Week 8

I chose Science - Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (632.9 C), Sports - Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis (796.357 L), Crime - The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer by Philip Carlo (364.1523 C) and medical - The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks (616.8 S) as my four genres and the sugessted reads to those who normally read fiction.

Richard Kuklinski and his family.

The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer is a recollection and analysis of the memories of Richard Kuklinski. Philip Carlo spent months visiting him in prison, interviewing Richard about his childhood, his family life, his pinchant for crime and murder. The graphic details of the murders described in this book would really appeal to fans of more gorey fiction such as the works of Ted Dekker. The crime syndicate part of Richard's fascinating life would appeal strongly to those who are fan of Mario Puzo's works. The narrative bounces between first person tellings of the action taken from transcripts of the interviews with Mr Kuklinski and Mr Carlo filling in holes of the story Richard lef tout or analyzing the situation. Each chapter focuses on a specific time, crime, or event in Richard's life, almost like a short story. That writing style makes it a very fast, and easy read. Only the vivid descriptions and calm manner that Richard seems to tell stories of dismemberment and butchery can disturb and move even the most stoic reader.

 

 

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks is a very touching, intriguing, and heartfelt set of recollections of patients with odd mental disorders and their amazing lives and fascinating behaviors. The stories almost seem incredible, yet Oliver handles each patient with such dignity and care that their mental disaorder at times seems almost enviable, but comes at a sacrifice to other faculties that we may take for granted. The chapters each focus on a single case, which can help make this a read that can either go fast, but with the emotions of some of these stories, one chapter may be all you can read in one sitting.