Mr. T by Mr. T

This book, written in 1984, is Mr.T's autobiography: his story in his words. Mr. T makes this point very clear in the beginning. This is raw 'T' - no ghost writter, co-author, or filter of any sort.

First, I would like to point out what a surprise this book was for me. I knew that Mr. T played some tough parts, but I always thought of him as just another actor who enjoyed lifting weights. Boy, was I wrong!

Mr. T had a rough childhood, growing up in the ghettos of Chicago. He talks about prejudice and how the 'projects' were a notion concocted by white men to keep blacks out of sight and under foot. In support of this idea, Mr. T goes into detail explaining how the police responded to crime in the projects only in cases where the victims were white. He talks about how he and his seven older brothers protected their family and enforced their own form of justice.

This book tells about everything from Mr. T's days playing college football and serving in the military to his time as personal bodyguard to Leon Spinks (former heavyweight boxing champion of the world). Mr. T has always strived for excellence in whatever he does, and I've come away from this book with a more informed respect for him.

This was not a particularly enjoyable read for me, but it was educational. In addition to his life story, Mr. T explains a lot about his views on God, some of which I support and some I do not. Still, it's Mr. T's life and his story, so he can tell it any way he wants.

Finally, the question I always think about: Would I recommend this book to my kids? My answer: Maybe when they're older. The book includes a lot of rough details. Don't get me wrong; I'm not suggesting that we hide the ugliness of racism and poverty from our kids. They need to know about such evils (but not necessarily to this level of detail). As a man, I respect the strength that Mr. T has found in God. As a parent, I'm going to quietly return this book to the library ...

Ripple Effect by Paul McCusker

Paul McCusker is one of the best-kept secrets of teen literature. He's written scripts for the Adventures in Odyssey radio series and a number of books with those characters, most notably the Passages series (think alternate realities).

As with all good books targeted to a teen market, Ripple Effect is very fast paced, and at just 204 pages, it's a quick read. The story is interesting, even if it does require a significant suspension of disbelief. Although such terms are never mentioned, this puts me in mind of 'string theory' and the idea of 'parallel dimensions.'

Ripple Effect is the first installment of a new Time Thriller Trilogy. Book two came out this year, and I hope to read it soon, but I'm number three on the waiting list at the local library. (Maybe Mr. McCusker isn't such a secret after all.)

The main theme of this book can be summed up in two words: eternal perspective. Because of the subject matter, I would not be surprised to see this theme further developed in the next two books. The characters are continually being challenged about what to believe of the world in general - and other characters in particular. Their experiences open them to a wider view of things, to the possibility that what we see may not be all there is.

McCusker makes no secret of his commitment to God, and his writing reflects that without becoming preachy. This book in particular reflects a positive worldview without going much further. One thing I really appreciate about Ripple Effect is its positive portrayal of parents and other adult figures (a rare thing in today's teen books).

Okay, to the adults out there, keep in mind that this is written for our teenage friends. That being said, the interactions are emotionally charged, and the characters are always wondering who to believe and what to think. (Of course, that's not to say that adults have everything figured out; we're simply more practiced at hiding our insecurities.)

I am definitely going to recommend this one to my kids. There is a shortage of quality books for teens, but this is one.

Relentless by Dean Koontz

As with all Koontz novels, Relentless is well written, fast paced, and engrossing. Unlike most thrillers, this book is well seasoned with humor. In that respect, it's a lot like an earlier Koontz book, Life Expectancy, in which a menacing clown and assorted circus performers (aerialists) threaten the life, liberty, and happiness of a long line of bakers. This book is certainly less tongue-in-cheek, but it's still a fun read.

The main character in Relentless is an author. (It's never explained what types of books he writes, but they aren't thrillers.) His wife is a writer and illustrator of children's books, and his six-year-old son is a certifiable genius. These are the good guys, and Koontz does a good job of making them a likeable family, filling in their lives with laughter and an eccentric extended family. If the whole book focused on characters like these, I would urge my 14-year-old to read it; however, there is a darker side ...

Granted, that's the point of a thriller. There has to be conflict, some sort of tension against which the heroes must struggle, but the villains in Relentless are the reason I can't let my teenagers read it. These guys are brutal. Yes, this kind of character has a purpose. It provides the pure evil backdrop against which goodness, nobility, and self-sacrifice can be easily identified.

I think that's what keeps drawing me back to Dean Koontz: the nobility of his good guys. The heroes in Relentless are not much different than you and me (with the exception of the six-year-old genius), but together they overcome overwhelming odds. In the end, they are stronger and more appreciative of one another.

I'm glad I read the book, but I'll be glad for a respite from the gruesome villains. That's the reason I swing back and forth between being a huge Koontz fan to needing a break. There is almost always something noble and redeeming in his books, but you have to struggle through a good bit of darkness to reach it.