A Candle in the Dark

Former Mob Boss advises Businesses

I’ll Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse

Insider Business Tips from a Former Mob Boss

Michael Franzese, 2009

ISBN 978-1-59555-163-4

Hdbk, 152 pp.

 

 

Why does information about the ‘Mob’ fascinate so many of us? This book, whether you own/run a business or not is no exception. Highly readable, the book is hard to put down until you reach the end.

The author should be dead for quitting the mob and becoming an honest man. Instead he gives excellent advice for business owners as well as others who want to evaluate companies with which they do business. He relates bits of information about life as a mobster, and the difficulties he faced in trying to live a righteous life.

One tip from Franzese could revolutionize our government, bureaucracies and businesses. The ‘Mob’ doesn’t hold committee meetings and do long studies to resolve problems. They ‘sit down’ and negotiate immediate solutions. Of course, we wouldn’t want their solution to failure…someone ends up six feet under.

Franzese’s other tips mostly come from the Proverbs of King Solomon and make good sense: like mobsters do, work hard. Unlike mobsters, be honest, practice integrity, and follow other godly concepts.

Buyers of the hardback copy of this book can also receive free audio and e-book versions

Best Business Books

Collapse of Distinction

Stand out and move up while your competition fails

Scott McKain

978-1-5955-5185-6

Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2009

Hdbk, 244 pp.

 

With clear reasons, McKain disagrees with several popular business models, predicting their eventual failure. He explains four Cornerstones for success, starting with clarity about who you are as a business. You must know and always focus on one goal—your purpose as a business: to meet and satisfy customer needs. Your need to profit depends on keeping this goal clearly in mind. The author gives interesting examples of companies who know their goal and of some who wandered off track.

His second cornerstone, McKain tells how to creatively reach that goal. Thirdly, you must communicate your difference from your competition by interesting customers with a ‘story’ they will remember.

The fourth cornerstone hangs on the first three—that customers always have a satisfying experience with your business. McKain shows how to guarantee that path to customer loyalty.

Working out McKain’s concepts isn’t easy, but he makes the task sound totally worthwhile.

The basic concept to never ignore—that your customers know you care about them and their needs.

McKain has written two other highly-acclaimed business books and runs a number of successful companies. He speaks and teaches regularly and is a member of the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame.

THE Secret to JOY!

This Is Your Brain on Joy

A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health

and Nurturing Spiritual Growth

Dr. Earl Henslin with Becky Johnson

ISBN 978-0-7852-2873-8 (Hdcvr)

Thomas Nelson, Inc. 2008

216 pp. plus three appendices

Dr. Henslin states that due to the fall in the garden of Eden people may have damaged brains that result in behavior problems. He says we all need to practice compassion for such sufferers.

The author and his colleague, Dr. Daniel G. Amen, have done thousands of brains scans and find abnormal blood flow in certain areas of the brain in people with anger problems, ADD, ADHD, many addictions, depression, etc. When questioned many of these people remember a brain injury, a serious illness, a blow to the head or some serious trauma.

With proper treatment  (certain medications and herbs) the unhealthy behavior can suddenly change. The author also recommends common sense measures like proper diet, exercise, music, good books, dancing, humor and good movies, sometimes counseling and most of all leaning on God

The best chapter in the book, Chapter eleven The Apostle on Joy: The real secret discusses six practices that lead to joy, a powerful benefit to any reader.

Written in conversational style, the book flows easily. However, lists of treatments for specific conditions can be sleep-inducing unless a section relates directly to readers with that particular problem.

Recommended book a winner

AWARDS Won by Lloyd Jones novel, Mr. Pip

 

Winner 2008 - Kiriyama Prize (Asia)

Winner 2008 - Young Adult Library Services Association Best Books for Young Adults

Winner 2008 - Alex Award - Young Adult Library Services Association

Shortlisted for the 2007 Man Booker Prize

Winner 2007 - Commonwealth Writer's Prize (UK)

Winner 2007 - American Library Association Literary Awards

Winner 2007 - American Library Association  Notable Book

 

The Economist -- "Best Fiction and Memoirs of 2007"

 

The Seattle Times's -- "Great Books of 2007"

NPR -- "Independent Booksellers Pick 2007"

REX, by Cathleen Lewis

Rex

A mother, her autistic child and the music that transformed their lives.

Cathleen Lewis

Thomas Nelson, Inc. 2008

ISBN 978-1-5955-208-2 (IE)

ISBN 978-1-5955-5150-4

Hdbk. 237 pp.

 

 

Cathleen Lewis’s writes with emotion and honesty of the ‘perfect baby’ she expected, who soon developed a brain cyst, blindness and autism. Her struggles to accept Rex’s disabilities and find appropriate treatments were difficult. The book is a gripping and inspiring account of a courageous woman who refused to give up on a child.

 

At age two, his father’s gift of a small piano revealed Rex’s unusual ability—perfect pitch and immediate perfect memory for any music he heard. At his first pounding on that keyboard, he played astoundingly with two fingers on his left and three on his right hand. Developing his gift to play fully with all fingers on both hands required special teachers and years of work by this boy who couldn’t eat solid food, walk or speak, for four to five years.

Searching for answers Cathleen Lewis found faith in God and later, earned an advanced degree to help other autistic children.

Cathleen Lewis and Rex travel worldwide as the boy performs outstanding music. And his mother has discovered another unexpected gift he spreads around, a gift everyone needs. Discover this gift when you enjoy this true story which shows every child has great value.

A perfect Mexican day

  At a Mexican flea market. No, I didn't buy the frog.

Gaucamole made to Order

Yes, it's perfect!

I agree! Super good gaucamole

A real Christmas Cactus

From our condo, our balcony where we watch the palm-tree-lined beach and the Pacific Ocean waves

The end of a perfect day!

Book Review reward

Book Critic Award

Geni J. White
USA

       

http://www.asiaeast.org/

Book Review, Through the Storm

• Through the Storm
• A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World

• Lynne Spears with Lorilee Craker

• Thomas Nelson, Inc.,2008

• ISBN 978-5955-5156-6
• ISBN 978-1-5955-5207-5 (IE)

• 210 pp. (HDBK)

The Faith of Barack Obama, book review

The Faith of Barack Obama

Stephen Mansfield

2008, Thomas Nelson, Inc.

ISBN 978-1-59555-250-1 (Hdbk)

147 pp. plus Notes and Bibliography

Every Christian needs to read this book, to understand our new president and to know specifically how to pray for him, as God commands.

Mansfield has written a respectful, but honest book about Obama’s faith journey. Parts of that journey should encourage Bible-believing Christians, but others will concern them deeply.

Mansfield calls Obama a man at the vanguard of a new era of American spirituality. Obama claims salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for his sins. But he also rejects certain scriptures and says that many ways lead to God.

The Bible clearly states that all scripture is God-breathed and that unbelief in His word labels God a liar. I hope that our President-elect, like all of us, is still on his spiritual journey and will better understand God’s word as Americans faithfully pray for him. The alternative is increased judgment on the USA for our national sins, things Obama does not yet consider sin. To his great credit, Obama strongly supports social justice, a concept far too many American Christians neglect. Well written and easy to read, the book portrays but does not judge the Christianity the author heard in Barack Obama.

What Does Barack Obama Plan and Promise?

Change We Can Believe In

Barack Obama’s Plan To Renew America’s Promise

(Unknown authors, probably a committee called Obama for America)

Three Rivers Press,(Random House) New York, 2008

ISBN 978-0-307-46045-5 271 pp. (pbk)

Includes seven speeches by Obama

I read this book in an attempt to understand the faith of our next president, as well as know about his promises and his platform.

The platform is most ambitious, based on a belief that if people will unite and work together, we can accomplish great and needful things.

A humanistic theory, Obama sincerely believes that with proper leadership, America can be changed to benefit and prosper not only all of our citizens, but also other people around the world.

Obama’s agenda is most ambitious but nowhere do I hear his understanding that only God can change hearts and only changed hearts can truly do what the world needs for lastingly better lives.