A passionate, moving collection of poems about love lost and then love regained as a late 40s renowned trial lawyer ends a passionless 24 year marriage and despairs of ever finding true love again. Miraculously, he finds and falls in love with "the light of his life"--Dawn. She is the object of much of the honest affection in this remarkable book of poetry. O'Donnell also writes eloquently about ordinary events in his life as well as the birth and baptism of his children. There is special magic in his description of holidays like Christmas and Halloween. The poems should be savored by reading and absorbing only a few at a time.

O'Donnell has written an eloquent book of poetry about falling out of love after 22 years of marriage and despairing of ever finding true love again. In what he describes as a gift from God, this top trial lawyer recounts in vivid images the miracle of falling in love with "the light of his life." The poems range from lyrical to whimsical, from mystical to nonsensical. What makes the poems so compelling is the author's willingness to be utterly vulnerable, exposing his raw emotions like fingernails on a blackboard. The poems about his family--the birth of his three new children with Dawn, accounts of his two older children's athletic exploits and graduation, and the baptism of a son in Ireland--are especially touching. The author's Introduction reveals that this poetry was never written for publication but rather inspired by the events recounted in the poems. The absence of pretense, coupled with the spontaneity of the verse (both ryhming and free), make the poems all the more honest. I particularly liked the opening poem about nostalgia (Lilacs on the Pond), the two lovers in bed at sunrise (Dawn's Early Light)and the eulogy to O'Donnell's father (A Hole in My Heart). This is poetry that is both accessible and relevant to our lives. That it was written by someone who spends most of his time in a courtroom makes it all the more remarkable. This is a true love story well worth reading.

In a provocative and well-thought-out, albeit short text, the authors, instead of condemning any act of a business to address environmental concerns as too narrow, choose instead to applaud it. The argument is that any move toward environmentalism is a good bet, basing this on the same concept used by 17th century philospher Blaise Pascal who wagered: "If God does not exist, one will lose nothing by believing in him, while if he does exist, one will lose everything by not believing." There's a particularly telling anecdote in the book involving Edgar Woolard, the former chairman of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., after he pronounced the business's commitment to zero pollution. Subsequent to the pronouncement an engineer told Woolard that there wasn't any way one of the plants could meet the new goal. So Woolard tells the engineer that the plant will have to close. Ironically, after the plant's engineers do come up with a solution, it turns out that it will ultimately save du Pont money. This book is a terrific exploration of how some businesses are discovering that environmentalism is not only a must for survival of society, but also for the future of business. Good, well analyzed stories and thinking here.

Should corporations maximize profits OR preserve the environment? Is the cost of an environmentally sensitive business approach an expense OR an investment?

In this timely book, the authors build on the philosophical foundation of Pascal's Wager to advance what I will call Freeman's Wager:

"assume that it is reasonable to bet that there is in fact an environmental crisis. The consequences of being wrong are too great to bet otherwise."

The consequences of this wager for our children and future generations inform and lend urgency to the arguments advanced in this work.

Recognizing the ambiguity of "truth" in relation to the health of the environment and the contentious nature of public discourse on this topic, the authors advance four new environmental strategies for businesses: (1) light green, (2) market green, (3) stakeholder green, (4) dark green. Each of these strategies has its own logic and they do not represent a continuum requiring inevitable motion along a predetermined path.

Rather, these strategies represent options and the book advances a number of convincing arguments that a corporate value system that incorporates environmental considerations can actually lead to a competitive advantage.

This was an enjoyable and thought provoking tome and left me convinced that adopting a shade of green would be a competitive advantage to a company with a clear understanding of "what it stands for" and which embodies "values based capitalism." Such companies can maximize profits AND care for the environment. For these firms, environmentalism is an investment, not an expense.

I would ask the authors to further explore the implications of their thesis for average companies. They did not fully explicate the applicability of their argument to such firms.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever questioned how to live well today while preserving a good world for our children.

There are due tears that have not been shed for years or even centuries. Jim Goll is about break us into tears through this book. He is just one of those who champions identificational repentance prayer. His effort is to build the bridge for the present to deal with the past.

Simple yet concentrated, Jim's message conjures up my mind that our forefathers are still prisoners of their sins and are moaning in their dark cells, longing their record to be cleared from the debt of sins. And they waiting for today's prayers to bail them !

This book is not intended for pleasure reading. It is a call to prayer action. The content of this book articulates compassion, mercy, grace, and humility. If you are ready for an inner conviction this book certainly delivers it. Otherwise it will only leave aching void in our heart if we do nothing about it as intercessors.

The curtain of this book opens by telling us that many of today's problems are the offspring of yesterday's sins. Our forefathers have left untreated relic that are perpetuating its effects in many generations to come, even till today. Genocide, racial discrimination, outbreak of war, street violence, and different forms of injustice all has its historic origin. This book is daring us to investigate its history.

This book will shift you from an audience to a team player paradigm. Jim shows us the way to delve into the spiritual sickness of our history rack and bring them before God today to be treated. He teaches us to recognize the source of today's problem. You will be surprise at how generic sins are reappearing through the generational line and cleverly façading behind the cloak of what we prefer to call "social ills". By the end of the first few chapters, I have learnt that no matter how meandering the tree of generation may end up to be, sin knows how to find its way through to continue its reignship. Put it another words, why are things happening today is because a diabolic work has been granted a freehold to pitch itself up, from yesterday's foundational sin, as today's ruling structure to manipulate mankind.

This book tells us we can dismantle this structure by releasing pent-up sins that have been left un-confessed for years. They are in fact contributors of today's sufferings. Jim strongly implies that some of these sufferings are not necessary and certainly not worth going through. They can be uplifted through a "new" utterance of prayer through identification, reconciliation, and forgiveness. By releasing an inward cry for yesterday's mistakes, we are building a pathway to restoration and the eventual of "Thy Will be Done In Earth".

We have hope. Heaven's ear is open to hear out the orchestra of intercessors whose desire is to cleanse past sins. Intercessor must simply have this book so that they can all join hearts and sound the same chorus as that of the theme of this book - "Father forgive us !"

This is Jim W. Goll, the author of this book. I want to share briefly with you from my heart about this book. While the primary theme of this book is identificational repentance, a great deal of teaching is done here to uncover historic sins of the church and those particularly relating to us in North America. With a readalbe syle but with accurate research we delve into the problems of The Clergy Versus the Laity, The Gender Gap, The Genocide of the Jews, The First Nations Massacre, The Enlsavement of a People and the Sins of Greed and Idolatry. Read the endorsements - read it for yourself. It will be worth your investment and you will be given a heart cry to join in with me, "Father Forgive Us!"

Never, before this book, had I had a journal to write some of my personal feelings in. But, as a gift from a friend, I recieved this diary and have written in it as much as I can. The person who gave it to me stated: "Journals are the only things that keep you sane." So, becuase of this statement, I used it (and still use it). And I guess it really does help to have thise little book with me, even if sometimes it's hard to get time to write in it. Though I have had no past journals, I believe this one must be pretty good. It has quotes about dreams all over it and has vibrant, colorful pages that are not clogged up by distracting illustrations or anything that does not come in a subtle manner. At the beginning of the journal is a little inspirational poem. It's not long, or incredibly eloquent, but I read it every time I write in the book. I think this would be a good gift for ANYONE, no matter who it is. It can be a small little thing like this that can really show someone you care. I still believe that it made a differnce in my life. Also, journals can be fun and emotionally reflective. They're wonderful to read months later. It's a gift that shows someone you care about their darkest secrets. It's also fun to treat yourself to something like this. In the back there are pockets to put sincere, sentimental writings such as poems or quotes of your own. Best of all, it is small and easily travels with you wherever you go. A great purchase. Inspiring. Suggested for those of us who are more creative than others, you can write deep things that other people may not understand, making privacy ideal. I hold it in the highest esteem over many other things that I own.

This is a wonderful book to give to anyone who has achieved or is determined to achieve their goals. Great way to inexpensively promote your downline members' efforts!

I recently purchased this text along with Janson's History of Art (5th ed.). Although this handbook was written with Janson's 6th edition in mind, it has not taken away from my cross-referenced learning experience. Throughout the text, there are references to examples (illustrations) in History of Art (or other popular art history texts) which help in applying the "theory" (if you can call it that) with the "application."

The text has a wide range of art terms key to the study and analysis of art history. The section on Christian subjects, signs and symbols has helped me decipher the icons depicted in Christian-themed pieces of the Renaissance.

My copy of the text is bound somewhat backwards towards the end. The Index and Artist Chronology pages, for example, are divided and unordered ... but it does not take away from the text's usablity!

All in all, I believe this text has been a great investment.

In Abacus to Zeus, you will find a wonderful, concise, approachable 'quick and dirty' reference for those new to studying the visual arts. James Pierce brings together many of the pesky, essential--and formerly, ellusive--details in an accessible reference. Deffinitions with illustrations, terms and stories of mythology, religious art,and a chronology of artists and architects (complete with pronunciation guide--indespensible for those of us who remain unilingual) work well together to make this book a find!

a crusader of public art and the outsider's view and place within the landscape, beardsley once again publishes a magnificent chronicle of uniquely driven individuals and their art. highly recommended - excellent for anyone interested in art, landscape, theory, pop culture, sociology...incredibly well done!

This is a fabulous book. It is a comprehensive and respectful treatment of outsider artists from the US and abroad. The photos are exquisite and the text is well-written and informative. If you are at all interested in outsider art, this book will be a cherished addition to your library.

I bought this book at a Pit Bull wieght pulling show a few years ago & I loved it!! It was very well written, indepth & informative! I would recomend this book to anyone who is interested in learning the truth about the American Pit Bull Terrier, it is also a great referance book, I still find myself looking through it once in awhile. :)

AWESOME! This book gives the reader an in depth look at the Pit Bull. It tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about the Pitbull.If you are interested in getting a Pit, I HIGHLY suggest this book. It talks about EVERYTHING!

Although it is not commonly known, deficiency of magnesium is a significant risk factor for various forms of heart disease. One of the major causes of heart attacks -- which can occur even in people with ideal cholesterol levels and virtually no arterial blockage -- is a spasm of the muscles surrounding a coronary artery. Deficiency of magnesium is the most common cause of such arterial spasms, and approximately 80% of Americans suffer from some degree of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency can also contribute to cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. And magnesium deficiency is also a major cause of heart irregular heart beats and heart palpitations. (Another deficiency which can cause these symptoms is deficiency of potassium, but magnesium deficiency is generally the more common cause.) Doctors can temporarily stabilize irregular heart beats with injections of a magnesium compound, but they rarely do so except in emergency situations. However, people with an irregular heart beat caused by magnesium deficiency can generally cure the problem simply by taking 500 mg to 1,000 mg of a magnesium supplement daily -- and, in doing so they also help protect themselves from heart attacks and congestive heart failure, as mentioned above.

The preferred form of supplemental magnesium is chelated magnesium because it is readily absorbed by the body and also because other forms of supplemental magnesium may cause diarrhea.

Although the emphasis in this book is on the role of magnesium in maintaining a healthy heart, it should be noted that magnesium can also help prevent headaches and muscular cramps and is a natural relaxant which can help relieve anxiety disorders and counteract stress. Please read this book and be sure that you are getting enough magnesium -- one of the most frequently overlooked nutrients.

this book is mainly dealing with how magnesium is working in preventing spasm in the coronary arteries and other heart diseases, and what are the diffrences between the aspirin effect compare to the effects of magnesium on the heart.a supplemental plan is offered in this book containing other nutrients as well for the heart.the role in hypertension is also explain,and in general it is shown the role and superiority of magnesium in heart diseases over aspirin

Chonda takes the pain of life and sees joy and laughter because of Christ. She is one funny lady.... and a southern lady at that. Her quick wit and southern charm combine to make this one must listen to audiobook! Our family listened to it on a recent vacation. It made the miles more enjoyable and pass by much more quickly. Chonda is funny but she's had her share (and more) of pain......and therefore her wit is that much sweeter. It's true joy in Jesus......... with a punch line and a heart line!

Chonda Pierce is one of the funniest comedianes in the world. Her book is a must buy! It is wonderfully written. I would recommend it to anyone.

When you read the foreword and the dust jacket, you will understand the premise of the book: the interviews in this book represent the distilled wisdom of some of our "tribal elders." All 25 of the women interviewed are at least 50 years of age, think of themselves as Texans and are accomplished in their fields (artists, coaches, attorneys/judges, church leader, educators, entrepreneur, historian, journalists, political officeholders, physician). Most of these women have been married and have children.

There are many reasons for anyone to read these interviews: these are "feel good" stories; they represent women from varied backgrounds and persuasion; almost to a person, they understand the importance of family and friends. For young women and mothers, there are additional reasons to read these stories. Why were these women so driven to achieve significant accomplishments outside their family life and how did they balance the demands on their time and energy.

I have my favorites and you will, too. PJ finishes her collection with the chapter on her mother who reared 10 children while establishing herself as author, historian, entrepreneur, photographer and community activist. This is a remarkable group of people. The book is well organized and easy to read. You'll want to go back and reread many of the chapters.

"Let me tell you what I've learned:" Texas Wisewomen Speak
by PJ Pierce
(Reviewed by Donna Remmert)
I needed perspective for my life. Even before finishing the Introduction to "Let me tell you what I've learned:" Texas Wisewomen Speak, I knew that I'd find it in this book. As I read one fascinating story after another, I made a list of friends to whom I would gift the book. They include a niece just graduated from college, a friend interested in entering the political arena, a single mom who feels guilty about her passion for artistic expression as a painter. I can't give my own copy to anyone because I'll want to read it again someday. My husband has temporarily laid claim to the book and his response is as enthusiastic as mine.
The wisdom of the twenty-five wisewomen featured in this book is profound and inspirational. And, PJ Pierce's wit and wisdom is revealed in her Author's Notes, in which she reveals her own insights as she interviewed each of these wisewomen. Another example of the author's wisdom in writing this book is how she involved her just-out-of-college daughters in the interviewing process and included her mother in the Epilogue, as yet another Texas wisewoman. These personal touches make a statement that I think is important.
This is a reader-friendly and entertaining book, full of remarkable insights about living life with a purpose while also taking time to smell the roses. I salute these high-profile Texas women for their willingness to reveal intimate details about their lives. They have all crossed the half-century mark and they represent a cross section of career paths, ethnic groups, and geographic areas of Texas. I'm not a native Texan, yet I loved reading about "the mystique of the Texas woman". These are unique stories yet they are also similar to tales told by women everywhere.
Texas women have a feisty, humorous and assertive way that fascinates me. Below are some samples of this feistiness and of the entertaining and compelling wisdom they express in this book:
'I believe that I have a spirit that is not going to disappear.' Barbara Jordan, former U.S. Representative (D-Texas) and educator, now deceased.
'Lots of solutions happen around a casserole. If you can put a meal on the table, you will find that it comes in handy, even if you are plotting a revolution.' Liz Carpenter, press secretary and staff director for Lady Bird Johnson.
'I am Texan enough that I refer to half of my relatives as 'sister' or 'brother,' even if they are really aunts and uncles. I even have an 'Aunt Sister.' Linda Ellerbee, broadcast journalist.
'I prefer the term 'Chicano' to Mexican American' because of the connotation. 'Chicano' has come to mean a reclamation of our heritage; it means self-determination.' Carmen Lomas Garza, artist.
'When I see kids who have potential that they aren't developing, I raise hell with them; I push them to do what they are capable of.' Barbara Jacket, U.S. women's olympic coach, 1992 Barcelona.
'I am told that I should be careful about criticizing the CIA - that I might get bumped off.... If you hear that I committed suicide, I didn't!' Sarah McClendon, senior-most member, White House Press Corps.
'There seems to be a general feeling that if you are funny, you're not serious. But people don't know how many brain cells it takes to be funny.' Ann Richards, former Texas governor.
The complete list of wisewomen who generously shared their perspective includes: Artists - Carmen Lomas Garza, Glenna Goodacre, Violette Newton. Athletic coaches - Jody Conradt, Barbara Jacket. Attorneys/Judges - Louise B. Raggio, Mary Lou Robinson, Sarah Weddington. Educators - Juliet Villarreal Garcia, Amy Freeman Lee, Diana Natalicio, Guadalupe C. Quintanilla. Entrepreneur - Ninfa Laurenzo. Historian - Pauline Durrett Robertson.
Journalists - Liz Carpenter, Linda Ellerbee, Sarah McClendon. Lawmakers and political officeholders - Wilhelmina Delco, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Barbara Jordan, Irma Rangel, Ann Richards, Judith Zaffirini. Physician - Edith Irby Jones.
"Let me tell you what I've learned:" Texas Wisewomen Speak is a book worth reading. PJ Pierce captures the spirit of all Texas women in her writing, making it clear that she too is a Texas wisewoman, born and raised in Amarillo.