Freedom Books

This book is a great read for action officers and DoD staffers! I found it very helpful upon my recent assignment to the Pentagon. Must read for military and civilians working at operational and strategic levels of national defense! Many thanks to the author for their insights!

A great book, highly recommended for anyone working in the Pentagon! I'm in my first Pentagon tour, and found this book immensely useful. My initial impression of Pentagon life was professional bewilderment: totally new vocabulary, totally new set of concerns, different rules for doing business. Much more so than with most of my 'new' jobs along the way, this one totally threw me off with with respect to the norms and expectations.

There are many courses for navigating these strange waters (most of which I've attended), but there's so much to learn that these courses are primarily focused on the "What Is It, and How Does It Work?" level. The "What's normal?" level is usually left off the end (due to time constraints), for the student to work out on his/her own. I've been blessed with very patient bosses, and have been allowed to work out 'normal' for myself, but I frequently had so many questions that I'd hesistate asking them all at once. And then came Assignment Pentagon - a life saver.

I stumbled across Assignment Pentagon about three months into the job - 2-1/2 months too late! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down - it spoke to my nagging questions and left me a MUCH better informed Action/Requirements Officer. The turn-around in professional understanding was so profound for me that I've been recommending it to anyone else that checks in here, and think it's absolutely critical to understand the place you work in the depth that Assignment Pentagon delivers it.

Many thanks to the authors for putting this much-needed work together, and for keeping it updated. I only hope that they're still updating it when I've got my next set of orders to the Pentagon.

This book was first published in the 1980s, and has been apparently revised as recently as March 2007. The edition I read comes from 2002. The book is interesting. It fulfills its billing as a straight guide to what is important inside the big five-sided building along the Potomac River.

Maj Gen Smith's most interesting piece of insight comes about half way through in his discussion of the media and the Pentagon leadership. In discussing the role of the daily "Early Bird" news roundup, Gen Smith asserts that senior Pentagon leaders read the volume diligently, seeing the press not as an antagonist, but rather as a source of new and interesting takes on what they may or may not already know.

Unfortunately, Gen Smith has a bad habit of occasionally interjecting his personal opinion into his otherwise objective analysis. Also, even though the book says it was revised for 2002, it appears that many sections of the book have not been updated since its original publication 15 years earlier.

All in all, this is a solid, brief overview, of some of what goes through Pentagon employees heads on a daily basis. It is worth the read for that reason if for no other.

I am the author of this book. When the new administration took office, it was time to update this book about how the Pentagon works, how to work with the Pentagon and how to work within the Pentagon. There is an enormous amount of misinformation about the Pentagon and what I have tried to do is stick to the realities and to destroy some of the myths. I have received many comments about this book. The most surprising ones have come from people who work in corporations who have told me that this book has given them lots of ideas about how improve their performance in their present jobs.

I am the author of this book. When the new administration took office, it was time to update this book about how the Pentagon works, how to work with the Pentagon and how to work within the Pentagon. There is an enormous amount of misinformation about the Pentagon and what I have tried to do is stick to the realities and to destroy some of the myths. I have received many comments about this book. The most surprising ones have come from people who work in corporations who have told me that this book has given them lots of ideas about how improve their performance in their present jobs.

As a military spouse, this book has special meaning to me. Not only is it a cookbook, but a history of the military spouse through letters describing the contributions that military spouses have made starting with the American Revolution. I was especially moved by the foreward "United in Spirit".

I would highly recommend the book and have already puchased it as a gift.

This is one of the most interesting and moving books I have read in a long time. This book is not just for great recipes but for inspiration of mind and soul. It will touch your heart as well as your appitite. A great gift for a loved one as well as yourself. This is a book not to miss.

From an Independence Tear Party featuring food served by the women of Edenton, North Carolina at an October 25, 1774 gathering, down American history to a Memorial Day Catfish Fry that would be recognized by contemporary readers today, At Freedom's Table: More Than 200 Years Of Recipes & Remembrances From Military Wives showcases an outstanding and very highly recommended collection of terrific recipes, engaging anecdotal stories, and history vintage photographs tracing and illustrating the unique contribution of American military wives to the dining table. From Liberty Tea; White Fruit Cake; and Oven Baked Chicken for a Crowd; to Yankee Doodle Pot Roast; Baklava; Nanna's Chicken-Fried Steak; and Bow-Tie Asparagus Bundles, here are dishes that will prove as popular today as they were throughout our nation's diverse and eclectic history.

More than the recipes, I love the history in this book. I learned so much from it. The recipes were great, but I really thought they took a back seat to the letters and stories listed. So many of the things I read I want to take back with me to my next family support group meeting. I am particularly interested in the section Ms. Tillery wrote about the Military Wives Table Setting. I have looked all over for more information on it and hope to find something soon.

Thank you for taking the time to record our history as so much of the women attached to military endured has been forgotten and overlooked.

The read is as good as the recipes! This narrative cookbook features the comfort foods we all have come to love and enjoy. Now as always, soldier's letters home almost always contained a line or two about a favorite meal. The women who prepared these meals were often women of exceptional courage and strength.

I am exceptionally proud of the women profiled in this narrative cookbook. They made tremendous contributions to our country and are role models for every generation. Not only did they design and make flags that defined us as a nation, many like Margaret Cochran Corbin stepped up to the artillery to defend it. When her husband fell by her side during a British Hessian attack on Fort Washington, she took his place at the cannon. Her 'her'oic action was noted by a resolution of Congress in 1779

Others, like Sarah Borginis accompanied their husbands and enlisted as cooks. When General Zachary Taylor took most of his troops from Fort Brown to the Rio Grande, the undermanned fort was attacked by Santa Anna's forces. Sarah was issued a gun and it is said that while dodging cannon and musket fire she never missed striking a target or preparing a meal. Upon his return, General Taylor breveted her to Colonel. After the war Sarah opened a hotel in El Paso, which became a favorite of the 49er's heading to the California gold fields.

These are only two of the many featured women,who captivated me with their timeless stories, words of wisdom and advice that is as relevant now as it was then. I do not have space to tell you of Deborah Champion who outdistanced Paul Revere in her midnight ride, or Prudence Wright, Charity Adams and others whose service and sacrifice contributed to the greatness of our nation.

...The star's belong to these truly heroic women.

Thanks so much to all of you who stop me to say you love the book. It was truly a labor of love. Air Force bred and wed, (brat and wife) a life of military service is all I have ever known. And without exception, it has been a wonderful experience. The pride I have in the history and heritage of military wives led me to write this book.

Wow - what a book! An absolute "must read" for EVERYONE - not just law enforcement officers (but should be compulsory reading for them!!). A rare blend of excitement, humour, action, honesty and humility. One of the best books I have ever read (and I read a lot of books!!). I can't recommend it highly enough.

Cops are People, Too!
By John De Haven

Happily, it's still possible to find your way to a good book now and then. And once in a while you can get lucky, and a good book will just sort of find its way to you. That's what just happened to me!

We've all heard the jaded expression "You can't put it down." You know what I mean. You sometimes get that feeling of connection with the author or with the story (or both!) and adjust your posture, reload your beverage and maybe sink a little deeper into the couch with the welcome and soothing thought: "This is good. This just feels good. He's talking to me here, and I can tell I'm gonna like this." With some good books, it can happen early on. Sometimes, if it is to happen at all, it can take a little longer.

In Jim Geeting's new one, "The Badge - Thoughts from a State Trooper," (McKenna Publishing Group) it happened to me in the first few seconds. No, I don't mean somewhere in the first chapter; it happened earlier than that. I didn't get any farther than the dedication where the author acknowledges his beautiful wife and young sons before I had a tear in my eye and solid confidence in my certainty that Jim's book was going to be a pleasure.

Here, in the dedication, Geeting speaks to his sons, saying in part:

You took a cop's blackened soul
And taught it the joy of wrestling, giggles and unconditional love
Of camp outs, good jokes and the wonder in a bug or a rock.
Of the hero I could be - simply by being a good dad
I dreamed of you both, long before God sent you.

Oh, yeah? Please pass the Kleenex!

Author Geeting is a veteran cop, a trooper with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. For some time he has written a column, "The Badge," which appears regularly in largest circulation newspapers in Wyoming. Bearing the same title, his book is a digest of some of Jim's (and his publisher's, no doubt) favorites from among a couple years' worth of these columns. Whether sorting out broken cars and bodies at the scene of a wreck, lecturing those who might choose to drink and drive or fail to buckle up, or basking in the pleasures of the school spelling bee or in any of the many places and experiences in between, each savory nugget in the banquet of a cop's and a family man's life can be consumed in barely a minute or two. But like the best of Thanksgiving feasts, the pleasure derived has a way of lasting.

Trust me. The reading is the easy part. It's the pondering of the practical simplicity of this cop's ways and wisdom that brings the reward. Indeed, the digesting and enjoying of the nearly 75 columns included in his book (yes, I counted!) represent a much more touching and longer-lasting experience.

Early on, I had the good luck to recognize Geeting's anthology was, for me anyway, really something of a confession... a generous slice of the "stuff" of law enforcement we on the outside always want to know - not what happens in the legislature or in meetings when the brass get together but, rather, the stuff that unfolds or (on a bad day) explodes out there in the street. Easily, modestly, credibly and with a refreshing clarity, Geeting conveys his genuine love and respect -- both for his chosen profession and for his colleagues and brethren within it. Most often citing examples from his lengthy experience behind the badge, he invites us to see it from his side.

And there, on the inside, we are offered this good cop's view of many of the familiar and not-so-familiar facts, routines, surprises, fears and follies that conspire to make the on-duty life of a law enforcement officer so exciting, interesting, satisfying, humorous, rewarding, dangerous, at times sickening, heart breaking, misunderstood, under-appreciated, frustrating, occasionally frightening, and yet always so absolutely essential to our safety and the quality of life most of us enjoy every day.

Still, that's only part of why I'm lucky "The Badge - Thoughts from a State Trooper" found its way to me. Jim Geeting is much more than the stereotypical policeman. He is also the perfect blend of hard-hearted cop, all business and always steeled against publicly showing feelings or emotion, and the kind of family man that you and I wish we could be, adoring and adored by his wife and children. In one particularly memorable vignette, Geeting describes how his wife and (now teenage) sons are both his motivation and his satisfaction, in the end acknowledging: "They and our home are not the reason for my armor, they are my armor."

In fact, I'm not certain whether this new book is more about a humble and devoted and decent citizen, a family man who happens to be a cop or about a cop who is still married to his first wife and who views his role as a father and husband as the most important and satisfying in his or anybody's life. That's not to suggest it matters; it doesn't. Time and again, the insights into each are presented with a persuasive and almost irresistible clarity and candor.

I promise you... Jim Geeting will grab hold of your heart, too! Many of his commentaries, brief though they may be individually, favor readers with a look at this "other" side where he reveals his gentle nature, his appealing yet hair trigger sensitivity, his vulnerability and his extraordinary love of and desire to protect children. His recognition of and determination to preserve as best he can the innocence and ultimate worthiness of every child, is a subject visited several times in "The Badge's" 130 pages.

So get comfortable, be sure the Kleenex is nearby and pick up "The Badge - Thoughts from a State Trooper." You'll catch Jim Geeting's message all right. Or it'll catch you!

And when you're finished reading this one, don't take it to the book barrel at church. Put it on the shelf by your easy chair or atop the magazine pile in the pearl room. Keep it nearby. You'll want to read it again.

I did.

This book is the first book in a long while that I picked up and never put down until I read it from cover to cover. Jim's words and stories make you feel at home with the book. This is "the real stories of the highway patrol." I can't wait to get the rest of Jim's books

This book is simply the most endeared book in my vast "law enforcement"
collection. Jim Geeting is instantly your best friend. Reading his words
is like having him at your kitchen table, coffee in hand, with a very
warm, comfortable atmosphere!

Thank you, Trooper Geeting - you made me realize why I got into this profession - and why I need to stay. You also showed many of our "customers" a side that is rarely seen. Keep up the good work!

this isn't the highest quality paper, but it's an economical way to get three works. there is not much in the way of editorial content, but depending on your interests that may be fine.

I read this book for a graduate class in Philosophy. Dr. Dale Miller who was the editor for this book was my professor. He is excellent and an expert on J. S. Mill. Recommended reading for anyone interested in philosophy, political science, and history.

John Stuart Mill, 1806-73, worked for the East India Co. helped run Colonial India from England. Minister of Parliament 1865-68 he served one term. Maiden speech was a disaster his second was great success. He was first MP to propose that women should be given the vote on equal footing with the men who could vote. He got 1/3 support, England gives franchise to women after U.S. He was a great Feminist, his essay "Subjection of Women" is written with great passion and prose. It was a brave position for him to take he was ridiculed for it. He favored democracy, and letting more men from lower classes the right to vote, but believed that people that are more educated should have more votes then less educated because they would make better decisions about what government should do. He would have wanted to extend education to the masses, so that all may have gotten 2-3 votes and so on. He didn't think it should be extended to where a small elite could carry the day on votes. The idea was that if the working class, and middle class, where divided on an issue, the people with more intelligence would have the power to tip the balance. Mill thought that people with more education would probably not only be better able to make political decisions, especially in terms of intellectually being able to see what would be best for the government to do, but that they would also be more concerned about the common good publicly then people in general. He was intensely educated by his father James. John could read Greek, and Latin at 6 yrs.; his Dad tutored him at home. Dad thought environment was everything. He was treated like an adult, never played games with kids; he had a very cerebral upbringing. He had a period of depression in his twenties, it changed his philosophy, and he recognized the importance of developing feelings along with the intellect, this is something that he stressed in his work. He read poetry to get out of depression; he became devoted to poetry and became a romantic. He fell in love with a married woman Harriet Taylor, was a platonic relationship, after her husband's death they married 3 years later and probably never consummated the marriage maybe due to Harriet having syphilis. His dedication to "On Liberty" is to her, very devoted to each other. Both buried together in Avignon France where they used to vacation.

Mill as a moral theorist subscribed to a theory we call Utilitarianism. It means---In some way morality is about the maximization of happiness. Whether actions are right or wrong depends on how happiness can be most effectively maximized. I say in some way, because there are allot of different kinds of Utilitarians. Allot of different ways of saying exactly how it is the maximization of happiness comes into morality. Therefore, happiness is clearly an important idea for Utilitarians. Mill has a hedonistic view of happiness, he thinks that happiness can be defined in terms of "pleasure in the absence of pain." What is distinctive about Mill in this area is that he believes that some kinds of pleasure are better than others are, and add more to a person's happiness than other kinds of pleasures. He believes in what he calls, "higher quality pleasures." These are pleasures, he says, that we get from the exercise of faculties that only human beings happen to have. So the intellect, imagination, the moral feelings, these are the sources of higher quality pleasures people use. His view seems to be that a certain quantity of intellectual pleasure just adds more to your happiness, and a given quantity of some lower pleasure like a kind we would share with the animals such as sensation, taste, sexual pleasure, etc. His "higher quality pleasures" in a way echo Aristotle's ethics. The idea of those things that make us distinctly human that are the real key to our happiness, that is in Mill also. It is not as limited to reason and intellect as Aristotle thinks. Mill recognizes the importance of the appreciation of beauty, aesthetic pleasure, and moral pleasure. He frankly owes a debt to Aristotle that he never properly acknowledges, never gives him proper credit.

"On Liberty" is Mill's is his most widely read and enduring work. It is an indispensable essay on political thought, which strenuously argues for individual liberty. He is defending what he calls the "liberty principle." It is a principle that guarantees individuals quite a bit of personal freedom. "That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant." These quoted sentences in John Stuart Mill's book, "On Liberty," embody the crux of his argument; that the power of the state must intrude as little as possible on the liberty of its citizenry. In essence, Mill was against using the power of the state through its lawmaking apparatus to compel citizens to conduct themselves in ways that society deems moral or appropriate. Mill thought that people had not only a right, but also a duty to develop their intellectual faculties, which is indispensable to maximize their happiness. He believed that society improved for all its citizens when they where left unfettered to the maximum extent possible, allowing them to use their imagination and intellect to improve themselves. Mill postulates a theory that societies usually institute laws based primarily on "personal preference" of its citizenry instead of established principles. This lack of clarity of opinion often leads to the government frequently interfering in the lives of its citizens unnecessarily. For Mill, there are very few times when the state can infringe on the personal liberty of others. Firstly, the state has the right to promulgate laws that prevent a person's actions from harming others. Secondly, the state must protect those citizens who are not mature enough to protect themselves, such as children. Thirdly, he exempts, "... backward states of society in which the race itself may be considered as in its nonage." In Mill's view, immature societies need a benevolent leader to rule them until they have developed to a point where they, "... have attained the capacity of being guided to their own improvement by conviction or persuasion ..." Mill said this third exemption did not apply to any of the countries in Europe. Mill believed that forced morality by the state on its citizen's liberties was destructive to their inward development, and could even lead to a violent reaction by them against the government.


There are different parts of his defense of this, different arguments that he gives. He has a long chapter on freedom of speech and press. He has some very specific reasons why he thinks those freedoms are important. Always in the background for Mill is the idea of development, and making it possible for more people to enjoy these higher quality pleasures. How do we help people develop their distinctly human faculties, in ways that will help them enjoy their higher quality pleasures? Because for him that is the way, we maximize the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed in the world, and that is the object of morality as far as he is concerned. Utilitarianists believe that maximizing happiness is ultimately, what morality is all about. That does not mean maximizing your own happiness that means maximizing the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed, not only by yourself but also by everybody else as well.

Roger Kimball, in his book "Experiments Against Reality" wrote, "On Liberty" was published in 1859, coincidentally the same year as "On the Origin of Species." Darwin's book has been credited--and blamed--for all manner of moral and religious mischief. But in the long run "On Liberty" may have effected an even greater revolution in sentiment.

Not that Mill was ever obscure or inaccessible, but while Prof Schneewind's Introduction adds little value, the notes and annotations by Dale E Miller certainly renders this compendium transparent, even to folks like me who have been dumbed down by years of television debates as primary intellectual nourishment. He enlightens each of Mill's chapters with a short and easily assimilated introductory overview. Complementing this with text annotations, collected at the back of the book. The annotations appear to be very well selected, as they are never too numerous to make flipping to the back of the book tedious, yet they manage to illuminate every aspect or item I might have found even remotely confusing, ambiguous or otherwise incomprehensible in the modern idiom.

This text is an excellent starting point for reading JS Mill, and is very well suited to the armchair philosopher who wishes to get into the material with ease and without encumbrance. However, there may be too little in the annotations in terms of external references, or cross references to Mill's other writings, or background information to satisfy the more academically inclined.

Of course anyone with even a nominal interest in what liberty is... NEEDS to read JS Mill. But then, you wouldn't be here if you didn't know that, right?

I am interested in Mill's contributions to utilitarian philosophy. Utilitarianism holds that morals should be based upon those acts which promote the greatest good to the greatest number of people. Human actions which foster happiness are held to be right, while those which yield the converse are wrong. Mill defines happiness as intended pleasure with the absence of pain. Also, he maintains that intended pleasure and freedom from pain are the only things desirable as personal ends. Pleasure which employs one's higher faculties tends to give more satisfaction than baser pleasures, or mere sensations. Few humans would exchange their limited, fleeting pleasures for the fullest ration of the pleasures of the "lower" animals. Since a noble character is made happier by its nobleness, utilitarianism can only attain its end towards the multiplication of happiness through a general elevation of the nobleness of the character of the larger population.

Mill states that pleasures and pains have different values to the actor. Only the judgment honed by experience can assist us in assessing appropriate trade-offs in acquiring a particular pleasure at the cost of gaining a specific pain as well. This type of cost/benefit analysis advocated by utilitarians gives rise to the criticism that utilitarianism results in coldness and lack of sympathy towards others. However, Mill claims that the proof of the worth of utilitarianism, or any other moral system, lies in its ability to produce good results.

Although it is sometimes difficult to wade through the dryness of Mill's rhetoric, it is truly worth it for the philosophical insights contained. This book is a good survey of Mill's thoughts on utilitarian ethics and many other subjects of value.

One of the main writers on liberty, J.S. Mill is often overlooked in introductory courses in Political Theory courses. I bought this books as a supplement in my class and it was a wonderful read that gave me an advantage. This book contains some of Mill's best work and the notes added by Schneewind give them an extra dimention and a few explanations that I am glad I had.

This is an excerpted book review from the Library Media Connection, vol. 24, no. 7. The events of 225 years ago as the colonies fought to gain their independence are meticulously detailed in this volume. Arranged by state, then by city, each entry details the battles that happened in that place. Museums, historical sites, and markers in or near the battle site are noted in a section at the beginning of each entry.The events are described factually, with birth and death dates listed for most people mentioned. Inserted in the middle of the book are 64 pages of maps (one of each state covered, with major cities where battles occurred, marked) and photographs (historic sites, forts, monuments, buildings, and re-enactors). Appendices at the end of the book include an alphabetical list of battles, a chronological list of battles, the list of battle sites grouped by location, a glossary, bibliography, and index. Norman Desmarias, a Revolutionary War re-enactor, librarian, and writer, has provided a wonderful resource for students and adults researching this war. The detail is impressive, yet the writing is interesting. The inclusion of modern-day historic sites, some of which include Web sites to visit, is a nice touch. High school librarians may want to consider this for the reference collection and high school history teachers may consider it for use as research material for coverage of this time period.

Against the Grain--Norman Desmarais, whose name is no stranger to readers of Against the Grain, has written this guide about battlefields and monuments of the American Revolution. A man of wide-ranging interests, Desmarais draws upon his avocation as an avid Revolutionary War reenactor as inspiration for this book. In fact, he appears front and center in the photo on the book's cover in full period uniform. This is a great book for buffs who wish to visit battlefields of the American Revolution. It is one of several books written since the Bicentennial in 1976.As Desmarais states, a good number of these battlefields are no more that plaques in the midst of urban areas. Yet, there are many battlefields that have been made into historical parks, administered by Federal and state organizations as in the case of Fort Ticonderoga, NY. For someone who might meander from Maine in the north to Georgia in the south with the occasional foray west as far as Illinois and Indiana, the arrangement of this guide is perfect. For the librarian (and other users) seeking the comfort of an alphabetical arrangement, the Table of Contents and the Index become essential tools. Once the state has been established, an alphabetical sequence of battlefields still eludes the user. This time, Desmarais arranges battles chronologically. And further, in NY and S. Carolina, where there is a heavy concentration of Revolutionary battle sites, there are geographic subdivisions that are then chronologically arranged. Keep the T of C handy. Desmarais truly excels with the detailed annotations of the battles and their sites. It is the reenactor's intimate knowledge of these battles showing through. What is even better, the wording of his annotations indicates he has been to a lot of these battle sites. The length varies with the longest coverage appearing to be given to Yorktown in 1781. Each entry begins with an inset box providing information of the battlefield as it exists today. Fairly explicit directions are provided. Following the URL for the Website, such information about interpretive centers, markers, and extant buildings and fortifications is included. What are especially fascinating are the detailed descriptions of the battles themselves. A typical entry includes the generals of both sides, the number of soldiers fighting, and then, the strategy they used within the battles themselves. It is really intriguing reading. The final chapter is Desmarais' word on reenacting. He is very frank about the amount of commitment one must make to be a reenactor. Not only is it a commitment in time, but a commitment in expense. He provides URLs for contacting Revolutionary reenactor organizations. The bibliography of books describing a soldier's life at the time of the War of Independence could be valuable to someone looking to become a reenactor. Finally, detailed maps and photographs complete this volume that should become a manual for those people who have a deep interest in the American Revolution.

Ususally these sorts of geographical guides to historical sites are dull, discriptive naratives that are only useful as a reference when travelling. Mr Desmarais's book is quite different. In addition to the site descriptions, pictures and maps, he offers the reader the unique, in depth view of the events that draws you into the story and make you want to know more. Mr Desmarais's writing style is personal, engaging and dynamic. I could not put it down! You'll not regret your investment in "Battlegrounds of Freedom."

Battlegrounds Of Freedom: A Historical Guide To The Battlefields Of The War Of American Independence by Norman Desmarais (an active re-enactor in the Second Rhode Island Regiment Continental Army) meticulously approaches the war event by event, describes the geographic and strategic context of each battle, and offers an extensive selection of black-and-white maps and photographs to aid the reader in retracing the conflict that shaped American history. A wealth of resources for the reader to draw upon, including websites noted for their accuracy and lists of visitor centers, museums, and battleground sites open to the public, Battlegrounds Of Freedom is a vital resource especially for re-enactment groups but also useful to historians and casual readers alike. An in-depth resource constructed with an eye for accuracy, and a passionate love for history itself.

I met the publisher of this book at a conference, and he
gave me a galley copy of this book, for the purpose of
writing a review. I have no other connection with the
publisher or author.

Battlegrounds for Freedom offers concise and understandable
narratives of the military operations that took place at the
sites covered in the book. For each site, driving directions,
Web sites, and other information for visitors are included.

This book is not just for armchair historians. The author,
himself a Revolution-era re-enactor, has structured the book
so as to provide the maximum encouragement for readers to get
out there and visit the battlefields (even road maps are
included), and to experience at least a little of the soldiers'
experiences.

A short chapter explains the lure of re-enacting, and tells
how a person interested in trying it can get started. For those
who don't have enough free weekends to become re-enactors, a
listing of published books and diaries is given at the end of
the chapter; reading these would give an idea what life was like
for soldiers of this period.

The battle write-ups are concise, but accurate, and most of the
military actions are placed in context with other actions, so
that the overall strategy and flow of events during the
Revolution can be discerned.

I am so lucky to have come across this elegantly written book. The author has a way of sharing spiritual insights in a simple style that both informs and inspires. Her true life accounts of healings were very profound and moving. One in particular helped me find a solution to a problem I'd been grappling with for years. Open this book to any page and you'll find something of personal value.

The author of "Be" is evidently a woman of profound insight and deep compassion. I found myself alternately moved by her caring attitude towards humanity and excited by the knowledge she was trying to impart. She certainly seems to be operating from a different plane of consciouness than most of us, judging by some of the experiences she describes. "Be" is definitely highly recommended for the serious spiritual seeker.

The love of God, our Creator, the Divine, comes through loud and clear from this author. This book touched my heart and you just truly sense that she has lived what she is teaching. I thank her for sharing her wisdom and love with the readers. You will feel this too. I can usually discern an author's intentions when reading a book, and her intentions seem pure. This is of utmost importance, at least for me. Those who have the knowledge have a greater responsibility to others who may not yet have the experience. That sharing is a gift to all the readers who are true seekers. After all, the spiritual path does not come with instructions. The path is not easy. May other readers be blessed by this book as much as I was.

"Be" is a beautifully written and inspirational book of Truth and Self-Empowerment! It is an awakening book that speaks to your heart with concrete ways to develope Conscious Oneness with our Divine Selves. It is a book which brings Hope, Truth, Love, and Light. If you are ready for self-transformation, then this book is for you! Enjoy!

To look at the bigger picture and rise above what we see expands our consciousness to higher levels of expression and power. This books tells us the truth, what should be practiced and believed. It is clear and profound. It can be used for reference and read over and over again for complete understanding. The messages are sacred. It is a gift to the world.

Peggy McCaffray

Highly recommended reading, Beyond The Lie: Finding Freedom From The Past by Alice Smith is an outstanding guide for Christians caught up in terrifying feelings of shame and distrust, and who are searching for an escape to a personal world less susceptible to the all consuming evils promoted by the broader culture of the world today. Providing an informed and informative mapping of the proper pathway to a spirituality healthier lifestyle, Beyond The Lie helps the reader to avoid being victimized or otherwise lapse into behaviors that would disgrace themselves and their families. Above all else, Beyond The Lie gratefully speaks to Christian readers of the glorious sacred love of Christ redeeming them from the bonds of their past, the temptations of the present, and the promise of the future.

I really liked this book. It's easy to read and her stories are real clear. Alice shares in a way that hurting people of this world can be set free of their past. First Alice shares how as a child she was victimized and how she struggled with her abuse for years. But she doesn't stop there she goes on to skillfully explain how we can be free from the torment that has kept us bound all of our life. It really is a lie you know, we don't have to remain a victim! We can be set free. This book will help change your life.

I am thrilled to recommend "Beyond the Lie" to anyone who has suffered at the hands of others, experienced traumas or ever asked the question of how to turn suffering and difficulties into something better vs years of repeated pain. The transparent stories, biblical principles and step by step instructions are the result of over 35 years of counseling and ministry.

In almost 15 years of working alongside Alice's ministry, I have seen thousands of lives impacted and changed by the insights shared in "Beyond the Lie". Personally my life is completely different than where I was years ago when I first met Alice. "Beyond the Lie" can make a difference in your life as well!

Debbie Walker
Houston, TX.

All people, including Christians, have traumatic events that keep them in spiritual and emotional bondage. Alice Smith is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. She began her life journey as a victim, but through the healing power of Christ, she emerged a victor.

Smith's book, Beyond the Lie: Finding Freedom from the Past offers help to all who struggle with past abuse experiences. Through personal and victim stories, biblical stories, statistics, a bibliography of suggested reading and victim resources, Smith provides readers with the necessary information to rise up, gather hope in God and walk out of the darkness.

Smith's book is laid out in a manner that makes it easy for the reader to gather the information necessary to help themselves. She discusses forms of abuse and typical responses by victims, systems of thought that can impact how you view yourself and the world, warning signs that victims send out, positive self talk and healing through Jesus Christ.

Armchair Interviews says: If you, or someone you know has suffered abuse, Beyond the Lie: Finding Freedom from the Past is a valuable gift to give.

No wasted words here! I found this book easy to read, succinct and to the point. It demonstrated how childhood rape or molestation can be overcome through prayer, with graphs and charts that were very helpful. The author made clear how to overcome a victim mindset. Especially helpful were definitions of spiritual warfare terms, how demons find ways to attach themselves, and how to get rid of these parasites. ("you've got worms?") Yes, this book helped me gain confidence and put away fear. Highly recommended!

Irwin is one bright guy, and he has a gift for explaining complex topics in interesting and understandable ways. Even though this book is more than 30 years old, it still does a great job of revealing the basic ways that the US government cons its own citizens. Ours is not the only government doing this, though; the problem is world-wide and runs far back in history. Irwin's book was an eye-opener when I read it back in the '70s and I'm still recommending it to friends.

Having read this book in the 90's it is still good for today to explain why oil prices are so much higher......it is really the dollar becoming devalued. who is doing this as I watched gold go to almost $880 an ounce again. the US is broke from a war just like in the 70's and we are there again......the US is broke we have borrowed billions from IMF to pay bills. funny it was not like during clintons term. now ron paul wants to do away with the dollar and start a Am-euro. I don't know who will be elected I'm still evaluating what country I want to move to.
what you will see like all retirees having the retirement money devalued my guess to about 1/10 of what it is worth today. this is how current administration will pay for social security, it is with a cheaper dollar. (dang I tried to keep the word cheaper out of my description.) we are headed for rampart inflation again. as taxes are cut today, well inflation will cause every bodies pay to increase.......unknowingly the poor start thinking they are getting paid their worth. the government thinks the weak just don't realize the higher pay puts them into a higher tax bracket so we get more with out raising taxes.
in 1968 crude was $3.00+/barrel, gold at $32.50, gas at $.30
in 2007 reg. crude is $80/barrel, gold $800, gas at $3.00
crudes in 2007 sweet light (low sulfur and thin) is $90 and sour (heavy high sulfur) is $50 I averaged to regular crude at $80. i wanted to show the semblance of crude and gold an ounce of gold still buys about the same 10 barrels of oil.
you will understand when the US gov. complains that china is a money manipulator and won't move their currency.......how it is really the US that is at fault. the US is trying to devalue the dollars (over 2.2 trillion as of last years quote and probably much higher now) which would lower the Chinese real dollar worth. like I gave you a 10 and a week later when you went to spend it......it is now only worth 5.
read the book and you will understand!

The best word to describe this book is prophetic. Read about the dollar's decline, how inflation erodes our buying power, the crumbling of the U.S. industrial base, currency vs. money, then marvel that these words were written over 30 YEARS AGO.

This book is a great primer not only on the dangers of big government, but also on economics, the federal reserve system and a host of other tax-related topics. After reading this, many of the ills that afflict and aggravate us today in the 21st century will make far more sense. This book will answer such questions as: "Why do I keep paying more in taxes and getting less in services from government?" and, "If the government can print all the money it needs, why is the national debt so big?" and finally, "What happened to all the great, last-a-lifetime 'Made In America' products I had as a child in this once-great country?"

The Biggest Con has many helpful illustrations and charts which -- although 30 years out of date -- demystify the subject of taxes, money and market forces. Think of it as Economics 101 without wasting your hard-earned cash on an overpriced 3-inch-thick textbook that confuses you even more, or sitting through a boring semester at college.

In the appendix you also will find a transcript of Schiff's 1968 testimony before Congress warning of the consequences of going off the gold standard, consequences we are living with and suffering through today. Read it and say "He told us so!"

Although this book is almost 20 years old its detailed and fully referenced facts on how our national debt is masterfully misrepresented by our government is an irrefutable fulfilment of prophecy of our present debt crisis. Learn how Shiff, who testified before congress in opposition to the removal of gold and silver backed currency has been vindicated on all accounts. See through the con of how our present politicians are solving the budget crisis.

I learned more concerning our government's tax policy and the manipulation of money (versus the pieces of paper we carry around in our wallets) from this book in three hours than four years of study in college. Schiff boils it down to the essence, from three men beginning a culture to a controlling government, taxing and watering down the money supply. Your view of Keynes' ideas and why Adam Smith's concepts were abandoned will become cystal clear. Should be required reading for anyone involved in economics - which is exactly why the government would prefer that this book be left on the shelf.

This book was accurate, thoroughly researched, and suprisingly well written. It helps one gain an entire new perspective on early race relations in the United States. Even the most seasoned historian will likely walk away in awe after reading Hashaw's fabulous work.

Dont expect the story to be entirely about Africans however. In order to help us understand their history, Hashaw takes us through much of what was going on in Europe before and after the "twenty-odd" landed at Jamestown.

This is a wonderful rendering of the history of English piracy, the slave trade, and the religious and political events in Europe and Africa that led to the beginning of African lives in the US. It is a gripping story, told as an unfolding play. VERY enlightening about early American history.

The book was excellent!

This book is excellent for 1) putting the arrival of Africans at Jamestown in context both in European (English, Spanish and Portuguese) politics of the time, and 2) giving in great detail the political, social and economic situation of the Angolan kingdom whence these Africans originated. The activities of the Spanish ambassador to the court of King James is enjoyable diplomatic intrigue; the relation of James to Africa is convincing and should be part of literary studies of Ben Jonson's work. I was amazed to learn that many of the enslaved Africans had Christian backgrounds of several generations, and familiarity with European languages and customs, resulting from Portuguese colonization and missionary activities for more than a century prior. Hashaw does himself credit in showing the similarities and differences in the political and military activities and alliances of these African and European rulers and aristocracies. In addition, he shows in great detail the identities, activities and onward movements of these Africans and their descendents (who are normally anonymous figures in standard histories), and gives credible evidence on the origin of the Melungeon families of Appalachia, and insight into the contributions of Africans to cattle herding and to agricultural success in the Americas. A real page-turner -- a riveting and enlightening account that makes fresh some once-stale facts from your obligatory American history class.

The real story of what went on before and during seventeenth-century Jamestown (along with correlated events in England, Angola, and Spain) is found in Tim Hashaw's definitive book, THE BIRTH OF BLACK AMERICA: THE FIRST AFRICANS AND THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM AT JAMESTOWN.

Using his extraordinary gifts as a researcher, combined with a curiosity as wide as it is deep, Hashaw probed every primary source he could find to try to understand and explain the many gaps and suspected falsehoods embedded in what has passed to date as the history of the early Virginia colony of Jamestown.

The author chose to avoid in his book any imaginary dialogue, fictional characters, or fictitious events. But despite these rigid self-imposed standards, he has produced an absorbing and exhaustive chronicle, singularized by being based on TRUTH. Of all writings meant to commemorate the four-hundreth anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Hashaw's book is likely to remain THE primary reference of all time. Small wonder he has received any number of professional honors for investigative journalism.

Preceding the MAYFLOWER by seventeen years, Jamestown was founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company of London, a private enterprise supported financially and controlled by a group of wealthy venture capitalists. Authorized by King James, this company was initially given CARTE BLANCHE to monopolize virtually all of North America. A primary motivation was to build an empire in America to serve as a bulwark against further Spanish expansion, but the shareholders also hoped to find in the Chesapeake area a river route to the South Seas, along with vast treasure, such as the CONQUISTADORS had confiscated in Mexico and Peru.

Jamestown became the first "successful" English settlement in the New World. At the same time it was also the birthplace of English-speaking America. A far less publicized event took place in late August, 1619, however, when roughly twenty, branded, shackled, and half-dead Angolans were exchanged for grain, and dumped off at Jamestown by an alleged "Dutch" man-of-war to become the first unwitting African co-founders of America.

In articles and history books these newcomers are most commonly referred to as "the twenty and odd," a quaint phrase found in an original document written by Captain John Smith, who recorded their arrival. But in most versions there is a major omission. The qualifying noun at the end of the initial phrase was a single word identifying them only by "hue." (But there had already been some precedence for racism by skin color. In 1602, and even in 1580, Queen Elizabeth I had issued a proclamation for the exportation from England of "Negars and Blackamoors.")

In the spring of 1619 the Spanish slaver, SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, set sail from Africa's west coast, crammed with a human cargo of 350 Angolan prisoners of war, captured during the heinous Portuguese campaign against the Ndongo people begun a year earlier. Bound for the slave distribution center at Vera Cruz, Mexico, when the ship reached the Gulf of Mexico it was savagely attacked and all but destroyed by two English men-of-war acting in concert - the WHITE LION and the TREASURER.

But when the smoke died down, the privateers did not find the gold and silver they anticipated. Instead, on the smoldering BAUTISTA they found an unspeakably pitiful assemblage of terrified prisoners, jam-packed into the hold like so many animals. Because of size limitations, only 60 of the most healthy-appearing men, women, and children were transferred to the two waiting ships destined for Jamestown.

The first to arrive at Jamestown was the WHITE LION, but since it was protected by a Dutch "marque," and had sailed from the Dutch port of Vlissingen, it was considered "legitimate" and had no difficulty in trading its "twenty and odd." (In those days "letters of marque" distinguished an authorized privateer from a pirate, even though the distinctions between a privately owned corsair and one commissioned by a government were often blurred. Individuals whose own countries outlawed piracy sometimes sought protective marques from other countries.)

Tim Hashaw discovered - after a 400-year-old mystery - that the "anonymous Dutch ship" (as it is still called in most historical records) was actually the WHITE LION. He also discovered that this ship was English, and owned and commanded by a Calvanist minister from Cornwall, England.

When the TREASURER arrived four days later, however, it was a different story. While poised at Point Comfort, awaiting the go-ahead to advance to Jamestown's port, Captain Elfrith received an urgent message from an informant that the TREASURER was suspected of piracy and about to be apprehended.

Earlier, Lord Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick, had obtained a protective Italian marque for the TREASURER by bribing Italy's Duke of Savoy. But the marque had since expired, and in light of the major peace treaty of 1604 between England and Spain, piracy was a treasonous act. Only a year before, in fact, King James, at the urging of the smarmy Count Gondomar (Spanish Ambassador for the English Court) had ordered the public beheading of Sir Walter Raleign for this very offense. Realizing how desperate the situation was, Elfrith took time enough only to trade six more prisoners before hightailing it to Bermuda.

To a few powerful members of the Virginia Company, Jamestown was secretly always regarded as a perfect haven for piracy. Deep waters surrounded the Island, and there was excellent visibility up and down the James River. It was also far enough inland to minimize any potential contact with enemy ships. Yet, the water immediately adjacent to land was deep enough to allow the colonists to drop anchor, or make a quick getaway if necessary. Moreover, pirate ships could easily sail in and out of the Chesapeake area without undue notice.

The piracy plot had already been tested early in 1619, when the TREASURER docked uneventfully at Jamestown with its plunder. At that time it was still under the protection of an Italian marque. But because of the later crisis at Point Comfort, involving an unauthorized pirate ship BELONGING TO THE VIRGINIA COMPANY(!)that also contained human cargo, the conspiracy to make Jamestown a piracy stronghold had unexpectedly surfaced. Later this unfolding scandal would be the major reason why King James - who passionately despised piracy - withdrew the Virgina Company's charter in 1624. His decision, however, simultaneously opened the door to the founding of additional colonies that became, during the American Revolution, the framework of a new nation.

Lord Rich was a complicated,contradictory, and controversial "gentleman," at once a swashbuckling and greedy privateer by temperament and deed, a poweful dedicated political leader of the Puritan movement, and a major investor and voice in the Virginia Company. It was he who initiated the piracy plot when he met in 1616 with co-conspirators, Samuel Argall and John Rolfe, who were also prominent members of the Company.

Rich had paved the way for the risky scheme by persuading the Virginia Company to name Argall and Rolfe Jamestown's top administrators. The plan was for these men to attend to the colony's business, while surreptitiously overseeing piracy activities (from which they would personally prosper) and making sure that they would not be caught. But by yielding to Rich's wishes and appointing two traitorous members to such powerful roles, the Virgina Company had - albeit unknowingly - also aided and abetted treason.

In the early decades of Jamestown, before some of its worst problems had been solved, and tobacco had become a profitable export, the colony was a living hell. The settlers were beset in turn by drought, fierce winters, dread diseases, starving, polluted water, attacks on Indians, Indian attacks on them, conniving, conspirarcy, in-fighting, corruption, hanging and near-hanging, insect swarms - and during "The Starving Time," even cannibalism! Throw into the mix that some members of the Virginia Company were actively promoting piracy, and a more realistic picture of America's ignominious past emerges.

What of major importance should be distilled from the incredible amount of factual information in this book?

ANGOLA

1. Ndongo was one of several sophisticated Iron Age Angola states.

2. It was a kingdom of settled farmers, craftsmen, and cattle-herders.

3. Long before the founding of Jamestown, Angola had embraced Christianity.

4. Angola had a written history transcribed by its own European-educated scholars.

5. Angola traded actively with Europe.

THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICANS

1. For several glorious decades they were equal members of the community, working side-by-side with their English counterparts.

2. Many were indentured servants who labored for their freedom for a set period of time, just as did the English.

3. They socialized, owned land, cattle, and other properties, used particular and useful skills, actively traded, lived in decent homes.

4. They intermarried freely with each other, with Europeans, and with local Indians.

5. They had all legal rights.

From Hashaw's book we see how, using the fallacy of race as a way to mask unmitigated greed, a determined Virginia gradually outlawed all civil liberties of these pioneer Americans, and converted them into chattel slaves.

There are lessons to be learned from this...

Admirable example of ethnographic methods to reveal the critical participation of African Americans in the labor movement. Needleman provides new evidence that black leaders were instrumental in breaking down barriers of racial discrimination. In this work, Needleman deftly examines how African Americans took on powerful labor leaders and built autonomous African American organizations to encourage desegregation and the development of inter-racial alliances. The writer is clearly among the leading ethnographers in the field, and this book makes a solid contribution to understanding the movement for racial justice in America. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent exploration of the changing worlds and struggles of black steelworkers not just in Northwest Indiana but also nationally through the 20th century. Needleman sensitively deals with the stories of five black union activists, then expands their experiences in tracing issues of power and race in the steelworkers union to the present. Goes well beyond all previous studies in caputuring not only the personal anguish but also the various organizational dilemmas of black steelworkers struggling amidst very difficult and changing racial circumstances. Highly recommended!!!

Needleman's book is a finely crafted blend of history and human interest. Though it focuses on the lives of five black unionists, there is a message here for everyone, regardless of race. Needleman probes each man's mind, revealing five distinct variations on a central theme. She then relates their experiences to those of other steel workers, putting it all in the context of the evolution of the USWA in a changing industrial climate. Great book. Easy to read. A real lesson in life.

This is an exceptional book with information and insight not found anywhere else. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the civil rights movement, especially in the north, and anyone interested in the history of unionism in the steel industry. Not only did Needleman have unparalleled access to her subjects, she was able to use this access to its fullest benefit in her analysis and narrative. Even the notes in this book are fascinating, and the depth of research is evident in the references and bibliography. An incisive scholarly work, the book is also great reading and holds the reader's interest throughout. A terrific addition to the literature on the subject.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the early struggles of steelworkers and their fight for unionism and equality. It follows the lives of 5 "freedom fighters", George Kimbley, Bill Young, John Howard, Curtis Strong, and Jonathan Comer and what they went through in the early years of the black steelworkers quest for equality. It continues up to the present day and details the struggles we are currently involved in. There were many years of interviews and meetings with these individuals as well as other labor leaders to bring out the facts and the details of every aspect of the labor movement during these history making decades. Lots of historic photographs are added to make you seemingly relive the actual times that these events took place. An excellent job by Ruth Needleman and her staff.