Grant Books

Birds are not the only animals who make regular long distance migrations...The caribou indulges in this practice as well. "Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with an Arctic Herd" follows their journey across countless rivers, mountain ranges, and passes for a thousand mile journey to the Caribou's ancestral calving grounds and then all of that over again so they can return home. A story of the instinct that drives both human and animal, "Being Caribou: Five Months on Foot with an Arctic Herd" is recommended to community library wildlife collections with a crossover to true adventure shelves and for any non-specialist general reader who wants to learn more of these fascinating creatures.

His message on the caribou herd is 5 star message. It is a shame what may happen to the caribou herd if or when drilling happens. All in all a pretty good book.

Having enjoyed the movie by the same title, I decided to read Heuer's book in the hope that it would fill in more of the details of this epic journey in the footsteps of the Porcupine herd of caribou. Without detracting from the movie, the book provides more insight into those aspects of the story that could not easily be addressed on film, such as logistics, nature observations, the passage of days, and the more personal side of what, at times, must have seemed an impossible journey.

While the narrative follows the progress of the caribou herd's trek along a continuum spanning three seasons, it is interwoven with backflashes to planning and preparation for the expedition, reflections on the ecological and cultural place occupied by caribou, and forays into the politics of oil exploration and its impact on the Arctic wildlife.

Having now watched the movie and read the book, I remain amazed at the logistics of this journey -- from both the perspective of this expedition, and for the caribou which they follow. The book fleshed in much of what I suspected from the start -- that the annual migration of the caribou is a grueling marathon through a landscape that is both beautiful, but fraught with perils far beyond our imaginings.

From the perspective of adventure writing, Heuer delivers a fast-paced narrative that provides a good understanding of the landscape and the logistics of the journey. We are given enough details to vicariously feel the weight of a 70 pound backpack, the chill of wading a half-frozen river, and the helpless sense of frustration while watching a lost caribou calf straying from the herd to certain death on the tundra. We're given a generous glimpse into the thoughts of the writer as he and his partner face fear, pain, and fatigue, but also experience joy, excitement, and a growing respect for the caribou - as well as a grave concern for their future.

But this book should be regarded as much more than a travel or adventure narrative. It provides a much-needed window into the lives of the caribou and their place in the unique and fragile web of Arctic ecology. It also provides a background to the political and environmental issues that endanger the future of the north.

It takes a special kind of couple to spend their honeymoon following a herd of caribou across northern Canada and Alaska for four months. Getting used to each other is hard enough, but then to be swimming rivers that are barely free of ice, to climb mountain ranges in the snow, meeting up with grizzly bears that are not overly friendly.

They traveled over a thousand miles to study the caribou to produce a film of their migration to the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The flyleaf of the book says that it is an 'Adventure Narrative' and it is. It's also a lot more than that as most of us don't know what the current debate about drilling for oil and gas in the ANWR is all about. Needless to say, as a wildlife biologist the author has very definite views on the subject.

The ANWR is a place that most of us will never see. It's a place that most people never heard of. And unfortunately, it's probably a place that will be damaged, if not destroyed in the search for energy. As a congresswoman told the author: 'the bottom line for voters on this issue is cheap gas.'

This book is a story of the life of teh animals in the north, and of the people who study them. It's a story worth reading about. Thank you Mr. Heuer for bringing this to our attention.

Husband and wife team of Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison decide to spend their honeymoon in just about the most off-the-beaten-track way possible: they're going to migrate with caribou.

Not just any caribou, but the Porcupine herd of northern Canada and Alaska, the herd whose calving ground is the 1002 Section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the place where Exxon wants to drill to get what will likely be less than six months, maybe one year's worth of U.S. needs of oil supply.

So, skiing and hiking, the duo spend April-September 2003 covering hundreds of miles in the wake of thousands of caribou, starting from Canada's Yukon, going into Alaska, then coming back. On the way, they cross and recross multiple mountain ranges and rivers, the latter frozen on the way up and roiling currents on the way back, battle swarms of summer mosquitoes and other bugs, cut their food budget tight between plane drops, and make psychological connections with both the herd instinct of the caribou and with each other as newlyweds.

Portraying the caribou instinct as a more jazzy, free-form version of the salmon's drive to spawn, their trek sheds valuable new light on caribou activities. It also underscores the fragility and the absolute importance of ANWR's 1002 Section.

To see just what is at stake on the side of the aisle opposite Exxon, and to fall in love with the Arctic North, read this book. Sixteen pages of full-color plates provide a wonderful photographic sidebar.

This is a great and informative book. Easy to follow and understand. If you are trying to write grants and new help with fundrasing this is the book for you

I am using this book as a textbook in my business bachelor's degree program. The professor who is a professional grant writer for a Florida college picked this book as she said it covered all the basics with easy to understand steps. I agree, it has been so helpful that I am using it to write a grant for the non-profit that I work for. The website addresses, examples and sample letters are great!

This book is packed with great information. I like the writer's approach and level of information. I'd also suggest the "Government funding and you series too." Enclosed is a link to this product series. Both titles are highly recommended. The other grant series also has a video too.

-C

Government Funding and You: The Workbook (Government Funding and You)

Grant writing is one of those activities for which there are many "how to" books. The real dilemma for novices-or even those of us with a few grants under our belt-is which book to adopt as our handy desk reference, its well-thumbed pages peppered with hi-liter and sticky notes. Getting Funded:The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals by Mary Hall and Susan Howlett fits this role perfectly.

The latest update of a classic on the subject, this 2003 edition provides an excellent overview of all aspects of grantwriting, beginning with the most important steps of assessing the grant-applying organization's readiness and capacity for taking on the project and securing the necessary funding. Each of the 13 chapters are well-written and organized by sub-headings that assist the grantwriter to quickly locate and digest guidance at the applicable step in the long process of developing and writing a fundable grant application. Most of the chapters include a checklist that serves as a summary of the chapter as well as a handy reference tool for assuring all issues have been addressed

What I especially appreciated about this book was its continual reminder that the process of developing a project and writing a grant proposal is in itself a valuable learning experience. If it weren't so difficult to write a winning proposal, if funders didn't require such a high showing of competence and commitment, money would surely be easier to come by, but there is no guarantee that we would be spending it wisely. The process of grant development and writing, from budgets to case statements for our organizations, drives us in the non-profit world to ensure that our projects are the best and highest use of grantor funds to serve the needs of our communities. I highly recommend Getting Funded as the best resource available to help achieve this goal.

Cynthia Haruyama, Executive Director of Hoyt Arboretum Friends, Portland, Oregon

Getting Funded
The complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals
Mary Hall, PhD. & Susan Howlett
Portland State University
Portland, Oregon
174 pages including appendices

Reviewed by
Jan Tunnell
Tunnell & Associates
Orlando, Florida

I found this book intriguing. As an experienced (25+ years) professional, I approached this assignment with an "I will see if they did it right" attitude. Not only do they do it right, but I enjoyed the content, arrangement of information, and style of presentation. I found myself mentally noting things I have tried to share with clients or peers - and wishing I could underline passages and stick the book under a few noses. Validation is wonderful, but I also learned new techniques and viewpoints and got an update on several topics.
The book is divided into parts:
Part One: Essential Planning Steps
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Chapter 2 Assessing Your Capability
Chapter 3 Developing the Idea
Chapter 4 Selecting the Funding Source
Considerable space is given to guiding an agency through the process of planning to prepare an application - how I wish this step was the norm instead of the exception! The first four chapters are devoted to this crucial step - and they are the chapters I want more agencies to use. So often the attitude is "we need money, write a grant", not knowing or caring that you can only write applications. The planning step is mostly unknown or ignored. Hopefully, these four chapters will encourage new applicants to start off on the right foot and actually think before they leap. This information will also be appreciated by experienced grant writers - they know this but can't get their administration to listen. Here is support for their unheeded cries.
The nine chapters on preparing the application are thorough, well presented, clear, and concrete.
Part Two: Writing and Submitting the Proposal
Chapter 5 Writing the Proposal
Chapter 6 Title Page, Abstract, and Accompanying Documents
Chapter 7 Writing the Purpose Statement
Chapter 8 Writing the Statement of Need
Chapter 9 Procedures
Chapter 10 Evaluation
Chapter 11 Qualifications and Personnel
Chapter 12 The Budget
Chapter 13 Review, Submission, Notification, and Renewal
Every possible section and subsection of an application is covered in easy to understand language. Samples of standard pages and suggested formats are included in the body of the text, where they are most relevant. Charts provide summary and detail of specific topics in an easy to understand format. Differences among government, private foundation, corporate, and research applications are explained and the components of each are listed, including required attachments.
One of my favorite sections is a working timeline. All too often someone in an agency notices that there is funding available, gets all excited about applying, and then casually mentions that the deadline is next week. The planning timetable shows the uninitiated exactly how long each process takes, and what the working order should be.
The information is current; time lines, PERT charts, and logic models are included and explained. An entire chapter is devoted to evaluation methodology, a relatively recent requirement many are still uncomfortable dealing with and preparing. The authors even include an overview of the review process, and a list of the Seven Deadly Sins of Proposal Writing.
Appendix A Proposal Development Checklist
Appendix B Resources for Teachers
Appendix A is a summary of each chapter, with a check list of salient points and tasks. It will serve as a handy review and reminder when you get down to the wire and the group starts to lose focus. I probably won't use the syllabus for a nine-week course in Appendix B, but I am most interested in the outline for a one-day seminar. For the truly serious, there is a section of assignments for each chapter, these are handy for a curriculum, but could also be used by an agency as an on-going group project to focus and integrate the grant writing team.
This is a resource for both beginning and experienced applicants. Every page has something new and/or interesting. As I went through the chapters, I kept wanting to add to this review, calling attention to this topic or that technique. I can't go on forever, so go get the book. I'm not sharing my copy.

Although Bruce Catton was an accomplished historian in his own right, one cannot help but notice the influence of the great Sherman biographer Lloyd Lewis. Anyone who has read Lewis' _Sherman: Fighting Profit_ will recognize similarities; the heavy reliance on primary sources and the uncanny ability to allow the reader to draw his or her own conclusions without explicitly stating the writer's intentions. Catton imitates Lewis' sinuous narrative style that captivates and draws the reader deeper into the manuscript. Unfortunately, however, Lewis only lived to publish the first of a multi-volume biography Ulysses S. Grant titled Captain Sam Grant . Lewis' widow commissioned Catton to finish the project utilizing much of the notes Lewis had gathered in the course of his research. The results are the two subsequent biographies authored by Catton: Grant Moves South and Grant Takes Command Catton begins his duel biography in June 1861 when Grant, appointed Colonel, takes command of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Catton portrays Grant as a man of few words, yet possessing an ability to quickly earn the respect of his men. Grant stresses discipline and training particularly of his company grade officers. About half of the book is devoted to Grants participation at the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and the near disaster at Shiloh. The remainder of the text focuses on the Vicksburg Campaign. Catton prefers a loosely structured chronological approach and provides his readers with a commanding view from headquarters. Catton relies upon letters, cables, and other communiques between officers, which tends to keep the focus on Grant and other high level players. Besides handwritten orders and other official documentation, Catton allows Grant to speak for himself through the only vestige we have: his memoirs. In contrast, Catton listens to what other observers have to say about Grant in their memoirs, particularly William T. Sherman and the unpublished memoir of Grant's wife, Julia Dent Grant. Juxtaposing this top-down approach is Catton's ability to portray the human frailties of Grant's personality. Grant's drinking is a recurring theme in which Catton bestows an admirable defense. Catton devotes considerable space to the Grant's uneasy relationship with General Henry Wager Halleck. To Halleck's charge that Grant disobeyed orders and failed to communicate his intentions at Fort Donelson, Catton counters by stating the Union communication system, as a whole was substandard. He suggests Confederate sympathizers manned telegraph offices squelching vital communiques.   Catton credits Halleck for saving Grant's command during the controversial political maneuvering of General John A. McClernand. Overall, Catton concludes that Grant certainly had his hands full during his early campaigns. On the one hand, Grant had the Vicksburg Campaign to plan and orchestrate; On the other hand, Grant was the target of dubious machinations from jealous staff officers and politicians in Washington bent of relinquishing his command. What is more, Grant was faced with economic issues and the problem of what to do with displaced contraband slaves that were pouring into his army camps on a daily basis. Referring to the former slaves as "Darkeys." Grant immediately put the Negro refugees to work maintaining roads, bridges and other military necessities that required manual labor.Catton again comes to the defense of Grant in his handling of these sensitive civil-military relations. In a controversial order, Grant categorized northern businessmen attempting to exploit profits from the sale of cotton as "Jews." Though these complex themes surrounding Ulysses S. Grant, are significant, they tend to diminish the genius for war Grant displayed during the Vicksburg Campaign. Taking into account that this is a biography of Grant and not a comprehensive treatment of the campaign that sealed his place in history, Catton could have evened out the balance rather than treating the campaign as a mere backdrop. Catton's eloquent literary style and his excellent syntheses of primary sources, make this a must have for any Grant afficionado.

I have always looked upon Grant as a symbol of the real America. Heres a Man who has seen and done it all. What with going from the rock bottom of poverty to commander of the entire Yankee Army then the House House to poverty again. Who never the less maintains his dignity and sense of honor thru out. Then follows up with heroically battling cancer to finish his memoirs to provide for his family. In this 1st book Mr. Catton who writes so well covers Grants rise to the top. Or as he said a major cog just dropped into the machine that would destroy the Confederacy. If you like to read some well chosen words on the War between the States, then get this series of books.

In "Grant Moves South" Bruce Catton picks up the story of Ulysses S. Grant as he returns to the U.S. Army at the start of the Civil War. This is the second volume of a trilogy on Grant begun by Lloyd Lewis and completed by Catton. Catton, one of the two best narrative historians of the Civil War (with Shelby Foote), is in excellent form in this extremely well-written biography of Grant's progression from Colonel of Illinois volunteers to victor at Vicksburg.

As General William Sherman acknowledged, Grant was something of a mystery to everyone, perhaps even himself. This man, a failure at virtually everything but his marriage and working as a clerk in his father's tannery in 1861, leverages his West Point education and some political connections into a commission as a regimental commander and never looks back. The Grant portrayed in these pages by Catton is like many officers at the beginning of the Civil War in that he is learning his trade as he went along. But Grant is different from most of his contemporaries, many of whom had far better reputations in the peacetime army. First, Grant had a remarkable ability to make sound common sense judgements under stress. Second, Grant married his ability to make decisions to an utter determination to see a project through. Third, Grant was a man seemingly without illusions; his ability to correctly characterize the task in front of him in order to attack it is rare among his contemporaries. These characteristics carried Grant through his apprenticeship as a regimental commander of volunteers, his successful campaign to secure middle Tennesee through victories at Forts Henry and Donelson, and finally his tenacious campaign to reduce the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg. Grant's ability to understand and lead volunteers was a key underpinning of his success throughout the war.

Catton does not sugarcoat Grant's record. Grant was not above politicking for jobs or assignments. He was badly surprised by the Confederates at Shiloh and avoided being beaten to some degree by refusing to admit defeat and retreat. His pre-war problems with alcohol pursued him into the service, including an apparently memorable bender during the Siege of Vicksburg that Catton unflinchingly documents. The Vicksburg campaign was marked by costly trial and error, as Grant tried and discarded several unsuccessful approaches to the city. Grant, to his credit, persisted, finally rolling the dice by crossing the Mississippi and boldly placing his army between two Confederate forces while temporarily cut loose from his lines of communication.

This book was first published in 1960. Details and interpretations of events have evolved, but Catton's superb prose stands the test of time as a wonderful reading experience. This book is highly recommended to the general reader with some knowledge of the Civil War and to the student of the Civil War looking for the broad sweep of history not found in highly specialized studies.

Grant Moves South is part one of a two part Civil War study of Ulysses S. Grant. It covers the period 1861-1863, the period in which Grant emerges as the key commander in the Federal western army. Grant was something of an enigma. In a period of armchair Federal generals, when ego, as opposed to performance, ran rampant in the Federal High Command, quiet Sam Grant unassumingly went about capturing not one but two Confederate armies in the field. During the entire length of the Civil War no other commander on either side captured even one.

The study of Grant in these years is really the study of Federal victory in the Western Theater of operations. Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg are all key Union victories. With the exception of Corinth, they were all battles in which Grant was in command. It was Grant who was primarily responsible for opening the Mississippi and cutting the Confederacy in two. Emerging from the Civil War as the finest general produced by either side, during this phase of the war, while not the best, he certainly is the equal of Stone wall Jackson or Robert E. Lee.

His audacious Vicksburg campaign was a signal event. Cutting free from reinforcements and resupply he moves rapidly, deep into enemy territory fighting not one but four major battles to invest Vicksburg from its land side. He then conducts siege operations while keeping Joe Johnston continually at bay. Vicksburg is generally acknowledged as one of the finest campaigns conducted by either side during the war.

Bruce Catton's book is extremely well done and like all of Catton's works, very ably written.

"Grant Moves South" shows why Bruce Catton is revered among Civil War readers. This book is a case study of the 1861-63 Grant, using his battles, first person accounts, records and Grant's own words to form a picture of the warrior. In this, Catton does an excellent job.

His thesis is that Grant was a different cut of General than the north possessed. One who early on grasped both the objectives of the war - to crush Southern armies and not occupy places - as well possessed of the will to learn how to win the new kind of war the country was waging.

Grant's own iron-cored (Catton's description) sense of himself, as well as his willingness to both learn and take good risks set him apart from almost every other warrior in the North. He was a fierce warrior who from his first encounter with the Confederates understood that the battle had to be taken to the enemy - and that delay for planning, training and logistics benefited the enemy as much as his forces. This appreciation Grant brought with him to the conflict. It is evident from his earliest forays at Fts. Henry and Donelson as well as the inconclusive field of Belmont. Other facets of this warrior had to be learned. In this Grant displayed an openness to the revelations of his own short comings and a willingness to show the world that he was prepared to be a student of warfare. Thus, even difficulties like Shiloh taught Grant that southern demoralization was not a constant factor and that defense in the face of the enemy were necessary and did not sap the fighting spirit of his troops. His early failed approaches to Vicksburg led him to throw away military maxims about supply lines, the necessity of holding fixed points and both the opportunity and advantages of an army living off the land.

Grant was a learner, an opportunist and a serious warrior who understood what the main thing was. In an era when political infighting and external political considerations mattered more than they seemed to in 20th Century American warfare, Grant let his actions advance his career (with some timely and great help from Congressman Washburn - his first political patron).

Catton gives the reader the whole story. This is a study of the man and his development as a warrior. Civil War readers who have feasted on the likes of Sears and others who write so well of battles and campaigns at the regimental level may be somewhat surprised that Catton's study relies much less on military detail and more on campaign strategy and command function. In this, Catton's work is more of an epic and serves to give the reader a picture of why things happened rather than an exhaustive account of what happened.

An oldie but a goodie - Catton should be required reading for every Civil War enthusiast and his Grant military biographies are wonderful examples of a master at his craft.

This was a very helpful book - straightforward and practical ideas for plantings around my house & yard. It included planting layout diagrams, plant list and sketches of what things might look like during different seasons.

A big problem I've had with gardening books is that they so often cover areas with different climates (such as the wet Pacific Northwest) than that which I have to face here in the American Midwest. This book, however, has shown itself to be an excellent resource!

It starts out with a portfolio of 23 designs, giving the reader excellent advice on appearance and what plants to use, complete with color pictures, and a sample graph paper design. After that, it has step-by-step instructions (again with great color illustrations) on building projects, such as sidewalks, walls, patios and so much more. The final part of the book is a series of plant profiles that looks at garden plants and their needs.

So, just to make everything perfectly clear, I loved this book, and highly recommend it to every gardener in the American Midwest!

This book is a tremendous resource for landscaping in the midwest. It provides great ideas for landscaping for different seasons, conditions, and locations. Most of the recommended varieties of plants are easy to find at your local nursery which has always been a problem with other books I have used. The pictures and drawings really provide extreme value when trying to picture how plants will look together. It has already given me enumerous great ideas and suggestions.

This book is a good source for midwest-specific plantings and landscape ideas. I found I didn't have to look up the growing zones of plants I found interesting, wondering "Would this plant grow well around here?"

I also enjoy the overall friendly tone of the text. Some other books of this type that I own are written in a stuffy, almost highbrow manner.

The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of in this book is more actual photographs of the landscapes. There are many photos of the featured plants, but the book relies heavily on artwork for the landscape design images.

Excellent ideas and designs with excellent plant choices. Great for the beginner or designer to create updated and hardy garden designs that put on a show throughout the seasons.I am a designer and love books, this is once of the easiest to understand and carry out.

Had I read this book before graduate school, knowing that I would become a mom (which was a real surprise after 20 years of infertility), I would have slogged off to law school instead of earning a Ph.D. in philosophy. For all of the writing about feminism in academia, it is most unfriendly to moms.

The involuntary mommy-tracking of Ph.D.s and other highly educated women speaks volumes about the value we place on motherhood. The statistics at the time I graduated in 2004 were as follows: 85% of women at the Ph.D. level had no children. In my direct experience BEFORE becoming a mom, there was open hostility against women who wanted balance. Ironically, the worst comments came from other women. Apparently, women who have sacrificed everything to build academic careers treat their sisters with derision if we do not choose the same. Women with children are viewed as less than serious about research and career (which is far from the case for most and also for me considering I devoted my whole life to my career prior to becoming a mom). Thus, for women who want to mother in academia before achieving tenure the situation is grim.

Disillusioned and trying to find another path....

When I graduated from college with my BA, I never looked back. My mother/career tug of war was solved when I sold my first book three weeks after my daughter was born. I've worked at home ever since. I've certainly read my share of books on the issue of mothers in the workplace, but never one like this. I'm ashamed to admit that the plight of our most highly educated women ascending the ivory tower while endeavoring to begin families of their own had never blipped across my radar. Until now. I devoured essay after essay by these outstanding women, losing myself in their stories. I was astonished to learn the obstacles, the tribulations, and the plethora of unfortunate remarks they encountered and endured. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but particularly women considering or enjoying a career in the realms of higher education. Well done, Mama PHDs!

I'm not a mama in academia, but it is amazing how many similarities working in the corporate world has with the experiences of the women who contribute to this anthology. It is a must-read for women preparing to have a child and return to work in any field, and should be a required reading for anyone- male or female- joining the staff of a university. Raising awareness is the critical first step in affecting changes, so thanks to the Mama PhDs who contributed their funny, candid, and well-written essays to this collection.

Well written and witty tales of trying, failing, and succeeding at combining motherhood and an academic career.

Mama Phd is an anthology of heartfelt essays written by women. The writers beautifully describe the challenge of balancing family and academic life. This book will resonate with all mamas, working or stay-at-home. I couldn't put it down.

Stephen Grant has written a wonderfully readable account of an exceptional personality. As an Africanist I was especially interested in Peter Strickland's activities on Goree island--he was a merchant there before becoming the first U.S. consul to Senegal, an unpaid position he held from 1883-1905--but other aspects of his life are equally interesting. His concern for common sailors in the merchant marine, for example, led him to publish a book to enlighten the public on their mistreatment.

Strickland kept a diary most of his life, and the author includes many excerpts to give us a flavor of his ideas in the context of his times. Along with a discussion of the primary sources on Strickland's life, he leaves us with the intriguing thought that some volumes of Strickland's diary are missing and could still turn up. If they do, they might add some details to his life, but they won't change the picture Stephen Grant has given us of a unique individual

Stephen H. Grant's Peter Strickland. New England Shipmaster, Boston Merchant, and First Consul to Senegal gives us an engaging read and a fresh historical source for the little explored relations between the United States and West Africa during the last half of the nineteenth century. Born in New London, Connecticut in 1837, Peter Strickland first went to sea in 1857,as a nineteen year old man. Later a sea captain and merchant, Strickland served as U. S. consul to Gorée-Dakar Senegal from 1883-1906. He retired to his home in Dorchester, Massachusetts where until his death in 1921, he continued an active life as head of family, concerned citizen, and staunch advocate of the welfare of seamen and of Unites States commercial relations with West Africa. His career as consul is of interest to historians of Africa in its insights into late nineteenth century commerce along the coast from Senegal to Sierra Leone and the impact upon the United States' role of the onset of French colonialism. Through his consular dispatches, correspondence and a journal spanning twenty-five years, he documents the primary imports and exports of Senegal to the U. S., but also the business and social relations among those serving European and American interests from Gorée and Dakar. His knowledgeable and literate dispatches were widely shared within the U. S. Department of State.

Grant's account is objective yet sympathetic to his subject. He reveals a hard-working man, who managed to survive as an entrepreneur despite receiving no salary as consul, despite competition from the colonial powers taking over West Africa, and despite personal tragedy in a troubled marriage and the death of his oldest son by drowning in 1888 as he served as Vice Consul to his father. Strickland survived his wife and three children and was survived by his daughter Mary who was his closest companion in both Africa and in his retirement. He was typical of his generation in holding dismissive views of women and of Black Africans. He regretted the decline of U. S. commercial interest in Africa and through his correspondence and articles argued ahead of his time for a greater U.S. awareness of and interest in Africa and other regions beyond North America--his was an early voice of internationalism. To the end of his life, his journal gives at times poignant witness to a family man who worried about finances in retirement, who kept up his knowledge of commerce and personnel in West Africa, and who felt deeply the passing of his peers. Although modest, Strickland valued his record and spent two years in 1913 and 1914 recopying his journal for posterity.

The story of how this biography came to be is a 21st- century parallel of American Senegalese interaction. A retired foreign service officer himself, Stephen H. Grant served as a USAID administrator in Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire among other postings in Africa, Asia, and Central America. As a hobby, Grant collected and published books about vintage postcards on Guinea, Indonesia, and El Salvador. A postmarked envelope from 1889 addressed to Capt. Peter Strickland, U. S. consul, Gorée, West Africa" acquired on eBay led him to pursue Strickland's biography. The preface to the work invites the reader to follow an entertaining path of historical investigation through archival and genealogical research and the discovery of his own family's involvement in the residence Strickland used while consul. Reminiscent at times of Patrick O'Brian's seafaring novels, this highly recommended work has the special merit of giving us the voice of a real person from those distant times.

Steve Grant's biography is a little gem. The preface tells of the author's search for his subject and reads with the pace and surprise of a treasure hunt. Grant has a special gift for writing history, perhaps especially biography. His eye for detail also sees his subject in the round and in all the colors of his time and setting. Grant's evocation of the Isle of Goree, by its nature a timeless spot as I (and least one other reviewer) have known it, is classic. Grant's style is exact yet zesty, allowing not a word in excess. The author and his subject share both New England origins and an African destination with a century in between. The result is a keen and affecting portrait of a Yankee shipmaster and merchant, who became the first U.S. consul to French West Africa. The volume is amply illustrated and expertly produced. I strongly recommend it.

The previous reviews and book description cover this fine book quite well. What I can add is: I was interested in this book because I lived for about three years in Dakar, facing the Island of Goree where Peter Strickland's career as first US Consul to Senegal unfolded. Not only did I find the book provided interesting insights into the life and times of the period (late 19th-early 20th century) and the talented, hard-working, somewhat strait-laced sea-captain/diplomat/merchant/writer who was Strickland. But, it was also an entertaining, lively read. I do not remember reading anything that brings to life this period and the reality of living both in West Africa and in New England so well. To think that it all came about because the author (a veteran diplomat) happened to acquire an envelope addressed to Strickland in an on-line auction (E-Bay) is quite an amazing story in itself. After acquiring the envelope addressed to Strickland, one thing led to another until his research, which is so well described as well in a lively, fascinating manner, resulted in this wonderful biography.

Child of New England, sailor on the high seas, merchant, consul to Senegal, author and memoirist - these are just some of the varied and fascinating aspects of Peter Strickland's life, as detailed in Stephen Grant's engaging story about a Victorian-era shipmaster who spent more than twenty years of his life living on Gorée, an African island fraught with the tragic history of the slave trade.

Grant not only tells a good tale, but he has made excellent use of a significant trove of historical materials in doing so, conducting extensive research on two continents, examining volumes of archival records and poring over Strickland's six decades of personal journals. Through this respected writer, the story of a man who started out as a cabin boy and came to represent the United States in an important outpost overseas is made both entertaining and informative. I highly recommend it to anybody interested in the era and in the twists and turns one's life can take.

Read this novel.....Oh what FUN it is!
The story is exciting. The characters are
so real. I can't wait for the sequel.

Mark Eagle

Reading this is like watching a film,with action taking you to various parts of the world. There's sex,sadism,violence,murder in abundance. Not for the fainthearted,but for everyone else,a fascinating book.

This is a gripping story with substance. I very much liked how the author brought to light how something as evil as the Nazi philosophy could endure into the new millennium. I am 79 years old and was living in Montreal during the war. The cruelty in this book brought to light memories that I wanted to forget and probably tried to deny during the early 1940's when I was a teenager.

Two characters, Karl Treiger and his completely devoted Man-Friday, Joao, drew me right into the story. Karl, in particular, never forgets the values and commitment that he learned from his German parents. His was a strong, good living German family before the Nazi regime, a strength Karl draws on throughout the book. The breakdown of the family is poignantly demonstrated by the weak, yet gentle character of his brother, Hans. The brainwashing of the German youth made me understand better how the Nazi broke down the family structure and manipulate the German society. Even though their fundamental target was anti-Semitic, their cruelty affected everyone- `lest we forget' is the message in this book.

Some of the language, for me, a senior, is indiscrete, but that is forgivable because it brings out a sense of our current society and the coarse manner with which some people express themselves. The Heroine, Megan Brodie, I found to be a sympathetic character, whose impulsive nature leads her to hit her head against the wall (literally), yet she has guts, which I admire. She also glues the story together, kind of like a catalyst. I would like to get to know her better.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and consider it a very good read especially by a first author. In fact, I can't wait for the sequel. Don't take too long NAT

I loved this book!! Certainly at a higher consciousness level than most thrillers. I can't wait until the second book (Running the Race) comes out. This is a must read - add it to your summer reading list!

Lovers of action and suspense unite! 'Race without Rules' takes the reader on a an uber fast-paced race around the globe and leaves the reader breathless with anticipation as to what is going to happen next. From Germany, to Brazil and Montreal, the mysterious Karl has devoted his life to fight against evil. There is also Megan, an unlikely hero with a special gift and a tortured past, sassy Fiona, and the faithful Joao. From beginning to end, I took turns rooting, cheering and fearing for Megan, Karl, and their friends, hoping they would prevail but dreading the dark and powerful menace of the Gau. No doubt 'Race Witout Rules' is the only rollercoaster you need to ride this summer!

This irreverent portrait of your proposal's life cycle once it LEAVES your hands is funny, but a little simplistic. While I enjoyed the author's perspective, as a grant-writer I was looking for more meat. Also, I think this book is overpriced for a trade paperback. It was fun to read, but I didn't learn a whole lot. Someone NEW to the business will find it more helpful than I did. Buy it to share with your friends who just started grant-writing -- but if you've been in the development business more than four years, this book may not meet your expectations.

This book contained practical down-to-earth advice. It outlined in concise easy-to-read language the dos and don'ts of the grant process. I work with several non-profits and believe we will benefit from this knowledge.

Don't bother putting in a proposal for a grant until you read this book. Once you read it you'll immediately understand that this is the way that granting organizations have to operate in order to get anything done.

The people at the granting organization have to have their procedures. Your proposal has to first be screened by someone quite low in the organization. He's got to be excited enough to grasp the central idea of your proposal in no more than one or two minutes of reading. Then he's got to take it up their management chain to even get it started through their approval cycle.

Perhaps the biggest single message the book has is to follow the guidelines that the funding organization has. If you're proposing the renovation of an historic building but the organization is chartered to fund supporting wild horses, your likelyhood of success with them is low.

But after following everything that they say, your chances are still not good. You need to see your proposal as he will review it. And here in one small book is specific details as to what he is seeking. Invaluable information.

To the best of my knowledge, Teitel is the first foundation head to write a book like this. He's been there. No, he IS there, and still heads a foundation (I looked it up and it's in Boston). Forget all those books by grants consultants. Go straight to the horse's mouth and gallop away with a satchel full of tips, suggestions, and insights.

I found this gem at Bioneers 2007, itself a major validation of this book's appreciation by that extraordinary collective, and I consider it to be one of three core books that have been helpful to me as a CEO in understanding what our Columbia-trained MPA in Non-Profit Management has been trying to tell me. I strongly recommend this book, and the two others listed below, to *anyone* involved in the grant-application process, from Chairman of the Board to the peson responsible for putting the package together who might notice something at the last minute.

The other two:
8 Steps To A Grant Winning Proposal
Essential Principles for Fundraising Success: An Answer Manual for the Everyday Challenges of Rasing Money

I completely disagree with those that find this book simplisitic. Indeed, I consider it superior to the "8 Steps" book, but the latter adds value. Start with this one. Highlights I noted:

* Start with the Board guidelines, not whatever the staff produces
* Do not fail to examine the list of previous awards
* Get in touch with previous winners on a similar paths and sound them out
* Do NOT send in complex proposals, only Letters of Inquiry
* Advisory Panel or Board of Directors on Letterhead is a MUST--it is a critical factor in jumping from the lowest level of credibility to the next
* Type Letter of Inquiry at top of letter (and do not underestimate the lack of knowledge and experience of the person who does the first screening for trash versus next look)
* LOI is SHORT. One sentence summary, paragraph on issue, paragraph on organization, attached budget--multi-year budget if seeking multi-year support
* Focus on creating a partnership, not on "selling"
*Stick to the facts
* Goal is to have a proposal invited, not to flood them with information
* Project future success with or without them
* Integrated applications, each unique, to multiple organizations is a PLUS, and do not fail to include a sheet on who else is being approached, why, and how that fits into a larger solutions package
* Fundamentals include copy of tax determination letter (single most common ommission and a show-stopped for many who do not get a second chance); sample of work, one press clipping.
* Before tailoring anything to the foundation, after first two steps above, look for keywords that "place" your project in their frames of reference. Use them!
* Avoid red flags inconsistent with foundation's interest (e.g. international focus when theirs is domestic).
* Connect vision and motivation, passion, in a concise compelling way.
* Strategy is how resources are to be mobilized; tactics is how the mobilized resources are to be applied
* Comply with the foundation's budget guidance in detail; check your math at least three times (three different minds)
* Be able to itemize planned outcomes and how to measure. This is potentially your KEY TO FUNDING.
* If invited to meet, ask about date-time-place, purpose, who to bring, and BRING something useful that is not a gift (e.g. new clippings)
* At meeting, verbal LOI, update, any questions, email thank you with recap of "to do" items.
* Offer to visit ONCE.
* A cover flyer with photos of real people doing real work can be helpful to the foundation's action officer in visualizing the project.
* Become a trusted resource for the foundation

The books ends with a ten section appendix of do's and don'ts, a very useful recap and reframing of the substance in the book.

I sometimes try to find "one book" but in this case, while this is the best book I have found, it is not totally complete, and the other two books are in my view also needed.

While the subject matter is as important and noteworthy as other reviewers have stated, Mr. Wheaton's prose rambles with much repition and glib remarks passed off as wisdom. The book showcases the depth of the author's experience in the Balkans, but the one case study where he deviates from this theme, the debacle surrounding Intel's initial Pentium CPU chip release, is shallow and appears to be written with no input from people who were directly involved.

The biggest problem behind this book is its size and format. No one but those who all ready agree with the principals and practice intelligence analysis will ever bother to pick up this book. The author would have done better to either:
a. cut out the fluff and write a tight essay/article that could have been presented in magazines read by executives, or
b. gather together multiple authors with various professional backgrounds to build a more complete, in-depth text book with many more examples and practical exercises to be used by business colleges and military academies.

AFCEA International Press also did Mr. Wheaton no favors by producing one of the most poorly proofread books I have ever read.

The perfect book for the perfect time. The Warning Solution is a book divided in two parts that provides intelligence professionals and researchers essential tools to be employed in today's information saturated environment. This book is about teaching people how to find needed information in a timely and effective manner in order to develop, or support, a decision making process.

Divided in two parts the book first identifies, in a very succinct and effective manner, current problems (The Warning Problem) in handling massive amounts of information from several different perspectives. Those perspectives are from the points of view of a collector of data, an analyst and a decision maker.

The second part of the book focuses on the "Warning Solution" by providing one critical thinking strategies; elements of analysis and how to analyze; and finally how to develop, staff and run an effective intelligence section within your organization.

The fact the book teaches you how to analyze data and develop information into intelligence "walks the walk" in an easy to use guide of ONLY 89 pages holds true to the intelligence concept of providing usable intelligence is a timely, concise and pertinent manner.

An excellent side note about this book, is that a very blunt and honest description of fundamental intelligence capabilities and operations is provided to the user of intelligence and intelligence related information. In other words, the unit commanders, organization leaders and key decision makers are candidly explained what makes up a good intelligence organization; who's responsible for the efficient production and quality of intelligence; and, how to develop assess the effectiveness of your unit's intelligence section.

This book focuses on the basics, but also addresses advanced analytical concepts for beginners or experts alike. This is a must read.

I've served, and continue to serve, in the intelligence community for a number of years now. Supported intelligence operations throughout several areas of the world. I skim and read through over four thousand email messages, alone, monthly. I cannot recommend a better book to keep my mind focused on my mission to provide decision makers the information they need to benefit our organization.

GySgt X, USMC, Intelligence Plans Chief/ Asst. Intelligence Operations Chief

September 11, 2001 will be characterized as a failure of intelligence. But the essential data were there. Missing was an inability to imagine the unimaginable and a process for sharing, collaboration and dissemination among law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It has happened before, in Bosnia and Kosovo. This book describes why, the weaknesses in the intelligence process, and how they can be fixed.

Although written by an intelligence professional, this amazing book contains an approach to analyzing, assessing and distilling data into usable information that is applicable to any industry or job.

The theme of the book is how to discern salient information from barrage of data, and how to effectively present and use that information to best advantage. However, two thirds of the book is devoted to collection and analysis - which is as it should be since any failures at those points in the process are going to lead to the wrong conclusions. Among this book's best features are:

- A full, effective process is outlined in detail in 88 pages. Considering the complexity of the subject and scope of the book, most authors will use that many pages for introductory material.

- Use of realistic case studies and personal anecdotes reinforce what is dull material by its nature. One story that sticks in my mind is how the author and colleague managed to accurately profile a Balkans leader through their combined knowledge of history, culture and other subtle factors.

- Effective use of graphics to illustrate concepts. There are not many graphics in the book, but those that have been included conveyed complex information that would have taken pages to explain.

As some have noted the writing is uneven. Some passages are bogged down in near bureaucratic jargon, while others sparkle. In spite of this, the book reads like a brisk report and is evidence of the author's years of writing and delivering briefs.

I've had this book for over a year, and it is one that I've recommended to colleagues, and one that has deeply influence me as a consultant and IT analyst. In fact, this book is among the top ten books I own. If you work with data and information in any capacity and in any industry this book will give you skills and a process-oriented approach to cope with the data smog and information barrage.

Finished the book this weekend. I liked it. The analysis on analysis was spot on. I use many of the techniques outlined in the book myself in analysis of engineering and business
problems. When I was reading the book I had an immediate reaction that the book cover should have been yellow with a black stripe and entitled "Intelligence Analysis for Dummies"
A second reation was that the book reminded me somewhat of Machiavelli's "The Prince." Like Machiavelli, the subject matter is presented in blunt, clear language. You don't have to be a Rhodes Scholar to understand this text. In it you find a blue print to run a modern intelligence operation much like "The Prince" was a blue print on how to run a 16th Century Italian State. There is a full listing of pitfalls to avoid, and opportunities not to overlook. Finally, itt is also a blue print on how to make effective decisions on the basis of intelligence. I am sure most readers will agree that once your get past the politics and BS, statesmanship is nothing more than effective decision making. This book tells the decision maker exactly what to expect from his intelligence and analysis people, and what his responsibilites are in making the correct decision. I am sorry to say this book is not going to make the author many friends in the current intelligence and military command structure. One of the main lessons I learned in my government work is that A. No one likes a smartass, and B no one will tolerate a smartass if he is right most of the
time.

In any event I liked the book...It is my hope that people who make these type of decisions that govern our lives reads this book and learn from it (although I rather doubt it).

This book is written with such clarity, love and hope. After surviving being shot in the head by her husband, Ms. Morris-Grant uses her total recall of the events leading up to and following that event to give readers a clear understanding of the confusing/contradictory emotions and circumstances that make domestic violence so dangerous and difficult to escape. A must read for anyone who is supporting someone as they deal with an abusive relationship.

Ms. Morris-Grant has truly been through a MAJOR life event and has shared her experience with the world. She is a gifted writer and her story is compelling. As a man, I had no idea that what Ms. Morris-Grant went through would be considered abusive behavior. My eyes have been opened and I am ashamed. Buy this book! It will open your eyes. I await her next book!

I am pleased to recommend "whom Shall I fear" to any and all readers. Ms. Morris-Grant reveals all sides of the story in dissecting her life from her childhood up through the present day in relation to her own self-image and her relationship with herself, God, and, most compellingly, her husband.
She is typical of many women who are abused verbally but who don't know what to do and are actually in denial about the existence of a real problem. Her husband is portrayed as endearing. I found that I, too was as surprised as the author when unappealing aspects of his character pop up. Ms. Morris-Grant strikes a balance. There is no glorification of herself and her actions. She is brave, she is strong, but one never feels that she finds herself to be infallible. Indeed, the flawed and honest portrayal of a wife and mother breaking away painfully, trying to identify the issues that plague her life, and to cope with them is done expertly. You feel as if you know a man who one could portray easily as a monster, as a man who has the chance to follow several roads, but who follows a tragic one. You feel as if you know the author extremely intimately, and she is also a regular woman who has several paths to choose from. She, however, chooses a path filled with light and makes the best out of what could be a devastating turn of events.
For anyone who thought that batterers (or worse) have horns on their head or have 'DANGER' clearly written on them, and who don't understand what goes on inside the life of a victim, here's a great book. to anyone, like myself, who has witnessed abuse of this nature, I say the same. In truth, there is no one who could not benefit from this compelling story.

This is an incredible story of courage, love and strength and a real page turner! After reading this book, I realized that others may try to victimize you, be you never have to "own" victimhood. Ms. Morris-Grant proves this point again and again in her story. She isn't afraid to reveal the truth about herself (all of it), and in doing so, she challenges the conscientious reader to do the same.

While I would highly recommend this book to anyone, I would ESPECIALLY recommend it to women who feel trapped in abusive relationships. Ms. Morris-Grant proves that you can truly rise above even the worst circumstances with faith, love and a continued sense of hope.

I find Lavon Morris Grant to be a very brave and trueful woman and writer. The book is very enlightful for all woman and men also who has been either a batter or battered woman. It lets people know that they are not the only ones out there with that problem. Its makes you stop and think that maybe this is happening to me or someone I know. The book is very helpful to let you know that it's not your fault and you do have choices. I really enjoyed the book and hope that every woman would read it and tell all their friends that it is easy reading.