I love the way that this instructional book and audiocassette is portrayed. It is not dry as the books given out by the states, but at the same time it gets you to think.

There aren't too many biographies about the life of Calvin Coolidge. This is an absorbing book that is sure to shatter many myths about Coolidge. I highly recommend it for your reading list.

President Coolidge was not a man accustomed to tooting his horn. He is well known for his economical use of words. Without a doubt moderate or conservative in personal behavior, President Coolidge should not be confused with modern political conservatives. While his personal behavior was clearly conservative, his political beliefs were more identifiable with those associated with modern libertarianism. President Coolidge was one who believed that government should exercise restraint and not limit liberty. Despite this belief that government should exercise restraint, President Coolidge's Administration suffered very little from scandal.

Modern historians often portray Coolidge as a minor figure and trivialize his time as President. Often portrayed as a lackey for big business and for not doing anything to prevent the Great Depression, this biography puts holes in the myth that he was in the pocket of big business and responsible for the Depression. President Coolidge was neither lazy, unintelligent, nor an accidental President. Coolidge understood the concept of restraint and approached life as President from that perspective. Not concerned with the outward trappings of power, Coolidge stayed true to his Vermont roots.

You will find that Coolidge was neither indolent nor unintelligent after reading this book. President Coolidge is just the kind of President we need today.

I think Mr. Sobel has done an excellent job in destroying much of the criticism of Calvin Coolidge the man as well as Calvin Coolidge the President.
I picked up this book out of curiosity - I read the Coolidge chapter in Nathan Miller's book "Star-Spangled Men - America's Ten Worst Presidents", and decided to learn more about this silent, penurious, enigmatic President who was apparently heartless and supported big business while in office.
I soon found that this man was quite likable, although he lacked the garrulous nature of many politicians. One of his major faults, as Mr. Sobel put it, was in "not being able to predict the future." He cut taxes four times and had good reason not to interfere with Wall Street (read the book to find out why!).
To any person that wishes to know more about an OUTSTANDING U.S. President who was in office during a time of great prosperity, please consider this wonderful biography.

As an ardent admirer of FDR and the New Deal, I'd never read any more on Coolidge than his "Keep Faith in Massachusetts". This book didn't change any of my major beliefs about Coolidge, but certainly filled in countless details about his life and work. I admire Mr. Sobel's efforts to make a readable book despite the lack of Coolidge's papers.

As is ably demonstrated, Mr. Coolidge was popular as much for what he was as for what he did. His integrity and moral rectitude served him so well in those pre-TV times. A man such as this would stand no chance in today's prettified, telegenic politics.

Mr. Sobel is able to illustrate the injustice done to the memory of President Coolidge as being cold and remote. Mr. Coolidge was a child of his time, region, and upbringing. His deep love for his family is refreshing.

This eminently readable book will give great enjoyment to those interested in Presidential history.

When you're an active person who already eats a healthy and low-fat diet, you might think that diet can't get you any further than you've already gone. That's what I thought. I'm a professional dancer and train very hard, and have been on under 1200 calories a day, which should have been the solution, given my exercise level. My doctor had no ideas, my dietician ran out of options, and I was still gaining. I posted my problem on an online forum, and this book was one of the solutions someone presented. I thought he was crazy, I didn't think it would work, but I read it - and it made sense to me. I did the plan. I've lost 28 lbs. so far, and four clothing sizes, and am still dropping. Most of my weight came off in the first three weeks. Read the book, think about how it's different from what you've done before, and just think: "I can't stand being fat anymore, but I CAN stand to try a program for 30 days." At the end of 30 days, if you don't cheat, you'll be well on your way to a new quality of life. No kidding. It works, and some of my dance students are using it now too.... it's worked for everyone who's really done the program without cheating. If you're at the end of your rope, this is the lifeline you've been searching for.

Dr. Ezrin and Mr. Kowalski have written a clear description of how their diet works. If you read the book and follow their advice and suggested meal plans, the results do indeed follow. Always consult your physician before starting any diet plan. After my yearly physical, it was apparent that i needed to reduce my weight and try to control my blood glucose. I followed the outline presented by Dr. Ezrin and Mr. Kowalski. After the first 48 hours, I was NOT hungry AND my blood glucose levels have continued to drop on a daily basis. This diet may not be for everyone, but it is certainly doing all it promised for me.

A non-diabetic friend at work read this book 3 times before starting the diet. He was told about it by another non-diabetic friend who had lost 90 lbs and kept it off. After my friend had succeeded to lose 20 lbs his first week (his goal is 80) and 5 more the 2nd, I bought the book and started the diet. I have lost 22 lbs in 5 weeks, and find it easy to stay on. I will have no problem reaching my goal of 35 lbs. I was not diabetic, but realize I was on my way there, after reading the book. Not any more!
All 3 of us experienced the same things (just as the patients of Dr. Ezrin had experienced): we are not hungry, we feel good, and we have more energy.
Dr. Ezrin is an insulin expert, and with Robert Kowalski has written an incredibly easy how-to manual to lose weight. They make difficult concepts easy to grasp, and have written the book in a motivational style. They suggest discussing this with your doctor--even having your doctor read a chapter in the book written to medical professionals. After reading it, my great doctor prompted me to proceed.
Buy this book, read it, start the diet. You will lose excess weight!

This book is a pretty good source of low carb info but not informative enough for the reader who wants to know the ins and outs. I would recommend Life Without Bread over this book if you want to read one excellent low carb diet book.

I was diagnosed with diabetes around 3 or 4 years ago. I have floundered around trying to find out the right way to eat etc. The nutrition class I went to was led by a very heavy nutritionist. The class really became a turn-off for me. I kept having to increase my diabetic medicine until I was taking 4 and 1/2 pills per day. Then I ran across "The Type II" book--fantastic! Dr. Ezrin not only explains everything but gives you an eating plan as well as recipes. I went on this program February 15 of this year..and today, September 29, 2002, I have lost a total of 116 lbs. (which was my goal set with my Doctor) and I am completely off all my diabetic medicine, my blood pressure is normal. I try to tell anyone who wants to hear--about this book. I am now going in to the stabilization and then on to maintenance. I look at food a lot differently. I have lost weight many times before, but never had a maintenance plan that would help keep it off. Needless to say, I am very excited and happy! Thank you Dr. Ezrin!!! Note: You do have to make up your mind to be faithful to this program!

I won't repeat the praise (which I do feel is warranted) for Dr. Ezrin's treatment of insulin-resistance and weight loss. I want to point out another vital issue addressed in this book: seratonin depletion.

Depleted level of seratonin (which can't be measured on any test) cause a wide variety of health problems, often misdiagnosed as thyroid problems, Chronic Fatigue, etc. (See the article about it on my website...).

Read this to understand the problem - and the solution. It's totally curable, with a simple treatment. And "Your Fat Can Make You Thin" even has a chapter addressed to your doctor to help explain things from a medical point of view.

You have nothing to lose, and your life to regain!

This is a plain and simple little book. There are no color photos and no outlandish dishes that you will never try. This book is about good, honest and hearty food. It's an excellent first cookbook and makes a fine addition to a serious cook's collection as well.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE RECIPES FRO THE SWEET POTATOS PIES BECAUSE GRNNY CAN COOK YEAH I WAS WATCHIN HER TO DAY

For those of us who never 'really' learned to cook from watching mom or grandmom, this book is a must. The recipes are simple and easy to follow and yet, your friends will think you've missed your calling as a chef! I've tried many of the recipes and have not had a failure yet, not one. This book makes a great gift for newlyweds, for kids going off to college or to live on their own for the first time, or for those like me who just wanted to know how to make those delicious foods from times past. I've had friends who are long time, good cooks, asking me for 'my' recipes. Now that's a testimony. Buy it and Enjoy!!

this book is a surprisingly accessible work on the lives of five important artists (duchamp, cage, tinguely, rauschenberg, and cunningham) of the avant-garde, each working from a different discipline. tomkins has gathered exhaustive biographical data on each artist and the reader gets the impression that he is good friends with each of them. his critical stance on the artwork discussed is respectful, and he refrains from using a lot of artworld jargon. a very entertaining read.

This is an awful book for two primary reasons: 1. It portrays Coolidge in the unfair, stereotypical light that people have done for decades. (thus it lacks any new thought) 2. The book, mechanically speaking, is also poor. It is difficult to read, dry, and gives the reader no incentive to continue reading. The only reason I gave Ferrell a second star is because he is smart enough to pick a good topic to write his book about.

The thirty-second volume in the acclaimed American Presidency Series presents a complex man and his struggles to solidify the economy and use cautious diplomacy in foreign affairs. Contrary to popular opinion, Robert Ferrell argues that Calvin Coolidge worked vigorously to achieve successful legislation and his dedication to public service provided him with a good background for the presidency from 1923 to 1929. The author, however, does recognize that Coolidge sometimes waited out troubles, acted indecisively, and displayed inactivity in foreign relations. For example, Ferrell avers that the president and his ministers incompetently handled political problems in Nicaragua and economic instability in Mexico. Also, the author acknowledges that Coolidge did not grasp the economic currents of his time.

Ferrell raises the question in this study: "Why did Coolidge not do more to deal with economic matters and consult with his advisors?" Perhaps the author answers this question in mentioning the Federal Reserve's reluctance to intervene in monetary policy and stock market speculation. In addition, Ferrell analyzes Coolidge's political philosophy on two counts: his opposition to governmental paternalism and belief in laissez-faire economy. In fact, Ferrell writes that Coolidge cut income taxes drastically; by 1927, 98 percent of the population paid no income tax.

The Presidency of Calvin Coolidge judges the president in an objective manner and uses extensively researched primary and secondary sources. The author, however, does tend to use quotes excessively and this may irritate some readers. Besides, Ferrell gives a vivid account about society in the 1920s, but his information about automobiles appears repetitive at times in this book. Furthermore, Ferrell suggests that to blame Coolidge for lack of foresight in not preventing the holocausts of our time seems unhistorical. Yet, a historian does indeed judge people and historical events both diachronically and synchronically. Overall, Fer! rell admirably addresses Coolidge's strengths and weaknesses in an analytical framework. Finally, the photographs add a realistic vision about Coolidge and his times.

This is a book of limited interest and utility. Though fascinating in its details, it has a misleading title and the author conveys an unusually open bias towards his primary subject, President Warren G. Harding. This is not so much a book about general governmental theory as it is about the particulars of the personality of President Harding, and how that affected his methods while president. Similarly, it can only be by a broad stretch of the imagination considered as a book about the Harding-Coolidge era as a whole. This book is actually an adjunct to the author's earlier biography of President Harding. Written in the early 1970s as part of the Norton 'Essays in American History' series edited by Rice University professor Harold Hyman, this was a solicited book from the outset. At the time of the writing, Murray was a professor at Penn State. In 1969 he published The Harding Era: Warren G. Harding and His Administration based upon his archival research into the then newly opened Harding Papers that were released here in Columbus in 1964. This made him the subject matter expert in a rather narrow topic, and probably served as the basis for this book offer. This book suffers from several of the flaws that sometimes affect a work awarded on contract. The author, a specialist on the subject, wrote what amounts to a conservative defense of a President that he feels strongly about. Murray openly admits that he has the agenda to counter, 'the standard interpretation that the era was devoid of political accomplishment, barren of public benefit, and riddled with government scandals.' (pp. ix) He failed.
Although the book is well written from a stylistic point of view, it is difficult to get past the authors bias towards his subject matter. Murray states right up front that he sees the Harding story as a 'Greek-like tragedy,' and this spills out on every page. (pp. x) Take this book at face value and you will believe that Harding never did anything wrong, that all of his actions were noble and intelligent, that his political maneuverings were efficient and his administrative efforts sadly misconstrued by his political opponents, a sensationalist press and later historians harboring a liberal agenda. He goes too far.
All of this is not to say that the book is without any redeeming qualities. Murray describes the Harding biography as more analytic, while he intends this work to be primarily interpretive and analytic. He succeeds, to a degree, in this effort. There is a substantial amount of interpretation between the covers here. Despite the limited size of the work, it is well documented and tied to a broad range of primary source research. It is probably the better book for the reader that needs only a light understanding of the Harding presidency because it manages in a few pages to associate the personality and circumstances to the actions of President Harding.
The book contains only six chapters, five of which deal with the Harding presidency. Harding is dead by the end of the fourth chapter, the fifth chapter deals with the various scandals that tarnished his presidential reputation. The sixth chapter is the only one to mention Coolidge, and that is almost in passing and appears to have been reluctantly tacked on at the request of the editor or publisher. Harding started out as a rather nondescript senator from Marion, Ohio. Even Murray concedes that there is nothing particularly spectacular about Harding or his behavior during his time as a senator. However, it is here in the early chapters that half of the value of the book exists. Murray does not effectively add shine to the lackluster reputation of Harding in his personality profile of a man that many consider as one of our most forgettable presidents, but he does add depth. Harding was a consensus builder, a conciliator and mediator, an affable 'normal' guy, that just happened to become a U.S. Senator and later president. Yet for all that, Murray is convincing in his contention that Harding was nobody's fool. He had his own mind and made his own decisions. Ironically, though Murray probably did not intend it, this tends to indicate that the scandals that later wracked the administration fall squarely upon Harding. This runs counter to the then (1973) current historical interpretation that the cabinet appointees that later brought discredit were the result of the political machinery of the Republican Party. In this interpretive work, Harding comes across as a man torn between his ideals and the practicalities of his position. ... The book is at its best here, well documented and supplemented with observations gleaned from Murray's research into the personal papers Harding's contemporaries, especially those of Robert LaFollette.
Murray describes the 'normalcy' platform as, 'a conservative approach to national problems and politics, embracing traditionally understandable and historically acceptable methods for dealing with the nations ills.' He does not prove this well. Rather than stand back from the legislature, this president assaults it. Rather than disengage the nation from international affairs not relating to economic issues, Harding is in the thick of them. Harding ardently works towards normalization with former enemies, the series of Washington naval treaties and various debt restructuring plans for both former allies loans and former enemy reparations. This is not a president following the 'normal' line of international non-involvement. Yet Murray tries to erase this dichotomy between platform and actions through interpretation. Writing in 1973, it might be possible that Murray was letting a few of his misgivings on the current state of the nation leak into his historical writings.
True, in many ways Harding did adopt 'a policy of normalcy.' By the time the contentious 67th Congress retired both Congress and the president could point towards lower taxes, a budget plan, farm relief and restricted immigration as evidence of 'normalcy.' But this is belied by much of the other material that Murray presented. Harding was no progressive, but neither was he quite what he claimed to be.

I hope that this book is free because I;ve seen pamphlets at the DMV that where more informative. please reduce the cover price.