Rich Books

Covers many aspects of success. Lots of good thoughts in this book that you will find from other great authors on the topic of success.

You will find the role of emotional intelligence in making decisions and why there needs to be both rational and emotional intelligence in order to be successful. Some tend to lean in either direction but it's hard to be balanced in both.

There are several topics explored that could have used greater narration but the overall book is good.

It leaves you to explore things like the scientific value of positive energy and it's role in succcess through quantum physics.

One year ago, in Feb 2006, I took a big step on my journey. Sometime before that, I had already begun to understand that in order for my life to change, it would have to begin with my taking responsibility... for EVERYTHING in my life.

A few months earlier, I had lost what I loved most in this world - my parents. I was richer than royalty for having had them in my life. They taught me the true meaning of what it means to be loving and selfless. But, without them, I felt there was nothing left for me here in NYC. I was ready to move away... but it didn't feel right yet.

I responded to an employment ad in the NY Times; the word "Mentor" attracted me as few, if any employers, ever use that word. Within a few days, I was sitting across the table from two men who were interviewing me for a position - one of them was Vincent Roazzi.

I'd go on for pages here if I told you everything I'd like to share with you about Vinny. From the moment I started reading his book that same day, I knew I wanted to spend as much time as possible with this person and learn from him. Sometimes, I'd linger at the office just to sit at a desk beside him, hoping that I'd get to chat with him on some evenings. Vinny answers you with questions; admittedly, a bit frustrating at times, but it leads you to the right answers for YOU.

You'll never find any huge fanfare and blinking neon lights pointing Vinny out from a crowd. He doesn't do much (anything?) at all to promote his book. Yet he knows very well some of the greats such as Bob Proctor and Joe Vitale. And I'm sure they are not surprised to see the word "Integrity" in the title of his book.

Read his book...you'll be glad you did. And while you're reading it, remember this: He didn't become rich telling people how to do what he has never done, which seems to be an easy way to fame and fortune for a lot of people. Vinny scraped bottom at a time when he had a wife and five children to support at home. He learned a formula for success, and has been teaching others that same formula for over 15 years. But you will also learn from his book that although people want change... ironically, they don't want to change.

If YOU are at the lowest point of your life, or ready to make things HAPPEN rather than feeling like you're a victim of HAPPENSTANCE, Vinny's story will inspire you and, hopefully, move you to take action. Or if you're using a formula for success that just doesn't seem to be working, stop for a moment and learn Vinny's way... it's a little different from what you've probably learned in the last 5, 10, 20+ years.

Thank you, Vinny, for your generosity in so many ways. May the Universe keep and bless you and your family for many years to come.

~Denise Michelle 02/04/07
[...]

For many years I have been studying and practising 'manifestation' and wondering why my results were so limited. I found the answer in this book, along with many other answers. This book differs from other books in the same genre in that it is absolutely clear and solid, marrying spiritual wisdom with practical insight. I can't recommend this book too highly, and will be applying its principles to my own life.

To say that Spirituality of Success is chicken soup for the soul would be too cliche`, yet that's exactly what it is. If you're willing to be brutally honest with yourself, I'd recommend Roazzi's book because it can make an improvement in your life as it did in mine. All my friends to whom I've recommended it have thanked me. One of the encouraging things I learned from reading this book is that if you're one of those people who have always felt like the "odd man/woman out", take heart. We're the ones who are right! The rest of the world is screwed up.

I'm very selective about what I read and not easily impressed. When I heard Vinny on NPR I knew I had to buy this book. I have recommended it numerous times already as one of the most important and helpful books I have ever read. This book shows how to be a successful person - not just businessman. It's principles are simple and timeless - and what is particularly great - really gleaned from what the author learned in recovery (a 12-step program). A reviewer said it was a good book, but without much practical help. That couldn't be further from the truth. This book was worth a $1000. seminar. It guided me and motivated me, and truly saved me when everything in my life was changing - including work. Thank you Vinny! You're da man!

"Catspaw" is a MUCH better book than its prequel, "Psion." As with "Psion," I don't care much for its theme that humans, especially wealthy powerful ones, are evil. But, for "Catspaw," that's pretty much overridden by how well Vinge writes and by the tightness of the plot. About the only thing I didn't like in the book was the occasional lapse into unnecessary sexual details in about five different places. Other than that, this is a very well-written book that I highly recommend. If it weren't for the sense of loss a reader would suffer without having read "Psion," I'd suggest skipping that book entirely. Most of the necessary information comes out in this book. But, it's not complete until almost halfway through the book.

Whoah! I've read this book three or four times already! I love it so much. and Cat is just a great character you can just fall in love with him. I really hope others read this book too. i still haven't read the 1st or 3rd books to this series but i feel like i understand them perfectly. but i still really wish to read them. I've never liked a book quite this much.

This is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. Thought provoking, emotional, and exciting, the author draws the reader into a world that could easily be the real future. Cat's unique point of view illustrates the universe in such amazing clarity that his pain and wonder is completely tangible. He's moved from street rat to university student forced to do the dirty work for a huge conglomerate and each word of his experience resonates.

This second installment of the Cat books was the first I'd ever read from this author, all because I took a chance on a book in a library give away box. It's one of the most amazing treasures I've ever found.

I loved this book. I've read the entire series of the main character, Cat, but Catspaw I believe is best in the series. What's more, the book can stand alone. The unique writing kept me interested the entire journey, with the 1st person view of the main character, but his abilities to read minds lets you have the perspective of other characters in the book as well. I liked Cat's personality. He's real, with flaws, and fears, and yet does the right thing without being a do-gooder. Even the villians in the book seem real, and you can almost- but not quite- understand why they are the way they are.
This story encompasses Cat being pressed into service to be a body guard for a political member of the very government he hates. You get political intrigue, a hint of romance, and a splendid view of a futuristic world with a well thought out plot. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This was the first book I'd read in this series, many years ago. At the time, I was more impressed with it than I probably would be now, because I didn't recognize that the world she was building was somewhat standard cyberpunk (never even heard of cyberpunk at that time). Therefore the world seemed more original to me than it actually is (also illustrating one of my standard ideas about genre fiction--if someone who has never experienced a genre before suddenly comes to it, the most hoary and ancient cliches of that genre will seem dazzlingly fresh and familiar).

However, though the world fascinated me, in the end, the real heart of the series are Vinge's characters. Cat, Lady Elnear, Argentyne, Jiro, are all wonderfully drawn, and Vinge portrays them with a great deal of heart and honesty; she plays fair with the reader. Good social commentary too, with a message that is both uplifting and sobering; she explores a theme I've seen other authors do as well but one that I think is quite profound, that human connections are necessary to allow human beings to succeed in the face of evil (Cat's bond with Argentyne and his link to Mikah are what enable him to ultimately succeed in his goal). I recently bought a copy of PSION and I'm working my way through it, eager to meet Jewel and some of Cat's earlier friends.

This book clearly explains what wellness and how to achieve it. Yes, it may seem like an ad for chiropractors, but not many people know how chiropractic is beneficial outside of neck and back pain. It also is a one stop resource for healthy eating habits, exercise habits, and a good way to restore you mental vitality. THIS IS WHAT WELLNESS IS ABOUT.

After reading Discover Wellness, even the most casual observer can recognize how painfully obvious it is that making better/smarter lifestyle choices will result in an overall improvement of health and well-being. What I like about this book is that it puts all of this information into perspective and makes it not only easy to understand, but actually easy to implement and follow. I can - and now want to - do this! I can AND WILL be healthier!

The information presented in Discover Wellness has been included in some of the hottest discussions in corporate America and is an important part of the platform in the 2008 Presidential Election. It is an easy read intended to provide as much information as possible so you can educate yourselves, family and friends and community about the magnitude of America's health care crisis. Unfortunately, this isn't an issue that we can ignore because it's NOT going away. If you want to keep up on how "staying health can make you rich" then this book is a must read!

Written by Dr. Bob Hoffman and Dr. Jason A. Deitch, Discover Wellness: How Staying Healthy Can Make You Rich is a guide to not only improving one's health and quality of life, but also foster pocketbook savings in the process. Chapters are filled with simple, time-tested methods for fostering improved health, from consciously applying better posture to promote spinal health to simple stretches ideal for engendering flexibility to guidelines for proper nutrition and exercise, the value of eating organic foods, and much more. Discover Wellness is simply a no-nonsense guide to help more people become less sick through inexpensive and easy-to-follow guidelines, and while not a substitute for a doctor's care, is decidedly invaluable for its practical preventative measures. Highly recommended.

When I first opened this book, I thought it was just going to be another "cookie-cutter" health and fitness "how to" book. Boy, was I wrong! This book is filled with things I never even thought about! I've always heard the saying, "you are what you eat" but I never heard "you are what you THINK!" The bottom line is, if you want to have a healthy body, you have to have healthy thoughts and emotions. Just as it's important to avoid toxic chemicals, it's important to avoid toxic thoughts. Easier said then done, but I'm practicing what I learned in Discover Wellness and I already see some impressive improvements.

It's an easy read from someone with a short attention span. Plain english; a story that just takes you in. I am grateful to Larry for writing this book and sharing that this alternate lifestyle is possible.
It's encouraging me to save more.

I came across this book after thinking about retiring at age 51. It had good reviews so I thought why not. At that time there was none in stock and I had to wait at least 4 weeks to get a hold of a copy. It was definitely worth the wait! I found it to be very encouraging and sensible.
There is a lot to this book that will benefit anybody thinking about retirement now or in the future. Even if you never plan on retiring there is plenty of financial advice that makes it worthwhile. I've read many financial books and the author tells it as good or better than most. He definitely has a knack for writing and can hold your interest while teaching you what real financial planning should be.
I especially liked the window into the author's (Larry Ferstenou) and his wife Kris's life to show how they did it, what retirement is like for them, and what you should plan on in retirement both financially and psychologically.
Definitely worth getting, reading, and then keeping as a reference.

Larry Ferstenou does an excellent job of pulling together many of the things you need to look at when deciding if you can retire young, and what steps you can take to put yourself on that path.

This book was written by someone who practices what he preaches as he was able to retire in his early 40s. He touches on financial issues, social issues (the "work ethic"), and why people work.

Some of the figures he uses in his financial calculation may not apply to your situation, but the concepts likely will.

I would recommend this book to anyone, even if they are not thinking of retiring early.

This book contains a lot of good information, and is well written, so I would recommend it as a great starting point. My only concern is, why was this book written? Did the authors need the money? If that's the case, then you have to look at the title of the book and the advice given with the understanding that the authors needed to work to make their early retirement possible.

My wife and I are very thankful that Larry and his wife Kris took the time to write down the path they took to reach financial freedom in "You Can Retire Young!".

Unlike so many other books written by the so called "experts" (who are still working full-time), Larry and Kris write from their really life experience. This make this book all the more valuable.

I have not found many other books written by ordinary working people who have actually been able to successfully retire early. There are two books referenced in "You Can Retire Young!" written by actual early retirees, but in my opinion, "You Can Retire Young!" is by far the best.

I say this because "You Can Retire Young!" presents very practical steps that can be accomplished at any life stage on our way to retirement.

We purchased "You Can Retire Young!" and have read it twice. And we plan to keep re-reading it along with the notes we have taken plus reading the other books that are referenced until we also are successfully retired young.

We are a 38 years married couple, who by following the steps laid out in this book are much closer to successfully retiring early then before reading it and to us that's priceless.

We wish every reader of this book a successful and early retirement.

Yes i was very dissapointed with my purchase with Amazon.com! I ordered my book over two months ago and still have not yet received my order. I needed the book for my summer reading assignment for college. Because I did not recieve it in time to read it, I am not able to pass my college class. I will never again purchase a book i need online.

Last year, I went down to Houma, Louisiana, to help with hurricane relief. Entering bayou country was a US experience like none other I've seen. I came back and read this book. Tidwell's reporting paints a detailed picture of a unique American life fading every day into history. Wetlands the size of Manhattan are disappearing daily. Tidwell vividly explains why that matters as much as the preservation of the Amazon Rainforest or ANWR -- both environmentally and culturally.

The language, food, family life and environment are all captured dead on in this book. Often, it is a depressing read, especially when you remember that this book pre-dates hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There also is very little here about New Orleans, which I appreciated. If you can look past the bright white light of New Orleans, you'll see that Southern Louisiana is so much more than party beads and booze.

Sitting in a Plantation-Roker chair, on a wrap- around pourch ten-ft. off the groung below, gentile motion and the incoming sea-breeze's off the Gulf Coast at the edge of Biloxi Beach,Mississippi. Looking across the blue water of the bay so far till it touches the sky, framed in silhouette, the ever moving of fishermen and their shrimp-boats and small skiff-sails, darting back-n-forth. The Ole-House is post-war period 1800's southern design, with quarters in the back yard, and a rear entrance for delivery's. Our Bedroom is just behind me through a screen shuttered door's, with the orignal guillotine window's next to a Bolster- canopy bed. Full private bath to the side claw foot tub and pedistal sink's, window looking to our west onto the courtyard below and limbs extend up from the three-hundred yr. old oak tree...Aug.10,2004;Just-a-memory now!!! Thank's,Sully 08'.

This book is a must read for all politicians, Louisianians, environmentalists, engineers and concerned citizens. The author does an exceptional job in portraying the life of families inhabiting Louisiana's coastline and the devastating impact the leveeing of the Mississippi river has had not only on the people who earn a living fishing these waters, but the devastation of this ecologically fragile zone. The loss of land to the ocean is staggering! The solutions are simple to implement (let the mississippi overflow its banks) but phenomenally costly. Do read this book and come to Louisiana to see a vanishing world.

I flew through the book in about 2 hours. The author offers no real depth into the causes of the problems related to the sinking eroding bayou country. This is mostly a personal uninteresting account of travels through the area. If you want accurate well researched information related to the Mississippi and it's flood plain and delta, read Rising Tide by John Barry.

I thought this was an excellent book. It was well written and a lot of great pictures in the book. One criticism that I heard was that a lot of the information was recent information with Curly Joe DeRita ... and it is true... there is a lot of information on this and all their speaking engagements in the sixties... but that is OK, that is what the author knew about and what the people the author interviewed knew about .... the Curly and Shemp information has all been said, not much more can come out of them. A lot of the people that knew them are all dead... hence the detailed description of the stooges in 50's thru mid 70's... The book is well worth reading.

It's about time a book was written on Larry Fine. Without a doubt the "glue" of the Three Stooges, and possibly my favorite stooge, he finally gets his story in print. I enjoyed the book and was surprised at facts that I didn't know about the Three Stooges, and I know a lot.

I highly recommend this book.

This book does an absolutely marvelous job at delving into the life of Larry Fine, finally going beyond old urban myths, stereotypes, and the general perception that he was just the Stooge in the middle, some guy who got lucky but who wasn't as accomplished or funny as his partners. His character truly comes to life in this book, starting in his childhood days in Philadelphia, going to his early days in vaudeville with his future wife Mabel and her sister Loretta, to his 25 years of making shorts at Columbia, to the unexpected revival and mass popularity the Stooges received in the late Fifties and through the Sixties (when unfortunately they had to seriously tone down their trademark violent antics to please the parents of the children they were being almost exclusively marketed to), and finally to Larry's final years in the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital, after he'd had a stroke. Though some sections of the book do read like a standard bio of the Stooges, only with the emphasis on Larry, the majority of the book goes so much deeper. There are so many stories that have never been written about before or which most people don't know about, such as Larry's deep love of his wife Mabel, a woman whom he continued to adore and stick by even through her alcoholism in her later years, his love of his children Phyllis and Johnny, the story of how he met a little blind boy backstage after a show in the Sixties and got really choked up by the encounter, his relationship with his hairdresser and her husband in his final years, how he found out Shemp had passed away, his relationships with the other Stooges, and even the point of view that Ted Healy, the Stooges' founder and original straightman, might not have been murdered at all but died from other causes and only coincidentally happened to die shortly after receiving a brutal beating. There are also lots of great pictures and mementos, some of them very personal and touching, such as Larry's handwritten letters to young fans, get-well cards young fans sent to him, pictures of him with his children, and the hand-written calendar he made for his daughter Phyllis to let her know when he'd be coming home from the road. There are so many sweet things about this lattermost memento, really showing what a nice sweet guy Larry was, and what a devoted family man. It's really touching to read about how in real life the Stooges were quite the opposite of their screen characters.

The only shortcoming I can find with the book is that it does seem to be a bit skewered towards the Stooges in the DeRita era. That chapter is by far longer than either of the chapters on Larry's life as a Stooge when he was working with Curly and Shemp. It might have been their most financially successful and popular period, but how many fans today seriously consider that their best and most memorable work? To put it mildly, I'm not exactly a big fan of the watered-down non-violent child-friendly latter-day Stooges, though I am of course happy that Larry and Moe lived long enough to finally start making serious money and to get the respect they deserved. And while the cover photo is really beautiful, looking as though it were taken yesterday instead of decades ago, I'm not happy that DeRita is the third Stooge on it. I'd bet almost anything that the infamous Comedy III is behind that one. It should have been Curly or Shemp, and everyone else knows that! Still, in spite of how the book does lean a bit more heavily towards the Stooges' latter-day career instead of their classic glory days, and the illogical choice of the third Stooge on the cover, it's a great book, with a lot of great information about a truly underrated comedian and a truly great man.

I enjoyed reading 'One Fine Stooge', although upon completion of the book, I had mixed feelings about the content. On one hand, I learned a couple of things that I hadn't known before, and that's always a good thing. On the other hand, the book focused too heavily on the 'post Shemp' days, which for me, marked a drastic decline in the funniness of the act. Joe Besser and Joe DeRita were clearly inferior stooges and I felt my interest waning reading about them (the cover portrait featuring DeRita should have been a dead give-away). I would have liked for the author to focus more on the Curly and Shemp days. The book however is about Larry Fine, and I did enjoy reading about his life and career. The photos are a treat and greatly added to my enjoyment of this book.

I just finished reading One Fine Stooge and found it to be very interesting. It truly covers the Stooges' entire career with a focus on the Stooge in the middle, Larry Fine. His story is often melancholy, but he seems to have enjoyed his life and success. The book is poorly laid out with sidebars regularly interrupting the flow of the book and often retelling content found in the body of the work, but it covers a lot of ground and seems to be a good history. I found it worth my time and would recommend it to anyone with a particular interest in classic Hollywood comedy and history.

Kokoris does something unusual with this book: he captures the core of people that you probably know (at a minimum, their personalities will be familiar), and shows them in a sweet, compelling story. The boy's-eye view works to a T. The Dad is a delightful introvert, neither simple nor heroic . . . . the result is a novel that will win you over.

This book was very well written and captured my interest from the beginning. It was interesing to see how people make a decision and the ramifications just continue on through the years.

You will laugh, you will cry...but you will not put it down... A great read...can't wait for the movie Jim K.

I'm a little late getting to read this wonderful book, published in 2001, but am oh so glad I found it on the shelves.

What a delightful read, couldn't put it down. When you laugh out loud and also shed a few tears you know you found the perfect book.

Good Job, Jim KoKoris...keep 'em coming.

Penny Burke
Mt Laurel, NJ

"The Rich Part of Life" depicts the good, the bad and the ugly that befalls the Pappas family after winning the lottery for $190mm. Theo, the family patriarch hits it big playing his deceased wife's lottery numbers. Upon revealing that he is the holder of the winning ticket, Theo is bombarded by request for financial assistance from strangers, neighbors and family. Socially introverted and emotionally reclusive, Theo is faced with the challenge of managing the celebrity of his new found wealth in the midst of the resurrection of a long forgotten adversary whose demands of Theo threatens to destroy the Pappas family.

"The Rich Part of Life" is filled with genuinely likeable and detestable characters portrayed in clean, crisp language that uniquely sets them apart. The only character disappointment for this reader was the unimaginative portrayal, usage really, of the Maurice character. Although I never discounted his importance to the novel, I wanted to know more about him than was broadly revealed by the author. Ultimately, the novel is successful in its exploration of the dynamics of chance. What are the odds of winning the lotto? What wonderful or dreadful situations await us when the stars are perfectly aligned or the comets collide? What's likelihood of a middle aged recluse starting a family with a young dancer? This is an excellent debut novel that reconfirmed for me that it's not money, but people that's at the root of all evil. Enjoy!

I felt like I was sitting in Ronda Rich's living room and she was talking only to me as I read this book. It's so personal, warm, inviting and irresistible. There are no startling revelations in this book, except perhaps Dale Earnhardt's reaction to a race track incident with Bill Elliott, and I, for one, am thankful for that. I'm happy to see people who are heroes portrayed that way and not torn apart. This book is written in a way that I got the impression that if the author had crossed paths with bad people, she just didn't write that. Instead, she wrote of the good in people. Bless her for that. My 13-year-old son is a race fan and I have given him this book to read. I think he needs to know of the good that still lies in many people.

My wife bought this book, read it and kept bragging on it. I was reluctant to read because I'm not a big reader and I just didn't think I'd enjoy it that much. One day, I picked up the book and read the chapter about the late champion Alan Kulwicki. That did it. I then had to read the entire book. I enjoyed it very much. It shows the human side of a sport that is becoming so slick and so polished that it's easy to forget that the drivers are often regular guys with problems and struggles just like the rest of us. This book reflects on many of the heroes and legends who made the sport like Darrell Waltrip, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and others. There are places, like where she talks about her friendship with and the death of Tim Richmond, that really put a lump in my throat. As in the case of Kulwicki, who is displayed here to be a serious loner who saw too much death in his young life, his mother included, that shaped his life and personality, you are shown an inside to the sport that is seldom seen. The men in this book are true heroes and the author is to be commended for writing it in a way that we feel we are being treated to VIP look at these guys.

I was pleasantly surprised by the spell binding content of this book. I read everything I can on NASCAR and just added this book to my collection as a matter of course. I ordered four books at the same time but read this one last. I should have read it first. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. The author has a way of pulling you into the story in such an interesting way. I stayed up until 4 a.m. in the morning until I had finished every word. This is the first book about NASCAR that I ever read that shows such an emotional intimate inside look. Be ready -- you'll laugh, cry, laugh, cry. It's an emotional rollcoaster but very, very fulfilling. Without a doubt, it's the best NASCAR book in the world and I think I'm qualified to say that since I have read them all.

I couldn't really get into this book. While I chuckled at some of the stories (like the muffler bearings story), other times I thought the book delved into the sugary-sweet. As an example the two and a half pages taken up to spin the tale of her date with a present day driver. Another time she writes how dressing femininely works for you in business dealings. Huh? This book seems to be an extension of What Southern Women Know with Nascar thrown in. I don't think we're getting a good picture of life in the pits. There is Ms. Rich's side of pit life, and there is the grease under your fingernails and a motor roaring in your ears side. I would've liked a view from both sides. Perhaps it is because I've read Dale Jr's and Tony Stewart's books that Ms. Rich's book is a bit of a disappointment.

I got this book for Christmas and could not stop reading it. Just as someone else has already said, when you are done reading it, you will wish there was more. I am an aspiring motorsports public relations lady, and Ronda's book is hands-down the most insightful book about the "inside" of this sport that I have read. Her point of view is different from most writers, in a very refreshing way! If you are new to the sport, or a fan for life, this book will turn you on to the sport, or let you in on a special side of the lifestyle you already know and love. I want to thank Ronda for being so helpful to me, and sending some much needed advice my way. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever wanted to experience "life in the pits."

This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. Next to the Bible it has had a positive effect on me and I share its positive message with everyone.

I speak to groups and this is on my suggested reading list.

A must read.

I am not one who writes or talks much but I have to share with those who I meet.

Think and Grow Rich continues to be a book I would suggest that everyone keep in their library and read at least once a year.

An excellent read for anyone who desired to have it all and wants to truly know how to go about accomplishing that very goal step by step.

Preparation is definitely the key!

It becomes important that we know about the rules that will ultimately determine our success. Not just to know their meanings and what they do, but to make these principles a part of us - a habit that will lead us to do the right thing automatically, regardless of the circumstances. As Kimbro said, "it is our job as Black Americans to disentangle the myths, misconceptions, and half - truths that clouds the judgments of our society".
All, regardless of race or class or economic status, are entitled to a fair chance and to the tools for developing their individual powers of mind and spirit to the utmost. This promise means that all children by virtue of their own efforts, competently guided, can hope to attain the mature and informed judgment needed to secure gainful employment, and to manage their own lives, thereby serving not only their own interests but also the progress of society itself. Also noted by Kimbro, "Blacks as a whole have moved from a position of utter destitution - in terms of wealth, education, and human rights - to a place alongside their ethnic counterparts".

Black males, particularly, have edged precariously close to becoming an endangered species. There are more Black males in prison and correctional facilities than on college campuses. Functional illiteracy among minority youth may run as high as 40 percent.

The search for solutions to our educational problems must also include a commitment to life-long learning. Learning is the indispensable investment required for success but without life-long learning, one's skills will become rapidly dated.

This would also reverse the current declining trend--a trend that stems more from weakness of purpose, confusion of vision, under use of talent, and lack of leadership, than from conditions beyond our control. We as Black Americans need to realize that we do not simply exist, we need to always realize what our life will be, and what we will become in the next moment.



I took liberty to expand upon the following:

THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION (During Reagan era, still suitable today):

The report called for greater federal support of education and included the claim that the nation was threatened by "a rising tide of mediocrity". A Nation at Risk is a reform based on the development of standards-based curricula. The focus is on outcomes of education in relation to standards of achievement, the idea being that student achievement and instructional programs were likely to improve.

One of the most quoted portions of this report came from the introduction just after the "Rising Tide" remark. It said: "If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war. As it stands, we have allowed this to happen to ourselves. We have even squandered the gains in student achievement made in the wake of the Sputnik challenge. Moreover, we have dismantled essential support systems, which helped make those gains possible. We have, in effect, been committing an act of unthinking, unilateral educational disarmament".

The following five recommendations were made by the report:

Content
Recommended that the graduation requirements for all students be raised to include 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, 3 years of science, 3 years of social studies, 1 semester of computer science, and for college bound students 2 years of foreign language.

Standards and Expectations
Schools should expect better academic performance and behavior from students and universities should strengthen admissions requirements.

Time
More time should be spent on the new required courses by being more efficient and by lengthening the school day and year.

Teaching
A series of recommendations that focused around teachers being better prepared.

Leadership and Fiscal Support
A call to citizens to hold educational leaders responsible be willing to provide the fiscal resources needed to implement the outlined reforms.




Using available statistics, Black America continue to take for granted the enormous and victorious battles won by the Civil Rights movement. "If there is one thing that we have won and accomplished, it is our moral right to exist".


Racism and discrimination should never be an excuse for your lack of development, but real creative ability-ability to live largely in a world based on ones own inner resources, finding one's true self, overcoming ignorance, and always remaining receptive and teachable should be never ending endeavors.

Slavery in America has left a scar on the Black family structure where as slave master would separate parents from children, husband and wife from each other is still visible today with children being born into single parent households or children being separated from parents. This cycle has not ceased but instead has taken new forms.

Kimbro's writing style is multi- dimensional and stimulating to the imagination. It spirals you into the seams of the book. In the section dealing with the " Law of Compensation" there are many lessons to be learned by all ethnicities.

Black people have to take the opportunity and the responsibility by portraying themselves differently. As Kimbro mentioned, your thoughts are the steering mechanism of your life. "Faith only enters the mind that has been properly prepared for it. Although I must add, your heart and your guts usually have a say so with what you think or decide too.

Quoting Thurgood Marshall, " Blacks must earn their way to higher achievement". In other words, through perseverance, hardwork and desire.

As John H. Johnson stated, "Black people have the power to make it in this society".

As George Washington Carver stated, "We must rid ourselves of the idea that there's a short - cut to achievement".

Black America has to realize that whatever God has allowed to be taken away from it temporarily he has suredly replaced it with something far greater. A glance at history will confirm that. Although many individual Black Americans in this society continue to adorn themselves with the albatross of ignorance around their neck. Black people need to reconstruct the perspective lens of White America.

Although I thought, Kimbro did not use fair judgment by not choosing Reginald Lewis (TLC Beatrice) as a role model in his book due to Lewis's butting heads with John Johnson of Johnson Publications. In my judgment, if Kimbro knew about this spat he should have left Johnson out of the book.

Although this book is directed at the African-American community, the principles found within are color blind. Dr. Kimbro creates a step-by-step approach for achieving success. There is enough in the book that merit's a periodical re-read.

Great book. I would recommend this book to anyone who want to be successful in their respective field.

YES if:
1) If you just want to earn money even at the cost of affecting your relationships ( are you really that bad )
2) If at the end all you care is only $$$$

NOT if:
1) you are in US as it is mostly UK based
2) you dont like questions and poetry.
Just another of his ways of getting a little richer, he just cant resist the temptation of earning a couple of million more

It's worth the time and money. This book is talking about "super rich" rich. Although I am never going to be that rich, it does teach me a couple valuable lessons. And the author is a really interesting guy.

I found out about this book while reading Forbes magazine and there was a little article in the back that was talking about Felix Dennis and how he became UK richest man. After reading the article I decided to purchase this book and loved every single minute of it. It gives you motivation and hope that you can succeed to matter what situation your in as long as you have the desire and willingness to get RICH! and succeed. Two of my favorite quotes in his book is,

"Quitting is not dishonorable. Quitting when you believe you can still succeed is. You must keep the faith. Belief in yourself and faith in your project can move mountains. But not if you insist on trying to scale the mountain by an impossible route which has already failed. "

"You should remember you are unique. Any scientist will tell you so. No other human was ever born, or will ever be born with the same combination of upbringing, flaws and qualities that you possess. Why should you not believe in yourself?
Even the fact of your existence, that you were created by the swiftest sperm of the millions let loose upon the luckiest of eggs that day, is a miracle. What were the odds that you who would result? Yes, you, sitting in your chair reading these words right now. How then, could you not believe in yourself? Nature did. Destiny did. Or, if you wish, your God did.

If you want to be rich you must work for it. But you must believe in it, too. You must believe in yourself, if only to armor yourself against the laughter of the gods in your quest. Your mad quest to be rich."

Purchase this book today you will LOVE IT as much as I have!!!

Felix Dennis started his book with some negative comments about writers of "how to get rich books" who made their fortune by selling those books. Although Dennis did not name Robert Kiyosaki of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" fame, he was the one first to come to mind. Dennis certainly writes better than Kiyosaki (not a great accomplishment), and his advice is coming from more experience. Yet, in terms of getting rich, his advice is not going much farther than Kiyosaki's.

What I liked the most was the warning Dennis gave: What comes with the turf of becoming rich. That part in very heartfelt and insightful, although I have no first hand experience to know whether it is accurate. Dennis certainly does a great job to dissuade most people chasing the dream of being rich.

Near the beginning of the book, Dennis shows two tables: One is based on cash and cash-like (liquid) assets, the other is based on total assets (net worth). In his assessment, you need to have at least $100,000 in liquid assets and at least $2,000,000 to be among "the comfortable poor". I guess, below this level, one is among "the uncomfortable poor". The "comfortably wealthy" sport at least $1 million in cash/liquid assets, and at least $10 million in net worth. The table is realistic. Those below the comfortable poor designation will certainly struggle in the USA. Even those among the comfortably poor may find themselves struggling if they need to pay the college tuition for several kids.

The book contains lots of personal accounts, and gives insight how the rich think about employees, business decisions, family, etc. Dennis sees well that it is morally bankrupt, and to his credit, he is not a hypocrite.

If you expect to get a road map to riches, you will be disappointed. The book contains pearls that are useful, but most of the pearls are not original or novel.

Now, as far the writing is concerned, Felix Dennis is VERBOSE. There is just as much rambling in it as in Kiyosaki's bestseller. In addition, there are expressions, sentences that I expected to see from a poor writer, and not from a poet. For example, Page 125: ".. or you will be stranded, like the last dinosaur, by the last warm lake, on the last continent the ice age has yet to reach." Well, there was no ice age as such associated with the disappearance of the dinosaurs, although a brief climate change may have occurred. Another example (Page 215) is a subtitle: "Focus on keeping your eye on the ball." Actually, keeping your eye on the ball means being focused. I think that Dennis chose the right path in his life: he is probably better in becoming rich than he is in writing books.

As far as I am concerned, this book was mostly a waste of time. If you really want to read it, borrow it from a library or from a friend. Don't waste your money on it.

Generally I don't read "get rich quick" books. They're all basically designed to make the author rich by selling lots of books, or they're a form of literary self-gratification on the part of authors who have millions in the bank. This one is different, and I knew it as soon as I saw it on the shelf.

Felix is the real deal. He's a guy who started with nothing, and by diligent effort managed to make himself very, very wealthy. He doesn't offer feel-good "you can do it!" advice, or say that you can become filthy rich by reading his book. In fact, he basically says you're unlikely to get rich unless you're willing to work like mad while largely sacrificing your social life for extended periods of time.

He also notes, correctly, that many successful people screw up by giving in and buying loads of junk they don't need. They get sloppy, they lose focus, and end up in a huge mess because they tried to show off by buying useless properties or trinkets. He knows. He almost did it himself.

The older and more superficially comfortable you are, the less likely you are to be successful because you simply won't have the energy or the nerve to go take a risk. Most people are happier (in a broad sense) with a steady paycheck and the "security" it brings...but, as Felix says, that steady check is guaranteed to keep you from becoming rich. Why? Read the book.

Aside from giving good advice, this is also a cracking good read and shows people can still write books without resorting to ghostwriters. If nothing else, pick up a copy and read it for inspiration. You might not become filthy rich, but you might be encouraged to take a few more chances. If you're happy with a safe, marginally comfortable existence and are scared to death of taking a risk, don't bother.