Richard Dedor: Finding Focus » Books

The Revolutionary Paul Revere – Book Review

Richard — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:36:19 +0000

Last year I finally accepted the massive undertaking of reading Team of Rivals. If you’re any level of a historian, you know that book is about President Lincoln and the team he assembled around him during his years in Illinois and then Washington. One other fact of note, I am a history buff. I love reading about the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War II and any American president. So, it was no surprise when I won an autographed copy of this book that I was excited.

This book was an interesting read. As I said, I recently read arguably the most in-depth book on Abraham Lincoln and sad to say, I was looking for more of the same from this book on Revere. If you do that, I will say this: you will be disappointed. This book reads more like a historical fiction, but it’s not. It’s a biography of his life and efforts for the Colonies. Needless to say, I did walk away with some amazing new knowledge of someone who was very important to Boston and the American Patriots.

Why You Should Read It:

In school, all we are taught is that Paul Revere alerted his fellow Patriots that the British were coming. There is so much more to that story!
Even though is name isn’t on the Declaration of Independence, he was very instrumental in the vents leading up to that event.
Did you know Paul was a business owner his whole life? And a cartoonist? Those are just a few of the things you’ll learn.

What You Can Expect to Walk Away With:

We all read about Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, but Revere is oftentimes left out. Why? He wasn’t from the “upper” class and thus was held back from higher service, both in the military and in the Mason Society. He’ll begin to feel his pain and his passion for the cause.
You will definitely learn more about the events leading up to the Boston Massacre. What a crazy few years it was in Boston.
Finally, while it only very briefly touches on the Revolution itself, you will see how hard it was in that period to not only live, but have the passion to fight the cause.

Paul is an American hero. I only wish we’d learn more about these men – and women – who played a role in making this country. This is a very basic book about Revere and I will admit, I am disappointed it wasn’t more like Team of Rivals, but in the end, I know more about Revere now than when I started and isn’t that what books are supposed to do?

Best Rainy Day Books

Richard — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:47:43 +0000

I probably should have written this post during spring, but there are still some rainy days in the summer, so I thought it might be nice to share a few of my favorite books to read on rainy days.

The first book that comes to mind is one I reviewed recently, The Last Lecture. The book is of the size and content that makes it easy to read and relax to. Plus, the content has a way of turning a sour mood into one that begins to dream again.

Another book that probably didn’t come to your mind, but did to mine, is a fiction book I read while back in college. I took a lot of history and government classes and one of the books we read was Jeff Shaara’s, Rise to Rebellion. It was a fantastic and quite easy historical fiction read. Anyone interested in the history and story of America must read this one, rainy day or not.

Finally, a memoir. I also read this book a long time ago, but it still resonates with me. If you’ve seen the movie October Sky, you know part of the story. But Homer H. Hickam, Jr. writes a great book about the way life was in Coalwood, West Virginia, and the truth about the relationship between he and his father. Check out his memoir Rocket Boys to get the full story of dreaming and challenges.

Those are my three, what are your favorite rainy day books?

(flickr photo via wenedeux)

The Last Lecture

Richard — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:21:45 +0000

This book has been on my list for nearly two years – ever since I saw his hour-long “last lecture.” It’s a shame I will never meet the man. I was worried this was going to be a sad, I’m dying, kind of a book. Quite the contrary. It was uplifting. It was inspirational. In a word, it was, affirming.

Why You Should Read It:

This book will help you remember why life is amazing, and beautiful, and worth living.
It will remind you of your life and your dreams as a child.
Randy’s thoughts on life apply to every aspect of life and business.

What You Can Expect to Walk Away With:

You will laugh and you will cry; and at the same time!
I came away with new ideas for my life … maybe you will too.
You will be a child again. Embrace it.
It’s not meant to be a guide-book or a tool-box for your life, but it is. It is a guide!

Please pick up this book. It only took me a few days to read through it, and even longer to sift through all my thoughts and emotions form it.

Here is a quote from the book:

Today’s talk was about achieving childhood dreams. But did you figure out the head fake? It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to live your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.

What are your dreams?

Book Review – My Brother’s Voice

Richard — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:10:59 +0000

The last time I went to the library and walked out with a book I hadn’t planned on was nearly two years ago with Man and Boy. I went into my local library a few weeks ago before a business trip with a list of three books I wanted to check out. Sadly, all three weren’t there. So I just started roaming the shelves. I didn’t find anything, so I ventured to the “books you might have missed” shelf and found this one. My Brother’s Voice by Stephen Nasser.

Aside from simple Young Adult reads, I’d never read a true account from someone who lived through a concentration camp. This book changed that.

Why You Should Read It:

It is a true and honest account of the late stages of Nazi Germany and the concentration camp life.
If you’ve never read a book about the Holocaust, this is a good start.

What You Can Expect to Walk Away With:

It may not be a selling point for most people, but you will be angry.
You will be sad.
But you will have a greater appreciating for life and overcoming the obstacles in your life.

I will admit, I think this is a good read. I know it made me cry in a *very* public airport. It made me get mad at the world, at our country, at Germany, at the world. But I needed to read it. Stephen, better known as Pista in the book is an inspiring 14-year-old, now in his late stages of life.

I want to leave you with a quote from Stephen: “First, to all of our loved ones who can’t be here tonight: may this occasion prove to them that their lives were not lived in vain, and that their memories will live forever, as long as we keep smiling.”

Keep smiling.

Anything is Possible

Richard — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:05:00 +0000

What a journey it has been! From the first moment I became inspired to actually developing the idea and then finally putting pen to paper until the day the book finally arrived it has been a labor of love.

My life has certainly been a journey. This book is the first of a journey I hope to take into the world of authorship. I already have an idea for another non-fiction book and also an idea for a novel as well as a novel already in first draft form. Who knows where this journey will go or if this is the end of the road for this dream. All I know for certain is I’m not going to get in my way. I’ve done it! I had the idea and ran with it and I couldn’t be happier.

Yes, I did want to quit and scrap the whole project at various times. But I kept reminding myself why I got started writing this book in the first place. I wanted to create a product that would be a road-map for people to guide a journey. Each of our journeys is very personal, but all very similar. We all have dreams and it is what we do with our dreams that matters. It is that tiny difference that makes all the difference in our lives.

Three years ago I wasn’t doing anything to go after my dreams. Today it is what I live for.

Ultimately it is up to you. I’m not looking for the glory. It’s all yours. I did this for you. I see unlimited potential in people I meet and I want the best for you.

“What have you done today to achieve your dreams?” Not happy with your answer…? Remember: Anything is Possible.

Isn’t It Ironic

Richard — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:04:16 +0000

I was in a local bookstore in Mason City, Iowa, and found this scene ironic. On the top is a book about President Clinton’s failure and just below is a book about the awesomeness that was President Reagan.

(Each Friday, I will post a recent photo.)

The Noticer – by Andy Andrews – Book Review

Richard — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:20:18 +0000

The book The Noticer garnered huge press when it came out and I can clearly see why. Andy Andrews creates a story that it touching and forced me to think about my own life and the people in it. The Noticer focuses on the concept of perspective and how when a person is in the thick of things, they often lack it. It’s tough to find it and often you need, “a noticer” to help sort things out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was quite an easy read, which I enjoy even more. The story was compelling and told in a manner that was easy to follow. It is tough when there are two main characters, Andy and Jones, but Andy does such a nice job of merging the two characters.

My biggest struggle with the book, and maybe it is just me, but the concept is very simplistic in its presentation, but it is much deeper. I know it’s not a self-help book, but it would be much more academically applicable if there was more opportunity for discussion and reflection. Even with the study guide at the end, I found the application of the concepts to be the biggest disappointment.

Either way, I do recommend the book to you because I am still digesting the lessons taught.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Anything is Possible – The Dream

Richard — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:59:15 +0000

The first proof of the physical book was set to arrive on January 9, 2010. I was nervous and worried. Nervous because while I knew exactly what the pages would look like and knew the content forward and backward, it was about to be real. The cover glossed and the pages glued, a book was being born. A dream fulfilled.

Then came the surprise. While Nathanael was visiting over the holidays, a small white-padded envelope arrived. I pulled it out of the mailbox and immediately saw who it was from: my publisher. He asked what it was and I blew off the question and started talking about something else. I wanted to surprise him. (As I mentioned before), Nathanael was one of my editors and designed the cover for the book. He more than anyone helped me through this process.

We got upstairs and he began to unload the groceries and I quietly opened the package. “So, I have a surprise for you,” I said. I turned around and pulled the book out of the package and we both saw it for the first time. Anything is Possible.

He took it from my hands and started flipping through it. I just stood there. I was awestruck. I created a book! Me! Richard Dedor wrote and created that! It’s still hard to believe, but at the same time, I know I have created not only a really cool tool, but I believe a strong resource for people who want to re-take control of their lives.
I am very proud of Anything is Possible and I will keep striving to live it each day. That is only part of my dream. The other half of that is if you decide to read it, it chances your life. That is why I wrote it and poured my heart and soul into the project for over a year. Dreams are meant to be lived and this one is now in living color.

Creativity, I am Waiting

Richard — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:37:51 +0000

*Beginning in 2010, I started writing a bi-weekly column, “From Richard’s Oft Cluttered Desk” which appears every other Wednesday.

This is the fifth column I’ve penned officially for this blog. Each time I’ve sat down to write I’ve been concerned about the outcome. Heck, half the time I have not had an idea what I would actually write about. It is still scary. And as I thought about what I wanted to write about this time, I have been pulled in many directions.

I could write about the amazing weekend I had at the end of February. Everything has been a dream come true and some has just been really nice.

I could write about the painting I recently finished. I tried a new technique and I’m very pleased how it turned out.

I could write about Joe Mauer and baseball. I could write about my UNI Panther basketball team. I could write about politics or the pulled chicken I’m trying to make as I write this. The options are endless – and welcome to the world of the mind of a writer.

With the completion of my book, Anything is Possible, I’m awaiting my next project. I have a few ideas of what I’d like to write next, but I’m not sure where I will go. I would like to give fiction a go, but I’m debating whether I should do short stories for awhile first. I have a book that I try to use to keep the creative juices flowing, but I find I do one activity and then don’t touch it again for a month. That doesn’t really help keep the creative juices flowing. They just flow freely for five minutes and then dry up.

I have hopes that writing this column will get my mind off the non-fiction writing that I’ve spent the last 16 months perfecting and get me to write more freely. I’m not sure if it is happening. Of course, five columns in, I wasn’t expecting to be amazing. Just something. I wanted to feel like my writing and my passion was getting closer. Instead, I’m just writing about writing. I’m writing about the struggle I’m having within myself to find that one creative spark. I’ll be in the shower and just thinking about a story I’d like to tell, but then it goes away. I’ll be on the treadmill, sweating out the stress of the day and I”ll get a brilliant idea that would be certain to win me an Oscar, but then I still have two miles to run and by the end, the idea is gone.

Creativity is like that – fleeting – always waiting. I hope it jumps out at me soon. Come, I am waiting.

Anything is Possible – The Stress

Richard — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:53:42 +0000

Over the last year as I’ve been writing and working on this book, I’ve had countless people say that either they or someone they know has always wanted to write a book. I admire that because I was once one of those people. Of course, if you know me, I still want to tackle the fiction genre at some point as well. There are a lot of steps that a writer must take in the creation of a new work.

First, an idea must be born. Then the idea must be fleshed out and sometimes flushed down the toilet. At no time is it easy. Then the idea must be turned into a lot of words… and I mean a lot! Then those words are deleted to the ever growing heap pile of passive verbs and then sentences, paragraphs and sometimes entire pages are re-written.

I had to re-write a whole chapter of Anything is Possible! In fact that’s what this photo is of. The night of editing Chapter 8, I worked until the early morning hours and tried to hand write some thoughts at the end of the night, only to not be able to read them the next morning.

I haven’t even touched on the publishing process which is many many posts worth of information. I’ll just say I learned a lot, got rejected and still found a way to finish this project in a way I am proud of.

After all this work and all the time and energy, the blood, sweat and tears (okay, maybe not blood), the book needed a cover. Nathanael worked for hours trying to find the right cover for me. But as the writer, the artist, I knew what I wanted and we couldn’t find it. Then came the turtle. Within a day of seeing it I knew it was perfect.

I will say this, the stress was absolutely worth it. It was worth it because it was the fulfillment of a dream. And I believe any dream you have and keep dreaming is a dream worth chasing.