The Lowdown on Families Who Get High: Successful Parenting for Families Affected by Addiction

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Lowdown is an easy-to-use book on a complex subject: how to break the cycle of addiction in high-risk families. Used in conjunction with the 12 steps AA, it shows that being a parent or caregiver and being in recovery can be a win/win situation.

The Lowdown on Families Who Get High: Successful Parenting for Families Affected By Addiction

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The Lowdown on Families Who Get High: Successful Parenting for Families Affected By Addiction
Pat O'gorman
Manufacturer: Child & Family Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N62X06

Customer Reviews:

Which way to the enemy?.......2007-09-17

The principal players of the Second World War paid their dues in the First, and Erwin Rommel was no exception. The man who would later become "the Desert Fox" and win worldwide acclaim as one of the greatest generals of all time began his combat career as a young lieutenant in the army of Wilhelm II, indistinguishable from thousands of others who crossed the French or Belgian frontier in 1914. Four years later he was one of the most decorated soldiers in the Imperial Army, holder of the "Pour le Merite" (the highest Prussian award for bravery) and a firm believer that "positional [i.e. trench] warfare" was for fools. His credo could be summed up in the old Prussian maxim: "Never ask how strong the enemy is, only where he is -- and march to the sound of guns."

Rommel published ATTACKS in 1937, when he was a lieutenant-colonel in the Reichsheer and commandant of the military academy in Weiner Neustadt. At the time he was already famous in the German army for his 1914 - 1918 exploits, but ATTACKS brought him international acclaim, at least in military circles. In Germany the book made him quite wealthy, and in a sense one can see why: compared to the turgid, half-mystical reminiscences of some of his contemporaries, ATTACKS is entirely without introspection. It is simply a recounting of the innumerable small-unit actions in which Rommel participated in during the Great War. The book's methodical, matter-of-fact style reflects the personality of its author, who was not inclined to philosophizing. The "whys" and "wherefores" of war mattered to him not at all. Unlike Ernst Juenger, who also won the Pour le Merite and wrote postwar accounts of his exploits (THE STORM OF STEEL, COPSE 125, WAR AS AN INWARD EXPERIENCE) Rommel wasn't interested in the "inward experience", just the fighting. He was a soldier's soldier.

During the War, Rommel served extensively in France, Rumania and Italy, and ATTACKS recounts in great detail his many offensive exploits, where he distinguished himself not merely with his aggressive style but by his habit (repeated in World War II) of leading from the front. Utterly fearless, possessing unlimited physical stamina and seemingly immune to pain (his gunshot wounds are described merely as events, like losing the sole of a shoe; the only thing that seems to have caused him real discomfort in the whole war was getting a foot smashed by a boulder in the mountains) Rommel was the ideal junior officer under any conditions, and was rightly worshipped by his men - another trait he enjoyed in the '39 - 45 war. He was further distinguished by his nobility and chivalry, qualities which are more responsible than his military genius for making him beloved among his former enemies. Today, Rommel is the only one of the myriad generals who achieved fame in Nazi Germany who is officially honored by the present day German government.

The strength of ATTACKS lies not merely in the nature of what is being described (battle and more battle) but in the fact that Rommel has no artistic pretentions: he simply records what happened without sentimentalizing or succumbing to the Germanic curse of using 1,000 words when two hundred would suffice. This, however, is also the book's great weakness: all these skirmishes, raids, marches, countermarches, midnight conferences, attacks, retirements, hand-grenade fights, machine-gun duels, artillery bombardments, and climbs up mountain slopes in the rain, snow and blazing sun begin to wear down the reader over time. If it is possible for combat to be monotonous, Rommel occasionally manages to make it so, if only by the staggering amount of it he actually experienced. If Juenger was often turgid and romantic, he was also willing to discuss the lighter side of war - the pranks, the drinking, the philosophical bull-sessions and the endless war against rats, boredom and Prussian discipline. Such humanistic moments would have been welcome in ATTACKS, but Rommel was not inclined to dwell on them. (The closest thing he displays to a sense of humor is contemptuous jokes at the expense of the French and the Italians, neither of whom seem to have impressed him with their soldierly ability.)

So, if you are looking for a pure combat memior, penned by one of the greatest soldiers ever, ATTACKS is the very definition of the bill. But if you want a look "under the helmet" into the mind and soul of a great fighting man, I would suggest supplementing ATTACKS with Juenger's more layered STORM OF STEEL. After all, nothing is more Prussian than obtaining a "total view" of a military situation!

Great Book.......2007-07-30

I have no complaints. In response to another review, German troops, specifically those under Rommel's command, are made to look far more competent than most troops of other nationalities Rommel encountered because by all accounts they were. Rommel's men wouldn't have surrendered in the thousands to 3 officers, nor been so lax in sentry and recon duty. When he encounters worthy foes he gives credit where it is due, in one case calling them "men in every way" to paraphrase. But the aggressive fighting spirit and competence of Rommel's men is shown time and time again. Volunteering to run out on a bridge under enemy fire and chop wires leading to bombs with a hand axe (for all that Sergeant knew the wires could have been electric and the bombs could have gone the second he got near one), swim a freezing cold, rapidly moving river alone to infiltrate enemy lines etc, this is what his men would do for him.

The tone is largely a matter of interpretation, I believe that at the time and place the book was written it was not so much braggadocio as it was lack of false modesty, and rightful pride in his and his men's accomplishments. In America many will interpret this as shameless bragging.

I see nothing wrong with the lessons of building fortifications to prevent casualties and conducting constant reconnaissance. However those are not by any means the only lessons in the book. Rommel's use of "supple infantry tactics" against often numerically far superior, and firepower-superior (though as mentioned before inferior in competence, aggression, and bravery) enemies, and his use of diversions, sneak attacks and generally concealed movements are timeless applied lessons of warfare straight out of Sun Tzu's "Art of War".

His use of overwhelming concentrations of pinning fire, combined with the above, helped him limit casualties while flanking the enemy and capturing prisoners in the many thousands in total. He scarcely lost a battle even though he often didn't have the support of artillery during an attack due to materiale shortages. He was a very aggressive commander who always took the initiative when given the chance, something that paid off time and time again. He wasn't incautious, he simply knew an opportunity when he saw one, and was bold enough to exploit these situations.

Rommel's Book.......2006-10-23

Ever since I saw the Movie "Patton" where George C. Scott's Patton reads Rommels book and wins his battle with the Afrika Korps I always wanted to read this book.

I thought it would be a primer on Armor Tactics but it is Rommel's Memoir of his experiences as a Junior officer in WWI primarily on the Balkan Front. One thing one notices that is reflective of the later Desert Fox is that Rommel does not like to send his troops into deadly "Over the Top" frontal assaults into enemy machine guns unless there is no other alternative. He always seeks to outflank or manuver into the enemy's rear.

Though I found his style of writing to be rather dry(at least as translated into English) it is a textbook application of small unit infantry tactics complete with handwritten diagrams and maps. Young officers and NCO's would do well to read and learn like Patton from Rommel's Book.

Also recommended Desmond Young's "The Desert Fox".

Infanteri grieft an.......2006-08-11

For many years I have been looking for an original copy of Infanterie Grieft an without success. This is a satisfactory rewrite.

Outstanding book.......2006-07-17

Rommel writes of his experiences in WWI fighting primarily in Rumania and what is now northern Italy. In each chapter, he details a specific operation, the problems they faced and how he solved them. He uses the stories to show how a commander should deal with certain common situations. For his leadership he won the "Blue Max" not bad for a junior officer! The illustrationa are quite helpful as the descriptions he gives are very detailed. It's probably the finest military book I have ever read, well worth the price. A fine book by a true leader...

Buy it!

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Rommel's Tribute to the German Soldier
...and so does Rommel!
Unexpected Memoirs
Service before self...
Rommel - the origin of 'JUST DO IT'

Infantry Attacks
Erwin Rommel
Manufacturer: Greenhill Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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The Rommel Papers (Da Capo Paperback)
Attacks: ROMMEL
Rommel and his Art of War (Greenhill Military Paperbacks.)
Panzer Leader
Lost Victories: The War Memoirs of Hitler's Most Brilliant General

ASIN: 1853677078

Book Description

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel exerted an almost hypnotic influence not only over his own troops but also over the Allied soldiers of the Eighth Army in the Second World War. Even when the legend surrounding his invincibility was overturned at El Alamein, the aura surrounding Rommel himself remained unsullied. As a leader of a small unit in the First World War, he proved himself an aggressive and versatile commander, with a reputation for using the battleground terrain to his own advantage, for gathering intelligence, and for seeking out and exploiting enemy weaknesses. Rommel graphically describes his own achievements, and those of his units, in the swift-moving battles on the Western Front, in the ensuing trench warfare, in the 1917 campaign in Romania, and in the pursuit across the Tagliamento and Piave rivers. This classic account seeks out the basis of his astonishing leadership skills, providing an indispensable guide to the art of war written by one of its greatest exponents.

Customer Reviews:

Rommel's Tribute to the German Soldier.......2007-09-30

I gave INFANTRY ATTACKS five stars. I thought I knew Rommel, but this book comprised of after-action reports and observations added a lot to my mental picture of him.

He dedicated his writing to the German soldier, the ordinary Landser he led in the Great War. Unlike other war memoirs, Rommel keeps the attention focused upon his men and their achievements under difficult circumstances. He's the kind of officer most soldiers dream of having.

His book is not literature, like Remarque's ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT, but it certainly gives you a detailed view of World War I and how it was conducted. It also shows aspects of Rommel I hadn't really expected to see.

He observes that there are times when you have to dig in and hold fast. There are other times when you should attack and still others when you should defer an attack because of inadequate reserves to exploit a breakthough.

Rommel's ability to size up a situation quickly and react appropriately is what struck me about this work. If you're interested in World War I, Rommel, or military history, you'll enjoy this book. I gave it five stars.

...and so does Rommel!.......2007-09-17

The principal players of the Second World War paid their dues in the First, and Erwin Rommel was no exception. The man who would later become "the Desert Fox" and win worldwide acclaim as one of the greatest generals of all time began his combat career as a young lieutenant in the army of Wilhelm II, indistinguishable from thousands of others who crossed the French or Belgian frontier in 1914. Four years later he was one of the most decorated soldiers in the Imperial Army, holder of the "Pour le Merite" (the highest Prussian award for bravery) and a firm believer that "positional [i.e. trench] warfare" was for fools. His credo could be summed up in the old Prussian maxim: "Never ask how strong the enemy is, only where he is -- and march to the sound of guns."

Rommel published INFANTRY ATTACKS in 1937, when he was a lieutenant-colonel in the Reichsheer and commandant of the military academy in Weiner Neustadt. At the time he was already famous in the German army for his 1914 - 1918 exploits, but INFANTRY ATTACKS brought him international acclaim, at least in military circles. In Germany the book made him quite wealthy, and in a sense one can see why: compared to the turgid, half-mystical reminiscences of some of his contemporaries, INFANTRY ATTACKS is entirely without introspection. It is simply a recounting of the innumerable small-unit actions in which Rommel participated in during the Great War. The book's methodical, matter-of-fact style reflects the personality of its author, who was not inclined to philosophizing. The "whys" and "wherefores" of war mattered to him not at all. Unlike Ernst Juenger, who also won the Pour le Merite and wrote postwar accounts of his exploits (THE STORM OF STEEL, COPSE 125, WAR AS AN INWARD EXPERIENCE) Rommel wasn't interested in the "inward experience", just the fighting. He was a soldier's soldier.

During the War, Rommel served extensively in France, Rumania and Italy, and INFANTRY ATTACKS recounts in great detail his many offensive exploits, where he distinguished himself not merely with his aggressive style but by his habit (repeated in World War II) of leading from the front. Utterly fearless, possessing unlimited physical stamina and seemingly immune to pain (his gunshot wounds are described merely as events, like losing the sole of a shoe; the only thing that seems to have caused him real discomfort in the whole war was getting a foot smashed by a boulder in the mountains) Rommel was the ideal junior officer under any conditions, and was rightly worshipped by his men - another trait he enjoyed in the '39 - 45 war. He was further distinguished by his nobility and chivalry, qualities which are more responsible than his military genius for making him beloved among his former enemies. Today, Rommel is the only one of the myriad generals who achieved fame in Nazi Germany who is officially honored by the present day German government.

The strength of INFANTRY ATTACKS lies not merely in the nature of what is being described (battle and more battle) but in the fact that Rommel has no artistic pretentions: he simply records what happened without sentimentalizing or succumbing to the Germanic curse of using 1,000 words when two hundred would suffice. This, however, is also the book's great weakness: all these skirmishes, raids, marches, countermarches, midnight conferences, attacks, retirements, hand-grenade fights, machine-gun duels, artillery bombardments, and climbs up mountain slopes in the rain, snow and blazing sun begin to wear down the reader over time. If it is possible for combat to be monotonous, Rommel occasionally manages to make it so, if only by the staggering amount of it he actually experienced. If Juenger was often turgid and romantic, he was also willing to discuss the lighter side of war - the pranks, the drinking, the philosophical bull-sessions and the endless war against rats, boredom and Prussian discipline. Such humanistic moments would have been welcome in this book, but Rommel was not inclined to dwell on them. (The closest thing he displays to a sense of humor is contemptuous jokes at the expense of the French and the Italians, neither of whom seem to have impressed him with their soldierly ability.)

So, if you are looking for a pure combat memior, penned by one of the greatest soldiers ever, INFANTRY ATTACKS is the very definition of the bill. But if you want a look "under the helmet" into the mind and soul of a great fighting man, I would suggest supplementing ATTACKS with Juenger's more layered STORM OF STEEL. After all, nothing is more Prussian than obtaining a "total view" of a military situation!

(Note: INFANTRY ATTACKS was published in Germany as INFANTERIE GRIEFT AN; in English this was originally translated as "ATTACKS" and under that title was published during WW 2. ATTACKS is also for sale on Amazon, but ATTACKS and INFANTRY ATTACKS are the exact same book, though they have different forwards and the translation slightly differs; so if you already have the one, there is no need to buy the other)

Unexpected Memoirs.......2007-02-20

This book chronicles Rommel's career as an infrantry officer of a Wurttemburg mountain brigade. Ends at the beginning of 1918 in Italy, well before the end of the war. Often displays the equipment inferiority of Germany's foes, mainly Romania and Italy. The French, whom Rommel also fights, are much better armed and led than the others, although the Germans, Rommel included, believe themselves to be superior. Interesting for its portrayal of fighting in the Vosges, a very quiet section of the western front.

Service before self..........2007-01-06

This book shows the ingenuity of Erwin Rommel, with a wonderfully done intro by his son. With Erwin's devotion to his troops, its easy to see why he became the "desert fox". His service shows not only his character, but his sense of direction. Had the Allies had this general on their side in either world war, a swifter end would have been reached.

Rommel - the origin of 'JUST DO IT'.......2000-02-02

I imagine a good business lecturer would translate lessons from this book into 'Rommel on Business'. However, for me, it will suffice to say that Rommel writes an exciting account of the terrible and sometimes gruesome conditions of war in World War One. His clear examples of 'leadership by example', and 'be a bold risk taker' would seem self-confidence overblown, were it not for the historical reality of his successes in the battles named. There is also an element here and there of the blind nationalism that would lead him and many of his fellow officers into the follow-on fiasco a mere 20+ years later. A 'must read' for modern military historians and Rommel fans.

Snakes in the Eagle's Nest: A History of Ground Attacks on Air Bases

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Very Data Driven
A must for all USAF Security Types
Maximum payback with little cost

Snakes in the Eagle's Nest: A History of Ground Attacks on Air Bases
Alan Vick
Manufacturer: RAND Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Defensor Fortis: A Brief History of Usaf Security and Those Dedicated Few Who Defend the Air Force at the Ground Level
Air Base Defense in the Republic of Vietnam, 1961-1973
Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

ASIN: 0833016296

Book Description

Presents a historical overview of ground attacks on air bases from the first known attacks in 1940 to the most recent in 1992, detailing three case studies: Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) on Crete, the German Luftwaffe in North Africa and the USAF in Vietnam.

Customer Reviews:

Very Data Driven.......2007-07-21

Mr. Vick gathers the data that is available to him and puts it in one place. Perhaps an eye opener for anyone that has never been detailed to air base defense but otherwise simply a review of numbers. No real insight is offered in the author's review of the statistics.

The book does, however, create a desire to read the source material a little more closely. If you're looking strictly for numbers, this RAND book is perfect. For a thorough analysis... look elsewhere.

A must for all USAF Security Types .......2005-02-04

This book is a must for all who study Air Force security. When concerning Air Base Grouond Defense, you cannot get any clearer a picture than the work of Alan Vick and the Rand Corporation. The author includes the raw data from years of Air Base Defense including the most important period of USAF Security Police, the Vietnam War.

This book is a must for all AF history buffs.

Maximum payback with little cost.......2000-08-30

This book, I believe, is based on the author research for RAND. It is an excellent book about air bases defense against attacks from ground forces. Based on detailed case studies, the author pointed out the vulnerability of modern air bases to ground attacks. Although the author also described the effective measures used by USAF to defend air bases in Vietnam, it is very clear that a clever enemy can use a relative small unit to harrass and even cause quite a damage to the air bases.

Product Description

A classic study of the art of war, which brought its author to Hitler's notice and led to high command in the Second World War, Rommel analyses the tactics that lay behind his success.

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Infantry Attacks
Erwin Rommel
Manufacturer: Stoddart
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PS6UTM

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Infantry Attacks
Erwin Rommel
Manufacturer: Washington the Infantry Journal
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J45PT8

Book Description

Jacob Katz (1904-1998) was one of the greatest Jewish historians of the twentieth century. A pioneer of new foci and methods, Katz brought extraordinary insights to many aspects of Jewish life and its surrounding contexts. With a keen eye for both "forests" and "trees," Katz transformed our understanding of many areas of Jewish history, among them: Jewish-Christian relations in the Middle Ages, the social-historical significance of Jewish law, the rise of Orthodoxy in Germany and Hungary, and the emergence of modern antisemitism. In this volume, ten leading scholars critically discuss Katz's work with an appreciation for Katz's importance in reshaping the way Jewish history is studied.

Book Description

A unique field guide and reference, Where to Watch Birds in South America is designed to help the avid birder and the general wildlife enthusiast organize eventful journeys throughout the richest continent for birds, where the species number over three thousand. This book covers more than two hundred of the best sites for birdwatching, and includes the archipelagos of Trinidad and Tobago, the Galapagos and Falkland Islands, the Netherland Antilles, and part of Antarctica. The reader will find details of every species that is endemic to particular countries, and will learn where and when best to see such birds as the scarlet ibis, Andean condor, harpy eagle, sunbittern, macaw, toucan, jacamar, antbird, and cotinga. The text is enhanced by nearly one hundred maps and fifty line drawings. There are even hints as to where species not seen for decades may be rediscovered.

This guide begins with an introduction to the continent and its birds then deals with particular countries and archipelagos. The site details include bird lists, a list of other wildlife present, and the latest advice on where to look for birds. For the traveler, there is information on transport, accommodations, safety, and health, and answers to various strategic questions: Which countries support the most species? How many sites must be visited to see most of them? How long does this take? When is the best time to go? Whether a first-time visitor to South America or a seasoned traveler there, the reader will find this guide immensely useful in making the most out of the trip.

Customer Reviews:

good but not great.......2007-04-08

The main problem with this book is that it was published 12 years ago. South America has changed greatly during that time. The book is in dire need of an update. But that being said it is the only book on the market that I know of.

Detailed site guides with emphasis on key endemic species.......1996-05-17

Unlike typical Where to Find Birds books, which tend to be written to a low common denominator, Wheatley's book incorporates the latest field reports from leading British and American experts on South American birds. There are numerous maps, and those of areas with which I am familiar appear to be quite accurate. Wheatley's emphasis is on restricted range endemic species and globally endangered species. Now, the first step in planning a birding trip to South America will be to consult Wheatley's guide

Where to Watch Birds in South America. (book reviews): An article from: Wilson Bulletin

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Where to Watch Birds in South America. (book reviews): An article from: Wilson Bulletin
Peter Alden
Manufacturer: Wilson Ornithological Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B00096KS02
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Wilson Bulletin, published by Wilson Ornithological Society on June 1, 1996. The length of the article is 962 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Where to Watch Birds in South America. (book reviews)
Author: Peter Alden
Publication: Wilson Bulletin (Refereed)
Date: June 1, 1996
Publisher: Wilson Ornithological Society
Volume: v108 Issue: n2 Page: p390(2)

Article Type: Book Review

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