Plans Books

"All That Really Matters" encouraged me to really focus on what matters most to God. As a Christian, I struggle daily with the balancing act of God, family, church, service, etc. but in this book, Sheila directs us towards what is most important to God. She uses good illustrations and excellent biblical references throughout the book. I really loved this book!! It was the first book of hers that I have read, and I am now almost finished with another one. You can see her spiritual growth in this book if you have read the others (or if you go backwards like me). If I could give it more stars, I WOULD!! Thank you Jesus for inspiring Sheila Walsh to write this book!

I believe this is the best weight loss book for several reasons. First it is bible based and I know that God cares how I take care of my body and how healthy I am. Where diet doctors and weight loss programs are there to make money first and if you fail they know you'll come back or try something else. This is a no fail program if you rely on God. It is a book that you can take with you no matter where you are. Short chapters to read and concentrate on. It is a gradual process. I lost 15 pounds on it. I was only 25 pounds overweight but I am only 5 foot tall. Every pound shows on a short person. This book can be done by a group of people or just one, it is very versatile. Good Luck and God Bless You.

Anyone who has allergies should read this book!! The way that the book is organized makes it a very easy read. The book has great recipes and with the spiral binding you can lay it out as you prepare the diverse meals.

This book is targetted at women who really want to know why we are the way we are. It really hits all the "hot" buttons for us as women - it's also a good read for men who are in love with women and want to know how to relate to us on a deeper more spiritual level.

I love this entire series of books. although they are older, they are still helpful. Defenitly a good investment. If you buy them used they are worth it.

"American War Plans: 1945-1950" by Steven T. Ross is a detailed look at the planning that the United States undertook in the period from the end of World War II to the beginning of the Korean War in order to meet the rising Soviet threat, with a strong emphasis on the word "plan". If you are looking for a book on early Cold War politics, or even a look at U.S. grand strategy in the post-war era, this is not what you are looking for. Ross concerns himself exclusively with the military's contingency planning for open war with the U.S.S.R., and given the hypothetical nature of that planning, and the vastly reduced role in policy formulation the military enjoyed post 1945, these plans are exercises in threat evaluation, and generally speaking, not power politics.

Ross' work opens with perhaps one of the great ironies of the Cold War: by 1946 the U.S. military, arguably the most powerful armed force in history at the end of WWII, and certainly the most well rounded, had been gutted to the point that it was not only incapable of defending Western Europe, it was largely incapable of even slowing the U.S.S.R. down. At the same time, there is the puzzling dichotomy of a military forced to rely on atomic weapons to compensate for a lack of conventional forces, at the same time that they have no idea how many weapons are available, and only a dim view of their battlefield utility. Thus, the first plans Ross discusses, are defined by a complete withdrawal from Western Europe, and a WWIII fought from the Middle East. The initial phases of such a conflict would entail an evacuation of continental Western Europe, a reinforcement of Great Britain, and securing the Mediterranean theater of operations. At the same time, atomic attacks would attempt to pound the U.S.S.R. and its satellites into submission. In the final phases of this scenario, the Allies would drive into the Soviet Union from the south, through the Caucuses. This final element is interesting in that it draws far more on the maneuver theory so prevalent today, than do the latter iterations of the plan, which presage the defense in depth of later decades.

It would excessive to give an overview of each additional scenario, but there are a few developments in the following years that often define the remainder of the Cold War era. The first is that the arms race is defined at a very early date; aside from the use of atomic weapons, Ross repeatedly mentions contingency planning for the development, and presumable use, of chemical and biological weapons. Along those same lines, the direction of nuclear war was pretty much set by 1948, as the first target of atomic bombs became the enemy's atomic bombs. Thus, in the span of three years, atomic bombs went from being a decisive weapon, to a non-factor (although it wasn't recognized yet) as all battlefield utility (e.g. counterforce) had largely been removed from their employment. This likewise dovetails into the internecine strife that often characterized the service branch turf wars of the Cold War. In particular, the Air Force/Navy battles become apparent as the Air Force argues that atomic war is the primary task in any future war, rather than one of many. In addition, although it is never explicit, the refusal to mount a first strike becomes implicit in U.S. military planning at this point. Finally, Ross' discussion of the fears for terrorism and subversion in the U.S., including the use of unconventional weapons by Soviet agents strongly echoes the fears of a post 9/11 world.

Ultimately, the need to shore up European allies in the newly formed NATO brings planning full circle, as the Joint Chiefs are forced by political requirements to plan for the defense of Europe. This, when combined with the Korean War, finally begins the process of funding that will allow the U.S. to have at least a reasonable chance of defending Europe. Thus, in five years another full circle is achieved as the military is gutted to achieve a political expedient, only to be rebuilt in order to achieve a different one.

In the end, Ross has done an excellent job of compiling numerous primary sources into a through, cogent and readable volume. His considerations of budget constraints versus planning necessities serve as a constant grounding for the work, and his exploration of the challenges of atomic planning is both interesting in and of itself, and critical to understanding the development of America strategy. This is a must read for any student of the Cold War.

Jake Mohlman

This book is one of the "Best" books written, concerning what
Senior Citizens, need to expect for future retirement and their
required benefits. I was totally surprised, what is available
for usage in my "Golden Years". This should have been written
over 40 years ago. "Thank You" for your Time and Support.
I feel, that I am now well-prepared for my future adventure
as a Senior Citizen.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (1/07)

Dr. Carter V. Multz recalls three surgeries on a bleeding ulcer and how the last two could have been prevented with proper treatment. The original surgery and biopsy showed that bacteria caused the ulcer. Treating Dr. Multz with an antibiotic would what prevented future difficulties. His cardiologist adjusted his medication but the order was missed. "No harm ensued," but these incidents show the need for better communication between patients and their physicians.

"Big Business has taken over American Medicine. Doctors have been driven out of business, hospitals closed, and access to patients has been limited. Corporations are out to make money and care little for the patient. Doctors now respond to insurance companies not the patient. Insurance costs are out of control. Patients cannot afford insurance and yet cannot afford to be without it. The pharmaceutical industry must also accept their share of responsibility in the quagmire of American Medicine.

Dr. Multz suggests that citizens and medical professional should be involved in decisions about healthcare, especially those that restrict or ration any element of care. What are we willing to pay for as a group? Such as, what forms of cosmetic surgery should we, as a group, be willing to pay for? Citizens should be involved in pricing and availability. A commission should be formed in a capacity of advisory and review.

Dr. Carter V. Multz calls on his vast experience to suggest improvement in the American Medical system. He speaks his opinions plainly and simply enough that even I could understand them. I think he has several wise proposals. The cover of this book is well done, a flag and a broken symbol of the AMA, what could speak louder to the condition of our medical system. I highly recommend "American Medicine MisManaged Care" for all concerned with the state of medical care in the United States.

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BACK COVER

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Master seaman, shipbuilder and nautical chronicler Charles G. Davis here charts an anecdotal, highly personal course through our rich nautical history. Written in a style both entertaining and informal through which bubbles as genuine love of sailing vessels and sea lore, American Sailing Ships evokes the very feel of salt spray and rolling decks.

In nearly 140 photographs, prints and plans (most drawn by the author, an accomplished marine architect), you'll find a first-rate cross-section of a wide range of sailing ships from the eighteenth through early twentieth centuries. Here too is knowledgeable discussion of ship size, design, proportion, rigging details and more. Included are:

Block Islanders

Quoddy boats

Chebacco Boats

Pinkys

Fishing Schooners

Clippers

Packet Ships

Bugeyes

Oyster Luggers

Frigates

... and others

American Sailing Ships offers lively discourse on shipbuilders such as 18th century American designer Joshua Humphreys, whose frigates had no equal among the sailing men-of-war of any other nation; illuminating insights regarding crews, chains of command and life at sea; an account of how the Gloucester-built chebacco boat Fame earned the right to that name as a privateer during the War of 1812, outsailing and capturing vessels ten times its weight; and much more.

Davis's classic work is sure to intrigue sailing enthusiasts, historians, Americana buffs and model builders. American Sailing Ships, here in its first popularly priced paperback edition, promises the imaginative reader an unforgettable taste of seafaring excitement.

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Reviewers comments:

Charles Davis wrote this book in 1929. He especially loved building models. So much so, that he went to sea and sailed around Cape Horn for the fun of it, and to learn more about these vessels. Davis was a man who knew the sea, knew boats, and loved them both. His knowledge was precious and I'm grateful he passed it on to us.

I would liken this book to a modern book about fighter aircraft written today. At the time he wrote the book, the use of sailing craft for merchant purposes was passing away. The time was ripe for a book of this nature.

This book is 196 fact filled pages. Have you ever wondered how many men were on a gun crew of a frigate? What their positions and responsibilities were in battle? This book will tell you.

I was pleased with the drawings, which were excellent. They had nice detail. I was suprised that I could not find fault with any of them! The photographs of ships in the water, on the hard, and models were excellent and added perspective to the included line drawings. The book includes over 140 drawings and photographs.

Davis included useful descriptions of the deck layout, and many rigging details, weight of anchors, and information on the spars.

What I liked best were his stories about the various ships like the then famous "Black Ball" Line of packet ships, which were the first ever to sail regularly on the 1st and 16 of every month between New York and Liverpool. His descriptions of life aboard fascinating reading, written by a man knew what he was talking about relating his personal experiences. He brought the times back to life!

He also included some fun stuff like sea chanteys. "The words of each line of the song are made up by the chanteyman with no sense whatever, so long as the last word of each couplet harmonizes." says Davis. The Yo-o-o-o-o being drawled out with the "Ho" sharp and crisp.

Solo: Oh the cook he's mixing up his bread!

Chorus: Yo-o-o-o-o-ho, heave the man down!

Solo: An when you it eat it yo'll drop dead!

Chorus: Yo-o-o-o-o-ho, heave the man down!

Solo: Oh the old man's a going for to shoot the sun.

Chorus: Yo-o-o-o-o-ho, heave the man down!

Solo: Ay' this here old topsail it must weigh a ton.

Chorus: Yo-o-o-o-o-ho, heave the man down!

I think anyone would enjoy this book. It has details for the model builder, lots of great pictures, and fun stories for everyone.

If you have ever sailed or wanted to sail on a ship rigged vessel. You owe it to yourself to buy this book. It is one of a handfull of books on the subject with really useful information.

Smooth Sailing!

Bart Senior

U.S. War Plans 1939-45 presents source material documents which outline U.S. war plans for the second world war, with introductory chapters outlining joint war strategy operations and the documents following. Libraries and individuals with in-depth collections on World War II history will find this an invaluable reference which assembles under one cover U.S. war plans and meeting results.