Consultants Books

Years ago as a teenager, my concept of wrestlers and wrestling came from watching Leaping Larry Chene, Haystack Calhoun, Bobo Brazil, and the like on TV; more actors than athletes in reality. And my limited wrestling experience in high school quickly proved that with regard to wrestling I was neither actor nor athlete. The point is my knowledge of true wrestling is very limited so I figured reading Steve Wolfe's Call Me Coach: Alaska's Greatest Wrestling Stories would be a good learning experience. Believe me when I tell you it is so much more than a memoir about coaching wrestling.

Wolfe may have 30 years experience as a high school wrestling coach, but I think his real talent lay in the fact he is an outstanding storyteller. He is one of those rare individuals who can observe an ordinary event, put his own special perspective and spin on it and tell others a very interesting and entertaining tale. And that is exactly what he does, over and over, in Call Me Coach. And while he readily admits that his stories may not be exactly accurate (he even changes the names in case others' memories of an event differ from his), he relates each with such believability that it doesn't matter whether or not it's true.

You don't have to be a wrestling fan, or even like sports in general, to enjoy Wolfe's tales. True, many of the stories center on the adventures of the high school wrestling team he coached, but don't let that dissuade you from reading this wonderful book because there is a something for everyone. Call Me Coach is a collection of short, poignant stories that range from life in small town Alaska to the difficulties getting from one Alaskan town to another to the wonderful folks that give Homer, Alaska, a unique character. Each of them told with Wolfe's special talent for seeing the high humor in nearly everything.

Take for example the time his Dad and Mom came to visit from Idaho. Dad visited a local farm and stayed to help shear sheep while Wolfe went on home. Getting there, Wolfe learned he needed to reach Dad to tell him his flight home had been moved to an earlier day and time. Without phones such communication depended on CB radios, which broadcast over open channels, sometimes over great distances and other times not. Unable to reach his father on his radio, Wolfe's wife called the Homer police with their stronger radio, but even theirs couldn't reach far enough. Thus the message passed from CB to CB with the whole countryside listening. Finally Dad and everyone else heard "A message for Ed Wolfe from the Homer police. You are to get out of town tomorrow. Catch the 9:55 plane." For weeks afterward, people kept asking Steve what his dad did to get kicked out of town.

I've read literally a hundred memoirs over the last few years and I can safely say, this is one of the best. Steve Wolfe's stories are sure to warm your heart, make you laugh, and have you asking for more.

Bob Davis, a member of the National Book Critics Circle, is owner of Bob Davis Editing, Live Oak, TX

This book takes you to a golden time in the history of Homer wrestling. Steve Wolfe is a great story teller and reading this book will actually make you believe you were there. Steve's storytelling is not only funny but a wonderful tribute to those who laid the foundation of Homer's history.

Steve Wolfe does a wondeful job of captivating not only the idiosyncrancies of the sport of wrestling, but the essence of the human spirit. I found myself lauging out loud of some of the humerous events within the book and appreciate having this coach share his experience with up and coming coaches like myself.

This book kept me in stitches. I couldn't put it down until the wife told me to turn out the lights. I haven't enjoyed reading a book like this since "All Creatures Great and Small". "Call Me Coach" is very much like that series and it is well written. I loved it.

This is a great book! Its intended audience in not only fans of wrestling. This is a lively, family-oriented tale that EVERYONE will enjoy. You'll find yourself laughing out loud as Steve Wolfe weaves his story of living and coaching in Alaska. I recommend this book to old and young alike.

When you look at my copy, almost every page has large portions covered in highlighter. If I had to make a list of 10 lifechanging books, this would be in it. It gives simple (but not easy) explanations on how to bring the Spirit into your life by obedience, and goes trough the path you might expect as you do so. Almost every page has incredibly profound wisdom in it. Trust me, it will take you a lifetime to fully live up to the knoledge this book brings.

This book teaches us how to use the Gift of the Holy Ghost among other things.
Explains how the light of Christ is in us all, is amplified by baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost until we are baptized with Fire!

Excellent read.

Pontius take us through the things we must do (which we already know but are not doing) in order to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion. As you study the gospel further and more deeply, you will find it so logical and simple to understand. Pontius' book is a good addition to the religious library for that person seeking for a deeper understanding of having your calling and election made sure as well as becoming the type of person you know you can be.

A must read for one and all.

I turned 50 in 1987 and decided I wanted to learn more about making my calling and election sure. So I entered into an intense study of this subject over the next several years. And then in 1997 I discovered Pontius' book on "Following The Light Of Christ Into His Presence". It had all the answers I had been looking for and I have since faithfully followed the precepts I learned with amazing results. For anyone who wants to make a spiritual advance in their eternal progression I highly recommend this book.

How does one review a life-changing experience? I was skeptical at first, but knew in less than a chapter that I would owe more to John Pontius by the end of his book than I know how to convey. Its message is simple and powerful, its presentation straightforward and engaging. This book belongs to a very small and select group: Texts that I feel honored to have read.

A refreshing book that focuses its energy on the qualities of leadership beyond "book smarts." This was a real eye opener!

This approach to leadership is comprehensive and easy to understand. The wholehearted leading approach embraces the four chambers of competency, intimacy, integrity and passion, and illustrates how they work together in a synergistic manner to provide the foundation for effective leadership. Each chamber of the heart model is critical for success. Informative with practical applications!

Few books on leadership provide as clear, dynamic and strategic guidance and insight as The Seven Acts of Courage and The Heart of Leadership. They provide the reader with a sound and useful foundation upon which and rom which to grow. In my experience as a Personal and Professional Development Coach, I have had the pleasure of working with many individuals who have read and studied these books and find these individuals not only motivated, but inspired by the principles they have gleaned. Perhaps the greatest benefit of these books is that the principles they present are readily teachable to those being led. Dusty's insights and intimacy are powerful and penetrating. Dusty sets the leadership bar, both higher and deeper!

The FOUR Chambers of the Heart model makes this approach easy to visualize, grasp and learn. It teaches a balanced approach to leadership -- all parts of the chambers are equally important. I recommend this book to everyone. It's a GREAT book!

In Robert Staub's The Heart Of Leadership: 12 Practices Of Courageous Leaders, lays out an articulate inquiry into, and explanation of, critically essential aspects of effective business leadership including competency, intimacy, integrity, and passion. Articulate, educative, ardent, and inspiring Staub offers a thoroughly "reader friendly" and practical presentation that is very highly recommended for anyone charged with an entrepreneurial or business management responsibility, from the smallest company to the largest international corporation.

Who says thrillers can't be deep? This had me biting my nails and thinking at the same time.

Well written, spell binding adventure. There were a few slow moving flashbacks describing the main character's relationship with his wife, but all in all well worth the read. Reminded me somewhat of the search for Col.Kurtz (Played by Brando) in Apocalypse Now.

DeFelice definitely knows how to tell a story. I found that I could not put the book down.

Yet, when I finished it, I am still pondering some of the questions that Jack Pilgrim gappled with.

The book combined the best of action and contemplation.

Let's face it. Jim DeFelice never disappoints. But with LEOPARDS KILL, and protagonist Jack Pilgrim, Mr. DeFelice reaches new heights of action and suspense. While previous DeFelice novels have kept me on the edge of my seat, this one forced me to go out and buy a new chair. Not only is this writer a master story teller, he is among the best at creating characters who will live in our minds forever. (Personally, I think the characters Bozzone and Blitz deserve their own novel.) Buy this book. Then put aside some time, because you will not be able to put it down.

Jack Pilgrim and his partner Merc Conrad has a security company. They
are both former Special Ops warriors. The name of thier company is Iron Rock Solutions. They do every kind of assignment in the world of security.
Pilgrim is in Las Vegas surveying a security job with some of the casinos.
He recieves an urgent call from the CIA to come back home for a meeting.
Upon arriving home he is informed that his partner Merc Conrad has
dissapeared taking with him all the company money as well as $2 million dollars of CIA money. He is told to find the money or go to prison. He
traces Merc to Afghanistan. Once there he discovers a program that is
named Leopard. He takes a journey into Afghanistan searching for his partner Merc Conrad. It gets scarier and scarier. It turned out to be an interesting story as Pilgrim searches for answers. Do not miss this one.

This audio book was not something I would have picked out myself. It was sent to me by a girlfriend so I took the time to listen. I have heard my husband talk about this "politically opposite" husband and wife team many times and admired their ability to make a life together when they work on such opposite sides of the political fence.

Listening to this compilation of thoughts and desires from Mary Matalin to her daughters brought back things my mother try to pound into my head as a teenager. From the bittersweet happenings in a teenager's life to the everyday down-to-earth, get-it-right thoughts on life, these letters provides the basics every child needs to grown up right. They tell about the fears of being a mother and the hopes to "get it right" for your child. They provide insights into the fact that just because a mother is now over 21, she can and does remember what it was like to be 8 or 10 or 16.

Ms Matalin tells about her own family background and some of their hopes, dreams and family tragedies. She shares with the listener some of those wonderful growing up stories that happen in every family and the same stories that are told and retold and handed down through the generations. If you are looking for a good way to talk to your daughters - or sons for that matter - grab a copy of this audio book and go for it.

Mary's book touched me deeply because like her, I lost my mother before I got married and had a child (a daughter). Like her, I read everything I could get my hands on, from Spock to Sears, but nothing filled the huge void created by my mother's untimely death at 52 (Matalin's died at 50). While her specific advice to her girls may not be earthshattering in its originality, it serves as a poignant reminder to all of us parents that we just might not be around to tell our kids what we'd want them to hear from us first. I will use this book as a jumping off point for letters to my own baby girl. In this busy world we live in, it's far too easy to think we'll get around to teaching our kids important life-lessons "when the time comes," but before we know it, they're grown and all-too-often, our busy lives have gotten in the way of those all-too-important conversations. If you have a daughter, of any age, read this book. A great mother's day gift too!

This is a fine book as far as it goes. As a parent who knows that there are no easy answers, I appreciate the fact that she doesn't give a toolkit or a formula for childraising or growing up. But there is a book out there with a surprisingly parallel title, Letters to My Son, by Kent Nerburn, that is a truly brilliant work that deserves to be read along side this or any other parenting book. I have daughters as well as a son. I would give both these books to my children of both genders. Don't be seduced by Matalin's high profile. There are other authors out there who have as much to say. Give Matalin her due; she's done a good job. But if you want more wisdom and less psychology, get Nerburn's book as well.

I do not have any children of my own, but plan to buy copies of this book for ALL my friends' daughters. Matalin's advice is humorous and humane. It is a compendium of her life lessons as well as maternal advice handed down through the generations in her family. Contrary to what some may expect from the author, the book is no doctrinaire tome espousing a particular political philosophy, but the advice of a warm and wise mother.

Matalin covers all topics of interest to young girls (and their moms) including friendship, academic issues, self esteem, dealing with mean girls and relating to boys. She is firm in her convictions without being overbearing or patronizing. She comes across empathic to teenage sentiments and concerns without advocating the "do whatever feels good" party line of many a parent who thinks themselves au courant. I have observed that teenagers (with their unsure sense of self) actually appreciate behavior guidelines from their parents but can easily become resentful when the strictures are too harsh. Admittedly, this is a delicate balance to achieve and Matalin does an admirable job of walking the tightrope.

I enjoyed this book immensely (I did the audio version) although I raised only sons (3) and had to wait many years to get a girl (my granddaughter.) Matalin does an admirable job of using humor and common sense in her individual "letters" to her daughters on such subjects as 10 or 15 minute segment on such subjects as "boys, bad hair days, PMS/menopause, politics", etc. I plan to share much of this information with my granddaughter. The audio book is ideal for listening to in the car where kids are a captive audience, right? You can listen to one of the "letters," then turn it off and use it to launch a discussion of that subject with your girl (or boy.) Throughout the letters, Matalin pretty much avoids taking a political stance one way or the other, and she was a lot funnier and more sensible than I had expected.

Excellent Book! Brings to the forefront areas that must be addressed in order to be a successful leader. These same principles can and should be applied to family relationships as well. This book was right on the mark.

This book is an easy read and very inspirational. Applying each Act of Courage into my daily living positively impacts how I view life and those around me.

The 7 Acts of Courage will undoubtedly become one of those
classic books that folks will turn to over and over again
as a source of inspiration, whether to get them through
hard times or to help them move towards new goals or to help
them remember what is really important. It's succinct,
accessible and right on the money.

This book is a wonderful guide on how to discover and bring to the surface the inner strength each person has to become a more effective leader by setting an example of courage for others to follow. A must read on your path to achieving personal and professional success.

This book takes the reader on a journey through the often disconcerting phases of life and creatively illustrates how displaying courage is the key to addressing the challenges that life brings. It is a wonderful resource for those who wish to hone their existing leadership skills and develop new strategies fo success. A fun and informative read.

Even before the results of the recent midterm elections were in, "The Architect", a superbly written narrative about the life and actions of Karl Rove, would have been a big hit. Since last week, however, James Moore's and Wayne Slater's book must be viewed in a more substantive and profound light. After all, Rove was one of the big losers on November 7 and we can now read this book through a prism of recent events.

"The Architect" hits the ground running. After terrific chapters about the connection with Rove and the Christian right, the book lands on what Rove does best. By promoting the wedge issue known as "gay marriage", Rove succeeded in disarming then actually arming Evangelical Christians to rise up against this issue. Rove rightly looks at this group as "absolutists" and ramping up support for anti-gay marriage amendments with the help of the religious right is made all the more curious when one finds out that he was raised in a non-religious home and had a gay stepfather to boot. It must take great disassociation yet immense focus to achieve what Rove did on just this issue alone. It is also a wonder as to what could have been achieved had Rove recast his forces for the common good and not for divisive ends.

While "The Architect" is a very good book, it stumbles occasionally. Chapters regarding labor unions and trial lawyers have less of a direct Rove fingerprint. However, when Moore and Slater return to the sheer political power wielded by Rove, the book regains its clarity and interest. This is where the authors are at their collective best.

If one has read "The Architect" before last week it would be good to give it another read. For now we see that the whiz kid-cum-guru can't win them all and this lack of recent political success signals the beginning of the tide away from Rove and Co. I highly recommend this book for its revelations and the authors' ability to see their subject from so many different angles.

Perhaps people should not judge a book by the cover--but they do.

"Bush's Brain": Great title.

"State of Denial": Great title.

"The Architect": Terrible title.

Who is going to read this book? Only those who already have contempt for
Karl Rove and George W. Bush and nobody else. No Republicans and no swing voters.

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove's Machiavellian methods behind George W. Bush's gubernatorial and presidential election victories have garnered a begrudging admiration from conservative politicos and pundits. Texas journalists James Moore and Wayne Slater know their subject quite well since they are also responsible for the incisive book upon which the 2004 film version of "Bush's Brain" was based. The fiery documentary detailed Rove's tactics in orchestrating the successful 2000 presidential campaign. Moore and Slater's new book goes much further in showing a man who has made himself even more indispensable as a virtual Iago figure to Bush's Othello.

The co-authors assert that nothing is sacred to Rove, in particular, founding democratic principles and the U.S. Constitution, when it comes to attaining victory and that in fact, the amoral gamesmanship he feels is required is what motivates him. It's a scarifying portrait but one that comes across as far more textured than one would expect due to some surprising disclosures from the co-authors. They fill in details of Rove's background with his long-standing affiliation with several neo-con organizations, which in turn, shaped his drive toward dismantling unions, privatizing Social Security and diminishing those he saw as his political enemies, homosexuals and anti-war activists. However, the most publicized disclosure is the personal account of how Rove's beloved stepfather revealed himself to be gay and left his mother for another man. It is debatable whether this perceived act of betrayal was the lightning rod for Rove's aggregation of anti-gay sentiments.

At the same time, his persistent efforts to smear opponents appear to have this common thread, and the co-authors effectively show us to what degree he was willing to use this tactic. It is not a new campaigning approach, but it's one that Rove has elevated to an art form in 2004. Targeting the Christian fundamentalist conservatives that constitute the largest cross-section of the Republican base, Rove used whatever means necessary to convey the conviction that Democratic opponents were dominated by a significant homosexual lobby. The most egregious maneuver was how he purportedly orchestrated a campaign of automatic telephone messages to be placed to thousands of numbers nationwide. The infamous message stated it was from the Kerry campaign and that if elected, gay rights would be a top priority. Moreover, beyond the presidential campaign, the Republican machine under Rove's direction managed to put anti-marriage equality referenda on eleven state ballots under the guise of groups like the Traditional Values Coalition, which were fronts for the religious right.

While anti-gay paranoia was his linchpin, Rove was not limited in his arsenal of weapons, whether it was vote suppression in Ohio where Bush won by a slim margin or pressure placed on members of Congress to support controversial bills. Moore and Slater detail the smear campaign developed against Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame to cover up the truth about Bush's rationale for invading Iraq, as well as the connection to Jack Abramoff and the resulting corporate corruption scandals. While Rove's hypocrisy is fiercely documented and obviously reviled by his opponents, his supporters are ambivalent about his methods. Moore and Slater provide a comprehensive portrait of a man who based on his record, illustrates a total disregard for democracy. He has amassed a fearsome respect among the White House inner circle for the past six years, and one wonders from this fascinating book whether a possible dismantling of the Republican hegemony in the House will diminish his standing.

I find myself enjoying non-fiction more and more as I grow older, but books like this make me stop and think, maybe I should stick to biographies, standard historical texts and of course fiction. That of course is what I wish this book was, fiction. I never knew much about Karl Rove, and never really thought about the man behind the man type of political animal. I'm aware they are more into the "game" than anything else, and that winning is all there is - just like ambitious coaches. Isn't that what Rove is, essentially, a coach. If so his personality and the way he goes about the business of creating an image, decimating opponents - with bald faced lies more often than not- is disturbing.

This is a very well written book, easy to follow and organized so that following the progression and development of the story Moore is telling is comfortable. Obviously there was a lot of research done and it is well used, not over used. I checked a few of the texts referred to and could find nothing objectionable as "out of context", and the opinions of the author is controlled and not intrusive. As a reading experience it was pleasant enough even if the material was oh so disturbing.

In the last four years I have probably read more political books than the previous thirty. Maybe because they are everywhere and being talked about constantly. Certainly they are no more interesting than say, "The Making of a President" from the 1960s. Most of the best sellers in this category are extremely divisive and in many cases, just by their titles, mean spirited (case in point the savage diatribes of Ann Coulter such as "How to talk to a Liberal, If You must".)and of little real value.

That said, "The Architect: Karl Rove and the Master Plan for Absolute Power" is very, very disturbing. Here is a man who has decided that ulra-conservative thought must rule for the next century, and who does he pick as his standard bearer but George W. Bush, a man with little experience, proven ineptitude and incompetence inbusiness, a draft dodger who doesn't even take his commitment to the air nathional guard seriously and a former drunk. Few people now will deny that as President - an office he didn't even win by popular vote - George W. Bush has remained true to his character and blundered his way through his first term in such a horrible way that no one with an ounce of sense would have voted for him for a second term - which he likely did not win legitimately either - but with a man like Karl Rove there to lie about his opponents, distort the truth about them and deny the absolute irrefutable truth about his candidate's own back ground and lack of moral character he remains the president for four more disaterous years. Karl Rove is a mastermind when it comes to duplicity. He saw to it that true American heroes who served during the Vietnam conflict were degraded (John Kerry, John Murtha, John Mccain, etal) and then promotes Bush as a man who has high regard for the military. What monumantal hypocrisy. The sadest part is that with all the facts before the American electorate Bush still remains president. Perhaps the contempt Rove expresses for the average American voter is the hook he has so effectively used, proving not once, but twice that an inept, incompetent, lazy, anti-intellectual, pretend evangelical christan can be a winner if the man behind him has no ethical standards, or moral compass and is willing to lie, cheat and steal to achieve his nefarious results.

Sadly, he is very, very good at it as this book shows. Sadly the voters buy it, and even more sadly we all loose in the end and worst of all the America of ideological moral standards and a reputation for care and concern for the down trodden is lost, and perhaps never to be regained.

Karl Rove has created the absolute worst world leader in the history of our great democracy and he is actually proud of himself. At the risk of repeating myself, how sad for us all.

"The Architect" reports that Karl Rove's ambition is to build a right-wing dynasty that can dominate American politics for decades, and that ultimately he will be remembered for figuring out how to game the American political system.

The politics of deception has become a conventional political tool for Rove-aided Republicans. His history is to use surrogate organizations and third-party operatives to attack opponents - without leaving either Rove's or his candidates fingerprints.

Rove's special talent is achieving synergy - pleasing moneyed and/or voter-rich coalitions while undermining Democratic party strengths. For example, lanugage inserted into the Homeland Security Bill restricting TSA employees' ability to unionize pleases big business, while reducing Democrats' ability to derive strength from government unions; a "special bonus" was achieved through also offering a means to attack Democrats rising to unions' defense as "weak on defending America" --> defeat of at least one Democrat senator (Max Cleland). Similarly with vouchers and the "No Child Left Behind" act - this helps motivate the Christian Right, homeschoolers, and anti-government conservatives to the polls, boost Republicans' image as pro-education (even among African-Americans), while undercutting teacher union strength and their ability to support Democrats. Privatizing Social Security obviously would bring increased revenues for Wall Street (and more Republican donations from them), boost the Republican-leaning "investor class," and loosen Democrat strength among the elderly.

Early on Rove realized that politically conservative Christian evangelicals were easy to organize - they were already organized into churches. Rove saw Ralph Reed (Christian Coalition leader) as an asset, and thus "parked" him at Enron as an energy lobbyist, awaiting Bush II's candidacy. From others Rove also recognized that traditional Catholics and Orthodox Jews were similarly inclined to be politically conservative. Emphasizing support for Israel served to further bring conservative Jews and Christians together into the Bush camp (the latter hoping to bring about biblical prophesies about "end-times"), and siphoned off funds from Democrats.

However, analysis of the 2000 election convinced Rove that over three million of these groups had not voted. Thus, to invigorate the group he launched an emphasis on attacking homosexuals - despite the fact that his father was a homosexual, and most also believe the Republican Party Chairman is as well. (Rove had used this ploy earlier in Bush vs. Richards in the '94 Texas gubernatorial race, taking one of Richards' strengths - her inclusiveness - and turning it into a weakness. Similarly, he launched a whisper campaign against an Alabama judicial candidate well-known as a benefactor of troubled youth - spreading suspicions that he was a pedophile.)

Attempting to sell Social Security privatization, Rove's "signature approach" also appeared vs. AARP, the leading opponent. Ads were taken out claiming that AARP supported same-sex marriages, based on the organization's objection to wording in the Ohio anti-gay marriage amendment (it feared the wording would also ban elderly heterosexuals living together).

Meanwhile, the Bush II administration, instead of working out effective solutions to terrorism, Katrina, the economy, etc., focuses on weakening enforcement of regulations against businesses and the wealth, while increasing same vs. unions.

Bottom Line: Rove and Bush II decsion-making is dominated by political manuevering, instead of what's best for the nation - this explains Bush II's reliance on cronies rather than experts. Worse, Rove has probably irrevocably changed American politics for the worse. In doing so, he has taken advantage of the overwhelming complexity and extent of government today that prevents citizens from adequately following and analyzing events. Rove's actions show that he lacks a decent moral compass; unfortunately, Bush's retention of Rove doesn't say much for him either.

I am so impressed with this book. For everyone who wants to get involved with their own community or others, this book can serve as a blueprint to take you from the initial conception of a program, to content ideas, and the actual funding. I personally feel it should be required reading for every organization and learning institution that has "community service" programs or graduation requirements.

Subtitled A Successful Way to Reach Youth in Your Neighborhood, this guide, training and reference book provides helpful and practical information about establishing, teaching and administering after-school art programming for children and teenagers, with the emphasis on low-income, under served and at-risk populations. The authors are administrators of Hands On, a successful and respected summer and after school arts program that is part of the Walker's Point Center for the Arts, a well-regarded community-based arts center in Milwaukee's large Hispanic neighborhood. The book is reader friendly as it presents suggestions, checklists and examples of how to establish an art after-school program in any community. Areas covered--in common sense depth --include, advocacy rationales, fundraising ideas, budget planning and grant writing advice (with examples), staffing suggestions, artists as teachers, partnerships and collaborations and more. Possible sites for establishing a program include public and private schools, libraries, churches, senior centers and storefronts. Throughout the text are quotations from children, teachers, school administrators and others who testify as to the worth of this program. Highly recommended for any individuals whose school or community might benefit from this type of program.

Kent Anderson, Past President of the National Art Education Association, is the Resource Editor for the national publication, School Arts. His review is scheduled to appear in the December, 2001 issue of School Arts.

In 1987 Jane Brite, then director of Walker's Point Center for the Arts in Milwaukee, initiated Hands On, an after-school and summer art program serving primarily low-income and at-risk children in the neighborhood and using professional artists to teach the sessions. Observing the benefits of the program prompted Brite and her colleague Marlene Jaglinski to write this guide, which describes their experience and advises how to set up and implement a similar program in almost any setting. The authors point out that in addition to the beneficial effects on the youngsters who participate, such programs offer valuable experience and a source of revenue to artists.

Art After School is a great resource for start-up and continuing art and community based partnerships. Policies and procedures, examples and experiments and using art as a catalyst to enrich and enlarge a sense of community are explained with clarity in an engaging manner. I highly recommend Art After School.

Drawn from experiences with "Hands on", an after school program, community organizations and leaders, boards of directors, a cadre of staff, interns, volunteers and artists at the Walker's Point Center for the Arts, Art After School by Jane Brite and Marlene Jaglinski is a practical guide to establishing a community program for young people to develop their artistic skills, build self-esteem, and offer a constructive and positive experience especially for at-risk kids. Based on successful experience, Art After School is packed advice for planning the program, keeping costs down, sample art activities, and much more. Enhanced with illustrations by JoAnna Poehlmann, Art After School is a superbly presented and highly recommended reading for anyone looking to create a meaningful, art-based, after-school program open to the neighborhood youth of all ages and backgrounds.

This series just gets better with each book. If you want an in-your-face protagonist, with a sharp wit and a keen sense of justice, Thea Kozak is a great read. In this book, she's out of her native New England, but murder follows her to Hawaii. "Death in Paradise" has a well-constructed plot, interesting characters, including a young "buddy" who helps her solve the case, and a slam-bang finish.

Thea mops up the crime scene in Hawaii in her usual style. Kate Flora has built a strong series with likable characters. She is witty and informative. I look forward to her next book.

Paradise is Hawaii, but private school consultant Thea Kozak doesn't have much time to enjoy it as she's at the mercy of the whims and bad temper of Martina, the director of an organization of girls' schools. When Martina is murdered, Thea tries to stay out of the way especially since she is not fond of cops except for her love, Andre back in the States. Even trying to avoid "detecting", Thea is more than once in great physical danger. Great characters, behind-the-scenes wrangling and a lovable little girl make this more than "just a mystery."

I read Death in a Funhouse Mirror after reading reviews on Amazon's site. It was excellent - so I then had to find each and every book written by Kate Flora. I haven't been disappointed. They get better and better. Death in Paradise is interesting, earthy and full of suspense. Kate is right up there with Jan Burke and Michael Connelly.

Thea Kozak returns, this time attending an education convention on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Thea hadn't planned on attending, but when her partner comes down with pneumonia, Thea has to take her place. But instead of spending part of her time in convention activities and the rest of her time on the beach relaxing and working on her tan, Thea finds herself in the "Ms. Fixit" role as problem after problem arises at the convention. When the universally disliked convention organizer is strangled, Thea finds herself investigating the case in spite of her desire not to become involved. She is aided by a charming 11-year-old girl who sees herself as a secret agent and spies on hotel guests constantly.

Poor Thea is much abused in DEATH IN PARADISE. Every time she turns around, she is attacked verbally and/or physically. On top of that, she is feeling ill from the very first chapter, to the point she knows she must see a doctor when she returns to Boston. What amazed me is how Thea remained oblivious to the nature of her illness throughout the book. While admitting the symptoms (extreme tiredness, nausea and excessive thirst), she didn't put 2 and 2 together to come up with the correct diagnosis. I spent the entire book waiting for her to figure things out!

As far as the mystery goes, I was clueless as to the killer's identity. Suspects abounded, and the author kept the suspence level high throughout the book. You won't want to miss this series, which combines a strong, likeable heroine with great secondary characters and realistic situations.

This book was a eye opener to a friend of my daughters, she read the book and gave it to her girlfriend to read, because she new the situation the girl was in. Maybe one of these times she wouldnt be alive to see her girlfriend again. She didnt think she was worthy or could get someone better than what she had, a abusive boyfriend. Now her girlfriend is going out with a nice boy, he treats her well, totally different. It helped her see the difference of the abusive situation she was in, whether it was vocal or beating-hitting, it definitly made her think . She is very thankful to the author.

The author has given a lot of thought to this book - only 45 pages - very clear, concise, and effective. It is not just a passage or a brief example of an experience of domestic abuse, but the whole story. The psychology of the dynamics are woven into the story. I realize more from this reading how the problem of domestic abuse could happen to any woman, especially since the character, Leia, was a normal young woman, with many positives within herself, before she was in the abusive situation.

I clearly understand the situation of verbal and physical abuse after reading it. Sometimes you need to read it to realize you are living it. I will make sure my daughter reads this book before she starts dating.

Finally, a book that articulates and espouses the reasons behind violent domestic abuse. These words and insights from this author, are a ray of hope for those who are on this road of destruction. And to those who question, and do not understand the compelling reasons behind women[and some men]who stay in such horrific relationships--PLEASE read this book. I no longer finished the book when my sister swiped it from me, and handed it to a woman, who is living Leia's story. Ms. Guiser show the steps needed towards healing and self-discovery. And my hope is, that this woman will find through her story the inner strength and courage to leave, and to realise her value and self-worth as a woman. The knowledge, insight, and candor conveyed in this book is encouraging, refreshing, and valuable. To me, this is a true testament to this therapist and author, who seeks to break down the wall of silence, and to help those who see no hope.

The best part of this book is the way it teaches and tells a story at the same time. All readers will identify with the character Leia in the story. I found I couldn't put the book down once I started and as a working mother with limited time that says a lot about this author.