Janet I. Buck, Ph.D.

I say it is a must-read for anyone on either side of 60. It is a timeless, energized, enthusiastic, motivational book written with golden years in mind, but filled with stories all can enjoy. Will be a great holiday gift for lots of folks on your list.

Laugh, cry, get mad, enjoy! You'll do all of these when you read this book. It's a wonderful gift for yourself as well as your sister!!

I was delighted to find so many of my favorite contemporary stories included: Larry Trapp, the ex-KKK member who had a real change of heart; a prison inmate touched by a hug from the late Shlomo Carlebach; How Kirk Douglas re-connected with his Jewishness at the Western Wall; how Eddie Kantor started the March of Dimes; the heroism of Raoul Wallenberg; the good-hearted people of Billings, Montana, who took a stand against antisemitism, etc. Plus there are many, many new stories to touch the heart and soul. Ten stars!

It's this book that inspired the following article.

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"Proactive Prosperity: How To Keep Filling Your Glass"

By Randy Gilbert (c)2002

A kindly looking man, who worked as a janitor in the World Trade Center, approached an old and graying homeless woman one cold September morning last year. She looked chilled as she stood there clinging to her shopping cart containing all of her meager belongings.

The janitor smiled and held out an old thermos to the woman and said to her, "This old thermos has been my friend for many years and I want you to have it. It's a very special thermos, because as long as you share its contents, it always has enough for everyone. Please take it, for I have a feeling I won't be needing it any more after today."

Do you have a favorite book that you read over and over again? I have one that tells about how people view the world and the profound impact that it has on their lives. It uses an age-old illustration of how some see a glass half empty and others half full. As I pondered this again, a story-like vision came to me, which doesn't happen often, so I paid close attention.

The clear glass that I was picturing turned into a metal thermos, like the ones carried by construction workers. Instead of big hands, small hands in tattered gloves held it. An old woman was stooping down in front of a small child and her mother. It was snowing and they were clinging to each other for warmth.

The old woman asked the little girl, "would you like some sweet warm cocoa?" She used the thermos top as a cup and I could see steam rise as she placed the cup in half frozen little hands. The girl drank it down and then flashed the biggest smile she had ever smiled and her eyes shown as bright as a rainbow.

"Mommy, is she an angel?" the little girl asked. "Yes dear, and that is what we're going to become. Do you remember that happy song we used to sing when your daddy was still alive?" They began singing the sweetest and most enchanting melody. People walking by and those coming up from the subway station were drawn to them as if by magic.

Some people stood there transfixed, tears welling in their eyes. Others said a quiet "thank you" and laid money down on the walk in front of them.

Two of the listeners were a young boy and his father. They had been shopping and the well-dressed man held a large bag of packages. "Father, are they angels?" the son asked. "Yes, I think so, and that is what we are going to become. Do you remember we used to make gifts when your mommy was with us and give them to people who needed them?"

The father reached into his bag and began handing the bright packages to his son, who gave them out to the homeless people along the street. I thought to myself, this is truly a miracle, the bag seemed to never empty.

My attention was drawn to a man in a wheelchair who received a shiny red pocketknife. In a voice that was choking back tears, he said, "Thanks son, I lost one just like this in Nam. You know, I used to be quite a toy maker; I can whittle just about anything with a knife."

The story in my mind began to fade as he wheeled himself up the sidewalk and breathlessly said, "I know an alley where I can get some wood and I'm going to start sharing this gift right now."

Wow, that's what it means to be proactive. Pessimists see the glass as half empty. They say, "it's not enough." Their negative attitude causes them to turn inward and be selfish. When a decision comes along they believe their doubts, which turn into fears, which then produces unhealthy stress and anxieties. They end up experiencing the lack they saw in their minds.

Optimists see the glass as half full. They say, "I'm happy to enjoy whatever life gives me." However, their positive attitude of sufficiency doesn't last long, especially after a few swallows are taken and the glass is nearly empty. Optimism without prosperity becomes a limiting belief of being content with poverty.

However, Proactive people see the glass as something to be used, both for themselves and to serve others. Like the thermos in the story-vision, there will always be abundance. You're a very special person. As long as you share your contents, you'll always have enough for everyone.

This story-vision extends to other things, such as your smile, your talents, your bank account, the skills you've acquired, and the knowledge you have. Your life will always have these in abundance if you use them to serve others.

Prosperity is not a glass half empty or half full; it's you becoming a glass and being used to bring joy and abundance to others, knowing that your source of supply will never run dry.

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I have a very high regard for Mark, that's why I incorporated many of his philosophies into my life and into my first book "Success Bound." When it was completed I sent him a copy to read. I was totally amazed when I received back the following testimonial.

"If you're ready to be permanently success bound, read this book!"

Thank you Mark!!! You are now my super-hero.

I went to Thailand for a month and came back looking for authentic recipes. THIS IS THE BOOK TO BUY! The sections are clearly laid out (everything from street vendor food to Royal recipes!) and the instructions are clear. (Attention vegetarians: there is a section for you, too.) The glossary of ingredients is very helpful, as is the section is the back on where to get hard-to-find items.

I highly recommend this book, if you are looking for authentic Thai recipes.

Small potential "downsides": no photos (but the recipes come out flawless anyway) and they are REAL recipes, not simplified versions for crock-pot cooking - in other words be prepared to COOK. It also would be helpful if you lived near an Asian grocery store.

Don't let this scare you off - this cookbook is true to its title!

This is indeed a noir novel of the first ilk. It's a fast, exciting, easy read and holds the reader's interest until the inevitable showdown between Swift and Mercury (his counterpart as Beggar Johnson's head gun monkey).

If you are squeamish about descriptions of bloody violence or about raw language, stay away from this one. Otherwise, it's a really entertaining romp of a pulp novel.

Gischler hasn't written detective fiction here, but criminal fiction. This is the kind of book neo-noir fans like, with its muscular prose, language of the day, and unadulterated violence. Charlie Swift is so tough he's not ashamed to take care of his mother or be loyal to his boss. So he lives out of a suitcase and works out of a tin box trailer called the Monkey Cage, Charlie's got a bulging safe deposit box and he owes it all to one man: Stan the Man.

The opening sentence: "I turned the Chrysler onto the Florida Turnpike with Rollo Kramer's headless body in the trunk, and all the time I'm thinking I should've put some plastic down."

Charlie Swift, gun monkey, speaking.