Product Description
A brief biography of Patrick Henry tracing his progress from planter to statesman. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The life of an American founding father written in a style ideal for the young reader
While his primary claim to historical fame was his "Give my liberty or give me death" speech, Patrick Henry was also one of the most influential of the founding fathers of the United States. The governor of the then dominant state of Virginia during the American Revolution, his was a strong voice for the rebellion against King George and then against the constitution until the Bill of Rights was added.
This book, a member of the Weekly Reader series for children, sums up his life. Like many people who achieved greatness, his early life demonstrated none of what was to come. His greatness began to appear in a case he was arguing before the court, he won and was very impressive to all who were in attendance.
Patrick Henry is a figure from the past that all American school children should learn about. His influence was great and this book brings it all together in a style ideal for the young learner.

Actually this book looks at where Patrick Henry was on a lot of 29ths of May
My assumption was that the answer to the question "Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?" would be on the floor of the House of Burgesses in Virginia, making his famous declaration, "give me liberty or give me death!"But that actually a speech at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia and the date was the 23rd of March in 1775.I am sure others who know a little something about Patrick Henry would make the same assumption.So the question for anybody reading this book really is "Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?"

The answer that Jean Fritz provides is that it depends because this book looks at several 29ths of May.The first is May 29, 1736 when Patrick Henry had just been born wand was likely crying in his bed drowning out the birdsong.The next May 29th comes in 1752, when Henry turns sixteen, when he was old enough to be counted among the men in Virginia.To be clear, Fritz does fill in the gaps between those two dates, and he does the same for the years leading up to the next May 29th, which comes in 1765, when he is indeed speaking on the floor of the House of Burgresses in Virginia.On May 29, 1777, he was elected for a second time as Virginia's governor, while in 1796 the 60-year-old Henry had retired from public life, three years before he died.

Henry was one of the leading opponents of the ratification of the Federal Constitution, but Fritz makes a point of turning his opposition into an argument for the adoption of the Bill of Rights.I must admit I was a disappointed a little because I thought this book would look only at Henry on a series of dates that were all the 29th of May, so I was actually surprised that all of the gaps got filled in along the way because it would be a neat idea to do an entire life looking at just one date that cover events both large and small.But even so, Fritz provides a nice mix of details that are both humorous and humanizing (Henry was a practical joker), along with insights about the Revolution.

This is one of several biographies that Fritz has written about major figures of the American Revolution, which include "And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?" and "Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?"Both of those particular books were chosen as an Outstanding Book of the Year by the "New York Times," which is not surprising given Fritz's approach.Artist Margot Tomes provided the humorous drawings for not only this book but also for the aforementioned one on Paul Revere.

Where was I is a better question.
I just recently read this gem by Jean Fritz, my new favorite nonfiction author, not that thats all she does.This book tells of Patrick Henry, the untalented failure who manages to find a career as a GREAT lawyer.

Patrick Henry was a trickster as a child(example: he turns a canoe over with a group of unexpected friends inside it).As I said before, he wasn't very talented, except, well, he had a good voice.But could one use a good voice on a resume(even if resumes didnt exist then). No, someone couldn't.First he tried storekeeping, but found that didn't work.Then there was farming. But that didnt work either.I just realized that I havent told of Patrick's wedding.Yes, our hero was wedded to Ms. Sarah Sheldon.But then Henry tries the lawyer-ing biz, and it strangely works.Read about his most famous cases and his later gorverning career.

Though Margot Tomes isn't my favorite illustrator, I cant imagine anyone else illustrating this book

Fritz vs. Freedman. You decide.

Fritz makes history come alive!
Jean Fritz makes history intersting for all ages.She has an uncanny way of seeing a historical figure as a real person with a well-rounded life that encapsulates more than just what he or she did in public. The life of her subject is of more importance than dates and events. Somehow this shift of emphasis makes the dates more memorable. She tells her story fresh, not told in the typical detached fashion. Her research and enthusiasm for her subjects make the stories come alive in interesting ways for today's student reader and interested adult.

Easy Read About An Early Hero
An interesting twist on a children's biography of theRevolutionary War hero Patrick Henry.The device of the "29th ofMay" is used to tie the various parts of Henry's life together--from his childhood in the wilds of the Virginia countryside to his famous patriotic activities to his retirement at Red Hill.His failures as well as his successes are discussed, allowing children to see a more authentic character than many easy-read biographies.Notes from the author at the end of the book give more historical details. ... Read more

Product Description
Patrick Henry was a brilliant orator whose devotion to the pursuit of liberty fueled the fire of the American Revolution. As a lawyer and a member of the Virginia House of Burgess, Henry spoke eloquently of the inalienable rights all men are born with. His philosophy inspired the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and, most significantly, the Bill of Rights. Famous for the line "Give me liberty or give me death!" Patrick Henry was a man who stirred souls and whose dedication to individual liberty became the voice for thousands. A Son of Thunder is as eloquent, witty, charged, and charismatic as its subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Give Me More Henry
Unlike others, I thought this was a very great treatment of an important Founding Father. Henry does not receive the attention that he deserves. Part of this rests in the fact the he fought signing the Constitution. I mean the winners write history, and we know who one. It was not Henry, or even Mason. Before the debate over the Constitution, Henry was a figure who was self-made and very principled. What you will not get in this particular work is a great deal of rumination upon Henry's motives for his actions. You get a solid recounting of his actions and their consequences, but not why they occurred. Regardless, this is a work that represents the most useful treatment of a forgotten Founder.

Somewhat Flawed - but still Worthy to be Read
Most Americans are aware of Patrick Henry's famous, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech, but that is where most of our collective knowledge ends. In "A Son of Thunder" Henry Mayer helps to acquaint us with one most polarizing men of the revolution. What is surprising is that Henry only participated in two sessions of Congress - 1774 and 1775 - and was not a signer of The Declaration of Independence.

Mayer is very effective at showing how Patrick Henry was able to use his position in the confederacy's most populous (and important) state as a force for change. Henry may have been the first ever "Populist" in the world of politics. He specialized in taking and forming the opinions of the lower class farmer into political debate.It really is amazing that Henry's name lives on despite his virtual absence as a player in the newly formed Federal government.

Some points of interest-

- Henry was the first governor of Virginia and was followed by Thomas Jefferson.
- During Jefferson's gubernatorial session he became bitter enemies with Henry
- Henry was a strong opponent AGAINST the Constitution - and felt that Americans needed a very strong Bill of Rights to protect both the people and the states.
- Henry was one of the very first men to call for a war of Independence with Britain.

While "Son of Thunder" is an excellent political biography on the maneuvering of Henry on the various issues it does leave a lot to be desired on understanding his personal life. When I think of McCullough excellent biographies on Truman and Adams the suthor is able to point to moments that shaped their thoughts and their belief systems. Unfortunately (and this may be due to a lack of private correspondence left by the Henry estate) we gain little insight on his private thoughts. The result is a one-sided biography that describes the actions of Henry, but with little reflection on his reasoning. Another result is that we lose any possible personal connection between the reader and Henry which gives the work a textbook like feel

Final Verdict - Despite the lack of personal reflection "A Son of Thunder" is still a worthy biography of an important contributor in the American Revolution. While it is not as colorful (or interesting) as McCullough's "Adams" or Chernow's "Hamilton" it is well-worth reading for anyone who enjoys Revolutionary history.

4 Stars

One of the few books on the revolution from the anti-federalist side
Patrick Henry is one of the forgotten founding fathers despite heralding one of the most famous lines of the revolution "Give me Liberty or give me Death".His role in military affairs, government as an anti-federalist, and as governor of Virginia was pivotal acts in the revolution.Henry served with George Mason as the primary anti-federalist and arguing against the addition of a large government with enumerated powers and felt the only way to defend liberty was through a bill of rights.This bill would guarantee the peoples freedoms against an encroaching government.Patrick Henry was the master of back door politics despite his distaste for it and even carried on an illegal war in the Virginia back county almost leading to a siege of Detroit.The state of Virginia at the time of the Civil War was largely through his efforts and his expedition that took significant territory from what might have been PA or MD.

One of the most interesting parts of this book is the idea that Patrick Henry represented the common man and was truly the peoples voice during the debates in Virginia and Philadelphia always arguing for the rights.The author does a very good job of making this case and I find it very hard to refute.Henry's speaking ability was undisputed as a man of the people and a person who could get crowds energized and excited. He seemed to thrive off that attention using his background as a man of the people (not of the landed gentry) to draw his audience in.

For those looking for a different take not often discussed in the literature and really seeing something from the anti-federalist point of view I highly recommend this book.

The most complete biography of Patrick Henry and much more.
Patrick Henry one of the greatest founding fathers and the match of the American Revolution!

For such a popularizing figure...there's not a lot of books on the subject.

This book lacks a little information on Patrick Henry's childhood but it captures his career as a lawyer and politician. This book is also very complete in Virgina history. I picked up several new areas of history and it even details Washington, Jefferson, Madison, etc.

Hi recommend this book to all lovers of History!

Great Overview and Brilliantly Written Story on Patrick Henry
Excellent story telling of Patrick Henry's life, interactions in the political arenas, and his style in framing his cases. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Whets my appetite for more on this Son of Thunder
This book is well-made and an obvious mini-labor of love, and serves several valuable purposes: cataloging Henry's book collection assiduously, introducing the reader to this rather unknown figure, and summarizing the contents of many books the standard American gentleman of the time might have in his library.

The book does have its limits, subsisting on a lot of circumstantial evidence about Henry reading such and such book and being influenced by it in his actions. These are not unreasonable speculations, and the author is not given to many flights of fancy, and the book is short, so it makes for fairly satisfying reading.

The book is reasonably entertaining, with amusing quotes from Henry and his contemporaries on anything from French cooking to weightier (if less creamy) matters. And it is well-written, with very few phrases that made me cringe upon reading: a medicine book "well-worn from frequent bethumbings" and "David Henry knew more about Grub Street than grubworms" being a couple.

The author alludes to Henry's reputation as a man without system, of his somewhat unlearned pronunciation, and other sparsely documented traits, in effect telling the reader that there is probably much we'll never know about Henry, who as an old man apparently composed splendid sonnets for his family, only to burn them after his children played and sang them.

Thanks to this book, I am awash in memories of my time living in Williamsburg VA, and am even more eager to read the bios by Beeman and Mayer. Any bibliophile or lover of colonial American history will probably find this brief book worth adding to their personal library.

" '...every other man's library is an object of curiosity....' "
The Mind of a Patriot: Patrick Henry and the World of Ideas, on page 91, quotes Walter Besant further about the habits (or at least inclinations) of bibliophiles: " 'The lover of books may be distinguished by one trick he has which betrayeth him. If he is in a strange house he makes straight for the shelves: before anything else he hastens to take stock of the library.' " Judge Spencer Roane, who evidently was an avid book lover, got his chance to do just that when he lodged with Patrick Henry and his family. The judge "observed: 'As for the general character of Mr. Henry's library, I readily believe that he had not a complete of regular one....I...saw his library fully. I remarked that it consisted sometimes of odd volumes...but good books.' "

Kevin J. Hayes, a professor of English, explores that library. Or more correctly, he explores the books catalogued as a part of Patrick Henry's estate inventory. Henry's library wasn't extensive, but the fiery patriot known for his "give me liberty or give me death" speech, probably owned more at various times during his life, so the 188 books listed in the appendix also include some volumes that weren't present after Henry's death in 1799 but for which "sufficient evidence survives to justify their inclusion." Among the listed titles were various Latin and Greek primers and classics, manuals and texts for the study and practice of the law, various political theory and history books including ones discussing forms of government and the moral and economic problems of slavery, English and rhetoric books including dictionaries, a few novels, and some travel books. Works by Homer, Pope, Shakespeare, Swift, Demosthenes, and DeFoe are represented.

Hayes provides solid suppositions for how these books helped form and support Henry's continuing studies and his views on freedom and rights, among other things. Hayes use of Henry's library to defend him on a number of issues meets with varying degrees of success. But on the matter of slavery, no attempt at mitigation is expected or made. Apparently for economic reasons, Henry never freed his own slaves, despite recognizing the inhumanity of the "institution," and that fact is simply acknowledged.

Hayes' first of seven chapters deals with how Henry's contemporaries perceived him. In particular, how Thomas Jefferson did. Jefferson, whom Henry opposed concerning the adoption of the federal constitution, "generally praised Henry's oratory yet critiqued his learning." Others also portrayed Henry as a man who relied more on intuition than logic and scholarship. Early Henry biography William Wirt was one, relying considerably on Jefferson's opinion. In part these assessments were based on Henry's relatively small library. Jefferson who famously said, "I cannot live without books," amassed thousands in his own library and apparently thought Henry's collection the mark of a man who wasn't very educated. But Hayes points out, "To men like Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin or John Adams, a library was an auxiliary storehouse for the mind....Henry, on the other hand, sought to internalize what he read....By keeping his library small and reading perceptively and intensively, Henry was able to make his books a part of his mind."

With just 106 pages devoted to the main text and 184 pages in total, The Mind of a Patriot is time friendly -- in contrast to many of the weighty tomes published about the fathers of the American revolution. This isn't a definitive biography; it doesn't pretend to be. It is, rather, an valuable ancillary resource. It is also a bibliophile's vicarious way of joining Judge Roane in perusing Patrick Henry's shelves. Recommended. 4.5 stars.

Son of Thunder
Here, Kevin J. Hayes focuses on the books that formed the small library of Patrick Henry.

This short but useful effort does not attempt to be a biography of the great orator of the Revolution, but its reading will help one understand the type of person Patrick Henry was and the intellectual influences that shaped him as a young attorney and beyond.

Those who enjoy this book would certainly also enjoy another of Professor Hayes' books: "The Road to Monticello: The Life and Mind of Thomas Jefferson."

As an aside, I think April Leidig-Higgins did a fine job designing the book's dust jacket. ... Read more

Product Description
Adler tells the story of Patrick Henry from his childhood on a tobacco plantation through his career as a lawyer, politician, and governor of Virginia. The author skillfully integrates quotations from primary sources into the narrative. There is no fictionalizing of thoughts or dialogue. Since Henry was known for his oratory prowess, excerpts from his most famous speeches are included and put into context with events of the time. Personal details, such as his wife's mental illness and his ownership of slaves, are mentioned but not explored in great detail. The subject matter is presented in a manner appropriate to its intended audience. The illustrations, all on double-page spreads, are softly colored and full of historical detail. Although the pictures do not have the stiff and formal look of period portraits, they do reflect the clothing styles and furnishings of the time. Teachers and students will appreciate this introduction to the patriot's life.This famous patriot served five terms as governor of Virginia. ... Read more

Product Description
A biographical study of Patrick Henry, whose "Give me liberty of give me death" speech in 1775 at the second Virginia Convention has inspired since than all who treasure freedom. This book goes beyond the oratory and eloquence to portray Henry, whose whole life seemed to embody American courage and patriotism, as well as his family, ideas, and times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A great man, a so so book
First, let me apoligize for not having a bibliography of better works on this truly amazing man.I love this country and the giants who founded our country did so on ideals of freedom and liberty, often at great cost to themselves.While the status quo would have served them well, many of them sacrificed of themselves for higher ideas.It makes one reflect where we are as a nation when we do not teach these ideals and where it got our country. I was born in Canada and moved to the USA in the fifth grade. I am proud to be an American, though proud of my Canadian heritage, consider myself an American first and foremost.
I dug into this book and found items about Mr. Henry's life which I did not know and made me appreciate him more.But I have to say, that the author went overboard to the extent of almost ridiculous in touting Mr. Henry's virtues.His life did not need this author to hold him up as his courage and integrity did so.What I mean by overboard is almost anything that did not go perfectly with Mr. Henry, such as leadership in the military, was because of shortcomings of everyone else, including George Washington.The unnecessary spin on virtually everything Mr. Henry did almost stops one from reading the book obviously aimed at approximately the 7th grade or younger. One would think everyone else was a complete dolt except Mr. Henry.
It was repetitive enough that it was somewhat drudgery reading it to completion which I did.A book published about Mr. Henry's accomplishments, courage, and leadership which helped shape this fine country would be better than an apologetic.
Any information on any books relating to our founders, Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, Ben Franklin, and many others would be much appreciated.I am not interested in a liberal rag putting down our founding fathers.Have you ever seen a person with Thomas Jefferson's great mind and accomplishments have literature focused on whether he fathered children out of wedlock, and if he did, this makes his words worthless?Just thing of many poets, heads of state, actors, athletes, and many other examples who have led sleazy lives and done many a repellent act but yet not a word about those character traits.Knowing the whole person is interesting from a factual standpoint, but not to twist an agenda against the founders of this great nation. I am also not interested in books that push the envelope the other way.History is best when the author's approach is to look at a person in the context of their time and faithfully reproduce as much about their lives as they can.We the readers can decide what to think.
I would say this book is for a younger audience but not the best for them either as I feel it was an effort to distort positives when unnnecessary.

Concise and Readable, but a few problems
Give Me Liberty is good because its subject--Patrick Henry--is so interesting, influential, and great. The book is divided into three sections: Henry's life; his character; and (briefly) his legacy. His life was amazing (perhaps more important to the Revolution than anyone save George Washington), his character was almost impeccable, and his legacy is enduring. Author David Vaughan writes on the backs of others: his sources are secondary. Vaughan also writes from a Calvinist perspective. That causes him to treat Henry's Christianity seriously, but also causes him to overstate Calvinism's importance. For instance, Vaughan all but says that Calvinists brought religious liberty to the colonies; he ignores the Baptists' profound influence in securing religious liberty and the history of Puritan persecution of Baptists in New England. There are a few other problems with the book: Vaughan treats Henry as almost flawless. And--perhaps due to the format (separate sections concerning Henry's life, character, and legacy)--there are many repetitions, which should not happen in an under 300 page (with small page size) biography. Despite these problems, Give Me Liberty contains a concise, interesting, and readable study of Henry and the leadership qualities he exhibited.

Good History and Character Lessons
How few books there are about Patrick Henry. The only thing people seem to know is the phrase, "give me liberty or give me death". This book gives an easy to read overview of his life and (like others in the series), highlights different character traits.

A little redundant, but nice
Overall I really enjoyed this book, and it held some new information on Patrick Henry of which I, a professed afficionado of the man, was not aware.It is written in simple, understandable language, but it ended up becoming a little redundant as it progressed, repeating some things from chapter to chapter as if the author thought that a person would be jumping around to read only segments of interest, rather than reading through from start to finish.But I would still recommend it to anyone who asked.

Thank you!
Thank you, Mr. Vaughan, for pointing out what many if not all public schools leave out of history... the fact that it was founded on Biblical principles by Christian men. I'm not saying that all the founding fathers were Bible believing or lived a moral live but that fact that Patrick Henry was such a HUGE part of it and he WAS a Christian and moral person was impactful to our nations birth.

My daughter enjoyed the humorous bits throughout the book and I enjoyed the fresh look at history. ... Read more

Product Description
"Every American Interested in understanding the American character and the American past should read this book. There are vivid history lessons on almost every page. The constitution becomes not merely a brilliant blueprint for governance. It is-and was-also the only alternative to chaos. - Thomas Fleming, author of The Perils of Peace

Acclaim for The Unexpected George Washington.

"It's hard to imagine George Washington as playful, tender, or funny. But Harlow Unger searches to find these seldom-seen aspects of the private man, and the result is a fare more complete and believable founding father." - James C. Rees, Executive Director, Historic Mount Vernon

"An intimate view of the American hero who managed to follow his ambitions to great power without being disdained for them." - Publishers Weekly ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Best Yet!
I have read many versions of the events that led up to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the emotional debate that followed the Constitution's framing and its subsequent adoption, but I have never seen this period of America's history portrayed move vividly or in greater detail than in this work by Harlow Giles Unger.

As stated in the opening of this work, contrary to popular political myth, independence from England did not send Americans gliding peacefully into self government under constitutional rule. Within a short time the nation was deep in the grip of anarchy and civil strife, with farmers in rebellion in the countryside across three states, separatists close to seizing power in five states and six states warring with one another over territorial claims. Shots had been fired; battles were fought! Virginia troops clashed with Pennsylvania troops in the West and Connecticut and Pennsylvania troops in the East. New York and New Hampshire troops fought to a standstill over southern Vermont while Ethan Allen subsequently threw them all out and declared Vermont a free and independent nation seeking reconciliation with British Canada. The road to independence had led straight to hell, as state militias, baptized in the blood of an eight year war with England, fought to determine what kind of nation each individual state would become. Passionate, fervently held beliefs and state self interest were leading the Confederation straight into civil war.

Against this setting the Constitutional Convention was called. Amazingly, it ignored its instructions to modify the current form of government and worked assiduously to develop a totally new system of governance that, as we all know, centralized certain powers in a much stronger, overarching, regulatory body. The reaction of almost a majority of the nation was anything but positive with stalwart patriots as Virginia's Patrick Henry and New York's George Clinton threatening to secede and form a new middle confederacy with North Carolina.It was pandemonium. As the Constitution was debated, mobs ran riot in big cities - Philadelphia, New York and Providence - and in smaller ones such as Carlisle, Pennsylvania and Albany, New York.

Harlow Unger is an excellent historian and an even better writer who has an uncanny knack for conveying the intensity of emotion and impassioned stress that surround the angst of those times. And while we all know the final result of that turbulence, Unger writes with an up tempo rush, leaving the reader with a different view of those events and a very visceral understanding of what a very close thing the concept of America was."The Declaration of Independence liberated one continent from dominance by another, but the Constitution revolutionized the world by entrusting its citizenry with rights never before in history granted to ordinary men - and eventually women."

Well said Mr. Unger, and very, very well done!

A Must Read: How Washington LedA Change of Govt. Against Exteme Opposition: The Revoloutionaries Post War Battle
Tremendous book on how Washington, in alliance with key members of the revolution, Hamilton, Madison and Jay, step forward to improve the weak Articles of Confederation with a central Federal Constitution that establishes a central government that can establish foreign affairs, commerce, develop an army/navy for defense and work for the common good for the nation over all. The opposition is from predominately large states, New York and Virginia whose opposition can lead to a fracturing of the States needed to approve the constitution. With opposition led by Henry, the great orator, along with George Mason; Virginia is on the verge of voting against the constitution. Governor Clinton of NY, secure in power and the financial gains of NY in charging interstate fees for commerce is another leader of the anti-Federalists. The author details the key conflicts, primarily the distrust of the western residents made up of frontiersman and farmers who feel neglected by the eastern aristocracy, along with those who value States rights in fear of a central demagogue. The most entertaining part of the book is the battle of Virginia where the Virginia legislature debates the passing of the Constitution with the gifted speaker Henry on center stage, flamboyant, charismatic; Henry electrifies his argument and appeal to the westerners. Federalists, led by Madison, use logical and legal arguments that are Henry's less then proficient abilities. Also, Unger discusses the roles of Hamilton, Madison and Jay in writing the famous Federalist papers that battle Clinton publicly in NY where both parties write under symbolic names. Also, fascinating is the final tactic that Hamilton and Washington to move the Congress out of its lethargy to initially pass the constitution, moving it forward to the States for ratification. Hamilton's 9 hour speech shocks the congress; which was his purpose, into rebuffing what could be a more fearful state of government, monarchy. Although a method to cajole the congress, Hamilton's political enemies in the future would use that speech against him, knowing full well what its original purpose was. Even after the Constitution is passed by the majority of the States, the conflict is not over as Henry leads a campaign to have anti-Federalists dominated the new government's legislature. Madison is a key player in preventing Henry's political disruption and makes a political move that initially infuriates the Federalists as he supports a bill of rights to amend the Constitution that turns into a brilliant compromise deflating much of the anti-Federalist's argument.The historyalso provides a fascinating look at the States back then, Rhode Island who was benefiting from its geographic location on the sea between two large trade States was the most reluctant to join due to their financial boondoggle of having ports and sea lanes that were primary areas of commerce. Excellent book, well written, replete with reasonable and fascinating biographies of the central players such as George Mason who was so despised by the county he represented, he had to be elected to the Virginia legislature from another one. Wonderfully written book in just over 210 pages with the complete U.S. Constitution as an appendix. I discovered this book while visiting Mount Vernon, how fitting!

Washington and the Consitution.
A highly readable and smooth flowing account of writing, amending, and ratifying the Constitution, this book gives George Washington the full credit he deserves for this colossal accomplishment. Because he worked behind the scenes and through others, his role has often been considred secondary to those of Adams and Madison. Harlow Giles Unger shows us that this was just not so. A fitting follow up to his TheUnexpected George Washington: His Private Life, and his magnificent Lafayette biography ... Read more

Product Description
Sales-Side Negotiation - What does it take to be a successful negotiator? What can we learn from history's most powerful negotiators? Patrick Henry Hansen's Sales-Side Negotiation draws on history's most compelling moments to teach modern negotiation principles--Ho Chi Min's tactics at the Paris Peace Talks, Sir Francis Drake's counter tactics against the Spanish Armada, Michelangelo's defiance of Pope Julius I, and more. Beginning each chapter with a captivating historical event, Sales-Side Negotiation both informs and entertains. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Practical and readable
This is a well-written and comprehensive book on the subject.Being in professional sales and as a consultant (selling and negotiating ideas as well as services) I found the book to have lots of practical guidance and a good understanding of the emotional and psychological aspects of negotiations.The concepts may not be ground-breaking or novel, however, they are presented in an organized and useful manner. For example, calculating buyer tactics has 9 factors and the author describes each and provides examples.The discussion of power between the parties in a negotiations is not a novel concept but the author provides a useful description of how power is displayed and exerted, such as the power of 'time' and how buyers will use time toward a seller, causing them to make lots of calls, sending collaterial material, making presentations etc. And while often these and ten others are necessary and legitimate, the seller must evaluate such uses fo time power and cultivate ways of balancing time power and the other sources of power in the negotiation.Hansen uses a story from history, such as the 1974 Paris peace negotiations between the US and North Vietnamese to illustrate the use of time power, and most concepts have a historical anecdote that goes with it.The stories may not be essential to undertanding the key points, but do add interest and while not always easy to relate to ordinary business transactions, they do demonstrate the universality of such dynamics and help to drive each point home, and perhaps add a bit of a history lesson or reminder as well.This is not in my opinion a beginner's book and will be most useful to people with a good fund of experience in one or another form of negotiation already.My copy has lots of 'post-it' tabs to parts I refer back to in preparing for important negotiations or meetings.

Just whatmy friend wanted.
The book was for a friend who wants to start a business. It was just what he wanted.

Thanks!

Heather Bryce, Director of Sales, Brave Baby
Sales-Side Negotiation is the most detailed treatment of sales-side negotiation I've ever read. I've prided myself on my negotiation skills in sales. This book took my negotiation skills to a new level. How? Hansen clearly identifies and categorizes the types of buyers we all encounter and more importantly, the tactics they use. Responding to these tactics is NOT intuitive. It requires practice, training, and deliberate strategic planning. Hansen equips the reader with the specific counter-tactics to handle the most difficult buyer-tactics

Finally!
This is the first book on negotation strategies that I have ever found that really addresses negotiation from the sales side.There is a full section in the book that completely defines and analyzes every possible buyer negotiation tactic, and then lays out the best seller counter-tactic to deal with it.Brilliant!I wish I had this years ago. ... Read more

Product Description
Patrick Henry: Patriot and Statesman by Norine Dickson Campbell 1969 Hardcover ... Read more

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A biography telling the life story of Patrick Henry, who is known as the ""Voice of the American Revolution."" Written in graphic-novel format. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

John Henry is Potential
Inspiring, uplifting, profound reminder of how blessed and fortunate we are regardless of how bad things may be.The title is dead on:great lessons for life, for loving and doing your best where you are with what you have.

Amazing person, amazing book!
No one can read this book without boosting his or her own feelings about human potential. This book is about Patrick's fantastic developmentAND reveals both his parents' role in making Patrick's potential achievable. Also, the significant role the University of Louisville music director played.

OUTSTANDING, FROM ALL ASPECTS!!!
WOW!! What an outstanding guy Patrick Henry Hughes is.A definite inspiration to everyone.I also bought his two music CD's on which he plays the piano, sings and also plays the trumpet. Patrick is good!!!!I've listened to them over and over.

The book is well-written by Bryant Stamford with all the input and personality, wit, etc. coming through from Patrick and his dad.

Recommended for everyone... but would be a special boost to anyone with handicaps who thought they couldn't do things.Patrick just gives a million reasons why YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO .. and then goes about doing it.I'd love to hear him speak, and play his trumpet and piano "in person".

With Aloha .. Nancy On Maui

Is This Incredible Young Man Even Possible -- Indeed He Is!

I've heard it said that "Heroes are made, not born." WRONG!

On March 10, 1988, a hero was born into the United States to the Hughes family. He was the first baby of Patrick Hughes (Dad), and his wife, Patricia.
Immediately after delivery, like all parents they were proud of their first son. Then doctors brought news of baby Patrick's startling condition. Their son was afflicted with many disabling conditions: blindness, incomplete hip joints, and shoulder joints that would not allow his arms to swing outward more than a few inches. In addition, Patrick's vertebral column could not support his upward body.

I Am Potential: Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams is more than just the story of baby Patrick--wheelchair bound--mastering heights most of us have never reached or even dreamed of reaching. It is also the story of two other people, Patrick's Mom and Dad who infused in their baby, two critical attributes which made him what he is today.

1) Although his abnormalities were extremely rare, Patrick would never experience lack of love. If a loving God had seen fit to create him as is, then Mom and Dad would accept him as is and extend to him the same love they'd give to any other child.
2) In addition, from the time Patrick went home for the very first time, his parents had already made a monumental and irreversible decision. They would treat their newborn as if his condition was normal--for him. Be gone pity. Good-by doubt. Farewell to any sense of limitation. Patrick would be, all he wanted to be.

Patrick Senior learned quickly how to calm his wailing young son, especially when mother was absent--play the piano for him. It worked so well that at nine months, Patrick Henry began imitating the sounds his dad made on their piano keyboard.

At first he learned to match the pitch of sounds; gradually, he learned to imitate melodies and harmonies so that by age two, Father and Son started playing melodies together. As years passed, Patrick's musical ability rapidly increased. In 2001, while vacationing in Tennessee, he played Beethoven's moving Moonlight Sonata in the foyer of a church. All eyes and ears turned in his direction.

It took some time for Patrick to learn Braille, but master it he did. Not only was he successful in grade school, but he graduated high school as well. Patrick then moved on to become a college student at The University of Louisville. By this time, he had learned to play the trumpet. As incredible as it appears when seen in video footage, with his father's precise wheelchair steering ability, the twosome became a single member of the university's marching band.

This book is a must read for people with handicapping conditions from birth or from fate. Patrick's courage and the support given by mother, father, and brothers as he grew older, cannot help but inspire even the most depressed individual to accept a disabling condition and move forward.

I Am Potential is fascinating to read because the narrative switches back and forth between Patrick and his father. Yet this cannot be interpreted as lack of empathy or support from Patrick's mother or younger brothers. What is evident is this: the glue that kept this family together came from an openly shared love and trust all felt toward one another including their God.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to the general public who often see people with a handicap as a handicapped person. Patrick has proven the two terms are not equal or even logical. In his life, there is no such thing as handicap or failure. Why? It was never permitted in his thinking.

Does he miss his sight? He would be the first to say, actually, I don't know because I don't know what seeing means. Once, when asked how he'd feel if God suddenly gave him the ability to walk, Patrick replied, "I'd say yes ... but nothing is accomplished by dwelling on the fact you can't walk. So you have to shrink its importance in your mind ... and that's what I've done."

Other interesting reads:
I am Potential - on Playaway
Helping Children Who Are Blind (Early Assistance Series for Children With Disabilities)
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs: Stories of Love and Understanding for Those Who Care for Children with Disabilities

Positive review
I found this book to be quite inspirational, and would recommend it to anyone who really needs a "pick me up!!!" ... Read more

Product Description
From the author's preface when the book was originally published in 1887:

Notwithstanding the great popular interest attaching to the name of Patrick Henry, he has hitherto been the subject of but one memoir founded on original investigation, and that, of course, is the Life by William Wirt.When it is considered, however, that Wirt's book was finished as long ago as the year 1817 -before the time had fairly come for the publication of the correspondence, diaries, personal memoranda, and official records of every sort, illustrating the great period covered by Patrick Henry's career -it will be easy to infer something as to the quantity and value of those printed materials bearing upon the subject, which are now to be had by us, but which were not within the reach of Wirt. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I want to know more about Patrick Henry
I had not realized how much we owe Patrick Henry for the Bill of Rights.There is just enough in this book to encourage me to read further on the myth and reality of Patrick Henry, the fallout with George Washington, and just exactly what was the problem between James Madison and Patrick Henry. This is all briefly discussed in the book.Of course, the book was about Patrick Henry and could not possibly contain all this information.If you want to know just how important Patrick Henry was, and is, read this book.It will start you on a search separating myth from reality.

The most complete view of Patrick Henry's life
This book was written a long time ago yet is the best reference I've read so far. And the most open minded. It doesn't favor one founding father over another. It states the facts. This is a must for serious students ofPatrick Henry. ... Read more

Product Description
A complete, insider's guide to the magazine industry, for anyone interested in the business.This book provides a timely, all-inclusive look at this alluring business. It explores advertising, marketing, circulation principles, production, and editorial techniques in detail. It examines the current state of the industry -- social, technological and economic. Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Mass Communication.Media professionals, students, and anyone interested in the magazine industry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Definintely worth it
Don't let the other reviewers sway you; this book is excellent for startups as well as those interested in a career with a major publisher. Less than 100 pages into it I knew what I will be up against when I begin printing my publication.

The book is divided up into the major components of magazine publishing--editorial, advertising, circulation, manufacturing. It is loaded with useful information including management structure, revenue sources, industry jargon, legal issues, and a little history for those interested. This is not a book to be read for inspiration, as many "Start Your Own Business" books tend to be. But if its information you crave, as I do, you'll be just as engrossed as I did.

Most of us interested in starting our own magazine are doing so for the editorial content, not because we want to sell advertising space or execute direct mailings to potential subscribers. Most of us are at least a little familiar with what it takes to create and manage the content. Of particular use to me were the sections on circulation and manufacturing--the not-so-fun, but necessary components of a publication.

The major drawback is, of course, that this book doesn't provide any kind of roadmap to starting a magazine, nor does it provide examples or case studies of small-circulation publications. Of course, that is probably not what the authors were trying to do.

Overall, though, I'm glad I purchased this title.

Big business of magazine publishing industry
'The Magazine Publishing Industry' really is a complete, insider's guide to the magazine industry, for anyone interested in the business. It examines the current state of the magazine publishing industry in the USA-- social, technological, economic, etc.

This book contains everythingyou need to know to gain a solid working knowlege of the magazine industry.But it is for professionals, not for startups. Maybe it reads like atextbook for students than for someone looking for starting an independentzine or cheap newsletter. But this book means big business and recomendsthat you shouldn't try making a magazine unless you have half a milliondollars or so. Maybe it sounds not too inspirational for startups but it ishonest.

Five years I'm working in this industry in Russia. And I cantell you that this book is written in an interesting manner and this is anexcellent introduction to professional magazine publishing.

An excellent starting point
If you're involved in, or considering a career, in magazine publishing, this book is the best, most practical overview. It has an excellent history ofthe publishing and printing industry and the evolution of the processesof producing a magazine, along with details on advertising sales andeditorial development. It's more than "at a glance," and a greatsummary of how things get accomplished.

Great data, lousy tips.
This book is more a text for communications students than for someone looking for starting a magazine. But that doesn't mean it isn't usefull. The problem is that the book itself isn't very friendly to startups. Theiradvice is that you shouldn't try making a magazine unless you have half amillion dollars. But we know Forbes started much like a cheap newsletter.My advice, buy the book, enjoy the facts and don't lisen to theirdisscouraging recommendations.

The book was very informative for persons wanting to get int
The book provided a lot of insight as to how the magazine industry function.I found it to be perfect for a first reader interested in pursuing a career in this field; this book is an excellent choice. ... Read more

Product Description
In this long-awaited sequel to Christ in the Psalms, popular pastor and scholar, Patrick Henry Reardon, once again applies his keen intellect to a topic he loves most dearly. Here he examines the lives of almost one hundred and fifty saints and heroes from the Scriptures, everyone from Abigail to Zephaniah, Adam to St. John the Theologian. This well-researched work is a veritable cornucopia of Bible personalities: Old Testament Saints, New Testament Saints, "Repentant Saints", "Zealous saints", "Saints under pressure" . . . they’re all here, and their stories are both fascinating and uplifting.

But Christ in His Saints is far more than just a biblical "who’s who". These men and women represent that ancient family into which, by baptism, all believers have been incorporated. Together they compose that great "cloud of witnesses" cheering us on and inspiring us through word and deed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

"The Lord is glorified in His saints." St Paul
(This is NOT a review of Beginner's Guide to Prayer, and somehow this review is mixed by amazon to be there as well. But for a great book on prayer, plase see Beginning to Pray). I apologize for amazon's glitch.

I believe that next to the scriptures themselves, the next best thing to read as a Christian is the lives of the saints. From the beginning Jews and Jews who became "Christians" have looked to their forefathers and mothers in the faith as examples, heroes and guides. A skim of Hebrews 10 and 11 confirms this, along with many other examples. But they did not gloss over the foibles and follies of the saints, but saw them examples of the grace of God working itself out in their lives. Fr Patrick's book on the saints is something of a primer for all Christians to help introduce us, or just to remind us, that we are part of a great cloud of witnesses that are not only fine examples of repentance, faithfulness and perseverance, but also of one Body with us in Christ our Lord. As the early Christians would say, "One Christian, no Christian." We are saved together as a body, while the only thing we can do alone is go to hell.

There are 14 main sections that focus upon various types of personalities from the bible, both Old and New Testaments. Each section contains about 10 or 11 devotionals that are each about 3 pages long. Topics include repentant saints, loyal saints, saints in need of improvement, saints in worship, suffering saints, clever saints, interceding saints, saints under pressure, gentle saints, zealous saints, visionaries, questioners, and persevering saints.

For Protestant readers who may feel uncomfortable with the idea of talking about "saints" in a way that sounds too "Catholic", they may ease into the idea by knowing that it is more like a hall of fame that is held up as an ideal, just as St. Paul says, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." There is no competition between the honor we give to the saints and the worship we give to the Holy Trinity. Besides, "God is glorified in his saints," the Apostle declares in 2nd Thessalonians 1:10. Moreover, this book is only concerned with saints from the bible, so that is safe enough if you are hesitant. Who knows, maybe you will find yourself wanting to know what the disciples of the Apostles thought about the faith and how they lived and died for it.

While I highly recommend Butler's Lives of the Saints (4 Volume Matched Set) , they can be rather bulky and intimidating, and expensive. On the other hand, this slim volume is sure to become a standard as it is both educational and devotional, aimed at nourishing the soul without breaking the bank.

Readers may find the following books useful as well: Any Friend of God's Is a Friend of Mine, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi: With Introductions by Ralph McInerny and Joseph Pearce, Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father.

marci b
What a wonderful resource!!!! One reading was not enough, I'm going to re-read and probably re-read it several times.Even if one is NOT Orthodox(I happen to be), he/she would find this a very useful tool indeed.

Pray
If you thought you knew how to truly pray you were wrong.This is a step by step way to spend time time with Jesus, God, the Most Holy Spirit, and Our Blessed Mother.This is how you life can be a prayer without words.

A great book for any Christian laity
If you are a Christian and have a prayer life that is lacking,THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO PRAYER is a first-rate place to start understanding, get organized, and move forward in your prayer life.

The Orthodox way is a different approach from either Porotestants or Catholics, the two Christian traditions we are most familiar with in the west.As Archpriest Father George Sondergaard once told a class of Catechumens, "You Protestants and Catholics think everying is either-or; sometimes it's both!"

Thus it is with prayer-- the Orthodox way espoused herein by Father Michael introduces the reader to the concept and importance of having both formalized and personal prayer, that we may include ACTS--Adoration, Contrition, Thanks, AND Supplication in our prayer lives, rather than just asking favors of the all-holy Trinity.

Since the last great Church father, St. Symeon the New Theologian stressed the importance of a personal prayer life in addition to ritual prayer, it has been a vital component of Orthodoxy.

Protestants may balk at some of what Orthodox pray, for they pray for the dead, pray to Saints, and ask the Blessed Mary for intercessions.Yet, did not Mary intercede (successfully) to get her Son to change His mind at Canae?Do you not believe that virtuous men and women who have gone on before are alive in Christ and just as capable of praying for you as the car mechanic or office clerk you wouldn't hesitate to ask to pray for you?Don't you think that the Godhead exists in an eternal NOW where all is always unfolding and that thus you can pray effectively for those who have departed mortal life because their lives are yet unfolding before God?

This is the Orthodox way.And this book is a great place to start learning all about it.Not the sort of reading a monastic or cleric would benefit from, but certainly a great book for cradle Orthodox, Catechumens, converts and the curious.

More than a beginner's guide
Fr. Michael presents much more than simply a beginner's guide in this jewel of a little book. It is practical, realistic, and humorous and contains great advice on developing a wholistic life around prayer rather than a compartmentalized one in which one simply includes prayer. The idea is to do more than pray. The idea is to become prayer.

Highly recommended ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good book-report type book for elementary school students
Better than the picture book available at our local library, this book covers the basics of Patrick Henry's life without overwhelming younger readers with too much information. Illustrated, very easily digested. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A very admirable and informative short biography on Patrick Henry
I'm glad I found Beeman's book on Patrick Henry. After reading the book, I can say that I have a much clearer picture of who Patrick Henry was besides the man who uttered "Give me liberty of give me death!".However, after getting to know him, I must say that I don't like the character.On the other hand, Beeman let's the reader know that Henry's place in history is written primarily based on what his detractors said about him (Jefferson and Madison among them) since Henry left scent little documentation.

You consistently hear that he was the most skilled "orator" in the colonies, captivating both friends and enemies alike, yet we are left to believe that he was an idiot when it came to details.This is where I suspect we may not have the entire picture of Henry, but Beeman tells us this.Henry was in the top ranks of Virginia politics for too long and caused too many other politicians too many sleepless nights to not understand or be ignorant.

More importantly, though, by reading Beeman's book on Henry, you get an overall idea of what colonial Virginia and colonial Virginian politics was like.Beeman is also extremely evenhanded in dealing with Henry, revealing that some of his politics may have been motivated by self-interest, though it is hard to get much further under his skin.

I thought it was a great little book.It doesn't probe to the level of detail that a thicker, more academic book would, but the 200 fast-turning pages very adequately captures who he was and what he stood for and what his place in history was.

He stood for the Virginia political point of view, and did it well.I particularly appreciated reading about Henry's role in getting Virginia to oppose the British in the leadup to the War of Independence and also reading about Henry's role in defending Virginia's interests when it came to the process of ratifying a new Constitution.He vehemently opposed it at the Virginia convention, and caused a lot of headaches.

In looking for a book on Henry, an Amazon reviewer for another Henry book mentioned this one as a better book to read.I'm glad I found it.I also now understand the milieu much better that produced so many others that would lead our nation. ... Read more

Product Description
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry
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Customer Reviews (1)

Patrick Henry, God's spokesman !
I am so pleased that this old book is being made available.
I am a true American and deeply believe that God's hand was in the creating of our government guiding the minds of our forefathers.
Every American should study books like this one, so that we will know how to value our freedoms and be better prepared to protect them.
This is not always to be done with a gun-if our children are raised with books like this one our country will be made strong-this is our first line of defense !
This old book is perfect for children seven or eight years and up, especially when read together as a family !
The Patrick Henry story from the Childhood of Famous Americans series is perfect for the younger children,I read these to myself as a child in Home-school and loved them ! ... Read more

Product Description
Winning Sales Presentations draws on history's most compelling moments to teach modern presentation principles -- Winston Churchill's blistering attack against The Third Reich, Patrick Henry's declaration of "Liberty or Death," Robert the Bruce's call for arms at the battle of Bannockburn, Lincoln's Gettysburg address, and more. Beginning each chapter with a captivating historical event, Winning Sales Presentations both informs and entertains. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Mathew Greenfield
With so many sales books out there, it hard to know which ones have anything new. A friend of mine recommended this, and I was instantly captivated by both the writing and the tactics described. Instantly applicable sales tactics. A must read for everyone that has to sell as a part of their job!

Great Book for Sales Engineers
I saw Patrick Henry Hasnsen at a sales kick off meeting in Upstate New York. He is an excellent author and great speaker - All of his books are well done.I like this book best of all. As a sales engineer, I have to create winning presentations in the highly competitive telecom industry. This book has helped me do my job better. The book is an easy read and has many reference to history - it is a part of Mr. Hansen's DNA Selling Method series - I suggest you get all four books!

Fantastic Book!
Winning Sales Presentations blew me away. I was expecting a typical, "look people in the eyes, don't chew gum or put your hands in your pockets" book--but instead learned fantastic techniques and strategies to apply before, during, and after presentations. I also enjoyed how the book is geared for professional presenters and B2B, complex settings. A great book. ... Read more