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Ray Man
Hardships create character in people like heat and pressure create diamonds in carbon. Ray Man: A Sharecropper’s Memoir describes the extraordinary journey of transformation for Dr. Andrew Motes from a life of poverty in the backwoods of Arkansas to becoming one of the world’s leading experts for laser weapons development---from studying by kerosene lamp to designing space-age technology. His journey of transformation was also a journey of understanding---of himself and humanity. In his many roles, he interacted with people at all social levels and learned that all of mankind suffers from one common affliction regardless of social status.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 24, 2015
"Ray Man" is the life memoir of Dr. Andrew Motes, who grew up in rural Arkansas and went on - in a brief period in 10 years - to become a leading laser physicist with the Star Wars program in the 1980's. In its pages, Dr. Motes tells, through a series of witty and educational stories, how he was able to build his own life and overcome all external limitations.
Reading it was fun - I did it in two sittings for a total of 13 hours - and the way he breaks his life down to a period of good stories made it down-to-Earth. It was a welcome exception to all the victimology portrayed in the media today. Each individual component in the book adds up and makes it seems like anyone can fulfill their dreams with enough motivation and drive - it's not a typical corny motivational book, though, and doesn't try to be.
A word of caution: Dr. Motes is unabashed in presenting his conservative Christian worldview, so this book may offend some. But I felt he is compassionate, so even people who do not subscribe to the same worldview, but do think that an individual has the power to do what they want in life, would still enjoy and benefit from reading this.
It would be a great read for young people who feel that the world is conspiring against them, for older people who are themselves reflecting back on their life, or anyone in between who is both reflecting on their life and making plans for what they will do in the future.
I give it 5/5 for this reason - both entertaining stories of life in 1950's and 1960's rural Arkansas, the military in the 1970's-90's, and what Dr. Motes is up to now, and the overall message that - forgive the cliche, but it is appropriate here - our lives are what we make of them.
Reading it was fun - I did it in two sittings for a total of 13 hours - and the way he breaks his life down to a period of good stories made it down-to-Earth. It was a welcome exception to all the victimology portrayed in the media today. Each individual component in the book adds up and makes it seems like anyone can fulfill their dreams with enough motivation and drive - it's not a typical corny motivational book, though, and doesn't try to be.
A word of caution: Dr. Motes is unabashed in presenting his conservative Christian worldview, so this book may offend some. But I felt he is compassionate, so even people who do not subscribe to the same worldview, but do think that an individual has the power to do what they want in life, would still enjoy and benefit from reading this.
It would be a great read for young people who feel that the world is conspiring against them, for older people who are themselves reflecting back on their life, or anyone in between who is both reflecting on their life and making plans for what they will do in the future.
I give it 5/5 for this reason - both entertaining stories of life in 1950's and 1960's rural Arkansas, the military in the 1970's-90's, and what Dr. Motes is up to now, and the overall message that - forgive the cliche, but it is appropriate here - our lives are what we make of them.
December 6, 2015
This is an amazing book to read! I am excited to learn all about the "olden days". What is even more exciting for me is that THIS IS MY FAMILY HISTORY! I have thoroughly enjoyed learning all about the way they lived. Reading this, is proof that anybody and do what they want by putting their mind to it. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews