Bertha Books

The majestic age of sail, the large tall ships bearing up to seven masts in the later 1800's to the second world war is an age that everyone with an interest in the sea loves. Great ships that plied the world with coal, wool, tea and timber in direct competition with the steam ship. Unlike the warships such as the victory of Constituion they required small crews as the evolution of the industrial age saw the use of 'Donkey engines' to lift the enormous sails in minutes in comparison to days by manual labour. How do I know this? I bought this wonderful book.

Unlike the rest of the series, it is written by men of sail, not hostorians, and even the traditional line drawings are explained. When you peruse this book you can hear Greenhill and Manning argueing with each other about the way it was back "then".

The book contains the history of the tall ship as a cargo carrier, the history of this ship as well as line drawings and photos that would make Beken of Cowles drool.

A wonderful coffee table book even though it was never meant to be one.

I think this is an excellent book for anyone who is thinking about adopting Korean or any type of Foregin child. It is the journey of Bertha Holt & her Husband has they embark on a lifelong commitment to eight Korean orphans for a lifetime. I highly recommend this book to every one.

The 'Foreword' of this 1953 novel is dedicated to Thomas L. Sidlo, Chairman of the Committee on Public Relations of the ABA. There are dangerous forces working to undermine out concept of justice; some seek to lessen respect for the organized bar. Lawyers fight to protect your legal rights and safeguard your constitutional liberties. Some lawyers practice "Preventive Law" which deals with avoiding lawsuits. Attacks on lawyers are an attack on your freedoms; lawyers defend people's rights.

When Donald Lam arrives late at his office his partner Bertha Cool tells him about a job in Honolulu. Mr. Stephenson Bicknell wants them to protect Miriam Woodford, the young widow of his late business partner. Mr. Woodford's will had some unusual conditions; the widow must remain free of scandal for 5 years to inherit the principal. Mr. Bicknell insists on a woman for this job (Chapter 1). Lam advises running a background check on the people; it pays off (Chapter 2). Bertha settles the question about Lam's travelling plans (Chapter 3). The next chapters tell about life on a cruise ship (Chapter 5). Complications arise (Chapter 6). Edgar B. Larson in interviewed for radio (Chapter 8). Lam learns more about Miriam and Norma Radcliff (Chapter 9). The book describes the techniques used for shadowing.

Lam is summoned to the police station. There was a murder, Bricknell and Cool reported it (Chapter 12). The police question everyone and surreptitiously search their hotel rooms (Chapter 13). Could a woman take her clothes off to commit a murder so she wouldn't get blood on her clothes (Chapter 14)? Could a murder weapon be hidden in a bathroom (Chapter 15)? Lam visits a tourist who could provide an alibi for Norma (Chapter 16). Could one of the other blackmail victims have killed Bastion? Did he have a partner (Chapter 18)? Miriam told Lam about her past (Chapter 18). Lam finds Mitsui and more than he expected (Chapter 19). A chance passer-by intervenes to help. Lam arrives at a surprising conclusion to explain the mystery (Chapter 20). Sergeant Hulamoki followed in the footsteps of Charlie Chan. [Logic would suggest it's the person who gained from the murder.]

This story tells about ship cruising and life in the early 1950s. Some of Gardner's other stories use ship cruises as a background to the stories. The use of two party girls who are close friends has implications. Stories about Cool & Lam allowed Gardner to write stories that weren't as limited as his "Perry Mason" series.

Although this was published almost a century ago by my great-great-great aunt, a noted artist and etcher in Chicago, it is a timeless story of our unique relationship with dogs. Beautifully expressed with the elegance of turn-of-the-century language and illustrated with photo-engravings of Bertha and Shep, it is a heartwarming tale of our communication with and dedication to our canine friends.

I am the author of this book.
For more than 10 years I have researched this shattered family to find and later reunite
the Bechtel,Sailor, Dolliver and Roberts families.
It truly is a story of mystery, coincidence and resolution.
You can download the book by contacting me at www.lisahibbard.net
I would love to hear from you. :)

Lisa
July 2008

A story with no mission but to entertain. The girl, unlettered, tawny hair, velvety voice, fearless, alive, free, calling, demanding, a flaming orchid, a fire of personality. The man, high bred, distinguished, a cynic, an agnostic, an Oriental in his relation to woman. Wealth he gave her, and love. But then the right man came -- and again the dilemma of the triangle.

Through suffering, discipline of the strenest sort and sacrifice of a high order, she ultimately discovers what she had grown to believe the missing link in her life -- pure romance, true love and happiness.

Rapidly shifting scenes: Western Texas, Kansas City, California, New Mexico, New York.
--- from publisher's synopsis

A fine work, tracing the foundational, philosophical assumptions upon which western overly-rational anti-social elitists depend,(both leftists and fascists)...in order to impose their dystopian fantasies. As relevant today as it has ever been. An essential text for anyone with a sincere love of personal freedom, and who want to be able to better sniff out the always-encroaching creepy ideological roots of tyranny.

Karl Popper's antagonistic personallity comes through loud and clear. He seems to blame Plato for having to leave Vienna due to Hitler. He wrote the book while in New Zealand just prior and during the war and makes an outstanding case for his belief. The book is a joy to read.

Popper's criticism of Marxist thought is the real payoff of the two volumes of this work. He writes with a passion that is at times overwrought - especially when teeing off against Plato and Hegel. Whether his criticism of their views is on the mark is incidental to the attack on Marx, and I leave it to the scholars of each to debate the merits of his critique. What Popper brings to the table is a clear exposition of his ideas. He makes a solid case for "social engineering" (an accurate but unfortunate term) as both a description of the past century and a prescription for addressing the problems with economic and social systems. This is a valuable and challenging book which will reward the reader willing to think through Popper's analysis.

This book, written as a sustained critique of the social philosophy of Plato, is one of the best statements of classical liberalism I have encountered. The basic message of Popper's book is that an open (free) society is characterized by the presence of criticism, discussion, and participatory reform. Popper finds occassion to contrast this view of society with the philosophy of Plato, one of the great minds of the western intellectual tradition. And it is interesting to note that in the preface Popper writes that he chose to attack Plato only because he is so revered.

Plato, it must be remembered, lived in Athens at a time when democracy was being introduced. Plato witnessed the displacement of many of his friends from political positions of power, and was shocked by the social turmoil that these changes engendered. Plato saw these changes as extremely bad, and concluded that all change is necessarily destructive and degenerating because he conceived the origin of society as consisting of pure forms of absolute objects such as good, beauty, perfection, etc.

The task before him was to find a way of preventing (or arresting) change, so that degeneration and social decline could be avoided. He believed it was necessary to divide society into three classes: the rulers, the warriors, and the workers. In order to arrest change, there must never be disunion in the ruler class. To accomplish this, it was proposed that property be abolished in this class, and the family destroyed, since famililal loyalties often lead to political conflict. No mixing between the classes should be tolerated, and Plato argued that special methods of breeding should be employed among the different classes to ensure "racial purity."

For Plato, then, the chief aim of the "philosopher king" was to arrest change by preserving harmonious union among the ruling class. This could be achieved only by dividing society into classes the purpose of which was to specify in advance the activities that could be performed by each.

The concluding chapters are more positive, and attempt to introduce alterntative political arrangements that would do a great deal in promoting an "open society." This would include the existence of democracy, critical discussion, change, "piecemeal" reform, and so on. Popper sees utopian programs like Plato's as exemplary of tyranny. They preserve taboos, dogmas, rigid social inequities, power, etc. Only until alternative views are permitted can we hope to bring into existence a free and open society.

A wonderfully insightful book, and especially useful against those who see Plato as the founder of humanitarianism based on the principle of The Philosopher King.

To Popper, science is a process of "conjectures and refutations"-- advancing bold conjectures about the state of the world and then trying to refute them. "Even in the study of history, objectivity should be sought in the institutions and traditions of a discipline. It is only through the give and take of open criticism and the ongoing interplay of many different kinds of biases that anything approaching objectivity will emerge." Thus, "truth" is seen as a hypothesis--you can't prove truth, you can only prove untruth. This is because one cannot know everything, therefore, nothing can be proved to be true.
Open societies, in Popper's definition, with their ideals of freedom and reason, of men who may create their own future, are opposed to the regimes of authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Hegel and Marx are the main focus of the book. Aristotle built his theory on Plato; Hegel on Aristotle; Marx on Hegel. Popper is concerned with their philosophies of history. A philosophy of history is an attempt to interpret systematically the historical process by a principle that unifies the results of research and points to an "ultimate meaning" behind the process. It involves systematic reflection on scientifically derived data about the past. All the parts are unified to form a whole with "ultimate meaning."
It was thus not Marx's historicist method which led him to success, but instead the "methods of institutional analysis." In many democratic, capitalist countries production has been so great that the workers have a higher standard of living than Marx ever envisaged. He also had an unrealistic view of human nature--that because man is born good, changing his environment will bring happiness. But this view ignores the universality of human imperfection, and the sacredness of personality that is lost in the communist state.

Yet, Popper claims that Marx has done Christianity a great service by pointing out the humanitarian demands of Christ. Popper made many generalizations about Christianity without describing the basic tenets that have made Christianity "the strongest opponent of Communism." Popper does not view Christianity as being a "substitute from dreams and wish--fulfillment; it should resemble neither the holding of a ticket in a lottery, nor the holding of a policy in an insurance company." Popper opposes a "leap in the dark" of faith, whether by Marxists probing the beginning of evolution, or by those experiencing a personal relationship with God. Faith is necessary, but it is to be based on a rational understanding of the difference between belief and fact, and the appropriate place for both.

The author, Big Bertha Evans, claims in this book that she is not a writer, and it shows--you will not find the most beautifully composed language in "Joys and Sorrows." But the simple, straightforward narration can be refreshing. More importantly, the author gives an intimate account of what it's like to deal with adult autism everyday. The book's content is something many people can learn from.

Joys and Sorrows of Living with Adult Autism, written by Big Bertha Evans, is a must read true story that all health care workers need to read. It is a rare insightful book that tells very plainly and honestly, the experiences her husband, an adult autistic, and she has had dealing with the medical, hospital, and health care community. Big Bertha wants everyone, especially nurses, to read her book because she thinks it will help them to provide more compassionate care to adults, like her husband, with autism.

As a 31 year veteran nurse with Master's Degree in Community Health, I agree. But I will go one step further. This book will help everyone - nurses, doctors, therapists, medical assistants, and other paraprofessionals - understand how to provide better care for not only autistic individuals but for anyone entrusted to their practice.

Big Bertha is sensitive and forthright in telling this story. She does not hold back on the difficulties and negative attitudes she and husband Brian faced almost daily in society as well as in dealing with the medical community. However, it is when Brian became physically ill that his fears and anxieties worsened symptoms of his autism. Big Bertha tactfully but bluntly confronts the nurses, doctors, and other health care workers on their impatience, condescension, and often times, outright rudeness when providing care to her husband.

Wake up, health care workers. Read this book.

There is no excuse for any health care giver - regardless of their degree of education or lack there of it - to treat a patient with rudeness or impatience. It is our job to provide respectful care to our patients. It is our responsibility to assist them in maintaining their dignity. And it is our ethical duty to first do no harm.

Medical care in our world today is a business. The practice of medicine and nursing are no longer the only professions that take care of individuals with medical and psychiatric problems and disorders. In an illness situation, a sick person may come in contact with scores of health care workers. Hospitals, doctor's offices, outpatient clinics, and diagnostic centers need to be diligent in teaching their employees - regardless of their job - the importance of using good interpersonal skills when dealing with patients and their families.

In The Joys and Sorrows of Living with Adult Autism, Big Bertha Evans has penned an entertaining yet amazing lesson plan for and about individuals with disabilities. The book will give hope as well as enlightenment to others needing to know more about living with autism. It will help adult autistics, their family members, medical and health care workers of all disciplines and experiential levels, as well as individuals in community organizations come to grips with a diagnosis that is increasing in incidence.

This short, very easy to read book is a highly recommended reading assignment for health care students in any field.

Loretta A. Murphy, MSN, CSN, RN
Nurse and Author
The Pipes Are Calling
ISBN # 142414826X

Big Bertha Evens shares her story in an entertaining and heartfelt way. In Joys and Sorrows of Living With Adult Autism, she tells the story of her marriage to Brian, who is Autistic. This book truly gives insight about their day to day life. I particularly liked hearing from Brian, especially the script he wrote about the IV nurse and helper!

My heart goes out to Big Bertha and Brian after reading this book. Big Bertha stands as a shining example of someone who puts God first and trusts inexplicitly in His plan for her life. I will strive more to be like her in my faith because of reading this book.

This is a great read for anyone who knows someone who is Autistic (as I do). Also, it would be a great read for anyone in the healthcare industry who may have to deal with someone who is Autistic.

Joys and Sorrows of Living with Adult Autism
by Big Bertha Evans

When I read the first two pages of this book, I began understand it was a book about "me." Why?
Because in it I felt the human compassion and empathy God must have for all of humanity incorporated in these two lives as we journey down through the ages.

Here we see both sides of the "face of God" experienced in a human life--one suffering from misunderstanding, ill treatment, and pain, yet with the ability to recover using God-given talents and gifts, and the other the gift to love and care for him. It is truly a journey of hope and love, through thick and thin, to comfort and enlighten us.

Big Bertha Evans and her sweet autistic husband, Brian, are living examples to me of what Christianity is all about. While reading this true-life encounter and identifying with them, I have felt in the depths of my being the joy and sorrow God must feel for all of his children as well.

This is not a review of her book. It is a fellow author relating to her what it means to me to share in her story. This book is a gift of God to each of us.

Joyce Ann Edmondson
Author: In the Arms of the Shepherd
ISBN: 1-59879-124-9
Amazon

Joys & Sorrows by Big Bertha Evans is a heartfelt memoir about her life living with her husband, Brian, who has Autism. She openly shows his side as an adult suffering from this disease. We so often read about children who are diagnosed with this but not an adult, although, he will react to situations as a child.
The story is told from both her point of view and Brian's. It demonstrated the frustration Brian goes through trying to make adult decisions. It described the many years that the doctors themselves did not discover his condition. Because of this, Brian had been ignored with his needs and wants.
Bertha Evans shows the love and faith that she has knowing God had placed them together. It took many years of marriage for her to also see the signs of Autism. The smallest moments of shared time together are treasured.
The writing has made me stop and think about the how we take our health everyday for granted while others struggle to be understood. It's worth the read to fully comprehend the disease.

Bertha Ruppert gives down to earth, tried and true advice about starting your own herb business. It's an easy read of every aspect of growing a business. Even though I have owned my own small business, I gained new and innovative ideas that could apply to almost any small retail store.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be rereading it many times in the future.

"Growing Your Herb Business" is a quick, chatty read consisting of herb talk (25%) and business talk (75%). I loved the anecdotal information about different herbal start-up businesses, even though much of it sounded like ad copy, and when the author got to talking about herbs, it was like chatting with an old neighbor over the fence:

"My Aunt Bertha went to her grave with jet black hair thanks to the sage dye bath she boiled in an old iron skillet. I tried her trick and, by Jove, it also cleans the skillet."

Thanks to this book, I now know why my rosemary topiaries keep dying, how to plant mint so it doesn't take over the whole garden plot, and how to start tarragon (NOT from seed).

Do not expect too much detail about herbs--only the top thirteen (a baker's dozen) are discussed in any detail. There's also none of that fuzzy New Age business about cutting veronica in the dark of the moon and putting in your true love's mead. This author is primarily a businesswoman:

"'Oh Rosetta,' I protested, 'you'll never make money this way.' 'But I'm so happy,' was the soft reply."

Rosetta didn't have a business plan, didn't pay attention to marketing her product, labeling her herbs, and restocking them. Basically, she had a hobby that she enjoyed, not a business.

This book has got literally hundreds of tips on how to make your herbal business a success. If you just grow herbs for your own enjoyment, Bertha and her friends still have a lot of great information for you in this book. You might even want to try boiling a few sage leaves in your skillet after you read it.

The author clearly demonstrates her early years of establishing her herb business and shares with us what has worked for her and what has not. It is a lessons learned oriented view point. She offers guidelines, stories of others who have started their herb businesses, samples of worksheets, tax considerations and many other practical elements that are worth noting when looking to start a herb business. This book is definitely a keeper and to have as a reference material.

I am thinking about starting a business with herbs. This book has been easy to read and understand. It was full of information that will let me contact other people for further information. The book was also full of titles of other books that were equaly a good.
I would recommend this book to anyone starting a business.

Reading previous reviews was a major factor in deciding to buy this book, hoping it explains how to grow herbs and then how to make a good business out of it. Unfortunetaly, I soon found out that the book was not anywhere near the 5 star rating given by others.

First, incredible because there was never a dull moment, depiction of the many, touching relationships was Ms. Miller's strongest talent. Usually, I find straight narration somewhat boring. However, as a reader of over 60 murder-mysteries, I was just as entertained with the narration as I was with the conversations. I really did find myself visualizing in my mind the majority of the scenes - my way of really connecting with the writer. And I never stopped for once and thought a scene to be unbelievable.

Second, I found the book to be very enlightening as I did not know beforehand that it was based in part on a lesbian relationship. That I was not distracted by the several lengthy love scenes is a further testament to this oustanding work. From this perspective, the book also made me feel that we should consider the person and not their sexual orientation when considering the fitness to raise children. And finally, it was enlightening that Ms. Miller writes this Afrocentric story so well. Just one small "gotcha" - most black people do not speak as properly, guys like Alvin especially, as Ms.Miller depicts them.

Nonnetheless, it was still an incredibly enlightening read.

Bertha is a struggling black lawyer who finds herself dropped in the middle of a mystery when she's hired by a woman seeking legal counsel for a murder not yet committed. Later that evening, Bertha finds a man dead in her office. In her beloved grandmother's neighborhood, a building is burned, and arson is suspected. And then someone breaks into Bertha's apartment. As Bertha finds these events, and more, are linked, she finds her own life in danger, as well as her grandmother's. And somehow this is all tied in with Bertha's own family history to boot. Her life is further complicated (if you can still breathe) by a powerful attraction to one of the cops she encounters. It's a high speed ride that's full of danger and twists, which almost becomes suffocating for the reader as we follow Bertha on her adventure, but luckily, Miller's writing doesn't allow that to happen. I hope Miller continues this series, and gives the readers a break next time and let us catch our breath at some point. Her characterizations are superb and zesty, and the blossoming romance between Bertha and the police officer Toni is realistically rendered, and rather exciting.

"After Bertha pinched together the last crumbs from the bag of chips and sucked the grease and salt from her fingers, she stared out Grandma's bedroom window, waiting. She watched the bushes in front of the Latch house ignite while the firemen supported a hose aimed at the roof. The view was unsettling. Grandma's dark bedroom grew very warm and the smell of smoke came and went with the wind change. Bertha fanned herself with a magazine and waited. She tried to remember where every piece of furniture was. Carrying the struggling old woman would be hard enough without tripping over a chair."

I sat there with Bertha and her grandma, feeling the heat, smelling the smoke, watching the fire. I could not put this book down until reading the last page. Another star for the author!