This was an interesting book, hilarious at times, in which the author, Charles Pierce, literally pokes fun at some of the myths, folklore and long sustaining beliefs that have made of this country.
Of course, it’s easiest to make fun of the conservatives for the way that they tend to want to “conserve” the way things have always been, and to go back to “Make America Great Again”, but I feel the author takes equal opportunity with such topics as religion, cultural beliefs, and just “humans being humans.
The book opens with an interesting look at the “Creationist” folks, who believe that the earth is only about 5000 years old, and actually have a “Flintstones style” themepark here in the USA, where models of dinosaurs are actually wearing saddles, and human beings living alongside those very same dinosaurs. Of course, any of us to know anything about evolution, will feel that’s totally ridiculous, but there are people out there actually believe it.
I guess if we take a look at our own ingrained beliefs, we can examine a couple of them a little more closely, and determined that even some of the beliefs that we hold dear, are a little silly, when we start to apply any type of scientific experiments or double-blind tests to them to see their validity.
Myself, being a Christian, really want to believe all of those ancient biblical stories and miracles that supposedly took place, but, I guess that’s where we go into the realm of “faith” and even though we can’t prove those things, we rely on them to be true.
This wasn’t the most serious of books, a little bit “trashy” in nature, but still an interesting look at how and why people believe the way they believe.
Enjoy it for what it’s worth!
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
