Category Archives: Books & Reading

1965: Good Ol’ Boys and Tom Wolfe

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Jorge Costales

Esquire recently selected what it considered to be the 7 greatest articles they ever published. One of them was by Tom Wolfe in March 1965. The article was about stock car racing and Junior Johnson. An excerpt: The first lap … Continue reading →

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Who Was Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt?

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Jorge Costales

David McCullough’s inspiring book — Brave Companions – Portraits in History— shines a light on an amazing scientist and explorer, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt [Baron von Humboldt to his friends]. When McCullough writes, ” … like Halley’s … Continue reading →

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Who Was Mario "Motts" Tonelli?

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Jorge Costales

I didn’t know who Mario “Motts” Tonelli was before this past weekend. Then I visited the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame [NIASHF] in Chicago. The cost of admission is very reasonable, but if this world had any logic, they … Continue reading →

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Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Jorge Costales

Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz – Book review which I posted on Amazon. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it due to the very interesting experiences Ms Novogratz had in Africa. Her interaction with people involved on all sides … Continue reading →

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José Martí — Jan 28 1853 – May 19 1895

Posted on May 16, 2009 by Jorge Costales

I Cultivate a White Rose by José Martí I cultivate a white rose In July as in January For the sincere friend Who gives me his hand frankly. And for the cruel person who tears out the heart with which … Continue reading →

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Book Reading Resolution – 20,000 TLA per Week

Posted on January 1, 2009 by Jorge Costales

TLA – total lateral area of a book. In a recent WSJ article, Karl Rove disclosed that President Bush had read 95 books in 2006, 51 books in 2007 and 40 books in 2008. I was amazed by the discipline … Continue reading →

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Not another frigging Dwarf!

Posted on December 27, 2008 by Jorge Costales

I love CS Lewis’ writing. The Screwtape Letters drove home in an unforgettable way how the battle for our souls consists of a series constant and seemingly inconsequential decisions, i.e. when to call your Mom. Mere Christianity is a very … Continue reading →

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Tom Wolfe in Miami, Cooooññño

Posted on October 18, 2008 by Jorge Costales

Tom Wolfe! The other day it hit me, one of the great American writers ever is in the process of researching and writing a book, Back to Blood, based in our town. The book’s topic is immigration and it’s focus … Continue reading →

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The lost kids of Willows

Posted on October 17, 2008 by Jorge Costales

The Class of 2008 leaves Willows bonded by tragedy. “We have now learned,” Nathan Michaud says, “that life isn’t fair.” Not everything worth reading is good news. This tragic ESPN.com article by Michael Weinreb–which is about the inter-connected deaths of … Continue reading →

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Great Writing and a non-GIST Alert

Posted on June 11, 2008 by Jorge Costales

Ever read or see* something you really enjoyed and discover later that it was considered that way by a lot of other people – otherwise known as the gratuitous inconsequential spotting of talent [GIST]. I’ve always remembered great articles I … Continue reading →

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