Brandt Books

The Power of the Call offers a wealth of Scripture that applies to every topic addressed in the book. Extensive outlines make the book easy to follow. The Subject Index is a valuable quick-reference tool.

Although The Power of the Call contains the gospel message, the greatness of God's grace and mercy does not receive nearly the emphasis that is placed on sin and repentance. God's grace is the motivation and the cure for dealing with sin, not only in regeneration of unbelievers, but also in the sanctification of believers. Believers should preach the gospel to themselves daily as they examine their lives and deal with sin.

The Power of the Call will benefit those in vocational ministry, as well as lay workers, especially those in need of encouragement. It lays out qualifications for ministry while emphasizing the importance of right motivations. It helps the reader pinpoint the goals of ministry and warns of possible pitfalls.

In my humble opinion, while "Power of the Call" is a good read, I got more spiritual food reading "Experiencing God" and "Spiritual Leadership".

However, Blackaby and Brandt do cover many important points, including the following:

1. Comparison of God's methods vs. the world's methods.
2. While man can comfort, only God can bring true healing.
3. The pastor needs to look to God alone for peace in life's trials - God alone is sufficient for us.
4. We must love others with the love that only God can provide.
5. We must remember to be joyful in the Lord and believe that His ways and timing for us are always best.
6. People who are shepherds over others must regularly take spiritual inventory of their own walk with God.
7. The pastor needs to rely on God rather than worldly methods for provision and he must point others to Jesus.
8. A pastor must have a strong inner life before he can hope to minister to others in God's power.

All in all, a good read for those who need encouragement in the Lord!

This book does exactly what the synopsis states by showing us "how God provides fully for every situation and need a pastor will face." The contributions by Henry Brandt on pastoral counseling were phenomenal. He clearly illustrates how the pastor is to use the Word of God in counseling. He states that the vast majority of people who come for counseling are suffering from the effects of sin in their lives. They need someone to gently show them from the Bible the root of their problems and God's cure. If you've ever struggled with counseling as a pastor I would suggest you read this book.

I must say I was disappointed after reading this book. I have seen my own life and the lives of many church members transformed by Blackaby's "Experiencing God" material. Based upon the book jacket comments, I had hoped this volume would have similar significance for pastors particularly. I was mistaken.

First, the majority of this work is written not by Henry Blackaby, but by Henry Brandt. Blackaby follows Brandt's chapters, giving his own thoughts on the material Brandt has covered. Brandt is solid biblically and theologically, but he simply isn't Blackaby.

Second, the title of this book is misleading -- "God's Standards for Christian Leaders" would have been much more accurate. There are four sections presented by Brandt and Blackaby: God's standard for your calling, God's standard for your message, God's standard for your heart, and God's standard for your ministry.

Third, this volume does NOT focus upon the unique calling and experience of pastors. The book jacket states, "God Himself is the power in the pastor and the Christian leader's call! Pastors spend their days -- and often their nights -- ministering to others. But who ministers to pastors? God does!" The sections listed in the previous paragraph of this review are addressed to Christian leaders in general, not pastors in particular. While a few comments are made that focus on pastors, the vast majority of the content could apply to anyone serving in a Christian ministry.

This book isn't bad; it is just entirely different than the work described on its jacket. If you want a book written by Henry Brandt describing God's standards for Christian leaders in general, with comments interjected by Henry Blackaby, then buy this one. If you want a volume directed specifically to pastors describing the power of God's call to ministry, then look elsewhere.

I enjoyed this book because it was one of the three texts I was required to read for a course; however, it was the only one that presented a challenge to one's personal holiness.

The book discussed "the call", counseling others, our spiritual walk when things are going good and when encountering inconvenience and much worse things in life.

Brandt presents his views from the professional counselor, devoted layman's perspective while Blackaby gives his opinion from the viewpoint of the leader or preacher. Each intersperces their narrative with supporting scripture.

I found the book one to assure your humbleness. Some find the book "holier than thou" so warning, if you have a problem with someone telling you many of your problems come from yourself due to SIN, don't read it or you will be upset!

It is worth the read.

Brandt's book has been around for over a decade, but provides creative and insightful information on the topic of flip charts.

In a world run-amuck with powerpoint presentations, this book is another reminder that sometimes the best training aids are the most simple, not electrical, and therefore more reliable.

Brandt gives you the strategy for using flips, how to design them, and how to integrate them in your presentation. He even tells you how they should be stored and carried.

I have found his information so helpful, it is now a part of our train-the-trainer program.

After all, what are you going to do if the electricity or the outlet blows?

Highly recommended.

This is the one book that I would recommend for any trainer. Mr. Brandt tells you how to create flipcharts, including use of color, graphics, lettering, and the use of space. It is easy to read and follow. Also included are several diagrams for easy to draw graphics and lettering.

This is one book I would recommend for every trainrs toolbox!

The book covers all aspect of Flip Charts, starting from what sort of paper to use, type of markers, drawing stick figures and smileys with character and ending with how to store your charts and how to construct a flip-chart stand. It's a good book if you've just decided to 'do something' with flip-charts. However, it's as useful or not as much of a reference for the experienced user.

For the more experienced user who's looking for more advanced techniques and ideas, I suggest 'The Big Book of Flip Charts' by Robert W. Lucas. If you need help in the 'art' department (in other words. If you can't draw a flower to save your life), consider 'A Picture's Worth 1,000 Words : A Workbook for Visual Communications' by Jean Westcott and Jennifer Hammond.

This is a "How-To" book. The tools and techniques Brandt shares here are those that separate the pros from the rest of the pack when it comes to flip chart work.

85 pages are jam-packed with templates, experiences, hints--I did not find a wasted word anywhere in this book. Some of the tidbits you will find:

* Reasons the flipchart is an appropriate, or inappropriate, AV choice for your presentation

* Both the function and form of flip charts, and how to be sure they complement each other

* The Flip Chart Presenter's Survival Kit (this alone was worth the price of the book for me, and has saved my presentation several times)

* Techniques on design, printing, "hiding and revealing" content. . .

* Effective methods of production, storage, and transportation

* Dozens of illustrations, pictures--even instructions for making your own flip chart stand.

This is one of my most prized reference tools. Rarely do I create a new presentation without referring to it at least once.

Quite hard to follow. The organization is pretty weird and jumps all over the place. Diagram that are being refered to and are usually on the next page, so you end up fliping back and forth. Formulars are organized pretty badly. End of chapter has a summary which give the important parts, so that's a plus.

This is a great book for students just entering the world of aeronautics. It starts with the basics and gradually moves up, at a pace comfortable for almost anyone. Highly recommended.

This is a great book to understand the principles of wings, stability and structures, I recommend for the ones who does not know a lot about aeronautics and want to know a bit about it.

Dr. Brandt did really great job on this book. The way of his approach to the idea of becoming aerospace design enginners is excellent, and most of the problams and exercises he describe are also outstanding.

I would assume the only people buying this go to the air force academy or are taking classes that they really shouldn't be at another university.

Kylie Rogers is a walking disaster. Wherever she goes trouble always forllows her. Like falling out a window into the shrubbery at David Gambles feet, to setting his recording studio on fire & crashing into his Jag. She just can't help herself.

David lives his life in a orderly fashion. So why is he so attracted to someone like Kylie who is the complete opposite of everything he wants in a woman.

I loved TRUE NORTH, and was delighted to see another winner from Beverly Brandt! Kylie's an intriguing blend of calm and chaos and the sparks fly when she meets the man of her dreams when falling backwards out of his window.

I can't wait to read ROOM SERVICE in May!

It was a little "out there", you really have to suspend your disbelief. Very cute and fairly different setting, in the music world.

The side characters just got to be too much for me. I did not feel as if they focused enough on Kylie and David, Ms. Brandt was trying to get side stories going, and that part just did not work for me. She kept introducing different characters, and a couple you could never see the purpose of brining in to the story line, but overall very enjoyable.

Kylie is an adorable doofus, and David is a tight, I can't love anyone, because of my awful childhood type. Kylie loosens him up. Fun read, especially if you skim the extra parts, (you will see what I mean). Maybe get this one at the used store though.

Kylie is a likeable heroine with a heart of gold, however she always finds herself in some sort of klutzy mess, giving the book a slapstick-type of humorous edge. Someone is sabataging the company she works for and setting all the evidence to point to Kylie. As the owner of the company, kind-hearted David he finds himself torn between falling in love her and facing the compelling evidence against her. After a rather slow start, this story eventually leads into an intriquing plot of investigating this corporate embezzlement, as well as fascinating insights into the record producing industry.

At a party hosted by Gamble Records CEO David Gamble, guest Kylie Rogers uses the first opportunity to escape the boredom of the lout with her by climbing out a window. However, Kylie will never make it as a cat burglar as she lands in a hedge. David watching her performance frees her from her predicament. She tells David that she is Kylie McGillicuddy before kissing him and escaping in a red Mustang.

David Gamble wants to see the fascinating Kylie again so he searches for his mysterious guest, but fails to find her. Meanwhile, Kylie's sister, the hottest singer under company contract, uses her influence to obtain an accounting job for her sibling with Gamble Records. At fist David is delighted to see her again but when costly errors begin appearing in accounting David wonders if his new hire, who he is attracted to, is trying to destroy him.

Though tracing a red Mustang does not seem so difficult, readers will enjoy RECORD TIME, an amusing romantic suspense novel that is a top ten hit for Beverly Brandt. The lead couple is a delightful pair and the support cast, especially her sister, propel the story line forward. As the plot moves briskly between industry intrigue and humorous romantic interludes, both sides of the tale blend nicely together to provide an enjoyable novel.

Harriet Klausner

In this clever novel, William Brandt takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of the filmmaking industry; anyone who has worked in the Hollywood movie mill will certainly recognize the vanities and eccentricities of their colleagues. (This book contains an especially interesting contemporary reference to the documentary "Inside Deep Throat.") Brandt speaks to us through Frederick Case, an immensely flawed yet likeable middle-aged film producer pining for his ex-wife Sophie. Freddy plans, sometimes desperately, to win Sophie back but the influence of an unlikely ally, and a surprise pregnancy complicate his plans ...

If you find yourself rooting for Freddy, and I think you will, you should also read How I Became Stupid by Martin Page. Long live the fictional memoir!

William Brandt has written a coming of age book, although it is middle age- 40 to be exact. "The Book of the Film of the Story of My Life" is a study of a life of a man turning forty and how he puts this life together.

Frederick Case has hypertension and it is a sign to him that in his middle age he is in trouble. He grew up in New Zealand, and he expected that he would change the world. Now he finds that the world has changed him, and he doesn't like what he sees. He is recently separated from his wife Sophie. Sophie, the movie star has become involved in a film where she has performed a close intimate act and now has fallen for the star. She has gone off and left him for her hunky costar.

Where does this leave Fred? He is reading scripts in London and lousy scripts at that. An invitation in the mail to an all expense paid vacation on a remote island comes to him, and he knows that Sophie and Matt will be there. By chance he comes upon a beautiful young woman, from New Zealand and is taken with her. The only problem is that she is not what she seems. She practices the oldest profession and how can this be?

Fred decides to pay this young woman, Melissa to accompany him to the island adventure as his girlfriend. Melissa is too overbearing and too cutesy and he doesn't; think she is pulling it off. However, his friends become enamored of Melissa. The time on the island is revealing, and Frederick realizes that his estranged wife is not what he really wants. He has given up booze and smokes for his health, and for the first time in a long while he can think clearly. Now he is beginning to understand what a mess he has made of his life. He begins to ask questions; are people who we really think they are? Is real life predictable and can we really go home again?

William Brandt has a fine idea for a novel. A middle aged man looking for his identity in all the wrong places, but finding it in a most uncommon manner. This is a modern love story with complex and believable characters that will make you laugh out loud. Recommended. prisrob

There are as many coming of age books as there are bad movies, but The Book of the Film of the Story of My Life takes an old theme and turns it into something new and fun. Frederick Case is a middle-aged New Zealander living in London. He mooches off his parents and adores his gorgeous film star wife, Sophie. But then she leaves him for her sexy American co-star, and the book begins.

The plot is quick and fun, as Case struggles to win Sophie back, with frequent flashbacks to how they meet, got married, and fell apart. Case thinks he sees his chance when both he and his ex-wife are invited to a glamorous party in Tahiti. Case hires a prostitute (but at least a fellow New Zealander) to travel with him as an escort, hoping to make Sophie jealous.

Sophie is pregnant, and Case thinks the baby may be his, and he ups his antics to win her back. There's a satisfying and fun ending that shows it's never to late to start fresh.

A fun, fast read, this is a good book for the beach or a quiet weekend curled up in a comfortable chair.

This is an incredible book. It's funny, irreverent, brilliant, amazing. This author has the kind of natural voice that makes other writers want to chuck their pens. I couldn't read the book fast enough, yet I didn't want it to end so I had to pace myself, allowing only a few chapters at a time. By doing this, I was able to make the book last, hmmmm.... around four hours. I just had to read it fast. (Also, this is a great "writers' writer" book, i.e., if you're a writer, or you want to be a writer, or you used to be a writer, or you're a really bad writer, this is a have-to-have.)

This book is laugh out loud funny. These folks have clearly been lawyers - they use the style and multiple synonyms of lawyers perfectly - do lawyers get paid by the word? - but they also are funny in a way that works for everyone.

A contract about whether the peanut butter stays in the fridge, whether the toilet paper rolls from the top or the bottom? Were the listening in my house?

There are few books that make me laugh aloud...and in public. This book is wise, funny, eloquent, witty, and beautifully designed. It will be the gift all of my friends get this year. Just buy it. I promise you won't be sorry.

The best thing I can say about this book is that it's pages are super absorbent and soft to the touch. Otherwise, it has nothing to recommend it to anyone who doesn't move their lips while they read.

Me v. Everybody is a genius book -- not only did it make me laugh out loud over and over, but it also made me think about the relationships in my life. Could I fulfill these contracts? What kind of implicit understanding is beneath my friendships and other relationships? The best kind of book: Something to laugh about, and something to think about. Get it for your book group, and see if anyone could sign these -- or if they'd have to breach them!

Two words: cute and romantic. It's cute because there are four stories in one, and romantic because they are all about guys.
Was it just me or did the stories get worse as they got along? The first one was great, second one was okay, third one was ishy and the fourth one was kind of cheesy.
Either way, it was entertaining for now and while I may not be running off to the nearest book store to buy new books by these authors, I am pleased that I read this. One down, millions to go!!!

The Naked Truth has four funny, steamy and offbeat stories.

The Winning Truth by Erin McCarthy has Tansey Reynolds and J T Kowalski competing for a car or cash by living in the vehicle with two other contestants. Neither was looking for romance but being confined in the back seat leads to a connection. Tansey and J T are hilarious and their chemistry will go well behind this radio stunt.

Alesia Holliday writes The Naked Truth About Guys. C.J. Murphy writes a humor column for the local paper and has agreed to a make over by her friend. She finally turns the head of her office crush Hugh Leonard. But can Hugh convince her that he liked her all along?

Truth or Dare by Donna Kauffman has soap writer Bailey Madison getting a plum job of writing a noted billionaires life story at his home. Imagine her shock when an old flame Noah Morrissey a documentary filmmaker is also doing a story and living at the same estate. Will these two old lovers be able to work together or will they rekindle the old spark?

Beverly Brandt's Nothing But The Truth has Madison Case working as the go to gal for Rules Of Engagement. She it trying to get the Marry Me Marathon to come off without a hitch. But problems keep coming up. To top it off her ex husbands divorce lawyer finally makes his play for her.

This anthology is fun, sexy and a treat to read. Each story is a gem.

I picked up this book since I am a fan of chick lit and this had 4 possible winners. Although most were entertaining, many felt too short or too cheesy. I really enjoyed Erin McCarthy's "The Winning Truth" and am glad I picked up this book as now I have a new author to read. However, I also found an author I can cross of my list: Beverly Brandt. Pick this up and maybe you'll find a new author yourself. I also recommend Whitney Gaskell or Janet Evanovich.

"The Winning Truth" by Erin McCarthy. Tansey enters a contest to win a car or $25K; the rule is the last person to remain inside the vehicle wins. Her opponents are hunky J.T., Brenda and Jay. The attraction in the back seat between Tansey and J.T. is so thick Brenda and Jay consider boffing; still courting in a car in front of an audience seems wrong yet feels right.

"The Naked Truth about Guys" by Alesia Holliday. Seattle Times columnist C.J. wonders how to persuade investigative reporter Hugh that she wants him when he seems to see her as one of the guys. She lays her heart out in her columns, but like all men he misunderstands that changing the oil may prove love to a guy, but women need the Grand Gesture.

"Truth or Dare" by Donna Kauffman. Soap opera writer Bailey is hired as a biographical ghostwriter by billionaire Franklin. Also employed by Franklin is filmmaker Noah, the last man Bailey wants to see since they broke up several months ago. As they do their respective jobs, the attraction reignites.

"Nothing but the Truth" by Bevarly Brandt. In Naples Florida Madison hosts the Rules of Engagement Show; the current theme is a marrying marathon. She does not trust marriage having divorced Jeff who married her sister. When she assumes that Jeff is dumping her sibling and sees what she believes is atrocious behavior by the male contestants she becomes irate even while divorce lawyer Scott tries to tell her nothing but the truth.

These four contemporary novellas focus on Men Are from Mars; Women Are from Venus as misunderstanding between the genders lead to fun lighthearted romantic frolics.

Harriet Klausner

Nice read when you like climbing stories but not much to learn from it. Entertaining.

I found the book non-descriptal and factual. Written in a matter of fact English Literary form classic of that time period from a Chap. His knowledge is plentiful as he pours forth details of every sense on history of regions, region developement, ecology, geology...etc. But the going is very, very slow. It wasn't one of those books I pick up and read through in a matter of days. It took dedication days and I found it a bit depleting at times. I did rather enjoy his dry humor scattered throughout and his detailed outlook regarding natives of those areas of the time. Read if you're into history of mountaineering but have another book on the side to offset the pace.

I bought the book due to my interest in the period it covers -- early Alpine mountaineering. Edward Whymper was an interesting guy, and certainly one of the foreign pioneers of mountain climbing (including the first climb of Matterhorn). I found him to be less inspiring as an author -- the book's pace is slow, punctuated by various tangential discussions, e.g. geology of glaciers.

It failed to capture my imagination, as other more receint mountaineering books have done -- try Gaston Rebuffat, Walter Bonatti, Chris Bonnington instead.

As one of the early mountain climbers, Whymper was not only a dedicated climber but also an astute observer of human nature and the natural environment. His writings reflect a strong will and great intelligence. The artistry of his mountain scenes vividly illustrate his book and combined with his witty prose make for a mountaineering classic

This book is a typical denunciation of US policy towards Latin America. It focuses on Cuba since the Revolution (1959), but covers events from countries throughout the region, including the Central American civil wars and the Southern Cone military dictatorships. Everything is true in the book; but its great weakness is that it is nothing more than a long list of events trying to show that US policy towards Latin America was belligerent in the latter half of the twentieth century. It lacks any original or dynamic interpretations. I would only recommend this book to someone who does not know, or believe, that the United States has behaved as an imperial power in Latin America.

Overall an excellent book that deals with U.S. military interventions in Latin America from the perspective of a Latin American scholar. My one critique of the book is an obvious bias against the United States with no intent on even trying to be objective. I would still highly recommend it. The obvious biases aside it is an excellent tool in understanding why Latin American people and leaders have negative feelings towards the United States and why Latin Americans see the U.S. as the bad guys.

In this excellent history of Latin America since 1959, the Colombian diplomat Clara Nieto surveys the continent country by country, showing how the US state has consistently intervened in their internal affairs.
The alliance of neo-liberalism and social democracy internally, the USA and the EU externally, has kept capitalism in power in Latin America. So half its people live in worsening poverty, a third are unemployed, and foreign debt totals $400 billion.
Nieto focuses on the Cuban revolution and its effects. In March 1959, President Eisenhower ordered CIA sabotage and terrorism against Cuba. Kennedy was worse: Nieto writes, "His policies opposing the Revolution were more aggressive than Eisenhower's." Two days before the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, US planes bombed Cuba's cities, under Kennedy's orders. Kennedy started the US policy of counter-insurgency in Latin America (and Africa and Asia), supporting death squads and military dictatorships. Nieto shows how the US state sponsored counterrevolutionary wars in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Guatemala and Chile.
Johnson carried on Kennedy's policies: he backed the generals' fascist coup in Brazil in 1964, and attacked the Dominican Republic in 1965. Nieto depicts Reagan's wars - occupying Honduras, arming the death squads of El Salvador, running the Contras' terrorist war against Nicaragua, attacking Grenada - and Bush's attack on Panama.
The US state has never ceased its illegal, terrorist attacks on Cuba. The New York Times reported in 1983 how the head of a Miami-based anti-Cuban terrorist group admitted in a US court that he had taken germs to Cuba in 1980, proving Cuba's accusations of CIA biological warfare against Cuba. The US state made Armando Valladares - a former Batista police officer and convicted terrorist - ambassador and president of its delegation to the UN Human Rights Commission.
But the Commission's 1989 report refuted all the US slanders about Cuba's torture and abuse of political prisoners. The world knows now who tortures and abuses political prisoners detained without charge or trial.
Nieto's final chapter examines how Cuba has survived and kept its revolution going. The key is that its people, determined to defend their democracy, independence and sovereignty, actively prevent the counter-revolution from organising.

The solutions/study guide was a great help. I would definitely recommend picking up this supplement if you need to buy the accompanying text.

Be careful the edition number of the Study Guide matches the textbook! The questions in the textbook change with the differing editions.

It was a pleasure to purchase this item from an organization doing such good work in the community.I got a quick response to my questions, too.