Heidegger and a hippo by Thomas Cathcart

What is the difference between a philosopher and the rest of us? Well, since all of us consider the "big questions," it must be that philosophers take themselves and their "discipline" so very seriously. The purpose of this book is first to prove that we are all philosophers - it is in fact the human condition, given the reality of death - and secondly, that those who we consider to be the professionals can be understood by humanizing them, and approaching their writing with a sense of humor. So quoting Wittgenstein along side of Woody Allen, Groucho with Karl Marx, Socrates and Stephen Wright can knock some very esoteric theories down a little. Besides, getting a joke is generally easier (and more fun) than "getting" phenomenology, for example.

Death is certainly a universal concern. It is both the unifier and the catalyst for, perhaps, every thought, philosophy, culture, religion and joke. Philosophy is a way of dealing with this reality, but so is humor. Together, you can find some very useful insights.

Why my third husband will be a dog by Lisa Scottoline

Lisa Scottoline invites readers into her life with this collection of vignettes. For women 50ish (and fabulous!) her experiences are familiar, but whatever your age or gender, Lisa's storytelling is entertaining. Tales of visits with her elderly mom, tender moments from her college-age daughter's life, a little dig at ex-husbands, drooping skin issues, lovable, dependable and sometimes mischievous pets, memories of a terrific dad.... all the little things in life that can drive you crazy, bring you joy, and make a great story are wrapped up in Lisa's daily adventures. Snuggle down in your favorite spot and get ready for a great time with your new best-old-friend, Lisa.

The boy who dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Helmuth Hubener sits in a German prison. Beaten. Tortured. Starving. He is 17-years old, waiting to be executed for treason. The boy who dared is fiction, but Helmuth Hubener was a real person, and the book is a fictional biography of his short life. The story flashes back and forth between Helmuth in his cell and the events that led up to his arrest. Helmuth was a boy when Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. He entered the Hitler youth group proud and handsome in his smart new uniform. But as Hitler’s power grew and the horrors of Nazi regime took over, Helmuth lost respect and trust in Hitler's leadership. Secretly listening to BBC broadcasts from an illegal short wave radio, Helmuth learned that Hitler's claims of superiority and world power were lies. Wanting others to know the truth, he put his life at risk, and lost, attempting to spread the news.

The boy who dared includes photographs of Helmuth Hubener, plus documents, records, etc. of his life and death. Thoroughly researched and well written, this important book is emotionally difficult to read, but worth every draining sentence.

The help by Kathryn Stockett

While trying to find her way after college, Skeeter Phalen returns home to the country club lifestyle of her family and friends in Jackson Mississippi. It's 1962. Skeeter dreams of a career at Harper and Rowe Publishing Co. in New York, but first she needs experience. She lands a job at the local paper writing a "how to clean everything" column. Totally inexperienced at cleaning anything, Skeeter asks her friend's maid, Aibileen for help. Meeting with Aibileen over the next few months is an eye opener for Skeeter's socially conscious mind. The treatment Aibileen and other maids receive from their employers (and in general) sets a fire to Skeeter's sense of what's right and wrong. Risking her friendships and social status, Skeeter decides to interview the women and publish the collection. Aibileen quickly agrees to participate, but every other maid in Jacksonville fears repercussions. Time and events, both national and local, change their minds. Secretly the maids meet with Skeeter to share their experiences, some heart-filled, some heartbreaking. Their voices make a powerful statement. Harper and Rowe publish the interviews. Life in Jackson Mississippi will never be the same

The end of materialism by Charles T. Tart

Tart attempts to reconcile the worlds of science and of spirit by hoping to reshape science to its most impartial ideals. In other words, science is not worth its reputation if it dismisses in advance all paranormal activity as unscientific and therefore impossible, and all psychical research as wasting time and resources. Tart presents case studies of what he considers to be proper and objective studies of paranormal phenomenon, and believes more research would prove (in scientific terms) that such activity is incontrovertible.

Interestingly, Tart summarizes in only a couple of pages the subject of quantum physics. These scientists are demonstrating that reality does not behave according to Newtonian concepts at the sub-atomic level, and that some of these behaviors could be the sources and means for most of the spirit driven abilities that Tart discusses. This seems to be a good opportunity missed.

Tart does a very good job of distinguishing religion from the spiritual. The former is generally based on the founders paranormal experiences that in the hands of followers becomes codified and mythologized, while an organization develops that separates its followers from exactly the kind of experience the founder had. The paranormal is about these transformative experiences that can be understood by everyone, and experienced by those sufficiently determined or lucky.

Tart's book is formatted as a scientific text would be expected to be. It is heavily footnoted, has several appendixes, and includes both textual and online references. The premise then is that most scientific facts originated as theory that in many cases was ridiculed and dismissed by the entrenched authorities. Tart mentions the concept of microscopic pathogens for example. Clearly, he believes that the paranormal is now in this stage of ridicule, requiring adequate research and impartial study to gain full acceptance.

Heidegger in 90 minutes by Paul Strathern

Martin Heidegger represented one of two divergent strains of philosophy of the first half of the 20th century. Wittgenstein is associated with one, concerned with language and dismissive of ideas that cannot be adequately expressed. Heidegger was an existentialist following the work of his mentor Edmund Husserl, who popularized the idea of Phenomenology. Heidegger modified its conception by stating, contrary to Husserl (not to mention Descartes), that consciousness was not the primary element of existence, but rather it is being, an original, uncontaminated form of consciousness.

Heidegger, and therefore his work, is tainted historically by his association with the Nazi party, an event he never really apologized for. It was never clear how much he sympathized with the Nazis, and to what extent his participation was a practicality necessary for retaining his job. He broke off with Husserl and Hannah Arendt, both Jews, and did little to support the dismissal, and brutalization of other colleagues, as well as the characterization of psychology as "the Jewish science."

Gradually, Heidegger's philosophy became appreciated first by French existentialists, and ultimately, with the English publication of "Being and Time" in 1962, America.

Love and other impossible pursuits by Ayelet Waldman

Emilia Greenleaf knew instantly that Jack, a partner in the law firm where she was newly employed, was the man for her. Never mind that he was married with a small son, William. Now married to Jack, and living very comfortably in Upper West Side Manhattan, she is annoyed with William and resents Carolyn, Jack’s ex-wife. Carolyn is a renowned Manhattan obstetrician with adoring patients, but she belittles Emilia's parenting skills and makes neurotic demands regarding William's care. Emilia complains about her life constantly. She has a hard time even getting out of bed. As the story unfolds, the core of her unhappiness is revealed. Emilia and Jack’s newborn daughter, Isabel has died of SIDS. Emilia is devastated. She falls apart seeing mothers strolling with infants or children playing in the park. She wants to love William, but dreads being with him. He continually brings up Isabel, with questions and comments that painfully stab Emilia’s heart. Depressed and bitter, Emilia pushes limits causing her marriage to crack. Each attempt she makes to repair the damage and build a relationship with William makes things worse. As she emotionally breaks, an incident occurs that results in Emilia recognizing her downfalls. William needs help that only Emilia understands and can offer. Much to her surprise, William, that little annoying know-it-all, offers the glue to mend her marriage, make peace with Carolyn, and secure a place in Emilia's heart.