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 * This page is for review of books by AUTHORS whose last names begin with the letters Q - R. **

**//My American Journey// by Colin L. Powell with Joseph E. Persico** Contributor: Karan S.

The American Dream is the promise of opportunity, freedom, and hope that is only available in the United States. Many people have lived the dream, including Colin Luther Powell. Ex-General Powell tells his unique and extraordinary story in //My American Dream// with the help of Joseph E. Persico. The biography begins by conveying the story of Colin Powell’s humble beginnings in New York City. Growing up in a lower middle class section of the Bronx, Powell was brought up with the noble virtues of honesty, integrity, and perseverance. After graduating from Morris High School, he committed himself to furthering his education, unlike many of his peers, by deciding to go to school at the City College of New York. Powell chose to go to college even though he was only a “C-average student out of a middling” high school. This honorable decision led to his enlistment into CCNY’s ROTC program and furthermore, the United States Army. In the army, the determined and dedicated Powell persevered through many hardships. One such hardship was the influence of his ethnic status in a time where racial tension was at its peak. Nevertheless, Colin Powell managed to separate himself from the crowd, as he eventually reached the position of General. This astonishing story of a once poor resident of the Southern Bronx is inspirational to all people who have the privilege of reading this biography, as it shows the true wonders of the land of opportunity.

Contributor: Alex C.
 * //Between a Rock and a Hard Place// by Aron Ralston**

In 2003, a young man made headlines worldwide. What began as a routine hike through the canyons of Utah turned into something much more, an enthralling tale that is easily enjoyed by everyone. Aron Ralston vividly narrates the story of the self-amputation of his right arm in this stunning story. Trapped for six days with insufficient food and water, Ralston recorded a series of monologues into his video recorder in hopes that, after his death, his family and friends would view his final moments and hear his final words. These tapes have been transcribed into //Between a Rock and a Hard Place,// successfully helping the reader understand the pain, uncertainty, and terror that Ralston experienced during his entrapment. Along with the tapes, Aron Ralston recounts, through past occurrences, the escapades that turned him into a skilled hiker. Not only is the reader given a detailed glance into the life that Ralston lived leading up to his accident, but also of the brutal accident itself. From the start of his journey, to the entrapment of his arm, to the self-amputation, everything is fair game in this novel. Ralston professionally presents this information through writing that is funny and gripping. This book not only entertains, but also motivates others to enjoy life and never take anything for granted, a mistake that Ralston admits to have made previous to this accident, “even if it means making a hard choice, or cutting out something and leaving it in the past.” //Between a Rock and a Hard Place// will not fail to amuse and inspire people of all ages.

//** 127 Hours Between a Rock and a Hard Place **//** by Aron Ralston ** Contributer: Andy M.

Usually thought of as peaceful or easy-going, rock climbing is probably one of the most hazardous activities a person can do. In 2003, Aron Ralston experienced these dangers first-hand, which are depicted in his autobiography, 127 Hours Between a Rock and a Hard Place. As a child, Ralston’s family moved from Indiana to Colorado, and he soon found himself in love with the beautiful region. Later, he attended college in Pittsburgh and became an engineer. After only a few years, however, he decided to quit his job to get back to the place he knew and loved. He enjoyed nature, and climbed numerous 14,000 foot mountains in a short span of time. To an avid mountain climber like Ralston, April 26, 2003, was intended to be an “easy day,” but then an 800 pound boulder unexpectedly fell on his right arm, trapping him in a narrow canyon in the middle of nowhere in Colorado. How would he escape? With a scarce amount of water, little food, and low temperatures, Aron managed to survive through six days of agony. Somehow managing to document his experiences on his video camera, his book tells the story of a desperate man who is forced to amputate his right arm. Fortunately, after his escape, he quickly found help from other climbers, and was able to survive the traumatic experience. This is an inspirational story that teaches readers to always have the will to live another day.

** //My Father at 100// by Ron Reagan ** Contributer: Jeff B.

“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” This classic line from the film //Sandlot// could not hold more truth than now – more than 100 years after Ronald Reagan’s death. To honor this legend, Ronald Reagan’s son, Ron Reagan, wrote a memoir detailing the complicated past of the famed Ronald Reagan. The complex genealogy, traced by to the 1100s, greets the reader first with the introduction of the O’Reagans of Doolis and paints the scene for the slow, but forced migration of the O’Reagans across the Atlantic as a result of harsh British law, Potato famines, and other depressing and oppressing scenarios, until their arrival at the sardine-like Ellis Island. Ronald Reagan’s colorful life was shaped mostly in his run-down Illinois apartment as a lifeguard and aspiring athlete and son, not his multimillion dollar mansion in Los Angeles nor his Sacramento palace. Reagan grew up a poor Irish immigrant who was expected to monetarily contribute to his family, just so they could stay afloat and have enough on the table. The only way Reagan blossomed into the leader he became through the warmth and compassion that he truly possessed, and not “the man that history… [has] conspired to turn into a remote icon.” One man can change the world, as evident by the late and great Ronald Reagan.

Contributor: Jessica D.
 * //Hungry//** **by Crystal Renn**

In today’s society, the word “fat” has caused people to go to extreme measures to be skinny. No one ever sees a fat model strike a pose in a magazine. Seeing a photo of a plus size model is rare in clothing stores like American Eagle. However, //Hungry,// by Crystal Renn, fights this stereotype with every flip of a page. Many people may not know Crystal Renn, but in her tell-all biography, she leaves nothing to the imagination. Becoming the number one plus size model in America was not an easy journey for Crystal. She sheds light into a sect of the modeling world that is rarely spoken of: anorexia and other eating disorders. Renn, having battled anorexia and exercise bulimia herself, knows all too well about the pain and stress that comes with modeling. At 16 years old, Renn was told that at 5’9” she would need to lose 70 pounds to become a model and receive a contract for an agency in New York. Literally dying to be thin, Renn complied and became anorexic in a matter of three months. She starved herself to become the fashion industry’s vision of perfect. One day, Crystal snapped and realized that her career needed to fit her, instead of her trying to fit into it. As a plus size model, Renn became more dimensional and continued to push the envelope. Instead of looking like “a deer in headlights,” Renn became more beautiful and learned to love her body for what it truly is. Portraying the view of a normal woman, Crystal Renn continues to model for high fashion magazines like //Vogue// and //Seventeen//. Today, Renn has revolutionized fashion by showing the world that curves are always in style. Inspiring women everywhere, Crystal shows people that self acceptance is the path to true beauty.