The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science that Reveals our Genetic Ancestry by Bryan Sykes. Non fiction. Another great read! This one describes the author's successful quest using DNA to map both an individuals genetic paths back through the maternal and paternal lines. He can trace your ancestors back 20,000 years. (That's right: 20,000.) That's a lot of ancestors. You can get Oxford University to do your lines (male line for males only) but the cost is steep. About 540 USD for both lines. I'd do it if I had the money. Recommended.

Virtually Normal by Andrew Sullivan. Non-fiction. This was first published back in 1988 I think, but it has never lost its relevance for homosexuals. Now with the relaxing of laws in the US and elsewhere around civil unions for homosexuals, it is more topical than ever. Order the book from Amazon.com by clicking on the logo above or at Andrew Sullivan's website. Mr. Sullivan is an unreconstructed libertarian, which allies him perhaps too often with conservatives, but he is a firm champion of liberal constitutional democracy. See the next book on the list for an excellent discussion of liberty, constitutionalism, and democracy. Recommended.

The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria. Non-fiction. Excellent book on the origins of liberal democracy and how it can survive in a time of terroism. The author, now a U.S. citizen, grew up in India and he brings to the discussion a unique perspective of liberal democracy, particularly in North America and Western Europe. He also has an extremely persuasive understanding of the problems with Arab states in the Middle East. His book was written before the war in Iraq, but it ought to be required reading by those in our government who are trying to figure out how to win the peace in Iraq. Recommended.

The Neanderthal's Necklace by Juan-Luis Arsuaga. Non-fiction. "A lively and very personal account of the earliest inhabitants of Europe by the Continent's leading paleoanthropoligist and hominid fossil finder." Quoted from the dust cover and a very accurate description of the book. I enjoyed it very much. Recommended.

Who Wrote the Bible? by Richard Elliott Friedman. An excellent, very accessible discussion of the authorship of the Bible based on the latest archealogical discoveries. Very illuminating, but a Biblical literalist won't like it much. Recommended.

By the Light of the Moon by Dean Koontz. Fiction. Yuck! Not my kind of story at all. Bantam Books ought to be ashamed. I didn't finish it, but it ought to encourage anyone thinking of writing a novel. If this junk can get in print, your junk and my junk ought to be able to as well. Not Recommended.

Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart Princesses Who Stole Their Father's Crown by Maureen Waller. Non-fiction. Boooring! I didn't think it was possible to make the history of the English Crown boring, but Ms. Waller has managed. Not recommended.

The Offshore Islanders by Paul Johnson. Non Fiction. Stuffy and fairly boring, but better than Ungrateful Daughters (See above.) Recommended only if you're a British Isles Junkie

Benjamin Franklin by Edmond S. Morgan. Biography. Good book. I enjoyed reading it because Ben Franklin has not had much written about him in recent times. Recommended.

Blogging: Genius Stratigies for Instant Web Content by Biz Stone: How-to. Good, easily understood instructions for building your own blog site. He's a bit off-hand in his writing style for my tastes, but once you get used to his silliness, he's easy to follow. Recommended.

Black Cat Raiders of WWII by Richard C. Knott. Non-fiction. Interesting history of the Catalina PBY flying boats of the Second World War. I read it for background on a new novel I'm putting together. Recommended.

Black Cats and Dumbos (WWII's Fighting PBY's) by Mel Crocker. Non-fiction. Personal accounts of PBY pilots. Background for a novel in progress. Recommended.

PBY: The Catalina Flying Boat by Roscoe Creed. Non-fiction. Another book I'm reading for background for a novel. This one goes into the history of the development of the PBY more than the war-time service of the airplane. Recommended.

Remembering Trauma by Richard J. McNally. A very good discussion of the controversal subject of "recovered memory," particularly in the areas of child molestation and incest. Recommended.

Pagans and Christians by Robin Lane Fox. (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. New York 1989) A very thorough study of the transition from the philosophy and theology of the pagan world to one dominated by Christianity in the centuries just prior to the beginning of the Christian era and the first centuries of it. It is interesting in particular to learn the many instances in which Christianity adapted and adopted pagan practices and religious ideas into its developing theology and liturgy, particularly classic philosophy. The writing style of the author is sometimes difficult to follow and at other times impossible. In spite of this barrier, I Recommend the book.