One of the great alcoholics of our time
590422
Stanhope is genius. One of the great alcoholics of our time.
2320665
This book should prove to be an inspiration for anyone who is either (or both as the author is) an alcoholic or gay person or in any type of recovery program. The author not only managed to come to terms with both his alcoholism and sexuality, but has also been able to turn his life around and be of help to others with similar issues. While acknowledging that his family background, in terms of his alcoholism, may have contributed to his own alcoholism, he does not harbor resentment towards them. Rather, as the child of an alcoholic, his book embraces his family because he realizes that people are not perfect and everyone has to deal with the problems of their parents, including his own children. He has come to terms with his life and, refreshingly, takes responsibility for his own actions. For me, the best aspect of this book is how he has learn to accept his own foibles and the foibles of those around him with both wit and wisdom.
2028314
This masterpiece by Jack London is part autobiography, part confession of his alcoholism, although he denies to be an alcoholic until the very end. Writing about his life made London a cult hero, writing about alcohol makes him a real hero. Consider that in those days (early 20eth century) alcoholics were considered mentally deranged and ought to be locked up. For all those who are mistified by the effects of alcohol on the human condition both physically and mentally this is probably the best thing to read. But beware; it won't lift your spirit the way spirits do.
715612
This book got me sober. I read it and too much of what she was doing and thinking (mostly thinking) resonated greatly in my life at the time. I have been sober for 14 years and have given this book to many people who "think they drink too much" and those that have family members that are alcoholics.

Is it strictly for alcoholics or friends of alcoholics. No. It's great writing, a good story. I don't five star very often but this one gets it.
3399411
Thank goodness, someone let the truth be told in print about this family disease! This book is another  triumph of the heart and spirit for this fearless writer. Bill takes us on the treacherous downhill ride of alcoholism, and back up the steep slope of recovery,  from the comfort of our armchairs. Through the telling of his fathers episodes, to his own experience, we each might find a loved one of ours in these pages. Bills skillful, heartwarming words make these terrible events almost as easy to take as that very first drink. If you, or someone you know,  suffers from alcoholism or addiction, I highly recommend you get this book. You don't have to wait to seek help,  Bill will bring it to you!
Claire C.
144584
This man has a very fine voice. He was a very talented singer who had a style of his own with every song he sang. Again, he was one of the underated singers of our time.
3414224
Williams certainly understands the value of Marshall's great contributions to the long overdue advancement of African-Americans.  Often over shadowed by King and Malcom X, Marshall accomplished much with his work in the  courts to pave the way for the end of segregation.  The sections leading up  to Brown were compelling and helped bring the reader back to time that is  very different than today, but not too long ago. People unfamilar with the  reality of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s will find this book invaluable.  However, the strength of this book is that it paints Marshall not only as a  great man, but a man with flaws.  His dealings with other leaders,  especially his conflicts with other great African-American leaders, his  late night drinking,  his womanizing all make him more human and more  compelling.  Not only was Marshall a significant fiqure in the Civil Rights  movement, but he was also human, a man that readers can relate to and  understand.
392938
This guy is just like a fine wine, he just gets better with age.  I have been a faithful listener since the early 80's, and have his older stuff too, and The Hands of Man is no doubt one of his best.  His voice has also improved and he sings with a better tone from those old "albums".
The Hands of Man has some great songs.  There are few melodies and chord progressions that sound familiar (and I am not talking about Meridiem), but the songs are all truly original and hit home on many fronts.  "Empty Rooms" really hits home for me as I am in that particular time of life as a parent.  Other stand-out tracks are "The Bridge" (love wins out over war), "Where Would I Be" (another devoted love song), "The Keeper of the Keys", "The Candlestick" (one of those old time stories told/sung as only C de B can).  The only song that doesn't really do it for me is "The Ghost of Old King Richard".  But the rest of the tracks are all wonderful and not to be skipped.  Even his "lilting, nightclub-type" songs are nicely done, arranged, and tell a story... "There Goes My Heart Again", "When the Dream Is Over" (catchy melody!), and "One More Goodbye".
Again, this is one of his best in many years as a whole, and you will certainly enjoy listening to these stories/songs.
4571339
A great book. Histories dwell on Grant's propensity for booze. Of course I think Booze is a reasonable response to the conflagration of human egos, but Grant transcended all, a great General and a President who impulsed towards what was right.  Of course Generalling an Army is different from Leading the Rattlers of Politity, but Grant's orientation was steady. I really think Lincoln and Grant raise the Bar High for those who followed, perhaps beyond their reach ! Great Book
802744
An excellent book about living with an Alcoholic and the after affects that you carry on for the rest of your life.
1136137
"Dry", by Augusten Burroughs, is an excellent, well written memoir. Burroughs tells us of his alcoholism and how he became "dry". He tells us why he doesn't like AA, which is a very interesting reason. "Dry" is a very honest, bold and personal account.
457323
This book is easily read in one sitting. The author shows great courage in telling her story. Children of alcoholics suffered in silence in the 50's and 60's. I grew up in the same town as the author. She was pretty & popular...no one would ever have thought that her home life was anything less than "The Father Knows Best" version. This a read for everyone...not just those struggling with alcohol issues, but also friends and family members of those who suffer. There is much to learn, and Glenda does a great job of sharing.
2769372
This wonderfully cynical description of an ambitious, unscrupulous, and throughly despicable Christian evangelist is irresistible to those who won't be deeply offended.  But he is not without his moral temporizing, recognizing and renouncing his excesses, sometimes for days, as with sex, sometimes for longer, as with liquor.  He always lands on his feet, while those of good conscience and good works fall steadily by the wayside, routinely due to his abuses.
2329772
Incredible! Amazing how a person can be transformed by sobriety. An amazing eye opener and a real-life testament to the AA program. Great reading for anyone, but most especially meaningful to all of us recovering alcoholics. In spite of sad, tragic situations, it's funny, witty, light and always keeps you thoroughly entertained. A MUST READ.
1639607
Porter's career as a singer/songwriter spanned for many decades. He had a TV show in the 60's which I watched faithfully. His first female show regular was Norma Jean and then he later introduced Dolly Parton who replaced Norma Jean as a regular singer on his show. Porter and Dolly recorded many albums together with Buck Trent who played electric banjo and doubled with lead guitar. They had numerous hit songs. Porter wrote many sad songs about drinking, cheating, but also some happy tunes. I call it "The many sides of Porter Wagoner". This CD is strictly dedicated to drinking songs and real life situations of what can happen with excessive drinking and being intoxicated. Songs telling about the dark side of being an alcoholic and the downfalls that can drag you down to being a failure and lose everything from possessions, love, and loved ones to self respect, and eventually shame. Porter tells it like it is in these songs. There are also songs that Merle Haggard wrote and made him famous along the way of his career. This is real country music written and performed by one of the greatest country music artists ever. To me he was very underrated and I can't understand why.
.The last CD he recorded was "Wagonmaster" released in 2007 and produced by Marty Stuart. He later passed away that same year in October. The Wagonmasters was also the name of his band. Once he had an all female backup band called "The Right Combination" which was short lived. Dolly Parton wrote a song called :"The Right Combination" which was a duet single recorded with Porter. This CD has songs from four of his old albums and is worth every penny. The artwork is also very informative of Porter's music. This CD has very emotional songs in it. I can't even imagine the feelings he was experiencing at the time when he was penning these songs.  A must have CD for the true fans of Porter and highly recommended for everyone else. Guitar Bob
4765686
This story is of a true love affair with alcohol.  Amazing and inspiring to anyone who is in recovery or thinking about it.  This is a woman of great passion and courage.
3130873
With Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic Professional Views and Personal Insights Sarah Allen Benton adds an important new voice to the discussion and examination of the curse and conundrum of alcoholism. As an accomplished (highly functioning . . . sorry!) researcher and scholar, Benton offers an array of what I call "stats `n facts" (Benton's "Professional Views") which will amaze and alarm any reader with any interest in the topic of alcoholism. But Benton goes beyond providing a compilation of "stats `n facts." She adroitly uses these "Professional Views" as a framework or structure to support what I feel is the heart and soul of her book:  her "Personal Insights." These insights, culled from years of her personal journal entries, recount her own experiences as an increasingly self-aware HFA (Highly Functioning Alcoholic). A gifted and painfully honest memoirist, Benton recalls Caroline Knapp (whom Benton, appropriately, cites throughout) whose seminal Drinking: A Love Story (1996) chronicles another HFA's journey.

By sharing her "Personal Insights," Benton illuminates the "Professional Views" and vividly reveals her growing awareness as she moves, over time, from denial to acceptance and from recognition to recovery. Her honesty is profound and profoundly moving. I found myself reading this work very deliberately: I was torn by my desire to devour the narrative, while also wanting to savor and reflect upon each revelation. In Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic Professional Views and Personal Insights, Benton successfully and courageously crafts an astonishing and deeply personal scholarly treatise.