Bernstein Books

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Bernstein Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Courage To Heal

Published in Paperback by AuthorHouse (2006-12-07)

Author: Paul Bernstein MD

List price: $15.95

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Average review score:

In the face of a paranoid government

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-07

A Young Surgeon joins forces with the twentieth century's boldest industrialist in "Courage to Heal". Paul Bernstein, MD lends his medical expertise to his this medical thriller novel set in the Great Depression of one determined doctor to provide the best medical care he could in the face of a paranoid government. Enthralling from the first page to the last, it's highly recommended for fiction fans in general and any community library fiction shelves.

A little-known story comes alive

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-01

(Disclaimer: I am a former colleague of the author, and worked in the Kaiser Permanente system for most of my career).

Having been a Permanente physician since the days when we were close to being "persona non grata" in the local medical community, I was somewhat familiar with the history of the Medical group, but Paul Bernstein has made its humble beginnings spring from the page with a living and exciting narrative that takes the reader into the very soul of Sydney Garfield, whose name I knew as our founder, but not much else about him. Henry Kaiser is also brought into the mix as a larger-than-life industrialist who believed in what Garfield was doing and provided the capital and know-how to build the prepaid system that spans the country today---though still heavily weighted on the West Coast. I heartily recommend this book to anyone trying to fathom today's health care controversy. When you finish this book, pick up "Overtreated" by Shannon Brownlee, for a fascinating look at what has happened to American medicine, and suggestions for reform. Not surprisingly, she holds Kaiser up as an example of how things could work. And Sydney Garfield is the reason. Good work, Paul!

You will enjoy this book: delightful, informative & thought-provoking!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-13

Who would suspect that a book about the creation of an HMO could be so captivating? I started reading at bedtime and just couldn't stop. The author skillfully weaves together fact and fiction, vividly describing scenes and characters, keeping the reader constantly in suspense. The historical images of the times before, during and after WWII are particularly striking to those of us too young to remember things like the polio epidemic. The plot conflict about health insurance is as timely now as it was then, with millions of Americans still without coverage.
This is my favorite kind of book: it is great reading for entertainment alone, and informative and thought-provoking at the same time!

A new concept in medical care.

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-05

This is a fictionalized account of the creation of Kaiser Permanente, the granddaddy of HMOs. Dr. Bernstein has told a fascinating story of its creation and successful rise in the face of resistance from the medical establishment. Highly recommended.

Medical pioneer

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-22

The courage to heal reads more like an adventure than a biography. Sidney Garfield, like all great pioneers, is single-minded in his quest to bring affordable health care to the people. I found it interesting to see how the concept of prepaid medicine evolved and particularly the resistance they met from the medical establishment. I particularly enjoyed the historical setting in the thirties, forties and fifties. Bernstein brings us into the dramas of medical emergencies. We get a glimpse into what that world was like when polio was rampant and antibiotics were still a novelty. This book seems particularly relevant today with so many people without access to medical care due to deficiencies of the fee for service system. I recommend this book highly.

The effect of functional electrical stimulation on self-concept, locus of control, anxiety and depression in spinal cord injured patients

Published in Unknown Binding by (1991)

Author: Sydna M Bernstein

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Average review score:

good

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-18

I purchased this for my grandaughter for her birthday, and since she is really into Tolkein, I'm very pleased with the purchase, tho I have not opened the package, and will just send it on to her. Service was good.

Early Notes for The Silmarillion, plus MAPS! Better than Vol III

Helpful Votes: 11 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-30

`The Shaping of Middle-Earth' is the fourth volume of Christopher Tolkien's exegesis of his father, J.R.R. Tolkien's unpublished writings which were done before, during, and after the writing of `The Hobbit' and `The Lord of the Rings'. It is important to realize that beginning with Volume III, `The Lays of Beleriand', these volumes are prepared according to the date on which the elder Tolkien wrote the documents. That this `real world' chronology is roughly parallel to the great ages of middle earth is simply a happy coincidence.

One little niggle I have about the emphasis of `Middle Earth' in the title of both this volume and the series as a whole is that the land, middle earth, is just one part of the whole world in which this mythology is played out. It is basically a great continent, roughly similar to Eurasia in size, surrounded by a single great ocean which is, in turn, bounded by the undying lands. This fact is eminantly clear in the crude maps by Tolkien senior presented in this volume.

What is also eminantly clear in most of these fragments is the great difference in both geography and physics between our world and the world in which middle earth is embedded. There is no sun and no stars, until the stars are created by some of the `gods', the Valar, who are in turn created by `the one', Iluvatar.

The fragments in this volume are mostly early versions of the mythology which was to become the postumously published `The Silmarillion'. As such, it deals with my very favorite character outside of `The Lord of the Rings', the elven lord Feanor who, in a rough parallel to both Adam and Prometheus, disobeys the Valar based on the promptings of the ultimate bad guy in these stories, Morgoth.

Even if one buys the unique physics, cosmology, and pantheon of gods and demigods, the hardest part of this and similar writings is how to deal with Tolkien's handling of evil. How, one wonders, are eight `good' Valar duped by the ninth evil one, who is left to subvert the Valar's most favored creations, the elves, and create all sorts of mayhem in Middle Earth. Even if one introduces the arguments about `free will', one wonders how, if you posit a very real supreme being, Iluvatar (Eru), plus eight comparably powerful beings, such beings would let Morgoth get away with being the cause of all this suffering.

On a ligher note, I find this book an amazing source of poetic inspiration, even more poetic, sometimes than the overtly poetic `The Lays of Beleriand'. There are phrases and paragraphs here and there which sound like they are straight out of a song by Donoven Leitch or The Incredible String Band.

Like almost all the twelve volumes in this series, this is much more a study of fragments than a complete work. Many of the fragments rework the same material, so you find yourself reading the same story over again, in slightly different words. And yet, the power of the created world holds up through the scholarly framework. As with other volumes, there is an excellent index of names at the end of the book and the aforementioned maps are invaluable in understanding the very odd geography of this invented world.

The Early Silmarillion . . .

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-04

. . . continues in this, the fourth volume of "The History of Middle-Earth" series.

Christopher Tolkien, in his 12-volume "History of Middle-Earth" series presents the notes, stories, fragments, and legends of what was to eventually become "The Silmarillion" in two stages. This book is the final stage of what scholars would consider "The Early Silmarillion"; continuing on the work presented in the two volumes of "The Book of Lost Tales".

If the Tolkien fan is interested in seeing how the mind of the Master developed and progressed his stories, this volume is absolutely indispensable. It is especially interesting to compare "The Shaping of Middle-Earth" with "Morgoth's Ring" and the other volumes of what Christopher calls "The Later Silmarillion".

Once again, thanks is due to Christopher for his labor of love so that we can delve more deeply into Middle-Earth.

The earliest of the shortened styled writings that tolkien intended to come out before the lord of the rings.

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-12

I feel like giving this a four for the maps and explaining of the shaping of the earth. I guess I didn't really care much about that cause I liked the evolution of the characters a lot more, but did always like to look at the maps just too get a quick visual to help picture the world that I love. The reason I did give it five stars is because I know most people like this aspect of the whole history, and you will get PLENTY OF INFO on how this world was created.

Now the part that I really liked was all of the globe type drawings, and even more I liked all of the early compressed writings in this. It's kind of funny to watch the evolution of these writings because tolkien would always start out very compessed, then when he rewrote it, it ALWAYS became longer. Then if he did manage to compress it, he would always add something new to the story, or make the tale go from stationery to grim. Then when he tried to add his new idea in like his third rewriting, it never got compressed. So what this means is that he could never completely finish these writings, but on the posotive side we could have anywhere from 3-8 versions of a single writing.

Once again, thank you christopher tolkien for taking the time to publish all of your father's writings, and equal thanks for taking the time to explain these and leave notes.

Literally, the "Shaping" of Middle-Earth

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-04

The Shaping of Middle-Earth concentrates some part of it to actually physically describing the layout of Arda (the World) with some interesting maps drawn by Tolkien in the middle of the book. The book also includes information behind the fall of Morgoth at the end of the First Age.

How to Deal with Emotionally Explosive People

Published in Kindle Edition by McGraw-Hill (2002-12-09)

Author: Albert J. Bernstein

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Average review score:

A life line - Thank you Dr. Bernstein

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-11

Judging from the other reviews on this book, it is selected and read by knowledgeable people. The author, as someone else's review said, just tells it like it is according to our current understanding of the psychology of explosive people. Unfortunately we HAVE TO deal with them. Very few people even acknowledge, yet alone learn to tame the EGO so they are everywhere. To protect myself first then maybe help others this book has been very valuable to me. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Thank you Dr. Albert J. Bernstein.

valuable practical advice

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-15

this book is a resource i refer back to over and over. fresh insights into what makes us tick. . .and get ticked off. one of those uncommon self help books that actually helps.

Good book for its purported purpose

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-25

It's informative and shed light on what is going on inside those who with these emotionally explosive people. I also like the author's step-by-step coaching of how to deal with their explosion. I learned something, which is what I like.

Emotional self-defense

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-16

I always knew people weren't logical but now I know why and what to do about it. This book has been a big help. The author is great, and I just found out he wrote several other books so I ordered them all.

A guarantee for better emotional well-being

Helpful Votes: 8 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2003-03-15

Dr. Bernstein extends yet another strong and helpful hand in his most recent self-help book, "How to Deal with Emotionally Explosive People." This book helps me understand how to diffuse the emotional dynamite when dealing with over-reactive friends, depressed family members and grouchy co-workers. Each chapter reads true to life stories while the writer generously provides us with a solid ground of knowledge. It convinced me that, even in the most perplexing emotionally charged situations, I can be part of the solution instead of the problem. This is a book about building ones own emotional resilience. The real risk in using this book as prescribed is discovering what lies on the other side of our destructive patterns in human interactions and thought.
Kate K.,Business Owner, ECE Consultant

Official Guide to Wine Snobbery

Published in Hardcover by Mradult (1982-02)

Authors: S. Bernstein Leonard and Leonard S. Bernstein

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Average review score:

Learn about wine (or just how to pretend to know about wine)

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-10

Hilarious. This book will teach you all the rules you'll have to follow, and all the affectations you'll have to take on, to pass as a wine snob. At the same time, though, you'll really learn about wine. This book was first published in 1981 and it also offers a glimpse into gourmet snobbery before good food was democratized and celebrity chefs took over. The illustrations are just as funny as the prose and they will both remind you of real wine snobs you know. Every aspiring wine connoisseur should read this book.

An amiably and expertly written guide

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-08

The Official Guide To Wine Snobbery by Leonard S. Bernstein is an amiably and expertly written guide to everything from how to properly hold a wine glass, to matching foods and wines, to popular controversies surrounding wines and their tasting, and a great deal more. Informed and informative, The Official Guide To Wine Snobbery is an enjoyable, accessible, 160-page instructional guide which is especially recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the pastime and culture of wine tasting.

great reading

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-23

This book is out of print and I managed to get a used copy as a gift to a friend. I first read it a few months ago, also a few months after I first got interested in wine. This is great reading for anyone into wine tasting, even only remotely. It not only gives you quite some information about French wines (occasionally American ones), but also teaches you how to be snobbishly cool with the whole thing with scathing humor. You'll laugh as you read through and recognize as well as make fun of your own snobbery in the future.

From a naif.

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-14

I neither know nor care about wine, but I found this book enormously entertaining.

Funniest Wine book ever

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-04

The book is written as an autobiographical story about Bernstein's quest to reach the upper ranks of wine snobbery. He covers what to order and when (and how to go from impressive to daringly impressive w/out spending too much) paring wine with food, what to do with the cork, how to taste wine without looking dumb, best names for wine ever, etc.

This book is great for beginners because it's a great way to learn, or for someone who already "knows it all" when it comes to wine because it's so funny. I've bought this book as a gift for several people and they always comment on it months later. While I suppose you could learn to become quite a wine snob, it's easier to laugh at them. I also noticed that my confidence around wine improved when I realized that the main thing a "real wine snob" did was ignore all "rules" about wine with confidence.

Passionate Journey: A Novel Told in 165 Woodcuts

Published in Paperback by Penguin (Non-Classics) (1989-03-07)

Author: Frans R. Maserell

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Average review score:

Vivid drama, the first read takes minutes, the second takes hours

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-11

Compulsion pulls you through the powerful woodcuts in a few minutes. Each successive reading takes longer as you discover and savor character, plot and craft. Masereel lived by the nitroglycerin theory of rhetoric--the fewer the words, the leaner the lines, the more powerful the message.

The amazing graphic art of Frans Masereel - "Passionate Journey" and "The City"

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-28

"Passionate Journey" and "The City".
Both books of woodcuts are produced by Dover Books. The presentation of both is simple but the reproduction of the woodcuts is very good. These woodcuts are as fresh today as they must have been radical when first published in 1919 and 1925 respectively. These 'books without words' are fascinating in their portrayal of the human condition. "Passionate Journey" I believe to be a true work of art. One criticism of the editions is that they lack detailed information on Frans Masereel's life and times. I would liked to have much more on the impact of his work at the time and the context with regard to German Expressionism and the Weimar Republic. These books will hopefully introduce the work of Masereel to a much wider audience. They also represent reasonable value for money.

Powerful Catalyst

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-05-23

Like the Tarot, the images here are universal and transformative. They have the additional benefit of a wry sense of humor and subtle undercurrents of a humanist sensibility.

A must have for any searcher or thinker.

Pure Inspiration

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-05-01

When my sister gave me this book for my birthday, it was one of the greatest presents I ever received. I was inspired, comforted, and emboldened by Masereel's wordless tale of a questing spirit. Despite the fact that I've read it literally hundreds of times (almost every night when I was working in Calcutta), I always see something new in the subtle, highly expressive woodcuts. Besides the brilliance of his technique, the story Maserel tells is exciting, complex, hilarious and moving. A treaure I wouldn't trade for practically anything.

A beautiful biography --

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-17

-- or is it? Masereel's remarkable little book declines to explain itself.

These 165 expressive woodcuts present snapshots from the life of one man, or so we assume. He's not all that special - he's not a great hero, leader, or lover, though he's each at one point or another. He doesn't rise above or sink below anyone else, except in the usual ways. As with Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," this book celebrates the ordinary. And, when seen in such detail, the ordinary becomes quite extraordinary.

The book opens with the un-named man's arrival by train. The crowd and surroundings excite him, as does the mechanism of the train itself. Then, he's off to his new life in the city. We see that life in an uneven, even surreal pace. Masereel's vivid, expressive images hopscotch through the years of his life. Sequences of unrelated images seem to compress years into just a few pages. Other times, long sequences examine individual stories in detail - the adoption of a daughter, his happiness in her, and her final illness and death may be the most moving. It's a life-changing event, and sets the anonymous man off on a lengthy voyage, perhaps to lose himself or to find himself again. He returns to the city life, and eventually retires. The imagery changes radically at this point. It suggests Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and "Starry Night," and also hints at Van Gogh's death.

Or maybe not. The imagery speaks volumes, but speaks a different volume to each viewer - and will probably speak differently to me when I read it again. Although it's an illustrated story, it's not for children. It is for anyone who wants to see the grandparents of today's illustrated fiction, or who appreciates woodcut in itself. This Dover edition is a beautiful reproduction, with richly saturated blacks but paper opaque enough to keep each page from bleeding through. It's easy to enjoy - so go ahead, enjoy it.

//wiredweird

Young People's Concerts

Published in Paperback by Amadeus Press (2006-01-01)

Author: Leonard Bernstein

List price: $22.95

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Average review score:

Just beautiful

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-08

This is a great book,Bernstein is not only a genius,but a really wise man,he explain things with an ease few could match.This is book is a treasure.

LEONARD BERNSTEINS YOUNG PEOPLES CONCERTS WITH THE N.Y. PHIL

Helpful Votes: 12 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-20

Take a front-row seat to see Maestro Bernstein, America's foremost musician, perform in his favorite role -- teacher. Watch and listen as he demonstrates, explains, and reveals music as you have never heard it before, performed by his beloved orchestra, the New York Philharmonic. As you enjoy the experience, you will gain something precious: a love and understanding of great music. With the Young People's Concerts, mastering music is all pleasure!

The World's Great Music -- Made Understandable and Enjoyable
Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts span fifteen years during which the incomparable Mr. Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic -- the century's most charismatic conductor leading America's premier symphony orchestra -- reached out in televised live performances to share with the whole world the joy of understanding beautiful music.

Getting to Know Symphonic Music -- From the Master Conductor! This set of Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts is a genuine musical education in a form that's fun, fascinating, and easy. Just sit back and enjoy as Maestro Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic show you the thrilling, passion-filled world of the symphony orchestra. You'll be having such a good time, the learning will feel like pure entertainment!

Something for Everyone -- Young and Old, Novice and Expert Leonard Bernstein captivated a diverse audience. The programs are called Young People's Concerts -- but when they were broadcast, millions of adults enjoyed and benefited from them, too. Mr. Bernstein speaks in familiar terms that anyone can understand -- and what he says intrigues even seasoned professional musicians.

In the world of music, for sheer education and entertainment value, there has never been anything comparable to Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts. They are, quite simply, the musical event of a lifetime.

"The Young People's Concerts are among my favorite, most highly prized activities of my life." -- Leonard Bernstein

Each Young People's Concert is an elegant, sparkling musical event-with-a-message -- a message that speaks to people of all ages who want to hear and understand music more enjoyably than ever before.

A Maestro With a Mission Pianist, composer, conductor, lecturer, author -- the world-famous Leonard Bernstein lived and breathed music his entire life because he truly loved it. He was also aware that "highbrow" music could be intimidating. So the Maestro made it his lifetime mission to turn great music into something everyone could understand and enjoy.

That's why the Young People's Concerts, aired on the CBS Television Network from 1958 to 1973, were so fabulously successful year after year. People packed the live performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Across America, families eagerly tuned in to watch every exciting new program. Around the world, television stations rushed to rebroadcast these unique musical events, translating them into a dozen foreign languages.

Maestro Bernstein's Young People's Concerts were a treasure -- a key that unlocked the door to the secrets of the world's great symphonic music. People watched... listened... enjoyed... understood... and simply couldn't get enough of the Young People's Concerts. There had been nothing like them before. There has been nothing like them since.

For You, Whatever Your Age or Musical Ability Most amazing of all, Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts appeal to people of all ages and at every level of musical ability. There is nothing difficult about these musical events. You don't need any musical experience. Every concept is simple, concrete, immediate. The Maestro describes a musical idea -- then sings it, plays a few bars on the piano, or lifts his baton to lead the New York Philharmonic through a glorious symphonic rendition of the theme. Suddenly, you hear great music as you never heard it before. You pick out melody, counterpoint, rhythm, structure -- and you grasp complex music in a way you never thought possible.

Explaining What Music Means Starting with What Does Music Mean?, Mr. Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic present one spellbinding concert-with-commentary after another, showing you step by step what makes symphonic music an art form, and why great performances draw thunderous applause from audiences around the world.

Music's Most Exciting Moments

A world of beauty and meaning awaits you in Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts. These digitally remastered recordings of the original televised performances provide you with a deluxe guided tour of great music, led by America's best-loved music teacher. The Young People's Concerts let you experience the most exciting and entertaining moments in American musical history.

You will find the Young People's Concerts delightful -- relaxed and informal, yet absolutely authoritative. And whatever your level of musical knowledge -- novice, student, or professional -- you are certain to learn and benefit from these timeless musical events.

An easy to understand perspective of all forms and categories of music

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-04

Young People's Concerts by composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein is an outstanding and much-appreciated reprint of the author's definitive description of his inspirational appreciation and joy for music. Presented in an expansive and highly descriptive context, Young People's Concerts offers an easy to understand perspective of all forms and categories of music, instilling a similar construct into the readers enjoyment of diverse musical traditions and presentations. Very strongly recommended as informed and informative read, Young People's Concerts is the perfect addition to every personal, academic, and community library music appreciation reference collection and reading list.

An easy to understand perspective of all forms and categories of music

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-04

The next best thing to a college course

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-18

YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS by Bernstein was based on his televised lectures with the New York Philharmonic, written in response to the shows' popularity. This book gathers fifteen of the best of these fifty-three transcripts, providing lectures which capture the meaning and joy of music for young audiences. From identifying the basic elements which comprise classical music to showing how musicians slip humor into music and how folk music works in the concert hall, Bernstein's YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS is the next best thing to a college course - and the concerts come on DVD elsewhere if musical augmentation is required.

10 Days to a Less Distracted Child: The Breakthrough Program that Gets Your Kids to Listen, Learn, Focus, and Behave

Published in Paperback by Da Capo Press (2007-07-17)

Author: Jeffrey Bernstein

List price: $14.95

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Average review score:

You're not alone!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-09

I've read many, many books on ADHD and distractibility (Hallowell/Ratey, Murphy, etc.). While those books supplied much-needed background info -- and I urge you to read them as well -- this book gives you ACTUAL STEPS TO TAKE when -- or before -- you're at wit's end.

My creative, intelligent, distractible son has had a lot of the issues described in this book: social interaction, homework trouble, depression and confidence. Although this is a "10-day" program, I urge you to read the entire book first, just to get an overview. It's full of great insight and will help you understand why/how your child learns differently.

I"m a "Type A" mom -- a list-maker, neat freak, get-it-done-now person -- and it's literally taken years to understand my son. This book gave me concrete ways to help my child navigate a world that's not set up for his way of approaching things.

NOTE: Check out "Right Brained Children in a Left Brained World" as well, if your child is particularly creative and "visual" as well as being distractible.

Worked for my 6 year old boy!

Helpful Votes: 11 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-04

I bought 10 days to a Less Distracted Child at the same time as 10 days to a Less Defiant Child. I decided to read less distracted first, because frankly, I was angry with my 6-year old son. He is in kindergarten, reading at a high second-grade level, can add and subtract, and was getting daily reports saying he was NOT completing his work at school. My very bright son was getting labeled a trouble-maker and a "slow" child. I took his actions as defiance, but after reading Dr. Bernstein's book, I realize he is just EXTREMELY distractable. And, I really recognized myself in his descriptions too. On both sides - the exhausted, over-reacting parent and the distracted little kid.

As a parent with ADHD, it is highly likely my son has it as well. This book helped me to slow down and recognize that my son is trying his best, but completely lacks the skills to know how to keep himself on track. And that is my job as his parent to teach him.

This book is very easy to read, the steps are easy to follow, (even for a very distractable mom like me), and they make an IMMEDIATE difference. My son started bringing home silver stars (the highest they give for behavior) the day after I started using the steps in the book. I highly recommend this book to any parent who is struggling with a child who is under-performing . Also, if you have a defiant child, maybe you should read this book first and see if they are really just distracted.

Need help, here is help

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-27

This book has helped me so much. It feels like the book it is actually talking to me. I really recommed it even if you don't have anyone with adhd or add. Really good. If you are a parent that snap quickly you need to read this book.

Great Suggestions

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-24

This book is great for that parent who is at their wits end with their kids behavior issues... if you are tired of yelling, threatening, spanking etc.. and having it go NO WHERE!! Then read this book. Nothing works all of the time but this book gave me "his" view. How he is thinking/reasoning and suggestions on how to deal with it. I don't have to yell(unless it's to get everyone's attention) I make suggestions and try and get him to tell me what the problem is or how to fix it. It doesn't work all the time but it does help considerably!!!

Another great book by Dr. Bernstein

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-30

Dr. Bernstein obviously gets it. He clearly understands these distractible kids and why they do what they do. He also understands their parents and the challenges that they face. More importantly, he understands what they can do about it! This book is packed with practical tips and strategies that parents can use to help their distractible kids do better in school and at home. Although obviously this applies mostly to ADHD kids, there are other reasons why a child could have trouble with inattention, and Dr. Bernstein's suggestions are applicable to them as well. He really tries to help parents understand why their kids do what they do, and also normalizes their own sometimes unproductive reactions. There are other books out there on this topic, but few of them are as thorough or helpful.

The Dream: A Memoir

Published in Hardcover by Ballantine Books (2008-04-15)

Author: Harry Bernstein

List price: $24.00

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Average review score:

another great story

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-04

I can't wait to read what Harry Bernstein has to offer next. His stories are so fascinating, the hurdles he and his family members had to overcome, the complex relationships, and how he manages to still find joy and happiness for himself while doing all he can to help out everyone else. It's a classic story of struggling for a better future against all the odds, and this nice, humble, talented man has given such a gift to those who read his stories. I just wish we had more and more wonderful books like this one.

wonderful book, author's story is heartwarming

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-15

Harry Bernstein is an incredible story teller, a natural born author. I admire that he waited until his later years to write his autobiograhy/memoir. My husband bought me the first book, The Invisible Wall, which I would highly recommend. His recollection of his growing up in a poor neighborhood with his absent alcoholic father and the love he had for his mother who did the best she could, is touching. I am now into The Dream and it doesn't disappoint. You can feel Harry's disappointments and small moments of joy as he unfolds them for you with candor. If you like a story that you can almost see the people involved because the author is that honest, this book is for you. I can't say enough about it, when I received my book (The Dream) in the mail from Amazon, it put a smile on my face and made my day. What a gift Harry has to give that to a perfect stranger.

such a beautiful book and unforgettable

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-09

As soon as I heard that Harry Bernstein had written a second memoir dealing with his early life America, I ordered it at once and devoured it. God bless this writer! He is 98 years old and hopes to give us a third memoir of his life with his beloved wife Ruby. I will buy it the day it is printed.

Young Harry and his brothers and sisters, devoted mother and rather despicable, drunken and despotic father, leave their Liverpool poverty and travel to America in the early twentieth century. As Harry grows, the first of his family to complete high school (his mother cannot read or write), he takes on the role of the man in the house, eventually managing to work even during the Depression (though nearly killed by a band of thugs), trying to get his mother away from his father who has always made their life miserable. The strength, charm and humor of young Harry is wonderful and when he at last falls in love with a girl he meets in a dance hall, he begins a romance and marriage which will last him almost three quarters of a century.

So many people are lovingly and fascinatingly portrayed, none less than his grandfather who in a strange, lonely, almost unbelievable profession, supports them all.

Please write the next book quickly, Mr. Bernstein!

Stephanie Cowell (author of the novel MARRYING MOZART)

A Pleasure to Read and Savor

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-26

This tender memoir showcases Mr. Bernstein's gifted ability to thoroughly connect with his readers. In The Invisible Wall - an equally fabulous book - we begin to follow Harry (the author), his parents, brothers, and sisters through the ups and downs of their hardscrabble existence in England. Now in The Dream, we connect all the more with them as they cope with incredibly difficult situations during the 1920's and 1930's in Chicago and New York. It's not a pretty existence, but it's one that exemplifies perseverance, resilience, love, forgiveness, and hope - some of which are undoubtedly scarce in this 21st century.

Keep in mind that this is a two-volume treasure. Read The Invisible Wall first to become acquainted with Harry's family, including his amazing mother and her dream. Then treat yourself to The Dream to find out the incredible things that happen in America, including Harry's romance with Ruby, who becomes Harry's wife. And, if by book's end, you experience a very special closeness to Mr. Bernstein and his life story, you won't be the only one.

Remarkable contribution to the art of the Memoir

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-06

After reading his moving and evocative first memoir, The Invisible Wall, about his life till age 12 living in Manchester as a child of Polish Jewish immigrants, I had eagerly awaited the possible sequel. This new book is as good as the first. Mr. Bernstein, now 98 years old, continues his story, covering the time of the family move to the USA, their experiences in Chicago and New York, their life during good times and then the depression. This book fits into several genera: 1. It is an autobiography, 2. It is a case study in parental abuse and general dysfunctional family members, and 3. It is a pesonal memoir of how this boy, and then man, responded to the various situations. To be honest, while I loved the writing and the story, something I cannot forget is the beautiful picture of Mr. Bernstein's wife, in her later years, looking up at him. The love is just so clear in her face.

Read this book, after reading the Invisible Wall, and be swept into this remarkable family history.

Joy of Music

Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (2001-03)

Author: Leonard Bernstein

List price: $24.70

Average review score:

Still wonderfull !!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-04

I myself am a commentator on Classical Music on Television, and Leonard Bernstein, thanks to this book and to his "The Infinite Variety of Music",
has been always my inspiration, model and idol.- Inspite of the years, these talks have not lost any of their charme and intelligence and continue to be valid.- Highly recommended to every music-lover.-

Brilliant

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-13

I've had this book for a couple of decades in the original hardback version. It's a reminder to me of what I watched, live on television back in the fifties, when television had "culture." His Omnibus lectures were thrilling to behold and I wish dearly they were on dvd. His description of how perfect the Fifth was defies description; you had to have seen him use musicians as notes and move them around to show what happened if one note had changed. Or how a little discussion around a table with a man and a woman becomes something else again when sung (La Boheme) or explaining about a piece concerning a little nightengale when introducing Stravinsky.

The man was pure genious and millions of Americans became interested in classical music through this man. This teenaged girl did.

Bernstein at His Best

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-05

This is Leonard Bernsteain at his best. It's a fun book, an engaging and fascinating book. All the Bernstein wit and wisdom is here. It's a book for both musicians and those wanting to learn about music in a fun way.

You won't regret spending time or money on this gem.

The Joy of Music---a thorough and inspired work

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 1998-01-24

This is a complete, lucid, approachable and vibrant book. The dialogues at the beginning reveal the many facets of Bernstein's character and of his startling brilliance, and the section on modern music should not be missed. Of course, for the sections taken from his Omnibus television programs, the textual medium can only inform the reader what would be happening on screen, and those descriptions probably lack the power of audio-visual aids. It is, however, a work that any student of music, or any lover of music, would be able to take for granted in a Perfect World.

A true Renaissance man

Helpful Votes: 16 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-04

Leonard Bernstein excelled at everything he tried--he was a fantastic conductor, composer, and writer. From popular music from West Side Story to jazz to "serious art music" like Chichester Psalms and his Mass, Bernstein was never constrained by any seeming limitations. This book is a compilation Bernstein's writings. The first section consists of dialogues between Bernstein and several imaginary characters regarding society's philosophy of music. These discussions are quite intellectual and thought-provoking. The second section contains seven television transcripts about subjects ranging from Musical Theater to J.S. Bach. This half is much more accessible and a breeze to read. If you can't read music, you would enjoy getting CDs of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Brahms' First Symphony, and Bach's St. Matthew Passion before curling up with this book. It will enhance your enjoyment of Bernstein's exciting descriptions, and will make them come to life.

Neanderthals at Work

Published in Mass Market Paperback by Ballantine Books (1993-02-22)

Author: Albert J. Bernstein

List price: $5.99

New price: $5.99
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Fits other models well, Great practical advice and insights

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-20

If you work in a larger company, waste no time in getting a copy of this book! I put this work right up there with the output from Robert J. Ringer.

If you are reading this review because you found work from me (Tcat Houser or Gudrun Funk), yes I am suggesting you get this work as a companion read to our books.

This great read has in depth examples of what is important to the different personality styles. Wonderful how-to suggestions for making it in a larger company.

For those who think this work has little value because it is almost 20 years old... well, people are not silicon computers.. They don't change as quickly in behavior as our digital tools do.

I work with a bunch of Neanderthals!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-28

Well, so everyone thinks. I unearthed this book from my shelves - a rare one I'd had for years but not read -- one Saturday when looking for an excuse to sit in a hammock for a few hours. "Neanderthals at Work" - written in 1992. It turns out it has some great insights for anyone living the corporate grind. The basic premise is that there are three types of people in an office environment and the sooner you both figure this out and adjust your behavior to better get ahead, the better off you will be. Written by Albert Bernstein and Sydney Craft Rozen, Steven Covey gives it a two thumbs up. Every office has a mix of three types of people. Only one of them is really positioned to move up in the world but all of them are equally important to the ongoing health of an organization. Written for those who may be feeling frustrated by the "system" it allows you to self-diagnose your style and then gives some sound advise on how to adjust your behavior to better get what you want. The three types of people and their antics are as follows:

Competitors - the warriors of the office, to them business is a game. They battle to get noticed, accumulate power and move up the food chain. They excel at politics and are typically the ones running the show or poised to do so. They understand the rules of the game and know how to take advantage of office politics to get what they want. If you aren't a competitor, you may be completely blind to the fact that this sort of environment exists until now.

Believers - yes I'm sorry to say these hard-working saps never get ahead but work hard because they believe in the cause and think naively that their efforts will magically lead to their inevitable promotion. Sorry believers! The competitors need you to stay just where you are so they can continue to get the lion's share of the glory and keep you burning the midnight oil. If you suffer from burnout and can't figure out why you never get any respect... watch out, you could just be a believer!

Rebels - these mavericks hate "the system" and consider themselves above politicing and people problems. They hide their insecurities with bravado and disdain but what is it really buying them? Sure they are often the most creative of the bunch and when they have passion behind their purpose they will excel beyond belief.

A quick read, you'll come away with a greater understanding of the office politics, yourself and those around you. Beyond that, you'll gain some key clues on how to make the most of your strengths and how to better compete in any environment. Understanding the Competitors' "Ten Commandments Plus One" will allow you to let go of the need for praise from supervisors, learn to live by your own decisions and how to read the writing "not on the wall."

Straight-forward speak for the politics of the office

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-11

I'm a Believer (with a good helping of Rebel). This book is amazing and enlightening. I've recommended it to several people already (even though I just finished reading it today). I'm about to buy several copies and give them to others I know who could benefit from this knowledge. Absolutely recommended for anyone who can't figure out why the other people in their office "just don't get it."

taming the tension...

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2001-06-04

I work with neanderthals and find this book so enlightening that I share with the neanderthals I work with! Now, I know what behavior to expect from my colleagues and stay 2 steps ahead and "think out of the box" when dealing with certain situations. In fact, it helped me manage tension and my own stress so that I can leave work with work and enjoy my down time more. Quci reading, easy to follow. The summaries are the best part and you don't need to read the whole book to get the whole story.

Eye-Opener, at least for me

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1999-07-28

I read this book a few years ago, and I guess I owe the author a positive review, because it opened my eyes to the source of my own frustrations at work. Like many pop management/psychology books, NaW divides people into three categories: Believers, Rebels, and Competitors. Each has different attitudes toward The Rules, both Written and Unwritten. The first two groups have approaches that are...maladaptive, and I was rather shocked to recognize myself as being squarely in one of them. If the model fits your situation, you will find the book extremely useful. If it does not, you may at least find it interesting.