Ethics Books

I struggled with the concept of second innocence (still do); however, the premise is that we can maintain or recapture a sense of wonder, delight (whatever you want to call it) throughout our lives. And it is this sense of wonder that keeps us growing and allows us to become truly wise. I'm old enough to know wisdom when I see it and young enough to appreciate that innocent wonder in children. Izzo takes us through various aspects of our lives and shows how a sense of wonder keeps us young while allowing us to truly grow older with grace.

At first, this book seemed to me to be trite, full of little aphorisms and such. By the time I reached the end, I finally understood the underlying message. As with our personal relationships, what counts in our daily living ARE the little things. The author presents this insight with a gentle hand that matches the mood of the message. Thank you, John Izzo, wherever you are.

"John Izzo has written yet another fantastic book that has profound impact on the reader's daily life. Upon finishing the first reading, I turned the book over and began reading it all over again. A few weeks later, I picked it up and read it a third time and I just could not stop talking about it! This truly is a book that will not stay on a bookshelf for long.
Written in such a way as to remind us what we already know, but do not practice, Izzo's simple views on life can help the reader realize the full potential of their lives. His compelling stories are useful tools to view our own lives, jobs and families with more kindness, while discovering the peace that was always within our grasp.
A rich, thought-provoking book such as this could very well make the world a better place - one reader at a time." ~ Lillian Brummet, co-author of the book Trash Talk - a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

Just wanted to thank John for writing inspiring words that convey wonderful foundational thoughts and feelings. I too am a great believer in an abundance mentality and try to live and act in the "now" every day.

If the population of our world would take the time to slow down enough to contemplate and realize that we all (most?) really want the same simple things from life, what a great place this world would be.

Author writes about rediscovering the wonder and joys of life. Based on his own experiences including death of his father, first love, a family suicide and other compelling stories, Izzo cheers you on to reconnect with and learn from your own life stories. It can be difficult at times to maintain optimism and grace in a world filled with cynicism but Izzo's inspirational book certainly helps you down the right path.

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Proof that good things come in small packages, this is about as power-packed as it gets in 95 pages. Alcorn challenges our cultural obsession with stuff through his call to "send it on ahead." He argues that the prospect of reward is not wrong in and of itself, it is simply that we often aim for earthly rather than eternal rewards. We are focused on having it all here instead of using the resources God entrusts to us for others now and receiving eternal rewards later. This book provides a great argument against the prosperity gospel, especially in Alcorn's phrase, "God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving." This book is simply the application of logic to the truth of the Bible. If God is real and the Bible is true, and the Bible teaches that eternal life is real, then it only makes sense to live for that which will produce the most eternal good and bring the most glory to God.

This book gives some great basic principles to think about. It is a short read and only takes maybe 3 hours at the most to get through (probably even less if you're not a slow reader like me). I liked this so much that I've probably given almost a dozen of these away as gifts. And another great thing about it being so short is that even those who aren't much into reading will usually read it if they get it as a gift. If you like this book and want to read more on the subject then I recommend "Money, Possessions, and Eternity" also by Randy Alcorn.

Alcorn, a former pastor and prolific author, explains the need to invest in eternity. He asks: "why should we save and buy things we cannot take with us when we die?"

Indeed, he suggests setting a budget with a fairly low standard of living, and giving the rest away to your church or other Christian charities.

He warns against hoarding money for the future or leaving your children an inheritance. Instead, he says we should give now and give often to the Lord's work.

Alcorn's perspective is refreshing and, mostly, dead right. But his message, at least in this book, may be misinterpreted by some.

He vigorously reacts against those who save too much for the future because it makes them less dependent on God. He says you should only provide for part of your future needs. Yet we still have to plan/save for retirement.

How much should be "our" part to save? At what point does saving too little make us irresponsible as opposed to spiritual?

How exactly this tension is resolved is unclear. But I'm working on his longer book, Money, Possessions and Eternity, and I expect that his concept is more fully explained there.

Sincere, thought-provoking, soul-searching, and life changing book. I highly recommend it. It will not only be worth every penny you spend on it but if you take it to heart will also cause all your future spending, saving, and investing to be stretched and better utilized. However, I do recommend this as a follow up to the book Money, Possessions, and Eternity by the same author. That one is absolutely a must-read book. If you can only read one I have to recommend Money, Possessions, and Eternity first.

I just received this book in the mail a couple of weeks ago and I'm already on my second read through. It is such an uplifting book. I read a few pages with my son everyday. What a clever idea of putting all of these wonderful quotes into one little gem of a book. I look forward in getting your other quote books. Thanks for the smile!

I wish I could give half star ratings sometimes. This book would have gotten a 4 and 1/2 rating if I could.
The only thing that I did not like about it was the Bible passages. To me they do not lift my spirit, but that is just because I am not of that faith. Otherwise this is a great book.

I've purchased many copies of this little book over the past year. They are great girl friend books or for any quote lover. I've keep one on hand for myself and often reference it when I need some inspiration. Buy two, one to give away and one for you!

we write a quote in our elementary class each day and use this book as one of our references.

This is one of those purchases where I really felt like I got my monies worth. I refer to the quotes within this book on a weekly basis as I offer a "final thought of inspiration" to my yoga students. Since my family is a group of bathroom readers, Ive also been thinking about doing a bathroom wall of quotes. This book offers a variety of quotes nicely arranged in categories. Great to sit, read and ponder!

In a time when anything is possible and nothing is certain, we desperately need maps of the new territory that is emerging through an evolutionary shift in consciousness. This shift, beautifully described years ago by visionary Willis Harman in his prescient book, Global Mind Shift, is accelerating at precisely the same time that it appears humans are on the brink of committing ecocide.

Andrew Beath, the visionary founder of EarthWays Foundation, an umbrella non-profit, has worked tirelessly for social justice and ecological sanity for many years. Andrew was not always an activist. He began his career in real estate and through overhearing a conversation about the destruction development can cause began a quest for the true north of his soul's trajectory by traveling the world and learning many life lessons. In sharing his journey with us, we are offered powerful landmarks we can use to grow past arbitrary self-imposed and societal limits.

Throughout the book, Andrew shares the ideas and processes that helped liberate him from the shadow of his psyche and can help us do the same. Without this introspective work, we may hear a great teacher and be inspired by his or her ideas but we will not apply them and like an addict, need to return time after time for more or seek another teacher with different ideas that fit our comfort zone.. We often see this in people who do serial workshops for years, talk a good game, and yet never change. As more and more people come to do this inner work and reconnect with nature as Andrew has, our chances for social transformation multiply. As someone once said, "enlightenment is an inside job."

Andrew is a wonderful and wise guide and mentor. In his chapter on Introspection for Self Discovery, he says, "When we practice a liberation pathway of personal exploration and expression, the form of expression working in conjunction with the imagination can find ways around the egos constraints and subvert its control."

This is not a time to insulate our feelings through more escapist entertainment and cultural diversions but rather a moment in which our ability to look within and our creative problems solving skills must be exercised as never before if we are to overcome the cascading challenges humanity faces. Andrews deeply felt applied philosophy and the ideas of the many social activists he interviewed help the reader grasp the complexity, depth and urgent need for introspection and action.

As he says, "these accounts show us how to liberate the human spirit from addiction to a production-consumption ethic so that we may rejoin the community of life as contributors instead of destroyers." He points out that our ancestors lived embedded in nature and that most of us live divorced and alienated from it driven by science and consumption which creates isolation and meaninglessness in our lives.

Andrews mission in both this book and his life is to help illuminate another way of seeing and being; one that can reconnect us with our souls, restore the earth and result in our collective health and survival. Our other option is to continue our disconnected ways with no regard for the earth and its life support systems and suffer increasing systemic breakdown.

As Andrew says, "there are reasons for alarm and grounds for optimism. I am optimistic because my experience tells me that the necessary wisdom is available to inform changes in human behavior and the processes to bring about personal and social transformation are also at hand."

Andrew's historical perspective provides a useful context for how, when and where we became divorced from nature and the role men, women, the agrarian movement, writing and literacy, the Roman Empire and Catholic Church, domination and the accumulation and worship of wealth and power, The Scientific Revolution and the Industrial Age all played in this evolutionary process. Moving from ego to eco-centric and moving our consciousness into action, Andrew believes, is the path we must take if we are to restore our sanity and the earth's systems.

He effectively weaves his story using interviews with individuals who he deeply respects and whose ideas take us on a reflective journey through our collective wisdom, passion and brilliance. In his telling, we are greatly informed and benefitted. On the pages of Compassion in Action you'll meet progressive leaders like rainforest activist John Seed, environmental philosopher Joanna Macy, activist Mark Gerzon, teacher and psychologist Lorin Lindner, and many other conscious activits.

Just as Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" was a clarion call to action against pesticides, Andrew's book is a call to oo-create a sustainable world for future generations. Will we be able to overcome the momentum of a society that has become fixated on the idea of "new" and "more" supported by advertising that creates false needs? Only by first becoming aware of its destructive effects, learning to ground practices that move us into compassionate action.

The old paradigm idea that business should maximize profits without considering consequences is short sighted and dangerous. The government's support of unencumbered growth and laws that support it is like supporting cancer in the body but the body is earth. We have sadly become a cancer on the earth spewing toxins from the industrial process on the soil in which we grow our foods, in the water we drink, and in the air we breathe. Diminishing environmental quality means increasing assaults to our immune systems and more dis-ease.

As more and more evidence surfaces about the true condition of life on earth, the disruptive nature of global warming, toxic waste, increasing clusters of highly dangerous hurricanes, the threats posed by arrogance and terrorism and the shock of children killing other children, we are coming face to face with the consequences of a dysfunctional system that places money before life. We must be willing to face the truth of the root causes of our problems, no matter how uncomfortable, if we are to have any chance of solving them. Andrew believes these problems are, in fact, the evolutionary drivers that can propel us into a more conscious and liberating time.

Fortunately, there are many visionaries who understand the nature of both the problems and their solutions and are, in fact, creating alternatives that form an evolutionary, inclusive and living paradigm of hope. Whether this movement will be able to turn the ship in time to avoid meltdown is a major question with no clear answer. However, its is clear that for intelligent and compassionate people the only activity that makes sense is trying every day to make the world a little bit better place through offering their piece of the puzzle.

In this gem of a book, Andrew provides a much needed dose of reality, opportunity and hope. If you are exploring how you might best contribute and serve in this evolutionary moment, this is a book written for you. If you are an active member of an evolutionary organization, you will receive hope, inspiration and empowerment from its contents. And, if you have been asleep or insulated and this book has come into your hands, take the time to read it and thank the person who gave it to you for they just may have performed a life saving deed for you and all of us.

In CIA, you'll learn Andrew's seven attributes of conscious activism; non-violence, not knowing, introspection, eros, no enemy, vision and being joyful. And you'll learn from a wise activist and his friends what it takes to step up, reclaim your power and serve the earth and life itself. You'll gain the courage to face your shadow and that of the collective shadow, explore denial as a strategy of avoidance, feel the suffering of those in need and what it takes to transform yourself and restore balance to our world. As Pema Chodron puts it, at the core of this process is constantly coming up against big challenges and then learning to soften and open of our hearts to life rather than hardening more and refusing once again to allow them to touch you.

Writing on Creative Self-Awareness, Andrew says, " Our creations are rooted in a desire to be known to ourselves." His desire and tools for self-reflection are our gifts. In the Liberating Pathways section, we discover approaches Andrew and others have found useful in freeing them from their egocentric dramas and self-limiting beliefs. By learning and practicing these skills, we too can become aware of the deeper beauty in life and connect with the larger community in which we are embedded. On anger, Andrew writes, "For me, anger has its place, but in the long run it's a drain that consumes my creativity. Alternatively, Eros is an inexhaustible energy source that transforms anger into compassion and nurtures long-term engagement. I find nourishment in loving and being loved." And Joanna Macy writing on fear says, 'it is not to be anesthetized... kiss the demon and it is transformed."

In a moving interview Andrew conducted with Julia Butterfly Hill, the young woman who lived 24/7 in a redwood she called Luna for 738 days to save it from destruction, she says, " It's one thing to learn it (transformation and joy) and another to become a shining example of the divine as much as possible, in every moment of the day." Clearly, she, Andrew, and the conscious activists who share their insights on the 280 pages of this book are inspiring examples of that attempt.

Consciousness in Action belongs on the shelves of all thinking, feeling and caring individuals, businesses, institutions of learning and government offices. Read it, give it, and enjoy its possibilities for personal and collective release from destructive, ego-based living in these crisis filled times. It may be useful to remember that in Chinese, the symbol of crisis also means opportunity This book and its lessons and techniques offer a rare opportunity to move towards personal and global crisis resolution.

We are invited to join Andrew and a rapidly increasing number of concerned and committed activists and organizations in becoming conscious, connected, and serving in what is arguably the most important process of our lives: creating a sane, life sustaining, and healthy world for all. The time is now. The place is here and we have the power to choose wisely. As Andrew suggests, "Our epoch has its mystical calling, In Jesus time it was to learn to love one's neighbor. Today, it is to recognize that the Earth's entire community of life is our neighbor." Consciousness in Action offers a well drawn map of the territory that may effectively and lovingly guide us on our way to clarification, liberation and a more creative and empathetic world.

JH

Consciousness in Action: The Power of Beauty, Love and Courage in a Violent Time is a treatise calling for a turn away from the scientific-production-consumption worldview of the previous several centuries and toward an emerging state of consciousness in which Gaia, the living planet, is the central focus. Author Andrew Beath has honed his awareness through decades of social and environmental activism; now he draws insight from the inspirational stories of progressive leaders such as Joanna Macy, Ralph Metzner and many more to offer paths to global transformation. Consciousness in Action especially focuses upon seven attributes that have proven viable in activism and across time and cultures: Nonviolence, Not Knowing, Introspection, Eros, there is No Enemy in a co-created world, Vision, and Being Joyful. An invigorating, passionate, and uplifting positive message.

Reading Andrew Beath's book is like listening to good music on a dark day--it soothes and assures me in the midst of an onslaught of daily news announcing a world gone seriously beserk. I am comforted by Beath's calm and reasoned tone (and by the many other wise voices woven throughout the text), suggesting that my own aspirations--my spiritual development--are consistent with, and even necessary for, the social change and environmental protection that is so sorely needed at this time. And--as if in a sane and loving conversation with the author himself--I am assured that any one of us who believe in the power of consciousness can in fact take the personal, developmental steps neccesary for restoring social and environmental integrity. Beath offers clear guidance in the form of the seven critical "attributes of consciousness," and then nudges us down the path, or more accurately, down "the liberation pathways." Ultimatley, I suppose, my assurance comes from knowing that the path he points to is based in perennial wisdom, and trusting that we would all be better off if we simply do what our human spirits most want us to do. Beath has certainly offered a clear and accessible description of a spiritual path, and very good, practical reason for taking it.

Andrew Beath has collected some of the leading thinkers and activists at the growing edge of the environmental movement. He clearly demonstrates how consciousness and spirituality translate into action and right livelihood, moving the world forward toward a desirable future, at a time when such action and clarity is most critically needed. The chapters of the book are beautifully laced together with his reflections and caring. thank you, Andrew!

[...]

A beautiful book. Andrew Beath touches powerfully upon the profound truth that the most positive and lasting social change begins at home, within ourselves. He addresses the nonduality of reality, in that what we experience in the external world is truly not separate from what we experience internally. Mr. Beath gives 7 concrete steps for creating an environment of compassion and sustainability that will nurture our planet and all the beings that live upon it.

i really like this book. touching stories that open your brain to different dilemmas in medical ethics, a subject i enjoy reading about. i lent it to several friends, all of whom loved the book.

I enjoyed the book. Makes you think about ethics a bit and the reality of financial constraints on the practice of medicine.

Despite the major advances in knowledge, skills, and technology in the field of medicine, this book shows that ultimately life and death fall back on the human touch. Following the workings of an Ethics Committee in a major urban hospital over several months, Belkin clearly shows that medicine continues to be as much an art as a science and in many cases there are no "right" answers, even when decisions can affect whether a patient lives or dies.
This is not a dry, mechanical review of how ethical decisions are made. Quite the opposite, the book captures your full attention from the very first page. You become fully involved in the heart-wrenching lives of actual hospital patients, as well as the no-win situations health care professionals and family members find themselves in when struggling with decisions that literally have life or death consequences.
For example, when she describes the process in which the life support devices are withdrawn from a young patient you feel you are there in the room witnessing the tragedy. Some readers might scream within their minds not to do it - perhaps there is something else can be done? Others may feel a sense of loving compassion over the ending of someone's suffering. Both types will feel incredible compassion for those who had to make the actual decision and hopefully will never have to make such a choice in their own lives.

Lisa Belkin has created an amazing book here - she definitely did her research. The book consists of a few case studies of patients who pose ethical dilemas. Belkin takes you inside meetings of the ethics committee at the hospital, she takes you to the patient's bedside to see what the patient actually wants. Some of the patients she follows are a young kid who has been hospitalized for 15 years with a terminal condition, beating all odds by staying alive that long, several premature babies, and a man who was paralyzed almost completely after getting shot in the spine. It's a great look at medical ethics - Lisa Belkin's book asks all the right questions.

The book is in a very easy-to-read format - the stories of the patients she follows are all intertwined throughout the book. For example, you'll read about Patrick for 30-or-so pages, and then she'll switch over to update you on Taylor's story. She does this because you are reading the stories in "real time" as they happened; all of this took place in a certain time span in the hospital. It's exciting and fast-paced non-fiction - I read it in two days and didn't put it down.

It will break your heart, because often the ethics committee has to bring money into the discussion, as much as they would like to treat every patient as if money was not an issue. This book is SO worth reading, for anyone who is interested in medicine and healthcare at all.

This book will keep you wanting to turn the page and make it hard to put down the book. This is a great explanation of real life situations that patients and hospitals face everyday. Some of the situations that are hard for some people to understand why hospitals are concerned with matters like money and certain treatments of patients can be explained.

I read this book with my wife each taking assignments and reporting back after a day or two. What an incredible read and experience. There is a wealth of challanging material in this book to help anyone wishing to expand themselves into a more thoughtful person.

A pure blessing that has potential and material to make a substancial upswing in one's life.
Rocco

I have been a fan of the Merills, since their synergistic work with Stephen Covey with "First Things First".

I am not married yet, nor do I have a job, but I find this book so practical and I am convinced as I grow up into the various future stages of my life, the wisdom within it, will become more and more obvious.

I really like the idea that balance is not in "balancing the scale" but in "balancing".

The sections that deals with Time Matters and Money Matters, is worth more than the price of the book. When I was browsing through the book, and got to read the Money Matrix diagram, I almost jumped out of my skin. I always felt the Time Matrix is always applicable to one's personal finance. I was so delighted to know the Merrills felt the same and has wrote and developed it further in this book. The book also feature a quote from my favorite personal finance guru, Robert Kiyosaki.

If you have a friend who is getting married, this would be an excellent gift to a newly wed couple. I recently gifted one to my best friend. Since the book is quite expensive for us living in India, I along with a group of friends, decided to give it together.

It's a book worth to be made a family heirloom. I am sure anyone would find it helpful. Its a rare diamond in the overly cluttered world of self-help books. Most self-help books offer advice, but ended up with platitudes and rehash of ideas. We need books like this one.

Another beautiful aspect to this book is the author's recognition that more than offering answers to people, it is more important to help people develop their ability to find the answer within. This is what they called navigational intelligence. It is the effort to develop personal conscience, and listening to it.

Its a book that will never leave my reading desk and will be refered to again and again and again, till I end this life and buried six feet under.

Thanks Roger and Rebecca for an enduring legacy for generations to come. I pray more and more people will embrace your message. If we all do the world will be a better place to live in.

This book is one of many that build off Stephen Covey's "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," and is a more in-depth discussion of prioritizing (Living in Quadrant II for those who speak Covey). This book is divided into four sections that reflect the four biggest concerns Americans face--the workplace, the family, time, and money. The basic message of the book is that one must think in terms of "investing," whether it be money, time, or effort. It is important to examine what one invests in so that maximum returns can be paid on that investment. As an example, investing money in a car yeilds a much lower return (a negative return) than investing in a mutual fund. Investing time in televison watching yields a much lower return than helping your child with his homework. Investing in effort in a long-term project that is still months away yields a much higher return than filling out some pretty-unnecessary paperwork. Other commentators are correct when they say that the examples of theory-in-action can be fairly unrealistic (even though they really happened!), but they illustrate the authors' points well. I would first recommend the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. If you find that helpful (and I imagine you will), this book is an excellent follow-up to it.

Prioritizing the building blocks of life - family, work, money and time - is paramount to happiness. Some people do it unconsciously by living within their intellectual and monetary expectations. Others need a framework for balance, such as the one that authors A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill provide. To achieve personal balance, the authors suggest becoming a better team player, working more effectively, learning about finances and setting home and work priorities. They establish the goal of building a strong family, centered around parental "family leadership." Do they successfully address the knotty issues they raise? Yes, in a folksy way. This is a useful self-help manual with checklists, self-assessments and personal anecdotes, which are sometimes touching, but sometimes impractical or saccharine. Though the management advice dons motivational language, the sections on family and work are particularly worthwhile. The authors deliver a solid antidote to misplaced modern values, albeit wrapped in some fluffy trappings. We recommend this book to corporate officers and human resource personnel, as well as to individuals seeking balance.

New books telling you how to improve your life come off the presses every week, maybe every day. Some are bad, and you realize you have wasted your time. Some are average, and you might learn a few new things, but they aren't all that memorable. Some are great, and you go back to them again and again. "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is one of the great books. Years later people remember it, talk about it, and reread it.

"Life Matters" is a great book. It covers a lot of good ideas, the thoughts and observations are well presented, and the book reads quickly.

The first chapter starts off talking about what is important in life. The authors focus on four areas: work, family, time, and money. They have a quiz to help in your self-assessment of how you are doing in each of these four areas. A big message of this book is there doesn't have to be conflict between the four areas.

The next chapter covers three things you have to do in any area of your life. The three "gotta do's" are:

1) Validate your expectations. You have to confront reality, for if you have an unrealistic expectation you will be frustrated. The authors make the point that the direction you are heading is more important than how fast you are going.

2) Optimize Effort. Look for ways to get the maximum benefit for your effort, and make sure your decisions are aligned with your goals.

3) Develop your "Navigational" intelligence. This is the ability to be aware of your changing environment, so that what looked like an important task at the start of the day may have to take a back seat when your boss gives you a new assignment, or a child needs attention.

The next four chapters are on: work, family, time, and money, with a chapter on each area. The authors weave each of the above three "gotta do's" into each area. For each area they explore different ways people see the area, for example how do you see your family, or your money. And then they discuss what is the reality. They have a list of "optimizers" which are techniques for getting the maximum benefit for your effort. And they talk about how to be flexible when situations change.

"Seven Habits" mentions a Time Matrix, which is a two dimensional matrix based on how important something is, and how urgent it is. Many people waste time on things that aren't important, or get caught up doing things that are important and urgent. Stephen Covey explores why doing things that aren't urgent, but important, can make a great difference in your life. For me one of the gems of "Life Matters" was exploring this same matrix in relation to money. The Merrill's point is that it is best to invest your money with the same Quadrant II focus, things that aren't urgent, but are important. For me, that idea alone was worth reading the book. There were a number of similar gems scattered through the book.

The last chapter was titled "Wisdom Matters" and here the authors explore why wisdom is important, and how to improve your wisdom. One of the points they strongly make is to develop an ongoing daily self-important program. The idea is to spend a few minutes each day improving your understanding of life, and how to make better decisions.

This is a great book. If you are interested in improving your life, buy this book, read this book, and then reread it. It will help you get better control of your life. For as the Merrills say, life does matter.

*Were you sincerely interested in the Terri Schindler-Schiavo case?
*Do you really want to see the FACTS and the ACTUAL DOCUMENTS surrounding the Terri Schindler-Schiavo case?
*Do you wish to have a clear understanding of why a young disabled woman's viable life was tortured via starvation and dehydration?
*Do you care to educate yourself about how the judicial system in the United States of America, NOT only allowed a young disabled woman to be starved and dehydrated to her death, but, how the same system assisted in her actual murder?

The book was not written by the Schindler's, Schiavo's, or, by any other party who could be declared as biased towards Terri's case.
The book was clearly written after thousands of hours of research; to depict only the TRUTH, FACTS and ACTUAL DOCUMENTATION associated with an American citizen's life. The book reveals how an innocent, defenseless life was taken via the harsh and torturous death associated with starvation and dehydration.

If you want the educated truth and want to see copies of the ACTUAL documents surrounding Terri's life....spend the 20 plus dollars and buy the book. It will be well worth your read. If not only for the education of how our legal system seriously failed a young, disabled American citizen, but, for how the same system could indeed fail YOU, or, one of your LOVED ONES.

This is a well written account that includes documents, affidavits, and testimony. I would recommend this book to anyone who has followed this case because of the factual content. The hope of Cheryl Ford and Dr. J. E. Craddock is that those in power will be inspired to change the systems that failed Terri.

You need look no further. "Our Fight 4 Terri" is the only book anyone would ever need to fully understand the miserable miscarriage of justice that allowed the longest public execution in the history of the United States. That a young, healthy, innocent girl was forced to die a brutal death of starvation and dehydration while the whole world watched for 13 long days is still just beyond belief. Even more unbelievable is the picture I can never get out of my mind of children being arrested for trying to offer her a drink of water while paid snipers (yes, In AMERICA!) watched from the rooftop to make sure no one got in to save her.
Included in this book are all the affidavits, court testimonies, bone scan image reports, hospital reports, police reports, depositions, and court documents anyone would ever need to realize the immensity of the fraud that was perpetrated in this case in which the wool was pulled so completely over the eyes of the American public that the door was opened to murder of the institutionalized healthy. No person in this country is safe until this miscarriage of justice is corrected. This was done under the control of ONE Judge whose decisions based on hearsay were upheld by others out of misguided respect for his court. When you finish this book, you will be overwhelmed by the fraud, manipulation of the system, corruption between government offices, incompetence, cover-ups, and determination to make this woman die.
I remember the first time I saw the movie "Manchurian Candidate" and how shocked I felt at the immensity of the conspiracy. The revelations in this book place the Terri Schiavo saga on the same level. It is a must read for every American to know the truth of this terrible story.

That's who you're reading the facts from, in this book. To the neuronless brainiacs who left negative reviews: did YOU two ever meet Terri? BOOKSTORE OWNER -*snicker* of what, porn books? Because the only way for you to know this book is trash is if you live amongst trash yourself.

CASADEGA, darling, do your research before opening that polluted mouth of yours; FYI, Terrisfight.org DOES endorse this book's authors' views (do a little research and you'll find a link to their blog). If you had any idea of the publishing world's workings, you'd know why this book is not [yet] promoted on their website, but since you don't have that idea, please, shut up. Ah yes, and go ahead and use the book's pages as toilet paper if you wish: the paper is just about right on its thickness, because stickier derrieres need rougher paper to really get all the caca cleaned off.

I pity you two, it's obvious that you're the little friends of michael schiavo & you're just trying to kick as you drown.

To everyone else, I urge you to form your opinion on this book on your own, by reading it (THEN if you don't like it, tell it). If you're going to give an opinion, make it an informed one, not one based on someone else's (in this case very biased and illiterate) opinion. As for my opinion, the book is vivid & written by people who were actually involved and have the guts to tell it like it really was.

Cheers! And long live Terri.

I purchased this book last year, and found it to be one of the best references for facts in Terri Schiavo's case. Reading this book is like sitting down with Cheryl and Jan, and listening/watching them present the actual evidence and truth about so many things that the mainstream "pro euthanasia" media has refused to tell. You will see the actual hospital documents, police reports, and so much more. I will warn you though, that once you learn about the judicial misconduct, FL laws broken, the details of Michaels malpractice case,(money was paid under the claim that Terri had a heart attack brought on by potassium imbalance that was undetected. The autopsy confirmed this assumption was bogus, and that Terri never had a heart attack brought on by anything. The news however, is consistently reporting to this day that the autopsy confirmed the heart attack! There is a lot more about the autopsy that has never been reported. The geniuses reported that the autopsy proves Terri was not strangled, however, it only proves that 15 years later, there is no sign of soft tissue damage - nor would there be if someone was strangled that long ago!) Reporters should be charged with a misleading the public charge for purposely reporting assumptions as truth. And why is it that all the TV stations do not disclose that Terris records were SEALED by Judge Greer? No one reports on the bone scan that indicated a tremendous force hit her, as well as the multiple fractures and other damage. ****HBO Autopsy Dr. Himself, Mr Baden, had commented on the bone scan before Terris death, and suggested there may have been foul play.*** There is so much corruption involved in Terris case, Pro death judges making their political position the law, instead of obeying the law and keeping their opinions out of it! Greer sealed her case, so why isnt any anchors asking about that? Why were Michaels prescribed anti depressant bottles witnessed by the police the night of the "Incident" taken as evidence? Why were Terris friends and family not questioned regarding Michaels attitude, or any marital problems? The first report on what happened at the Schiavo residence, was titled a homicide. Why was it changed? What happened to the woodwards and Bernsteins in our country? Now each network or cable news feeds off the other, like vultures. They report the same story over and over, from reuters or the like, and rarely ever investigate it themselves. Newspapers follow suit. If someone investigated the five different interviews that Schiavo has given to the media and police reports, Michael Schiavo might very well be behind bars, in the cell next to Scott Peterson. There is actually v ery little difference between the two, the more you learn about what may very well have happened that night to Terry. Yet strangely, Matt Lauer and Larry King, and all the other news media does not bring up these questions, or question Michael why in the 7 years after Terris "incident" did he never ever tell a soul about Terris wishes that for seven years he supposedly denied? No media outlet reported on the testimony that Schiavo told other people that he had no idea what Terri would have wanted, as they had never spoken of something like that happening in any context. The only time Michael did come out with this revelation was after he asked his girlfriend to marry him, and all of a sudden there was a rush to get rid of Terri and whooops, there it is, a million dollar inheritance! If someone is in a position to gain something from another persons death, they should not be the guardian of that person. PERIOD. For all the sappy journalists that report that Michael became a nurse to take care of Terry, the truth is that he did not really "care" for Terry. He bossed around nurses, on a Schiavo power trip but he didnt take care of Terri. Did anyone report on the testimony of nurses that said that Terri would be visibly shaken after his visits, and afraid, crying, etc? Did they report that there were nurses that made entries in Terris medical file about things Michael said or did, or how Terri responded, and Michael would see to it that they were removed? I could go on and on! If you care about the truth, learn more about this case, not just what you hear your TV anchor saying. We all owe that to Terri, because at the very least, what happened to her will affect all of the laws regarding other disabled people like her.

Of course the "Pro Death" movement hates this book, which is why I see some entries in the reviews desperately trying to persuade others to pass it up. They dont want you to see it, which is why you need to see it. Cheryl, who is by the way, a registered nurse gave up her life on the West coast as a consultant to the Schindlers during the fight for Terris life. She was on the inside, aware of all of the facts regarding Terris injuries, her marriage, the inconsistent interviews, Testimonies regarding the night of Terris "incident", and so much more. Ford and Craddock do the legwork in reading all of the court documents, and bring out the parts that others left buried. Cheryl also led thousands of Terris supporters, that grew once the videos were released. Here michael and Judge Greer were talking of Terri as if she were in a coma, as if she were sleeping and not responsive at all. Greer and Schiavo were furious that the videos were released to the public. That now there was proof that Terri was aware, and did respond to family, dr's questions, and requests, could track things with her eyes. Another fallacy of the autopsy was that Terri could not see. False. It was stated that to be sure that Terri could or could not see, a doctor would have to do just what the videos did. They would have to examine her and see how much she was able to see - and any moron could tell that Terri could see to some extent after recognizing family, and following baloons and lights she was requested to follow. The fight4terri group worked 24/7 through internet emails, faxes, phone calls, letters, protests, to reach those with the power to save Terris life.

Anyone upset about the facts in this book, is really angry that the truth is coming out in it. when the truth comes out, the advocates for people like Terri have their agendas pushed back once again. If people like Terri and others with Alzheimers and brain damage, chronic disease, etc are looked at as liabilities within the health system rather than human beings who still have worth, who still have hope, and who still have a right to live with simple food and water. Terri, was not on any machines as was reported on many programs, she was not weak, my Lord, she lasted 14 days without one drop of water. Many of us who are healthy would not last one quarter of that time.

Without this book, you will be missing a great deal of the story on Terris life, the autopsy, as well as what really happened before, during, and after Terri was injured. The book is well written and what really went on in Terri's life will keep you glued to the pages. I am purchasing additional books for lawmakers in hopes of changing our country's guardianship laws. I would encourage everyone who reads it to do the same, if you want to stop seeing other innocent people like Terri sentenced to death. There are many more than Terri, every day, who die silently, with no one to speak for them. The hospice agenda of starving patients has gone out of control. Terri and others like her, are dying painful, horrible deaths, in rooms far away from Katie Courick, Matt Lauer or Larry King. They are dying with nurses and doctors standing by, ignoring the oath they took not to harm their patients. These are people who never agreed to such torture, and pain. People being starved, guilty of being disabled, and needing someone to bring the food and water to their mouth, to a straw or to a longer straw going into the stomach if their swallowing is affected. there is no difference. The Judge in Terris case (Greer) didnt mandate that she only have the tube taken out, he mandated that even if Terri could eat or drink sustenance by mouth, it would not be offered to her, by his decree. He made sure that police would be there to see that no one allowed Terri to even attempt to eat or drink on her own, regardless of testimony from numerous nurses that she could and did indeed eat on their shifts, jello, pudding and other soft or liquid foods. Instead, given that testimony from multiple sources, Greer made sure that no tests would be done on Terri to confirm whether or not she could eat by mouth! He mandated that Terri do nothing less than DIE. We dont starve murderers, it would be too cruel a death. However, for those with disabilities who can not speak, they are the ones who are forced to suffer that fate, by a Judge who never ever went to see Terri once in all the years that her case was in the courts. Bottom line, we need laws that insure food and water be given to any person without a clear written and signed directive. We need to make sure that men who move on and take another family do not get to decide whether hat happens to the woman they left behind. Every womens group that turned a deaf ear to Terri, should be totally ashamed. ACLU as well. The same Judge that was appointed to watch over Terris medical funds to make sure they were there for her, should not have been able to allow her husband to take them, and buy an expensive lawyer that he could not afford on his own with her medical care money! You will see the judicial misconduct in this case and it will make you scream! If the world knew what was in this book before Terri died, she would be alive right now! My gratitude to Ford and Craddock for such an excellent and much needed book.

Mrs. Debra Ferguson
Disability Rights Advocate, SC

I learned so much from these books. (I have all 3) They are amazing! Very easy to read and understand, just great!

While these volumes are now online, I love having them in print because I can't read for long periods of time in an electronic format. These books are great for every day real questions that people ask about the Catholic Church, from the most common to the most absurd. The two fathers always answer in a frank and honest manner - they do not mince words, but they are charitable. Well in the top 100 Catholic books.

These books are probably the best resource available for someone wishing to learn about Catholicism and faith in general. The authors respond to the toughest questions posed by Protestants, Agnostics, Atheists, and other non-Catholics. The answers are simple, brief, and logical. The only downfall is the fact that they pre-date the Vatican II council; otherwise this set captures the faith quite well, and is indexed by topic. If you are a Catholic looking to expand your knowledge of your religion, or are questioning the beliefs of the Church, I challenge you to read these books. Also, I challenge any Protestant to read the responses of the authors on any doctrine you find difficulty believing. Every question has a strong and complete answer. These books are a must-have!

This three-volume set is considered a classic text of Catholic apologetics. The writing is clear, concise, and relentlessly logical. The arguments put forth are a remarkable combination of common sense, logic, and Scriptural reference. Not only does the book give Protestants, agnostics, humanists, and atheists a lot to think about, it is a fantastic resource for Catholics who desire a full understanding of our religious beliefs and practices, top to bottom. The big difference between Volumes 1 and 2 is that the latter responds to far more challenging questions, delving deeper into the same general topics covered in Volume 1.

I covered Volumes One and Two under those listings, so this is about Volume Three. As the series progresses, the questions get harder. Volume Three covers Church dogma and morals in great detail. In particular, the sixty year-old commentary on morals is eerily, sadly prophetic. The consequences of a drift toward complete moral relativism are described as a nightmare scenario, yet how much of it has come to pass--steadily rising divorce, abortion, alienation, violence, division into smaller and smaller groups dedicated only to the advancement of some self-proclaimed social imperative. Undoubtedly, to a non-believer, the prophetic quality of the arguments is the strongest point in their favor. It is not hard to see the moral quagmire we live in (if one only bothers to look), but to see it so clearly when it was just forming--that requires a true vision, a true perspective. For the believer, the truth of the Fathers' arguments is self-evident, for it is simply the Word of God.

This book accomplishes in a few short pages what countless management/leadership textbooks have tried and failed to do over many decades! It ties the key leadership traits to easily remembered analogies that help spur leadership actions into real life solutions in seconds when seconds matter most. How I wish I had this book in my possession when I first started my military career in 1978! It should be made mandatory reading for all leaders/managers in all walks of life! If you don't read this book, I assure you your competitors will; and they will be eons ahead of you in their professional careers! If you are not a leader or manager, I assure you there are great life lessons in how to properly treat people on every page of this book! Besides, it's just fun to read!

Amazon has linked Toy Box Leadership and The Last Lecture by suggesting that you buy them together.
Randy Pausch, who reached the hearts of people all over the world with the Diane Sawyer tv series, shared his life by telling how to live. He died a week after the final interview. He was the essence of a leader, a teacher and a family man.

Toy Box Leadership, of course, does not carry the tone of The Last Lecture - it makes absolutely no effort to do that because that is not the purpose of the book. It does, however, offer the reader the opportunity to learn how to be a leader. Randy Pausch lived and taught many of the leadership principles that Hunter and Waddell put forth. He would laugh with the Toy Box Leaderships readers who enjoy the use of toys to teach leadership skills.

Amazon is offering the package deal for a time. Go for it, I say.

Whoever thought we could learn so much from the toys we loved as a child? Wow, what a awesome book with clear applications from the toys we all played with when we were little. Ron & Michael do a excellent job of presenting ways to improve your leadership skills whether by building relationships with Lego bricks, or learning the correct way to communicate with Mr. Potato Head. All around this book is perfect for anyone wanting to improve their leadership skills.

Highly Recommended.

We live in a changing world; thankfully there are unchanging principles that help steady us through it all. Leadership adapts and leadership is proactive, but true leadership is based on unchanging principles. Ron Hunter and Mike Waddell give us a fresh look at these timeless principles in their book Toy Box Leadership. Ron and Mike use the toys we all grew up with to share simple yet profound principles of what solid leadership really is. In a day when we are surrounded by an unending list of books presenting the latest leadership trends, it is refreshing to get back to the simple, basic lessons we can learn from childhood and the toys we all loved. I recommend Toy Box Leadership for anyone who has an interest in sharpening and streamlining their leadership abilities.

Old fashioned just became fashionable again. By growing up, we tend to lose those simple life's lessons that Hunter and Waddell remind us of throughout the book. Think about it the next time someone tells you to "Grow Up." This is the kind of leader I strive to be.

The authors simply tell us that the sum of a group, including the leader, is greater than the whole when networking with others that surround us.

How refreshing to not have to learn something new for us to excel as leaders.

Very helpful, step by step book. Leans a lot to Jewish authors, but applies to anyone. Just not familiar with some of people quoted. I would recommend.

I am a writer, counselor, and teacher in my 60's, married for over 40 years, with grown children and one grandchild. So I can recommend this book especially to midlife and older women. This book can help us harvest the fruits of our abundant life experience and share them with a wisdom-starved world.

Through stories, commentary, and especially "reflection and writing" suggestions, this book guides us to contemplate aspects and details of our lives we may tend to take for granted, plumbing the rich depths of their meaning to us, our families, and the world. To name just a few examples: pregnancy, miscarriage, and birth; hanging clothes on a clothesline, specific childhood memories, family relationships, friendships, personal rituals, illness and healing experiences, personal response to world events.

Women's Lives, Women's Legacies is a powerful tool to jump-start your own story and to share it with others. I found it thought provocing - answering questions about oneself, one's history, and future a wonderful communication tool. I enjoyed thinking about my naming process, secrets, values, and spirituality. The format of the book could be used in ways most suited to how I saw my own legacy. Being newly married I answered the questions for myself and then asked my husband about himself and his family-I learned new things about both. Whether you are married or single, have children or none, you will find your place is this beautifully written soul-searching book.

I'm a woman who's been blessed with a long and varied life. I've always wanted to share my experiences with my nieces, and to offer them my hard-earned wisdom so that they might move into womanhood a little better informed than I was. I've also had an inner desire to be seen and valued by them.
The beautifully written and accessible WOMEN'S LIVES, WOMEN'S LEGACIES offers encouragement and serves as a guide so that I may begin to write my life and in the process, come to love and appreciate myself more fully. I love the personal stories and poetry in the book. As I read, I find myself moving to that spiritual place inside myself of loving my own being as well as all the women who've lived before me and those who will come after. This book is a celebration of and addition to the heritage of women.

"Legacy work is different from autobiography, memoir, life review, and genealogy not so much in what is written, but in our intent." ~ pg. 2

Women's Lives, Women's Legacies is a practical and inspirational guide. Through a systematic approach women can access their beliefs and bless the next generation with a healing journal of life and love. Divided into three sections, there is a process of discovery through the past, present and future.

How did you receive your name? This section is fascinating and then an example of how to write about your name is given to provide perspective and inspiration.

"Begin by thinking about the home you lived in when you were growing up." ~ pg. 68

Through childhood memories you can start to create a picture of how you became who you are today. This section includes memory triggers, which are especially helpful. You may want to go through photo albums while experiencing this section of the book. I found it useful to photocopy groups of pictures for reference and organized my pictures by year.

I loved the section on "Reflections and Writing" where you complete sentences like:

What I have loved most about my life is...
A fairy tale, children's story, fictional character, or book that has had an important influence on my life is...

This book is amazing in its ability to help you remember long-forgotten memories. There are sections for friendship, family, motherhood, sexuality, spirituality and secrets. Throughout this creative work, there are some startlingly beautiful poems and wise quotes. There are lists of descriptive words you can expand on like: playful, sensual, and imaginative.

While this book is designed for journal-style writing, I think all writers and poets will find this to be especially inspirational and enriching experience. What will you leave for the next generation to discover?

One of my most treasured items is a diary my mother wrote about my first year of life and she also wrote a diary about her world travels. She is currently interested in genealogy and I think this book might be useful for anyone researching and writing about family history. This book would be perfect for a mother-daughter project or as a project for a woman's group. Women's Lives, Women's Legacies is a gift in itself and this could open the door to many worlds you want to visit time and again.

~The Rebecca Review