R Books

This book is really basic coverage of a lot of examples of success without much analysis into becoming successful. I read a fair bit on the subject and I am not prone to write negative reviews, but this book really is not insightful. If you're looking to just read quick examples of success then this book is an easy read. If you really want to become successful look to "7 habits of highly successful people," "think and grow rich," or on the more philosophical side the "Power of Now." Hope this is helpful.

The subtitle of this book refers to "techniques for achieving success" but in my opinion, everything depends on having a mindset for success. This is what Henry Ford meant when observing "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." Only with the right mindset will a person be motivated to identify and then master the skills and then techniques that success (however defined) can be achieved. Ivan Misner and Don Morgan have collaborated on several volumes (including this one), selecting and then assembling material from a remarkably diverse range of sources, including themselves. For example, among the 65 articles, Misner is the author of "The Fundamentals of Success"; Morgan is the author of "Subconscious and SMART Conscious Goals" and "Goal-Setting Process (GSP)."They also co-authored the Preface and a brief introduction to each of the eight chapters.

There are several different ways to read this book, including cover to cover. My guess (only a guess) is that most readers will check out the Contents and then cherry-pick those articles whose author and/or title catches their eye. A word of caution: with all due respect to eminences such as Brian Tracy, Anthony Robbins, Tom Hopkins, Wayne Dyer, Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen, and Michael Gerber, some of the most valuable material is provided by those who are generally unfamiliar. Case in point: Peter Schutz, former head of Porsche, who shares his thoughts about "a culture of success." He differentiates success from excellence, noting that success "must come quickly and may be fleeting and fickle" whereas excellence is "lasting and dependable," adding that "an obsession for success can burn up the manager who seeks it. Excellence will build the manager who strives for it."

Credit Misner and Morgan with selecting 65 articles that offer diverse and thought-provoking perspectives on how to achieve "success in business and life." At this point, I presume to include one thought of my own. First, a great deal has been said and written about the importance of "balance." Is it possible to be a devoted spouse and parent and still have a success business career? For whatever reasons, many men and women have found that very difficult to fulfill all of their obligations in both areas. I have become convinced that a person cannot balance everything but it is possible to balance what is most important, and be willing to accept compromises, adjustments, trade-offs, etc. with regard to everything else.

It remains for each of us to decide what is most important, both in business and in life, and then maintain a proper balance of these priorities. Directly or at least indirectly, all of those who contributed material to this volume can help readers to develop the right mindset so that they can make that determination, and then maintain that balance.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out other works authored or co-authored by Misner and Morgan well as two books by Tom Butler-Bowdon: 50 Success Classics and 50 Self-Help Classics.

I love this book's format - short, digestible pieces. We all carry so many pre-conceived notions about networking, Dr. Misner and Mike & Mike did a great job of busting those myths. My favorite is "Treat people like they want to be treated". Nope, it's a Delusion!

I've read numerous books on this topic. This one stands out because it is a collection of stories or essays written by many different successful or famous people. If you've read books by Napoleon Hill, and many others, and found them to be long, drawn out, and going into excrutiating detail (even though they are also excellent), you'll find this book quite refreshing as each author has 2 or 3 pages to make his point. The best part is that it makes exactly the same points as all the others. But because it is easy to read, those points will hit home like no other book.

What a great read! Easy to sit down and read many stories at a time, in a variety of areas from personal growth to business.
The best part is the combined effort of MANY business professionals, sharing success stories that everyone can easily understand and actually apply these lessons to their own life and business.

I was raised in Southern California and now reside in Indiana. I could not be happier that Coach Wooden also called both places his home. Though he clearly is a midwesterner at heart---as am I now---his legend truly grew in Los Angeles.

As my title indicates, we need more coaches like John Wooden here in 2008. Can you imagine what the current crop of college ballers would be like if they had a mentor and role model like Wooden? He had depth, insight, was spiritual, a reader, a thinker, etc. This was not required, but he knew all these attributes were necessary to grow "student athletes" into successful players and adults. Even a hippie like Bill Walton, the antithesis to a noble, mature person like Wooden---respects and admires "Coach." Wooden knew how to reach all. His quotes---taken from other coaches, his father and his own mind---are ones to heed. I have the Pyramid of Success on my wall at work.

He hated dunking, showboating, selfishness, hedonism, etc. He'd loathe the brainwashing and lack of civility rampant on today's college and high school campuses.

This bio spans a wonderful, rich life, leaving no stone or thought unturned; no mind or theory unchallenged or ungrown.

A remarkbale living legend, G-d bless Mr. Wooden (who is still alive at the age of 97) and all he has done for the game and collegians everywhere.

John Wooden has figured out some of the secrets of life. And he passes them on directly, in a way that can be transformational for a reader.

John Wooden is a hero of mine. His own heroes include Abraham Lincoln and Mother Theresa. Like them, he is a treasure for all of us because his life and lessons demonstrate what it means to live to "our personal best" in a way that is simple, profound and so clear.

This book should be required reading in "Human Being 101".

We grow up hearing about the importance of developing " good character", not always knowing what it is, or just how to obtain it. All of Wooden's books give his personal guidelines for developing character and living a decent life, whether we are athletes, musicians, teachers, or anything else.
Wooden's teachings have stood the test of time. His life and those he has influenced are proof of that.
I use his wisdom for myself, and I pass it on to all my students. They all know who John Wooden is. His life blesses us all.

This is a great book to help any coach of any sport get a good feel for the right way to coach young players. Teach them good life lessons and skills. It gives an insight into a great coach and even greater man.

John Wooden is one of my heroes. When I was growing up, his teams were dominant, but more importantly, they made the game beautiful to watch. After he retired at the peak of his game, he quietly stepped off the stage. With the rush of books on leadership in the 1990's through the present, it was inevitable, and overdue, that folks take time to examine Coach Wooden's approach to leadership. This has led to a cottage industry in Wooden books.

This book is short, personal and focuses on life lessons learned from the narrative of Coach's life. It doesn't attempt to be weighty, just a good read, that imparts wisdom without hitting you over the head with it. It touches on each chapter of Coach Wooden's life, and particularly shows the infuence of his father, his high school and college coaches and his growth thru experience

This is a fun, easy read that leaves the reader wiser. Highly recommend

...purchase this book. I was looking for web sites to enjoy with my nieces and younger cousins and decided to purchase a book which could "direct me" in the right places. This book is a wonderful addition to have if you have younger children and younger visitors and need a way to "keep them occupied"! Buy this book. It is very well put together! It is also worth every cent. The only thing it doesnt have that I would give it 5 stars is a CD ROM directory for the electronic version...otherwise go for it if you dont mind typing in the sites yourself!

The Internet Yellow Pages is a "must have" book for students, adults, schools, teachers, and public libraries. Parents, teachers, and libraries should have access to this fabulous resource. After all, most homes and offices have at least one telephone directory. Let your fingers do the walking with this fabulous Internet directory which includes over 800 pages of carefully alphabetized, categorized, and graphically appealing subjects that can be used for research and information gathering. Does your child or someone you know need to write a report? Possibly a state, gold rush, science, animal, or other type of school report? Look no further. Just get out the Internet Yellow Pages, type in the URL and you will be instantly connected to quality web sites without wasting valuable time using various search engines.Each site is full of great information that has been carefully reviewed as "kid safe" by the author, Jean Armour Polly and her staff.

In addition to the excellent educational locations there are also many sites that are fun to visit, such as, jokes and riddles, toys, sports, games and fun, rainbows, boating and sailing, to name a few.

The final section of the book is dedicated to parenting and families. This section includes subjects such as entertainment, movie, video reviews, education, baby-sitting, health and safety. All the information is carefully referenced in the final index and the bonus CD-ROM includes tutorials, for safe and fun surfing on the net. This is a wonderful book and a very good investment. It is a reference guide each home, school, or library should have at their fingertips.

C. Mendenhall Teacher Deer Creek School

Customers may be confused by the way this book is listed. There is a NEWER edition of this book out, I should know, I am the author! It's available here at Amazon. Look for the one that says 4th edition. The ISBN number of the new edition is 0-0072121858. It is also called the Millennium Edition.

Our Girl Scout/Brownie International Day was a smashing success thanks to this book. Our troops were able to find information, recipes, songs and dances quickly and easily. We kept it at the Headquarters for a few months and everyone turned to it to find out about every country from Haida Nation to Iceland. The girls loved the website activities and the leaders loved the ease with which they could retrieve information. I also used her editorial blurbs to entertain the crowds between performances.

The 2002 Net-mom's Internet Kids & Family Yellow Pages directory offers kids and their entire families a number of refreshing, entertaining, and informative Websites. After a brief introduction readers are treated to Net-mom's top hotlists, top Websites, and safety tips for surfing the Internet. Then the real fun begins!

This 587-page yellow page directory covers hundreds of topics of interest to kids and their families. Websites offer information about animals, art, buried treasures, coin collecting and money, computers, food, foreign countries, American history, insects, interesting facts, the Internet, music, scouting, ships and shipwrecks, space missions, sports history, toys, transportation, weather, world leaders, and much much more. I took the time to visit some of the Websites listed in the book. Here are several that caught my interest:

Students will be in for a real gooey education at Silly Putty University. Here they will learn about the history, composition, and many uses of this still-popular toy - the toy with only one moving part. Students will also learn about the many varieties of Silly Putty currently available - the original pink, the 50th year anniversary metallic gold, glow-in-the-dark colors, temperature sensitive color changing colors, and an assortment of bright colors. When ready, students can elect to take the final exam in order to receive their Silly Putty degree!

After viewing the Silly Putty Website I moved on to Coin World , to look up some information about my favorite coin - the 1943 steel pennies. During the second World War copper was needed for the war effort so zinc-covered steel pennies were struck. However, some rare 1943 copper pennies and even rarer 1944 steel pennies were made. At least one 1943 silver-bronze penny was made! I performed some additional online research and ended up placing bids at eBay for some steel pennies - and I won!

As with any child-age educational material, parents should become seriously and creatively involved with the upbringing of their children. They should take the lead to protect their children at all times while they surf online. To her credit, the author advises parents to review certain Websites that contain sensitive material. Topics such as religion, politics, child development, environmentalism, and the creation-evolution debate sometimes touch upon controversial issues and require responsible parental involvement.

The author provides brief and concise summary descriptions of each site mentioned in the book and creatively relates topics of interest to encourage readers to dig deeper in their online researching. As I've found out for myself, visiting Websites like the ones listed in this book can be a good educational experience, as well as a bunch of fun for the whole family. Parents can sit down with theirs kids and have many hours of fun and adventure. This book is ideal for babysitting, daycare, home-school, and public school use!

Have you read any of R.L Stines books before? Such as Baby Sitter Two, Lights Out, the New Girl, & The Step Sister and more? If you haven't, you need to. I did, it was called The New Boy it is a scary book about a couple of murders. The reason I picked this book is because it is so mysterious. Such as in different paragraphs it leaves you in suspense until the next paragraph ends. Picture at: www.amazon.com
When I read this book I could picture the Characters in my mind.
Also I would not go outside of my house because I live near the woods so now you know that it takes place in the woods.
Over all it was good because it is one of my favorite books. I love to read but mostly R.L
Stine's books.
Mostly girls would like it more than boys would because the main character is a. Even though a boy in my class named Lucas said "It was splendid". So boy's if you like scary, passionate books read this. In the story there is a girl, and the new boy likes her. He came from a school where there were a lot of murders. Its rating is 5 stars.

Book: The New Boy
Author: R.L Stine
# of pages:
Publisher: parachute press Inc.
Ibsn: 0-671-73869-0
Price: $3.99




Have you read any of R.L Stines books before? Such as Baby Sitter Two, Lights Out, The New Girl, & The Step Sister and more? If you haven't you need to. I did it was called The New Boy it is a scary book about a couple of murders.
The reason I picked this book is because it is so mysterious. Such as in different paragraphs it leaves you in suspense until the next paragraph ends.

When I read this book I could picture the characters in my mind. Also I would not go out side of my house because I live near the woods so now you now that it takes place in the woods.

Over all it was good because it is one of my favorite books. I love to read but mostly R.L Stine's books.

Mostly girls would like it more than boys would because the main character is a girl. Even though a boy in my class named Lucas said "It was awesome". So boy's if you like scary, romantic books read this. Its rating is 5 stars.

I thought this was an excellent book! when all 3 girls all fall for the new guy in town they soon regret their feelings for him. Are there lives really in danger... to find out read this book!

Book title: New Boy
Author: R.L.STINE
Number of pages: 150
Price: 3.99softback
Publication date and publisher: 1994, rainbow arts
ISBN: 0671738690
What would you do if your best friend got murdered? Would you solve the mystery? Would you hide? Because in this book Janie's best friend gets murdered! So solve the mystery of the new boy!

It's a perfect mystery book for you to read! My proof is that it has murders in it and no body knows who it is till the very end of the book! Janie's best friend gets murdered and she doesn't know any thing about the first one till she gets a phone call!
Don't let little kids read it! It will scare them to death because they will probably think there best friends will get murdered! They will get night mares! So don't let kids read this book if they are under the age of 9 and don't read it to them either!
Don't always trust your best friend! They might just betray you right when you turn around! They probably will act like your best friend still! Because one of Janies best friends murders her other best friends! So don't tell your secrets to them unless there good things about you!

So now what would you do if your friends get murdered? Not talk to your best friend for a while? Blame it on your friend? I know I wouldn't id just be a little afraid when I'm around them!

The New Boy by R.L.Stine is one of the best books I have ever read. I would definetly recomend this book to anyone who loves mystery books. This book is filled with thrills and suspense. The book starts of talking about a mysterious boy named Ross coming to ShadyHigh. But when he catches the eye of Jannie and her friends the soon try to go out with him. When Jannie hears about an incident that happened with Ross and his ex-girlfriend Jannie decides to do some investigating.

"Patriot Dreams" is the most gripping true story I have ever read, and I am a voracious reader. From the opening page, you will vicariously enter the inner world of Robin Higgins, and experience the tragic death of a true American hero.

Rich Higgins was a Marine lieutenant-colonel who saw himself as a peacekeeper and a protector of the nation he loved. His duties in Lebanon required him to be unarmed, and he accepted those conditions as part of the job.

Unfortunately, the Hezbollah did not respect his show of good faith. What happened to Rich and his ever-faithful wife, Robin, will give you the deepest understanding of the contemporary Middle East and the ineffectiveness of our government in protecting its citizens in that area.

"Patriot Dreams" is written with an understated passion that sweeps the reader along; I was unable to put the book down until I finished the last word.

Robin Higgins is an extraordinarly powerful writer. Her work combines the best features of a novel with a strong dose of reality therapy. You will be both wiser and better informed as a result of this read.

The author was a student at North Shore High School when I taught there, and I can, without qualification, vouch for her good character and loyalty. When she introduced me to her husband, Rich Higgins in 1982, he was a major, and she was a captain. You would, as I did, recognize that he was a product of the best of our culture--strong but humane, highly intelligent without conceit, loyal without fanaticism.

Rich Higgins will be mourned, but he must never be forgotten.

Let me be clear: by guts and loyalty, I mean Robin Higgins. I do *not* mean the leaders who, incredibly, abandoned her husband in his captivity.

_Patriot Dreams_ is LTC Robin Higgins' story of the way she kept two oaths that she never imagined would be brought into conflict: her duty to her husband and her oath as an officer. What stands out about the book is the composure with which she writes about the topic, which gives voice to her determined but very mature and dignified efforts to obtain her husband's (an unarmed UN peacekeeper) release from brutal captivity. It's very likely to push the reader's buttons, not by design but by the nature of the topic, but you'll very likely come away with great respect for Robin Higgins. I did.

Worth reading for anyone wishing to pay respect to two fine Colonels of Marines, for starters. It would also appeal to those who enjoy reading about true commitment in marriage. One other group, in my view, should give it a read: those who still maintain that women should be barred from combat military roles. I'm not taking a position on that topic here, but I do encourage this: if you feel that way, then read Robin Higgins' book, and then ask yourself if you'd want to be the one to tell her--and others of her calibre--she wasn't up to combat leadership, or for that matter if we can afford to exclude her brand of guts and loyalty from leadership in battle.

One of the great privileges of my life was getting to know Rich and Robin Higgins when Rich was attending the National War College in the mid 1980s. Robin tells the story of their life together and the great tragedy of Rich's capture and assassination. What is equally powerful is how well Robin outlines the lessons learned. This book deserves a wide readership by those interested in the future of this country and the challenges we will face world-wide.

An easy to read book that captures the integrity of a military officer whose last tour of duty was to serve his country as a peacekeeper. He never made it home. The book, written by his wife, details the frustrations, the red tape and the longings of the heart, all of which become intertwined in her efforts to bring him home. Beautifully written.

I remember reading about the murder of Col. Higgens and thinking at the time how awful and what risks the military took when they served in foreign countries. And, not to mention, how unappreciated they are. And, those who served or serve, can't depend on the support of those who sent them if something goes wrong. Patriot Dreams is a must read book. In fact, if the active military of all the services had any sense, they would jump all over Patriot Dreams for the families and make it standard reading; unfortunately, those in charge rarely see the obvious. Military families sacrifice in enormous ways and I often wonder why they choose to do it. And, Colonel Higgens is an example of what happens when a military man leaves for work in the morning and does not return. Soldiers, wives and families understand this but few in the civilian populace do. This is a wonderful book. Colonel Higgens himself is quite the inspiration. Then Lieutenant Higgins served in Vietnam in 1968 with C Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines as a rifle platoon platoon leader. This was a hard time in Vietnam and fighting was fierce as this was the year of the infamous TET offensive. Colonel Higgens was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat 'V' for heroism. It probably should have been much higher. I give him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Captain Higgins returned to Vietnam in 1972 as an Infantry Battalion Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps and then as a rifle company commander with B Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. By anyone's standards, Rich Higgens is a hero. Equally as important is the incredible devotion that his wife Robin had to him, both in life and in death. She did as a minimum double duty as a wife and fellow Marine. Wow! Semper Fi! This is a book that tells about it, the bureaucracy, the stupidity of government bureaurcrats, and the feelings of abandonment of good men. Every Vietnam vet can empathize with her. Many who gave their all to the country, to include their families, have experienced the feelings created by the government of having been used up and then tossed aside. Don't miss this reading and if you know someone in the military, get Patriot Dreams to them.

This is a good book. It is sort of freaky but verry good. It has lots of drama and suspense.

I like Phantom of the Auditorium because it is scary and it is written by my favorite author R.L.Stine!!!It also is creepy and when you least exspect something to happen it happens and at the end of the story it leaves you geussing about what will happen next.It is about a girl who finds out about the scary secrets behind her schoos walls or under them.

age:10 name:Kasey C SCHOOL:HOlland P.A

By.Kasey.C

It was really good, even though I doubted it would be. I really like the Goosebumps that were wrote with kids in school. They are better than the ones where the kids are on vacation or something. The book is suprisingly realistic, also. I think it deserves a read. I'm sure anyone from ages 7-13 would like this.

I like Phantom of the Auditorium because it is scary and it is written by my favorite author R.L.Stine!!!It also is creepy and when you least exspect something to happen it happens and at the end of the story it leaves you geussing about what will happen next.It is about a girl who finds out about the scary secrets behind her schoos walls or under them.

age:10 name:Kasey C SCHOOL:HOlland P.A

By.Kasey.C

I have no idea why i wrote that for my title.

Anyways, this book is a very good book, but the ending is predictable if you've been reading goosebumps/R.L.Stine books for at least a year or 2.

This book has an amazing feature, which is that it conveys the spirit and presence of Nisargadatta in such a powerful way not even I AM THAT does. The pointers are absolutely clear and straighforward, and they deal with a wide range of cases. No doubt can remain as to the nature of our true self after the reading of this teaching. In a misterious way, Ramesh was able to be the interpreter of the teaching without interfeering with it in this occasion. This teaching (and the way it is presented in this book) is certainly far superior to anything the same Ramesh could have written of its own.

This extraordinary book written by Ramesh S. Balsekar focuses the seekers mind even more pointendly, no pun is intended, than the spiritual classic, I Am That. Aptly titled, Pointers reduces the whole of the seekers spiritual quest into a finite, simple and yet expansive conclusion of unification. If the reader is ready and intuitive, by this I mean to imply his/her spirit is ripened to be plucked from its vine, then no other words beyond Ramesh's Pointers will ever be needed. I highly recommend that all seekers read I Am That as a prelude to Pointers if they wish for the fullest experience possible, they will be rewarded for their patience.

After reading POINTERS From NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ and JEAN DUNN three books on NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ Talks ( PRIOR TO CONSCIOUSNESS , SEEDS OF CONSCIOUSNESS , CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE ABSOLUTE ) It answered why the body was born or should it be said " What were you before you were born " .

Three good POINTS in the book - Consciousness is the illusion . Second - You were before Consciousness and third- the problem with concepts. Understanding these three POINTS made Knowledge and Ignorance seem the same. Perhaps the pupose of life is to understand that what is creating the illusion is consciousness itself.

In one of the NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ books there was a simple sentence that was so powerful and went something like this " THE SEARCH FOR REALITY IS THE MOST DANGEROUS OF ALL UNDERTAKINGS FOR IT DESTROYS THE WORLD IN WHICH YOU LIVE"

Thank you.

In Pointers From Nisargadatta Maharaj, devotee Ramesh Balsekar provides further insight into the teachings of what many consider a master of Advaita Vedanta. The teachings are both simple and profound -- and often full of paradox. To "understand" them requires the relinquishment of thought. To "explain" the teachings reduces them to concepts which are inherently false. That is probably why the book it aptly titled "Pointers..." The real truth, according to what Balsekar shares of Nisargadatta's teachings, is "apperceived" directly. And it's based on the deep understanding that there is no individual entity at work...

"The main point in Maharaj's teaching is that in this living-dream of life we are not the dreamed characters, which we think we are, but that we are the dreamer, and it is our mistaken identification with the dreamed character, as a separate independent entity as the 'doer', that causes the illusion of 'bondage'". Pages 202-203

If you have read the classic "I Am That", this is an excellent aid in providing further clarification into our true nature. Enjoy it for all the gifts it brings you.

If you are ready this book is all you'll ever need, if not it will certainly plant the seeds of awakening. Not only does Ramesh Balsekar translate the words of Maharaj, but goes on to expand and clarify the wisdom of his Guru as only an enlightened disciple can. This is the perfect follow up for Maharaj's classic, I Am That. But Please don't let your mind be put off by Nisargadatta's gritty approach. Because of the Guru's declining health, this book's tone does sound a bit harsh by ignoring common civilities and going straight to the core of truth. Yet that is exactly what we need to realize.

First published to great controversy & acclaim some 40 years ago, R.R. Laing's ferocious, heartfelt cri de coeur is even more relevant today. Technically it's psychology -- but in truth, it's a poetic, prophetic work in the tradition of William Blake. Laing's horror & outrage at the needless suffering inflicted on humanity by The Normal Man blazes from every page, and he demands that we face our own inner darkness rather than gloss over it.

Many will disagree with his assessment of schizophrenia ... and they may well be right in a literal sense. We've certainly learned that it has major biological origins. Yet in the modern zeal to medicate rather than analyze, to smooth over wounds rather than delve into their roots, we do ourselves a grave disservice by ignoring its psychological & social components. It's a symptom & reflection of the times, I suppose -- the 1960s emphasized community & social responsibility, as well as the importance of the individual; the contemporary attitude is all too often one of fitting in & getting with the program. If time & science call into question Laing's medical diagnosis of schizophrenia, his philosophical & moral diagnosis remains terribly potent.

How much have we really advanced since the book's publication? We see the same Normal Man calmly talking of pre-emptive wars, of acceptable civilian causalities, of torture as rational policy ... and it's Laing's anguish & compassion that are called crazy. If he were alive today, he'd undoubtedly be even more appalled by what passes for civilization. The dumbing down of the past decades, the push for blind, unthinking obedience, the Pavlovian appeal to patriotic buzzwords -- all this would sicken him. As it should sicken us. What to do in the face of such despair?

Laing reminds us:

"Yet if nothing else, each time a new baby is born there is a possibility of reprieve. Each child is a new being, a potential prophet, a new spiritual prince, a new spark of light, precipitated into the outer darkness. Who are we to decide that it is hopeless?"

The Bird of Paradise is there, hovering in the darkness, waiting for us to join it & soar into the heavens ... if we can only break free of the chains of normality. Most highly recommended!

Not sure about schizophrenia as a strategy to deal with untenable circumstances. Outside of that, this is the most profound book I have read in my life. I have been reading it on and off for 13 years

I had this book years ago and lost it; The Politics of Experience should be on everyone's shelf and is the perfect antidote to isolationist approaches to mental health. The interaction of people, families and communities, and how that interaction affects the participants' mental health, is important to remember in in our travels through life.

Schizophrenics often--not always--have a sensitivity for the Unconscious and what might be going on the mind of the other as well as themselves,but few of us ever get to "hear" it. In the very first three pages Laing gets into the mind and mind- reading of interpersonal relations of the schizophrenic ;eg" you can only experience the fact that I am experiencing your experience..."
this goes on page after page, also in Knots (another book by him). NEVER have I been so engulfed by the thought process; one knows, as he reads these lines, that "he is there" (with the schizophrenic) and knows it unforgettably. Harry Stack Sullivan also struggled with capturing that inner world, which he often shared, of the schizophrenic. Read this book and be introduced poetically into another reality.
Martin J.Kaplan, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist

Ravings of the mad have been metaphorized as "cries for help." Ronald Laing's '67 opus Politics of Experience could be similarly cast as the doctor's cries for help, were one compelled to do so.

Drawing foremost from fellow Scotsman John MacMurray, who insisted that philosophy was only the product of @least two people in relation (& never the product of platitudinous Cartesian contemplative solitude), & then from his own acquired capacity to talk to the designated mad, Laing issued this stinging rebuke of diagnosing & treating selected scapegoats: the invalidation, mystification (the word is Marx's), & finally execution of experience, for the purpose of maintaining social order.

After MacMurray, Laing & assorted colleagues waded into Sartre's last philosophical tome, the octopus-like Critique of Dialectical Reason (which @the time was available only in French), an arduous examination of how the varieties of human groupings appear & are recognized as such.

Lest Laing be construed as a muddle-headed humanist, he knew that although the time was ripe, lepers were not yet kissing saints: in Sartre's terms, no genuine reciprocity.

Despite the general acceptance of schizophrenia by professionals, media interpreters, & the lay population as a bio-genetic anomaly, no one has yet connected THIS particular chemical imbalance with THAT particular objectionable behavior. To his eternal credit, Laing resisted the easy answers with which most of us are so readily mesmerized; the product of what he called "incautious extrapolation."

This was a wonderful look, and the personal side of a great man. These are truly memorable moments from John Barletta, written in an honest, detailed and interesting manner. Well worth the read.

John Barletta, through his insight and understanding, with a rock-solid foundation of character and integrity, has connected with President Reagan as few others ever have. Reagan's inner-core and genuine goodness, plus our personal contact with him and the guidelines and special bonds we forged with this uncommon man were granted to a few of us who were privileged to spend those rare moments at his side while his core values transferred, as if by osmosis, to our minds and our hearts.

Barletta's view and understanding of Reagan is exceptional and true. His pleasant,easy-to-read, conversational style of writing is reader-friendly and gives the reader a "you are there" "eyewitness" feeling. The author had to come away from each experience with RR feeling more and more as if he were part of Reagan's extended family; an almost brotherly connection for the two of them.

It sure did for a few of us who were there at the beginning of RR's political career, like Edwin Meese III, Wm.P. Clark, Lyn Nofziger and Tom Reed.
What a pleasure NOT having to wade though pages of footnotes and notes to get to the meaning of this remarkable book. Not necessary when the author is intimately aware of his subject, as Barletta is. No nonsense, fabrications or embellishments in this book; just the facts--- beautifully explained. Thanks! Curtis Patrick, author, REAGAN: WHAT WAS HE REALLY LIKE?

I had personal reason to buy this after seeing the author on C-span Book TV since I knew people close to one of those mentioned in the book. Can't say who or how it got to her, but after reading it got a nod and wink. Think you'll do the same.

Barietta lets us into the inner circle outside Reagan's 'kitchen cabinet'. He paints a picture of Reagan that allows one to understand the essence of the man; his connection with the individual, and as such, the people. The author's allegiance to the President does not cloud the reality of the relationship between these two men. Despite the professional connection, Reagan had a way, I summize, to bridge that barrier and maintain a bond that is clear through the author's typewritten words.

While I have included this book in my collection of Ronald Reagan books, and enjoyed the stories and photos of President Reagan's life at the ranch, the book is often clumsily written, and needed a strong editor's hand.

There are numerous mistakes that should have been corrected in the proof stage. Just for example, Mr. Barletta repeatedly spells the name of Margaret Thatcher's husband as "Dennis" rather than the correct "Denis". He refers to a White House state dinner at which (a long-happily married) Tom Lasorda is accompanied by his "date" Angie Dickinson. He describes the Reagans' friends Alfred and Betsy Bloomingdale as the "founders of the famed department store", when the store was founded in 1872 by Alfred's grandfather -- Alfed Bloomingdale is actually known as the "founder" of the Diner's Club card. Barletta refers to Maureen Reagan's "parents" in discussing Nancy Reagan (on Page 183) such that it appears he thinks Nancy was Maureen's mother! He says (on Page 101) that "after Reagan left office" Barletta commissioned an artist to paint a portrait of he and Reagan riding, "which he completed in June 1988". Since Reagan didn't leave office until January 1989, this does not make sense, and it's the kind of mistake which any competent proofreader would have caught. Finally, there are several quotes in the earlier part of the book (less so in the later sections) in which the language is stilted and unnatural.

Nevertheless, people interested in details of Reagan's private life during and after his presidency will enjoy the book.

This is an excellent book/series. I could not put this book down. It is 'action packed',from a spiritual and physical perspective. (A large percent of this book seems to be fact rather than fiction).

Having had the opportunity to read Brother G's works was a joy in itself. It is about time someone has given readers the opportunity to read and enjoy the "truth". As opposed to fantastical tales like "300" which redirect the attention from who really did what. "Shades.." is as accurate a fictitious tale as there could be. It was more than my pleasure to read the first two volumes of "Shades..." and I plan to read the rest ASAP!!
VERY POWERFUL, AND A GREAT PIECE OF WORK. I RECOMMEND ALL READ THIS MATERIAL!
"D"

Finally someone has created a great mythology featuring people of color. It's about damn time. Brother G has done for people of the African Diaspora what Hollywood had done for white people for the past 100 hundred years. He has created an African hero the brothas can be proud of based on true world history and ancient mythology. Brother G gets the original Hip Hop Hooray. I own the whole series and recommend it to every black man and boy in the world. Hotep. Two words describe Brother G: Griot/Jeli Extraordinaire. This is what a Griot/Jeli is:

The Griot/Jeli in Mande society was as a historian, adviser, arbitrator, praise singer (patronage), and storyteller. Essentially, these musicians were walking history books, preserving their ancient stories and traditions through song. They were said to have deep connections to spiritual, social, or political powers as music is associated as such. Speech is also said to have power as it can recreate history and relationships.

This book is definitely an interesting read and the adventures of Memnon are memorable, but what does this author (or Afrocentrics) have against Jews? According to the glossary at the beginning of the book, Jews were exiled heretics who were banished from Kamit and who, in their anger for having been exiled, "concocted a false history based on Kamitic history... including hateful stories about the nation that had banished them." (p. 19) How can this book be classified as mythology when the author's agendy is to "educate" readers about historical misrepresentations? I think there are sore spots on the part of Afrocentrics towards Jews because the Jews translated the Bible from the Greek and some Afrocentrists have claimed that the Jews mistranslated or something. I could be wrong. That HUGE issue aside, there are too many typos in this book. Grammatically, it is well written; however, there is evidence of punctuation and spacing errors. The publisher needs to print another edition of this work.

Considering I am not a big fan of science/fiction, I have since become one after reading this book. It was full of action, sadness, triumph, and most of all imagination. It was if when I opened the pages I transformed to the person in the tale following Memnon around through all of his trials and tribulations. Excellent book I must say. I read it quite a while ago, and now I think it's about time to refresh my memory.