Berg Books

This book is a primer on how to do solution-focussed work with families. The great thing about these techniques is that although the author is writing from a child protection perspective, and she is working with families, she describes the techniques and principles in such a way that the reader can see that the solution focused approach can be applied to a wide variety of situations, including individual work. The author's writing style is fluid and enjoyable, such that I was actually enthralled by the book and didn't want to put it down. Her case examples ring true. The book really shows the importance of joining with clients, and not needing to take on a top-down expert attitude. I was able to apply the material to my practice immediately. The author gets bonus points for actually having an introduction and preface that was actually quite valuable, as opposed to being filler, which can be the case with some books.

Excellent resource for anyone wishing to re-energize their practice with families, especially families referred by/to child protection agencies.Challenges the practitioner to re-think many basic assumptions and practices. This book can help to re-shape your perspective. The material provokes you to think differently about the families you work with and your usual interventions. It is refreshing to focus on solution-building rather than being bogged down by preoccupation with problems, although making that shift is a tall order! This book was a pleasure to read.

This book is deeply moving, I have listened to the tapes as well and am of the opinion that Art Berg has much to share with anyone that has ever felt depressed, discouraged, or overwhelmed with life. His ability to connect with the reader and convey feelings and experiences effectively is outstanding, as one is left looking at his own life with pondering reflection.

This is a phenomenal book (actually I have the audio cassettes) that anyone who is ever frustrated with life, depressed, whatever.....should read. While being understanding and compassionate, Mr. Berg also is very pragmatic about what it takes to look upon difficulties in a more productive manner. Great stuff!

Steven Dietz's complex script takes the story the hate group, THE ORDER's, rise and fall (because of their assassination of radio personality Alan Berg) and weaves different aspects of how hate groups affect people on a personal (and sometimes touchingly horrifying basis).

A strong ensemble piece that can be performed with little or no set on a regional and/or community theatre level.

This show is a bleak and straight forward glimpse into the lifes, minds and activities of contemporary neo-nazis, and some people affected by them. A powerful and simple show, but a challenge for all involved. It is dedicated to one of the victims.

This book is a very nice supplement to the 20 volume OED. It has 2 main parts:

"Part One is a step-by-step guide to understanding the kinds of information found in, and the conventions of, typical OED entries, including pronunciation, word origins, grammatical function; the organization of historical changes of meaning; and the role of the many illustrative quotations."

"Part Two is an A-Z Companion to the OED, covering its history, the individuals who have shaped it, its terminology and methods, and a wealth of fascinating facts and figures."

There is also a 7 page chronology of the OED, a facts and figures section, and a bibliography.

I had the compact edition of the first edition of the OED for several years, but I rarely used it. The print was pretty small, but the main reason was that I apparently didn't understand the arrangement scheme and methods employed by the OED. I bought this guide recently, just to see if I was missing anything crucial. It cleared up my understanding in so many ways; I was persuaded to buy the full 20 volume set of the 2nd edition. I recommend this book to anyone who uses the OED or is thinking about using it, and wants to use it to its fullest capacity.

A pioneer for openly homosexual writers, Christopher Isherwood was known for more than just being a gay author - he was a master of his craft who didn't let that label control everything he did. Writing novels alongside for film and theater, Christopher Isherwood was one of the better writers of the 20th century and now in "Isherwood on Writing" we now hear from the man himself as he discusses his craft and the life and times of his heyday in London and Hollywood and literary friendships with other great authors such as Virginia Woolf and Aldous Huxley. Despite all the notes that may suggest otherwise, Isherwood comes out as profoundly American, making "Isherwood on Writing" highly recommended for both academic and community library biography, literary studies, and gay studies reference collections.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Christopher Isherwood is considered a major Anglo-American novelist. He was a pioneer in the gay liberation movement and the founding father of modern gay writing. In the late 1950s and early 1960s Isherwood presented a series of lectures at various California universities on the theme "A Writer and His World." In this series of lectures Isherwood for the first time commented openly about his craft-on writing for films, theatre, novels and spirituality. James J. Berg, dean of social sciences and arts at the College of the Desert in Palm Springs, California has now assembled in Isherwood on Writing these lectures. Dean Berg has also included a forward by Professor Emeritus Claude J. Summers of English at the University of Michigan, Dearborn.

According to Summers, reading these lectures after fifty years of their delivery "is to observe an accomplished and versatile artist in the process of evolving. It is also to feel-acutely-through their reticences and euphemisms-the constraints he felt then at speaking openly about homosexuality even at liberal universities before congenial audiences." What is noteworthy about these lectures is that they offer to the reader an invaluable peek into a caring writer's literary approach and theories at a critical era of his life, a time when he was rethinking his career.

Beginning with this very interesting Foreword, Berg presents a comprehensive introduction where he introduces us to Isherwood with an overview of his intentions and methods for the lectures. It is also pointed out that the book collects for the first time transcripts, edited and annotated, from the three lecture series that were given at Berkley in 1963 as well as previous lectures in 1960 at the University of California, Santa Barbara and subsequently at the University of California, Los Angeles. Berg also informs his readers that the introduction explores the various issues he encountered while putting together the book.

Among some of the issues explored deal with the fact that although the American period of Isherwood's life is well documented in his diaries, there still exists many misconceptions about his work and experiences in the United States. We are also apprised of the fact that when Isherwood began lecturing publicly he was not shy about proclaiming his personal views such as loyalty oaths in Santa Barbara in 1960, although his employment the previous year was predicated on his signing a loyalty oath for L.A. State College. In another section we read about Reading the American Isherwood where it is shown that his literary reputation is far from settled.

After this wide-ranging introduction, Berg then goes onto divide the book into three parts that deal with a writer and his world, 1960, an autobiography of Isherwood`s books, 1963-65, and Isherwood`s lecture with his notes pertaining to such subject matters as influences on writing, why write at all, what is the nerve of interest in the novel, writers and the theatre, writers and films, writers and religion, writers of the thirties, the novel as an experience, voices of novelists and dramatists in the modern era, what is a novel and the novel and the novelist.

A sampling of one of Isherwood`s challenging lectures finds him throwing out the question what does it mean to write and what is it all about? According to Isherwood, he wrote in order to find out what his life meant and who he was, as well as finding out if there's meaning in the external world. And as he continues, if there isn't any meaning, he imposes a meaning of his own. To quote Isherwood: "You have this material, this thing is passing by, what does it all mean? Who are these people? Why am I here? What is it all about? And so you grasp at this thing and try to understand it."
In another lecture Isherwood examines the nerve of the interest in a novel. He asks what makes a novel vital alive good great? Throughout the lectures Isherwood describes his writing relationships with W.H. Auden, E.M Forster, Virginia Woolf, Stephen Spender, Aldous Huxley, and Somerset Maugham. He also refers to his experiences in the film industry in London and Hollywood.

Isherwood on Writing is a moving and memorable book that provides a wonderful resource for writers and readers as it powerfully covers the world of the writer and in particular a major figure in twentieth-century fiction and the gay rights movement.

Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor Bookpleasures

An excellent jazz book from the head of the U.S.C. Jazz Studies Department. If you are interested in playing jazz I highly recomend this book.

This book explains the method for using chord tones (goal notes) to create melodic lines. This approach is far more flexible than the chord/scale approach. Scales are also covered in a no-nonsense fashion.

Finally, the Books that have brought "new" Light into the meaning of that all-too-confusion Bible. Kabbalistic Bible finally adds true meaning and relevance in our lives to those old tales. I never understood why it took 6 "days" to an All-Mighty to create our universe (then He was too tired and rested, HAHAHA!!!), or why, by just eating an apple, we were all destined to live in this unnecessary chaotic world. (not mentioning that if we don't become wise in the ways of the universe, things will keep getting worse. Inmediate and proper action is necessary now)

The Bible is an user's guide, a road map to enhance your life and become like God, anything less than this is waste of anyone's time. I could have written better stories, and I suck at it. All of the 5 Books of the Kabbalistic Bible bring an amazing understanding on how the universe is wired, how to make the most of it and how to become the master of your own happiness and well-being.

Don't be fooled by the literal interpretation of the Bible and start taking advantage of this technology. Practical use and visible results in your life should be the only yardstick.

If you're interested in studying Kabbalah, "The Kabbalistic Bible," should be on the top of your list. I've read "The Power of Kabbalah," but I really felt like I wanted to explore further and I found so many answers here.

In truth I myself am not a huge fan of Agee's work, but I do have admiration for the man himself. He was a wholly committed, passionate and intense writer who was consumed by his desire to achieve great literary success. I've heard a critic call him the James Dean of American literature, and while I think that's a bit preposterous, I do find the analogy amusing and at least somewhat true. Agee has always fascinated me, even though I really can't stand "A Death in the Family," which -- despite flashes of simply brilliant writing -- I think is one of those over-indulgent, self-consciously literary novels that high-minded and self-consciously literary people are quick to shower with awards.

But this is not a review of "A Death in the Family." This little book, a collection of correspondence Agee wrote from the time he was in high school to not long before his tragic death at the age of 45, is one of those little gems that fans of the author will cherish and even non-fans (such as myself) will find interesting. Simply put, if you love Agee's work and are even remotely interested in knowing more about the man, then this is a must-read.

Whatever doubt I had about Agee's motivations and skills as a writer are put to rest here. It's shocking how emotional, well-read, thoughtful, and just plain intense Agee was, even at a fairly young age. His letters to his mentor, Father Flye, reveal everything from his opinions of various authors to his obsession of achieving greatness to his suicidal impulses and his work habits. It's really quite eye-opening.

There's surprisingly little biographical material about Agee out there, despite his strong following and his many admirers. He's often considered one of the great American writers of the 20th Century, and while I hardly think he wrote enough (or well-enough, for that matter) to qualify for such praise, I can't deny the charisma and power his image exudes. These letters make for a great read and should be on the shelf of anyone who respects writers (whether you like their actual writing or not!).

Amazing. James Agee's place in American literature is set. He shines!

This book is very inspiring and provides motivation to all readers! Kevin not only shares his story but his passion. I had the pleasure of meeting him and receiving a signed copy. It is a book I will treasure for life.

This is a must read book! I would highly recommend it to anyone. No matter what situation you may have in your life - it will motivate you! Kevin, shines light not only on God but on life in general.

I can not say enough good things about this book! It is wonderful. Thank you - Kevin and I hope you write more books soon.

This will blow you away with the things that Kevin has gone through, yet has persevered. His faith in God and his lack of complaining about his situation will make you second guess why you worry and complain about obstacles that come into your life.

I loved the story about how he proposed to his wife.

This is probably the only book about making short films that takes readers by the hand and leads them every step of the way from writing a winning short to getting the little gem screened at the major festivals. There's a website with free material at www.making-short-films.com and there are scores of colleges up and down the country using the book as a teaching aid. Before shooting a frame of film, filmmakers would do well to read this book.

A must have book for anyone thinking of starting out in the movie business. An informative, funny, up to date, practical guide that will make the journey easier.