2017 Reading list
Each year I publish a reading list based on my favorites of the year. This year as many of you know, I spent the first four months of the year working to get over a concussion with a lot of headaches and bed rest. Thus I was introduced to audiobooks. With my eyes not great, I have consumed more books this way than traditional reading. That said if I thought one was particularly well narrated I will mention that to you. I list these in order of my likings.
The Wright Brothers I have recommended this previously but I wanted you to know, that after all I consumed this year, it is still at the top of my list. If you want to learn about the American entrepreneurial spirit, this is the book to read. These two brothers were among the most successful entrepreneurs based on pure impact on our lives. My favorite story was how nonchalant Dayton Residents were over having planes fly over the town till they went to Paris and repeated the act there. They did not show up in big crowds in spite of them flying well over two years before going to Paris.
Killing Patton, Patton is a controversial figure but it is hard to find an American who cared more about his country and was willing to do anything to fight for his ideals. Did he have a big ego? Yes. Did he make mistakes? Yes. But he was one very colorful and powerful General. He felt we should have beat the Russians after the war with Germany was won. Clearly the world would have been a different place if he got his way. Bill O’Reilly reads this.
The Nightingale this is one of the few fiction books I read, but I was so glad I did. It is a story of occupied France, and although much of it is based on true events it is a story woven around those events. It is a page-turner and a very well told story. Imagine your city being one of the greatest in the world and in a short time, it is occupied by a vicious enemy and almost everything in life changes. Then the horror spread and get even worse.
God Never Blinks A book by a local Cleveland author, but I found her writing and messages to have mass appeal. She is a person who, like a lot of us survived a lot. I have met her and you would have no idea she has been through all she has. She made it through a divorce, cancer, and more. She is a very positive in the end. I would say her attitude may be her strongest attribute. I loved this book. The Author Regina Brett reads this and you feel like you get to know her.
The Elephant Whisperer For the animal lover in all of us, this is a story about a gentleman who lived in South Africa. He adopted a herd of elephants that if he did not adopt would have been slaughtered. He tells amazing stories about giving most of his waking hours to understanding and accommodating these amazing creatures. There is so much about animals that we do not know and this book shares a small amount of what he learned about one of our largest creatures on earth. There is a reason for the saying: He has a memory of an elephant. These creatures remember and pass down knowledge for generations. The author reads this and it really brings the topic to life.
Franklin D Roosevelt I've read many books about all the Roosevelts. This book is much more open about the struggles Franklin had as an invalid and how he overcame each obstacle. His attitude and belief that he was the right man for the job had a lot to do with his success. He also was from a family both mother and father which were among the richest in the US. He was effectively royalty in our system. His mother was a thankless tyrant who did not treat Eleanor well and used her money and influence to steer Franklin's life.
Kissinger This is a great and well-told story of a living legend who influenced many decades of foreign policy. He was brilliant by all accounts, but also had a sizable ego that helped and also hurt him at points in his life. It was interesting how his ties to David Rockefeller were so prominent. David was a very influential supporter of his for his entire life. My favorite parts of the book were his negotiations where Washington’s influence was respected and solicited. But Kissinger often had strong thoughts about how things should play out. He usually got his way. I also thought the interplay between Nixon and Kissinger was particularly interesting. I think Kissinger genuinely liked Nixon and the reverse was true, but Kissinger had a knack for only telling part of the story. This covers China and Russia negotiations but also covers Viet Nam and what went wrong there. Written by Walter Isaccson the same author as Steve Jobs and next year you very well may see Leonardo on my list. The narrator does a great job with Kissinger’s accent.
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https://ironmanbrandt.wordpress.com
I wish all of you and your families a healthy and happy New Year and please shoot me a note back with your business and family updates.
Mark H. Brandt
Staff Quality Engineer at Pioneer Circuits, Inc.
5 年Hello Mark, I just finished reading your post about newspapers, my friend you are spot on, I am Lucky to get the Orange County Registry & Sunday LA Times which I greatly Enjoy OCR has tremendous local stories & LA Times I compare to old PD but Yes writers being pushed out & guy who saved LA paper also inherited the SD paper. Funny now I see same good stories turn up in both papers. My Friend from St Ed’s HS you are well read & I appreciate your Journey & book list is Awesome. I also enjoy Your love of Triathlons which we share. I am looking forward to exploring Audi books.
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5 年Hi Mark! You are a very well read individual. I will pick up some of your suggestions soon. Hope all is well with the family.