Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
self improvement

The Good Among the Great

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Donald Van de Mark
Publisher: Columbia Island Press
Genre: Self-help
ISBN: 978-0-98460-612-2
Pages: 280
Price: $15.95

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Donald Van de Mark has spent more than twenty years interviewing and getting to know celebrities and news makers. But not all those featured in the spotlight live the kinds of lives we would want to emulate. There are few who embody the nineteen traits Van de Mark deems necessary to enjoy an admirable, creative and joyous life.

Within its own designated chapter, each of these nineteen traits is explored in detail. Then Van de Mark shows us someone or several people who have developed this trait and are living a life that shows how it works. Finally, he explores Abraham Maslow’s ideas on this trait, and gives us takeaway bullet points to focus on in our own lives. The nineteen traits may seem at times to contradict each other, but the fully developed personality could integrate all parts of the whole. In fact, Van de Mark has determined that one person actually demonstrates all of these traits.

The Good Among the Great is a thought-provoking look at the traits that lead to a quality life, but I would have preferred to see less of Maslow’s thoughts and more about the individuals profiled in each section. A more personal and less psychological approach would have deepened the connection for me, making these traits feel more real and achievable. Overall, though, this book provides some good ideas if you want to change your life for the better.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

A New Name For Worthless: A Hero Is Born

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Rocky Shepheard
Publisher: Crescent Renewal Resource
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 9780984289745
Pages: 32
Price: $17.97

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A lonely dog huddles in his doghouse, chained and unable to move about. Labeled “Worthless” by his cruel owner, he wishes he could be free. He’s lucky to have friends who want to help him, and one stormy night, they make a daring escape. But will he ever know the joy of being a Best Friend to a special human?

Author and illustrator, Rocky Shepheard, believes that no dog should spend his whole life chained up outside. The organization he supports, Dogs Deserve Better, works to rescue and care for those dogs who are being neglected. In writing this book, Shepheard hopes that it will teach compassion and good pet caretaking to children and parents everywhere.

Although a simple story, A New Name For Worthless: A Hero Is Born sends a powerful message that no dog is really worthless. All dogs deserve a chance to live in a home with love and affection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Lessons From a Street Kid

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Craig Kielburger
Illustrators: Marisa Antonello & Victoria Laidley
Publisher: Me to We Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-55365-865-8
Pages: 36
Price: $19.95

Publisher’s website

A visit to Brazil is an exciting adventure for a boy. While exploring the sights, young Craig Kielburger discovers a group of street kids. These young people don’t have homes, and they do what it takes to survive. From performing acrobatics to selling oranges and shining shoes, they scramble for tourist dollars to buy food. And when food is available, they eat it together as if they are a family.

Although living in abject poverty, these street kids try to enjoy life, taking time to sing, dance, and play soccer. They look out for each other’s well-being and share everything. In fact, Kielburger is surprised at one boy’s willingness to literally give him the shirt off his own back.

Kielburger formed Free the Children when he learned of a boy who was killed speaking out against child labor. This non-profit group is comprised of youth who want to be a positive force of change in the world, especially for underprivileged kids. Me to We Books promises that for every book sold, a notebook will be given to a child in a developing country.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Birds Can Fly and So Can I

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Noa Nimrodi
Illustrator: Tamir Lichtenberg
Publisher: Grassroots Publishing Group
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9794805-1-5
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon (Kindle only)

Giraffe sees the birds in the sky and wishes she could also fly. But all things are possible in dreams, and Giraffe soon finds herself soaring through the clouds. The animals and birds are her friends, and they cheer her on as they join in her fun.

Birds Can Fly and So Can I is written in rhyming verse, illustrated in bright and cheery watercolor. Everyone has wishes and goals, and Giraffe’s adventure reminds kids that dreams can come true. Positive and uplifting, this charming book will inspire them to reach for those dreams.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

business, self improvement

The Skinny on the Art of Persuasion

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jim Randel
Publisher: Rand Media
Genre: Self-improvement / Business
ISBN: 978-0-9824390-0-5
Pages: 168
Price: $14.95

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In order to succeed in business, it’s helpful to be able to persuade others to follow your way of thinking. This skill can be utilized in sales, but it’s also useful in dealing with people on a day to day basis.

Although it may seem as if the best salesmen are born with the ability to convince people to buy, this skill is actually something anyone can learn. All you need to do is follow the steps Jim Randel has laid out for us in The Skinny on the Art of Persuasion. Persuasion is not the same thing as manipulation, so Randel also reminds us that integrity is key – people will know when they’re not being treated respectfully.

Skinny books are mini-courses presented in a power-point format with stick figures and brief insights on each concept. A bibliography of further reading is provided for those who want to dig deeper. Read a Skinny in an hour, and gain a wealth of information. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

adventure

Saltwater Taffy

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Eric Delabarre
Illustrator: R.C. Nason
Publisher: Seven Publishing
Genre: Adventure
ISBN: 978-0-9723578-0-7
Pages: 272
Price: $15.95

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A pirate’s treasure is hidden somewhere in Port Townsend, Washington. When the annual clue to the Keys to Lafitte is announced, this time Scott and his friends think they have a shot at finding it.

Old Man Sheesley has already solved the first two clues left behind by Jacques Pierre Lafitte. Now there are only two remaining. But solving the puzzle could turn out to be the most dangerous thing these five friends will do. In addition to treasure hunting, they learn a lot about themselves, what friendship means, and how some of their weaknessess hold them back from being the best they can be.

Saltwater Taffy is a coming-of-age adventure that will thrill the reader with its fast-paced excitement. But any kid who reads this well-written novel will also come away with a sense that he is more than he thinks he is, and maybe even has the ability to stretch himself beyond his wildest dreams. Positive, uplifting and a great read – I highly recommend this book!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Justice in June

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Barbara Levenson
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-193351571-7
Pages: 312
Price: $24.95

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Mary Magruder Katz expects to be busy in her line of work. After all, she’s a criminal defense lawyer in Miami, Florida. But on one June day she finds herself caught up in three cases that are anything but boring.

A prominent judge needs Mary’s assistance when her rulings in court are under investigation. A family friend of her hot boyfriend, Carlos, is accused of terrorism. And Carlos himself faces a damaging class action lawsuit. Mary is brilliant in ferreting out the truth and offering sound legal counsel to her clients. But she’s less than perfect at being a girlfriend to a man who clearly adores her. It will be a true test to see if their relationship survives.

I really liked the first book in this series, Fatal February, but I found Mary a little hard to understand in Justice in June. She’s too caught up in her own cases to pay attention to the issues Carlos is having in his business, and she comes across as self-centered. I hope to see Mary soften a bit, at least with Carlos, as this series progresses. Overall, though, this mystery is fast-paced, engaging and an enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

nature

Hide and Sneak

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Elizabeth Cook
Photography: Robert Yin
Publisher: Hameray Publishing Group
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 978-1-60559-098-1
Pages: 48
Price: $9.95

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Sea animals fascinate us because of their unique coloring and design. But have you ever thought about why they look this way? Elizabeth Cook and Robert Yin show us some of these unusual sea creatures in their natural habitat, as they attempt to hide and sneak.

Avoiding predators is a key to survival, and an animal’s ability to blend in with its surroundings can mean the difference between life and death. Predators also need to go unnoticed, in order to sneak up on their prey, so their coloring is intended to assist them. In these beautiful close-up photos, we see how these creatures sneak up on others as they try to eat, or hide to avoid being eaten.

Hide and Sneak is part of the Underwater Encounter series, designed to deliver intriguing facts and first-hand accounts from the depths of the seas. This colorful and interesting book provides detailed explanations of underwater camouflage with great photographic images to illustrate these points. I highly recommend it for classrooms and libraries.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

relationships, self improvement

The Compliment Quotient

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Monica Strobel
Publisher: Wise Roads Press
Genre: Self-help / Motivation
ISBN: 978-1-936214-37-2
Pages: 164
Price: $14.95

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Are you looking for a simple but effective way to change the dynamics of an important relationship? A compliment may be just what you need. In The Compliment Quotient, Monica Strobel shows us how and why compliments can be so powerful in our interactions with others.

Compliments don’t just help others. They can help us just as much, since giving a compliment also makes us happy. But giving the right kinds of compliments makes a huge difference. Avoiding flattery and pinpointing something specific to compliment are important. And sometimes the hardest thing we can do is accept a compliment from others gracefully.

Strobel provides helpful information on proper complimentology techniques in a well-organized fashion, relying on detailed bullet-point lists to explain her ideas. She also shows us great examples of how — and how NOT — to compliment others. If you’re looking to improve relationships with friends, family and co-workers, give compliments a try, and be sure to pick up The Compliment Quotient for guidance.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Buddhism, spirituality

Tibetan Sound Healing

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Spirituality / Buddhism
ISBN: 978-1-60407-095-8
Pages: 120
Price: $14.95

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The Bön Buddhist tradition of Tibet has been practiced for a very long time, through the efforts of a few dedicated lamas. In Tibetan Sound Healing, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche teaches us the Five Warrior Syllables from the Bön practice, and shows us how to use them in our own lives.

First Rinpoche introduces us to the syllables. These are A, OM, HUNG, RAM, and DZA, each of which has its own energy as we sing these sounds. Then we’re instructed to read the chapter about each syllable, turning to the CD to listen to it being sung by Rinpoche. A final track on the CD is three chanted prayers.

This book and CD set complement each other nicely. Rinpoche explains the syllables with clear images, describing our feelings as if we were in the desert, and adding more elements as we move to the next syllable. As the sounds reverberate, we can easily place ourselves in the images he’s created, and work with these Five Warrior Syllables to activate our own healing potential.

Reviewer: Alice Berger