James Donaldson Book Review: Sex at Dawn by Cacilda Jetha and Christopher Ryan *****

James Donaldson Book Review: Sex at Dawn by Cacilda Jetha and Christopher Ryan *****

 

http://bit.ly/111a9j9

 

This is probably one of the best books I've ever read in regards to human behavior and sexuality.  The authors do a very good job of keeping the topic interesting (how could this not be an interesting topic?) and the flow of the book moving right along.

 

In the book, they answer the age-old questions about "Is Monogamy a Myth?"  Why we have the thoughts we have and why we become excited and stimulated by certain characteristics in other people.  The role that social conditioning has in either restricting us, or allowing us freedoms and liberties in how we feel about sex.

 

Some of the highlights of the book point out that up until about 10 or 20,000 years ago, humans were grouped together in nomadic tribes and all of the social interactions they shared (hunting and gathering, eating and sleeping, and yes, group sex) were all part of the social bonding that was necessary in particular for survival.  With the advent of agriculture and property ownership (that included women and children) the social concept of monogamy came into play.  Question remains, are humans naturally monogamous?

 

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld says that "men and women are like firemen and fire. Men are like firemen and can be ready for sex in two minutes.  Women are like fire, whereas the conditions have to be just right for it to occur.  (Smile)

 

This is an excellent book that I would highly recommend to everyone!  Now I understand better... "Why men are the way we are and why women are the why they are." (Smile)

 

 

James Donaldson Book Review: Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin *****

James Donaldson Book Review: Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin *****

 

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B0047E9696&qid=1358125147&sr=1-1

 

I've read numerous books over the years about the Holocaust, Europe during World War I and World War II, and I have studied countless other documentaries on the same subjects.  But, I don't think I've ever been so thoroughly engrossed and caught up in such an accounting of Europe during that era as I was during the reading/listening of Timothy Snyder's Bloodlands.

 

Even though the author probably overdid the statistical storytelling of the horrific numbers of such tremendous torture and killing, the story needs to be told, and the numbers even though hard to fathom, need to be stated so that you can at least have an attempt at realizing the unimaginable time that this world went through less than 100 years ago.

 

With all if the uprisings and totalitarian States that still exist in the world today, you would think that humanity would have learned its lesson by now.

 

Let's just hope that we never have to revisit the magnitude and scale of the loss of humanity, misery, human torture and loss of life ever again.

 

It's a shame, and all you can ask yourself is "Why God… Why?"

 

I highly recommend this book for those interested in world history, geopolitics, and the shaping of the world that we've all come to live in.

 

China's Ambitious Goal for Boom in College Graduates

I’ve recently become very involved with China’s education system (especially at the high school/college level) in assisting Chinese students with the opportunities to study abroad.  I am a director in China for a national program with The China Service Center for Friendship and Cooperation with Foreign Countries Studying Abroad Department”.  With this program, I go around to a variety of schools speaking to Chinese students and their parents and encouraging them to look at opportunities to study abroad.

The Chinese students (and their parents) are very excited about the opportunities and the movement by their government to assist them in going abroad to study.

As many of you know, my passion is always been education and youth, as I encourage everyone to pursue the best education they possibly can obtain.  It's wonderful to see (and work with) highly motivated, high achieving students who really value education.  We've got to keep working with our young people here in the States to do the same! 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/business/chinas-ambitious-goal-for-boom-in-college-graduates.html?hp&_r=0 

James Donaldson Book Review: All The President's Men by Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward *****

James Donaldson Book Review: All The President's Men by Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward *****

 

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B0095YTAL2&qid=1357068117&sr=1-1

 

I was just a little tyke when all the shenanigans pertaining to the Nixon administration where going on.  But, I’ve heard my share of different perspectives through the years.  There have been numerous books, movies and features done on this topic. 

 

Respected journalists like Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward do a wonderful job in depicting the inside behind the scenes look at the Watergate break in, and all of the episodes leading up to and following the event.  There are several great interviews with key people who were very closely involved and had up close and personal involvement, and Woodward and Bernstein capture it all.

 

A great book and perfect for those who have an interest in stories of cover-up and deception at our nation’s highest levels!  

 

James Donaldson, Eldridge Recastner at Training Camp for Nankai Girls Basketball Team

Eldridge and I had a great time in training the Nankai Girls Basketball team that is here in Seattle visiting from Chongqing China.  We did a 2 hour basketball training session and then the girls went out and played a "friendly" game against their sister school, Chief Sealth High School.

Chongqing is Seattle's Sister City and what better way to continue building International relationships and enjoying cultural exchange than through young people and sports.  

Look at how well Eldridge and I get along with he being a University of Washington Huskie and me being a Washington State Cougar! (smile!)  We can all get along in this world!

Way to go Seattle!  Way to go Chongqing!  Way to go Huskies!  Way to go Cougars! 

See the full gallery on Posterous

NBA Returning to Seattle? I hope so!!! Go Sonics!!!

http://www.king5.com/sports/Former-Sonic-NBA-James-Donaldson-Seattle-186243732.html

It's great news that the NBA Sonics may be on their way back to Seattle... where they belong!

James Donaldson Book Review: Country Driving by Peter Hessler *****

James Donaldson Book Review: Country Driving by Peter Hessler ***** http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B0037AAK1O&qid=1357002510&sr=1-1

 

I read Country Driving just weeks before going to China recently and I am so glad that I did. The author, Peter Hessler, does an excellent job in describing China, especially "off the beaten path". 

 

The book helped me to have an "open mind" and "put down some of my own stereotypes" about China, and go there to just enjoy the experience and take it all in.

 

Thanks Peter Hessler for writing such a great book and helping me to thoroughly enjoy the great land and people of China!