Tagged by Pat Kennedy to reveal five of my favorite books, I'm Kerschmunkled. How can I name 5 of my
favorite books? I would have a hard time picking favorite 50 books. I might even have 
a hard time naming 500 favorite favorite books. But, I'll give it a try. Where to start? The following are a few that I "couldn't put down".
Centennial. James A. Michener
I suppose I would want to name books that left me with quotables. One of my most memorable books was Centennial. The book inspired me to take a tour through Colorado. I loved that book. Couldn't put it down. It was about my fifth Michener book, including Tales of the South Pacific, Hawaii, Chesapeake, Alaska, Texas and Poland. But, it was Centennial that gave me the quotable, "Don't Stake Yourself Out", which is what the old Indian Braves did when they were too old to fight and kill Buffalo. They "staked themselves out" on the plains of Colorado and waited for the thundering herd. I also loved the history of Colorado back to the Dinosaur days, as seen through the eyes of a Dinosaur. Reading that wonderful book inspired me to visit Colorado with a friend where we caught lots of Rainbow Trout, saw some incredible mountain views, cursed that mountain Pikes Peak and generally saw some of the most beautiful countryside ever - - until later visited Yellowstone. But, that's another story and another Trout, Cutthroat, the tastiest morsel on a camping trip.
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Alexander Solzenitzen
Poor innocent Ivan, sentenced to the Soviet Gulag. Enduring the most incredible deprivation whereby
the tiniest morsel of meat in the cabbage soup would be savored and rolled over the tongue like a
gourmet feast. Poor Ivan, to preserve his sanity, dedicated himself to his work by making the most
menial task an exercise in joy of accomplishment. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, The Gulag
Archipelago, The Cancer Ward, all of Solzenitzen's works exemplify how the human spirit overcomes
the most dreadful deprivation and suffering and goes on to survive, endure and even conquer.
Adolf Hitler: The Definitive Biography. John Toland
A captivating history and biography of a monster. A monster of monstrous proportion in a monstrous
time. While a story of a man, it is a snapshot in time when a monster could survive, lead, have
followers, be believed, plan the extermination of millions with the rest of the world trying to hide a
yawn. What this book taught me is that the world that watches monsters at work, stands by
idly, talking about other things, deserves for that horrible history to be repeated. It taught me that
the monsters first suppress their own, then their neighbors, then set their sights on the rest of the
world. So well written, this book told a story that is history. 
Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Richard Bach
Sure, it's about a Seagull. A very special Seagull. A Seagull who is not satisified with just getting along and winning a piece of food in a food fight with other Seagulls. Trying harder, flying higher, learning more, being the best that you can be and then teaching others. Jonathan Livingston Seagull was, to me, about love, learning, teaching, putting life in perspective. This book is about how our spirituality can take us to a higher plane of life. Just being good at what
you do isn't quite enough. The ultimate learner, Jonathan realizes that just by thinking he has learned. Jonathan is a happy Seagull.
All the President's Men. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
The ultimate portrayal of betrayal and perfidy. Betrayal by a few of a nation who want so desperately to
trust. About betrayal. About perfidy of men in power. Men of little character who saw no dignity in the
human spirit of the citizens of a nation because they had no dignity themselves. A very serious book
about the betrayal of a nation so well written it read like a mystery novel. One could laugh at the
absurdity of situations until one realized that what you were reading about had actually happened.
There were no heros in this book.
There are many other books that are my favorites. My children used to say, if you want to know about
something, look in Mom's books. I'm sure she's got something about it. That was true. And then in
1994, I got my first Internet connection. Now I have the world at my fingertips and no books to dust.
Now I get to tag three ActiveRain friends. Get ready folks.
Mitchell Hall
Susan Milner
Jim Crawford
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