The Sausage Maker's Daughters

The Sausage Maker's Daughters by AGS Johnson published by BiblioFile Press; February 7, 2012; 408 pages.

I received the Advanced Reading Copy on Friday.  I wasn't impressed with the title and if I saw it on a book shelf I probably wouldn't choose to pick it up. That being said I decided to give the story a chance.

Johnson brings to life the culture of a small mid-western town, interlaced with sibling rivalries & family dynamics in a court room murder mystery.

Kip Czermanski is being held for the murder of her brother-in-law who happens to be her ex-lover in college.  She claims her innocence as the DA, who holds a grudge against the family is convinced she is guilty because of her known reputation around town. Kip is known for her feminist views, and anti-war protests.

Johnson brings out the details of the 1970's with flash backs to the 1960's and 1950's.

Kip's father is a leading citizen in town and believes that his influence will get her released quickly from jail. Her father's lawyers prove incompetent, she finds her life and beliefs laid bare before the courtroom along with the family's dark secrets.

Johnson's writing style has been compared with John Grisham. She has a way of grabbing hold of you and not letting go.

I give this book ★★★★☆

Being George Washington

 Being George Washington The Indispensable Man, as You've Never Seen Him by Glenn Beck published by Threshold Editions; November 2011; 304 pages.

George Washington was a superhero; he happened to see his principles as immovable objects rather than minor inconveniences, he was given enormous responsiblity because people admired how he handled the small ones, he was willing to sacrafice his happiness for the good of others.

Being George Washington was written in a way so that we can experience some of George Washington's major exploits has we never have before. Glenn Beck wants us to live it, know it, to be George Washington. Glenn Beck attempts to show that all of us can be the next George Washington and that we all have a role to play if America is to change for the better.

Glenn Beck relies on published historical accounts, other reference material, taking dramatic license when necessary without changing the facts, and adding plausible details that have been lost to history in an effort to turn extraordinary events into readable stories.

Over the centuries we remember a man known for  honesty with a fabricated story about a cherry tree. This rumor has been taught as fact and some facts have since become rumors.  Glenn Beck makes note of such disputed stories so that you can do your own homework and make your own determination.

I enjoyed the way the book reads more like a novel bringing to life events as the humiliation at Valley Forge, the horroring crossing of the Delaware River, the disappointment of Bennedict Arnold's betrayal and the winning victory at Yorktown.

For me it is so much better than just memorizing dates and facts.  Which is why I give this read ★★★★☆