Book Review: The Comisario’s Band

In the same vein as the films Mr. Holland’s Opus and Music of the Heart, the novella,
“The Comisario’s Band” is a feel good and inspiring tale about people who walk through serious adversity and come out on the other side as better musicians-and as better people.

Set primarily in Mexico, the book tells the story of Severo Lopez, the Mexican Police
Chief (“Comisario”) of a small village in Mexico, who for several months holds four down and out American jazz musicians prisoner in the hopes that they will agree to teach their craft to the town’s musically talented young teenagers. The quartet eventually learns that the “Comisario” intends to coerce them into fulfilling his seemingly ridiculous personal dream of creating an American styled Big Band. Along the way, relationships are formed and fractured and they all learn that that music not only feeds the soul, but can also teach other important life skills.

The story, which alternates between present day and flash backs, includes a varied and well written cast of characters that immediately draws the reader in. While reading the book, I became emotionally invested in Frank, Morey, Charley and Scat’s journey; and the love story that Lopez shared with his true love Margaret is heartbreaking and provides the reader with a better understand of the motivation behind the Police Chief’s bizarre requests of the four Maestros.

The author’s intended audience appears to be both Young Adult and American & Mexican musicians, however; though it includes mild profanity, references to violence and some sexual situations, the story is entertaining enough to cross all generational and cultural lines.

You don’t have to be a lover of music for this charming and inspiring novella to hit all of the right notes. This one will make you smile from the heart.

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The Man Who Listens to Horses\” Book Review

Have you ever seen the popular television show \”The Dog Whisperer\”? It highlights a man who loves dogs, and has a unique ability to communicate with them, and train them as well. The book \”The Man Who Listens to Horses\” offers a similar story, about a man who is able to train and communicate with horses. Written by Monty Roberts, it showcases the internal workings of a horse\’s mind. In this article I will be offering my humble opinion on this remarkable book, and offer what I think are some of the highlights that I think other readers might enjoy.

Monty Roberts has a story to tell; not only of himself, but of the horses he loves so much. Monty grew up in an abusive household, and his father was abusive not only to him, but to his horses as well. As Monty grew older he started to formulate a different viewpoint. There must be a better way to communicate with the horses that he loves so much, and he was determined to find out what it was.

This \”better way\” was to become a horse breaking and training technique which he calls \”join-up\”. For starters, you need a round pen, and an unbroken horse. The handler stands in the middle of the pen, and the horse is encouraged to run away from him/her, circling the pen in attempts to get away. As the horse runs away, the handler forms steady eye contact, and assumes a very authoritative and imposing stance. As time goes by, the handler will look for three specific signs that the horse wishes to communicate with the handler. These signs are:

The horse will gradually turn the ear that is closest to the handler towards him/her.

The horse will begin a process of chewing and licking.

The head of the horse will move closer to the ground as he runs around the pen.

At this point the handler will turn his back on the horse and move away. The horse will then usually come closer to the handler, and allow the handler to touch him/her. At this point, the handler is well on his way to the process of: saddling, bridling, mounting, and riding.

The book takes us on a journey into Robert\’s life (in addition to the \”join-up\” technique). We learn of the various stages of his life and the events that have helped to shape his view of horses, and the techniques he has developed along the way. Some of the highlights are:

-The author\’s successful childhood riding career

-His encounters with his father

-The development of his Thoroughbred racehorse facility

-His meeting with Queen Elizabeth II of England

-How the \”join-up\” technique was used on wild deer

-Mustang horses and the author\’s experiences with them

-Three of his favorite horses: Dually, Brownie, and Johnny Tivio

Anyone who loves horses and is looking for a humane way to communicate with them and train them should check out this book. Read it over and let the information wrap around your mind.

If you have read this far you obviously love horses. We do as well. We invite you to visit our web site on vintage horse jewelry. You might find the perfect gift for that fellow lover of gold horse jewelry.