Bernstein Books

Robert Bernstein knows how to make a point: let the subjects speak for themselves! This well prepared, eminently readable book tackles the currently high profile topic of not only same-sex marriages but more poignantly same-sex parenting. In an introduction Bernstein presents a brief history of his topic and a précis that informs us that the families discussed in the book are not randomly chosen: the families here represented are "leaders in bringing about the social change that is gradually easing the way to their acceptance." And so we are fairly informed that the contents of this valuable document will be skewed toward the hard work of some prime examples of same-sex parents and their respective children with the hope that reading these varying experiences will foster understanding and appreciation for the valiant work of the subjects chosen.

Not that Bernstein is out to preach: quite the contrary, by translating in to eloquent language the trials and tribulations of six families of varying backgrounds and living situations he lets the histories make their own powerful points. The families represented demonstrate the fact that children raised by same-sex parents do not 'adopt' same-sex life styles because of their parents. The children here described reveal the peer punishment and rejection in the schoolyard, and yet in most cases once the children are open about their parents' life style instead of hiding for fear their peers will discover it, the children fit comfortably into the system.

Bernstein makes many tender and important observations: same-sex parents (especially gay men) tend to make better parents because they desperately WANT to be parents in a society where they must struggle for the privilege as opposed to many straight families whose children my be 'biologic accidents in timing' and/or viewed as contributing to the financial and stability problems faced by those who marry too young.

In addition to providing evidence that children of same-sex parents are sound, healthy and well-adjusted and that same-sex parents (at least those here represented) are passionately devoted and dedicated to the enviable privilege of parenting, Bernstein follows his book with Appendices that are informative, enlightening, and offer answers to frequently asked questions about same-sex unions and other sociologic avenues of interest that provide sound structure to his basic précis. This is an excellent book for the general public, especially at this point of time in our history, and it is also a reassuring work for the many men and women who are currently struggling with the public concept of their plight. Highly recommended reading. Grady Harp, June 05

With The First Waco Horror, Patricia Bernstein delivers a fascinating and mortifying slice of Texas - and American - history with a meticulously researched look at the 1916 lynching, in Waco, Texas, of Jesse Washington, a retarded seventeen-year-old black boy. While lynchings were not uncommon at the time, this one was particularly galling - as many as 15,000 people, including the mayor and chief of police - stood by and watched as Washington was beaten, burnt and hung in Waco's town square. Due to the efforts of the fledgling NAACP and, in particular, a brave woman by the name of Elisabeth Freeman, the details of the lynching made headlines around the world, tarnished the image of Waco as an enlightened, cosmopolitan city (which, as Bernstein shows, was somewhat illusory from the start), and helped generate increasing support for anti-lynching sentiment and legislation. The First Waco Horror is an engaging, well-written book filled with complex characters that run the gamut from inspirational to repellent, as well as personal recollections and anecdotes that inject an extra element of emotional resonance. Like a modern Elisabeth Freeman, Bernstein excavates the details of a truly horrifying incident in our recent past and demonstrates that a small group of principled, dedicated people can stand up to the ignorance and passivity of mob mentality to foster change and evolution.

This is a very good summary of the myths and theologies of the afterlife that developed in the Mediterranean cultures, from ancient Egypt and Sumer to the Judaeo-Greco-Roman religions. The author contrasts the varying philosophies of a neutral death to that of retribution and punishment, perfected by Christianity's most influential early theologian, Augustine of Hippo. The philosophical differences that involved the question of divine justice and mercy resulted in the Catholic Church's compromise of purgatory serving as a form of redemptive weigh-station for those whose lifetime sins were not so egregious as to merit eternal damnation, though I thought some of the arguments used by Augustine were themselves as tortured as the damned he evidently wanted punished for rejecting God. The discussions involving the apocryphal texts, the Apocalypses of Paul and Peter, emphasized the obsession with gory and grisly retributions, a tendency amongst Christians that even today's so-called evangelicals have adopted to excess themselves.
Though at times a bit dense on writing style this is by its nature an academic and scholarly subject on a subject pregnant with implications for today's modern believer in whatever fate. To what extent are our current lives responsible for what happens afterward? The author offers no answer beyond his adept discussion of what preceded us. I recommend this to all fans of theology, ancient cultures and history and philosophy.

The harsh start all school age students fear - being a new nobody. "Fran, The Second Time Around" is the story of Fran, who starts anew in the ninth grade, split from her old school and her best friend of over a decade - a long time for a ninth grader - and how she is set to have to cope with the new adventures alone being a complete unknown. How can she possibly hope to cope with it all - a question that everyone asks themselves. Deftly written and something sure for young readers to relate to, "Fran, The Second Time Around" is a Grade A pick for community library young adult fiction collections and for any new student looking for a story with someone in a predicament similar to theirs.

If you're into Bill Sienkiewicz's work, this is a very well done set, the art is beautiful and the copy is well written. I would definitely recommend this to any Sienkiewicz fan.

Robert Bernstein clearly spells out everything you need to know in order to get paid, get paid faster and what to do if you don't get paid. Find out what common mistakes are and how to avoid them. I found this book to be full of great information that is very helpful for business owners especially with the U.S. economy in a crisis.

I read this book when it was first published. The author's advice is both practical and witty. The book is a pleasure to read and the advice works!

My daughter LOVED this book. Sometimes I would hear her laughing from the other room as she read it. She would even bring up some of the issues she read about during dinner. She said that even though it was written by adults, it was presented in "her language" (funny, I thought she spoke English like the rest of us). She really liked the chapters by Mark Bernstein and Keith Hawkins in particular. Thanks for a great read. Go MAD is great!

Mr. Bernstein's insight into the Cold War era and the role that organized crime had in shaping American society is both fresh and thorough. This book is a must read for any student of post-1945 America - an era of unprecedented change. Mr. Bernstein is to be commended for his fine work.

This title gives much valuable info and covers a hugh selection of careers. There maybe things to consider once you examine a career(s). The previous edition is slightly different. It contains additional info that you'd want to know. This edition added more careers but lacked the additional info of the previous one. I'm glad I have both! This book really helped me out. Bling! This title is a sure reference in career search. When I shopped for a guide, this was a quick winner. Constructive and insightful. Easy to read. Covers most of your questions.