According to Kate – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Review

Title According to Kate: The Legendary Life of Big Nose
Kate, Love of Doc Holliday
Author Chris Enss
Publisher TwoDot (October 1, 2019)
Format Kindle, Hardcover     
Page 184     
Language English     
ISBN # 1493037730 ISBN-13 #: (978-1493037735)       

Author’s Bio

Chris Enss is a prolific and professional writer with decades of experience and more than 40 titles on the subject of the historic West. She holds numerous awards as well as being a New York Times Best Seller. 

Who is the Target Audience?

History buffs and those with a penchant for Western History are likely to enjoy this presentation. In addition, those whose interests range from women’s history and biography may also find the book an enjoyable read.

Synopsis

The title revolves around the real-life adventures of Kate Elder the amour of the notorious Doc Holiday. The Wild West was an unforgiving environment for women, and it appears to have taken a rare toughness of mind and character combined with smarts to exist among the rough and tumble men. Enss shows the other, softer side of Kate Elder aka Big Nose Kate. Kate was gifted in many crafts. In writing this book Enss has given Big Nose Kate an epitaph she missed in the days of old. 

Enss work shines from her masterful and crafted prose and her obvious respect for her subject. The familiarity Enss has of the life and times of the Old West is clear. According to Kate is a pleasant and interesting read about a character that history almost forgot. A female that although long dead is brought to life again through the professional writing skill of Enss. I did feel at times that the pace of the book was a little too slow. 

Conclusion

The story written by Enss revolves around the female character of Big Nose Kate, aka Kate Elder, the sometimes wife of Doc Holiday. She lived in the tumultuous times of the 1800s in places such as Tombstone, Arizona, among many others. 

Overall, the book is worthy of your time.

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: NetGalley, and the Publisher, TwoDot for affording me the opportunity to review According to Kate: The Legendary Life of Big Nose Kate, Love of Doc Holliday.

VICKSBURG – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Review

Title Vicksburg
Author Donald L. Miller
Publisher Simon & Schuster (October 29, 2019)
Format Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook     
Page 688     
Language English     
ISBN # 1451641370 ISBN -13   (978-1451641370)     

Author’s Bio

Professor Donald L. Miller is an established author of history related books since 2006. His earlier work: City of the Century: The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America is an award-winning publication. I am familiar with City of the Century, and Vicksburg is at least equal to or better than that book.

Who is the Target Audience?

This masterly study is an important read for those students of United States Civil War, those who enjoy Military Strategy and US Local History of the Civil War period. 

Synopsis

This book is written by Professor Emeritus Donald L. Miller and is already heralded as a potential best seller. Vicksburg possibly being a best seller doesn’t surprise me, because having read this rare gem I also hold that opinion. Miller guides us through the evolution of strategies used by Grant, Porter, and Sherman. The campaign at Vicksburg was the singular pivotal event leading to the final minutes of the South at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

Vicksburg was thought to be completely impregnable due in part to: environment, geographic, natural and geological factors. Grant together with both of his cohorts Porter and Sherman managed to solve a seemingly impossible puzzle in breaching the unreachable. It wasn’t without losses, however, and illness and disease took their toll.

The retelling of the events leading to the conquest of Vicksburg is a compelling tale fixed in history, but now brought to life for a new audience. It is well paced, easy to understand and contains a plethora of facts. It is so well written that many people who usually don’t enjoy these subjects may find they do enjoy Miller’s style of writing.

Conclusion

I have no reluctance in highly recommending this book. It is likely to be an award-winning book in my opinion. I received this as a reviewer for NeGalley but I will be purchasing a copy because I like to support great writers. Don’t wait till it sells out, get your copy as soon as you can. 

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: The Author, NetGalley, and the Publisher Simon & Schuster for affording me the opportunity to review Vicksburg.

Kidnapped by a Client – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Review

TitleKidnapped by A Client: An Attorney’s Fight for Justice at Any Cost
AuthorSharon Muse JD; Holly Lorincz
PublisherSky horse (December 3, 2019)
FormatKindle, Hardcover, Audiobook, Audio CD    
Page312     
LanguageEnglish     
ISBN #1510735941 ISBN -13 (978-1510735941)     

Author’s Bio

The authors of this monograph are Sharon R. Muse and Holly Lorincz. In order to respect the authors privacy, and out of an abundance of caution I will avoid revealing any details beyond their names.

Who is the Target Audience?

As a true crime book this has a broad readership appeal. Those who follow true crimes and punishment would also find this real-life account of Muse and her victimization to be revealing on a number of levels. 

Synopsis

Kidnapped by a Client is a first person account of a horrifying tale of a true-life crime perpetrated against Sharon Muse, a Kentucky attorney at law in 2006. Sharon Muse was abducted, raped, and stalked by a psychopath. In this tome she shares a vivid stark and brutal story, detailing her highs and lows, her ups and downs in the US Judicial System. A judicial system where she struggles to overcome the inherent but necessary bias towards the rights of alleged offenders in preference to the victims of crimes. The partiality towards the perpetrator leaves the victim as a mere source of physical evidence rather than a living, breathing human being. This prejudice often leaving the victims feeling objectified and frustrated by the lack of compassion and understanding.

From Muse’s kidnapping, to her experiences in court she describes the woeful treatment metered out to her by the United States Judicial System. She reveals that even to an experienced lawyer, how seemingly insurmountable some aspects of the law appear to be.

Despite the trials of life that she was exposed to, Muse found great solace and strength in Jesus Christ.     

Muse’s story is as horrifying as it is compelling and immersive. Her odyssey leaves the reader with some disturbing truths and some alarming facts about crime and punishment in the 21st Century.

Her description of panicked apprehension about being held hostage to the lack of compassion or empathy from the authorities to her plight, leaves the reader with a bitter taste. Although this crime occurred in 2006, many of the experiences described could be had by other women today. Perhaps the most galling thing about the handling of her case is the avoidable mistakes made by the police, the collectors of evidentiary materials, and the prosecution.   

Conclusion

In conclusion; Sharon Muse was abducted, raped, and stalked. She fought her case until she won. She persevered through a combination of a thirst for justice, her determination to see her perpetrator punished, and the desire to ameliorate her trauma, guilt, and shame. Ultimately, the victim triumphs not just over the flagitious criminal but over the inept unfeeling justice system itself. In a manner of speaking, she is twice the person the perpetrator could ever wish to be.

If you didn’t read the chapter: THREAT ASSESSMENT: RED FLAGS please do. If you are a vulnerable woman the wealth of information there could help you in a potentially dangerous situation. 

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: NetGalley, and the Publisher, Skyhorse for affording me the opportunity to review of Kidnapped by a Client.

STEM CELLS IN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Review

Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine by Mike K. S. Chan & Dmitry Klokol
Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine by Mike K. S. Chan & Dmitry Klokol

Comprehensive review coming soon.

Title Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine:
Carpe Diem – Carpe Vitam!
Author Mike K. S. Chan, Dmitry Klokol
Publisher Matador (July 31, 2019)
Format Kindle     
Page 551     
Language English     
ASIN # B07VVL2MS7     

Brief Synopsis

Quote: “The goal is to provide a once in a lifetime treatment to correct a specific medical deficit.”

Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine Carpe Diem-Carpe Vital! (July 31, 2019).

This is a seminal monograph on the subject of the therapeutic application and use of stem cells in “regenerative medicine.” The science described within the pages of this text may be leading edge, but Chan and Klokol have attempted to keep the information accessible to the average reader. However, in some parts the comprehension of the complex science may be challenging. Research scientists and students of medical research may gain the greatest benefits of this work.

The text guides you through the multiple applications of the utilization of Stem Cells and the medical illnesses that may be treated by the use of ‘Xenogeneic Cell Therapy.’ The authors posit the limitations and benefits of the scientific method as it relates explicitly to its use in human subjects. There is a brief description of xenotransplantation in the treatment of cells requiring regenerative assistance in a range of degenerative conditions through cross-species donated cells. Significant importance is placed in the use of cross-species hosts to be Scientific Pathogen Free Animals (SPF – Animals) through the use of ‘Closed Colony’ and proven clinical methods.

Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine describes the merits, the problemata, and the detailed methodologies of regenerative therapies. The book is replete with beautiful color illustrations that includes the Cell Cycle and the illustrations of the Noble Prize Winner, Günter Blobel, for Physiology or Medicine in 1999. His thesis is on how the distribution mechanism of biological active transport cells migrate, how proteins contain signals inside that direct their location in a destination cell, and how they are transported and where they may migrate to.

I found the Chronology of the development of stem cell research and application to be compelling reading.

Simply the most comprehensive book on the subject of Stem Cells as applied in ‘regenerative medicine,’ and most certainly the best illustrated. The illustrations combined with Chan and Klokol‘s vivid written communication provides you with an invaluable tool in comprehending the ground breaking subject of Stem Cell Therapy.

SEDUCING AND KILLING NAZIS -REVIEW

Litercurious Book Review

Seducing and Killing Nazis by Sophie Poldermans
Seducing and Killing Nazis by Sophie Poldermans
TitleSeducing and Killing Nazis
AuthorSophie Poldermans
PublisherSWW Press; 1 edition (August 1, 2019)
FormatKindle, Paperback     
Page228     
LanguageEnglish     
ASIN #B07TMRTVBD     

Author’s Bio

Sophie Poldermans is a Dutch, Women’s rights activist and lecturer. She formerly worked at the National Hannie Shaft Foundation (NHSF). It was at the NHSF that she learned of the heroic actions of three Dutch young women and the tragic end of one of them. Poldermans seeks to lift the veil of time off this forgotten tale of daring-do and to remind us of all the sacrifices that many women made during the war.   

Who is the Target Audience?

Seducing and Killing Nazis is foremost a history book but it is also a memorial to Hannie Shaft, one victim of millions. The story is told by her friend Freddie Oversteegen, who is now 90 years old, and her sister Truus. This personal account of the events of World War II will satisfy; students of Military History or those studying the events in Europe during World War II, and those studying the Shoah. It may also be interesting to Feminists and other women. If you enjoy reading about strong characters, especially personal accounts of women in war situations, you could find this book inspirational on many levels.

Synopsis

Seducing and Killing Nazis is monograph by Sophie Poldermans. She introduces us to three ordinary girls who did extraordinary acts during tumultuous times. Of the three main characters, two are still alive; Freddie Oversteegen and her sister Truus Oversteegen. The third woman, Hannie Shaft sadly lost her battle in 1945. I could go further into the details of the in-depth biographical account of the surviving sisters and the historically available information researched by Poldermans; but to experience the life of these women and girls during the horrors of that era, you really need to read this book for yourself. Fortunately, this book is available in many formats and stores. If you enjoy well researched, concisely written, biography of the horrors of war from the female perspective then this is the book you may enjoy.

Conclusion

Sophie Poldermans has provided a valuable account of the dire experiences of three young females. Their lives, and for Hannie her death, forever changed by their experiences and activities. They may have begun as ordinary students but they ended up being remarkable women. Their stories are inspirational and their bravery is undeniable. These three teenagers set a high standard for the rest of us to follow. I could not help but be inspired and motivated by the life they describe. It is a perfect memorial to the life and times of Hannie Shaft, the forgotten heroine of World War II.

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: NetGalley and the Publisher SWW Press for affording me the opportunity to review of Seducing and Killing Nazis.

https://seducingandkillingnazis.com/#home

The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Review

Title The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth: And Other
Curiosities from the History of Medicine
Author / Narrator Thomas Morris / Ruper Farley
Publisher Penguin Dutton; 1 edition (Nov 20, 2018)
Format Unabridged Audiobook, Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover
Time9 hours and 7 minutes
Language English     
ASIN # B07K1FC2C1  

AUTHOR

Thomas Morris was a successful radio producer for the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) for many years. He is now a freelance writer and medical historian. His first book, The Matter of the Heart: A History of the Heart in Eleven Operations, wonthe Royal Society of Literature and the Jerwood Charitable Foundation award. The award is one of three annual awards, one of £10,000 and two of £5,000, offered to authors on their first works of non-fiction. Mr. Morris now lives in London.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

This book is for everyone 16 or older. The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth is written for the masses and not just for those who want to learn about historic medicine. The book is full of individual cases hand-picked through time to provide the reader with a glimpse of common medical procedures, some uncommon medical procedures, and allot of very interesting cases.

SYNOPSIS

The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth: And Other Curiosities from the History of Medicine, is a sojourn into some of the most interesting medical cases and the procedures used in those cases. It is told through the eyes of the people who were actually there. This book is a conglomeration of notes, letters, personal views of the doctors, and sometimes the patients. The author does a great job of finding the most interesting cases in history. There are some interesting cases that include various items escaping the bodies from all different places, some not very good places. How about the surgeries where the patient is not anesthetized and is an active participant? There is a chapter of patients who survived extreme injuries, some lived normal lives after their injuries.

CONCLUSION

After reading this book, I listened to the audible version and the narrator added so much more to the enjoyment. He does a great job with the inflection of his voice and the bits that are in French. The little jokes he throws in are awesome. This tome, at times, had me laughing, cringing, crying, and always wondering about the historic doctors and their sometime weird practices. The cases offer a wide variety of injuries and maladies; the causes of some of these will haunt me. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.

SIMILAR WORKS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Dr. Mütter Marvels by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz  #Medicine History & Commentary #History of Medicine
#Trivia & Fun Facts

Dr. Mütter’s Marvels was established by Dr. Mütter who sadly died prematurely at the age of 48. He left behind an immense collection of medical oddities that form the basis of Philadelphia’s renowned Mütter Museum. Dr Mütter’s Marvel by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz is an insight into the dedicated surgeon’s career as well as his life and times. Aptowicz presents her view on Dr. Mütter’s medical practices and the prejudices he witnessed. Aptowicz draws upon Mütter’s speeches and lectures which reveals his humanist based approach.

Mütter Museum Historical Medical Photographs #Medicine History & Commentary #History of Medicine
#Trivia & Fun Facts

Mütter Museum: Historical Medical Photographs Is a cornucopia of high quality photographs taken by professional photographers. Between the 1860s and the 1940s, photographers took pictures of these oddities as records for physicians to share among medical colleagues. They also functioned, at the time, to demonstrate various techniques used in medicine such as micrography and X-ray. During the earliest days, they utilized the method of photography known as the daguerreotype. This processing method required the photographer to polish a sheet of copper plate with silver halide coated to a mirror finish, and treat it with fumes that made its surface light sensitive. There is much more to the Mütter Museum however, and it is not for the squeamish.

London A-Z – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Review

London A-Z
London A-Z
TitleLondon A-Z                           
AuthorGeographer’s A-Z Map Co.      
PublisherHunter Publishing: Geographers A-Z Map Co. Ltd. (6th Ed., October 30, 2006     
FormatPaperback     
Page288     
LanguageLanguage     
ISBN #1843483289 ISBN-13 (978-1843483281)    

Author’s Bio

The Geographer’s A-Z Map is the registered author of this 6th Edition publication; a paperback, dated: 30thOctober 2006.

Who is the target audience?

Those considering studying “The Knowledge” would be the first that would come to mind when considering who would benefit from this paperback. That said anyone wanting to know how to find anything in London would be well advised to get one.

Synopsis

The London A-Z, I know her well. 

I continue to use traditional methods of locating the places I wish to travel. I find looking at a  page of the London A-Z allows me at a glance to find the path I want to take. I avoid the constant directions of an electronic voice dictating the one and only route to a destination. I live for the times I get lost and find strange and interesting locations with intriguing back stories. I am not a technophobe; in fact I am an advanced user, designer, and educator in technology related subjects. I prefer my choice of directions and those happy times where I occasionally meet people or accidentally visit places that would have been missed if I used my GPS. 

Then there is the utility of humor built into reference materials such as the London A-Z. I have been known to flip through to the index of the book and look up the funny or unusual names contained therein. These names vary from crude and lascivious names from the deep and distant past of London. Names that echo from the Saxon roots, Roman street names, and the place names inspired by the work people did at that location in times now past.  The back stories of many of the locations you can find in the index of the London A-Z can be fascinating and add to your lexicon of humorous tales or intriguing myths to discuss with those who find such matters interesting. For example there is a place called Bleeding Heart Yard, you can find it in East Central 1 (EC1). It is in Clerkenwell and is reported to be so named owing to a murder that happened there in the year 1626. It turns out however, that the woman reputed to have been murdered actually died 20 years later and not of natural causes. If you are a reader of Charles Dickens work you may recall the case; he included in his book The Little Dorrit. 

Not far from the Tower of London there is a street named Knightrider Street  (Knyghriderstrete in 1322 language). The street is named after the knights that would traverse this area from the Tower old London to Jousting tournaments in Smithfeilds. Then there is the plethora of funny, licentious, and salacious Public House and place names; for example there is Wardrobe Place in EC4. It was at this location that King Edward 3rd housed his walk-in wardrobe. Sadly, the building was destroyed in the now infamous Great Fire of London 1666. Then there is Cock Lane, EC1, a wonderful erection if I do say so myself. Cock Lane is another, all be it humorous, example of a place name that has relevance to the trade plied there in the past. Cock Lane was the only street in the City (City of London, The square mile, a private corporation) where ladies of the evening were allowed to live and work. Last but not least there is Hanging Sword Alley in EC4. In medieval times most of the country was illiterate and so there was no naming or numbering of houses, they preferred instead to use symbols. In the case of a coffee house there would often be a ladies arm holding a coffee pot. At the house on Hang Sword Lane there was a mansion and they used a hanging sword as their symbol. The area was known for fighting schools and as a rough place to visit which is probably why the Blood Bowl Alley came to be named. Again those of you familiar with Dickens work will find a reference to such places in A Tale of Two Cities in the form of Jerry Cruncher body-snatcher. 

I suggest if you are bored and in search of adventure, turn off your GPS get yourself a London A-Z and go and lose yourself for a few hours in London. Visit the places you never knew existed and perhaps find your other self.  

Always remember that a book can be much more than its cover.

Conclusion

Be it the times of Pax Romanaus or Pax Britainica always have your trusty and reliable cartographic entertainment on your person, because you never know when you’ll need the London A-Z.

Everything’s Eventual – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Reviews

TitleEverything’s Eventual                                             
AuthorStephen King                                         
PublisherScribner Reprint (April 17, 2018)     
FormatPaperback, Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook           
Page464     
LanguageEnglish     
ISBN #1501197967     

Author’s Bio

The eponymous Mr. King, the author of a library of horror genre literature really needs no introduction, but just in case you spent the last 50 years on a meteor traversing the universe, I will give you the press junket introduction. Stephen King, is the child of a school teacher. It was Mrs. King who encouraged all of her children to read. Stephen King consumed literature like a man possessed. This compulsion continued through-out his life and even directed his choice of study as a young man. Whilst in academia he began writing professionally. He sold his early works for a pittance but as his skill and reputation continued, he became a much-loved horror writer of modern times. At the time of writing, Stephen King’s name is synonymous with the horror theme. Some people describe him as the King of Horror and it is hard to deny with his sky-high book sales. As this is Halloween it might be pertinent to mention that one particular story was inspired by paranormal events experienced by him and his spouse in a hotel in Colorado. King has spoken of it in the past and I encourage you to seek out his own account for more details.

Who will enjoy this collection of stories?

If you are looking for a read that disquieting, amusing at times, and frightening at others this could be a book for you this Halloween. King will take you on a sojourn into an alternative universe where things may not be as you imagine. He can take you from a hospital gurney to conversing with the Devil in the woods. Every story in this novella has something for everyone. If you aren’t a Stephen King fan already, perhaps this volume could turn you into one.

Synopsis

Everything‘s Eventual is one of many of King’s Novella’s. In my opinion, whilst this is not his greatest, it is not his worst. The series of stories span a wide gamut of characters and storylines, as you expect from a novella. What is special about this collection of stories is the expertise of the author in crafting the characters so well you can almost smell them.  The stories are so well described that you could be accompanying the characters as they transverse the plots.  One cannot help but be impressed by the sheer latitude of King’s vivid imagination. The stories are original and explore new aspects of terror. If you enjoyed King’s earlier work, such as Carrie, Salem’s Lot, or Joyland you will love this outing. My favorite of the bunch is 1408, or perhaps it is Riding the Bullet; no, it has to be Luckey Quarter.  

Conclusion

Everything’s Eventual was nearly 10 years in the coming preceded by King’s earlier novella Dreamscapes and Nightmares, and it is eminently comparable. In short, if you enjoyed the latter, you will love the former. The perfect Halloween read.

Competing in the Age of AI – REVIEW

Litercurious Book Reviews

Competing in the age of AI by By Marco Iansiti & Karim R. Lakhani  
Competing in the age of AI by By Marco Iansiti & Karim R. Lakhani        
TitleCompeting in the age of AI                                     
AuthorMarco Iansiti & Karim R. Lakhani                    
PublisherHarvard Business Review Press (January 7, 2020)     
FormatKindle, Hardcover          
Page288     
LanguageEnglish
ASIN #B07MWCTNSD     

Author’s Bio

Marco Iansiti is a Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. His special expertise revolves around Technology and Operations Management. He advises Blue Chip companies globally on operational transition, and technological transformation for the 21st Century. Iansiti and Lakhani posit workable solutions and invaluable insights into the infinite utility of AI.   

I studied Managerial Cybernetics, Systems Analysis, and Systems Development under the tutelage of Stafford Beer for both my B.Sc., and M.Sc. I am currently evaluating how the synthesis of a variety of recent technologies can be applied to extend the economic potential of large distributed networks and International organizations. Much of my work includes related issues raised in Competing in The Age of AI. My experience and my academic credentials, I believe afford me a unique perspective on this manuscript.

Iansiti is a prolific author of publications based on a particular area of expertise. Some of his works include: Digital Ubiquity, The Truth About Blockchain (Iansiti & Lakhani), The Keystone Advantage (Roy Levine), and Managing Our Hub Economy. Those looking for advice on establishing digital advantage or operational model transformation of a global organization need look no further than Competing in The Age of AI. 

Karim R. Lakhani is a Business Administration Professor at Harvard Business School. Lakhani is the co-director of the Laboratory of Innovation Science at Harvard’s Institute of Quantitative Social Science, as well as the Chair of the Harvard Business School’s Analytics Program. His area of expertise is innovation and technology management. He is the author of numerous articles and case studies on technology, digital commerce, and digital innovation. He has been published in a myriad of significant publications that include: The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and Business Week among many others.  

Who is the target audience?

This is probably the most important book on business application of digital innovations this decade. This thesis is suitable for those who want or need to understand the potential for the increased span, scope, and scale afforded by the appropriate utilization of digital innovations, particularly artificial intelligence as applied to business models. Iansiti and Lakhani’s concept provides a most important tool for Captains of industry, investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and students of business and technology. Iansiti and Lakhani’s publication is a must read for all those who want to improve their understanding of the application of AI in organizations. Competing in the Age of AI should be compulsory reading for all those involved in leveraging competitive advantage in the new business world underpinned by artificial intelligence.

Synopsis

The discussions herein include the question of ethics in application and distribution of technology. Iansiti and Lakhani’s have provided a map for the exploitation of the technical advances provided by new technology. The authors have given practical advice on the strengths, limitations, and challenges of employing artificial intelligence to support and augment a company’s strategy.

Conclusion

Competing in The Age of AI is a seminal work, containing all the key ingredients for global companies to explore in order to improve competitive advantage.  Iansiti and Lakhani have provided sensible, practical jargon-free explanations for the application of advanced technology strategies and advice on the potential effects on span, scope, and scale across the organization. 

Acknowledgment

My sincere thanks go to: NetGalley, and Harvard Business Review Press for affording me the opportunity to review of Competing in the Age of AI.

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