My kindle of about a decade or so finally bit it so I dusted off my wallet and got a new one (with some fancy bells/whistles). With that, I give you some recent reads from the large melon.
The Great Pretender
Good read on the history (failed history) of psychiatry and the attempts by many psychiatrists to properly diagnose and rehabilitate mental health issues, specifically schizophrenia and bi-polar-type conditions. One psychiatrist in the early 70’s even checked himself into an asylum (as a pseudo-patient) to see if doctors could properly diagnose and treat his fake symptoms. They labeled him as a schizophrenic (as most were labeled at the time) with no hope for recovery. He wrote a paper on his experience which drew rave reviews from others and brought about change in the practice but the book’s author eventually revealed his study was flawed as he made up stories about other pseudo-patients. Some pseudo-patients in his study didn’t exist.
Modern medicine is making strides in recent years and the days of ‘rehabilitating’ gay people are over (homosexuality was considered an illness in the 50’s) but still a long way to go on what makes our brains tick.
The Wrong Stuff
Former professional baseball pitcher Bill Lee’s autobiography. Some great stories involving what ball players do over a 162-game schedule traveling from town to town with ample time to find fun (and trouble). A few Detroit references from the legendary Lindell AC bar (that I was fortunate to visit before they tore it down sadly). The bar's owner had a cigarette lighter that looked exactly like a gun and he used to play pranks with it. Someone switched it one night to an actual gun and a bullet shot through a wall while one of the players was looking to light up.
The Pittsburgh Cocaine Seven
The true story of the rise of cocaine in major league baseball in the early 80’s, focusing on seven individuals who were more or less baseball fans that were recreational drug users (not that it’s right) in the Pittsburgh area and were giddy to help their baseball heroes with a pinch of blow here or there which led to an ounce here or there which led to the FBI getting involved. The guy who wore the Pirate mascot uniform during games was even involved.
The players involved got a slap on the wrist while the seven ‘fans’ ended up spending time in jail.
Hearing the story of pitcher Rod Scurry taking apart a television in a hotel on a road trip because he thought someone was watching him in addition to advising snakes were on him is all I need to not get involved with the drug.
A couple of good stories about Dock Ellis who played about a decade earlier to this. One was a no-hitter he pitched while on LSD. Another was a time he was trying to get his team pumped as they were fearful of the Cincinnati Reds. He advised that he was going to hit every batter he faced the next time they played. He hit the first three, the fourth walked and while trying, could not bean Johnny Bench in the head. Upon being pulled, he went to the dugout and the first thing he said was “You see how big (Bench’s) damn head is? How did I miss that head?”
Zero Fail
A good read on the history of the secret service, dating back to when Lincoln’s guard was slacking at the theater to when Trump was making his guards follow him on the golf course (and probably cheating on said golf course) week after week (after week) when he should have been working as he says, “to make America great again,” which unless crying about losing and creating violence is a great America, I think he failed.
Some good stories of the service knowing about the extracurricular activities of our presidents involving the opposite sex. Clinton’s ‘jogs’ to the local YMCA were a little more than that. Kennedy was a player with a capital P.
Most of the first ladies were cordial except Hillary; shocker there.
The secret service seems to be no different than any other employer; a mix of shining stars who take their job seriously and those that are slackers.
You Might Remember Me
Comedian Phil Hartman’s biography tracing back to his early days in Canada, the family moving out to California, his rise to stardom and his psycho wife who took his life. His wife was attractive but as I’ve found out over the years in some of my acquaintances, the inside beauty is much more important and thankfully those that I dated didn’t own guns (that I know of).
Confess
The autobiography of Judas Priest lead singer Rob Halford. In the late 90’s, he came out of the closet after roughly 25 years leading one of the world’s most heavy metal bands. Had he came out in the 70’s or 80’s, I honestly don’t think the public would have accepted it. Gay or not, the guy can entertain and has an incredible voice.
Some good stories, one of which was when he was at a music festival that the band was at. Folk singer Joan Baez was there as well. Judas Priest’s song “Diamonds & Rust” was a cover of the song Baez wrote and sang, obviously a little different version. Halford was worried what Baez would say when they crossed paths. He was relieved when she was cool as hell and told Halford that her son liked their version better.
Another story was when the band was playing on a British version of American Bandstand, Top of the Pops. In addition to Judas Priest, Donnie and Marie Osmond were also appearing; quite a lineup there. Priest is known for their theatrics and their leather/stud outfits. Marie Osmond made a comment to someone that she was not okay with Halford’s use of a leather whip he used during performances. Halford stormed into her dressing room, told her his mind, she backtracked and the whip was used.
