Minnesota Books

This is one of three Paul Wellstone books I bought, and am I glad I did. The other two, which I am reading, and will review later are, The Conscience Of A Liberal and Politics the Wellstone Way. Each is a MUST read in my opinion. And here is why. Let me say that the author doesn't sugar coat what happened and he shows warts and all of those whom he worked for and how this helped people change and succeed.

In How the Rural Poor Got Power -Narrative of a Grass Roots Organizer the late Senator writes back in the 70's long before he ran and successfully was elected by the good people of the state of Minnesota. It begins in the early seventies in chapter 1 titled The Struggle for Recognition, in Rice County located directly south and adjacent to the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

He lays out in great detail the economics of the area, the make up of the area by age, marriage, unemployment and under employment etc., and how he helped the poor organize into a group called Organization for a Better Rice County and the hell, literally they had to go thru, the insults the powers that be thru at them and how they were beaten up so many times, but never ever gave up, and in the end, succeeded in so many ways.

How sad it was to read of so many hard working poor and WW2 veterans who lived in horrid housing, had no public assistance what so ever in the county and the mistreatment those who were qualified for medical assistance, like the family with the child with cancer who were given the run around and even targeted for harassment.

Or in Chapter 2 titled Welfare Rights of OBRC President Therese Van Zuilen who received notice from the welfare department that her family was no longer eligible for food commodities and medical assistance, because the welfare department had taken upon itself to price her home as more expensive than it was. And then how the same welfare department played fast and loose and attempted to deprive her of due process and how when she showed up the next day for the hearing, which under the law would have required a ten day notice of hearing, the state welfare official was annoyed by the situation and called a halt to the meeting.

The book is rich with a journal like lay out of how these people, step by step and some stumbles, succeeded starting at the local level and moving on up to the state house and Governor, to make Minnesota the progressive and humane state it became. And an example of how a state should care for those who simply need some assistance to keep from drowning. And these were not you conservative minded stereotypes of bum and lazy people, but the elderly who lived with no heat and often no indoor plumbing. Married couples who both worked and had to rent, but the many landlords in the county along with the bigger businesses, used scare tactics to keep good honest, patriotic citizens down.

Its a book that is as powerful and useful in 2006 as it was in the 1970's when first written, because its a call to arms, those who are disenfranchised and being held down by certain people in elected office and on certain media outlets who simply dislike with a passion the idea that society owes even crumbs to those in need. So much for being 'pro life'.

This book offers key resources to the individual who does not command the kind of files an experienced, professional Minnesota family law attorney such as Thomas Tuft develops over time in their office.

Even so, representing oneself -- whether out of financial necessity or a purely headstrong attitude -- is never a valid substitute for seasoned, independent legal judgment.

While using the key items provided, the user would be wise to obtain as much help as possible in planning, consulting, and reviewing their submissions from competent local counsel --such as Mr. Tuft -- with recent experience in Minnesota divorce work.

Every pro se party would be particularly well-advised to have "final" drafts of submisions to the court -- including draft settlement agreements -- reviewed by their own, independent counsel PRIOR TO signing or approval, and prior to service on the other party or to filing with the court, even if payment of some form of fee for that service is necessary.

Many tragically unfair settlements entered into by pro se parties could have been prevented by even a $100.00 pre-approval consultation with an experienced lawyer.

This book is very honest and straight forward - exactly what we as first time home buyers needed to become comfortable with the process. It was informative and easy to understand, the writing style made the points very clear and easy to relate to real-life situations. If you read one book about buying ahome - read this one!

This is a valuable book (resource) for budding entrepreneurs. It seems to try to cover all the bases for starting a small business, but it can't do them all well in the space available between its covers. The book is only 288 pages long. If you are in the planning stages of starting a small business, then I highly recommend you get a copy of this book. Read it, study it, and outline it. There are helpful checklists to help you grasp the subjects. You will come up with a plethora of keywords and terms that you will want to google to find Web pages giving more detailed (and maybe more current) information.

I am a SCORE counselor (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) who typically does face-to-face counseling sessions three nights a month. It would really be neat if my clients would read this book BEFORE they came to their session with me because they would pretty much be "educated customers" ready to ask educated questions. Our sessions would be so much more beneficial.

My favorite chapters were:

1. Initial business concerns
2. Your business' structure
3. Business start-up details
5. Sources of business assistance (SCORE is mentioned here)
7. Your smart business plan (and a good sample plan is included)
8. Obtaining the financing you need

The book is weak when it comes to how the Internet can be used in corresponding, hiring, and marketing. But this is just one example of how googling keywords and concepts found in the book will make the book more complete. Don't treat the book as authoritative on the law. It isn't. Nor was it ever intended to be. It is light on tax information as it relates to small business.

I was particularly impressed with the material presented in Chapter 2: Choice of Legal Entity. That subject is sorely ignored in most small business books, and it is critically important. It is a subject I regularly must spend a great deal of time discussing at my SCORE sessions. This book does a pretty good job on the topic.

Chapters 4 and 9 through 12 are easy to find fault with. The topic of each could fill a book. But having these topics covered definitely will help a budding entrepreneur know some of the issues they raise.

I would have liked the book more if Chapter 6 (marketing) had been less superficial. When I read it I got the impression that the author was more a public relations expert than a marketing expert. I generally categorize public relations as a subset of marketing. Marketing includes advertising, public relations, and a whole host of other promotion techniques. I did not get this message when I read the book. I also would have liked the book better if the Internet, email, and Web sites had been discussed more. But there are many books on those subjects. Therefore, I can't complain too much about the limited discussion of computers.

When you read this book it may feel a little like it was produced on an assembly line. Maybe it was? There are 50 versions of this book sold; the only state I haven't found a copy for is Montana. Content is king, and this book has it. 5 stars!

During my years in law enforcement there've been many an occasion when I had to locate an address quickly and accurately. At night and during other low light situations it's difficult to make out the print on the regular-sized map books. This large-size edition of Hudson's has been an invaluable aid in determining both the location of sites and in following the best route. I recommend this large-print highly to law enforcement, fire-fighting, and emergency medical personnel as well as any one else who has a need to find a location precisely and quickly. The price is well worth spending.

Rarely have I ever sat down and read an entire "theory" book from cover to cover. This is a fantastic book on feminism and a whole bunch of other issues. Beautifully written, fascinating, compelling, thought-provoking. I loved it. Includes a great (if short) critique of Judith Butler and Peter Pan-ism.

Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, I Dwell In Possibility: A Memoir by retired educator Toni McNaron is the personal history and testimony of a woman who grew up witness to southern apartheid in Alabama and who endured a long internal battle in search of her artistic and sexual identity. The thoughts, life history, and spiritually evolutionary experiences of an award-winning writer and educator make for a riveting, inspirational, and thoroughly absorbing read. I Dwell In Possibility is especially recommended for Women's Studies reading lists and academic reference collections.

Icy Pleasures: Minnesota Celebrates Winter had to be the culmination of a journey of passion for author Paul Clifford Larson and the Afton Historical Society Press. The book is a stunning study of the many ways in which Minnesota residents embrace the cold winter months in the far north.

Larson tells Minnesota's winter history in words and pictures, and it's a celebration of the numerous Minnesota winter festivities. Larson's warm, personal style of storytelling invites the reader to learn about sleigh rides on the Mississippi River, sledding on the hills, toboggan slides in Taylor Falls, ski jumping, ice fishing and more.

My favorite part of the book is the Winter Carnival tales. I remember as a child the first Ice Palace (a HUGE castle made of ice) I ever saw. I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought my dad had brought me to a castle and I wanted to see the princess walk through the arched entry. It was glorious, all lit up in the dark, cold night.

Every page of Larson's book brought back smiles and fond memories of the ice sculpture competition, searching (often at night) through the St. Paul parks for the Winter Carnival medallion, the Vulcans, the Snow Queen and King Boreas, and grand parades. I didn't want the book to end. The good thing is, I can read it over and over. Icy Pleasures is a gift that keeps on giving.

If you're a Minnesota resident now, or have been in the past, or perhaps know someone who is, Icy Pleasures is nostalgia at its best.

Armchair Interviews says: It's a blast to the past in stories and photographs.

A simple, cartoon-like dramatization of the day that you, the worlds greatest Minnesota Vikings fan and underrated talent, get the chance to come in late in the game to help the Vikings beat Da Bears! You or your child's picture is inserted at the rear of the book to show your face as the page-by page hero. Be sure and post a zany picture there to heighten the enjoyment of the book!!!

Just finished listening to IMMORAL by Brian Freeman -WHAT A GREAT READ!!! I am a Machine Quilter by profession and listen to audio books while I quilt. Yesterday the machine had been long turned off and I was still tightly attached to my cordless headset. I was up until 2:00 in the morning because I just had to get to the ending. The ending took me totally by surprise - I never saw it coming.

Folks who are experiencing "Harry withdrawal" (Michael Connelly - Harry Bosch series) will not be disappointed with this book in what I hope will be a continuing series.

Jerri