I agree with the comment about the writing style of the book. When Jane Alexander appeared on C-SPAN's "Booknotes" to be interviewed, she was very forthcoming and charming. She mentioned that it came from her notes, and she did not use a ghostwriter. It may have helped to at least have a co-writer, to help the book flow better - it tended to drift somewhat into philosophy and other thoughts, and the prose was not always helpful (though I did like the theatrical chapter titles).

That said, it was very informative and described how things worked during the political upheavals in the mid 90's. One other commentator said the book was "less about art and more about money and politics". That, I think, is what the NEA director does, that the artistic decisions tend to be made at a lower level. In many respects, I can see why she was chosen for that post - she had a high profile, classy background but was not "too Hollywood" and having a performing artist in that position kept both the political and artistic grandstanders at bay.

It also makes the case for governmental support of the arts. She disagreed with people who made a purely philosophical decision not to vote for federal funding of the arts. However, her dismay was more with people who played to the cameras (and never bothered to learn about the agency's actual operations) and, also, those who promised support in private but backed off in public. Hey, that wasn't the first time that's happened in politics.

Ultimately, she said it was the support of the American public (who pay less than a dollar a year) that turned the tide in the legislative battle. Still, I agree with the other commentator who put it best: Bravo, Jane.

For those interested in the worlds of politics and the arts, esteemed actress Jane Alexander brilliantly recounts her tenure as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

From her "auditions" for the position up to her meetings with President Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and correspondence with Jesse Helms, Ms. Alexander infuses her writing with intelligence, literary awareness, and a delightful, wry, witty sense of humour.

Republicans and Democrats alike are not spared Ms. Alexander's opinions on how funding was handled, what was considered art, and how arts organizations, artists, and arts education are constantly overlooked at providing no real social importance by men in power who are "of little mind". She writes adoringly of her staff at the NEA and of the congressional supporters who went to bat for the Endowment.

Voicing political opinion, especially someone who was in Ms. Alexander's position, is always going to be a touchy subject, but like art, it's meant for discussion to learn more about the human race and to challenge our own conventional ways of thinking.

Overall, this book is an educational, interesting look into an area of politics that is shamelessly neglected by members of Congress. Ms. Alexander is to be commended for all she accomplished at the Endowment and this book is a great account of what she had to endure at the center of one of the government's most controversial agencies.

I just finished reading "Command Performance: An Actress in the Theater of Politics" and I could not put it down. Not only is hers an interesting story, but her very readable prose flows along as if it was an engrossing novel. Putting an actress of her caliber and stature, not to mention experience and understanding of the arts, into the chair of the director of the NEA was one of the few intelligent and well-thought choices our "sociable" president has made in recent years. It only makes sense to put an artist into this position, because only an artist can really understand artistic need. The book is so interesting that this reviewer would enjoy reading any other tomes that Ms. Alexander would care to write. Her careful delineation of the workings of the NEA made fascinating reading, adding much information to my admitted lack of knowledge concerning this controversial agency. It also serves as an interesting look at Washington politics and the oftentimes frustrating lack of cooperation that it engenders.

Does the way you arrange your home create more good fortunef? According to Jane Alexander it does! This book is packed with practical advice on how to arrange your home according to the principles behind feng sui principles. Neither overbearing or boring, Jane's tips are equally invaluable to the reader who just wants a more pleasing environment to the person who absolutely believes that good chi affects our personal tranquility.

I've read so many books about interior decor, Feng Shui, space clearing, etc., etc. - but this book covers all aspects of making your home a true haven for body, mind and spirit. It is not only inspiring to read but beautiful to look at. Jane Alexander gives many tips which are easy to carry out without a great deal of expense. I can personally vouch for the fact that if you follow her advice, you will notice the difference in the atmosphere of your home - and so will your visitors. This lovely book makes a perfect gift, particularly for someone who needs their spirits boosting or is contemplating decorating their home, or perhaps moving house. Only trouble is that if you buy it for someone else, you'll probably be tempted to keep it for yourself!

This book was a real "find" for me. I have several books on feng shui and space clearing, and this one was intuitive, yet practical at the same time. It is spiritual but loaded with remedies for clearing one's space on this earth while we are here! I never thought to talk to my house, yet it makes perfect sense! It reads almost like a novel and is just full of information. I wish I could go home from work now and continue with the "read"!

I own this book from school. It is a must for any student of surgery or nursing. It contains information vital to the understanding of the patient and the process of surgery and recovery.

This book is the gold standard for O.R. Techs and Perioperative nurses, and the U.S. Navy uses it to train their personnel. This book is invaluable for the knowledge and technique it imparts for those of us who work in the O.R., and explains the steps and procedures for hundreds of surgical cases.

There is a lot of Graphic and Color for your money. The text is from other texts. I like the photo of the pixieish author on the back cover, but it's not enough to keep me from wishing there were more for this anxious to learn student seeking truth. If you are looking for an easy way into your esoteric learnings, tho', this could be just the one for your "now".

The Energy Secret was picked on a whim as my introductory flight into the shpere of energy knowledge.I flew throught the amazingly entertainig dialog of the books contents as if I were talking to Jane Alexander personally.Not only did she explain a very broad subject in terms I could easily understand ,but she also peaked my interest in all the related subjects she introduced.One of my best buys yet!!

Kati Marton's book, HIDDEN POWER, examines the marital relationships of twelve couples who occupied the White House between 1916 and the present. This book has a number of good aspects. First, it is fascinating and holds the reader's interest from the introduction through the epilogue. Second, Ms. Marton succeeds in humanizing some larger than life personalities (for the first time, I saw an appealing, sympathetic and human side to FDR). I constantly found myself relating to the couples featured in this book. Third, Ms. Marton draws interesting comparisons between the presidential marriages and discusses the impact of those relationships upon history.

I must say that I noticed a surprising number of factual errors, exaggerations and authorities cited out of context. For example, Ms. Marton begins her chapter on the Nixons with an anecdote that Pat Nixon had a cup of cottage cheese sent up to her bedroom on her first night in the White House while Richard Nixon had a celebratory steak dinner with his daughters and their husbands (Nixon did not have two sons-in-law in January 1969 -- Tricia didn't marry until August 1971 in memorable Rose Garden ceremony). I understand that Ms. Marton was trying to demonstrate the pathos in Pat Nixon's relationship with her husband. However, the obvious misstatement in that anecdote made me wonder what else was erroneous. Also, Ms. Marton cited J.B. West's UPSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE out of context in at least one instance. There were additional inaccuracies and exaggerations in the chapters on the Wilsons, Nixons and Fords.

HIDDEN POWER is an insightful and enjoyable work in spite of the inaccuracies. Read this book for the general themes, but double-check the facts before quoting this book or using it as an authority for a research paper or thesis.

I don't think this book is as awful as previously stated. If you take it for what it is - a gossipy, fast reading analysis on presidential marriages - it is enjoyable. The author did make several mistakes on common knowledge information. She never mentioned the fact that Betty Ford was previously married (which most everyone knows) and she stated that upon entering office, Richard Nixon had dinner with his daughters and their husbands. This is incorrect, since Tricia Nixon wasn't married at the time her father became president. She was married in the White House.

In contrast to the star-struck cheeriness of the well known pop-historian of first ladies, Carl Sferrazza Anthony, Kati Marton's book is excellent. Marton's reason for not writing on certain presidential couples is essentially that these relationships offer little that would interest a reader--a trick Sferrazza Anthony would have done well to consider. Although Marton offers few new facts, her book is unique because of the side-by-side analysis--often comparison--of presidential couples. Anyone who doesn't appreciate good gossip has no buisness picking up this book. Analyzed at length is the issue of presidential mistresses--continually present in the White House, it appears. Interesting is how the first ladies--Roosevelt, Kennedy, Johnson, and Clinton each handled these affairs in her own way. Seeking clues with regard to enhancing my own marriage, I found lots and lots of help--and I'm only up to the Johnsons.

When I saw this book at a local bookstore, I thought it was exactly what I needed to pick up and drop the emotional burdens that I was carrying... but this book takes those thoughts to "another level" that was very uncomfortable to me. Thank goodness I bought this book used, what a waste of money.

I have to disagree with the previous reviewer. True, this book won't overhaul your emotional life but then it doesn't promise to do that. What it does do is bring a sense of the sacred into everyday life. I love its gentle tone and practical, easy to follow suggestions for bringing healing rituals into our lives. Sometimes they are so simple - saying grace for example - but make a huge difference. It's about stopping for a while, taking stock, allowing your intuition to flower.
If you're a busy person, looking for simple, gentle, effective ways to bring the soulful into your life, I think you couldn't do better than to buy this book.

This book is good if you are interested in a "new age" baby room. I thought it was useless. There were no great ideas and hardly any photos. Its a small book and not worth the money.

I loved this book. I was sick of all the fussy frilly horrors in most nursery books and loved the clear clean cool design of this. Jane Alexander offers practical advice and is particularly strong on the safety aspects of decorating (I hadn't realised how dangerous a lot of common furnishings and furniture are). But she really comes into her own on the psychological and spiritual aspects of creating a nest for your babe. I felt inspired to follow many of her lovely, simple, heartfelt ideas and I'm sure a lot of other moms would feel the same way. Yes, it's a small book but small is often beautiful and a baby's pretty small too. I have bought several for baby showers - they make a lovely little extra gift or a great part of a basket. Truly a little gem.