"A Journey of Insights", by James G. Ellis

Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

I stepped out of my usual genre to plunge into a book I would not normally read and surely would have passed over at a book store. I am grateful that Fauzia Burke form FSB Associates offered me the chance to open my mind by sending me this inspirational memoir written by Mr. Ellis former dean of USC’s business school who also had a long and distinguished career in business.

Synopsis:

“In trying to plot the roadmap for a successful business life, Ellis stories show illustratively the secrets or ingredients of how business schools and their students can prosper. At the core of his message is the central theme that listening to voices around you throughout life is the key to success. In essence, ears can speak louder than voices.”

In a few words:

Straightforward and conversational the book centers on career values including mentorship, preparation and risk taking. Most of all this journey of many insights and lessons will hopefully help us to become better partners, parents, siblings, children, bosses and employees…

Whether you are starting in life or at the twilight of it there is always a lesson to be learn.

I like how the book tempo flows: the sentences are not too long and explanatory with snippets of dialogue, sometime funny and at times serious all said in a warm tone of a person that loves people and wants them to be happy and succeed. He definitely doesn’t come across a person with a big ego.

A final note from the author:

“Every dark day is a learning experience for the next bright day, and we must look at it like that. Always look on the positive side and you will get through the dark days much faster. Devote yourself to your family, friends, and faith, and you will overcome most obstacles.”

Thank you, Mr. Ellis

"One Wish", by Laura Krieger Emack

A Tale of Reckoning After 9-11

This short read of 97 pages or so which I received via the first reviewer program was not what I expected. The story is mostly centered post 911 on 3 lives Sandra, a lawyer, who reluctantly agreed to spend ten days caring for her critical ill sister-in-law Janine, while her husband, Greg, is on an oversea clandestine assignment. Greg had assiduously studied Arabic…Sandra surmises that her brother investigation involved 9-11….

A great part of this book describes what happened on the home front, Sandra caring for Janine bringing her to doctors and eventually to her final days in palliative care till the day Greg came back home and shared confidential information about a certain foreign student. Then the book picked up speed and became far more interesting.

In a few words: 7/8 of the story is very slow and mundane till we reached the end by then it was too late to win my attention. I had no affinity or even cared for any of the characters even poor Janine fighting an unbeatable illness. Sandra and Greg are bland players; I didn’t care at all for them.

In a few words this book was not my cup of tea but it may be yours. I let you judge for yourselves…..

"A Medicine Game", by Jason Donville

Mostly set in 1992 during the peacekeeping mission in Sarajevo

Moose and Jonathan, infantry officers in the Canadian Army and best friends since their time at Royal Roads Military College are deployed to Sarajevo as peacekeepers and soon find themselves into a genocidal war. They had to confront the brutal realities of human violence where snipers target civilians often children while they are ordered to remain neutral.

Jonathan, a Mohawk soldier, carries with him something older than his uniform he wears: lacrosse- the Creator’s Game, known as the Medicine Game when played for healing. Moose, a white man, is very close to Jonathan and his culture.

Spanning continents and generations, from Canada’s Ouest coast to Sarajevo and living the traditions of Six Nations. This wonderful story brings to life the soldiers, civilians and moral uncertainties of a city under siege. The characters are people caught between competing forces- power and autonomy, love and fear, trauma and healing and who care deeply about one another. Jonathan and Moose are excellent representatives.

This is a wonderful read where we have a real sense of what Canada is: landscape, seasons and the heart of the people. Not a boring instant passing time with this well said story told with passion and compassion in a prose that is smooth and far from being condescending….

More than a war story “A medicine Game” is primary about friendship and is a gripping and captivating read from the first to the last page.

My thanks to Book Whisperer and Netgalley for this ARC