Baker Books

"The Stevensons" is a sweeping story of the American experience, a story of a great American family.

Jean Baker begins the story of the Stevenson saga with Adlai Stevenson II's 1948 campaign for governor in Illinois. As the popular governor is about to run for the presidency in 1952, the author takes readers back to governor's ancestors, following the family's migration to America - moving from Pennsylvania to the Carolinas, on to Kentucky and eventually to Bloomington, Illinois -- a sweeping and inspiring journey.

While the book's focus is Adlai Stevenson II, two time Democratic presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956, the family biography thoroughly recounts the life and political career of his famous grandfather, Adlai Stevenson I (1835-1914), a Democratic Party icon in 19th century Illinois politics.

Of special interest to those who remember Adlai Stevenson II's two campaigns for the presidency and his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the book presents the complexities of the personality of probably the best known liberal of the post-World War II era.

The only missing link in the story is the period between 1956 and 1960.

Among all the tragic figures in this saga, Adlai Stevenson II, although flawed, shines with a luster that will be remembered as a liberal statesman head and shoulders above his contemporaries.

The author lists 35 interviews and has included 74 pages of bibliographic

Jean Baker's chronicle of the Stevenson family contains Baker's usual hallmarks-- thought-provoking sagacity, a remarkable ability to objectively look at all issues from all angles, and research that in its scope and accuracy is second to none. The Stevensons should be required reading for all Americans who care about postwar American politics and culture. An excellent piece of work by one of America's outstanding biographers.

It is important to keep in mind that this is not a biography of Adlai, the most famous of Stevensons. Baker examines his family and his place within that family's development...as well as his place within the American political system. I grew up in Chicago in a family of Democrats who adored FDR and, later, Adlai Stevenson. (They really didn't know quite what to make of Truman nor, for that matter, did Truman know quite what to make of Stevenson.) I begn to follow Stevenson's career when he was governor of Illinois, delighted by his dry wit. Unlike Lincoln's, his career did not lead from Springfield to the White House. His manner was that of a patrician and his demeanor that of an intellectual. (Eisenhower once called him an "egghead.") On occasion, he seemed to lack an appetite for politics or at least for campaigning for public office. Thanks to Baker, I now have a much better understanding of his Scottish ancestry, of his youth, and of the formative years preceding his governship. Contrary to what the elders in my family firmly believed, Stevenson was no saint. For me, that makes him all-the-more interesting. Perhaps his finest moment in public life occurred when, as our ambassador to the U.N., he challenged the ambassador from the U.S.S.R. to admit that it had deployed missiles in Cuba. That took courage and eloquence which Stevenson possessed in abundance. So many fine books have been written about the Kennedys, the Rockefellers, and the Roosevelts. Another family, the Stevensons, has now received the attention it deserves.

I used the book and the tapes before, during and after my hysterectomy. I was so calm that the nurses took my blood pressure and pulse several times to confirm the readings! I was able to use the hypnosis tapes and an epidural rather than full anesthetic, and my recovery was very quick and easy. My doctor was very pleased. I highly recommend this book and the tapes for anyone facing surgery.

I have used this book through 2 surgeries, a laparoscopy for endometriosis and a hysterectomy. It's basically self-hypnosis, and I never believed in hypnosis; however, Dr. Baker makes a good case for its use not only as pre-operative preparation, to prime your body for healing, but also describes how patients under anaesthesia have been shown to respond to suggestions given to them through headphones. The premise here is first to induce a state of relaxation by focusing on each muscle group from your head to your toes, and relaxing all of them. Then, in this relaxed meditative state, you give yourself suggestions about how well your surgery is going to go, and how fast you will heal. It sounds corny, but the argument and the results are convincing. When you are embarrassed (psychological stimulus) you blush (physical reaction). If you give your body "instructions" about surgery in a receptive state, you can induce a physical reaction (faster healing). You don't have to believe in hypnosis. You don't even have to be awake -- I fell asleep frequently listening to the tapes -- because if your brain registers this stuff under anaesthesia, it will register it if you doze.
Part of the instruction includes directing your body to shunt blood away from the area being worked on. I was told that the average blood loss in a hysterectomy is 500 ml, and that I lost 25. My surgeon was offhand about the numbers, but I have the surgery video to show only a tiny pool of blood -- this stuff works.
After explaining how the technique works, Dr Baker presents a series of scripts. You record them, or have someone whose voice you like, record them, and customize each one for your own individual surgery by addressing your own concerns for it. There are scripts for preliminary relaxation, pre-op, emergency surgery, immediate post-op, and recuperation, as well as one for listening to during surgery, where you combine music you like with suggestions that the surgery is going well. At the time of publication, there was an option to send for pre-recorded tapes; I don't know if they are still available, but by making your own you can address all your own specific concerns. (And yes, some surgeons WILL let you have headphones during your operation.)
It's not a really long book; it's simply written and easy to read; and it works. As soon as I find out someone is having surgery, I tell them to get a copy.
6 stars out of 5.

Facing my third surgery for endometriosis, the word, "nervous," didn't begin to describe my emotional state. Dr. Baker's book (and support tapes which can be created using the script(s) in the book or ordered separately) provided the calming effect I desperately needed. I was so taken with the information presented in Dr. Baker's book, I decided to order the set of surgical support tapes which he narrates. I listened to them before, during, and after surgery. In fact, the surgery tape was played continuously during my 7-1/2 hour operation. I believe the tapes were key to my healing and recovery. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to read and listen to Dr. Baker's caring words.

Absolutely, the most compelling book I have ever read (excluding the Bible)period. I was moved to tears, weeping, rather. This book is about the last week of Christ's life before He is crucified. Buy this book. Read it. Then treasure it!

a book to be read prior to the Easter Season. Great detail of the suffering of our Lord by an old Reformed theologian.

It's the little things like the descriptions of the scourge used on Jesus' back; the delight of those He was given to in their mocking of Him, the injustice of it all, the vast difference between their reactions to Christ, and Christ's silence among them. These are some of the things F.W. Krummacher will have you consider in the last days of the Savior's life. If you want to be there with Jesus, read this one brethren.

Fran Gage's "A Sweet Quartet" is filled to overflowing with gorgeous writing about four basic baking ingredients: sugar, almonds, eggs, and butter. She refers to these with the charming assertion that they are "the DNA of desserts." Although I'd disagree with her here (in my book, flour would replace almonds, much as I love almonds!), this former bakery owner makes her case so winningly and with such conviction that you are swept along in her cause.

The recipes are few--just under three dozen total--which may seem like very little for a cookbook that costs over twenty bucks. But Gage isn't trying to provide you with recipes as much as she's trying to fill you in on the background, the history, the chemical properties, and the world view of these ingredients. On the task she sets for herself, she does beautifully. Did you know, for instance, that:

"The Germans have loved marzipan since it arrived in the sixteenth century from Venice. They sought out the best almonds for it, and trade guilds regulated its sale; only apothecaries were allowed to sell it, much to the chagrin of confectioners . . . Neideregger, a marzipan maker in Lübeck since 1805, still boasts two hundred varieties."

or . . .

"The rhythmic slapping of balloon whisks beating egg whites in copper bowls is more than a romantic holdover. Atoms from the copper bind with one of the white's proteins, which promotes cross-linking between the protein molecules, resulting in a foam that is creamier and not so easy to overwhip."

or . . .

"There is real butter, and there is fake butter, and they are not the same . . . Spurred on by a challenge from Napoleon III in 1869, Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès came up with a cheaper substitute. Relying on shaky biological knowledge of how a cow produced something that became butter, he mixed the oil from beef fat (oleo) with skimmer milk and water, throwing in a strip of cow udder for good measure. His invention was surprisingly like the veritable item. He called it margarine, after the Greek word for 'pearl,' a name that reflected its glossy appearance. People liked the price, and some may have liked the taste. The new product became popular."

"A Sweet Quartet" is filled with fascinating nuggets like this, studded with information that way one of Gage's desserts might be studded with dried cranberries or chocolate chunks or, well, almonds. This is a super book for anyone interested in peeking behind the bakery curtain to see the whys and wherefores of the way these essential dessert ingredients work and how they affect both each other and other ingredients. And the recipes, by the way, are wonderful!

A Sweet Quartet is a charming tale about the history of sugar, almonds, butter, and eggs, and how each made its way independently into the kitchen and became the foundation of all desserts. She tells the story of each ingredient by weaving history with personal recollections in the field at a sugar mill, at a hatchery, as owner of a patisserie, and other experiences. The story is compelling, and comes complete with 33 recipes. -rkc

Four basic elements make desserts possible: sugar, almonds, eggs, and butter. A Sweet Quartet blends a culinary history of these ingredients with a recipe guide and travelogue. No color photos, but the easy recipes don't need them, while the culinary history of dessert-making is fascinating, adding a literary touch to the results.

This book dspelled many of my personal myths about public management. I purchased Tales from the Trenches as a reference for my Business Management class. I wanted to contrast private management with public management. I felt private management was more dynamaic and challenging. I now see that public managers, espcially at the local government level, are just as sophisticated and resourceful as their private counterparts. They also make the same type of blunders. The authors have done a great job in their selection of real life tales. I found
the manqagement advice they dispersed throughout the stories very useful. I also loved the cartoons which set the theme for each chapter.

Collaboratively written by former city managers Len Wood and Joe Baker, Tales From The Trenches: Achievements, Blunders And Challenges In Local Government Management is a grand collection of great achievements and ridiculous blunders in local government. Innovations, challenges, and good intentions that went horribly wrong, pack the pages of this involving and highly readable guide which is especially recommended reading for all voters, and which will provide particularly meaningful to those with a personal and/or professional interest in local politics.

After reading Len Wood's and Joe Baker's new book, I'm reminded why I entered this interesting profession. "Tales from the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management" provides an insightful glimpse into the event-filled life of public managers.

The eleven chapters reflect the key public manager responsibilities and challenges. Each chapter contains several stories that illustrate key management concepts. Included with these tales are tips containing advice and alternative approaches to addressing the situation. Stories are written in a straightforward manner, and best of all, are true to life because current and former local government managers contributed each tale.

What makes "Tales" especially valuable is the 180 page Instructor's Manual which complements the book, chapter for chapter. It contains discussion questions for each tale along with numerous case studies, management exercises and questionnaires.

Assuredly, "Tales from the Trenches: Achievements, Blunders and Challenges in Local Government Management" will inspire young professionals to take a close look at a local government career. This book is also a good mentoring guide.

This review was submitted to the California City Manager's Newsletter by Greg Ramirez, Assistant City Manager, Agoura Hills.

Anyone seeking to teach in a cross-cultural setting, even here in North America, would benefit from reading this book. The author's writing style is clear, readable, and packed full of great real-world examples. This book is a must read for anyone involved in teaching in a cross-cultural setting.

Judith and Sherwood Lingenfelter's work Teaching Cross-Culturally seeks to accomplish four goals. The first is to help teachers understand their own culture of teaching and learning. The second is to help teachers become effective teachers in another culture by becoming good learners. The third goal is to help teachers reflect on cultural differences and conflicts with others by considering perspectives taught in Scripture and faith in Christ. The final goal reflects the others in that the Lingenfelter's want teachers to have fun and enjoy teaching in other cultures and feel like they are taking part in fulfilling the Great Commission.

One of the more helpful aspects of this book is it helps teachers to consider their own cultural biases and how those biases affect their teaching style in cultural settings different from their own. These cultural biases reflect not only one's family background but also one's own educational background. Cultural differences can be seen in a variety of settings ranging from the difference between an inner city school and a rural school to the difference between an American International School and a native school setting. This issue is important because many teachers don't fully realize how much their teaching styles are influenced by their own cultural backgrounds.

This book also helps the potential cross-cultural teacher to consider different learning styles and settings in non-western settings. One is reminded that in many non-western settings learning is often more of a community event than an individual pursuit. So, one needs to understand the role of a teacher in these kinds of setting will differ based on where they are. The Lingenfelter's also help teachers re-evaluate their expectations and consider which may be valid and which are false. Too many false expectations lead to negative teaching experiences.

To teach effectively in a cross-cultural situation then is to learn about the culture one is in and then adapt one's teaching style to that culture. This is reflected in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ who set the ultimate example of adapting to different cultural situations to most effectively reach those around him. The potential cross-cultural teacher needs to follow the example Christ set before them.

There's lots of books out there on teaching, and lots of books on multiculturalism, but FINALLY a book that addresses each area from the other's perspective! This book deals with the nuts and bolts of different cultures, but it also comes from an academic perspective, including the research and citations to back it up. Written by two PhDs with the practical knowledge to back up the scholarship, this gave me the answers I needed for working with my inner city/multicultural church groups. It's very readable, and reasonably priced. I'm delighted with it and recommend it highly.

An excellent book on the healing process of grieving after a spouse's death. Includes faith, learning to rely on others, and explains the slow healing of deep grief. Excellent on teaching children how to grieve.

I first read this years ago and, since then (having endured the grief of losing a brother, both parents, best friend), have shared it with many friends and family over the years. I'm a big fan of the late Catherine Marshall; her writing is superb and her Christian faith amazing. To me this book (and her others) is a classic; a great healer and support during times of enduring pain and relentless grief.

Mainstream Christian people will be very familiar with the name, if not the writings, of Catherine Marshall. Her husband, the great Scottish orator, Rev. Peter Marshall, was Chaplain of the U. S. Senate, and a powerful man of God. He was the light of Catherine's life, and died too soon! When your heart is so broken, the grief so deep, that you cannot eat, cannot smile or stop crying, then this book is for you. I lost my father after a 7 week illness, and ONLY this book, not scripture, not friends, but ONLY this book helped me to understand that I was not alone in the depth of my anguish. My Dad was the only man in my life and today, 18 months later, I still cry daily. But Catherine, who opened up her own wounds to reach out in love and faith to help others, touched me and I began to heal just then. When I was angry at the doctors, this book helped. When I was angry at my family, this book helped. When I was angry at God, this book gave me hope again. You will want to get a copy for yourself and purchase another to have on hand for a friend. Thanks Catherine, I am sure heaven has long since erased your heartache. I look forward to that day too. God bless you dear readers, one and all.

This book offers great Core moves from beginner through advanced. The instructions and photos are clear and easy to follow; the spiral binding means the book stays open while you practice the moves.

I am a group fitness instructor teaching a Core class and I wanted some new moves. This book delivered. I am also a personal trainer and I liked the detailed explanations of the muscles being worked and the fact that the moves were safe and came with modifications if needed.

A good buy!

For some strange reason, I have only seen one review for any of the books in the 'Total' exercise series, which left me wondering really how these books were (the one review gave a high rating) and if anyone was actually buying them! None-the-less, I decided to take a chance on this book, because it had the right title - I was looking for an exercise ball program that was exclusively for core strength. This is a large book that is styled on the order of Ungaro's 'Pilates: Body in Motion'. If you are not familiar with that book, it is the most well laid out Pilates book I have found, with abundant and important tips, pointers, and cautions, and all the steps involved for every move. Total Core Strength on the Ball offers clear explanations of everything from what the core muscles are and why it is important to strengthen them, to when to breathe during each exercise. Exercises are clearly photographed with a series of photos for each exercise, and a well written and easy to understand explanation of how to do each step. There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercises, with a variety of different exercise programs laid out at the end of the book with the exercise name, a thumb-nail photograph, number of recommended reps and page number. The routines given are beginner, intermediate, advanced, a 15 minute routine, a 30 minute routine, a hotel room routine, an office routine (what have I left out?). There is a short stretching routine, although there is a long series of stretching exercises in the stretching section. I have never been 'into' stretching, but I went through the entire stretching section and really enjoyed it. I would say that in general, the exercises in this book, for each level, are challenging without being complicated or dangerous (as I have found in some other ball books). Since I have experience and practice on the ball already, I started at the advanced level, and I either do the advanced routine or the 30 minute routine, and found them both to be sufficiently challenging. I suppose that if you want super-advanced moves for a gymnast or a professional athlete, you could find those moves else-where, but for an at-home exerciser in decent shape, this book is an excellent resource. I am very pleased with this book and am glad I invested in it, it is easily one of my favorite ball books. By the way, the spiral binding is a big plus (and was one of the main reasons I bought the book - I was tired of poorly bound 'exercise ball' books either falling apart, or not staying open during exercise.)

This is a great book. Very clear descriptions of the exercises. Wonderful pictures. And it is spiral bound, making it easy to keep open while performing the exercises. I come from the perspective of being a former personal trainer and a recovered back surgery patient. I use the ball to keep my back and core strong. I couldn't recommend this book more highly. I will say, however, that if you are looking for a book to show you how to use the ball for exercises for non-core muscle groups, this is not the book for you.

This book is a classic. In the foreword to the 1986 edition, psychiatrist Jean Baker Miller mentioned her reasons for writing this groundbreaking book that was first published in 1976. First, in her work with women, she noticed that women had psychological strengths that they didn't seem to recognize or appreciate. Second, she was concerned that the model of the "new" woman seemed to be based on a male model, as if that were the only model of a complete person. Miller's goal was to "recognize, re-define and understand the day-to-day experience of women and to show how the mental and emotional lives of individual women reflect the social and political system" (back cover). She highlighted the need for change by describing the psychological damage that can result from unequal status and power in relationships. Although Miller focused on male and female relationships, the same outcome occurs whenever one or more groups are considered subordinate to the dominant group(s) because of such differences as race, sex, class, nationality, or religion; everyone involved is hurt by the inability to be authentic and complete. I appreciated her even-handed and realistic approach to differences: "Differences are a source of strength for each of us-so long as they are not used against us" (p. 136). Almost 30 years later, this landmark work continues to illuminate the problems caused by unequal relationships and opportunities for growth, which could explain why it can still be found in most bookstores.

Jean Baker Miller has done a magnificient job of illustrating major developmental issues for men and women. The title is deceiving, because it doesn't express the power and depth of her thinking as it applies to both genders.

A major contribution, by the author, is her recognition of the roles of dominants and subordinates. This phenomenon appears in almost all aspects of our lives. People in either role learn, the important concept is to understand what they learn. Jean Baker Miller focused on the role of men and women as they fulfill this dominant, subordinate relationship and the learning that stems from these roles.

When I read her book it was like I was standing in front of a full-length mirror that reflected a picture of my emotional state. I was able to see that my emotional state was half empty. My feminine qualities had been forced from my being, and I was unhappily overrun by my masculine self. Her book allowed me a map from which to start to reintegrate the feminine into my being. It allowed me to cry for the isolation of my masculine self and welcome the strength of my feminine. The reflections I received helped me rearrange my values to allow myself to be both empathetic and strong. In one sense it allowed me to understand my own intelligence. I defined my intelligence as the energy created by the unbroken path between my heart and mind. Intelligence is the product of this synergistic connection. When this connection is blocked or broken my intelligence is not in force.

My work with leaders in organizations is strongly influenced by the discoveries I made will reading this book. I hope you take the time to reflect on these difficult, but crucial issues.

This small and important book gives a timeless and cogent description of the dynamics between dominants and subordinates. Though the examples are specific to the relationships between men and women, the model offered stands up in an examination of dominant/subordinate relationships between any two groups or individuals. I discovered my own relationship with my sister (and vestiges of the dominant/subordinate in our relationship continue well into our adulthood). Continuously in print since 1976, Miller's little book is destined to remain in print as a classic, yet with a tiny bit of promotion from the publisher, it could easily become a current bestseller.

My daughter-in-law is one of Don's daughters. I have collected the calendars for 15+ years and have some of his original art works and attended some of his art shows over the years. I am so pleased to have this book published.

Linda

Whether you are old enough to remember Model T Fords or young enough
to understand the Blue Berry, you will find this book the most exacting
record of the past and the most interesting to follow through. These
drawings of Don Collins are not only facinating but authenic. This book
will be the most read on your coffee table. Sam Harris, 3232 Hwy 29E,
Burnet TX 78611

A difficult book to locate, but seller went out of the way to find it for us and kept us informed during the process. Book arrived shortly in beautiful condition. It's a lovely book, worth the trouble and the wait. Thank you!