Burke Books

The first time I saw this book was in a local bookstore. It was the title that originally caught my interest. I pulled the small book off the shelf and begin to skim the information on the back. I was about to replace the book on the shelf--after all, how could a Catholic priest have any insight on depression relevant to a middle aged woman?--when something compelled me to open the book at random and start reading.
I felt as if the author had looked into my heart and soul. This was describing MY experience with depression.
This is the book I keep by my bed in case I need to read something inspirational to get to sleep. It makes me feel less alone knowing that someone else has experienced much of what I have. I would recommend this book to anyone who suffers from depression, or anyone who is just looking to understand what this terrible disease is like from someone who knows. Thank you, Father Burke, for sharing your experience with us and giving us the one thing so often lacking in depression--hope.

This book is for those who have been thrown into chaos, doubt, and darkness by depression. It would also be enlightening for someone who has never dealt with depression but would like to understand it better. These meditations are short and appear to be simple. But if you are struggling with depression, they will open the floodgates of emotion, and they will remind you that you are not alone.

Priest Burke describes candidly many of the lonely difficulties that I have had in depression. He confronts his demons in this book; and in doing so, he helps me to confront mine. He learns to accept himself in these journal entries, and he encourages me to accept myself as well. Even in the darkest moments of depression, this book shows that there is light. Even the sketches are beautiful and sad at the same time. There is no easy cure found here, but there is so much more than that. I feel peace when someone else has the courage to voice the terrifying thoughts that come with depression. I am encouraged when I hear a godly man calling depression what it is - an illness. I am strengthened when I see him taking the steps to be healthy and whole.

One thing that I love about this book is its order and organization. It takes the reader through the process of healing slowly. The reader is not bombarded with too much information at once (or forced to deal with their issues all at once time, or told to have hope when they have none). The setup of the book is perfect for reading a couple of pages a day and then praying about those pages (short prayers are included). The book was obviously written and organized with respect for each individual's personal pain and process. Sometimes a meditation will leave the reader to discern its importance and meaning. Thus, these meditations go beyond all of the simplistic self-help guides out there and take the reader to a deeper level, their own personal level.

I don't know how I stumbled across this book, but I am so glad that I did. I've read it once through and am now reading it again. It is challenging me not to give up on healing. It is challenging me not to give up on my God or myself. This is the best work I have read on depression yet.

A quick-paced, enlightening book, it gives hope to those suffering the ravages of depression.

During a presentation on depression at the local university, I wondered if the treatment discussed will include spirituality. I then inquired. The response by the speaker was, "no, I don't know enough about it." I then was told of and just finished reading "Protect Us From All Anxiety." Author Father Burke has found a gentle, loving, and compassionate way of defining and informing those who suffer from depression and those who don't know enough about it by discussing his pain and journey to recovery. I applaud his honesty and courage in writing such a beautiful book. Whether dealing with depression with self or family members or friends, or if just curious, "Protect Us From All Anxiety" is the book for all to read.

I really found this helpful and practical. Fr. Burke's openness about his mental illness does much to remove the stigma still associated with treatable brain disorders!

Surrender is a great tale of a modern day spiritual journey. Stephen Burke manages to put to paper the common feeling of complacency felt in our hurried society of today. It is a must read for anyone who feels as though they are going through life with blinders on, not really enjoying the essence of the moment. This book helps awaken the soul and realize what really is important in life.

Surrender is a must read for anyone in spiritual transition. Its subject is timely for the end of a century, the end of a year. We all desire to be better friends, lovers, family members and communicators. Stephen Burke verbalizes what many of us feel, but have difficulty articulating. Surrender is a good place to start a journey toward self-realization, better communication and improving personal relationships.

Surender is an important book for both those who are rediscvering their faith and those who are exploring it for the first time. Eric Petris, the narrator, experiences tests of faith that will be familiar to all readers, and his journey of discovery can be a guide for others.

No book has touch my heart as Surrender has. In this book, Burke courageously models the way to live a life that is truly filled with happiness: painfully honest introspection coupled with the direct confrontation of limiting beliefs. He universally shows us that the seemingly impossible is possible in a way that is inspiring, empowering, and moving.

Surrender is a book that allows a person to understand the true importances of life. It is a book that should be reread every 5 years to ensure your values and desires are focused. The story is gripping and most meaningful.

when i read the first couple of pages, i was already hooked. this is a must read for anyone who is relatively interested in philosophy and/or psychology. simply the best book i have EVER read in my LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm quite convinced that, had he not been disabled by his illness, Ross David Burke would have made a hell of an artist/entertainer -- novels, songwriting, perhaps even comedy. Now, yes, I live with a psychotic disorder myself, and yes, this book illustrates disordered thought better than any other I've read, but that's not the point I wish to make. Underneath all the crazy confusion, there's a lot of wit and humor, as well as some stunning insights on human nature. His supporting characters come alive -- which is especially impressive, considering the isolating effect schizophrenia has on its sufferers. As self-absorbed as protagonist/narrator Sphere may be, friends like Uncle Cane Toad, and lost love Elysium, are unforgettable.

Me, I got my illness well under control, with modern medication long ago (if only Ross had had access to today's drugs!) When sanity gets a little dull, there's much stimulation to be had from the story of Sphere. The tragic ending is a hefty price to pay for the wild ride, but I pay it at least twice a year.

I dearly hope Ross would be comforted to know: His book is not only educational, but FUN! Rest in peace, Sphere!

A must read for family and friends of someone who has schizophrenia. Should be required reading for mental health professionals. And, as a survivor of schizophrenia, I would highly recommend it to fellow survivors. A masterpiece.

This books is wild and reads very oddly, but it is a perfect example of the schziophrenic experience. Written by a man with schizophrenia, the manuscript was found next to his body after he committed suicide. This books shows the inner turmoil and torture he endured in every living. A great, if not weird, read.

This is the truest depiction of schizophrenia i've ever come across. a must read if any of you have a schizophrenic friend that you're trying to understand. brutally truthful, amazingly accurate.

Okay all three stories are sooooo hot! Each story has black women in it but the are combine with MC (multi-cultural) man: 'Happy Effin Valentine's Day' has a Japanese man, 'Into Temptation' has a Latino man, and 'Tag's Folly' has a Caucasian male. I loved the diversity in each story. The sex scences were extremely hot and I enjoyed the relationships that developed. Great authors and a great book.

I Thought the stories regarding the background of the female characters were relatable, honestly how many of us have been there done that -with reality's less than favorable outcomes sigh:(.
You know, call me real dense it took me to the end of the book to make the magical reference to "three wishes".
The sex scences where quite vivid and there were times that I experienced them vicariously-lol.
I also admired all three female characters who openly basked in their sexuality and femininty, and their men who encouraged such expressionism (sic).
Ultimately, I have to say that Three Wishes was one of the most liberating interracial works that I read,so far I have read 18 such novels to date.
Truly an enjoyable read.

"Wild Wishes", indeed! It was definitely, HOT, SPICY and as FUNNY as all get out! Some of the sexual activity was quite explicit at times, and definitely "over-the-top", however, the stories still had a decent plot! I could have done with out some of the foul language, yet again, but it was still an enjoyable read. The characters were definitely memorable and quite HILAROUS.~~~~~~~In "Happy Effin Valentine", by Stephanie Burke, Effin Damnwell Hurtz, is a woman who has the worse luck until she meets a Japanese shape-shifting Neko, who as the title states makes all her "Wild Wishes" come true. But will this be a happy ever after or will her luck run out once again?!! "Into Temptation" by Lena Matthews has Billie Fowler confronted with spending Valentine's day with office crush, hot Latino, Tomas Mendez. Cast under a spell by none other than Cupid himself, this couple takes us on a highly erotic and sensual roller coaster ride! When Cupid's spell is broken will they be able to hold on to the love they found or will they forget everything they shared?!!! Eve Vaughn's, "Tag's Folly" is about a wish gone wrong for Dr. Taggert Webster. His live-in girlfriend wants commitment and marriage while Tag doesn't believe in love and marriage, due to his horrible childhood, all he wants is to keep things the way they are...and to be "left alone". Unfortunately for Tag his wish is granted by Cupid's wife Psyche, causing Alex to forget all memories of Tag and their year together. Tag and the Psyche must race against the clock to get Alex to remember what they shared before Valentine's Day or the wish will become permanent. Can he convince Alex that he loved her all along, or will he lose her forever?!!~~~~~~~This novel, takes you on three very intriguing and erotic thrill rides. It will definitely keep you turning the pages. I often found myself LOL at the antics and witty dialogue throughout. All three tales are interracial relationships. It turned out to be a hilarous, very erotic, and still a romantic read.

Wild Wishes this book was great . had read other books did know that this books was the beginning of the other titles that i read . i really enjoy all the authors that was in thie book

A Happy Effin Valentine:

Effin Damnwell Hurtzs is having a bad year; no, make that a bad life.
Born on Friday the 13th, it seems that Effin can either have no luck or
bad luck. Just when Effin gives up on dating, her horrified best
friend Christa sets her up on a date with a C.P.A. Figuring that a
C.P.A. is boring and that nothing bad can happen, Effin sets in to make
herself presentable. Evidently fate is working against her yet again
when her supposedly C.P.A. date is actually a hoodlum, and the BMW he
is driving is possibly stolen.

Masataka loves women. Loves them. Especially ones with nice butts.
However, this love he feels gets him into trouble because Masa has the
bad habit of falling for women who are not free. On one such instance,
Masa made a husband so angry that he cursed Masa to a lifetime of being
a simple house cat until the right woman comes along. Masa figures it
won't take long, but now, after years and years of being a cat, Masa is
dying to settle down and be human again. When Masa happens to come
across a crying Effin, he does what any cat would do and rubs against
her. Effin, in her surprise, brings the cat home and the rest is
history.

A Happy Effin Valentine by Stephanie Burke has to be one of the
funniest books I have read in a long time. Full of mishaps and just
plain bad luck, it is a keeper. Masa is endearing and, oh, so yummy!
Effin, well, Effin made me laugh hysterically as I continued to read
and listen to her story. Stephanie Burke has penned a wonderfully sexy
and extremely funny book with A Happy Effin Valentine.

Tag's Folly:

Dr. Taggert Webster is stressed and he doesn't know why. Well, yes, he
does. Tag is a plastic surgeon, has a great house, and for the last
year, a beautiful live-in lover, Alex. Only things aren't as they
seem. Tag feels like Alex is pushing him towards marriage, something
that he does not want for reasons that are his alone. While outside
smoking and contemplating all this, Tag watches an elderly woman
crossing the street. Suddenly, he notices a speeding truck, knows it
is going to hit her, and rushes into the road to save her. In
gratitude, the woman promises him a wish.

Tag goes home and forgets about her promise. That is, he forgets until
the next day when, while arguing with Alex, he states out loud that he
wished she would leave him alone and forget all about her thoughts of
marriage and if she couldn't, then she needs to forget about him as
well. When he comes home later that day, the house is empty and every
single sign of Alex is gone. Stumped, he remembers the old woman's
promise but decides that there is no way that magic is real. Knowing
that Alex will come to her senses and return, Tag immerses himself into
his work until a month passes and he is totally miserable.

Alexandra Harrison fell for Dr. Taggert Webster the moment she met him
during an office visit with her niece. He was striking, forceful and
when he smiled at her, she was instantly in love. Now, a year later,
Alex loves him more than ever but knows that he doesn't feel the same
way. She doesn't like the fact that she is good enough to sleep with
and make love to, but is not good enough to marry. Doubts have been
plaguing her because of Tag's refusal to even consider anything more
permanent.

Alex doesn't have to have marriage, but having Tag verbally state that
he loves her would make her feel a whole lot better. During an
argument tempers fly and Tag screams that he wishes she would forget
about marriage and if she couldn't then she just needs to forget about
him too... which is exactly what happens.

I absolutely adore how in Wild Wishes: Tag's Folly Eve Vaughn makes her
characters real. She takes real life issues like Tag's aversion to
marriage, and is able to weave a tale that actually made me feel sorry
for him! I was on Alex's side to start with, but by the end, I was
dying for her to go back to Tag. However, I have to hand it to Alex;
she stuck by her guns and didn't give in to Tag just to placate him.
They were just a good combination. Add some valentine magic, extremely
erotic and sexy encounters, and I was hooked.

Wild Wishes: Tag's Folly is just an all around good read and is perfect
to any one in the 'Valentine' giving mood. Tag's Folly is just one of
the many reasons why Eve Vaughn is one of my favorite authors and I
highly recommend this book. If you like steamy love scenes, a hot
hero, strong heroine, and a bit of magic, Wild Wishes: Tag's Folly is
the book for you!

***Talia Ricci for Joyfully Reviewed***

This book was recommended to me from a Church member who has been visiting me and my daughter during a very rough time in our lives. Since it is a book written by women for women I decided to purchase one for us. Although we don't read it daily, we have found it has some wonderful passages for anyone who needs a little extra support during difficult times.

I was looking for a gift and found this "gift" for my heart. Simply open this charming collection of prayers to any page and find a message one needs to hear.

There are prayers for all occasions. Women from all walks of life can find a prayer for the problem or blessing they are encountering.

this is a fabulous resource for all those who are looking to enhance their worship experiences with prayers from a group of people that are usually not utilized in traditional worship- women!

Thank you Elizabeth, Marjorie and Ann and associates for this exquisite book. It is a remarkable collection of thoughtful, devoted prayers and insights. Truly inspired! Truly welcome! A gift to women and men of faith.

My only disappointment is in the title of the book. The contents are very common indeed to women and are raised in common voice to God. The title, Women's Uncommon Prayers, trivializes and marginalizes the work. The Book of Common Prayer already marginalizes women because of its lack of inclusive language. This title, Women's Uncommon Prayers, perpetuates that by implication that women's work of worship and prayer is uncommon and at the margins of serious prayer and certainly of common / corporate (men and women) worship.

I'll leave the Greek words and distinctions to the scholars who appear to have read the book and found it laborious and perhaps even dull. My lay understanding comes as a Christian who brings those to Christ in recovery programs if they want to confess and believe per Romans 10:9.A New Way In: Reaching the Heart of a Child of God in Recovery with His Own, Powerful, Historical Roots. The Old Testament treated the Jews as adopted children because they were not born of the spirit of God. The New Testament, and the writings of Peter and Paul, talked about the opportunity for "adoption" by being born again of the spirit of God, a miraculous gift made available by the accomplishments of Christ. Granted there are different understandings of "adoption." But I find great solace in the fact that Paul emphatically carried the message that he desired that all Israel be saved, and made clear that the "mystery" meant that the Gentiles could become fellow heirs of the promise. For those of us who want to become children of the living Creator as part as our march out of sin, misery, and illness, the important message is the ease of being born again The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality (Why It Worked-- A.A. History Series), The Conversion of Bill W.: More on the Creator's Role in Early A.A., When Early AAs Were Cured and Why, Third Edition. And the day-in-day out challenge and difficulty of walking in Fellowship.Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today (A Bible Study Primer for AAs and Other 12-Steppers).

What is most important in a book like this is the content that is inside, although I must share my thankfulness to the seller for granting me to have the book in mint condition. I give my thanks to Trevor J. Burke for his composition of a thoroughly detailed, truly theological perspective on the love of God the Father for undeserving sinners.

I must note that, before I had intended on purchasing this book, I had been struggling with legalism (the idea that, somehow or another, it is my duty to keep God's love for me by keeping his commandments, else I would perish in hell). Thanks be to God himself for sending his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for exactly that which I had thought was my duty to keep: God's law! But, no! No human being can keep God's law (James 2:8-11)! So, God, out of his love, sent his Son to deliver sinners from his wrath and from slavery under the law (1 John 4:9,10)!

This book is being a major blessing for me. Just to see - for example - that God the Father brought the Israelites out of Egypt - because of his love for them as his own children - and despite of their disobedience to him, is just amazing. And, did you know that when, in Exodus 4:22, the LORD says, "Thus, Israel is my firstborn son," he is actually pointing (by the word "firstborn") to another son (in that Israel was a nation, with the Israelites as sons and daughters of God, God is actually pointing to another nation of believers: non-Jewish sinners - Gentiles like you and me)? Oh the truth that God the Father determined before he created the universe that he would save a people to himself and adopt them into his family, with him as their loving Father (Ephesians 1:4-6)! It is glorious! How could we be so inclined to try to keep his law as a means of our being justified before him when he determined before the creation of the universe that his law would only serve to show us that we are sinners deserving of his wrath so that we may be bought by the blood of his Son out of slavery to the law and into his family and into his loving care and affection! This - and for many other reasons - is why I am being blessed by this book.

I suggest that you purchase and read this book. It is long, very detailed, and requires hours of reading, but you will be blessed by the book. I guarantee it. Whether you know God the Father and his Son in a personal relationship, or whether God the Father has brought you by his grace to an interest in who he is and what he is like and is drawing you to himself - as he so faithfully does to all those who come to know him and receive eternal life, this book will be a blessing to you. Take a chance, and take the time, to purchase and read it.

It took me a pretty long time, but I finally finished Adopted into God's Family, from the New Studies in Biblical Theology series, written by Trevor Burke. This is my second book from this series, the first being Slave of Christ by Murray Harris.

In Adopted into God's Family Burke explores the Pauline metaphor of Adoption found in Ephesians, Galatians and Romans. He concludes that the adoption metaphor was likely based on the Roman legal adoption by the paterfamilias of men primarily for the sake of family honor. Burke does a thorough job of expanding the metaphor from all different parts of scripture as well other historical and cultural contexts.

So far both books have been painful to read; literature that I really have to kind of trudge through. The majority of the reason being that there are various, basically, style and organization things that make it daunting to truck through. The two big ones are, one, the font seems to be slightly smaller than usual and two, the chapters are relatively long for the topic. Most of the classic literature that I read has an archaic style of breaking up content that, I think, is much better and keeps information rolling as well as well organized in my brain.

In lots of classic literature chapters will sometimes be 40 - 50 pages long (at least in modern reprints), but will be broken up every two or three pages by numbered headings, subheadings and sub-subheadings. In this series of books, it seems that the trend is more toward long winded chapters and just a few subheadings spread throughout the chapter. This kind of organization means that if you want to read, you need to be committed to a good 15 - 20 minutes of reading, otherwise you'll lose your place next time. No reading these babies on the john. I know that's nitpicky and probably just the way the genre works, but it's a pain the butt for me.

Once I got passed the personal grievances, Adopted into God's Family was awesome. Of course, incidentally, it took me the entire book to get over those personal grievances. The point is though that the content of the book is so rich and the exploration of theology is so thorough and robust that while reading, it will be painful and daunting, but once done will offer a beautiful new perspective on scripture that really brings the metaphors to life. This I have found true with both installments of this series that I have read.

When reading scripture, we have a pseudo-understanding of what Paul means when he says we've been adopted. However, after reading this book, the metaphor carries far more weight and his words become much more meaningful.

Adopted is definitely a scholarly book. If you're going to read it, and benefit from it, you're going to need to commit to it, even if the going gets tough. If you finish, you'll almost certainly be enriched. For this reason, I don't recommend this book or series for casual readers. I suspect that pastors, lay people and bible students will have a lot to gain from this study.

Trevor Burke's book is a welcome addition to the New Studies in Biblical Theology series.

One of his essential premises is that the theme of adoption in Paul's letters has been historically misunderstood. Burke's goal is to help provide a balanced view of this theological theme and its implications for life.

His exegesis is stimulating and Trinitarian in focus, something which he clearly shows is directly from the text of scripture. All three Persons of the Trinity are in view considering the context of the five passages mentioning adotpion (though the Spirit occurs in four of the five).

Burke reveals an impressive grasp of Greek and the cultural situation of the times. And his vast knowledge of secondary literature surrounding the five passages in question is quite clear from the dialogue with contemporaries and also the footnotes and bibliography.

Finally to end with the beginning of the book, Burke's preface is excellent, providing an interesting glimpse into his own life and the impact that the concepts of adoption and sonship have had in his own life.

(...)

Having recently experienced a "long day's journey into night" in my own spiritual life, I know firsthand what it means to have temporarily experienced the seeming loss of God's presence and care and then to have found it again. In this process, I rediscovered the reality of God's relationship with me.

Trevor Burke's treatise on the subjective sense in which "sons" of God resonates with the personal experience of the believer in his/her relationship to God magnificently captures the concrete essence on what it means to be adopted into God's family; a condition that is far more relational than positional and characteristic of what it means to embrace a redefined understanding of what constitutes a family.

For anyone who perceives God to be an ephemeral presence, this book is a true wakeup call to what it means to be in sympathetic relationship with Christ and to all those who call on God as heavenly father who makes all things right.

The passion and lore of the American Civil War has tended to relegate the American Revolution to a small core of enthusiasts and readers. Burke Davis's The Campaign that Won America: The Story of Yorktown is a highly readable affair that exemplifies why reading history is exciting. In his detailed treatment of George Washington's famous Yorktown campaign, he maintains it was the war's most decisive engagement, a well-coordinated operation between highly mobile French and American armies that deceived and trapped a mismanaged and confused British army from land and sea reinforcement.

Davis's prolific life of writing history, specifically in the Civil War and the American Revolution, has resulted in over fifty books. He is a heavyweight in 18th and 19th century story telling and the book's title clearly announces his perspective on Yorktown and its place within the Revolutionary War. He maintains that command and control--and at its heart, communication--was largely absent from the British chain of command. A lack of urgency or concern throughout the campaign revealed an air of indifference by the British towards the colonials, underestimating a force that was actually a potent threat. Unclear objectives and loss of situational awareness resulted in frequent British confusion. Davis showcases a frustrating affair for the British who seem consistently several steps behind in action. The book is a powerful testament that British inefficiency lost them the campaign.

Readers are provided brief character assessments of the key players in the campaign; George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, Count Jean Rochambeau, Admiral Francois de Grasse, Sir Henry Clinton, Lord Charles Cornwallis, and Rear Admiral Thomas Graves. Most interesting is the author's presentation of the emotional side of George Washington, one of sheer elation upon learning of France's arrival in July 1780, then utter rage at Rochambeau for his changing of campaign plans against New York. This emotional profile is well woven throughout the text to cast a human dimension of a fighting general above the standard two dimensional presentations of the man. Davis makes a point to display the warm relationship the Americans and French had with one another, underscoring that French involvement was not a minor affair in the war. The Americans respected French expertise in warfare and Count Rochambeau, a competent military man and key leading Frenchman under Washington, had no qualms attempting to influence American strategy.

Davis's analysis of command and control of American and British forces is incisive and is presented as the crux to Yorktown's result. Lapses in judgment and odd methods of communication quickly educate one into understanding why reliable and efficient command, control, and communications is so paramount to military operations. The British skill in this area disintegrated over time. Davis uncovers a hostile relationship between Sir Henry Clinton and Lord Charles Cornwallis, the two ranking British generals. Frequently vague and conflicting orders from Clinton and a detached indifference and idleness by Cornwallis in response revealed a horrifying detachment between the two men that engendered bitter feelings. Cornwallis' annoyance often resulted in correspondence with superiors in London for guidance, a serious chain of command violation. The lack of clarification by both generals served to assist Washington who, in stark contrast according to Davis, seemed to have had at his disposal cooperative men who wrote frequently, to include the French navy.

Predominantly using eyewitness accounts from journals, diaries, letters, and official correspondence, the vibrant prose of the book places the reader squarely on the battlefields and ship decks to witness the unfolding events. The book is balanced, showing the noble, and not so noble, sides of the French, English, and American armies, perhaps dispelling some myths for those that thought the British pure evil or that Washington's army was openly embraced by all. Styled much like a novel, it is both readable and engaging. However, despite this, it does not serve a broad audience. While a riveting tale about the rise of the colonial army and the collapse of the British army, Davis does not lay the groundwork prior to the Siege of Yorktown by reviewing the colonial campaigns since 1775. Nor does he touch upon the reasons for the rift between the colonies and England in the 1760s. Though not required due to the book's specific focus, it presents the danger that a novice reader will be unable to place the campaign within the context of a twenty-year conflict. Additionally, Davis spends just one paragraph at the book's conclusion noting the war would linger on for two more years, perhaps jarring the novice reader into wondering why such a decisive campaign did not actually terminate the war. Thus, the book serves best those with a familiarity for the Revolution.

A wonderful, engaging book that keeps the reader turning the pages. We see the coming battle at Yorktown, not only from the point of view of the names we know-Washington, Lafayette, Cornwallis, but also from the view of the common soldier.
The reader learns not only what happens, but why events transpired the way they did. We read of the British military leaders fighting amongst themselves over petty differences while George Washington sneaks away from their trap in New York and heads to Yorktown. We see the French naval fleet out-maneuvering the British fleet and fighting their way in to eliminate the possibility of the British escaping Yorktown by ship. And the author shows us the participants in the saga as human beings instead of simple historical figures, such as when we see George Washington prancing around with glee when he learns the French fleet is headed in to help the colonial army.
The book is written like a novel, not like a history book, which brings the reader into the action. But this is an excellent book that not only entertains, but informs. Even though I already knew a great deal of the history covered in this book, I learned new things-such as all of the trouble the French fleet encountered in their quest to drive off the British fleet. And we see the commander of the French fleet nearly deciding to sail away at the exact moment when they were needed the most.
We read just how little it would have taken for the events at Yorktown to turn in the British's favor, but also how many times the British didn't take advantage of their chances.
This is not only a good book of history; it is entertaining, it is well-written, it is interesting, and it is informative. It takes an excellent writer to take a story with a known ending yet still be able to instill in the reader the desire to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Burke Davis does just that in "The Campaign That Won America." This is an excellent book. If one wants to read a book to understand the story of Yorktown and the events that lead up to it, this book is the one I recommend.

The Battle of Yorktown was the final battle in America's War of Independence. Written over 30 years ago, this account is still the standard by which all others are judged.

Based upon hundreds of eyewitness accounts and official records, the narrative flows very easily, detailing how Washington combined with Rochambeau and stole a march on the British. This book underscores just how much the United States owes to France. Without French troops and the French Navy, this amazing campaign, which resulted in America capturing its second British Army in the field, could not have been mounted.

This is no grade school version of American Independence. It is war in all its gore and all its sacrifice.

This book perfectly describes the various events leading up to, and including, the Battle of Yorktown. The book is about 300 pages long, and is the pefect length. The problem with many of the other books about military battles that I've read is that the author immerses the reader in far too much detail about the actual movements of troops, etc. However, this book represents the perfect confluence of military strategy and personal anecedotes, which make it highly readable.

This is a very readable book about the most important battle of the American Revolution. Davis gives us a lucid, informative, and a most historically fact-based book on the major officers(i.e. Washington, Rochambeau, Cornwallis, de Grasse, Clinton and many others) as well as the circumstances leading to the siege of Yorktown. Each chapter chronicles a critical event, including Washington's long march from New York to Virginia and Cornwallis's failed campaign in the Carolinas which led him to Yorktown. I would most enthusiastically recommend this book to any American patriot.

Read this book line by line and you will be able to apply the suggestions and get results taht matter. The ROI in the case studies are under estimated. Notice that the outcomes take into account the people. What can I say more...go for it.

I started reading this book and I still cannot place it down - it's brimming with information that I can use to help others and myself change during difficult times or the best times in my organization. As a manager in my organization, I have to stay knowledgeable of all of the best management practices in the industry - - this is the best book I have found for this purpose. You could pay for $1000 and up attending conferences and $5000 on research reports and never find this kind of management knowledge.

"This fieldguide is for all change champions who are learning about, seeking to, or who are in the midst of leading social or organizational change...The purpose of this fieldguide is to provide you with all of the necessary elements to implement a best practice change or leadership development initiative within your organization or social system. Contributors in this book are widely recognized as among the best in organizational change and leadership development. They provide invaluable lessons in succeeding during crisis or growth modes and economies...Within the forthcoming chapters, you will learn:

*Key elements of leading successful and result-driven change

*Tools, models, instruments, and strategies for leading change

*Trends and research on innovation, change and leadership

*Critical success factors and critical failure factors

*How to design, implement, and evaluate change and leadership initiatives (pp.viii-xi)".

In this context, D. Ulrich, M. Goldsmith, L. Carter, J. Bolt, and N. Smallwood (the editors) divide this invaluable book including twenty-two chapters of 'best practice' into three sections: (1). Transformational and Large Scale Change, (2). Fundamentals of Leading Change, (3). Transformational Leadership and Sustaining Results. They say, "we have different interests, clients, and approaches. We have each experienced successes and failures while hoping only for success. The failures were almost always failures to make correct assumptions about the fit between type of intervention, organizational system, and situation. It is these failures that help us learn; they make us humble and open our minds to different approaches...This fieldguide presents you with an array of choices for how to approach many complex situations. You will find many ideas that you can adapt to your own situation and needs. And, when you do lead change, lead with the same passion, humility, creativity, and commitment to stakeholders, customers, and excellence that have been exhibited by the change champions contributing to this book (from the Introduction)."

In the last chapter of the fieldguide, 'You Can't Be a Champion Unless You Keep Score,' John Sullivan focuses on importance of measuring results. He says that "If this were the Olympics, it would be obvious to all that you couldn't become a champion without measuring results. In fact, the definition of a champion is 'the one with the best results.' In the general business world the use of numbers and metrics is part of life...Within all major firms all projects, products, and business units are evaluated on the basis of numerical results. However, in direct contrast, we within HR resist using metrics, almost like developing them was the equivalent of a root canal...The Watson Wyatt Human Capital Index study demonstrated that the potential impact of people programs on a firm's overall market value could be as high as 47 percent. The road is clear and the time is right. HR must now seize this unprecedented opportunity to adopt metrics and to become the next 'corporate hero' (pp.279-283)"

Therefore, after saying "metrics are the fastest and the cheapest way to change behavior in business," he demonstrates:

I.Nine reasons to utilize metrics: (1). Meeting your goals, (2). Driving improvement, (3). Obtain funding, (4). Early warning a.k.a 'smoke detectors,' (5). Understanding critical success factors, (6). Shift to fact-based decisions, (7). Metrics change behaviors, (8). Eliminate confusion, (9). Builds coordination/cooperation.

II.Eight steps in developing metrics: (1). Select a metric for each program goal, (2). Choosing between soft and hard metrics, (3). Understanding the different categories of business impact, (4). Selecting simple but attention-getting metrics, (5). Understanding the characteristics of great measures, (6). Selecting from standard HR metrics, (7). Selecting from advanced metrics, (8). Building the business case for increased HR funding.

III.Eleven decision factors for approving HR projects: (1). A low initial investment, (2). The project has a high ROI, (3). Similar projects implemented elsewhere have a high success rate or a low risk of failure, (4). The project starts right away without a long delay, (5). There is a short payback period, (6). The project has a complete set of accurate results metrics and a method for collecting metric information, (7). No new headcount is required, (8). The project has negative consequences for failure built in, (9). The program gives us a competitive advantage over other firms, (10). The program can demonstrate that it increases worker productivity, (11). A project team is credible and has high success rate on previous projects.

Finally, Sullivan writes, "HR professionals understand that the world of business has recently lost its tolerance for decisions made without facts and for programs that don't produce measurable results...Metrics can provide you with the opportunity to be superior performer by letting you know unambiguously where you are and how far you have to go. Your future path is clear; you can't become a champion...without measuring your results (pp.297-298)."

I highly recommend this invaluable fieldguide to all change champions of the future.

Our Organizational Development book club selected this to read, in part, on the reputation of the editors and on the strength of the reviews on Amazon from customers and other reviewers. However, in general we found the book to be a somewhat disappointing hodgepodge of articles on change concepts and succession management. The articles ranged from the very good --Appreciative Inquiry and Positive Deviance --to the generic. There were several basic issues (including typos) that frankly should have been caught in editing. While it did have many useful chapters and contained a nice organizational structure and outline, the content itself was hit and miss, and the book unfortunately, didn't live up to its glowing reviews.

This book is an absolute steal for the price. It is extremely generous in the information it provides. There are 22 chapters of the best theories, practices, and examples in change/business management and leadership/organization development -- with an eye towards getting results that matter for you and your organization. This book has already helped me to make my job more valuable inside of my organization - as well as helped me to better understand how to get my ideas implemented faster - and improved my chances of getting a promotion! Thank you to the publisher and editors for providing me with a book that has far exceeded my expectations.

Great Book! Dale Burke explores God's Word to reveal just how different men and women are from each other. But, that difference is by the Creator's design! He takes often very different individuals and places them together, for life, to form a cooperative team. Burke begins in Genesis to examine God's creation of man and woman as individuals with the design to come together to form a life-long team to honor Him.

This book is an easy read in that it all makes sense! Burke intertwines his thoughts on men, women, and marriage with God's word in such a way that I want to say, "Why didn't I read this book before all the others?" I've read many books on marriave: Venus-Mars, 5 Love Languages, etc. This book, by far, is the best in terms of helping me to understand my role in marriage - to have a servant heart as I seek to understand and celebrate my wife's differences. this book also helped me to understand her role, and mine, in meeting each other's needs. Understanding our needs, I can then proceed in my role to met her needs and honor her and God in my life. Burke does not shy away from the truth of life either!

Once in a while something comes along that truly offers something new and original. Burke provides that opportunity for readers with Different by Design. His practical approach to a topic that has been written about is worth keeping this book on your bedside table. I also highly recommend Men in Marriage: Straight Talk For Men About Marriage: What Men Need to Know About Marriage (And What Women Need to Know About Men)by Marty Friedman.

I've read so many books on marriage--and found most of them to be repetitive and lacking in both originality and practicality--that this book was a happy surprise. It is readable, Biblical, full of good antecdotal illustrations, and best-of-all, has something to say in a fresh way about marital relationships. I particularly liked that the author didn't back away from saying some of the 'hard' things just because they don't happen to enjoy societal support at the moment. I was challenged to think anew about my own quarter-century-old marriage, and for that I'm grateful.

This book gives a fresh perspective on the whole "Mars/Venus" issue so popular in today's society. It gives practical ways men and women can appreciate and celebrate their differences. Burke's views and ideas seem to be sincere and applicable. This makes a great gift for anniversaries and newly weds.

Finally a book that gives a balanced perspective on men and women in marriage. It is so right on! Burke's understanding of women, what makes them tick and what annoys them is delivered with alot of honesty and a touch of humor. He ignores the political correct views of modern culture and give men and women practical advice they can put into practice the day the read the book. Must read as far as I'm concerned! The forward by Howard Hendricks is also worth the price of the book.

Australia's desolate interior evokes much legend. Dominating the legends are the traverses of European explorers in the region. Among these legends, that of Burke and Wills retains a lofty status, one Sarah Murgatroyd may have forever toppled. She has given the tradition of explorer heroics a strenuous airing with this book. Few reputations are left unsmirched, but her real assault centres on the incompetence of the expedition's leader, Robert O'Hara Burke.

The author relates how Burke left Melbourne, Victoria, in 1860 with several ambitions, muddled instructions and devoid of capabilities to manage the task. Behind his straggling team were a cabal of businessmen intent on extending Victoria's borders. Beyond that, they also hoped to initiate a telegraph line route to Asia, thence to London. In competition with Adelaide to the west, both cities had sponsored expeditions to traverse the continent from south to north. Others had made the attempt, but the travails of crossing a land intolerant of blundering had thwarted them all. Burke was aware of a major competitor in the figure of Charles McDouall Stuart who had nearly succeeded before turning back. Burke, among other things, saw the enterprise as a race - which he intended to win.

Murgatroyed demonstrates how that aspect, among others, doomed the expedition from the beginning. Burke's undue haste led to launching the trek at the worst time of year. He quarreled with subordinates, sacked members of the team and scorned delays occasioned by scientific studies. His fatal error was in dividing the group, ultimately leaving most of his companions behind to make a dash to the northern sea. It was the fragmenting of the expedition that led to conflicting priorities and delays. In the end, not able to actually observe the sea, three survivors of the dash north returned to the rendezvous point to find the word "Dig" carved in a tree. It wasn't enough to save the two leaders surviving the journey.

In analysing Burke's actions, Murgatroyd contrasts them with others, some having set out to rescue the lost venturers. As she points out, the business leaders of Melbourne enhanced the already general view that the only thing considered more "heroic than a successful explorer was a dead one." Melbourne now had two in Burke and his subordinate William Wills. The legend of their heroism was almost manufactured by those who'd sponsored the expedition. The hagiography surrounding the pair has persisted in strength for over a century.

Murgatroyd dispels that idolatry effectively. She cannot be faulted for viewing the past with modern eyes as some are led to do. As a journalist's account, the book is not footnoted, although she provides a good reading list. Her style is open and forthright, keeping the reader close to the events related. She speculates but little, and her judgements are conveyed in sharp contrast. Various persona are portrayed in scathing terms. Even those driven by events escape but narrowly. Her account will dismay some, but none sink into ennui. Her rendition of a complex story makes excellent reading. Her loss to journalism is severe.

The late Sarah Murgatroyd has written a well researched and poignant account of this tragic expedition. Though l hesitate to use the word expedition, as it was poorly led and planned, perhaps a mad rush in the bush is a better description. Many times as a child l used to gaze at the statue of Burke and Wills, (Melbourne is my home town), when l visited the Museum and wondered how they died and why was that statue there. My schoolbooks portrayed them as tragic heroes, but l felt sorry for John King as these books seemed to minimize his achievement of survival

This book finally gives King the credit he deserves for his amazing survival and the tenacious ability he displayed to achieve this. Unfortunately his health was broken by the experience and he suffered much mental angiush for the remainder of his short life. This anguish, l suspect, derived from the charade he was forced to be a part of upon his return to Melbourne.

He was very critical of the Exploration Committee on the way back to Melbourne after his rescue but was stunned by the reception he received in Victoria on the way back to Melbourne where he was lauded as some type of hero. It was just too much for this quiet and unassuming man. He had to play along and hold his true thoughts about the Exploration Committee to himself. He was up against too much public emotion and powerful interests to upset the applecart, l also believe he felt very guilty about his survival.

This book captures the vastness and emptiness of the Australian interior and yet also describes the beauty of the outback. I have lived in the outback myself while working at remote weather stations. The description of the climate, landscape and vegetation of the part of the outback that the expedition traversed is concise and correct.

This book also gives an account of the expeditions of the explorer; the very able and resourceful John Macdouall Stuart and gives him the credit he richly deserves as a an explorer and a surveyor.

Like the trek it describes, 'Dig Tree' is almost successful. There's no denying that a lot of research went into this book, and in some ways, that's what holds it back. It's almost like Ms Murgatroyd is afraid to leave anything out.
The book also has too many editorial gaffes--wrong tenses, left out words--they're minor, but annoying. Whether or not they are the author's is beside the point, they should have been caught.
I'd certainly keep this on my Burke & Wills shelf--but the classic for me is Alan Moorehead's 'Cooper's Creek.'
Although I doubt Moorehead had access to all that Murgatroyd did, he still manages to tell the story with a great deal more panache.

The book describes the (unfortunate) journey of Burke and Wills and gives a good overview of other explorers of Australia. The author has a great ability to recreate mid-19th century Australian life and views. Overall, this is a superbly researched book that captivates the reader.

An excellent read that both informs and entertains. Ideal for anyone who has interest in Australia, Australian history or exploration. It may not be that interesting for those without these interests

Sarah Murgatroyd does a terrific job of assembling a compelling story of a doomed expedition across Australia. She carefully pulls together pieces from diaries, old news accounts, and official records, and even throws in insights into human and camel physiology when necessary.

The story moves along with interesting characters and sometimes heartbreaking events. Importantly, Murgatroyd grounds everything in historical research, giving her account valuable credibility.

If there's a weakness in this book it is only because the author does so well bringing the reader close to the events. You want the book to go one further step and recreate the conversations among the explorers, but of course it cannot do that.

This is a great book for anyone interested in adventure or Australian history.