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Open Book Editions
A Berrett-Koehler/iUniverse Partnership
Open Book Editions is a self-publishing partner of Berrett-Koehler Publishers. OBE welcomes publications that fit the Berrett-Koehler mission – Creating a World That Works for All. At Berrett-Koehler, we believe that to truly create a better world, action is needed at all levels – individual, organizational, and societal. At the individual level, our books help people align their lives with their values and with their aspirations for a better world. At the organizational level,our books promote progressive leadership and management practices, socially responsible approaches to business, and humane and effective organizations. At the societal level, our books advance social and economic justice, shared prosperity, sustainability, and new solutions to national and global issues.
There may be titles you would expect from Berrett-Koehler such as personal development (BK Life), business (BK Business), and current affairs (BK Currents) books, but there may also be some new categories that might surprise you. Some of our authors, partners, and readers have written poetry books, so these may be published as Open Book Editions titles. Others have written memoirs or fiction with a message of hope. Still others have written wonderful relationship or parenting books. Books in these categories may be published as Open Book Editions as well. We will profile new titles on this page with links to their corresponding iUniverse pages for purchase.
Readers
Four New Titles in April 2012:
Transition to Peace: A Defense Engineer's Search for an Alternative to War
World peace may seem like an impossible dream. Not only is it counter to human nature, but there are also many political, economic, and cultural obstacles to overcome. In Transition to Peace, author Russell Faure-Brac contends war is not a necessary evil; there are more effective and rational ways for the United States to defend itself.
In this analysis, Faure-Brac examines where world peace stands now and how it relates to the rapidly changing world. He combines the nonviolent power of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King; the concept of Peaceful Warriorship as found in the martial arts of Aikido and Ninjutsu; and the Permaculture ideas of Earth Care, People Care, and Faire Share to form the basis for peace programs and three peace principles that he proposes as a new national security policy. Faure-Brac then lays out a plan for making the changes.
Though world peace might be a challenging prospect, Transition to Peace shows that is possible to achieve it, and the United States can lead the rest of the world in the right direction.
Use All the Crayons!: The Colorful Guide to Simple Human Happiness
by Chris Rodell
Chris Rodell likes to consult with a five-year-old anytime he needs a reminder as to what is important in life. In his uplifting, humorous, and spiritual guidebook Use All the Crayons!, Rodell encourages others to become universally happy by becoming more colorful, interesting, and, most importantly, fun!
Rodell insists that colorful people are invited to the coolest parties; with that goal in mind, he presents over five hundred tips and entertaining, Dale Carnegie–like anecdotes that provide a glimpse into how he has successfully transformed his life into one not focused on money or fame, but instead on inspirational experiences, laughter, and fulfillment. Accompanied by personal diary entries, Rodell shares simple ideas for living a more colorful life, including adding the title “Rev.” to all subscriptions and charitable donations, keeping handfuls of confetti ready for impromptu celebrations, and understanding the advantages of getting a $75 wrist tattoo of an $18,000 Rolex instead of the real thing.
Like a box of crayons, we are all born with an astounding range of color options. This effervescent guidebook combines populist common sense with a healthy dose of optimism in the hopes of teaching others how to make every day as vivacious as the brightest crayon in the box.
Awakening the New Masculine: The Path of the Integral Warrior
Awakening the New Masculine is a bridge from the first wave of the mythopoetic men’s movement of the last twenty-five years to what is only now beginning to emerge. Gary Stamper points the way to the second wave of men’s work with humor, intelligence, and the kind of compassion that holds men accountable—daring, insisting, and giving them the tools they need to step up to a new way of being men.
You're going to awaken to the real possibility of becoming the man you've always known you could be, stepping into the truth of who you are in your fullness, cultivating potentials that have called to you, bringing your full presence and awareness to every moment for yourself, your loved ones, and the planet.
Selling with Soul: Version 2.0
The ability to sell yourself and your ideas may be the most essential skill for achieving business success. Even so, society demeans selling and salespeople, perpetuating stereotypes that make us cringe. In Selling with Soul, author Sharon V. Parker attacks those attitudes head-on and explodes the myths about salespeople being unprofessional and driven by self-interest.
Selling with Soul counters many of the negative notions of selling by explaining why it is an honorable profession that creates value for all when it is done with empathy for the customer and a firm commitment to principles. Parker helps you learn the skills and attitudes that result in successful sales careers, and she shares the lessons that can result in a successful, balanced life—lessons she learned during a twenty-six-year career in sales.
In this, the second version of Selling with Soul, Parker includes a review of sales basics, updated with how people buy today. She also shares ideas for finding and keeping new business, and she presents lessons in the soft skills so essential to selling with integrity and empathy: listening, conflict resolution, understanding personal styles, dealing with temptations and compromise, and creating a life consistent with your values.
Selling with Soul helps heal the split between job and spirit. It shows how problem-solving, creating value, and treating others with empathy and integrity are the keys to selling—and living—with soul.
The Road from Empire to Eco-Democracy
by Gene Marshall, with Co-Authors Ben Ball, Marsha Buck, Ken Kreuziger, and Alan Richard
An examination of Social Awakenment, History-Long Vision, Holistic Social Understanding & Strategies of Transformation, as viewed by five United States Citizens in 2011; Lead author Gene Marshall with coauthors, Ben Ball, Marsha Buck, Ken Kreutziger, and Alan Richard
Though vast changes are necessary, we believe humanity can find a vision and plan of action that is both satisfying and realistic. Our aim is to fertilize the fruitful imagination and courage it will require to walk this Road to Eco-Democracy.
This book is not about making piecemeal repairs on understandable problems. It is about contributing to a massive social transition that we will never fully understand in our lifetimes. We who call ourselves “progressives” tend to each be doing our own good things, but in the main we lack a comprehensive overview of how we exit the deathtrap into which humanity has cornered itself and how we construct a social vehicle within which humanity can survive and thrive.
We see the fully progressive vision as an intimation of a much better future, but also as a fight against a set of illusions that characterize our age. Our fight is against a set of lies that are given “sacred” standing in the hearts and minds and commitments of most people – resulting in a set of compulsions that enslave rich and poor alike. It is a fight against a matrix of malice toward realism, toward real people, toward the real Earth – a malice that sickens the whole of humanity and undermines the wider community of Earth life.
ENDORSEMENTS
Wise, insightful, forthright, systemic, and clearly written, with moments of special brilliance. The framing of “The Forces of Transformation” and “The Role and Limitations of Electoral Politics” are particularly distinctive and useful contributions.
—David Korten, author of Agenda for a New Economy, The Great Turning From Empire to Earth Community, and When Corporations Rule the World
I hope The Road is read and discussed by groups of friends and neighbors across the country. Sidestepping the political stalemates of the day, the authors name the basic problems facing our society, explain why “taking the long view” is crucial (but largely missing), and propose the processes by which we might create an eco-democracy.
—Charlene Spretnak, author of Relational Reality, The Resurgence of the Real, and States of Grace
I was enormously cheered by The Road from Empire to Eco-Democracy, which sets out a comprehensive menu of today’s myths and why they must be revisited. In contrast, these days I’m often depressed, not so much by the disasters unfolding before eyes, but rather by un-integrated, non-systemic band-aid solutions, which have become public policy staples. The Road neither trivializes the challenges nor tumbles into the trap of simplistic solutions. Yet beware, the many proposals in the book are neither trivial nor easy.
—David Sanborn Scott, Ph.D., Vice-President (for Americas) International Hydrogen Association, Founding Director, Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, Univ. of Victoria, Canada, author of Smelling Land: The Hydrogen Defense Against Climate Catastrophe
How to Drop Five Strokes without Having One: Finding More Enjoyment in Senior Golf
“Ten years ago I could easily have cleared that pond.” “I’m okay until about the fourteenth hole; then I can feel myself getting tired.” “I’ve had to shorten my backswing; otherwise, my old back will keep me up all night.” Sound familiar? As much as we may hate to admit it, at sixty-plus we’re different from younger golfers both physically and mentally. While this isn’t necessarily bad, it does impact how we play. In How to Drop Five Strokes without Having One , author Dr. John D. Drake explains how awareness of these changes can allow us to adapt; we can still lower our scores and get more fun from our favorite pastime. Drake offers specific techniques and strategies geared toward seniors that can be readily adapted to every facet of your golf game—tee box, fairway, bunker, and green. How to Drop Five Strokes without Having One provides not only easy-to-apply suggestions for lower golf scores, but also tips on how to reduce anxiety and tension. With photos included, How to Drop Five Strokes without Having One helps solve the unique problems encountered by aging golfers and helps you lower your handicap while enjoying the game.
by Lee Rice
Despite the failure of many entrepreneurs to become successful, the future growth of the US economy depends on new capital formation that leads to jobs and growth. It is important, therefore, that governmental policies not impede this process. Explore how sixteen entrepreneurs from Virginia and Maryland took risks to become successful. They focused on customer service, good employee relations, and other innovations to overcome the recent recession and other obstacles. These entrepreneurs and others like them prove that Adam Smith’s eighteenth-century “invisible hand” theory continues to be true. Entrepreneurs embrace change that is disruptive in order to deliver better products to customers. Ultimately, they enrich not only their own lives, but also the lives of their employees, their customers, and their communities. Good entrepreneurs can succeed in all areas. Whether it’s food service, health care, engineering or another field, they always find a way to get the job done. Discover how they do it, gain an appreciation for their accomplishments, and learn how you can experience similar success in Journeys of Entrepreneurs.
They Shall Bear You Up: Memories of a Catholic Priest
by Factna Joseph Harte
For Monsignor Fachtna Joseph Harte, walking with Christ every day of the year was a privilege that was unrivalled. In this memoir, he narrates his journey to priesthood—from answering the call, to walking the roads with the Lord, proclaiming His kingdom, listening to Him in one’s heart, and going among His people with compassion and love. They Shall Bear You Up begins in the country parish of Kilfian, near Killala Co Mayo in the Diocese of Killala, where Harte knew from an early age he desired to serve the church. He discusses his family background, his upbringing, and his experiences of the Irish strife against the British. The story follows his schooling and his subsequent move to the United States, where he was called to begin a ministry of tourism in Orlando, Florida, holding the first service in a hotel ballroom in 1975. He served in Orlando until his retirement October 31, 2007. A testimony of faith, They Shall Bear You Up emphasizes that as human beings we are never alone and that for those who wish to carry out God’s will in their lives, “nothing is impossible with God.” Through many and varied stories, Harte shows that the priesthood is not for weaklings, but for men of strong faith who live close to the angels.
The Sergeant Major Syndrome: A Book for People Who Want to Advance Their Careers
by Roy Jacques with Mary Hobson
You were a high-potential individual contributor. Your skills were valued. You received great performance reviews, a few raises, and promotion into management. Then things soured. The road to the top became a glass ceiling. Others passed you by. You worried about your job security. You are not alone. You are a sergeant major, and you are struggling to understand why your good efforts don’t lead to equally good outcomes. In The Sergeant Major Syndrome, authors Roy Jacques and Mary Hobson seek to help you to understand and deal with these dynamics. Written by a former organizational sergeant major and a manager of sergeant majors, The Sergeant Major Syndrome is both a diagnostic tool and an action plan. It helps you understand what a sergeant major is, and it outlines a plan for strategizing what you can do about being (or not being) a sergeant major. Jacques and Hobson describe what the sergeant major can do to thrive in the tribal organization and how he or she can be valued at the project level. It also provides advice on advancing into the officer corps. Stop pressing your face against the glass ceiling and find the stairs.
Just Call Me Dean: And Don't Rain on My Parade
Meet Dean A. A. Poyadue. Dean is many things to many people—a son, a husband, a college student, and an employee. He is also a man living with Down syndrome. Just Call Me Dean is his remarkable story, which he tells with a little help from his mom, Florene. Dean’s innocence and wisdom will capture your heart as he takes you on a journey through the key events of his life, from early childhood to the present. Discover how, with a can-do attitude and the help of his family, Dean has conquered life’s milestones—college, employment, marriage, independence, and more. Full of inspiration of anyone whose life is touched by someone with special needs, Just Call Me Dean seeks to help professionals enhance their empathy and skills. Parents of special needs can broaden their expectations for their own children as they learn of Dean’s accomplishments. Finally, Dean’s story can help educate the general public about the millions of Americans living with disabilities. Dean challenges us to seek out life’s adventures. Are you up for the challenge?
Authors - See Open Book Editions Author Page
