Book Review - Merchants of Deception by Eric Scheibeler

Is it a religion? Is it a cult? Can it be the answers to our financial woes? No, it’s Amway! And just like all other distribution/network marketing businesses, it’s a scam with only a handful ever making money, while the rest succumb to these unscrupulous vultures. Unfortunately, it’s not just Amway, I know of a well known women’s makeup, skincare and fragrance company (also starting with an “A”) that is almost the same thing only without the bad public reputation….yet. But that’s another story for another day.


Merchants of Deception is Eric Scheibeler’s story. He courageously tells his story of how as a high-level insider he blew the whistle on the greed, fraud and corruption that epitomizes multi-level marketing schemes. He tells how the government turns a blind eye to these companies. This book is eye-opening and must read for anyone struggling financially and tempted by one of the many “to good to be true” money making “opportunities”. When someone approaches you with one of these “legitimate” (reality check-SCAMS) business opportunities, take the money you’re tempted to invest and buy this book instead. You’ll easily profit from the money you would have wasted had you been sucked into one of those schemes. For the public service value alone, 4.5 out of five stars.

This book was provided by the author and will be givem to one lucky commenter.

Book Review - Pigs in the Pulpit by J.Michael Wittman

I will admit that when I read the title Pigs in the Pulpit, I knew I had to read this book. Ironically, being anti-religion, I love to read books on religions. I think it is more my love of the human condition and what motivates people than the study of any religion in particular. Plus it always disappoints me that any given religion thinks that theirs is the only way and that those who don’t follow are doomed, yet at the same time fascinates me that almost all religions when broken down to their fundamental core are the same. I was raised Southern Baptist in an affluent environment and even at a young age, the main theme was go to church showing off your best clothes, etc, while smiling and acting “Christian” during those few hours every Sunday and/or Wednesday in an effort to convince yourself and the world what a wonderful pious person you are and then as soon as you walk out the door you talk about others behind their backs and go right on with your sinful and unchristian behavior until next week, after all, you have put in your few hours of show and given money and that is all you need to do to make it to heaven. I’m not saying all religious people are this way, just that in my experience from the age of toddler on, that is mostly what I encounter in religious environments of any denomination. It seems easier for most to blindly follow what fallible “religious leaders”, often men, say than to establish their own relationship with God. You see in my studies, since it’s beginning, religion has always been man-made and designed to give certain men and groups power over others. This is why I follow God not man. But enough of my views on religion, let’s get back to Pigs in the Pulpit.


J. Michael Wittman takes us on a journey through his life: through his addiction, his discovery and acceptance of God, through his joys and sorrows of those journeys. His story is open and brutally honest. He doesn’t gloss over his own role and uncertainties in his journey. In this book, he is almost self-depreciating. He is harder on himself than on those who trespass against him. In these pages you see a true Christian, not one who puts on Christianity like a fancy suit jacket. Oh you will see that type of “Christian” in this book also. While reading this a thought came to my mind, “why do the good always seem to get walked on and taken advantage of by the wicked?”. Unfortunately this book, shows us that we sometimes bring it on ourselves. While you almost instantly relate to Michael, there are times when he does things, being the good person that he truly is, that you just want to scream at him. There are times in quest to be a good Christian and person that he lets people take advantage of him. The wonderful thing about his story is that even when you want to scream at him to have more of a backbone, you want to stand beside him and let him know things will be alright and that you admire his faith in the face of adversity. In many ways Michael is a role model of what a person of face is supposed to represent. Michael and his family put their faith in God. They don’t give up on God or their faith even when they have doubts. Personally, I want to write about what a evil scumbag, Jason Bower is. I want to tell the reader all the sick ways he uses people in the name of God. But that is not what Michael would do. Even when he is telling you the bad things being done, he does so in a way that is accepting and forgiving. He shows us how to be a better person. His story is our story and that is what makes this book compelling and worth reading. Whether you agree with his choices or not you understand them because he opens his soul to the reader. This is not an easy thing for us to do, but it is this bearing of his soul that compels you to read page after page. It is what makes you admire him. Yes the book is the story of corruption in religion but it’s so much more than that. It’s a story of faith and believing in something bigger than yourself and trusting the path that leads you on. I highly recommend this book and give it five out of five prayers.

This book was provided in eBook form from the author and one lucky commenter will receive a copy.

Book Review - A Walk for Sunshine by Jeff Alt

Let's follow Jeff Alt on his 2,160 mile journey through 14 states as he hikes the Appalachain Trail. The 'sunshine' of the title is the Sunshine Home. Sunshine Inc. provides services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Jeff has an even more personal reason to undertake this journey. His brother, Aaron was born with cerebal palsy and mental retardation. Sunshine has been there for Aaron and his family. At a time when people are struggling to stay afloat and are often obsessed with their own lives and what other can do for them, it is heartwarming to come across a book that displays one man's journey to give something back.

Call it my background in the film and TV industry, but one of my first thoughts when starting this book was the disclaimer, "now, don't try this at home". The thing is, A Walk for Sunshine doesn't need such a disclaimer. Not that I would try it, Alt made me tired just reading it. Alt does such a wonderful job of sharing how he prepared for and fulfilled his journey, that one does feel as though he has given you the formula to undertake your own 2,160 mile hike. While this is a great book about hiking the Appalachain Trail in all its glory and with its challenges, this book is also a look at the people you meet, the generosity of others and how the ability to laugh at oneself can see you through.

If you want a book to motivate you to reach for your dreams and achieve your goals, this is one you want to pick up. I give it 3.5 out of 5 walking sticks.

This book was provided by the author and will be passed on to one lucky commenter.

DVD- Grey Gardens

Grey Gardens starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore was a made for HBO movie that is currently available on DVD. The film, about two eccentric relatives of Jacqueline Onassis; won top honors for best telemovie. Jessica Lange beat out Grey Gardens co-star Drew Barrymore for the best actress in a movie or miniseries award. Ken Howard took home the best supporting actor Emmy for his performance in the movie. Overall the film was nominated for 17 Emmy's.

The film was inspired by the 1975 documentary film by Albert and David Maysles and chronicles the lives of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, "Little Edie". HBO took it one step further than the documentary by taking us back to the 1930's and giving us a glimpse of what the real Beale's described in the documentary. These were eccentric women who once were the socialites of their day before spiralling into a life of squallor. The film is beautiful done. The acting is amazing and deserving of the accolades and awards being received. The Art Department brings to life an extraordinarily beautiful age of the New York and Hampton social scene in the 1930's and then gives you such a realistic view of the squallor they ended up living in that you can smell the mold and mildew through the screen. The sets are remarkable in their beauty and depravity. As a former costume designer, I can only applaud the amazing job Catherine Marie Thomas has done in recreating the years from the 1930's to the 1970's. Again the visual elements, truly take the viewer back in time.

Having watched the documentary as well, I am in awe how magnificently the make-up artist recreated The real Beale women. Barrymore is almost unrecognizable and does an amazing job of tranforming herself into "Little Edie". Her accent and mannerism were a perfect portrayal.
Lange also is nearly unrecognizable as the elderly Beale. She does a wonderful job of making you despise the woman for her narcisism, while feeling conpassion for this woman who never truly felt loved by anyone. Edith Beale was a woman whose actions sent people running from her life, yet all she could see was that everyone abandoned her. She manages to trap Little Edie in her unrealistic world and almost manages to blot out the sunshine that her spirit daughter exudes. The story is a tragic one and the film is often times hard to watch. As Edith tells Little Edie at one point in the film, it is "an aquired taste."

If you love drama and fine acting, you will definitely want to see this film. Be prepared, it will make laugh, it will make you angry and it will make you sad. But then that's what a good drama should do.

Also be sure to check out the documentary that inspired the movie. For details on the 1975 Documentary click here. To visit her Fan site and for more on Little Edie, click here. For a wonderful blog that covers all things Grey Gardens, click here.

                                                           The real life Beale's

Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore as the Beale's