The Undead and Philosophy: Chicken Soup for the Soulless (Popular Culture and Philosophy) Review

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(More customer reviews)With plenty of blood sucking, flesh eating, seduction, grunting and more gore, (and some philosophy), this is one of the more interesting "Popular Culture and Philosophy" instalments from Open Court. Nineteen essays and more zombies than you can smash with a baseball bat.
Although there is some overlap, the first part deals main with Zombies, drawing heavily from the Romero zombie films, along with some others. The second half of the book seems to focus more on the vampires, with particular focus on the novel "Dracula", (no surprises there), and also heavily from Anne Rice's "Interview with a Vampire", including the movie itself. I am not sure of this separation was intended, but it works well and there are some unique features to each of these groups.
I found the first couple of essays, mainly those dealing with the nature of personhood and continued existence, a bit tough to get my head around. They were mainly in connection with zombies. If one finds it the same, wade through and persist, as it soon calms down and the essays are not only accessible overall, but very interesting and though provoking. I mean, I had never even considered a vampire who was not intrinsically evil to be a possibility. Some aspects of the "philosophical zombie thought experiment" left me a bit puzzled, as well.
I did not agree with everything the contributors concluded, (such as the vegetarian essay), but I have to say that the essays were all well-written and presented. I enjoyed the wander through a genre I do not generally get into. The only zombie film I have ever seen is Shaun of the Dead.
The elements of philosophy range from existentialism, (big bits on Heidegger and Neitzsche), through phenomenology and epistemology and more. This is a very thorough and varied book.
For fans of the series and new readers alike, this is definitely a "must have". A great book on a great topic.

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Though Bram Stoker coined the term, the undead have stalked the human imagination for eons, appearing in the myths and legends of nearly all cultures. The concept of people, or unpeople, interacting with others while devoid of humanity provides a wealth of material for philosophical speculation. Encompassing George Romero's radiation-spawned Living Dead, the "infected" of 28 Days Later, as well as more traditional zombies and vampires, the essays in The Undead and Philosophy ponder questions such as: Is it cool to be undead, or does it totally suck? Is a zombie simply someone with a brain but without a mind? Are some of the people around us undead, and how could we tell? Can the undead be held responsible for what they do? Is it always morally OK to kill the undead? Served up in a witty, entertaining style, these and other provocative questions present philosophical arguments in terms accessible to all readers.

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Once A Warrior Review

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(More customer reviews)Former UH Wideout - Ian Sample - generated a storm of controversy in Hawaii one month prior to the start of their 2007 season with the release of this book. The brouhaha that occurred was triggered by Sample releasing portions of his book, that his publisher chose to delete, on his personal MySpace blog that chronicled some of the more negative aspects of the UH football such as alleged drug use, academic improprieties and groupie sex. Since then, school and team officials have proven that some of Sample's allegations are false (cheating on drug testing) while others (academic shenanigans) are currently under investigation.
In the end, it truly is a shame that Sample decided to spurn his publisher's advice and release these controversial, unsubstantiated chapters because all it did was alienate the large demographic originally interested in purchasing the book - the hardcore Hawaii football fan.
The ensuing controversy immediately forced thousands of potential readers to turn their back on a book and player once loved and respected in the 50th State. Which is really a damn shame...because ironically, the actual published book is a great inside look at June Jones' Warrior Football team and their turbulent, spirited 2006 season. While certain aspects are somewhat critical of June Jones and the program, the publishing editors ultimately released a book that is both a paen and swan song to one of the most colorful teams in the world of Collegiate Football. Fans that know the team and the rocky ride that was their 2006 season will enjoy bits such as a near brawl between Hawaii and Arizona State players at a 'friendly' banquet prior to the Hawaii Bowl as well as insights into life on the road, hobbies and past-times of the players (videogames, poker, etc), the love of the islands that transplanted players feel as well as great character studies of Colt Brennan, Davone Bess, Adam Leonard, etc.
Those of you willing to look past Sample's misguided attempt at generating publicity will surely enjoy this book - the way it was meant to be read.

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Go behind the scenes in the huddle, in the locker room and on the road with former University of Hawaii receiver J. Ian Sample. What is it really like to be a UH football player? Sample answers this question with honesty and humor. Each chapter focuses on a single game from the Warriors' record-breaking 2006 season, sharing intimate details both on and off the field. Anecdotes in Once A Warrior run the gamut from summer camp pillow fights to dancing the haka to intimidate opponents. It's a player's eye-view of a special season in University of Hawaii football history—the joy of winning big, the sting of losing the close ones—and a heartfelt look at what it means to be a Warrior.

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The Berlin Boxing Club Review

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(More customer reviews)I received this book through the Amazon Vine Program and my initial reaction upon looking at the cover was disappointment seeing it was a teen novel. Well, there is truth in old sayings, "Never judge a book by it's cover." The book follows the path of a young teenager through the power grabbing years of the Nazi's. The protagonist does not relate to his heritage and does his best to "blend in" by hiding in plain sight, however when he is exposed to be of Jewish heritage he is forced to learn to fight back against overwhelming odds by making an unlikely alliance with a world class boxer.
The descriptions are brutal and the writing reminds me of another excellent book that my son read for 9th grade called "The Book Thief" and my guess is that many of the readers of that book will be reading this one and they and you won't be disappointed. An excellent read for any age.

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Fourteen-year-old Karl Stern has never thought of himself as a Jew. But to the bullies at his school in Naziera Berlin, it doesn't matter that Karl has never set foot in a synagogue or that his family doesn't practice religion. Demoralized by relentless attacks on a heritage he doesn't accept as his own, Karl longs to prove his worth to everyone around him.

So when Max Schmeling, champion boxer and German national hero, makes a deal with Karl's father to give Karl boxing lessons, Karl sees it as the perfect chance to reinvent himself. A skilled cartoonist, Karl has never had an interest in boxing, but as Max becomes the mentor Karl never had, Karl soon finds both his boxing skills and his art flourishing.

But when Nazi violence against Jews escalates, Karl must take on a new role: protector of his family. Karl longs to ask his new mentor for help, but with Max's fame growing, he is forced to associate with Hitler and other Nazi elites, leaving Karl to wonder where his hero's sympathies truly lie. Can Karl balance his dream of boxing greatness with his obligation to keep his family out of harm's way?

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