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07/02/08 |
|
Book
 Fleeced
In my book, Dick Morris is one of
the best political analysts out
there. In this week where we honor
our country's independence, I think
it's time that we found out all the
POSITIVE things that the U.S. is
doing, both domestically and on
foreign soil. Morris hits all the
subjects the media chooses to ignore
at best, or at worst, slants
horribly. This book is already #1 on
Amazon.com and is a must read. |
 Movie
The Patriot
When
I lived in Washington, D.C. in the
summer of 2000, I saw this movie in
its blockbuster first weekend. I've
never forgotten how pumped up we, as
Americans, were when we left the
theater. I highly recommend this if
you haven't seen it yet. Plus, it
has Mel Gibson in it. |
 Musical
artist/group
Toby Keith
Even
though I'm not the biggest
Country fan, I have a lot of
respect for Toby Keith, who is a
huge supporter of the troops. He
also happens to be one of the
most talented people in Country
out there. Here's a compilation
of his greatest hits. |
|
Company
Wounded Warrior Project
www.woundedwarriorproject.org
I am a big fan of this
organization, which has a
simple, yet powerful, mission
statement: "Honoring and
Empowering wounded warriors."
It's one of the most important
things that we can do in our
society in the current
environment. They are also
affiliated with Take Pride,
which we discussed in this
week's show. |
|
|
06/25/08 |
 Book
The Last
Lecture
If you haven't read this book and
want to change your life, buy it
immediately. It is so well put
together, and Pausch's story will
change your outlook and make you
appreciate each day. |
 Movie
Dead Poets
Society
In a
week where I feature an organization
reaching students in a new and
inventive way, why not bring you one
of my all-time classics? Robin
Williams is nothing short of
brilliant in his role as a
rebellious, but insightful, teacher
at a stodgy prep school. |
 Musical
artist/group
Usher
He's
back with his new album after
going Platinum many, many times
over with Confessions.
Usher is simply one of the best
talents in music. |
|
Company
Oprah.com
www.oprah.com
The one-stop portal for all
things Oprah Winfrey, who is
hands down the most influential
person in the world, in case you
hadn't noticed. From television
to radio to magazine to book
choices, there is no stopping
Oprah in the many ways that she
is trying to empower us and
improve our lives. |
|
|
06/18/08 |
 Book
Wisdom of Our
Fathers by Tim Russert
In a week when we lost a truly great
man in Tim Russert, I wanted to
honor him by choosing this
outstanding work. It will pick up
your spirits for sure. |
 Movie
The Sixth
Sense
Since M. Night Shyamalan, one of the
masters of film and keeping us
guessing, is back with his new film,
The Happening, I thought I would
choose the movie regarded as his
opus. I'm telling you, having
already been nominated in the past,
I can guarantee that Mr. Oscar is
going to find a home with Shyamalan
eventually. |
 Musical
artist/group
Carrie Underwood
Okay, I admit it. I have a bit
of a crush on Carrie Underwood.
But, make no mistake. I picked
her this week, not for her
stunning looks and her
humbleness, but because this
Grammy winner has it all
musically. In my opinion, she is
the most talented of any of the
American Idol winners and a true
superstar with all of the upside
in the world. |
|
Company
Pushcart Press
www.pushcartpress.org
This publisher gives out the
Pushcart Prize each year in
several different categories,
but with one caveat. The authors
and works must come from small
presses. Many of the most
talented writers have broken in
with a smaller publisher, and,
with the help of the coveted
Pushcart Prize, have gone on to
greatness and fame in the
literary world. |
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|
06/11/08 |
 Book
The Grapes of
Wrath
In my discussion with Director Doug
Pray this week, we talked about how
there was a certain Steinbeck-like
element to the struggles that
truckers are facing right now. I
figured I'd go with one of
Steinbeck's classics. If you never
had to read it in school, this is a
great read. |
 Movie
Big Rig
We
spent the entire show discussing it,
so I had to make it my selection for
this week. Trust me; this film will
open your eyes to a crucial part of
our American life. |
 Musical
artist/group
Coldplay
I
admit it. I'm a Coldplay fan. I
do some of my best work
listening to their music. Here
is their new release. |
|
Company
SIRIUS
www.sirius.com
They are my choice this week,
not because they can throw a lot
of money and stock options at
Howard Stern. I like them
because they are the major
sponsor and facilitator of the
innovative screenings of Big
Rig that will occur at major
truck stops nationwide. Truckers
rely heavily on SIRIUS, and it
is refreshing to see the company
get involved. |
|
|
06/04/08 |
 Book
The 4-Hour Workweek
With the theme of this week's show
being "Young Actionists," why not
choose one from the publishing
world? Not only is the author part
of my generation, but his words are
timeless and can help you find your
purpose in life and chase your
dreams. This is a "must own" book. |
 Movie
The Aviator
Okay, I know that he had some weird
tendencies and might have taken the
germ thing a little too far, but
having read his biography and seen
this movie starring Leo, one of the
5 best actors in Hollywood, I have
respect for Howard Hughes. He made
things happen, and he did it
starting at an early age. |
 Musical
artist/group
Weezer
I've
been a Weezer fan since high
school. Here's the latest album
that just hit stores. I love the
whole "red" album idea; these
guys crack me up. |
|
Company
Freedom Writers Foundation
www.freedomwritersfoundation.org
If you didn't see the movie or
read the book, this is just a
great story and now an
organization. What an
outstanding way to help "Young
Actionists" in the world. |
|
|
05/21/08 |
 Book
Lone Survivor
by Marcus Luttrell
In this Memorial Day edition of
Spencer Speaks, I have to go with
the book that is now in my Top 5
(that's for all books people).
Incredible story of survival and
very relevant with all of the
negativity in the media about what
is happening overseas. |
 Movie
To Hell and
Back
Where do you start with war movies?
There are so many to choose from,
and I could have gone with Saving
Private Ryan or The Longest Day. To
Hell and Back, which is about Audie
Murphy (and actually starring Audie
Murphy himself) is one of my
all-time favorites. It's the
incredible story of one of the most
decorated military men in U.S.
history. |
 Musical
artist/group
Neil Diamond
He's
back again. How could I not
choose the man behind "Sweet
Caroline," which my Red Sox
brethren sing so well before the
8th inning at Fenway Park? |
|
Company
AMillionThanks.Org
www.amillionthanks.org
In this Memorial Day edition, I
had to choose one of my favorite
non-profits, A Million Thanks,
which was created by Shauna
Fleming when she was just in
high school. Beyond their work
with numerous partners, the
focus of the organization is to
provide cards, messages,
letters, thoughts, and prayers
to U.S. Military Men and Women.
Keep up the good work! |
|
|
05/14/08 |
 Book
The Old Man
and The Sea
Hemingway is the ultimate
"publishing player." This book has
been selling steadily for YEARS, and
I regard it as one of my personal
favorites. Even though you probably
had to read it in high school, I had
to put it in this week. |
 Movie
Finding
Forrester
Since we are talking about
"publishing players" this week, this
movie is a perfect fit. Connery is
brilliant in his role of the
reclusive novelist who finds his
second wind in life by mentoring an
inner city youth with incredible
writing abilities. |
 Musical
artist/group
The Roots
They
are back with their 10th album.
I love their sound and the
messages that they impart with
their lyrics. Some great guest
appearances as well. |
|
Company
Bloomsbury Publishing Group
www.bloomsbury.com
This U.K. publisher had the good
sense to be the first one to
sign up J.K. Rowling and all
that is Harry Potter (Scholastic
publishes the books for
distribution in the U.S.). Now
that the Potter series is up, it
will be very interesting to see
what happens with Bloomsbury. |
|
|
05/07/08 |
 Book
How to Win
Friends and Influence People
Since I'm doing a graduation theme
this week, why not pick the book
that I think every recent grad
should read? It definitely changed
my life, and it's been a steady
seller since THE 1930's when it was
written! |
 Movie
The Graduate
We
are talking graduation this week, so
I am obligated to choose The
Graduate. Dustin Hoffman in one of
his two most famous roles (I think
you know the other, hint: It has Tom
Cruise in it). Here's to you Mrs.
Robinson. |
 Musical
artist/group
Flight of the Conchords
The
series on HBO is hilarious and
now these guys are right at the
top of the Billboard charts.
Incredible story really. Their
debut for a full-length album. |
|
Company
CareerBuilder.com
www.careerbuilder.com
Hey, if you a recent graduate
and not headed to get even more
degrees right away, there's a
good chance you are looking to
get regular paychecks. I like
what this company has put
together in terms of the
optimization of their website.
Also, they have the funniest
employment commercials on
television with their "Do More
Than Just Survive the Work Week"
spots. |
|
|
04/30/08 |
 Book
Go Green, Live
Rich
Since we are focused on helping
improve our world this week, why not
choose a book that gives you the
blueprint to help make your impact?
Bach is a personal favorite author
of mine, and this is a terrific
read. |
 Movie
Medicine Man
I
remember the impact this movie had
on my in middle school, yes MIDDLE
school, when it came out. It will
really open your eyes to the
possibilities out there in the
natural world and why we need to
protect it. Plus, it has Sean
Connery in it. |
 Musical
artist/group
Pearl Jam
Fittingly, these guys are part
of the Seattle success stories
in music, since Seattle is also
a hotbed of activists and
conservationists. Not only have
these guys been incredible as a
group basically since I've
listened to music, but they also
support so many causes. |
|
Company
TCC Group
www.tccgrp.com
I'm a big fan of this company
that provides planning,
development, and evaluation,
among other things, for
foundations, nonprofits, and for
corporate community programs.
They have an impressive client
list and are certainly making a
big impact. |
|
|
04/23/08 |
B ook
Become a Better You
There were so many books I could
have gone with here. Pope Benedict's
visit to NY has inspired me this
week. Joel Osteen is a personal idol
of mine and one of the greatest
influencers in the modern times in
my opinion (and millions of others
as well). |
 Movie
Keeping the
Faith
I
don't want to focus on one religion
here, but this movie starring Ben
Stiller and Ed Norton centers on
two. Really a lesser-known film for
both of them, but overall a
hilarious romantic comedy (Jenna Elfman is the love interest) with a
great message. |
 Musical
artist/group
Gnarls Barkley
This
one has no religious basis of
any kind, but I did just get a
close-up look at these guys on
TRL when I was there for Cori
Yarckin last week. Their new
album is going to be a chart
topper. |
|
Company
Vatican
www.vatican.va
It's far from a company,
although it does employee
thousands. It doesn't have
customers, but it does have 1
BILLION followers. It's the
Catholic faith's headquarters,
nestled in the smallest country
in the world. |
|
|
04/16/08 |
 Book
Dave Barry's
Money Secrets
Since it is tax week, I thought I'd
keep it light for you, since you
probably need a break. I've been a
Dave Barry fan since I could read
basically, and he will make you roll
over laughing with this read. |
 Movie
The Heartbreak
Kid
Feeling down on your luck on April
15? You can't have it as bad as Ben
Stiller in this hilarious comedy. |
 Musical
artist/group
The Raconteurs
They
are back and following up their
highly-successful 2006 debut
album. |
|
Company
H&R Block
www.hrblock.com
It's a safe bet that millions of
you either filed online or used
one of their many tax experts.
But, in case you forgot, I
thought I'd put the link up to
remind you. Maybe the IRS will
go easy on you. |
|
|
04/09/08 |
 Book
Faithful
It's that time of year again.
Baseball, and specifically my Boston
Red Sox (now twice World Champs in
the new millennium), is back in
business. Pick up this great read.
King is a true Sox fan, and I think
we all know that he's got some
writing skills. |
 Movie
The Natural
If
you are going to do a baseball
theme, it almost seems wrong to not
make The Natural as the pick. Field
of Dreams is a close 2nd. |
 Musical
artist/group
Boston
Did
you even have to wonder on this
one? With the baseball theme,
greatest his has a nice double
meaning as well. |
|
Company
Staples
www.staples.com
I'm a loyal customer for one.
They are headquartered just
outside of Boston. Plus they own
a really cool arena in LA that
the Lakers call home. |
|
|
04/02/08 |
 Book
Bringing Down the House, By Ben
Mezrich
For some reason I was thinking about
Vegas this week and went with a
casino/gambling theme. This book is
great, gives you some interesting
insight into casinos and blackjack,
and was recently made into the movie
21. |
 Movie
Rounders
So
many possible choices here. I'm
going with Matt Damon in one of his
earlier roles. He and Ed Norton are
fantastic in this movie. |
 Musical
artist/group
Celine Dion
Okay, there are two problems
with this choice. The first is
that I'm not the biggest fan,
but I do respect all that she's
accomplished, especially in
landing the biggest musical
performance deal in Vegas a few
years back. The second is that
this is the DVD, but I highly
recommend it. |
|
Company
Las Vegas Sands Corporation
www.lasvegassands.com
This company owns the Venetian,
one of the best spots in Vegas,
and is developing a number of
casinos in booming Macao. I see
good things in their future. |
|
|
03/26/08 |
 Book
Liar's Poker
With so much turmoil among the
financial companies, I had to focus
on them this week. This book by
Lewis is a favorite in my personal
library and gives a great inside
look at life in high finance. |
 Movie
Wall Street
Wall
Street. It's simply the classic
movie about, well, Wall Street.
Boiler Room is also in my DVD
collection, but who can say no to
Gordon Gekko? Or to his famous
wake-up line, "Money never sleeps"? |
 Musical
artist/group
R.E.M.
Like
my pick last week, Counting
Crows, this group is back with
their latest, and I've been a
fan since I really got into
music back in middle school and
high school. Definitely check
out this album. |
|
Company
JPMorgan Chase
www.jpmorganchase.com
They buy struggling Bear Stearns
for $236 million bucks. Is this
the steal of the century? It's
been said in the media already,
but the Yanks paid more for Alex
Rodriguez, and he's just one
guy. Bear has some good
divisions, a building in a prime
spot in Manhattan, and 14,000
employees. In fairness to the
Yankees, although as a Red Sox
fan I show no love, it should be
noted that A-Rod can still hit
more home runs than all of them
added up. |
|
|
03/19/08 |
 Book
My Losing Season
It's a great account of popular
novelist Conroy's early years, and
there are deeper meanings of life in
his descriptions of his time spent
as a basketball player on The
Citadel's team in college. One of my
personal favorites. |
 Movie
Hoosiers
Come
on. It's the all-time classic
basketball movie. Gene Hackman is
brilliant. I'll award an "honorable
mention" to Glory Road. |
 Musical
artist/group
Counting Crows
They
are back with their latest
album. I've been a fan since way
back in high school, so no
reason to stop now. |
|
Company
CBS
www.cbs.com
How could I not pick the network
that covers March Madness in
College Basketball in all of its
glory? Also, they put out the
best reality shows on
television. |
|
|
03/12/08 |
 Book
Ulysses, By: James Joyce
In this St. Patrick's Day (a few
days in advance) version of
Spencer's Selections, how about
going with the most famous Irish
novelist of the 20th century and his
most storied book? |
 Movie
The Count of
Monte Cristo
Okay, it doesn't take place in
Ireland, but they did film it there.
Also, it happens to be my favorite
book. Check out the book I'm reading
on the homepage if you need proof. |
 Musical
artist/group
U2
The Joshua Tree
I
didn't have to think real hard
on this one. U2 wins in
landslide. But, I'm going with
the classic album that really
put them on the map. |
|
Company
Guinness
www.guinness.com
Did you even have to wonder
here? It's for St. Patrick's
Day. Guinness is the unanimous
choice. Does Ireland even have
other companies? |
|
|
03/05/08 |
Book
  In
this election edition of Spencer's
Selections, how about books from the
two likely candidates, which also
feature eerily similar titles?
|
 Movie
Dave
There are so many movies about
elections or life in the Oval
Office. Dave is a classic
film and sure to make you laugh. |
 Musical
artist/group
Pocketful of Sunshine
The obvious choice would be
anything by Presidents of the
United States of America, but
I'm all about thinking even
further. Screw it. I'm going
with Natasha Bedingfield. She's
got insane talent, and her
latest album is hot... more on
this in a blog to come. |
|
Company
Gallup
www.gallup.com
The most recognizable name in
polling loves life every couple
of years, especially every four
years with "election fever."
But, they do much more than just
ask voters some questions. Check
them out. |
|
|
02/27/08 |
 Book
No Country for
Old Men
In this Oscar-themed edition of
Spencer's Selections, why not go
with the novel by Cormac McCarthy
that started it all? The man is
brilliant. Another novel, The
Road, was an Oprah selection, so
his track record speaks for itself. |
 Movie
Gone Baby Gone
Surprisingly, this movie didn't get
more nominations this year. I think
Casey Affleck is an actor who is
really on the rise, and when you
combine him with Ed Harris and
Morgan Freeman, who have Oscar
statues, you are in for one great
film. This one keeps you guessing
until the end. |
 Musical
artist/group
Juno -
Original Soundtrack
The screenplay won the Oscar.
Now you get the chance to own
the soundtrack from the surprise
hit, Juno. |
|
Company
Paramount
www.paramount.com
I could have gone with any
number of studios here, since
they all had huge years in 2007.
Paramount edged Warner Brothers,
so I'm going with them. Not a
bad lineup with: Shrek the
Third, Transformers,
Blades of
Glory, Bee Movie,
Beowulf, Disturbia, and
Shooter. |
|
|
02/20/08 |
Movie
 3:10
to Yuma
Hey, last week I went with the
"chick flick" with Love Actually, so
I had to go with a guy's film. As a
fan of westerns, I have to say that
this film brings them back to
prominence. Russell Crowe and
Christian Bale turn in two of their
best performances. The depth in
their characters is a tribute to a
brilliant screenplay and skillful
acting by two of Hollywood's best. |
|
Book
 Three
Cups of Tea... One Man's Mission to
Promote Peace... One School at a
Time
Greg
Mortenson is truly a pioneer in
helping those who need it most in
the far corners of the globe. This
compelling account of his life and
work in the remote regions of
Pakistan and Afghanistan helping to
build schools and educate children
is a "must have" in your library. |
Musical
artist/group
 Michael
Jackson, Thriller 25th
Anniversary
It's been 25 years since Michael
Jackson's Thriller broke
all the records that still
stand. It was near the top of
the charts for years, sold more
copies than any album in
history, had more hit singles
than any album ever, and you
can't have lived anywhere in the
world in the past 25 years and
not heard one of the songs from
this list of tracks. |
|
Company
Yahoo
Microsoft offers them over $44
billion, yes BILLION with a "B",
and they turn it down? My
advice, to quote the song, "Go
on, take the money and run."
Google's coming for you either
way. Keep an eye on Yahoo and
Microsoft. Methinks this deal is
not done yet. |
|
|
02/13/08 |
 Movie
Love Actually
Love Actually edges out The Notebook
in close race on Valentine's Day.
Don't worry, "If you're a bird; I'm
a bird," will make a comeback. |
 Book
The Notebook
Nicholas Sparks, I made fun of an
early career blunder in an anecdote
in Spencer Speaks, but did point out
that he has always been a
sensational writer. Take your pick
here...actually I'm going with The
Notebook, yes I can have my cake and
eat it too. |
 Musical
artist/group
John Mayer
Album: Continuum
Much tougher to pick a group or
album on V-tines day, since you
and your significant other, if
you have one, might be into
varying things. John Mayer seems
to do pretty well for himself.
His lyrics probably get sung to
women by men, albeit poorly,
year round and especially this
week. |
|
Company
1-800-Flowers.com
Link:
http://www.1800flowers.com
This one is a lay-up. A great
company. Also, one that has
probably bailed out more than a
few guys in their lifetimes. |
