RebeccasReads

48 Hours to Chaos: An Engineer Looks at Life and How the World Really Works

In the opening paragraphs of the Preface to “48 Hours to Chaos,” Engineer John D. Waterman relays to the reader the following information:  “When I was a college student, I heard a professor say that civilization is always a mere forty-eight hours away from chaos.  All an enemy would need to do is find a way to cut off the food supply, and society would be destroyed.  After two days without food, all your friends and neighbors would revert to animalism, and the delicate fabric of society would be ripped to shreds along with all those people who are not the strongest and most vicious fighters.  The image of that fate struck to my impressionable young mind, and grew older with it.” (p.9)

From this concept comes “48 Hours to Chaos,” which essentially is Waterman taking a look at how the world works from the vantage point of an engineer.  After laying out a historical timeline of events, Waterman explores a gamut of areas including politics, religion, and science.  You name it and it is probably discussed in this book.

I will admit that the author’s engineering background and the cover of the book had me convinced that the language used in the book was not going to be very layperson friendly.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to find Waterman’s writing style to be concise and easy to understand.  The information is presented in a way that it is relevant and interesting to the reader.  He truly makes you think about a wide variety of topics.    If you are looking for an intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking look at the world, then I recommend giving “48 Hours to Chaos” a try.

48 Hours to Chaos: An Engineer Looks at Life and How the World Really Works
John D. Waterman
Dennett Ink (2011)
ISBN 9780983163602
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (10/11)

Red, White & Boom

Karl Puttlitz, author of “Red, White & Boom” has quite the unique background.  He holds “…a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering.  He is widely recognized and has received many prestigious awards for his pioneering innovations spanning four decades and utilized in many of the world’s most advanced computers.  His activities have resulted in over forty published inventions and the authoring of numerous articles in scientific journals.  Additionally, the author is a nationally recognized forensic metallurgist having been retained in over 150 litigation matters …” (inside back page of dust jacket)

The main focus of “Red, White & Boom” centers on a Rapid Intervention Team that is sent to Russia to help recover stolen nuclear material.  After reading about his intriguing scientific background I was curious to see how that would translate into a work of fiction.  I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself learning many details about things that I had previously known little to nothing about.  Throughout the novel, Puttlitz goes into great detail when describing certain processes and things.  For instance, near the beginning of the novel there was an analysis performed on some cigarette butts that were retained as evidence.  The reader learns about the different tests run on them (such as looking for nitrosamine, BaP, DahA, and amino acid content) to help identify what kind they are.  This in-depth look at various processes is what makes Puttlitz’s novel a unique work of fiction.

If you are interested in learning more about all things nuclear as well as other elements of science and technology all infused into a fictional suspense novel then I believe that you will enjoy “Red, White and Boom.”  I did find some parts of the book to be predictable; however, I enjoyed the inside look into a world that I wasn’t very familiar with.

Red, White & Boom
Karl Puttlitz
Adventure Street Press (2011)
ISBN 9780984491001
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (07/11)

Comfortably Unaware - Global depletion and food responsibility... What you choose to eat

If there were ever a book that would convince one to adopt a vegan lifestyle, then “Comfortably Unaware” would definitely be it.  Dr. Richard Oppenlander’s book explores the connection between global depletion and our food choices.  His presentation of the research surrounding this topic is quite convincing and eye-opening.

In the Introduction, Oppenlander tells us that “Comfortably Unaware reveals facts and provides fresh perspectives by exploring how food choices affect our land, water, air, pollution, biodiversity, true sustainability, and our personal health.” (p.xiv)  He then goes on to explore each of these topics in detail.  The facts presented are truly shocking.

The resources used to provide small amounts of animal product are staggering.  For instance, he states that while it takes 10-20 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of vegetables, it takes over 5,000 gallons of water to produce that same weight of meat. (p.12)  That is an incredibly huge difference.

Not only land animals are included in this either, the book also addresses seafood.  “… For every one pound of shrimp sold and consumed, more than twenty pounds of other sea creatures are caught and killed in the process.  Innocent victims include fish that has no commercial value, juvenile fish, turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, such as the dolphin.” (p.51)

If you find these facts to be quite disturbing then you definitely need to read Dr. Richard Oppenlander’s “Comfortably Unaware” as what I shared in this review is just the tip of the iceberg.    Oppenlander’s book is well-researched and organized.  His presentation is certainly not sugar coated and the book is a very hard hitting work.  I know that I for one will definitely be putting more thought into my food choices as a result of reading this book.  I am no longer comfortably unaware.

Comfortably Unaware - Global depletion and food responsibility... What you choose to eat
Dr. Richard A. Oppenlander
Langdon Street Press (2011)
ISBN 9781936183944
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebecca’s Reads (08/11)

Transplant: A Young Woman Struggles to Adapt to Her New Face

Jenny Beaulieu is an active, social young woman enjoying a career in software development when a horrific car accident suddenly destroys her life as she knows it.  Her face is sliced off in the collision, stripping away her ability to eat or speak.  Her face is unbearable to look at and needless to say, her confidence is eclipsed.  She becomes a prisoner in the home she shares with Rob, a boyfriend with whom she has a disintegrating relationship.  She resents his hovering but is reluctant to leave.  Despite the support of family and friends, she hides herself away, masking her face with veils.  Slowly, she forces herself back into the world.  Using a computerized speaking device developed by her colleagues she returns to work.  She learns to deal with the stares and the veils become her façade.

As she is adapting to her changed life, she is offered the opportunity to have a face transplant.  It is a chance for her to have more normal appearing features.  She would be able to breathe more easily, eat normally and speak once more.  It is not an easy road ahead as there are medical side effects and unexpected emotional ones.
Fortunately Jenny realizes she must be her own advocate.  Everyone seems to have his own agenda, not necessarily aimed at her benefit. She asks questions but the doctors and therapists are often condescending and cold. The transplant team, unsympathetic to her need for anonymity, is anxious for her to be their poster child so they can get funding.  Her friends seem to think that this will be an easy fix and question her reluctance.  No one seems to understand that she is fighting for an identity.  It finally takes the compassion of an old friend and a troubled young girl to make her grasp who she really is.

Although the story is fictional, much of the science associated with transplants is incorporated into the story, the reader learning about the medical and emotional impact right along with Jenny.  Neufeld sensitively explores possible results, both positive and negative, reinforcing the fact that advances in medical science should be approached with caution. 

Transplant: A Young Woman Struggles to Adapt to Her New Face
Gerald Neufeld
Novel Voices Press (2011)
ISBN 9780986877315
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (8/11)

Lodestone, Book One: The Sea of Storms

A few weeks ago I was perusing a list of books needing to be reviewed when I came across “Lodestone, Book One: The Sea of Storms.” I definitely found the title to be unique so I popped over to Amazon in order to learn more about it.

Ail-Kar, a white-hole portal from another universe, consistently rains meteors down on a planet called Kelanni. These meteors, also called “lodestones” behave according to different physical laws due to the fact that they are from another planet. These “lodestones” and their unusual properties transform Kelanni’s society. Unfortunately there always some who look for ways to capitalize on other people’s ignorance, naiveté and / or superstitions. Such is the case with the Keltars who have helped to enslave the Kelanni people; forcing them to mine this meteoric ore all in the name of the one known as “The Prophet.”

Shann is an orphan with an incredibly fiery disposition. One night she witnesses a fierce battle between one of the feared Keltars and a stranger who uses the same Keltar technology. After saving his life she joins this man in his quest to free the enslaved Kelanni people.

Keris is a Keltar who has been sent to hunt down and destroy this small band of rebels. Along the way she is attacked by a huge winged predator only to be saved by an almost forgotten race known as the Chandara. The Chandara’s home is known as the “Great Tree” and while she is there she learns the true nature of “The Prophet.” She is made to understand that the prophet’s ultimate goal is the complete eradication of the Kelanni people. Somehow this small group must now put their differences and hatreds aside and work together in an attempt to save their people.

As I read “Lodestone, Book One: The Sea of Storms” by author Mark Whiteway I have to say I was impressed with his writing ability. There were multiple storylines throughout this book and yet Whiteway managed to seamlessly bring them together into a cohesive and interesting tale. The world he has dreamed up comes across as larger than life and I dare say anyone who reads this book will follow its tale with bated breath. There’s definitely a cliffhanger of an ending which of course is a great lead-in for “Lodestone, Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars.” Luckily for me I just happen to have a copy of this one already in my possession…

Lodestone, Book One: The Sea of Storms
Mark Whiteway
VBW Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9781602645462
Reviewed by Charline Ratcliff for RebeccasReads (1/11)

Beyond Biology: Metaphysical Brain Science

Science can explain many things. Biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, and other fields give us mechanisms and explanations of how our bodies and everything else around us works. There is a reason and scientific evidence for almost everything. Almost everything, not completely 100%... There are theories, postulates, laws, which give us an idea of how our world operates. However, science cannot elucidate the whole picture. Each branch of science has its limitations, which are continuously growing smaller with constant progress. Nevertheless, science cannot answer all of our questions completely just yet. There is always room for something that goes beyond science. And this is what this book is about - metaphysical science, "Beyond Biology."

For example, everyone knows about the Big Bang Theory, which in logical in scientific terms, supported by evidence, and is widely accepted. Nonetheless, the fact that the vast universe got its start from nothing or a tiny point and continuously grew to its current size is difficult to comprehend. It is tough to process something starting from nothing. Since in our world, everything starts from something, nothing can be created out of thin air. Loopholes like this one allow people to believe in a higher being or force which is beyond our understanding, looking over us and shaping our world. At the same time, we realize that science is constantly moving towards obtaining new knowledge, hopefully, being able to explain everything and every ambiguity eventually.

This text focuses on the brain, the most complex and important bodily organ. Despite much research, we still have no idea as to what exactly is going on there. Neuroscience gives us just a trailer instead of the full feature of the brain. Science and medicine did come far, allowing us to understand some neurological processes and disorders that come with them. But it is still so difficult to explain behaviors which are beyond natural science, beyond biology, beyond physiology, telling us that there is much more in the picture. Something metaphysical perhaps…

The author writes clearly and thoroughly for a wide audience, not just readers with strong scientific background. Starting with the neuron, getting into vision and sensory function, continuing with cognitive processes of memory, talking about “iconoclasms” or long-term planning that does not seem to be necessarily favorable in biological terms, and finishing with “beyond biology” or our capacity beyond biological limits. It is a captivating text, shedding some facts and speculations onto fascinating and thought-provoking subject.

Beyond Biology: Metaphysical Brain Science
Charles S. Yanofsky
Outskirts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781432754013
Reviewed by Andrey Bilko for RebeccasReads.com (12/10)