1 comments about John Wanamaker: Philadelphia Merchant (Signpost Biographies).

1. John Wanamaker: Philadelphia Merchant is a fast paced, well researched account of one of America's premiere retailers. The author, Herbert Ershkowitz ascribes Wanamaker's success to beliefs critical to new millenium themes. The importance of business to the community. Advertising as the key to marketing success. Religion as the foundation of society. Must reading for the biography buff; the marketing major; the proactive capitalist and the budding fashionista.

1 comments about Rocks Pebbles and Stones: Confessions of a Private Jeweler.

1. Gemstones and jewelry are some of the most conspicuous place-markers and semaphores in human culture. They communicate a host of messages, from blunt to sublime: economic muscle, class, family tradition, royal status, devotion, love and adoration, permanence. And precisely because they’re material markers for these strong statements, fine jewels -- as they pass from hand to hand -- leave interesting stories in their wake. Feldmesser captures these stories in an artful and charming voice.
   
   And if this isn’t enough, Feldmesser gives the reader an unusual peek into the workings of the jewelry business, which should appeal to more practical-minded readers. Read this book and you’ll learn more about what you’re paying for when you buy fine jewelry, and why – and the answers might surprise you.
   
   If you're interested in fine jewelry, this book is for you. You're unlikely to find such a combination of charm and distilled knowledge in another book.

No comments about India's Industrialists.

No comments about Andrew Grove and the Intel Corporation (Notable Americans).

1 comments about Magna Cum Laude: How Frank Stronach Became Canada's Best-Paid Man.

1. In 1955, Frank Stronach arrives in Canada from his native Austria with little money in his pocket, but a world of dreams.
   
   From what was the opening of a machine shop two years later became a multi-billion dollar corporation in car-making and Thoroughbred racing. If there was ever a businessman who needed a biography done on his life, Stronach certainly goes to that winner's circle.
   
   Author Wayne Lilley utilizes his research and sources accumulated over the years as a business reporter to present the best public picture ever presented of Stronach and his businesses in this "unauthorized" biography.
   
   Stronach is known for keeping a very low profile and it certainly is within his purview not to cooperate with an author or any person in the media. But for Magna Cum Laude to be attacked by a company spokesman for inaccuracies is a bit disingenuous.
   
   For a reader who knows Stronach through his track ownership and Thoroughbred farms in the United States, the book may be just a bit premature. He has had recent successes with new tracks slated for construction in California and Pennsylvania & may be part of the ownership group to operate the Thoroughbred franchise in New York.
   
   But the "new" Gulfstream Park (Florida) took numerous hits from patrons and the slots plan has had to be scaled back due to a continuing adverse climate in state government. There are a list of tracks that are for sale - if only partially - and Stronach has had difficulty in maneuvering through the minefield that is politics at the local, state and federal levels.
   
   Many of these issues will be played out in 2007, hence additional material may be needed in a future edition. And if that is the case, I hope Stronach will find the time to sit down with Lilley to add even more punch to this excellent book.

4 comments about Git Off the Porch! And Embrace Your Destiny.

1. Git Off The Porch is a typical 'Willie Crawford' book: nice and gentle story telling style, mixed with valuable information that lead to the 'Guru'-status Willie has today.
   
   A must have for everyone who wants to become successful, because Willie has taken the hard way to discover what it takes and that's what he writes about.
   
   Beside that, you will have a nice 'insight' in the different stages of the life of a poor boy and how he managed to establish himself as an expert in his field. Remarkable story that also teaches you how a hobby could grow into a six-figure income.
   
   Recommended wholeheartedly!
   
   Case Stevens



2. They would never make a movie based on this book because it is simply too good to be true. Yet this one is true -- and incredibly inspiring.
   
   The book itself is an easy read (and I might add that it was one that I did not want to put down). Coming from a background that would doom most people to a life of poverty, Willie has managed to succeed -- in spite of incredible obstacles -- in several areas, to include the United States Air Force and in business.
   
   I had the pleasure of meeting Willie at a conference where he was speaking. Quiet, unassuming, and incredibly people-oriented, Willie is simply an incredible individual who gives back what has been given to him. And now that his autobiography is available, everybody should read it. If it doesn't inspire you to be your best, then you need to check your pulse and call a mortician.



3. First, I need to be straight and honest with you...
   
   Willie Crawford is a dear friend.
   
   But don't let that admission color your opinion of this review. This book is important -- and belongs on your bookshelf.
   
   Why?
   
   Because this inspirational book explains in detail how a man can conquer any adversity placed in his path!
   
   I bought this book for not only myself, but for my daughter. I want her to see, not only from my example -- but from the example and lessons of "Uncle Willie" that she is FREE. She decides her future. No one else.
   
   She can be FREE of government. FREE of an employer. FREE of even a spouse. She can help herself to anything she wants in life!
   
   Buy this book for yourself. Buy it for your kids. Buy it for your loved ones.



4. I have had the pleasure of knowing Willie Crawford for the past few years and must say that he is one of the most inspiring human beings that I have ever know. Willie has a unique ability to overcome every excuse in life and instinctively know how to consistently achieve the high goals that he sets for himself. Willie Crawford's story is the ultimate proof that hard work and a positive mental attitude is all you need to overcome failure and recreate the life that you want for yourself.
   
   Joanne Mason
   [...]

3 comments about Isabella Greenway: An Enterprising Woman.

1. Isabella Greenway: An Enterprising Woman is the biography of an amazing woman, who played a crucial role in FDR's nomination for President. Married and widowed twice to two of Theodore Roosevelt's rough riders, an energetic businessperson who managed a ranch, an airline, and a resort, a leader who was elected to Congress as Arizona's only U.S. Representative, and was dubbed the "most talked-about woman" at the National Democratic Convention by the New York Times, her contribution to women's role in politics is nothing less than trailblazing. Illustrated with a scattering of black-and-white photographs, Isabella Greenway: An Enterprising Woman chronicles her life in a narrative manner as vibrant and evocative as Greenway herself must have once been.



2. Despite my years of interest in Arizona history (primarily 19th century), I never knew anything about Isabella Greenway beyond "the wife of Jack Greenway" (who I also knew almost nothing about).
   
   What an oversight! She was a remarkable woman and this book does an excellent job of bringing her to life through the many letters that she wrote to her family, friends (such as Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt), and lovers.
   
   Growing up on the periphery of New York high society in the 1890s, she was the "poor cousin" who socialized with the Roosevelts, Astors and many others. Following her NY debut, she married a much older man and then spent fifteen years living on a ranch outside of Silver City, NM as she nursed him through a long struggle with tuberculosis. For several years their home was a pair of wooden-floored tents and she spent her days building callouses as she hauled water, chopped wood and tended the horses and chickens. What a change from New York society life! But, her letters reveal a spirit that remained positive throughout her ordeal and her family developed an intense love for the west and the ranching life.
   
   Her fortunes changed dramatically after the death of her husband when she married her longtime love, Jack Greenway, an extremely wealthy mining engineer and executive. Her happiness, however, was short-lived. Several years later, following her establishment of the Arizona Inn, she responded to a call to public service and ran successfully for Congress after transforming the Arizona Democratic party in her role as Arizona's National Democratic Committeewoman.
   
   Through her use of resources from the AHS' extensive Greenway collection (several hundred boxes of materials) Author Kristie Miller has revealed the most intimate thoughts of Isabella Greenway to compose a remarkable portrait of a most remarkable woman. It is very well written and reflects her meticulous research skills. Interestingly, while her public life is adequately covered, it was the glimpses into her personal relationships that intrigued me the most.



3. This is a biography that reads like an engrossing novel -- except that you'd never believe it as fiction. Isabella Greenway was not just enterprising; she was courageous, committed, visionary, passionate, a true pioneer. Miller, a brilliant historian and a graceful writer, makes Greenway and her era come alive. Each of her lives -- frontier woman, wife of two of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders, close friend of Eleanor Roosevelt (their letters are touching and illuminating), one of the first women elected to Congress -- is riveting reading.

5 comments about Trust No One : The Glamorous Life and Bizarre Death of Doris Duke.

1. After touring Doris Duke's summer home in Newport, RI, I became increasing intrigued with Ms. Duke. So I sought a book about her life and I came across Trust No One. At first, I felt the initial chapters were plodding and dry, but I realized after reading a few chapters this foundation was needed to understand the woman Doris Duke became. The first chapters did a thorough background on Doris' father and mother, Buck and Nanaline Duke. Doris' father was the love of her life and he taught her how to become an astute business woman before he died when she was 13 years old. Doris Duke was a very complex woman. She was a philanthropist, and a very saavy businesswoman who multiplied her fortune by billions. She was also an avid art collector, a self-taught botanist and, last but not least, a fine jazz musician. Doris was also very flawed: she was an alcoholic; a drug abuser; and, was anorexic. All of this is explained in great detail in the book. It was factual, but yet there was a human side to the story, and I found it to be a great read. In the end, money cannot buy happiness or love - not even for Doris Duke. (Written by Kathee Duncan)



2. I did not find the book particularly written well. It does not keep your interest going. There are no photos. But even more than this, is the subject matter--Doris Duke. I find her to be a very bad example of a human being. Who cares who much money she gave out. She was self absorbed and has made no significant contribution to this world.



3. The only reason I gave this one a '2' was that it's a very interesting look into Doris Duke's life with alot of insider perspective(one of the co-writers was her chef). However, this book looks entirely unedited and had atrocious spelling, grammer, mistakes ALL OVER and it was unacceptable.
   
   BIGGEST EXAMPLE: The author's name is spelled differently on the front cover and side binding. Was there ANYONE proofreading this book?
   
   Doris' was constantly spelled Doris'ss or Doris's and words didn't have spaces in between them.



4. It was very informative and much different than any movies I've seen on her life. I really enjoyed it.



5. Please don't buy this book. Its a rehash of info already covered in the mansfield and pony duke bios. Also the concluding chapters are just brutal as this clumsy author attempts to speculate on the motives of the motley crew surrounding doris at the end. An unconvincing, tacky, insensitive book that gives us no insight into the complex woman doris duke was.

3 comments about Invisible Ink.

1. "Invisible Ink" by Carl Veno is a must read for anyone who has an interest in the print media and the stories behind the stories. Mr. Veno has written for numerous newspapers and tells interesting and compelling stories from his experiences. He has written for newspapers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.
   
   This is great book for journalism students and people interested in the the newspaper industry. It is also very entertaining.



2. This book is almost two books in the space of one. The beginning covers the author's family's experiences in Western New York, and his Italian heritage. It then moves into how the writer went from being a barber and prize-fighter to being a reporter and editor. Pretty interesting to anyone Italian, or from Western New York, or who worked in the journalism filed in the 1960s and '70s.



3. 
   
   Carl Veno's book, Invisible Ink, provides an insider's view of the newspaper world during the author's 25-years as a journalist and editor - at a time when major events were having dramatic affects on American society. Told in a no-nonsense matter-of-fact manner, the tales of experience are intermingled with the author's family history, including the immigration of his Italian ancestors to America more than 125 years ago. Reminiscent moments clearly reveal Carl's fond memories of growing up and his youthful love of New York.
   
   Various newspaper readership "wars" were destroying and absorbing each other during an incredible age of change and discovery for the American people. Exciting and newsworthy issues including men and women learning to co-exist in the workplace, mobsters, racism, riots, war and space travel were fighting for newspaper space. Between all this the author reveals inner office politics within the industry. We all know from our own experience, differences occur at places of employment - management issues, co-worker competition, etc. - and it is all here. Yet on top of this the reader is introduced to interesting and eccentric characters, complicated work-related relationships and office love affairs. The epilogue closes nicely with the fate of some of the newspapers mentioned in the book.
   
   Prior to entering the world of journalism, Carl spent time as a barber, boxer and army trooper. Not including his free-lance work and lecturing, Veno was employed by eight newspapers (some of which won many awards) and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize during his career. Carl is now retired and able to pursue his love of exercise through jogging and continues to write books.
   
   ISBN#: 1-4137-4881-3
   Author: Carl Veno
   Publisher: Publish America
   
   ~ Book Reviewer: Lillian Brummet - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

5 comments about The Sins of the Father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the Dynasty He Founded.

1. It is a good and fair book, well written and researched. To read this book is so essential to know and understand - really - an important american family like the Kennedys, apart from the mith that this cool man, Joseph Kennedy, helped much more than anybody else in the family to create and foster. There are some dark sides, but the truth is one thing and the legend is another and of course if you prefer the latter leave this book on the shelf and go on dreaming.



2. I have read a few books by Ronald Kessler. It is a recurring theme that I find myself irritated by how uncharitable Kessler is...unless Kessler honestly believes that The FBI ("the Bureau") did nothing right and that Joseph Kennedy was an absolute villain. Kessler has a tough time saying anthing good about Joseph Kennedy, The FBI or most of his other topics. I think Kessler's novels need balance and fairness. Maybe only the negative and scandalous is stimulating or salable but the novels leave me feeling annoyed.



3. A very fine book exposing the Kennedys. I am somewhat surprised that such immoral things could happen in free and democratic U.S. In any event, justice has been done. No Kennedy is likely to be President in the near future. Jo's manipulative and power-hungry character did not serve him well. The early and untimely deaths of his three sons gave him more sorrow and grief than anything else.



4. Kessler does an excellent job writing, truly, about the sins of the father, Joseph P. Kennedy. I had heard many stories about the man, but I didn't realize to what extent these stories were myths or real. Kessler certainly dispels that these stories are myths. He tells us what a manipulative, conniving, scheming, deceitful man that Kennedy really was.
   
   We are treated to the stories of Kennedy's manipulation of the stock market for his own personal gain; his illegal importation of scotch to pad his growing millions; his manipulation and theft of Gloria Swanson's monies. It doesn't stop there. Kessler tells about how Joe wanted to avert war since he was afraid he would lose millions of dollars.
   
   Kessler tells us how much Joe manipulated and controlled his children so that they would conform to his standards; and how their political life was formed in order for Joe to pursue his own dreams via his children's lives.
   
   After reading of Joe's death, one has to wonder whether Joe's cruel and deceitful life was worth it in the end - two assassinated children; Rosemary's lobotomy; a family myth built on lies. A simply incredible book - first rate from start to finish.



5. Kessler details the life of Joseph P. Kennedy, the father of Robert, Teddy and Jack Kennedy and the founder of one of the largest political dynasties in America. JPK is not given a very favorable look in this book. He is listed as an adulterer, a swindler, a crook, power hungry and unscrupulous. And that was just on the first side of the first tape. Because I don't know how much of this book is truly factual, I can't give it a proper review. Frankly, I bought it out of a discount bin for a long trip I was taking. However, it's a fascinating look at one of the people that isn't closely examined in history. It is an abridgement of the source work; it runs three hours and is read perfectly by Frank Langella.