What Chicks Are Reading

Anything Considered by Peter Mayle

I picked up this book because of my impending trip to the south of France and needed a breath of light reading. The story is a three-week look into the life of a not very well prepared guy who finds himself without a job or money to support his lifestyle. So he writes a classified ad in a local paper and selects an opportunity. In less than a week, the character is living it up on the south of France and looking forward to a great summer, postponing the tough life decisions he has to make. What comes next surprises him and pulls you in deeper to the ensuing risks and challenges. Nice, light breezy novel -- a great summer beach book. Chick Susie
 

This book was engaging. A compilation of what took place during last year's Presidential Election based on the excellent reports of the Washington Post' staff. I found it to be well organized, easy to follow and not a visibly biased view of the relevant events leading up to and following the November 7 Presidential election. It seemed accurate and double checked to a fault.

Surprisingly, the books editors seem only slightly tilted towards Gore (especially considering it is the Washington Post, which is noted for its liberal bias), so no matter who you voted for, there is much to be found here for anyone with an interest in contemporary politics.

Even though you know the outcome, the book was not at all like rereading the same old newspaper articles again. The book cast a fresh look at the dramatic strategy game that took place in Florida. It was a quick read that left me intrigued. Chick Susie
  

Flight - My Life in Mission Control by Chris Kraft

Before there ever were astronauts or NASA, Chris Kraft was working on how to get people safely into and out of outer space. One of an original group of about three dozen engineers, he made manned spaceflight happen. This book talks about his younger days before getting into the nitty gritty of what it was like leading America to the edges of the atmosphere and beyond. It flows well and is a quick and easy read, filling in the details and correcting the errors many history books leave out. Blunt honesty abounds as both the positives and negatives are given a good airing out. Unsung heroes are revealed. 

Kraft is candid and clear in the description of his involvement in the race to the moon. Definitely a must read for anyone interested in the US efforts in space. Chick Susie
  

First, bit about the author. David Kessler is the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA was a relatively ineffective agency at the time of his appointment. By the end of the book, they were instrumental in forcing tobacco companies to admit that nicotine is addictive and cigarettes cause cancer, and in bringing about a sea change in the industry's legal and popular standing. 

For decades the tobacco industry has escaped regulation even though their product was known to be dangerous and addictive. The book details the endless stream of dollars thrown at everything from political contributions to massive PR campaigns even so detailed as consideration by one of the industry's major players to purchase UPI (United Press International) in order to control the message.

Anyone who wonders if their tax dollars are well spent on government bureaucrats should read this book. It is an inspiring, highly readable story of public service. Chick Susie