"One Call Away" by Brenda Warner is a wonderful and inspiring true story about a young single mother's struggles to raise her two children, one of whom is a special needs child. Brenda is proof of what a person can do when they have faith in God. Upon graduation from high school she realized her dream of serving in the military like her dad. She bacame a Marine and, in the book, she shares her tough experience in boot-camp. She also tells shres her troublesome relationship she had with her first husband who was abusive. Just prior to leaving him, he was watching their first child while she worked until she was called home because of an accident involving the baby. According to her husband, he accidentally dropped him in the bathtub while giving him a bath. In the hospital, the baby was in critical condition and the medical team, suspecting abuse called the authorities which involved several interviews and court hearings. The baby when released from the hospital was blind and suffered some mental retardation. The marriage suffered and she finally left with her, then, two children and moved back home with her parents. While she worked, her parents took care of the children. Life was difficult and Brenda had to make do on welfare and food stamps for awhile.
Later, she met Kurt Warner, a well-known football player. Not long after, tough times struck again when Brenda's parents were killed when a tornado struck their town and what was their newly built home where they were living out their retirement years. Brenda was impressed with how Kurt stuck by her and helped her through the tragedy. Her love and admiration for him grew as his did for her and they were married in the same church that her parents were going to be baptized in, had they lived. After marrying Kurt, Brenda shares the ups and downs of being a football players wife and what being in the limelight is like including the lack of privacy, etc.
Today, Kurt and Brenda are doing well. Kurt has retired from football but with seven children and an organization they founded to help those less fortunate, their lives are full.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and found it difficult to put down. It was written like a novel and the words just flowed beautifully. I highly recommend it.
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze review program and all I was asked to do was give an honest appraisal, positive or negative. The words are my own.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Thunder Dog: The True Story Of A Blind Man, His Guide Dog & The Triumph Of Trust At Ground Zero by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory
"Thunder Dog" by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory is one of the most inspiring and uplifting books I have read in quite awhile. I see it as actually two stories in one. Not only does Michael tell of his extraordinary and terrifying experience of living through and escaping the North Tower of The World Trade Center on 9/11 guided by his faithful seeing-eye dog, Roselle, but he tells his life story of being blinded at birth and how he has lived a successful life as a blind person. He attributes much of his ability to his parents who helped and encouraged him to be the best he could be in a world designed for the majority of people who are sighted.
One particular section of the book really touched me and that was when he heard the cries for help from a woman trapped trying to escape the tower. Though she wasn't blind, her eyes were filled with dust from the debri of the blast so she couldn't see. Michael, guided by his ever faithful Roselle, made their way to her. He told her he was blind and he took her arm and together, with Roselle in the lead, they would be okay-she would lead them to safety. In the book, after relating that story he added, "This time the blind really is leading the blind, but why should that be unusual? After all, helping this lady is what teamwork is all about."
Reading his book taught me that the blind are much more capable than many of us with sight realize. Michael not only decended 1,463 steps of the North Tower with his guide dog, Roselle, which would have been quite a feat for those who can see, he learned how to ride a bicycle. drive a car and even fly a plane. He is one amazing man who doesn't let obsticals stand in his way of doing what he wants to!
I enjoyed reading "Thunder Dog" very much. It's one of the ones that leave you feeling really good inside and inspired, thinking, maybe I can do it to.
I was given this book by the publishers review program in return for posting a review. I was not required to give a favorable review. I was only asked to give an honest one.
One particular section of the book really touched me and that was when he heard the cries for help from a woman trapped trying to escape the tower. Though she wasn't blind, her eyes were filled with dust from the debri of the blast so she couldn't see. Michael, guided by his ever faithful Roselle, made their way to her. He told her he was blind and he took her arm and together, with Roselle in the lead, they would be okay-she would lead them to safety. In the book, after relating that story he added, "This time the blind really is leading the blind, but why should that be unusual? After all, helping this lady is what teamwork is all about."
Reading his book taught me that the blind are much more capable than many of us with sight realize. Michael not only decended 1,463 steps of the North Tower with his guide dog, Roselle, which would have been quite a feat for those who can see, he learned how to ride a bicycle. drive a car and even fly a plane. He is one amazing man who doesn't let obsticals stand in his way of doing what he wants to!
I enjoyed reading "Thunder Dog" very much. It's one of the ones that leave you feeling really good inside and inspired, thinking, maybe I can do it to.
I was given this book by the publishers review program in return for posting a review. I was not required to give a favorable review. I was only asked to give an honest one.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Book review: Be The People
"Be The People" by Carol M. Swain is a call to Americans to stand up and be counted and to help return our country to the former days of the foundation its founders envisioned when the Constitution and Rule of Law were adhered to. Dr. Swain does an excellent job in explaining how America is sliding at a rapid pace away from the values religious roots we once had. She lists many examples and explains how and why we are losing the country we once held dear.
She writes about several issues that are risky to tackle in the "politically correct" society we are living in, including racism, abortion, and immigration, to name a few. In tackling racism, she points out that whites, blacks, and Hispanics are all guilty of inspiring racial hatred and she reminds us that "Racism came from man, not God. It attests to the sinful heart of man."
Chapters include: Reshaping Our National Identity, America's Religious Roots, Family Matters, Immigration, the Rule of Law, and National Sovereignty, Moving Beyond Race and Racism, etc.
In the back of the book are copious notes and she also includes "The Ten Commandments", "The Constitution Of The United States", "The Delaration Of Independence", and "The Bill Of Rights".
I found her book very interesting and in the way she writes, she demonstrates that she knows what she is talking about. I came away from the book with a real admiration for her and what she says. In reading her book, I learned things I did not know. I highly recommend "Be The people". Every American should read it.
I received this book free from Booksneeze, a book review program and all I was asked to do in return is write an honest review of the book. The words are my own.
She writes about several issues that are risky to tackle in the "politically correct" society we are living in, including racism, abortion, and immigration, to name a few. In tackling racism, she points out that whites, blacks, and Hispanics are all guilty of inspiring racial hatred and she reminds us that "Racism came from man, not God. It attests to the sinful heart of man."
Chapters include: Reshaping Our National Identity, America's Religious Roots, Family Matters, Immigration, the Rule of Law, and National Sovereignty, Moving Beyond Race and Racism, etc.
In the back of the book are copious notes and she also includes "The Ten Commandments", "The Constitution Of The United States", "The Delaration Of Independence", and "The Bill Of Rights".
I found her book very interesting and in the way she writes, she demonstrates that she knows what she is talking about. I came away from the book with a real admiration for her and what she says. In reading her book, I learned things I did not know. I highly recommend "Be The people". Every American should read it.
I received this book free from Booksneeze, a book review program and all I was asked to do in return is write an honest review of the book. The words are my own.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Doing Virtuous Business by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch
In "Doing Virtuous Business", author Theodore Roosevelt Malloch contends that truly successful businesses couple free enterprise with religeous liberty. This means not only providing a needed product or service but treating each employee and customer with dignity and respect..
Mr. Malloch lists virtues which are important to the real success of businesses, large or small, including faith, hope and charity. Along with those are what he terms "hard vitures": leadership, courage, patience, perserverence, and discipline and "soft virtues": justice, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and gratitude.
He puts forth the idea that while some businesses focus on profits as their main motive, the truly successful businesses do not. One of the main complaints of anti-capitalists is that capitalism fosters greed, and while that is true among some businesses, the author sets out to demonstrate that ones who do, end up not doing well for very long. Those whose businesses are successful long term see the need to focus on honest business pracices that gain the trust of their customers and when that happens, profits follow. Also, treating the employees with value and respect ensures productivity and profitability for the company and a low turn-over rate.
In the back of the book, the author lists virtuous companies by name along with a brief mention of what makes them virtuous. For example, under faith, he lists William Pollard, chairman of Servicemaster. Mr Pollard credits the success of Servicemaster to "its commitment to honor God and develop its people." The author goes on to list a business for each of the virtues.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. However, I felt that portions of it were a bit "dry" because I found parts of it difficult to focus on. I would still recommend it, though, because I feel it offers words of wisdom for all businesses, no matter what their size or type.
I received this book free from the publisher in return for writing a review for their booksneeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to be honest. The words are my own.
Mr. Malloch lists virtues which are important to the real success of businesses, large or small, including faith, hope and charity. Along with those are what he terms "hard vitures": leadership, courage, patience, perserverence, and discipline and "soft virtues": justice, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and gratitude.
He puts forth the idea that while some businesses focus on profits as their main motive, the truly successful businesses do not. One of the main complaints of anti-capitalists is that capitalism fosters greed, and while that is true among some businesses, the author sets out to demonstrate that ones who do, end up not doing well for very long. Those whose businesses are successful long term see the need to focus on honest business pracices that gain the trust of their customers and when that happens, profits follow. Also, treating the employees with value and respect ensures productivity and profitability for the company and a low turn-over rate.
In the back of the book, the author lists virtuous companies by name along with a brief mention of what makes them virtuous. For example, under faith, he lists William Pollard, chairman of Servicemaster. Mr Pollard credits the success of Servicemaster to "its commitment to honor God and develop its people." The author goes on to list a business for each of the virtues.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. However, I felt that portions of it were a bit "dry" because I found parts of it difficult to focus on. I would still recommend it, though, because I feel it offers words of wisdom for all businesses, no matter what their size or type.
I received this book free from the publisher in return for writing a review for their booksneeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to be honest. The words are my own.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Book review: No He Can't
When I began reading "No He Can't: How Barack Obama Is Dismantling Hope And Change" by Kevin McCullough, I was not only disappointed but I was becomming really concerned because, if the what the author says is correct, and it certainly appears that he is, Obama has fooled the thousands of people, including me, that voted for him.
Kevin McCullough puts forth a very alarming agenda that Obama is bent on transforming America and not in the way we voters elected him to do. His book is in four parts with a total of twenty-one chapters explaining the serious mistakes Obama has made and at the end of each chapter he presents the policies and directions we must take in order to get our country back on track where it should be. He does a very good job of presenting how Obama's agenda is not only wrong but dangerous to America and he backs up what he says with extensive notes listed in the back of the book.
The four parts the author expoundson in the twenty-one chapters are: Economics, "National Insecurity", Erosion Of Rights, and Accountabilty To Caesar. He thoroughly covers the wrong direction Obama has taken our country in each part and gives many examples including the funding for abortions in other countries which is one of the first things Obama did after taking office as president.
No He Can't is a serious wake-up call that everyone needs to read whether you support Obama or not. There is still hope for our country but steps need to be taken soon before the America we know is lost.
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Bookszeeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to give an honest one.
Kevin McCullough puts forth a very alarming agenda that Obama is bent on transforming America and not in the way we voters elected him to do. His book is in four parts with a total of twenty-one chapters explaining the serious mistakes Obama has made and at the end of each chapter he presents the policies and directions we must take in order to get our country back on track where it should be. He does a very good job of presenting how Obama's agenda is not only wrong but dangerous to America and he backs up what he says with extensive notes listed in the back of the book.
The four parts the author expoundson in the twenty-one chapters are: Economics, "National Insecurity", Erosion Of Rights, and Accountabilty To Caesar. He thoroughly covers the wrong direction Obama has taken our country in each part and gives many examples including the funding for abortions in other countries which is one of the first things Obama did after taking office as president.
No He Can't is a serious wake-up call that everyone needs to read whether you support Obama or not. There is still hope for our country but steps need to be taken soon before the America we know is lost.
I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Bookszeeze review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to give an honest one.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
God's Promises For The American Patriot
A very nice gift-quality book, "God's Promises For The American Patriot" by Dr. Richard G. Lee and Jack Countryman, does an excellent job of bringing the Bible and it's influence on America's founding together. Several subjects are included under five headings and chapters are short, 2 pages in length with a short story about American history, including a painting or photograph, followed by corresponding Bible verses. For example, one of my favorites on page 102, shows a photograph of President Lincoln reading the Bible to his son under the chapter titled Forgetting God which presents his speech pertaining to his declaration of a National Fast Day on March 30, 1863.
The book includes stories from the beginning of America's founding and George Washington to present day figures and events, including George Bush, etc. Each short chapter takes only a couple of minutes to read and, with the pictures, would appeal to school-aged children as well as adults.
I was given this book free from the publisher in return for participating in their book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to provide an honest one.
The book includes stories from the beginning of America's founding and George Washington to present day figures and events, including George Bush, etc. Each short chapter takes only a couple of minutes to read and, with the pictures, would appeal to school-aged children as well as adults.
I was given this book free from the publisher in return for participating in their book review program. I was not required to write a favorable review. I was only asked to provide an honest one.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Book review: The Fight Of Our Lives
The Fight Of Our Lives: Knowing The Enemy, Speaking the Truth & Choosing to Win the War Against Radical Islam by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn deals with how our country, and especially the current administration seems to be appeasing the radical Isamists by refusing to attribute the term "terrorist" or even "radical Islam" to the Jihadists, etc., that have demonstrated their hatred for the West and for America, in particular.
We first became aware up close and personal with radical Islamist terrorists ten years ago when they deliberately and horrifically bombed the World Trade Center on 9/11. Since then, they have tried several times to further their attacks. Just after 9/11, America came together under then president George W. Bush and we were determined to stop them. Several planned attacks, since, were pre-empted, fortunately, but one at least, did succeed. That was the attack at the Fort Hood Military Base in which fourteen Americans, including an unborn baby, were killed by U. S. Army major, Dr. Nidal Hasan and this is where the book starts. Not only was the doctor a Muslim but he, unbelievably was in a high position in the United States Military. Despite several incidents that should have raised red flags about Mr. Hasan, for some reason, no one did anything about them.
The present administration is of the opinion that diplomacy will do more toward normalizing our relations with Islamic countries, despite their admitted hatred of the US and their goal of making the entire world Islamic. That is what this book is trying to bring our attention to and is warning us to take seriously the very real threat that radical Islam poses. The authors point our that high ranking Islams, Imams, etc., often say they are against the radical agenda in public but in their own gatherings, etc., they sing a very different tune. The Fight Of Our Lives is a book everyone should read and pay attention to before it's too late. We cannot continue appeasing such radicals and end up with a good outcome. Our very country and way of life is at stake.
I received this book free from the publisher in return for participating in their blogger's review program. I was not required to give a positive review. I was only asked to give an honest one. This review is my own.
We first became aware up close and personal with radical Islamist terrorists ten years ago when they deliberately and horrifically bombed the World Trade Center on 9/11. Since then, they have tried several times to further their attacks. Just after 9/11, America came together under then president George W. Bush and we were determined to stop them. Several planned attacks, since, were pre-empted, fortunately, but one at least, did succeed. That was the attack at the Fort Hood Military Base in which fourteen Americans, including an unborn baby, were killed by U. S. Army major, Dr. Nidal Hasan and this is where the book starts. Not only was the doctor a Muslim but he, unbelievably was in a high position in the United States Military. Despite several incidents that should have raised red flags about Mr. Hasan, for some reason, no one did anything about them.
The present administration is of the opinion that diplomacy will do more toward normalizing our relations with Islamic countries, despite their admitted hatred of the US and their goal of making the entire world Islamic. That is what this book is trying to bring our attention to and is warning us to take seriously the very real threat that radical Islam poses. The authors point our that high ranking Islams, Imams, etc., often say they are against the radical agenda in public but in their own gatherings, etc., they sing a very different tune. The Fight Of Our Lives is a book everyone should read and pay attention to before it's too late. We cannot continue appeasing such radicals and end up with a good outcome. Our very country and way of life is at stake.
I received this book free from the publisher in return for participating in their blogger's review program. I was not required to give a positive review. I was only asked to give an honest one. This review is my own.
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