Book Description
Prominent CNN host and commentator Lou Dobbs unleashes his manifesto on the vanishing American dream
Through his nightly CNN show, Lou Dobbs Tonight, his syndicated radio program, and his monthly magazine column, Lou Dobbs has become one of America's most visible, popular, and respected voices on business and financial matters. Now, with War on the Middle Class, Dobbs takes an impassioned and rousing stance on the all-out class war that is turning the American dream into a nightmare.
The middle class has never been so vulnerable. Its every feature is under assault by politicians and the lobbyists who court them, big-business corporations that are sending their jobs overseas, and a media that relies on sensationalism instead of facts when reporting the news. In a sweeping analysis, Dobbs looks at every aspect of the decline of the middle class—from a lack of political representation to America's corrupt health-care system—to demonstrate how the gap between America's newest haves and have-nots is no longer merely financial, but instead includes the erosion of education, employment, government, and community. Dobbs proposes a series of measures to resolve each issue and incite people, whose future is being mortgaged to benefit a powerful few, to preserve their rights and dreams. War on the Middle Class is provocative, incendiary, and bound to be widely discussed—the perfect book to establish the terms of debate in this year's midterm elections.
Customer Reviews:
Mister Middle Class Defender.......2007-10-17
Lou Dobbs is the classiest commentator on television today. He is out there every day of the week fighting for middle class interests. He is a true American Patriot. His view of American economics is circumspect. He is a hard headed realist. He is beyond politics. His book needs to be read by every citizen of the U.S. of A.
Lou Dobbs, american hero !!.......2007-10-14
One of the best books I have ever read, Great man, WE NEED A PRESIDENT LIKE HIM. Thanks Lou, you are one of the good ones. I will continue to listen to this for years.
eye opener.......2007-10-12
This book gave a lot of insight into the present workings of our Federal Government and how it both the people and the public offices are being manipulated for the financial gain of multinational companies, as well as special interest groups that only have an interest in their gain with the cost being placed upon the common people. Also pointed are are the inconsistancies within our government as well, such as that most leaders in Congress are Lawyers, After their leaving of office they go onto to be lobbyists for the companies that they were suppose to keep in check while in office, and the major legislation in the past decade. Lou Dobbs gave insight and in-depth reporting that no other major journalists are doing out there in today's media.
He has shown a stripe of moderatism due to his (as well as mine) mistrust that has developed from the Republican and Democratic Party. Definately a exposition of manipulation, deceit, greed, and the false hope in people that are suppose to be leading this country. He also get's in his two cents as to how the American People that are sliding from the middle class into the lower class can fight back for their jobs and their government.
War On The Middle Class.......2007-08-23
Lou Dobbs tells straight forward how our government is misleading the American public, has taken away American jobs and with free trade has created unbalanced trade (with China). Every chapter brings on more disbelief at how our government operates.
Wake up America.......2007-07-13
This is a must read. The more people know about government the sooner they will help us to change it. The working man is getting screwed and Lou exposes are polititions for what they are!!!
Average customer rating:
- Sweet and simple gift book
- Less is More... way more
- Inspiring!!
- Fantastic
- Great Teacher Gift
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Dream Big
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0740758187 |
Book Description
Dream Big, starring Olivia, is great for anyone looking for a new direction, encouragement, or for anyone starting a new chapter in life. Whether she's taming a lion or building a sandcastle as tall as a skyscraper, Olivia's boundless imagination and courageous spirit are an inspiration to all. Dream Big pairs more than 30 of Ian Falconer's illustrations with motivational musings from really big dreamers like Eleanor Roosevelt, Oscar Wilde, and Walt Disney.
The Olivia children's books are huge hits with children -- and their parents. The first book, Olivia (2000) was the event of the season in children's publishing. Two more books followed, Olivia Saves The Circus (2001) and Olivia...And The Missing Toy (2003), both repeating that success.
Customer Reviews:
Sweet and simple gift book.......2007-09-24
My daughter has followed all of the Olivia books, so I purchased this a preschool "graduation gift." It is NOT a story however, so you must know that before purchasing; it is a book of inspiring quotes enahanced by Olivia illustrations. The message is similar to Dr. Seuss's "Oh, The Places You Will Go!" It was perfect for my daughter--something she can keep on her shelf until she graduates again--from high school, long after she has stopped reading the Olivia storybooks.
Less is More... way more.......2007-09-01
Simply splendid! In these days when over stimulation seems the norm, it is fresh to witness what can be done with simply colors and no extra detail. Not one line, shading or colour that isn't essential to the story is used. Olivia is, as always, her most expressive and delightful self. Worth the price at twice!
Inspiring!!.......2007-01-22
My daughter recieved this book as a high school graduation gift. She loved it, I loved, we all loved it....so much that we have given copies of the book for graduation gifts. Not a story...simply an inspirational book with quotes from famous people that build character and challenge readers to follow their dreams.
Fantastic.......2007-01-16
What a wonderful treat to give a child. Great sayings. Fun illustrations. Short so it makes reading it to a young child ok; interesting enough for an older child to read herself. I would give this again and again.
Great Teacher Gift.......2007-01-09
This was such a wonderfully inspiring little book that I bought for all of my son's teachers. I am a teacher myself, and bought one for my co-workers, as well. Some are using the book in classrooms for writing prompts and other activities!
Book Description
Raised in the Dominican Republic, signed by the Seattle Mariners, and released by the Minnesota Twins, David Ortiz landed in baseball-crazy Boston, of all places. Generally regarded as an underachiever to that point in his career, Ortiz blossomed into one of the most feared and adored sluggers in baseball while altering the course of the game's history, helping Boston win its first World Series in eighty-six years and thereby breaking the infamous "Curse of the Bambino."
Along the way, Ortiz established his place as a truly Ruthian figure in the annals of our national pastime: an imposing figure in the batter's box, yet an endearing man to the young, particularly in his native Dominican Republic, where he has focused his charitable efforts on improving the health of children. The son of two caring parents, and a loving father of three, Ortiz is a hero to many.
Now, in his memoir, the man affectionately known as "Big Papi" recounts his life from growing up in an impoverished area of the Dominican Republic (where baseball is king) to his ascension in Boston (where he became one). Ortiz discusses, in detail, his historic and record-setting performances as a member of the Red Sox, his exploding popularity, the challenges of playing in Boston, and life in the Red Sox clubhouse.
BIG PAPI is a unique memoir by a charismatic man who appeals to young and old, on the baseball field or off.
Customer Reviews:
big papi.......2007-08-02
im a kid from dallas,tx and im a huge red sox fan. i read this book at camp and i loved it. it talks about the red sox, big papi, and other teams he has played for. it talks about red sox history and shows how good of a guy david ortiz is. this is the best book ive ever read.
Entertaining.......2007-08-02
An entertaining book about a good ball-player. (Probably much better reading if you are a Red Sox fan). David Ortiz is another example of what one can do if they put their mind to it. A quick read, but only entertaining.
Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits.......2007-06-08
I have been a Red Sox and die-hard Boston sport fan since the mid 50's and have read many sports books especially on the local teams and personalities. Big Papi was a very fast reading and insightful story on major league and minor league baseball, the business and individual personal side, as well as the plight of the many foreign players bonding together in a strange land and the brotherhood that remains among them.
A completely different caring side of Pedro Martinez for his fellow countrymen was a interesting sidebar. Tony Massarotti from the Boston Herald does a excellent job in telling David Ortiz's story, a real gentle caring giant with much more than the "extraordinary ability to perform under pressure" and the leader that ended fifty years of misery for me. I wish my father and grandfathers were still alive to have enjoyed it. Thank you Papi.
Interesting Insight into David Ortiz.......2007-06-01
Co-written with Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald, "Big Papi" is the autobiography of David Ortiz, all-star slugger for the Boston Red Sox. Written as if Ortiz was talking directly to the reader, the book covers Ortiz's childhood in the Dominican Republic, his career in the minor leagues, his time with the Minnesota Twins, and of course his career with the Boston Red Sox. The book covers some of his achievements such as leading the all-star balloting, breaking Jimmie Foxx's home run record, and of course the 2004 playoffs - beating the Yankees and going on to win the World Series. While most of the book is in Ortiz's voice, there are a few chapters written by others that discuss the role Pedro Martinez had in bringing Ortiz to Boston; his friendship with Torii Hunter; and how Theo Epstein was able to bring Ortiz to play for Boston.
"Big Papi" is an interesting look at a talented baseball player. Having the book read as if Ortiz is talking directly to the reader is a nice touch (although the constant use of the word "bro" got to me after a while). The book has many fascinating aspects starting with Ortiz's childhood in the Dominican Republic when he and his friends would use anything they could as baseballs (like the heads off their sisters' dolls). One of the most fascinating aspects of Ortiz's career is that Minnesota released him after they tried to trade him and no other team wanted him. Boston came off looking good by claiming him but it's interesting to read that even they had no idea how good he could be. Other interesting bits in the book include the fact that he likes to wear a bigger uniform because he likes it to be loose and how he trains in the off-season. To his credit Ortiz is honest about admitting his mistakes, including his five game suspension during the 2004 season for throwing bats from the dugout onto the field in protest over an umpire's call. Interestingly enough, while he says he doesn't hate the Yankees he writes far more about beating them in the 2004 playoffs than he does about winning the World Series (which barely gets a full page mention). Although he talks little about his family life for privacy reasons, the brief glimpses into his personal life are interesting. Readers will be moved as he talks about the death of his mother in a car accident. And a story of how he ended up with a line of children and parents at his house on Halloween looking for candy and pictures with him is a fascinating insight into the drawbacks of being famous.
David Ortiz fans will love "Big Papi".
GREAT BOOK,EVEN GREATER PERSON.......2007-05-29
This was a GREAT book.I couldn't put it down.Very easy read.It truely shows what a GREAT human being and how "down to earth" Papi really is.I recommend it to every baseball fan,a MUST for EVERY Sox fan.
Book Description
"Play Ball!" These words resonate with special meaning in the minds of anyone who has ever enjoyed a game of baseball. Every fan will be amused and touched by stories of sportsmanship and victory gathered from the clay diamonds of America. A tribute to America's favorite past time, Chicken Soup for the Baseball Fan's Soul is written by people at every level of competition, from World Series champions to tee-ball moms. Their inspiring stories highlight the best of baseball, the importance of sportsmanship and a love of the game. Whether these stories take place on the field of a local YMCA or under the bright lights of a major league ballpark, the focus is the same: The Love of the Game.
Customer Reviews:
Wrong Year.......2007-03-05
I love this book, but someone ought to tell Bill Goldberg (The Whistle Story)that the Bucky Dent playoff game was 1978 not 1977. What true NYY fan - from the Bronx, no less - not only doesn't know that, but let's it get to print??????????? Pretty shameful if you ask me.
very inspiring.......2004-05-18
this book was very inspiring. The stories are all well written and ammussing. I haven't read any of the other books in the series and I don't plan on reading them either but I really enjoyed this one though and I recomend this book to all baseball fans
A great read!.......2002-12-27
As a baseball fan, I thought it was wonderful to read about the many sides of baseball. There are stories from both fans and people actually involved in the baseball world. With baseball having such a depressing last couple of years, and not having the results as we have come to expect, it was wonderful to know that there are people in the world that still love this sport! I am one of them. :o)
(I would have said still the American sport, but since I am Canadian I don't think that always applies...)
A great book about baseball and life lessons.......2002-04-25
Chicken Soup For The Baseball Fan's Soul is one great book. The stories are about personal experiences, humor, sportsmanship, life lessons, and the fun that baseball provides.
Some of the stories are actually written by the athletes themselves with others by journalists who have covered the games with their views on the game and the players, and other stories by the everyday sports fan just like you and me. Some of the stories are very humorous while others touching. Before each chapter are very inspiring quotations. Added between some of the stories are baseball comics that will make you laugh.
Every story in this book is well worth-reading from the humorous to the serious stories. This book made tears swell in my eyes and laugh out loud in some stories as a baseball player. This book will inspire the true baseball player or fan. This book is easy to get into it and want to keep reading for a long time, but is also a great book to read one story at a time.
This book really shows how hard you have to work to get better at baseball or any sport and how it can pay off. This is a must-read book for any baseball fan who wants to enjoy a great book about a great sport.
Book Description
The Big Book of Small House Designs is a collection of more than 500 drawings illustrating all aspects of 75 small homes of various styles, from a New England farmhouse to a sophisticated steel frame to a Santa Fe ranch. Each design includes detailed floor plans, section drawings, elevations, and perspectives, as well as a description of the materials used and landscaping around the home. Keeping in mind that a chief priority for a small home is often energy efficiency, most of the plans incorporate some energy-efficient element. There are dozens of plans suitable for every environment and climate in the country. The designs are all a direct result of several international competitions that solicited from architects the best homes of 1,250 square feet or less. Contact information for the architects is provided in the back of the book.
Customer Reviews:
pleasant but not fulfilling.......2007-10-01
The book is large and would be best as a coffee table book. I am looking to expand my knowledge of small homes, green living and such. This book while interesting did not cut it for me. The drawings are understandable, but the information on each design is minimal, and more photos (if the design has been built) should be included as well to give a better sense of what the house in question will look like.
Small House Design.......2007-05-13
I am pleased with the contents of this book. It was purchased as a gift for a grandson, who will soon receive it. I hope he enjoys it and will put some of the information to good use.
Small House Designs.......2007-04-16
The book is interesting but the illustrations are somewhat difficult to
visualize and understand.
Just what I was looking for.......2007-04-10
This book is a great source for small house designs. Has great plans and elevations of what the house looks like from the outside. It has a nice variety of styles and ideas that you could actually use. They also use a variety of materials used on the houses..Giving you the option to use other things like metals and woods in unconventional ways.
Not even nice pictures.......2006-11-20
A compilation of few interesting ideas and very hard to see illustrations. Poor quality reproductions. No measurements at all. Furthermore the contact information in the back was not cross-referenced with the designs & listed no phone or web contact, just mailing addresses. Seems like the authors took the cheap and easy way out with a good idea.
Taunton Press's "The Cabin" is a much more inspiring & informational book.
I do not recommend this book.
Average customer rating:
- Big Green Monster- Go Away Book
- MY KID LOVE THIS BOOK!
- know someone who thinks there's something alive under the bed?
- Go Away Big Green Monsters
- Great book for preschooler
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Go Away, Big Green Monster!
Edward R Emberley
Manufacturer: L,B Kids
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0316236535 |
Book Description
Ed Emberleys award winning book has a new design and a price thats anything but scary! It has been repackaged as a paper-over-board hardcover with a dramatic foil cover and die-cut eyes. More than 300,000 copies sold. Parents Choice Gold Award. Parenting Best Book, 1993. Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews.
Customer Reviews:
Big Green Monster- Go Away Book.......2007-10-10
Go Away, Big Green Monster is a delightful book for children. My 2 year old great granddaughter loves this book. It is a large book and very colorful and has words that are easily read and remembered.
I reccommend this book to all that have young children in their family. A treasure indeed.
MY KID LOVE THIS BOOK!.......2007-05-14
My four year old loves this book! She loves to read it to me everyday. I tried reading it to her once, but she said I was 'reading it wrong'. :-)
know someone who thinks there's something alive under the bed?.......2007-05-09
In addition to the clever paper art, as the monster builds and disappears, this book is great for kids who might have a little fear of a monster under the bed, in the closet or somewhere else waiting for them. It's empowering for them to yell, "GO AWAY BIG GREEN MONSTER!" The different face parts "scraggly purple hair, "long thin nose" appear and reappear, and it's great to help teach colors and adjectives. I LOVE this book! (ages 18 months-5 years)
Go Away Big Green Monsters.......2007-03-09
My 3 year old started having nighmares & was waking several times a night. This book really helped him, as he thought the monster in the book was funny, and loved the ending where he could yell at the monsters to go away. The only part I didn't like was the reference to "big scary teeth", I just omit the "scary" when reading it to him.
Great book for preschooler.......2007-03-09
Since my son is now 3 his imagination is growing. The cut out pages make the book. It was recommended by a preschool teacher at his school. He is even "reading" it to his baby sister.
Average customer rating:
- My son loves this book
- Starring Lovable Furry Old ELMO
- A
- Big Bed
- Great book
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Big Enough for a Bed
Random House
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
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ASIN: 0375822704
Release Date: 2002-10-22 |
Book Description
Elmo is too big for a crib! He’s ready to sleep in a big kid’s bed! It may take a little while, but with his favorite snuggly blanket and his teddy bear David by his side, soon Elmo feels comfortable in his new bed.
Customer Reviews:
My son loves this book.......2007-09-28
We are trying to teach our son about sleeping in a big bed, so this book is helping since he loves Elmo.
Starring Lovable Furry Old ELMO.......2007-03-15
I thought this book was adorable as Elmo always is. It helps toddlers understand the move to a "big kid" bed.
A.......2007-02-04
I read this book to my son on his first night in a big boy bed. He likes the book and it seemed to help the transition.
Big Bed.......2006-11-10
This book helped my daughter with her switch to a toddler bed (she sometimes takes the book to bed with her, as well as her stuffed Elmo doll). I especially like the page that shows both the crib and the bed in the same room, which is the case in her room.
Great book.......2006-04-25
This is a great book, my daughter loves Elmo and could easily relate to the short story. I purchased this book because she is now 2 and we plan to transition her to a big bed soon. I think this book will help and she enjoys the story. Book allows for a lot of room to add to the story to explain to your child what they are going to feel and that it is OK.
Average customer rating:
- One of the best books
- Destined to be a classic
- Enduring classic bedtime story
- Twelve years reading this and its still a favorite childrens book
- Our first choice for a bedtime book
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Time for Bed (Big Book Edition)
Mem Fox
Manufacturer: Harcourt Big Books
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Jamberry
ASIN: 0152010149 |
Book Description
Darkness is falling everywhere and little ones are getting sleepy, feeling cozy, and being tucked in. It’s time for a wide yawn, a big hug, and a snuggle under the covers--sleep tight! “Working beautifully with the soothingly repetitive text, each painting conveys a warm feeling of safety and affection.”--School Library Journal
Customer Reviews:
One of the best books.......2007-10-10
This is the sweetest bed time book. The rhymes are so sweet. I love reading it to my daughter and she enjoys it as well.
Destined to be a classic.......2007-09-23
I belong to a local reading council made up of several teachers and librarians and one of the service projects that we participate in involves giving a book to all newborn babies in our community, along with some literature about how important it is to read to your child. When it came time to choose a book for this project Mem Fox's "Time for Bed" was our choice. The words are a perfect bedtime lullaby and the illustrations are absolutely beautiful! I think this story is destined to be a classic bedtime story and I hope it is read for generations to come!
Enduring classic bedtime story.......2007-08-24
Sweet and loving, gentle and soothing, beautifully illustrated ! A favorite of my 6 children as they were growing up and now enjoyed by my grandchildren. Highly recommended !
Twelve years reading this and its still a favorite childrens book.......2007-08-13
I have been reading this book to my grandbabies for the past twelve years....and as each one hears it for the first time, it instantly becomes one of their favorites. Timeless.
Our first choice for a bedtime book.......2007-07-16
My son was 14 months old when he gave up his bottles before bedtime. As an alternative to the bottle, he chose this book. He responded to the rhythm of the poetry and was charmed by the little baby on the last page. He is always happy to see her, and seems inspired by her to curl up in his own bed and go to sleep too.
We would highly recommend this book.
Amazon.com
The rodeo is in W.K. Stratton's blood. He attended his first one in utero just days before he was born (on Will Rogers birthday, naturally). He is also the son of a bull-riding cowboy that left him and his mother when Stratton was an infant. The search for this elusive "rodeo bum" father is an underlying theme of Chasing the Rodeo but its main focus is on the action in the ring. Stratton spent a year following the professional rodeo and bull-riding tours and he explores the circuit with a keen and sympathetic eye. He writes about the history of the sport and its place in the mythology of the West, cowboy legends, current stars, and classic rodeo towns, such as Prescott, Arizona, and Pecos, Texas--both of which claim the title as the true birthplace of rodeo. He also looks at the growing popularity of rodeo and bull-riding and what it means for its future now that major events have corporate sponsors and are held in Las Vegas casinos rather than fairgrounds. While acknowledging that the big money prizes are good for the athletes, Stratton worries that marketing considerations will force the sport away from the very traditions that make it interesting. As proof, he bemoans the fact that helmets and Nike shoes are starting to replace Western hats and boots at some rodeos. Still, he encounters plenty of true Western spirit and memorable characters during his journey to keep his love for the rodeo alive and his enthusiasm for his subject proves contagious. Even those who have never considered attending a rodeo will likely find themselves enthralled by this wild ride of a book. --Shawn Carkonen
Book Description
From its roots as the quintessential Western pastime, rodeo has grown to an international, prime-time television sport. Steeped in tradition and the independent spirit of the range, aspiring cowboys and cowgirls are called to its high-stakes, rough-and-tumble fame as they risk their lives for eight seconds of triumph.
In Chasing the Rodeo W. K. Stratton follows this quest for one season of the pro rodeo and bull-riding tours. He explores the history of the chutes -- from rodeo's disputed origins (Prescott, Arizona, or Pecos, Texas?) to its current skyrocketing popularity. But out on the trail Stratton finds more than calf-roping and unrideable bulls, uncovering a culture complete with myths, codes of honor, million-dollar purses, Cowboy Church, and the kinds of legends that make good stories unforgettable.
Just such a story emerges here as Stratton tells of his runaway "rodeo bum" father --Cowboy Don -- whose specter haunts his travels on the circuit. As he learns more about the life that proved too seductive for his father to abandon, Stratton fills in a portrait of the man he never knew but whose legacy he couldn't help but inherit.
Filled with cowboy longing and rodeo dreams, this is a tribute to the characters of the West -- Freckles Brown, Lucille Mulhall (the first cowgirl), Wild Bill Hickock, Lane Frost, and today's superstars like Jesse Bail. In the great tradition of Wallace Stegner and Ken Kesey, W. K. Stratton fashions an expansive tale out of the gritty reality of the life around us. Chasing the Rodeo is a bucking, riveting, glorious ride -- you'll want to hang on for the whole go-round.
Customer Reviews:
Call of the wild . . ........2007-08-21
While rodeo insiders may find fault with this book and quibble over details, it remains an excellent introduction to the history, the personalities, and the meaning of this sport as it's evolved over the past century. Stratton, a journalist based in Austin, TX, with roots in Oklahoma, comes by his "kicker" credentials fairly enough - his mother a cowgirl in her own right and his father a rodeo cowboy who went on down the road and never came back. Stratton's book is a personal journey, a search for an understanding of the romance of rodeo - the call of the wild in the soul, the appeal of risk-taking, the love of a past that can be recaptured for a moment in a beautifully executed ride on a bucking horse or bull. And he does much to reclaim the essentials of a pastoral ritual that has been compromised by commercialism, corporate sponsorships, and marketing that positions it as an extreme sport.
Stratton covers some familiar ground that will not be new for all readers, but many stories deserve retelling, such as that of George Fletcher at the 1911 Pendleton Roundup, the first bulldogger, Bill Pickett, and the death of champion bull rider Lane Frost. Then there is an account of the first rodeo "cowgirl," Lucille Mulhall and of Indian cowboy Will Sampson, who played Chief Bromden in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." In Prescott, AZ, he has occasion to recall at length the rodeo film "Junior Bonner" with Steve McQueen.
There is a wide array of other personalities who find their way into Stratton's book: Justin McBride, Will Rogers, Tom Mix, Willie Nelson, Jack Kerouac, Ben Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill Cody, and evangelist Susie Luchsinger. He gets closest to the sport itself in conversations with all-around champion Jesse Bail and bullriding champion Freckles Brown. The first-chapter account of Brown's famous ride on Tornado at the National Finals in 1967 just takes your breath away. Finally there is the search for the story of Stratton's absent cowboy father, which rounds out the book with more than a little poignance. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone curious about rodeo, the fascination it holds for both fans and participants, and its place in American popular culture.
Exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike.......2005-11-04
Rodeo's roots may be in the primitive West of the past, but today it's prime-time TV material, even while steeped in tradition, filled with pros and tours. Journalist W.K. Stratton followed the pro rodeo circuit for one year, exploring the history of chutes to its current popularity and uncovering myths and realities alike. His findings about the people and politics of today's rodeo make for lively reading in Chasing The Rodeo: On Wild Rides And Big Dreams, Broken Hearts And Broken Bones, And One Man's Search For The West. A spirited account of today's wild riders.
Rodeo: Universality of the American West.......2005-09-19
Having grown up in Texas, I easily recognize many names and places and am quite familiar with rodeos. W.K. Stratton brilliantly blends the romantic lure of the rodeo as an expression of the American West with the univeral theme of the quest for identity. The book is a delightful mixture of colorful characters, amusing anecdotes, and sad stories. Mr. Stratton's personal quest mirrors that of all, not just those familiar with the sport or the region. His story's appeal lies in the universality of each human's struggles with issues of identity, values, and sense of place. I heartily recommend Chasing the Rodeo to anyone who appreciates a book that both transports one to another time and place and allows one the opportunity to be inspired by another's personal journey through life.
This book deserves a buckle........2005-05-18
**For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?** "Kip" Stratton has written a winner of a book, here. I felt it appropriate to begin this review with that familiar biblical quote, although "Chasing The Rodeo" is about the search for soul as well as about its diminution. What I mean by "soul" in this context is that which makes us part of society as well as unique individuals within it. Stratton's father, whom he never met, was a bull rider. Stratton's literal search for his father is overlaid onto his broader search for the soul of the rodeo and the American West.
As this book makes clear, the towns that hold rodeos provide an essential part of its unique character. Moving the National Finals Rodeo from Oklahoma, which is steeped in Rodeo tradition, to Las Vegas is symbolic of the sacrifce of soul for that most America of obsessions, making money. Character is also lost when things are made safe and sanitary, and when elements that are foreign are incorporated into a thing in order to make it "accessible" to a wider audience. Early in the book, Stratton frets about being "a generic, white bread American" but learns that the "Kicker Culture" is as much a part of him as it is of the Rodeo. I grew up in a small town in North Texas and will tell you that the "Kicker Culture" ain't pretty and it ain't sanitary or even safe, but it is genuine. There are parts of it that should be eschewed entirely, but never "prettied up."
Stratton obviously spent a great deal of time researching this book. It is chock-full of the people and places that make up this sport and their history. At the same time, he does not blink from calling racism what it is or identifying as bovine scat some of the aspects of recent Rodeo venues. He may offend some folks in doing so. But to be less than honest in his assessment of these things would certainly diminish the soul of the book.
A classic American tale.......2005-05-13
In these fractious times, it is a joy to come across a book that embraces something as distinctly American as the rodeo. W.K. Stratton has delivered a handsomely-rendered treasure for every man who ever wanted to be a cowboy and every woman who ever wanted to be a cowboy's sweetheart. He traces the origins of rodeoing, takes us to this wild sport's biggest events, and introduces us to the kind of outsized characters it is hard to believe still exist. So here's to Freckles Brown, the rodeo clown who rode the fiercest bull in captivity, and to Jesse Bail, the spiritual descendant of Larry Mahan and Ty Murray and all the great rodeo riders who preceded him. And here's to Stratton himself, the son of a rodeo bum, who weaves the search for traces of his father into the larger tale he is telling without ever getting thrown by it. He stayed in the saddle, and by doing so, he has given readers a chance for the ride of their lives.
Book Description
"It is critical that you figure out what will make you most happy. For me, that meant creating meaningful work for myself in addition to the meaningful work of raising my children."
...So begins Lisa Hammond's story of following her passion, founding her own company (Femail Creations--a woman-oriented catalog company that grew into a huge success), and in turn helping other women make their way in the world.
Dream Big shows women that the first step isn't writing a business plan--it's listening to yourself and taking your turn, it's managing your life from the heart. Dream Big is full of hilarious stories, heart-stopping inspiration, and roll-up-your sleeves tips.
Customer Reviews:
Take the Leap.......2006-09-08
In a matter of just over one day I have started and finished reading Dream Big and I'm so glad I did. Reading Lisa's accounts along the journey of starting up her business, her many mistakes and triumphs, and her homespun wisdom was a remarkable experience that hasn't deterred me from wanting to start my business one iota! She regrets nothing and encourages us all to pursue our dreams while standing up for our convictions. Plus she is quite the lover of quotes and she had some great finds to add to my inspirational collection. Her personal journey enlightened me to the difficulties of starting your own business, but it also cemented in me how important it is to absolutely take that leap and go for what your heart is calling you to do in life.
Lisa made me dream even bigger!.......2005-11-11
Lisa's book is wonderful! It is not a how-to book; it's more a mix of her story of starting her catalog business and a you-can-do-too book. She talks about the realities of owning a business - being in debt, juggling the business & kids & life, eating off of paper plates because frankly spending the time to cook a 4-course dinner is just not a priority!
If you want to make a difference even though it will require a lot from you, then this book will inspire you and remind you that other women have done it too! I hope everyone will dream even bigger and find ways to make their dreams come true! :-)
Uninteresting. Not worth the money.......2005-08-02
This book is not very interesting. It is neither a how-to about starting a business, or a my-story type book. It's somewhere in-between, and we don't get enough of either. It's not about following your dreams, either. Sometimes, though, it is a book about how to get what you want even when it seems impossible. Still, it never turns out to be all that interesting. For example, she gets the school to change their chosen paint colors. (Who cares?) Most of the book is about her business, but if I had been thinking of starting a business, she just talked me out of it. I get the imprssion that she works too much- way more than she wants, and has debt up to her eyeballs. No thanks!
Am I Dreaming?.......2004-09-08
You know that moment when you are asleep and dreaming, and you realize that you ARE dreaming, and suddenly you know that you can change the dream any way you want? This is called lucid dreaming, and although it doesn't happen often to me, when it does, I usually decide to fly.
This is exactly my experience with Lisa Hammond's book. As I read the pages, I realized, this dream (my life) is truly mine to create in any way I want, and, if I want to, I can decide to fly right now! Bold words for a middle-aged woman in the process of divorce. Yet, Lisa's wisdom came just at the right time in my life, and I am choosing to draw on my courage because of it.
Lisa gives encouragement through her own story to people like me who are dreaming big, and needing to hear the voices of others who have walked (or flown) the road from 'fledgling business' to 'I can't believe we've outgrown ourselves again!'
Hammond is the voice that each of us has inside, and sometimes ours is so tiny and quiet that we have to strain to hear it. The gift of this book is connecting us with our inner strength and being a model of persistence and patience. Thank you Lisa for assisting so many of us on our dream journeys!
Marcia Breitenbach, founder of [...]
True and Inspiring.......2004-08-27
Lisa Hammond decided she wanted to do something to make a difference for women. She explains how she came to the decision to start a mail-order catalog. Her descriptions and stories tell the truth about starting a business. She also shares her techniques for getting in touch with ideas that are already within.
I was so inspired by this book. I kept a notebook nearby and jotted down all of the thoughts that resonated with me. Lisa Hammond is honest about her experiences. She doesn't sugar-coat financing or making money. At the same time, she gives hope to other women's dreams. Mostly, I appreciated that she wrote about the specific details of the steps she took to begin her business. Many writers just share general how-to thoughts for others, but won't divulge their own "trade secrets". Lisa Hammond lays it out. Great book!
Books:
- Wealth Beyond Reason
- What Every Manager Should Know About Training: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Money's Worth From Training.
- Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything
- 101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women, 3rd Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Getting Started on the Road to Success (For Fun & Profit)
- Angel Financing: How to Find and Invest in Private Equity
- Balancing Your Family, Faith & Work
- Be Smart, Act Fast, Get Rich: Your Game Plan for Getting It Right in the Stock Market
- Ben Jerrys Double Dip: How to Run a Values Led Business and Make Money Too
- Bread and Roses, Too
- Business and Legal Forms for Photographers (with CD-ROM) (Business and Legal Forms)
Books Index
Books Home
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