Raven Rock by Garrett Graff

A VERY COMPELLING READ!

I AM IN AWE.  First in the research Garrett Graff did on this book, unbelievable.  Secondly, I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s and entered the U. S. Coast Guard in 1965 and stayed on active duty until 1985 and frankly, I was 99% unaware of any of the material covered in this book.  Raven Rock is a history book that takes the reader BEHIND THE HISTORY WE WERE TAUGHT AND TOLD and reads like a science fiction novel.  Graff writes about school children participating in Nuclear Attack Drills; I remember those.  We were told to take cover beneath our desks as if that would actually make any difference.

As I read the book, I had a recurring question in my thinking, “Okay smart A…., what would you do if YOU were the President of the United States and a foreign government launched a Nuclear Attack on the USA?”

One question and answer leads to another question and answer to another, etc.  The book is so compelling to read and the subject matter so complex to fully understand.  We have seen the devastation created by a hurricane upon our shores and that would pale in comparison to a Nuclear Attack on one or more of our cities.

The book is all about what our government will do if that should occur to maintain a government in spite of the damage and deaths of so many of our government officials.  More importantly it is about what our government has done until now and what it has done is very scary stuff – the stuff science fiction movies are made of.  It was difficult for me to keep track of the billions upon billions of dollars spent in creating evacuation sites, maintaining them and then upgrading them in addition to the constant upgrading of airplanes and communication/computer equipment.

There were so many revelations, at least to me.  For example, I was always taught that the Vice President would naturally assume the duties of the President in the case of his/her death.  But as you read about what has happened in our history you discover that no such ascendancy existed in the Constitution until the 25^th Amendment which was not ratified and signed until February 10, 1967.  Until that time Presidents would sign a letter to the Vice President authorizing the ascendancy but the legality of that document has never been tested.

Raven Rock gives the reader an inside look at how our government operated or didn’t operate during times of crisis like the Cuban Missile Crisis and 9/11 and more.  Do I recommend this book?  ABSOUTELY.  Who should read it?  Anyone over the age of 14 who wants to better understand the Constitution and the inner workings of our government.  Would I buy it as a gift?  Absolutely!

Pickle Pledge

The Pickle Pledge title would indicate that it is for “healthcare” because it reads, “Creating a More Positive Healthcare Culture – One Attitude at a time.  Tye and Dent in fact have identified a cultural problem that exists in most if not all businesses, not just the healthcare field.  As a REALTOR and a Designated REALTOR Broker for more than 33 years, I can attest that negative attitudes within the real estate industry are very prevalent.  As a retired member of the U. S. Coast Guard, I can attest that negative attitudes existed onboard Coast Guard units as well.  More importantly, instead of just complaining (writing about) the existence of negative attitude within the workplace, Tye and Dent provide you with not only the why such attitudes are extremely dangerous, financially costly, and dangerous but more importantly, how to fix such negative attitudes – “one attitude at a time” as suggested in the title of the book.  DON’T LET THE TITLE FOOL YOU.  This book applies to ALL businesses of ALL types.  I cannot think of a business that I have been affiliated with and more importantly businesses I frequent that can’t learn something very valuable about their own businesses that will ultimately make them better places at which to work and thusly far more profitable all at the same time.  But..this book not only applies to helping businesses become better places at which to work and become more profitable, it also applies to HOMES and FAMILIES.  Having a positive attitude begins with waking up and choosing to have a positive attitude.  Taking the Pickle Pledge at home is just as critical as taking it at work because your happiness in both places is critical to having a happy life.

Who should read this book?  That one is easy – EVERYONE!

Winning The War With Yourself

I FOUND MYSELF ON EVERY PAGE OF THE BOOK!

Joe Tye has written a book complete with quotes and stories you may or may not have heard before that reinforces his message of becoming the best you can be by defeating your inner enemy YOWE or “your own worst enemy”; yourself!  Admit it, you have that voice that speaks to you and usually it is not a positive message in fact it is a message that promotes fear and failure.  Most people prefer to listen to YOWE than the voice that promotes happiness and success.  I read a lot of books but rarely read them in just one sitting; this is an exception.  The book holds your interest with those quotes and stories and describes just how you can become that person you want to become.  Therefore, if you want to become the best you can be, why would you not want to spend a little time reading something that will certainly help you to do that.  This book certainly passes my test of a good book – Did it hold my interest?  Without a doubt!  Would I read it again – yes.  Would I give it as a gift?  Definitely and will.