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Book reviews for "Belcastro,_Joseph" sorted by average review score:

What's Your Menopause Type? The Revolutionary Program to Restore Balance and reduce Discomforts of Menopause
Published in Hardcover by Prima Publishing (12 January, 2000)
Author: Joseph Collins N.D.
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Brave new perspective...
I have read the books - all the good ones I thought; I've researched the treatments; I've talked (& talked...) to several physicians, to other women - nothing has even come close to this book. This makes sense! We are all so unique - biologically, psychologically, chemically; why would our passage through menopause not be unique as well? Of course it is!

Well written, logical & filled with simple yet revolutionary new alternatives to use immediately for the irritation, anxiety, memory-lapses, hot flashes, night sweats, you-name-it... that you're experiencing, the book gives you some control over what you're experiencing.

I knew I was doing something wrong (though I was trying almost everything!), but didn't know what. Now the pieces fit!

Beg, borrow or steal if you have to, but get a copy for your home library; you'll refer to it again & again.

Woman,40+years old? Run, don't walk, to buy this book!
Finally, sense to the confusing passage of menopause. Why do some women hardly notice the change at all? Why does one do well on estrogen while another, natural progesterone only? Why do some women's discomforts resolve while others continue to baffle? Not only does Dr. Collins make all of this simple to understand, but he offers straight forward protocol for analyzing, understanding and prescribing for the whole range of individual differences of menopause. What a relief, to see light through the tunnel. The book is in my back pocket. The appointment is made. My Naturopath and I now have the tools to mend my menopausal way.

A practicing doctors prespective
I am a practicing Naturopathic Physician. Dr Collins, has provided me with a great tool to further my understanding of the complexity of menopause. I have had cases that have not responded to what was a resonable treatment plan. After reading "What's your menopause type" I now have a new insight into those patients and their needs. To have the "types" defined and put into categories lends to a greater understanding for the practitioner. The "menopause Type Questionnaire", combined with the labatory hormone levels is very useful information that should help everyone who is working with this transitional time in a womans life. The information on the nutrition and supplements is excellent. I applaud Dr Collins for his commitment and dedication to an area of medicine that is in great need of more information and understanding. If you are practitioner who deals with menopausal patients, I strongly suggest you read and understand what Dr collins has to say. If you are not a practitioner but would like a better understanding of menopause, this is a good read.


The Wisdom of the Native Americans: Includes the Soul of an Indian and Other Writings by Ohiyesa, and the Great Speeches of Red Jacket, Chief Joseph, and Chief Seattle
Published in Hardcover by New World Library (February, 1999)
Author: Kent Nerburn
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A gorgeous gift book ... for yourself or others
Native American Wisdom is another gorgeous gift book in a size just slightly larger than a standard paperback. The beauty of the cover will immediately grab your attention and pull you into the words within.

This book is a compilation of quotations from Native Americans of the most diverse background and tribal affiliations. Many are quite well known while others are the unknowns. The quotations have been taken from credible sources, such as written documentation, first-hand, eyewitness accounts, and the recorded observations of social affairs.

There are thirteen chapters that cover: the ways of the land, words and silence, learning, living, leading others, the heart, believing, dying, the white man, and civilization, the passing of the ways, a warning to heed these words, and the betrayal of the land. A quick glance at these topics indicates the depth of these pieces, yet they are eloquently simple.

The introduction is a strong opener for these Native American thoughts and philosophy. It explains the different in the Native American and European views of the natural world and spirituality and points out the way the two differ in their communication techniques.
It points out the imbalance in our relationship with the natural world and tells us that we must seek to return this relationship to a proper point of stasis.

In the first chapter, composed of only five pages, we find passages from Chief Seattle (Suqwamish and Duwamish), Chief Joseph (Nez Perce), Chief Luther Standing Bear (Teton Sioux), George "Kahgegagahbowh" Copway (Ojibwe), Wovoka (Paiute), Ten Bears (Yamparika Comanche), and Chief Satanta (Kiowa). These pieces speak of the intense love of the land by the Native Americans and how they view their relationship with Mother Earth and all her beings. They set the mood for the rest of the book.

You will not be able to put this book down until you have read every page. Likely, you will find yourself dwelling on certain passages that strike a chord deeply within your heart or resonate meaning in your life. It is a wonderful book for soul searching and meditations. It leaves you feeling a kinship for all life and appreciating your life, even the misfortunes that fall upon you. This is a book that will help you to find peace in a hectic world and right your balance with the world around you. It is a treasure in the literature world.

Alicia Karen Elkins, Columnist, Editor, & Reviewer

Reprinted from Gotta Write Network Online

Native American wisdom shared
This is a very instructive and thought-provoking compilation. This book contains four parts. Part I consists of short quotes of Native American leaders. Part II is Charles Eastman's beautiful work, THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN AND OTHER WRITINGS. Part III contains (i) Chief Red Jacket's respectful and dignified response to a missionary's request to minister to the Iroquois in l805, (ii) Chief Joseph's account of the Nez Perce retreat and (iii) Chief Seattle's eloquent speech to territorial governor Isaac Stevens when faced with his people's removal to reservations. The final part consists of biographical notes of forty Native Americans. Editor Kent Nerburn prefaces each of the first two parts as well as each of the three longer speeches with informative introductory essays.
I mourn the loss of the Native American culture as it once was. I'm very grateful to Kent Nerburn and the New World Library for putting this book together so that the wisdom of this great culture continues to survive. I just purchased a copy of this book to donate to my local public library so that my whole town can share in this wisdom.

I wish I could give this book 10 stars!
This book is a masterpiece of American Indian philosophy and Spirituality.

This book is basicly a collection of quotes and speeches by various American Indian leaders with a few comments by Mr. Nerburn that edited them into a seamless volume of American Indian thought.

There are quotes here that deal with their Spirituality including reincarnation, Their family Life, Their care for Nature, Honesty, etc.

I am considering buying several more copies of this book to help my family and friends understand my spiritual beliefs.

I only have one minor nitpick. Mr. Nerburn insists on calling the Chief of the Suquamish people "Chief Seattle". His name was Sealth. Seattle was an error in translation.

Yes; Seattle, Washington was named for this wise leader.

Please E-mail me if you have questions or comments about my review. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda "We give thanks Great Spirit"


The Writer's Friend
Published in Paperback by WritingNow.com Publishing (01 March, 2000)
Authors: Linda Davis Kyle, Joseph Gregg, Nancy McAlary, and Guy Lancaster
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Insider's Tips For Writers
This imminently readable book takes an inside look at exactly what editors look for in writers:
Do your homework
Know the magazine
How to prepare a successful query
Grabbing an editor's attention by slanting your topic to fit the magazine of your choice

The Writer's Friend also includes valuable information for technical writers looking for assignments.

Reading this book and knowing what editors look for, paves the way to success.

The Writer's Friend is more than a friend
This excellent little book is a giant in its field. It is more than interviews with editors, it is a wealth of advice with practical and workable examples. If you want to see your work published follow Kyle,Gregg and McAlary's profound visions on the process. Their tips and sage advice help you establish sound, publishable writing and if you follow them, will give you an edge in the publishing world. I highly recommend this magnificant book as an absolute must have for any writer's book shelf.

This Will Become Your Friend!

"The Writer's Friend", it truly will become your friend. This book will give you powerful insight into the world of editors. Not only will you learn from the authors' of this book, but you will also learn from a number of editors as they tell you what they like and dislike in submissions. You will learn how to grab an editor's attention and begin earning money selling your articles.

"The Writer's Friend", in addition, gives you information on researching, giving interviews, preparing and submitting query letters, improving your writing skills, getting ideas for stories and articles, and a lot more. Not only did I find this book helpful but I also gained inspiration from it. Everytime I put the book down I found myself at my computer polishing up my articles, stories, and queries; that's how much "The Writer's Friend" inspired and helped me.

This book is a must for all freelance writers. It would even make a great book for teachers to aid them in teaching their courses on freelance writing. After you finish the book you will want to store it by your computer to keep referring to. It not only provides you with resources on and off-line, but an appendix of questions that you can always look back at.

If you find yourself down because of rejections and feel that you should just give up, think again, just pick up a copy of "The Writer's Friend" and you're sure to be back in your spirits of writing and submitting again! I give this book 5 stars for outstanding excellence!


Writing for a Good Cause: The Complete Guide to Crafting Proposals & Other Persuasive Pieces for Nonprofit
Published in Digital by Fireside Books ()
Authors: Joseph Barbato and Danielle S. Furlich
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Not just a guide to writing proposals - a guide to life
Not surprisingly, this book provides advice that -- if applied literally -- will assist you in writing excellent proposals to fund your non-profit organization's ventures.

Surprisingly, the advice contained herein -- if made more generic in your mind -- is excellent advice for entire areas of your life. Sounds hokey, true. But honestly, boiled down the advice can be listed as:

1. Identify what the problem is. Do your research until you really understand the causes of the problems and their many effects.

2. Identify how you will know when you have made the problem better. How will you know when the problem has been alleviated? What intermediate steps need to be taken? How will you measure your progress along the way?

3.Identify what tools are available, and which are still needed, to move towards a resolution, or diminution, of the problem. Be specific here. Vague generalities are useless, but the brass tacks of a solution are absolutely priceless. Who has access to these tools? Who can make difficult things easy?

4. If you are asking for someone to help you with this problem, present the whole equation to them in a light that makes the most sense to *them*. This doesn't mean to lie, or exaggerate. It only means to focus your proposal in a way that makes them see it most personally.

5. Proofread what you have written, to be sure it says what you want it to say. Then proofread it again. And again. Get it right, because it is a hard and fast representative of you. This should be true in everything concrete you put out in the world with your name on it.

Now, all of this can be applied to writing a grant proposal. And much of it can be applied to the other things in life. Filling a job position, finding a home, working out a deteriorating relationship, educating yourself or your children ... you name it.

It's so rare that a book directed at an audience of specialists resonates with so much broadly applicable truth ... and it was such a delight to find it. I plowed through this book last night, reading every word, applying its advice mentally to all sorts of issues in my own life. I am pleased to report that it opened my eyes to solutions that had eluded me until now.

Wonderfully written, amusingly told, full of great advice to writers of all persuasive materials, this book is a gem.

I put sticky notes on half the pages
I took this book, along with many others on fundraising, out of my local library. Though I'm new to raising funds, I've made much of my living writing articles and books; I wasn't sure it would have much to teach me.

This book was so startlingly useful that I had to buy it. It will likely become your most dog-eared fundraising guide.

Puts the Fun in Fundraising
When I am on deadline and desperately in need of help, "Writing for a Good Cause" is where I turn first for guidance, solace, or inspiration (seeing as how our office manager objects to open containers of alcohol at one's desk). Not only is this book full of incredibly practical writing tips in handy list form, it is also very funny and a page turner.

The heart of the book is a clear guide to how to write a great proposal, but other valuable topics are covered, including newsletters, case statements, interviews, and the like.

In one section, the authors mix genuine examples of great fundraising writing with an imaginary proposal to fund the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. They not only convince you to help build the Brooklyn Bridge, you're ready to buy it.

The bridge is not for sale, but this book is. It is well worth its price of two fast food lunches. Buy it, read it, and be happy.


Writings of Leon Trotsky: (1930)
Published in Paperback by Pathfinder Press (June, 1975)
Authors: Leon Trotsky, Joseph Miller, and Iain Fraser
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Economic depression, war and working-class leadership
This is one of a 14-volume series of writings by Leon Trotsky, who along with V.I. Lenin was a central leader of the 1917 Russian Revolution. These volumes cover the years 1929-1940, when Trotsky led the political fight world-wide to maintain the continuity of Bolshevik's revolutionary perspective and leadership against the reactionary policies imposed by the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union. Reading Trotsky carefully, one can learn a lot about history and about today's world, as well as how to apply Marxist methods to orient oneself for working-class political action.

This volume includes more than 100 articles and letters. They cover topics ranging from the economic depression and the rising inter-imperialist tensions leading to World War II, to the Stalinist frame-up trials in the Soviet Union, the Spanish Civil War, and detailed leadership questions posed in workers movements in different countries at the time. These volumes are lively, pointed and have extensive notes and chronologies to aid the reader today.

I'd also recommend some other titles written by Trotsky at this time, including The History of the Russian Revolution, The Fight Against Fascism in Germany, Trade Unions in the Epoch of Imperialist Decay, and The Transitional Program for Socialist Revolution, all available from the same publisher, Pathfinder Press.

Crucial Lessons for Fighting Fascism
This volume contains lessons crucial for those committed to the goal of emancipating working people and oppressed nations.

The workers movement of that time was misled by parties - social democratic and fake communist -- which preferred imperialist "democracy" over workers revolution. This allowed fascism to triumph and, together with "democratic" imperialism, brought us the second world war which slaughtered tens of millions and included the U.S. - supposedly the most "democratic" imperialists - initiating the threat of human extinction with the nuclear bombing of Japan.

Trotsky explains how Lenin's program could have resulted in workers victories over capitalism all over Europe, as well as the overthrow of the murderous Stalin regime and the regeneration of the Soviet Union on a course of world revolution and workers democracy.

Studying Trotsky's writings today is timely as imperialism is again on the march toward fascism and war.

Everything from Frida Kahlo to fighting fascism
You can see why Trotsky was reknown as a fiery public speaker -- he writes with passion, intelligence and friendly, human humour. These pieces written while living in Mexico, staying with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Correspondence with and about them included here, too. Articles on the eve of World War II, with fascism triumphant in Germany and Italy especially thought-provoking in light of recent developments in France with LePen's electoral showing. He scathingly makes the point in polemic with "our Palestinian friends" (gives you a feel for the international scope of the debate that was raging) that it is meaningless to talk about the fascist danger without addressing the danger of ordinary democratic imperialism. How else, he points out, to join the Indian masses in their quest for independence from the Mother of parliamentary democracy? Unexpectedly fun to browse through and think about.


Typhoon
Published in Paperback by Indypublish.Com (December, 2002)
Author: Joseph Conrad
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Conrad the master!
Joseph Conrad was a master of language. In a brief but classic book, you will experience the incredible power of a typhoon while on a steamer as if you were there. Especially real is the scene in the chart room after the initial damage. It is very dark, and Captain MacWhirr lights matches to see his surroundings. Conrad's concise descriptions make you feel even the flame of the match as it burns down. If only this book were longer! I would have loved to know more about Captain MacWhirr's adventures. I HIGHLY recommend this book, as well as Conrad's "Heart of Darkness."

One part of Conrad's writing agenda
Well, my review title isn't very interesting but I suppose what I am trying to get at is that this story is a sort of metaphysical pornography, and squeezes in a great part of the thoughts Conrad was interested in conveying. Curtcow wrote that the audio tape is prone toward placing one in "dreamland" and this is true, and probably not at all good for the conveyance of a violent story. However, the accents give something to the personalities that I am sure I would have missed had I read this first, especially given the fact that I am an american and the story is 100 years old, written in english, and more importantly,of course, there is the sailors'slang. My own internal linguistic set-up would have had Mac Whirr speaking as I might speak, and that wouldn't have been good. Following this, I guess all americans reading Conrad might want to listen to some of his tales. It is also nice to hear Conrad's smooth sentences, which for the most part remain incredibly unaffected, given his use of metaphor and analogy and simile and the possible fact that he is using metaphor, analogy, and simile all at once. (Either that or I simply can't tell when a particular image described is one of the three.)

I don't agree with the idea that Conrad wrote this with the idea that his readers might ponder how they would react. To me it is more like a Quentin Tarentino thing - entertainment before anything. After all, this story, when compared to the very difficult, time-consuming, and at times simply burdensome Nostromo, is quite simple. (Not in any way to deny the extreme fear the story inspires) I guess at times I would have liked to hear more arguing between the sailors, but, come to think of it, the confusion of the typhoon necessarily renders that impossible.

Still, the cover to cover classics edition was quite expensive, and unlike other audio tapes I have (Middlemarch or the Odyssey especially)I doubt one year down the road I will want to listen, as opposed to read, this novella.

A storm and how to survive it
Taking maximum advantage from his long years at sea, and from his innate insight into the human soul, Conrad tells an outright and direct story about a huge typhoon in the midst of the Yellow Sea. But the book is not so much about the storm in itself, but about the human character and how it reacts to disaster.

Captain MacWhirr is famous for being an efficient, calm, dull and silent man, someone you would trust but not like. He seems to be rather unbrilliant, though, never understanding why people talk so much. The other characters are also interesting, especially Jukes, the "young Turk", vivid and dynamic; Solomon the head engineer, another wise man from the sea, and the disgusting and repugnant "second officer", the type of coward you don't want to be with in this kind of drama.

Human character, then, is revealed by limit-situations much more than at any other time, as war literature fans know, and this tale will leave you wondering how YOU would react if you had to make decisions in the midst of a horrible, and wonderfully depicted, typhoon.


Weeds of the Northeast
Published in Hardcover by Cornell Univ Pr (May, 1997)
Authors: Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal, and Joseph M. Ditomaso
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Recommended!
Very fine, with great pictures and identification tables in the back that help you tell the difference between similar varieties of weeds. In fact, it's the best book I've found for identifying weeds. My only complaints are that it's a bit scientific and dry, and garlic mustard - a very destructive weed - is not included.

Weeds of the Northeast
Great book for the homeowners and horticulturalists. Great pictures and descriptions. The weed "Bible".

Certainly one of the best "weed" books ever!
This book is a treasure. I own and use many dozens of "weed" and plant books and this is one of the most comprehensive and useful. The written presentation for each plant includes information on its propagation, seedlings, roots, flowers and fruits and habitat, and more. The photographs are excellent and show the habit, seedling, leaves, flowers/fruits and seeds. Some grasses are also included.

I hope that the authors will eventually expand the geographical coverage and the number of species. I'll be first in line to buy a new edition!


When Diabetes Complicates Your Life
Published in Paperback by Chronimed Publishing (March, 1993)
Author: Joseph Juliano
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A Helpful, Succinct book about Diabetes complications
This thin little book is a good addition to the books on diabetes related complications. Written by a medical doctor that has had diabetes himself for over 30 years, the book shows how to deal with the complications that come your way. It includes tips on blood glucose testing and tracking, foot care, meal planning, exercise, preparation for insulin reactions, etc. This is the book for you if you are looking for sound and succinct answers. Four stars!

Excellent Book for Diabetics
This is an excellent book for diabetics, no matter what type. Gives hints to control diabetes, importance of testing, controlling stress, things to look out for, complications. Dr. Juliano writes a compelling book on the disease and give pointers on how to live a normal, healthy life, without complications. I am diabetic, and highly recommend this book. I hope too, that Dr. Juliano re-issues this book. It is a keeper.

Positive, Pro-Active, Detailed
A good book for anyone interested in self-help, or positive thinking. You have to take the journey, but not alone. This book can serve as a partner to you - through your own self-discovery of your life and diabetes.


World Hunger: Twelve Myths
Published in Paperback by Grove/Atlantic (January, 1986)
Authors: Joseph Collins and Frances M. Lappe
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Excellent Warning Against Market Fundamentalism
This book does an excellent job of showing how despite the economic growth that has been spurred worldwide thanks to deregulation, liberalization of trade and finance, and improvements in information technology, adherence to market fundamentalism has contributed to creating stark disparities in the distribution of wealth between developed and developing nations, as well as within those nations themselves.

Nevertheless, globalization, for whatever faults it possesses, has made the people of the nations of the world feel more connected than ever (In fact, I'm writing this from Japan, where I have lived for seven years). this book sensibly points out that In order to come up with a food policy that will minimize hunger worldwide, naturally poverty must also be reined in. It seems to me that in order to significantly reduce poverty, all nations must make a fundamental shift in their foreign policy away from acting for the benefit of national interests and toward the benefits of the human race as a whole. I cannot say whether mankind is ready for such a change at this juncture.

However, The book concludes that the freedom to eke out a living (the problem of the poor) supersedes the right to accumulate unlimited wealth (the hoarding of wealth by a small number of people). While this is most certainly true, it also seemed to oversimplify the problem of disparity of income based on the very facts presented in the book. While the book did denounce communist regimes at one point in the book, I felt that the conclusion of the book unneccessarily demonized wealthy individuals and major companies and called the proletariat of the world to unite.

For this weakness in its conclusion, I can only give this work four stars, but still I do strongly recommend giving a careful read to this text for the invaluable information it provides on this terrible problem.

Invaluable, Illuminating, Empowering
World Hunger: Twelve Myths clearly identifies the root causes of hunger as stemming from inequity and lack of true democracy, dispelling entirely the common belief that inadaquate food production is to blame. In their plain spoken and positive eloquence, the authors overwhelmingly succeed in conveying otherwise dauntingly complex global social and economic dynamics that contribute to world hunger and how each must be changed to honestly address the plight of the poor.

World Hunger: 12 Myths should have a permanent home in school curricula, libraries, and in the hands of people of all ages wishing to better understand and improve the world in which they live.

An excellent resource
Over the years, many myths have emerged about the subject of world hunger. People think that if this or that should happen, hunger will disappear, and no longer will westerners have to look at pictures of starving babies in Africa. This book explodes many of those myths.

Some people think that population (or overpopulation) is the problem. Others think that there simply isn't enough food available, or that nature, with her floods and droughts, is the culprit. Still others think that the solution lies with free trade, or letting the market provide, or with the Green Revolution, with its heavy emphasis on pesticides and other chemicals. Other possibilities are that the poor are simply too hungry to revolt, or that the US should increase its stingy foreign aid budget.

The authors place the blame elsewhere. All over the world, there has been a huge concentration of land in fewer and fewer hands, forcing poor and middle-class peasants off the land (in the US, witness the decline of the family farmer). Structural adjustment programs from places like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (part of the requirements when asking for a loan) require a country to reorient its agriculture toward items that are easily exportable rather than items that can feed their people. Another requirement is the removal of internal tariffs and other barriers to the import of grain and other foodstuffs. It results in a flood of cheaper (usually American) agricultural products reaching the market, driving local farmers out of business. The countries that one thinks of when hearing "famine" actually produce enough food to feed their people. The only problem is that much of it has to go overseas to help pay the foreign debt.

This book is excellent. It presents a potentially complex subject in a clear, easy to understand manner. It contains a list of addresses to contact for more information, and is a great activism reference.


Arsenic and Old Lace
Published in Paperback by Dramatist's Play Service (June, 1995)
Author: Joseph Kesselring
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Two Aunts, Theodore Roosevelt, and Poison.
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE is one of the classics of American theatre. It's a fast-paced play that has some great witty dialogue and unforgettable scenes. The play was made famous by the Frank Capra directed movie starring Cary Grant and has been a staple of community theatres across the USA since then.

Though there is a lead character here (Mortimer) the show is really carried by the supporting cast; e.g. it doesn't work without a Teddy who actually believes he's Theodore Roosevelt.

There are some plays that most people find boring to read. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE isn't one of them and I recommend it to anyone.

A wonderful play!
"Arsenic and Old Lace" is an underrated classical play. The witty lines and fasted paced scenes (yes, scenes in writing can be fast paced.) will keep your attention constantly. This play may run long, when seen on the stage, but is great nonetheless. I recommend.

Fantastic!!!
Read it, loved it, gotta do it! This would make a great production and be fun to perform! A must read!!


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