Book Review: "Rocket Ship Galileo" by Robert A Heinlein

Title: Rocket Ship Galileo
Author: Robert Heinlein
Pages: 211
Publisher: Ace Books (New York)

Review:

By 1947, Robert Heinlein had changed tactics in getting his views across. He had authored tons of science fiction short stories by this time and at last he got his first full length novel published. He did it by changing over to the popular 'pulp' type stories of his day and toning down the moral stuff to engage a work of juvenile fiction to reach the teen/young adult audience of his time. Rocket Ship Galileo is a basic adventure story of the time but with Robert Heinlein as the author, the science part of the science fiction is high quality and as accurate as the times could make it.

The story is about and man who enlists his nephew and his teenage friends to help him convert a rocket transport into a moon ship with an atomic drive. At the time, atomic power and application was wide open and the story would have had a very realistic appeal with the 'could be' of atomic power at the time. They group of four has many adventures just getting their ship into the air and then the moon trip ends with a discovery, humans are already on the moon secretly. The Nazi's have a secret rocket base on the moon already and the four are forced to take action.

The message is clear, we need to get to the moon because if we don't we could be in danger and who knows what we will find. It is a message Heinlein will repeat. The story is set in his near future, the early 1950s, so he is also pointing out that with a few scientific advances it could be done. Heinlein was pressing for Mankind to reach for the stars for the advancement of man and that it need not be far in the future to do so.

In the story Heinlein still possesses some of his political naivete, showing the United Nations as a world unifying force. But we also see his conservative and libertarian side by showing the benefits of both a capitalist and free society. Young people are valued in the story and it is designed to inspire a young generation to do great things. It is a great tactical change for Heinlein, as in the coming years his fan base will grow up and be ready for the rest of his message.

Rating: Four stars. This is a great adventure story as well as being informative from a science point of view of what people thought was possible in 1947. Heinlein captures the imagination with this one and it is a great science fiction story as well as being a good Heinlein novel.

Book Review: 'Huge and Freaky' by Robert Kennedy and Dennis B. Weis

Title: Huge and Freaky Muscle Mass and Strength Secrets
Authors: Robert Kennedy and Dennis B. Weis
Pages: 496
Publisher: Robert Kennedy Publishing

Review:

My personal motivation for reading this book was stagnation. Stagnation in the fact I had neither the motivation or knowledge to really push my training from intermediate to advanced training. My hope was that this book would push my knowledge and motivation beyond the current limits I possess.

It did not disappoint. Kennedy and Weis have put together and absolute fountain of motivation and knowledge that absolutely blew me away. There is a ton of stuff here to inspire and challenge anyone who is ready to take their training to the next level.

One of the outstanding strengths of this book is the focus on mental preparation and concentration to train. The authors are right in that we often talk about this part of training but never really know what to do or focus on it. It is probably the most important part of training as it deals with the mind and body connection. The authors devote several chapters to this part of training. including some very detailed instructions on how to approach a workout with renewed mental focus.

In addition to this, there is training ideas galore. There are far to many to list here and that is a good thing. If your looking for something different or something else to try that might work better in your training as a bodybuilder, this book probably has it. The even better part is that it is all in one book.

The graphics are strong with tons of pictures to inspire and illustrate each concept. The charts are extensive and informative with specific programs outlined in detail. Writing style is straightforward and at times entertaining.

If there is a weakness, it is that this is not a beginners manual. It is definitely designed for someone who who has the basics down and understood. If you have been lifting for more than a year or two and want to supercharge your efforts, this is the book for you.

Rating: 4 and a half stars. I am pretty sure the authors achieved their purpose. This is a book that gives out a lot of information and motivational tools and secrets. The boost it gave my motivation and training as already been substantial and I still have not touched the tip of the iceberg so to speak of all the information in this book. Combine this and some of the most practical advice on mental focus and mind-body connection in training I have seen and this makes it a bodybuilder's must have.

Book Review: "For Us, The Living" by Robert A. Heinlein

Title: For Us, The Living - A Comedy of Customs
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Publisher: Pocket Books (New York)
Pages: 329 (paperback)

Review:

Of all the science fiction writers that have ever written, Robert A Heinlein is simply one of the best. He is considered by all who love the genre of Science Fiction to be one of the the Golden Age writers (along with Asimov and Clark) and he himself is known as The Grandmaster of Science Fiction.

This book was written between 1938 and 1939 but was not published until 2004, sixteen years after his death in 1988. It is not that it never was submitted, it simply was rejected twice. Not because it is not well written or even a fun Heinlein type story but it had two qualities that would have made it nearly impossible to publish in 1939: 1) stylistically it fit more with the later works Heinlein did like To Sail Beyond the Sunset or Time Enough for Love, there are a lot of conversations set in the future and it resembles a series of lectures encased slightly in a story and 2) it was moralistically 'ahead' of its time. Heinlein was a nudist, believed in open marriages and despised religious taboos and he puts these in this book. In 1939, it means rejection notices. He would have to wait until the 1960s before such a book could be published and that with edits.

The story is basically of a man who dies and by some unknown means enters the body of a man who lives 150 years in the future. Under this backdrop, Heinlein lays out a vision of utopia or at least utopia as Heinlein saw it in 1939. Much of the book focuses on the economic system which is not surprising considering the Great Depression is still in power at the time. He also touches on cultural taboos, religion, psychology, technology, and social customs. In this world, everyone is tolerant, educated, lacking in cultural taboos, open and non-religious.

Whenever I read Heinlein, my mind and heart are always challenged. The man is smart and good writer. He makes you think. This book was in 1939 far ahead of its time and it is probably for this reason it was rejected. He would have caused quite a stir; with naked people running around and his comments on religion, it would have made he Bible Belt enraged.

For the Heinlein fan, this book gives one of the greatest insights into the origins of this literary genius. In this book you see it all -- Heinlein's future history, his drive to advance the cause of man, his moral and ethical understandings and his absolute gift for making his characters believable. In it you also see a change from a man who wants to lecture on what needs to be into a story teller who tells stories with the lecture so well hidden that you don't see it until it has already affected you. We see a teacher learn to teach through character, plot and theme. We see someone who seeks to overwhelm us with his logic change into a person who invites us in, lays out lunch and tells us a story that changes our minds; so subtly, that we are not aware it has happened until long after it is over. This book; in short, is the only blunt instrument he will ever use, after this he prefers the rapier.

Rating: 3 and a half stars. As Heinlein books go, this is not a bad one. The story is a simple one but illustrates many concepts. If you are interested in Heinlein's early career and writings, this is a great read because it shows us that Heinlein didn't so much change his views as he did tactics in getting them across. Stylistically, it lacks the sophistication of his later works but the essence of Heinlein's style is there. If you want your mind challenged and don't mind sitting through a few written lectures, this is a good read.

Book Review: "Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People" by Rich DeVos

Title: Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People
Author: Rich DeVos
Publisher: Center Street (New York)
Pages: 169

Review:

I have often marvelled at how the most successful people have such basic philosophies of success. Rich DeVos is one of those people. This book is one of those coffee table type books that is both simple to read and understand. It has powerful testimonies. It's message is clear -- if you want positive things to happen you must be a positive person. To be a positive person you must think and speak in positive language.

Strengths:
1. This book is one of the easiest to read form a style point of view. I finished it in two hours and that is fast even for me. It simply does not have language that bogs you down.
2. The principles outlined in this book are both classic and life changing if applied. There is no rocket science here, just solid philosophy
3. The author lives what he preaches.

Weaknesses:
1. While I was grateful for the 'ten phrases' I would have appreciated a few suggestions on how to put them into practice. The 'how to' is lacking in depth.
2. Lack of a transformation story by the author. I mean very simply that by his own admission, Rich has always been a positive guy. There is no real point where he switches from being negative to positive so people could understand what happens.

Rating: 4 stars. I like the book it really inspired me to be more positive person; so much so, I made it a part of my rules for life. If there had been a little more practical advice on how to implement the ten phrases and some sort of transformation story I would have given it a better rating.

Book Review: "PreMeditated Success in Life" by Scott Jackson

Title: Premeditated Success in Life: The Power of Personal Vision
Author: Scott Jackson
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing (New York)
Pages: 148

Review:

Over the years I have become a great believer in having a personal vision, so every once and a while I pick up a book on the subject.

Scott Jackson in this book takes the reader along from simply understanding vision to actually formulating a personal vision. This is not simply one of those books you read, but one you participate in through identifying your goals and values to redefining your rules for life, Scott takes you on this journey and then gives you the tools to help you get there.

Strengths:
1. More than teaching this book engages you in exercises to further your sense of vision. From discovering what it is that would really make you happy, to defining your values to setting rules and goals, This book gives guidance but then lets you work your way though each issue with exercises.
2. Scott identifies the pitfalls and misconceptions that will hold you back from your vision and gives much food for thought in regards as to how to overcome them.
3. The greatest idea for me was letting your values guide your goals so that your values ultimately define your vision. It was also good that Scott took on the notion of long term goals being discouraging. The idea is to take steps each day, week and month toward fulfilling goals based on values and not to get too far ahead.

Weaknesses:
1. Sadly the one tool that I think was great -- Scott's Integrity Day Planner which has some great concepts and is far superior than any I have seen -- is not available. The book says it is available on PreMeditatedSuccess.com but the site says it is under construction. In short, if you like it as much as I do you have to reproduce some of the tools yourself.
2. There in the end is not a lot of depth to some parts of the book. At times I found myself asking some questions and expecting more but was disappointed. The style is simple and straightforward but not deep.

Rating: 3 and one half stars. I can recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a non-traditional way of looking at personal vision. I plan on using many of the concepts outlined in this book myself for 2011.

The Rabyd Theologian Gets Paid

I received my check today for my $50 from Musclemag International so it is official -- I am no longer a wannabe writer. I am a writer. I will save the professional part for later yet. I will give myself the 'professional' title when writing is my chief means of making money.

All in all though, it took me 30 minutes to type and edit the letter I sent to them via e-mail. That means $100 and hour. The letter was about 250 words so that comes out to about 20 cents a word. You know this writing thing is pretty good money when it pays off.

Blessings and thanks for all the prayers over the years to everyone who has supported me. Keep Reading -- I appreciate it.

My First Published Letter in Musclemag January 2011

Sometimes things happen in odd ways. In the case of my first published article this is very true. I have been lifting steady now for 16 months. Bodybuilding style because it involves lifestyle change and a long term commitment. In the process I became a fan of bodybuilding.

My article to Musclemag International was spurred on by a current debate in the world of Bodybuilding. Robert Kennedy wrote an editorial commenting about that issue which is basically size vs. form. His concern was that individuality of the human form was being lost because everybody was trying to be huge instead of develop their natural shape to the fullest extent.

On September 1st I sent a response called "The Bodybuilding Crisis". In the January 2011 issue it was published and was declared by the Musclemag editors to be worthy of the $50 prize for the month. I am not going to reprint it here because the point of getting something published is that the publisher thinks it adds to his magazine so you will buy it. On newsstands now; look for the cover above.

The fact that I got something published somewhere kind of inspired me to get back to writing. Blogging and my book, so thus Rabyd Theologian 2.0.