Rocks by Joe Perry

Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith by Joe Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An exciting look at one of the bad boys from Boston. I've listened to Aerosmith through the years but never dove that deeply into their history. As a native New Englander, the Aerosmith story is part of our rock and roll lore. Joe's memoir travels throughout the region even before the group hit worldwide star status. Even as I type this I'm just a few towns away from Joe's boyhood home of Hopedale.

Joe comes off as a dark brooding introvert whose main outlet is his electric guitar. He spends much of the early parts of the book pestering his parents for one. Then come the years since in small bands in Boston and the surrounding area. Eventually, the members of Aerosmith finally find each other and they ride the road to success. Along that road, they pick up drug habits, divorces, band breaking-up, falling off stages, addictions, therapists, success, non-stop touring, micromanaging manager, and all the while bitching about lead singer Steve Tyler. For as much as he whines about Steve, and he's no angel, they still stick together. They are the Boston version of Mick & Keith. Guess what Joe, if Steve hasn't changed by now he's not going to. No wonder they're all in therapy.

It's an entertaining book if you want to know more of Aerosmith's history there is no shortage of drama to go along with it.

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A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read John Irving's "World According to Garp" and enjoyed the book(and movie) very much (probably due for a reread of it) so I thought I'd give Owen Meany a chance. Its reviews or commentary on the book is overwhelmingly positive so that clinched it. The only thing that concerned me was by reading some comments and even review blurbs on the book itself one might expect a calling from God himself or have some sort of epiphany or conversion. For better or worse it did not happen in my experience although the book is enjoyable and heartwarming. The ending though seemed a bit anticlimactic because I expected it all along. Although it may seem a bit heavy-handed in its religious tone at times it is more what I call old-school religion versus in-your-face evangelical style Christianity. I'm on the cynical side about that stuff but won't knock someone else's belief.

It's a charming story set in a charming New Hampshire town and a batch of eccentric personalities(this seems to a thing with Irving as "World According to Garp" has a similar setting and quirky characters). It also has a heavy-handed outlook about the Vietnam War and Reagan era politics that might be off-putting to some. It is also on the long side that may seem tedious at first but it does find its pace the further along it goes. Its length and tediousness made it tempting to put the book away but yet it was still interesting enough to keep me coming back for more.

It was a decent book but I think I expected too much. Perhaps I had read too many others having their own epiphany type of experiences or falling in love with Owen. This was not my experience. Owen was intelligent, thoughtful, and outspoken despite his broken voice. The religious theme might be heavy for some but the story was more about having faith than being preachy. The book is an enjoyable escape for a while into the world according to Owen Meany.

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Keeping The Faith by Jimmy Carter

Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President by Jimmy Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jimmy Carter was the first President I have recollection of as a kid. My major recollections weren't detailed but I do remember the famous smile and big hair. I also remember the inflation, gas lines, Camp David peace talks, Ted Kennedy challenging him, Iran hostage situation and of course defeat to Reagan. All of is addressed in his memoirs in varying degrees. I've read books on Nixon, Ford, Reagan and even one about Kennedy/Carter but this is first from or about Carter alone.

The memoir generally runs chronologically taking guidance from the Presidents personal diary. It was interesting to hear about his perspective of events I remember as a kid. He's highly detailed but is still very thoughtful. Though book though was heavily into the details of his administration goings on but seemed like First Lady Rosalynn and daughter Amy were barely mention. In contrast the week at Camp David with Anwar Sadat(Egypt)of and Menachem Begin(Israel) trying to iron out peace accords feels like half the book. I'm sure some would find it interesting but it did seem it went on forever.

The last part of the book covers of the Iran hostage situation and his reelection bid. A little surprising is how underplayed his rivalry with Senator Ted Kennedy was. By most other accounts I've come across it was quite bitter. Perhaps even more so than against Reagan. I feel his reelection against Reagan was also underplayed. Not sure if it was just too bitter to talk about when he wrote this which was relatively soon after his Presidency.

I kind of felt like Jimmy Carter was great at being a heavily involved in the Presidency's day to day stuff but it did seem to lack a lot of warmth or humor. In other words, dry. He seemed to skip or skim over unpleasant stuff like Kennedy, malaise speech, Reagan etc... I like President Carter but I don't know if this does him justice. It's still worth reading if you're into Presidential history.



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The Boston Massacre - Bonnie L. Lukes

Famous Trials - The Boston Massacre by Bonnie L. Lukes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a relatively short summary of the Boston Massacre that occurred in 1770. After tensions in Boston had escalated about recent taxes imposed on colonial America it came to head when after a mob that was harassing a group of British soldiers shot and killed 5 people. They were put on trial and only 2 were convicted of "manslaughter". One of the defense lawyers for the soldiers was the future 2nd President of the United States, John Adams.

I'm sure there are more in-depth books and writings on this event but this gives you a pretty good overall summary of what happened. It also pays a lot of attention to the trials that followed. It's a good book that's easy to understand and will give you a decent summary of the event.

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A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan

 

A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Like many my first encounter with this story was the star studded movie of the 70's. Say what you will about movie adaptations from books but this was one of the cases that it inspired me to find out more of the event and seek out this incredible book. I've read the book at least once before but this time around I did it by audio-book(via Audible) and I wasn't disappointed. I've also read his other well known books The Last Battle and The Longest Day so I am familiar with Ryan's work.

I imagine it's easier to write about victory's verses defeats in war time. No one wants to dwell on defeats or mistakes they made. Perhaps that's what drew Cornelius to this story. In battling cancer in his own life maybe he was looking back in his own life too. I only recently learned he died shortly after finishing this book.


The story itself seemed to be one of missed opportunity, underestimating the opponent, ignoring intelligence out of arrogance and not wanting to rock the boat. Indeed Allied forces had the Germans on the run in early September. Unfortunately even with the Herculean effort that was made to use airborne troops to attack on such short notice it still gave the Germans enough time to regroup and put up a stiffer defense than was expected. It is disappointing and infuriating that Dutch underground intelligence seemed to be casually dismissed. It seemed to be a combination of the not wanting to go against Montgomery and blinded by the heady proposition that this will be the break thru battle that leads to end of the war by Christmas. Who wants to spoil that?

What also can't be forgotten is the human cost of this battle. I think this time around I noticed more of the brutality and shear numbers of casualties in war. Those who made it through were not only heroic but survivors. No amount of training and determination will prevent your glider being hit by flak or your plywood/canvas boat being raked by machine gun fire crossing a wide river. The phrase war is hell is an understatement. It is why it is important these stories be told to not only remember those made it thru but also not to forget those who didn't.

I certainly recommend this book to those interested in this period of military and world history. I would also recommend Cornelius Ryan's other books "The Longest Day"(D-Day) and "The Last Battle"(the fall of Berlin).

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