Day #194 - Make progress every day of your life.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"When Pablo Casals reached ninety-five, a young reporter threw him a question, 'Mr. Casals, you are ninety-five and the greatest cellist who ever lived.  Why do you still practice six hours a day?'  And Mr. Casals answered, 'Because I think I'm making progress.'"  ---Anonymous

Day #194 - Make progress every day of your life.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

Looking for new charities and Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform Video Part 3

And Then Some Publishing News
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For two months And Then Some Publishing has been donating a portion of the proceeds of every book we publish and sold through Amazon.com to Susan G. Komen - For the Cure (to breast cancer). Our website visits have remained consistent, yet we have sold less books than ever before. 


Our question: Are people suffering from Susan G. Komen overload? There are tons of products out there with a pink ribbon and maybe you've seen enough. Maybe you're thinking... couldn't they give to other charities? Please don't read this as the work of Susan G. Komen isn't important... it is! They have been able to accomplish many great things, however it's time for us to move on.


Our Susan G. Komen charity promotion will be over this Wednesday, June 30, 2010. And Then Some Publishing believes in giving back and we will be searching for new charities to promote. Do you have a favorite charity you would like to get more notice? Leave a comment below.


On Thursday, July 1, 2010 we will be releasing the last video in the series, How to be Funny on Purpose. It's more than how to be funny. Edgar E. Willis breaks down why jokes are funny, what it takes to be funny, and how to set up jokes so they are funny. It's the anatomy of humor... And Then Some! We will let you know as soon as this video is available.

Below is Part 3 of Anthony Weaver's interview with author Edgar E. Willis about his memoir, Civilian in an I'll-fitting Uniform. Part 3 continues the discussion of the captains Edgar served under, the "Winding path to Peace," and the fact that bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and yet, the USS Alaska hadn't suffered it's only casualty of the war. Also in Part 3, at 96, Edgar reminds us with precision what was happening in the Pacific Theater, the timing and feelings of where our country was at during World War II, including the difference between enlisted men and officers.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click here and watch Part 3 of the interview with Edgar E. Willis on YouTube.





Click here to watch Part 1 of Edgar's interview on YouTube.
Click here to watch Part 2 of Edgar's interview on YouTube.


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Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:

Thursday’s essay is called, “Self-identity is the base for everything else you do in life."  I don't know if you've ever stopped to think about the role of self-identity in your life?  In this essay, I begin by discussing two activities I used for more than 20 years in my basic, speech-communication course, to not just introduce the idea of self-identify but to actually help students develop/acquire an identity.  Then I talk briefly about its value and importance.

Self-identity is the base for everything else you do in life
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
There is no easy path when it comes to unleashing the remarkable energy that one’s identity contains.  Finding it, however, is just a start.  As people understand their unique capacities and live according to them, they become happy being who they are.  As Ackerman writes in the final chapter of his book, “A Framework for Living,” “Consider your identity your source of life.  It makes you vibrant, wise, agile, powerful, even playful.  It is the sun within you, whose energy need never die.”

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And Then Some Works!

When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present

Book Club... And Then Some!





When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present             

by Gail Collins





Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
 
In this 481-page book, there are 30 pages of notes and an 11-page bibliography.  This gives you an idea of the thoroughness of the book.

Gail Collins was the editorial page editor for the New York Times from 2001 to 2007, the first woman to have held that position, and she currently writes a column for the Times’ op-ed page.  It goes without saying that she is an excellent writer, and every page of her book reflects her skills and easy-to-read style.

This book is a wonderful and important chronology as well as a terrific reference work that is full of insights, stories, historical facts, important information, and inspiration.  Her stories of real women (including Hilary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Obama—and others we don’t know) make the book even more interesting. Of the personal interviews, one reviewer writes, “[they]  portray the details of the daily lives of American women of the era. This is not library research. It is woman to woman sharing of memories, frustrations and small victories that took place as ‘everything changed’”
Whether you lived through it, read about it in other books, or are new to the area of feminism and women’s rights, there is something in this book for you.

Carol M. Frohlinger, in her amazon.com review, writes, “From June Cleaver to Hillary Clinton, Gail Collins` new book, When Everything Changed, reminds us of both how much everything has changed for American women in the last 50 years and just how little. Collins writes skillfully about the ‘olden’ days when a glamour career for a woman was to be a stewardess and when the reason most women went to college to get a ‘Mrs..’”

Frohlinger continues her review saying, “What Collins does particularly well though is to highlight that there still isn't gender parity in America's workplaces or homes. She ends on a note that celebrates how far we've come with a reality check - the gender pay gap still exists, too few women serve as CEOs or sit on corporate boards and the work-life balance conundrum has yet to be resolved.”

This is the kind of book that should be required reading for everyone—not just women.  It is intellectually stimulating, completely enjoyable, and a reminder of what women have yet to accomplish. 


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This book is available from Amazon.com: When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present.

Friday's Laugh . . . And Then Some!

Yoga teacher to a woman: Has yoga any effect over your
husband's drinking habit?

Woman: Yes, an amazing effect!  Now he drinks the whole bottle
standing upside down over his head.

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow: Over 2,000 jokes from the Internet

From our upcoming book compiled by Richard L. Weaver II
Laugh is setup with just over 4 jokes a day, all 365 days, and can be read in any order!
Expected Release Date: Fall 2010

Having a remote control to get us through our lives?

The first machines to be operated by remote control were for military use.  For example, during World War I the Germans developed radio-controlled motorboats to ram enemy ships.  During World War II there were remote-controlled bombs and other remote controlled weapons.  When the wars were over, scientists experimented to find non-military uses for them.  It was in the 1940s when automatic garage-door openers were invented, and it wasn’t until the 1950s that the first TV remote controls were used.  Now I’m hoping scientists will develop a remote control to help get us through our lives. 

There are too many areas of our lives where we don’t have as much control as we should, and it is in these areas where it would be helpful to have a remote control.  For example, wouldn’t it be great to use the “mute” button on the remote to reduce the noise in an especially rowdy restaurant?  Or, to calm those who were engaged in a turbulent and rapidly escalating argument?  We could use the “mute” button to have peace and quiet wherever we found ourselves—just point and click!

In addition to our numerous uses of the “mute” button, think how great it would be to have “fast forward” opportunities?  We see a problem approaching, we simply fast forward our way past it.  Or, when we are feeling tired and stressed, we fast forward through the hard times to a well-rested and comfortable aftermath.  Students could fast forward their way through exams, reports, speeches, and talks with their teachers.  Workers could use the same button to escape deadlines, meetings with superiors, and difficult presentations.  In relationships, the fast-forward button would help us avoid conflicts, disagreements, hostilities, and any potentially antagonistic confrontations.  For men, they could fast forward their lives through boring, repetitious, monotonous work days to those spectacular and unforgettable evenings with their spouse, a favorite sporting event, surfing the Internet, or playing video games.  And women could avoid tedious work days, times with whiny, crying  children, or attendance at required meetings or school activities.  Just watch neighbors mowing their lawns and washing their cars in fast forward. 

In the same way as we would have “fast forward” opportunities, we would have a “reverse” button, too.  Thus, we could go back and enjoy once again, some of the wonderful moments.  How about re-living those times when you thought of exactly the right words to say, or enjoying again an earth-shaking instant of great importance or immense satisfaction (a car accident in which everyone escaped injury, when you asked a partner to marry you, the words you used to win-over a client)?  A reverse button would allow us to go back and savor, once again, a great meal, a magnificent sunset, or a unique artwork or piece of music.  Also, it would permit us to  study situations to see how we could improve, refine, or enhance them—not just to become better people but so that we could build an arsenal of appropriate responses. 

Wouldn’t it be great if the “reverse” button on our remote was actually a “do over” button so that not only would it take us back in time, but it would actually give us as many second chances as we needed?  I wonder, given a chance to re-write our own personal histories, or maybe just specific situations, would we let the same things happen?  Would we make the same mistakes?  Are we so locked into our own realities that things never change? 

Our remote has many different channel selections.  When you notice that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, by pushing a different channel, you can actually experience life on the other side of that barrier?  Is the grass actually greener, or was that just an illusion?  By pushing a different channel, the answer will become clear.  Or, how about walking a mile in another person’s moccasins?  Pushing a different channel will grant you 100% empathy, because you will now be the other person with whom you were empathizing.  And if the shoe doesn’t fit, push the “return” button, and come back to your own reality—refreshed, or perhaps disenchanted, but with a whole new perspective. 

Our remote has a timer, too.  Just as we can set a television to turn itself off at a certain time, we can put time limits on what we experience.  “I can only take just so much of that!”—but now you’ll be able to judge just how much that is, set the timer, and when the timer goes off, whatever it is, comes to a sudden and abrupt end.  I don’t like conflict, but I want to hear what other people have to say.  Set the timer, and give them two minutes to make their case.  I don’t like shopping, but I just want to see what’s available.  Set the timer, and give yourself thirty seconds to survey what’s available—then the picture goes off.  Saves money, too! 

There are three other buttons I want on my remote.  The first is a “slow motion” button.  Life comes at us too quickly.  Sometimes we get too much information too fast.  So you drive into a gas station for directions, you press the slow-motion button to make certain you understand.  You are experiencing a moment of intense pleasure, a moment you know is soon to disappear for some time, press the slow motion button to prolong the gratification.  You want the laughter, joy, or excitement to last just a little longer, so you press the slow-motion button to prolong the carnival ride of contentment and delight. 

Taking the lead from computers, our remote needs a delete button, too, so that we can expunge unfavorable, critical, adverse, hostile, unfriendly, or unflattering events or remarks.  In that way, we never have to be haunted by past circumstances.  Mistakes and errors could be deleted immediately so that our blunders, goofs, bloopers, flubs, and gaffes would never be associated with us or with our history.  We could experiment with our behavior, and if the experiment failed, it would be edited out of our past with a simple “click” as if it never took place. 

The final button we need—this time taken from our word processor—is the cut and paste button.  In this way, we could carry good feelings from one situation to another, especially conditions in desperate need of joy, happiness, or amusement.  We could build new relationships by cutting and pasting from former ones or, in the same way, construct the ideal job. 

 In this age of technology, scientists need not stop with remote-controlled garage-door openers and TVs, invent a remote to help me get through life.  And while you’re at it, put on the remote a number of buttons for future use—so that I can program them whatever way I choose and whenever I need them.  Maybe I’ll program one to make me a very wealthy man, another to bring me many new friends, and a third.....hmmmmmm.....maybe with the third I’ll program it to keep me forever young! 

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At the SoberRecovery Community website, the classic Erma Bombeck (just after she learned she was dying of cancer) column, “If I had my life to do over,” is offered.  It is a wonderful, short essay.  Also, I is one that I quoted for more than 20 years in the college lectures I delivered.  I have a copy of the original column for I loved it when I first read it.  Read this one. 

At the devpsy.orghttp://www.devpsy.org/nonscience/daisies.html website, there are two brief essays on the topic, “If I Had My Life Over - I'd Pick More Daisies.”  One is by Nadine Star and the other by Don Herold.  Both are interesting, fun, and provocative.  They are worth a read. 

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Copyright June, 2010, by And Then Some Publishing, LLC.

Day #193 - Look fear in the face.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every
experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror.
I can take the next thing that comes along.' . . . You must
do the thing you think you cannot do. ---Eleanor Roosevelt

Day #193 - Look fear in the face.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

Edgar E. Willis World War II Memoir Interview Part 2, Plus... Thursday's Essay Preview

And Then Some Publishing News
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Announcing the release of Part 2... Anthony Weaver's interview with Edgar E. Willis about his memoir of World War II, "Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform." Part 2 of Anthony's interview picks up from a previous question in Part 1. Events had happened to Edgar that were either pure luck or just because of the circumstance of the moment. Part 2 starts with Edgar's second story... his pure luck Navy physical. As we progressed, I asked about the captains Edgar served under and his best explanation? He reads from his memoir. We finish off part 2 with, "That's the way the navy does it!"


Having trouble viewing the video? Click here and watch Part 2 of the interview with Edgar E. Willis on YouTube.





Did you see Part 1 of Anthony Weaver's interview with Edgar E. Willis? In Part 1 of the interview I ask Edgar about his inspiration for the book, the reason for the title, and why he decided to include his life before and after his service.


Click here to watch Part 1 of Edgar's interview on YouTube.


Also released last week was the new video, "How to make a Viral Video-Based on the KISS theory." Illustrator Anthony Weaver and author Lynne Hall have put together a coaching video on How to Make a Viral Video, based on the K.I.S.S. Theory (Keep it simple... stupid). Instead of a technical approach explaining camera types, lenses, programs used to produce videos, this is a fun look at being in front of the camera and getting used to the bright lights shining on you.  Anthony and Lynne show you how they shot their video, including the end result!


 Click here to see How to Make a Viral Video on YouTube.


Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:


Thursday’s essay is called, “Having a remote to get us through life?"  Imagine along with me in this essay what it would be like in your life if you had a remote control that gave you the possibility for mute, fast forward, reverse, do over, channel selection, slow motion, delete, and cut and paste?  How would your life be different?  I'm certain it would be far different than it is now . . . and then some!


Having a remote to get us through life?
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
In this age of technology, scientists need not stop with remote-controlled garage-door openers and TVs, invent a remote to help me get through life.  And while you’re at it, put on the remote a number of buttons for future use—so that I can program them whatever way I choose and whenever I need them.  Maybe I’ll program one to make me a very wealthy man, another to bring me many new friends, and a third.....hmmmmmm.....maybe with the third I’ll program it to keep me forever young!


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And Then Some Works!

Outstanding! 47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional

Book Club... And Then Some!

Outstanding!  47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional        

by John G. Miller


Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

There are a number of reasons why this book merits the word: “outstanding.”  First, it is well written.  Second, it is full of engaging examples.  Third, the chapters are short, easy to read, and full of information.  Fourth, the information—although much of it is common sense—is worth the read, whether it is a review, a reminder, or just new motivation to change and grow.  Finally, fifth, Miller uses large doses of humor throughout the book that keeps the information entertaining and enjoyable.

Terry Schuman, a training manager from Denver, Colorado, writes this about the book: “John has a way of writing that encourages people who typically aren't too fond of business-type books to find the time to read his books. He's an expert at using real life experiences and stories to illustrate his various points and topics.”

Schuman continues his review at Amazon.com: “Outstanding!, just like his other books, is an easy read but is filled with excellent educational material that benefits all levels of management- from executives to front-line supervisors. It has 47 short chapters that quickly get to the point and make you think. I found myself saying throughout the book, ‘I've had to deal with that’ or, ‘I can relate to this,' or, 'I wish I would have done that!’”

The reason I have quoted other reviewers is simple.  I am not in business, and I am not a trainer; thus, I don’t have the experience nor the perspective to judge this book.  But, I think it has wide application outside of business as well.  These are precisely the principles one should use in conducting his or her life.

Schuman continues his review: “John's also not afraid to tell it like it really is. How many other business books have you read with a chapter titled, ‘Fire Customers (If Necessary)!.’ Any of your associates who've ever had to deal with the ‘customer from hell’ will appreciate it. But it makes sense. As John writes, "...standing up for your people in the face of mistreatment by customers makes our staff feel truly valued.’”

Matthew Morine, from Castle Rock, Colorado, writes, “John Miller is an accomplished author and consultant in the business world. His previous book "QBQ" was an exceptional work on identifying empowerment thinking. He continues the linage of thought provoking and insightful works in this text. The book identifies the 47 ways to make an organization better. This book is packed with helpful information. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on the ever increasing literature in the business culture, one can buy this book for the best of the latest ideas. The book also highlights some of the latest and trendy "foolish" ideas that would never work. The author shows these ideas to be lacking. Instead of having to read all of the material out there searching for the best practices, the author has done this for you. This book will provide a framework for any church, club, or business. There is not a single wasted page. For a journey in the best ideas for an organization, pick up this title.”

Again, not having read any other books by John G. Miller, I leave it to Matthew Morine to provide that additional perspective.

This is an excellent book that has garnered exceptional reviews and, thus, is outstanding!!!! 



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This book is available from Amazon.com: Outstanding!  47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional. 

Friday's Laugh . . . And Then Some!

Bambi, a blond in her fourth year as a UCLA freshman,
sat in her U.S. government class.  The professor asked
Bambi if she knew what Roe vs. Wade was about.
Bambi pondered the question then finally said, "That was
the decision George Washington had to make before he
crossed the Delaware."

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow: Over 2,000 jokes from the Internet

From our upcoming book compiled by Richard L. Weaver II
Laugh is setup with just over 4 jokes a day, all 365 days, and can be read in any order!
Expected Release Date: Fall 2010

Examining the paranormal helps us understand how the world works

There are many paranormal and supernatural claims.  Psychics, astrologers, alien abductions, alternative medicines, ghosts, and life after death are just a few of them.  But when people have personal experiences with any of these, those occurrences offer them a powerful and persuasive reason to believe in them, especially if they can’t explain them. 

“The need to believe in phony wonders,” writes The Reverend Canon William V. Rauscher, “sometimes exceeds not only logic but, seemingly, even sanity.” 

Many people have had psychic experiences or episodes with things that science cannot explain.  Whether it is extrasensory perception (ESP), haunted houses, ghosts of the spirits of dead people, telepathy, clairvoyance, astrology, communicating mentally with someone who has died, witches, reincarnation, or channeling, seventy-five percent of Americans profess at least one paranormal belief according to a recent Gallup survey.  The most popular is extrasensory perception, mentioned by 41%, followed closely by a belief in haunted houses (37%).  Only 27% of Americans, according to the same survey, believe in none of these. 

The poll showed no statistically significant differences in beliefs among people by age, gender, education, race, and region of the country; however, Christians are a little more likely to hold some paranormal beliefs than non-Christians (75% versus 66% respectively), but both groups show a sizeable majority with such beliefs. 

The main question is why do people believe in the paranormal?  The first obvious answer, given above, is that so many people have had personal paranormal experiences.  A second obvious reason has to do with magical thinking.  For example, if an athlete wears a certain piece of clothing and wins a game, magical thinking has to do with believing that that certain piece of clothing will bring him or her luck in winning future games.  Actually, this belief is based on the fallacy post hoc, ergo propter hoc or “after this, therefore because of this” and is a form of superstition.

The third answer to the question of why so many people believe in the paranormal and supernatural is captured in the expression, “true-believer syndrome,” which was coined in a book of the same name by M. Lamar Keene.  Keene describes a cognitive disorder characterized by believing in the reality of paranormal or supernatural events even after one has been presented overwhelming evidence that an event was fraudulently staged.  Keene writes, “How can an otherwise sane individual become so enamored of a fantasy, an imposture, that even after it’s exposed in the bright light of day he still clings to it—indeed, clings to it all the harder?” 

For many people, the will to believe at times overrides the ability to think critically about the evidence for and against a belief.   

Yet another explanation, described by Eric Hoffer in his book The True Believer, is that the person’s belief in the paranormal or supernatural satisfies an emotional need that is stronger than the need for the truth.  He writes, “This passionate attachment is the essence of his blind devotion and religiosity, and he sees in it the source of all virtue and strength....He easily sees himself as the supporter and defender of the holy cause to which he clings.  And he is ready to sacrifice his life.” 

There may be no single answer to the question of why so many people believe in the paranormal and supernatural, but Michael Shermer, in his book, Why People Believe in Weird Things (W.H. Freeman & Company, 1998), offers readers twenty-five fallacies that lead us to believe weird things.  In Shermer’s opinion, “most believers in miracles, monsters, and mysteries are not hoaxers, flimflam artists, or lunatics.  Most are normal people whose normal thinking has gone wrong in some way.” 

Some of the ways that people’s thinking has gone wrong are first, accepting anecdotes as proof.  Stories do not make science unless they are supported by a great deal of corroborative evidence from other sources or by physical proof of some sort.  Ten anecdotes are no better than one, and a hundred anecdotes are not better than ten.  The problem with anecdotes is that they are told by fallible human storytellers. 

Another way that people’s thinking goes wrong is accepting a belief based on the trappings of science.  Scientific language and jargon means nothing without evidence, experimental testing, and corroboration.  Because science has such a powerful mystique in our society, those who wish to gain respectability often gain it by looking and sounding “scientific.” 

“If you want to do science,” Shermer writes, “you have to learn to play the game of science.  This involves getting to know the scientists in your field, exchanging data and ideas with colleagues informally, and formally presenting results in conference papers, peer-reviewed journals, books, and the like.” 

Another way that people’s thinking goes wrong is not understanding that the burden of proof falls on the one making an extraordinary new claim.  They are the ones who have to prove to the experts and community at large that their belief has more validity than the one almost everyone else accepts. 

Scientific and critical thinking does not come naturally.  It takes training, experience, and effort.  In his book, Logic for the Millions (Philosophical Library, 1947), Alfred Mander said, “Thinking is skilled work.  It is not true that we are naturally endowed with the ability to think clearly and logically—without learning how, or without practicing.  People with untrained minds should no more expect to think clearly and logically than people who have never learned and never practiced can expect to find themselves good carpenters, golfers, bridge players, or pianists” (p. vii).

The paranormal is bunk; however, the key for skeptics and critical thinkers is to try to understand how others have gone wrong and how science is subject to social control and cultural influences so they can improve their understanding of how the world works. 

----- 

There is a wonderful essay, “The Paranormal” by Remi which is well worth a read.  The example used in the final paragraph is especially relevant. 

At the website, LiveScience, the essay there, under the topic, “Culture,” called, “Monsters, Ghosts and Gods: Why We Believe,” by Robert Roy Britt, LiveScience Managing Editor, is informative and worthwhile.  Britt says, “The bottom line, according to several interviews with people who study these things: People want to believe, and most simply can't help it.”  There is a great deal of information in this essay, but it seems to boil down to one essential element: “‘Many people quite simply just want to believe,’ said Brian Cronk, a professor of psychology at Missouri Western State University. ‘The human brain is always trying to determine why things happen, and when the reason is not clear, we tend to make up some pretty bizarre explanations.’ 

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Copyright June, 2010, by And Then Some Publishing, LLC.

   

y #221 - Listen well.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." --Robert McCloskey

Day #221 - Listen well.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

Day #191 - Set high standards.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"Let us be about setting high standards for life, love, creativity, and wisdom.  If our expectations in these areas are low, we are not likely to experience wellness.  Setting high standards makes every day and every decade worth looking forward to."  ---Greg Anderson

Day #191 - Set high standards.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

It's a Special Delivery - How to Make a Viral Video

And Then Some Publishing News
-----
It's a Special Delivery! 


Illustrator Anthony Weaver and author Lynne Hall have put together a coaching video on How to Make a Viral Video, based on the K.I.S.S. Theory (Keep it simple... stupid). Instead of a technical approach explaining camera types, lenses, programs used to produce videos, this is a fun look at being in front of the camera and getting used to the bright lights shining on you.  Anthony and Lynne show you how they shot their video, including the end result!


Having trouble viewing the video? Click here to see How to Make a Viral Video on YouTube.






Have you seen Part 1 of Anthony Weaver's interview of author Edgar E. Willis about his memoir, Civilian In an Ill-Fitting Uniform: A Memoir of World War II? In Part 1 of the interview Anthony asks Edgar about his inspiration for the book, the reason for the title, and why he decided to include his life before and after his service. See part one of the interview here.


Part 2 of the interview will be released next week, Tuesday June 22, 2010, in the And Then Some Publishing News post.


Go to EdgarEWillis.com where you can find more books and videos by Edgar E. Willis including his series, How to be Funny on Purpose.

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:

Thursday’s essay is called, “Examining the paranormal helps us understand how the world works."  There are many paranormal and supernatural claims.  Psychics, astrologers, alien abductions, alternative medicines, ghosts, and life after death are just a few of them.  But when people have personal experiences with any of these, those occurrences offer them a powerful and persuasive reason to believe in them, especially if they can’t explain them.  In this essay I examine their "reasons for believing."  It is a delightful essay that offers a closer examination. 

Examining the paranormal helps us understand how the world works
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Many people have had psychic experiences or episodes with things that science cannot explain.  Whether it is extrasensory perception (ESP), haunted houses, ghosts of the spirits of dead people, telepathy, clairvoyance, astrology, communicating mentally with someone who has died, witches, reincarnation, or channeling, seventy-five percent of Americans profess at least one paranormal belief according to a recent Gallup survey.  The most popular is extrasensory perception, mentioned by 41%, followed closely by a belief in haunted houses (37%).  Only 27% of Americans, according to the same survey, believe in none of these.

---

And Then Some Works!

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience

Book Club... And Then Some!


The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience    

by Carmine Gallo


Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

This Just as television stations admit their affiliation prior to any review or evaluation they make of a show or product that is produced by their parent company, I have to confess that I am a McGraw-Hill author, and this is a McGraw-Hill product; however, I did not know that until I opened the book to its title page.  (I confess, tongue-securely-placed-in-cheek, that it will be impossible for me to give this book a fair, impartial, and totally honest review!)  Am I biased by my 24-year history of working with McGraw-Hill?  Yes.  Am I biased by my excellent relationships established with the editors who have worked with me throughout this period of time?  Yes. ----but, I am going to continue none-the-less.

Anyone who knows my background knows that I have written more than a half-dozen different college textbooks on the subject of public communication, and my most recent textbook, Communicating Effectively (McGraw-Hill, 2009) (with Saundra Hybels) is currently going into its tenth edition. Half this textbook is devoted to public speaking; it is the section I always wrote even when Hybels was alive (she died in 1999).  My small (Elements of Style-like) book, Public Speaking Rules: All you need for a GREAT speech! (And Then Some Publishing, 2008), available from Amazon.com , covers all the essential information speakers need.  All this to say, is it any wonder I would be interested in this book by Carmine Gallo?

If you are an experienced speaker or you have read a great deal about public speaking, you are unlikely to find anything new in this book; however, if you want to remind yourself about what it takes to be a great speaker or you just want to polish and hone your skills, then this is just the book.  It is informative, specific, comprehensive, well-written, and complete with wonderful, engaging examples.

Gallo has structured her book much like one of Steve Jobs’ presentations.  That is, she has kept her chapters brief (“Obey the Ten-Minute Rule”—Intermission 1), includes brief summaries at the end of every chapter (“Director’s Notes”), offers short segments within chapters, provides tables, bullet-pointed lists, includes numbers of additional examples (“Share the Stage”—Act II, Scene 11), injects pictures of Jobs at work, begins every chapter with a summary quotation, and furnishes additional quotations, explanations, and stories set aside by brackets (much as my “Consider This” sections in Communicating Effectively).  There are a sufficient number of things going on that Gallo effectively grabs a reader’s attention, and rivets it to the printed page.

Gallo writes about the passion that drove her to write this book: “The purpose of this book is to help you capture that passion [the passion that drives us] and turn it into a story so mesmerizing that people will want to help you achieve your vision” (p. xvii).  She added, “Do not let your ideas die because you failed to present them in a way that sparked the imagination of your listeners.  Use Jobs’s techniques to reach the hearts and minds of everyone you hope to influence” (p. xvii).

If you want a great book on presentational skills, you can’t do better than this one!


This book is both available from Amazon.com: The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience

Friday's Laugh . . . And Then Some!

 Little Emily, the minister's daughter, ran into the house,
crying as though her heart would break.
"What's wrong, dear?" asked the pastor.
"My doll!  Billy broke it!" she sobbed.
"How did he break it, Emily?"
"I hit him over the head with it."

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow: Over 2,000 jokes from the Internet

From our upcoming book compiled by Richard L. Weaver II
Laugh is setup with just over 4 jokes a day, all 365 days, and can be read in any order!
Expected Release Date: Fall 2010