Helmut Erxleben reviews the book:

Willpower

Willpower by Roy Baumeister and John Tierney deals with one of the main issues facing human society today: the lack of self-control. The authors use some of the latest psychological research as well as examples from human celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Eric Clapton, the explorer David Livingstone and others to illustrate that willpower in a human being is a finite resource. It is actually dependent on the sucrose level in our brain which gets depleted as our day wears on.

In other words, we can only make so many effective decisions during the day.

Because much of our life is consumed by resisting temptations, Willpower offers some practical and helpful suggestions on how to make our lives more enjoyable and successful. Over the years religious doctrine has had a lot to say about that, except that in this book the scientists have confirmed that a person with self-control (not self-esteem as previously thought) is ultimately a happier person. Baumeister summarizes his research: “Our willpower has made us the most adaptable creatures on the planet and we’re once again discovering how to help one another use it

Helmut Erxleben reviews the following Movies:

Argo

ARGO – The story is about the 1979 Iranian Revolution when the Revolutionaries invaded the American Embassy and captured 52 American hostages.  They were held for 444 days.  Unknown to the revolutionaries was that 6 Americans had escaped through the back door. After being rejected by three neutral embassies they found refuge at the Canadian Embassy and stayed at the Ambassadors home.  The movie states that this story is “based on” actual events.  Great liberties were taken to make a successful story.  The movie is an exciting  suspense thriller and totally enjoyable.  The tension keeps rising and the white knuckle last scenes will have you on the edge of your seat. It is a good movie with great acting and directing. It could win Oscars for best movie and direction. But, it is not the truth.  The Canadians  put themselves in jeopardy in the rescue operation and their part was greatly diminished while the American role was greatly embellished.  Ken Taylor, the Canadian Ambassador, led the Americans out and even bought the airline tickets from his own pocket.  He is the real hero.  As it so often happens, the Hollywoodenheads made the Americans the heroes. Remember, according to Hollywood, John Wayne won WW II.

Arbitrage

ARBITRAGE –  This is a gripping tale of high finance and low morals. You first meet Robert Miller, well portrayed by Richard Gere, at his 60th birthday party.  He is a portrait of success in business and family life.  But the actual situation is far different.  He is over his head financially, has committed fraud and is having an affair with a much younger woman.  His life is further complicated after he has an auto accident in which his mistress is killed.  Gere gives an excellent performance in this suspense thriller.  The ending will surprise you.  We loved it