Book Review: 'Trejo' by Danny Trejo

✰✰✰✰½ Danny Trejo is a very recognizable man both on screen and off, but his own story is the stuff movies are made of. In this autobiography, Danny shares stories of growing up, surviving prison time, overcoming addiction, and landing roles in movies. He's led a very busy life and is still going strong. From a life of crime to leading man, Trejo's story is motivating and engaging. 

The Bottom Line: This was a quick weekend read. Although not for sensitive readers, I appreciated the author's candidness. Trejo's ability to turn his life around is inspiring. He has faced plenty of adversity, and besides reaching fame, he has reached out and helped many along the way. This autobiography is an interesting read; enthusiastically recommended for anyone who enjoys books about celebrity life.

Book Club Notes: Our group rating averaged around 4.5 on a scale of 1 - 5. This book was readable and engaging. The author tells it like it is and isn't shy. Highly recommended for groups that enjoy celebrity autobiographies. We also took a look at Danny's cookbook, Trejo's Tacos. He's a very busy man, who has ended up doing great work in the area of addiction and recovery. 

At the time of our discussion, there weren't any discussion questions available online. Thus, as the facilitator, I created a list of questions which are available below. You are free to use these questions for your personal use, but please credit this site. Thank you!

Discussion Questions: 

Did you know anything about this person prior to reading this book? 

Family:
Discuss Danny’s relationship with his father? How did his father treat others?

Discuss the family secret. How did that affect his relationships with his parents? And how did the secret affect the way Danny thought of women in his own relationships. 

Was his family a good influence on Danny? Or bad? What was the family legacy?

Danny talks about a culture of destructive machismo. What did it mean to be a Trejo man?

 
Why was Trejo a disappointment to his father?

 
How did the birth of Danny Boy change his life?

 

How does Danny Boy moving to live with his mother affect Danny?

 

What impact did it have on Danny Boy? Did it give him opportunities his siblings didn’t have?

What kind of a father was Trejo to his own children? 

How did his father’s death affect his relationship with his mother?

 
Prison Life:
Discuss Danny’s time in prison. How did he survive?

Talk about fighting fires. How did it make them feel? 

Danny describes San Quentin as the most Right Now place on Earth.

What does he mean by that?

How did boxing benefit Danny? 

Discuss the two types of people in prison: predator & prey. 

How had the world changed while he was in prison?

When he got out, his own parents didn’t want him at home. How did that make him feel? Was he going to be able to handle the outside world? Had too much changed?

Discuss the first time he robbed a store?

How did movies help Danny in prison?

Women:
Discuss his relationship with his wives/partners.

What was his relationship with women/girls like as a child?

How did Danny view marriage? 

Discuss “one in the house, one in the street.” 

How did he finally lose everything to Debbie Shreve? 

How did his daughter Danielle make Danny rethink how he thought about and spoke to women?

Faith:
How did faith help Trejo overcome his addiction? He writes on p. 57, “Faith shoves fear out of the room. There’s no room for fear if you fill your soul with faith.”

Discuss his first attempt at morning prayer/meditation: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.

Discuss forgiveness. Danny talks about the magic of forgiveness. What makes forgiveness so profound? How does one start?

Addiction:
Discuss trying drugs for the first time. How did Uncle Gilbert influence him? Was Danny influenced by genetics or environment?

 

Discuss the turning point for Danny. What made him want to get sober and stay sober?

Discuss his work in rehabilitation.

Danny writes that the one thing people are surprised about when it comes to recovery is the laughter. How is laughter a great healer? 

Discuss Danny’s work in the field of treatment and recovery. How did it change him? 

Danny writes that he was able to get more done than the average therapist or social worker. Why is that? 

Celebrity:
Discuss his start in movies?

How did he learn to act?

What roles did he play?

Do you think for some of the roles he was hired as an actor? Or as an ex-convict?

What influence has he had in the industry? What influence has he had with Latino actors?

Discuss Machete. How did that film/role affect his celebrity status in children? How did he handle that responsibility?

What do superhero or fantasy movies give the audience? (Hope & strength)

Has Danny been a positive influence overall?

General Questions:
Did your opinions change after reading the book?

Let’s talk about the writing style and language of the book, in particular, the use of profanity.

What are the book’s strengths & weaknesses? 

How thought-provoking did you find this book?

What was the main theme of this book? 

Did you learn anything new from the author? Please share.

Was there a specific story that stood out for you? Or a quote? Something memorable? Impactful? Shocking? Or surprising? 

 

What are some of the social implications of the book? How does it challenge or support your beliefs? 

How did Trejo portray the other people in his life in this book? Who influenced him the most? How did women influence him (childhood, relationships, daughter)?

 

Discuss some of Danny’s poor choices? What were some of his good choices?

 

How did Trejo discuss his relationship with his parents? And how did this change over time?

 

Did this story make you reflect on your own life & experiences at all? How so?

 

Is Trejo a reliable narrator of his own history? 

Discuss the photos included in the book.

Why do you think the author was motivated to share his life story? What was his goal?  Do you think the author was trying to elicit a certain response? Has the book changed how you view the author?

Were there any instances in which you felt the author was not being truthful? Why? How did you react to these sections?

What is the author’s most admirable quality? Is this someone you would want to know?

How does this book compare to other memoirs you have read?

Is there anything you like or dislike about the book that we haven’t discussed yet? 

Trejo talks about the 1950s, 60s, & 70s. What are your thoughts about life during those decades? 

What was the most challenging or difficult part of this book to read. How did you overcome it?

Would this make a good movie? Who would you cast?

If you could ask Danny one question, what would it be?

Danny drops many celebrity names, what did you think about including other celebrities?

How much do you think Donal Logue contributed to this project? 

Ratings 1 - 5. Why did you like this book or not? Would you recommend it to someone? 

NOTE: This list of questions was created by Nana Herron for MiniBookBytes Book Reviews and is available for personal use only. As a courtesy, please credit this site. Thank you! 

Details: Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood by Danny Trejo with Donal Logue. Paperback published by Atria in 2021. 288 p. ISBN: 978-1982150839

Book Review: 'The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story' by Diane Ackerman

✰✰✰✰½ Antonina Zabinski loved living and working at the Warsaw Zoo. Described as a housewife, a mother, and a zookeeper, Antonina's magical life in the Warsaw Zoo was everything she dreamed of until the Germans invaded Poland in 1939.

As fear descended upon Poland, Antonina’s husband, Jan, couldn’t let people or animals suffer and wanted to help as many Jews as possible. Together, the couple devised a plan using the zoo as camouflage to hide people. 

Overseeing daily life at the zoo was Antonina’s job. A woman of opposites: empathy and bravery, innocence and fierce protector, Antonina kept their Guests hidden and safe. She never revealed her fears or made anyone feel unworthy. Remarkably courageous and dedicated, Antonina wove a web of lies and managed to keep everyone fed.

As they confronted many challenges along the way, the Zabinskis were a bright light in the darkness of war.

The Bottom Line: What makes this book different from some other books about the Holocaust is the focus on compassion and self-sacrifice. The Zabinski family were in a special position to help others despite the personal risks involved. 

As a naturalist, author Diane Ackerman brings an unique perspective to her writing, which helps her convey relationships between organisms and their environment. Besides telling the story of the Zabinski family and their heroic actions, this book also includes the stories about other historical figures during that time.

Highly recommended as significant reading for those interested in understanding history, war, human behavior, and animal behavior.

Book Club Notes: Overall our group enjoyed the book far more than the movie. Although the movie was cast well, there was too much fiction added to a story that is already suspenseful and heroic. As far as ratings go, on a scale of 1 - 5, the book garnered an average of 4.75, while the movie barely averaged 3. Recommended for book clubs interested in history, biography, World War II, and inspiration. As a bonus, discussion questions are plentiful online.

Details: The Zookeeper’s Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman. Paperback published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2007. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-393-33306-0 

Book Review: 'Young Men and Fire' by Norman Maclean

✰✰✰½ Today the Smokejumpers are an elite group of men and women who face the forest fires that are otherwise unreachable. The Smokejumper program was founded in 1939, and this true story takes place only ten years later when the group was just coming into its own. The Mann Gulch fire initially seemed like an ordinary mission. The fire had started by lightning, and the crew thought they would mop it up in no time. However, a perfect storm of circumstances led to them reversing course, even abandoning their tools, and running for their lives.

Of the survivors, one lived due to inventing the “escape fire” on the spot. But what saved his life would end up igniting a controversy that would span decades until the author took it upon himself to flesh out the truth. Part study of fire science, part survival story, and part quest for discovery, this book also looks at the philosophical points of life and insures that the men will never be forgotten.

The Bottom Line: Published posthumously, this true story about the Mann Gulch fire tragedy takes the reader on a quest to discover the mystery behind why so many lost their lives. This mystery almost became an obsession for the author in the last chapter of his life. Having been a firefighter, the author brought personal experience to his telling of the tragedy. Recommended for individuals interested in survival, science, and philosophy. [Note: This was the author’s second book. His first, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories was made into a movie.]

Book Club Notes: This was only the second meeting of this book club, so I give them a lot of credit for reading this challenging book. Parts are difficult to read, but the sacrifice these men made led to developments in firefighting techniques and safety as well as made people think about how to escape a forest fire. After this tragedy, the focus of saving people became the priority over extinguishing the fire if the choice presented itself. On a scale of 1 - 5, ratings averaged 3.3. The writing style with long run-on sentences was difficult for many to read. Also, a good portion of this book was philosophical, which led us to a completely different discussion than planned. Overall, recommended for groups interested in fire science, survival, and philosophy.

Details: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean. Paperback (25th Anniversary edition)  published by The University of Chicago Press in 2017. 369 P. ISBN: 978-0-226-45035-3

Book Review: 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer

✰✰✰✰½ In 1992 a young college graduate hitchhiked his way to Alaska and trekked into the Alaskan wilderness alone for an epic journey of survival and self-discovery. Going by the name Alexander Supertramp, the young man had given away most of his possessions, donated $24,000 to charity, and abandoned his car two years before. Charming and affable, Alex left a lasting impression on many people. Nevertheless, he yearned for wanderlust, never staying in one place too long. Alaska had always held a lure for him, and Alex entered the wilderness with adventure in his heart. A mere four months later, hunters and hikers would find his severely emaciated body in the back of an abandoned bus leaving everyone to wonder what happened.

The Bottom Line: Highly recommended reading for fans of nonfiction, adventure, and survival. This book will resonate with adults of all ages, but especially with those in college and those who enjoy hiking in the wilderness. Krakauer has the ability to impart detailed information in a way that keeps the reader turning the pages. If you’ve ever longed for solitude and adventure, check out this book about one young man following his passion.

Book Club Notes: Our group was looking forward to this discussion because we enjoy the author’s writing style. This book is a quick read and the movie doesn’t deviate much from the book. McCandless’ passion for following his dreams, for stepping out of his comfortable life is a sad and yet inspiring tale.

Discussion questions are readily available online. I found this study guide and this one to be especially helpful in preparing for our meeting. Additionally, this article was a good read and included interesting photos, diagrams, and trivia. We also discussed why people were risking their lives and traveling to Alaska to visit the bus; you can read about the fascination here. The bus has since been moved and has found a new home at a museum. You can visit the virtual exhibit and read about the conservation project to preserve the bus here.

Overall, we enjoyed both the book and the movie. McCandless possessed an adventurous spirit and perhaps a certain naïveté. Had he taken a map with him or chosen to visit in a different season, perhaps tragedy could have been averted, and we would never have known about his travels. Highly recommended for book clubs.

Details: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. Paperback published by Anchor Books in 1997. 240 p. ISBN: 978-0-385-48680-4 

Book Review: 'A Night to Remember' by Walter Lord

✰✰✰✰½  It was the height of opulence. An era when First Class traveled in style and servants catered to their every whim. Society had never been more confident of its advancements, and the Titanic was a testament to this. At eleven stories high and four city blocks long, she featured the best there was to offer. Her maiden voyage began on April 11, 1912. Just three days later, other ships began reporting sightings of ice. Many would heed those warnings, but so confident was Captain Smith in the Titanic's reputation for being unsinkable, that he ordered the ship to forge ahead at top speed straight into an ice field. Shortly before midnight, they struck an iceberg. What happened in the next few hours would forever change history.

The Bottom Line: At the time this book was published, it had been nearly 40 years since the Titanic had sunk. As the first major written work on the topic at the time, Lord had the rare opportunity to interview over 60 survivors and piece together the final hours of the Titanic. Back in the day, Lord's book climbed the bestseller list and remains the go-to resource on the disaster even today. It is very well researched and detailed. Highly recommended for history buffs and those interested in shipwrecks. Even today the fascination with the Titanic continues, and this book would appeal to anyone wanting to learn more.

Book Club Notes: As we continue to meet virtually via Zoom, we are finally getting the hang of it. Our discussions are more organic with less hesitation, and we are much better are navigating the technology. This was a lively discussion on a timeless topic, the Titanic. Even after 100 years, the event still manages to captivate people. It was an end of an era we will never experience, and it was fun to discuss the extravagance and luxury of the time. We admired the volumes of research author Walter Lord had to sift through to produce a highly readable book. Never again will an author be able to speak to so many survivors. We agreed this book was chock full of details, and as a docudrama, the movie is likely as real as possible in its portrayal of the disaster. Ultimately, this is a survival story, and the individual stories of how each survivor made it onto a lifeboat were varied and fascinating. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, we rated both the book and the movie and average of 4.75. Both the book and the movie are highly recommended for discussion groups looking for something a little different to tackle. A Night to Remember will transport you back to an era of stunning grandeur.

Discussion questions can be found at LitPlan Teacher Pack & a study guide at CPB. 

Details: A Night to Remember: The Classic Account of the Final Hours of the Titanic by Walter Lord. Paperback published by St. Martin's Griffin in 2004.182 p. ISBN: 978-0-8050-7764-3  

Book Review: 'All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team' by Christina Soontornvat

✰✰✰✰ In 2018 the world was captivated by the amazing rescue of twelve young boys and their coach from a flooded cave in Thailand. The members of the Wild Boar soccer team often liked to go on adventures together after practice. One day the boys and their coach decided to go caving. What started out as an adventure, turned into a nightmare as they quickly found themselves trapped in a cave with floodwaters rapidly rising all around them. There was no way out. All the boys and their coach could do was huddle together on a patch of land in complete darkness and wait.

As news of the missing boys spread, experts from all over the world arrived to help with the rescue. But this would be no ordinary rescue. Even trained divers struggled against the muddy waters and strong currents. With time running out, it would take the coordination of many people with different areas of expertise to orchestrate this harrowing rescue. Some even doubted a rescue could be possible. With time running out, and the rainy season just arriving, the rescuers had no choice but to proceed as quickly as possible. You won't be able to stop turning the pages as this rescue against time unfolds.

The Bottom Line: In this suspenseful, detailed account of this rescue, Soontornvat also includes abundant information about Thailand's culture, religion, and politics. Maps, photographs, and other interesting facts supplement the text to help illustrate the complexity of this rescue effort. Suggested reading for middle grade science class and anyone interested in rescue or survival stories. [Note: Full-color photographs not seen in the ARC.]

Details: All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat. Advanced reading copy published by Candlewick in 2020. 288 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-0945-7 [Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Book Review: 'Into Thin Air' by Jon Krakauer

✰✰✰✰½ Tag along as best-selling author Jon Krakauer recounts his harrowing journey to the summit of Mt. Everest back in 1996. Fraught with mishaps, drama, and delays, the expedition was the perfect storm for disaster. Challenged by the confusion brought on from lack of oxygen, Krakauer struggled to make sense of the emerging situation he and others suddenly found themselves in.

Imagine climbing 29,028 feet with little sleep and pushing your body to the limit. Just when you think you should be celebrating, you suddenly realize that reaching the summit is actually just the halfway point. Somehow you have to get yourself back down the mountain, and do it quickly because clouds are forming. Although the clouds look innocent at first, things quickly take a turn for the worse. Before everything is said and done, tough decisions must be made and people will die. Who will be left behind and who will survive? Told in a journalistic style, this a classic tale of survival will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Bottom Line: Even though the events in this book took place over twenty years ago, this is a timely read. With the passage of time, the warnings in this book have faded. Highly recommended for people who enjoy mountain climbing, extreme sports, and physical challenges. Fans of survival stories will want to revisit the issues raised in this riveting read.

Book Club Notes: This book was very well received by members in our group; some recalled reading it many years ago. With the events that took place on Mt. Everest earlier this year, there was a lot to talk about. There are many sites with discussion questions online; however, we had so much to talk about that we didn't need formal questions. This was a very animated discussion, and we took a look at overcrowding, the business of mountain climbing, the individual fitness to climb, the effects of high altitude on the body, nature conservation, Sherpa culture, survivor's guilt, and much, much more. Many of us wondered why anyone would want to undertake such an endeavor. Really, why? 

We enjoyed the author's investigative journalistic writing style, and several of us expanded our vocabulary due to Krakauer's illustrative wording. In fact, a comment was made that Krakauer's writing is so vivid, it's like watching a movie. As we retraced the missteps to this disaster, it was almost like being on the mountain with him. Yet, we could relive the drama from the safety of our own living room couches. For some in our group, Jon Krakauer is their favorite author. The only negative comments were about the large number of names included, but since this was a true event, there was little the author could do about that.

In sum, we agreed that Into Thin Air is a real page-turner that keeps you coming back, and we highly recommend it to other book clubs interested in survival stories. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, the group gave it an average of 4.5 (ratings ranged from 4 - 5).

Details: Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer. Paperback published by Anchor Books in 1999. 332 p. ISBN: 978-0-385-49478-6

Book Review: 'Highest Duty' by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger

✰✰✰✰½ Ten years ago, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew took off on a routine flight that quickly turned into every pilot’s worst nightmare. Although pilots train for emergencies, the chances of that happening are slim. Against all odds, Sully and his copilot successfully landed their disabled airplane on the frigid waters of the Hudson River and saved all 155 aboard. The extraordinary tale of the “Miracle on the Hudson” is one of courage, skill, and luck. It is also a story of survival and inspiration that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Bottom Line: This is a very quick read filled with nuggets of wisdom that will inspire you. Captain Sullenberger takes the reader behind the scenes as he recounts the biggest flying challenge of his life and what led him to that point.  Highly recommended for anyone interested in a career in aviation. This is a fascinating look into how a pilot trains for the worst. Also, recommended for fans of aviation history, survival, and inspiration.

Book Club Notes: Most of the members in our group both read the book and watched the movie, Sully. Our preference was for the book. Although I enjoyed the action of the movie, others thought there was too much drama. We supplemented our discussion by listening to the actual cockpit recording and by discussing some movie trivia. One member commented that this was one of the best books she had recently read. Another said she was so happy to read it. As a group we felt that we got to know the man behind the public image, the whole person, better. We also had a chance to reflect on his family as well. This book was a little repetitive, but not too technical. It’s a very easy read that provides insight into what it takes to be a pilot. On a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, the group gave it an average rating of 4.5!

Finally, here are some of the questions I created for our discussion:

Introduction: 

*Did you know about this story before reading the book or watching the movie? 

*Did you have any preconceived ideas about this story? What did the flight represent to you? To the country? 

*Did you watch the incident on TV? What are some of the images that made an impression on you? 

Biographical Questions: 

*What influence were his parents on his education? 

*Money didn’t motivate his dad. His dad thought of being with his family as his priority; work was secondary. He was content with less money if he could spend more time with his family. Discuss priorities. Have they changed over the years?

*What qualities do you think Mr. Cook saw in the young Sully to make him decide to take him on as a student? 

*Discuss Sully’s relationship with his wife. 

Career/Education Questions: 

*Discuss the qualities of a good leader. Lorrie says that part of what makes Sully a good pilot is his attention to detail. 74 What qualities must a good pilot have? 

*Sully discovered his passion for flying at 5 & turned it into a career. Did you have the good fortune to follow your passion? 

*How did Sully's training in the Air Force prepare him for Flight 1549? 

Airline Industry Questions: 

*Do you feel safe flying? Have you thought about the risks when you fly? 

*Discuss the airline industry culture. Sully studies safety. He believes that “…we can make a company culture, government, or community safer by encouraging people to report their own mistakes & safety deficiencies.” 24 

*Many airlines have outsourced maintenance & component work, sometimes to overseas. Is this reliable? If every choice the airline industry makes is based solely on cost, what are the consequences for safety? 

*Most passengers today select carriers by price, so airlines are under intense pressure to offer competitive fares. P. 40 How does this affect safety? 

Other Questions: 

*The author discusses optimism vs. realism. What is the difference? Which are you? 

*Are there any stories in this book that stood out? 

*Discuss the “bystander effect.”  

*Discuss the Hopi Indian Poem on p. 180  

*The author is not comfortable being called a hero. Define hero. Is Sully a hero?  

*For those who both read the book and saw the film, which did you prefer? Why? 

*Rate the book from 1 – 5. What are the books’ strengths and weaknesses? Would you recommend this book to readers who don’t read nonfiction? Why?

Details: Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters by Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III with Jeffrey Zaslow. Paperback published by William Morrow in 2009. 340 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-192469-9 

Book Review: 'The Perfect Storm' by Sebastian Junger

✰✰✰✰ When the storm of the century hit, the Andrea Gail was on its way home with a boatload of fish. Unfortunately, the Andrea Gail was in the wrong place at the wrong time as every single factor precipitating this situation had to come together perfectly. The Perfect Storm takes the reader to the very center of the storm with waves over 100 feet high. We meet the crew through their family and friends and learn about dangers of the fishing industry. While we'll never know exactly what happened aboard the Andrea Gail, Junger made every effort to craft an authentic and engaging read.

The Bottom Line: Survival stories are a popular topic and this book definitely keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. It's a fast-paced read with lots of information. Highly recommended for fans of adventure, survival, suspense, and tragedy.

Book Club Notes: This book was the topic of a brand new book club featuring nonfiction books and the films based on those books. Club members can either read the book, watch the film, or both. It was fascinating to note the differences between the two formats, and surprisingly every member chose to read the book. About half of us watched the film as well, and we noted the addition of a character (Irene) in the film. The average rating for this book/film was 4.25 out of 5. Most of us really enjoyed the book even though it's been out for around twenty years.

Our discussion focused on the fishing industry, which most of us knew little about. We also discussed the weather and the rescue efforts. Additionally, we discussed how the author crafted this book by using accounts from people who had been in similar situations to those he was writing about. We also took the time to compare/contrast the book to the movie. Those of us who had both read the book and watched the film thought the movie adaptation was very well done. This book is highly recommended for book clubs.

Discussion questions can be found at Reading Group Guides. Finally, we also discussed some movie trivia, which can be found here.

Details: The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger. Paperback published by W. W. Norton & Co. in 2009. 233 p. ISBN: 978-0-393-33701-3

Book Review: 'Deep Down Dark' by Héctor Tobar

✰✰✰✰½ When the San José Mine collapsed in Chile in 2010, 1.2 billion people watched the rescue on television. Never before had anyone survived such a long time underground...69 days. How did the miners survive? What happened during their time in the caverns?  And how did they adjust to life back above ground?

It’s been more than seven years since the thirty-three men were trapped. Their plight captivated the world. For seventeen days no one even new if they were alive or dead. With meager resources, somehow all of the miners survived.  Tobar's narrative moves between the stories of the men trapped beneath thousands of feet of rock to the political battles above ground.

While the miners struggled to make their limited rations last, their families fought to keep the rescue mission alive. Harsh conditions challenged the miners physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The drama and suspense of their story will keep you turning the pages of this quick read.

The Bottom Line: This is a riveting story of workplace disaster, politics, family, physical endurance, and survival. It's also a story of hard working men and the people who love them. Chances are you remember the story, now read about what really happened. Enthusiastically recommended for readers who enjoy survival stories.

Book Club Notes: Our group thrives on exploring different opinions, so this was a lively discussion. With 15+ participants we really had to be respectful of the amount of time each person had to talk. Several people mentioned that they didn't like the journalistic style of the book and would have liked to know more about the miners' private lives. Others enjoyed the style and said the author did a good job of respecting the privacy of the survivors. A few people said that the beginning of the book (the first 75 pages especially) was slow. It was difficult at times to keep track of who was who as there were so many people involved. Several of us were wanting of more information about mining and drilling. I supplemented the discussion with diagrams, maps, photos, and a timeline as these items were sparse in the hardcover book. Several members had watched documentaries online. Also, a few checked out the movie, The 33, after the discussion. Overall the ratings (on a scale of 1 – 5 with 5 being the highest) ranged from 3.5 to 5 with an average of 4.5. 

To sum, this is an inspirational and education story of faith, friendship, and teamwork. While this may not have been their first choice in books, this title was an awesome book club pick. This was our best discussion of the year, and it's always great to end the year on a high note. For book clubs considering this book, check out the discussion questions at Reading Group Guides. 

  

Details: Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free by Héctor Tobar. Paperback published by Picador in 2014. 320 p. ISBN: 978-1-250-07485-0