Parties Books

Some people view "experience" as nothing more than aging while repeating the same mistakes over and over, others view surviving catastrophy as wisdom by default. James Frey may have soiled the idea of a drinker's memoir for a long time (and the readers who say "It's a good story, anyway," are missing the whole point). Experience has to be based on actual life and wisdom is the ability to accept the idea that the world doesn't always bend to our wishes.
AFTER PARTY is the story of a young man who voluntarily puts himself behind the learning curve and then kicks to catch up. Murphy tells his own story with a South Side Irishman's ability to laugh at the world while cursing it out, knowing all the while that the world might have the last laugh.
I don't care if James Frey is so tough he had all his teeth pulled out while getting a colonoscopy and playing Bobby Fischer, Vince Murphy is telling the truth here.

This book is an excellent insight to how tactics of major interest groups reacted to, benefited, or were derailed by the 1994 Republican take over of Congress. It is written extremely well with captivating stories, individualizing each interest group within its own chapter. A must-read for any Political Science major or government buff. Five stars!

The period just before I came to awareness of the politcal world--and I came to some such awareness by 1936, when I was eight--has always fascinated me. I remember when I read Frederick Lewis Allen's classic, Only Yesterday (on May 21, 1946), how enthralled I was by the account of the years just before my ken. Much of the same fascination fuels my appreciation for this book, which considers the forces in the Democratic Party in the Twenties and early Thirties and the struggles between them. The author's thesis is that the Democratic Party was at least in the Conventions of the 1920's controlled by the conservative wing, and we know that some of those conservatives left the party in the New Deal days. I found the book full of interesting things, such as a clear explanation of why after the 103 ballots in 1924 the Houston convention in 1928 naminated Al Smith on the first ballot--a result which might mystify but which this book explains convincingly. Anyone who enjoys political history will be caught up by this carefully researched book--I was.

This is a very good book. When Patsy decides to have a suprise party for Albert, she asks all of Albert's friends to help out. The party is planned and everything is turned out great, everyone did what they were supposed to, but wait Patsy forget to give Albert the invitation. When Patsy relizes this they decided to move the party to Albert. When they are on thier way to bring the part to Albert, they relize that he has just left, and is on his way somewhere. They follow him, and everytime they are close Albert seems to have just left. They are so tired that they take a break at the apple orchard, and what happens. I guess you will have to read the book to find out. I would recommend this book for children ages 3-7.

"Alone in the house" is a true thriller! You just mightjump right out of your socks! Joanne, a teenager who is persuaded byher friends to have a party at her house while her parents are out of town. Her friend Cindy opens the door to a few strangers who decide to crash the party. After everyone has left and the house is dark, Joanne begins to hear the sound of flapping wings. When I read this book, I was so scared but I could not put the book down. If you like scary stories and mysteries, you will love " Alone in the house"! Every chapter in this horrifying story is filled with suspense and wide-open eyed moments. If you enjoy this nail-biting thriller then you will want to read Edmund Plante's other horror novels. All of Edmund Plante's books are out of print but I purchased my book at Amazon and they were able to locate a copy in no time at all. Thanks! END

A stimulating state of the art collection of articles on political careers in the United States of America.... There are enough good ideas here to keep researchers happy for years.

This book is the best analysis of Austrian identity on the market. If you have ever wanted to know what the relationship between Austrian and German is all about and what the term Austrian has meant in different historical periods, you will find the answer here. The book combines sophisticated historical methods with accessible language and is written in an admirably objective tone. It is innovative history writing at its best and has become an instant favorite of mine.

This is an awesome book for anyone. It's realistic and the dance story is fun. One of the things my child likes most is the different categories of boys....check it out!

First published in 1995 by Oxford University Press, America's Competitive Secret suggests how to utilize women as a management strategy. It was an excellent idea then and an even better idea now as globalization initiatives of American companies increase and intensify. In the Preface, author Judy B. Rosener explains that her book is intended for executives and managers "who want to improve their organization's bottom line, and for women who wonder why their career paths so often seem to be shaped by the fact that they are female." Note the reference to "bottom line." For Rosener, it is prudent to leverage the talents of professional women" inorder to create "more innovative, productive, and profitable organizations." Also, for male executives, the principle of enlightened self-interest is relevant to their own success. It makes absolutely no sense to under-utilize the talents of women professionals, especially as the global economy continues to expand so rapidly and extensively. Rosabeth Kanter agrees: "Whatever the duration and objectives of business alliances,...in the global economy, a well-developed ability to create and sustain fruitful collaborations gives companies a significant competitive leg up." Hence the importance of women.

As Connie Glaser and Barbara Steinberg Smalley suggest in Swim with the Dolphins, the female temperament is better suited than is the male's to concluding "win-win" negotiations, resolving conflicts, reaching consensus, preferring to cooperate and collaborate rather than compete, keeping an open mind, asking direct and relevant but not insulting questions, etc. Rosener describes the female temperament in terms of "consensus building, power sharing, and comfort with ambiguity."

She examines five "stages" through which organizations must proceed if they are to undergo the transformation required by new realities as well as opportunities: Stage One: Staying Out of Trouble Stage Two: We Need to React Stage Three: It's a Case of Survival Stage Four: It's the Right Thing to Do Stage Five: It's Part of Our Culture

Females as well as males within an organization will proceed from one stage to the next at varying speeds and within varying timeframes. Fair enough. However, all must reach Stage Five. Rosener recommends that, from both a strategic and financial point of view, structural reorganization "should be undertaken in concert with efforts to rectify female underutilization. Flexibility and diversity are two keys to competitive advantage, and both are closely related to the underutilization issue."

So much in the business world has changed since 1995 when this book was first published. However, many American companies and most companies in other countries have yet to take full advantage of -- and reward appropriately -- the talents of women. The companies which do so have a significant competitive advantage, a "secret weapon" if you will. Professional women know at which companies they will be appreciated and rewarded, where there are the greatest opportunities for their personal as well as professional growth. It is no coincidence that these are the same companies which, year after year, are the most profitable in their respective industries. At least until now, many of our nation's companies seem unaware of or indifferent to this "competitive secret."

Received from Ms. Patrice Munsel (Metropolitan Opera Star and political activist) March 26, 2008.

"America's Dying Democracy should be read by every intelligent American before the next elections. It is so brilliantly written, and the information is very clear and specific. I wish I could send a copy to every household in America."