I've only had this unit for a month and used it only twice, but so far it has operated perfectly for my wife and my Samsung Galaxy III's. The only complaint I have is that the packaging is a bit wasteful, but it certainly does protect it. The flashlight is useful for only short distances, but works well enough. I ordered another for my son and his Lumia 920 and he has been happy with it as well.

It is a somewhat satisfying read, although I found it preachy and much of the Shakespeare references of little use to the plot. I understand Mr. Irving was drawing some parallels for the reader as well as taking some artistic license as he wrote in the first person, but it was all too much for my taste and lessened the quality of the narrative. As well, he was somewhat repetitive and his punctuation was, at least for a punctuation nitpicker like me, detrimental to the writing. His dialogue was near-perfect, but his first-person accounts long-winded at times.

I agree with his message, or what I assume to be his message of tolerance and acceptance. However, unlike many of his other novels, I took nothing "with" me from this one. I've kept all of his other books on my shelves; some for decades. This one I will pass onto someone else.

Although middle-aged, I have been a fan of John Green's work since my teenage daughter suggested I read Looking For Alaska. He injects an honesty and youthful vibrancy into his characters that should resonate with readers of any age. I don't think his books to be 'must-reads' but they are well-worth the time and effort.

However, Amazon is not so worthy as praise as it did not deliver a signed copy even though my daughter had me pre-order the book months ago. As well, it was delivered later than other suppliers, even though all indicators point to Mr. Green having signed more than enough copies. The fault, it seems, lies with Amazon.ca. I understand that problems arise, but Amazon should take ownership of their mistake and offer even a slight recompense to the customers they have wronged.

It is a quite personal memoir, listing at least some of his major family difficulties and a few moments of inner turmoil. His failing eyesight is also detailed and the efforts he has made to deal with it. It is a interesting book and well-worth reading if you have any interest in politics or journalism.

Much of the book concerns the news stories and the newsmakers he covered and/or came to know personally. What I found most surprising was how many politicians and those involved in politics that he befriended and spent much time with. Although Mr. Oliver says it to be inevitable and common, it seems unnatural and improper, and he admits that he had difficulties at times with such arrangements.

Another oddity, on page 262, is when he writes of how many lobbyists were in the Paul Martin government and how calling the PMO to ask for certain person in the employ of the government he was transferred directly to the reception desk at a prominent lobbying firm.

My favourite quote from the book is likely the following;

"Unmediated news coverage today is ubiquitous and caveat emptor the consumer's only protection. Those of us in the serious-news business can only hope that the public will learn to distinguish between the real thing and the offerings of talk-show barkers, internet snake-oil salesmen, and political hacks."

Mr. Oliver has praise for most of the politicians he has worked with over the decades, although he also has makes some pointed remarks. He labelled some of the Conservative party advertisements of past elections "outright falsehoods."

Oliver's Twist is not a literary masterpiece and there are no great revelations included about public figures. However, I was impressed with Mr. Oliver's simple philosophies and his ability to tell the tale of his life in an engaging manner. I could relate, at least somewhat, to his love of canoeing in remote areas, although my own journeys have been of a far less exotic nature. The story of the near-drowning of Pierre Trudeau on a canoe trip in his later years was especially poignant.

If you find the title at all intriguing, Oliver's Twist will not disappoint you. I wouldn't label it a must-read, but it is certainly well worth your time.