T Books

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (5/08)

You can't put a price on a loving grandpa. Sure he is very old and sometimes missing teeth, but he is definitely priceless. Maybe he likes to take naps, but does that make him any less lovable? Everything in life can be bought, right? No, not when it comes to grandpas.

Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum have created a book which celebrates the unique relationship between this young girl and her grandpa. Lizzie is watching the antique store with her grandpa when he gets very sleepy. He decides to lie down on one of the sofas and is fast asleep. A customer comes in with her white poodle and looks on the many things for sale. She picks out a few items but then finds something that would complete her antique collection. Mrs. Larchmont wants to add Grandpa to her possessions. When thinking about all the things that she could get with the large amounts of money that the customer is offering, she doesn't see money being more important than grandpa. Mrs. Larchmont is very determined but Lizzie thinks of all the things that she wouldn't have if she didn't have Grandpa in her life.

T. Kyle Gentry has illustrated this wonderful book which celebrates grandpas and granddaughters. His pictures are awesome! I liked the way he made the things in the antique store in black and white with the characters in color. After all it's people that are more important than things. I liked the expression on the poodle's face matching that of her upset owner. The pictures are very cute and add a lot of meaning to the words.

I have a very special relationship with my Grandpa, my mom's dad. I wouldn't put a price on him either. I could really relate with this book, my grandpa owns a store and sometimes says he gets sleepy when he's there. The grandpa in "Grandpa for Sale" even looked something like my grandpa which made it really touch a special spot in my heart when reading this book. I know I could never sell my very special grandpa either!

I loved this book. Great illustrations and good lesson about value of those you love. Would recommend for ages 4 and up.

Lizzie knows that she's capable of running Oldman's Antiques while her mother is out. But she doesn't expect the amazingly big-haired Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third to sweep into the store and fall in love with the one-of-a-kind antique displayed on the Louis XVI settee: Grandpa. Flashes of humor brightly illuminate the eventual lesson that not everything is for sale. The illustrator came up with some interestesting ways to illustrate Lizzie's big dreams as she wrestles with temptation.

Co-authored by Vicki Sansum and Golden Spur Award nominee Dotti Enderle, Grandpa for Sale is a charming children's picturebook about qualities worth far more than money. When young Lizzie minds the family antique store, an imperious older woman named Mrs. Larchmont demands to buy the one antique not on sale - Lizzie's slumbering grandpa! As the women offers more and more money - five hundred, five thousand, ten thousand dollars - Lizzie dreams of all the wonderful and fun things the money could buy, but also remembers how valueless those things would be without Grandpa to share them. "Lizzie took a deep breath and leaned in. 'Mrs. Larchmont,' she announced, 'not everyone has a price and not everything is for sale.'" The exuberant color illustrations perfectly complement this extravagant tale with a heartwarming moral.

One of my greatest joys in life is reading children's books (I enjoy writing them, too.) THAT said, let me tell you what I like about this wonderful book and its unusual, aesthetic illustrations.

First of all, I'm always on the lookout for an original idea, and what could be more unique than a child tempted by "big bucks" to sell her beloved Grandpa? Very clever of Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum to create this charming, fascinating concept.

Second: I'm captivated by the eye-pleasing color illustrations complementing the black-and-white background. Illustrator T. Kyle Gentry has a rare talent. I've seen that concept before but not too often. The first time I saw color on b&w was at a 1980s San Jose art show when artist Lee Hartman painted a handsome young man in b&w, the only color being his blue eyes. That piece of fine art was captivating, but I couldn't afford the large oil at the time, so I bought a small, limited-edition print instead. It's lovely.

But I digress! Sorry about that!

I also looooooooved this book because the characters are so real. Who wouldn't fall in love with young Lizzie and her Grandpa? The way these two authors described them was perfection. Wonderful, heart-warming characters that I'll remember all my life.

I even liked the elderly woman who was trying to buy Grandpa. Perhaps I should seek my next mate at a garage sale? Who would think of that? :)

Perhaps most important, this book is educational, teaching strong morals to children ... and we adults could learn something from young Lizzie too.

GRANDPA FOR SALE will definitely become a classic, beloved by young and old alike.

Exhilarating, breathtaking, and heartbreaking. Havah teems with so much life and death, so much pleasure and pain, so much grace in the face of despair that one cheers for the future of faith--and for the future of literature.

The story of Eve is a story we all thought we knew. Until Havah, that is. Tosca Lee delves past the obvious and reaches the profound, all while remaining entertaining and eloquent. She is a prodigious literary star who can seemingly do anything.

Great writing graffitis its wisdom over the world. And Havah not only reconfirms Ms. Lee's stature as one of the big talents of her generation, it's also a testament to her extreme radar for the discordant detail and the revealing remark.

Havah is a book you'll read and read again, and highlight, and read to friends, and keep returning to. You don't want to miss out on reading this book, or any book by Tosca Lee. Yes, they're both that good.

This has been a tough review to write. Not because the book was bad, rather the opposite. It was so incredible, it's difficult to use simple words to describe such a phenomenal book. It swept me into Eve's life with such ease, that I forgot I was not reading history. Generally, biblical fiction is not my favorite read--but this cannot be classified as such! It's beyond description.

I found that Havah is one of the most phenomenal novels I have ever read, gripping me in talons that would not let go. It goes beyond the ordinary ideas about Eve to what feels painfully accurate. What I figured would be a boring topic was anything but. I have never wanted to read about Eve, but could not put this down.

I was captivated from the moment Havah first hears the delight-filled command, "Wake!" until the joy and truth at the completion of her story. I agonized with her through her unsuspecting relationship with the devious serpent, her frightening exile from Eden, and her excruciating growth as a fallen, fallible woman. I walked with her as she experienced the frustration at all she had lost through the heartbreak her choice had caused. The burden of her choice is ever with her, shaming her, and wreaking subtle and clear havoc in her family.

I have never read a book like Havah. It's brilliantly conceived, uniquely delivered, and phenomenally profound.

Havah has set a very high standard in the realm of speculative fiction. It's touching, innovative, insightful, imaginative, inspiring, and many other adjectives that will never truly capture the richness in this novel. Lee has created a beautifully crafted story that retails the story of creation, the fall, and life there after from Eve's perspective.

The inherent problem with speculative fiction is it has to compete with preconceived ideas the reader takes into the story. As should be expected, there were times when I preferred my own interpretation and imagination to Lee's. However, there was nothing that I felt was inappropriate or theologically unsound.

What I did find was a creative approach to a rather well known story. Anyone who has spent a minimal amount of time in church has heard the creation story. At times it becomes somewhat stale, but Lee has breathed new life into this story. The paradise portion of Havah reads like poetry, full of colorful descriptions and wonderful excitement. Lee creates a beautiful picture of the earth forming, of lands beyond what they knew and of a place of peace and harmony. We can see the water, feel the wind, and run with the animals.

Moving from paradise to the fall, the story turns very dark and tense, with the perfect world turned into a foreign object. A place full of strife, hardships, broken communication, and shattered dreams. At many times, the story mirrored what we see in our world today. Murders, wars, false religions, etc. However, as in Havah, amidst the hardship is hope and longing for the One and his promise.

Throughout the story, we are often reminded of God's promise and his faithfulness. Eve did not know when or how God would fulfill his promise, only that he would. While we have the benefit of knowing he kept his word, we still live in the broken world. However, just as Eve was not without hope, neither are we. Ultimately, Havah is just as much about us as it is about Eve.

We all know the story. Eve, the first woman, tempted by the serpent, and in turn tempting Adam to fall. I've always been on Eve's side. How could a woman with no past, no experience to draw on, withstand the wiles of Satan himself? In Havah we read Eve's side of the story told in her own words. We see the tempting and results in a new way, through the eyes of the woman who lived it.
Tosca Lee reveals an Eden the way it must have been in the beginning; fresh, new, and amazingly beautiful. Her writing is lyrical and poetical, the imagery so real I could see for myself the sparkling, newly formed world, not yet marred by sin or the excesses of mankind. I wish I could have seen it for myself, but reading Havah is almost as good. This writer always leaves the reader with something to think about, making us look at what we have always believed in a new way. Recommended.

This is the story of Adam and Eve as it really might have been. The garden of Eden is vivid through the perspective of Havah (Eve), and the unspoiled relationship between the first couple is a thing of beauty. I knew what was coming -- we all know -- but even so, I wept as the depth of their loss and ours was brought home in such a vivid way. Havah's life swept me forward from that event. The writing is poetic and lyrical, the story compelling and captivating. I highly recommend this book!

I discovered this book at our local library and fell in love with the charming story. I instantly ordered it from Amazon, but the one I received has been re-written to be quicker and thus not as charming and sweet! This version has the kitty running from animal to animal in a panic looking for her purr, whereas the one at the library described how she went on her search through the day, and at days end she was getting quite tired by the time she talked to owl and the ending read much sweeter than this one. I don't know what year that edition was (it was hardbound - maybe that's the difference) or if it had a different publisher, but I was disappointed with this version and will continue my search for the one I fell in love with.

P.S. After posting this, I did find out that the book I bought from Amazon was published by Tiger Press and the book at the library is published by Dutton Children's Books. I do see that Amazon lists the publisher as Dutton - so no guarantee there.

I love this book for two reasons:

It is a good illustration for children about happiness and how the cat was looking for happiness in all the wrong places.

It is an excellent introduction to farm animals and their sounds. Most children can probably relate to the purring of a cat, but might not have yet had exposure to farm animals. This book does a good job of bridging the sound of purring of an every day cat to that of farm animals.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and quite effectively support the prose.

The bright, large and, I might add, accurate, illustrations in this book are great, eye catching and very, very well executed! The story line is simple, a kitten who is searching for her purr. Her encounter with the barnyard animals keeps the story moving. The text is well matched with the illustrations. This is a cute warm story and is an excellent one to read with your young child. Recommend this one highly.

This is a different twist on learning animal sounds. My boys love it (3 & 5) and ask for it repeatedly. It shows animals on a farm in their habitats. The kitten is very sweet, and I have made it into a flannel board story for my kids as well.

I really enjoyed this book because the little kitten thinks that she has lost her purr but she has really not. In the book she also goes to all of the farm animals and asks them if they have it and at the end she finds out she has it all along and her mother shows her. I hope when you read it you will enjoy it just as much as i did.

Thank You Nancy for being so open and honest about the journey you have been on for so many years. This book opens a world of hope and healing to the many who will read it. This book is a must read if you have or are struggling with friends, family and others in the area of unforgiveness. Thank you Nancy for your hard work in light of all the trauma that you went through to get this book to print. It will be a great help to all those who read it.

George

This is a book everyone should read. The author gives a candid look into a heart-wrenching world of child abuse. Then, through her adult life experience and soul-searching, describes the very difficult process of struggling with forgiveness as most people have learned it should be. Should be is the qualifying term. The author's journey to the discovery of insight in healing first and what forgiveness can be, should be read by all...those effected by abuse, those who know of someone effected by abuse, and those struggling to forgive at all.

Heal & Forgive -- I devoured this book in one evening. And I commented on it in a family rift blog site on the web. I didn't have the same abuse as the author did, but most of my abuse came from my own older sister over many years - emotional (putting me down at every turn) and physical (as in hitting - using hangers, elastic belts, etc.). I don't believe my Mom was witness to any of the physical abuse but I do know that she heard much of what sister would say to me -- and did nothing. My dad worked shift work so he was not around and Mom didn't believe anything I would tell her about sister saying / doing to me.... I learned to never saying anything - became moody about the situation and was accused of having a "chip on my shoulder" - all through my childhood. No one wanted to see my older sister in any sort of a bad light (she was favored by my Dad's Mother & Sister - I was not) - so I needed to be quiet about it and I was. Growing up in a dysfunctional family is not something you recognize until you are older and gain insight. I didn't find out how dysfunctional my family was until I went through counseling myself at 48 yrs. old.

After being on the blog site and reading this book - the big *aha* moment for me (and for the author as related in the book) was when she told her therapist that she just wanted to have *her story heard* - that was the biggest thing she needed in her life.... her two brothers didn't want to hear about it and neither did her 1/2 brother (even though they too had experienced abuse also) and eventually to keep their world quiet about it they shut her out of their lives. She also realized that she, being a female, was not in favor from the get go with her own Mother. Her Mother favored her sons over her only daughter. She was blamed constantly for the abuse because she stood up to the abuser.....

Her story resonated with me.

After much research and reading - she discovered that forgiving first does not help you heal as many therapist believed years ago, but that a person needs to heal (be heard, have therapy, mature, read everything on the subject -- and I recommend Louise L. Hay's books to help you with that healing too) from the past somewhat before they can move on to the forgiveness part.

Her book was wonderful find for me and highly recommended via the people who participate in the blog I am a member of -- and the author is a member of the blog also.

For anyone who has childhood anger, emotional issues, abuse from childhood (whatever the form), problems that are connected in some way via their childhood, this book is a must to read. We all need to heal, we all want to be happy, we all need to be loved. This book can be a step in the right direction to help you on the road to healing too. Get the book and get on the road to healing.

Nancy Richards offers a fresh face to the concept of forgiveness in her book Heal and Forgive: Forgiveness in the Face of Abuse. It deserves a closer look from anyone struggling with recovery from childhood abuse.

A woman who runs a ministry for adult daughters of controlling and abusive families recommended I take a look at Richards' work when I shared with her my own journey. I ordered it last week and found it so absorbing I finished it in just over two hours.

Ms. Richards walks us through her own brutal childhood, one that we discover began at birth, and became exacerbated after her father died and her mother remarried to a man who was extremely cruel and sadistic. We learn about the literal joy he took out of beating Nancy and her brothers, how he ripped everyone apart with his words and would look for anything he could find to perpetrate the terror he inflicted. Worse yet is the ways we learn this man is able to influence Nancy and her siblings to turn on each other, and how she becomes the household scapegoat.

Eventually Nancy leaves home to marry and start a family of her own. We learn her family of origin does not improve, take responsibility or offer amends for their past behavior. Instead, her mother proceeds to divorce and remarry several abusive men in succession, and continues to promote blaming Nancy for all the "family's" problems, to the extent that she convinces everyone Nancy is crazy and to side against her.

Ms. Richards attempts this whole time to forgive her abusers. After all, aren't we all taught to leave the past behind, forgive other's wrongs, and be family no matter what? Don't they tell us that unless we do these things, we won't heal?

But in the course of her efforts she finds the opposite - she is unable to heal. To the contrary, the harder she tries, the more pain she feels, the greater her resentments, and the more abuse her family of origin is able to heap on her.

In Nancy's quest to figure out why this isn't working, she comes across an understanding therapist and several books from psychological and spiritual perspectives that turn our culture's traditional concept of forgiveness upside down. She learns that perhaps the solution for her is to NOT forgive in the way she has been led to believe, that the whole idea of making peace while overlooking the evil of abusive behaviors is in fact self-defeating and self-destructive. Nancy realized that she must think first of her own needs, to protect herself and her own family.

The end result is that Ms. Richards ends up "divorcing" her mother, which also causes an unfortunate loss of relationships with other family members, including her brothers. As of the publication she had not spoken to any of them in twelve years.

She also decides to stop working on forgiving them, and start focusing on her recovery and her daughters. It is these actions in themselves that allow healing to flow into her life, and eventually, she is able to find TRUE forgiveness.

I found this book to be very powerful in both the story it had to tell, and in the message it had to give. I have followed a very close path in my own life; the parallels between her family's behavior and mine were eerie. I too have had to "divorce" my family of origin and in the process lost relationships with other relatives, and even some family friends. So to read such a similar story as mine was incredibly validating.

On a spiritual level I also found Nancy's story and her sharing of some resources regarding forgiveness to be a relief. Like myself, Ms. Richards is a Christian, and she includes pieces of wisdom from others within that vein who support a different concept of forgiveness and do so from a Christian perspective. As someone who felt torn over whether my choices broke the commandment to honor my mother and father, this book served as a valuable resource to help me reconcile this area of my life.

I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who is struggling with a family of origin that is broken due to unamended abuse. I also believe anyone who is a friend or loved one of someone recovering from childhood abuse will find this book beneficial for understanding the survivor's struggle to find healing and, yes, forgiveness.

Heal and Forgive is the best book I've read in a very long time. As the director of Luke 17:3 Ministries for adult children of abusive, controlling or abandoning birth-families, I would be hard-pressed to come up with a more helpful book to recommend. It is unique in its perspective in that it teaches the reader that sometimes it is okay, and even necessary, NOT to forgive. It is a page turner right from the beginning, gripping you with Nancy Richards' riveting and disturbing story of her sadistic stepfather's violence and relentless abuse of herself and her brothers, and her mother's complicity in the abuse and complete refusal to protect her children in the slightest way.

Even more distressing is the author's account of her attempts to protect herself and her brothers, and to stand up and speak the truth about the abuse, which resulted in her treacherous mother convincing anyone who would listen that she was a liar and troublemaker with mental problems. There is a twisted episode in which her stepfather was finally going to move out, but her mother told the then 12-year old author to ask him to stay. He did stay, and years later the mother blamed her daughter for controlling her marriage (at age 12!) and making her husband stay when she could have been rid of him sooner.

Long after the evil stepfather was gone and the author was grown, her mother continued to expose the author's younger brothers to repeated abuse from a string of other losers she became involved with. Nancy Richards tells, in heart-wrenching detail, of her attempts to protect her younger siblings, to get anyone to listen to her or believe her, and to somehow maintain a relationship with the mother she still loved and the rest of her family.

But, in a scenario disturbingly familiar to many abuse survivors, her mother managed to convince most of the family that Richards was the problem, and to turn almost her entire family against her, including the brothers she had tried so hard and sacrificed so much to protect. The denial, betrayals, and blatant lies as the family protected the abusers and scape-goated the author will ring true with so many of us.

And then the author was left to embark on the path to forgiveness, with absolutely no remorse or repentance from those she was pressured to forgive, and not even any validation of her traumatic experiences. At each stage of the process, she faced renewed pain with every new revelation, such as the realizations that her mother was the one who betrayed her the most, and that her mother really never loved her.

Throughout her long and difficult journey to forgiveness and recovery, the author has many valuable insights which she lovingly shares with us. The most important insight, which is the main premise of the book, is that healing needs to come FIRST, BEFORE forgiveness. We usually feel pressured to forgive prematurely, by family and friends, therapists, and society in general. But forced forgiveness is not always possible, and is certainly not healthy.

The author teaches us that forgiveness is a process that begins with healing, and needs to include other elements as well, such as validation, anger, grief, and protection. In the process of her recovery, Nancy Richards read other author's works, which helped her to understand these truths about forgiveness, and she quotes from them in her book. When reading Heal & Forgive, one gets the sense that the author is not just writing about her own experiences, but is doing all she can to present a well-rounded and informed picture that will help other abuse victims as much as possible. She opens her heart to us, and shares her innermost thoughts and every feeling she has that might validate our own feelings and help us on our road to recovery.

The book is an easy read, and I was able to finish it in a few sittings. It was a hard book to put down, and I hated to walk away from it in the middle of the story without finding out what was going to happen next. It was a lot of food for thought. Nancy Richards does all abuse victims a favor when she teaches us that sometimes no matter what we are willing to do and how hard we are willing to try, it is just not possible to have a relationship with some people. We understand how important it is to stand up and tell the truth- to others and to ourselves.

When we realize that someone we love doesn't love us, the truth can be so hard to bear, but it is still the truth, and denying it doesn't change anything. We learn that sometimes we need to make the choice to walk away from a toxic relationship. We feel validated in learning that it is alright NOT TO FORGIVE evil people, and that releasing ourselves from the pressure to forgive gives us the freedom to heal. Only after we have healed will we be able to come to a place of genuine forgiveness.

After reading Heal & Forgive, I admire Nancy Richards for her courage and determination to heal and lead a life of peace and happiness despite her birth-family's rejection, and I am appreciative of her sincere efforts to encourage the rest of us and validate our experiences by sharing her story. Her triumph over the devastation and heartache inflicted by those she loved is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they can never get over the pain and be happy again. I urge all those who have felt the knife of a loved one's betrayal in their back, or who feel pressured to forgive before they are ready, to read this book. It is a must-read for any survivor of birth-family abuse.

I am amazed at what can be achieved with the one block. This is a fantastic book, full of inspiration

Our club is working through this book this year. I took a block not in the book and used the concept to create a quilt no one else has done. The quilts and blocks in the book are wonderful as well. The directions are easy to follow.

I received this item in a timely manner and it was in excellent condition. Have looked through the book several times and can't wait to make several quilts now. Would order from this person again, definitely.

My new favorite quilting book! My students love this technique of finding the hidden blocks. So easy to design a beautiful quilt using Lurlene's method.

great reference with lots of ideas - one of the best foundation books for a quilter's library.

I have never been a sports fan. A few years ago some of my friends became avid fans of the Astros, the Rockets, and the Comets, going to the games and having fun. This made me wish I knew more about sports. After reading Teri Burns's book I am going to try going to games and see if I can become a late-blooming fan.
THANKS TERI!

I just finished reading "How to Become an Athletic Supporter", and loved it! This book is actually a informative, and well written, handbook to provide the basics (and lots of interesting details) of all of the major sports a wife is likely to encounter!

It covers each sport, and keeps your interest with it's pithy commentary (primarily aimed at the man of the house).

Overall, both I and my husband recommend this book. I just enjoyed reading it, and my husband actually learned a few things from it!

This book is GREAT! It shed a whole new light on the sporting world. Also, it should make the upcoming football season a bit more enjoyable in our home now that my spouse has also read the book.

This book is great! Not only is it hilarious, it is jam-packed with sports facts that I was able to use to totally impress my boyfriend. (And, with my limited sports knowledge, that's really hard to do!) Hats off to Teri Burns for delivering a book that is long overdue!

One of the funniest sports books I have ever read. This is a straight-forward succinctly written guide to the major sports ~ but with an attitude. I'm certain the author had her tongue planted firmly in her cheek as she wrote each page. She obviously knows her sports, and you will, too, after reading this. That you had so much fun learning about those sports is the beauty of this gem of a book. This is a must have book for anyone who wants to learn about sports or anyone with a sense of humor. It works on both levels.

Even though I haven't broken 100, this book has given me the areas to focus on to break both barriers (100 & 90). Wish this was on Audible, so that I could hear it over and over. Great Job.

I can't believe that I am writing a good review for Mr. Tomasi. I loved this book. It is better than a lot of his other books. I recommend this book even if you want to break 100. It tells you what you have to do to get there. I liked how Mike Adams writes. it is simple and makes you want to go on the course to try out what you read. Get this book. I can't believe this is the same TJ Tomasi. If you want to break 100 or 90 then get this book. it will help you.

The first golf book that I have really understood when reading it. It breaks down many of the mysteries of golf in easily read, easily understood English. The touch of humor, here and there, also adds to the enjoyment of reading this book. In the space of 90 days from first read, I was able to reduce my handicap by 6 shots, win 3 competitions at my club and begin to really enjoy the game. It does work and I have recommended it to many of my golfing friends.

I started golfing regularly (about 3 times a month) last summer, practice at least once a week at the range, took a few lessons and finally broke 100. At that point I purchased "How to Break 90".

This book does an excellent job at teaching course management to avoid the dreaded blow up holes which ruin our scores. You will learn how to break down each hole to avoid hazards and to play within your ability. Instead of blasting a long iron or fairway wood on your second shot to the green of a typical par 4 hole, the author advises you to layup with a shot within your means to achieve your "personal par". There will be situations in which you can take chances and "go for the green", but in most cases, the risk doesn't pay off for golfers of our ability.

This book, together with practice will help you lower your scores. In fact I broke 90 (84) for the first time last month. I still hit plenty of bad shots but instead of trying to pull off a heroic shot to save par, the book has taught me to take my medicine and I usually do no worse than a double bogie.

Besides the outstanding course management help, "How to Break 90" also teaches you a variety golf shots in easy to understand language with a sense of humor. Highly recommended to all weekend golfers who want to improve.

I bought this book, even though at the time I was trying to break 100 rather than 90. I really liked the way the authors focused on course management and the short game rather than swing changes. I also liked the little bits of humor scattered throughout.

The authors make the point that if you average a 5 on every hole (something they call "Level 5's"), then you will shoot 90. I took this a step further and told myself that if I could shoot Level 6's, that's a 108. So if I could shave a few strokes from there, shoot 5 on a few holes (which isn't that tough, even for me), then I could break 100.

Sure enough, using thier course management advice and focusing on shooting 6's, not thinking about par, I broke 100 several times in the my next few rounds.

I'm now re-reading the book, and practicing some of the advice I thought was too advanced back then, and refining some more to hopefully break 90 soon.

This book truly helped my game....one of the few books I can say that about!

Rather you watch Dr. Phil's show, or have seen him on other shows, you may recognize that phrase.

But have you ever wondered where Dr. Phil has coined that phrase?

This phrase is in Dr. Jess Lair's 1969 copy of "I aint much, baby-but I'm all I've got."

Some really wonderful messages from this book tell us, "We are so busy not just building walls, but being the big judge that we don't have time to find, 'Hey, there are a lot of other people just like me out there.'"

And, "How are you going to teach someone, anyone, if you don't understand that their concerns and your concerns run along the same path."

One of the biggest lessons in this book, and there are many of them for everyone, is to tell the appropriate person, in the appropriate time, "I love you." You may notice that you will choke over saying those three words.

You may also notice that you may want to say more than that. But challenge yourself to say just those three words to that person, while you expect nothing in return.

This will teach you self-acceptance, acceptance of others, trust, love and serenity.

Also, as part of your "get real challenge," find 5 people who you tell, what you fear, what you are sad about, and what you are worried about. See yourself telling these people this, while you notice your internal voice, and their reactions or responses.

Make this part of your lifestyle, while you balance other parts of who you are.

When you are able to do this you enhance not only how you experience life, but you also enhance the possibility that the people who you speak heart-to-heart to, just might feel more free to get real with themselves. They may tell you how it really is for them, in a way that allows them to take responsibility for their own lives.

And although they may not tell you how it really is with them, chances are they will tell someone else how it really is with them - which is great, because the idea is that they decide to be authentic.

And in giving this gift to these people, you are changing the world, because we all know at least 250 people. When they or you are able to see yourselves accepted, unconditionally, we all pass this on.

If you find this challenging for you, and you are determined to do this, especially for yourself, I suggest that you read, "Narcissism: Denial of the True Self," by Alexander Lowen, MD; then read, "Healing the Shame That Binds You," by John Bradshaw.

We are all here to express our unique purpose, and in so doing to make a difference, beyond our wildest dreams.

To fight that truth is playing God.

Have you ever read a book where you felt like the author was right there in the room, connecting with you, there just for you?

This is definitely one of those books. He speaks to your heart and soul, besides your mind. And he anticipates everything that you might object to.

Read this book to accept everything about yourself, the good, bad, ugly and beauty, equally. Because it is when you accept all of this about yourself that you naturally enhance parts of yourself that you want to enhance, not what someone else wants you to do.

And in your self-acceptance, you will become more free to accept others, as they choose to be, without your pressing upon their mind.

The more you practice listening to your soul, and compassionately responding to your soul, the more you at peace you become.

Read this book, more than once, with pen in hand, as you note what you are experiencing - And, oh! How humble you will become.

I first read this book in college, about 15 years ago. I noticed right away that I was sending out and receiving love from people. It was amazing and real, and eventually my "abilities" wore off. Then I read it again 9 years ago, and the same thing happened, without saying a word, people smiled more and were kinder, and went out of their way to be nice to me. Because I was real and accepting of myself, and it flowed out. But again it wore off. Now in 2005 I think I have grown enough spiritually to "get it", and I hope permanently this time. But it does take five minutes at time for a lifetime. The lessons are between the lines and you won't even realize how much you've changed until you notice how well-liked you suddenly become, really! This book is a must-have for any seeker of personal growth or spritual truth because as I'm learning, they are exactly the same thing.

He has a real way of connecting with readers, telling it like it is! Great effort and I'm sure Jess helped a lot of people who's lives were confused messes. Very easy read and information. Still applicable to relationships in the 21st century.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

Jess's presentation is one of the most realistic, compassionate treatments of human nature and relationships which I have seen. His stress on being genuine, and on the deep human need for love, is superb.

Where Jess fails is in treating the examples, mostly from his classroom experience, as if the approach he outlines is strictly 'cause and effect.' During the 1970s, when a new generation was exploring being 'open' as opposed to using the conventions of conversation from the past, yet the 'self help' culture had not yet arisen, his approach seemed close to revolutionary. However, reactions other than those of one grateful for love are never presented as possible - and, indeed, one may find that is exactly what one receives.

For example, Jess, whose emphasis on our need to be loved is probably the most honest statement of the century, gives an example of a nurse who phoned her former supervisor, to whom she was grateful, to say 'I love you.' The happy tears of the supervisor are moving - but let no one expect that this was inevitable. Indeed, some people are ill at ease when told of love by close friends.

Regrettably, the current 'self help' culture could spoil the effect of much of Jess's advice. The warmth and affection he suggests could be taken today for a 'violation of boundaries,' or be feared as a technique of manipulation (much as it is not.)

I found Jess's treatment of sex to be wonderfully healthy and refreshing, yet things have changed there as well. He gives an example of a wonderful man he knew who complimented a lady on her figure (saying she had the nicest breasts he had seen), and her wholesome acceptance of this. Indeed, an excellent attitude is shown here - but a man;s compliments on a woman's figure could be
taken, however wrongly, for some sort of harrassment today.
The book can be valuable, but with the caveat that the reader must use it with discrimination.

It's an excellent book, full of wits and inspirations. Love it.

I found this book to be very helpful and knowledgeable but most importantly I gained a lot of inspiration from this and have already begun selling more of my product!

Does this sound familiar? You have a dream but are afraid if you pursue it you will risk losing what you have now?

In Stacey Mayor's book, seven very successful people overcome obstacles to turn those dreams into reality, each sharing three Key Success Principles:

1. Stacey Allison, the first American woman to successfully climb Mt. Everest. She turned her passion into money and tell tells how she balances the life lessons from her climb and her abusive first marriage.

2. Mary Youngblood went from a being a welfare mom to being a Grammy Award winner with her music.

3. Loral Langemeier, single mom who became a millionaire -- and teaches others to do the same.

4. Baseball's Tom Glavine overcame multiple roadblocks and became a pro ballplayer and a World Series' MVP.

5. John Dessauer went from a corporate job and an almost-failed married to a multi-millionaire in just over two years in real estate.

6. Lisa Earle McLeod left a lucrative position at Procter & Gamble (against everyone's advice) to help other women with her talent for humor. She authored Forget Perfect and is now a professional speaker and comedian.

7. Stephen Pierce is the final person. I have had the privilege to meet him at a major Internet marketing seminar. His story is inspirational. A tenth grade dropout, Pierce hit bottom before earning his first million "on line" using the Internet to sell product and intellectual property to traders. He stressed the value of joint alliances to help him succeed.

The stories are all inspirational, each with a good lesson for us on overcoming the fear of working toward our dreams.

The coach/author interviews these life experts, followed by sound advice they learned at the school of hard knocks. You will find many favorites in the 26 strategies. Mine was: To streamline your efforts with your natural talents with your goal.

Why did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ignite a worldwide movement with his "I Have a Dream" speech? The answer is simple: because we all have dreams, aspirations, inner sparks yearning to become flames.

Sometimes these dreams are private. We may not even admit them fully to ourselves. Traditionally, these are our "pipe dreams," our Walter Mitty fantasies.

At other times we describe our dreams to family and friends. Yet we don't go beyond that. We simply talk, get mired in "what if" and count time until the weekend and the monthly paycheck.

Stacey Mayo's excellent book helps readers move beyond daydreaming, helping them fashion a plan that takes them from speculation to success.

This book is very interesting. Mayo's interviews read like conversation at a mid morning coffee break.

Fortunately, after each interview she helps you take specific steps to apply the action principles that she has uncovered.

As an entrepreneur who took the big leap to fulfill his dream eight years ago, I can report that Stacey Mayo offers practical guidelines for venturesome spirits. At the end of the book, you will declare, "They all got their dream life. Following their advice, I can too."

If you are searching for more fullfillment in your present occupation or yearning to reach for different dreams and create a new and more successful and joyful career, this is the book for you. Not only does the author provide you with real life examples of successful individuals living their dreams, but she breaks down the process for reaching your dreams in a practical and inspiring way. Her skills as a life coach are shared with the reader as she coaches you carefully through each of the proven strategies so they can be tailored to meet your specific needs and circumstances. If living your dream AND getting paid for it is something you are interested in, then I highly recommend you get this book right away and start creating your dream today!! I know I am.

I hate to cook, love to eat. Follow the directions, yummy stuff. Has enough to chose from for any taste bud.

My Wife and were stuck cooking the same things over and over again until we got this cook book. Reciepes are easy to follow and they wonderful.

Really great book for my daughter who is a college student and does not know how to cook at all. It was a xmas gift for her and she has already made two dishes out of it and is very proud of herself.

This book is laid out well, with a straightforward approach to directions for each recipe that will appeal to the tentative beginner. The recipes are geared for the beginner's palate, with no exotic ingredients or trendy food combinations. The recipes' ingredients are readily available and recipes each call for just a few ingredients. (Even advanced cooks can be overwhelmed by recipes with dozens of ingredients.) There is also some handy information at the back of the book, including a glossary of cooking terms.
This book will appeal to young adults who have recently gone out on their own, but have evolved to a level where top ramen is not purchased by the case. And, along with a care package of recipe ingredients or kitchen utensils, it would make an excellent gift for your 20-something relative or friend. 50 Ways to Leave Your Mother

This cookbook is excellent! Inexpensive meals that are perfect for my two sons that are away at college. Easy and clear instructions help them to fix meals that only take a few minutes to prepare. Makes a perfect gift!