The poetry of Blues For Unemployed Secret Policy dramatically reflects Doug Anderson's experiences growing up in the sixties, serving as a field medical corpsman in Viet Nam, and confronting the modern era where "a good torturer can always find a job." Anderson's poetry is passionate, humorous, original, and ranges from bad politics to love gone wrong. The Oracle: On the altar the flies of God/swarm on the pomegranates and roasted oxen./We say we want to know the truth/but as the light sweetens/and the priestess does not arrive/we grow comfortable with the old lies./I want and do not want the razor-edged/pendulum that swings in my heart./The woman gone and why./Years of wide-eyed blindness./There is tenderness in all gathered here/in the shade of the temple./When we were young we dreamed/of a plateau where everything/could be seen in all directions/and suffering evaporated in wisdom./Silence is the power/that pools in the shadows of words/and when finally we stop speaking/it pins us to the ground

Anderson's first book, The Moon Reflected Fire, won prizes, among them the prestigious Kate Tufts Discovery Prize. Such a strong first book leaves a poet plagued by the cynic's question,"sure, that book was good but can he do it again?" Blues for Unemployed Secret Police is Doug Anderson's answer and it is a resounding YES. This is one of those rare books in which stunning poem is followed by stunning poem, where we come to understand that the poet's earlier focus on Vietnam was an instance of a larger focus on the complex beauty and darkness which attend any real look at our deepest natures. Anderson compels our attention because he knows that the intensity of experience, whether pain or joy, which can be easily identified in extreme situations is also present when we find ourselves walking down a city street wondering why we are drawn to its noise and confusion (see Babylon) or when we are watching a "live petroglyph" "drawing the story of light larger in each twirled telling" (see Lizard). Anderson lives (uneasily) with his own beast, and with "the new evil" that "pours into the deep cup with the evil I have already seen" without forsaking what is good and nourishing in the world and among us (see Kimono, see Crow, see Coyote). Listen to this: "We don't come with souls, we make them up out of our ripening and our going to seed." How do you NOT read a poet who can write that?

This book will appeal to readers who like to see grumpy people made nice, especially through the influence of cats. Those who've stayed at 19th century Anderson House Hotel in Wabasha, MN (where this book is set), and chosen an Anderson House cat to reside in their rooms for a night, will also love it. I've given several copies of Blumpoe the Grumpoe away to cat-loving children, and it's a favorite; thank goodness for the reprinting!

My whole family loves this book. It is funny and entertaining. We also love the references to towns in Minnesota. Everyone will fall in love with Blumpoe and Arnold! We are very happy that this book is back in print. We looked all over for this book (two years ago), after getting it from the library. We even contacted the author but she had no extras. Now it's back in print and everyone can buy it! Wonderful! Check out her other books, too!

Via the medium of personal letters written between 1820 and 1867, the author has succesfully brought to life an era in the history of our early republic. She has defly connected them into a cohesive narrative. Her historical insights enhance the story. What I liked best was that it is a good read for the general public.

Eve Anderson has created a most remarkable work with A Breach of Privilege. It is simultaneously a fascinating and truly authentic account of daily life in the early 19th-century, an engrossing chronicle of several generations of an amazing American family, and an eye-opening history of a young United States.

The events and personalities of A Breach of Privilege virtually leap off the page, and become as familiar to the reader as those of any novel. In fact, it's difficult to believe that the members of one family could have been witness to as many remarkable events in American history as were the Cilleys, but it is all true. From the quiet hills of New England to the marbled halls of the Capitol and dusty battlefields of the Civil War, their thoughts, prayers and fears come alive as can only happen in private letters.

Anderson has done a wonderful job of weaving delightful anecdotes and insightful facts into the narrative, blending them naturally with the Cilley letters themselves. As a result the lives of the characters flow seamlessly with the events of the time, an era in American history that is little studied and only vaguely understood today. It was a time of tremendous turmoil and remarkable change, and it all comes to life through the words of a Jacksonian Congressman, his pious wife, and their sons, officers in the Union Army and Navy during the Civil War.

The letters are transcribed exactly as they were written, complete with spelling and grammatical errors, by the members of this singular family. They speak of a time when death was as common as life, when children were lost with frightening regularity, when the horrors of war were secondary to its glory, and when the survival of the nation was all but certain. This is a book of history, authentic to the last detail, but beyond that it is a fascinating story.

Guiltbusters!-Thank you Dr. Anderson for giving us a darn good reason to take care of ourselves, putting ourselves at the top of our list of things to do: If we take care of ourselves, we won't relapse. Do we have to feel guilty about having this information and not going to therapy? Should Donald Trump read this book? Thanks Dr. Anderson for giving us the benefit of your years of practice and obsevation in an easy-to-read format. Betty Winston

This well-written, easy to understand book makes the often-ignored point that chronic anxiety lies beneath addiction and that "if you are chronically anxious, you do not take good care of yourself." Dr. Anderson gives page after page of practical advice on taking care of yourself in effective ways that can reduce or eliminate the chronic anxiety and make the path of sobriety a true path of recovery. The subtitle to this book is ambitious: "Stop Addiction Forever!" By looking at how to deal with anxiety as a root cause of addictions(alcohol, food, sex, gambling, smoking, etc.) Dr. Anderson provides a roadmap for permanent change. This book is very helpful for anyone who has struggled with addictive behavior, as well as for counselors and substance abuse professionals who play a significant role in the recovery process.

This is a heartwarming book that would make a great gift for anyone working with children, especially children who are sick. It is a touching and very approprite way to handle a difficult subject.

This is an amazingly original book in a storybook format and incorporates actual artwork done by children being treated at the MD Anderson Hospital. Their artwork is not only delightful but inspiring for all people not only those in a lifethreatening battle to return to wellness.

When I first bought this book, I was sorely disappointed, not by the beauty of the blooms (and they are truly magnificent), but by the fact that they hid the body of the plant underneath in most cases. I didn't know as much about cacti as I do now. I also felt that I couldn't equate my humble little 5" pots to the outdoor giants depicted too. Now I know. You need to know about the flower before you can understand the cactus, and quite often, trying to identify one cactus not in flower from another is almost impossible because so many have similar characteristics. Just wait until the flowers start, and then you understand exactly what's what, and why some succulents look like cacti, but aren't. Sound confusing? It is, to begin with, but Miles Anderson brings it all to life in this glory of a book, and gradually, all the pieces begin to fall into shape. I would recommend this highly to anyone with an interest in knowing what they're growing, or with a penchant for beautiful photographs. Read his advice carefully, and you'll soon have the blooms for your identification. A lovely book.

In my never ending quest to find informative, user-friendly guides on houseplants, this one comes up a definite winner! The author's stated intent is to provide a guide to identification and growing, and the entire book is geared to exactly that, with a friendly, informative tone throughout.

The book is prefaced by a brief overview of shapes and forms, natural habitats, and design ideas. The body of the book is comprised of two sections on plants, one for cacti, the other for succulents. Species are presented alphabetically by genus, with an overview of the genus --its basic forms, preferences, and care-- followed by more detailed descriptions of individual plant species within the genus. Description include particulars of height and form, a rundown of cultivation preferences, and often details on propagation. The appendices at the back get a bit further into care and cultivation, particularly propagation, plus there's a glossary of terms, and several plant lists for conditions and interests. The index includes both scientific and common names.

What I liked best about this book was that it discussed growing environments in terms of tolerances, rather than ideals. It is all good and well to know that a plant grows best at 83 degrees, but how far can you push the envelope before the thing drops over dead? Descriptions like "It grows well in a half day of sun and will tolerate light frost without much damage" are ever so much more interesting and useful! Also, my hat is off to the photographer, for a most excellent job throughout.

I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone with an interest in cactuses. My particular interest is growing and identification of the various (unlabeled) things I've acquired over the last few years.

Sherrell Anderson, a true master carver in the style of the master carousel creators of the 19th century, has written the one book that can tell you about carousel animals from inside the business. Not a collector or dilettante, he is one of the foremost creators, restorers and overall authorities in the world of carousels. This authoritative book covers carousel history, carving techniques and offers a real inside look at the beauty and wonder of carousel animals. The pictures are incredible, including shots of unique custom-made animals that have never been seen elsewhere. This book is a must for collectors or anyone who loves carousels.

If you want an all-inclusive book on carousel horses, this is the book. The writing is informative, concise and imaginative. It details carousels from beginning to now and even gives the addresses of many of our nations best carousels. The photographs are exquisite. The colors, the close-ups, you can almost hear the music. If you purchase this book for your collection, you will thank yourself.

This book has proved to be useful on a daily basis. It deals with large numbers as the title suggests and the recipes are given for 25, 50, 100 which I have found, working in a boarding school, to be a great resource. Most of the recipes are basic but are easily modified.

An absolute god send. I have been in the hospitlaity industry for 25 years and never have I seen a book geared especially to the large scale market. It has given me so many ideas. Where is volume 2 and 3 and 4.

This is a good book. I recommend it in addition to my own, "Strategic Organizational Change."

Dr. Michael Beitler
Author of "Strategic Organizational Change"

If you are involved in organizational change, including the introduction and rollout of new systems, steering company culture and/or reengineering this book is a gem. What sets it apart from other books on the subject is that it has no fluff - it jumps directly into what you need to do and how you need to do it to meet your change objectives.

What I like is the step-by-step approach that is process- and project-oriented. As a process the approach is provided as a change process model that meshes with the phases, activities and tasks that are required to effect the change. Each of these are explained as they are introduced in the book, and are summarized in the appendix. This makes it easy to quickly develop a work breakdown structure, determine resources and create a schedule using project management software.

I also like the way the authors sequence the activities and the thoroughness with which they examine details and provide advice, questionnaires and other useful information and tools to cut through the complexities of the change process.

Among the growing pile of books I have read on the subject this one is the most pragmatic and provides the clearest path to effectively planning for and implementing change.

Fabre was such a wonderful writer, such love for the creatures and things he writes about. Margaret Anderson incorporates his own words in this story. It is probably written for ages 7-10, but so beautifully done that older children and adults should love it too. Beautiful book. Hope it comes back into print!

This story is told from the point of view of Paul, Henri Fabri's son. Paul relates his boyhood experiences being involved with his father's lifework, the study of insects. This is a true "living" science book that will grab your children's interest. Each chapter focuses on one insect that Fabri and his children studied. The pencil drawings focus on the close family relations of this homeschooling family in the 1800's. The drawings also clearly illustrate the insects. This book may inspire the study of an insect and recording the findings in a nature notebook. I look forward to reading more books in this series.