The Man In My Basement-Book Review

"The Man in My Basement" by Walter Mosley

"The Man in My Basement" is almost a writer's version of a symphony. Its theme is quiet and subtly played, but it draws you into its music by changing out the rhythms into making a man's most mundane existence extraordinary.

The two main characters could not be more vastly diverse. Charles Blakey lives in the home and on the property his family has owned for generations. He's recently lost his job and he's behind on his mortgage payments. The other man, Anniston Bennet appears to be a man of means who wants to rent out the Blakey basement for the summer at a fee "that it would make it more than worth your while". The money would be more than welcome, but as with any offer that comes out of the thin air, there are strange provisions that go along with it. At first the offer is dismissed, but then re-visited for financial reasons and the one man's rescue.

As the story opens further, the plot thickens by letting the reader find out strange personality quirks on both men. One reveals that he's a closet thief and possible drunk with not much in the way of taking care of himself or the people in his life. The other turns out to be a complete sham, hiding his cultural background and the fact that he is indeed a ruthless killer, who is now beginning to have regrets about his life.

Like a fine symphony, you know this rather simple story must end. Due to the events that take place, you also know that it will be rather dirge-like in its completion, yet you keep reading. The end, like a melody is not surprise, yet it was an interesting piece of orchestration.

Carine is a journalist and writing coach with many different journalistic areas of interest. She has had items published in major magazines, websites and newspapers. To read more of Carine's work, log onto: http://www.Carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com

Ten Commitments for Men by Tom Massey: Book Review

Tom Massey, who is a long time corporate leadership trainer, has produced a truly excellent book on how to navigate through life with commitments to high standards, integrity, enthusiasm, and good health. His ten points offer a road map based on wisdom and experience, his and others. The book is well written and organized, at the same time being an enjoyable read.

As a retired Chief of Police and the author of my own book, Leading beyond Tradition, it was my responsibility to provide the employees and citizens with such a map for their safety and work experience, as well as the quality of life for the community. I have taught leadership extensively in the public and private sectors and recognize there is, at best, inconsistency in what leadership actually is and how to make it work in today's world. Leadership is about people and Mr. Massey clearly recognizes those principles that constitute success.

The ten commitments Mr. Massey lists and describes are really what it takes to not only lead, but live your life to its fullest with honor and dignity. The criticality of each commitment cannot be overemphasized, and by combining all ten the practitioner lives the behaviors and models them to everyone. It has been demonstrated that people who associate with negative people themselves become negative and cynical. One's attitude is a choice, solely that of the individual, and the commitments in Mr. Massey's book are the guide to follow. While they are nothing new, they are what is necessary. Every successful person over the ages has believed in and practiced these commitments.

It has been said that once a person stops learning, they languish in the past, while one who commits to continuous learning and improvement stays current and able to live well and contribute at a higher level. The anecdotes provided in Mr. Massey's book are relevant and aligned with delivering his message. This is a book that should be read by everyone. It should be part of every home library, public library, and educational institution. These are the principles that made us great, made us what we are. We need to know them, understand them, and live by them.

Thank you Mr. Massey, for remembering them and bringing them home once again.

Review of "The Game," by Neil Strauss

A story about a guy who knows next to nothing about girls, then not only meets a secret society of pick-up artists who teach him how to score loads of beautiful women, but also becomes THE master pick-up artist himself, who both his students and his teachers go to for tips on how to deal and score with women. Sounds great, doesn't it? The best part about it is, It's true, and documented in Neil Strauss' excellent book, "The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pick-up Artists."

If you've ever heard of Neil Strauss before, this book provides a fascinating account of what made him Syle, his seduction society pseudonym. And if you have never heard of him, this book will make you WANT to know who he is. Not only does he provide a fascinating look into the many methods of gaining women's attention--and phone numbers, and panties--but describes in detail the crazy characters who make up this "society of pick-up artists", as well.

What's great about this book, as opposed to all the other ones out there for horny guys wanting to get laid, is the way it's set up. It's not a lesson-by-lesson tome detailing "forbidden" methods of "tricking" women into going to bed with you. It's actually more of one man's personal account of the frustrations and victories of dealing with women. You learn your lessons, as Strauss learns his own. It's a description of one man's journey from master loser, to master seductor. And you can benefit from the knowledge Strauss shares, first-hand, in thrilling detail.

It all starts with Strauss' account of growing up "far from attractive," and far from satisfied with his sex life. All it took to change that was a call from a book editor, asking Strauss to take the mysterious "Layguide" that existed on the Internet, and turn it into a "coherent how-to book". Though hesitant at first, Strauss finds himself curious--and you the reader curious, as well. While investigating this patchwork of notes on how to get busy, he finds himself delving into a world he--nor the majority of people out there-hardly knew existed...and becoming one of the biggest parts of it. As he writes, "If the layguide had never crossed my path, I, like most men, would never have evolved in my thinking about the opposite sex." But thanks to discovering it, Style began his journey of transformation from single loser to a guy commanding thousands for his seduction services and advice.

Along the way, he discovers a host of crazy characters and all their "unique" (to say the least!) methods: Mystery and the Mystery Method; Tyler Durden and Papa, and Real Social Dynamics; David DeAngelo and Double Your Dating; Ross Jeffries and Neurolinguistic Programming. There's also a range of guys with interesting pseudonyms of their own: Thundercat, Jlaix, Herbal, Jughead. It's hard not to laugh as you come across some of these crazy characters and their interesting methods of creating attraction: 3-second ATCs, going "kino", negging. It's funny enough to hear what these methods are; learning about what they are as revealed by the various characters, makes the book often hysterical.

What I find best about "The Game" is the way it's described as a journey. As I've said before in my posts, life really is a journey, and so is the whole process of becoming a better lover. Style's way of teaching us his lessons isn't academic, point-by-point lessons. It's through describing his growth, and letting you grow (and laugh, and groan) with him. If you want to learn what IOIs, 3-sets, negs, ATCs, and peacocking all are, you don't have to play "The Game". Just read it!

For more information on Neil Strauss and "The Game," check out:

http://www.000relationships.com/towomen/articles/neil-strauss-the-game.php

The Man In My Basement-Book Review

"The Man in My Basement" by Walter Mosley

"The Man in My Basement" is almost a writer's version of a symphony. Its theme is quiet and subtly played, but it draws you into its music by changing out the rhythms into making a man's most mundane existence extraordinary.

The two main characters could not be more vastly diverse. Charles Blakey lives in the home and on the property his family has owned for generations. He's recently lost his job and he's behind on his mortgage payments. The other man, Anniston Bennet appears to be a man of means who wants to rent out the Blakey basement for the summer at a fee "that it would make it more than worth your while". The money would be more than welcome, but as with any offer that comes out of the thin air, there are strange provisions that go along with it. At first the offer is dismissed, but then re-visited for financial reasons and the one man's rescue.

As the story opens further, the plot thickens by letting the reader find out strange personality quirks on both men. One reveals that he's a closet thief and possible drunk with not much in the way of taking care of himself or the people in his life. The other turns out to be a complete sham, hiding his cultural background and the fact that he is indeed a ruthless killer, who is now beginning to have regrets about his life.

Like a fine symphony, you know this rather simple story must end. Due to the events that take place, you also know that it will be rather dirge-like in its completion, yet you keep reading. The end, like a melody is not surprise, yet it was an interesting piece of orchestration.

Carine is a journalist and writing coach with many different journalistic areas of interest. She has had items published in major magazines, websites and newspapers. To read more of Carine's work, log onto: http://www.Carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com

The Man In My Basement-Book Review

"The Man in My Basement" by Walter Mosley

"The Man in My Basement" is almost a writer's version of a symphony. Its theme is quiet and subtly played, but it draws you into its music by changing out the rhythms into making a man's most mundane existence extraordinary.

The two main characters could not be more vastly diverse. Charles Blakey lives in the home and on the property his family has owned for generations. He's recently lost his job and he's behind on his mortgage payments. The other man, Anniston Bennet appears to be a man of means who wants to rent out the Blakey basement for the summer at a fee "that it would make it more than worth your while". The money would be more than welcome, but as with any offer that comes out of the thin air, there are strange provisions that go along with it. At first the offer is dismissed, but then re-visited for financial reasons and the one man's rescue.

As the story opens further, the plot thickens by letting the reader find out strange personality quirks on both men. One reveals that he's a closet thief and possible drunk with not much in the way of taking care of himself or the people in his life. The other turns out to be a complete sham, hiding his cultural background and the fact that he is indeed a ruthless killer, who is now beginning to have regrets about his life.

Like a fine symphony, you know this rather simple story must end. Due to the events that take place, you also know that it will be rather dirge-like in its completion, yet you keep reading. The end, like a melody is not surprise, yet it was an interesting piece of orchestration.

Carine is a journalist and writing coach with many different journalistic areas of interest. She has had items published in major magazines, websites and newspapers. To read more of Carine's work, log onto: http://www.Carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com

Essential Reads for Men: 'The Food and Beer Cook Book' by Richard Fox

With the exception of such staples as curry, steak and ale pie or, god forbid, the doner kebab, beer and fine cuisine have tended to have a difficult relationship. Despite the arrival of microbrews and fruit beers, grain remains very much grape's poor relation, with few top restaurants boasting of their beer list.

Now, however, grain has found its champion in Maxim 'Beer Chef' Richard Fox. The Food and Beer Cook Book is an unashamedly unpretentious collection of recipes and informative titbits designed to convince us that beer deserves a place in every kitchen, above and beyond that of chef's lubricant.

Fox's love of beer emerges from the start, guiding us energetically through the various types, matching beers to meals and even giving a quick rundown on beer tasting. Throughout, it's clear that his recipes are as much about celebrating the beverage in all its forms as they are about the food itself.

As Fox himself says, 'cooking at home is more about the event...than about fancy food', and that's reflected in his choice of dishes. Many are established favourites such as the club sandwich, Welsh rarebit and eggs Benedict, while every recipe uses beer either for flavour or to simplify preparation.

Fox assumes that his reader will have all the culinary aptitude of the stereotypical male, keeping recipes simple to the point of brutality and focusing on ingredients and flavours rather than technique. The club sandwich is made with pigeon and caramelised onions -- 'top tasting, beer soaking, footie friendly fodder of the highest order' -- while canapés include mini Yorkshire puddings with venison and raspberry beer sauce, with a side order of idiot-proof instructions.

The Food and Beer Cook Book includes suggestions for both formal and informal occasions, ranging from a romantic dinner à deux to supplies for TV marathons. Ladies horrified by the idea of confronting one of Fox's creations at their next candlelit rendezvous can take comfort in dishes such as fruit salad with strawberry beer crème fraiche, and inside-out hot dogs with BBQ sauce look likely to keep plainer appetites topped up.

As you've probably guessed, this isn't a book for the aspiring Gordon Ramsay. For those more Can't Cook, Won't Cook than Masterchef, however, it may prove just the thing to remove that kitchen phobia. Cheers!

**The Food and Beer Cook Book is published by Sentinel Press**