Berg Books

It sounds trite, but pioneer is the only word that comes to mind. Steve is out there practicing what I believe to be a long ignored art. In his writng, Steve finds the perfect rhythm that eliminates the need for line breaks, his pauses are reminiscent of Kerouac's dashes where he stopped blowing to inhale for another verse of "bop prose".Berg blowing beyond all limits and breaking all the norms! Beautiful, or at least thats the opinion of this Zen Berg hopeful-

This book was truly a great find for myself and my family, this is a wonderfully interesting story of the Old West, the main character in this book is my Great Grandfather, Benjamin Holladay, my parents gave me this book some years ago, and this is the only account of Ben Holladay I can find, my Grandfather took my Dad, when he was only 13 years old out of Rifle, Co. where he was raised and put him to work helping on the freight line, evidently my Grandfather Holladay (Willard Benjamin Holladay) had inherited the freight company (what was left of it) from his father, the last any of us know about my grandfather was that the freight line just kind of died in Sacramento, Ca. and this is where he stayed. They hauled freight to the cowboys on the range and other towns along the way from Rifle, Co. to Sacramento, Ca., my father told me this book was very true according to what his father told him.

This author has quite a knack for getting children interested in reading with her whimsical passages and clever text. This is a book that EVERY parent will enjoy reading to their child, and every child will love to read when they are old enough! I will look for more titles by this extremely talented woman!

Glenn Smith has written a biography with the writing flair of a storyteller and the detail of a historian. In the process, he has established Gertrude Berg's place in the history of radio and television. Along with detailing Berg's 30-year career, Smith stops along the way, providing us with vignettes of the people and the events in Berg's life. This book puts faces and names to the human side of broadcast history.

Mark Goodman

A wonderful book for anyone who wants to understand labor markets from a sociological perspective. Great work.

I've been a fan of the Duct Tape Guys since their first book (1994). This is their seventh book and it's their most readable (sitting in your favorite chair with a cup of coffee - or can of beer) book to date. Their "breathtaking stupidity" provides for great light-hearted duct tape humor in an easy-to-read, well-crafted, question and answer format. This will definitely be the next must-buy gift for the duct tape lovers in my life.
- Looking forward to Duct Tape Book Eight (they just keep getting better and better!), Julie

There are a number of the world's hot spots today that would greatly benefit from a national security policy based on what you will find in this volume. Also, the U.S.A. would do well to consider the comprehensive plan, including an integrated civil defense program that would protect her citizens during both terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Because the study of comparative politics so accurately demonstrates that developing a national security strategy - like thinking, (ideas, do have their consequences) - is not a skill that can be separated from substance and content, I feel there is no other discipline more important for the formulation of national and foreign policy as well as curriculum policy for U.S. universities than this one. Swiss Neutrality and Security: Armed Forces, National Defense and Foreign policy is one of the primary references I used as Senior Counsel to the Afghanistan National Police, Directorate of Intelligence in 2006.

* What united the cities and regions of Switzerland was neither force nor mere self-interest but, above all, an idea: namely that alliance partners could support autonomy and protect independence. Liberty and mutual assistance became the essence of the Swiss ideal. P 97

This impressive work could, and should change what goes on in our nation's foreign affairs. It makes the critical point that a confederation is efficacious only when it affects others with positive change for all concerned, and not just the special few. This is not to advocate a U.S. national security policy of isolationism. That is not the point at all. But we do have much to learn from the seven hundred year old Swiss success story and that is that a comprehensive, military, civil, and economic response to foreseeable threats is a better policy, especially for areas such as the Middle East, and Africa, among others.

* As the French revolutionary forces invaded Switzerland in 1798 against little more than symbolic resistance, the Swiss learned that neutrality without credible and effective defense was not worth its name... henceforth the armed forces would only be `her first and most powerful instrument' and that more fibers of the complex texture on modern society had to be organized for an integrated defense effort...In addition to the regular armed forces, civil defense was proclaimed the second pillar of general defense. All sectors of civil life, especially the economy, were upgraded in their importance for general defense... the new concept of `general defense' did not mean diluting the armed forces with elements from civil sectors. Pp 208-209
* Dissuasion is the core concept of Swiss security policy, but it works only if Swiss armed forces are perceived as able and willing to fight in a war, if necessary... The projection of an adequate image through `dissuasive communication' is therefore of equal importance as a realistic threat analysis and modern equipment...The Swiss system of general or comprehensive defense has assured Switzerland a modern and diversified defense in combination with a far-reaching network of civil defense installations that enable the country to react quickly and efficiently also in catastrophes other than war. P 212

With compelling evidence and argument, the various individual contributions within this book explain what works in a multi-cultural environment and why so many areas under conflict today would do well in their development by considering the Swiss doctrine. Unfortunately, the U.S. has a dismal record of nation building. Most third world and failed sates counseled by the U.S. lag increasingly behind modern industrialized ones and are becoming dangerously discouraged as the gap widens.

* In earlier times the classical boundary between peace and war was crossed only by a formal declaration of war, such a clear borderline no longer exists. Subversion, terrorism, psychological warfare, disinformation, as well as economic and political blackmail and other forms of indirect warfare, aim at eroding the basis of existing order and the overthrow of legal governments. The traditional battlefield may be only the last stage of fighting... defined and integrated functions of civil defense, national supply, information and psychological defense... harmonized the civilian and military interests in the fields of communication, medical services, logistics and transportation. Security policy today comprises a comprehensive and integrated system of alerting, defending and protecting the Swiss population and ensuring its survival. P 214

It's probably too late to have any hope that today's politicians and military personnel could understand the realities of the concept of the superiority of an ideal. However, there also can't be very many scholars who - having influence over tomorrow's leaders - could argue successfully that this compilation isn't applicable to the conflicts the U.S. will likely face in the future.

* Democracy is more than a mechanism, it is a state of mind, stamped with the seal of liberty...it is neutrality which held together for centuries peoples of different race, language and religion. It is by the scrupulous observation of this principle that the Swiss cantons have been able to develop a spirit of mutual understanding based on the mutual respect of their personalities...solidarity, daughter of independence, should now join neutrality... the country has now become sufficiently cohesive, and neutrality is no longer necessary to forestall disintegration. Pp 184-185

This book is a quick and easy guide for parents who are interested in learning more about how to incorporate project approach in to their family's lives. It gives examples of how to modify projects for families with children of various ages. It is a great handbook, and I highly recommend it for families who are looking for a way to enrich their children's lives, while explore family interests. The ball project is especially endearing!

This is a gentle and beautifully illustrated book that is ideal to read with an elementary age child who is experiencing the loss of a parent. It is told in a non-threatening way, and it offers many opportunities for discussion. I especially like it because it offers hope. It has been an excellent resource in my work with grieving children.

This book is a must-buy for all kids who need extra money. It teaches them how to best run a business, with easy to follow step by step instructions, and the games and quizzes are really fun. The areas on budgets and record keeping are also exceptional. For those who don't have an idea of what kind of business they can do, there are also some great ideas inside. It will help them to earn their own money instead of just asking for a larger allowance. We have found it to be an investment that paid for itself in no time!

Parents and others who are running a small business can also benefit from the many time saving tips and guides enclosed. The suggested ages here are close - it was a little above level in some areas for my 10 year old, but perfect for my 16 year old.