Personal Books

Notaro is one of the only authors who makes me laugh out loud. Her stories are hilarious, and sometimes I think she has been following me around for notes! She is not afraid to let readers see her in a not-so-flattering light, and makes no apologies for her behavior.

I was very anxiously wating for this book to come out. On the day it did finally come out, I ran to every possible store so I could read it right away because I was having knee surgery in 3 days. Needless to say, I could find it nowhere so my husband ordered it for me on Amazon. We paid for the next day shipping and I pretty much sat on the porch wating for the UPS man. As soon as he got here, I sat down on the couch and started reading. Most of it was cute, but not funny. I only laughed out loud a couple of times and as anyone who reads her books knows, you are usually crying and calling your friends to read them the funny parts. Not once did I have the desire to do this. I will, of course,buy her next book when it comes out but for this one, the anticipation left me wanting after I finally got it.

Let me preface this by saying I'm a HUGE fan of this author, and have loved all her previous Idiot Girl essay books. In fact, they are some of the few books that have earned "keeper" status - I don't swap them. This book did NOT disappoint.

HILARIOUS!! I was laughing out loud throughout, and I think I actually snort-laughed at one point even. The essay on "It's all good" was so so funny - I'm laughing again just thinking about it. The story of her adventures on a cruise ship - priceless! I could really relate to the whitewater rafting trip. I must be an idiot girl, because the author feels like a good friend to me. :)

I stayed up all night (despite the fact that I had to be up at 6am for work, even!) reading this, because I could not put it down. Highly recommended! :) Can't wait for her next essay book!

My daughter picked this book up for me and suggested that I might like it as it "looked like something you would like". I finished this book in 2 days. This book had me laughing so hard that I had tears rolling and was unable to stop laughing long enough to tell anyone why I was laughing. A most enjoyable read.

Fans of Laurie Notaro's first-person stories will be delighted with this latest collection of "reflections." After a brief foray into the world of fiction with a zany, semi-autobiographical novel, once again the Idiot Girl is back to form, sharing stories and observations of her decidedly normal life with an original and laugh-out-loud way with words.

Notaro never holds back. Her polished writing style has a conversational, off-the-cuff quality to it, allowing readers to feel like we're right there in the room with her, listening to her outrage at a big dog taking a dump on her front lawn, or breaking out her bird flu mask on a plane after the passenger seated next to her open-mouth coughs for the last time. She's like your funniest friend--the one you know will make the party more fun as soon as she opens her mouth and launches into her latest life experience. I know I couldn't wait to open and devour this book, and I wasn't disappointed. Five stars all the way.

From the author of The Things I Wish I'd Said.

This book presents some interesting concepts on Process Design and Performance.

Don't let the date this book was published influence your decision to buy - it is timeless. I am on my second copy of this book and would characterize it as the best book on business process management that has ever been published. This is "The Book". Everyone I know in the Business Process Management field has this book. I recommend it to every client and every business improvement team member that I work with.

The information contained in this "gem" can help anyone involved in process improvement. Consultants, executives, managers, process team leaders, process team members - it doesn't matter whether you are working in manufacturing, finance, logistics, sales or human resources. It also doesn't matter whether you are new to BPM or have been in the field for 20 years. This book will change the way you think about organizational structure and approaching business process.

Trying to characterize what parts of the book were best, would be like trying to dissect what parts of the blue sky you like best. It is all great stuff - each chapter is better than the next, and will help you understand what needs to be done to make business improvement initiatives work. It is well written, easy to understand the concepts, with hundreds of useful illustrations and models to learn from.

I would give this book 6 stars if I could ...

This book will survive the trends, since most of the trends are based on the principles in this book. The names will change (Quality Circles, Just In Time, TQM, Re-engineering, Six Sigma, ...), but these principles and how well they are implemented will determine a companies' efficiency and quality.

As a business process and systems analyst, I have used the techniques in this book extensively to document existing and proposed processes and systems.

The diagramming techniques ensure thorough identification of all relevant interfaces and will assist in identifying those frustrating and toxic business processes that defy verbal description, but once diagrammed, seem to become clearly understood. I cannot count how many "Ah-ha" moments I have seen when confused managers, too deep in the trees to be able to see the whole forest, finally see the problems with their business laid out in clear pictures drawn with the techniques taught in this book.

This is by far the first book that dealt with process improvement and change from all angles. This book provides examples that will help the novice in preparing and implementing change. Packed with examples and worksheets to guide the reader thru the whole process. However, since it was written in 1995, this book does not cover prevailing technologies but is still useful in understanding the foundations for change. If you are looking to implement business process change/improvement, read this book in conjunction with a more recent book by Paul Harmon "Business Process Change" who happens to be a student of Mr. Rummler. Paul Harmon's book cover such topics as CMM and Six Sigma when implementing process change.

Generally, I feel that everyone is entitled to their opinions and because of that, I sat on this for a long time before I decided I needed to respond. I am certainly not going to berate "a reader" for her negative comments when it comes to the book, but there is one thing that she says that bothers me above all others. When she said "...most of the families have at least something positive to say about their child...." How could I not take that personally. So here goes...

First, the book she received was a "Review" copy from the publisher, therefore not meant to be "pristine". Secondly, I have to wonder if she actually read the entire book. If she had she would have read the letter to my son in the final chapter expressing how much of a gift I feel he is and how much I have learned from him and about myself as a result of the tradegy of his birth. Thirdly, she feels that I didn't have anything nice to say about some of the people I met as a result. Clearly she skipped the part in the book and in the acknowledgment page where I have expressed my deepest gratitude to my son's pediatrician, Dr. Hagan and his physiatrist, Dr. Webster as well as some other people I've met along the way.

Lastly, I think I should express exactly why I wrote this book and why I chose to write it the way that I did. When my son was born I searched high and low for a book that would help me feel like I wasn't alone in the world. I needed to have some connection to another parent who had been through what I was going through. Fortunately, I have a lot of wonderful books in my personal library. Unfortunately, there is not one that I fully connected with. A large majority of books available on special needs children do not reflect the needs of parents whose child has multiple challenges. I know that parents need that connection and that's why I wrote "In This Together".

As to why I wrote it the way I did, it's because I didn't want to sugar-coat anything. I was blatantly honest about what I was going through and how I felt about it because to be otherwise would be less than respectful to the parents and professionals who would read it. Furthermore, I wanted to take a "show don't tell" approach. It is easy enough to say to a parent, "Yes it does get better. Yes it will get easier" or if I said something like "I didn't think I could physically survive this profound sadness, but hey, by the time my son was five years old I was feeling okay about life". The harder part was showing how to get from total heart-break to a place in life where you can say "I'm alright.Life is good". And I think I achieved that by using my experience as an example.

Parents know when you're not telling the whole truth. To give them less then the absolute truth would be a disservice. Sometimes parents need to see that it's okay to be angry. And some of the things I said in the book are things that some parents think about but are too afraid to say. By me saying it, it sort of validate how they feel.

As far as "a readers" comment about the book's negativity and her feeling like I don't offer any joyous moments and that I'm basically telling parent's that it's one struggle after another, let me just say that while Murphy's Law did seem to prevail in our lives for a time, the reality is that there were a lot of struggles, some of them monumental and other trivial...but that's the reality, I didn't make it up.

That said, let me direct you "reader" to page 219 when I was summing up the things our family has been through... "We are no longer fragmented people who are bound only by the same last name. We are finally whole, each of us individually, and as a family. We have discovered that the simpler joys in life often mean the most. We have learned that we are adaptable people, because there are days, depending on what's going on with Jake, that we have to quickly reprioritize everything. But we take a deep breath and dig in. We are like the branches of a willow tree...we will bend but not break."

When it comes to the blessings I can count because of my son, let me direct you to page 241 and 242 where I express all the things I've learned about my son, myself, and life in general. It wasn't until after my son was born that I came to believe that we are all here on this earth either to learn something or to teach something and, at least in this lifetime, my son is the teacher and I am the pupil. And though "I may not have the most money or the biggest house, no retirement fund or a way to send my daughter to college when she grows up, I am rich nonetheless for having had the privilege of being a student to such a Master".

To my one and only critic, I hope you will take the time to go back and read the whole book and I invite you (and anyone else) to share your thoughts with me through my website, www.dawnatkinson.net.

To the rest of you, I just want you to know that this book is for you and if I've been able to help in some small way, then it is me who is blessed because of it.

Dawn Atkinson

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher because I am an employee of an early intervention program. I work with families who have children with devastating birth defects or diagnoses, some even more involved than the author's son, Jacob. However, most of the families have at least something positive to say about their child and sometimes even about the people they never would have met except for the tragedy that occurred. Although this book does demonstrate how important it is to be an advocate for your child, I am reluctant to share this book with parents of children with disabilities because it is so negative. I would hate for a new parent of a child with a disability to feel that they only have continual struggles ahead of them with no hope of joyous moments. Additionally, the obviously unedited book has numerous grammatical and spelling errors that were very obvious when trying to read the book.

Dawn Atkinson's book In This Together: The Journey of Mother and Child was truly a great book. As a mother raising a special needs child, Dawn's book truly hit home. It was like reading my life story. I recommend this book to everyone. The letter at the end that Dawn writes to her son, brought tears to my eyes and her advice she gives to loved ones and professionals, I have shared with those people whom are involved in my own son's life. Dawn, I want to personally thank you for writing this book. You put all the feelings of Mom's everywhere into one book and we appreciate that very much.

The story of Dawn Atkinson is one of the joy of expecting a child and the heartbreak that can be when there is ignorance and arrogance. Ignorance by both a young first time pregnant mom and by a new inexperienced ob/gyn. And arrogance of doctor with no regard for the baby coming into this world, they are not made of rubber and don't always bounce back! As first time moms we tend to trust in our doctors. We may read books like "What to Expect when your Expecting" or even other informational articles in "Parents Magazine" but there isn't a lot of information out there about delivery. We tend to trust the person who is suppose to be the expert and hope for the best. After all babies are born every day in the United States without any complications or problems and all our friends and relatives went through it just fine right? This book not only is about the journey between mother and child but is something every pregnant women should read about and discuss with her ob/gyn before delivery and have a plan. How long will they let labor go on before doing a Cessarian section?, When do they use vacuum extraction?, What is the protocol?, Why do they induce labor? Should labor ever be induced early without a clear indication that there is medical danger to the baby or mom?.
This books is very helpful to both the expectant mom as well as a comfort to the mom who has gone through and is living her own story of loss of "normal" birth and motherhood. Sometimes too much information can be a good thing. We need to educate woman about the dangers of labor as well as the joys. We need to give control to the patient. Let them decide enough is enough and let them be the judge of when something feels wrong.
This book also belongs in college libraries. Especially colleges that specialize in nursing, education and pre-med. Anybody who will come in contact with or may come in contact with the kind of very special family Dawn Atkinson has should know the ins and outs, the nuts and bolts of what their everyday is like. It will make us all more compasionate and understanding. It will also teach us to have more respect for the one who knows the most about the affected child...THE MOM!

Dawn's incredible Journey with Jake is and ever changing challenge. She is a wonderful mother who advocates for her child as only a mom can. This book only gives you a sample of what it is to have a child with severe disabilities and the challenges that a parent faces.

As a Pastor,I've heard many a good sermon and read many spiritual books. But nothing compares to Alan Clement's ability to spellbind the reader with his magnificently written true life stories. He weaves together into a beautiful tapestry his own brand of Buddhist philosophy, political knowledge, science, wisdom and chutzpah that also seems mysteriously to encapsulate the reader as well. What I found even more intriguing in "Instinct For Freedom" are Alan's honestly-written and courageous choices and sacrifices he has made in life in pursuit of spirituality, freedom, truth and enlightenment. Any and all spiritual seekers from any belief system (or none) should definitely read this book.

In reading most spiritual books, I've noticed that there's a subtle gap between the well-meaning view portrayed, and what I actually feel and experience in reading. You know when you get a used book, and the prior reader has underlined and written, "How true!" Well, it's like other spiritual books have an undertone of "I wish it were true."

In contrast, Clements' words are alive with authentic conviction, and the unmistakeable clarion ring of truth. There's not a trace of pontification. This man has lived an incredible life. He's able to capture the essence of real spirituality and deliver it live and wriggling to the reader. I don't know how he does it. But, as a writer myself, I know that there's only one way he could do it. By really living it. And clearly he does.

He came back down from the mountaintop, so listen up, folks, cause he's really got something worth hearing.

...though I think Mr. Clements should not hold his breath while waiting for humanitarian impulses to saturate the planet. If all is one (whether in the quantum, holographic sense, or in the more traditional sense), then it is only "it" rearranging "itself" when living things appear to consume and/or exploit one another. It may only be an infinitely-manifesting (fractal) consciousness at play. In short, I have become skeptical of any and all conclusions drawn by us. Perhaps we are just a dream, as suggested by Chuang Tzu. I doubt whether we are nearly so important as we would have ourselves believe. How much would the earth miss us?

Instinct for Freedom is deeply inspiring and liberating. With his insightful and passionate voice, Clements compellingly urges each and every one of us to uniquely become ALL that we are, and in doing so expand the experience of freedom for ourselves, and for each other.

An absolutely amazing read! Open your heart & mind and experience what it could be like to be a divine human being living life wide-open and in complete freedom - beyond all dogma, nationalism, tribalism & religion.

I had the good fortune of seeing Alan in action during a recent retreat - now here's a guy who lives & loves life with reckless abandon. This planet needs guys like him big time if there's going to be any evolution of human consciousness beyond our current self-centred pettiness.

This is one of the most profound books I've ever read. Slowly the wisdom seeps into and invokes profound change in one's life. This is an experiential guide to personal transformation. There is no other book, I would recommend higher than this little gem. It will change your life. More importantly, if people embodied its message, it may transform the world. Unlike many modern prophets of spirit who are more concerned with morphing prosperity into a cottage industry, this author advocates for an integral approach to spirituality. Read it: you may never be the same again.

A workbook that helps you absorb universal principles.
THe best way is to work on one page a day, and repeart the previous last ones.

Easy reading, highly inspirational. Read it like drinking fine liquore - a little bit at a time, letting the words sink in and be carried on their wisdom on the days that follow.

In those moments when all you can hear is the house creak and the dog change positions, I like to pick up this book and read one or two of what the author calls seed passages. It's that kind of book. The author provides joyfully lively and thought provoking portals for the contemporary seeker's spiritual envisioning regardless of the readers' religious or non-religious identification. It is a small book with big ideas. Mr. Shulman's languaging, explanations and examples, in this his second book, are extremely clear, to the point and easily understood., The profound perspectives offered present many varied opportunities for the healing integration of body, mind, heart, and spirit into a place of embodied fullness and awakened consciousness. I find this book deeply transformative, full of delight and would recommend this book to all seeking devotional insight.

Spiritual awakening teacher Jason Shulman presents The Instruction Manual for Receiving God, a spiritual self-help guide that focuses upon making oneself available to receive the presence of God, rather than seeking God. Drawing upon the Kabbalist and Buddhist Dharma traditions embraced by Shulman, The Instruction Manual for Receiving God consists of 108 "seed passages", each a brief insight into divine mysteries of life, death, and wonder. The Instruction Manual for Receiving God is not meant to be read as a blueprint or lecture book; instead, each of the seed passages is meant to be pondered at length, perhaps absorbed individually over the course of days or weeks, in order to motivate contemplation of the divine and help open up one's heart and spirit. An inspirational and insightful tool. "Ecstasy is not something separate from fear. Ecstasy is something that includes fear in the price of being human."

I heard one of the authors interviewed on a Sunday evening radio program. It was a good and interesting interview. I found the book to be neither. I'm a 59 yo man who bought it for a woman friend. The interesting topics in the interview (how women are perceived by others at certain ages, effects of changing/not changing hair color, etc.) were not featured in the book, which struck me as 3 not-very-interesting-but-overly-self-absorbed people with not much to say of interest. It had some thoughtful stuff, but not enough to capture my interest. I'm sure there's an audience for this out there, but I'm not in it...

This is simply a phenomenal book! These three women have come out in public and revealed their souls to those of us who are walking the same path after 50. What struck me the most was the depth of honesty and vulnerability that Joyce, Renee and Jean revealed to us. Along with this was the encouragement to recreate yourself, and take, what I call, that quantum leap in life in complete trust and faith as the dependency on "security" fades into the background. The message I got loud and clear throughout this book was identify your purpose or dream in life, keep your focus on it throughout the inevitable fear, take action steps...and watch the universe align to support you as the creativity and opportunities come flowing in. It is a course that many of us 50+ women are taking as we realize that we are an incredible untapped resource for our planet, as well as for shifting the paradigm of aging for women. At age 59 I am certain that the divine purpose that lives in me is coming to full expression NOW! Thanks Jean, Joyce and Renee for allowing us to come into intimacy with the moments of your lives and for providing us with a roadmap for "coming out"!

Gaye Abbott, www.WildlyFreeWoman.com, Gaye@WildlyFreeWoman.com

A very enjoyable read. These three women (I kept looking at their pictures on the back cover when reading their vignettes) are open and unabashingly honest as they comment on various subjects that especially effect us "over 50 women". Their stories come from their life experiences and various friendships, and we are brought into their inner circle. They are who they are today because of their strenghts and weaknesses, their personal histories and hopes for today and the future, as we all are, too. Their candor, integrity and humor made this a book that I am sharing with my friends and my daughter (who is barely 30 something).

These writers tell their stories so genuinely, so generously, so thought-provokingly, that you cannot stop reading this book. At one and the same time original, yet telling so many parts of other women's stories around the globe, whether you are under 50 or over, these passages will resonate within you. You will never fear turning 50 again!

Three distinct voices, three unusual lives, all bound together with hope, friendship, love, humor, and above all, honesty. I am nearing this passage myself, and have been encouraged to begin anew, a new career, home, relationship, and to renew my faith in myself. Not the 20-year-old me (although she is definitely still in attendance), but the lovable 48-year-old imperfect me who will make the next chapter sizzle in the pages of my own lifetale. "Invisible No More" indeed!

Invisible No More: The Secret Lives of Women Over 50 is a memoir of three different women who each tell the story of their life journey to their golden years. Written with wit, aplomb, modesty, and enthusiasm, Invisible No More covers topics ranging from sexuality at five decades to faith and spirituality, maintaining physical health (and a trim waistline), shifting gears, and contemplations on the difference between solitude and loneliness. Invisible No More earns its distinction of being an iUniverse reader's choice book through its honesty, optimism, and life-affirming insights. Highly recommended.

I loved everything about this book. I particularly enjoyed the card deck. I was unable to put the book down once I got into it. I spent a weekend in a hotel room with this book and a notebook charting my next move in all areas of my life.

It's Your Move inspired me and got me up and moving. This book is a roadmap for anyone that is serious about going to the next level in their life.

Regardless of how old you are and how long you've worked, you can always learn new tools to make you more effective in life. A book that can add to your learning is It's Your Move - Dealing Yourself the Best Cards in Life and Work by Cyndi Maxey and Jill Bremer (Prentice Hall).

The general design of the book and plan is a series of 52 techniques, or "cards", that you can play in your life in order to improve your effectiveness in life. The techniques are grouped into a number of sets: preparation, attitude, visibility, style, presentation, listening, learning, balance, and flexibility. At the end of each chapter, you are instructed to "draw" one of the cards and start to apply it to your life. By not being able to pick and choose what you want to do, you are forced to examine possibilities that you may shy away from if given your choice.

If you've read books of this genre before, you'll recognize a number of the techniques... take risks, set goals, etc. But regardless of how many you've heard before, all it takes is one new idea to propel you forward. Maxey and Bremer have an easy style of writing that makes it simple to understand and incorporate the idea into your life. They also use actual personal stories to help the reader relate to the technique. All good stuff...

Worth reading if you're looking to make a change in your life...

This book was a real eye opener for me in many ways. It's down-to-earth format makes it easy and interesting to read. Within the 253 pages you learn how to enrich your personal,professional,financial and emotional strengths and how to vastly improve your weaknesses. It puts into words and organizes how to deal with almost any challenge one can confront in life and how to succeed and win at the same time. It makes sense! It's a blueprint to becoming or remaining proactive,powerful and self confident.

Although classified as a Business book, this title is really a self-help book. It was confusing for me as a reader, possibly based on my expectations.

Based on the subtitle of the book, I expected that I might see a card deck kind of format clearly presented. I imagined perhaps 52 great ideas that I could use to build my effectiveness. The fan of playing cards on the book cover reinforced that expectation. When I finally got past the pages of the publisher's advertising to reach the table of contents, I found that there were nine "hands," an introduction, a preparatory chapter, and a conclusion. Each hand (examples: attitude, visibility, style, listening, learning) in the table of contents has categories that highlight information and advice that would be helpful for anyone looking for some self-improvement help. There are graphics of success cards at the end of each chapter, but the graphics were not emphasized as well as they could be in the chapters. This is a design issue, rather than content, but the design affects the readability of the book.

Some "players" are introduced in the first chapter, representing composites of readers. The idea here, I believe, is that readers would be able to identify with these characters as they move through the book. These characters do stay with us through the book, but an army of other people pop in and out as examples in various vignettes. This parallel theme confused me as I was trying to follow the players and all the valuable advice being offered by the authors. The result of all these themes, a large number of call-out boxes, and a sans serif typeface made this book seem overly complicated.

Unquestionably, there is a lot of valuable advice in these pages, but be prepared to separate the book you'd like to read from the others that seem to be interwoven with it. The index, which appears just before the closing advertisements from the Financial Times, is helpful. The conclusion includes a survey with check-boxes that will enable the reader to focus on next-steps.

I've read quite a few self-help and business how-to books, and usually they are good for an idea or two. This one goes way beyond that, however. It has more helpful concrete information per square inch than any other business book I've read. I assumed I'd read this, then pass it along or resell it -- but no way! I'm keepin' this puppy. (Buy your own!)

If you want a reality check about the image you project at work, or some ideas about how to break the ice with the boss, or you need to figure out why your ideas just never seem to get the response you'd like at meetings, this book is definitely for you. It doesn't just tell you what to do; it describes a few ways to go about it, describes how each way might be perceived, and then walks you through some practical examples of how to go about trying something new.

I was surprised at how much information the authors included on topics that I hadn't considered much but that, by gosh, really do matter. A lot. This book comes at a topic from all different angles, and gives you quick fixes, easy things to do that are very effective, and also things you can (if you choose) build on if it's something that matters a lot to you. It is extremely thorough, in an easy-to-read way. For example, I've never really paid serious attention to clothes. I have the requisite business attire and know the "rules" -- nothing flashy, good tailoring. But I was fascinated by the discussion of color, different levels of business dress from formal to casual and what really differentiates each level (the unspoken rules that, yes, really do matter), a detailed and intimate talk about details you thought you could only count on a close friend for (bad breath and what really works and what doesn't, taking basic care of your fingernails), and a marvelously sensible talk about how to take care of different fabrics ("Between cleanings, wool garments should be hung out overnight before being put back in a closet. Wool is a resilient fabric and will return to its natural shape if allowed to breathe."). I found myself approaching my closet with new respect.

This is one of only a very few self-help/business books I've ever read that actually resulted in my changing something. And it was easy. I can count at least 4 things I changed immediately, with little effort, after reading this the first time. The chapters on increasing your visibility (hard for us shy types) and attitude and style are worth their weight in gold. The book is very useful as a reference you can go back to for ideas, and for ways to rethink a situation.

This one's a keeper.

I have just started listening to "Lead the Field" and am only a few chapters into it. So far I hang on every word. This is my 2nd book by Earl Nightingale - the first was "The Strangest Secret". Simply delighted with both. He has an engaging, captivating way of sharing his inspiring words. I would recommend it to anyone.

I was not really impressed at the beggining, however I decided to listen it as long as I paid some money. It was a briliant idea. The more I listen it, the more I liked. Full of wisdom, full of ideas and suggestions about what you should do in order to "Lead the Field". I have not been a fan of Earl Nighthingale, thinking that he is from the old school of personal motivation and success, but I was completely wrong. The old principles and ideas are valid today and will be sure valid also tommorow.

This is one of...if not the best self help tapes I've ever listend to. It's basic... It's positive..and it works.

I've bought virtually every self-improvement/success audio/video out there, (I've spent over 18K on these materials) and of them all, this multi-CD set is the most powerful and moving set I've gotten, of hundreds.

I have to thank Jeffrey Gitomer for bringing Earls' "The Strangest Secret" to my awareness at one of his excellent seminars, where I bought the cd.

Then I discovered these, via the nightingale website. This set of CDs is the most valuable I've ever listened to. Also the extended "Strangest Secret" 5-cd set and Essence of Success are very valuable.

Highly recommended, profoundly moving to me and something I'll be re-listening to for the rest of my life. Get it. Also get all of Brian Tracy's stuff, it's great. And the Napoleon Hill cds.

To your success,

-Ken

I listened to the CD's at least 5 times already. The information is good to remind me to go forward in the directions of my interests. If you don't listen to it and receive the information, you'll miss opportunity.

Reading his words, we are saddened in knowing he is soon to die a martyr at the young age of 39 by the Nazis. Bonhoeffer fought for biblical truth, and against appeasement. He writes his thoughts (at times very deep and philosophical) from prison, when he entered in 1943 until extradition to another prison over two years later, just before the Allies' liberation in 1945. In his letters to his parents amazingly he is not bitter, but thankful and in good spirits. He was always hopeful. He finds joy in even the smallest of things. Some of the letters we will discover are slightly coded to get through the "checkers". The preface sums it up better than I can: "page by page, these letters show us a picture of life in a prison cell, as it was experienced in all its aspects, with the intimate details of an individual life fused into a striking unity with the disastrous events that were going on in the world outside, a unity produced by an outstanding mind and a sensitive heart."

Much of Bonhoefffer's letters were written to his dear friend Eberhard Bethge. Bonhoeffer expounded with difficult theological questions for Bethge........I would like to hear his answers. Bethge as editor writes the foreword and preface, along with what Bonhoeffer experienced during his final days. The preface is a short biography and explains how the papers came to be.

The two years Bonhoeffer spent in his dreary jail cell he consumed an immense amount of literature; he discusses his favorites. He also gives us a hint of what jail life was like: the solitude, the allied bombings (air-raids), the cell attendants, and his fellow prisoners, whom he does not justify their pathetic cowardly actions; he believed prison was no excuse for poor behavior. Other subjects he touches on is liberalism within the church, and a world that is increasingly existing without God. He believed his thoughts were somewhat odd and his poems needed work, but they were far from it.

This is a book of hope for all who will believe. If Christ is a lie, think of the millions who then threw their lives away in martyr for Him.

Wish you well
Scott

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Letters and Papers from Prison" is the account of an extremely intelligent German theologian and pastor who was thrown into prison during WWII. The correspondence Bonhoeffer shared with his family members during the time he spent in prision (over a year and a half)reveals his character in a remarkably honest way. The love and concern he has for his family and his selflessness, even while sitting in prison, are a great testament to the Christian faith regardless of your theological position.

I read this book several years ago at the behest of my Pastor when I was still a man of faith. And although I've essentially fallen out of that faith in the last few years, I still consider this one of the most inspiring true stories I have ever read. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German minister who openly spoke out against the Nazis-and allegedly even participated in the plot to kill Hitler-was imprisoned in 1943 and eventually hanged by the German government shortly before the end of the war. This is a collection of his correspondence with his family and friends during his two years of incarceration.



The strength of this book is that Bonhoeffer was not only a truly courageous man who refused to abandon his principles, but as a Christian, he actually practiced what he preached. This seems to be rare these days and I think the reason that so many people resent Christians and Christianity is that they see so many of them as hypocrites. They constantly talk about God and peace, and righteousness, yet they are so quick to drop a bomb or condemn those that disagree with them. Bonhoeffer represents a pure Christianity of love and justice. This is my take at least and others might disagree with my assessment. With that said, this was a man who truly believed in his God and accepted with dignity whatever fate that God had in store for him. His courage and joy in the face of such a harsh fate is evident in his writings. So, even though I don't share Bonhoeffer's religious beliefs or some of his "ethics," I don't hesitate to recommend this truly inspiring book to believers and non-believers alike. My only warning is that there is a lot of theological discussion and those with little or no knowledge of the religion might find these parts a bit over their head.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Letters & Papers from Prison was a most edifying read, primarily because it stripped away the mystery and mythical aura that surrounded him, before and after his murder by the Nazis in 1945. The fact that his reputation is so universally well known is greatly due in part to his brother-in-law, the late Eberhard Bethge.

Having been raised in a very German household myself, I would hear occasional stories from my own father, who grew up in Germany at that time, about the German pastor who was a part of the plot to kill Hitler, the one who was the moral conscience who aided the conspirators while they tried to rid Germany of the diabolical dictator and his vile atrocities that were sweeping throughout the land, for nothing was sacrosanct.

Bonhoeffer, known throughout the Christian world for his books, The Cost of Discipleship and Ethics, among other treaties, pamphlets and sermons, was a great example in respects to how a man or woman can truly live an independent Christian life while working in the world and that heroism does not necessarily come from preaching the Gospel, but rather, living it or trying to. It also comes from incorporating nuances of those truths, big or small, into the daily activities of ones life and sharing that Christian goodness (in a healthy and practical manner) with people from all walks of life, irrelevant of class structure, education, ethnic background, et cetera.

In this book, Bonhoeffer's theological musings move from the act of suffering to the meaning of love, whether human, religious or even material, and the insights that he shares with some of his correspondents, especially Eberhard Bethge, is sometimes profoundly compelling, and one can endlessly cite the abundant source material to back that up. But while he was accepting his cross of suffering, knowing in a way that it was a gift, he had an agony for those whom he was separated from, specificially his fiance, Maria von Wedemeyer-Weller.

The overall profile of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as presented in this work, showcases an all too human man, sometimes short-tempered and impatient yet very religious, contemplative, moral, ethical and surprisingly creative. For an example of that, read his short fiction piece entitled: "Lance-Corporal Berg: A narrative" which is almost similarly reminiscent, style-wise, to that of the writer and author Erich Maria Remarque. His poems, however, were not that great, but it made him only more real.

Though I am Catholic and my interpretation of Scripture is slightly different, much of what Bonhoeffer wrote spoke volumes to me, especially in tackling the day-to-day challenges and experiences that life has to offer. I think he speaks to many people, and that is good, for what he has to say, by his life, writings, choices, down to his martyrdom can cross all ecumenical boundaries. And that is indeed a remarkable witness.

I bought the book looking to know more about Bonhoeffer's theology..and ended up learning more about my own. Though at times I didn't agree with his thoughts, I found myself agreeing with the man. These letters mix profound questions with small daily details of life. It is authentic and transparent in a way that typical straightforward "theology" books can't be. There is honest, articulate, and earnest faith in these unselfconscious and private thoughts.

Dr Billington did a great job. Very very helpful for students working towards achieving their career goals.

I agree 100% with all the positive reviews of this work. Life IS all about attitude, and this is an instruction book on not only how to "grow forever better," but how to be truly HAPPY with one's life. Although those over 35 or so might relate best to its scenarios, everyone could benefit from "Life Is An Attitude" if they heed its advice. The brief, well organized, aptly titled chapters not only make it easy and pleasant to read, but easy to find meaningful passages to re-read when needed. I use this book like a bible - frequently referring to it to put myself in the right state of mind to handle various situations. It is probably the most useful (and well used) book I have ever owned. Fortunately I put a clear plastic book cover on it the day I got it, so it is still intact!

I had started thinking that I couldn't really gain anything by reading yet another positive attitude, self-help book. I have read so many and have even written my own, but I was wrong. Dottie's colorful descriptions and personal examples ushered in nicely the collection of thoughts and ideas that she discusses in this book. Her literary voice is energetic and passionate. She covers many topics in bite-sized chunks, then moves on to the next. I felt full and satisfied when I closed the cover, but best of all I felt a renewed determination to grow and improve. Thank you, Dottie.

We can't always control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to what happens to us. How things affect us is based on our attitude. This is where the book "Life is an Attitude" comes into play. The bottom line is that you determine what kind of life you have and what kind of life you will have by your attitude. Even when your life seems out of control, you are still in control of yourself and your attitude. Of course that is easy enough to say, but we all have baggage in our lives and sometimes keeping the correct attitude is not easy.

Each of the 46 chapters of "Life is an Attitude" focuses on one specific aspect of a person's overall attitude. At the end of each chapter are exercises and suggestions on how to incorporate that aspect into your life. And if that is not enough, the book contains multiple very appropriate thought provoking quotes. As you work through the book you learn that you are in control of your life and how to keep in control and happy. Although several parts of the book show that it was written for an adult audience (maybe late thirties or older) it is still a recommended read for anyone.

Of all the self-help, inspirational books I've read, this is the best. Ms. Billington is concise, direct and to the point. It is a bedside must. I have given at least 2 dozen to friends with great responses. It is Simple Abundance, condensed. Ms. Billington writes in an easy understandable but thought provoking manner. She tells it like it is, like Phil McGraw on the Oprah Show. Her directness and simplicity are refreshing and I continue to read specific chapters again and again. I hope there will be another book in the future.