preferred a book more about her – about her childhood, her life experiences, her family, her parenting, etc. I didn’t want to read a book full of political preaching and opinions on the McCain-Palin campaign. But Palin uses “Going Rogue” as a way to explain her actions to her detractors, and set up a possible future election bid.

I did enjoy parts of the book, especially when Palin describes Alaska and her love for the state; I admit, I do have an urge to take a trip and see it. It does sound like a fantastic place, and that’s where Palin’s writing shines.

But overall I wasn’t enthralled, and wasn’t impressed. Palin’s ambition is amazing, to be sure, and her rise to governor from an ordinary mom is interesting, but I just felt while reading that a lot was missing, as she glossed over parts of her life. I think the book would better have been titled “McCain-Palin 2008″ as that was the focus of so much of it. I understand she wants to explain herself, and boy does she ever put a pretty spin on it, but does she really need a whole book for that purpose? No.

However, it did spark some good political debate in my house.

2/5.

Book 49: My Life in France

My Life in France, by Julia Child

I bought this book on June 29, 2009 (found the receipt inside), and in just over six months I’ve read it three times. While I do tend to reread, that is a lot for even me in such a short period. But I just love this book so much that it’s so easy to pickup again and again, and each time I enjoy it anew.

While reading I heard Julia Child’s distinctive voice in my head, speaking each word. “My Life in France” feels like a literary version of her television cooking shows, which I remember watching on PBS when growing up. After reading about her experiences taping her first shows in 1962, I scrounged up a DVD copy of the original shows, and it was fascinating to watch those after reading her thoughts and impressions on the process.

“My Life in France” is an absolutely fantastic retelling of Julia’s years in France and of discovering her purpose in life: cooking. She began by shopping at the local markets, to improve her abysmal French, and then eventually ended up attending the Cordon Bleu, the famed cooking academy. While cultivating an active social life in Paris full of dinner parties and outings with her husband and lifelong love, Paul, Julia met many in the French gastronomic world. Two of the people she met were Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, who were trying to write a French cookbook for American chefs. Their early attempts at publication failed, and the two were advised to bring an American onboard for much needed perspective – enter Julia. Thus began their collaboration on a massive labor of love that would eventually tally in at over 700 pages – the slimmest they could make it.

While much of the memoir focuses on her entry and later success into the cooking world, and her research, cookbook work, teaching, and restaurant visits, Julia also gives plenty of detail about normal life, from apartment problems to her addiction for shiny kitchenware. Julia includes much about her husband as well, who was interesting in his own right.

My one complaint is that French words, especially for the names of dishes, are sprinkled throughout, and translations aren’t always provided. I have a few years of French under my belt and knew most, but I couldn’t translate some of the cooking terms. A listing at the end would have been helpful. The ending seems to lose some steam, as entire years go by with scant mention.

Otherwise, an excellent treat of a book. Bon appétit!

4/5.

Book 41: Ghosts of War

Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI, by Ryan Smithson

Not often does a book leave me speechless, but the difficult subject and beautiful writing in “Ghosts of War” did. Ryan Smithson was 19 when he was deployed to Iraq as a member of the Army Reserves. He tells the story of his platoon and so many like it overseas, the ones who are working to rebuild the country and make it safe for other troops and citizens, the ones who interact with villagers and the poorer people of Iraq. Not the ones who are busting down doors, searching for weapons caches or other types of activities that make the news. Smithson and his fellow soldiers are the unsung heroes of the war.

Smithson writes a moving memoir, that starts with his reaction to September 11, 2001, and his decision to join the Army Reserves, to his year long deployment overseas. The book ends with his return home and the difficulty in adjusting to life again, after living in a combat zone, and how he used writing as therapy for PTSD. The bulk of the book is about his year in Iraq, a year in which he saw the human side of war. Many of the most moving parts of the book are when he describes encounters with Iraqi children, who were almost pathetically grateful for something as simple as clean water. “Ghosts of War” is also a power emotional and mental journey for both the author and the reader, as Smithson ponders what freedom really means, what is faith – questions that are answered during training, missions, and reflection.

I just can’t say enough about this book. I’ve always been against the war, but it was a general feeling. Reading “Ghosts of War” made me think about the individual soldiers, people who joined the armed forces because they want to do something, they want to protect American freedom. A particularly enlightening part for me came near the end, when Smithson went to a high school with another recruiter. On the way to the high school, the other recruiter told Smithson that the kids they were about to see wouldn’t really care to hear them, wouldn’t listen – they’d think he was just one more brainwashed grunt. I know I felt that way when I listened to recruiters in high school; but as I said, now my opinion is very different. I will now appreciate and thank the soldiers I see. Thank you for opening my eyes.

“Ghosts of War” is an excellent book for adults or young adults, especially teenagers who are considering joining the armed forces. Smithson’s memoir gives an accurate picture of army life, from basic training to deployment and back, that may answer questions they didn’t know they had. It’s also a great book to open discussion between parents and their children, about the war, about the army. I had my own father look at it, as he had been in the Reserves during Vietnam, and the book prompted many questions for me to ask him.

The writing is moving and will suck you in; I didn’t want to put it down once I started. Some of the experiences related left me tearing up, and some had me cracking up with laughter. Overall, a wonderful book.

5/5.