What a Difference Between Industry Books Written By Academics and Those From Real Experience

Recently, I had read a book on Construction Management written by a PhD professor, and just last night I finished a construction book written by those in the industry who had been in the building and construction trade for 40 plus years. Wow, what a difference indeed. Let me discuss with you some of the differences.

Now then, I am not going to recommend the Construction Management book, which also appears to be used as a textbook, as it was uneventful and not such good advice, fairly shallow information which wouldn't help an actual business person much. The book I'd like to recommend to you is;

"Running a Successful Construction Company," by David Gerstel, a Taunton's "For Pros, By Pros" series book, Taunton Press, Newtown CT, 2002, 265 Pages, ISBN: 1-56158-530-0.

Okay so, am I chastising the PhD publish or perish professor? No, because she too was once out here in the real world prior to going back to teaching, who knows why, maybe she couldn't make it in the real world or maybe she just retired and likes to teach, so she got her PhD and a nice college gig?

It's just that these professors try to pull rank on all of us out here in the real world who have actually done something, it makes me wonder why. You see, I wrote a business plan, mine was 400 pages and although that's not the common format, I did that much research, which is double the normal dissertation, but the content and amount of work involved was similar to the work to put together a thesis or dissertation, I studied the industry, carefully projected what I was going to do, wrote it all down, but then this is where things change - as I actually created the business. So, I ask; where is my PhD? See that point.

Back to these two books. It is amazing how easy it is to see if the author or authors know what they're talking about. There are just little tidbits of information, things which are very important which are explained in greater detail by those who are actually in the field. Merely categorizing facts, figures, and information is one thing, but explaining how all that information and knowledge must be used, with relevant case studies is surely another.

Additionally, it is quite obvious when an author of a business book goes into greater details about all the rules and regulations of the industry, rather than the how-to knowledge it takes to actually do it. There is a big difference between following all the rules, getting all the licenses, and doing an overview of the industry than when you actually get out there and have to do it in the real world.

The Dark Traveller Ebook Review

Cindy Wright's The Dark Traveller is a unique compilation that details with precision and accuracy the movement of the Black Death in London and the small area of Eyam in the 1660's. The quantity of facts and figures offered is far more than what one gets reading general European history. For history lovers researching this infamous time, The Dark Traveller is an invaluable resource because it is one of the most in depth references around. Wright eloquently and accurately tells of the chaos without being unnecessarily theatrical. The reader is swept to feel like they are living in London in 1665. Well written and concise, The Dark Traveller references primary resources of the time, giving it an authoritative stand on the subject matter.

For attentive learners interested in digging up medical history, this is an essential read because it focuses on the early efforts to quell the disease. After reading The Dark Traveler, one will appreciate the advents of modern sanitation and more a sophisticated knowledge of human health. All together, it is an intriguing bit of the past that can take anyone back in time to understand. It reads briefly and articulately covering the whys and hows of every major aspect of the tale.

Additionally, within The Dark Traveler are suitable illustrations to enhance the reader's experience. The most remarkable aspect about this informative work is the amount of detail included that is not common knowledge: from names and lives of actual people that passed away, to the story of a town that sacrificed itself to the disease. It is shocking how many pseudo-cures had been created to fight the Bubonic Plague. Some are sure to make one shudder.

As always, Wright is very concise and factual. In the Dark Traveller, the story of the bubonic plague is ushered forth from antiquated times into a tangible reality. With details found from archives, a very full story of demise and death tolls rising is told. Like a ghost walking from person to person unseen, but perceiving the lives of victims, The Dark Traveler has a different overall aura than most historical texts. It has a bit of closeness to each person that lived as if one has the privilege to run into that person hundreds of years ago before moving on to someone else. The Black Death becomes all the more real.

This highly educational experience will greatly enhance understanding and bring one into a higher plane of knowledge. This is the perfect resource for any research paper concerning the Black Death or health in the 15th century due to its respectability, authority, and convenient briefness. One just might think twice too the next time one is bitten by a flea. However, do not be scared of the moribundity, The Dark Traveler is also a story of survivors who didn't succumb to the Black Death's lethal grasp. The Dark Traveler is meant to take the reader back with such an experience that it is even used as travel companion in London to see all the places where every event did truly happen. Sure to haunt and educate, read for the memory of lethal bygone days.

A Short Summary of Frederick Douglass' Narrative

Frederick Douglass was born in 1818? (like many slaves he was unsure of his exact date of birth) in Tuckahoe, Maryland and died on February 20, 1895, Washington D.C. As one of the main precursors of Afro-American writing he was a self-taught scholar and a self-made man par excellence for his time. He was the author of the "Narrative", "My Bondage and My Freedom" and essays on slavery while his Narrative on his real life incidents is his masterpiece. Later after his emancipation Frederick Douglass became a social reformer, orator and statesman and the charismatic leader of the abolitionist movement.

Like all slave narratives Douglass' was no exception and begins with the following lines: "I was born in Tuckahoe, near Hillsborough, and about twelve miles from Easton, in Talbot County". The story portrays his personal experiences, struggles and his unfortunate daily encounters with his masters and expresses the story's hopeful message that there would be hope in the future. In the first few chapters he gives ample accounts of the lives of other slaves in the Great Farm House describing in a clear engaging manner the brutality, starvation and the dehumanization of these people under servitude. He has used these themes to a stunning effect to illustrate and condemn the abominable practice of slavery. Though these real life incidents were written very much later after his emancipation they are told convincingly and emotionally by Douglass who conveys his pathos and sympathy for his brothers under bondage. He begins with a tableau of shocking violence, when as a young boy he watched the whipping of his aunt by the master that reflected the white people's sordid savagery who did not accept slaves as genuinely human. They are also filled with extreme anger and incomprehension with the dehumanization of the whole system and structure of slavery.

This autobiographical account in itself is written in a language easily readable with just eleven chapters filled with details tracing his life as a young boy and ultimately a self emancipated adult. For the epoch it was a daring work and is considered even today as one of the masterpieces of this genre. The book also outlines the literary elements of the story, which is a first-person recounting of the life of a slave and these anecdotes were very popular with the Northern white population who was more or less against this cruel institution. These writings in general greatly influenced writers like Harriet Beecher Stowe and her "Uncle Tom's Cabin". Later Mark Twain's masterpiece "Huck Finn" with the colorful character of the fugitive slave Jim who was directly inspired by these people who ran away from the South seeking freedom in the North. These slave narratives were written with a certain purpose for they were meant to depict and describe the evils of slavery that existed in the South of the United States. They were also meant to touch and inform certain of the Northern audience who were skeptic of the existence of this barbarian institution.

This literary form which grew out of the written records of enslaved Africans in the United States were prefaced by white abolitionists to prove the authenticity of their writings for many refused to believe and accept that black people could read and write. They were published in the 18th century by white abolitionists and soon became a mainstay of African American literature.

Writing Online Book Review Articles By Lance Winslow

Well, I have a physical library, yes real books, and it is now approaching some 4000 titles. It's amazing how much bookshelf space that takes up, and I have books all over the house. It's beginning to look like a Museum, because no one seems to be buying books anymore, well they are, but they are e-books on their e-readers. About the worst thing I can think of is to read a book cover to cover, especially a nonfiction book, and find myself so underwhelmed after I have completed.

Perhaps like you, my time is valuable, and perhaps this is the reason that as an online article author I'd like to recommend that you prepare book reviews of the books that you have read. Put them online for all to read, you might be saving someone a lot of time, and helping to recommend the very best books, helping the best authors get the word out. Still, if you are going to write book reviews do it honestly and with integrity, we don't need any more shrills out there promoting the wrong stuff.

There was a rather troubling article, at least in my opinion, recently in the New York Times on August 26, 2012 titled; "The Best Book Reviews Money Can Buy," by David Streitfeld which told of a gentleman who had a business doing book reviews for authors and publishers, for a fee. This is a real problem if the individual doesn't state that they were paid for the review clearly in the article, otherwise they are violating the "shrill marketing" rules as per the FTC.

Trust me when I tell you, this is the wrong way to play it instead you should do it right and if you are paid remember we'll need full-disclosure. That is to say that if you were paid or given a free book to read in the auspice of doing a positive review on the title, then you need to let the individual reader of that online book review know that. It might be a simple notation, or a couple sentences about how you were thrilled to receive the free book from the author to do the book review.

This way the reader knows that there could be some inadvertent positive bias in your article. Maybe there isn't, and I certainly hope there isn't, but if there is, you have disclosed to the reader the truth and reality about the situation. That's only fair would you agree? If you are going to prepare and write online articles which are book reviews, I hope you will please consider this and do it right.

Spiritual Questions Answered - Review Of The Spirits Book

Very few books have caused me to really think logically about spirituality, but The Spirits Book by Allan Kardec was one of them. Although it's not a very thick book, it has quite a bit of information about the spiritual realm. The book is presented in a "question-answer" format, so it delivers on directly addressing the readers concerns.

It's very important that the reader doesn't confuse spirituality with Spiritism. This book is not promoting Spiritism, which is the worship of various spirits. What it does speak on is the proper understanding of the spiritual existence; especially the idea of God. The book doesn't shy away from controversial questions such as: How do we prove that there is a god? Allan Kardec attempts to address these answers head-on.

There is some controversy, however, on the origins of the books contents. It is presented in a channeled or automatic writing format, which has been under scrutiny. There are libraries of books that claim automatic writing, many of which I will address in the near future. The Spirits Book was, in my personal opinion, one of the better ones. It does have its moments where it becomes uninteresting, but the vast majority of the book managed to hold my interest. The book also repeats some questions, but the answers are so interesting that one is willing to overlook this little flaw.

When I was receiving my spiritual instruction, this was one of the first books I decided to read. I had so many questions, which most people can relate to, so having a book that addresses these questions was a big help. If you are serious about receiving spiritual answers, this book is a must-read. It shouldn't be considered a religious book, because it doesn't promote any doctrine, but it does assist in pointing the reader in the right direction to continue their studies. After I read this book, I went on to read others books that added to my spiritual growth. There are many books out there, but many of them are a waste of time when it comes to spiritual study. It is very important that you read books that will add layers of understanding to your spiritual foundation. I do understand that many people may not like this book, but those who are serious about stepping out of religion, and into the realm of spirituality, this book will definitely help. This book should be on you reading list if you are searching for spiritual answers.

I am the author of "The Devil in the Flesh-The true origins of the adversary". I am also the founder of The Geary Davis Project, an organization that seeks to clear up spiritual confusion through literary resources. It is my goal to promote truth by destroying the lies of organized religion, and teaching the ways of true spirituality. My website is: http://www.g-d-project.webstarts.com

Cruel Harvest: Harsh Life for a Migrant Family

Little Frances was so exhausted from apple-picking she dozed in the trashy camp where her family barely survived. The apple harvesting was over at the orchard and Frances and her family had to move on. They heard the distant whistle of the black locomotive famously called the Virginia Creeper. It had acquired that name because of how it crept up mountains, chugging like crazy to reach the top. When it was at its slowest-that's when the family raced to jump a freight car for a free ride to their next migrant farm destination.

It was a brutally hard-scrabble life made even more unbearable by an alcoholic father who ruled the family with a fist of steel. He had perfected a number of ways to abuse both wife and children and he seemed to gain a significant twisted happiness in inflicting pain of whatever sort.

Next stop, Stilwell, Oklahoma, where they survived in a small shack with no running water and very little furniture. There was one pump where all migrant families got their water and there was one outbuilding which was only an enclosed toilet hole, dug by the farmer. Cardboard was laid down over the open bed springs. The only bright spot that night was when the daddy went out to get drunk and Mama told the kids the story about the princess and the frog.

This new release, Cruel Harvest, has received a number of positive reviews, but the ones the author, Fran Grubb, enjoys the most are candid reviews by readers. For example, here is a reader's review: "Today I am reviewing an exceptional novel by Fran Grubb which was provided to me free of any charges by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion which I freely give.

This is the true story of a young girl who endures the most horrific ordeals through the hands of her father. Suspicious deaths and violent events will take its toll for the young girl but her faith will see her through all events in her life.

I liked this book as it was a page turner, leaving the reader cheering at some points but definitely awaiting the justice due the young girl. I found nothing about this book that I did not like and am grateful to have received it. To sum it up this is a gripping read, maybe not geared for young readers, but a definite must for all adults."

Amazing Spiritual Book: Review Of The OAHSPE

Being an avid reader of all things spiritual, I sometimes find myself discovering some very unusual literature. I try not discriminate against any good spiritual book that comes my way, and as a result, I've learned quite a bit about the existence of the immaterial world. One of the most fascinating books I've ever read was called OAHSPE by John Newbrough.

I must warn any potential readers of this book about one thing: This book is not an easy read! The OAHSPE claims to be the result of automatic writing. For anyone who isn't familiar with this concept; automatic writing is anything written by someone who claims to be under the influence of a spiritual entity. That topic will be addressed in another article.

In the OAHSPE, God is not the highest being in existence; this title goes to a being referred to as Jehovih. This is not to be mistaken to be Jehovah, or that mistranslation of YHVH that we see in today's King James Bible. Jehovih is an omnipotent being who has given the powers of creation to his angelic ambassadors. The angels are said to be responsible for not only creating heaven, but the multiple levels of hell as well. The title of God is given to the highest celestial being, and is handed down to different angels over time. In the OAHSPE, the angels have all of the creative powers. The followers of Jehovih are not called Christians, Muslims, and Jews etc. they are referred to as the faithists. Jesus isn't called the son of God, but a messenger of Jehovih. The being that we know as Jesus has another name in the OAHSPE, and this being is the final celestial being to hold the title of God.

The OAHSPE also describes how the earth has cycles, and the final earth cycle is called the Kosmon era. In fact, the OAHSPE is also known as the Kosmon Bible. According to the OAHSPE, the earth offers up a spiritual harvest at the end of each cycle. The spirits of the righteous are collected by ships called archangel. The angelic pilot of the ship is called an archangel. The archangels gather the spirits of the righteous, and place them on one of the planets of the ethereal realm. These are the planets that collectively make up the kingdom of Jehovih. According to OAHSPE, the purpose of the earth is to offer up spirits to occupy the ethereal and atmospheric realms.

This may be a lot to take in for most people, but once you get into the OAHSPE it's very difficult to stop reading. It is practically impossible for me to talk about everything the OAHSPE mentions, but I did my best to highlight the largest points. As a Christian, I actually found the OAHSPE very informative. If you have an open mind, the OAHSPE will give answers to many questions that most people may have about spiritual matters. You may question the OAHSPE origins, but you cannot question the amount of information the book offers. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about their spiritual walk, although it may be difficult to swallow for those who hold fast to religious dogma.

I am the author of "The Devil in the Flesh-The true origins of the adversary". I am also the founder of The Geary Davis Project, an organization that seeks to clear up spiritual confusion through literary resources. It is my goal to promote truth by destroying the lies of organized religion, and teaching the ways of true spirituality. My website is: http://www.g-d-project.webstarts.com