Burton Books

This book was very beneficial to the graduate class that I participated in during the summer semester.

Galbraith, M.W., Sisco, B.R., & Guglielmino, L.M. Administering Successful Programs for Adults: Promoting Excellence in Adult, Community and Continuing Education. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL, 1997. Pp. vii + 187. When the opportunity to review a book written by three acknowledged professionals, in not only adult educational instruction, but also in research and publication, the expectation of quality would seem foreseeable. In this case, the expectation was a reality. From the "Preface" to the final chapter, the student is presented with a clear, concise, and literary explanation, of a relevant and timely topic, the administration of programs. To often, authors of scholarly texts, find it necessary to use professional language, understandable only by experts in the discipline or subject matter. This is not the case with this publication. The text was written and published with current, or "would be", administrators in mind. The primary goal of the authors is to convey a basic understanding of the administrative process. The authors of Administering Successful Programs for Adults, include in their "Preface", an excellent synopsis of the book. The text has nine chapters. Chapter 1 is concerned with and titled the "Administrator". This chapter "...examines the settings and contexts in which the administrative role is carried out", and includes "...a self-assessment inventory that allows", students to discover pertinent knowledge about themselves (p.viii). Chapter 2, "Approaches to Administration", is just that. The authors examine, "The classical, human relations, organization behavior, contingency, and systems perspectives..." and "...their appropriateness for adult, community, and continuing education" (p.viii). In Chapter 3, "Determining Program Content", they address "...the administrator's role and involvement in the process of determining program content", with an emphasis on the macro approach. "Budgeting and Financing" are the topics of Chapter 4. Different types of budgets are discussed, along with "...useful tips on how to develop a successful budget..." and "...and how to augment funding..." (p.viii). Chapter 5, "Selecting and Developing Staff", explains that this "...is an essential function of administrators in adult, community, and continuing education agencies and organizations" (p.viii). A plan is presented which includes ideas on role identification, selection, and development, of staff. "Marketing and Public Relations", "Chapter 6, is dedicated to the understanding of marketing and the essential elements of a marketing plan and promotional strategies" (p.ix). Chapter 7, "Evaluating Programs", "...is devoted to the process of evaluating programs for adult", and includes suggestions on "...the design and application of an evaluation plan" (p.ix). "Legal and Ethical Considerations", is the subject of Chapter 8. These include, "...affirmative action and equal employment opportunity guidelines..." as well as information about "...the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990..." and "...ethical dilemmas confronting the administrator..." (p.ix). Chapter 9 is concerned with "Maintaining Effectiveness As an Administrator", "...through professional development of yourself and others" (p.ix). It "...concludes with a brief annotated listing of resources found to be particularly helpful in ensuring administrative and organizational success" (p.ix). This content summary presents a view of the explicit and concise style of this text. Administrating Successful Programs for Adults was written as an introductory text or primer, to be used and perused by "would be", new, or existing administrators. It will not replace Niccolo Machiavelli's, The Prince. It will, because of its condensed or abbreviated style, be a useful tablet. The theme of each chapter is clearly developed and the included "Summary" is a definite plus. There are an adequate, not an overpowering, number of explanatory tables, models and charts. The numbering system for these items, at the bottom, rather than the more common placement at the top, seemed awkward. The documentation and referencing of source and contemporary or companion literature is complete and aptly supplemented by the brief but sufficient annotated listing included in Chapter 9. Fortunately, which is not always the case in referenced material, the authors documentation, in this text, does not interrupt or detract from the intended subject matter. There is nothing unique about the organization or presentation of the information available, or the written prose, in Administrating Successful Programs for Adults, except that the style and substance could be used as an example of plain English. This style, one of clarity, not circumlocution, is not found, often enough, in academic publications. We live in a world of administrating and administrators. In order to progress and prosper, we must continually create and implement compromise. It is extremely difficult to reach a position where compromise is a possibility, much less a reality, without administrative assistance. The use of this text can assist in making compromise a possibility. I fear that the authors have, unwittingly, underestimated their audience. They have proposed, that "...adult, community and continuing educational programs for adults"(p.x), might benefit from this publication. These are, for me, the underestimated audience. The general resource nature of this volume, its ability to present the administrative process in broad strokes, and in clear and plain vocabulary, make it a viable and usable document, for this every growing and demanding group of learners and activists. These groups, adult, community and continuing educational organizations, must have access to the administrative expertise that will lead them in the direction of compromise, if they are to be the positive and productive force they should and intent to be. Many adult, community and continuing educational texts address the concept of the "Critical Thinker". The essence of "Critical Thinking" is very clear explained in Administering Successful Programs of Adults. I consider the process of "Critical Thinking", a clear and detailed road to reaching compromise, a result desired by any progressing administrative program. Although administering compromise, is only one of many important concepts included in this text, I find this example, a sterling explanation of why, I believe the authors attained their goal, of publishing a book and thereby providing a primer for, easy access to knowledge of the administrative process.

What a great book! The clear, concise explanations guide me step by step and I don't need to be a master craftsman or artist to turn my projects from stictly plain-practical to exciting and beautiful.
Most helpful was the way the author showed how to use and improvise tools to make my designs come to life in wood. My lamp project will light up the room in more ways than with bulbs when I finish.
Thank you, Mike Burton, for taking my woodworking to another level.

Common sense innovation, a sense of humor and a 'can do' attitude are the ingredients in creating the masterful works of art by Mike Burton. He writes in a way that sounds like he's talking to a friend.
Don't have a lot of funds to buy those certain do-all, can't-live-without-tools that you see the other pro's use? That's just fine, because Burton will show you how to make what you need and keep your wallet intact.
He even explains how you can resharpen rotary burrs and an old, rusty rasp by using some toilet bowl cleaner. Anybody else would have told you to buy new stuff. If you've ever thought about getting involved in architectural carving, or just want to further your mental horizons of how these works of art are made, then, this is a must-have book.

Compiled by the daughter of a mother lost to breast cancer, Around My Mother's Table: Stories and Recipes Celebrating Lives Lost to Breast Cancer is a unique cookbook that embraces the connection between mothers and daughters. Each recipe has been contributed by a different daughter, in loving memory of a beloved mother whose life ended too soon. From Beef Brisket to Cranberry Salad, Blueberry-Banana Muffins, Almond Rocha, Peanut Blossoms, and more, these delicious time-tested and love-tempered recipes invoke flavors and textures worthy of transcending generations, and accompanying each is a brief, bittersweet memory of the beloved mother who taught it. A treasury to be cherished.

Lisa has done a beautiful work with recipes of Moms who have succumb to breast cancer. The love and care she put into this book is very evident. I love it! I am so touched that she took the time and great effort to accomplish this very special book.

For me it is a special keepsake for my children. It has recipes from both there grandmothers (Kathleen Zinkgraf and Sylvia Poad) that died one day apart in their early 50's. To have a treasure like this is just wonderful.

Getting the recipes together made me think of my Mom and MIL as Mom's happily cooking in the kitchen rather than of the breast cancer.

Lisa--I cannot thank you enough for this book. I thank you...my family thanks you. It was a beautiful idea and the result is a precious book. So many of us have faced that terrible loss of premature death of our Mom by breast cancer. It made me feel I was not alone.

I can't wait to try the other recipes and read all the stories.

My 9-year old is interested in atoms and molecules, but I didn't know enough answer his second level of questions until I spent 20 minutes with this book. Interesting, clear, concise, wonderfully illustrated.

As a physical science teacher, I consider this book to be an awesome resource in my classroom. The easy to read text combined with the colorful illustrations makes this book a "must have." Atoms and molecules have never been easier to comprehend.

Burton Raffel was a Professor of English at Denver University and the translator of an edition of Beowulf that sold more than a million copies. He is also author to more than sixty books, including six volumes of poetry. With Beethoven In Denver And Other Poems, Raffel once again demonstrates and documents his impressive ability with word images, rhythms, and the poetic communication of ideas and feelings. Otitis: When my niece -- a professional interpreter/For the deaf -- heard that Beethoven was in Denver,/And in my house, she called to tell me that the challenge/Really appealed to her. "Words are one thing,"/she explained/"But music -- wow!" I think she was disappointed./Learning that he'd recovered his hearing/In time. But she's a realistic young lady/And wished him luck. "Amy," I said,/"The next time he goes deaf I'll have him see you,/I'll give him your card, I know he'll be grateful,/You just wait." I'm not sure she was much impressed/But all the same she promised to visit Denver,/Though perhaps only after Beethoven had moved on.

A super collection! Burton Raffel's poetry is accessible without being superficial--a rare combination. Beethoven in Denver is sharp, funny, and thoughtful, full of wisdom and humor; each poem builds on the preceding one until, by book's end, the reader is completely emersed.

From the very beginning, this book had my total attention. I could not put it down. When I finished the novel, I wanted another one right away. I fell in love with the minister and his wife. It had humor and camaraderie among the characters. This is a classy, well-written book, and I read it in one and a half days. As a lover of crime mysteries, I didn't figure out "who done it" until the very end. Carol A.

What better hero than the caring pastor of a small country church, and
what better villains than those who would do harm to that church--not to
mention murder a parishioner or two? In this cleverly-plotted and
delightful novel, Tony Burton has perfectly described life in rural
America. Pastor Wilson is as real and believable a character as I've
read about in a long time, as are the conflicts he faces in trying to
save his church and his congregation. If you've not read Tony Burton's
fiction before, you're in for a treat--this is a well-written,
fast-paced, and thoroughly satisfying mystery.

This well written text book is helpful in grasping the various basic concepts of microbiology.

I utilized this text for my microbiology class in undergrad. It lists the major parasites, molds and bacteria. Parasites were the most interesting because it shows you what foods are associated with what parasite. Pretty gross stuff but was not boring at all. I also used:
Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Question and Answers, isbn 0971999635, to help me with test preparation. The questions were quite similar to what I found on my college microbiology tests. Both books helped me to achieve very good scores on my tests.

Great short stories for when you only have a limited time to read! Very entertaining!

This anthology of fifteen stories kicks off with "Ho Ho Homicide: An Odelia Grey Short Story" by Sue Ann Jaffarian. Odelia Patience Grey did what any daughter does when her father asks. She took her step mother Gigi shopping. If that wasn't enough, like some spy novel, Odelia is soon confronted at the mall by a woman with a gun and man in a trench coat and fedora with a heavy European accent. Not to mention being hassled by a Santa whose beard is certainly not white as snow as well as the cops. And she thought escorting the non stop talking Gigi would be the worst part of her day.

Earl Staggs offers the charming story, "Robbery On Christmas Eve." It tells the tale of a theft of church money. For Sheriff Mollie Goodall, it is particularly annoying as it is Christmas Eve with her own husband out of town and a church and adjacent community hall full of suspects. One gets the feeling readers might just see Sheriff Mollie Goodall again.

Also using Christmas Eve as a backdrop to events is Thomas H Cook's story titled, "The Lesson Of The Season." Veronica Cross works part-time at the Mysterious Bookshop and is just fifteen minutes away from closing when a frequent customer walks in. In this personal favorite from the anthology and powerfully moving story, Veronica deals with her own echo of the pain. You simply have to read this work to understand because it isn't going to be explained here.

Redemption is a frequent them of most of the stories in this anthology and is certainly at work in "Santa And The Poor Box" by Gail Farrelly. The story is about how a local Santa was accused of stealing from the poor box at the church. Pushed by her daughter Lily, Roberta Mchlugh has connections and begins to work the case with Lily's eager help with a plan to clear him by Christmas.

"The Proper Trimmings" by Nick Andreychuck plays off a concept frequently reported in the media regarding men in prison and the women who begin romances with them. Russ just got out of prison after ten long hard years and meets his female pen pal, Anna. He comes to her home for dinner and something more if she meets expectation and she does and then some.

"The Grinch and I" by Herschel Cozine revolves around George. An average man, George took the job of Mall Santa for one simple reason. A plan honed by years of practice always works best when you are Santa.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading the "River City" novels from Frank Zafiro or many of his stories in various anthologies and elsewhere, you have another chance. Police officers have a hard time getting time off, especially during the holidays. Something that Detective Katie Macleod's mother doesn't get in "Home For Christmas." Crime doesn't take a holiday and before very much of Christmas Day passes; Detective MacLeod is hard at work on the trail of a thief.

Traditions are important and they certainly take precedence for George Grimble in "The Christmas Tree Thief" by Chris Grabenstein. Before his three young sons can open their gifts on Christmas morning, George always lights up the baby Jesus as a reminder to all of the real purpose of the day. Something someone apparently didn't understand when they cut down part of his pine tree in his yard and ruined Christmas morning.

"A Piece Of Christmas" by Deborah Elliot-Uptown is the story of Arlen. Arlen isn't very happy working as private security for rich folks. But, you do what you have to especially with Christmas next week and at least the rich folks in this case pay in cash. When you destroy your won police career, your marriage and just about everything in your life your options are few and everyone deserves their own piece of Christmas booty.

Jan Christensen often creates tales that are just a little off in a way that isn't easy to put a finger on and always delight readers. In "Santa Solves A Murder" the gorgeous Mrs. Cary MacIntyre hires private investigator to find her husband Jimmy MacIntrye who disappeared three days ago. She had no idea that he also worked a second job down at the local mall playing Santa. He does and while dressed in full Santa regalia spots the missing husband and the chase is on. Something Mall Manager Ingrid Scruggs isn't thrilled about but you don't tell Santa what to do while he is checking his list and adding up the clues.

"Mystery On Capital Street: A Hannibal Jones Short Story" by Austin S. Camacho also appears in this anthology. All four of the novels featuring Hannibal as well as the two thrillers were good ones and this is no exception as Mr. Camacho has penned an excellent story. Just two nights before Christmas, Private Detective Hannibal Jones has plenty of things to do before being detoured by events on his way home. Events, like dominoes, that once set into motion lead Hannibal in a new direction down a dark and twisting trail.

Editor Tony Burton offers his own story, "The Christmas Cut Out Caper." The for local teenagers called themselves "The Fantastic Four" but as far as most adults in the area were concerned they are known by worse names for very good reason. Since a year has passed since the last prank, some of the adults are starting to relax. When the Christmas crèche figures suddenly are missing from the outdoor display at the church, the suspects are obvious.

Virtually any woman is afraid of being confronted by a man with bad intentions on his mind in an empty building. That is precisely what happens in "Ballet Exercises" by Gay Toltl Kinman when she is confronted by a perverted Santa who wants to deliver a present she does not want.

Margaret Fenton offers "Christmas Every Day" where lifting the wallet was the easy part. For the thief, it set into motion events she never foresaw in her wildest dreams.

The anthology closes with "Have A Harpy Christmas" by Peggy Jaegly. A kidnapped Rebecca is found backstage at the Theater by her agent Manny. Despite her ordeal, the show must go on and Manny intends to find out who was behind everything.

The anthology this year while not darker in tone does not have the humor that the one last year had. Which isn't to say this one is a bad one. If anything, the effort is superior in terms of the quality of the stories as well as the diversity in styles and tones.

Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2007

Sir Richard Francis Burton was explorer, spy, diplomatic, scientific (he founded the Antropological Association in London) and writer, author of more than fifty books. In 1868 he was three years in San Pablo (Brazil) as a consul, where he decided to visit the battlefields of Paraguay and to give to his compatriots a first hand vision of the war. He made two trips, in 1868 and 1869, then he integrated them in a series of letters, published in 1869. Nevertheless, Burton was not in the battlefields: he visited Humaitá and Asunción (Paraguay), Montevideo and Paysandú (Uruguay), Corrientes, Rosario and Buenos Aires (Argentina). As in previous cases (the trips to Medina and Mecca) it offers numerous confrontantions obtained of the reading of all books available of previous travellers and their own direct vision. In this book brings a overview of the countries visited, from the political aspects to precise details (e.g. on costumes, buildings or feeding, as the Argentine "asado" and many others), consolidating a precise description of the Rio de La Plata in the nineteenth century.

Burton fue explorador, espía, diplomático, científico (fundó la Antropological Association) y escritor, autor de más de cincuenta libros. En 1868 estuvo tres años en San Pablo (Brasil) como cónsul, y decidió visitar los campos de batalla del Paraguay para dar a sus compatriotas una visión directa de la guerra. Hizo dos viajes, en 1868 y 1869, que integró en un conjunto de cartas publicado en 1869. Sin embargo, Burton no estuvo en los campos de batalla, pero sí visitó Humaitá, Asunción (Paraguay), Montevideo (Uruguay) y Paysandú, Buenos Aires, Rosario y Corrientes (Argentina). Como en otros de sus libros anteriores (los inolvidables relatos de sus viajes a Medina y la Meca) brinda cuantiosa información obtenida de la lectura de todos los libros disponibles de viajeros anteriores y de su propia visión directa. Ofrece una visión general de los países visitados, desde los aspectos políticos hasta detalles puntuales sobre alimentación (por ejemplo, el asado argentino), consolidando una descripción precisa del Río de la Plata en el siglo XIX.

Brilliant!

The team of Heather Busch and Burton Silver has done it again! I have loved their book "Why Cats Paint" for years, and had to buy "Cat Artists and Their Work". What I didn't fully understand when I bought the book, is that this is actually a book of postcards that can be removed and mailed. The book is so beautiful, and the commentary on the art is so sublime that I couldn't bring myself to tear the cards out and thus destroy the book. So, I bought a second copy of the book because the postcards are absolutely wonderful, and are great for special notes to the cat lovers in your life.

I hope to see more work from Busch and Silver in the future, as they are able like few others to capture the intellect and simultaneous silliness of our feline friends in captivating photographs and wonderful, warm commentary.

This postcard collection is exactly what I was looking for after reading "Why Cats Paint," by the same authors. The paintings are unbelievable. Most of these cats paint better than I could ever wish to. I alternate between dropping my jaw, gasping in awe, and laughing out loud whenever I read the critics' descriptions of the paintings. A painting by a cat is an amazing sight to behold, especially once you realize that, yes, there is meaning behind it and, yes, it does qualify as art.

I'm never going to mail these postcards. I need them for daily inspiration. They remind me why I love my cat -- because it is an amazing creature.