John E. King is an original thinker and at times he likes to also put a new spin on an old concept. For example:

Those who can, do.
Those who believe others can also, teach.
~John E. King

We all know what the original quote is, but I always thought it was unfair to teachers.

John E. King also makes observations about society and family:

The most nurtured become
the least dependent.
~John E. King

...or he brings in a little comedy:

Mental Health Professional:
A person with the temerity to tell you
that your most prized qualities
are the most disturbing.
~John E. King

That one did get a laugh out of me. I consider some of my faults to be my best qualities because they bring out my creative side. My favorite idea in this book is his idea about conversation being a bridge between souls.

Overall, an enjoyable read. Some of the more intellectual notions went a little over my head and John E. King has a way with words. He weaves his observations about life into small sentences that are often profound. I was very pleased to have found a few delightful quotes that I will save for my own reading enjoyment.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

The book 'Captive Notions' is obviously a labour of love by John King, whose vocation is in the legal profession, but whose avocations range from basketball to the church to the subject of this book - the broad collection of human wisdom.

King has arranged a collection of sayings from over the times of his life. They are broadly grouped together, into topical arrangement (Ambition; Character; Economics; Education; Enterprise; Family, Childhood and Youth; Health and Nurture; History; Ideas and their Expression; The Law; Lifestyles; The Media; Politics and Democracy; Reputation; The Sexes; The Social Arena at Large; and Work) but each saying stands on its own, and as is true with much of life, any particular aphorism might fit into a number of different categories.

Some of these statements are doubtless similar to ones the reader has heard before; what struck me most was the number of sayings that sounded like things I'd heard before, but were different in charcter, tone, or outcome. Wit and humour are key components here, particularly when the subject is one that is often taken a bit more seriously (if by none other, by itself) than it should be. He even has a few aphorisms that might befit the lofty Amazon reviewer...

'For an incentive to learn facts, listen to opinions.'

King's sets of aphorism come from various collected experiences across his life (which he describes in terms of being his in seventh decade). While they are collected here conveniently in a book of sayings, they in fact come from King's inspiration while reading newspaper articles, apt phrases from books, indelible impressions left from conversations, or (as happens to all of us) from the general stream of consciousness in which we live, move and have our being. In other words, who knows where it came from?

'You might as well enjoy life. You're paying for it.'

This is definite addition to the enjoyment of life. It will also add to the appreciation and understanding of life. Not mere fortune-cookie wisdom (although many pieces would not be out of place on the little strips of paper contained in the treats), these each show care and concern for the readers who will often be prompted to stop and reflect; while the book could be read easily in one sitting, to do so would be to lose the greater effect.

'Many a qualification for one calling is a handicap for another.'

If only I'd known!