Book Review: Plugged-In Parenting

Bob Waliszewski writes Plugged-In Parenting: How to Raise Media-Savvy Kids with Love, Not War, a must read for all parents.  Our society is inundated with media, movies, TV, video games, the Internet, ..., and most of today's technology didn't exist 15 years ago, even 10 years ago.

What is a parent to do?  Waliszewski suggests a little common sense and a lot of communication.

Waliszewski is the director of Plugged In Online (a publication from Focus on the Family).  He watches movies, listens to music, plays video games, and then reviews them, for a living.  In this book he lays out a common sense approach to teaching our children, and us adults, how to discern when it comes to their media choices.  The book is filled with quotes, interviews and research that proves that media DOES have an impact on a person. 

The book is divided into parts, and it progresses from asking ourselves WHY we should be concerned with what our children watch and listen to, then walks us through addressing these issues with our children.  His approach takes the emotion out of the situation, you know what I mean, the emotion that happens when a parent tells a child to stop watching a show, and the outburst from the child because their rights are violated.  Let us face it, no one is happy, and the situation could have been dealt with in a much more positive way.

Waliszewski challenges us to not pick the lesser of two evils, but the right choice.  He reminds us not to be legalistic in dealing with the media and our children, but to give them choices, with positive alternatives.  And, while we read this book, we should also encourage our children to read articles on media discernment.  Involve them in the process.  Bottom line, we are teaching our children to discern without the input of a parent.   

Waliszewski does take a hard line when it comes to media.  If you read a review, Plugged In will outline ALL positive and negative elements of a movie, or video game.  I understand that this book, and the reviews may put off some people.  I recommend that you stick it out, and keep reading.  The bottom line message is a good one.  Movies, music, and video games, they affect people in different ways.  What he writes about may seem extreme, but it is a message worth reading and internalizing.

***In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations: Tyndale Publishing Group gave me a free copy of Plugged-In Parenting: How to Raise Media-Savvy Kids with Love, Not War for this review.

Book Review: For Women Only

For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men, by Shaunti Feldhahn, is a must read for any wife, wife-to-be, girlfriend, or girlfriend-to-be.  Basically, every female should read this book.

Why, you ask?  Well, let me back up, and tell you of when I first read this book, and why I jumped at the chance to review it. 

My first reading of this book was several years ago, when it was first published.  My mother had lent me her copy.  With, at the time, 9 years of marriage and 3 children under by belt, along with a college degree in social studies and a minor in sociology, I thought I had a basic understanding of my husband.  After reading this book I realized calling it "basic" was an understatement.  I had barely scratched the surface to my man. 

After reading it I gained a whole new perspective, and appreciation for who my husband is, as a man.  I was also charged with useful information in helping us raise our two sons.  The conversations Hubby and I had, thanks to this book, also opened his eyes to how women think.

From the beginning of the book Feldhahn outlines the origination of this book, the surveys (professional and informal) completed to compile the data used for this book, and informs the reader that this book is not about male bashing.  The information given in this book is based on evidence, compiled through two professional surveys, where 400 anonymous men, for each survey, were asked 2 dozen questions.  A more informal survey, of another 400 men, was conducted, between the 2 formal surveys.  All that to say, yes this book does know what it is talking about.  And, Feldhahn delivers the information on a personal level, as if you were talking to a girlfriend. 

Since this book was first published in 2004 it has grown into the 'Only' Series. This includes, For Men Only, For Young Women Only, For Young Men Only, For Parent's Only (BTW, my next read).   Discussion guides, Bible studies, a website and message boards have also joined this growing series.   Now, I haven't read any of the other books; however, if its predecessor is any indication, they are all worth a read by those who fall into the book's respective categories.

Interested, but not fully committed yet to read this book, then click over to Multnomah's website, where you can download, for free, the first chapter of this book.   I would guarantee that after reading the first chapter you will be drawn in, and want to read the rest. 

***In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations: WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group gave me a free copy of For Women Only for this review. 

Book Review: The Daughter's Walk

The Daughter's Walk, by Jane Kirkpatrick, is historical fictions at its best.  The book is based on the true story of Helga and Clara Estby, who walked 7000 miles, across the United States, to raise money for their family.  The author picks up the story, and fills in the holes, where family and news records leave off.

"In 1896 Norwegian American Helga Estby accepted a wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn $10,000. Bringing along her nineteen year-old daughter Clara, the two made their way on the 3500-mile trek by following the railroad tracks and motivated by the money they needed to save the family farm.  After returning home to the Estby farm more than a year later, Clara chose to walk on alone by leaving the family and changing her name. Her decisions initiated a more than 20-year separation from the only life she had known."

The book focuses on Clara's life story, how this walk took her away from her family, and how the rest of her life experiences led her back to her family.  The characters in this book are well written, showing the depths of who they are, and how the events at the beginning of the book, shape them throughout the story.  Everyone in the family are changed, in one way or the other, by the walk, and the repercussions are felt years later.

Being a history buff, I'm drawn to historical fiction, and appreciate that the author gave great attention to the period.  This book gives a social historical rendering of the times.  I recommend this book, if you are looking for a book to read for fun, or as an educational resource.
 To learn more about this book click over to the publisher's page, WaterBrook Multnomah, to order or even read an excerpt.

Note:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Book Review: Devotional

31 Days of Drawing Near to God: Resting Securely in His Delight, by Ruth Myers, is a daily devotional designed to bring us closer to God, to walk closer to Him, to fill that God shaped hole in our heart.

The description of the book begins with this:

Do you enjoy the soul-satisfying intimacy with God you were created for?  In his heartfelt devotional, beloved author Ruth Myers invites you to a personal, daily encounter with your first, last, and best love.

Ruth writes an extended introduction, referencing her life, and how those events drew her closer to God.  Each daily reading, 31 in total, is several pages long, and each one gives a different aspect of God's love and how it impacts our lives.  Each day ends with a prayer and several scripture references.  Myers encourages the reader to pick one verse that most appeals to them and write it out.

Personally, when I do a study like this I like to write the verses on index cards, and then keep the cards together with a circle binder thingy (confessional moment: I just spent way too much time looking up the technical name for my circle binder thingy, and couldn't find on.  So, I stand by circle binder thingy, and if anyone knows what I mean, and the correct name, leave a comment.)

Sorry, I digress.  Back to the review:

As I was saying, I write out the verses and keep the cards together with an office supply item.  This allows me to leave the cards around the house, or carry them in my purse, and study them when I have a couple free moments.

If you are looking for a personal daily devotional, then I recommend this book.  The devotionals are just readings, there is no homework or study questions accompanying the book. Keep in mind that it is laid out for only 31 days, making the book a little pricey, but it is a good resource to keep, and go through at least once a year. 

Book Review: A Billion Reasons Why

A Billion Reasons Why, by Kristin Billerbeck, tells the story of Katie McKenna, a New Orleans native who fled her hometown, after embarrassing herself in front of her boyfriend, Luc DeForges, his family and friends.  We meet Kate eight years later.  She believes she has moved on from her past, she lives a very practical life, and is engaged to very practical Dexter Hastings.  She almost has herself convinced that this is what she needs to be happy when Luc reenters, and flies her home to face the past, and question her future.  Can true love prevail, over practicality?

I became a fan of Kristin Billerbeck when I read her Ashley Stockingdale Series, and was happy to read another book by her.  That is said, because I really wanted to like this book.  It is your typical fluff book, to read for fun.  It is filled with likable characters, and a basic story line we can all relate to, returning home to face our past.

For all the positives found in this book, I also found it frustrating to read.  From the beginning I felt like I had jumped into the middle of a story.  As if this book was from a series, and this one was the second book in the series.  There were gaps in the story and weakly developed characters.

True, by the end of the book, all questions were answered, and the characters had a little more depth, but all this shouldn't have happened the last two chapters in the book.  True, there needs to be a climax to the story.  However, I spent most of the book wondering how this situation came about, or why they were saying such things about that character.  There was no initial development to make any sense of the developing conclusions.  As most romantic fiction, the story line was rather far fetched, but that can be forgiven because it is fiction, anything can happen.  However, the lack of detail and fully defined characters made the romantic story line a little harder to accept.

I'm not saying not to read it.  If you enjoy Kristin Billerbeck, and/or Christian fiction, go for it.  However, I can't give it a total approval either.  So take this as, reader beware.  Hopefully, you will enjoy it more then I did.

Book Review: God Gave Us the World

This book arrived on the perfect day, the kids were home due to snow, so the moment I pulled God Gave Us the World from its packaging, little hands grabbed for the book.

God Gave Us the World, by Lisa Tawn Bergren, is part of the children's book series, God Gave Us.  This book was my introduction to the series, and is described as

"This adorable story offers young children who are discovering their place in God's big world an opportunity to learn about the wonder of diversity, the gift of creativity, the importance of caring for His gifts, an how each child - each creation - is special to God."

The book's pictures are appealing to children, along with the book's characters.  The story follows Little Cub's trip to the museum, where he learns about bears around the world.  Mama Bear answer's his questions about the differences among the bears, talking about diversity, and how God made us all.  The story discusses diversity, and how God made everyone different, and that God wants a relationship with all of us; two important topics which have been written at a child's level of understanding.

I would recommend this book for families.  I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.  To see the other books in the series visit WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group; also, there are coloring pages to print out, which go along with the books.  

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Book Review: Lady in Waiting

Susan Meissner’s Lady in Waiting (WaterBrook Press, Sept. 7, 2010) chronicles the stories of modern-day Jane Lindsay and 16th century Lady Jane Grey and one ring that bind the women separated by centuries. The book alternates between Jane Lindsay in modern-day Manhattan and Lucy Day, the seamstress for Lady Jane Grey. Jane struggles to trust in God with her marriage and Lucy struggles that England can’t make up its mind whether to be Catholic or Reformed. Meissner’s writing flows comfortably between the two Janes and gives readers a hopeful message for the modern-day Jane.
                            ~Press Release

 Lady in Waiting is a story that follows two women, both named Jane, in two different centuries.  Both ladies find themselves waiting for choices to be made, but in the end discover that they are able to make their own choices.  The modern day Jane is waiting for her husband to make a decision on their marriage, and probably waiting till she makes her own personal revelations.  Jane, from the 16th century, is waiting for others to make decisions about her life.

What first drew me to this book were the facts that I enjoy historical books, and movies.  This book is fiction, but it takes a very real, historical person to tell the story.  Lady Jane Gray.  Unless you have a penchant for Helena Bonham Carter, or period movies, you may not have heard of Lady Jane Gray, who's reign over England lasted only 9 days.

Susan Meissner alternates between the two time periods, in telling the story of these ladies.  The story begins in modern day Manhattan, New York, for several chapters, before taking us back in time, to 16th century England.  The book goes back and forth, in that format; however, the changing of time periods is not confusing in the story telling, and is clearly defined during the chapter breaks.

Meissner tells a compelling story, of both time periods, that draws you in, and has you guessing on what will happen next, asking how the story will end.  You will keep reading to learn how the two stories end, and how they became intersected hundreds of years a part.

I would recommend this book.  You do not need to know the historical details of Lady Jane Grey in order to enjoy the book; and the modern day story balances out the historical story, if you are not a fan of historical fiction.   Basically, this book has a little something for everyone: history, mystery, intrigue and romance.   The copy I read also included a Readers Guide, making this a good book for a book club.


In accordance with FCC Guidelines,  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Book Review

Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo, with Lynn Vincent is a personal account of Todd's son Colton, then 4-years-old, who emerged from emergency surgery with stories of heaven,  how he met family members who died before he was born, and on meeting Jesus, and God. 

First the technical stuff.  The book is easy to read, the writing style has a conversational tone, which makes it feel as if you are sitting in the living room, next to Todd Burpo, listening to him talk.  The book's conversational tone makes it a quick read.  It is also emotional.  If you are one who cries at TV commercials, like me, you will be crying within the first few pages of this book.  You have been warned, keep tissues nearby. 

The Burpo's did not realize, at first, what had happened to Colton during his surgery.  Over time, Colton's comments about their time in the hospital, and about family members he had never met made the Burpo's take notice to what he was saying, and ask more questions.  Todd and his wife, Sonja, began to realize that Colton had visited Heaven; a fact which was hard to accept, except for the details Colton provided.  He talked about a great grandfather, who died 30 years before Colton was born, his miscarried sister no one had told him about, and details about Heaven, which Todd could Biblical verify. 

What did I walk away with after reading this book?  A reminder that God does listen to prayer, and that He loves children; and that we, families and churches, have a large responsibility to teach and encourage them spiritually.  Maybe I walked away with this reminder because of my involvement with the children's program at our church, and the fact that I am a mother. 

For whichever reason, Chapter 19, titled "Jesus REALLY Loves the Children" spoke to me the most, and serves as a reminder that the entire church has a responsibility for ministering to them.  So, if you attend my church, you have been warned.  In a couple months I will be searching for Primary Sunday school teachers, don't be surprised if copies of Chapter 19 appear in your church mail box (after receiving prior written permission from the publisher, of course).   

***Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wrestling the Hassle

If you have school-age children you have made the same homework battle cry and pull-out-your-hair dance as I have.

In our house it usually involves our oldest.

I was moaning over this fact with a friend, when she recommend John Rosemond's book Ending the Homework Hassle.

Are you familiar with John Rosemond? Maybe your newspaper runs his article? He takes a no-holds bare to parenting. You are the parent. They are the children. Shape up, or ship out.

He has some good points, though we haven't entirely Rosemond our house.

The first family, described in his book, was us. He had me nailed, and we needed help.

We implemented many of his ideas. We may not follow all of them, some we have modified, but what we are doing is working for our family.

Peace, for the most part, reigns in our house during homework time. In fact, homework time is probably the most peaceful time in our house.

Go figure.

Since then I have recommend the book to friends, and acquaintances. Some accept the recommendation, ask questions, one friend even borrowed my copy of the book.

Some give a blank stare (or if it is on Facebook, will ignore my comment) and continue complaining.

Oh, my bad, you just wanted to complain. Carry on. I'm moving on to another conversation.

And, some will question, but with great skepticism. Really, can an elementary-age kid be self-motivated enough to complete their homework without us hovering over them.

Rosemond's point is, it is not the parent's responsibility to make sure the child's homework is completed. It is the child's.

If they don't learn responsibility now, if they don't learn time management now, if they don't learn how to motivate themselves now, then when?

Does the thought of homework time make your knees tremble, and you break out in a cold sweat?

Give the book a look. Try some of the ideas. It may just be worth it.

Cast of Characters: Book Review

Most of us struggle when we read the Bible; we ask how this applies to our lives today? How are the people in the Bible, from centuries ago, with no internet or cell phone, similar to us? Do we really face the same struggles they did?

Max Lucado's book Cast of Characters, places a modern day spin on these ancient stories, presenting them in situations we can relate too.

An excerpt from the book's press release reads: "Some of the most powerful stories from the Bible will come alive for today’s readers through these inspiring selections from the writings of Max Lucado. Max provides a compelling look at the most high-impact moments in the biblical narrative, drawn from his previous 20+ years of writing. At the end of each chapter will be study guide questions so the reader can go deeper into this scripture."

The book is divided into 22 chapters; covering 22 Biblical stories, and the people involved. Each chapter ends with several discussion questions, making this a perfect book for a Bible Study, or Sunday School class. The chapters are short, and over easy to read; but Lucado's insight on the topics also leaves you with that WOW factor, which makes you stop and think, and reflect on God's goodness to us.

I recommend this book, if you are interested in digging deeper into the stories of the Bible, but want to hear them in a refreshed way. Read this book just for fun, as I am doing, or suggest it for a group study. As with most of Max Lucado's books (at least all that I have read) you can't go wrong with this one.

*** Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: My Princess Bible

"Little girls are enchanted by princesses, and they love reading about them.... to teach young girls about princesses in the Bible and show them that they, too, are God’s special princesses. My Princess Bible by Andy Holmes (September 2010) is a unique Bible storybook that will help girls ages 0–4 learn about and fall in love with the princesses of the Bible."

A description of the book, from Tyndale House Publishers.

My daughter is 5, a little older then the book's target age group, but she loves princesses, she loves anything pink, and anything with glitter one it; so the book, laying on the table, where I had placed it, immediately caught her attention since the cover is of princesses, is pink, with glitter.

The book has 20, short, stories, about women in the Bible; most stories you may have read before, some you may be new. The stories are written in a rhyming format, focusing on a different woman of the Bible, and the character trait which made them special in God's eyes. Bible references are given for each story.

At the end of each story, the character trait to learn is reinforced by the opportunity to insert the little girl's name, to whom you are reading to, reminding her that she "... is God's special princess". That was my daughter's favorite part, to hear "EM is God's special princess. EM ...."
It captured her attention, and kept her interested in the book.

As mentioned before the stories are short; the perfect length to read one for a bedtime devotional, or several for afternoon story time.

The book is a board book, perfect for the young audience it is written for. If your daughter is a little older, but still loves princesses, then they may also enjoy this book.

***As a member of the Tyndale Blog Network, Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book to review.

Book Review: Hurricanes in Paradise

A good book will draw me in, after setting it down, it will call to me. A good book sends me to bed early, so I can read it. A good book needs to be saved for vacations, or when children are otherwise occupied, because a good book will distract you from the children.

Hurricane's in Paradise, by Denise Hildreth, is one of those books.

"Riley and three women guests are in desperate but unknowing need of each other, eventually forging unlikely yet powerful friendships. With a hurricane headed straight for the island, together they embark on a journey of laughter and lunacy, heartache and healing."
~Tyndale

The book opens with a separate introduction of Riley, Tamyra, Winnie and Laine. Each character has a story, which they will not easily reveal, and it is learning their stories that draws you into the book.

Denise writes with much detail, of the characters and the surroundings. It is this detail that produces fully dimensional characters, who are complex and human.

This is a well written book, offering a little bit of everything; a little romance, a little action, a little drama, along with a lot of laughter and crying. And, to top it off, the details of their surroundings at the Atlantis Resort allows you to join the ladies.

***Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Book Review: The Voice

The Voice: New Testament, is a paraphrased New Testament (in the same line as The Message) which brings clarity and insight to God's word by providing devotional commentary and a dialogue layout.

***While reviewing this Bible I learned the difference between a translated Bible (ex. NIV) and a paraphrased Bible (The Voice.) A "translation" translates the words of the original text, where as a "paraphrase" translates the ideas from the original text.

The Voice was put together by a team of Biblical scholars and contributing writers. They developed a New Testament which would provide ease of reading and understanding throughout the pages. This was accomplished through the use of devotional commentary, setup in a screenplay format, and providing additional clarity to the passages.

It is these reasons why I've enjoyed reading this New Testament. One of my favorite aspects of it is the use of the "screenplay format" (and no, we are not "panning across the desert, as 13 men enter stage right.") It simply means that when there is dialogue the speakers are noted. Here is an example from John 9:15-66:

The Pharisees began questioning him, looking for some explanation for ho he could now see.

Formerly Blind Man: He smeared mud on my eyes, and I washed; now I see.
Some Pharisees: God can't possibly be behind this man because He is breaking the rules of the Sabbath.
Other Pharisees: How can such a lawbreaking scoundrel do something like this?

The Pharisees were at odds with one another about Jesus and could not agree whether His power came from God or the devil.

Let's face it, it is easy to loose your concentration while reading the Bible, and you soon realize you don't know who is talking to whom. What once was a jumble of dialogue becomes clear with the screenplay format as it allows you to easily follow along with who is speaking.

Each book of the New Testament is given an introduction, providing background information on the book itself, the writer, and society at that time. Throughout the chapters Outline Boxes are found, again providing additional information. You will find fewer footnotes in this book as much of the information once relegated to footnotes have been added to the passages, highlighted by italic type so the reader understands that it is not part of the original translation, but an enhancement for better understanding.

While reviewing the book I passed it on to a friend to read (a seminary graduate who has probably read every translation available, as well as the original text; and who instructed me on the difference between a translation and a paraphrased Bible) and said she found the passages, she had read, understandable and still true to the original passages.

I would recommend this book for those looking for another "translation" to enhance your Bible study, or looking for an easy to read version, especially if you are reading to your children.

***Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Book Review: Bible Jumble for Kids

I have a confession, though Sunday mornings are reserved for such spiritual endeavors like Sunday school and church, it isn't always the most spiritual experience. Can anyone else with children relate? It is just a part of raising kids. At this age, they are not designed to sit quietly for an hour, or more. However, they do need to begin to learn, and they learn by doing.

To help everyone in our family keep their sanity during church, each of our children has a "quiet bag" filled with reading books, magazines, coloring pages, markers, pencils and puzzles.

Our oldest is a puzzle fan, and when I saw Tyndale House Publishers offering Bible Jumble for Kids, by Christopher Hudson, I jumped at the chance to review this book. Well, I guess my 9-year-old is reviewing the book, but I'm writing it.

The book contains 200 puzzles, of a variety of jumble puzzles; traditional jumbles, jumble criss-cross, and more. There is one puzzle per page, and all the answers can be found in the back. Each jumble is associated with a Scripture passage; not only helping the child solve the jumble, but also learn more about the Bible.

That last part is one of the reasons I love this book, it encourages children to dive into the scripture while solving these jumbles.

Another reason I love this book is a by-product of working on jumbles, it is helping to improve my son's spelling. He is an awful speller, I think it is genetic, the other part is that he doesn't take the time to sound out the word. To solve these jumbles he has to correctly spell the words, and he knows that so he works a little harder on his spelling. Now if only we can get him to do that with his normal school work.

The jumbles are challenging, but not hard for any child who loves these type of puzzles. Now, for my son's mother :::cough::: that is another issue. I've never been a fan of word puzzles and am amazed that my 9-year-old is solving these puzzles within seconds of looking at them, while I'm still scratching my head.

When I asked my son why he liked this book he said it was because he was able to work on it with me (note my previous comment about not being very good at word puzzles. Apparently, he hasn't realized this.) His favorite puzzles are the criss-cross jumbles.

And, if he finds himself stumped by a jumble, out comes the Bible.

I recommend this book for anyone, child (who is reading) or adult, who enjoys puzzles. If you are an adult, and inexperienced with word puzzles as I am then you will also find them challenging.

***Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Saving Cicadas: A Novel

"Part road trip, part mystery, and completely unexpected. Saving Cicadas picks you up in one place and puts you down someplace else entirely...." This is the description of Saving Cicadas, by Nicole Seitz.

And with that, I'm saying no more, at least where the book takes you, because I may end up ruining the ending for you, and trust me when I say, this is one book which, not only takes you down an unexpected path, but will send you back through the book looking for the clues you may have missed.



Oh no, was that too much information?

The book is narrated by Janie, a precocious 8 1/2 year old, and by her grandmother Mona. The story follows Janie, her mother Priscilla, her 17 year-old sister, who has Downs Syndrome, Grandma Mona, and her Poppy, Grayson.

Upon learning that their lives are about to change, Priscilla packs up her family for a summer road trip. Had she known where the trip would end she may have never left, but she does, and with the guidance of her family she finds her way back home. The changing narration adds interest to the story, and does not become confusing since there is only one narrator for each chapter, and the chapter title also names the narrator. The story takes you on a personal journey; a difficult, emotional ride which will leave you cheering on the characters to make the right choices, and amends with the past.

Book Review: Knockout Entrepreneur

As a blogger reviewer for Thomas Nelson I recently read Knockout Entrepreneur, by George Foreman with Ken Abraham. Yes, George Foreman, two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World and promoter of the George Foreman Grill. George tells the story of his business ventures, and what he has learned from both failures and successes. He invites everyone, both employer and employee, to read the book; and sets to encourage through his stories, from his boxing days and business ventures, both failures and successes.

The business advice he shares, divided by chapters, are standard rules found in any business textbook, but he uses boxing terms to explain his points. Reading the book you see that God is a major player in his life, and that we need to remember the same in our daily lives.

Overall, I would give the book a four out of five. As I mentioned before the advice is standard, but the presentation, using boxing terminology, is a fresh approach, and even interesting even if you don’t follow boxing. The book is also encouraging, not matter what you do for a living George encourages everyone to work with integrity and potential.

Thomas Nelson, the book’s publisher, entices someone to purchase this book by an unique offer, Nelsonfree offer. With the purchase of a Nelsonfree product you have purchased one book in three different formats; the hard copy, a free ebook, and a free audio version. Now, you can pick up “reading” where ever you left off, whether you are home, at the office, or on the road.