Lincoln: A Team Of Rivals

    This book, in itself is very confusing. Mostly being that its filled with such specific facts that are accurate down to what each of Lincoln's rivals wore on a regular basis. However, when I started to recognize the level of vocabulary and catch up to speed with where I was at by slowing my pace and retreading some pages, I managed I understand the overall purpose of the book. Although its Hirt self explanatory on the front cover, if you're not an experienced reader it'd be hard to understand that the book, at least from what I read so far, is a biography of Lincoln and his rivals during the time prior of the Republican National Convention and the nomination for Republican candidacy.
  Doris Kearns Goodwin goes in extremely deep with her attention to historical, emotional, and even physical aspects of these men. In a time of imminent Civil War, there are 5 capable and potential men who could've lead our country through a time of war: Abraham Lincoln, Edward Bates,  William H. Seward, and Salmon P. Chase. These men, although presented to have almost identical ideals (being of the Republican and Radical Republican parties), have very different lives, upbringings, and experience. For example, Edaward Bates I believe, according to the book, has more political experience being a long time statesman from Missouri. In comparison, Seward, former governor of New York, and Chase, former Ohio governor, had only been in office for a term or two before. Lincoln had even less experience.
  I honestly enjoy this book's attention to detail. To be more honest, I think it's the most detailed book I've ever read ever. It's incredibly accurate down to what each persons usual habits and most proud achievements were. I also took note of how large the book is itself, being longer than average textbooks being almost 1000 pages. I'm only on page 54. My dad got me this book for Christmas. Was I a bit mad? Yes, but only because it was so long. However, I cant complain anymore. This book is great.

"Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich" by Mark Kreigel

  Recently, I have started reading a biogrhy of former NBA star and legend Pete Maravich. The title "Pistol: The Life Of Pete Maravich," hints at the source of Maravich's success and fame up until his death in 1980. The book, although a biography, gives off a tone of education almost, even though most scholars would find the information uninteresting. However, for youths who play basketball, it seems to serve as an inspiration. Foremost, this is seen in the first three chapters or so as Kreigel describes the college career and the hard youth of Pete's father, Press Maravich. It accurately describes his life as a rags to riches and fame. From starting out as a small Serbian kid from the mills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to being a high school and LSU college star, Press' story has to be considered more than just anecdote of Pete's early life.
  I also see the inclusion of Press' story as a setup to start the explanation of Pete's life. This is because the story itself indicated directly that Press wanted Pete to be brought up in his personal image. As for that, Press succeeded as his son became a national basketball star for his prolific scoring in college and amazing pro career as an Atlanta Hawk, Boston Celtic, and New Orleans/Utah Jazz player. I believe that the story of  Press' success affected how Pete turned out in it that Press wanted his son to feel the same happiness he did playing the game. I believe that this is really special because so many other people, young or old feel or felt the same way. To not see that the author may have soley wrote this book to inspire or fuel the mind of an aspiring youth is hard to do. I honestly believe that I enjoy this book for that very reason. It educates me on a small part of a large history of the great game that is basketball.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

  I have started a new book called "The Giver," by Lois Lowry. Even though I had read this book in the past in around fifth grade, I was able to establish newer ideas I had missed as a younger student. In addition, I've also been able to make valid connections from the world in the book and to our world.
  The book is mainly centered so far around an 11-year old boy named Jonas. In contrast to our world, boys and girls his age are referred as "Elevens,". This is according to each child's age up until age 12, where they are considered matured and adult enough to start working and "contributing to the community,". In fact, there is a ceremony of "stepping up," in age each year. In this book, Jonas is anxious for his 12 ceremony since 12s always get their job assignments that they carry out up until they are "released," from the community.      
  I found this organization of a community like this extremely peculiar. To me it seemed almost too organized as it it were set by strict law by a strict legislature or one who would rule with an iron fist. In fact, it maybe be even safe to say that Jonas' community, simply named so, is somewhat of an organized socialist dystopia. This is considering the following: the story gives lots of example as to how Jonas' world is unmilitarized however it is socialist. The government or whoever set the rules in Jonas' community is obviously trying to bring the community as close as possible. However, there are several restrictions that make this more than just a community therapy session. For example, there is no freedom of being rude or excessively upset. Although its an accepted emotion, you can express it in any other way besides saying "I'm mad,". Furthermore, The Community can control your natural hormonal urges. As opposed to our world where people can produce their own offspring, there is an organized method of artificial birth and distribution of newborn children to "family units,". So not only would natural reproduction be impossible, the act of desire for recreational intercourse is forbidden. Much like George Orwell's "1984," people are geared toward chastity. However in The Community, people begin taking pills that eliminate sexual attraction in all forms at an early age up until they get old.