Don't Call Me a Crook! by Bob Moore

Don't Call Me a Crook is at times amusing but at others disturbing. It does offer the rare opportunity of delving into a rogue's travels and view of the world.

Bob Moore was a survivor who kept cool under pressure, trusted his instincts and was extremely resourceful. He was also a funny Scotsman without intending to be and an excellent storyteller.

On the down side, Bob Moore was a liar, thief, racist, drunkard and murderer, with little to no remorse for those that he harmed. He seemed to think he was superior, even when he was scruffy and out of work. He referred to any race different from his own with a derogatory slang term. In the 20’s and 30’s this was more common, but that doesn’t excuse it.

Bob’s Crimes

If his slang gets confusing in Don’t Call Me A Crook! (Bob Moore, Dissident Books, ISBN: 9780977378807, 2009) there are handy footnotes with definitions included. It seems more authentic to keep the original written words intact anyway, and it made for a fascinating tale of a rogue who seemed slightly psychotic. It was originally published in 1935 without much fanfare and only recently was republished.

Death didn’t faze him and even when his hand caused the death, he brushed it off casually or excused it. He refused to admit that he was a crook (hence the name Don’t Call Me a Crook!) or thief and refers to stealing as swiping, as if that’s somehow better.

In between jobs he did a lot of stealing and conning, so the places he could travel became limited since victims of theft or police were after him everywhere. Anyone with money, jewelry or booze was a target to Bob. He still certainly made his rounds by traveling all over the world on ships. His escapades in England, China and the U.S. were particularly of interest.


Bob Moore and Women

There were several women he led on and charmed out of their money and he didn’t think twice about ripping off a boss on his way out the door. He would occasionally do favors for friends, but there was almost always something in it for him. That’s not to say he never had any sympathy for anyone, but he tended to favor drinking buddies with money.

At one point he did bow to family pressure and made an attempt at settling down and marrying in Glasgow. Since Bob seemed incapable of staying in one place or job too long, this didn’t work out.

 He describes his travels, experiences and associates so well that they’re easy to envision. An engineer by trade, Bob Moore had no problem getting jobs on yachts or ships. These were full of adventures including rowdy parties, pirate shootouts, fistfights and drowning. How anyone ever managed to survive this lifestyle full of danger, diseases and violence is a mystery. Whether everything Bob wrote is true or not is another mystery.

Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford

This book may help avoid years of therapy. Repressed memories, feelings and hidden aspects of individuals come to light with shadow work.

If negative aspects aren’t brought out into the open, they may become internalized and manifest themselves in addictions, depression or other illnesses.

Acknowledging and examining the dark side isn’t easy, but The Dark Side of the Light Chasers shows how to embrace the shadow so that it becomes integrated with other aspects of the personality.

Debbie helps make it real by bravely sharing personal information about her past struggles with addiction and anger. The Dark Side of the Light Chasers is based upon ideas she developed for a course to help embrace the shadow.

Projection

Qualities that might drive someone crazy are usually those that others see and hate in them. These negative qualities are mirrored back to reflect and project onto someone else. Once that’s acknowledged, it’s easier to completely accept and forgive the self along with everyone else.

When people can accept themselves, they no longer need to judge others. There is a freedom in embracing the shadow and when people stop finger pointing, it makes them easier to get along with.

Gifts in Hated Qualities

There are gifts in many qualities individuals may hate in themselves. For example “cheap” becomes thrifty and practical. Aggressive may become persistent and insistent. The Dark Side of the Light Chasers encourages people to list these qualities and find their hidden gifts so that they become easier to accept and integrate into the whole person.

Inventing New Interpretations

Instead of forgetting about the past, Ford encourages people to reinvent thoughts surrounding past incidents. Thoughts are something everyone can learn to control, so it becomes empowering to take responsibility for thoughts about individual memories.

Acknowledge Our Greatness

People are often told not to toot their own horn, so they may be uncomfortable embracing the great things about themselves. Debbie Ford also shows others how to embrace the good and let their light shine.

• There are effective exercises in The Dark Side of the Light Chasers: Reclaiming Your Power, Creativity, Brilliance, And Dreams (Debbie Ford, Berkley Publishing Group, 1998, ISBN: 1573220965) that help people to break down their walls and embrace their shadows. At the end there’s an important helpful chapter that shows how to create a mission statement and action plan for the future.

This is an excellent guide that gently helps examine individual’s hidden dark aspects. It sounds painful, but in the end it actually brings freedom and helps ends suffering.

About Debbie Ford

Debbie Ford is a popular speaker, coach and best-selling author. She runs a workshop entitled “The Shadow Process Workshop”. She’s been a guest on many radio and television programs including Oprah, Good Morning America and Larry King Live. For more information about her books or upcoming workshop topics see DebbieFord.com

Introvert Power by Laurie Helgoe

Instead of teaching people how to be extroverted, Helgoe shows others how to embrace their introverted nature and see it as an asset. This is a refreshing change from other books that hint that there’s something wrong with wanting to be alone.

Laurie Helgoe assures others in Introvert Power that it’s okay to refuse a party without excuses or explanations. When introverts do decide to attend, she has great suggestions on how to deal with crowds. Other options are to say no, go to a more intimate gathering or stay home and read a book without apologizing for it.

Introvert Statistics
According to Laurie's research in Introvert Power, introverts make up 57% of the population. Since extroverts are more visible and valued in America, there does appear to be more of them. Everyone has a balance of both but they may not admit to being more introverted if they think being extroverted is more desirable. Laurie Helgoe explains other reasons why commonly quoted statistics are outdated in Introvert Power.

Introvert Stereotypes

Introvert Power (Sourcebooks, 2008, ISBN: 9781402211171) is an educational book for introverts and extroverts alike. It examines stereotypes people may have about introverts. Some might be that introverts are anti-social, snobs or even mentally ill. There are extroverts that exhibit poor social skills and there are introverts that exhibit leadership qualities. Pegging one side with only negative qualities does a disservice to both.

Introverted Children

Not all children thrive with constant structured or scheduled activities. To encourage independence and creativity, it’s a good idea to allow time for solitary activities. That time away from noise and bustling is especially important for introverted children. Introvert Power offers ideas about how to support children overwhelmed with noisy classrooms or activities.


Differences Between Introverts and Extroverts

There are often misunderstandings between the two because introverts need time alone to gain energy, while extroverts need to be around people to recharge. Parties aren’t fun for everyone, nor is being popular or becoming extroverted always the goal. These are some of the extrovert assumptions Laurie addresses in Introvert Power. There are benefits to being introverted or extroverted and she helps points those out.

Introvert Power is one of the most enlightening and informative books about celebrating, understanding and embracing introverts. Laurie Helgoe also shares useful strategies on how to cope with challenges many introverts face and how to see strength in their solitude.

About Laurie Helgoe

Laurie is a psychologist, writer, actor and model. She has written four other books and also runs a design consultation service called INtrovert Style. For more information see her website WakingDesire.com

Real-Life Guide to Diabetes

Real-Life Guide to Diabetes by Hope S. Warshaw and Joy Pape (American Diabetes Association, 2009, ISBN: 9781580403146), is full of information suitable for those newly diagnosed with diabetes, or for people looking for updated medical information and dietary advice.

Each chapter is split up into easy to read chunks. There are myths and facts listed, questions commonly asked about diabetes, definitions, statistics, red flags and tips and tactics. The fonts are larger than the average book, which is also a bonus.

Diabetes Prevention and Management

Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. One of the main reasons type 2 cases are rising is because the number of obese people is increasing. According to Real-Life Guide to Diabetes, if people eat healthier, become more active and lose 5 to 7% of their body weight, they can prevent or prolong the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes. If they have already developed it, the suggested steps are still helpful with managing diabetes. Extensive information about type 1 diabetes is also included.

•     Chapter 2 focuses on “knowing and controlling your ABCs”. This includes information about how to understand blood glucose numbers and the importance of recording and monitoring it.

•     Chapter 3 stresses the importance of obtaining a positive support system. This includes health care providers, family, friends, support groups and members of your community.

Lifestyle Changes and Healthy Eating

Chapter 4 and 5 and 6 offer important information on behavioral changes and instructions on how to eat healthier. Lifestyle changes are difficult, especially if negative patterns have been followed for years. There’s interesting and useful information about behavior change theories that will aid in the transition. It's valuable for anyone but particularly helpful for diabetics trying to make major changes.

For meal planning, there are some simple portion control tools and methods to follow that are helpful. Suggestions on what types of food to eat are offered along with information on carbohydrates, fiber, protein, fat and salt. There’s a quick formula to calculate what an individual’s energy needs are and how many calories they would need depending on their level of activity.

Important information about food label’s nutrition facts is also included. One of the reasons it’s important is because the portion size is clarified. Portions given on food labels are often smaller than what a person actually ingests, so when tracking calories, carbs, sodium, sugars or fat intake, calculations may need to be doubled.

Other chapters focus on the importance of physical activity with diabetes, medications that lower blood glucose, alternative methods, stress and depression, monitoring glucose and blood pressure, losing weight, managing diabetes when on vacation or off schedule and sexual health.

It’s an extremely detailed yet straightforward book that could be used as an ongoing reference for anyone who has diabetes or is interested in it. The great thing about the Real-Life Guide to Diabetes is that it is flexible so it offers solutions that are realistic for everyone.

About Hope Warshaw and Joy Pape

Hope Warshaw has 30 years experience as an author and is also a dietitian and diabetes educator. She’s the contributing editor for Diabetic Living and she continues to volunteer to help others with diabetes. Other books Hope has authored include Guide to Healthy Restaurant Eating, Complete Guide to Carb Counting and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy.

Joy Pape is a certified diabetes nurse educator and certified foot care nurse. She has personal experience because diabetes has been in her family for generations. After she was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, she lost 60 pounds and has kept it off for 20 years. Joy also has over 30 years of experience in the health care field.

Sea Changes by Gail Graham

Sea Changes revolves around the character Sarah Andrews who is lonely in Australia and still grieving her dead husband.

Sarah sees a psychologist but doesn’t feel that he fully understands. She didn't socialize much outside of her husband so has trouble adjusting to the culture in Australia. Her daughter decides her mother has mourned long enough and pushes her to move on with her life.

Underwater World

She stumbles across a fascinating parallel world in the sea where she feels loved, accepted and at peace. Sarah's original plan was to commit suicide but instead she decides to help her new friends. What’s real and what’s fantasy becomes clouded, especially when she begins to confide in her psychologist.

Suspense, Mystery and Murder

A missing celebrity who happens to look like one of her new friends from the sea adds to the mystery. This complicates her quiet life, as she becomes the prime suspect, which leads her to feel more misunderstood and abandoned. Her own family becomes distant and she can no longer trust her psychologist.

Sarah finally starts to put herself first and is surprised at her new found strength and independence. Eventually, she finds herself cornered and is forced to choose between the two worlds. Should she feel obligated to the family that she has left and her husband’s memory or embrace the love and friendship she has found with a new man?

Although Sarah could be a depressing sort of character, Gail Graham has created her as an adventurous widowed woman who still sees the humor in things. She has also experienced the loss of her own husband and child and is able to describe the grief very accurately.

Sea Changes (Jade Phoenix Publishing, May 2009, ISBN: 9780692001004), comes alive with so many exciting twists and turns that it becomes impossible to put down. Gail Graham manages to maintain the suspense throughout the novel and the realistic details make this unlikely story believable.

Mourning and New Hope

Although it’s an entertaining fantasy, Sea Changes is also an emotional journey that offers hope to others in mourning. Things can never be the same after losing a spouse, but eventually other reasons to live provide opportunities and offer enough strength to continue. This is an excellent book to recommend to anyone grieving or facing depression because it offers hope that eventually, things do get better.

Writing Romance by Vanessa Grant

Vanessa Grant gives detailed and practical advice on how to write a successful romance novel in Writing Romance, Self-Counsel Press,1997-2007.

Subjects covered in Writing Romance include the business of beginning the story, creating conflict, pacing, revision, finding a publisher and preparing for the marketplace. Over half of the fiction books sold in the world are romance, so there’s a huge market for them.

Romance Subgenres

Most novels contain some romance, so Writing Romance would be helpful for almost any author beginning their novel. It makes sense for authors to write about what they enjoy because it will come easier and the story will be better because of it.

There are some excellent notes on writing suspense, paranormal and science fiction along with romance.
A whole chapter is devoted to suspense including the rules and how to keep things unpredictable. It’s important to keep the outcome hidden. Anyone who has read a book where they could predict what was going to happen next knows that doesn’t make for a fun read.

Archetypes

Writers often use common archetypes without even thinking about them but it’s interesting to break them down into recognizable categories. A couple of the familiar standbys are the virginal heroine and the Alpha hero. To keep things interesting it would be wise to throw in a wild woman or passionate artist.

The setting can be a simple background or the main focus in the story. It depends on how strongly the setting influences the characters. Guidelines on how to create a strong descriptive setting authentically are included even if you’ve never been there.

Plot and Conflict

While the plot is important, without strong characters and conflicts there won’t be much life in the romance novel. Helping the reader get attached to characters makes the story better because they will sympathize when they have huge problems. Victory at the end will also be much sweeter because the reader cares about the people in the story.

 Brainstorming with a series of questions is one of the techniques used to flesh out characters. As the questions continue, they get harder so more bizarre or interesting scenarios and characters are created.

Controversial Issues

In some cases experiences with such things as alcoholism, mental illness and/or dysfunctional families become beneficial to the writer because they can relate to those issues easier. For alternative lifestyles, occupations or diseases that there are no experiences with, Vanessa Grant shares how to go about researching them.

About Vanessa Grant

Vanessa Grant is a popular romance writer who has authored 30 books and successfully sold over 10 million romance novels. She runs workshops on romance writing and offers online seminars and courses.
The CD-ROM included with Writing Romance is full of writing resources. These include templates for writing the book, an eight part seminar on writing romance, and links to publishers and market information.
Writing Romance is a fantastic step-by-step guide for learning how to write a successful romance novel. Also included are two of Vanessa Grant's novels Taking Chances and Yesterday’s Vows in eBook format. To explore more of Vanessa’s writing resources like her workshops or online courses see VanessaGrant.ca.

How to Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight

In How To Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight, Martin Katahn has formulated two programs. One is for those ready to quit and the other is for those still struggling.  

It’s explained in detail the reasons why people gain weight even if they don’t ingest more calories. Apparently an ex-smoker’s metabolism slows down so much that it equals as much as 200 calories. According to Martin Katahn, 70% of all people who quit smoking gain weight.


Knowing these things doesn’t help lose the weight, but it helps by reassuring others that it’s common. His plans go into greater detail about how to either prevent weight gain before quitting or lose the weight after quitting. There's a 7 + 7 Program for those about to quit and an Ex-Smoker's Weight Management Program for those wanting to lose the weight gained after quitting.


The two things that will help someone quit are to be highly motivated and confident about it being a success. With this well thought out and researched plan; it’s more likely to be able to quit smoking successfully. Other benefits are that healthier eating and exercising habits will replace smoking and energy levels will increase.

Cut Fat & Choose Healthy Carbohydrates

His simple but not necessarily easy methods include cutting down on fat. Along with that are suggestions on how to replace fatty foods with complex carbohydrates. Specific food choices are given with lists of alternatives to use as a reference. There is a detailed appendix called Fat and Carbohydrate Counter. It lists common foods and the serving size, total fat, carbohydrates and calories. Although there is a present trend to go low on carbs, they’re necessary for energy. Martin Katahn assures people that if fat intake is lowered, they choose healthier carbohydrates and they exercise, they will lose weight.

Recipes

One of the best parts of How To Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight is the healthy but delicious recipes demonstrating how to make things like chocolate chip cookies, muffins and lasagna lower in fat and higher in fiber. Many of the recipes are included in the menu suggestions.

 Exercise

Exercise is one of the most important factors for quitting smoking and losing weight. It guarantees the ability to burn calories while increasing energy and confidence. Getting up and moving is also another way to fend off a nicotine craving. There’s a table that shows various activities and the amount of calories that they burn after 15 minutes. For example walking 4 mph. for 15 minutes burns 99 calories. It would only take about half an hour of brisk walking to burn 200 calories.


Anaerobic exercise or strength training is also encouraged and suggested as a method to help quit smoking and lose weight. Lifting small weights for ten minutes a day will suffice.


How To Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight by Martin Katahn, publisher W.W. Norton & Company, 1994-2004, ISBN-10: 0743466233 is packed full of expert advice to assist those motivated to change their lifestyle and quit smoking. Marting Katahn is also the author of the T-Factor Diet and The T-Factor Fat Counter.