Dean Books

A great book to show children that history is all around and a part of us.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

I love this book. I am a teacher and have read it to and with children from 2nd to 6th grade. They get very excited about finding Silas and the history really comes alive for them. The illustrations are beautiful. The children were inspired to make their own drawings of Silas, and now we have quite a collection.

This is a great Junior detective story: the puzzle is not only who stole the cat, but how could they have done it.
There is a satisfying streak of logic in how the Find-Outers go about this mystery that appealed to my six-year-old daughter, and some fun distractions along the way.
Higly recommended.

This is the second book to the five findouter series written by Enid Blyton. As I have mentioned in my review to the first book (i.e: The Mystery of the Burnt Cottage), this series of books is probably Enid Blyton's best work, being very entertaining, having great plots, and definitely superior in quality when compared with the more flashily titled "Famous Five" and "Secret Seven". Recommended to readers of all ages... (I'm aged 21)

This book talks about the dissapearance and reappearance of an expensive cat. How does the cat dissapear? and what does it have to do with wet paint? Once again the children get together to solve the puzzle, leading to the apprehension of the criminal, and revelation of a great plot. And i'm thinking "Damn, not bad for only kids". The books creates a few laughs as the children successfully hamper Mr. Goon's progress in various ways (to his agony, and our entertainment).

A word to readers however, Dissapearing Cat is rather mundane compared to the remaining books in the series. However I highly recommend one read it before progressing to Book 3: The Mystery of the Secret Room, which is essentially where the fun begins in full throttle, and onwards to the other stories....

These books are for all...from age 8 to till your really really very old. ENJOY!

This brief autobiography is augmented by biographical material from his family to provide the context for his story. When I learned of the recent medical findings I was shocked that he could accomplish as much as he did. His is not an ordinarly struggle, but he persisted through many difficulties with optimism for the future. The cover design, by his six year old niece, captures the spirit of the book.

This brief biography and autobiography tells the poignant story of a poor Javanese baby adopted in 1966 into a Mennonite family doing social service from the US midwest. In his own words, and from those close to him, we learn how an unexpected disability and years of surgery lead to a stunning diagnosis whose implication humbles us all. Underneath the narrative are important lessons on cultural exchange, intention, and tenacity.

This books gives lots of ideas and tips of things to try before running to the doctor or giving your child medication they may not need.

This is a "must have" resource for any parent. The authors practice at our pediatrician's office, and the book has saved me money in unnecessary pediatrician visits and has saved me unnecessary anxiety about my children's conditions. The book lists the expected course of a sickness or condition, causes, what you can do to take care of the condition at home (including alternative treatments such as homeopathic, herbal, nutritional, etc), and when to call the dr (the section for each condition ends with a list of symptoms to call about within 24 hrs and symptoms to call about immediately). If I don't need to call the office, I am confident in caring for my child at home following the recommendations in the book. For example, this book saved me a trip to the emergency room. My 2 year old son was running and fell head first into a door jam. Immediately there was a large colored knot on his forehead. I looked up "head injury" in the book. My son showed all the expected symptoms, but none of the symptoms listed to call about. I was relieved and cared for him following the "home care" section within the "head injury" section. My favorite attribute of the book is that the authors list alternative treatments (homeopathic, herbal, aromatherapy, diet and nutrition, etc) and how to use them. Before this book was available online, I purchased extra copies from our pediatrician's office for my friends who had requested it and for gifts for new parents. This book is an irreplaceable resource!

I *LOVE* this cookbook! I have (and love) the earlier edition, but this is completely different, and incredibly wonderful. Like many community cookbooks, it contains families' most treasured recipes -- but they're very clearly written, most describe why they're such favorites, and they're all contributed by writers, many of whom you'll know and love. Truly, one of my all-time favorites!

I must confess that since the advent of the Internet, I have not found it necessary to buy many cookbooks (sorry, authors), because the recipe for just about anything can be found on the virtual Web, but this book caught my eye, went on my Amazon Wish List and was received for Christmas. What an absolute treat! The recipes as such are almost secondary in this book, because the point is that all of them have been contributed by American authors, including such jaw-dropping talents as Pete Dexter and Elmore Leonard. And Jay McInerney and E. Annie Proulx. And many more. Now, as one who likes to cook and has by dint of circumstance done so in Eastern Europe for more than a decade now, I find a distressing reliance in some of these recipes on such things as Campbell's soups. With the possible exception of the most detailed bisques and, perhaps, Bouillabaisse, soup is so easy and wonderful to cook at home that there should be no excuse for this. But I digress. The true joy to this book is the writing which accompanies many of the recipes. Thus, for instance, you would never find this ingredient in the oeuvre of Julia Childs:

1 lb. turkey hearts (Do not attempt to collect individually - very messy and inconvenient to the turkeys)

Or instructions such as this; "Now serve with rice and, on the side, a well-iced can of Pabst Blue Ribbon, one per guest, with extra in the icebox. Without the Pabst is okay, but not true Appalachian".

This is a book which would be appropriate not just for those who spend lots of time in the kitchen, but to anyone who enjoys American literature. There's enough for both kinds of people (and I'll bet lots of Amazon users correspond to both descriptions). I can't recommend this book more highly!

Read this for graduate American history course.
In Nixon's Civil Right's, the author enumerates the many positive results of the President Richard Nixon's civil rights policy agenda. Although not well publicized in the media or histories of the Nixon era, his accomplishments were numerous and remain a part of United States government institutions and the civil rights lexicon of our contemporary times. When discussing prior histories on Nixon's civil right policy, the author points out the domination of Nixon's "southern strategy" to attract white southerners, his anti-busing stance in most Nixon histories and the paucity of discussion of his creation of an institutionalized bureaucracy to advance the cause of civil rights. Nixon appreciated how his own access to opportunity to become a "self-made man" helped him transcend his own socio-economic background. Consequently, he advocated equal opportunity for Blacks in spite of his own misgivings about their true equality to whites.

Since the author is arguing a positive viewpoint that Nixon had numerous accomplishments in advancing civil rights, a reasonable suspicion could develop that he was a defender or supporter of Nixon. Even so, the volume of objective evidence delineated by the author of Nixon's good deeds on civil rights makes this suspicion appear as an oversimplification of a complex American public figure.

The author espoused the following significant theme. The president's complex handling of civil rights stemmed from his attempt to accommodate various social forces, his own conscience, life experience and the exigencies of populist politics. The opposing social forces included the battle over school segregation in the South and frustration in the urban areas of the North over economic inequality.

Another significant theme in the book was his policy's consistency with the "moderate Republicanism" ideology of selective use of government power to facilitate equal-opportunity for social mobility. Significantly, the author argued that this "moderation" was recognized by Nixon as needed in order to unify the GOP's liberal and Conservative wings.

Political expediency was considered by the author to be Nixon's primary consideration and he pursued multiple goals in order to gain the most votes for the least amount of commitments. His language emphasized the working poor and taxpayers and minorities were tepidly sought after for votes. Nixon believed that he would never win over a majority of Blacks and his efforts to win their votes reflected this belief. Nixon thought his efforts were better spent towards Catholic Italians and Hispanics with conservative proclivities. The Democrats controlled the Congress. Therefore, Nixon chose a blend of liberalism and conservatism that he thought would have broad appeal with the electorate. "By basing his appeals on token gestures and public relations, the president was free to pursue conservative and moderate voters." (p. 16)

In his 1968 presidential campaign, Nixon reaffirmed his belief in the Supreme Court's 1954 Brown versus Board decision. He thought desegregation was the right course of action but he recognized this position did not help him politically. Consequently, as policies began to be debated about how to proceed towards school desegregation, he postulated that busing should not be used to force integration of public schools. He also believed Blacks should be allowed to purchase homes wherever they chose but he avoided policies that would force the races together. Nevertheless, the book recalled Nixon's dissonance with segregation in the South while he was at Duke University. As a proponent of equal opportunity, he sought for affirmative action with hiring goals for minorities as a way to enhance Black economic mobility.

An impressive articulation of the complexity of the Nixon philosophy follows: "While cultivating white conservative white southerners and blue collar ethnic voters, Nixonians paradoxically tackled welfare reform, desegregated schools, and developed affirmative action programs for the building trades."(p.21)

President Nixon's civil rights policies did not end with Blacks. It was also extended towards Native Americans and women. Nixon's methodology for civil rights reform was to seek bureaucratized and job-oriented remedies that achieved more access to the opportunity for upward mobility.

It was also interesting to see how activist many of the civil rights and other programs Nixon supported were. As vice president, he chaired a committee to prohibit discrimination by companies receiving government contracts. This action drew praise from Martin Luther King and the two leaders had a cordial relationship for a limited time. "From 1957 to 1968 he supported every major civil rights law passed by Congress".(p.24) In 1966, he backed cost of living increases for Social Security recipients.

Affirmative action was a significant legacy of the Nixon presidency and is still in effect in our universities and workplaces. Nixon used affirmative action address the grievances that resulted in the urban rioting of the late 1960' s. Racial discrimination in the construction trades was a glaring problem in the 1960's. Blacks picketed
Philadelphia's white dominated building trade unions. The unions wanted to limit membership in order to keep the labor supply tight and sustain good wage rates. The Nixon Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Agency investigated the rapid increase in the cost of housing in 1969. The HUD report concluded that racial discrimination was contributing to labor shortages and increasing the cost of housing. This factor and the urban unrest led Nixon to pursue affirmative action by asking for hiring goals for Blacks of 5 to 9 percent. A protest by conservatives in both political parties ensued. These conservatives said that such a scheme amounted to a quota system which violated the Civil Acts Right of 1964. Labor Secretary George P. Schultz justified the scheme saying that the quota was zero prior to the administration's initiative. In late 1969, a modified version of the Philadelphia Plan was approved by Congress that set hiring goals, not quotas, for companies that accepted federal contracts.

The politics of labor unions in this instance provides an example for the author of how "Nixon's choice of civil rights remedies shifted with the prevailing winds." (p.1 09) Critics charged that he was trying to divide the Democratic constituency by facing off the unions against proponents of civil rights for Blacks. Nixon was politically uncomfortable with the Philadelphia Plan and as he looked towards re-election, his enthusiasm for it waned. He recognized he was going to need labor unions in order to win re-election. Therefore, his federal department appointees engaged in a measured approach on enforcement.

Nixon was a political creature who sought after civil rights because he thought it was the right thing to do but also recognized it would score voting gains among civil rights proponents. He also openly stated to his advisors that he recognized that, as an overall policy, pursuing civil rights would hurt him politically. Consequently, he found hot button issues like busing that would gamer votes from those opposed to integration. His sincerity on civil rights can be questioned since he may have done just enough to maximize his votes at the littlest cost, as the author has postulated. The author certainly discusses lots of evidence that, as the cost for a given civil rights position became higher, more lucid and imminent as election day approached, Nixon pedaled the breaks on the civil rights bus. This was true for the 1972 election when he voiced his opposition to school busing. Numerous people believe that good leadership entails a willingness to risk full rebuke and "lose it all" for the sake of a just cause. The problem with this notion is, you can't lead if you are run out of office. The slow process of a just conclusion for our nation's civil rights issue is a glaring example of the exigencies of our nation's political system. A fair generalization is; politicians are dragged kicking and screaming to do the just thing and only when they see the political tide turning, that the benefits of support exceed the costs, do they give way.

Other Employment programs developed by Nixon included the Equal Employment Act (EEA) of 1972. This act allowed individuals to sue universities and employers suspected of bias. The EEA embodied Nixon's desire to see equal opportunity enforced though the courts and not the "cease and desist" measures endorsed by his own head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), William H. Brown III and liberals in Congress. The author cited evidence that the EEA and enforcement through litigation approach of the EEOC led to opening private industry to minorities and women. The additional opening of universities for these same groups led to more minorities and women being qualified for management and technical positions in the government and private industry.

The author provides an interesting analysis of the genesis of the growth of opposition to affirmative action. In the latter part of the 1970's, economic recessions had undermined white male job security and they sought assurances that gains for women and minorities would not come at their expense. The author stated that presidents Nixon and Carter failed to provide this assurance and this explains the sense of relief experienced by those that supported the 1978 Supreme Court's decision in Regents of California versus Bakke which said the quota system DCAL-Davis used was unconstitutional.

Nixon's efforts to promote civil rights centered upon opening up new opportunities for economic advancement through the educational system and organizations that employed a high quantity of individuals such as the federal government. He wanted Blacks to become better educated and thus better qualified for white collar jobs. Therefore, he opened up public colleges for blacks and he helped all-Black schools by advocating financial aid for these schools. He wanted capital formation to be facilitated by government programs so Blacks could form new businesses and instituted or enhanced federal business loan programs. He wanted college students to trade in violent protest for the right to vote, so he signed the Voting Rights Act of 1970 giving eighteen year olds the
right to vote. He also fought to strengthen self government for Native Americans and ameliorate living conditions on the reservations. For women, Nixon sidestepped the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) but advocated affirmative action and the elimination of gender bias in the workplace.

President Nixon's philosophy of opening up opportunity as the conduit through which civil rights for minorities and women would be enhanced resonated with the middle-class constituency that reelected him in 1972. The author concludes that, with a Democratic Congress relentlessly reminding him of the people's desire for civil rights reforms within American society, he surprised both critics and supporters with his bold initiatives. Bold initiatives such as self-determination for Native Americans and aid to Black colleges and businesses. Although Nixon was very pessimistic about his policies ever really manifesting in racial equality, the author stated, "His policies influenced public policy, society and politics even after he left office" (p.26l) and are still with us today.

The author provides an interesting, thought provoking account of how Nixon left a positive mark on America in spite of his disgraceful resignation due to the cover-up of the Watergate scandal. It was a welcome addition to the histories written about the Nixon presidency that add to our understanding of an intelligent, complex and yet, profoundly flawed man. The author concludes, however, that Nixon's record on civil rights will not enhance his place in history, even though, on civil rights, he principally accomplished more than any of his successors. The very complexity of his motives that helped his policy progress; social justice, opportunism and political expediency, would prevent him from being welcomed as the "unanticipated hero" of civil rights. The Vietnam controversy, his paranoia and fundamental dishonesty remain the primary focus of Nixon's historic legacy.

As a graduate student in philosophy and history, I recommended this book for anyone interested in American history, and Watergate history.

While traditionally historians have accredited the success of Nixon's domestic policies to the Democratic Congress, it is good to know that there are historians committed to finding historical truth rather than relying on conclusions inspired by partisan bias. And with Nixon, thanks to countless documents and his White House tapes, there is more information and sources available than any other president in U.S. history. Of course, what most readers hear from the tapes are Richard Nixon saying something embarassing, using profanity (which he did not use excessively), or making fun of a political figure like Ronald Reagan.

The limited use of the tapes for entertainment or smear purposes is frustrating, and that is why it is good for scholars like Dr. Kotlowski to listen to the tapes in context and base his conclusions on facts. And the Nixon that he portrays directly contradicts the fabled Southern Strategy or the myth that Nixon was not concerned about domestic issues.

Although Nixon often said controversial things in private discussions, he always believed that every American should have equal opportunity and equal legal rights. As the author proves, Nixon was the opposite of LBJ and JFK, both of whom gave passionate speeches about civil rights but did not back up their promises with actions. Nixon on the other hand, did not make many public speeches about civil rights but his actions were far greater than LBJ or JFK.

As he told groups such as the NAACP in private, do not watch what we say but watch are actions. The results were astonishing: immense civil rights legislation, Affirmative Action, revenue sharing, and the list is endless. As Kotlowski proves, Clinton was not the first black president, but Richard Milhous Nixon was. This book should be required reading for any student or teacher of history at any level.

This is one of the most complete sources of information on Noritake I've come across, featuring full-color photos (with enlargements of pattern details) of many, many Noritake patterns as well as an up-to-date price list. Potential buyers should be aware that the focus is on patterns made before 1960. There are specific chapters on the Azalea Pattern, scalloped and multisided patterns, backstamps and a detailed bibliography (for those who want to do more research), glossary, an explanation of how to find specific patterns, etc. The historical info, while not lengthy, is clear and sufficient to satisfy all but the most obsessive collector. I learned quite a bit that I didn't know before and found many, many patterns which I'd seen online and at auctions but hadn't been able to locate elsewhere. It was an extra pleasure looking at the photos of actual ads, including those from Morimura Brothers (a company whose success at matching Japanese production with American designs led directly to the birth of Noritake). This book was an absolute delight to read and one I plan to use again and again.

This is one of the most complete sources of information on Noritake I've come across, featuring full-color photos (with enlargements of pattern details) of many, many Noritake patterns as well as an up-to-date price list. Potential buyers should be aware that the focus is on patterns made before 1960. There are specific chapters on the Azalea Pattern, scalloped and multisided patterns, backstamps and a detailed bibliography (for those who want to do more research), glossary, an explanation of how to find specific patterns, etc. The historical info, while not lengthy, is clear and sufficient to satisfy all but the most obsessive collector. I learned quite a bit that I didn't know before and found many, many patterns which I'd seen online and at auctions but hadn't been able to locate elsewhere. It was an extra pleasure looking at the photos of actual ads, including those from Morimura Brothers (a company whose success at matching Japanese production with American designs led directly to the birth of Noritake). This book was an absolute delight to read and one I plan to use again and again.

Now Is Your Time To Win is a truly inspirational book. It teaches you to accept your situation exactly the way it is no matter what is going on. I have been in many of the situations Dave Dean has been through. But in reading this book learned to accept them and handle them as best as I can. I would also like to thank The Southwestern Company for my success

This is a book that will help you accept your situation exactly the way it is, and give you 7 practical steps that help you control those things in your life that you have control over, and not worry about areas that you can't control. It gives you great advice from achievers that inspire and give you hope at the same time. The forward by the late Og Mandino challenges you to read Now Is Your Time To Win through once, and then to go back and study the steps until they become a part of you.... and it will make a difference in your performance and your overall attitude toward challenges and life in general.

WHAT A WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF STORIES TO UPLIFT YOUR SPIRITS IN THESE DISTURBING AND TERRIBLE TIMES. WHETHER YOU ARE A GARDENER OR NOT THESE STORIES ARE A DELIGHTFUL WAY TO LOOSE YOURSELF FOR A FEW HOURS. WOULD MAKE A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR THE GARDENERS IN YOUR LIFE - THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND VERY SUBTLE.
ALL IN ALL A 1ST RATE COLLECTION AND A JOY TO READ AND A NICE BOOK TO HAVE AROUND TO PICK UP FROM TIME TO TIME AND REREAD.

I'd hardly call this book of essays and poems soothing. Some of these folks are mighty disturbed. I don't think John Updike ever wrote anything I could call delightful--provocative, beautiful--but not delightful. And true to form, his essay is about the aftermath of a decision to divorce and his "farewell" to some leaves he's become intimately involved with via his study window is both beautiful and sad. Sylvia Plath scares the heck out of me and her essay "Fable of the Rhododendron Stealers" is a signature piece. Then we have Alice Walker's poem "Revolutionary Petunias" about a backwoods woman who raised a George, a Martha, a Jackie and a Kennedy, and Josephine Jacobson's "Jack Frost" is a bit nippy. Robert Graves (I, Claudius and The White Goddess) addresses the behaviour of avid composters in "Earth to Earth".

No, this book is definitely not restful, but, it's really, really good. If you're a fan of the short story, particularly those with a twist you will like this book (including the O'Henry tale, "The Last Leaf"). If you're a fan of good poetry (Billy Collins anyone) you'll like this book. LEAF AND FLOWER is not about gardening per se, though gardeners like the old woman who attempts to bring beauty into sordid surroundings in Eugenia Collier's "Marigolds" are sometimes featured.

If I had to assign an organizing principle to this work, I would say this...every human life intersects with a plant at some critical juncture. OF LEAF AND FLOWER contains one of the most artistically assembled sets of essays and poems on the importance of flora for human beings.

At 106 pages including the index you may be tempted to dismiss this book on a subject that other books with five times the page count fail to adequately cover. Don't.

First, this is not a book on the measures of due diligence, detailed advice about vendor selection or even how to build a business case. It is, however, a book that will put outsourcing into perspective, arm you with the right questions you should be asking yourself, your staff, and your vendors, and finally, will cut through the haze and show you a few alternatives.

The first chapter covers the thesis - a brief context - followed by another short chapter that defines outsourcing. Then the book delves into the essence and key issues: claims versus reality, the key issues, and the real motives. Not surprisingly, one 'real' motive is an expedient way to get rid of internal service functions with which the 'customers' are dissatisfied. Myer counters that and a few other motives with ideas about how to regain customer focus, control priorities and otherwise how outsourcing can be avoided if the reasons are superficial and correctable. Also promoted is a hybrid solution that uses an extended staffing concept - extend the resources of an internal group with careful, selective sourcing. I've seen this concept work well in practice, but you'd be surprised by the number of companies that do not consider this option. Myer makes a strong case in favor, with diverse examples and alternatives.

As the book progresses Myer introduces a strategy, mainly aimed at management of an at risk function, to compete with vendors that provide outsourcing. The material is somewhat brief, but contains enough ideas to get you thinking. As an aside, the ideas in this part of the book are more fully presented, and in a compelling, sensible manner, in Myer's companion book titled "The Internal Economy" (ISBN 1892606186). The final chapter addresses insourcing - going in the opposite direction - and is as thought-provoking as the other chapters.

The book is a quick read, but each page will evoke thoughts, ideas and help to place outsourcing in its proper context. Think of it as a decision-aid, and as a way to cut to the key issues. Regardless of whether or not you ultimately decide to outsource, you'll do so with solid information and an objective approach.

This little book will give you the highlights and lowlights of outsourcing without too much pain. Dean Meyer says (and I agree) that outsourcing, under certain conditions, will save money, reduce risks, accommodate peak loads, and develop internal staff and processes. But these benefits come about only if internal staff remains in charge of the client relationships, deciding whether to "make or buy," selecting and managing vendors, establishing strategies and technical directions, defining standards and policies, and seeing that the vendor's knowledge is transferred internally over time.

Protect your organization by ensuring that those managing IT delivery work for the same shareholders that you do. Desperate executives, by definition, are not focused on the long term or thinking with a level head. Don't stand by and let them destroy your organization with outsourcing.