The Stand by Stephen King

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In Stephen King's 1,100-plus page thriller, a plague that kills 99.4 percent of the human race is only the beginning of a multi-perspective story about what happens when the survivors try to get back to living their lives. 


After detailing the plague from when it first breaks contact with the first humans, the Stand follows the ones who are left as they make their way across the continent, sometimes seemingly guided by visions in their dreams. Most of the characters begin to have dreams about an old woman and travel toward it. But there is someone else, a dark figure, also present in their dreams.


While adjusting to the new rules set in motion by the lack of authority and free supplies abundantly available in any abandoned store, some of the survivors even begin to cultivate new societies. 


Some band together under the unity of the good, but some follow the dark figure in their dreams. Because along with the musicians, teachers, stay-at-home moms and veterinarian survivors, there are also robbers, murderers and pyromaniacs, and people with different intentions than those of the emerging free society.


The stand between good and evil is the final episode of the book. 

The novel is long, but think of it as a long distance drive. If you decide to read the Stand, the King's storytelling sings throughout the book, like driving past very interesting scenery, so at least the reading will be time well spent. And money well spent, because the Stand is available at Amazon.com for a couple dollars. It is also available on the Kindle, as an audio book and in a variety of other formats.


The frightening and fascinating story has been made into a movie and a comic book series. 

If you are reading the book and need a refresher in the characters, visit Wikipedia for a complete list of everything in the book. (aka spoiler alert).


"The End of the World is Only the Beginning."




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Kindle 2

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I have been using the Kindle 2 since December. This is my first experience with an e-reader and while I was apprehensive at first about reading books off a "computer" screen, the Kindle 2 has exceeded my expectations and does a great job of getting out of the way and allowing the reader to focus on the words on the page and transport them to the places described by the authors of the stories.

In fact, though it has a few drawbacks, I actually like reading books better on the Kindle than in paper form. I know some people will think that it a ridiculous statement to make, but I challenge those people to at least try the Kindle 2 and see what i'm talking about. Also, the device may not be for everyone, but I think Amazon has done a great job and I am anxious for future versions of the Kindle and other devices as the e-reader industry continues to evolve.

One thing that blew me away when I first picked up the Kindle 2 was its looks. The outside casing is simple and white, but it's the reading surface that impressed me the most. It looks just like looking at the page of a book, more or less. The Kindle uses E-ink, which is similar to the ink used in traditional books, but it is contained behind the screen. It is super easy to read and yo can adjust the text size to fit your preferences. I find having less text on the screen allows me to read without losing my spot as easy and lets the reader quickly pick up where he left off.

The battery life is great. It's not like a cell phone that has to be charged every couple of days with normal use. I could take the Kindle on a week-long trip and read it every day. With the wireless function turned off, the Kindle just seems to stay on forever. The charging cable is also sleek and portable for when your Kindle needs a boost. It even doubles as a USB charger/connector.

Speaking of wireless, the Kindle 2 uses an always on 3G connection that allows users to access the Internet (in a slightly dumbed-down version because of browser limitations). The 3G can be turned off by the user. You can check e-mail and get information off of Websites, but the Kindle 2 isn't meant to be a high speed surfing machine. Click here to learn how to use Google Reader to read blogs and other content for free on Kindle.

The 3G connection allows users to order books from Amazon, either with one click from a computer or via the Kindle itself. Books, magazines and blogs can be delivered to the Kindle's "desktop" automatically, for a fee of $1 to $15 per month, depending on the content. Some blogs are a steal for $1 per month, and some newspapers are even worth the $15 price tag.

I subscribed to The Wall Street Journal for a while, and the daily news it provided was of national interest, professional and abundant. Several large city papers including the Detroit Free Press and Denver Post offer Kindle versions. The Kindle editions include most of the daily news content and even some pictures. Another nice feature is that Amazon allows readers to subscribe for free for two weeks to try out any newspaper, magazine or blog subscription on the Kindle. Click here for tips on managing Kindle subscriptions.

Another advantage of the Kindle that may not be apparent at first is that it can be used for hands-free reading. I hate to say i'm now too spoiled to be bothered by turning pages, but it is nice to be able to set the Kindle on a surface and read without having to hold the pages open. Using the buttons to "turn the pages" feels very natural.

There are several digital features that make note-taking and looking up words on the page a breeze. The on-board keyboard works well; just type in any word and Kindle will search the book you are reading for it.

I could go on and on about how much I like the Kindle. Maybe it's because I like gadgets and I also like reading, but I have been reading long novels non-stop since I got it and it has replaced my laptop for a lot of online reading.

So, with the many choices of E-readers out there, I would definitely recommend the Kindle. That doesn't mean i'm not saving my pennies for an iPAD, but I will still use the Kindle a lot if I do get Apple's tablet, which does not use E-Ink and I suspect would be hard on the eyes after hours of reading. The devices are designed for different things, but the Kindle does what it is designed to do very well.


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How to earn passive income at eHow.com

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I recently finished reading "How to Earn Passive Income at eHow.com, Residual Income for Web Content Writers" by Maria O'Brien. I have mixed thoughts about this eBook, but I think it is a great start for a beginning writer at eHow.com, and even a good choice for seasoned eHow writers who don't quite grasp keywords, search engine optimization and promoting articles on the Web.

First, let me point out that Maria O'Brien works as a freelance writer from home, and she is known for her freelance writing blogs, http://mywahm.blogspot.com and http://residualincomeweb.com, which are both great resources for aspiring and existing freelancers and online writers. On eHow.com, her username is Writergig and she is one of eHow's top earners. She also earns money through many different avenues online. 

My first thought about the eBook is that it is somewhat pricey for the short length. However, a lot of information is packed into this concise eBook, incluiding screenshots of Maria's article earnings and many tips that she uses to make articles earn the most bang for the buck.

Also, Maria is a self-made freelance writer and it is good to know that most of the proceeds from the $25 purchase go straight to her. She has a referral program that allows others to make $12.50 from referring someone to the site to buy her eBook.

Maria offers a lot of good tips in an organized and easy-to-read eBook. I haven't read all the other eBooks out there about writing for eHow, but among the forums at eHow, this book seems to rank as the best guide out there.

Maria makes updates to her eBook every so often, and allows anyone who has purchased a past version of the book to download the new version free. On the eBook purchase site, Maria states she has never had a request for a refund, but if you try her eBook for 30 days and don't see results, you will be refunded.

If you don't like to read the book on your computer screen, you can print the 34-page book or easily convert it to a format to read on an e-reader such as Nook or Kindle. See an online guide to converting documents for e-readers here.

The bottom line: I have been writing for eHow myself (casually) for about two years. I have researched the topic thoroughly online, and Maria's book does offer some new ideas for me to try. Many of the ideas in the book I have already found out for myself, but hey, it's nice to gain the perspective from one of the most successful writers on the site.

With her money back guarantee and expert experience in freelance writing, along with free updated versions of the book, this purchase is a no-brainer. For new eHow writers, this information will definitely get you pointed in the right direction and save you tons of time and headaches trying to figure it out for yourself.

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Next by Michael Crichton

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Next, a novel written in by Michael Crichton, is slow at first, laying down the groundwork by following scientific-laden plots about scientists working in labs and doing experiments with monkies.

As the book continues, the scientific story gains a human element, with the emergence of the results of genetic engineering experiments gone wrong -- or right, depending on your personal views. The book jumps back and forth between several plot lines that intersect in many ways, like the genes experimenters play with in this novel.

Corporate ownership of chromosomes, human-ape hybrids, gene therapy and DNA in court are some of the themes written about, as the characters endure trials of success and failure in Crichton's thoughts about the future of science.

For fans of futuristic and scientific storytelling, Crichton's Next is a great read. Written in 2006, Next is the last work released before Crichton's death in late 2008 (Pirate Latitudes was discovered on his hard drive by an associate and published soon after).

Crichton signed a two-book deal, the first of the series is Next, and the second is a yet-to-be-released novel that publisher Harper Collins and Crichton's management was in the process of selecting a co-author to finish the work based on Crichton's notes. The novel is expected to be released in the fall of 2010.


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Under the Dome: A Novel

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Stephen King's latest published book, Under the Dome, was a work in progress for more than 30 years before it reached its final form. King began writing the story in the 1970s. According to an interview with King, he gave up on the novel 70 pages into writing it the first time around. He picked up the project with new life in 2007 and it was published in November of 2009.

The story is thrilling and suspenseful, from the first few pages when an invisible dome appears around Chester's Mill, a small town in Maine. It doesn't take very long for the people inside to start acting strange. King follows each character of a large cast, unfolding a heart-racing plot that involves corruption, drugs, misinformation and murder.

The inhabitants of Chester's Mill begin to learn the dome is impenetrable, as do the military, mainstream media and others stuck helpless outside the dome. With seclusion from the rest of the world, a power shift occurs and a number of other factors play into a plot that continues to build to the end, with many diversions along the way.

As conspiracies entangle, the dome is taking a toll on the small town. Pollution collects on its surface and plants are affected by the stuffy air and low light. The town reels from other events caused by the dome, which even killed a few people as it came seemingly out of the sky.

King said he gave up on the book at first not because of the extensive character list, but because of the research required to write the book he was thinking of. He enlisted the help of an assistant to research any and all of the details from medical to military, and beyond.

This story is best classified as science fiction, with plenty of human conflict and subplots continuing at once. King jumps around the town with all-knowing narration, each sequence of events separate but also interweaving intracity.

Overall, this is a great book. It is long, but it is well-written and that makes the length more acceptable. The many details will transport you to the town and all of the dysfunctional, graphic, conniving and triumphant events that take place.

Under the Dome, weighing in at 1,088 pages, is an in-depth story that takes some time to read, but its swift moving plot makes you want to read to reach the end. It is available as a hardcover, for Kindle and Nook devices and as an mp3 audio book. It will be available as a paperback in September of 2010.

At the Official Under the Dome Website, visitors can explore the town of Chester's Mill, read an excerpt of the novel, read character bios and more.








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Polar Obsession

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Polar Obsession is packed with more than 160 photographs made by National Geographic photographer and biologist Paul Nicklen, from golden arctic sunsets to wildlife of every kind, and shot from every creative angle of the camera lens. Nicklen was raised in the far reaches of the Canadian north, and remembers watching wildlife for as long as he can remember.
Nicklen has captured some great images in his newest book, published in November of 2009. An interview in the book tells how he would sometimes wait for months in harsh conditions to get the photograph he was looking for, waiting for the perfect weather, lighting and animal behavior before getting the shot. Many of his photographs are taken underwater.
Nicklen had to worry about more than just freezing his subjects in the frame of the camera, admitting he sometimes was so focused on making photogporagh while diving in sub-zero temperatures, he forgot how cold it really was. He said he had to train himself to asses how cold he was at all times, coming close to hypothermia a few times while getting lost in his work.
The book is called Polar Obsession, and Nicklen talks about how he planned (or obsessed?) beforehand about what photographs he would make once he was on location (Antarctica, Canada, Norway, and other locations near the north or south pole). He said this careful planning led him to learn about the behavior of leopard seals, which often greet divers with an open-mouth charge upon their first meeting. Nicklen used this knowledge to plan the photograph of the jaws of a leopard seal filling the entire frame, which is published in the book.
The results are astounding, with every image in the book a true work of art, leaving readers wondering how the animals were posed in such an elegant fashion. the answer is true patience, Nicklen would say.
He has a great technical ability as well, evident in the brilliant prints. Many are lit with the bright antarctic sun, casting blue and white highlights onto the pages. An intamite portrait of a seal just beneahth the ocean surface, framed by waves crashing into ice shelves and Antarctic mountains in the distance transports reaers to the cold polar waters, offering a glimpse of a world that has never been presented in such detail and artistic composition before.
But his work isn't just about making magnifecent photographs.
Nicklen writes that he dreamed of his photography career while studying biology at the University of Victoria. He had always wanted to work with wildlife, and acknowledged thge changing conditions in polar polar regions caused by a warming trend. Nicklen thought working for National Geographic would allow him to share images of his slowly shrinking homeland and spread the message of shrinking ice to some 40 million readers.
And not only is the ice his home, but also home to many other humans and animal species, many of which depend on floating ice for hunting or survival.







This book is a collection of photographs, most of which were taken during Nicklen's 10-year career on assignment for National Geographic. Basically all of the photographs are the kind of breathtaking images you would expect to see in the magazine, reproduced as large prints accompanied by small pieces of text, stories about behaviors of the different animals and the effects that melting ice is having on them, or Nicklen's personal adevntures while capturing the images in the cold. The large, blank white pages thrown in throughout the book are like the vast tundras of antarctica -- a great fit for the book.
Some of my favorite pictures: A seal scanning for polar bears before coming up from under the ice for a breath, migrating narwhales, penguin hoards invading polar beaches, polar bears shaking off after a polar swim, body-surfing elephant seals and many more amazing up-close photographs of polar animals. The personality of each animal that Nickle captures in his up-close shotws are truly inspiring.
This book is listed for $50, but it is selling for somewhere around $30. The price is worth it because of the many high-quality images inside. While some interesting books are called "page-turners," this book is the opposite, causing readers to stay on one page for a long time to the nuances of every image.








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Marc Hauser: Moral Minds

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Marc Hauser’s pioneering book, “Moral Minds: How Nature Designed our Universal Sense of Right and Wrong,” published in 2007, attempts to shed light on why humans act the way we do. 
Hauser examines the social structure of humans and animals, drawing from research in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, as well as his own experiments.  
He argues that morals are innate to human beings, in the same way language is innate. He argues that humans are born hardwired to develop a system of morals, in the same way we are hardwired for language.  
Hauser is a professor of Psychology, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and Biological Anthropology at Harvard University.  
He writes that Biologists have discovered a “moral organ”, a circuit in our brains, specialized to identify situations as morally relevant. He believes that politicians should listen more closely to our intuitions and write policy that takes into account this moral organ.  
Throughout the book, Hauser establishes several characteristics necessary for a being to be a moral agent, and he admits that it is tough to determine just what a non-linguistic creature understands about others’ rights, and their own responsibilities.  
The characteristics necessary to be a moral agent include the ability to lie, an understanding of reciprocity, and the capability to imagine one’s self in someone else’s shoes.  
“Deceptive maneuvers start early…representing the tell tale signature of a developing mind that sees differences between self and other.” Hauser writes about the psychology of the mother-fetus relationship, a constant tug-of-war battle for resources. Through observations of children, He shows the beginnings of moral faculty.  
Hauser writes that experiences modify our actions, and overtime we become more equipped to make more rational moral judgments.  
“Young children understand that moral labels like “bad and “good” are objectively true characterizations, whereas “icky,” “Boring,” and “yummy” are relative and subject to personal preference,” Hauser writes. “…The capacity to make the distinction comes early, putting the child on the path that sees the moral arena through objective glasses.”  
Much of "Moral Minds" consists of reports of experimental results, setting up many different animals in situations where they are forced to cooperate with each other, sometimes rewarding cooperation, and sometimes giving the animal an unexpected outcome. Through evidence gathered in these experiments, Hauser shows that many nonhuman species obey social conventions. He writes that many animals, including apes, are considered moral patients, lacking some intellectual power that humans have. 
“Does the individual understand and respect others’ rights and assume responsibility for his or her actions? If the answer is yes, then the individual is a moral agent. If the answer is no, but the individual can suffer, then he or she is a moral patient.” Hauser writes that an individual’s moral faculty is largely determined by cultural influences: “Our moral faculty is sensitive to contingencies, if-then rules, that allow for exceptions to moral rules about what is or isn’t forbidden. These competences emerge early, presumably in every child, with the help of teachers, parents, and other sages.”
Hauser proposes that moral rules consist of two components: knowledge about what one ought to do, and a set of emotions. Hauser cites the writings of seventeenth century philosopher David Hume, the primary architect of the idea that we alight on moral judgments by calling on our emotions. Disgust is a tell when it comes to judging situations as morally wrong, while empathy tells us when to reach out and help another person.
Hauser quotes developmental psychologist Martin Hoffman, “Empathy is the spark of human concern for others, the glue that makes social life possible.” He believes that morality is grounded in our biology, and that in the future, our moral nature will no longer be only a concern of the humanities and social sciences, but also the natural sciences.
I think Hauser’s observations are valuable in determining how our moral faculty is built; his book offers an overview of many species in many different social settings, allowing the reader to draw some of their own conclusions. After reading Moral Minds, it seems obvious to me that many animals have a degree of moral capacity; humans are simply the most intellectually evolved of these species and have a highly developed moral organ.
He spends a significant amount of time explaining the behaviors of humans as well, setting up children in experimental settings and seeing how they respond. Although a lot of these tests results are somewhat uncertain, I think as a whole, the book helps to explain our human mind, and how it develops overtime.
I enjoyed reading Moral Minds, I found the test data very exciting, and I found myself fascinated with my own mind upon finishing the book. I applied some of the examples to my own life, often feeling not unlike a vervet monkey in the wild, skeptical based upon the reputation of my peers.
“The last two times this person promised to meet me at a scheduled time, he showed up 25 minutes late,” I thought. “This time, I will arrive 25 minutes late, and we will be in sync with each other.”






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