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"Philosophy Bites." David Edmonds & Nigel Warburton, Oxford
University Press, 2010, 244 pages. Edmonds and Warburton have challenged
some of the world's leading philosophers to comment on the important topics
of the day. These 25 intriguing subjects encompass a broad range of
viewpoints on the human condition and include ideas on tolerance,
skepticism, the problem of evil and the definition of art.
The book is based on a series of Web podcast; the best of those audio
interviews have been published in this book. Each of the podcasts began with
the simple question, "What is philosophy?" From that one question emerged
some of the most fascinating discussions in the philosophical realm.
One example is the discussion on "Sport and Enhancement" with Harvard
philosopher Michael Sandel. Now that the science of genetics can modify the
makeup of human beings, what are the implications for sports and
competition? Will science manipulate genes to create faster, stronger, more
powerful athletes? Does this mean that human competition will evolve into
contests between "quasi-robots"?
This book is a stimulating read and is supported by the free podcasts
available at
www.philosophybites.com.
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"The Everything Guide to Macrobiotics." Julie S. Ong, Adams Media,
2010, 291 pages.
What is the macrobiotic lifestyle? In her new book, "The Everything Guide
to Macrobiotics," natural and therapeutic chef Julie Ong describes it this
way: "More than a diet, macrobiotics is a wholistic way of living that
ensures everlasting peace and freedom. ... When your energy is balanced and
harmonious, true health radiates from the inside out."
A macrobiotic approach is based on cooking according to the four seasons
of the year, using your kitchen as a "macrobiotic playground" for new
recipes, carefully planning your menus, and avoiding or reducing certain
foods in your diet.
According to Ong, the basis of the standard macrobiotic diet is whole
grains, particularly brown rice. Whole grains "are living foods that are
intact and contain the nutritious bran and germ portions; ... whole grains
also contain complex carbohydrates."
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A macrobiotic diet supports the two complementary, opposite life
force energies: the yin and the yang. Yang foods have gathering
energy that stabilize the body and mind; on the other hand the yin
foods activate the body and mind.
This book is an outstanding starting point for anyone interested
in macrobiotics in order to "connect to the spirit through your food
source."
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"Bringing Adam Home." Les Standiford, Harper Collins,
2011, 291 pages.
The new book "Bringing Adam Home" is the definitive account of a
crime that shocked America and completely changed the way we look at
violence against children. The 1981 abduction and subsequent murder
of 6-year-old Adam Walsh was a watershed moment in criminal
investigation, and it substantially altered our reaction and
response to missing children. Before Adam Walsh, "there were no
faces on milk cartons, no Amber Alerts, no National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children, no federal databases of crimes
against children, no pedophile registry."
The crime remained unsolved for more than 27 years before the
deathbed confession of drifter Ottis Ellwood Toole. Toole was always
considered a prime suspect in the case and died in the prison
hospital at Lake Butler Prison in 1996.
Standiford's book is destined to become a classic in the true
crime genre. His writing has captured the heroic efforts of law
enforcement and the momentous changes in American society that
resulted from this crime and its aftermath.
[Text from file received
from Richard Sumrall,
Lincoln Public Library District] |
