Book Review of "Journey of Dreams" by Joan Bridgeman

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Journey of Dreams: 40 Years of Dream Keeping [Paperback]
by Joan Bridgeman
352 pages, $12.95
ISBN-13: 978-1456514761
Nonfiction

Since dreaming is a common occurrence for us all, one would think we would have discovered a purpose for dreaming by now. Sadly, no consensus exists to answer the question of "why" humans dream. Theories abound insinuating that dreams are necessary for our development and others maintain that dreams are merely the underpinnings of the dreamer's subconscious.

Into this fray comes Joan Bridgeman, who has written a captivating treatise covering forty years of her dream experiences. From the outset, it is impressive to note the tenacity required to type and catalog four decades worth of dreams - particularly in an era where the cataloging was done on a manual typewriter. Bridgeman gives the reader a very personal glimpse of her life and the ardor which surrounds single parenting, remarriage, and the tumultuous waters of career change. Perhaps the only real anchor for her during these years was the reality demonstrated by her dreams.

Bridgeman came to trust that her life is guided by spiritual beings who explain life's nuances in the dreamscape. Certain dreams are meant to foretell doom, unexpected change, or even unanticipated light at the end of the tunnel. These guides are in place to ensure the dreamer does not deviate from the master plan determined for her life. Such revelation encouraged the author to trust her instincts which had been corroborated by various disclosures in her dreams. If many of your dreams actually came true...would it make you more interested in writing them down?

Woven into this biological dissertation is an exposure to various paranormal concepts; such as, astral travel and OBE's (out-of-body experiences). Throughout history, various cultures have endorsed the idea that a separate "astral body" disconnects from the physical body during sleep and is free to travel along the astral plane. Whether or not the person who reads this book agrees with the mystical content portrayed - the experiences described are quite interesting. This well-written, rather unusual book is commended to the open-minded reader. Dream interpretation can be a very revealing endeavor.

Journey of Dreams presents a unique understanding of how life can change when one learns to trust one's dreams. As an accomplished thespian, musician, and teacher, Bridgeman's life proves the lyrics made famous by Carly Simon: It's your heart and soul's desire; It's the stuff that dreams are made of...

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin

Award-winning and best-selling author Erik Larson pulls back the screen and exposes the world behind the glamor of 1933 Berlin with its beribboned, dashing young officers. Its seeming gaiety and the never-ending round of parties. This was the world into which the first Ambassador to Hitler's "Thousand Year Reich", William Dodd and family were thrust when he accepted the post.

Larsen is a skilled story-teller who has a rich body of material to work with. Indeed, it takes a craftsman to walk the fine line where his work remains true to the moment so that Dodd's unusual and sadly frustrating years as America's top diplomat to Hitler's Reich remains the centerpiece without slipping off as a sad sideshow to the life his family led as they were seduced, wined and dined by the country's ruling elite.

Dodd was just a college professor when he was tapped by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt to become the top diplomat in Berlin. He brought his wife, son and daughter with him on this assignment. Martha becomes the chief protagonist in this piece as the flamboyant young woman is not only swept off her feet by the royal treatment she receives, but is swept into the arms of lovers such as Rudolph Diels, first head of Hitler's feared secret police, the Gestapo and then into the arms of others.

Larsen, using Dodd's accurate reporting, skillfully recounts the rising horror as he hears reports of Jews disappearing and of regular beatings in the streets. Dodd knew there was a "special program," as it was easy to see, aimed at Jews and he reported the facts to a State Department that seemed not care enough.

By now nearly every Dodd's cable to the State Department seems to be met with not much concern even as Hitler enacts the racist "Nuremberg Laws," where the degrees of "jewishness" are established with penalties attached. Larsen shows us Dodd's frustration mounting, also as the Reich leadership becomes more and more oppressive and erratic. Newspapers are censored; reporters and other disappear.

Larsen, whose gripping writing takes us through this dark period in history, builds his work like a composer builds a symphony as the intrigue, excitement and romance lead inexorably to the cataclysm called "Crystal Nacht," where Jewish shops are burned and ransacked, their owners beaten senseless by thugs with clubs and ax-handles, all in the name of the "pure" Reich.

Larsen's portraits of the bizarre behavior of Goering and the slimy Goebbels are spot on.

This work deserves a place on your reading list if you enjoy good history and it most certainly deserves a spot there if you like good writing and portraits painted as if by a painter. Larsen deserves high praise for his work. It was chosen for an Amazon Best Books Award.

Roberto Sedycias works as an IT consultant for ecommUS-Books

Book Review: Ana's Story: A Journey Of Hope by Jenna Bush

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What I love about reading is that it does not only entertain but it educates as well. There are many things I have learned through reading which I may not learn anywhere else. I must say though that most of the books that I really like are those that make me emotional - those that leave me breathless with suspense or make me cry buckets of tears. Indeed, I rate a book highly if it has affected me emotionally such as when I get too attached to the characters or when I am totally caught by surprise by the unexpected plot twists. These emotional attachments are most often results of reading fiction books, which I are the staple books in my shelf. I am not fond of reading nonfiction books because

1) I am more interested with fictional plots, and
2) I am also interested in beautiful prose - two things I think I cannot find in nonfiction books (I might be wrong).

This year, though, the very first book I read was a nonfiction book. I wanted to read something light but inspiring and positive to start the year but most of the books in my TBR are heavy (and thick!)readings, i.e. A Game of Thrones, Pillars of the Earth, The Unbearable Likeness of Being. It's a good thing I was able to borrow Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope from a friend late last year so when I saw it sitting in my (disorganized) shelf, I figured it would be the best book to start the year with, plus, I would be able to return it sooner to its owner.

Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope is a true account of a girl named Ana who suffers from HIV/AIDS. Written by Jenna Bush, the daughter of then US President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush, while she was involved with UNICEF, Ana's Story portrays the struggles of Ana against poverty and abuse and how she is finally able to live with purpose and meaning despite being infected with the dreaded disease. I first learned basic information about HIV/AIDS while I was in high school and though most of the myths clarified in this book I know already, it is still a wonderful experience reading this book because of the additional information I am able to learn about HIV/AIDS and the recent developments for its treatment.

Jenna Bush writes with simplicity but with candidness and I like how the narrative is accompanied by beautiful pictures. Ana's Story is a very easy and quick read, but it is also emotional and touching more so because it is a true story. What I love the most about this book is because more than being entertaining and informative, Ana's Story spurs its readers into action. At the end of the book are tips on how to help abused children as well as those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS. It also lists websites of organizations that provide additional information about HIV/AIDS. For so long a time I have wanted to get involved with UNICEF or World Vision or any organization that helps abused children and women. After reading this book, my desire has been reinforced. I hope this year I will finally be able to get involved and with what little help I can give, I hope to make a difference.

What a way to start my reading year. I highly recommend Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope. Read it and share it to your friends and family members. It is a good thing to be informed, but it is much better, way better, to act and make a difference.

5 stars.