If the rather egotistical title of this book doesn't put you off, you'll find a fascinating story that's really two books in one. Ron Popeil's infomercials are the stuff of pop culture legend; if you never got a chance to see them during the '60s, '70s or '80s, you surely have seen their parodies. But what's the deal behind Popeil and his "as seen on TV" success?

The first part of this book is Popeil's inspiring autobiography. Surviving a childhood filled with abuse and neglect, he discovered his gift as a salesman as a young man and went on to make a fortune. At the dawn of the television age, he saw TV's potential as an unparalleled marketing tool and grew his marketing empire even further. Ron Popeil's great contribution to retail, therefore, wasn't the myriad of gadgets he sold, but his style of selling on TV -- namely the infomercial.

The second part of the book is essentially a how-to guide for starting a business similar to Popeil's. Even if you have no intention of starting a retail business, the details of how such a business works are fascinating. Topics as arcane as patent protection, TV time buying, negotiating with retail stores for shelf space and financing (which forced Popeil into bankruptcy at one point) are all covered.

Ron's book gives one a good overall insight into what it takes to get a product to market. His insights into selling to retail chains..., Infomercials, and getting a product on QVC are invaluable.

It's a great read with many pictures and short stories about his past hit products like The Pocketfisherman, Mr. Microphone, and GLH9 etc.

It also includes a great overview of his early life going through the school of hard knocks.

I consider myself a well informed citizen, and yet when I read So...Help me God, I was amazed and deeply greived to see how far our country has strayed from its wonderful beginning. The authors research on the smallest detail of our true American history was very enlightening. It was not just the sad scenerio of Pres. Clinton but the revelation of the real moral decline of our country. Some of the questions that she asked in her letter to Mr. Clinton, were questions that many Americans would like to ask. I also felt a deep compassion for our President when I realized how far, he to has strayed from his conservative Christian beginnings. It seems obvious that somewhere he violated his own core values. I was very angered at President Clinton when I read this book. But after reading it, even though the author exposed even more than I already knew, I felt compassion for him. I also love having our Constitution, Declaration of Independance and all the other American documents included in this book. I am sorry to admit that I have not read these since High School. I consider this book to not only be excellent reading, but it is wonderful reference book that I will always have in my personal Library.

"So...Help Me God" is a book to pull us out of the darkness to reveal a truth we keep hiding from. It will touch your heart,anger your spirit,and if you have a sense of patriotism,you will stand up and salute!! The format makes it personal yet the content,even though it will touch each of us who read it differently, cries out for public opinion. It is an awakening!! This book will have you oohing,aahing,and gasping in disbelief, as the words penetrate your spirit. "So...Help Me God" is an easy read, an absolutely necessary read! You can't afford not to read it! Praise God for this book!!!!

This book is a great compilation of gospel songs and spirituals, but even more than that; it provides wonderful information on the history of the genre. It is certainly worth the price.

"Songs of Zion" was created to be a hymnal of Black religious tradition available to the United Methodist churches. But it's much more. In addition to providing 250 songs, in includes historical accounts of various musical movements within the Black church, and information for performance. An incredible history lesson!

"Thomas Jefferson: A Picture Book Biography" does an excellent job of providing a simplified yet well-rounded portrait of one of the more complex figures in American history. Instead of detailing Jefferson's long list of accomplishments, author James Cross Giblin takes a more anecdotal approach which treats his childhood and his private life on an equal footing with the things he wrote and offices he held in public life. This is a book that looks at Jefferson's first term as President in terms of the Louisiana Purchase and the mockingbird that kept him company in his study. Sally Hemmings is mentioned several times as an important house slave, but without bringing up the evidence she was the half-sister of Jefferson's wife or that she bore Jefferson several children after his wife died. However, Jefferson's affection for Maria Cosway is covered. The end result is an understand more of the man than of the political figure; for example, young readers will have no appreciation for how the Jeffersonian Republicans differed from the Federalists. The back of this book includes a list of important dates in his life, several choice examples of excerpts from letters written by Jefferson, and a two-page description of what a Visit to Monticello would have been like when Jefferson lived there. Michael Dooling's illustrations consist of fully textured oil paintings over which the text is printed. Ultimately, the illustrations in this Picture Book Biography take a back seat to the way the text presents the multi-faceted character of the man who might have been the third President, but who wanted on his tombstone inscribed: "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statue of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia. When young students read over this biography, they will understand why those were the most important things in Jefferson's life.

My second-grader decided to research Thomas Jefferson for a school report. I ordered this book and was quite pleased. It has lots of good information without being wordy. In the back of the book is a two-page spread of quotes from Jefferson, as well as a timeline of his life. The illustrations are beautiful! Highly recommended.

In 1811, Thomas Keene, a minister, loses his faith and travels to Ohio. In this sparse, concise "diary," we get to know Thomas, his mundane activities, his fantasies, and his remarkable adventures on the American frontier. Thomas writes of routine events (his cash accounting, his business selling home-made whiskey), his sexual fantasies and realities, his relationships, his drunkenness, war, Indian legends, and the remarkable hardships of frontier life.

Through the series of simple journal entries, sketches, drawings, and accounting entries, author Hugh Nissenson creates a profound portrait of a fascinating man. Nissenson is a master of "artificial reality"- the structure, style, and false references lend an air of truth to this work of fiction. Historical facts and figures weave seamlessly with the fictional elements. The War of 1812 and John Chapmann (Johnny Appleseed) are prominently featured in the story. And Nissenson himself created the drawings and sketches attributed to his fictional character (the cover is a sample of his work).

I loved this book. It creeps into your mind and comes back to haunt you. I admire Hugh Nissenson's ability to paint, with deceptively-simple strokes, a deep, rich, intimate, lush landscape and a deeply moving character.

If you read and enjoy this book, be sure to read Nissenson's The Song of the Earth, in which he leaps forward rather than back in time for a stunning vision of what might be.

This book is like nothing I've ever read before. It is brilliant. Read it. This is history come alive. Rattlesnake bites, Indian skirmishes, visionaries and slaves and frustrated widows--all the true voices of the American Frontier come through this "journal" with unbelievable power and desperate longing.

This CD REALLY opened my eyes! The performance of the reader and the power of the music brought the words to life. I FINALLY understood the time & conflict our founding fathers went thru.

I wish they had presented this to me when I was in school! All I can remember was the Boston Tea Party was against taxes & the Constitution was a really successful intellectual experiment.

I've been loaning it to friends & have had trouble getting it back. They love to listen to it while driving, etc. Its very inspiring & uplifting

Words of Freedom: Men of Honor is a gripping dramatic rendering of historic American documents and quotes that timelessly inspires the whole world not just Americans. I would recommend this CD to any student, to any history buff, or even to anyone who has not studied History for years. I hope you find this program as thought provoking, alive, and entertaining, as I have.

Abortion is a topic of immense importance. Not only is it a burning controversy in its own right, but it is also symptomatic of a larger crisis in contemporary values. At stake is the very meaning of human life.

In spite of 1.5 million abortions annually in America, there is much the public does not know about what has become the nation's most common surgical procedure on adults. The Christian public, in particular, needs a more thorough understanding of the questions surrounding abortion -- questions like, What does the Bible say about prenatal life? When, if ever, is abortion justified? What are the medical risks of abortion? Are the unborn individual persons, biologically, spiritually, legally?

Building on a broad base of biblical data, John Jefferson Davis answers these and many other questions related to the ethics of abortion. In so doing, he equips readers to challenge current assumptions in the areas of law, medicine, and social concern, and to affirm the value of human life both in and out of the womb.

The Jefferson How to Play Black Gospel books are wonderful! I purchased Amazing Grace! How to Play Black Gospel. The arrangements are teaching me guides for embellishing hymns. I listen to the tape on my way to work. I also purchased How to Play Black Gospel for Beginners. I'm now looking forward to receiving, Precious Lord! How to Play Black Gospel.

An outstanding and well researched expose of the Martha Jefferson-Sally Hemings half-sister myth. The rumors and political slandering of Thomas Jefferson began with early political enemies of Jefferson, some fired from office or denied office due to malfeasance or unsuitability for government office. The notorius scandalmonger reporter, James T. Callender, continued the "Campaign Lies", (the Tom Woodson charge was exposed by there being NO Jefferson/Woodson DNA match), and these slandering efforts were carried out by Samuel Wetmore in the Madison Hemings interview in Pike Co, Ohio. Many of the statements contained in this interview have been exposed as being very doubtful under close and minute research.

Recent evaluations of these misleading findings of the Jefferson-Hemings DNA Study of 1998 and the resultant sensationalist media coverage, would lead one to believe that Thomas Jefferson is guilty of fathering Hemings children. Nothing could be further from the truth as reported in the Jefferson Scholars Commission Report, a blue ribbon panel of thirteen prominent professors, released April 12, 2001. The Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society has links to the full S.C. report.

The authors have long researched all the material and have personally visited many of the covered sites. There are many excellent references cited and for all who wish to keep current on the Jefferson-Hemings controversy should read this book and also the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society book, "The Jefferson-Hemings Myth, An American Travesty."

Beautifully written and thoroughly researched, this book offers a glimpse into the history of the architecture of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia. Additionally, the reader can learn of the fascinating personalities who have lived and worked within the walls of these works of art. It is a lifetime endeavor and a real treat for the local, the traveller, the Jefferson enthusiast and the historian.