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Exporting Prosperity

Name: Exporting Prosperity
Author: James H. Boudreau
ISBN: 978-0989897303

WHY THE U.S. ECONOMY MAY NEVER RECOVER...

by James H. Boudreau ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 20, 2013

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A frustrated business owner offers his analysis of the problems facing the United States economy and a range of possible solutions.

In this overview of the American political economy, Boudreau’s debut work targets the trade deficit as one of the primary drivers of recent economic downturns, though government inefficiency, unreasonable consumer expectations and other factors share the blame. After leading the reader through his analysis, backed by data gathered from several government agencies, Boudreau offers his prescriptions for future growth, which include further developing solar power, renewing American commitment to buying American-made products, overhauling the political system and creating sustainable jobs that will allow the middle class to thrive. While the author often notes in textual asides that he wants to avoid political discussions in his book, libertarians will appreciate many of his recommendations. Boudreau introduces interesting concepts and ideas, like refocusing on local manufacturing, but readers may have trouble following the arguments through their unpolished presentation. Abundant quotation marks, repeated punctuation and ellipses distract (“I am not ‘talking out of both sides of my mouth’ by here pointing the finger at a ‘nebulous entity’ ”; “What about all those people that aren’t working, that cannot qualify for unemployment??? What about those people that have exhausted their benefits???”), and many authorial comments seem more suited to a rough draft than a finished book (“blah, blah, blah...I have an MBA and can do the same math”; “OK, the sarcasm may be a bit ‘over the top,’ but having experienced first-hand the ineffectiveness, ineptness and total waste of space of these departments, I chose to exercise my 1st Amendment rights...”). The author is clearly passionate about his subject, but his enthusiasm often inhibits the creation of a logical and well-written argument. An unpolished economic prescription for the United States based on data, speculation and anecdotes.

Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2013

ISBN: 978-0989897303

Page Count: 102

Publisher: NanoShoppes.com

Review Posted Online: Jan. 7, 2014

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

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NUTCRACKER

by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996

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This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996

ISBN: 0-15-100227-4

Page Count: 136

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
by E.T.A. Hoffmann ; adapted by Natalie Andrewson ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER
by E.T.A. Hoffmann & illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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TO THE ONE I LOVE THE BEST

EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF LADY MENDL (ELSIE DE WOLFE)

by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955

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An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.