Memoir Book Reviews

Review: Fireside Reflections by Alan Dahl

Fireside Reflections by Alan Dahl

A neatly woven memoir of stories, lessons, and time-tested insight, Fireside Reflections: A Papa’s Lessons for a Successful Life by Alan Dahl is a touching portrait of a life well-lived.

Through detailed recollections and well-organized advice, the author captures his own life story and weaves it together with sage wisdom for his beloved family to remember when he’s gone. From philosophical musings about what lies beneath the surface via a fishing trip to finding a healthy balance of work and play as a distracted Scouts chaperone, Dahl imbues his tales with humble self-knowledge and honest reflection.

These stories may be […]

2024-07-24T11:07:38+02:00June 11th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: Base Oasis by Jack Dunsmoor

Base Oasis by Jack Dunsmoor

A compelling and lesson-laden memoir that echoes with wisdom, Base Oasis: Finding My Way Home Again! by Jack Dunsmoor is a raw and unflinching collection of essays.

From youthful confusion over his absent father and empathy for those mistreated by vicious societal systems to secret UFO sightings and casual violations of child labor laws, this is a rich and detailed memoir of a truly remarkable life. These forty essays delve into broadly relatable experiences of growing up and making mistakes, outsmarting bullies, managing mental health as an awkward teenager, lifelong struggles with self-esteem, finding a sense of belonging and purpose, […]

2024-07-01T17:03:21+02:00May 30th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: Le Yankee Noir by Samuel E. Pair

Le Yankee Noir: The Power of Acceptance by Samuel E. Pair

Earnestly exploring the perennial struggle of being a stranger in a strange land, Le Yankee Noir: The Power of Acceptance by Samuel E. Pair is a powerful reflection on communication, respect, and the revelatory nature of connection.

In the midst of a modest career in the aerospace industry, Samuel E. Pair was offered an unexpected opportunity to travel to France and oversee the rescue operation for the new A330 Airbus propulsion system that was behind schedule and at risk of failing entirely. Initially leaving his family behind and heading for Toulouse, with no knowledge of French and no connections in […]

2024-06-13T17:42:58+02:00May 15th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: |

Review: The Guide by Greg Munck

The Guide by Greg Munck

A straight-shooting memoir of turmoil and triumph on the many battlefields of life, The Guide: Survival, Warfighting, Peacemaking by Greg Munck is an astute and unflinching look at military life through the eyes of a native son.

Carrying readers through decades of growing up too fast, straightening out in the Marine Corps, falling in love, finding a deep commitment to God, and working hard to find a more peaceful path, this is an emotional and evocative account of survival and resilience. Within the recollections of Munck’s past, particularly those from childhood and his direct experiences in warfare, there are starkly […]

Review: Walking with Evaristo by Christian Nill

Walking with Evaristo by Christian Nill

Passionate and personal confessions from a justice-driven storyteller, Walking With Evaristo: A Memoir of Celebration and Tragedy in the Land of the Achí Maya by Christian Nill is a captivating account of a nearly forgotten calamity.

After embarking on a journey to Guatemala for extended service in the Peace Corps, the author is exposed to the eye-opening wonders of a culture far removed from anything he’s ever experienced, yet he soon finds connection through shared values, curiosity, and basic human kindness. While working on various infrastructural and ecological projects in the municipio of Rabinal, he engages with the local Mayan […]

2024-06-13T17:41:40+02:00May 10th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

Review: From Utopia to the American Dream by John Czingula

From Utopia to the American Dream by John Czingula

From homemade bunkers in rural Hungary to the bright lights of Hollywood, author John Czingula takes readers through the historic highs and lows of a unique life in his memoir, From Utopia to the American Dream. Exploring the perils of living in a communist country and celebrating the freedom of opportunity in a new world, this book captures a fascinating and unlikely journey in the post-war era.

The book opens with a dramatically detailed account of wartime occupation, particularly because it’s depicted through the eyes of a young child, although the narrative voice is mature. As the specter of […]

2024-03-28T16:07:55+02:00March 28th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: |

Review: The Buddha and the Bee by Cory Mortensen

The Buddha and the Bee by Cory Mortensen

Inviting readers on a wild ride from Minnesota to California, The Buddha and the Bee: Biking through America’s Forgotten Roadways on an Accidental Journey of Discovery by Cory Mortensen is an atypical adventure for wanderers and workplace dreamers alike. Part road guide and part diary, biking lovers can follow the well-laid route on these pages, learn to sidestep critical unpleasant lessons, and gain the confidence to take their own big swings of adventure without fear.

Pedaling through the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the unforgiving Southwest desert, and the Sierra Nevadas, this is far from a casual trek, particularly given […]

Review: The Wandering Pianist by Congyu Wang

The Wandering Pianist by Congyu Wang

Heartwrenching, humanistic, and beautifully told, The Wandering Pianist: From the Street to the Concert Hall by Congyu Wang is a humbly penned memoir that grips the imagination and offers renewed hope to artists and lost souls alike.

Swimming smoothly through time, the narrative weaves tales of Wang’s upbringing and childhood challenges with the humbling successes of his later life and moments of desperation along the way. From the humblest of beginnings to the grandest stages of Europe, Congyu demonstrates a remarkable belief in himself and a relentless determination to persevere. Despite facing doubt and derision from his family, as well […]

2024-02-07T14:18:39+02:00February 6th, 2024|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |
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