Freedom Books

Gertrude and the Printed Page is an intriguing novel, incorporating equal measures of mystery, governmental takeovers, political espionage, interpersonal relationships -- and a large dose of morality. The author takes a peek into another lifetime and introduces us to a world where civil liberties and basic human rights are in jeopardy.

As a writer, Mr. Alpert reveals a genuine passion for books and freedom of the press and, with this story, truly pays homage to the printed page. Well-conceived and imaginative plot, with warm, likable, effective characters ... a valuable tale to read for anyone who doubts the importance of freedom and the integrity of the written word.

Gertrude and the Printed Page is an intriguing novel, incorporating equal measures of mystery, governmental takeovers, political espionage, interpersonal relationships -- and a large dose of morality. The author takes a peek into another lifetime and introduces us to a world where civil liberties and basic human rights are in jeopardy.

As a writer, Mr. Alpert reveals a genuine passion for books and freedom of the press and, with this story, truly pays homage to the printed page. Well-conceived and imaginative plot, with warm, likable, effective characters ... a valuable tale to read for anyone who doubts the importance of freedom and the integrity of the written word.

My co-author and I recently traveled to Sugerloaf, N.Y. for a leisurely day of shopping in the quaint little craft shops the town is known for. While we were there, we passed a table where a delightful gentleman sat, peddling his wares. It was, of course Stanley Albert, and we shared many thoughts about writing and publishing, as well as life itself. To make a long story short, My co-author bought "Gertrude and the printed page" from Stanley, and as we drove home, I began reading the story out loud as she drove. Comprised of short chapters, the book was easy reading. There were not a lot of detailed descriptions to get bogged down in. Just a simple, free-flowing tale of the last bastion of printed word in a country that resembles the USA. Laced with mystery and dialogue that is both simple yet realistic, Stanley weaves a tale of intrigue and disturbing social situations that culminate in an exciting, very satisfying ending. The perfect book to read at night before retiring, Gertrude and the Printed Page is a must read. Stanley states that he has two goals. "To contribute to humankind through writing about controversial and ethical challenges, and to write 100 books by his 100th birthday. We wish Stanley a long and colorful life, and concede that he has already achieved one of his goals.

Stan Alpert, a master of creative fiction, writes this innovative novel on the subject of the first ammendment. This book foretells life without books, through depiction of a nation in which books are banned. Most interesting is that Mr. Alpert crafted this tale long before the internet became an integral and paperles part of our lives. An intriquing novel well worth reading.

I read this interesting book about the first amendment. I think the book makes a veryimportant statement about censorship and where censorship can take us. I was impressed with the fact that the book gives no time in which it takes place. It only speaks of a small window of time and one can use their imagination as to how the world got to that place. Censorship and burning of books is not unheard of. Hitler did it and look where it lead. How grim the world would be without the colorful words of the printed page. No one has the right to censor. No president, no mayor - as it does terrible harm. Thank you Mr. Alpert for telling me about Gertrude and making me realize how lucky we are to have freedom of the press.

With wit and eloquence, the author shares his search for understanding after a life of tribulations, triumphs, and failures. It's satisfying to find a book that shows the bitter and the sweet of life instead of just complaining or holding forth a one-size-fits-all Pollyanna philosophy. I found it difficult to put down though I found myself overwhelmed at times by the forthright, intimate manner in which he shares the most difficult and painful of ordeals. Our pasts differ, yet I found myself relating to the struggles he outlines and through that, finding some comfort and understanding of my own.

Spending time with the passionate, singular people in this memoir was akin to coming across the diary of an old friend. What's the old line? I laughed, I cried. A truly worthwhile and wonderful read.

In this baring-of-the-soul, Mr. Molho shares events, feelings, and thoughts many are familiar with, while also exploring impactful events in his life with which few of us have any analogous experience. The latter range from the benign "reading of the cups" by his grandmother to his literal abduction by his biological father. Well worth the read!

All of the reviews so far are spot on. It isn't just a book, the author is so honest that you truly experience the story and learn the lessons within along with him. All of the cliches apply- a page turning, tear-jerking, heart-stopping, thrilling, chilling, should-be-made-into-a-movie kind of book. Somebody call HarpO!

After reading Greek Coffee I felt as if I was sitting back watching my whole life pass. Every detailed scene reminded me of my "yiayia" and the things she would do. This was an excellent manner in which to describe Greeks and our culture with out all the "hollywood" hype. It's a MUST read.

This book was written so well. Each charcter is developed so well, you can see each vivdly and relate to them as well. The story stirs so many emotions from the kidnapping to the obstacles between the charrcters. Each relationship shown has an underlying message to it, there are so many lessons that you can learn from them. I would tell anyone no matter what age or gender to read this book. The poetic flow and rhythm of the author's words is incredible, and I brushed up on my vocabulary at the same time. VERY VERY GOOD BOOK!!!

A gentle book to remind us that we each carry deep within us our pwn personal image of God. Sometimes that image may be coloured by experiences or memories that need to be faced so we can find a truer image of God. My husband has purchased five copies of this book to give one to each of our five children, aged from 46 to 38. to encourage them as they journey through life.

This book has taught me to think differently. I especially liked the chapters on the four ways people relate to God. I would recommend this book to everyone. It's an easy read and the short chapters and related stories keep your interest. Our chapel women's group will start to read it as a group next month.

This book played havoc with my day -- and incredibly enriched my life! When I picked up my new copy it was to just fill 15 spare minutes. But I finished it in one sitting. Can't recall when that's ever happened before. What an incredible journey! I am almost breathless, and yet so full of energy. What's a half day balanced against the rest of a life? This book is both challenging and affirming. More than that, it's so encouraging and insightful. And the little stories -- I am going to steal every last one of them if only I can recall them in the right circumstances. Heck, if I remember only one just once in my life, the world will be better for it. As I turned the pages I found myself making a list of family and friends with whom I have to share this book. Thank you, Paul Coutinho.

Jesus taught us by telling stories. Paul Coutinho does the same in this wonderful book. The brief chapters are understandable and thought provoking-perfect for daily or weekly reflection. I look forward to reading How Big Is Your God over and over again. It is good to be reminded that we are the breath of God.

I recommend this book to anyone looking to integrate their understanding of Eastern Spirituality with Western Christianity. No dogmatic, syrupy sermons here: this book is a delightful mix of theology and "out of the box thinking." Fr. Coutinho reminds us that we are each a sacred expression of God. His wonderful stories make the message come alive. I'm a recovering Catholic with eight years of parochial school training. Fr. Coutinho has re-awakened my interest in the religion I abandoned years ago.

This is a very good book that is a perfect follow up to "How to cast our demons." It is not really about deliverance, it is more of an insight to how the problems began. I have already recommended that my church buy several copies for the "bookstore."

Several persons contributed to this book. Interesting. Creates a desire for more information. References are made for other materials available for the reading. Good book. Won't regret having or reading this book.

I knew before I read the book that it would be a book worth buying. The contributors alone gave me a clear message that this was a book to add to my vast library. I found that it was informative and gave an indept view from those who are experienced in their topic. Due to my ministry to women, I search for information to further my effectiveness. I gained quite a bit from the chapter on Trauma. I have listed this book on my suggested reading for my women's leadership conference.

This is the second copy of this book I have had. I keep giving them away and everyone seems to receive from them. It is a great reference book to have on your bookshelf after you have benefited from it the first time. I recomend it to anyone that is in the ministry or is an intercessor in prayer.

This is an extremely thorough book. It deals with various aspects of oppression and also the areas to gain freedom.
I refer to it quite frequently. It is not just a book from one person's perspective but Wagner has allowed those who have been set free and ministered in the specific areas to share their testimony and insight.

This is the best book on counseling and inner healing issues from a Christian persepctive that I know of. Compassionate, insightful, yet biblically sound.

Do you want to be at peace with yourself and God, and feel good about who you are? Ed Kurath's book can give you some keys to unlock the person God meant you to be. His counseling is scriptural, professional and theologically sound, and his caring and helpful approach comes across loud and clear in his book on Inner Healiing. The method of pray he suggests can change your whole life for the better. It has mine.

If one ever has doubted God's love, that doubt will be overshadowed by the truths in this book! There is a blanket of love overarching everything in it. I could truly feel God's heart pouring out through Ed's in every line. I am going to recommend I Will Give You Rest for my prayer counseling clients, my church, and in the prayer ministry schools in which I'm involved.

Ed has an awesome ability to bring some complex spiritual principles into simple focus. His analogies are so helpful. I especially have appreciated the credit he gives to many sources throughout the book and the expanded explanations in the End-notes at the end of the book. His knowlege of the Word of God is clear, and everything in the book is based upon it.

Ed is a friend and colleague of many years. I know that he lives what he writes, and that is why it resonates spirit to spirit. Thank you, Ed, for giving to us from the heart of God!

I have been searching for an answer to how to find rest for my soul even as a Christain who has been serving the Lord as a missionary for over 20 years. I had the privilege of meeting and hearing Ed Kurath speak two years ago. His message was life changing for me. I am so glad his insights are now available in book form. His simple down to earth teaching has helped me to see my own heart and from a new state of rest to love more fully myself, others but most of all my God. I highly recommend this book.

"I Will Give You Rest" by Ed Kurath is #1 on my list of life-changing books. In this book, Ed condenses his years of wisdom and intimacy with the Lord in a clear, consise manner to lead other people into the same deep intimacy. This book brings hope and wholeness to the hopeless and broken. Ed doesn't write a list of "to dos", but rather gives the reader tools to allow the Lord to go deep on the inside and do away with the walls that hinder them from hearing and feeling God's heart for themselves and for others.

Kasey Pipes does a tremendous job of bringing Eisenhower's previously scarcely commented on struggles with the changing climate of America's Civil Rights to light in a very genuine manner. The book is incredibly readable and very informative.

Pipes is able to present facts with a human touch that brings the reader into Eisenhower's inner circle, as if they were a fly on the wall in some of Ike's most pivotal and telling situations.

Ike's Final Battle
by Kasey Pipes

Mr. Pipes has written a thoroughly enjoyable and well written record of Dwight Eisenhower's approach to civil rights legislation and his exegesis of perspective in the civil rights arena. Pipes chronicles Eisenhower's internal struggles with desegregation of the military and government agencies and his fear that a revolutionary, rather than evolutionary, approach to liberty for all Americans could cause more harm than good. This is a positive revisionist history to some degree; clearly evidencing Ike's intent on aiding the plight of minorities in the US while battling the prejudices that he came of age accepting and being immersed in for the whole of his military career. Ike's slow methodical approach to all matters of civil rights is clearly on display, as was his approach to all difficult decision making. However, his unflinching adherence to the laws of our land clearly stand out. Desegregation is ordered in Little Rock, AR and local politicians refuse to accept the Supreme Court decision, Ike does not hesitate in the least. After exhausting all diplomatic efforts he clearly takes charge of the situation and sends in the 101st Airborne to aide with the enforcement of recently enacted laws. No regrets on Ike's part, no compromising his beliefs - the law is being broken and he immediately, without hesitation asserts control - in the process paving the way for desegregation enforcement to take hold throughout the land.

This is an extremely brisk read that you'll find difficult to get away from. No fluff, solid documentation and previously uncovered oral histories make this a treasure trove of new insight into Ike's personality and genuine concern over civil rights matters. Eisenhower was often derided for his lack of leadership on civil rights, an argument which merits legitimacy, however we're shown a different side in 'Final Battle' which show he was more progressive than many thought - in fact on some occasions, more progressive than the NAACP - then a truly dedicated organization and true standard bearer of civil rights advancement.

Definitely check this book out - it's worth the time and money!

Written by former Bush White House worker Kasey S. Pipes, Ike's Final Battle: the Road to Little Rock and the Challenge of Equality is the amazing and unlikely true story of how Dwight D. Eisenhower became a civil rights president. Chronicling the landmark desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, which forced a historical confrontation between state and federal authorities and set an engraved precedent that the federal government would intervene for the sake of racial justice if necessary, Ike's Final Battle meticulously recounts events in unfolding detail, with an inset section of black-and-white photographic plates. An extensive bibliography, notes, and an index round out this welcome addition to American history shelves.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It tells President Eisenhower's story very well, and it kept my interest throughout the narrative.

Pipes' thesis, that Eisenhower went through a significant "struggle within himself" about his belief in civil rights (requiring significant social change) and majority rule (which did not support significant social change at that time), is also well argued. I especially appreciate the honesty in which the author tells Ike's story, including his strengths and weaknesses.

Also, Pipes does an excellent job of noting the number of significant Republican policy makers who were strong advocates of civil rights legislation during the 1950s and 1960s.

While I think everyone will benefit from reading this book, it especially should be read by all Republican office holders and candidates, today.

This book is a fast 300 pg. narrative on Eisenhower's nuanced positions regarding civil rights. The nuance is not whether equal rights for African Americans were right vs. wrong, but instead Eisenhower's struggle on how best to protect the rights of these Americans against the prejudice of southern conservatives who controlled the southern states and the relevant committees of the Senate.

Pipes begins with Eisenhower's experiences and contributions to the cause of equal rights in the military and ends in his retirement, with the climax happening 2/3 of the way through the book when Ike sends federal troops to Little Rock, AK to defend the right of African American students to attend a whites-only public school in spite of a bigoted governor who sends the national guard to keep them out. The book finishes with reflections on his contributions looking back from the time of Kennedy and LBJ moving the ball forward even further.

Pipes provides an incredibly fair report on President Eisenhower's policy positions and actions given the frequent opaqueness of his position depending on the situation and the company he was keeping. Many have attempted to paint Ike as a racist political opportunist or a courageous leader of the civil rights movement, with both positions given to hyperbole. Instead, Pipes portrays a man who respects majoritarian positions while realizing in his heart the wrongness of institutionalized bigotry even though Eisenhower, a man of his time, shares some prejudicial beliefs. The struggle for Eisenhower is often how to move the majority to his position without his having to depend on fiery rhetoric to change hearts and minds.

While Eisenhower was never a die-hard politico, he left the GOP with a wonderful legacy inherent in republicanism as a form of government instituted in 1787. Reading this book in 2007 shows how far the current majority of Republicans have mutated away from the principles of republicanism and Eisenhower, mostly due to the Southern Conservative Democrats who emigrated to the GOP after LBJ led the Democratic party into passing the Civil Rights and Voting Rights acts.

Pipes' only flaw in the book, so minor it's not worth knocking down a star, is a weak-hearted attempt to define Eisenhower as a conservative even though all empirical evidence in the book and other studies on Eisenhower provide ample evidence that he was a moderate who "got it" regarding our founding ideal of republicanism that holds that government is obligated to defend our individual liberty rights. The examples of Eisenhower's actions in the book are a case study in republicanism, not conservatism, where Ike closely follows the examples of previous Republican presidents who used federal power to protect individual and minority rights (e.g., Madison, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt). Conservatives by definition abhor using federal power to protect individual rights, they instead promote the ideal of "state rights" in hopes the process of "democratic conservatism" at the state level will "protect the will of the people", i.e., conservatives want to employ simple majorities leveraging state power to deny individuals and minority groups equal rights and protections.

I bought this book as a step in investigating fires and arson steps of investigation in writing a novel. It does have a lot of good information, but it's very generalized--not specific. Good for the amateur fire sleuth that wants to get enought information to be able to 'talk the language.'

The best fire investigation reference book on the market today. Thanks John.
Mark Howell
AIC-Fire
Denton, Texas

If you are a fire cause and origin investigator, you need this book! If you don't use it, you can bet an attorney will use it against you in civil or criminal proceedings. This book should be right next to your NFPA 921. DeHahn writes in a pragmatic and easy to understand format. I understand that the 6th ed. is getting ready for relase so you might wait a couple of weeks and get the latest. Bravo Dr. DeHaan, you've done it again!

The best book I know about fire; I like it for the strict scientific and pragmatic approach and the lot of practical hints, useful for a fire operator but also for a fire student.
Reading it, I understood a lot of things I watched in my 20 years of firefighting, and it changed my perception of fire behaviour and my understanding of a post-fire scene analysis.
A great help, and this edition is a lot better than the previous I had, the 3°.

Written in an understandable, practical manner, this book makes a difficult subject comprehensible by even the unscientifically minded.
The author writes clearly and the book is very readable. The text is accompanied by great photographs & illustrations.
What a relief to find this book after attempting to plow through some of the other texts on this subject. Highly recommended!

If there is anything this book has taught me, it is that there is no escape from the human condition. No matter if you are living as a monk in the woods or living in the midst of 9-5 city life, there is no real sanctuary from the struggles of humanity. Merton's writings on his struggles to reconcile his desires and remain true to his vows are enlightening. These are the struggles that all of us face, in one form or another. You can't help but love and appreciate Merton, the man, found in this journal.

This was actually the first I ever read or heard of Merton. I read this book at a time when I was going through a bit of a struggle myself in regards to who I was and what I believed. I was raised Catholic, but no longer felt that I had any place in the Church and then I felt guilty for having those feelings. What Merton does so beautifully and bravely is to show his own struggles and his own humanity to the world. He struggles with the idea of being a hermit vs his desire to change the world; with his love and devotion to the Church vs his love of a woman; with his need for solitude vs. his need to be surrounded by other intelligent, compassionate minds. It's a fascinating read. I think one of the things that struck me most about it was how unselfconsciously he writes about what he's going through. It's not a book overflowing with self-judgment or condemnation. On the contrary, it's a book filled with the idea that he is as human as the rest of us and has the same flaws and desires, yet what he does with those flaws and desires is really up to him. That's no small discovery. It's one we could all stand to make about ourselves.

"Learning to Love" captures the ache of forbidden love better than any work I have ever read. Merton's honesty, as mentioned in the other reviews, sets the gold standard for how we should converse with ourselves and with God. Ultimately, through meditation and prayer, Merton decides that his affair has opened his heart so that it holds a greater love for God, and the experience of going against his vows humbles him.

Anyone who is a true believer, who struggles to live that belief in daily life and who tries to reconcile the faith and the heart will enjoy this book. I can also recommend this book to people who are interested in journaling, as a example of "getting to the heart of matter" (Graham Greene) and to people who want a good introduction to Thomas Merton. I have gone on to read a number of his journals and his other books. He is most well-known for Seven Story Mountain. The Merton in that book is far younger and more naïve than the erudite and humble Merton displayed in these pages. Had I read Seven Story Mountain first, I never would have picked up another Merton book. Luckily for me, I picked this Merton book up first.

here is the volume that was much anticipated, the volume of Thomas Merton's diaries that dealt with his "love affair" with a young nurse, Margie Smith. By this point in the diaries, Merton has become a full time hermit{as someone once remarked, the busiest,most voluminous hermit in history. Or,as Merton wrly titled one of his diaries, A VOW OF CONVERSATION}. Moving further away from the obdient young novice of volume 2,Merton as always in full tonged battles with his Abbot,James Fox,,has been exploring eastern religions,trying to find the center which unites all. Then, he goes to a louisville hospital to have back surgery,and falls deeply in love with a young nurse. Always honest with himself,Merton knows where this is heading, and knows, even in his early entries, that this will not end well for her. There is a sweet episode when Joan Baez arrives,and after Merton tells her about his new love, insists that they drive straight away to Loiuisville to go to her{they do not.}There is nothing salacious here,and Merton comes to grips with his poor treatment of woman in his early life{he had fathered a child in London, and mother and son had died during the blitz in WWII},and finds another side in himself. Interspersed within this is the usual Merton gold, the ability to see through modern problems for what they are{fleeting}, and come up with crystalline insights{his commenst on his prayer life while he is essentialy leading ,for him, a compromised life, are very interestin.] This is top flight Merton, now on the top step, cleansed and looking east,where on the horizon, is the next and last volume, and the Asian journey. Essential,non-sensational,always edifying.

As usual, his journal style leads me into deep contemplation, but his honesty in dealing with all issues reminds the reader that he is a man before a monk or priest. I reccommend this book to all Seminary Students and those seeking quiet prayer and contemplation.

The four published reviews of this book are rather biased and show that the reviewers did not internalize what the author wrote. They stand in stark contrast to the 7 personal reviews. I couldn't put this book down. In a very personal way the author and his real experiences embody the reality of the co-existence, or lack thereof, in judea and samaria today. Stangely enough, shortly after a friend insisted I read this book I have shared tea with Era in his home and with his neighbors in Turmis Aya that he descibes in the book and to independently hear them tell the same stories he tells in the book.
This book should be required reading for anyone that wants to offer an opinion about the future of Samaria.

Era Rapaport effectively communicates the highs and lowes of being a settler in the land of Israel today. He is a modern day Zionist who gave up a life of comfort to face ridicule, persecution and imprisonment to stay true to his faith in the resettlement of Eretz Israel. I highly recommend this book to all who love Zion and believe in the restoration of Israel.

This book takes what has become a controvertial impersonal topic and turns it into a tale of the human spirit. Era was an the average American. He had the normal life, but he choose to follow the path G-d choose for him. His acts of desperation would be called terrorism by the media, but it is only after reading this book that one understands he was an everday guy defending his family. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in gaining a true first hand perspective of life in the West Bank.

Mr. Rapaport's book is one of the few honest accounts of life in Israel today. Unlike reporters who have very little understanding of the complexities of life in Israel, Mr. Rapaport lives in the heart of Israel, and has a great understanding of the problems his country encounters daily. You can't go wrong reading this book.

this book is intriging. it makes you wonder about the other side of the media. letters from tel mond prison is a book written by a man who lives his life with such pupose, meaning and honesty you wonder some times who you feel bad for - the "terrorist" or the "victim"

This is my first book review, but I have to take the time to highly recommend this book. I saw Mr. Johnson on a local talk show (Northwest Afternoon here in Seattle) and I was inspired to buy his book. What this book essentially is adovcating is hapiness through financial freedom, which is accomplished by paying off all debts and then turning these debt payments into wealth. The way that Mr. Johnson sets this up is simple and self-supporting, and I personally am setting out on his recommended path. I especially love the section on how to make money off of telemarketers through the use of "do not call" policies. I have already used it on American Express, who kept calling me about credit insurance, and it promptly shut them up (apparently "I'm not interested" doesn't work, but "I will sue you" does). This book will pay for itself and is worth the time for anyone who is tired of working for everyone else.

I recieved an advance copy of this wonderful book from the author. I have to say that reading this book is like having a close friend come over to your house and share the financial facts of your life. Stacy Johnson really knows his stuff. His experience on finances is second to none. This book provides an amazing "Blue Print" on getting your financial house in order.
Freeing yourself from debt is easier than you think after you read this book. As you probably know Stacy is the creator of very successful Money Talks television news series. He has been a Godsend to millions of people who need advice on getting out of debt, achieving financial freedom, and earning handsome profits from smart investment decisions. This book will inspire you take take charge of your Financial life!!!
You must give this book a try. It will be one of the smartest investment decisions you'll ever make.

Stacy Johnson gives us a decent first work in "Life or Debt". I have come across many personal finance books - some bad, some good. This one ranks somewhere squarely in the middle.

To be frank, I was able to conclude within a chapter or so, that the book was written by the proposed author as opposed to a professional writer. The language used throughout the book seemed to be "dumbed down", either intentionally or not (not necessarily a bad thing).

If you've read quite a few books related to personal finance, then you are by now familiar with the basic concepts used to accumulate wealth and beat down debt, ie., save a tenth of every paycheck to invest, pay off the highest interest debt first, consult with professional third parties if needed, etc. A lot of this information by now is getting totally redundant. Only a complete novice will receive insight from these age-old tips.

Now that the critical stuff is out of the way, I will praise this book for the things it does right. The chapter devoted to saving money entitled, "205 Ways to Save" is excellent. The majority of the tips are first rate money savers. Some of the tips may be familiar to seasoned readers and others will seem like common sense, but there are also some genuine money-saving winners among the selections. I feel that if the reader used even a small portion of the tips a substantial savings will be realized, especially if used on a regular basis. The author even offers up an informative chapter on how to deal with the big, bad credit bureaus.

Stacy Johnson gives us a solid, but far from perfect, first effort involving the world of personal finance and all the follies that can go with it. He offers insightful tips and hope to many people who are fighting to better their financial situation. It can only get better from here.

This book is an excellent resource for anyone working on getting their financial life in order. Not only is it informative, but it is entertaining as well. Stacy has a way with his writing that allows you to enjoy while you are learning about finances. Even if you are financially savvy, this book is a great one to have on hand and share with family & friends.

I'm so glad I ran across this book in an airport! By reading this, I realized by trying to keep up with the Joneses, I was placing myself in a serious financial crisis. By using the techniques in the book, I hope to have all my debts paid off in a couple of years.