Enterprise Books

PETER LAWSON-JOHNSON HAS CRAFTED A VERY MEMORABLE MEMOIR, WHICH CAN BE ENJOYED BY ART (AND NON-)PATRONS ALIKE WITH EXAMPLES OF SOME WONDERFUL GUGGENHEIM WORKS WITHIN ITS PAGES.....WHAT A TREAT!

This is a wonderful tell all story about one of the most prestigious families in the United States told by a Guggenheim descendant who has been at the helm of the family empire for several decades. It is a historical biography of his family. The chapters on the Guggenheim Museum provide tremendous insight into the creation of the world wide Guggenheim Museum franchise. I enjoyed the chapter on Peggy Guggenheim the most. One learns how she dropped out of the family mainstream to amass a priceless art fortune in Venice Italy which she ultimately bequeathed to the Guggenheim Foundation. I highly recommend this book.

The author is a Guggenheim himself and the board president who saw the museum changed from a local New York institution to a world-wide art venture: his background lends an insider's eye and appreciation to GROWING UP GUGGENHEIM: A PERSONAL HISTORY OF A FAMILY ENTERPRISE. His accounts of his grandfather Solomon Guggenheim begins with the museum's founder's achievements and family interactions and tells stories of the institution's evolution within and outside the family. His memoirs of personalities over the decades, controversies which affected its efforts to expand, and the author's own career makes for a colorful series of vignettes which come packed with business financials, insights, and art history. A 'must' for any who would understand the Guggenheim enterprise.

I couldn't help but reach back into my own memories as I read Sadie Penzato's poignant recollections of growing up Sicilian and female. My Sicilian family shared many of the qualities of Sadie's, which brought this book right into my heart. From tales of discrimination to the dominance of Catholicism in Sicilian family life, Sadie recounts many of the same feelings and actions that I saw not only in my family but in many other Sicilian families. My grandparents spoke Sicilian, and scattered throughout the book are phrases and terms that I haven't heard in years and each of them reminds me of specific grandparents; she helped bring them to life again for me. Sadie writes beautifully, poetically. Her graphic descriptions and insightful vignettes into personal episodes of her early years in the late 1930s and early 1940s are wonderful to read. This is a book worth sharing with family members. Read it and your memories will come alive again.

I have had the honor and priviledge to have met the author and have found the experience a pure delight. I am currently working on producing her musical adaptation in early november. Production dates tentatively are the weekends of October 30,31, November 1,6,7,8. The cast is very excited about this production and is looking forward to the production. If interested in more information pleases email me your requests. Thanks and please read her book. It is well worth it, it will take you "Home Again." :-)

I found this to be an honest, riviting story about the problems, joys and tribulations of "Old Country" VS American ways, set in the 30s, 40s. Honest and real, it will touch you in many ways and "take you home again." I recommend it highly and not only to females and Sicilians.

Dysfunctional is a term used when there is a failure to function
`normally.' This may include addictions, emotional disturbance, abuse
and more.
The author, Donetta Garman, has written this engrossing and expressive
memoir; inspired while drifting in and out of consciousness, throughout a medical
emergency. Good and bad memories flooded back to her, and by writing
her story, she has bared her inner soul. All in hopes that others will
learn; there is hope for survival and even a happy life, if one has the
courage and faith to pursue it.
Donetta and her siblings were raised in a small town. Their mother
was unable to face her own demons. She suffered with addictions along
with violent and suicidal tendencies, causing her to be in and out of
mental institutions. Her father was an enabler, who worked and played
hard, unfortunately teaching his children that rules are meant to be
broken.
From birth, her mother convinced Donetta, that she had a face only a
mother could love, totally destroying her self-esteem. Children can grow up hurt, angry
and confused by their parents. There were some very good times between the traumas. Forgiveness may be given, but memories are rarely erased, still love prevails and binds them together as a family. As Donetta matures she becomes the responsible one, the glue. She tries to hide their personal life, an impossible feat in a small
town. Eventually you are old enough to recognize the knowing looks and
sympathetic peeks.
As a teenager she searched for her own recognition, love and value.
Desperately timid and afraid, she looked in all the wrong places, not
realizing how those decisions would have an impact on her and the lives
of her family.
Finally with the help of AA, faith in God and a loving husband,
Donetta is living proof of recovery and triumph over dysfunction and
addiction. Classed as `personal growth' she writes no self help
suggestions, she enlightens us with one of life's most important lessons.
As much as we try to blame others for our downfalls, in the end we have to face the
facts. Ultimately we are responsible for our own actions.
Donetta has now been married 20 years to Gar Garman, who has become a
pastor, in a rural Baptist Church located in the Ozark foothills.
Their blended family is complete with four children and grandchildren.
When you see a picture of her, you can see through her smile that she
has truly found her inner beauty and peace. She spends her time
helping in the church, managing a small antique shop and fortunately
for us, her writing.
At this point I am unable to express enough praise for this well
written memoir. It is not only written for those afflicted with some
of these problems, but would profoundly benefit the people around them. After reading this truthful account, it may help to understand the person's actions or reactions, proving that only strength of love and commitment will see them through to a successful life.
Without hesitation, I would very highly recommend this memoir.
Reviewer: Cheryl Ellis, Allbook Reviews

Reviewed by Paula Friedrichsen for Crossmap.com & PositivelyFeminine.com

"Growing Up Ugly" is a fast paced, completely engrossing memoir. Full of twists and turns, it almost reads like a novel. Garman doesn't offer up "self-help" suggestions--or go on yards about the lessons to be learned from her experiences. She simply tells the story of her sometimes difficult, sometimes wonderful childhood, while occasionally sharing her own personal growth with readers. The day I received this book in the mail I had a stack of eight books to read and review. Yet there was just something about the title (and the interesting cover art) that compelled me to read this book first, and I'm so glad I did! I would recommend this book to anyone desiring a quick, easy, and entertaining read. Also, "Growing Up Ugly" would be helpful and encouraging for those who have struggled with alcohol or prescription drug addiction personally, or with a loved one.

This unique book tells a story of growing up ugly in a world where outside beauty is often more important than what lies beneath the surface. It is a story of overcoming dysfunction and addiction. It is a story of the soul and inner self and the potential beauty in all of us.

Growing Up Ugly is a moving memoir about coming of age and realizing that the beauty in this life we are all searching for is within our grasp, just for the asking. This poignant drama reminds us that life can take an unexpected turn at any moment.

"I vaguely remember my doctor telling me he was going to have me transported by ambulance to a hospital in Kansas City. They had a brain and stroke ward. I tried to answer, but I couldn't."

Join new author, Donetta Garman as she drifts in and out of consciousness and recalls some of the events in her unusual but loving childhood.

After a particularly traumatic birth, Donetta was left homely, clumsy and awkward. As she grew up she learned to cope with being "ugly" by laughing at herself and trying to help hold the family together. She writes, "As a child my favorite fairy tale was "The Ugly Duckling". I would dream of the day when I would be the one winning beauty pageants, the day that no man would be able to resist me and that when I walked down the street, people looked at me in awe of my beauty. I fantasized about people loving me and standing in line to be my friend. I waited to become a swan."

While her family climate was dysfunctional, the cohesiveness of the family unit was undeniable. Donetta's brilliant and fun loving mother began the descent into mental illness, drug addiction and alcoholism. Her father, ill equipped to handle the seriousness of an emotionally unstable environment, taught Donetta and her siblings how to cope the best way he knew how, by working hard and playing hard.

The memoir Ms. Garman creates in Growing Up Ugly is infused with the intense love and resilience of a peculiar but fiercely devoted family. With the help of her family, children, husband, friends and God, Donetta finds that beauty really is only skin deep and there is a "swan" just waiting to escape in all of us.


Growing Up Ugly

This book was a joy to read. Pattie's story is told as if you were walking on a path in the park together and you stop every so often and turn to her and say, "My Goodness, I've been going through the same situation." She shares her life experiences as you take a roller-coaster ride through the happy, sad, painful, jubilent unexpected turns in life. The book is a very easy read from cover to cover. I especially love that she speaks to your heart person-to-person in everyday language. The hills and valleys she and her family encounter most would say is not exactly equivalent to living in a "war Zone." However, I would disagree, as I believe that everyday our souls ARE in a "war zone" being attacked by Satan at every turn. This was a very uplifting book. I read it through twice before sharing the book with many others. When it makes it return to me, I intend to take my pen and write notes all through it for reference when I just need a pat on the back and words from a friend that say, "He Can Be Trusted."

This is the most heart touching book I have ever read. Pattie's real life experiences with her own family was what I needed at this point in my life. My mom, has an artifical heart valve and is on coumadin. And is now in the hospital, bleeding internally and the Dr.'s are doing all they can to find the source, with no luck so far. As of today she has received 10 pints of blood. I am at wits end. I totally beleive in the power of prayer and everyone we know that can pray is praying. After Reading 'He can be trusted' I now have an overwhelming renewal in my faith, and the power of God and exactly what he can do in our lives if we allow Him to work. This book is so inspirational and easy to get into, I was sad to see it end. Hopefully there will be more to come. Nothing better for the soul, this book has it, laughter, tears and guidance for myself where I needed help, in a time a time of need, in my own spiritul walk with Christ. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement.

I have not finished this book yet, but I am enjoying it very much. I feel like the author is sitting in my living room telling me her story. This is a journey of overcoming life's hurdles and coming out on the other side to find the joy and happiness. This book doesn't take long to read and I am sure that I will go back to it regularly.

This book is so handy with so many useful tips you can implement into your life right away. I have already started doing a lot of them. The recipes are so easy and delicious. My family loves the recipes I make and they are so healthy!!

This book has great tips and recipes to help you get on the right track. My family and I have a whole new way of life with our healthy eating. I found when I changed my eating habits my family followed through to improve also. I found the food diary in the book a great tool to help get started.

AS A SINGLE MALE, COOKING HAS NEVER BEEN A PRIORITY FOR ME BUT SINCE READING THIS BOOK NOT ONLY MY EATING HABITS HAS CHANGED FOR BETTER, I ALSO HAVE STARTED COOKING THE HEALTHY, EASY TO FOLLOW RECIPES IN THE BOOK. THIS BOOK IS TERRIFIC AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO ANY ONE WHO LIKES TO HAVE HEALTHY LIVING.

I own it and it is great - the meals are really tasty. One of my favorites!

The Healthy Heart Cookbook tells how to reverse heart disease by maintaining healthy diet. From openers of homemade granolas and mueslis to homemade fruit or spice teas and even healthy desserts, Healthy Heart Cookbook is filled with advice on how to make healthy food appetizing.

The Healthy Heart Cookbook tells how to reverse heart disease by maintaining healthy diet. From openers of homemade granolas and mueslis to homemade fruit or spice teas and even healthy desserts, this is filled with advice on how to make healthy food appetizing.

Heaven's Brightest Star fills a void in dealing with prematurity: the view from the baby's older sibling. The author succeeds in sensitively answering questions through the eyes of a child whose baby brother or sister has died to to prematurity. This book is invaluable not only for parents but for NICU use as well.

"Heaven's Brightest Star" is a beautiful story about hope and compassion. Written from the perspective of a child, this book serves as a invaluable tool to support families in understanding premature birth and loss. Little Katie's character is one that children will be able to relate to... and learn from.

Kara Glad's book is an incredible story that teaches children about a very difficult topic in a way that is easy for them to understand. There is no other book like this to explain to children the concept of premature birth. It is perfect for NICU's or for any child who has lost a sibling. This book will assist a child in their grieving process by offering hope through a star that shines brightly.

I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ AND I HAVE READ ALOT OF BOOKS.I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN IM GLAD I GOT THE CHANCE TO READ IT. AWSOME BOOK.

This book was very hard to put down, certainly at times a nail biter!! Easy to read, everyone I shared this with, was greatly moved.... I must say, I am glad to be a Christian!! You must read the book to understand this statement. A great book for teens and adults!! Great job!!

Hell's Harvest: The Judgement of N.P. Grimes

This book was great! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. The story is really creative and unique while remaining scriptural. It's well worth the money and I'd highly recommend it to anyone!

This is a wonderful story to curl up with on a lazy afternoon - very well written and engaging story. You do not want to put it down until it is finished. After I brought it home my daughter grabbed it from me and started reading it. I had to wait for her to finish reading before I had my turn - and she read it TWICE, it was that good!

Inspirational and exciting - great setting, endearing characters. Definite 5 stars from me!

"Highland Mystique" is a fascinating gothic romantic mystery set in the Scottish highlands. It tells a modern-day story that feels like a timeless romance of years past, with characters that seem very real. One thing I really enjoyed about the book is that it finds a perfect middle-ground between the overtly explicit trash that's unfortunately so prevalent today, and the unrealistically prim and proper couples of some such novels that seem devoid of any genuine, human emotion at all. The author's hero and heroine are flesh and blood people, good and decent to be sure, but also with a strong, undeniable desire for each other that is honored and respected as normal and natural without crossing the line. It's a truly romantic story with intelligence, mystery, ingrigue, and a good sense of moral and religious values without being preachy. In fact, the basic decency of the characters enhances and heightens the romance, rather than distracting from it. Anyone who enjoys a good love story with a gothic twist to it will love this one. Highly recommended!

Highland Mystique is a must read for the romantic, pure hearted. This book grabs you immediately and you won't want to put it down. Highly recommended!

A few years ago I went to my favorite metaphysical bookstore in Cambridge, MA, and asked them to recommend a good book for learning about Hinduism. They pointed me to The Hindu Mind. I've read many books on spiritual philosophy from different traditions and I can say this ranks right up there as one of my favorites. Mr. Pandit explains the many facets of Hinduism with intelligence and clarity. His straightforward writing style is easy to read and understand. The book is organized well also. He presents Hinduism from 3 perspectives: the philosophical, religious and cultural.

Mr. Pandit also includes a couple of chapters with philosophical perspectives on Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism as all 3 are offshoots from Hindism. He points out which aspects of Hindusim they kept and where their beliefs differ.

One of the things I love about Hinduism is how intelligent it is. Of all the religions I've studied it's one of my favorites. (Note: I'm a neopagan mystic.) The ancients recognized that people are different and that different temperaments are attracted to different spiritual philosophies. Hinduism is the ultimate melting pot religion, and is capable of containing the complexity of multiple spiritual belief systems unified by a few key threads. I'm sure that's why it's survived all these thousands of years.

No matter what your religious background, if you are an openminded person you wil learn much from this book that can be applied to your own path, whatever that may be.

This is the best book for Hindu-Americans who want to know every aspect of Hindu society, culture, and heritage. It is the only book written in Engligh that Hindu-Americans can understand and in a style they can relate to. I bought this at a Hindu Students Council (HSC)program and I know there are many people who have liked it as much as me. Look for his new book Hindu Dharma also

I found this book to be very well organized and indexed, making it easy to use as a reference guide. The book not only provides a solid foundation of all aspects of Hinduism, it illustrates the practical nature of these beliefs. Ancient Sanskrit verses that are still commonly used by Hindus today are translated while retaining there original charm. I also found that the book does a good job in clearing the common misperceptions of this religion and distinguishes between the actual religion and philosophy versus ascribed meanings by sources outside of Hinduism. I would recommend this book to anyone, particularly those that are intrigued by this religion but don't want to be overwhelmed. If nothing else, the index, charts, tables, and illustrations will provide a wealth of information