P Books

My mom bought this book a year before I was born in 1975 and always told me it was the best book on parenting she ever read and to "forget Dr. Spock" (or something to that effect). I don't know how much different a parent she would have been without this book but my mom was in a league of her own so for whatever part this book played I thank Dr. Dodson.

I haven't read the book but as a product of a parent who used it as her only "parenting book" I echo the sentiments of an earlier reviewer and say 5 stars isn't enough.

(Forgive my English grammar, it is my second language)... I am currently reading my parents' spanish version of this book "El Arte de Ser Padres" from Dr. Dodson (I am currently a 3 yrs. kid father) and as I go on from chapter to chapter I just can't believe how good this book is.
The fun part of all this is that I used to go through this book (that has been in my parent's book shelves for 30 years now!) when I was a kid because of the fun cartoons it included, but I never thought it was such a well written and childern's-psychology-knowledge based book until a couple months ago when my mother took it out of the book shelve when I asked: "What should I do when my son hits someone else?"... I started reading one chapter and from then on I could not stop.
It is also amazing how all this theory still makes perfect sense 30 or 35 years later. My only regret is that I did not start reading it three years ago, when my son was still unborn. If you have kids, buy and read and save this book, for it deserves six stars instead of five. Regards!

There is no other book I recommend higher than this one for parenting to family and friends. I majored in child education and sociology and therefore, read many, many books on child development. I bought this book in 1975 when my first child was born, along with many others. I found Dr. Dodson's book to be the most thorough and the most interesting of them all. I learned more from that one book than all the others put together. I found what Dr. Dodson said made so much sense. He helped me to understand each year and/or developmental stage through the months of the first year, and then each year/stage up to the age of 5 years. Toilet training, discipline, temper tantrums, teaching regard/respect for others, the best time to take that bottle/pacifier away, a parent's emotions and how to understand your feelings... are a very few subjects in a book holding a wealth of great information.

I raised 3 boys and 2 stepchildren and had to deal with a divorce. I truly believe that the knowledge and practices I gained and used from Dr. Dodson offered my children a better parent and a better life. I raised them all to be independent, imaginative, moral, responsible, courteous and happy children. Sometimes our life was hard, we didn't have very many material things, some of them went through rough teen years, and those that went to college, worked their way through. They are now all in their 20's and each of them, though very different in personality, reflect these important values. Thank you, Dr. Dodson, you made my life and my chilrens' so much easier.

Dr. Dodson wrote another book entitled "How to Father" which covers the years after 5 into the teens. As I remember, "How to Father" was a continuation of How to Parent. It was not just for fathers.

Buy this book. Utilize it. I used all of Dr. Dodson's methods on raising an infant. Toilet training was easier, because I knew what signs and what age to start trying and knew when to stop if it wasn't the right time. Taking the bottle/pacifier away was a snap because of the timing. Knowing what to do when my child threw a fit kept it from becoming a horrible time... it even became enjoyable, because I could see my child learning and dealing with disappointments in a heathly way. I could go on and on about the successes I've had because of this book. It should be in every parent's library and in every school!

You will find that you will pull this book out with eagerness as your child grows to review and prepare for what is coming next.

Dr. Dodson, a child psychologist by training, was our mentor in raising our three children starting with our oldest in 1970. When I tried to find the book recently, I was surprised to learn it was out of print. Fortunately, I found a copy at Amazon.com--I wanted three to give to each of my children as they begin to raise their children.

At the time of our first introduction to Dr. Dodson, Dr. Spock was the guru of many, but as a pediatrician Spock was not versed in the psychological/emotional side of child-rearing as was Dodson.

What was valuable to me was understanding the changes and expectations that come with each age as children mature from toddlerhood to teenagers to young adults. Dodson's "How to Parent" should be required reading for everyone who has children and who cares about them. As he stated, children don't come with an instruction manual nor do parents instinctively know how to be good parents. We can avoid a lot of parenting mistakes by learning from the best. The advice in this book is priceless.

I recently came across another of Dr. Dodson's books, "How to Grandparent," an equally exciting book.

I bought this book in the early 70's when my youngest daughter was born and I became a single parent. I found Dodson's methods made complete sense and felt natural to me, encouraging the practical use of his techniques (his 10 commandments) which were as much for my benefit as my daughter's. Now at the age of 29, my daughter is happy and un-afraid of life's many challenges with a powerful commitment to personal growth. She is definitely one of my favorite people and the amazing thing is that in spite of financial hardships, she looks back on her childhood and as one where she was blessed to have me as her mother. I have Dr Dobson's book to thank for some of that as his methods helped to keep me sane through all the madness of my highly un-orthodox lifestyle. Strangely enough, I have also found his techniques to work perfectly well while managing my employees. Kind of "The One Minute Manager" (Spencer Johnson & Kenneth Blanchard) for parents.

This is a great story told from the perspective of the dog. The unconventional format was enlightening to our child who is used to reading stories told by little girls or other narrators.

I came across this book in a Goodwill pile and paid all of 49 cents for it. What a gem! I read several chapters in the car before I left the parking lot and laughed out loud! Brought it home to my 13 year old son who finished it faster than any book I've known him to read, and just lent it to my adult (over 50) male office mate this morning. He and the book have disappeared (hmmm) so it must be reminding him of his older yellow lab. I don't know which is funnier, Jack or the cats' commentaries. I am not even a "dog person" and think this book is a lot of fun. You know that dogs must be thinking this sort of thing, and cats as well. I recommend this book to anyone, any age... it is a hoot. And I am glad to see that Jack has written another book recently!

I bought this book for my 7 year old daughter at her school book fair, along with several other paperbacks. She devoured it and kept insisting that I read it. I said ok, thinking I want to encourage her love of reading and knowing how much fun it is to recommend a good book to someone so you can then talk about it when they are finished. I did not expect to enjoy it so thoroughly, however! I laughed right out loud, highly recommnended it to my husband when I was finished, and read it to my younger son soon after I had finished it the first time. I laughed while reading it to him, too! If you've ever wondered what the heck a dog must be thinking to do what he/she does, this book is of tremendous help. I often find myself thinking in Jack-terms when dealing with our 18 month old Chocolate Lab. I just purchased the next Jack book and thought I'd take a minute to add my positive review of the first.

My 9 year old sons and I have laughed ourselves silly reading aloud this book. The author does a wonderful job of getting inside the mind of a big goofy yellow lab. Jack's "voice" could fit every labrador I've ever met. The boys could easily read it on their own, but reading it aloud is so much more fun. Even kids who don't like to read would have a hard time putting down this book.

Reluctant readers will actually clamor to read this book aloud to others because of the howls of laughter that ensue. Jack, in his exuberant love of life and canine innocence, is a most engaging character.

This book is an eye opener to Christians who think the first commandment is no sweat and they have it down packed. I highly recommend this book.

I love this book. It has been like my devotional for many days now and every page is a treasure. It has given me so much insight regarding my own spiritual self. I have become aware of how and why I think or act the way I do. I highly recommend it for every person who wants to understand the Christian life and herself.

The country in which I live takes great pride in one little phrase, "freedom of religion." America's founding documents protect her citizens from compulsory worship. The government does not dictate to its citizens what worship is appropriate or inappropriate, when worship occurs, or who (or what) is worthy of our worship. Citizens are free to not attend worship of any kind, if they so choose. Some people even choose to deny the existence of deity at all, and do so without fear of repercussion. We wonder in disbelief as citizens of foreign lands prostrate themselves before golden statues or make offerings to strange-looking goddesses. 'Can't they see it's just a statue?' we wonder. What few understand, however, is that, while we may not bow to a statue, our hearts are taken with insidious idols of all kinds.

It was during a 12-day trip to the Orient that Elyse Fitzpatrick witnessed blatant idolatry. That experience became the impetus for her book, Idols of the Heart, Learning to Long for God Alone. She teaches that idolatry is not so much an outward act, but the root of all sin springing from our hearts. God has commanded that we have no other gods before Him. Our enjoyment of God hinges on how we go about identifying our sins and grinding out our root idols. Fitzpatrick writes, "This book is written for those of you who desire to live a godly life and yet find yourself in a recurrently disappointing struggle against habitual sin. This book is written for you who find yourself constantly tripping over the same bad habit, the same embarrassing weakness, the same sinful slavery that you hoped to be free of years ago. In this book you'll learn that idolatry lies at the heart of every besetting sin that we struggle with."

Fitzpatrick begins each chapter by providing helpful character studies of various people in the Bible, people who either were or were not bound by idolatry: Rachel, Martha, Abraham, Eli, Lot's wife, Eve, Josiah, and Jesus, to name a few. Through these character sketches, she explains what idolatry is, what it isn't, how to recognize it, and what to do about it. No two people will create the same idol for the same reason, so how does one know when she is worshiping an idol? Fitzpatrick offers a helpful principle: "If you're willing to sin to obtain your goal or if you sin when you don't get what you want, then your desire has taken God's place and you're functioning as an idolater." In addition to a few guiding principles, Fitzpatrick assists her readers toward an understanding of the roles our minds, hearts, wills, and emotions play when it comes to sin and its defeat.

While we do have work to do in the tearing down of our idols, Fitzpatrick is faithful to what Scripture teaches regarding the sovereign rule of God over our hearts. Indeed, we would have no hope were it not for the work He has already performed for us. And a knowledge of what He has already done makes us certain that He will be faithful to finish His work in us. Though she doesn't always use the terms, Fitzpatrick gently guides her readers to understand several key doctrines: salvation, repentance, substitutionary atonement, double imputation, and sanctification. The absence of these truths is what is missing in the most popular books for women regarding freedom from sin.

Each chapter ends with questions for further thinking and self-evaluation. The questions are designed to help the reader identify her idols and apply God's word. Each one moves the reader along to practicing the process of sanctification, putting off sinful thoughts, desires, etc., submitting our hearts to God's holy word, and putting on righteousness (following through with a righteous act in opposition to the sinful one). One thing I learned is that my repentance is not complete until I have followed through with a specific "put on" action.

There are many things about this book that I appreciate. It includes three helpful appendices ("Discovering Sinful Patterns and False Gods," "What It Means to be Legalistic," and "How Can You Know If You Are a Christian"), extensive notes, and a scripture index. Obviously, Elyse Fitzpatrick is a woman. She writes like a woman who cares for women. She understands our fears and insecurities, why we hold on to the things we do, how we can be overly emotional about life and children, and what lengths we'll go to achieve happiness. As a woman of God, she understands our even deeper need to find our greatest joy and satisfaction in God alone. She writes, "Learning to take great delight and joy in God is the strongest deterrent to idolatry." I heartily recommend this book to any woman who desires to make God her never-ending joy and great delight!

You will learn more about human psychology in this one volume than you will ever learn in years of studying Freud, Skinner, Rogers, or anyone else for that matter. Grounded in scriptural teachings like Ezek. 14:3-5, James 4:1-3 and Jonah 2:8 (among many others), this exposition of the idolatry that is rampant in the hearts of humans of every stripe (including Christians, sadly) will provide invaluable insights into what's REALLY going on inside the head and heart of your counselee.

The doctrines laid out in this book have such broad application in so many areas of life, and to such a wide range of counseling issues, that it has become integrated into the standard counseling curriculum for many nouthetic counselors regardless of the counselee's specific presentation problems. If you want to become an effective Christian counselor, you really need to have a grasp on these issues and incorporate them into your counseling practice. Even if you're not a counselor, these teachings are insightful for understanding your own life, thoughts, actions, family, etc. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

This is an excellent study!!! You need to be wearing steel-toed shoes while reading it, though! It is very convicting and the author tells it 'like it is'
I recommend this book highly if you want a closer walk with God!!

Although this book was dated when I read it and is probably now considered a history book, I found it very enlighening and informative. I think perhaps the author tends to protect Kennedy and Roosevelt(II) but it is still a very good book. It reads very easily and has that Schlesneger signature. I would highly recommend the book to anyone interested in presidential history.

We read this in college and it was one of the best books we ever saw on American politics and I read it again last week. Ir shows that it is not a good idea always to have presidents who get too powerful.

Does history repeat itself? Sure seems like it. Scary stuff.

The year before George W. Bush took office as president I attended a professional conference where a graduate student offered a paper that posed the question whether Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.'s "Imperial Presidency" was still valid. Quite a debate ensued. Today, in the wake of the Bush Doctrine of preemptive war, and its application in Iraq, I am compelled to offer that this revised volume, with new introduction, answers the previous question with a resounding yea. This has been a very important volume in the study of the presidency, especially regarding the constitution, foreign policy, and war. In the shadow of the Iraqi affair, I would go one step further and say it is a vital work in these troubled times. No, the era of the Imperial Presidency never really went away; and yes, it is a vital concern for the future of the republic and global stability. Schlesinger has recognized this and once again warns us of pending dangers.

Although this book focuses on Richard Nixon's abuse of Presidential power, it can apply to the present day as well. Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush have all extended the power of the Presidency in ways the framers of the Constitution would never have dreamed of. I agree with the reviewer who commented about the favoritism towards Kennedy and Roosevelt hence the four stars rather than five. A great read for anyone interested in the American Constitution as it relates to the powers of the President.

Dr. Megargee overturns decades of conventional wisdom about the responsibility for Germany's loss in the Second World War. Although unsparing in his criticism of Hitler, on any number of subjects, he goes further than any author that I am aware of in portraying the lack of strategic vision on major issues of national political and economic goals, the short-sighted and self-serving carving-out of personal empires in the byzantine structure of the German High Command, inter-office and inter-service rivalry, and the the emphasis on the spiritual over the material that manifested itself most dangerously in the long-standing institutional disregard for intelligence work and logistics that made Germany's loss nearly a foregone conclusion upon the launch of Operation Barbarossa in 1941.

Extensively researched and thoroughly documented, as well as clearly and engagingly written, this book is a significant addition to the scholarly literature on the German armed forces in WWII, as well as a refreshing antidote to the tiresome rehashing of the Führer's blunders and the self-exculpatory memoirs of numerous German officers that appeared in the wake of Germany's defeat. Strongly recommended for those interested in the subject, and another fine work of military history from the University Press of Kansas.

This is a great work of modern military history, by a top notch historian. Most good monographs rate 4 stars, but this is a case of using the Showalter formula even better than Showalter! Thorough, provocative, and very well written.

This book is one of the spate of recent works "proving" the guilt of the Germans in general instead of just Hitler and the Nazis, but is far better written than most and actually offers a point for discussion. I recommend a purchase and a close read.

There is little new information (if any) here, but the author's description of the functioning of the General Staff, the OKH and OKW from pages 17 to 101 is particularly easy to understand, and I say this as someone who first read Goerlitz's "History of The German General Staff" at the age of fifteen in 1954. It is this part that makes the book worth the price of admission.

Chapters 10, 11 and 12, offer nothing new except for one-sided cherry-picked references tending to support the author's far-reaching conclusions. Nonetheless, such support is weak at best. From time to time the author seems to understand this, but then he goes ahead and states his questionable conclusions anyway. For example, even though the author is quick to point out (& accurately) that memoirs are often self-aggrandizing, he uses a sole, questionable source (Lossberg) to describe Jodl's attitudes at the end of 1941 and his agreement that Manstein, at the time a newly-baked army commander, and someone who had never been responsible for more than one panzer division in his earlier corps and now 11th Army, was the leading general to assume overall command of the eastern front. Very doubtful, and something that cannot be verified!

The author correctly points out that many higher-ranking officers like Beck believed that Germany's only hope lay in winning a short, decisive military conflict rather than an economic or diplomatic course of action. Yep! Like a bridge player who carefully studies his cards and sees that there is only one course of action that might win the contract, he takes the sole option open to him. When it doesn't succeed, one should not criticism the player for not having used another strategy UNLESS IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT THE STRATEGY COULD (not would) HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. Unfortunately, this is exactly what the author does without showing any realistic basis for alternatives. The player can be criticized for making the contract in the first place, but that was never the function of either the OKW or the OKH. I was also amused to see that the author took a similar position to the German defeat in World War I -- the high command again attempted to apply an operational solution to a strategic problem. Once more for the West Coast, what would the author have recommended they do? That he doesn't state.

Yes, intelligence concerning the Soviets was almost nil, but military intelligence world-wide has been notorious for being poor except in combat conditions. The US was and is no exception to this rule, and Ultra (not mentioned by the author) was indispensable to the Allies (most notably in North Africa.) In a limited time frame like that for Barbarossa, one does the best one can. As far as logistics are concerned, the German economy was not put on a total war footing until Speer did it in 1944 with the resulting improvements in production. Of course, by then it was too late, and at any rate, that was not within the purview of either the OKW or OKH. And the US also used the term "supply" just like the Germans. With regards to personnel, the Germans only had one chance against the Soviet Union and that was denied them by Hitler's racial policies. The Germans needed to fight a "War of Liberation" against the Communists, setting up puppet governments in the non-Russian states and utilizing their manpower. In spite of everything, the number of Hiwis was enormous and Russian units like Cossacks and the Vaslov Army still opted to fight alongside the Germans. But again, this was not an option open to the OKW or OKH. So given the situation, what was the high command to do? The author is silent on this point, but condemns the General Staff anyway. One feels compelled to point out that Beck paid the ultimate price, Fritsch sought death before Warsaw, and Halder narrowly escaped execution before the war's end.

Yes, there was a culture in the General Staff that viewed the Versailles Diktat (it was not a negotiated treaty) as unbearable and to be torn up as soon as possible. Yes, they wanted to regain lost territories. That is hardly new or difficult to understand in the light of history. To the extent that Hitler's aims coincided with theirs, the German senior commanders supported him. To their regret, they found themselves riding on the back of the tiger. Even at the end, von Bock's last words were to Manstein, "Manstein, save Germany!"

For a much fuller treatment on the German officer mindset that the author only alludes to, see Robert Citino, "The German Way of War."

Military personnel are normally conservative (as the author points out), and the General Staff operated much like they did in 1870. Insofar as their opponents were incompetent like the Polish, French, and British, they won easily through aggressiveness and vastly superior training. The US Army adopted much if not all of the German leadership doctrine and training methods after World War II, recognizing that US performance in Europe was spotty at best. War gamers traditionally equate three American soldiers to two Germans, and Marshall's contention that over 40% of American infantrymen refused to fire their rifles in combat brings "the greatest generation" into question. Live-fire training has never been possible to any degree in the American Army, mostly due to objections by civilians for the casualties it causes. Of course, another reason the Germans fought so well is that they executed over 30,000 of their own military personnel in the course of the war for a wide range of offenses.

That the Officer Corps was not prepared to conduct a modern war with the necessary personnel, logistics, intelligence, and economic basis is correct. But neither were the French, Polish, British, Japanese or Russians. The Axis were defeated through a combination of British and American code-breaking, Russian manpower, and American logistics and economic power. The US struggled to put 90 divisions on the ground in Europe, but changed the Red Army into a mechanized force while the Wehrmacht became increasingly dependent on horses. Yes, the German machines were good, but German engineers tinkered their way to oblivion and prevented mass production.

The author sums up with the following statement: "The myth persists of a supremely talented, if politically naive and ambitious, German officer corps being led unwillingly into war and defeat by a ruthless dictator, a megalomaniac with no understanding of the military art." If one removes the word "unwillingly" and tones down "supremely", that "myth" would seem to be true. Nor do I know any serious scholar that believes in the myth as stated. Maybe some portion of the readership does, but only if they are not well-read on the subject. The author then states an untruth: "They (the officer corps) made strategic decisions, independently and in support of Hitler's, that started a war...." I know of no strategic decisions made independently by the German officer corps or high command that started World War II. Maybe the author can enlighten me. They didn't even make strategic decisions in support of Hitler that started the war unless you count their support of Hitler himself during the crises of 1933 and 1934. For that focus on Hammerstein-Equord, Blomberg, and those that refused to back Fritsch.

The author also castigates the Officer Corps for continuing the war after its futility should have been obvious. Gee, that was why Halder resigned. One is also tempted to castigate Robert E. Lee and Confederate commanders for continuing the Civil War after the fall of Atlanta. But like German officers, (& the German opposition had already been told in no uncertain terms that the Allies would not help them), they could not rise in rebellion -- they could only play their cards as they were dealt and hope for the best. Maybe a miracle would take place -- it has before. Only in hindsight is everything so clear.

Like I said -- this book is an excellent starting point for discussion. But I deplore the current trend by the author, Wolfram Wette, and others -- they represent the pendulum swinging too far in the opposite direction from the memoir literature of the 50s and earlier studies.

And lastly, I must register my objection to the author's dissertation advisor writing the Foreword and even being referenced on the title page. It should have been enough for the author to acknowledge Murray in his Preface. Moreover, Murray clearly shills for the author, using adjectives like "outstanding" and "extraordinary." Obviously the standards of objectivity and propriety in the academic world (or Ohio State at least) have changed, and not for the better.

This is an excellent study of the highest levels of the German Army during WWII. But I think the main lesson is that there was no high command, at least in the sense the British and the Americans had one. Hitler and the generals around him spent their time micromanaging the Eastern Front with occasional interference in African and European battles. Hitler acted as if he were the counterpart of Eisenhower, not Marshall or Brooke. It is as if Rosevelt were to have sent Eisenhower daily detailed instructions on where to attack and what to defend.

The problem was only partially Hitler's. The Germans never really created a staff to manage a global conflict. Hadler resented Hitler's inferference, but because it was usually stupid, not because Hitler should have been managing the war, not the battles. The Germans were superb at what they considered the "operational" level of command--the control of armies on a single battlefield. But they never looked at the "big picture."

The book also proves that the German army high command, such as it was, had serious failings. They simply did not understand the logistics of a campaign as vast as the Eastern Front. Nor did they have the intelligence gathering capacity to estimate what they were getting into when they attacked the Soviet Union. Worse, they did not even realize their problems.

This book can teach a lot about why people frequently fail to understand and act upon hard facts. Learning this can help avoid future disasters of any sort.

This book is an attempt to re-write what has been the conventional view of the relation between Adolph Hilter and the German General Staff. After the war, Hitler was conveniently dead and that allowed the German Generals to put out a version of history that was accepted for some years but was at odds with the truth. The German Generals had towed the line that they were politically neutral prior to the 1930?s and that they had not been supporters of Nazi aims. Further that they opposed some aspects of Nazi war aims and acted in a professional way. Lastly they were highly competent and might have won the war if it had not had been for Hitler continually interfering with their operational plans.

Megargee argues convincingly that the German Generals had a political agenda similar to the Nazis. That is they supported the abrogation of the Treaty of Versailles, they wanted an end to democracy and they wanted Germany to rearm and to become a great power again. A large number of Generals such as Rommel, Guderian, Zeitzler and Reichenau were if not committed Nazis, enthusiastic barrackers yelling support from the sidelines.

One interesting point is Megaree?s estimation of the ability of the German Generals. After the war a large number wrote memoirs in which they modestly estimated themselves as pretty good. Megaree concedes that from an operational point of view the German army did well. However it was vulnerable in a number of respects. The key mistake made by Germany in the war was the attack on the Soviet Union. It would seem clear that the planning for operation Barbarossa was deeply flawed. For instance the Germans knew nothing of the actual strength of the forces against them. (The Soviets had 5 million men, 20,000 tanks and 20,000 aircraft to the German?s 3million 3,200 and 3000 respectively) In addition the Germans had no clear plan of defeating the Soviets. Barbarossa was based on the hope that the bulk of Soviet forces could be destroyed near the Polish border. It was then hoped that the Soviets might give in or the government would collapse. However if this did not eventuate the Germans had massive supply problems. They had limited fuel, and they could not use the Soviet railway system until they changed the gauge. In fact when the Soviets failed to collapse the Germans suffered massive supply problems, not being able to supply their troops with winter clothing and struggling to maintain ammunition levels and fuel and spares for their vehicles and planes.

Thus throughout the war the German Army acted as if intelligence was not really worth worrying about and that supply was a problem which could be overcome by an act of will. This deficiency was not a problem in initial war in the west, as the distances were so small and the French and British acted incompetently when faced by the German advance. However against the Soviets it was fatal.

Megargee summarises the weakness of the German generals as one of a strategic weakness. It was one that they shared with Hitler and in fact it is clear that they had little insight into the reason for their defeat even after the finish of the war.

Another issue dealt with by the book is the question of the role of Hitler?s leadership in bringing about the loss of the war for Germany. Megargee clearly shows that it was only in the later part of the war (1944) that tensions arose between Hitler and the Generals. By this time the war was lost. Over the big decisions there was not a lot of disagreement.

This book although expensive is short and easy to read. It is interesting not just for those interested in the war, but it illustrates how history can be distorted by over reliance on self serving material.

"Into the Mystic", was a most enjoyable and enlightening experience. The author helped me realize that, as a person with no psychic ability whatsoever, it was still possible for me to act as a conduit for someone else.

A friend who possesses a great deal of spirituality and psychic ability suggested that I join him at a drumming circle. The people at the circle were warm and welcoming. Each of the distinct sessions of the evening was carefully explained prior to group participation. One particular session required that you partner with a stranger, make physical contact (i.e. touching of an arm or leg), and act as a pathway or messenger from the spiritual world to the here and now. My partner happened to be an elderly woman who seemed troubled. We made contact by touching a leg and proceeded through the session. At the conclusion of the session you are required to express what the spiritual world had revealed to you for your partner. I did not believe that I had received anything that would help the old woman but she still seemed so troubled. I decided that she needed to rid herself of whatever it was that was troubling her. I told her that she had been carrying a burden for a very long time, and she had carried it long enough. It was time to place the burden down and enjoy her life. The woman seemed a little overwhelmed and so very appreciative. The evening ended as it had begun, very comfortably. On the way home I explained to the friend that had brought me to the circle what had transpired with the old woman. I was a little disappointed, but not surprised, by my failure to receive a message for the old woman until I read, "Into the Mystic".

Reading this book made me realize that my experience with the old woman seemed disappointing because I was viewing it from my perspective and not hers. I did not sense a message, or for that matter, anything else. "Into the Mystic", made me realize that it wasn't about me it was about HER. What I related to the old woman following the session was the message. The fact that I didn't understand the message did not detract from the message or its effect on the old woman.

Thank you Dennis P. McMahon for helping me see through the mist(ic)....

Dennis McMahon's book is about his personal spiritual journey that "normal people" can thoroughly enjoy. Not a professed "mystic" himself but an ordinary guy from Brooklyn, his journey begins with a visitation from his son, now a teen in the afterlife, who had died as an infant. Soon realizing he has the ability to "talk to dead people", he listens to their advice -- not just what he hears in his head, but noticing synchronistic messages and clues from license plates and the appearance of certain numbers at times when he needs feedback. He realizes that this is one way that spirits can get messages across to their earthly subjects.
He struggles with severe claustrophobia, which is healed by the end of the book by following his spirit guides' promptings. He joins a mystical shamanic drum circle which was very healing. I must thank Dennis for explaining what they are, as I have never understood what a drum circle was all about. All in all, an easy read, and inspirational for anyone who deals with phobias or fears they need to overcome, or anyone newly embarking on their spiritual journey. Dennis's book feels like a warm friend.

If you have ever wondered about what it is like to experience a mystical adventure, then you will enjoy this book. Dennis is a regular guy having extraordinary experiences as he makes contact with the spiritual realm. You will journey with him as he seeks confirmation on particular decisions he must make and receives it through signs from his Spirit helpers and guides. Learn how our loved ones who have crossed over can communicate with us using simple methods such as license plate numbers and letters as well as songs on the radio.

Dennis, or "Dino" - his nickname, is a moderator for a chat forum I've been visiting daily for over two years. He is also an attorney! The book is about how, because of the loss of his infant son, he began a "mystical" Journey. He touches on Spirit contact, Guides, Special Numbers, Past Lives, even Shamanism, but all from his own personal experiences. Every chapter was a pleasure and I was sorry when the last one ended.

The book was excellent in its personal vulnerability and its humanity. It explored mysticism, shared deep and personal stories, and it did so from the vantage of a "you and me" vantage. The author is not a famed mystic, just another person like you and me.
Thank you, Dennis, for a great story.

I FOUND THIS TO BE A BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN PIECE OF WESTERN HISTORY BY A FASCINATING AND ACCOMPLISHED MAN, WITH HEAVY EMPHASIS ON "MAN"......BY THE WAY, JOE FUSSELL WAS MY MATERNAL GRANDFATHER!! JOSEPH B. "JOE" JOHNSON

Bob Fussell's treatment of his grandfather J.B. Fussell's autobiography brings to mind a word not often associated with literature: verisimilitude. What makes this account fascinating is that not only is it true, but it rings true. This book should be required reading for every 12-year-old boy and girl in America; boys need to know how to be men and girls need to know what to look for in a man later on in their lives. America could use several million J.B. Fussells about now.

Unbridled Cowboy is the autobiography of author Joseph B. Fussell, a free spirit who sought his own destiny in the wild American Southwest during the late 1800s. At the young age of fourteen, Joe Fussell took to the rails to escape the school and harsh authority that chafed him. He became a roving cowpuncher in Texas territory, rustling cattle, tilling land, working in stables, and hitting the road whenever wanderlust stirred. Unbridled Cowboy is filled cover to cover with riveting true tales of undercover work as a Texas Ranger, life on the railroads, and rough justice. A captivating true life narrative of the wild west.

Unbridled Cowboy, the autobiography of Joe Fussell, is well written and brings the reader a vivid and realistic portrait of the man and his life. His story telling ability paints a vivid and sometimes raw reality. He brings to life a period of American and western history from a personal point of view that was fraught with change and upheaval.

While reading I found myself sitting next to Joe and hearing him telling me his life story. The ease with which he wrote of his life makes this book an enjoyable journey with a fascinating man.

Here's the skinny. I've read thousands of books over the years. I keep a few; the rest I give away to friends or the library. This book is a keeper. Why? I will read this book many times and still be astonished by the history, this amazing man Joe Fussell, and how far this once great country of ours has deteriorated in a century.
The first thought that entered my mind on finishing this book was, "I wish there was more." The second thought was that a man like Joe Fussell would have made an incredible president. In TR's time, when a young man chose to ditch public school at age 14 because he had "itchy feet", he didn't get Ritalin stuffed down his throat--he left home to make his own way. Fussell was a man so full of common sense, intelligence and integrity that the USA would have been privileged to have someone of his ilk as their leader. But alas, with no "education" except life, he was destined to become a laborer. And labor he did.
The chapter on Fussell's adventures in Mexico as a youth are more riveting than anything Hollywood will ever turn out. His depiction of his railroad career reads like you were switching cars alongside him. Fussell is a storyteller akin to Twain. I am still amazed he avoided jail, but then it was a century ago. Different times--a wonderful time in our country. Get this book. Its a keeper.
Norman Woodworth, DVM

As a new small business owner, I was given this book by a friend who told me that there were valuable lessons inside that might help develop my own firm. I thanked them and put the book aside, intending to read it at a later date when the hectic days of building my business were passed. One late night, after another long day I collapsed into bed and having this on my bedside table, thought I would pick it up and read a chapter to get a feel for it.

That night I stayed up until 4 am reading, and completed the book later the next day. I realized immediately that the lessons in this book were immensely valuable to me as my start-up business grew and how fortunate I was to read the practical lessons the book offers while I was still in a position to develop the culture and methodology of my firm. Ultimately, I was able to save countless hours of wasted effort and incorporate future business planning via the lessons learned in this book.

The authors use a combination of practical knowledge and experience to bring the running of your business to the forefront of the discussion. Mr Wilk and Dr McGuire present short chapters in which advice about such basic elements as accounting, customer service, dealing with employees and keeping them happy are uniquely addressed. The result is an incredibly easy and enjoyable read. Forget the long business case studies from Harvard, what a new business owner needs is practical advice delivered in an easy-to-understand format. In this regard, the authors have excelled and the result is a book that may be read cover-to-cover or just picked up and perused.

The authors hail from Maine, where folks are known for getting to the point and not using ten works when two will suffice. Perhaps this is one the most unique and enjoyable aspects of this book is that it is devoid of pretentiousness without being overtly "folksy." The bottom line is the authors are two people like most business owners: they have begun start-ups in small town America with their own collateral, hard-work and commitment as the backbone of their ventures. If you are a small business owner like me, ask yourself this: "who is more likely to understand the lessons you must go through to turn your dream into a successful business? A Harvard Business School Student writing a book for his thesis, or a lawyer and a doctor from a regular American town who have started their own businesses, learned the lessons the hard way, and are there to share their experiences in a practical and humorous way?"

I'm not sure this book could have been written by anyone outside of Maine. Probably nowhere else in the United States will you find people who combine such a strong, practical, work ethic with such a dry sense of humor. This book was never boring, always funny, relevant and interspersed with practical examples.

This year our business will approach billings of $750,000. This is rapid growth for a firm under six months old. Along the way we have had to sort our accountancy issues, hire employees, allocate resources and develop and then re-define our business plan. I estimate that the time, lessons, and examples found within this book have contributed to a savings of over $65,000. It's little wonder that I've bought copies of this superb work and given it to friend and associates who own their own businesses.

This could be the best investment you ever make in your growing business...

As a teacher and non-profit manager, I found "It's Your Business" to be a useful resource in my work. The book reinforced the notion that attending to the needs of my "internal customers" - my students and employees - is as critical to the success of my classroom and business as attending to the needs of my "external customers" - parents, school administrators, and the recipients of my non-profit organization's services. At the core of Marty Wilk's and Peter McGuire's practical and accessible volume is genuine respect for business enterprise and heartfelt optimism about what can be achieved for the good of the business, employee, community, and environment when their common sense recommendations are applied. Readers need not hold an MBA to understand and benefit from "It's Your Business"; rather, they need only the willingness to examine their own business (or teaching) practices through the customer-service focused lens of these knowledgable authors who constructively point the way to a business's deep and lasting success.

This book is among the "Best of Breed" business books I've encountered, and I've studied many business books. As a CPA and business owner, I found the advice practical, actionable and you don't need a Harvard MBA to understand and act on it. The authors bring real life relevant business experience in a format that is easily understandable and is immediately applicable. The book can be read cover to cover, but its handbook format allows the reader to pick a topic that is of immediate interest, dive in, learn or reinforce best practices and move on.

This is a well written book replete with advice for any business wishing to create customer loyalty. The real world examples provide valuable lessons for creating a customer focused environment in businesses of any size.

A very user-friendly guide to help anyone with customers: corporate businesses, phyisician offices, academic settings, etc. The real world examples made it easy to relate to. I come from a business and academic background and I plan to put the tools to work!

This book is a very great book that one can not read it fast. One needs to digest the information. I am very happy to have been told by my teachers to read this book. I am so surprised that libraries don't carry such a great book. After I finish my book I donate it to the library so other people can benefit from it. If you are an spritual person and you are interested in growing your soul read this book.

This is a treasure of a book and is very sacred in nature. There are two editions of this book, the first in 1977. The introduction reveals the history of the text and its translations, and the fascinating history that surrounds the text. See "The Life of Marpa the Translator: Seeing Accomplishes All", by Chogyam Trungpa, for further information regarding its history (both texts were written by the same man). Anyway, the first English translation became available early in the 20th century by W. Y. Evans-Wentz.

I am recalling most of this from memory, so my apologies go out to those who find my data incorrect. I highly recommend the new english translation of "The Life of Milarepa" for anyone seeking the life of saints.

The book quality - new, but not excellent material. Prompt delivery. Thought as a gift, so I had hoped for more. If bought for personal usage, would have been OK.

I think Milarepa was one of the highest levels of enlightened beings ever existed on the planet. Considering the Miracles he did. He is one of the recent enlighten masters, and all this happened a few hundred years ago. He has received little Attention compared to Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed and Khrishna. There is defenately a lot to learn from this book, and what he did is worth reading about.

As Milarepa tells his story, one of his disciples interrupts him and says that compared to Milarepa's effort, all of our spiritual practice and effort seems like a banal pretension.

I tend to agree. The story will rekindle your dedication. A great book to get if you are feeling down or if it seems like your spiritual quest is too hard or going nowhere.

It will rekindle your Inner Fire if you give it a chance.

I found this book to be very informative and easy to read and understand. It is not full of medical jargon that real people can not comprehend. It hits the nail right on the head as far as how most Chronic Pain Patients feel from one time or the other.. I think it should be mandatory reading for all Dr.s that have Chronic Pain Patients......We are not crazy, we are in PAIN!

Dr. Schneider's book is a "must have" resource for anyone that lives with pain. She dispels the myths about pain medication and addiction, and offers insights into many other modalities that can be valuable tools for the patient. I am fortunate to live where she practices in Tucson, and I get to see the excellent results she helps her patients achieve in living with chronic pain problems. I recommend this book highly to my patients and colleagues.

I have just re-read her lastest book on pain. What a masterful job she did!
Dr. Schneider leaves nothing to the imagination or mis-conception that we as patients usually have. EVERYTHING is so carefully explained, I especially like the glossary addition, it leaves nothing to guess work. It is a wonderful piece of work, I have not seen anything that comes near to it in clarity and helpfullness!
It has become my handbook on the subject and I will refer to it as needed in the future. It is great when a doctor can put themselves in the patients place and know what the questions might be that usually go un-voiced by the patients, and give clear and understandable answers. What a great book!

to share with my loved ones; all of them. Chronic pain is so misunderstood by the general public, the patients, their families and yes even health care providers.

I have chronic pain for over six years which is intractable. This means there is no cure just treatments. One of these is opioid medications for the six sources of non-cancer type pain. My experiences have launched me into becoming a Advocate for persons in pain and an Activist for getting the word out about this misunderstood treatment for pain.

Society's view on opioid pain management is 30 years out of date. And in the past several years the government in the US is trying to put doctors who treat patients with opioids into prison. Some patients have been imprisoned for "Trafficking" for having 90 pills or more in their possession even though there was no indication these patients were selling their meds!

For 99.9 percent of patients (Lots of research out there) do NOT become addicts or addicted to opioids! True statement. Do they become physically dependent? Probably. But when a medication allows a patient to have some semblence of happiness and a good life; physical dependence is not high on their list of concerns.

Legistlation was created a few years ago in Congress calling for changes in how the government handles and views chronic pain. It also calls for national awareness of this issue. This bill is sitting in some Health Committee stagnating because not enough people have become motivated to write to their representative and senators on a state and federal level.

Check out Pain Relief Network for more information about this potential legistlation and please try to get on board and help out this very worth cause.

(...)

Dr Schneider is a expert in pain management medicine, and if there is one thing that the Interstitial cystitis patient understands, it's pain. Urologists are very hesitant most times to offer pain management to their IC patients, ironic when the #1 complain of IC patients is the 24-7 pain factor. Although IC is not specified in this book, there are those case studies shown in the book that are by IC patients. All of the book can be incorporated as all IC patients live with chronic pain and illness. There are over 50 million Americans that suffer from chronic pain, spending hundreds of millions of dollars on their care. Tragically, these chronic pain suffers not only attempt suicide more than the average healthy population, they are 2-3 times more successful in the attempt.

Living with Chronic Pain is a guide to pain medications, alternative therapies, and a discussion of the myths of pain. It is a fabulous book that relates one's own personality type to the ability to cope with pain. Once you have identified "you" it is simple to see how you are dealing with the pain and what you can do to alter how pain affects you. It has chapters on the causes of pain, how to decide on the doctor that is right for you, opiods, and pain coping techniques. I find that this book is wonderful for anyone with auto immune disorders, as we are attacked at random and suffer "invisible" symptoms.

The book itself is 352 pages and priced at a lower than average $15.95. For anyone freshly diagnosed with IC I'd highly recommend it. It has several coping strategies and it will explain to each patient how their pain will affect them. The book personalizes itself to the individual reading it. This book should really be the second book you buy in your IC arsenal, after the Survival Guide. While the survival guide will help you understand your condition better, this book will help you understand how it will be to manage the everyday pain of living with the noncurable condition of chronic illness. I give this book 5 stars on the incredible techniques that can be applied to anyone. Ms Schneider truly is a professional that has gone out of her way (she's authored 7 books on the subject) to make sure that patients can find comfort and peace in their illness.

The All Info About Interstitial Cystitis website (AIA:IC) http://cystitis.allinfoabout.com highly recommends this book for its readers.