Nothing captures the magic of Christmas like the drooling face of a child and a cheap-ass little fake tree." --An Old-Fashioned Christmas In the tradition of Holidays on Ice and Bad Santa, Patrick Regan counters saccharine seasonal sentiment with a dose of holiday-noir. Remember Christmases of old? Simpler times, when four-year-old orphans were used for market research and Santa could call a pretty elf "Sweet Cheeks" and not get slapped with a sexual harassment suit? In An Old-Fashioned Christmas, author Patrick Regan collects images from the golden days of Christmas and pairs them with wryly sardonic captions to offer a reminder of what Christmas is really all about-namely, "hobos, orphans, boozed-up Santas, pill-popping housewives, and the shattered dreams of adorable children." Fans of Regan's The Book of Bad Habits will take twisted delight in his skewering of the most cherished (and overstuffed) holiday of all. The 1940s, '50s, and '60s-vintage photos are odd enough on their own, but when Regan's caustic captions start flying, no tradition is safe from mockery. Christmas just ain't what it used to be, and judging from the subversive gems in this more naughty-than-nice book, we should all be extremely grateful for that.
The Bible is way more honest than most churches about the actual levels of pain and confusion in life. That's why we need this book. It's going to provoke ten thousand honest conversations, helping to bring healing, hope and understanding to many who currently suffer in silence.' - Pete Greig, Founder of 24-7 Prayer and leader of Emmaus Rd Church, Guildford IT'S OK NOT TO BE OK Honesty Over Silence seeks to open up conversations around topics that many find difficult, such as trusting God when life is painful, dealing with anxiety and depression, learning to look after ourselves, developing our character, and living with thankful hearts even in tough seasons. It examines our strength in letting go of our need to be in control, as well as looking at how we can stop comparing ourselves to others, and instead live authentically and honestly as we grow into the people God has created us to be. 'The power of this book is in its piercing honesty and vulnerability. It gives a voice to those issues that we as Christians sometimes want silenced: what happens when darkness falls? Where is God in mental illness? Can I ever be enough? Through Patrick's stories of his own life and those of others, he powerfully reminds us that a life of faith is smattered with, but not shattered by, dark places. This is an amazing book which will bless, encourage and comfort many.' -Tim and Rachel Hughes, Lead Pastors at Gas Street Church, Birmingham
A simple traffic stop gone bad propels St. Louis cops Lt. George Hastings and Det. Bobby Cain into a world of trouble they hadn't bargained for in Hunt's fourth novel, an intriguing, unsentimental police procedural. Two police officers are machine-gunned when they pull over a reckless driver. One of them had been working undercover in narcotics. Could this be payback time? Seasoned veteran Hastings and the rest of the force cope with their own reactions to the loss while they investigate.
If Will Fletcher’s severe bipolar disorder isn’t proof he shouldn’t be a parent, his infant daughter’s grave is. Once a happily married, successful veterinarian, he now lives with his sister and thrives as the small-town crazy of Half Moon Hollow. But when a fifteen-year-old orphan claims she’s his daughter, Will is forced back into the role he fears most: fatherhood. Her biological dad isn’t the hero Regan Whitmer hoped for, but he’s better than her abusive stepfather back in Chicago. Still haunted by her mother’s suicide and the rebellious past she fears led to it, Regan is desperate for a stable home and a normal family—things Will can’t offer. Can she ride the highs and lows of his illness to find a new definition of family? The Rules of Half explores what it is to be an atypical family in a small town and to be mentally ill in the wake of a tragedy—and who has the right to determine both.
In this updated second edition, Debating Health Care Ethics explores contemporary moral challenges in health care, providing students with the essential tools to understand and critically evaluate the leading arguments in the field and to develop their own arguments on important moral problems in health care. Written in a clear and concise way, the textbook’s first three chapters explore the nature of arguments and ethical theories, while the remaining chapters introduce students to moral problems in health care through case studies and dramas that feature complex scenarios involving patients, family members, and health care providers. Each case study and drama is followed by a lively debate where the authors defend their unique approaches to the dilemma. This new edition now includes more gender inclusive dramas, an expanded discussion of feminist ethics, a case study on euthanasia that highlights changes to Canadian law, and an update on fetal consciousness that informs the debate on abortion. Emphasizing critical issues in health care from a Canadian perspective, this essential textbook will benefit students in philosophy, nursing, and health studies.
Amid all the stories of tragedy and heroism on September 11, there is one tale that has yet to be told–the gripping account of ordinary men and women braving the inferno at the Pentagon to rescue friends and co-workers, save the nation’s military headquarters, and defend their country. Pentagon firefighters Alan Wallace and Mark Skipper had just learned the shocking news that planes had struck the World Trade Center when they saw something equally inconceivable: a twin-engine jetliner flying straight at them. It was American Airlines Flight 77, rushing toward its target. In his Pentagon office, Army major David King was planning a precautionary evacuation when the room suddenly erupted in flames. Arlington firefighters Derek Spector, Brian Roache, and Ron Christman, among the first responders at the scene, were stunned by the sight that met them: a huge flaming hole gouged into the Pentagon’s side, a lawn strewn with smoking debris, and thousands of people, some badly injured, stumbling away from what would become one of the most daunting fires in American history. For more than twenty-four hours, Arlington firefighters and other crews faced some of the most dangerous and unusual circumstances imaginable. The size and structure of the Pentagon itself presented unique challenges, compelling firefighters to devise ingenious tactics and make bold decisions–until they finally extinguished the fire that threatened to cripple America’s military infrastructure just when it was needed most. Granted unprecedented access to the major players in the valiant response efforts, Patrick Creed and Rick Newman take us step-by-step through the harrowing minutes, hours, and days following the crash of American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon’s western façade. Providing fascinating personal stories of the firefighters and rescuers, a broader view of how the U.S. national security command structure was held intact, and a sixteen-page insert of dramatic photographs, Firefight is a unique testament to the fortitude and resilience of America.
Recounts the former president's life as revealed through stories from the men and women surrounding him as he morphed from an actor to a national political figure.
From Vietnam to the Southern Strategy, from the opening of China to the scandal of Watergate, Pat Buchanan—speechwriter and senior adviser to President Nixon—tells the untold story of Nixon’s embattled White House, from its historic wins to it devastating defeats. In his inaugural address, Nixon held out a hand in friendship to Republicans and Democrats alike. But by the fall of 1969, massive demonstrations in Washington and around the country had been mounted to break his presidency. In a brilliant appeal to what he called the “Great Silent Majority,” Nixon sent his enemies reeling. Vice President Agnew followed by attacking the blatant bias of the media in a fiery speech authored and advocated by Buchanan. And by 1970, Nixon’s approval rating soared to 68 percent, and he was labeled “The Most Admired Man in America”. Them one by one, the crises came, from the invasion of Cambodia, to the protests that killed four students at Kent State, to race riots and court ordered school busing. Buchanan chronicles Nixon’s historic trip to China, and describes the White House strategy that brought about Nixon’s 49-state landslide victory over George McGovern in 1972. When the Watergate scandal broke, Buchanan urged the president to destroy the Nixon tapes before they were subpoenaed, and fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, as Nixon ultimately did in the “Saturday Night Massacre.” After testifying before the Watergate Committee himself, Buchanan describes the grim scene at Camp David in August 1974, when Nixon’s staff concluded he could not survive In a riveting memoir from behind the scenes of the most controversial presidency of the last century, Nixon’s White House Wars reveals both the failings and achievements of the 37th President, recorded by one of those closest to Nixon from before his political comeback, through to his final days in office.
A Morning Resolve," an Episcopal prayer printed on the inside front cover of Forward Day by Day, is a "help me tend my spiritual garden" prayer. It asks for God's help in living a simple, sincere, and serene life--by repelling negative thoughts and attitudes (discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking), cultivating positive attitudes (cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence), exercising graceful activities (economy in expenditure, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God), practicing faithful daily habits (work, study, prayer, physical exercise, eating, and sleep), and depending on God for the strength and the will to do so. This unique devotional book for personal or small group discipleship/spiritual formation utilizes this daily prayer to guide readers as they examine and meditate on a portion of the prayer each week and examine and employ spiritual disciplines. Ultimately, the intentional crafting of a simple, sincere, and serene life is a spiritual discipline, too. Morning Resolve will guide readers into the spiritual practices that bear good fruit for a grace-filled life.
Behind-the-scenes anecdotes and first-person recollections from forty-nine diverse people illuminate their personal relationships with Ronald Reagan. What was Ronald Reagan like in private? How did he treat his children? How did he handle pressure? This collection of intimate remembrances of the late President’s staffers, colleagues, and friends sheds new light on the life and career of the immortal “Gipper.” See how Reagan used humor to disarm his most ardent critics and tenacious opponents. Marvel at his gift for persuading difficult, almost impossible to deal with legislators. Learn the untold story behind the secret plan hatched by former Air Force Secretary Thomas C. Reed and a handful of dedicated insiders to launch Reagan’s first campaign for president of the United States in 1968. Many of author Curtis Patrick’s interview subjects were members of Reagan’s original 1966 campaign for governor of California. Some came aboard soon after the election and were appointed to fill key positions in the governor’s cabinet and to head up state agencies and departments. For the most part, except in a few cases, these interviewees had never been recorded or published before. “Curtis, I not only like your book; I love it!” —Edwin Meese III, former US attorney general
Jerrold Casway coined the phrase "The Emerald Age of Baseball" to describe the 1890s, when so many Irish names dominated teams' rosters. But one can easily agree--and expand--that the period from the mid-1830s well into the first decade of the 20th century and assign the term to American sports in general. This book covers the Irish sportsman from the arrival of James "Deaf" Burke in 1836 through to Jack B. Kelly's rejection by Henley regatta and his subsequent gold medal at the 1920 Olympics. It avoids recounting the various victories and defeats of the Irish sportsman, seeking instead to deal with the complex interaction that he had with alcohol, gambling and Sunday leisure: pleasures that were banned in most of America at some time or other between 1836 and 1920. This book also covers the Irish sportsman's close relations with politicians, his role in labor relations, his violent lifestyle--and by contrast--his participation in bringing respectability to sport. It also deals with native Irish sports in America, the part played by the Irish in "Team USA's" initial international sporting ventures, and in the making and breaking of amateurism within sport.
Patrick Regan grew up in a nice, quiet, middle-class Christian family. So he got something of a culture shock when he spent two weeks doing a mission in London at the age of 16. Having met people from violent backgrounds and living in cardboard boxes with no food, no money and no security, Patrick prayed a life-changing prayer: that he would see things the way God sees them. Soon Patrick was back in London working in schools in some of the most socially deprived areas, Patrick and his growing team slowly but surely earned the right to share the gospel. When the tide of violence began to rise, Patrick was there to provide the Christian presence so desperately needed. This book tells the story of a journey that took Patrick everywhere from the roughest estates in London to Jamaica's Trenchtown and to poverty stricken villages in Ghana. Through it all he learnt that bringing the kingdom of God to a place can mean anything from helping a child to read to negotiating between gang leaders.
In this warmhearted memoir, the author revisits growing up the youngest of six in an Irish Catholic family in post–World War II Cleveland. You’ve heard of Murphy’s Law and even the Peter Principle, but here’s a new one: Patrick’s Law. Patrick’s Law, which deserves at least equal space in the index of life, states that in large families, the youngest gets the shortest end of the stick. The youngest has certain traits that can last to adulthood: “His clothing will mark him and his position in the family strata. His socks will droop because of a lack of elasticity brought on by age and the larger ankles of his brothers. The youngest will generally never hold an original opinion for fear of being informed he is a klutz by at least one of his brothers. He will always be referred to as So-and-So’s little brother and will NEVER (a) get the Sunday funnies first, (b) go anywhere without telling at least two persons where he is going, or (c) be able to read a comic while seated on the family’s only commode.” Patrick’s Corner is a collection of stories about growing up after World War II in a world where family life, neighborhood interdependence, and nurturing environments were the norm. The author describes how one family’s steadfast devotion to each other, and their foundation of moral values helped them surmount the challenges of poverty. Told with the sensitivity of the “baby of the family,” this memoir is full of warmth, love, growing pains, and the struggles for survival. The author writes about his “comin’ up” as the youngest of six sons in an Irish Catholic family headed by a widowed mother. Like most brothers, the Patrick boys fought, but more often they were friends who talked, laughed, and shared their growing pains with each other. Even if you have never had to wear hand-me-down clothes or been referred to as So-and-So’s little brother or sister, these stories are sure to touch your heart. Praise for Patrick’s Corner “A bred-in-the-bone storyteller, the author makes this memoir a dramatic, moving and irrepressibly witty delight.” —Publishers Weekly “A nostalgic tribute from the baby of a family—life-affirming.” —Kirkus Reviews
Some portion of the American public will react negatively to almost any new corporate initiative, as Disney discovered when it announced its plans to build an historical theme park in Virginia. Similarly, government efforts to change policy or shift budget priorities are invariably met with stiff resistance. In this enormously practical book, Lawrence Susskind and Patrick Field analyze scores of both private and public-sector cases, as well as crisis scenarios such as the Alaskan oil spill, the silicone breast implant controversy, and nuclear plant malfunction at Three Mile Island. They show how resistance to both public and private initiatives can be overcome by a mutual gains approach involving face-to-face negotiation, a strategy applied successfully by over fifteen hundred executives and officials who have attended Professor Susskind's MIT-Harvard "Angry Public" seminars.Susskind and Field outline the six key elements of this approach in order to help business and government leaders negotiate, rather than fight, with their critics. In the process, they show how to identify who the public is, whose concerns to address first, which people and organizations must be convinced of the legitimacy of action taken, and how to assess and respond to different types of anger effectively. Acknowledging the crucial role played by the media in shaping public perception and understanding, Susskind and Field suggest a way to develop media interaction which is consistent with the six mutual gains principles, and also discuss the type of leadership that corporate and government managers must provide in order to combine these ideas into a useful whole.We all need to be concerned about a society in which the public's concerns, fears and anger are not adequately addressed. When corporate and government agencies must spend crucial time and resources on rehashing and defending each decision they make, a frustrated and angry public contributes to the erosion of confidence in our basic institutions and undermines our competitiveness in the international marketplace. In this valuable book, Susskind and Field have produced a strong, clear framework which will help reduce these hidden costs for hundreds of executives, managers, elected and appointed officials, entrepreneurs, and the public relations, legal and other professionals who advise them.
Secrets of Acting Shakespeare isn’t a book that gently instructs. It is a passionate, yes-you-can guide designed to prove that anybody can act Shakespeare. Patrick Tucker’s classic manual encourages trained and amateur actors alike to look to the original practices of the Elizabethan theatre for inspiration. He explores the ‘cue scripts’ used by actors, who knew only their own lines, to demonstrate the extraordinary way that these plays work by ear. This updated second edition includes: A section dedicated to the modes of address 'thee‘ and 'you‘ A brand new chapter on Original Practices and cue scripts An expanded genealogical chart, showing the interrelations of 92 different characters from the history plays A new discussion of Elizabethan acting spaces – balconies, gates, ramparts and even backstage areas Secrets of Acting Shakespeare is a must-read for actors intrigued by the ‘Original Approach’ to acting Shakespeare, or for anyone curious about how the Elizabethan theater worked.
A moving story of courage and faith in the fire'. BEAR GRYLLS What do you do when life falls apart and it feels as if God has left you? How do you keep going when your faith is rocked to the core? Sometimes things get so hard we're not sure where God is - or what he's up to. Patrick was facing pain, illness and loss in his family and community; then a series of excruciating operations took him to the brink - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Writing during his journey of recovery, Patrick reflects on the true nature of courage as he explores: - how we find God in times of suffering - how we can know God's peace when life is anything but peaceful - how we allow ourselves the grace to rest when we're running on empty - how we can stay fully present in the moment. In doing so, he heartens and encourages us to grasp the love of God at an ever-deeper level.
In this formidable narrative, the prize-winning and super honest reporter, Patrick Sloyan, adds the depth of a scholar's context to produce a gripping reminder of why we should never forget history. He makes readers feel like they were eye witnesses." —Ralph Nader From a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who reported on the events as they happened, an action-packed account of Reagan's failures in the 1983 Marines barracks bombing in Beirut. On October 23, 1983, a truck bomb destroyed the U.S. Marines barracks in Beirut. 241 Americans were killed in the worst terrorist attack our nation would suffer until 9/11. We’re still feeling the repercussions today. When Reagan Sent In the Marines tells why the Marines were there, how their mission became confused and compromised, and how President Ronald Reagan used another misguided military venture to distract America from the attack and his many mistakes leading up to it. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Patrick J. Sloyan uses his own contemporaneous reporting, his close relationships with the Marines in Beirut, recently declassified documents, and interviews with key players, including Reagan’s top advisers, to shine a new light on the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and Reagan’s doomed ceasefire in Beirut. Sloyan draws on interviews with key players to explore the actions of Kissinger and Haig, while revealing the courage of Marine Colonel Timothy Geraghty, who foresaw the disaster in Beirut, but whom Reagan would later blame for it. More than thirty-five years later, America continues to wrestle with Lebanon, the Marines with the legacy of the Beirut bombing, and all of us with the threat of Mideast terror that the attack furthered. When Reagan Sent In The Marines is about a historical moment, but one that remains all too present today.
This is a brilliant, timely book for everyone - especially when life is vulnerable and volatile - and it has been written by one of the most resilient leaders I know.' - Pete Greig, 24-7 Prayer International and Emmaus Rd Church You'll bounce back How many of us have heard these well-meaning words when faced with mental or physical health challenges, trauma or the loss of dreams? And yet, life's battles can leave us scarred and changed. Why would we want to go back when what we've been through has taught us so much? It's time to bounce forwards instead. 'Nobody is immune from the storms of life. Patrick's book is a lifeboat while the waves are crashing but it is much more than that: Bouncing Forwards is a guide that helps us to navigate through tricky waters so that we become better equipped for the journey of life. It's an honest, wise and practical handbook for growing in resilience. I can't recommend it highly enough.' - Cathy Madavan Speaker, Writer, Broadcaster and Author of Irrepressible
Nobody is immune from the storms of life. Patrick's book is a lifeboat while the waves are crashing but it is much more than that: Bouncing Forwards is a guide that helps us to navigate through tricky waters so that we become better equipped for the journey of life. It's an honest, wise and practical handbook for growing in resilience. I can't recommend it highly enough.' CATHY MADAVAN, AUTHOR OF IRREPRESSIBLE Bouncing Forwards offers hope to those who're facing battles such as mental or physical health challenges, bereavement, the loss of cherished dreams or recovery from trauma. Patrick Regan reveals his vulnerability as he shares that making peace with his own ongoing anxiety only came after a period of intense physical, emotional and spiritual pain. There is always the temptation to wait for the day when all will be well. Yet becoming preoccupied with the future may well mean missing out on what's happening in our lives in the here and now. Is it possible to be OK even when life isn't? Can we thrive, not just once we've come through adversity, but right there in the midst of it? Exploring resilience, acceptance and emotional agility, Patrick encourages us to believe we can find meaning in some of life's toughest moments - and the faith to journey on.
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