And a Bottle of Rum (2006) - Wayne Curtis

This book caught my eye while looking for something to take on a long plane ride.  As a non-fiction lover, I'm always interested in books that can tie together disparate elements for a greater understanding.  And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails by Wayne Curtis is quite successful in tying together the history of rum with the development of the New World.

Cover image: rumdrinks.wordpress.com

By exploring the development, rise, fall, and steady rise again of the rum spirit, Curtis is able to deftly tell the history of the U.S. and Caribbean (though he says New World, these are really the regions he concentrates on).  The book opens your eyes to the ways in which sugar production (and hence rum production) is so entwined with the early history of the colonies - from international strife in the colonies, to slavery, to the Independence movement - and continues afterwards.  Curtis also includes several recipes at the end of the book.

Through short, at times rambling, chapters, Curtis moves through successive periods of (mostly) American history through the lens of a particular rum drink.  He touches on many different areas, like sailors in the Navy or Hemingway in Cuba, to elucidate the popularity and influence of rum.  There are times when he strains the connection and goes off on tangents (like the later chapter on tiki bars), but overall he does an excellent job in the book.

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend (2002) - Monks of New Skete

This book is well-known in the world of dog owners, receiving both praise and scorn for its simple message of honest communication between human and canine.  It is, as a quote on the back cover notes, very "readable" and is often so much more than a dog training book.

Cover image: yimcatholic.blogspot.com

What comes across from the very start of the book is the love the Monks have for their dogs.  One of their recommendations is to integrate your dog with every possible aspect of your life, which they do in such a natural and beautiful way.  The dogs, mostly German Shepherds, are paired with a monk and spend nearly every waking moment together - from sleeping, eating, working, and playing.  To do this, the Monks require dogs that are highly trained and obedient, to ensure there is tranquility and efficiency in daily life.  Their training techniques seem to be easy to carry over into any dog owner's situation.

There are elements of the book that may be off-putting to some.  There is a high emphasis on the spiritual connection between humans and dogs, as well as the religious elements of the whole training process.  The book also discusses a telepathic connection between owner and dog, which, though earnestly described and backed by a scientific study, still struck me as a stretch to believe.

As I noted before, the book is a great read, not only for the dog training tips, but for a deeper insight into a world most of us seldom see.