Churchill's Anchor

Book Description

Dudley Pound was Churchill's senior naval advisor during World War II. Although Pound died before the war ended, he was instrumental in the sinking of the Bismarck and had organized the basis for the victory at sea.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent biography and high level study of the RN of WWII.......2001-05-23

This is the first autobiography of Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Dudley Pound, First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy between July 1939 and August 1943. If you don't know the fate of the British ships ABOUKIR, HOGUE, and CRECY in August 1914, this book may not be for you. If you don't know what the difference between a battlecruiser and a battleship, skip it.

However, if you are reasonably well read about the history of the Royal Navy in the first half of the 20th century, I very much recommend this book. It provides a sound treatment of Admiral Pound entire career, an excellent commentary on high level decision making at the Admiralty during the critical defensive and first offensive phases of WWII, and good look at wartime political issues involving and dividing the Admiralty and the British government. It also provides insights into British Naval policy during WWI and during the inter-war years.

Most of the well known WWII controversies involving the Royal Navy are covered; From the botched Norwegian campaign, to the attack on the French fleet at Oran, the anti-U-boat war, the firings of Admirals North, Godfrey and Forbes, Force Z, the almost criminal withholding of British shore-based aircraft support to the navy, the channel dash by SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU, and the scattering of convoy PQ17. The author's interpretations are based on research into Admiral Pound's papers in various archives, interviews with the Pound family members, review and analysis of accounts by witnesses to wartime decision making processes at the Admiralty, and thorough study of the politics of the Royal Navy.

The author of the book, Robin Broadhurst, comes across as a Pound admirer, although he certainly is not one sided in his praise. The Broadhurst emphasizes Pound's absolute professional dedication to the Navy, and shows that he was very aggressive in training squadrons and fleets between the wars, stressing the importance of taking calculated risks even in peacetime training. These risks included training for night actions and the use of aircraft of shadow enemy formations. They helped to establish the aggressive character of the Royal Navy during WWII. Broadhurst gives Pound credit for being aware of the potential usefulness of airplanes to support the fleet as early as 1914, for being a strong advocate of expansion of the Fleet Air Arm while serving at the Admiralty in 1928, and emphasizes that he was fully aware of the Royal Navy's poor performance at anti-aircraft fire in 1939.

Broadhurst has reasonable responses to the many criticisms of Pound as First Sea Lord put forth during and after WWII. He blames Churchill more than Pound for the confusion of the Norwegian campaign, arguing that while orders from the Admiralty to ships at sea cutting across existing lines of authority may have been signed by Pound, they usually implemented Churchill's ideas.

The author emphasizes that the attack of the French fleet, although supported by Pound, was a political decision made by the War Cabinet which may well have been politically correct at the time, even if it was opposed then and later by many officers of the British Navy. He also points out that Force Z was itself a political decision - in this case a bluff, strongly opposed by Pound. As for the channel dash, Broadhurst lays the principal blame for the German escape on the RAF, and approves of Pound's refusal to risk a British capital ship in the channel to block the escape.

On the other hand, Broadhurst blames Pound's failure to properly use the intelligence information provided him for his disastrous decision regarding PQ17. In fact, according to the author, Pounds principal operational shortcomings were a failure to make proper use of Naval Intelligence and a failure to make proper use of his staff. Broadhurst argues convincingly that Pound did not delegate enough until late in his term of office, and that under the burden of overwork, sometimes simply made the wrong decisions. The author also argues that the frequency of interference in Naval operations at sea by orders from the Admiralty - whether right or wrong - created problems for many Royal Naval officers, to the point of causing some to refuse commands at sea.

Broadhurst gives very high credit to Pound as someone who was able to manage Churchill, while still successfully fighting the Royal Navy's side when the big decisions had to be made. The title "Churchill's Anchor" reflects the authors view that Pound managed to constrain many of Churchill's wilder ideas by intelligent procrastination, while still managing to get things done.

Churchill was not Pound's only burden. Pound also had to fight off interference from several prominent figures from the World War I Royal Navy, including Admirals Keys and Dreyer, and from the upstart Churchill favorite Mountbatten. If that wasn't enough, at various time he also had to fight Admiral King of the United States Navy, Portal at the Air Ministry, Sir Arthur Harris of Bomber Command, and during much of 1942, even the hostile lobbying of the Russian Ambassador.

For fun, the author occasionally lashes out at Roskill's official history of the British Navy in World War II, especially his claim that Pound was physically unfit in 1939. Broadhurst feels that Roskill had some perceived wrongs to right which biased the official history. Along the way, he also takes a few swipes at Churchill's "Second World War" and Barnett's "Engage the Enemy More Closely". Altogether, "Churchill's Anchor" is an enjoyable and informative book for anyone with the right background.

Average customer rating:
CHURCHILL'S ANCHOR: ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET SIR DUDLEY POUND, OM, GCG, GCVO.

Manufacturer: Leo Cooper, 2000., GB:
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I9R3L2

Average customer rating:

A must read for ALL "counselors" in the "addiction treatment industry"

The best self help book you will ever read.

Not definitive, but offers yet another defensible perspective among many in the field

finally, concrete solutions to emotional eating

Help for addicts and their families

Truth About Addiction and Recovery
Stanton Peele
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

A must read for ALL "counselors" in the "addiction treatment industry" .......2007-09-04

I purchased this title last year (2006), and found it an excellent source of information, and research. I wish it had a more current edition, with more current statistics, as i think it would be an excellent textbook for people taking academic classes in the "addiction/recovery/AOD" certification field. This book, along with Dr. Peele's other titles should be REQUIRED READING, for anyone entering, and wishing to be certified or licensed as a "AOD Counselor", or other "treatment" specialist.

The best self help book you will ever read........2007-07-11

This author really helped me. He taught me that it did not have to be black and white; it did not have to be all or nothing. I did not have to dive to the depths of hell before I could "recover". I could work on myself now. I could improve myself from where I stood. I did not have to deny everything I had done before, and everyone I had met before. I could simply mature into a better person. Since reading this author, I have not been in trouble with the law; I have moved forward in my career; and, I think, I have been useful to many people. Although I am not perfect, I still grow. I would recommend this author to every person who would like to better themselves without absconding all that came before. I would also recommend that friends and family give this book to those that they would like to see never "hit bottom".

Not definitive, but offers yet another defensible perspective among many in the field.......2007-05-26

The review titled "Disturbing" was spot-on.

For some, Steele's prescriptions are effective; for others, they provide the rationale for further deterioration. Among those I know with substantial recovery time, there is this constant: They tried everything before finding what worked best, which for some involves the 12 steps and for others actually rejecting them. Zealotous defendents of any one program tend to regard the trial-and-error process as avoidable and its painful lessons unecessary; increasingly, I view it as part of the larger recovery process. A common misperception of AA is that its members endorse a strict interpretation of the 12 steps and do not tolerate different and in some cases conflicting interpretations of them. That has not been my experience in AA. For those who command any therapeutic authority in the field to promote an inflexibly uniform approach to recovery before researchers achieve a far more scientific and comprehensive understanding of human psychology is reckless and ignorant of the subtleties and complexity of the problem at hand.

finally, concrete solutions to emotional eating.......2007-03-31

This spring I read everything I could find on emotional eating, and found this book to be by far the most helpful. It offers a way to reflect upon the problem and to design a system to deal with it, step by step. Nonjudgmental, and value based, I found this book enormously helpful in terms of solutions and concrete steps to take to change behavior. Perhaps there are other books along these lines, but this was so refreshing compared to books by Geneen Roth, Evelyn Tribole, and Dilia de la Altagracia, which were brilliant at defining problems, but a bit vague on solution. And that is why I gave it five stars.

Help for addicts and their families.......2006-11-03

This book describes very well the problems of an addict and their loved ones and offers solutions

High Bottom Drunk: A Novel...and the Truth about Addiction & Recovery

Average customer rating:

Excellent reading on alcoholisms impact
High Bottom Drunk
Worth a look
Readable for everyone

High Bottom Drunk: A Novel...and the Truth about Addiction & Recovery
Charles N. Roper
Manufacturer: Small Change Publishing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0967752906

Book Description

In the tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous, High Bottom Drunk: A Novel...and the Truth about Addiction & Recovery melds three stories (what it was like, what happened, and what it's like now) together into one extraordinary tale of addiction and recovery.

"What it was like" chronicles Steve Campbell's downward slide toward his alcoholic/addict "bottom." Along the way, this so-called "golden boy" loses his Midas touch, but not his staunch denial.

"What happened" patiently watches Steve hit that bottom hard enough to crack his denial and offer him an honest look at himself. Steve hitting bottom is not a pretty sight, but it's very, very real.

"What it's like now" follows Steve's upward climb toward recovery and spiritual redemption. Though rocky and painful in spots, his journey is remarkable and quite beautiful.

Because High Bottom Drunk does not fit neatly in any particular writing genre, it has been given many labels. Of those, "Historical Self-help Fiction" best describes this exceptional work.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent reading on alcoholisms impact.......2007-06-08

I really enjoyed beginning to read this book. It was very informative and made smooth easy reading. However, evidently some other drunk needed to read it more than me and stole my damn book. Will have to order another one because it is definitely worth finishing!

High Bottom Drunk.......2006-08-09

A good read!
Recommend this book to anyone interested in this subject matter.

Worth a look.......2000-08-01

If you poke around in the introduction, you'll find that this book, all 464 pages, actually started out as a case study. More accurately, Roper is used to writing case studies about his mostly alcoholic an addicted clients, and his academic background shows through, which can make for heavy going.

What it shows, however, is what it's like to be a high bottom drunk - someone who hasn't lost all before they begin recovery. All the muddled thinking is there - all the rationalizations - all the self-pity along the choppy road to success. What it lacks is the tension and plotting I, at least, have come to expect from a book labeled 'novel.' Instead we have the rambling story of Steve, our drunk, coupled with Roper's rather heavy prose.

Steve's difficulty with some Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and love of other AA groups will be recognizable to anyone who has attending such meetings - and this too is worth knowing. But, and this is important, High Bottom Drunk gives an accurate and complete picture of what actually goes on in the head of a young man struggling with sobriety.

As a woman, I found this fascinating and sometimes discouraging, but worth wading through.

I also suspect any non-addict trying to understand an addict would benefit from reading this - if not every word, than scanning.

Of course, anyone who is going through the same struggle will be relieved to find they are not alone - and that's worthwhile too.

Readable for everyone.......2000-03-30

Dr. Roper has not only thoroughly covered the subject, as the expert that he is, but he has made it effortlessly readable for everyone. Reading and learning about alcoholism and addiction has never been easier. With no text book jargon to wade through, this is an insiders view for everyone.

The Truth About Alcohol (Truth About Series)

Average customer rating:

The Truth About Alcohol (Truth About Series)

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The Absolute Truth About Alcohol and Alcoholism

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The Absolute Truth About Alcohol and Alcoholism
J. Logan Duff
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Under the Influence: A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism

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Do you, or a spouse, or a sibling, or a relative, or a friend, or a valued employee, have a problem with alcohol? Do you understand why and how you, or they, developed this problem? Do you understand your, or their, behavior when you or they are intoxicated? Do you know the truth about the ingredients of alcoholic beverages and how they effect the mind and body, and why? Do you know, or have any idea, what to do to help yourself or anyone else with a drinking problem? Would you like to know why alcohol remains inexpensive, easily obtainable, highly advertised, and even socially acceptable when it causes so much harm in people's lives? Would you like to know the unsugarcoated truth about alochol and alcoholism?

A Gentleman Drunk: The Truth About Alcoholism

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A Gentleman Drunk: The Truth About Alcoholism
Jeffrey Taylor
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0972704728

Book Description

A Gentleman Drunk : The Truth About Alcoholism describes the daily struggles and joys that alcoholics will experience on their journey to recovery. Told in the first person, the author recalls his first year in an alcoholic recovery program without going into diatribes and drunkalogues. It is humourous and designed to show other alcoholics that anyone can recover from the disease of alcoholism. If you think you have a problem with alcohol and know someone who does, than this book will help you.

Average customer rating:

nuttier than a fruit cake

Wonderful Raw and some Partial Cooked Book

Top Quality

a simply wonderful book

info mercial in print -- worthless info

Jay Kordich's Live Foods - Live Bodies
Jay Kordich , and Linda Kordich
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Green for Life

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Discover how to create your own Living Kitchen, prepare Super Salads in just minutes, lose weight, and break free from addictive foods and negative thinking! Changing from the inside out is the key to transforming your life. Teaching from experience, Linda's expertise in this subject is vast, yet very easy to incorporate.

Live Foods BUILD Live Bodies!
• Learn how to prepare living food meals in minutes
• Learn how to build what the Kordich's' call Your Own Living Kitchen
• Discover the secrets to enzymes - the answer to superior digestion.
• Take Jay's quick three day cleansing diet to jump start your life.
• Journey with Jay as he takes us through his top 12 secret juice recipes he has been using for close to 60 years.
• Use Jay and Linda's top power foods from the longest living civilizations in the world very few Americans know about.

Customer Reviews:

nuttier than a fruit cake.......2007-04-20

Jay Kordich "the juiceman" is the bat s^%t crazy guy from the infomercials!! In fact, it is quit frightening how he is always yelling (probably to be heard over his juicer). My question is why drink the concentrated fructose that is in juice when you can just eat the fruit and get all the fiber and "flavinoids" and whatnot without drinking concentrated forms of sugar. Juicing is dead, eating right is the way to go, and by the way, a greasy burger once in a while is great too.

Wonderful Raw and some Partial Cooked Book.......2007-03-31

I spent months in the library looking at raw food books.

When I saw this one in Barnes and Nobles I knew I had to have it!

It has every food combination beautiful colour photos and instructions

and wonderful recipes like raw mango pie, or strawberry or what ever

fruit you want to use. The crust is made from raw sunflower seeds and

and dates. It was delicious and that is just one recipe. Easy to make

no crazy hard to find ingredients.

Great Book buy it you won't be disappointed and I bought it from Amazon.

Top Quality.......2006-08-04

This book provides wonderful information and recipes for a vibrant healthy raw diet! Delicious and you'll be amazed how great you feel and look!

a simply wonderful book.......2006-03-26

I don't know what the previous reviewer is talking about, but this book is beautiful, wonderful and incredibly informative. I love Jay Kordich and he speaks the truth -- as his book shows -- it's all about fresh foods and sensible eating. The recipes in the book are fantastic. This book is even better than his "Power of Juicing" book. A classic.

info mercial in print -- worthless info.......2006-03-15

I don't recommend this book. If you remember Kordichs informercials, you know all about the "Juiceman's" claims that juicing solves basically every health problem under the sun,and how eating 'dead'foods like meat is awful. A bunch of bunk!

Juiceman ... this greasy burger is for you!

Average customer rating:

Live Foods Live Bodies
Jay Kordich
Manufacturer: Kordich House Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0974921211

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