Henry Cloud and John Townsend'a books are revolutionary in the authors' abilities to connect with their readers. All of the previous literature on boundaries, keeping safe in relationships, understanding the core of what hooks an individual into a dysfunctional relationship, as well as the healing process, pales in comparison with their powerful works. I highly recommend and give their books to all my clients, family and friends! I applaud Amazon.com for offering these books and encourage others to order through the website. Other Cloud and Townsend titles I highly recommend are: Boundaries; Boundaries With Kids; Safe People; Changes That Heal.

I thought I had the best Mom in the world...she always seemed to do the right thing! Then, I lost her when I turned 30 years old. All of a sudden, I had no one to turn to for advice. I knew I wasn't communicating well with my three girls ages 10, 14 and 15 years and I needed to know what to do to increase our communication skills. I attended a book review of The Mom Factor and was amazed to find out that just because I always did what Mom expected didn't necessarily mean that I had a right to expect my own children to be just like me. I was able to discover that I am the way I am because of the way I was mothered. I still believe that Mom was the best Mom that she could be but none of us are perfect! This book has helped me to discover that there are certain things that I have done as a mother that will affect my girls for the rest of their lives. I also am able to catch myself when I find that I am responding to them in such a way that will not be good for them in the long run. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a mother, who will become a mother or who has a mother! You will soon discover some interesting facts about why you are the way you are

What makes Dietrich's book of special interest is its emphasis on the development of the Morgenthau Plan(1945-48) -- the precursor to the Marshall Plan (1949-53). Although drafted largely by a relatively unknown economic policy wonk named Harry Dexter White,in fact it is Roosevelt's Treasury Secretary, the venerable Henry Morgenthau,Jr. who is credited with orchestrating the implementation of his eponymous plan.
Unlike the subsequent Marshall Plan which historians credit with Postwar European recovery, the Morgenthau Plan was in fact a punitive measure designed to extract a goodly portion of "vegeance" from the German people by literally ensuring that the wrecked German economy would remain so.
Dietrich, drawing on contemporary historical sources, makes a convincing argument that initial US Postwar policy towards Europe -- particularly economic policy -- was largely crafted by Stalin and his fellow comrades in the Kremlin via Harry White (most probably a communist/marxist sympathizer). Dietrich also highlights the fact, again using sources from extant literature, that implementation of the sinister Morgenthau plan resulted in mass starvation, rampant disease, and death in Germany and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe during the period from 1945-48.
In short, Dietrich's work paints a picture of postwar Europe that is considerably drearier than most accounts of the period. It also affixes blame for much of the suffering in Europe during this time squarely on the shoulders of US policy-makers. From my own personal viewpoint, Dietrich's book revealed that some of the historical figures who are generally regarded as men who
respected human dignity --- were not so kindly after all. Readers will find FDR and Truman, among others, were enthusiastic supporters of the Morgentahu plan and harbored a deep animosity towards the German people. In short, especially for younger generations of Americans who weren't yet born during the last great war of the 20th century, this book is a real eye-opener.

I would highly recommend this book to serious historians as well as amateurs alike. As far as I know it is the only book that covers American post war policy toward Germany in such detail. Also, it brings us informations that are surprising and shocking as far as communist influence of the highest political spheares in the U.S. is concerned. I am of the eastern european heritage, and I thought myself to be well learned in the subject of history, especially european history, yet "the morgenthau plan" unveiled events completly new to me and I belive to many readers concerned with the subject. In short the book seems to be bottomless well of information on the subject previously avoided by other authors which fact makes it that much more valuable. Lets hope more books will follow.

A co-worker just lent me this book after we shared a few conversations about rural Texas life and food. I didn't want to return it to him until I got a copy of my own, as it is a wonderful blend of autobiography and cookbook.

Reading it, I found myself missing the summers spent in East Texas with my great-grandparents. I particularly enjoyed the tales of my family's childhood adventures, and the wonderful smells and tastes of Great-grandmother's home cooking from scratch.

A word of caution, however; those of weak heart (both figurative and literal) should not only refrain from eating any of the foods as prepared per Mrs. Blackwell's instructions, but reading the Chicken and Dumplings recipe in the Poultry and Meat section should also be avoided (it contains rather gruesome, but hilarious and accurate instructions on how to dispatch the entree-to-be).

Whether you enjoy authentic home cooking, rural anecdotes, or simply reminiscing, you will find quite a gold mine in this little book.

THIS BOOK REFLECTS BACK ON THE SIMPLIER DAYS. AURTHOR DEENIE CARVER WORKED IN THE KITCHEN WITH HER MOM TO COOK FOR 9 CHILDREN. DEENIE JUMPED OUT OF A HAY LOFT AND BROKE HER HIP, FORCING HER TO STAY INSIDE AND NOT WORK OUT IN THE FIELD WITH THE REST OF THE CHILDREN. THE BLACKWELL FAMILY BOOST ON HER COOKING. LOUISE DILLOW HAS LIVED A JET SET LIFE AND IS AN ARTIST AND CONTRIBUTED HER ART ABILITY TO THE BOOK AS WELL AS RECIPES.

I must admit, I have yet to actually read this novella. Then why, you ask, am I reviewing it? A local theater group that I am in is performing an dramatic adaptation of "The Sacred Fount." I am portraying the character of Ford Obert and must say that this is one of the most thought-provoking productions I have been involved in. I have been told that the novella itself is a very difficult read but, if my experience in performing it is any indication, a throughly rewarding one.

The Sacred Fount is the first great modernist novel, as well asan ignored one. The plot is kind of odd. The narrator, at a weekendparty, thinks that he is observing some sort of vampire-like transactions of vitality between the guests. He spends the next two days trying to find who has vampiric control over whom. Odd, but brilliant. END

In this world of Knowledge and the propensity to believe in things are reasoned by Sciences, this book prods us, that the ultimate is still GOD. I for one, has fallen out a number of times, with an ardent attempt at things secular, despite my inner cravings for a deeper faith in God. This book sets out reminding me of my corporal life and all that surrounds me is nothing, but temporal. It is a rare find, given my recent yearning to return as a prodigal son and my inner inclination to detach all materialism and let it take a back seat. Despite the classic prose as expected of an author who lived more than 100 years ago, I understood his writing thoroughly, although I am not an European nor an American. This, indeed is an oasis of a find for answers from the Word Made Flesh, and is dwelling amongst us. In short, "go get it, all you who wants rest, for His Yoke is light and easy."

The back cover notes that Vintage Spiritual Classics are "[f]illed with eloquence and fresh insight, encouragement and solace." Two out of four ain't bad (and the other two are here too, if harder to reach).

Newman is certainly eloquent, though I might have described his prose as "stately" instead; he is rarely so eloquent here as to be hard to follow. Fresh insights are here too, and 160 years have not made them stale.

But this book is not the "easy reading spirituality" one might expect from a book whose cover says it's filled with encouragement and solace. Newman is in the reader's face and at the conscience from the beginning.

His "Plain and Parochial" sermons are challenges to lead a truly Christian life. It's hard to believe people filled an Oxford Church to hear these--perhaps people were made of sterner stuff then.

Yet there is solace and encouragement to be found. Newman was no ogre, but a caring man. He said what should be said, caring about the souls of those who would hear (and read) it.

And as a bonus, the book closes with one of my favorite prayers.

As frightening as the volume of the book might see, it is written very well and it is very contemporary with the topics discussed in.
The book is divided in several sections with general theory and implications disussed first and with some real cases presented afterwards. Each case is usually backed with some questions to think about and to extract the essence of it. The complete book feels like being a student in the class with authors performing as teachers (as they also do sometimes).
Concepts of strategy are extremely tricky. It can hardly been negotiated if there is a strategy or if you just got to have the feeling or if there simply are people who earn 1 million US$+ a year that turn into gold everything they touch and you can't run a serious business without them. This book will help you understand that strategy exists, will teach you how to define it and set it through and how to predict the future and react on it. But as real life is, many things can happen. You get the driver's licence after you learn the basics of driving. But no one can tell after you get the licence if you will get involved into the crash and when.
Many people expect from such books that they will get a broad pavement covered with roses to walk through their careers on simply by paying some 70 US$. How naive they sound sometimes. The pen alone doesn't write a book, it is just an instrument to success, behind which stands an enormous human effort. This wonderful book is only an instrument to avoid some crashes of company in your career. If it can therefore win you a job or a mere 100 US$ raise, it has paid back heavily, don't you think?

This is an important and recent strategy book. I recommend it for MBA students and managers.

This book is loaded with technical information for the dratsman and designer. A must have for anyone who is in the mechanical technology field.

This text was the basic drafting manual that I used during my technical education; its use did not end with school, however, since I refer to it frequently in my occupation. It tells everything that needs to be explained and described in the general drawing problems that might be encountered in industrial practice. It contains excellent descriptions and illustrations for: Drawing Threads, Fasteners & Springs Geometric Constructions Clear, Concise instructions in using Drafting Instruments, (before the time of Computer Aided Drafting & Desing, in any case). An Excellent overview of the Industrial Design & Development Process, (which I wish my supervisors would read). Sectional Drawing. This book is to drafting what Machinery's Handbook, of the Industrial Press, is to the metal working industries. There are a variety of Drafting Textbooks available, but none are incrementally better, let alone drasticaly better.

These two guys are, perhaps, the true masters of their trade,afterall. In the "deadly" game of risk-assessment, themargin of error can, of course, be a bottom-line matter of life or death. This text goes to great length to "bring home the bacon," and, certainly provides much food for thought. They've mixed the best with the best. Their ultimate product is classic material!

Okay, all of you interested forensic professionals, go ahead and take it from a guy who has been both on the inside looking out and the outside looking in: "This book stacks the deck in your favor."...Certainly, it's truly a MUST BUY!

Monahan & Steadman have provided a comprehensive, emperically based book on one of the most constroversial areas in forensic psychology: the process by which the mentally ill are determined to be "dangerous" in the future. As former critics of this area "Risk Assessment", the authors re-evlaute the reliability and validity of risk assessment methods understanding that such assessments are a fact of life and are used dozens of times every day in this country. By far, this book is the best book out there on this subject.

It is amazing that the US survived this conflict. The author's clear depiction of the politics and generalship (or lack thereof)leaves you wondering how the US ever made it out of this conflict relatively intact. This work is taken from Henry Adams great history that was originally published around 1890. The chapters relevant to the war of 1812 have been compiled to form a fine and detailed account of the war with Britain and Canada.

My only request for improvement would be the addition of an introduction that gives a clearer picture of the reasons for the conflict.

In the introduction to this superb volume, Col John Elting, who has written his own version of the military history of this forgotten war, which is also a must have, states 'If you read only one history of that war, it still should be Adams!'

As a definite Elting fan, that is enough for me to buy, read, and use the book. It should also be enough for any historian/reader to buy this volume.

An extract of the much larger A History of the United States during the Administrations of Jefferson and Madison published almost a century ago, this history of a war the United States almost lost was originally published by the Infantry Journal at Fort Benning, GA. It was, and still is, the best one volume history of that war.

Adams had access to US Government papers and spent almost three years in European archives, many of those references now unfortunately lost because of two world wars. What he gives you is both the military and diplomatic side, and also some interesting views of the events interaction with the larger 'disagreement' going on at the time in Europe centering around Napoleon, Emperor of the French.

What you see is what you get. It is a great story, boldly and accurately told that has stood the test of time. It is highly recommended, and the introduction by Col Elting neatly says it all. The best purely military history is Col Elting's Amateurs! To Arms. Taken together they are incredible-two books you will never forget and will read and reread.

John W. Hartmann's American Partisan tells of one Henry Lee, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War from 1776-1780 and who fought in many famous battles. His account is also the story of the struggle for independence.