By Make Books

I loved this book! It is told through the eyes of Eric, who is going through the *great* changes of puberty. Not only is it about him going through puberty, it is about his sister, also going through changes. It is a great book!

This book was one of the best I've read in a long time. It was written as the journal of a 13 year old boy going through normal things in his life. He writes about changes in his body and voice (puberty), his famliy and friends, and life at school. It was a very realistic and down to earth (although it was written somewhat before my time) book with hidden information (he'd write about the effects of drugs and alcohol by reviewing a school assembly he just had) and humor. I think that this book is one of the best written for today's youth.

I suspect that the ivory tower elites will despise this book. University acadamia and the media always equate conservative governments such as the USA under Dubya and Canada under Prime Minister Harper as being the equivalent to Nazis Germany under Hitler. Jonah Goldberg deftly exposes the fact the the Liberal Left have more in common with the National Socialists than just the term "socialist".
It all boils down to individual rights ie the true conservative view that each person is of infinite value vs the socialist view that the worth of the individual must be sacrificed for the "good" of the State. Which is a paradox unto itself, considering that Liberalism/Socialism does not recognize the concepts of good and evil, only moral equivalence.

The truth of the matter is that in terms of ideology the differences between Communism and Fascism are very, very small. Fascists are often mislabeled as "right-wing" because during the rise of Stalin all ideology that deviated from the Moscow approved line of Communism was dubbed "right-wing". Leon Trotsky, who was by no means a Nazi or right-wing conservative, was accused of trying to stage a Nazi coup and was labeled a "right-winger" by Stalin after his fall from favor. While in Germany the term "right-wing" usually referred to the different elements of the Weimar Republic of the time. An example of Fascist programs enacted by the Nazi party and Fascisti in Italy were: guaranteed employment for all citizens, confiscation of WWI profits, shared profits of labor, expanded old age pensions, communalization of department stores, outlawing of child labor, universal health care, and anti-smoking programs to name just a few. None of these programs can be called "right-wing" or Anti-Communist. Communism is an international struggle and as Karl Marx put it: "Working men have no country." Fascists believed that the dreams of Communism can be made INSIDE a country, and did not need to be part of an international struggle or subservient to Moscow.

Fascism has strong corporatist elements without completely subjugating industry under state ownership. While Communism, on the other hand, advocates the collective ownership of property and the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members. Fascist governments do maintain a significant control over private enterprise, but do not entirely co-opt it (as in, say, Communism). The German NAZI party, for example, considered themselves a "Third Way" between laissez-faire capitalism and socialism, in that rather than completely nationalizing industry and taking over the means of production, the government had a very powerful influence over it. That was the principle difference, as all Communist regimes have embraced corporatism in some aspect in their history. Hitler and Mussolini both wanted to create Volksgemeinschaft or "peoples (workers) communities." Communism and Fascism are two sides of the same coin, extreme but separate visions of the same ideology, with Fascism not being as controlling to private business as Communism but still very totalitarian. Keep in mind the Nazi (NSDAP) party was called the National SOCIALIST party, if that is any indication of their true leanings.

Americans, you need to read this book and consider the pattern in politics that Goldberg's laid out for you with his fine research! You might find yourself as shocked as I was to realize that we haven't been as independent, individualistic and non-European as we may have thought (I did). Beginning with Woodrow Wilson, our leaders and intellectuals SHARED ALOT of ideas with the likes of Hitler (Socialism) and Mussolini (Italian Fascism)! The scary tactics of the French Revolution, the ideas of Hegel, Nietzsche, Bismarck and others - American leaders bought into them too. (Even W.E.B. DuBois was fascinated by Hitlerism.) A desire for CONTROL and UTOPIA fed our politicians just as much as many dictators in the past. As I read this book and watched our Presidential campaigning, I recognized some of the tactics/beliefs from the past are still present! Goldberg is right - coercion remains present, but with a smile and nicer manners! Elites who think they know what's "best" for the "masses" remain in play. I guess if you "trust" that "security" and "regulation of enterprise" are good trade-offs; that humans require "experts" and "herders" to guide them in proper living and attitudes, then you will continue in your rose-tinted "hope" and choose to avoid this book. But like the layers of an onion, or the rings seen in a cut tree stump (as my 19-yr-old son offered as another analogy) we must look back to the past and be CONSCIOUS of HOW WE GOT HERE to this present time in our history, and acknowledge that the battle has been ongoing for decades - between those in America who believe in laissez-faire economic policies, individuality (WE the PEOPLE) and free market innovation/problem-solving VERSUS statism and social behavior engineering and redistribution of wealth and elitism. Wilson and both Roosevelts and Kennedy and Johnson - made a lot of mistakes based on similar beliefs to people we claim to loathe! And those same IDEAS still motivate today's politicians. All the EXPERIMENTATION - with no stopping to think whether it's flawed - continues to be encouraged - Just keep on trying to make a Utopia, till you get it right! When we really need to admit mistaken paths taken, and admit we "listened to" the wrong ideas, and say ENOUGH! Aren't we on the brink of REAL destruction in America? If our leaders would return to the wisdom of our Founding Fathers - who saw civil duty as a SHORT-TERM obligation and the Best Interest of ALL Americans as the goal instead of self-aggrandizement, power-hunger, and CONTROL, maybe we could restore our country to the Shining Example to the rest of the world we once were. We need OUR PEOPLE to take responsibility once again for their own self-education and stop being so TRUSTING and GULLIBLE before it's too late! READ THIS BOOK!

I have always been interested in history and remember reading many articles and books about FDR and the Depression. The opposition to the New Deal was usually painted as "those rich guys just don't want to share." Packing the Supreme Court I knew about, but not the realy reason for FDR's attempting to do this. How fitting that we are now living in the era of an "environmental crisis" where the people have to band to together and fight a new war. Hmmmmmmm, isn't this a basic premise of facisim? The need to rally the people, herd them like sheep to the pens where they will stand docile waiting for the elites to command them? What a timely book!!!

I stopped reading Jonah Goldberg a few years back because what's happened to NR prejudiced me against any book by this author. I heard a friend was reading it and I wanted to join her. Goldberg has redeemed himself in my eyes, much to his relief I'm sure.

This book connected the following truisms for me:

Truism #1: everyone wants a meaningful existence.
Truism #2: all government power comes out of the end of a gun.

The age-old struggle begins when people think #2 (coercion) is a good way to get all of us to #1 (a meaningful life). But just like there's a world of difference between a wink and a blink, there's all the difference there is between deciding for yourself what to do and someone else deciding for you and making you do it, even if the outcomes are prit' near the same. From the Progressives, through the New Deal, the New Frontier, the Great Society and yes, even compassionate conservatism, generation after generation of Americans forget our power-skeptic heritage and are seduced by the Big Plans of Experts.

Visualize the following scenario: I want a clean house. It's better for me to train my kids how to clean a toilet and then stand over them while they do it. For someone else, it's better to hire a cleaning lady. I say, vive la difference. However, the government could see fit to hire (at taxpayer expense) an efficiency expert to find THE BEST way to clean houses (which no doubt will not be the way eleven-year-olds with tyrannical mothers do it). There will be a public "Clean! Don't be mean!" campaign encouraging full employment of cleaning ladies and discouraging ruining children's childhoods with Saturday-morning drudgery. There will be studies linking Ty-Dee-Bowl fumes and ADHD. As a result of studies, I will be provided a government cleaning lady. Of course my taxes will rise in order to pay for this wonderful entitlement. Then I will have to go get a job to cover my family's increased tax burden, but hey, at least someone else will be cleaning my toilets. And that makes me happy, doesn't it?

My example may be silly, but Goldberg is saying that like the devil, tyranny must appear attractive because otherwise nobody would go for it. Totalitarianism will arrive wearing a smile on its face.

Query: on p. 30 Goldberg mentions "Ernest Hemingway was skeptical of Mussolini almost from the start." Good old Papa! But that's it, and I want to hear more. Could someone point me in the right direction?

I haven't traded one share of stock in the Market...yet. With that having been said, I figured, if you're going to get advice about how to be successful in the Market, you may as well go to someone who knows. William J. O'Neil has been trading since the early 1960's. He bought a seat on the Exchange in 1963. William J. is also the founder of Investor's Business Daily (IBD). If you are interested in the Market and you haven't read an IBD, I would suggest that you at least try it. Information is the key to making sound decisions.
As a whole, the book is basically an advertisment for IBD. But don't let that get in the way of the information, guidance, logic, and strategies that are offered within the book. Before reading this book, I didn't have a clue about trading stocks. Now, I'm confident that I can pick a potential winner, take a position at the right time under he right conditions, take profits at the right time and, if necessary, bail out with minimum losses.
I definately recommend this book.

Its complicated. I'm not going to paint a rosy picture here; it takes time to digest AND understand the powerful concepts that William O'neil has gathered, with arguably years of research. But once you get past the heavy technicalities of understanding stocks, you will sail through them without fear and an edge.

William O'Neil, who started a successful financial paper known as Investors Business Daily, wrote How to Make Money in Stocks. Decade of research, critical thinking and common sense has helped O'Neil to create some very powerful ways of investing successfully.

This book isn't about getting rich quick. It takes time, study diligence and patience coupled with controlling ones emotions to become an excellent investor.

I have read many books, magazines and articles on investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds and more over the years. O'Neil's ideas are some of the most solid and consistent I have found to apply to the stock market.

In the book he teaches his CAN SLIM method of investing. Looking at these indicators are powerful ways to find the right stocks. CAN SLIM stands for:

C = Current Quarterly Earnings per share: The Higher the Better
A = Annual Earnings Increases: Look for Growth
N = New Products, New Management, New Highs
S = Supply and Demand
L = Leader or Laggard
I = Institutional Sponsorship
M = Market Direction

There are other great ideas in the book such as: Nineteen Common Mistakes Most Investors Make, How to Cut Your Losses, When to Sell and Take Your Profit and much more. How to Make Money in Stocks is a gold mine of ideas!

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

Do not listen to the negative opinions or reviews. They will not make you a dime. This book will teach a way of thinking to begin to make money in stocks. There are no books that you can buy that I know of that hand you a winning secret that will make you money, and I've read about 150 investment books. This book is your introduction to the world of Bill O'Neil, an investing giant who has made enough of a fortune in the market so that he has no need to A)sell books or
B)sell newspapers to make money as others here have suggested. Those of you that are old enough may understand that in a certain point in your career you want to leave a legacy, and it appears that this is O'Neils motivation. As a successful non-financial professional, I can tell you that you can make much more in the market than you can ever make in any other job, and this is even more true for a trader such as O'Neil, and he has no need to scam anyone as some other posters have suggested.
The book is really a detailed outline of what you need to do to make big money in the market. The theory is really a continuation of previous authors extending back to jesse Livermore. Yes, O'Neil pushes the paper, Investors Business Daily (IBD), but the paper really is essential to your investing success. There is no comparison to the entertaining but useless (for making money trading)Wall Street Journal. IBD is really like having a personal research department -it's that good. You cannot superficially approach the book or the paper and expect to make money. What you are getting is the only available entre that I know of for non-wall street professionals into the world of making money trading stocks. Do not pass the opportunity to begin this journey.

Decent book. Time could be better spent by finding an online article on CANSLIM. Far too much IBD (Investors Business Daily) promotion. If you're planning on subscribing to IBD I suppose with would serve as a good instruction manual with some old examples.

Twelve-year-old Rosie and her best friend Bailey who lives on her block are inseprable. They were best friends since they were little. They did everything together. They were always at each others house. They played toys, ran around, and just played together. Until one time Bailey couldn't see well. Rosie didn't know what that mean until she was told. It was like putting a tissue in front of your eyes. Thats how Baileys eyes were like. So years later Bailey became blind. Rosie wasn't really happy about that. He couldn't go to the same school as her or anything that Rosie could do. Rosie got really sad. But now Bailey and Rosie got older. There's a general feeling in town that Rosie and Bailey just may one day fall in love and marry. But for right now, Rosie and Bailey are having an argument, and that's when Granny steps in!

In the first part of the story Granny Torelli and Rosie are making soup or Zuppa (in Italian). Granny and Rosie tell stories about their lives. Rosie tells granny about Bailey and the fight that they are going through. Everything that happend between them. Like for one instance where Rosie secretly learned.Granny Torrelli, who has a way of putting things in perspective as she makes soup and other foods in preparation for a pasta party. Stories from Granny's girlhood in Italy help Rosie to see that jealousy is normal, and that the best friendships prevail no matter how angry friends get with each other from time to time.
The characters' voices are all wonderfully authentic. Granny Torrelli is Old-World Italian without being a stereotype. Rosie's pre-adolescent emotional ups and downs are recognizable and bittersweet to older readers; younger readers will see themselves in her as well.

I read this book out loud to 3rd-5th graders, and it held them in rapt attention throughout. They loved Granny Torrelli's accented voice, and the situations of Rosie and Bailey resonated with their own lives. The chapters are brief and conversational, and it appealed to a range of ages. It would also be easy for kids to read on their own.

This is a very thoughtful book, I don't know how well kids will understand the lesson that Creech is trying to impart. Perhaps it is a book they will read and remember later. Rosie and Bailey have been best friends forever (really since they were born). Bailey however has had to slowly loose his sight and his family has fallen apart as they've grown up. Rosie is very passionate and doesn't always understand what Bailey is going through.

Of course, the vice versa is true as well, Bailey doesn't always understand what Rosie is feeling either. Granny Torrelli visits Rosie in the middle of a big fight that she and Bailey are having. with Granny in the kitchen she slowly over pasta and soup (two different visits) teaches a life lesson to these two friends.

The writing is wonderful and its a well crafted story, not sad like it could have been, but very thoughtful. It's pretty short, I read it in about an hour.

Have you ever had a best friend? Well, if you had check out Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. This book was brought to us by none other than Sharon Creech. This book talks about best friends that get into a fight because of a dumb thing. When Granny Torrelli finds out she tries to help, by talking about her interesting stories and family recipes. However, will the two friends ever become best friends again? What will happen to their relationship? Will Granny Torrelli join them together again?
Rosie and Bailey were the best of friends. They were so close. "Bailey was Rosie's neighbor, her friend, her buddy, her pal for her whole life, they known each other better than anybody. But now that Bailey, Rosie is so mad at Bailey right now, she hates him today." Yes, Rosie and Bailey are in a fight because of something so dumb. But how will they become best friends again?
Rosie and her best friend Bailey got into a fight, but why you ask well that is just silly. Rosie doesn't understand why. Well maybe she doesn't know Bailey too well. But who knows? Maybe you'll know if you read the book.
My opinion is that this book is great. This book is great because of the way the author writes. The author is a great writer, he has written many books for kids. And I think that is wonderful.
I truly recommend this book for others to read. This book can be a very helpful book for kids to read. It could teach kids about life, especially with their friends. Sometimes kids don't understand each other. But they will learn about each other some how.


------Diana Naulaguari------

I recommend this book for people who like to read about friendship.

The protagonist of this book is Rosie. She is 12 years old and wants to be just like her bestfriend Bailey. The antagonist is Rosie because she causes her own problems and causes problems with others.

This book is very well written because it shows that lifelong friends don't always get along, but rosie's Granny Torrelli knows how to make things right with her soup recipes.

TO: Mr. John Rubino/Mr. James Turk BRAVO on your tour de force book that lays out the Truth, unencumbered, and with sobering and simple recommendations on how to save ones self from financial ruin in the next couple of years, and now for that matter.

The comparisons of other empires that have economically collapsed (due to fiat currencies, fractional reserve banking, etc), most mighty nations in history, is an invaluable inclusion to the beginning of the book to give unaware readers perspective at how close to the edge the United States is.

Since 2000, this is what I have been telling people and you both are the first ones I have really seen to make the case in clear terms and dire warnings, with simple steps to protect ones self.. You guys are the best and your book has been a GOLD mine, literally... You guys strike at the heart of the Truth and expose it good, bad, ugly..
This book is small enough, inexpensive enough, and valuable enough to buy a dozen copies and hand them out to relatives, good friends, and those you care about... Simple enough for the economic laymen (most of Americans) to wake up to! People with HUNDREDS of thousand's of USD$$$ in stocks, bonds, over leveraged homes/real estate, etc etc.. This book and information is vital to their future. They could save themselves but unfortunately many will choose not to and will bury their heads and follow the herd of "mainstream" money managers...

I will keep on tyring to wake people up and inform them of the peril ahead, though sadly few have listened to me since I was recommending gold at $320 in 2001 or so... Silver at $5 back then too... Sometimes I am ashamed to be American because of my fellow Americans who have lost their critical thinking skills, independent thought, discernment, and a healthy ongoing distrust of government and Elites... to be and STAY free and economically sound, as an individual, family, or nation, we MUST be informed, vigilant, and critical of all orthodox information and mainstream opinion and most of all, government promises...

You guys are the bright spots of Truth in American economics! BRAVO!

Oh Wow.. Every one should get this Bible. Amazing; it gives you deep details how to profit from precious metals, and gold on top of them. A question to all; who created Gold? Answer is "God." Now who created Dollar? Answer is "Human." In the end Who will win God or human? Answer is left to all of you!!

For anyone interested in the dynamics of our falling dollar, this book: "The Collapse of the Dollar and How to Profit from It" is a must read. I was led to it after reading the author's: "How to Profit from the Coming Real Estate Bust." I was delighted to find: "The Collapse of the Dollar's" paperback version updated (containing 2007 numbers)! It's amazing how visionary the author has been. Morover, the book is easy to read/understand. I highly recommend...

Right now this book is sold out, and I'm not shocked. It seems to have been written in the future because it is all coming true. Gold is a great investment. Always has been. Always will be. I know a lof og groups are down on investing capital in gold, but usually those are the people who just don't get it. People who would rather put faith in "ideas" over real things.

For people who are unsure about gold investing, this is the best book to get. It groups together the gold investment and makes a lot of sense. I really think it was a good book for beginners.

I bought the book when it first came out. More importantly, I ACTED on the book's advice. I bought gold, silver, Goldcorp(GG) and a lot more. Goldcorp was selling for about $12 per share at the time. Gold hadn't gone beyond about $430 per ounce. The dollar was trading much higher than it is now. Goldcorp is now at about $40 per share. Gold is near $950 per ounce. Silver is at $18 per ounce. Suffice it to say that if I ever have the chance to meet Mssrs Turk and Rubino in person, I will pick up the tab for dinner!
I had to smile when I read some of the reviews which have been posted on this site. I guess that some people still do not "get it" when it comes to the role of gold in protecting assets and purchasing power. Although the book's title speaks of making a fortune by investing in gold and hard assets, this book is not really a get rich quick book. It is a survival book. With everything that has been happening in the financial sector, the most important thing for all of us is to protect what we have!

This book is OK but not special. If you are a student of selling and prospecting is a big part of your job it is a decent addition to your library but something less than a must have title. If you own it you may find a nugget or two that will help you.

The best book on getting heard on a favorable basis high up the food chain in B2B sales is: "Value Forward Selling."

That being said this book will have some value for you.

I am a VP Sales for a technology firm and I only recently read this book. I was so impressed with the innovative material I flew to MN to meet the author! Despite what the negative reviewers have said, this book is NOT a sales manual. It IS a manual for obtaining access. It is an excellent precursor to an existing sales process, but the sales process already needs to be in place. The author uses the term "bolt-on" addition which is a very good visual depiction of how this tool should be used.

Any good executive can tell you how difficult it is to be seen at the appropriate levels. More and more, callers and visitors are sloughed off to the next lower level, and if the caller doesn't have a compelling reason to stay at the executive level, they will invariably continue to be pushed down lower and lower until they are speaking with the lowliest of the non-decision makers, a "recommender." Horrors!

Don't sell this book short. "Getting In" is a master treatise on how to develop and keep access at the C-level. I highly recommend it.

You just got access to your dream opportunity. You made it. You just popped open the door with your own "Open Sesame" secret (though you're no thief). Do you shudder to think what life would be like if you hadn't gotten in?

Believe it-getting the access you need really is that important. At some point (many points) in your career(s), you're going to need to get in front of that person, group, etc. That's the point from which all your skills, knowledge, and brilliant ideas will germinate. If you can't get the access you need, none of that other stuff will matter.

That's why this book is so valuable.

Michael presents a detailed, methodical approach to getting the audience you need: The Circle of Leverage. It's a step-by-step approach that relies on risk-taking and perseverance. The results might be magical, but the process is real. He shows you why you've been shut out in the past (Section One), why you need to take a top-down approach (pp. 45-52), and a realistic discussion of things you can and can't control (pp. 114-122).

The Circle of Leverage uses ten preparation steps (each of which is discussed in a detailed chapter in Section Three) and five execution steps (a detailed chapter on each in Section Four). The remaining two sections take you beyond the meat-and-potatoes (which are very impressive in their own rights). Chapter 33 gives you guidance on what to do once you're in, and Chapter 34 provides real-world context with sample scenarios and case histories.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who sells, because we can all benefit from learning and applying The Circle of Leverage.

Let's cut to the chase...

Get this book for only ONE reason -- the method WORKS because of the way executives THINK + ACT.

They only do that which is most likely to SAVE THEIR OWN SKIN.

They don't care about being right -- but they are PETRIFIED of being wrong.

It is much safer for them to say NO to incoming new ideas (read: YOU).

They can never be wrong if they simply zap all incoming new ideas (you).

This method turns all that around!!!

The so-called Circle of Leverage involves letting SEVERAL execs (in the company you are targeting) know that you have an incoming new idea.

AND letting each of those execs know that you have also notified the OTHER execs (in that same company).

AND telling all of them about all the OTHER companies you are ALSO notifying.

Now you are playing on each exec's FEARS about being WRONG.

Now each exec CANNOT ignore you, because, if they do, and they are WRONG for ignoring you (your incoming new idea is a winner), they KNOW that every OTHER exec will ALSO know about their MISTAKE.

Also, what if ANOTHER company grabs your new incoming idea? -- That also could make them WRONG for ignoring you.

This method changes their response from "I must NOT respond" to "I MUST respond!"

I used it recently to send a proposal to all the big pharma companies. I did get turned down -- but.... here's the thing -- the rejections all came 6 weeks later. Not immediate, form-letter rejections (as would normally be the case).

I'm convinced that, by using this method, the execs HAD to take the time to seriously consider my proposal before responding.

They could not RISK just ignoring my proposal!

Again, execs are not concerned with being right -- they only act out of FEAR of being WRONG.

GET THIS BOOK!

-- TW

Michael has put some common thoughts on paper, but has drilled down to their importance inthe sales process. If you go into this with the intention of gaining a leson to add to you collection of resources, you will find this very helpful. If you are looking for the golden egg, sorry but look again.

There is no silver lining in the sales process, but with some sound advice you can dramatically increase your effectiveness which equalls more closed deals. This book gives some very sound advise as to some of the obsticle we as salespeople all face and a means of overcoming them.

I highly recomend this for anyone interested in improving their chances of closing that next deal.

The Good:
- Recipes in this book are quick as advertised.
- One pot wonder heaven


The Bad:
-Recipes are just ok.

Details:
So far I've tried two recipes, and I'm not impressed. They weren't bad, but they weren't amazing.

When I try a new cookbook, I try to determine if I should if it's worth my time. I start with the recipes with subtle ingredients such as scallops, calamari, or any kind of white fish. The scallops in sherry-garlic sauce was just good to pretty good, but the calamari puttanesca was barely acceptable.

After two recipes, I stopped there. I wasn't floored by either of them. I'm going to shelve this one, or sell it used.

There's a few good recipes, and many passable ones. The introduction and background info is very good, but there just isn't that much of it. The book sticks pretty much to toppings on plain rice, so it's nothing that you probably couldn't have gotten from a more expansive book.

An outstanding collection of simple meals with clearly described instructions. The Chicken and Asparagus with Mustard-Tarragon Sauce is one of my favorites. Rick Rodgers really delivers with this book full of 30 minute marvels.

I have another book by Rick Rodgers, and I really liked it, so when I saw this one I thought I'd check it out. Five recipes into it I wanted to head to the kitchen and cook. Before this book, I didn't cook meals with rice very often. I do now. The recipes are not complicated, and I always have the ingredients in my kitchen. The recipes that say "Can be cooked in under 30 minutes" really CAN be cooked in under 30 minutes. I haven't encountered a dud recipe yet. All are delicious. Among my favorites are Shrimp and Green Beans with Peanut Sauce, Chicken and Asparagus with Mustard-Tarragon Sauce and Sirloin and Black Bean Chili (in under 30 minutes no less!). This book is a boon to all those of us who work a long stressful day, and then have to come home and cook.

This cook book has great photos for every recipe and a good variety of foods. However, the emphasis is NOT on rice, but on different main entrees. Each recipe has suggestions for the rice to serve with the entree, but does not give detailed cooking directions for the rice. A disappointment.

A good friend gave this book to me when I announced my pregnancy and my desires to stay at home once the baby was born...but was scared that we wouldn't be able to survive financially on one income. Within about 7-8 months... we were able to save a big cushion (at the advice of the author) ...we practiced living on one income (like the author suggested) all during my pregnancy...we started sacrificing financially immediately so we could get used to NOT having everything we wanted (material possessions or 'wants'). It worked!!! We were able to live off that saved income for one full year....still sacrificing many things...we didn't have cellphones, no cable, etc. etc. And again, I was scared I would have to go back to work when my son turned a year old...but God delivered. He provided another better-paying job for my husband, right when we needed it. So now, my son is almost 4 and I've been able to spend the entire time with him...and our finances are great!

It can be done. You just have to be able to really pick apart your budget snd see which things can be chopped out/or minimalized. Sell your car/trade it for a less expensive used car (pay cash in full from your trade so you don't have a car pymt)...or just have one family car -- yes, many families do this! no cellphones, no internet, no cable tv, garage sale/thrift store shopping, keeping our junky old car for 10 yrs instead of buying a new one!, taking mass transportation trains/buses to work -- We've done it all and it worked!! I was 9 months pregnant hobbling off to catch the train every morning and evening, but it was soo worth it to save the money we needed so I could stay home.
I was really encouraged by this book and it gave me some great advice to follow. When it comes down to it, it's like losing weight, you must sacrifice and change the way you live now....that's how you got out of hand in the first place (w/finances or weight)...it's an uncomfortable lifestyle change at the beginning, but then you get used to it and it's well worth it!

I read this book while pregnant with my first child and it was helpful. Larry Burkett gives a good perspective on the pros/cons of being a stay-at-home parent. Initially, I wondered why a man would write this book since most stay-at-home parents are women. But once I began reading, I realized that he includes many true family stories as examples. Stories about faith AND practicality make this book authentic. He also includes information about personalities, including a personality test for both Mom and Dad. The budget section is gives a good basis for evaluating finances as well. Overall, a great read for parents/soon-to-be parents who are considering staying at home.

I enjoyed this book very much. I am considering becoming a stay at home mom. I bought this book and a non-christian book. They were both helpful. I was most inspired by reading what I considered to be God inspired Bible based information. I also like it that his stories were real and not intended to sugar coat the experience. I am making plans to resign my job soon with Gods direction. A bonus of this book to me is the emphasis on Godly managed finances.

I frankly don't know what the best book on this subject is but this can't be it. I love Larry Burkett but this book did not excite me. Don't get me wrong there are several chapters with great advice and very helpful testimonies but overall I was not very impressed. Sorry...

Opposed to others who view Larry Burkett in negative terms, I believe he has a lot to offer those who are "teachable" and willing to learn. That his is the only solution is not the point, but he speaks from a biblical viewpoint, and it is worth listening to.

In this book, he observes how outside influences are wreaking havoc on family values, and now is the time for mothers to find a way to spend more time with their children. Two-income families outweight single-income families, he says, three to one, although it might be higher at this writing. Home-based business are becoming the trend, and even so much more now, and Burkett gives insightful, practical counsel on how to survive the cutback from two incomes to one. This is "counsel," mind you, and if you are interested in counsel, this is the place to go.

Larry also discusses the four personality types, and whether or not you agree with this mode of character types, he explores how they relate to the home environment and includes personality tests in the Appendix for both husbands and wives.

This is a valuable resource guide for women who have made the transition from the marketplace to home, and they share honest, personal accounts of victories, setbacks, fears, and joys. If it is your desire to be a stay-at-home mother, but fear financial disaster, this book will help guide you in the right direction.

My family has taken counsel from Larry Burkett, and my wife did make the transition from marketplace to a "stay-at-home Mom," and she is enjoying every minute of it. Yes, she did have some of the same issues he explores, but now with our children, she can spend her every moment with them, instead of listening to others tell her how our children are growing.

A great book, and highly recommended!...

Of the three books I've read on investing in multi-family real estate, this is by far the best. The author does a good job of walking the reader through from start to finish the purchase of a representative property. In the appendix the author provides several very easy to understand and useful financial analysis templates which can easily be recreated in Excel or any other spreadsheet program.

This is one of four books on purchasing and managing real estate that we purchased. Although pricey due to availability in hardback only, for those such as us that are first time buyers of commercial real estate, the data, clarity of thought and information will likely prove very valuable. It is a quick read that provides the basic tenets of buying multi-family units. The financial elements are fairly simplistic; hence we purchased an additional book that delves into the intricacies of purchasing and financing multi-family units.

I have read and own numerous books on real estate investment and found this one to be one of the most concise and detailed books on apartment house investing on the market. I really don't understand what a previous reviewer meant by that it was a total loss. I found it to be detailed and informative. It literally takes you by the hand leads into investing on a property. I will be following the author's advice and begin investing in small apartment properties. If you are seeking true financial independence, you would be wise to purchase this book and not the crap promoted on late night t.v.

This will be my first and only online review of any of my 200+ books in my library. But it needed to be said... The Biggest disappointment I have ever purchased...

1 Star
Two Thumbs Down
A Complete waste of money!

212 total pages (With Huge fonts and Filler pages after every Chapter Title Page)

4 Pages of Filler for "note"-taking in the back

17 Pages of "Constant Payment Tables/Remaining Loan Balance" Charts

The Book Averages 4 pages (Sides not full) per chapter of info

Page 151 is the Start of the Appendix

I found the book to be a very concise (Nuts & Bolts) and logical approach to buying small apartment properties from someone who obviously knows the process. He gives you all the tools needed to anaylise, purchase, manage and project profits. The forms in the book are easily accessed at the publisher's website www.dnapress.com for downloading. I'm closing on a 7 unit property in less than 2 weeks. Thanks Brian!

This book is an eye opener. I am a HS teacher, who works closely with counselors and administrators, and I was surprised with the information I learned after I read this book. I highly recommend this book to the proactive parent!

I agree whole heartedly with the reviewer who called this book an eye opener. Until I read this it never even occurred to me, as manipulative and controlling a parent as I am, to even CONSIDER having my son take the SAT's in the 7th grade. Now I realize its a must, a virtual no brainer with no downside.

I have to say that this book soothed me by justifying all the neurotic anxiety driven behavior I attempted to engage in with my daughter. (And was talked out of and still regret not doing, it would have saved us some edgy days.)

You can say, as some reviewers have, that these and the author's books read better as parodies. But I tell ya, I value this book and it confirms my suspicions that there are people like this out there!! Nevertheless, some of her ideas, tips and suggestions are very good and I, for one, praise her for writing this, and will be looking for her web site.

Bought as a gift for a 9-year-old nephew who doesn't enjoy reading all that much. He began reading it the instant he saw it and was very excited about the possibilities.

Some of the suggestions in the book are just plain common sense, and others are brilliant, little-known ideas. I look forward to tailoring a "program" for my children. While some of the "secrets" require parents to be a little "over the top" and pushy, most are good and seemingly would not place undue pressure on students. Everyone plays the game; this book just allows you to play smarter.

Let me put it bluntly: there are two purposes for this book. First, it feeds on the frenzy of fanatical parents who are obsessed with getting their kids into selective colleges. The other purpose is to make money. Having worked with thousands of students & parents over the years, this book is the last thing needed this day and age! It "games" the system while totally avoiding what really matters: namely relationships and communication between parents & their kids. Sure, one can argue that colleges play "games" with students and manipulate admissions decisions to their own advantage. So, if parents want to "equal the playing field," then this book offers a few strategies...but don't be lulled into assuming the strategies will result in the desired outcomes! If parents want to be able to talk with their kids and help them become happy, well adjusted, and successful adults in the long-run, then I'd suggest spending your money on "Why Do They Act That Way" by David Walsh. It all goes back to an idea I learned in grad school: What you do now determines what happens to you.