Back-to-back Books

Michael's ability to overcome adversity and commicate this in his book is outstanding. If you are thinking about buying this book, purchase the hardback! Family cannot resist the need to read this masterpiece.

I received my book in a very short time and it was in perfect condition.

Wow! The guy has a lot of gumption; that is, I am touched by his tenacity, courage, and willingness to be what he needs to be to handle what he has to handle. He managed to clearly show his love for his family in this book, and seemed to not hesitate to let us in on the core of his struggles.

All of us have "things" that we need to, and/or wish to tackle earnestly, and all of us have trials to get through. Way to go, Mike. What a great example for all of us, whether it is to change, or a really big mountain to climb, -or both, as you did.

You are an amazing fellow. God's blessings to you,Mike.

Sincerely, Mickey

I was not expecting this book to be so moving. Michael spoke with humor, honesty and insight. Very much from his heart--it touched mine.

With Michael J Fox's new autobiography now released Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist tracking down this, Lucky Man his original great autobiography may be a bit harder, but you should definitely do so.

Importantly this book is not just about Michael discovering during the filming of Doc Hollywood that he had, and then later dealing with Parkinson's Disease. It would have been so easy to just write the autobiography that way but although the Parkinson stuff is there, it is often only in the background of Michael telling you what else career and family happened with his life from that point. This makes the book a lot more entertaining and to be honest, probably a lot more of the reader is interested in. Plus we also learn about his family and childhood. His decision to take the gamble and pursue acting instead of finishing high school and then the further gamble of turning down steady acting roles in Vancouver to move to LA and see if he could make it there. A huge gamble when unlike Americans who can work in Cafes and so on, all his visa aloud him to do was act.

Those after gossip about fellow other actors may well be disappointed as Michael doesn't play that game in this book. Nor does he go into behind the scenes events to any great depth like you would find on DVD extras of the movies/TV shows he was in. He does tell us how he got the part of Marty Mcfly in Back to the Future a movie he wished he was making instead of Teen Wolf at the time it began filming. Later in the book he tells us how Cher snubbed him at the Oscars due to maybe the fact that she had just made the movie Mask with Eric Stoltz who originally was Marty but Spielberg decided to recast and refilm as Stoltz just didn't bring the character to the screen. Michael tells us how he almost missed out on being Alex P Keaton on Family Ties, how he lived around that time and why he took on acting roles in films which even the actors knew weren't very good. he recounts how his life changed once he became a celebrity for the good such as all the free stuff and the bad, paparazzi stalking his wedding.

Importantly for an autobiography Michael is prepared to criticise himself where he made bad decisions, acted selfishly or treated others not as well as he should have. He even acknowledges that his Emmy for Spin City was obviously awarded as a sympathy vote which I think really shows how honest he was being writing this book. Incidentally this book was published when Spin City was the last thing he acted in.

Of course he talks about the decision to hide Parkinson's from the public and how he feared this would affect his acting career if word got out. He also talks about with hindsight when looking back if those fears were justified.

This is definitely a very interesting and well written autobiography, oh and we learn his middle name is in fact Andrew and why his screen name is Michael J Fox instead of Michael Fox or Michael A Fox.

I remember my mom making cookies from this book. This was her book and was published in 1963. I loved reading the recipes and seeing the marks she made next to the cookies she made.
There are recipes in here that I have never even seen before. This book is great for all levels of bakers. The beginning goes over some basic utensils, measuring and even some hints. I highly enjoyed seeing the variations to many of the recipes in the book, just by adding a different spice or adding nuts.
The best part of the book for me was the section called Betty Crocker's Best Cookies. My version has the best cooky of certain 10 year or 5 year periods starting at 1880. I enjoyed reading the blurb about the cookie and the historical highlights of events that happened during those periods.
So if you need a new cookie recipe or just want to find an old favorite then check out Betty Crocker's Cooky Book!!

This book was a bit of a disappointment. None of the pictures of cookies in the book actually look good to eat. They look like they would be ideal in decorating the witch's house from Hansel and Gretel but I wanted cookies to eat not enjoy visually. I like the retro look but for cookies that are meant to be eaten, I recommend the Cookie Bible. Everything in that book looks and tastes great.

Ahh, this book takes me back! I can't tell you how excited I was to see it back in print. When I was a little girl, this book was the go-to for all of our cookie making adventures. Now I can share it with my family. I've had it for a few years now, and have used it countless times. Forget those pre-packaged cookie doughs, get back to basics and TASTE what a cookie is supposed to taste like!

My Mother had this book when I was little and when I saw it I knew I had to have it. I'm sure it didn't cost that much back in the 70's but it is so worth it. I used to just look through it all the time and Mom would let us pick out cookies for her to make us. Now I make cookies for my daughter from this book. Thanks

Roderick Perez

After decades of using this cookbook, and with the pages starting to fall out of it, I finally decided it was time to buy a new copy--and thank heavens a reprint is available. This has some of the best cookie recipes ever and it's like a childhood on spiral bound pages. It's not just that most of the recipes are good, the book is set up so that it's easy to read and use and pictures of the finished product abound. If I could own only one cookie cookbook, this is the one. My faves: Spritz, Ethel's sugar cookies, Snickerdoodles, Butterscotch shortbread, Chocolate nut wafers and the Mexican wedding cakes. And hardly a winter goes buy that i don't make at least one batch of Molasses Crinkles. I can highly recommend this book.

I love this book. The title says it all "Back to the Basics". It's very imformative. If you ever want to review the basic of how to live off the land or self sufficient this is a great book. I love all the hand crafts too.

This is a really fun book! It arrived in perfect condition, and without too much of a wait.

This book is getting us back to where we need to be when things weren't so busy and we had time to spend on the important things of our day. As I look through the book I remember things from my child hood and my grand parents. This book is filled with lots of great ideas for many different things.

I have one of the older 1980 RD's Back to Basics and I have to say it is completely worth having if you can find it. I have referred to it many times as I build up my urban homestead. It is a healthy size book for anyone interest in growing their own foods, raising chickens, building a stone wall or using a dutch oven in the fireplace (wood only). I highly recommend it for both beginners, experienced and the curious. I am interested in this 3rd edition just to see what updated information is in there-perhaps having both to bounce off would work for any focused, eager beginner like myself.

This book gives practical advice and how-to info that is and will continue to be of the utmost value in these troubled social and economic times ahead. I've listed it as a must read on my Catholic Rural Solutions Yahoo Group.

Richard of Danbury

I got a better glimps of the Lord. Wow! He is so Holy and so mighty. Wow!

Of all the books A.W. Tozer wrote, The Knowledge of the Holy was his crowning achievement. It's meant to read during devotions making you ponder on what God is really like as opposed to what we might imagine which would be worshiping a false notion of Him. Get this book, you will never see God the way you did before!

This book is a must have if you want to learn anyhting about the attributes of God. I wish i had the word to describe how good this book really is.

Great book. It took several readings and note taking but I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It is well worth the time and effort. L.A. Jackson

Man, I thought there couldn't be any more possible ways to think of the Holy. Tozer, as a posthumous writer, has totally renewed my thinking and attitude towards the divine God, and just how much more majestic He is than any can ever realize.

Probably the most impacting passage I've read from this book (then again, what passages here AREN'T impacting?) is, "But the truth is that God is not greater for our being, nor would He be less if we did not exist." This, for me, shows just how perfect, whole, and unconditional God really is. There are no standards to His majesty; He just simply exists.
And this truth, among many truths, is simple and [should be] common; but Tozer brings out the simple truths and makes them fresh and profound. Because that's who God is--profound.

There is nothing I can do to make God greater or less. I only need to provide His image here on this world to make others greater for His call.
Though this book might easily be underestimated due to its thin size, do think that just over a hundred pages will be a quick read. You will stop and think about many of Tozer's words time and time again. I've never had to stop and reflect so many times than in reading The Knowledge of the Holy.

This book has taught me a different way to use my body. I have been using Esther's book since last October and have gained much by way of pain reduction, increase of quality sleep and increase in function. I have had back pain for 14 years. Thanks to the "inner corset", I can operate some of the double hung windows in my house this year without triggering fresh spasm in my back. Her instructions are the simplest way I've ever run across to find the right muscles to stabilize your back for such activities. Other key concepts for me are glide walking, hip hinging and stretch sitting. The gait change has helped me in a major way. Between the gait change and the method of stretching the back muscles, my referred pain at night is reduced enough for me to get a 4 to 6 hour stretch of sleep. For years before, I had been getting a series of naps, maybe a 90 minute one followed by 40 minutes at a time. I was a zombie! I also had knee pain that disappeared when I changed my gait. Thanks so much to Esther Gokhale for her work and getting this book out. My life is dramatically improved. This book is well put together, well thought out and researched, and has great pictures!

Esther's book is a great resource for people frustrated with finding good treatment for their injured backs. What I especially liked about it is that it teaches you natural behavior modifications that you can use in your everyday life, rather than highly specific exercises (Escogue etc) that are only done for a miniscule fraction of your waking life Remember, your back is with you for 24 hours of the day, not the fifteen minutes that you do your exercises. so if you arn't treating your back well with every move you do, its just absurd to imagine that your situation will improve. The same thing goes for chiropractic, acupuncture (although Esther is a practitioner of this) and all other alternative techniques. So, if you are ready to make a change for the better in the way you move throughout your day, pick up this book. Its not a miracle cure, but with some practicing, it has an abundant amount of useful tips that will help you lead your life better. I'm still a little confused on Glide Walking, but Esther is particularly active on the forums so I am sure I'll get ahold of it.

The overall direction of this book was not what I expected (very posture centric). However, after reading it - especially the pictures - and checking my own posture, I started thinking this was part of my issue. By 1] paying attention to some simple posture issues, 2] faithfully doing certain stretch and strengthen exercises from the back section of the book and 3] doing the ONE stretch which is central to "Treat Your Own Back" at the beginning and end of each ~15 minute session, I feel considerably better after 2 weeks.

By the way, my back issues have been ongoing for almost 15 years and I've been through some of the so-called best ortho doctors (and then the regular chiro and so on). If doing these exercises religiously 3 or 4 times a day continues the recovery . . . pretty happy!

This book is a work of art and after reading it, you will be as well - a sitting, standing, walking work of art.

Ever since an unfortunate back surgery 38 years ago I have had to live with its effect on my spine. Despite my problems I managed to remain pretty active and athletic until a 1990 injury in a car accident started everything unravelling.

Nothing I have ever found in my years of attempting to regain lost functioning has done as much for me as has already happened in the short time I have been trying to apply what I have been learning from Esther Gokhale's deceptively simple seeming but absolutely brilliantly insightful book.

What she teaches does not require immense amounts of time to implement. In fact it quickly can become part of one's ordinary life and activities so that whether walking or sitting or even sleeping it is as if the body's extraordinary healing power is finally released to benefit us unimpeded.

Last night I managed to walk around the block without stopping and at a reasonable pace for the first time in over six years (on previous attempts severe spasms in my lower back would force me to stop part way and make it difficult for me even to remain upright). I also had injured my knee a few weeks ago to the point that I had increased difficulty walking even short distances within the house. To my surprise (at what a miraculous difference it made) Ms. Gokhale's advice on walking gave more lasting relief to my knee as well as helping my back than I had managed even with trigger point therapy.

I have already purchased four copies and undoubtedly will purchase more. I want to give it to everyone I see (if I could only afford to do this) who has any problems walking or sitting or sleeping due to back or neck problems or with back or neck pain. I cannot praise it enough. It is more than a book, it is like a gift of life.

Michael Zak's Back to Basics for the Republican Party is an informative and well written book. For those who have little historical knowledge it is a great primer on the history of the party and how that relates to the history of the nation. It contains however many tidbits of information that those well versed in history may not know. Zak makes a powerful case for his assertion that the GOP historically stood for certain principles which in recent decades have been lost for political expediency. A common thread of core beliefs started with the party's early development over the slavery issue and continued on until the later part of the 20th century when some of those common principles appear to have been lost.

Whether your interest is merely to better understand the political history of the United States and the political parties or is to better understand the history of the Republican Party this book is well worth the read. The writing is well done and a page turner. Zak does not pretent do present a totally objective or disinterested history here - he clearly is a fan of the first century of GOP politics and makes no apology for it. The serious student of history must take that into consideration. However his bias does not make the book any less useful, informative or readable.

I heartily recommend this book. It is not the type of book I normally review in my ezine but is worth the effort.

Daniel R. Murphy
[...]

After reading the first few pages of this book, I began to get pretty angry. All of my life I have voted Democrat and this book really chilled me to the bone. I personally feel totally duped. Did you know that every single African-American congressman before 1934 was a Republican? When I heard about the violence perpetrated by Democrats, their invention of the KKK, the "Southern Manifesto" that Southern Democrats in the late 1950s tried to use so that they could argue that Brown versus Board of Education (which forced racial integration into public schools in the South), and the white Democrats lynch mobs that killed hundreds of blacks in places like Colfax Louisiana, it just made me sick to my stomach. Top it off with Strom Thurmond (Democrat - West Virginia) being a former Ku Klux Klan member, who filibustered against the passage of the civil rights movement to 1964, and you've got wholesale fraud on behalf of the Democrat party. I'm changing my voting registration today. Tomorrow I will be a proud Republican.

Back to Basics for the Republican Party, Third Edition Republicans are arguing about a new direction. You can't know where you are going unless you know where you've been. This Party history is excellent for the professionals and the novice. I think it is "a must read."

I have read all of the reviews that have been uploaded as of 5/23/2008, and the purpose of this filing is to summarize the points that were made AND to provide a perspective that has not yet been uploaded.

I have been carrying-around this book for a year, having learned about its author after I listened to Michael provide a speech to a Republican group in the Philadelphia suburbs. My only complaint is that it does not easily slip into my pockets, because there is so much concentrated information that I would want to reference during conversations.

It contains more than a "string of pearls"; it conveys "history with an attitude" which renders it easier to recall, and observations therein have subsequently been noted in other sources, notably the strong civil rights record of the GOP that indubitably dates-back to Lincoln...threading throughout the "narrative" that Republicans have generated for ~150 years.

COMMENTS:

Bruce Rheinstein's review serves to reinforce the history-lesson provided by Zak, amplifying and amending; it is engaging itself, and essentially the book is shown to pass muster when it emphasizes the contributions of the Radical Republicans.

Aaron Z. Gadouas's review emphasizes that Zak provided a timely manifesto and historical overview of the ideas that define the Republican Party, vital reading for activists and thinkers.

Michael Miller's review focuses upon the need to show the GOP has been anti-racist, and it recognizes the ability of Zak's book to help "recalibrate GOP compasses."

Former Diplomat observes that this book has been cited in a Supreme Court Opinion (as a DC "cult favorite") because it debunks myths and probes "simple truths." It should be noted that it has a treasure-trove of references, reflecting the extensiveness of the research that yielded it.

American laments that too few blacks appreciate the GOP's civil rights legacy. That the turning-point occurred in 1964 is probed, for Zak provides insight as to how their current D-orientation could/should be countered.

Patrick D. John considers it to be a GOP-Infomercial, claiming it oversimplifies and elides over key-points (some of which are discomfiting); the author aspires to compose a text (as a Black Republican) that emphasizes the former ("Black") more than the latter ("Republican"). His review should be consulted for myriad details that weren't included in the book, although some are more arguable as quasi-facts than are others.

George L. Lyon praises Zak for telling us the story that mainstream academia would rather just ignore, namely, that the Radical Republicans were courageous and accomplished.

PJ Hunger "Peej" praises the book because it renews excitement, corrects the course and calls for an engaging vigor not seen for a terribly long time; regarding the GOP, we can dust it off, polish it up, get it working again and show it off. The pivotal observation, however, is that the book conveys essential truths that are as relevant now as they were when first articulated and implemented.

Publius condemns the book because, to him, it represents a self-fulfilling prophesy. Allegedly, it starts with a premise and then creates supportive facts. As examples, it suggests that stereotypes applicable 100 years ago are no longer relevant. He forgets, however, that ideologies that generated those behaviors have evolved over time...but have not dissipated. The reviewer recommends Gould's "GOP" for history, but he fails to dispel the thrust of Zak's presentation of the GOP's strong Civil Rights legacy.

Jonathan Jenkins considers it to be of textbook quality, best perceived as serving as a compendium of the GOP's rich history and as a motivator for budding activists.

Karen B. portrays it as brilliantly concise, an observation recalls that Hemingway--when discussing "The Old Man and The Sea"--invoked this short-book as a model for how the best writers know what to edit OUT as much as what is necessarily included.

Jorge Roque praises the book for reminding him of why he's a proud Republican.

Ann Kotelman writes (simply/eloquently): "My friends, particularly the Democrats, are calling me a born again Republican. The book is inspiring, informative and cemented my affiliation with the party and my belief in Republican ideals." This captures, assuredly, the experience of most who have experienced Zak's efforts.

A Customer emphasizes both how replete the book is with nuggets and how well it conveys fundamental Republican principles that he tries to convey as often as possible.

S. Gershberg considers it a must-read because, by tracing the history of the Republican party, it show us where the political system needs to go at the start of the millennium. It contains so much fascinating detail that the reader must remember to try to remember all the concepts that it conveys so effortlessly.

Cathie Adams claims the book will put wind under your wings. As timely as the book may appear now to be (pre-Presidential Elections), it also has a timeless quality.

Bill Carroll says it all: "Michael Zak's book, "Back to the Basics for the Republican Party," is at once a splendid history lesson of our nation and an illuminating dialogue of our political system. Mr. ZaK begins with the events and the ideas that gave rise to the Republican Party. He goes on to explain how the fundamental tenets of the party enabled the Republicans to save the Union, rid our country of slavery and lay the foundation for the modern American economy. Mr. Zak then discusses how the GOP strayed from its principles, allowing the Democratic Party to gain the advantage. Finally, the author provides, through his own incisive analysis, the framework by which the Republican Party can regain the moral and political high ground, and lead America to even greater accomplishments. Nonetheless, this book is neither a dry nor a pedantic study. It is a thoughtful, well-written, compelling and entertaining discourse in the realm of politics. Most importantly, "Back to the Basics for the Republican Party" is a clarion call for the GOP to return to its roots. I highly recommend this outstanding book."

*

I had planned to encompass all the reviews, but the last one was so concisely correct that it cannot be bested by any other reader.

If you're a dedicated Republican and want Sean Hannity style content, Sean's your guy and Michael Zak is not. Back To Basics is truly a brilliant work, chronicling the history of the Republican party from its inception to the present.

As a moderate, I do not always agree with my party line, and am often skeptical of the volumes of political hyperbole to which we are subjected. Zak makes a laudable effort to incorporate information sources, evidenced by a 10 page bibliography, single spaced in 6pt type, and a plethora of footnotes through his book.

This is not a quick or casual read. Zak's attention to detail in his investigation of the past 150 years is evident in every paragraph, though his writing style is universally fluid. It's a hard book to put down, especially if you are not well versed in this topic.

His objectivity is evident in his persistent criticism and evaluation of significant individuals and events that have shaped the Republicans to what we are today. Zak does not hide his disappointment in several aspects of the current state of Republicans, however his admonition of returning to the basics on which our party was founded is the most compelling theme in the book.

Readable, informative, research-based, and a clear call to action, Back to Basics for the Republican Party is not only a chronicle; it is a guide for us to re-energize and to once again become the Grand Old Party.

I can still remember by mom reading this book to my brother, sister, and me when we were little. Such a great book! It is fun for both the listener and the reader. Mom had different voices for all the animals and the simple premise--Will the elephant sneeze?--somehow became so exciting and dramatic.

This rhyming poem is great to read to little children. Although nonsensical, it makes children laugh at the antics of the different animals. You can use it to build knowledge about the different animals and their response to the elephant sneezing. The rhyming stays with children and makes them laugh. One of our little ones says it makes her belly tickle.

This is a very good book with awesome illustrations and even a twist in the story!! Recommended for all ages!!

I have great memories of my dad reading me this book when I was little. It has always been one of my families favorites and we always quote it. I know read it to my nieces and nephews when they come over and it's always one of thier favorites as well.

Like everyone else that has commented on this book - It is my all time favorite story. I'm 38 years old and I still have my original copy given to me by my grandmother at age 6. My 3 children all delight in this book as well. The pictures are great and it is just the right length for a bedtime story. This book makes memories for children and is worthy of handing down from generation to generation.

I am absolutely delighted both with the condition of the book and the speed in which I received it.

The text was so interesting, sensible and practical that I finished reading the book in one day.

An absolutely 'must have' for those already experiencing back pain and those trying to avoid it.

A great read.

Monica

I have found this book to be an effective approach for back and hip pain. I recommend and have gifted this book to several people. It does take doing the exercises. I had some hip pain that was bothersome for a couple of months and went away never to return after using Dr. Brownstein's approach.

I suffered from lower back pain for more than 10 years, with my back going out time and time again (sometimes for weeks, leaving me unable to do anything except lay down or walk to the bathroom) but the final year was the worst. Doctors said I had degenerative disk disease and that I could do exercises (that hurt to do, and I couldn't do during blowouts) to help mitigate the situation but that was it. Doctors, chiropractors, physical therapy, nothing helped decisively... my final year in particular I spent 6 months or more on my back, three of those months wearing a back brace. I was depressed, sad, so sick of being in pain. And then I bought this book (since clearly, none of the other things were working).

This book is nothing short of a revelation. Written by someone who *understands* your back pain (he's had surgery himself) and is ALSO a doctor and ALSO understands the yoga/natural methods himself, it's like talking, finally, to someone who has felt your pain but who knows the answer. His own journey was painful, and he shares it so you know you're not alone. That hooked me. But then he teaches you even more:

* Why your back is out of alignment (that DDD isn't so much a "disease" as it is a result of not taking care of your back muscles, and letting them tense/stretch your spine out of whack)

* That muscles can be retrained (!!)

* How pain and stress affects your back and how to learn how to re-train your muscles to NOT stiffen and worsen when there's pain

* How to do SAFE stretches and exercises (unlike the ones most doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists gave me) - even ones that will work when you're flat on your back, wracked with pain (these exercises actually EASE some of the pain)

* How to take control of your back muscles

I followed the exercises and stress areas religiously for three months and within three months I had a stronger, pain-free back. Three years later, I don't have blowouts at all any more, but I do occasionally get soreness... when I'm bad and don't keep up with the exercises and de-stressing techniques.

If you've been checked out by medical professionals and still aren't seeing any relief... this is the book for you. My doctor now recommends it to her patients, after our discussions about how it changed things for me, how it works. I cannot, seriously, recommend it strongly enough. It gave me my life, and my family, back.

I have had several accidents and hard falls in my younger years, and was a chiropractic patient for long periods of time. I have been suffering intermittently with sciatica pains for the last year, and last August I started having various lower back and hips pains, with changing intensity, going from side to side and radiating down beyond my knees. I would like to add that I am 79 years old. My MRI shows various dysfunctions, which I will not enumerate here.

Massage, physiotherapy did not help, I finally agreed to have a cortisone injection. Two weeks after the injection the pains started to return.

My orthopedic surgeon was giving me signals that we are moving towards surgery, and I decided to try anything else. I started enzymatic therapy ( serrapeptase) and having had in my life many good results with exercise, went for an exercise program that sounded very promising. I gave it 2 months , but it did not do what it promised.

I am glad to report that finally after discovering a couple more inaccessible because of distance or cost alternatives, I have purchased Dr. Brownstein book a week ago. I read it thoroughly, the part on various meditations twice, and am doing the stretches once a day, with a few of them also in the evening. I am almost pain free - and I am only in the first days of applying the program, without spending entire days on it. In addition to almost no pain, my mood is incredibly improved, not only by the painlessness, but I sleep better and feel energized, getting up in the morning with zest for life. I have a living proof that I can lead a painless life till the end of my days, without getting caught up in the surgery merry-go-round. I feel my body is in total approval of this new way of moving and thinking, it is developing a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with my mind. Radiant health is in our power.

I am looking forward to starting the advanced stages of stretches and positions, I enjoy the meditations and visualizations trmenedously, and am planning to purchase several copies of this book for gifts for my friends who have similar problems. I cannot give them anything of better value!

I will add to this review later, I feel I am doing something to help people floundering about as I was for a year in pain and sometimes despair.

Thank you, Dr.Brownstein, for sharing your invaluable knowledge with me!

This book is excellent. Suffered for over 20 years with back pain, diagnosed with degenerative discs and multiple level herniations. Experienced many times the kind of intense pain that finds you on the floor. Tried physical therapy, chriopractors, acupuncture, pain management, anything to avoid surgery. But I was afraid that surgery was my only hope. Now since I've read this book I no longer worry about surgery. Because I'm pain free and can even do yoga - something I never thought possible.

Awesome book! Great story of Josh Hamilton's life and comeback. Honest and truthful, Hamilton bears all to tell his story and reach out.

Josh Hamilton states on many occasions in this book that his drug addiction would either kill him or he would survive it and get back to the Major Leagues. Luckily for baseball fans, the latter occurred. This book shows the power of drug addition over its victims. He's honest and it would have been easy for him to leave out a lot of the worst stuff. Instead he gives us a great book and also an inspiring book that is bound to leave you a Josh Hamilton fan. And the best part is that it's not written like one of those hokey feel-good stories. That may be because every time I was sure that Josh had straighten himself out in the book, he relapsed and got worse. When he finally got clean with the help of his grandmother and religion, I was relieved. I don't think I could have taken reading about another relapse.

Talk about inspirational you don't have to go any further than this book right here. Josh Hamilton's life has had so many ups and yet at the same time so many downs. Josh is the true story was it doesn't matter how far down you are in your life if you put your mind to the task at hand you can accomplish it. Josh was actually a good kid growing up and how he became a great baseball player was disciplining himself to not go out use drugs and alcohol like most of his friends did. He even went as far to not go to his senior prom because he did not want to get mixed up in activity afterwards that might affect his draft status. That takes true determination to discipline yourself like that. For all joshes hard work it paid off as he was drafted by the devil rays in the first round with the first pick. Unfortunately lots of injuries put Josh on the shelf for a lot of baseball time that it eventually drove him to use drugs for the first time. He states the first time he used coke it was a high he never experienced and he was hooked. As bad as drugs are he is being totally honest with that statement. He reached the lowest point in his life but thanks to the help of his grandmother and god he was able to pull out of it. I was so glad for Josh especially when I saw him in the 2008 homerun derby and he put on a performance of a lifetime. Josh shows you what true determinate is. I truly believe if Josh would have been able to avoid injuries and eventually using drugs to relieve the pain he would be an all star in this league and maybe become one of the best ever. I know that may be a little too much but a guy that can come back after 3 years away from major league baseball almost win the homerun derby and have a great season with the reds and Texas rangers you know he's got talent. Josh Hamilton should be an inspiration for all of us and it proves no matter how doubtful something looks you can accomplish it if you put your mind to it.

I recieved this book on Friday, it looked intersting from the preview on line. I had just finished reading a book I had been working on for the past 4 weeks and figured I would start this book over the weekend between projects.

Well I read for and hour in the afternoon and had to leave, but I came home and picked the book up at around 9 and figured I would read another chapter before I went to sleep. 3 hours later I was finally reading the last page.

This is one of the most powerful "baseball" books I have ever read. My first thoughts were "who needs to read this next."

My Pastors son is a top class pitcher and had just one the league championship and will be heading off to college to play D1 ball and I new this needs to be a must read for him before he heads off to school.

So this book has started the rounds and I expect that I may see it again in a month or 2 after everyone who has shown a spark of interest finishes thier turn.

This book may revolve around Josh's drug addiction but it can be realated to any "addiction" that pulls you away from God and it will help us to learn how to live "STEP BY STEP".....

In 1999, Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the major league baseball draft. He signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for $3.96 million two days after graduating from high school. In 2008, Hamilton led the American League with 130 RBIs while slugging 32 homers and batting .304 for the Texas Rangers. He also was voted to the American League All-Star team that year.

In between, however, he was a hopeless cocaine and crack addict. He once pawned his wife's wedding ring for cocaine and spent $100,000 on crack in six weeks. Although perhaps the greatest high school player ever with unlimited potential, Hamilton got caught in the vicious cycle of drugs.

He failed drug tests on five occasions and was suspended for a year from playing organized baseball. Drugs were destroying his body, mind and spirit. During his four-year ordeal, he was in and out of treatment centers, refusing to accept that he was an addict.

It wasn't until he decided to give his life over to God that he started to turn things around in October 2004 at age 24. He was inspired by the Biblical quotation, "Humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Hamilton received another chance in June 2006 when he was allowed to report to the Rays' extended spring training camp and was reinstated by major league baseball.

Hamilton's battle back from a drug-filled life that saw him hit rock bottom is an inspiring story. If ever there was a major league player to admire and root for, it's Josh Hamilton.

Excellent book for any writer who wants to go from the corporate world to full-time writing.

It's packed with great information, websites, and other resources. The people who give their testimonials are real. I felt like they were encouraging me to take the next step with my writing!

Don't wait! Order this book today.

Tiffany Godfrey, www.resourcewriting.com

All in all .. Peter Bowerman has one of the few "voices" that bears a ring of truth rather than hype to me. My aversion to hype is one of the reasons I struggle with even trying copywriting for real. Your books resonate with me because he is doing it everyday.

This is as opposed to those who have done it for a thousand years and might not have to work as hard as the rest of us in this day and age. That's not to negate their success or status but getting advice from someone who has already made their fortune and can sell on name recognizability alone is very different than having someone who's risen from the trenches in the same era that new aspiring creatives are coming from.

I say creative btw because much of what Bowerman advises should (will?) work for my design aspirations as well as writing.

Ok, before I explain the title of this review, let me make an embarrassing admission. I originally picked this book up at a library instead of purchasing it. I did this because I have wasted the rough equivallent of 2 wheelbarrels full of cash on copywriting courses that turned out to be complete and utter wastes of my time, money, and remaining hair waiting to be pulled out...

If you have invested any of your own precious time searching for great advice and material on how to make a great living as a copywriter, then I'm sure you understand exaclty what I mean.

As I cracked open The Well Fed Writer: Back For Seconds, I skimmed through the book as I always do when sizing up new material, searching for relevant chapters. I must say that it took only 1 chapter of reading for me to set the book aside, whip out my notebook and furiously scratch down good advice, valuable resources to check out on the web and even 2 clever quips that I wanted to use the next time I host a teleseminar. (The comparison of common marketing practices to camoflauge was a stroke of genius)

I realize that I may be dangerously close to sounding like a gushing teenager asking for his favorite celecrities autograph, but I cannot emphasize enough how 'right on the money' this book is. Perhaps the best way to illustrate how valuable the Well Fed Writer is to your success as a freelance writer would be to show you what 3 qualities I look for in a 'good' book:

1 - Straight forward - The author must not pull any punches. Tell it like it is. Don't paint overly rosey pictures or candy coat your advice. If there are landmines to my career that must be avoided, then by all means point them out! Thankfully Peter goes above and beyond by acknowledging traits that are common to most humans that could kill your progress before you even get started. Peter seems to have a talent for painting visual pictures and images that will stick with you. I hope he doesn't mind if I use a few of his analogies with my clients!

2 - Realistic - I don't know about you, but I'm tired of having my ears tickled. Don't tell me what you think I want to hear, tell me the truth! There's enough hyped up pie in the sky books, websites and emails floating around in cyberspace... I don't need to spend money on a book that will add to it! I found this book to be a refreshing change of pace as you are constantly reminded of the fact that we live and work in the real world, so results can and will vary.

However, Peter also takes the time to show you alternative paths to success should you find that your current conditions are less than ideal. Much appreciated!

3 - Easy to read - Ok, call me petty for listing such a seemingly unimportant feature in my #3 spot, but I couldn't resist. Regardless of how good the information is, if I feel as if I am plodding my way through a college biology text book, then chances are I'm more likely to use the book as a paper-weight.

I found this book to be entertaining to read as well as informative. Please do yourself a favor and purchase this book now. I returned my copy to the library and snagged my own personal copy, because this is a book that you will want to highlight and bookmark for continous future reference. You can thank me for the strong recommendation later!

The market demanded this book so Bowerman put it out.

It's okay. It's mostly more of the same - it doesn't
much represent a leap from the first book so much as
it's like a 284 page appendix... useful material but much
of it would have been edited out or folded into the
first book if they were published as one volume.

Not particularly flawed - but like many business books
it's padded out with 3rd-party stories - enthusiastic
and informative vignettes from succeeding freelancers
who liked the first book and wrote in to Bowerman to
share their stories.

Major points - cold calling isn't so bad, marketing
isn't so bad if you think about it in a nice way,
professionalism matters, consistency pays off.

Fairly toothless, but inspirational. If you read the
first book and need a little more encouragement to
jump into the marketplace and do the business this
might be the push you need.

Worth reading but if you are already hustling work as
a freelancer you may find it redundant.

Peter Bowerman makes it seem like there`s FLCW (freelance corporate writing) work in abundance for everyone who could possibly seek to get into the game (and has a modicum of talent and is willing to work hard etc.) I love his style. I think he has some good tips. However, he skips the reality that content buyers are developing a Wal-Mart mentality and trying to get 50 articles for $2 each -- no attention to quality as long as certain keywords appear and it meets some sort of hi/lo age group. I know corporate writing is not like poetry or even essay writing. I accept that. As a struggling writer however I see the reality and that is that corporate buyers -- of writing or widgets or any commodity -- are trying to go as cheap as possible no matter what the sacrifice in quality. That`s why many website and brochures, annual reports and white papers you see today have frequent and horrifying grammatical and syntactical errors.