A competent and well researched biography. The author falls into the trap of making excuses for their subject matter and believes that things are worsA competent and well researched biography. The author falls into the trap of making excuses for their subject matter and believes that things are worse back then than they are today. I don’t want an ideological screed but these are common issues that impact biographies. I still recommend reading but these are some major flaws in an otherwise decent biography....more
A somewhat comprehensive and partially balanced take on Elon’s life thus far. Sometimes delved too much into things that didn’t really matter and someA somewhat comprehensive and partially balanced take on Elon’s life thus far. Sometimes delved too much into things that didn’t really matter and sometimes just barely scratched the surface on things that did matter. Broken up into several dozen chapters to make a massive book like this accessible. I recommend reading but if you’re looking for an ideologically-based caricature of him, this book ain’t it. It’s tilted in favor of Musk but I’ll leave it to the reader to decide if that’s valid or not; I believe you can make a convincing case either way....more
I read Murder Rap and LAbyrinth prior to this book. I wanted a different perspective than those two books. A lot of what Keffe D said raises some eyebI read Murder Rap and LAbyrinth prior to this book. I wanted a different perspective than those two books. A lot of what Keffe D said raises some eyebrows and those questions are very well laid out on other reviews here so I defer to them. Some of this stuff took place decades ago so part of it could be that our memories on things get muddled over time even if we believe we remember them clearly.
The book was full of spelling and grammar errors. The quotes the author would take from the book often times did not match! My assumption is that this book was thrown together fast due to Keffe D, Greg Kading, et. al appearing on podcasts and shows like VladTV so they tried to strike while the iron was hot.
I’ve had a lot of interest recently in this case due to Keffe D being raided again by the feds. So I found some insight in this book that I did not get on Murder Rap or LAbyrinth. Anyone who isn’t really interested in the murders of 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G. will probably find this to be a two star book at best. For me, I’ll round it up to three stars....more
An interesting yet highly flawed book. This book is heavily biased and very subjective. You will get to find out what the author thinks of many of thoAn interesting yet highly flawed book. This book is heavily biased and very subjective. You will get to find out what the author thinks of many of those who are involved. It’s clear that the star of the book is Russell Poole, a rising star within LAPD that gets stonewalled, then shifted around, and then on the bad side of top brass until he retires in 1999. The author does not care to corroborate Poole’s findings so everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Either way, it is clear that a lot of people got killed, injured, lost livelihoods, etc. for ego. I’ve heard Murder Rap is much better, which I’m reading now. I just like to read different perspectives on this time period that as of this review is over 25 years old, a similar age to Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G....more
It’s crazy to think there are people like Israel Keyes out there but with a population of over 330 million in America, there’s probably more of them oIt’s crazy to think there are people like Israel Keyes out there but with a population of over 330 million in America, there’s probably more of them out there than anyone wants to admit. The book is a decently told (shallow in some places) tale about a serial killer and the many attempts to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, namely via petty politics and outright incompetence within the justice system that allowed him to commit suicide in the end. Many comments here ask why he’s not as high profile and honestly it’s because the government looks bad here at all levels from the locals to the feds. It’s easier to highlight the cases where there’s a clear hero to swoop in and save the day. The story of Israel Keyes is too complicated for many, which is a shame as there are a lot of lessons to be learned here. Hopefully they are....more
I liked this book less the more I read. The first section was great and if it was just that, I think it would’ve been a good four star book. The otherI liked this book less the more I read. The first section was great and if it was just that, I think it would’ve been a good four star book. The other sections felt somewhat nonsensical and rushed. I think it’s because the author was too young and has yet to really be put through life’s paces to offer anything meaningful to say. The end result is reheated and rehashed stoicism at its most mediocre....more
I’m a big fan of Beavis and Butt-Head so I of course got this book. The Ensucklopedia is just okay. B&B alternates from writing very well to being totI’m a big fan of Beavis and Butt-Head so I of course got this book. The Ensucklopedia is just okay. B&B alternates from writing very well to being totally incoherent. The content itself is all over the place and really needs an editor in some places. Recommended for hardcore fans, anyone else, you can skip it....more
An interesting essay about something that will never actually happen. Liar Liar and The Invention of Lying tackle the premise in a more entertaining mAn interesting essay about something that will never actually happen. Liar Liar and The Invention of Lying tackle the premise in a more entertaining manner and at a higher intellectual level to boot. I can only be honest here....more
Very solid biography and you can tell the author put a lot of effort into doing a biography on a great man like Wiesel justice. I deducted a star becaVery solid biography and you can tell the author put a lot of effort into doing a biography on a great man like Wiesel justice. I deducted a star because of the end, where the author seemed to gripe about the politics of some of the people Wiesel associated with at the end of his life. In spite of that, I really recommend the book.
Edit: Read it a second time as part of a Jewish study group and liked the book a lot better. Five stars....more
A good book from one of Hollywood’s most powerful lawyers. Each chapter was concise while still remaining informative, a lost art. Also understood thaA good book from one of Hollywood’s most powerful lawyers. Each chapter was concise while still remaining informative, a lost art. Also understood that many people wanted personal anecdotes about the various players he worked for and against but it would have been a bit better if he shared more of his own experiences. Still, highly recommended....more
Really nice high level overview of Maimonides. The author also discusses Maimonides’ impacts up to the modern age and includes those who agreed and diReally nice high level overview of Maimonides. The author also discusses Maimonides’ impacts up to the modern age and includes those who agreed and disagreed with his tenets. The Jewish Lives series often provides a high level overview that points you in the right direction if you want to know more and this book is no different. I recommend it for anyone unfamiliar or barely familiar with the Rambam....more
Used this at a Seder. It is very accessible and I liked the various depictions of the four children. Not a lot of meat on the bone though. A solid thrUsed this at a Seder. It is very accessible and I liked the various depictions of the four children. Not a lot of meat on the bone though. A solid three star Haggadah....more
Used this at a Seder last night. Easy and accessible for a wide ranging audience with a few typos and inconsistencies that jumped out at me, includingUsed this at a Seder last night. Easy and accessible for a wide ranging audience with a few typos and inconsistencies that jumped out at me, including misspelling their own name on the spine (!) that keep it from being a five star Haggadah....more
A great (auto)biography of a living legend. Very honest and open. Lots of great quotes that I wrote down too. I have “auto” in parentheses as there arA great (auto)biography of a living legend. Very honest and open. Lots of great quotes that I wrote down too. I have “auto” in parentheses as there are several chapters from friends and family of Quincy’s that provide a lot of great stories and context from diverse perspectives.
I deducted it one star because there are some amazing and memorable moments of his life that get just a passing mention or nothing at all. With so much he’s done, it’s understandable but if he had a few more sections about more of his accomplishments and what went on behind them, this would be five stars. I think it’s worth the read. Not too many people like this anymore....more
This book unfortunately got a lot wrong about me and very little that was right but I set my expectations accordingly so I’m not disappointed. A fun lThis book unfortunately got a lot wrong about me and very little that was right but I set my expectations accordingly so I’m not disappointed. A fun little book....more
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