Bergman Books

Few veterans describe themselves as "heroes." It's a painful word - filled with aspiration, horror and loss. Many veterans who write memoirs avoid the most devastating echoes of war - their own perceived culpabilities. It's understandable. Who wants to poke a finger into a festering wound?

Douglas Bergman is a brave man. Using a magnifying glass, he focuses a scorching sunbeam onto his own soul - allowing the reader to see his demons in great detail. It is unsettling in a world where few want to accept responsibility for their mistakes - where confessions are whispered litanies of shame washed away with a few penitential rosaries. My initial reaction was to look away but I soon found myself examining the author's broken heart like a curious onlooker drawn to a fiery car wreck.

This book is many things - a memoir, an adventure, a tribute, a confession and a sob. From the shiny hearse-white cover to the imagery-dense prose, Mr. Bergman's tale perplexes and intrigues. Vietnam was a conundrum for everyone. For the men who fought there, growing up was like peeling a scab off a half-healed wound. Boy soldiers drawn to the service to resolve other problems found new sorrows to occupy their nightmares. "Names I Can't Remember" is a close up view of a Vietnam Veteran's reaction to war - and a description of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that still torments many who were mere babies in the 1960s.

The author plunges into his story with profane vigor. He amuses and shocks with an almost adolescent glee - as though he has returned to his rebellious, angst-ridden youth and is set on taking the reader with him. He uses literary flourishes that complicate the read like a translucent veil draped over lovers laboring together for their love. You can see the movements, hear them moan - but their faces are dim behind the silken sheen of the fabric. Mr. Bergman peoples "Names I Can't Remember" with garish characters that touched his life but have now faded into ghostly symbols - a motherly whore, a man with a cat on his shoulder, a doofus unable to function in the jungle, an alcoholic CO who confuses courage and foolhardiness -- a nun and a Vietnamese child trying desperately to survive. Despite this distance - or perhaps because of it, this book is powerful and literate. I found myself lingering over the pictures the author created in my head - almost as if this was a novel. It was easier to appreciate this work on that level than to acknowledge the reality of Mr. Bergman's anguish.

The Vietnam War was not a Disney Movie -- neither is this book. However, if you are a student of psychology, a poet - or someone who wants to understand the warrior in your life, this is a wonderful read.

"Names I Can't Remember" is a tough, brilliant read of one man's journey into Dante's Inferno. All human foibles and flaws are put out for display. Mr. Bergman dares the reader to forgive him as he hasn't been able to forgive himself for thirty years. A piece de la triumph! 5 military gold stars - Lillian Cauldwell

"...there is something Keseyesque or Hunter Thompson - like about Bergman's prose: often profane and at the same time, image rich." - Daily News, Clem Richardson 7/8/05

This is not a book filled with words on a page, it is a capturing of a mans inner guts spewed upon pages from his tortured memory. We see the ramblings of a young boy yanked from the unsafe world of his home and the bottle, to be immersed into the world of drunking decisions, adult behavior expected from a still nursing infant. You need to digest every word and feel his feelings. Some of his experiences will fill you with disgust, horror, the need to nurture, but your diet will never be the same after you digest this meal of feelings.
Devour it...chew it... spit it out if you need to... But dont just sit there and read it........

"You'll be on an emotional roller coaster ride while reading this work. The author has given us a very raw look at a young life destroyed by a dysfunctional family drowning in alcoholism and how he carried that with him during his No Slack tour. Doug was in the same company as I was and we walked the same villages, but never met, the places he describes are familiar to me as they will be to others who read him. I wasn't ready for the constriction I felt in my chest as parts of this book made me wonder how he slipped through the cracks as he performed his duty as a platoon leader in an alcoholic fog. Read the book, it's a raw look at a personal battle with a life almost destroyed by abuse, mingled with war. Names I Can't Remember will shake your senses and make you ill but you will find that once you start reading it you can't put it down."
"Yankee Jim" Simchera - A Company 2/327th Infantry,101st Airborne Vietnam: 1969-70

This book, in its less than 200 pages, kinda sneaks up on the reader. It starts out with the writer/narrator filled with self-doubts, both about the voyage he has embarked on and his life for his first thirty years or so. Stay with it and you will be richly rewarded. By page 80 or so I was totally enchanted, first by what slowly unfolds to be a beautiful love story. A love story told with such restraint that it wasn't until halfway through the book that I realized that Bill and Brian were actually a couple, and had been so for more than half a decade. He writes about his partner with such understated ardor that I was sure that the story would end in tragedy, or that merely the two parted company. Neither is true.

Oh yeah, and Overboard was also a rip-roaring sailing yarn. And what would have been a rather pathetic coming out story (what took him so long?) until I realized how old he was. Denying oneself and getting married was a more reasonable survival strategy before Stonewall.

I bought this book because I was blown away by Storandt's first fictional novel, "The Summer They Came." However, as a straight male who does not know the first thing about sailing, I did not know what to expect from this work. My enjoyment of Storandt's effort is all the more impressive, given my lack of knowledge about the subject matter. Like all master story tellers, Storandt lets the reader enter his world by describing the situation in detail, with references to more familiar subject matter. For instance, when explaining why he cannot get out of bed during a severe storm, Storandt says that he can no more get out of bed than a potato worm can unfold in your hand ... brilliant! Storandt has 2 running stories in this book. In the foreground is his gripping account of his sailing adventure to Scotland (the homeplace of his life partner) across the Atlantic. In the background, is a discussion of his and his life partner's lives up until the time of the trip, with particular focus on how they came to realize they were gay. I highly recommend this book to even the most staunchly conservative "straights," and to the landlubbers most prone to sea-sickness!

Crossing thresholds, living dreams, staying steady and listening within! He did it! He writes it as only a person who has felt it all deeply and directly can do-it's not an "about" something book! So glad he wrote it for all of us-couldn't put thebook down!!!! Spellbound by all the possibilities it opens for each of us!

This is an interesting and fascinating memoir of one man's life who happens to love sailing and who is also a gay man living in a caring and loving relationship. You don't have to have a knowledge of sailing to enjoy this book. Although I have gone sailing a few times, I wasn't familiar with a lot of the sailing terms, but the author explains them very well. The author writes with dry wit, a questioning self-analysis, and deep passion. It was a pleasure to read his story, and it was never boring. This is a true-life story that will have broad appeal to many people.

Storandt tells in vivid detail the story of his transatlantic sailing adventure from Saybrook, Connecticut to Ireland, then on to Scotland aboard his 33-foot cutter named Clarity. He made this journey with his longtime partner Brian, and their friend Bob. It's an adventure that turns out to be exciting, unpredictable, and even life-threatening. They certainly get to test their sailing skills through rough seas, gale force winds, and a fierce storm. It's not "The Perfect Storm", but it's close. Interwoven throughout his sailing adventure we learn all about Storandt's earlier life; his marriage, being a freelance musician, living in the Vermont woods in a geodesic dome, leaving his marriage, coming out, and meeting his soon to be life partner, Brian, a Scottish doctor.

So whether you're hooked on sailing or just want to read a well-written passionate coming out story, this book is for you. I was disappointed when this adventure ended. As good a writer as he is a sailor, Storandt tells a wonderful story I couldn't put down till finished.

Sometimes a friend will surprise you. You know there's a memoir in the works, that it is to be published. Good for him. You'll have to read it. Reading it, you are impressed, knocked out, amazed. This is what happened to me with Bill Storandt's book, Outbound. The two stories, interwoven in alternating chapters, will satisfy both those seeking the taste of wind-driven mid-Atlantic salt spray and those who seek to better understand a gay man and witness his success in finding a life partner. There are wonderful side trips to Julliard, the Vermont woods, the Caribbean, the Scottish coast, and married life.
The book also satisfies a larger audience, however, and it does so with the simplest and most difficult device: honesty. Bill gracefully and without pretense shares his difficulties and successes, both maritime and personal. It is no accident that his boat is named Clarity. Because he has taken the risk to be so honest with us, an unusual bond develops between author and reader. The authenticity of his voice causes us to care about his perception of the world and to examine how it compares with our own. This happens rarely and it is a privilege and an adventure. We are in good hands with Bill, whose gentle and persistent humor, thoughtful consideration, and respect for all parties make the voyages we take with him away from and back to safe harbors both illuminating and very enjoyable.

I literally couldn't put the book down.

I saw your book in the bookstore a few days ago. I did not buy it right away because after reading it in the store I thought it was not for me due to my recent arrival back into AA. Your approach is radicle but after a few days I thought about it and decided to buy this book. I have been battling this disease for years now and I decided I had to give it another chance. I will apply all the tools I could find because after many attempts to stay clean, I kept returning back to the bottle. I am optimistic about this attempt to stay clean because I do like the realtity of this concept. Even though it is not oriented on a twelve-step approach it does allow the freedom for me to incoropate my current tools and enhance them with the exercises and more importantly ERP.

Thank you and keep the information coming.

This book was great. The concept is so realistic and simple but the actual sessions seem unbelievable. I would love to experience them myself. If you have any trainings. let me know, I want to tell my therapist about ERP.

Thanks,

This book was intense. I heard about it from a friend so I bought it. The idea was rightv on, the exercises so real, but the pictues and session, WOW!!!. It seems very intense but after reading more and doing more, I realized just how real ERP is. I like the idea of choices along with the concept of not being dictated by the addiction, but moreso giving the person power over their addiction. Nice concept. Thanks again for the ideas and help. I highly reccommend this book to anyone with a addiction.

I saw your book in the bookstore a few days ago. I did not buy it right away because after reading it in the store I thought it was not for me due to my recent arrival back into AA. Your approach is radicle but after a few days I thought about it and decided to buy this book. I have been battling this disease for years now and I decided I had to give it another chance. I will apply all the tools I could find because after many attempts to stay clean, I kept returning back to the bottle. I am optimistic about this attempt to stay clean because I do like the realtity of this concept. Even though it is not oriented on a twelve-step approach it does allow the freedom for me to incoropate my current tools and enhance them with the exercises and more importantly ERP.

Thank you and keep the information coming.

I had to write and tell you that I bought the book and found it very provactive. As a substance abuse counselor, the book was right on the money. It talks about the reality of the addiction and makes clients look at how their drug use encircles all aspects of their lives. Nice job! I reccommend this book to anyone working in the field who has an open mind to change. ...

Thanks You;
TM

Reminded me so much of my mother in law. Enjoy the book, belongs in every home library.

Forget the world of intrigue, suspense and deception. Here is a story of quite compassion, love, and family. With simple direct tone and nostalgic portraits, Mr. Steve captures elements of life sadly long overlooked. Seldom have we glimpsed the soul of a person so completely, viewed through the loving eyes of those closet to her. Easily flowing from one topic to another we envision the changing life thoughts of a wonderfully innocent woman unaffected by the cynicism of life. Each page reveals another element to the complex yet unassuming nature of Julia. You will smile and nod and laugh and think as you listen to Julia speak. And when you close the cover you will thank yourself for taking the journey through her eyes.

Not a cook book, but this book is a recipe for laughter. Loved it!

This is a great book. It brings back some fond memories of my two grandmothers.

If you want to bring a smile to your face, read this book. Before you put it down, you'll feel like you know Julia and you'll have a sense of the special relationship she, her dauther and son-in-law shared. My favorite quote: (Upon meeting an acquaintance, Julia remarks --) "Hi, how are you? You look so nice and fat!"
Enjoy the read.

OK account of the making of Casablanca moves well when talking about the history of the movie, but is dragged down when the last third of the book focuses on film making and film censorship during the war. Not that that's a bad thing, but it's the subject for another book.

This 1992 book tells about the 1942 film "Casablanca". No one expected this romantic suspense film to become so great. Aljean Harmetz spent years of research and interviewed those who worked on the film, and read the Warner Bros. archives. Harmetz described the studio system and tells about the personalities and politics. The Hollywood studio was like a factory assembly line, not a glamorous fantasy. The actors who played refugees were often in fact refugees from Nazi Europe. Hollywood's production code played down the scandalous affair between Rick and Ilsa. [The film would be little remembered if that final shootout left Strasser, Laszlo, and Renault dead so Rick could run off with Ilsa.] The morally right ending meant a stronger ending (p.229).

The 'Acknowledgments' thanks the people who helped in the writing of this book. There seemed to be more people than the actors on the screen. Harmetz grew up near M-G-M, her mother worked for them (p.xii). The film had a "blend of romance and sacrifice", as if it was a lesson for WW II America. It was a dirty dangerous job but we had to do it. The script was developed along with the film. Hundreds of other films were built the same way, but "Casablanca" remains a classic. I think the idea of self-sacrifice is overstated, Rick had too much experience to become sentimental Its basic unity of time, place, and action makes it a better film than "Citizen Kane" (which is more cynical). The author explains the interplay of production that formed this film (p.xiv).

Harmetz says the popularity of the film is the way its mythology echoes America's self-image (p.6): tough on the outside but moral within. [An echo of the Cowboy Hero?] This film was a combination of accidents and luck, a haphazard picture that turned into a favorite movie (p.7). Warner movies were topical, based on the news (p.8); their films had a rawness or edge lacking at other studios. Their style was distrust of authority, suspicion of human nature (p.25). Chapter 3 has the story of Murray Burnett, the vocational high school English teacher who wrote "Everybody Comes to Rick's". Every character in the film is in his play (p.36), the dialogue too (p.38). The writers made many changes (p.39) and took the credit (collective work). Rewriting sharpened the script, scenes were rearranged for more dramatic effect (p.56). The collaboration was interactive.

Chapter 4 tells of the director Michael Curtiz and the producer Hal Wallis. They and their wives were close friends (p.64). More people went to the movies during wartime (p.66). Warners made the first anti-Nazi film in 1939. They encouraged their employees to join the Rifle and Pistol Club (p.68). Southern Californians favored imprisoning the Japanese, there was fear of an attack (p.69). Bergman "projected an innocence and purity" that made her popular (p.118). The real life of Bogart and Bergman was the near opposite from the screen. They thought the dialogue was ridiculous and the situations unbelievable (p.119). Were movies better then because of the layers of character actors (p.145)? Why did those Germans sing "Watch on the Rhine" (p.169)? Casey Robinson rewrote the romantic relationships (p.175). Chapter 11 tells what the actors did off the set. Later written accounts contradicted each other (p.203). The music in the film is covered in Chapter 15. Government control of Hollywood is described in Chapter 17; preaching propaganda wasn't popular. The history of the stars of "Casablanca" is in Chapter 19. Chapter 20 has the hodgepodge of various comments on the film. They seem to treat this work of fiction as realistic fact. Harmetz summarizes the film on the last paragraph (p.354).

Could this film be compared to a classic western film? Strasser is the foreman for the Big Rancher who wants to take over the smaller ranches. Renault is the sheriff in cahoots with him. Preacher Victor spoke out against the takeover, and is in trouble. Schoolmarm Ilsa loves Victor for his politics. Rick acts like a Cowboy Hero who defeats the evil Big Rancher to assure the escape of Victor and Ilsa; Rick knows his relationship with Ilsa would not survive out on the lone prairie.

"Casablanca" is, unarguably, one of the greatest films ever to emerge from the Hollywood dream factory. So, it's entirely fitting that the prolific and hugely talented Aljean Harmetz should give us the ultimate bible, road-map and encyclopedia of this Bogart-Bergman classic.
It's a fascinating read from cover to cover, including scores of back stories relating to every stage of the film's development. What's more, it will help settle hundreds of bar-room bets, thus paying for itself many times over! To author Harmetz, I can only say, "Here's looking at you kid!"

As a Casablanca lover (words don't do it justice), I ate this book up. Harmetz writes with warmth about nearly everyone involved in the film except Jack Warner, about whom she writes with a deserved respect. The stories of the bit players, most refugees, expanded the Casablanca context tremendously for me. The suspense, and the tale of how this gem could have been different in so many ways (or not produced at all), made me appreciate this cultural icon even more. I haven't seen the film since reading this book, but you bet when I do I'm going to turn off the phone.

Aljean Harmetz's "Round Up the Usual Suspects" is one of the best books on the making of what is probably the best film of the 1940s (and possibly of all time). Harmetz explains almost every aspect of the story--often sounding more like fiction than fact--of the making of this all-time winner. These aspects include who was behind the camera, the actors, and the writers. She provides many details about life behind the WB shield--which collaborates the view of Jack Warner as a jerk seen in a fine book,"Hollywood Be Thy Name"--the fights on who wrote the screenplay, and how they all meshed together to create an enduring classic. She also explains how the film escaped the propanganda machine of later 1940 films. If you love this film, you should read this book! Let us hope that it returns to print witht he release of the special DVD edition of "Casablanca".

I am constantly on the look out for ENTERTAINING children's books for my toddlers (age 18 months and almost 3 years old) Educational books are nice, but at this point, I want a book which captures their attention, allows me to interact with them (strange noises, motions etc.) and is a book that I don't mind reading a thousand times. Snip! Snap! is perfect in all three areas. When I found this at the library, I knew I had to have it. I know that some of the reviewers are saying that it could be scary for younger children, but I guess its all in the delivery. Besides, my little ones are used to older siblings (teenagers) playing the "I'm going to get you" game. A fun, lyrical, action-filled book for toddlers and up!

My 2 1/2 year old grandson asks for this book over and over. He loves the part "were they scared?" Great repetition for children. We love this book!

My 3-year old and I got this book out at the library. She loved reading it (and I loved reading it to her) so much that I am making sure to buy a copy for ourselves.

Starting with the illustrations... I asked my daughter... "Uh oh...what happened here?" (someone left the door open), and then as the alligator goes creeping into the house the question is reiterated..."and were the children scared?" To which my daughter would shout..."YOU BET THEY WERE!" While it could be just a tale about a scary alligator (!), it's really about being empowered and not playing the victim, a lesson that could be used in a variety of situations-- the children "have enough" at the end and they must up their courage and shout.... "Alligator, You Get Out!" (And was the alligator scared?) My daughter LOVED shouting the answer, every time.

You know when you love a children's book, when you don't secretly groan and roll your eyes when you child asks for it... and this is one we love.

My 5 year old loves this book. I read it to his classmates in small groups at school, and they adored it and begged me to read it again. It is cute, not too scary, but let's them think it's about something scary. The illustrations are clever. The repetition in the story encouraged my young friends to read along with me; everytime I read, "Were the children scared?" they "read" along with me, "YOU BET THEY WERE!" My 5 year old still loves to shout that one out as we read it. I cannot fully describe how engaged all my son's classmates were. Their eyes were wide, their smiles were big, they leaned forward and inched closer and closer to me until they were nearly in my lap. Big hit! Recommend for ages 4-7.

If it is reading time, my three-year-old granddaughter always searches for this book. She recognizes one repetitive phrase throughout the book and now joins in the reading. This interaction and the wonderful illustrations, delight her. The story encourages children to face their fears in a fun rather than didactic manner.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray at Border's book store here in Sacramento and hearing his story besides reading it. I even got him to autograph a baseball. I have always said "if I win the lotto I will go to a baseball game.....in every stadium in the MLB circuit..." Well, Ray, surely accomplished that...now it is my turn. Great stories. Thanks Ray for writing it.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray at Border's book store here in Sacramento and hearing his story besides reading it. I even got him to autograph a baseball. I have always said "if I win the lotto I will go to a baseball game.....in every stadium in the MLB circuit..." Well, Ray, surely accomplished that...now it is my turn. Great stories. Thanks Ray for writing it.

I can remember my dad and I discussing a similar trip after I graduated. Ray Bergman, however, had the gumption to do it, and do it right. I enjoyed every fleeting chapter as Ray worked his way across North America visiting all of the 26 major league ballparks in his MLBC. Any baseball fan finds themself craving the taste of Ray's unbeatable hot dog of Dodger Stadium or the street sceen on Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park.

I've never been a fan, however, of Won Ton Soup.

Are you a baseball fan? If so, you should not miss this book. This is a view of baseball you can only appreciate if you have ever experienced a warm summer home game,in a familiar ballpark, playing hookey from work. Ray Bergman has, obviously, been there,,done that!

Mr Bergman's book is full of information that would be of interest to a typically "statistics" oriented baseball nut. He writes with humor, data and a passion for the game.

Truly an "under fifteen bucks" well spent.

Ray Bergman shares his experiences in his regular life and as a full time Baseball fan. He lives his dream and writes about it in a clear humorous way. This is the ideal baseball book for teenager's and adult's who love baseball. I loved the way he mixed in his growing up years and how he came to love this game. Every baseball fan should have a copy of Around The Majors In 60 Days

Although the story of what Bryan went through is devastating, the book is a fantastic read. I found it very eye-opening and humbling, as many of us take our childhood and parents for granted. I could not put it down. I commend Bryan for the courage and inner strength he found to tell his story. I hope there are more books to come written by this talented author.

This is a very moving and thought provoking story. Bryan's delivery of his life story took a lot of effort and must have been emotionally draining on him as well. His story reveals what goes on behind closed doors, something I myself as a former 30 yr. veteran of the Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) was ignorant to because they keep everything secret. The sadest part of what this book reveals, is that the JW's elders are NOT qualified counselors and have no specialized training, yet they practice such and have contributed to the suffering of such innocent ones as Bryan and all in the name of their so called, Jehovah God who is actually the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.

I read the book in 7 straight hours. You can't put it down.

I could not put this book down! Jehovah Witnesses and non-Jehovah Witnessed could benefit from Bryan's heart breaking experience. We all take life, and being a parent for that matter, for granted sometimes. This book truely opens one's eyes to how easily we are manipulated by our social environment and how it molds us to the core...touching every cell of our being.
The lies and deception that Bryan experienced by being kidnapped from his own mother are devastating! The end results are heart-wrenching....

Very well written. It shows how a life and family can be torn apart by a high control group. More of these types of books should be written, to show the world that this happens not just occassionally, but happens frequently. The world needs to know.
I could not put it down.

Bryan Lee McGlothin compelling memoir Have you seen my mother? is the heart-breaking story of one man's quest for love, truth and acceptance. The contrast between the behaviour of both of his parents is most telling. The father professes to be Christian but kidnaps young Bryan from the loving arms of his mother, slandering her in the eyes of the world but more important, in the heart and mind of her love-starved and vulnerable son. The mother, heartsick and desperate in her unsuccessful search for Bryan, flounders mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. While the father "progresses" in his faith and in life, the mother spirals toward tragic circumstances.

Bryan's father's narcissistic selfishness and cruelty are all too familiar to this writer, but the roots of such evil are complex, never easily explained.

McGlothin does a commendable job setting forth his story in his quest for truth. What he discovers will break your heart. It might also educate and humble you.

Some of us were blessed enough to start out with such a real experience with the Creator, that scientific evidence was just icing on the cake. How inspiring and exciting to hear from those who were led to the Creator by the evidence!

I should note that I would have been a contributor to this book, but my own story is rather humdrum compared to the ones that made it in. When I first heard of the project, I expected my review would mostly describe how the examples show that people who didn't believe in a relatively recent Divine creation had come to accept it through examining the scientific evidence. There certainly are some excellent examples of that! However, there is much more to it.

Without a doubt, the examples disprove the claims that creation science only survives because some Americans are ignorant, misunderstand science, and were raised from birth to be creationists. Here there are testimonials from people who were atheists or theistic evolutionists from a young age, and people who turned their backs on their religious beliefs. There are many different reports, told by people from several different countries and several different denominations. Each chapter has a different flavor. One or two reveal the scientific accomplishments of the authors, equal to those of practically any other living scientist. Some chapters dwell on the spiritual aspects of the change of mind and heart, others on Biblical or general theological considerations. There are also differences in emphasis amongst those accounts which dwell on scientific evidence and logical arguments: biology, geology, dating techniques, philosophy, and semantics. There are references to further study materials.

My overall impression was one of pleasant surprise at the joyful, uplifting tone of the contributions. This is not a dry collection of facts, nor a spiteful attack on evolutionists. Certainly one or two contributors describe how shocked they were to find that their evolutionary training had mislead them, but the overall stress is on the blessings of finding a true harmony between science and the most straightforward understanding of Genesis (and many other passages in the Bible).

If you have doubts about evolution or creation, or wonder how anyone can
understand science and still believe in creation, or believe in creation and feel threatened by the claims of evolutionists, you need to read this book!

To give something like an example, here's my sedate story: Unlike the
contributors to this book, I was indeed raised a creationist and never became an evolutionist. However, I did entertain some old-Earth compromise scenarios, such as "the Gap Theory." Furthermore, I was somewhat troubled by reports that evolution had been observed, that scientists were well on the way to reproducing the natural origin of life on earth, and especially the claims that Zinjanthropous (dubbed "Nutcracker Man") was a true intermediate between apes and humans. However, I took a "show me" and "I'll wait and see" attitude rather than giving in to authoritarian pressures. As the years went by, I discovered that the observations (those that were valid) didn't show changes that could be logically extrapolated to support evolution. Scientists still haven't shown that life could arise without intelligent guidance. In fact, I've learned of several factors that strongly mitigate against the possibility. The stories about "Nutcracker Man" are gone, and even "Zinjanthropous" has been re-named and consigned to a side branch of the Australopithecines. New claims have arisen through the years, but I find it easier to spot their weaknesses, and have seen many examples of these newer claims also falling by the wayside. The more I compare what is actually established scientifically with claims about evolutionary history, the more I feel confident in trusting the Bible fully and without mental gymnastics.

The testimonials in Persuaded by the Evidence are much more dramatic and
detailed. This book is very different from any other I've seen on the subject, and I'd be interested, for comparison, to see similar books with testimonies from people who've changed their views but ended up with different opinions. I can only wonder if they could try to be as positive and uplifting.

Persuaded by the Evidence has caused a feeling of wonder in me. I have more than 300 books in my library that deal with creation and/or evolution, and I have read all of them. But this book gives me a great deal of relief for I now know that I am not the only person convienced by the evidence for creation. It continues to amaze me how many persons involved in academia are closet believers. Fortunately, there are many, such as those in this book, who are willing to attest to their belief in creationism. This book shows that the evolutionists have tried their best to hid the fact that there are other people with degrees in the sciences that are also persuaded by the evidence for creationism. There are some who will try to claim that these stories are fake, or were made up by the authors. (I know a few of the people who wrote some of the chapters and I know that their stories are true.) The people who say these stories are fake are evolutionists who will lie over and over to maintain their dominance. So, why would they lie? I can name two good reasons; (1) Evolution has become a "religion" to them, it is their belief structure and worldview, and (2) money. They make a lot of money off of their textbooks and, if you don't believe that, take a look at the prices of those books now days. Right now the evolutionists have a monopoly on science textbooks for every single level of education. If the government allowed the teaching of both sides of the issue of creationism and evolutionism, their textbook sales would plummet and much of their research funds would also be denied. I recommend this book to all who want evidence for their religious faith. I especially recommend this book to all truth seekers and to all who have the courage to read it.

Few things in this world are as moving as the testimony of one person's life-changing exploration. The fact that the true-life accounts found in this book are grounded in an honest-hearted, objective examination of the scientific evidence, for and against Darwinism and Creationism - makes them all the more convincing. The story of the discovery of evidence for a Creator is more than a collection of interesting data. It is the chronicle of courageous men and women willing to follow the scientific evidence where it leads - even if their findings lead them to a scientifically unpopular encounter with truth.
No matter where you currently stand on the issue of origins - you'll want to read this book.

A common assumption is that people reject Darwinism due to religion and this is true in many cases. In many other cases, though, they reject evolutionism due to a study of the scientific evidence. This book includes the stories of some of these persons. One can not help but note the reasons for rejecting Darwinism are many and varied. Included in this book are many of the most well known American creationists, including Drs Henry Morris and Duane Gish. For this reason this book is critically important in understanding the history of the movement as well as the personalities of the founders. Some cases in this book involved persons converted from atheism, others were always Christians but theistic evolutionists, such as Henry Morris, who became persuaded by the evidence, not religion, to reject evolutionism. Others were always creationists and were persuaded by the evidence to remain committed to this worldview position. Not a technical book but a set of human interest biographies, it was an enjoyable read that allows one to understand why the authors made the decisions covered in each chapter.

Having to go to court with out the money to hire a Lawyer several times, this book proved to be a valuable resource. It taught me that Judge and Arbitrators like individuals who are ready and prepared for their cases. If you can not have a lawyer present, you can at least prepare like one.

The authors give honest information on every part of the trial and the trial process. You will learn how to file a complaint to answering a complaint. It gives real information on the process of the trial from filing motions, seeking discovery and settling your case. It caps with judgments and appeals.

I like how the authors make everything easy to understand and the advice is completely useable. This can be used if this is you first time in court or your tenth.

Footnote: Nolo press is the best company that produces law books for the common person. They are always easy to read and pact with good advice.


Enjoy

This is one of the best books I have read and enjoyed about pro se litigation. The large font, great white space, and properly displayed summary tables render the book easy to endure and utilize. The authors offer many proverbs and examples for lay people that alleviate the harshness of legal lingo. Moreover, they even translate the formal and non-technical English words into layman's language. For example, words such as "sanction, impeach, strike, motion, cross, re-cross, direct, and re-direct" are simplified to common readers to mean "punish, discredit, delete, request, and questioning of witnesses in different setting".

The authors realize the hardship of hiring a good and trustworthy lawyer and assist the readers in understanding their rights for self-representation. Not only you will learn how not to be a fool pro se, but also how to expose the foolishness of ill-prepared lawyers and how to feel home among busy birds of a feather different from yours.

The book dissects the court room like an anatomy specimen and shows the reader where everyone belongs. (In one of the traffic violation I attended, a defendant brought his 5-year old son to the courtroom, was not able to control his running between the judge's legs and messing up stacks of papers on the reporter's desk.) This book will familiarize you with the territory such that you will avoid acting childishly. Aside from running between the judge's legs, the pro se will learn how to seek permission to approach a witness, to admit exhibits, to strike evidence, and so on.

The paper work phase is explained in great details to remove the anxiety of the long and contentious process that follows. It offers assurance that anxiety and fear are natural reaction to performing on a stage of adversarial nature. Actors, teachers, lawyers go through what a pro se litigant goes through in laboring to defend his or her arguments. It offers forms for different filing purposes, describes exhibits and trial notebook, and explains how to respond to and make objections.

The trial dissection is also magnificent in describing in details the phases of paper work filing, subject and personal jurisdiction, statute of limitation, and the development of the trial process from filling answers, motions, pretrial material, discovery, and evidentiary issue.

The trial process is well described as well to entail opening statement, direct and cross examination, closing statement. It is preceded with extensive elaboration on how settlement, aberration, and mediation most of times cut the process short of a trial.

The elaborate description of informal and formal discovery process is very helpful to pro se litigants since it saves the exuberant amount of money spent on lawyers to gather documents, depose witness, and disclose evidence. The thorough details of the techniques of discovery are presented in bulleted subsections, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

The book extends it discussion to post-trail phases of appeals and judgment. It then delves into specialized areas such as divorce and bankruptcy. The coherence of the book topics serves the readers a great deal in enabling pro se to focus on pertinent legal claims, their elements, the facts that address each element, and the evidence required to prove the facts.

Three trivial problems are noticeable. One, pages are numbered according to chapters which forces the reader to remember two instead of one number when trying to memorize latest page read. Two, referencing to legal coach is excessively used while the book is intended to self-represented parties. Three, excessive branching of references for further reading are everywhere despite the good 24 healthy chapters of the book.

Mohamed F. El-Hewie
Author of
Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training

As a Pro Se Petitioner, I have found this book to be incredibly helpful! It explains all of the ins and outs of trial, how to organize a trial notebook, how to arrange your questioning, and how to cross examine among many other important facts. This book contains the inforation that lawyers know, that we need to know, but have not gone to many years of school. It is written in plain English, and is a MUST for anyone looking to go into or try to avoid going to trial!

I was thoroughly impressed how well written and easy to understand this book is. Each step is completely explained, referenced and many documents have examples printed right in the book. There are great tips and tricks to deal with opposing counsel as well as warnings for what type of red flags and tricks to watch for from the other side. This book is an asset for the novice to the more experienced pro se litigator. Definitely a Five Star book.

I decided to represent myself as a pro se litigant, and turned to this book since it got such good reviews.

I was NOT disappointed. It does a great job chronologically illustrating common judicial patterns, and it will even give you a spectrum of scenarios in case your court system operates a bit differently. There are example dialogs and mock situations to help you understand what to do in certain situations.

Believe it or not, I didn't need the book in the end. There is a statistic that is published in the book pointing out that over 90% of people who go into court usually settle before an actual trial. Because of this statistic, I mentioned it to the Plantiff's attorney and was surprised to hear, "well, then, make us an offer!"

Had I not had the chance to settle out of court, I would have been very prepared to represent myself.

There were a couple of weak spots in the book, but they were of my own wanting to have more information. One of those areas that the book needs to get up to speed on is electronic documents, such as dealing with e-mails, and techniques in proving that e-mails are legitimate.

I'd also like to mention for those of you who are looking for Child Support help, this is not a good book for that. It has a tiny section on Child Support, then leaves you hanging. This may be because laws vary so much, but I thought I'd at least point it out. The book is more for general concepts, so the info falls short once you begin specializing in certain subject matters.

Whatever your case is about, I can't emphasize enough for you to take a morning off from work to go watch some cases in court. You'll eliminate some fear of the unknown, you'll start to see that attorneys go through a similar set of procedures that you are just as capable of performing yourself, and you'll get a feel for how to talk to the judge and those who might be in the same room as you.