Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies: Issue by Issue Responses to the Most Common Claims of the Left from A to Z
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Hard to Listen When You're Being Slandered...
  • It's really not that good.
  • Good book
  • facinasting book
  • Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies
Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies: Issue by Issue Responses to the Most Common Claims of the Left from A to Z
Gregg Jackson
Manufacturer: JAJ Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0977227901

Book Description

THE CONSERVATIVE'S POLITICAL BIBLE.

Let's say you're listening to a loony liberal, debating some dopey Democrat, or arguing with a gaggle of goofy lefties.

Wouldn't it be great to have the facts to combat all those liberals lies? Well, here it is: finally, the book that sets the record straight!

Radio host and author Gregg Jackson has written THE authoritative answer book for conservatives concerning our nations key concerns:

Abortions, terrorism, the Patriot Act, separation of church and state, immigration, the environment, homosexual marriage, taxes, deficits, school vouchers, gun control, health care, social security, education, media bias, and President Bush's real record of achievements.

What makes "Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies" so important is that it gives conservatives, right-leaning independents, and even disaffected Democrats the truth they need to counter common liberal claims. Issue by issue, the book offers clear and concise conservative responses and comebacks.

Here is a brilliant, A-to-Z reference book that gives readers clear-cut answers on today's most pressing political and social issues. "Conservative Comeback to Liberal Lies" should be in the hands of every red-blooded conservative in America!

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Hard to Listen When You're Being Slandered..........2007-10-05

Is this what the land of the free and brave has come to? Is this what the "Greatest Generation" fought and died for?

I used to spend evenings as a teenager during the early 1970s as the Viet Nam War wound down to its tragic conclusion discussing that and the cultural zeitgeist with my father, an ex-military fighter pilot who fought in WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. We were definitely on opposite sides of most issues, but I learned a lot from these discussions, including his viewpoints, many of which I took very seriously. But books like these don't even bother to help understand other people's opinions and judgements. This book, like so many others of its kind, simply demonizes anyone who has a different (e.g., not sufficiently "conservative") opinion, and provides an ammo belt of snappy comebacks designed not to change anyone's mind, but to bludgeon the opposition into silence through fear, intimidation, and bumper-sticker levels of reasoning.

Books like this are part of the problem, not part of the solution. Buy it if you must, but don't expect me to waste my time arguing with anyone who reads it.

2 out of 5 stars It's really not that good........2007-09-25

I have read this book and was quite disappointed with it. I will admit that I am a little leaning toward the left, but I do consider myself as a Moderate. I know I'm going to get flamed, however I will excerise my right to freedom of speech.

The book was ment for a conservative to have "comebacks" to liberal stances. However, most of these stances are from either the extreme left or simply appear made-up or preposterous to common sense. A few comebacks seem equally weird and go against common sense.

I also did some research of my own on some of the author's claims and found many inaccuracies, twisting of facts, and some obvious ommisions. The author has made some interesting thoughts and cases for Conservative ideals, however this was more philosophical than factual. In some of my research I did find some supporting evidence. These comebacks even seem reaching or incomplete if used in actual debate. I gave it two stars only because it gave the conservative mindset, some philosophical thought, and for some accuracies.

5 out of 5 stars Good book.......2007-09-23

The book provided an organized and comprehensiver approach to answering the circular logic of the liberals.

5 out of 5 stars facinasting book.......2007-09-17

I really enjoyed this book because I am a conservative person in a whinny Democrat world. This book would be good for anyone to read that has not heard both sides of the Republican, Democrat arguments.

I am becoming an independant.

5 out of 5 stars Conservative Comebacks to Liberal Lies.......2007-09-14

Too many of us argue with each other on the issues of the day but without hard facts --we often simply repeat biased media headlines and political soundbites. That only aggravates the divisions among us. This book provides factual ammunition for any debate and it is easy to look up the issue to make sure you have the facts straight. Because of the approach the author has taken it will appeal to conservative/libertarian Republicans and repel Democrats but Democrats could learn much from this book --and that would save them from humiliation in open discussions. If the book was packaged in a less partisan way it would have greater appeal because it does give reliable factual information of use to all Americans interested in honest debate. I learned a lot of contemporary history from this well-written, easy to read book.
From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Top Notch
  • Remarkable Turnaround
  • light on the details but interesting
  • Great read for business people
  • Great book, Even for Non-Aviation hobbiest~
From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental's Remarkable Comeback
Gordon Bethune
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0471356522

Amazon.com

What do you do if you're running the worst airline in the country,one that customers hate and that's been through Chapter 11 twice in the last 10 years? If you're lucky, you'll call Gordon Bethune. Before Bethune arrived, Continental had been ravaged by the likes of Frank Lorenzo and airline deregulation--it was considered the laughingstock of the airline industry in the United States. Under Bethune's leadership, Continental turned itself around to become one of the most respected and reliable airlines in the industry. From Worst to First describes how Bethune, with a lot of luck and the right combination of people, was able to transform Continental from an also-ran into an award-winning company. --Harry C. Edwards

Book Description

The numerous anecdotes alone are worth the price of the book . . . most readers will find themselves asking why everyone doesn't run a business as preached by the chief executive of Continental Airlines.-The Washington Post Book World

. . . in an age where managing seems increasingly complicated, some of Bethune's prescriptions are refreshingly straightforward.-Business Week

From Worst to First outlines Gordon Bethune's triumphs . . . about the turnaround he's led at Continental, a perennial basket case that's become an industry darling.-The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

From Worst to First is [Gordon Bethune's] story of Continental Airlines' turnaround under his command . . . The blueprint has worked . . . Fortune magazine named Continental the company that has 'raised its overall marks more than any other in the 1990s.'-The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

All of Gordon Bethune's proceeds from this book will be donated to the We Care Trust, a nonprofit organization that assists Continental Airlines' employees and their families in times of need.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Top Notch.......2007-05-19

I had the pleasure of doing media relations for Continental in the early 2000s, including the years after 9/11. The Gordon Bethune in the book is the Gordon Bethune you meet in person: incredibly smart, driven, concerned about the people whose paychecks he signed, and satisfied with nothing less than the best. Great read. (I sound like a PR guy... But I mean it sincerely...)

5 out of 5 stars Remarkable Turnaround.......2007-01-22


This is an enlightening book on how CEO Gordon Bethune, together with his team, engineered a remarkable turnaround of Continental Airlines in the mid-1990s and then steered Continental to be a very successful airline. With literary assistance from journalist Scott Huler, Continental Airlines Bethune describes how he transformed the near-bankrupt airline into one of the best companies in the industry. He outlined his four-part "Go Forward" plan for turning Continental airlines around, and offers critical advice to all business professionals. He uses numerous examples, as well as stories and anecdotes; to make his simple, yet profound points.T he challenges faced by Continental Airlines in 1994 are somewhat similar to those faced by many airlines worldwide in the past six years or so, when the industry was going through a rough patch. Many of these airlines need visionary and decisive leadership of Bethune's mould to turn the familiar red ink at the bottom line to black.

The book is well written in an easy to follow and understand manner which enables it to benefit anyone in any industry to gain insights into how to turnaround a loss making business with dysfunctional structures and demotivated people. I learnt a lot from the various examples provided which helped me to get his message across. I also enjoyed the various humorous stories which illustrates how badly Continental used to be mismanaged and how the situation was straightened out.

Although there was a fair amount of repetition which may annoy some people, I had no problem with it as it helped to reinforce the author's message. This book is absolutely invaluable for any manager or leader in any organization undergoing a turnaround process, regardless of size.

3 out of 5 stars light on the details but interesting.......2006-12-18

Continental airlines was a major disaster in 1994. Gordon Bethune did a major turnaround of that company and unfortunately he does not tell us how he did it with the exception of cutting costs. He was so busy talking about how wonderful he was that he forgot to tell us how to turn the company around and not just the end results. It is still an interesting book for those who are interested in the airline industry but don't expect to get much out of it if you are looking for the story of continentals turnaround.

4 out of 5 stars Great read for business people.......2005-12-16

I have been a loyal frequent flyer at Continental since the late 90's, and I have no idea the airlines was that terrible at the early 90's. As a frequent flyer, I admire Continental's plane is always cleaner than other airlines, and the flight attendant attitude is always friendly than others. After reading the book, I understand the reasons.
If you work at a company need to be turned around, this book is almost a top read. For management, there are some good ideas worth considering from reading this book.
This book can be condensed to 2/3. The last one third of the book is somewhat repeating what has been said at the beginning. Otherwise I will give it a 5 stars rating.

5 out of 5 stars Great book, Even for Non-Aviation hobbiest~.......2005-12-12

This is a great book on how Continental emerged from bankruptcy twice. Bethunes punes run throughout the book which make for easy and enjoyable reading. Even for a college student such as myself.
Viva la Repartee: Clever Comebacks and Witty Retorts from History's Great Wits and Wordsmiths
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Very entertaining -- and educational!
  • BE WARNED!
  • Felicitous, Malicious, Salacious... Delicious!
  • Viva la Repartee
  • How I Wish I'd Said That...
Viva la Repartee: Clever Comebacks and Witty Retorts from History's Great Wits and Wordsmiths
Mardy Grothe
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060789484
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Book Description

Everyone knows the sensation of utter regret that occurs once you've hung up the phone or said your goodbyes, and that perfect turn of phrase or witty remark comes to your mind with absolute clarity much too late. Viva La Repartee pays humble homage to those brilliant and rare responses throughout history that were expressed at the perfect moment and delivered with an aplomb that will have you pumping your fist with sweet satisfaction. From politicians and authors to entertainers and philosophers, Mardy Grothe has assembled the ultimate collection of comebacks, retorts, rejoinders, and banter from some of history's greatest wordsmiths, including Oscar Wilde, Woody Allen, Dorothy Parker, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Dolly Parton, Albert Einstein, and much more. As entertaining as it is intellectually nourishing, Viva La Repartee is sure to arrest the attention of language lovers everywhere.

Download Description

"

For most of us, that perfect retort or witty reply often escapes us when we need it most, only to come to mind with perfect clarity when it's too late to be useful. The twentieth-century writer Heywood Broun described this all-too-common phenomenon when he wrote ""Repartee is what we wish we'd said.""

In Viva la Repartee, Dr. Mardy Grothe, author of Oxymoronica, has lovingly assembled a collection of masterfully composed -- and perfectly timed -- replies that have turned the tables on opponents and adversaries. This delightful volume is a celebration of the most impressive retorts, ripostes, rejoinders, comebacks, quips, ad-libs, bon mots, off-the-cuff comments, wisecracks, and other clever remarks ever to come out of the mouths -- and from the pens -- of people throughout history. Touching on all areas of human endeavor, including politics, the arts, literature, sports, relationships, and even the risqué, the book features contributions from Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Dorothy Parker, Mae West, Groucho Marx, Winston Churchill, Dolly Parton, and scores more.

As entertaining as it is intellectually enriching, Viva la Repartee is sure to capture the attention of language lovers and is the perfect antidote for anyone who's ever thought I wish I'd said that!

"

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Very entertaining -- and educational!.......2006-07-11

Entertaining little book packed full of examples of great comebacks and wit from a variety of different times, different people, and different circumstances. The book is broken down into chapters focusing on a specific type of repartee, such as "Classic Quips," "Laconic Repartee," "Stage & Screen Repartee," and "Inadvertent Repartee" (as well as many others). Some of them made me laugh out loud, and usually those were coming from the same three people: Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, and Dorothy Parker. But there were a gazillion I'd never heard of that were pretty hilarious as well. This is an engaging, funny, and educational (really, it is!) book that I enjoyed reading quite a bit. Great for when you only have time for short snatches of reading. I've learned a lot of slammin' comebacks I hope to have a chance to use soon!

My one complaint about the book, though, is that it was missing the best witty laconic (extremely brief) response of all time. During the Battle of the Bulge in WWII, the Germans sent a message to the American army demanding our unconditional surrender, or else we'd be annihilated. General McAuliffe's one word response? "Nuts!" Damn, I just love that one. Recommended!

5 out of 5 stars BE WARNED!.......2006-05-28

Much as overindulgence on bon-bons can lead to deleterious effects, so can feasting on too many bon mots. After staying up late and stuffing myself on the witticisms of George Bernard Shaw, Dorothy Parker, and company, I found myself looking for any angle to slip in a quip. And after reading this amusing and well-researched book, I am loaded with ammo.

5 out of 5 stars Felicitous, Malicious, Salacious... Delicious!.......2006-03-25

This is a wonderful book that introduced me to many great quips and one-liners I had never before heard, even from the legends like Winston Churchill, Dorothy Parker and Mark Twain. Grothe's little proem before each quip gives great context and makes them even more unforgettable.

This is a great gift to give yourself, or - for that matter - to anyone who enjoys dancing, sparring or fencing with that most able of partners, the English language.

5 out of 5 stars Viva la Repartee.......2006-02-28

Amusing book to keep by your favorite reading chair. Something I will pick up and re-read.

4 out of 5 stars How I Wish I'd Said That..........2006-02-26

...or a reasonable facsimile thereof. I ordered this book as a present for my daughter who is in early her forties and is an attorney in family law. I speed-read the book and found it really entertaining. My daughter loved it! I wrote in my dedication, "perhaps you can use a couple of these in court." THAT certainly would add excitement to those court hearings!

The Comeback Challenge (Matt Christopher Sports Classics)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Dear reader
  • The Comeback Challenge was Great!
The Comeback Challenge (Matt Christopher Sports Classics)
Matt Christopher
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316141526

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Dear reader.......2006-05-22

I really liked the book. It gives excellent tips on soccer. The tips come from a little boy that comes from England to America. The little boy's name is Mark. And his parents are getting divorced and he comes from England and moves to America to live with his grandparents. This book is great it shows you how the little boy over came his challenges. I like how he doesn't let any of the kids on the team get to him because he has to live with his grandparents. This is a great book. I suggest it for any reader.

5 out of 5 stars The Comeback Challenge was Great!.......2003-08-10

I thought that The Comeback Challenge was great. Mark, who was on the scorpions team, was angry that his parents, who kept on fighting, and they each wanted him to live with him or her, because they were getting a divorce. Currently, he had to live with his grandparents, until it was settled. Also, the team captain Lance, didn't really like Mark that much. At the end Mark stays with his grandparents another year. Mark was the one to tell the judge that. Also at the end the problem with Lance was solved, and Mark was elected captain for the next soccer season.
No Comebacks
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Don't Believe What You Hear."
  • Awesome
  • Like Ten Shots From a Semi-Automatic
  • Forsyth at his best
  • Ten Entertainments
No Comebacks
Frederick Forsyth
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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  5. Icon Icon

ASIN: 0553276735
Release Date: 1983-03-01

Book Description

Here are ten suspenseful, serpentine stories  of betrayal, blackmail, murder, and revenge...all  culminating in shocking twists of fate.  Within these pages live a wealth of  characters you will not soon forget...people  whose lives become irrevocably trapped in a world of  no comebacks, beyond the point of no return--from  the manipulators and the manipulated to the  ultra-rich capable of buying and selling human lives, to  the everyday man maneuvered by circumstances into  performing deadly acts of violence.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Don't Believe What You Hear.".......2006-08-11

In 'No Comebacks,' Mark found more than he bargained for when the Corsician assassin told him to strip. He had his public and 'professional' life, his private life, and his secret life -- none of which matched the London tycoon personna he projected. In his kind of fast lane wheeling and dealing, there are no comebacks, but he did not see this one coming. As in any kind of business, even radio, there are no comebacks from scandal. On air pranks and stunts are not acceptable at any time, and yet a group of incorrigibles got away with it free and clear. At least, they thought so, until a stranger entered their world with a mission of revenge.

In another story, there is a libel victim exacting sweet revenge. 'A Careful Man' wasn't careful enough as he wandered around his meek neighborhood for his usual two-block walk. 'There Are Some Days' and 'There Are No Snakes in Ireland' regardless to what you've heard are strange and different. "You are not obliged to say anything, but anything you say will be taken down and may be used in evidence." He can write on many diverse subjects, even in French. Writing is magical. The empty page is where you start to put together the disparate parts of your life. Once you put it down on paper, you can figure out how all your plans can start to come together. Most writers are clearly aware of this unless they have the so-called writers' block.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2006-08-01

I loved the twist endings, some were funny, some insighrful, others a little boring, but the overall effect was good. Great writing style, and interesting enough plots for short stories and the irony of life.

4 out of 5 stars Like Ten Shots From a Semi-Automatic.......2005-09-07

Very few writers are equally good at both novels and short stories. I will not leave you in suspense - Frederick Forsyth is a better novelist. That is not a problem, however, as his novels are strong enough that he can dip a bit below that level and still be quite good. NO COMEBACKS demonstrates this.

As one would expect from Forsyth, the stories in this collection often have either a violent or malicious undercurrent to them or explore the inner recesses of man's psyche. Many of the stories have a bit of a twist at the end, with some easy to see, others a bit harder, while still others appear to be apparent only to take a last minute swerve to somewhere else. My personal favorite is Money With Menace because it illustrates one of my favorite principles - you should not mess with someone even if he looks to be a sap because you never know when that other guy is tougher and nastier than you. The story Duty is out of place, which Forsyth acknowledges in a footnote. But as it is claimed to be true, I am glad it is included and the story did stay with me for a while after reading it.

Forsyth unfortunately tends to be far too technical with some of his descriptions. Usually this is easily overlooked but becomes irritating in the story The Emperor with its details of fishing equipment. I suppose, however, that one does not earn Forsyth's reputation without an eye for detail and one cannot blame a man for showing it. Get the book to read a story or two between larger and heavier books and you will not be disappointed.

5 out of 5 stars Forsyth at his best.......2005-05-02

This is the first book of short stories I read by this author, I enjoyed the twist in all. I always loved reading him and cannot wait for another book. I have almost his entire collection.

4 out of 5 stars Ten Entertainments.......2004-08-18

Forsyth is best known for his taut thrillers, especially The Day of Jackal, but this collection of short stories reveals him a very competent crafter of clever short stories. Originally written in the early to late '70s (and three of which appeared in Playboy), each of the ten tales is a mini-morality tale, with a lighthearted tone and a twist of some sort. Their unifying theme is revenge/comeuppanceóeach story is about someone getting their just desserts one way or another. The exception to this is "Duty", which is not light at all and quite different in theme and perspective, and for those reasons, feels wholly out of place.

Two of the stories feature wealthy protagonists, including the title story, which tells of a handsome, successful English businessman who can have anything he wants from life and yet is still bored. It's the old "money can't buy you happiness" story, until one day he falls for a married woman. She admits the mutual attraction but won't leave her husband, and so the tycoon decides to send a hitman to solve the problem. The mechanics of the hitman's assignment are very compelling, and it all leads to an obvious twist that reaffirms the moral. "A Careful Man" is another rich man tale, but in this case, the wealthy coin dealer is dying of cancer and has no one he wants to leave his fortune toóleast of all his detestable sister and her family. His solution is fairly clever and the fun is in watching the odious family catch up with what the reader already knows.

Another set of stories feature unassuming hard-working middle-aged men who have yet to reap many fruits from their labors, and are generally married to unpleasant frigid nags. In "The Emperor", a bank manager vacations with his wife on a tropical island for the first (and probably last) time. It's basically the best experience of his life, and on the last day he quite daringly sneaks out for some sport fishing. This is transformative in a fairly predictable way, but satisfying nonetheless. In "Money With Menaces", an unassuming man comes across a "swingers" magazine on the train, and is intrigued by the idea of meeting a woman for sex. He falls right into an obvious blackmail scheme, but for once Forsyth hides the twist until the end, providing perhaps the best resolution of all the stories. "Privilege" starts with a small businessman who has been libeled in the newspaper and seeks redress. His lawyer dissuades him from suing, pointing out that winners of such suits usually incur huge financial costs that aren't worth the satisfaction of winning. Studying the libel statutes for a few days, he spots a possible form of redress. This story seems a little strange, as Britain has some of the harshest libel penalties in the Western world. "Used in Evidence" is about an old man who may or may not have killed his wife thirty years previously.

Three of the stories are set in Ireland, a place Forsyth had a great personal interest in. "There Are No Snakes In Ireland" is a straight-out revenge tale, pitting a hard-working Indian student against his persecutor, a racist UVF thug. "There Are Some DaysÖ" is a comedy of errors about the heist of a truck of French brandy which goes completely pear-shaped. As in other stories, the reader knows more than the characters, and the pleasure comes in watching it all unfold. "Sharp Practice" takes place on a train, where a judge, priest, and humble worker pass the time with a friendly game of poker. Anyone who's knows a bit about con artistry will see the setup and likely result a mile away, but it's still good fun.

All in all this is a very solid, if not spectacular set of stories. No doubt due to his journalistic background, Forsyth is great with the details of the stories, especially how people go about their work. His characters tend to be types rather than individuals, but for the kind of stories he tells, that's all you really need. As morality tales they are all set up and executed quite cleverly. And yet for all that, there's a kind of disposable element to them; none will make you sit up and say "wow".
The Ultimate Comeback: How to Turn a Bad Night Into a Good Day
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • ULIMATE COMEBACK
  • The Best yet!
  • Most telling statements for today's Christian is to make sure to pass the test when it comes around a second time
  • All about forgiveness
  • I was suposed to get free shipping
The Ultimate Comeback: How to Turn a Bad Night Into a Good Day
Tommy Tenney
Manufacturer: FaithWords
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

HappinessHappiness | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
FaithFaith | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0446578320

Book Description

Bestselling author of The God Chaser series and renowned Bible teacher Tommy Tenney draws a clear map for turning your life around, unveiling the path to restoring our minds, bodies, and lives.Whether trying to recover from a past issue or dealing with a current problem, we've all made missteps or been placed in bad situations. Tommy Tenney has a message for us about restoration: it comes only from faithful obedience. He uses biblical stories as examples of the pitfall of focusing on wrong answers in bad situations. Attaching faith to wrong things leads only to disappointment, while focusing on what really matters--faithful obedience--brings restoration. Helping readers do the right things with God's help, rather than obsessing on the wrong things, is the goal of Tenney's dynamic new book. Tenney offers solid practical advice for anyone looking for a way out of their problems and into victorious living.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars ULIMATE COMEBACK.......2007-10-02

This book was so good I ordered one for my daughter recovering from a marriage hurt. The most rememberal was the comparison of the preparation of Arons rod.

4 out of 5 stars The Best yet!.......2007-08-14

Tommy Tenny has written some very powerful and life effecting books, To me this is the best. Keep up the Chase!

5 out of 5 stars Most telling statements for today's Christian is to make sure to pass the test when it comes around a second time.......2007-06-06

Author and speaker Tommy Tenney invites readers to believe God to accomplish the impossible in their lives. Specifically, Tenney asserts that God can and will afford believers the chance for the ultimate comeback. It doesn't matter what setbacks a Christian is facing down; with God's enablement nothing is too dark, distressing or disabling for Him to prevail over.

Tenney forms much of his text around the biblical story of Elisha's servant, Gehazi, whose deliberate disobedience and greed ushered in the most hideous punishment of that day: leprosy. Ironically, this affliction was the very disease from which the wealthy Naaman (and from whom Gehazi illicitly stole) was just healed: "Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." Writes Tenney, "...one error in judgment, one bad decision, and life as he (Gehazi) knew it was over." While Elisha pronounced judgment on his erring servant, God allows careful readers to watch as the drama of Gehazi's life unfolds over the coming years. Tenney continually challenges believers not to count Gehazi down and out, for God eventually turns the table and gives Gehazi another opportunity to redeem himself.

Tenney skillfully depicts the surrounding climate of the times and fills in the blanks so that interested readers can see how mistakes in error and judgment can snowball into a series of pain and suffering. While Gehazi failed at the outset, Tenney tells today's believer to obey God in all areas of life. Gehazi coveted the "blessings" of the good life but was willing to compromise truth to obtain it. Likewise, he exhorts readers to obey God, and thereby give God an excuse to bless. Lest some think that Tenney is pitching a formulaic, no-fail guide to "getting from God," the remainder of the text details how those who walk toward God will suffer along the way.

Asserting that God does His best work in secret throughout scripture, Tenney shares the unlikely coinciding events of Esther's strategic placement in the palace, Samson's inward character flaws and John Mark's inability to withstand the rigors of being a traveling evangelist. Yet God worked through these unlikely people, despite their fears and failings, and He made up the difference in every situation. Similarly, God used Gehazi's years as a leper to change and refine his character. Placed in yet another "tempting" position to profit by another's loss, Gehazi makes the right choice and God heals him.

In sum, Tenney shares that part of the process of making an ultimate comeback from financial woes, ill health or relational breakdowns is embracing the supposition that the "gift of failure" is one of the best learning tools in life. Writes Tenney, "failure is often the womb of success." He provides a detailed look at one of the most overlooked biblical characters and offers a fresh take on this man's mistakes, pain and eventual redemption. One of Tenney's most telling statements for today's Christian is to make sure to pass the test when it comes around a second time.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

5 out of 5 stars All about forgiveness.......2007-04-12

Many times people believe that they have gone too far to be forgiven. In The Ultimate Comeback, Tommy Tenney masterfully weaves Biblical stories to show that there is not only hope for forgiveness, but also that your life, ministry, or marriage can be fully restored in time.

In the first three chapters, Tenney gives the reader a foundation that the Lord is very much in control on the situation, even when it doesn't seem like it. The first work that master storyteller Tenney weaves is a tale of what life must have seemed like for the almond branch that became Aaron's staff. One can fully identify with this poor branch that only wanted to grow up and produce almonds, and has instead been cut off, dried, and stripped of its bark. But the Lord had other plans for it. In the end the Lord's plans were so much more fulfilling than just producing almonds.

If the reader is not aware of the biblical story of Gehazi, the servant of the prophet Elisha, Tenney spends the bulk of the book recounting it: how greed got the best of Gehazi and how, because of that sin, the curse of leprosy clung to his family. Thankfully though, Gehazi's history doesn't end there, but mysteriously he is restored and given a new position in the king's court! How does that come about? Tenney draws upon many sources to come up with some logical conclusions.

Follwing are a few quotes from the book that are indicative of Mr. Tenney's ability to paint a word picture:

-- "Sometimes our ego can write a check that our character cannot cash."

-- "Anytime you "take" anything out of God's hands He will let you have it."

--"....failure is often the womb of success."

Armchair Interviews says: If you have questions about how much a loving God cares about you and your situation, this book is for you. This is truly a 5-star read.

5 out of 5 stars I was suposed to get free shipping .......2007-02-09

so that is the only thing I don't like . I was told I would get free shipping if I ordered $25.00 or more so i did, but I did not get shipping as stated
The books and the company were fine.
thanks
Hemp Horizons: The Comeback of the World's Most Promising Plant (The Real Goods Solar Living Book)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • a rare find
  • Excellent intro to hemp!
  • Dusk of Dawn
  • This book outlines a compelling case for re-examining hemp.
Hemp Horizons: The Comeback of the World's Most Promising Plant (The Real Goods Solar Living Book)
John W. Roulac
Manufacturer: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Production & OperationsProduction & Operations | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0930031938

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars a rare find.......2005-08-03

a beautiful and intelligently written book that is actually printed on hemp paper ("This endpaper is 50-percent hemp/50-percent cotton paper") and with hemp-oil-based inks!!!

When you pick the book up, it actually feels more durable than many other books; and the cover is printed on recycled stock.

So the book really embodies the message, and the message is resounding: there are innovative and sound methods of growing this economy while working to protect the planet. There are wonderful black and white illustrations throughout.

The chapters are well-organized and highly informative.

I could have done without the cheesy "hemp model shot" on the back of the book, but it's not enough to avoid giving this marvelous book a five star rating!

5 out of 5 stars Excellent intro to hemp!.......2002-06-23

This book is an outstanding easy to understand source for learning the history of and the many different uses of hemp.
I'm compelled to become a more vocal advocate of the product!

5 out of 5 stars Dusk of Dawn.......2002-06-20

With this book, Roulac has given us THE complete and definitive book of hemp's past, present to future. It traces hem's historical roots, details the hundreds of uses of hemp, explains the historical legal underpinnings of hemp's brush in with the law, examines the global hemp industry, and shows hemp in the modern marketplace. In effect, this book provides readers with the most factual, historically comprehensive, and even-handed presentation of this controversial crop to date. To give an understanding of how useful and potentially revolutionary this crop is, allow me to quote one of my favorite parts of the book:

"So imagine that one day within the next ten years, you wake up in a house whose walls, roof, flooring, insulation, and paint are derived of hemp. You feel great after sleeping on your hemp-stuffed mattress, covered with soft linens spun from hemp fiber. Your feet sink into the hemp carpeting as you get out of bed and open the hemp drapes. It's a beautiful morning.

"You jump into the shower, where you soap, shampoo, and hair conditioner made from hemp. You step out onto the hemp bath mat, drying yourself with a superabsorbent hemp towel. You clean your ears with H-Tips (better than the old cotton swabs), and apply hemp-oil lotion, moisturizer, and lip balm. You make a mental note to buy some more hemp toilet paper, recalling how it wasn't too long ago that we were still cutting down centuries-old trees just to flush them away.

"Opening your closet, you dress in hemp jeans, shirt, and jacket; put on hemp socks and shoes; tie the hemp laces; and grab your hemp wallet, which holds checks and currency printed on hemp paper.

"You're hungry, so you walk into the kitchen with its hemp-based linoleum floor. You make some wheat-and-hemp-flower toast, and pour a glass of fresh, organic hemp milk. After eating, you make a salad with hemp-oil dressing to take to work. Then you wash your dishes, using hemp-oil dish soap and a hemp pot-scrubber, and put the dishes away in a cabinet built of hemp fiberboard. Sitting down on the hemp-framed and upholstered couch, you glance at a newspaper printed with hemp ink on hemp recycled paper, and learn that the hemp industry is now the largest agribusiness and the major job provider in your state. You turn on the stereo, which sits on a hemp fiberboard cabinet, and listen as music vibrates from speakers also made from hemp fiberboard. They contain specialty hemp paper for the speaker cones and are covered with black hempen cloth.

"Leaving the house for work, you open the door of your car, built of strong, lightweight composites that include hemp. Relaxing into the driver's seat, luxuriously upholstered with hemp textiles, you rest your feet on floor mats that look like rubber but are made from hemp. As you drive to your job at the new hemp-fiber processing facility, you pass farmers harvesting some of the locally grown hemp that is revitalizing your community's rural economy."

A beautiful morning indeed, but it would be even more beautiful if you knew how environmentally friendly and healthy your new hempen life actually is. The rubber-like mats in your hemp mobile are all natural and 100 per cent biodegradable; the roots of the hemp plants that line the fields of your county help enrich and solidify much-needed topsoil and therefore increase the yield of other rotational crops. You smile while spreading hempseed hummus on your hemp-wheat toast knowing it is the single most complete source of non-animal protein on the planet - and tastes much better than tofu. The smile increases as you pour hemp oil on your salad, knowing it is high in essential fatty acids that help you think better, boost your immune system, decrease your chances of cancer, and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, platelet coagulation, and hardening of the arteries. Lastly, before heading off to work, you opt for your hemp skateboard instead of the hemp mobile, as it is a brilliant, bright and sunny day.

The fact of the matter is, this beautiful morning has no imaginative end. The only thing keeping us from achieving the dawn of a new tomorrow is our monopoly cotton and paper industries, and a government which seems to be supporting those industries by restricting and limiting hemp production permits and also by unleashing the DEA on would-be hemp producers (despite the fact that it has NEVER been illegal to grow hemp in America). Whatever you want to know about hemp is in this book. A must read.

5 out of 5 stars This book outlines a compelling case for re-examining hemp........1998-11-25

This book is an eye opener for those who appreciate the potential for every thing old to be new again. It outlines a compelling case for re-examining the value of hemp as an agricultural renewable resource. The book's tone is very "straight" and specifically eschews the mixing advocacy of herb and fiber. Along with a thorough overview history of hemp use, cultivation, and current purposes, the book offers a product directory, strong bibliography, and access to its web site.
A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Beatitudes are just platitudes, depending on the attitudes
  • Willie's a Winner!
  • BUY THIS BOOK TODAY! KEEP IT FOREVER!
  • Stop talkin about it, and be about and do what you gotta do!
  • Ten Stars if I could put them on here!
A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback
Willie Jolley
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
MotivationalMotivational | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312267738

Book Description

A setback is nothing but a setup for a comeback! The wisdom in these words can help lift you out of your low points in life and put you on the path to victory!*Have you ever had a setback? *Has life ever thrown you a curve ball?*Have you ever been knocked down by hard times?Willie Jolley, the author of the motivational bestseller It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life!, will inspire you to take action! In A Setback Is A Setup For A Comeback, Willie presents his "VDAD" formula (Vision, Decision, Action, Desire) for overcoming life's constant challenges. He shares his techniques for taking control of your destiny, using anecdotes and stories that will encourage you to focus and take action on your dreams-despite the adversities! You will hear from ordinary people who refused to cower in the face of hardships, and found opportunities in unlikely places. There are humorous insights ("sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug") and practical methods (Need to rid yourself of negative thoughts? "Face it, trace it, erase it, replace it!"). Using Willie Jolley's 12 simple strategies (as outlined in the VDAD formula) you will have the tools to turn your trials into triumphs, your problems into possibilities, and your setbacks into comebacks

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Beatitudes are just platitudes, depending on the attitudes.......2002-06-05

This is the first book I've read by Willie Jolley and it will be the last. If "A Setback is a Setup for a Comeback" didn't repeat passages and themes from his previous book, it would be 40% smaller. If you take away the stories from other motivational & self-help authors that Jolley repeats in this book, take away another 30%. And if you take away every time he mentions the title in the book (repeated almost as a mantra), take away another 5%.

Cliches abound. Like my title for this review tries to convey, you just start shaking your head after reading a certain amountt and wonder if Jolley can write a page without a cliche or "snappy" saying.

To be fair, I did take some good things away from the book. And if he happens to highlight an approach to a life turnaround for you, then it's worth every penny.

So it gets 3 stars. Some good advice for me, but almost to the point of putting the book down for the reasons above.

5 out of 5 stars Willie's a Winner!.......2001-02-06

My good friend Willie Jolley is a winner and has written another winner! If this book doesn't motivate and inspire you to make some changes, you are dead and they haven't buried you yet.

5 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK TODAY! KEEP IT FOREVER!.......2000-10-05

The 170,000 members of Toastmasters International recently named Willie Jolley the top motivational/inspirational speaker for 1999 and one of the top 5 top speakers in the world! Now, without a doubt, I know WHY. This book is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. Anyone who has ever faced disappointments or been discouraged by setbacks will be inspired to "keep on keeping on," after they read "A Setback is a Setup for a Comeback." I bought this book in paperback, but I'm also going to buy it in hardcover so that I can pass it on to my kids.

5 out of 5 stars Stop talkin about it, and be about and do what you gotta do!.......2000-08-15

If you are ever stuck in Life from a setback, this book is for you. What makes it special? It's packed full of quotes and thought-provoking stories that will stay in your mind long before you finish the book! My personal self-esteem has gone up, and the way he wrote the book makes you feel like he's talking to you and only you. You feel like you are having a conversation with him in person. My concentration span is very bad but this book was so funny and enlightening that I didn't want to put it down. I take it with me to read on the bus, between my breaks at work and before my classes. What I like best is that he makes you feel like you can do anything. It gives hope and encouragement to help you get over anything you've dealt with in the past or any changes you are dealing with now. This will be a winner with teens, and adults and it's principles can inspire even little kids. I'd recommend this one to anyone who wants to have the courage to change their lives for the better. How long does it take to see results? One minute. Everyone can spare one minute. Remember, when you do something positive for yourself, you are really INVESTING in yourself. This book will certainly be a huge investment to be read and enjoyed again and again.

5 out of 5 stars Ten Stars if I could put them on here!.......2000-06-12

Willie Jolley blows my mind! What charisma and insight he shares in this and his other book! I found myself smiling, crying, feeling encouraged. Reading his writing is like having a long, friendly supportive letter, sprinkled with some excellent advice. I'm a HUGE Willie Jolley fan now, and I own both his books. They're terrific - and so clear and inspiring they will help anyone who reads them.
Trump: The Art of the Comeback
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • One of his Better Books
  • Candid and Complex Self-Portrait of a Real Estate Titan
  • ROFL, Ok What A Joke
  • Back in business
  • Drivel
Trump: The Art of the Comeback
Donald J. Trump
Manufacturer: Crown Business
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
BusinessBusiness | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Trump, DonaldTrump, Donald | ( T ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0812929640
Release Date: 1997-10-27

Amazon.com

Does the world really need another book by or about Donald Trump? Surely his previous tomes about getting to the top, surviving at the top, and falling from the top--not to mention the innumerable magazine covers and tabloid stories detailing his rather sordid personal life--have sated the public's taste for "The Donald." Just in case this isn't so, however, Trump has given us yet another paean to himself: Trump: The Art of the Comeback. If you really care to know what Trump thinks about Howard Stern, Geraldo Rivera, or Carl Icahn--or his deep understanding of women--he's happy to tell you. If you thrill to accounts of financial takeovers and mano a mano encounters in boardrooms and on golf courses, this is the book for you.

Book Description

Trump's story begins when many real estate moguls went belly-up in what he calls the Great Depression of 1990.  Trump reveals how he renegotiated millions of dollars in bank loans and survived the recession, paving the way for a resurgence, during which he built the most successful casino operation in Atlantic City, broke ground on one of the biggest and most lucrative development projects ever undertaken in New York City, and outsmarted one of South America's richest men for rights to the Miss Universe pageant.

Blunt, outrageous, smart as hell, and full of hilarious stories--check out his chapter "The Art of the Prenuptial Agreement"--Trump tells it like it is: the women in his life; the wild and woolly deals; negotiating tactics; his investment philosophy; and his strategy for success or coming back from adversity.

Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is certain about Donald Trump: He is a true American original, with great instincts and billion-dollar dreams.  The Art of the Comeback is Trump at his best--unpredictable, irreverent, and irrepressible.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars One of his Better Books.......2006-08-09

Most books written by Trump sound like an old broken record. But that can be said of many book sequels. Basically reading one by the author is more or less reading the others. This book is somewhat unique because it talks of Trump in trouble, in a recession, and how he was able to stand tough and come back. These are lessons that are very useful to everyone since we live in a world when tough times come and go and it is probably during these tough times that will separate the men from the boys.

4 out of 5 stars Candid and Complex Self-Portrait of a Real Estate Titan.......2006-06-11

In characteristic blunt style, Donald Trump describes how he made his astounding financial comeback during the severe downturn in the early-1990s real estate market. In a few short years, Trump went from being three-quarters of a billion dollars in debt to having a net worth of over $2 billion. This fast-reading book provides a fascinating look at this highly controversial, intelligent, and complex man.

Much of the book is full of name-dropping and self-pats on the back, but, hey, "The Donald" has a lot to brag about. Trump describes how he bought and improved many of New York's greatest landmarks, such as the Emprire State Building, Wollman Skating Rink, and 40 Wall Street.

Trump is coarse and sensitive; vicious toward betrayers and generous to loyalists; egotistical and self-critical. He uses four-letter words to describe his enemies, yet is magnanimous enough to make peace with rival Merv Griffin. He describes his nasty divorce with Ivana, but has mostly good things to say about her. Perhaps The Donald's most candid admission is that the breakup of his marriage to Marla was probably his fault.

This book isn't for everyone. Trump, the quintessential builder, finds "a crane on every block" a thing of beauty. He also seems to find humor in Mike Tyson's biting of Evander Holyfield's ear during that infamous heavyweight title fight.

Trump is understandably reticent about his daily life during the tough times of the early '90s, but that would have been more interesting material than the mundane schedule he describes.

Yet, overall, The Art of the Comeback is a straight-shooting autobiography providing insight into the mind of the greatest real estate titan of our time.

5 out of 5 stars ROFL, Ok What A Joke.......2006-05-19

All you haters out ther hating DOnald trump because he is succesful and that is fine and dandy, calling him an "overgrown boy" when you can't even talk or type properly. I am getting sick and tired of all these small time smack talkers criticizing Donald Trump for being succesful, while having pride, and living the American Dream being that his grandfather was a German immigrant and has built an empire in 3 generations, more than most people have been in here for way longer. He is living the billionaire experience having style and beautiful women and everything. Take it or leave it. ROFLCakes. Many of you haven't gotten that he is writing from experience and so he tells us what he has gone through to be where he is at today. This Book can literaly change your life as it did mine. It is inspiring don't listen to these jealouse fools, buy and read this book you will not be dissapointed.

3 out of 5 stars Back in business.......2005-09-13

Like all the Trump books this one captures a moment in the life of "The Donald". Trump's bad habit of erroneously naming his books with 'how to' titles makes no exception here as The Art of the Comeback contains no instructional material. The book begins with Trump taking shots at some of his rivals, whom he feels betrayed. The book puts Donald back in the drivers seat, officially letting everyone know 'The Donald' has return and is richer and more powerful than ever! Flaming aside Donald briefly talks about his divorce with Ivana, and I mean briefly, there is no indication as to why Donald thinks the relationship collapsed, expect for a few nonscientific remarks. Anyone interested in the life of New York City's real estate tycoon would identify with this book, those looking for actual advice on making a financial comeback are better set skipping this one.

1 out of 5 stars Drivel.......2004-02-16

Save your time and skip this one. Page after page of name dropping and boasting. Who cares?! I was interested in some factual info about how he does business. Unfortunately that only amounts to about 10%. You're Fired!
Comeback Cities: A Blueprint for Urban Neighborhood Revival
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • On to Something?
  • an altogether remarkable book--highly recommended
  • Comeback Cities
Comeback Cities: A Blueprint for Urban Neighborhood Revival
Paul S. Grogan , and Tony Proscio
Manufacturer: Westview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0813339529

Amazon.com

A pair of pictures on the opening pages of Comeback Cities captures this book's themes as well as any words can. The first shows President Jimmy Carter walking silently through the South Bronx: the shadows are long, there's a boarded-up building in the background, and Carter strolls through a littered field with his hands in his pockets, looking like a man who feels powerless. It evokes a sentiment authors Paul Grogan and Tony Proscio say they understand: "At least in our lifetimes, major cities have gone mostly downhill, burdened by industrial obsolescence, physical rot, riots, crime, poverty, and the serial failure of big federal rescue missions." The next picture, however, is a complete reversal. It shows President Bill Clinton visiting the same area 20 years later: there's a well-maintained residential building in the background, and a gesturing Clinton looks to be in the middle of a good conversation. "The American inner city is rebounding--not just here and there, not just cosmetically, but fundamentally," write Grogan and Proscio.

The authors highlight four trends that explain the urban upswing affecting not just the South Bronx, but American cities in general: the growth of neighborhood nonprofit groups; the creation of new markets, including the willingness of retailers to move into old areas; falling crime rates; and "the unshackling of inner-city life from the giant bureaucracies that once dictated everything that happened there--in particular, the welfare system, public housing authorities, and public schools." This is no dewy-eyed account; Grogan and Proscio readily acknowledge statistics that suggest there's not much of a recovery at all, and they're careful to qualify many of their statements. But anybody who has seen New York City circa 1990 versus New York City at the new millennium knows the authors have a point when they write that "something is happening in formerly bleak neighborhoods all over the country, something unforeseen and, at least in recent decades, unprecedented." They've done a good job of explaining what that something is. Before reading Comeback Cities, it's impossible not to hope Grogan and Proscio's optimism is warranted; afterwards, it's possible to believe they're right. --John J. Miller

Book Description

How and why America's inner cities have begun recovering from the pervasive crime and social disorder that plagued them only a decade ago.

Comeback Cities shows how innovative, pragmatic tactics for ameliorating the nation's urban ills have produced results beyond anyone's expectations, reawakening America's toughest neighborhoods. In the past, big government and business working separately were unable to solve the inner city crisis. Rather, a blend of public-private partnerships, grassroots nonprofit organizations, and a willingness to experiment characterize what is best among the new approaches to urban problem solving. Pragmatism, not dogma, has produced the charter school movement and the police's new focus on "quality-of-life" issues. The new breed of big city mayors has welcomed business back into the city, stressed performance and results at city agencies, downplayed divisive racial politics, and cracked down on symptoms of social disorder. As a consequence, America's inner cities are becoming vital communities once again.

Comeback Cities shows how innovative, pragmatic tactics for ameliorating the nation's urban ills have produced results beyond anyone's expectations, reawakening America's toughest neighborhoods. In the past, big government and business working separately were unable to solve the inner city crisis. Rather, a blend of public-private partnerships, grassroots nonprofit organizations, and a willingness to experiment characterize what is best among the new approaches to urban problem solving. Pragmatism, not dogma, has produced the charter school movement and the police's new focus on "quality-of-life" issues. The new breed of big city mayors has welcomed business back into the city, stressed performance and results at city agencies, downplayed divisive racial politics, and cracked down on symptoms of social disorder. As a consequence, America's inner cities are becoming vital communities once again.

There is much yet to be done, but Grogan and Proscio base their optimism on a number of trends that could dramatically multiply the impact of the grassroots community development industry. The authors point to unprecedented access to capital and credit, astonishing reductions in violent crime, and substantial overhauls of public housing, welfare, and public schools already underway as harbingers of an inner-city revival. Through a mixture of analysis and storytelling, Grogan and Proscio argue convincingly that the conditions are ripe - the infrastructure is in place - to turn a source of national shame into a source of national pride.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars On to Something?.......2001-07-13

Paul Grogan and Tony Proscio may be on to something - a completely new urban dynamic that has quietly evolved over the past 20 years or so - largely unnoticed except for those engaged in it. In a lively and entertaining style, the authors tell a remarkable story of four, sometimes discrete, but often coordinated trends that they say hold the promise of the rebirth of the nation's inner city neighborhoods.

The central thesis of "Comeback Cities" is that if lost inner city neighborhoods are to be reclaimed, the residents of those neighborhoods must do it. Until they themselves take responsibility - mainly through the creation of nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs) - nothing else seems to work. But these "engines of reclamation" are not enough - the authors say they need to be coupled with new policing techniques, deregulation of public systems, (i.e., welfare and public housing reform) and educational reforms to reach a "critical mass" and real improvement. Seems unlikely, - but in city after city, - New York, Boston, Cleveland, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Oakland, Houston, - the authors detail the extraordinary results achieved by the confluence of these four new forces.

The central question of course is whether these trends can gain sufficient traction to become the blueprint for reliable inner city revitalization. Or are they simply anecdotal random events, uniquely tied to local circumstance.

This compelling and insightful book examines these new trends and shows, especially in the synergy of their confluence, that meaningful revitalization is not only possible but also predictable. The evidence, skillfully woven into cogent argument, builds chapter on chapter. Without denying the importance of a booming economy or new energy from immigration, the authors make a credible case that but for these new forces - especially the local nonprofit CDCs - the successes they describe would not have been realized. And while they acknowledge the important role of HUD's Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, (which provide the "fuel" for these engines), the authors rightly focus on the local nonprofit machinery as necessary for these programs to work. As a 30-year practitioner at the federal level, I can attest to the wisdom of this focus. The best outcomes seem to occur, as is borne out by the book, when the Federal government uses its leverage, instead of prescriptive programs, (e.g., the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the CRA, FannyMae directed-mortgage commitments and so fourth), and the local level - using this Federal leverage - is free to design and implement appropriate solutions.

The writing is a pleasure: speaking, for example, of the Federal government's role in establishing the practice of "redlining" [excluding large demographic areas from access to mortgages] and the decades later passage of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) [encouraging banks to lend in such areas], the authors comment:

"Consequently, to view the modern mortgage industry as an immaculate offspring of the unfettered private market - one whose dainty virtue was now threatened by an unprecedented federal groping [the CRA] - was disingenuousness raised to the level of parody. Perfect, in other words, for a congressional debate."

So fluid is the writing that one is barely aware of all the information actually coming off the page. Surprising nuggets, simple but powerful, are so easily told their significance might not be immediately appreciated. Just two of many examples: that poverty needn't be inexorably associated with disorder and slum conditions, - as demonstrated by the South Bronx story - deserves serious reflection. As does the lesson of how taking care of little things - like people jumping the fare stiles in the NY subway system - can pay major dividends:

"Collaring 'petty' offenders suddenly led to a harvest of arrests of serious criminals. One out of ten fare beaters turned out to be wanted on a felony warrant, and many others were carrying illegal firearms. In one stroke, Bratton had not only eliminated an appalling spectacle that was frightening the public and costing the transit system tens of millions in lost revenues annually, he was bagging large numbers of wanted felons in the bargain. As a billiard player would say, a three cushion shot. Crime in the subways fell off a cliff. Between 1990 and 1994 felonies dropped 75%, robberies by 64 percent."

But cities are complex entities, even "organic," and if there is any criticism, it may be that the writing is so clear and easy that some may think it belies an extraordinary energy required of these local citizens and officials to achieve these hard won victories. This would be a mistake. Certainly, effort and energy are required, but perhaps one of the lessons of this book, to put it simply, is that things go much easier with the right approach. In fact, no matter the energy expended, they might not "go" at all without it. This book is about the right approach.

Comeback Cities is superbly crafted. And, while optimistic, it is by no means a Pollyannaish book about the elimination of poverty, injustice, and how we can all get along. Speaking from "hands-on" experience the authors describe what they see, and take care not to overstate the case. This is an honest, balanced book that provides a sound basis for hope, with realistic recommendations to multiply the rebirth they document.

"The political challenge for cities and their supporters -and specifically for the next president and Congress-is to draw the national imagination towards the astonishing accomplishments already underway, the pace of those accomplishments, the intelligence that has led them, and the mounting opportunity they will create as they continue to pile up.".

Comeback Cities will fire this imagination. It is well worth the time of anyone interested - even if only remotely- in urban America. It avoids the normally dense "policy wonk stuff" and makes complex issues transparently accessible. It is must reading for academics, policymakers, and the general public.

Paul Grogan and Tony Proscio are definitely on to something.

5 out of 5 stars an altogether remarkable book--highly recommended.......2001-07-11

Though it leaves the reader acutely aware of the problems still facing America's core urban areas, "Comeback Cities" nonetheless instills a wave of optimism in the reader about the revivifying effects that grassroots community development organizations, new techniques of community policing, and deregulation in welfare, public housing and public schools have had in some of the nation's formerly moribund cities.

Grogan and Proscio take an anecdotal approach to their argument, which serves the book well. Where such an approach can sometimes mask a paucity of evidence, these authors have no such problem. Grogan and Proscio show that the phenomena they're discussing are just as visible in Cleveland and Boston as they are in San Francisco and Chicago. And each actual case they cite bolsters the book's argument: that bold, new approaches to age-old urban problems have recusitated patients that most prognosticators long ago said were dead on the operating table. Whether one considers HUD's mid-1990s recasting of the role and form of public housing in Chicago's Cabrini Green, William Bratton's widespread application of the "broken windows" method of community policing in Boston and New York City, or Cleveland Mayor Michael White's and Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist's audacious efforts to make public schooling in their respective cities more accountable, Grogan and Proscio clearly illustrate the key changes that are uplifting cities.

Another fantastic aspect of "Comeback Cities" is the multi-layered, nuanced approach the authors employ. Proscio and Grogan understand, and they make the reader understand, that community policing, community development corporations, economic deregulation, and public school accountability are all interrelated solutions to urban problems. Far too often, politicians and public policy commentators argue that such problems are individual and should be combatted individually and apart from the larger picture. Smartly, these authors show that such an approach is not only no longer possible, but that it may just have contributed to the deep-seated problems affecting cities in the first place.

Finally, the prose of "Comeback Cities" deserves an effusive salute. Where many planning books can be arrid and full of jargon, these authors are careful to boil down their arguments to their essential terms, while providing the appropriate and necessary background. "Comeback Cities" reads like the best journalism, and I must recommend it as one of the finest books I've read in months.

5 out of 5 stars Comeback Cities.......2000-11-13

Community development practitioners, grass roots activists, and others who have long worked to revitalize America's inner city neighborhoods know that change is afoot. The transformation is subtle and still uneven but palpable nevertheless. In recent years there have been positive improvements in the day to day lives of inner city residents across America. Here is a book thta tells us why it happens, where, and what we can do to support this trend.

Drawing on evidence from urban neighborhoods in different regions of the country and on their own substantial knowledge of the field, Paul Grogan and Tony Proscio identify key factors that have contributed to these positive changes. Several factors, including the revival of private markets in the inner city, have been identified by other experts in the field. Grogan and Proscio make an especially compelling case, however, that it is the confluence of factors - the right combination of effort and innovation - that makes for "Comeback Cities."

This book is a must-read for community and economic development practitioners, grass roots activists and others in both the public and private sectors who hope to create an urban agenda for the future. For those who are already on the front lines, this is an acknowledgment of hard-won accomplishments and a valuable road map for the future.

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