Burns Books

I wish Reader's Digest would print some more of these books. It is such an excellent composite of popular music and the arrangements are fantastic. If anyone has a copy, I would love to buy it.

From "Somewhere, My Love" to "On Top Of Spaghetti", this book has so many songs that I find myself humming and wishing I could play. Did you like Sesame Street, Dr. Zhivago, The Godfather? Do you like showtunes? There's over a hundred of them here ... the breadth is part of the fun of the book!

Great book for the intermediate pianist. It's one of my favorites. Reader's Digest needs to reprint it. I borrow it at the public library and would buy it if available.

This songbook has many of the great songs of my youth. The chords are easy, there are guitar chords written above the treble staff and the print is large enough for those of us over 50 to see. The arrangements are outstanding. I wish Readers' Digest would reprint this book. I'd buy it in a second. I have to borrow mine from the public library.

Great songs to play for a party or for your own enjoyment: Georgia on My Mind, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, It's Impossible, My Funny Valentine, The Shadow of your Smile, The Way You Look Tonight, On the Street Where You Live, Honky-Tonk Train. ALL of the songs are excellent piano melodies sutable for the intermediate player.

This is a very funny yet extremely informative book with great illustrations about solar power using cats as examples. Very enjoyable!

This whimsical look at a usually dead-serious subject (solar energy, not cats) allows the information to sneak in under the "I can't learn that" radar. Cat lovers will especially enjoy the book, but non-cat lovers can also appreciate its charming approach to the subject. My four cats give it sixteen paws up. I give it two thumbs!

Jim Augustyne takes the Suessian approach to showing the reader our myopia when it comes to the nature of renewable energy, politics, and economics. Solar Energy is nature's way and cats are fundamentally in tune with nature. Even though Augustyne does not use rhyme to make his point, the reason is shown through the fun-house mirror of technologically advanced felines, and their 'natural' instincts and behaviour, optimized for solar utilization. Augustyne has developed an alternate universe of whimsy and pointy satire where kitties rule and our human foibles and blindness to the advantages of solar renewables are entertainingly exposed. The text and drawings unerringly capture feline personality and 'technical' accumen. A real entertainment bargain with a sideways squint at education. For real kids and kids at heart, like engineers, teachers, businessmen, homeowners, and politicians, of all ages.

One of the cleverest, funniest and most informative pieces of science writing to come along in years. Augustyn is equal parts Woody Allen and Stephen Hawking. But make no mistake: "The Return of the Solar Cat Book" is not only a rollicking good read and a visual delight, but an important contribution to the current debate over the nation's energy future. "It's the sun, stupid!" Augustyn is saying. "And here's why -- and how." Should be required reading for Presidents Bush and Putin, Energy Secy. Abraham and Ken Lay. Augustyn is way over the top. I wish I'd thought of "meowium" first.

I teach Middle School students all about the world in our tiny self-contained rural school. The topic of solar energy comes up in our physics curriculum; political aberrations are often discussed in our current events class; and, needless to say,we often share pet stories, especially reports on kitty capers.
I loved The Return of the Solar Cat Book immediately, and I realized my students were ready to appreciate it too. I took a chance and shared it with my students.It was a great decision. They adore the drawings, the author's wry wit, and the way the
book makes difficult science concepts very accessible.Now we learn and giggle together. I love it. Thank you, Jim Augustyn

Gives a fantastic account of FDR from his privileged childhood and days at Groton, to his harsh induction into the world of politics; the skill at which he maneuvered the political currents to the New York Capital in Albany, and ultimately the White House. Once there Burns gives an account of passionate dedication to the American people, both during the Depression and WWII, that most likely was not seen since Lincoln. A must for anyone's Presidential Biographical collection.

This is the best account of pre-WWII FDR that has been written. Burns combines established facts with a commentary that examines the 32nd President's possible psychological views on issues. From major decisions during the New Deal to relationships with Eleanor and staff members, Burns paints an objective picture of FDR. The picture is neither rosy nor clouded, but is an intimate portrait of the longest- serving President in American history.

FDR was perhaps the craftiest politician to occupy the White House since Lincoln. The Title, "...Lion and the Fox" is an allusion to Machiavelli's dictum that one must be stouthearted like a lion and crafty like a fox. FDR combined these qualities to achieve political mastery of his time.

This book focus on his life up to the start of WWII. It paints a thorough life portrait of the president and illustrates the events and experiences that shaped this master politician. Although enjoying congressional majorities like no other president (that certainly aided the implementation of his program), FDR had to over come the reluctance of both GOP and Democrat conservatives to rework the federal government into the active economic and social player it is today. McGreggor's book explains how FDR the man made the New Deal possible.

This is a well written book that gives evidence of being thoroughly researched. For anyone interested in presidential history, I'd recommend this book.

This first of a two volume biography of FDR gives the reader an excellent introduction to the life of this most significant icon of the Twentieth Century. Although primarily a political biography, Author James MacGregor Burns gives the reader an introduction into the ancestry and early life of FDR.

FDR's education was received in the rarified air of Groton, where he under the tutelage of Rector Endicott Peabody, and Harvard, where he was a "C" student. His mother, Sara, moved to Boston to be near him during his time at Harvard, much like Douglas MacArthur's mother during his time at West Point. Formal education was completed at Columbia Law School, preparatory to his brief legal practice.

Roosevelt's life in the Democratic Party began with a call to run for the state senate in 1910. His position as a reformer made him an opponent of Tammany Hall. Over time he learned to retain his reform image while learning to work with the machine. His rise was not uninterrupted, as his 1914 attempts to run first for governor and then the US Senate were unsuccessful. His service as Undersecretary of the Navy in the Wilson Administration advanced his renown so that he was nominated for vice-president in 1920.

FDR's promising career was nearly brought to an end in 1921 by polio during a visit to the family cottage on Campobello Island. Burns tells the story of his convalescence and rehabilitation, culminating in his appearance at the 1924 National Convention to nominate Al Smith "The Happy Warrior".

Although 1924 brought crushing defeat to the Democrats, it was the start back for Roosevelt. Smith's presidential nomination in 1928 opened the governor's office for FDR who, in another Republican year, won a narrow victory, followed by a landslide in 1930. As governor he initially had to deal with a Republican legislature over issues involving the budget, electrical power and the balance between reform and Tammany. The advent of the depression brought with it new challenges of state solvency amidst rising needs.

1932 found Roosevelt as the leading Democrat in the nation, although his road to the nomination was rocky and by no means certain, with challenges from John Nance Garner, who would be placated with the vice-presidential nomination, and William McAdoo.

With election election, Roosevelt started to assume responsibility for the affairs of the nation. One of his most questionable periods was during the pre-inauguration time. As Hoover attempted to respond to the worsening economic crisis, his calls for joint action were rebuffed by the president-elect. Burns skillfully addresses the issue both from the perspectives of Roosevelt's willingness to let conditions worsen and the need to retain his own ability to act.

The main part of the story begins with FDR's first presidential inauguration in 1933 which started the fabled "First 100 Days", during which the Roosevelt magic was unchallenged. His proposals were passed with little or no opposition. With blurring speed, Congress passed the CCC, agricultural aid, states grants for unemployment relief, federal supervision of securities and railroads, the TVA, relief of mortgage debts and the start of the National Industrial Recovery Act.

Later in the year some opposition arose. One defeated measure was the St. Lawrence Seaway, which had to await the Eisenhower administration. The diplomatic recognition of the USSR and the economic downturn weakened FDR's position. Through 1934 conservative opposition held back administration measures, which led FDR to interfere in the congressional elections, not always in support of Democrats. 1935 saw a series of Supreme Court rulings which struck down New Deal measures, setting up the 1936 elections as a referendum on the New Deal. As hard as it is to believe now, the race against Gov. Alf Landon was expected to be very close. Although not officially campaigning, Roosevelt made the most of inspection tours.

The landside win in 1936 emboldened FDR to undertake his boldest initiative, the packing of the Supreme Court in order to obtain a majority which would let New Deal measures stand. Roosevelt approached the issue in total secrecy. The unveiling of his plan set off a firestorm of opposition, including much from traditional administration allies. In this he suffered his greatest defeat, mitigated only by a change which made packing unnecessary.

After the defeat of the Court packing bill, the second term was a period of mixed successes and failures, which did little to change the overall trend of events. In 1938 Roosevelt attempted, with little success, a purge of Congressional opponents. Through this term, he was hampered by the active opposition of his vice-president, John Nance Garner, a situation unlikely to exist today.

As the second term progressed, the focus shifted from domestic depression to the worsening foreign situation. This book does a good job in showing the reader how Roosevelt gradually turned the ship of state into the rising foreign headwinds.

The final drama of the second term was Roosevelt as Sphinx, leaving everyone guessing whether he would run for a third term or not. Ultimately, conceding that he could not turn down the call of the people, his nomination was assured and his transition to a war time leader continued.

Focusing on the political career of FDR, little attention is directed to his personal life, so one must look elsewhere for his relationship with Eleanor and his family. Burns skillfully presents a balanced approach of Roosevelt's career, explaining both the successes and the failures. He helps the reader understand the distinction between FDR's personal successes and the success of the Democratic Party. Neither an uncritical paean nor a hatched job, the book provides the reader with the facts of FDR's actions from his time in the New York Senate through his first eight years in the White House, with an epilogue so as not to leave the reading hanging pending the reading of the second volume. The FDR saga justifies the book and the book justifies the reading.

I recently had occasion to re-read James MacGregor Burns's marvelous Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox and was deeply impressed by how well its has withstood the test of time. The early paperback edition of this book, which was originally published in 1956 and covers the period from 1882 until 1940, characterized it as the "first political biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt," and it continues to be the authoritative study of Roosevelt's preparation for and then conduct of his first two terms as president, when domestic affairs demanded most of his attention. This remains a wonderful book about this country's greatest politician of the 20th century, and it also offers many penetrating insights into the American political system.

Burns's treatment of Roosevelt is comprehensive, "[treating] much of [Roosevelt's] personal as well as his public life, because a great politician's career remorselessly sucks everything into its vortex." Roosevelt was the only child of a member of the upstate New York landed gentry, and he could have led a life of leisure. Instead, he was sent to Groton School in Massachusetts, where the headmaster, according to Burns, "made much of his eagerness to educate his boys for political leadership." Roosevelt completed his formal education at Harvard College and Columbia University Law School. Burns writes that Roosevelt's first elective office, as a New York State Senator was a "political education," and he became a "Young Lion" in Albany. Roosevelt served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in Washington, D.C., during World War I and was the candidate for Vice President on the Democrat Party's unsuccessful ticket in 1920. In 1921, Roosevelt was stricken with polio, and the crippling disease would have ended the public career of a less ambitious and determined man. Instead, he continued to work hard at politics, was elected Governor of New York in 1928 and then President in 1932. This was just the beginning of a remarkable career in high office.

Burns makes clear that Roosevelt was a progressive in the tradition of Woodrow Wilson but was without strong ideas or a specific agenda. According to Burns: "The presidency, Roosevelt said shortly after his election, `is preeminently a place of moral leadership.'" Retired Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes offered this cutting assessment: "A second -class intellect, but a first-class temperament." Action to combat the depression was necessary to restore public confidence in government, and the first Hundred Days of Roosevelt's first term was one of the great periods of legislative achievement in American history. Burns writes: "Roosevelt was following no master program." However, in Burns's view: "The classic test of greatness in the White House has been the chief executive's capacity to lead Congress." According to that test, Roosevelt was a great president. Burns writes that, "[i]n his first two years in office Roosevelt achieved to a remarkable degree the exalted position of being President of all the people." Burns explains: "A remarkable aspect of the New Deal was the sweep and variety of the groups it helped."

As early as 1934, however, organized conservative opposition to the New Deal was forming. (A newspaper cartoon reprinted here shows a figure identified as the Republican Party holding a sign stating: "Roosevelt is a Red!") Roosevelt was increasingly attacked as a traitor to his class, but a large measure of his genius was his ability to hold the more extreme elements of the New Deal in check. Roosevelt's political skills were tested in every way. For instance, Burns writes that Senator Robert Wagner's National Labor Relations Act, which proposed to"[vest] massive economic and political power in organized labor" "was the most radical legislation passed during the New Deal." According to Burns, Roosevelt's initial reaction to the bill was "invariably cool or evasive," and the president, with what Burns describes as "typical Rooseveltian agility," announced his support for the bill only after its passage was certain. Burns demonstrates that Roosevelt's support, both in Congress and among the public, gradually eroded in the late 1930s, but he was, of course, elected again in 1940 and 1944. Roosevelt's nomination in 1940 was especially skillful. Many in his own party favored maintaining the tradition of limiting presidents to two terms, and Democratic Party leaders lined up in the hope of succeeding Roosevelt. Roosevelt outfoxed all of them and was elected to his historic third term.

I believe it is fair to say that Burns admires Roosevelt, but this book is not a whitewash. Burns candidly writes about Roosevelt's "deviousness." And the author is appropriately critical of Roosevelt's attempt to "pack" the Supreme Court following his overwhelming re-election in 1936. However, in my opinion, these instances simply are proof of the truism that great men are not always good men. Burns took the subtitle of this book from the Italian Renaissance political philosopher Machiavelli's dictum that a political leader must be strong like a lion and shrewd like a fox. Franklin D. Roosevelt was both, and that made him a great president. This is a great political biography of that great president

This book faced the angst of growing up in an era where female roles were changing - we were supposed to start stating our needs yet the male roles were still failing to deal with this new definition. The obsession of love - lost or not yet won - in the teenage years is strong in this story. So are obsessions with other things! A great read for the seventies child, an exploration for children of other decades. I, for one, loved reading about a resort setting that was not in a US coastal town. I hope Mary Jo Pollack's next book comes along soon.

Then this book will hit home for you. Written in a clean stark style, Mary Jo really captures the angst and choices we all faced in high school. I hope to see more from this author soon!

Finally! A 70's coming-of-age book that accurately and movingly depicts a time period overshadowed by disco and tye-dye. The heroine of Pollak's book grapples with drugs, virginity, the ins and outs of teenage friendships and all of the other twists and turns of adolescence. It's not always a pretty picture but for those of us who knew the era it's definitely right on target.

Seen through the eyes of a teenage girl, a summer resort town comes alive in this impressive first novel by Mary Jo Pollak. The main character, Joan, explores a confusing friendship and meets an array of characters, many of them men who attract, repel, protect, or threaten her. Through most of the book, she successfully avoids the pitfalls of a drug- and sex-soaked summer, negotiating the landscape of parties and casual encounters, making choices and handling conflicting emotions. Vignettes are presented in unblinking honesty, depicting scenarios ranging from mind-bending highs to a bizarre babysitting experience. Unfortunately, Joan's luck can't hold out forever, and Pollak crafts a gut-punch last page that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished.

"Summer Burns" is a raw, powerful book. It follows our heroine Joan and her friends through the drug tinged summer days of the 1970's in a small Canadian resort town. Joan and the other locals encounter itinerant bikers, musicians and even "yacht" people during their stoned summer odyssey while playing out their own story of coming of age. I found the story compelling and Mary Jo Pollack's style direct and edgy. Warning, this book is graphic and not for the faint of heart.

While spending Mother's Day in the emergency room with my oldest (he cut his leg, 15 stitches), my husband went to find some books for him to read (9 years old) while we waited for the doctor. He returned with a handful of books, Andrew Henry's Meadow among them. We fell in love with this book around page five. My husband wrote down the pertinent information so we could try to find it later for keeps. A few days later, while visiting our local marine museum's childrens room, I decided to straighten up the books and came upon The Summerfolk, also by Doris Burn. I immediately sat down and called my children to my side and read it aloud to them. Once again, love at first read! What a wonderful, wonderful book! Sure to inspire the imaginations of children (and adults!)... my youngest is already planning how to build some of the things he saw in the book (he's only 6)! Definately a keeper!

I have been loooking for this book FOREVER. My mother enrolled me in the Weekly Reader Book Club when I was very small and I have such fond memories of some of those first books. I am trying to find the ones I remember best. This was my favorite book when I was 5 or 6 and I remembered it as "The Summer People". I went to websites for children's books and gave descriptions of this book and got NOTHING. I just happened to find Doris Burn's "Andrew Henry's Meadow"(which I also remember having) at Half Price Books and was struck by the similarity to the book I remembered... so I decided to look up Ms. Burn and there it was "The SummerFOLK". I am so thrilled to finally find this book! YAY!

For 50 cents, a treasure of a book. Found it among all the other castoffs at the Goodwill. Had never heard of it. Why isn't this book a Caldecott winner or something? The pictures and the words are luscious. The characters have names like Fedderly and Twyla Loo, and they swing on vines, float through a swamp on rickety homemade boats, and eat tarts and pigs' feet. The book is about the brief nature of childhood; the long, lazy days of summer; imagination; and playing (and I don't mean playing with the PS2). The Summerfolk is set on June 21, the solstice, the longest day of the year. I read it to my 6-year-old on that day as a kind of acknowledgement of summer. He likes the book too.

In this beautifully black and white illustrated romp, a young boy escapes to the swamp and his ailing boat on the longest day of the year to avoid the summerfolk that swarm the beautiful sea and sandy beaches. He runs into some summerfolk in the swamp, too, but they are unlike any he has ever seen before. A magical spell seems to be cast as the boy sets out on an adventure and learns that there are summerfolk and there are summer folk.This is an enchanting tale and the illustrations are marvelous. Most of the children I have read the book to, have enjoyed it. However, I must admit that as a kid, I hated this book. I thought it was boring. That's the reason for the 4 stars instead of 5.

In an age of ready made entertainment where children are taught to be couch potatoes, here is a book that will inspire them to new heights of creative (and active) play. The children in this book have taken what materials were at hand and created a magical world of their own making in which to spend the long summer days. My own children loved the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book -- full of insightful and often humorous stories that gave me food for thought for weeks afterwards. The short chapters make it the perfect choice when you just need to decompress for a short time, but the depth of content keeps you turning the pages. Well worth the read!

From the heart of Sherman Burns, this book is about real people and real life. There aren't any "you should's" or "you ought to's" that will make you feel more guilty. The author simply let's you glimpse other's lives and how they continue to survive. Sherman's insight into the relationship these people have with themselves will give you the freedom to be yourself, and shed rigid uncreative behavior you think is expected of you. Real life is right here and right now within your grasp, if you will take the time to listen to your spirit. "Life" can be read several times and continue to provide you more treasures as you learn to let go.

This book will mean different things to different people... a real book about reality with real life stories.... a look at the way many of us could live, and the way some of us do. Burns has crafted a lighthearted book to challenge and perhaps change your life. Let's hope he will follow-up with a work book guide.

Even though Burns advises us to read a few chapters at a time, it was difficult to stop reading! His "take-aways" at the end of each chapter were inspiring...I laughed and got a little teary-eyed too. I'd love to see this guy in person at one of his presentations!

A quick read for the humor will encourage a reread for the insight and reflective lessons .. several chapters hit close enough to home that I double checked to see if my name was listed in the acknowledgments.

Urban picnics are a trend and following right along is The Urban Picnic, a cookbook designed to inspire both cooks and kitchen novices to introduce the 'urban picnic' concept into their lives. A history of the picnic, accounts from across the centuries, and musings on picnic appeal compliment over 200 recipes suitable for picnic foods: salads, sandwich spreads, portable pies, muffins and much more. Expands upon and provides fine insights into modern picnic food options - which are many.

Urban picnics are a trend and following right along is The Urban Picnic, a cookbook designed to inspire both cooks and kitchen novices to introduce the 'urban picnic' concept into their lives. A history of the picnic, accounts from across the centuries, and musings on picnic appeal compliment over 200 recipes suitable for picnic foods: salads, sandwich spreads, portable pies, muffins and much more. Expands upon and provides fine insights into modern picnic food options - which are many.

Urban picnics are a trend and following right along is The Urban Picnic, a cookbook designed to inspire both cooks and kitchen novices to introduce the 'urban picnic' concept into their lives. A history of the picnic, accounts from across the centuries, and musings on picnic appeal compliment over 200 recipes suitable for picnic foods: salads, sandwich spreads, portable pies, muffins and much more. Expands upon and provides fine insights into modern picnic food options - which are many.

I got this book as a gift, and I'd really recommend it. I'm not a picnic person (yet) and eating outside is not usually my thing. Apologies to the authors. Anyways, the info and history at the beginning of this book made me smile. Recipes like "Broiled Chicken" might seem really obvious to some people, but I followed their instructions and I was amazed at the great stuff I could offer my friends. Maybe I'll take some things to eat outside, but whatever, this book is interesting and has lots of good and easy recipes. thanks

After reading the Urban Picnic my boyfriend and I have become picnic maniacs. We picnic in our yard, in the park, on park benches, at the beach or the lake. The recipes are great, the musical selections excellent but more than that The Urban Picnic makes you want to stop and enjoy life. Thanks for the inspiration!

As a mother of an 18 month old and a middle school teacher, I find myself in what Isaacs calls "overdrive" much of the time. I have often received the suggestion that I should "slow down" but without many practical suggestions of exactly how I can do this. I have gotten ideas from Isaacs about what to do today...and what I might strive for when I am ready to make bigger changes. I also really appreciate how she recognizes that the reason so many of us are in overdrive is because we have lots of things feel drawn to do, participate in, etc. and that making changes means letting go of some things that may seem very important to you. I have given this book to three of my friends since I think it is has such an important message.

Isaacs thoughtful, empowering, thorough overview on how to feel more balanced is a jewel. I rarely read a book cover to cover, this one, I did! I love how she addresses core issues we all face as we move through our 20s,30s, 40s and beyond. Her gentle guidance illuminates so many areas many of us are still "in the dark" about when it comes to enhancing emotional and physical well-being. Just reading her book made me feel like I was on my path to a more healthy, slower existence. Loved this book!

This is an excellent book full of surprising information that gives an overview on the current life situation of women in our society. The author has a wonderful way with words and writes beautifully so it's easy reading. Construcive ideas and practical suggestions are given to help anyone reduce their stress levels and care more lovingly for themselves. The author shares her own journey to finding balance in today's confusing array of alternative approaches to health. I enjoyed reading this book very much and highly recommend it.

I recently graduated college and started my career. With all of the adjustments and "so much to do, with so little time" i often forget to take a moment for myself. This book was so helpful in finding ways to do just that. I am so thankful that I found this book now, at the beginning of a potential life in overdrive, so that I can be aware and practice her techniques in order to stay out of overdrive in the future. Thanks, Nora, for writing such a wonderful book. I'll definitely be giving this book to the women in my life this Christmas!

With lots of personal stories that help you get to know Nora Isaacs, the author of Women in Overdrive, this book is an easy read that's packed full of understanding for the plight of our stressed-out lives in modern-day society. Not only does Isaacs remind us of the day-to-day circumstances that lead to the state she calls "overdrive", she helps us appreciate what is going on in our bodies biologically and gives us helpful suggestions to calm the crazy cycle. What I liked best is that she talks about the simple things you can do every day, not just the big things that seem overwhelming and impossible to start. If you want to read a thoughtful, entertaining and well-written book about how to make your life better, I recommend you pick up a copy like I did; the book has definitely made a difference in my life and I plan to get it for lots of women in my life who would appreciate it, too.

If you find that you come home and collapse in front of your televison every night because you're "too tired" to do anything else, you should read this book.

This book should be required reading for every worker, manager and supervisor.

It was not too long ago that a 30 hour work week was predicted to become the norm for most US whitecollar workers. The average workweek today is almost 50 hours long. Layoffs, downsizing and the fears these management strategies instill have caused people to put in more and more time to survive, hoping to stay ahead of the next cutback.

This book explains why that reasoning is not only wrong, but achieves just the opposite result. This book suggests that a worker who goes home on time and has fun both on and off the job is more creative, more productive, and more successful.

A radical concept well worth exploring.

I first came across this book more than 10 years ago, when as a doctor I was asked to give a lecture on stress management. It was life-changing for me, both at work and in my leisure time, as well--because it taught me how to play again, and to allow myself to enjoy sports at the same time I was driven to excell.

I recommend this book all the time to colleagues, patients and students. And I'm now buying a copy for my teenaged daughter, a competitive athlete who is combatting burnout. These skills should be graduation requirements for every high school student.

This book made me realize that so many Americans take their work as the only thing they have in life to give of themselves. But they take for granted the most important aspect of life ... themselves and their loved ones. Read this book and you will realize that there is DEFINATELY a lot more to life than work. I enjoyed the book for that realization. I felt though that the suggestions were not as detailed as I would have liked and wished it had gone deeper into applying it to your everyday life. I guess the book is written to take you to the door, and you are the one that has to open it. I am recommending this book to friends. :)

This book changed my life when it first came out... I brought my toys to the office and started taking regular juggling breaks. Using some of the strategies in the book, I transformed myself and my team. Now, years later, I've found myself rediscovering the book, and sharing it with my new team -- although I'd incorporated many of the strategies into my work and home life, I'm re-applying some of the forgotten messages and strategies. This book is nothing short of life-changing. I also love the illustrations! The ONLY negative I have about the book is that I think the original larger format was a better package -- that edition had a very fun color road map / chapter listing on the inside covers that added a great deal to the look and feel of the book. (I was happy to find that the content had remained the same.) I recommend this book to team leaders as well as team members. DO THE EXERCISES!

I was very tired of work, when I found that book. The title made me curious. Actually I wanted to leave my job, but while reading I realised, that it was not only the job, it was me. I would have the same troubles everywhere. I now try to make some changes in my life and will see how it works.

Youth builder is a must book for all youth leaders and all who have a dealing with youth of our time. I recommend this book to all youth directors, social workers and in deed all who work for the interest of the youth in this present age.

Jim Burns and Mike DeVries team together to write The Youth Builder, detailing the logistics and heart behind creating an effective and fulfilling youth ministry. One statement in particular touched my heart: "True ministry comes from the overflow of our passion and love relationship with Jesus, not from the overflow of our knowledge of youth ministry." With this philosophy on youth ministry running throughout the book, Burns and DeVries draw on their own experiences as well as knowledge of youth and programming to outline the various tasks that await successful youth ministers.
Dividing their book in four sections-foundation, framework, programming and personal relationships-Burns and DeVries reminds the youth worker of the import of a clear vision, and underlying this, the heart and attitude essential for a vibrant ministry. Still, they also acknowledge the need for good budgeting, preparation, attention to logistical details, a support staff and raising new leadership.
This book was an amazing read for me because it pinned all the essentials for a dynamic youth ministry. The sermon ideas were creative, the grounding of youth ministry in good organization was pragmatic and realistic and yet Burns and DeVries' emphasize the key need for passionate and genuine heart and spirit behind any ministry. While the reader learns essential tips to build a successful youth ministry, authenticity and genuine care and concern to bring youth to God is never forgotten and is constantly brought to the fore. It is no wonder the book is in its 4th printing. Though first written in 1973 the book is indeed timeless.

Not too many books hold my attention the way "The Youth Builders" does, which I couldn't help but finish it in a matter of days. It is definitely a Youth Ministry "textbook" that can be referred to time and again! Not that all the points mentioned will work for all youth ministries, but many are basic starting points in which each ministry can start upon - definitely a must read for foundation building.

This is the best book ever written on youth ministry. This new addition is even better. The Youth Builder belongs in every youth workers library. I especially appreciated how practical it is and the material on small groups,

This in an excellent refrence for rookies and old pros to have around. Jim Burns composed a classic that has advice that is transferable from generation to generation. It is a "Must Have" as far as I'm concerned. Pass this book around for your youth sponsors and parents to read, it will help them understand just what it is that you do as a Youth Pastor.