Berg Books

I am a student ministries Pastor in Green Bay, WI. We recently did a study through this book with our youth leaders, and we were greatly blessed and encouraged. Berg clearly writes out of his passion for Christ and his desire to see others grow. One of the things that make the book so practical is that it is written first for the benefit of Jim's own children and then for others.

The best part about the book is that is thoroughly biblical. Berg begins by showing us the depravity of our hearts apart from God and how we need to see the sinfulness of our flesh and prepare to do battle against it. He then instructs a person how to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Finally, he gives practical help for the one who is battling to put off the flesh and be transformed who also wants to help others to do the same.

If you are looking for a great manual for your leadership team that will help them examine their own hearts and prepare to disciple others, look no further. I know of no other work on sanctification and growth that is so practical and thorough.

One of the best Bible studies out there. I'd highly recommend it to anyone.

I have been a Christian for 30 years and feel this is one of the most practical books I have read about Christian Living. John Piper is another favorite author who is quoted in several places by Mr. Berg. Highly recommended for a good overveiw of the life of faith.

Wonderful book that really points to Christ and change life! My wife read this book along with the workbook and I did see her permanently change in a better way, to a Christ like image! Thank you, Jim Berg!

Jim Berg, the author, will give you the 'big picture' of sanctification (the believer's growth in holiness). He uses Ephesians 4.22ff as his outline for the book. In that passage, the apostle Paul gives us God's plan for growth in Christlikeness. Three parts of sanctification are given: putting off the old man, having your mind renewed, and putting on the new man. These 3 parts of sanctification could also be called 3 responsibilities for the Christian. This is the blueprint that God gives us for growth in holiness; if a man should expect to see any growth in the Christian life, it is only reasonable that he 'follow God's plan.'

Berg's first chapter is an introduction to the book. There he highlights the goal of sanctification - Christlike humility, and tells us in a nutshell how we reach that goal. We are to work hard (putting off, renewing our minds, and putting on) while we trust the "Person of Change" (the Holy Spirit) to produce the fruit in our lives. The rest of the book explains what it means to put off, renew our minds, and put on. Berg gives 4 chapters per responsibility.

Berg does an excellent job explaining Scripture. He is clear and interesting. His illustrations are very helpful. Not only is he clear, he is applicational. Truth from God's Word is never meant to be only 'understood.' The job of a teacher of the Word is to teach others 'to observe.' Berg does that. He shows the reader how to apply the truths. He intends, as much as he is able, to make it easy to obey by giving simple steps to follow.

This book will be one that you will go back to over and over again. You will use it for your own life. You will use it as you disciple your children, encourage your husband/wife, give counsel to your co-workers, and on and on. It will give clarity to your thinking about the Christian life. It will give you much hope as you see how God intends for you to change to be like Him. It will give you wisdom as you know how to better counsel others from the Word.

Jim Berg is from Bob Jones University. Expect to see some 'separatist fundamentalism' coming out of him. It is unfortunate that Berg uses the King James Version throughout the book. He is not KJV only, but he does prefer the translation for some reason. He does though, explain the out-of-date words for the reader.

Berg assumes that rock music is wrong. He does not make a big deal about it by trying to prove that it is so. He gives an illustration describing a boy that listens to rock music. Most readers will stumble at that point not getting Berg's point. Remember that he assumes rock music is wrong. He does not think that some rock music is wrong, but that all of it is - the very beat itself.

Berg also says that every Christian should be a part of a 'fundamentalist' church. Just assume that the word, 'fundamentalist,' means 'biblical,' and you will be fine.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, inspite of these things, and I am sure you will too.

Good advice on beauty tips and such in this book. Its pretty ordianry but still insightful and it will deff. come in handy in the near future.

I first saw this book and immediately thought it was just another beauty book that tells me information I already know. However, upon second glance I picked up the book and started to skim the pages. I was surprised to see that it actually has useful info inside.

The makeup section is a bit basic, don't expect to be wowed by how instantly beautiful you look by changing the way you apply mascara. It does, however, have extremely helpful tips if you are in a beauty disaster or just have something nagging you. Overall, It was worth the money and definitely opened my eyes to some new techniques!

I am only about ten pages into this little tome, but it is already packing in the valuable (and usable!) tips and bits. Not your typical "fashion editor's fluff". Highly recommend!

I bought this for my 12 yr old daughter and she loves it she has tried several recommendations from the book for acne and other beauty issues and find them fun easy and quick to do it makes her feel prettier outside as she feels inside

Es justo el libro que toda mujer necesita, tanto para aquellas que no saben de maquillaje y belleza, como las que estan algo informadas. Porque definitivamente el libro te muestra múltiples fórmulas no solo para belleza sino también para resolver problemas del diario vivir. Como por ejemplo para manejar el estrés, para el cuidado de los niños, para las mujeres adolescentes o aquellas embarazadas. El libro está sumamente completo, es una lectura ligera pero a la vez super interesante e informativa. Lo recomiendo sin duda alguna!!

One of my favorite lexicons is Oxford Ameican Dictionary by Ehlich, Flexner, Carruth and Hawkins. As a matter of fact, I have been browsing for its publisher Avon Publishers of Bard, a division of Hearst Corporation of NY but could not locate it anywhere. I am so pleased with the entire format of the work that I am now looking for a replacement copy, a hardcover, if it is at all available. If only someone out there could advise where it might be found in and around Toronto, Ontario.

I am not a native speaker of North American English, and as such have relied extensively on OAD for all the help I can get -- particularly in the area of pronunciation. The system is uniquely logical, makes a lot of sense and is easy to master. I've recommended it to so many who are in my position. I would be thoroughly disappointed if I learned that the publication had been discontinued.

I like this dictionary, and use it often, but I have one complaint worth raising: THE PRINTING. Some of the pages seem to have been printed with too much ink, so "o" and "e" both look like solid black circles, and bolded "i" looks like bolded "l". Not a helpful trait in a dictionary!

Granted, I purchased this book because of its carriability, it is not the worst dictionary in the world. It contains a hefty amount of words compared to other compact dictionaries. But, what I traded for succinct entries is what I like about dictionaries: learning the unique history and etymology of a word. Otherwise, this dictionary got me through college.

The _Oxford American Dictionary_ , edited by Dr. Eugene Ehrlich, et al., is the best paperback American English dictionary. Even though the reissue edition of this dictionary is almost twenty years old, I consider it to be the best because it has excellent usage notes sprinkled among the usual definitions of words. Here is an entry with a note on usage: "hope*ful*ly (hohp'-ful-lee) 'adv.' 1. in a hopeful way. 2. it is to be hoped, 'hopefully, we shall be there by one o'clock.' > Many people regard the second use as unacceptable."

According to the editors, this dictionary "contains words and phrases likely to be met in reading and everyday life, including a number of slang, informal, and technical words and phrases." Many proper nouns, common foreign words, and abbreviations are defined, too. I suggest its purchase to university students for classroom use because this dictionary is small enough to be carried in a backpack. Students of English as a foreign language find its pronunciation guides easy to use. Others find it quite handy to keep nearby, in offices and homes, as a quick reference when writing or reading.

Highly recommended!

Need a small, lucid dictionary for looking up words and checking pronunciations? The Oxford American Dictionary (OAD) may be precisely what you need. Then again, it may not; it depends on what you value in a dictionary.

It is important, first, to note that there are essentially two types of dictionaries. Hardcover dictionaries are often large, cumbersome, and not at all portable. Their seemingly excessive size is spent on comprehensive definitions and large numbers of listed words. Paperback dictionaries tend to be much smaller, and are also called 'pocket' dictionaries because they, unlike hardcover dictionaries, can go wherever you go. Because of their smallness, paperback dictionaries contain fewer definitions than hardcovers, and are often forced to go without etymologies, or word histories.

The OAD is a pocket-sized, paperback dictionary. As such, it has certain limitations as well as strengths. Below I provide what are, in my opinion, the positive and negative aspects of this dictionary, followed by some additional commentary.

Pros:
-Highly portable
Although you would need cavernous pockets indeed for the OAD to be a true 'pocket' dictionary, it is compact enough to carry in a suitcase or book bag. The OAD is printed, too, on paper difficult to rip but also lightweight.

-Succinct definitions
One advantage of diminutive dictionaries is that in order to help reduce their size, editors reduce the length of their definitions. Brief, pithy definitions of words are easier and quicker to read than the longer definitions found in larger dictionaries.

-Useful usage advice
Although a dictionary is no substitute for such guides as Strunk and White's _The Elements of Style_ and Bernstein's _The Careful Writer_, the OAD is not afraid to let its prescriptive voice be heard. For example, after defining the word 'inflammable' (meaning 'able to be set on fire'), it is stated that the word 'means the same as ''flammable''; its opposite is ''noninflammable''. Careful writers prefer ''inflammable''.'

-Simplified pronunciation scheme
Most dictionaries, in showing how a word is pronounced, use symbols called 'diacritical marks'. Understanding them requires a special chart, which, though included in the dictionary, is itself confusing enough for many users to skip reading pronunciations altogether. Although this lax act saves people from temporary mental strain, they're punished in the long run by, for example, being caught pronouncing the word 'nuclear' as if it were spelled 'nucular'.

But I digress. The OAD does not use diacritical marks, and instead employs a simplified scheme that is easier to use without an explanatory chart, though one is still provided.

-Eugene Ehrlich is awesome
I didn't say this review was unbiased! One of the OAD's editors, Eugene Ehrlich, is the distinguished author of several excellent nonfiction books, including _Amo, Amas, Amat, and More_ (a Latin phrasebook) and _The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily Literate_ (a delightful sort of dignified rant about dictionary editors who perpetuate what Ehrlich deems poor usage, and much more).

Cons:
-Somewhat outdated
The OAD was published in 1980, and to some degree, it shows. Recently coined words, such as 'newbie', 'microsleep', and 'web' in the sense of the World Wide Web, are not present.

Don't be misled, however, into thinking that a dictionary absolutely must be up-to-date. If that were true, dictionary-makers would sell fewer dictionaries and software-makers, such as Microsoft, would be far less successful.

-Small, ergo not very comprehensive
This is to be expected in a pocket-sized dictionary. If you're going to own a small dictionary, own a large one, too. If possible, go to a real-life, physical bookstore and compare the hardcover dictionaries there. Consider factors such as print size (you'll want the text to be readable without a monocle), page size (you'll want large, but also thick, pages), definitions (do they make sense? are they detailed enough?), and illustrations (do you want quality? quantity? color?).

-Fairly flimsy cover
Books are unlike leather in that they don't improve with wear. Paperback books are not also called 'softcovers' for nothing, and the OAD is no exception. After just a year of regular use, my own copy's cover is bent, torn, and scuffed at every edge. The pages, too, are beginning to warp at one corner in the manner of ancient floorboards.

Not all paperback books have such ephemeral covers. My 'softcover' edition of Seamus Heaney's 'Beowulf' translation is thick, semirigid, and is not going to tear in half any time soon. If only the OAD were printed similarly!

-Paucity of etymologies
Large, hardcover dictionaries invariably feature a plenitude of etymologies, or word histories. They're informative, entertaining, and important if you want to better understand a word--and the English language in general.

Besides reducing the length of definitions and reducing the number of definitions themselves, editors must pluck out countless etymologies in order to make a compact dictionary. The OAD has undergone this treatment, but fortunately, the few word histories it contains are fascinating ones.

-No illustrations
Some dictionaries are ostentatious, overflowing with rich color illustrations; some are utilitarian, with monochrome drawings throughout; and some are irksome, with nothing but words.

Commentary:
Again, I recommend that you never use a paperback dictionary (such as the OAD) without a hardcover one in your possession as well. Hardcover dictionaries are satisfyingly comprehensive, but also unwieldy and expensive. That is probably why paperback dictionaries came into being.

As you can see from the five stars, I unabashedly recommend that you purchase the Oxford American Dictionary. But one last caveat: avoid the 'reprint', the 'mass market paperback'--the one with a red cover. Buy the one with a yellow cover, which is a bit more expensive, but also larger and printed on higher-quality paper, making it much easier to read. If you're considering buying this dictionary and using it with any frequency, you will not regret it.

Bryan Berg takes creating card structures to a whole new level, and shares the methods in an easy to follow format for you. If you like to do things with cards other then play games, poker, or you want to add building card structures in addition to your XCM then this book is for you!

Who hasn't built a House of Cards? Well,get readey ,Bryan Berg takes it to a whole higher level;and tells you all about it and even how to do it in this wonderful book.
He has been written up,with pictures and all, in "Ripley's Believe It or Not--Expect the Unexpected" (see my review dated January 15,2007.He was at the Canadian National Exhibition in 2005 and again in 2007 constructing his magnificent Card Structures and it was amazing to see him in action. To complete these painstaking structures he was in a large glass enclosed area and even had a wire mesh covering the top. I assume he has learned a lesson from some sudden rush of air or maybe even some prangster throwing something at one of hos "houses" in an attempt to wreck it.
The book is extremely well detailed and profusely illustrated ang gives all the secrets and methods he uses in building his structures. While these structures would be only a novelty to most people;there is a considerable amount of technical science involved,Bryan is a graduate Architect and has studied the stresses involved and uses this knowledge in building these structures---and they are every much a technically designed structure, as any building. Bryan really amazes people when he builds structures and loads them with unbelievable loads--even as much as a baseball team.
Some of his large structures such as the Iowa Capital reqquired 2,000 decks of cards and 11 days to complete.However;he shows you the techniques and you can build structures on a much more modest scale and wilh only a few decks of cards.
As a grand finale ,at the conclusion of an exhibition,he gets out a leaf blower and destructs his masterpieces.
An excellent book,great to read and even more fun to try your hand at. Check out his web site,you'll be amazed to see him in action--- Bryan Berg Card Stacker.

If you want to learn to build a card castle, this is the book for you. It has all the information you'll need. Excellent book.

I purchased this book for my daughter. She had a school assignment to build a weight bearing structure out of playing cards. She got some good ideas by reading stacking the Deck.

This young man is amazing. I booked him for an event I planned at a science center several years ago and his talent is incredible. Then, after all his meticulous work, he took a leaf blower and destoyed his creation only to let the children collect all the cards!

This is a delightful book that shows another, less visible, side of the Hamptons. It's refreshing and touching. The author has a wonderful ability to convey a sense of place and to draw you into character. Try it!

Glitz of the Hamptons may be a small book, but it has an important message. Berg's poignant story is a perfect gift. Locals will love seeing sketches of their favorite places in the Hamptons.

Glitz takes us on a lovely tour of the Hamptons, depicting the special beauty each beach community holds. This thoughtful and touching tale paints an engaging sketch of true friendship and loyalty.

Everything about this book is wonderful. Janet Berg has written a story that makes you feel like you are in the Hamptons. A very enjoyable read for every age. This is a story that will stick in your head & heart.

Glitz of the Hamptons takes the reader on the short intense journey of an "insular" character. While the trek is not always comfortable, the protagonist finds his reward. The search for what is most important is always compelling, and Janet Berg, with a style that is straightforward and unembellished, delivers a satisfying tale of surprising depth.

I've never played blackjack and probably never will, but I was absolutely fascinated by Alan Berg's book. Serious players must be blown away. I was amazed to learn so much about the game when I had always thought it was just a question of luck. NO WAY. It almost makes me want to take up black jack so I can reach the zenith of being barred from a casino. That isn't apt to happen since I got a bit bogged down in the intricacies of the numbers systems, but I LOVED the book. I especially enjoyed learning about Alan's gambling experiences and now have enormous admiration for his honesty in telling about himself in a thoroughly enjoyable and often amusing fashion. WONDERFUL book- I recommend it to players and non-players alike.

The thing I liked about this book is that it was like having a one on one lesson with the author. He gives you the important factual skills you need to win the game. But also throws in personal experience and stories that make it very entertaining. You will like what he has to teach but at the end of the book feel like you could hang out and have a drink with him.

Alan Berg has given us a thrill ride through the world's casinos from the view of a high-roller. Even for a confirmed non-gambler like me, his well-crafted book provides hundreds of insights into winning at blackjack - and winning all the side battles as well. Most impressively, he often succeeded at keeping himself in the building and in the game through guile, brains and style - when most card-counters would long have been banished from casinos everywhere. Read - and enjoy - "The Counting Game."

The Counting Game: An Accountant Reveals How to Win at Blackjack is different from an ordinary "how-to" gambling guide in that author Alan Berg is not only a skilled professional gambler (so good at winning money through card counting he's been banned in casinos across America), but also a certified public accountant. The Counting Game teaches the reader about the mechanics of card counting, the savvy acting skills needed not to get caught doing it, and especially about tax law, including how to take the government's due into account when calculating one's gambling profits. In particular, Berg notes that tax law is brutally regressive to recreational gamblers, effectively amounting to double taxation (and it's not much nicer to professional gamblers, who must adhere to stringent criteria to be considered such by the IRS). Taking the hypothetical example of a female recreational gambler who wins a $7000 casino jackpot and then amasses $7000 of losses in subsequent plays: "Her preparer explains that the $7000 win, even though wiped out by aggregate losses of roughly an equal amount, reduce her refund to the tune of $1475!" Although The Counting Game is the "must-have" blackjack counting book for anyone seeking to make money at casino tables, it effectively (and unintentionally?) is also one of the strongest exhortations not to gamble at all, simply because it spells out the unvarnished truth about what gambling for a living is really like, the severity of its risks, and the demands it makes upon a player. Highly recommended.

This is the second blackjack book I've read. It's very good and has a lot of interesting and useful information. It also only costs about 10 bucks, but there are two important points here: In Berg's view, one would need to start with about $150,000 to make serious money in blackjack. Second, he uses one of the most complex card-counting methods out there.

"In The Light Of The Passing" was a book that I thought would take me forever to read. You see, I am not a fan of science fiction. However, the characters in this book are so alive and vibrant that they captured my heart from the moment I met them. Shance and Nadeena are two people who you care about from the beginning. You will be heard pressed to put this book down.

K. C. Berg has penned a novel that fairly bursts from the pages. The hero/heroine immediately draw you into their stories. A fast moving, full of action novel that has you cheering for each person to find their happily ever after.

The greed of ultimate power of the heroine's parents throw her into a situation that entangles her life with the plight of the miners working beneath the surface of the planet.

The death of the hero's father thrusts him into leadership of his world where he must try to save his people from certain death. In so doing, he inadvertently becomes embroiled in the heroines planetary problems.

This story is full of intrigue as well as many twists and turns. A beautifully written book that holds you in its clutches until the last page. A page turner where the action doesn't stop until the last page.

My congratulations to K. C. Berg! This is definitely a keeper.

In Sarzan, Commander Vallance has had it with the disobedience of his offspring Nadeena, who wanders the dells over his objections. She asks him what does a daughter of a commander do; he replies he ahs not found any usefulness for her. However his wife Diona decides Nadeena can be useful by marrying her off in a political deal that will strengthen Vallance's control.

Nadeena learns of her parents' plan and decides to leave. She already has problems with her sire's iron fisted control of her people so a forced marriage is the final straw that sends her into hiding nearby just outside the city. There she meets miners led by Rotek loyal to Commander Doff of nearby planet Scrovell, who take her to their secret underground city where they plot a revolt against her abusive father. She also meets Commander Shance of another nearby planet Grahba who believes all his people are dead. As they plan to destroy her father, a cruel dictator who has killed many on all three orbs, the two males fall in love with Nadeena.

Though Vallance and Diona have no redeeming qualities, readers will appreciate this strong outer space science fiction thriller in which the key element is that the tri-worlds especially Sarzan seem real. The story line is action-packed and the romantic heroic trio is full blooded individuals with needs and desires that often internally conflict. Fans will enjoy this fine fast-paced tale of freedom fighters struggling on a planet in a faraway galaxy.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (8/06)

This is a beautiful romance two star crossed lovers. Nadeena and Shance find love despite the obstacles in their way. Neither war not parents will stop love when it's meant to be.

When asteroids impact the planet Grahba, Commander Shance thinks all is lost. He believes his people have perished. Shance is soon pulled into a war that is not his. He commits himself to assisting the miners sealed in a cave at Sharzan. Unknown to Shance the people of his planet have been successfully evacuated to Haleen.

Nadeena is the daughter of Commander Vallance. Nadeena is kind hearted but independent and openly defies her father on many occasions. When Nadeena refuses to an arranged marriage. When she runs away from her father, the miners capture her and take her to their underground. The miners are prisoners that labor for Valance. They want their freedom and are rebelling against the Commander. The Commander is a cruel tyrant and he orders the mines sealed with the miners and his daughter inside.

This is a captivating story, one you cannot easily lay down. The plot is complex but fits together nicely. The cover is beautifully done and entices the reader to open to the first page. The characters bring out emotions in the reader. While you hate Commander Valance, you quickly come to love Nadeena and Shance and your sympathies lie with the miners. The font makes it easy to read. Many publishers forget that important aspect.

I like this book. I found it entertaining. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys romance and science fiction.

I couldn't put it down and read the entire book in one sitting. This story has it all, fantasy, romance, political struggle, good versus evil, suffering, destiny. I fell in love with the cast of characters Shance, Nadeena, Rotek, Teggs, Doff and Challey. I can hardly wait for book 2.

Nadeena disobeys her father orders to succumb to an arrange marriage and runs to the dells, a usual hideaway place for her. Her father, the commander of Sarzan planet, is known to be a tyrant to his people and wants to get rid of Nadeena because she is against his beliefs and way of ruling. In the woods, she falls into the hands of the miners, the prisoners her father Vallace hired to work for him. The prisoners lead by Rotek, bring Nadeena to the underground city, which they built in the mines in the event they'll revolt against the commander to gain their freedom back.
The plot is an intriguing and captivating story: citizens from three planets: Scrovell, Sarzan and Grahba are involved in the operation of saving Nadeena and the miners from Vallace cruelty. In the midst of it all, romance grows strongly between Nadeena and Shance, the commander of planet Grahba, a well trained pilot who was sent by Doff to save the miners on Sarzan. Doff who was in charge of Scrovell planet, wants revenge on Vallace for killing his father and sends Rotek, another prisoner, to spy on him. Rotek also falls in love with Nadeena, but he knows he cannot win her love. In the end, he will have a better role to perform.
K.C. Berg has the ability to entice and keep the reader interested in what will happen next. I liked the way the story was written, the fictitious plot, the descriptions and the way the characters' roles compliment each other: Vallace is the villain and so is his wife Diona, Nadeena is a beautiful, intelligent and good spirited female, and Rotek, Shance and Doff are rescuers and brave warriors. I found the author to be inventive in the way she created the conflict among the planets and the way it has been solved. Also, K.C. Berg's work offers plenty of details and images throughout the book.
The ending turns out to be a romantic one, a good way to complete an intense chronicle of difficult events. The novel is definitely a fascinating read and the author did a great job creating the tale. I very much suggest it to other readers.

A thrilling story with historical significance. Marcus' life is turned upside down during the time of the Nazi's, but he is a man of great hope, courage, and perserverance. You will experience the full gamut of emotions when you read this book; love, fear, joy, sorrow and triumph of good over evil and the power of love. I look forward to SL Berg's next book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the drama, suspense, and multi-faceted characters in this great and enthralling story! I am certainly looking forward to this author's next book with anticipation.

Escape to Live is great book and I definitely recommend to everyone. Berg introduces the reader to characters that are strong and resilient. They are very much in love and they limes are entangled forever. Their romance induce in spite of war and devastation. It is adventures story and ones you start reading it you will not put out of your hands.

This book should be made into a movie; it's perfect. It has everything including marvelous character development. It's not just a love story; it is a tale of adventure illustrating the strength of ordinary people challenged by adversity. Man's indomitable spirit wins out; love conquers all. It's a delightful read. The story takes place during World Was II, the horrors of concentration camps and the birth and near death of Israel. The narration brings tears of pain and of joy. I heartly recommend it. Get a drink, find a cozy place, make yourself comfortable; you're not going to be able to put this down until the end.

Marcus Feldman was the son of a successful department chain executive in Berlin in the 1930's Marcus works with his father at the store - The Feldmans had it all - love, success, money - Marcus had fallen in love with a girl, Gretchen, in his family's department store, and was planning on marrying her. The atmosphere around Berlin and Germany as a whole was changing...the Feldmans were Jewish..and the tide was turning against the Jewish people. Marcus must take over the business when his father dies suddenly, and he finds that the government is going to audit his store and see if they are in accord with their taxes - Marcus feels it is time for his mother and fiance to leave Germany - Marcus devises an escape plan for his family - Thanks to a good friend who is in the German army, Marcus impersonates a German soldier, and his mother goes to 'visit' her in-laws in Poland. He and Gretchen marry, and she leaves for Liverpool, where she will wait for Marcus. Then they will all rendevous and start a new life in a freer world. But plans go awry...Gretchen gives birth to their son alone in England. Gretchen finds solace in a good Jewish man, Steve Goldman - whom she finally marries - Marcus had been in a POW camp in Siberia - after he is released, he finds love with Tanya, and they marry and like many of that time (post WWII) the Jews went to Palestine, where they fought for their own land, Israel. It is surprising that both families settle in Palestine, and both successful. It is a matter of time until both families meet, and they are close friends - It is a story of triumph of life, even in the direst of circumstances, love, through types of separations, and determination for their people to be together and unified country.
Escape to Live is a beautifully written book that will make those old enough remember, those of us too young to be amazed that so much horror truly transpired. From that horror came a more unified world..
Excellent reading.

This book was an excellent read. Mr. Berg is very candid about what it was like to be a naval aviator and having a family at the same time. I loved reading it. Thank you for writing it Mr. Berg.

I just finished reading My Carrier War by Norman E.Berg. It is an absorbing and interesting page-turner. Mr. Berg's memories of his WW II experience offer a gripping picture of what it took to be a naval pilot in 1941 and beyond, as well as the human story of a young husband and father who faced combat as leader and participant.

This account offers an in-depth variety of information and illumination, regardless of the interest of any particular reader. It's about learning to fly, about learning to be a naval pilot, about the characteristics of warplanes, about flying from an aircraft carrier, about life at sea, about falling in love, about making a personal life in the midst of war, about separation from your loved ones, about dropping torpedos and divebombing, about comradship, about U.S. strategy in winning the south pacific, and about humanity in a time of war.

Beyond the details, this writer knits the story together in an engaging way. There is no tedium in this book, nor is it a superficial recitation of dry history. It offers a timeless lesson in facing personal challenges and prevailing. The book is interestingly illustrated with photographs and maps. It is a satisfying read.

This chronicle is a rich tapestry of war time action woven against a background of a boy's transformation into manhood through duty, love, and acceptance of personal limitations. Norman Berg brings his combat missions alive with gripping vividness of detail. But it is the comparatively economical passges on his subjective experiences that give this book its poignancy. Staying the course in war and sixty years of reflection have added the tincture of a profound sense of fate to this writer's ink. It makes this memoir shine.

I couldn't put it down. As someone who was born after WWII, I was able to appreciate better the time period where we all went through this difficult period. May we never have to do that again. Thank you Mr. Berg for a well written book and am looking forward to seeing it in movie form.

Capt. Berg tells the true story of patriotisms conflict with his new family life and how he conquered his fears to serve two long flying tours in the Pacific war during the early and darkest hours of the war that affected and changed not only America but the entire world. Berg is one of the "Greatest Generation" and we are lucky to hear his story in his own words spoken from the cockpit of his torpedo bomber . I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. A Great Story. Eugene A. Olsen, Capt. USMM (ret)

"Rattled" is a book full of practical and helpful information geared toward moms of newborns, written by a mom with the experience to back up what she writes about.

"Rattled" covers the time from pregnancy through the first year. The book is broken up into five parts, with each part split into chapters. Each chapter is further subdivided into sections such as "S.O.S-Spiritual Opportunity to Savor", which is a short devotional, "First Aid Kit" a bulleted list of practical tips, "Faith on Fire" which is a brief prayer, a few study questions, and "Food For Thought", a small sidebar (information printed off to the side) of facts and figures to supplement the chapter.

Dads aren't forgotten in this book either. She devotes pages to the equally important role of dad, for new baby is as much of an adjustment to dad as it is mom.

This book goes beyond child rearing advice and includes chapters on how mom needs to take care of herself as well.

What sets this book apart, in my mind, is Trish's honesty in writing about her own mothering experience. She includes in the book her own ups and downs, good experiences and mistakes. She also includes a chapter on miscarriage, having suffered through several of her own, a section on baby's first year and what to expect and a section with helpful links for surviving your first year. A book that I would've found helpful when my own mom journey started years ago.

Trish Berg is funny, serious, and right on target. She speaks from the heart, and from personal experience. This book is full of wonderful advice for the new mother, or anyone expecting a baby, even if she's a pro at giving birth. There are a lot of books out there about parenting, but this one shines. Berg has the ability of making the reader feel right at home. Great writing style, and a terrific sense of humor. This one is recommended.

I enjoyed reading this sometimes humorous approach to parenting the first year! I thought it was great how she brought out the fact that all babies are different. They have different personalities and will like different things. Just because your first baby hated the swing does not mean your second baby will not live in it! It is a great small handbook that would be great to give at baby showers!
Everyone has different views on childrearing, infant sleep, breastfeeding, and other things and even though I parented very different than her, I found her approach very informative and helpful. The encouragement to step out when you do not feel like it and find a mom's group is very helpful advice. It feels so good when you finally admit to another mom that you had a bad day and ate cereal for dinner and the mom next to you says "I did that yesterday!!".
She has great tips on exercise and the attitude towards exercise. Exercise should not be to get "your body back" as you are a mom now and may never have the same body, but to be healthy, to feel good and be around to raise your children!!
To sum it up, this is one of the sweetest, non-condemning mothering the first year books I have read! You will enjoy it and laugh along with Trish as she recounts her early mothering of each of her four children. There is small study questions at the end of the chapter which are really nice as well!

Although I am past my first year with my daughter, I do plan on having another first year with a baby. This book was very insightful, touching & humorous. I recommend it to all new mommies & even to mommies that have already been through one, two, or four first years! I love the 'First Aid Kit' & all the tips that Trish provides. It was refreshing to hear that she isn't a perfect mom & makes mistakes, because I certainly am not either & have made plenty mistakes. The bible stories & prayers are wonderful & I love how she incorporated them into her book. I plan on buying this book for any of my newly pregnant friends, so that they may have reassurance that every mom experiences the same things that they are experiencing.

Trish's charming writing style makes parenting sound like fun, and problems solvable. The book is filled with insightful and sometimes humorous, sometimes touching, stories about her own family (she is mom to 4) and things other moms have told her.
She offers so many good things in this book, like Mommy Truth No. 5 "You will make mistakes", and goes on to write "I see true love and compassion in my children's eyes."
One chapter to put into practice is Discovering Camp Palooza: Finding Fun In the Everyday. If you have a question for parenting babies, answers are here. How to establish good relations with in-laws. Whether to work outside the home. This is a great book for new parents to read.