The Burntwaters Cook’s Kitchen Guide by David Michaelson

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MWSA Review

Could have been titled The Complete Cooking Guide for Idiots. This is as simple as it gets proving one can be a good cook without spending a small fortune on ingredients requiring an 1/8th of a teaspoon and toss the rest away.  Tired of recipes requiring tons of special ingredients, then this book is for you. The authors approach was to keep it simple this creates more interest and improves the families' culinary experiences without great expense, time or trouble.

Recipes are easy to follow and place the emphasis on how and taste, taste after all is an individual experience, different strokes for different folks. How is approached like a campaign; example -- cut into quarters or cube, wow, great but not for me or my family.  Or melt the chocolate in a double boiler, what a great idea, how about adding hot cream to prevent it from seizing.  

Explanations abound, kid friendly recipes, what to stock and how to measure, it's all in here.

Looking for a cooking guide or another cook book for your kitchen, but tired of all the multi page instructions and exotic or seldom used spices, this is your book, trip over yourself on the way to the local book store and get your copy before the 'Chefs Union' bans it sale.

Reviewed by: jim greenwald (2010)

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Author's Synopsis

A cookbook for the overworked, the overwhelmed and the inept.

DOD Security Clearances & Contract Guidebook, by Jeffrey W. Bennett

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MWSA Review

Jeffrey Bennett’s comprehensive guide gives defense contractors all the information they need to establish and maintain a successful security program. He pulls together information from Presidential Executive Orders and regulations from numerous government agencies. Readers will learn how to appoint and train a facility security officer, navigate the security clearance process, win contracts dealing with classified information, and how to secure and protect that information.

Bennett’s expertise comes through on every page as he explains in clear language the sometimes arcane world of classified contract work for the government. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in working as a defense contractor, and especially to facility security officers.

Reviewed by: Edward Cox (2012)

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Author's Synopsis

Can you keep a secret? Do you know how to get and maintain a personnel clearance (PCL) or facility clearance (FCL)? Turn your passion for business into performing classified work for Uncle Sam. Get a security clearance and perform classified work. What DoD Contractors Need to Know about Their Need to Know It's tough to focus on both creating a company to last and performing under strict government guidelines. Getting classified contracts, requesting security clearances and remaining compliant are all vital to a cleared contractor's success.

     But...Just one mistake can cost a defense contractor current and future contracts. Until now, there has been no one place to find everything you need to know about security clearances. Many defense contractors and employees don't understand how to get their clearances and compete for classified work. The DoD Security Clearance and Contracts Guidebook brings together information from Presidential Executive Orders, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) and other regulations to demonstrate how to establish and maintain a successful security program.

     Whether you are part of a business or an employee, this book will demonstrate both the security clearance process and how to perform on classified contracts. The DoD Security Clearance and Contracts Guidebook helps cleared contractors understand the security clearance process and develop award winning security programs to win and keep classified contracts. It is a good companion for all seasoned and novice defense contractors, Facility Security Officers (FSO) and the college student.

     With the DoD Security Clearance and Contracts Guidebook, Defense contractors now have a resource to confidently pursue classified contracts. This book is complete with: Step by step guide demonstrating how to meet requirements for security clearances Description of senior leader responsibilities in security cleared facilities Comprehensive list 0f Cleared contractor administrative responsibilities Method for reducing costs associated with protecting classified information and NISPOM requirements Description of award winning FSO qualities DoD Security Clearance and Contracts Guidebook demonstrates how cleared contractors can protect program information through: Building award winning security programs Understanding international operations Improving Defense Security Services (DSS) inspection results Winning the Cogswell award DoD Security Clearance and Contracts Guidebook contains expansive discussion on how security professionals and FSOs can: Build skills as a security specialist or FSO Gain access to valuable resources for security programs Prepare for the ISP Certification exam Students will: Improve understanding of national security Learn new career opportunities Have a valuable resource for homeland security studies.

Insider's Guide to Security Clearances, by J. W. Bennett

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MWSA Review

Bennett's book is a detailed handbook for individuals and companies that wish to obtain Federal security certifications and/or conduct security investigations.  Given the significant increases in security regulations, especally in relation to security-related contracts involving Federal monies, and the increase in security needs at American military facilities at home and abroad, this book is both timely and useful.  Bennett has published several books on this and related subjects, including the "DOD SECURITY CLEARANCES AND CONTRACTS GUIDEBOOK."  After laying out his credentials as a security expert, Bennett explains in a clear and well-organized fashion the Federal regulations that a person would neede to understand to gain a security clearance or certification in security organization.  The remainder of the book gives tips for learning the regulations and the 'rote' of modern security, and advises the reader on how to prepare for and pass the required security examinations, in particular the Industrial Security Professional Exam. Because of the topic, the book is not a page-turner, and likely will not be of much interest to many readers of military history or military memoirs, nor military fiction (although it could be of use for a novel involving base security).   But as a handbook, it is a solid work, easy to follow and understand.  It will appeal to its target audience for this reason.

Reviewed by: Terry L. Shoptaugh (2012)

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Author's Synopsis

Turn your passion for business into work for the US Government. Discover what you need to know about how to get a security clearance and perform on classified contracts. This book explains how to obtain such clearances.

The Second Mouse Goes Digital: Self-Publishing Comes of Age; by Carolyn P. Schriber

Author's Synopsis:
“Write these things on a rock!”

In this updated version of The Second Mouse Gets the Cheese: How to Avoid the Traps of Self-Publishing, best-selling author Carolyn Schriber takes a closer look at the self-publishing innovations that have opened the gates to mainstream book publication. In twelve detailed chapters, she leads the writer through the self-publishing process, from that first decision to forego traditional publishing, through setting up a business and office, choosing the right software and social media platforms, planning the book, writing the first draft, revising, editing, choosing the best publishing partners, and finally to the book launch and marketing phase. Her words are still based on her personal experiences and still touched with her wise advice and gentle humor. Among her new rules to write on a rock are these:

•Treat your writing like a business.
•Words are meant to be read.
•Software does not come in one-size-fits-all. 
•Don’t start your author journey until you know where you are going.
•Do your homework.
•Watch your language,
•Your cranky old English teacher knew her stuff.
•Remember that your words (and mistakes) will outlive you.
•Don’t be fooled by promises of instant fame and fortune.
•Choose your publishing partners wisely.
•Give your readers what they love at a price they can afford.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-0-9993060-1-7
Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle
Genre: Nonfiction, Reference, How to/Business, Anthology
 

Doing a 180 at 60; by John Takacs

MWSA Review

Sixty is the youth of old age...

"Doing an 180 at 60" is a short motivational book written in a breezy, casual style often sprinkled with humor and sage advice. It is written to help us older folks get more enjoyment as we enter the senior citizen phase of life. 

Finding himself becoming sedimentary at age 60, the author made a U-turn in his life style and set an ambitious goal to accomplish 60 adventures or experiences that he had done in his younger years. This included modifying his diet and engaging in disciplined physical training programs that enabled him to compete in Ironman and triathlon contests, scuba diving, motorcycle riding, skydiving and other less strenuous outdoor activities.  

The author also recognizes not everyone wants to participate in demanding triathlon or Ironman events, but he does encourage his readers to get involved in outdoor activities.

Knowing first-hand how it can be done, John Takacs used his personal experiences in writing "Doing a 180 at 60." Through entertaining and often funny anecdotes, he provides inspirational advice on 60 being a renewal of life, not the start of life's ending. 

Review by Joe Epley, MWSA Reviewer
 

Author's Synopsis:
How many times have you heard that getting old was a bitch? What if it didn't have to be? What if getting older actually meant getting better?

Author John Takacs takes us on an adventure and shares his journey of transformation from overweight out of shape author to world-class Ironman triathlete in his age group. Along the way he shows us that many of the adages of old age are faulty. Join him in taking steps to:

Change your diet and change your health
Start moving and exercising for a more complete life
Actually go back to doing the things you once loved and enjoyed

You can do a You-turn, but only if you start the process now. If you want a better quality of life at any age, this is the book for you.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-1-943267-21-7
Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle
Genre(s): How to/Business, Anthology
Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business
Number of Pages: 157
 

Passages: A Corrales Writing Group Anthology; by Jim Tritten

MWSA Review
An anthology, by definition, offers readers a collection of unique and differing points of view and writing techniques. The Corrales Writing Group members take it a notch higher by presenting different genres as well. Whether you like humor, fiction or nonfiction, you’re sure to find something to enjoy from these writers. With a well-thought out design, the stories mesh well and the reader easily transitions from one story to the next.

The writers titled the book, Passages, to connote the constant change in their lives, the New Mexican culture and the times. Their connection to their local heritage shines throughout the book. In addition to their writings, they worked with Corrales artists to enrich the book with their creative works.

I especially liked the Entr’actes used as transition pieces. They focus on New Mexico’s culture and as the introduction states, are “highlighting New Mexico quirks, or showing local distinctions in attitude.”

From Jim Tritten’s 21st Century Illustrated Man to Patricia and Walter Walkow’s Our 9/11 Story, the reader is exposed to laughter, thought and a myriad of emotions.

The book left me with a desire to visit New Mexico in the near future.
Review by Pat Avery, MWSA Reviewer

Synopsis:
This anthology is created by members of the Corrales Writing Group, located in central New Mexico. From humor to tragedy, from a remembrance of 9/11 to the ways people perceive New Mexico, from a scathingly funny rant on Christmas letters to a magical experience in healing, these writings engage emotions.

Jim Tritten (Navy veteran and MWSA member) wrote four chapters: The Perfect Woman challenges the reader about what constitutes perfection in the fair sex. Sauna Gus describes a Danish sauna and Jim says if you don’t laugh out loud, you don’t have a sense of humor. 21st Century Illustrated Man is creative non-fiction/memoir and documents the author’s anxiety attack while traveling by air in a commercial jetliner. Finally Round Engines is a tongue-in-cheek look at flying aircraft with reciprocating engines with propellers and flying jets.

Thomas Neiman (Army veteran) wrote four chapters: A Clown’s Story is heart-warming memoir of Tom’s volunteer work as a Shriner clown. Overture is the introduction to a hardboiled detective work still in progress. Grasshopper Rant and Hooked contain humorous interchanges between husband and wife.

Patricia Walkow (MWSA member and military spouse) wrote five pieces. A Christmas Letter is a rollicking commentary of how our friends and family communicate with us once a year. Three chapters provide commentary on her experiences in the professional work world as a woman. Pat also includes an extract from a novel, The Far Moist End of the Earth, still in progress. A sixth chapter outlining their experiences after 9/11 was co-written with her husband (Army veteran): 

Chris Allen wrote four pieces: Two humorous short stories detail the trial of introducing a new puppy, Ember, into her home. One wonders why the dog is still in their house after what it did. Booked! Is a humorous account of her difficulty in getting to work as a film extra. The final piece, Horse Wreck, deals with an equine accident and her on-going recovery.

Sandi Hoover wrote one essay: Small Discoveries-Small Delights is a reflection on the seasonal changes noticed in local birds, animals, and plants in our village of Corrales.

Maureen Cooke wrote one chapter: Together Apart: Lily and Her Mother is an extract from a novel still in works. Interpersonal relationships are the subject matter.

Five of the authors wrote very short observations about life in New Mexico that separate the different sections of the anthology. In addition, the group partnered with nineteen local artists and included photographs of paintings, sculpture, etc. used as spacers to separate chapters. These show up in gorgeous color in the Kindle version.

ISBN/ASIN: 1539502279
Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle
Genre(s): Fiction, Nonfiction, Creative Nonfiction, Memoir, How to/Business, Anthology
Number of Pages: 316