Book Review : Transforming Heartache into H.O.P.E

 

'Transforming Heartache into H.O.P.E' by Tarrent-Arthur Henry

I think, we all need to have open conversations about mental health within our community, and the ideas expressed here, applies to all. The book begins by introducing  H.O.P.E., which stands for Help, Offer Support, Provide Education, and Encourage. Emphasizing the significance of raising awareness about mental health and getting those suffering the help they need, the book lists the initiatives taken by the black church. The impact, this programme had on the community as a whole is also analyzed. Steps are suggested that will augur a holistic improvement in the  mental health standards, like better awareness, easy access to help, and a ready acceptance. 

The book tries to provide practical advice and tips, and to ignite free conversations on such issues.

I think the book has won, as the concise lists and a quiz at the end of each heading re-validates.

Human Society, Again

While writing on the propensity, we humans seem to have for making errors, I have suggested, errors give us another reason to keep ourselves occupied.
I find, one great philosopher, Descartes, have discussed this topic at length, in his book 'Selections from the Principles of Philosophy'. "The chief cause of our errors is to be found in the prejudices of our childhood. The second cause of our errors is that we cannot forget these prejudices. The third cause is, that we become fatigued by attending to those objects which are not present to the senses; and that we are thus accustomed to judge these, not from present perception but from preconceived opinion. The fourth source of our errors is, we attach our thoughts to words which do not express them with accuracy".
I now want to correct myself as well as Descartes. In both the cases, 'error' is not at all an appropriate term. Since we humans have a propensity to look for, or sense, more than whatever can be seen, we tend to go on discovering more and more attributes, including a few hidden ones. Some of these could even be leading to contradictions. Then make something like an intelligent guess. So, it is better to say, we humans seem to have a propensity for making guesses.
Of course, sooner or later, many such 'guesses' turn out to be of good help, and we appropriate all of this into our signature style of living. In fact, what we celebrate as our intellectual wealth is nothing else, but an accumulated version of it. Now, it is keeping us fully occupied. Also, 'error', 'prejudice', and 'preconceived notion', denote guesses that turned out to be inappropriate, or have the potential to be so.
In fact, once we appreciate it as a guess, such things are quite easy and clear. Childhood 'guesses' can remain as one, as long as we feel like relishing the same. And, we will naturally forget the same, when it is no more of good use. This takes care of error originating from both the first and the second causes.
I think, the third cause won't go away like that. On many instances, we found such guesses turning out to be real, and also of good use to us. Those ones have now acquired a substantive shape as our edifice of knowledge, the one supporting our existence. The ones that did not do so also remain, as substantive as the other ones. These are doing better, becoming another, perhaps stronger, edifice, one of spirit. There has to be a reason for this. I think, we acquired it when there was nothing much available for our senses to appreciate. We were also in the dark, having no clear idea as to what is supporting our existence, as it was during the days before the industrial revolution. Spirit came to fill that gap, and we accorded for it, the highest status. As time go by, the gap is getting filled by other means. But, since we accord the highest status for everything old or ancient, we continue to hold things like spirit in high esteem, even when we can find ample stuff of the present days to impress us. And, it is not difficult to reach this conclusion, this particular edifice is making it difficult to turn our attention fully to the present.
The fourth cause is also, a substantive one. Here, the difficulty is not that we do not express our thoughts with accuracy. We express it using words that can take many meanings, any of which could fit the context. Thereafter, we mistake the original thought as the one conveyed by the meaning chosen by us. Not only that whatever thought was conveyed gets lost in the process, but also whatever would have been our current priorities, usurp that position.
But, once we term it as a guess, it could easily fit the context. We all know, what to do with a guess. At any time, it will as unique as our thoughts are, and there will be no room for confusing between thoughts and meanings. A guess will follow a desired path, either to add to our knowledge, or to rest together with its equivalents of the spiritual edifice, in due course of time. Now, as nothing is there to go awry, gone will be the maxim, 'to err is human'. Which will then make, a violent human society, a thing of the past.

Book Review: How To Make Top Shelf Profits in the Bar Business

How To Make Top Shelf Profits in the Bar Business by Chris Schneider

This book is thorough guide to profitably and comfortably letting people make merry. At the outset, author proves the soundness of his suggestion, as one coming from a respected, trend-setting bar owner in the Central Indiana area.

There are 75 lessons in this 8 part book. Part I covers the essentials of a bar, where he spells out what a bar isn't, what it is, who all to keep happy, etc. Next part is about the nuts and bolts of a bar, which looks at the space, its utilization, its appearance, and the tricks to keep it well oiled. Mixing, cocktails, and other lessons of 'guestkeeping' comes next, followed by a thorough insight into providing a good food service and a menu that sells. A part is dedicated to the most difficult part - discipline, for customers as well as employees. Next comes the most important part of a bar - marketing it. And the last part deals with what goes for all good scenes - behind-the-scene activities.

This is a complete list of dos and don'ts. The first one itself will ring a bell. Always stay sober in the bar. And the last one is all important. How to deal with the landlord.

Plenty of such advices and imaginative suggestions are there, and I also found, each one is logically concluded with fitting justifications. An excellent book, indeed.

Book Review: A History of the United States for Newcomers

 A History of the United States for Newcomers, by Aaditya Sengupta Dhar

This is a book in six parts. In part one, origins, it narrates the prehistoric period, the colonial era, and the days of the American revolution. Next part, independence, begins with the confederation period and traces the time through Jeffersonian era till the Jacksonian one. Civil war and reconstruction form the next part, which is followed by an insight into the civil war and its after-effects. Then comes Part IV, where begins the period of the fastest growth. Next part chronicles the world wars and the great depression. Part VI onwards, we are into familiar turf. Civil rights, cold war, and our brush with the modern days. The book concludes with a literary tableau of the current times.

Well, that is not all. I found plenty of information that anyone would like to have in one's fingertips, presented tastefully in various appendices to this book.

This is a good read. Dry historical facts are presented in a lively and enjoyable manner. A human touch is there everywhere, and this is one of the best books on American history.

Book Review: "The Teens Guide..."

 The Teens' Guide to Saving the World, by Aaditya Segupta Dhar, is a collection of stories of many teens who did something for the turbulent world around them. In this book, they all stand tall, whether as poverty pulverizers, wellbeing warriors, equality enthusiasts, or sustainability superstars. Each tale is an epic in itself, bringing another worthy hero to our midst.

Take the story of José Quisocala, his passion for finance, and his efforts to bring children out of poverty and becoming the youngest person on the planet to open his own bank. Or of Joshua’s Heart Foundation, an organization founded by a teen to help those less privileged than him. 

Such inspiring stories make one thing clear. The world may look messed up, but redemption is not far away. Climate change, environmental degradation, growing inequality, or a dearth of opportunities, teenagers shall be there to roll up their sleeves.

This is a fantastic read of well-structured and easily flowing prose. I find it difficult to accept that it didn't come from an expert source. The book also gives us a lot of hope, the persistence and determination shown by the teenage heroes, both in addressing these issues and in formulating corrective actions are without parallel.

Book Review: The Green Real Deal

In the Green Real Deal - American Energy, National Security, and a Better Plan for the Environment, Bill Herrington explores a canvas that holds Russia, China, and the energy policy we need to power the world. It is trying to lay a path for Americans to debate about climate change and a realistic energy policy for the United States. It is a three part book suggesting alternatives to "the worldwide depression seen while answering the issue of emissions".

Part 1 is a romantic description of the challenges felt by oil industry, as well as those of nuclear power. How environmental issues tend to add complexities, sometimes leading to terrorism. Next part looks at the influence played by American Indians on the whole gamut of oil exploration and transport. Part 3 is about a balanced energy plan, while examining critically, different energy sources.

I liked the book. It gave a new line of thought to ponder both for a better energy strategy and about a framework to tackle future threats from other nations. Everywhere, the book projects an optimistic note to 'enable America to continue to be a light and hope' for years to come.