What drives someone to become a success? Why do people persevere when the odds are against them? Is there a secret to becoming successful? The best way to find out is to interview people who have been there, and done that, who have spent their lives in a pursuit of success in one form or another. And that's exactly what Burt Prelutsky has done in this amazing collection of interviews. The top people of yesterday and today offer their insights into their success and into their lives. In a conversational style, these easy-to-read interviews explore the minds and lives of 78 different celebrities, businessmen, titans of industry, entertainers, and entrepreneurs, all who have achieved the pinnacle of success in their fields. For many like Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Dinah Shore, and Billy Wilder these were the last interviews they gave, making this a truly unique collection of interviews. The book, which reads like a light, breezy magazine article, is a compilation of questions and answers. Prelutsky explores everything from favorite books, to feelings about politics, to questions we've all wanted to ask any of these favorite celebrities. It's a fascinating look at the great minds and talents of yesterday and today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Burt Prelutsky is an award-winning writer, political pundit, humor columnist, author and movie critic. He's written for the L. A. Times, New York Times, Washington Times, TV Guide, Modern Maturity, Emmy, Holiday, American Film and Sports Illustrated. During his career as a television writer he wrote for shows such as Dragnet, McMillian & Wife, M*A*S*H, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Bob Newhart, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Family Ties, The Rockford Files, Diagnosis Murder, Pensacola, and a whole host of TV movies. He's also author of "Conservatives Are from Mars, Liberals Are from San Francisco," published by WND. Visit his blog at burtprelutsky.com. REVIEWS OF THE BOOK ..".Burt Prelutsky's done us a terrific favor. He's given us an inside look at some extraordinary people. And he's done it in a light-hearted, deft and dandy way that brings us smiles and laughter along with the insights we're all looking for. " -Neale Donald Walsch INTERVIEWS INCLUDED IN THE BOOK MARTY ALLEN, STEVE ALLEN, ARMY ARCHERD BEA ARTHUR, ED ASNER, TED BALESTRERI PETER BART, JEFF BERG, MICHAEL BERMAN, JAY BERNSTEIN, WILLIAM PETER BLATTY, HARLAND BRAUN, SID CAESAR, SAMMY CAHN, STEPHEN J. CANNELL, GEORGE CARLIN, JOHN CATOIR, LIONEL CHETWYND, WARD CONNERLY, JACKIE COOPER, DOMINICK DUNNE, LINDA EVANS, JAMIE FARR, BERTRAM FIELDS, EILEEN FORD, GERALD FORD, SUSAN FORWARD, LARRY GELBART, BERNARD GOLDBERG, J.PETER GRACE, FRED HAYMAN, MERRILL HEATTER, JERRY HERMAN, DAVID HOROWITZ, MICHAEL JOSEPHSON, CASEY KASEM, DAVID E. KELLEY, GENE KELLY, VICTOR KIAM, JUDITH KRANTZ, NORMAN LEAR, MICHELE LEE, JACK LEMMON ART LINKLETTER, JAY LIVINGSTON, BOB LURIE, PETER MAGOWAN, HENRY MANCINI, ANDREA MARCOVICCI, MICHAEL MEDVED, RUSS MEYER, MELANIE MORGAN, RANDY NEWMAN JULIE NEWMAR, GARY OWENS, RONN OWENS, MAX PALEVSKY, ROBERT B. PARKER, DENNIS Prager, GEORGE ROBERTS, GINGER ROGERS, PAT SAJAK, G.DAVID SCHINE, LIZABETH SCOTT, CAROLYN SEE, DINAH SHORE, ROGER L. SIMON, JO STAFFORD, JEAN STAPLETON, LEONARD STERN, JACK VALENTI, DICK VAN PATTEN, HENRY WAXMAN, JESSE WAYNE, LEIGH WIENER, BILLY WILDER, PAUL WILLIAMS, BEATRICE WOOD

Like pebbles dropped in a pond, our simplest acts of courage, love, and faith can create ripples that extend far beyond our own sphere. In Ripples of Joy, Cheryl Kirking has compiled true, funny, poignant stories from her own experience and from people in all walks of life who have learned how one instance of giving or receiving kindness can influence the lives of many. Contributors include Fred Rogers, James Robinson, Florence Littauer and others. A wonderful "pick up and read" book for yourself or as the perfect gift to anyone who has had a positive ripple effect in your life!

By blending the traditional elements of the worship service with African Americanculture, Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan once again provides a practical resource for planningmore of the special Sundays that congregations celebrate throughout theyear.
More African American Special Days contains fifteen services forspecial occasions, including: Pastor 's Day, Men 's Day, Women 's Day, Mother 's Day, Father 's Day, Kwanzaa, M.L. King, Jr. Day, Watch Night, Usher 's Day, Homecoming/Family Reunion, Deacon s/Steward 's Day, Deaconess/Stewardess Day, YouthRite of Passage, Board of Christian Education, and Women 's Missionary SocietyDay.

Mary Had a Baby: An Advent Bible Study Based on African American Spirituals, written by Marilyn E. Thornton with material from the first edition by Cheryl Kirk-Duggan. Mary Had a Babyhas four sessions, one for each week of Advent, and is perfect for small groups, Sunday school, midweek sessions, and choir workshops. Each lesson includes Scripture, song lyrics, devotional and contextual information, and discussion questions to stimulate deepening faith and a sense of community. The book includes leader helps. The four spirituals featured in Mary Had a Baby are "Mary Had a Baby," "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow," "Children, Go Where I Send Thee, " and "Go, Tell It on the Mountain." A mp3 file of the four songs is available free with purchase of the study.