No comments about My Brother's Keeper: Personal Memoirs of a Public Life.

No comments about Northcliffe.

1 comments about Family Business: Two Lives in Letters and Poetry.

1. Allen Ginsberg used to joke that poetry was "the family business." These letters between the late author of "Howl" and his poet-father, Louis, are more than a series of poignant exchanges between conservative father and Beat son. They comprise a 30-year conversation between conflicting ideas of the role of poetic tradition in making sense of the difficult world. Allen calls for a "full-scale revolution" in poetry, while Louis - a philosophically minded punster who wrote in rhymed couplets - coyly observes that Allen's comrades seem to think they have "invented honesty."

   As the landmark events of the 20th Century unfold around them (the Cuban missile crisis, the Vietnam War, and explosive confrontations in the Middle East), they strive to find a common ground in their craft. The elder Ginsberg's tolerance is tested by his son's rebellion. Louis instructs Allen to "exorcise" his muse Neal Cassady as a destructive influence, and he's outraged when his son's longtime companion, Peter Orlovsky, is listed as Allen's "spouse" in Who's Who. Along the way, Allen's fame as the bearded paterfamilias of the flower-power generation grows, and he becomes the most trusted critic of his father's work. Louis comes to recognize that poems like his son's "Kaddish" - a shockingly frank portrayal of Allen's mother Naomi - pointed the way to the future of the art.

   Poet Louis Untermeyer once remarked to Louis, "You are good for Allen, and he is good for you." Tracing their journey toward a shared conviction that poetry has the power to change history makes Family Business important reading for us all.

2 comments about An American Bush Pilot in Guyana.

1. No, really, it is. You should read it.



2. I've read this book at least 5 times - more for some chapters - and I've thoroughly enjoyed it evey time. Rob has a way of capturing stories that take you there. As a family, he, our baby daughter, and I served in Guyana six months Feb 2001-Aug 2001. It was a tremendous experience and the aviation service saved many lives. I hope that he will keep writing and that you'll look for those stories about our next project in Guatemala!

No comments about William Shockley - The Father of Silicon Valley (Biography).

3 comments about Unintended Consequences.

1. This is a very enjoyable book and a highly recommended read! In particular, the passages about the author's relationship with heirs to the H.L. Hunt fortune are much more than just entertaining. For those who are unaware of the history of H.L. Hunt, in 1946 Life magazine asked the question: "Is He The Richest Man in the World?" Hunt was a legendary oil figure.



2. I choose to read a book to experience positive feelings and/or for a learning experience. My intentions were realized when I experienced an aray of emotions throughout the reading of Byron Church's book, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. The joy of learning more about the beautiful and vibrant city of Colorado Springs; the laughter from humor found within different chapters; and the intelectual stimulation of good or bad business decisions based on experince and vision, all were found in this inspiring book.
   Really good books are worth reading for a second time. This book remains close at hand for a second reading.



3. Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (6/08)
   
   Byron Church provides an easy-read account of his life of ups and downs in Colorado. At the time the Church's were living in Colorado, it was the hot spot for treatment of tuberculosis.
   
   Mr. Church talks of his first real estate ventures that didn't work out and how he made some enemies in the community he lived. But he had dreams and knew if he socialized with the right people and marketed his properties the right way he would make it.
   
   In "Unintended Consequences: A Memoir" he talks about his time as a teacher at the extension center at the University of Colorado. Not qualified to be a teacher, he nonetheless accepted the assignment and found he learned so much from his students. During this time, he also began writing practical-advice articles for journals.
   
   "Unintended Consequences: A Memoir" is interesting book that shows all of us that with determination and a good plan we can reach our goals.

5 comments about The Mint on Carson Street.

1. The Carson City coinsthat intrigue us today serve to memorialize the prominent--and not so well known--deeds which occurred between the Civil War and the turn of the century. During this era of giant personalities, the growing pains of the nation created both hardship and jubilant excess in a brand new Nevada (Halloween, 1864).
   This phenomenon of the old west is lovingly presented by Rusty Goe in THE MINT ON CARSON STREET. Though little-known outside numismatic circles Rusty has delved into every cranny of the period, all the while becoming one of the supremely knowledgeable and formidable operatives in U.S.coins. His colleagues and trading competitors will attest to his skill and high integrity.
   The book (tome,really), Rusty's memorial to an incomparable time and place, is not merely to read, but to dive into and swim around. Some of its delights: recapturing an obscure but haunting part of our exuberant national adolescence, demystifying many of the intricacies in the rare coin market, and serving as a permanent and valuable resource reference. The manner of presentation is that of a veteran of many adventures and well-fought battles lovingly sharing his most prized experiences with those who are disposed to value and appreciate the accounts.
   THE MINT ON CARSON STREET has pride of place in my book collection.



2. I received this book as a gift and was only expecting it to be a synopsis of Carson City coins. I was not expecting all of the wonderful history! It is a fascinating read as well as being so informative. I really enjoyed reading about so many of the people who influenced not only Carson City and Nevada history, but United States history, as well. In the back is a complete guide to all of the coins minted in Carson City.
   The book itself is quite beautiful, inside and out. It contains many pictures of historical people and places. The cover is so nice, you will not want to stash it in your bookcase, but place it on the coffee table for others to enjoy (and envy!)
   Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for the beautiful book!



3. There are books on mint products from the Carson City Mint and there are books on the history of Nevada but there has never been a book that so expertly weaves together the stories of the people who made significant events come to pass, the political climate of the post-Civil War United States and territories that were not yet states, Congressional action and reaction to the economy and the contentious matter of money backed by either precious metals or paper, the trials and challenges of a start-up assaying and coining operation, all in the exciting context of the Comstock Lode phenomenon and the mining industry that changed the west.

   This book is written with unmistakable passion for the benefit of Comstock and Carson City enthusiasts. But it will be highly regarded by historians, numismatists, coin and memorabilia collectors, scholars, and every investor who may want to become acquainted with the pleasurable pursuit of a truly scarce and sought after tangible collectible. The book also contains statistical information and insights into surviving populations of coins in relation to the quantities originally minted. It has taken a place of prominence among the books I own.




4. Rusty Goe's new book describing the history of The Carson City Mint and its coinage is a MUST read for collectors of these coins. Rusty tells how to build valuable sets of CC coins and gives a history of their price appreciation. Rarity and pedigree information are included. Great READ!
   
   Weimar White



5. "The Mint on Carson Street" is the ultimate reference guide for Carson City coins. It provides descriptions, pedigrees, populations, mintages and more on each of the 111 coins in the CC set (plus a few special varieties). It has become my personal reference tool and I find myself using it on almost a daily basis. On that subject alone, this book is unparalleled and while it is all that, it is oh so much more. Rusty Goe's crafty writing virtually takes you on a time machine ride as he recounts the glorious history of those lives and times (late 1860's through the mid 1890's) via both story and pictures. When you buy this book, it is like you're getting six great books in one. It is a fascinating read for everyone. The "Gilded Age"....The "Old West"...."CC Coins"....The Comstock Lode"....If you are a passionate fan on any one or all of those subjects, there is a pretty good chance you have already read this book. If you haven't read it, or you are not one of those persons, pick up a copy today, read it and by the time you are finished, you will be!

5 comments about Life on the Line: One Woman's Tale of Work, Sweat, and Survival.

1. June 12, 1999 Title: Life on the Line Author: Solange De Santis

   After graduating from the highly touted Ivy schools with her master's degree in journalism and a BA in English, Solange De Santis toiled in a very successful white collared workplace. Her fascination though, with "the other side", "the blue collar workers" would somehow overpower all sanity and she would seek out employment in the bowls of the workforce. Her dreams of writing a book and her journalistic past are her rational for exploring her curiosities. Hiding her outstanding employment credentials, she lands an assembler job with General Motor's lisping Scarborough Van plant. Solange, nicknamed Sally by her line mates, would now have 18 months in which to "spy" and compile enough material on life within the plant, before being laid-off, along with its 2,700 strong population. This fascinating account of Sally's perseverance, and demanding requirements associated with manual labor, are truly astonishing. Pushing herself beyond physical limits she thought ever existed, she finds herself becoming attached to her co-workers, "a cog in the wheel". A strong bond develops with her work mates through common hardships somewhat like a "boot camp". Her vivid descriptions of the sites and sounds within the plant and the people she works with have clear images and sounds popping into my head. Her circle of friends, "from all woks of life", are so typical of the many groups within the plant. Reading through her book I find Sally dredging up raw nerve endings I thought were buried long ago, for I am one of the 2,700 employee's of the Scarborough Van Plant that devoted the better part of my working life, along with so many others, to that job, as one of Sally's co-workers, on a different shift, with a different circle of friends, only to find myself one day, writing my resume. This book should appeal to anyone looking for a realistic account of life within those "dark window factories", and the typical "labels" these people are saddled with. Bravo Sally, an outstanding read in contrast to your Wall Street journalism.




2. Ms.De Santis begins with the valid premise that the gulf between white-collar and blue-collar workers in widening, and that it's important for one group to understand the other. From there, she walks her readers through that life with an authenticity that only her real-life experience could provide. Interesting reading for anyone who cares about the present and future of manufacturing in North America.



3. How many Ivy-League educated journalists would be willing to break their backs and go work on the assembly line to relay this story authentically? Very few! This writer does, and so gets to know the tasks, the workers and the business of making vehicles from the most telling perspective of all. Thoroughly familiar with the corporate point of view from years of business writing, De Santis joins those people whose sweat and toil actually build our world. She gives us the private musings and dreams of hardworking folks who didn't get all the breaks in life that she did, and shows their courage and determination to survive the brutal decisions of an unfeeling corporation. It's sad that management just can't understand the rage of these people whose jobs have been given a death sentence for the sake of higher profits, yet who are expected to give 100% down to the last day. But their voices need to be heard.



4. Solange De Santis was obviously not looking to "rip the lid off" assembly line work when she began either her experience at GM or her book. This is greatly to her credit. LIFE ON THE LINE does all readers the service of allowing them to make up their own minds. The author's point of view develops in the text at the same pace as her time passed on the line.

   Crisp and insightful, this book can stand with the best of writing on the subject. The twofold treat is that those with no "shopfloor" experience may come to value more highly those who toil, and those who work on the line may be able to understand that they can be recognized and appreciated by ones not standing next to them in the heat and din.

   Brava! From the author's brother.




5. Solange de Santis' account of life on a car assembly line is a well-written, informative, page turner, albeit without the edge or the humor of Ben Hamper's "Rivethead." Her drive to understand the lives of people who did not have the privilege of growing up in the middle class is commendable. There is, however, one consequence of her actions that she never seems to contemplate: by choosing to take a job on the line, she in effect took it from another person who did not have the same options and for whom it would have been the best economic opportunity. For me, this phantom was present throughout the book.

No comments about From Cotton Fields to Board Rooms.

1 comments about Defining Moments A Brand New Day.

1. "Defining Moments is for everyone! It gave me insight as a business woman,inspiration as a mother, and a new way to look at things as a partner. Reading this book has helped me grow and achieve my goal of a fulfilling and balanced life."