The Long Hard Road Out of Hell by Marilyn Manson and Neil Strauss (Paperback 1999)

"I wanna live, I wanna love,

but it's a Long Hard Road Out of Hell..."

     - Marilyn Manson

     When I read this quite a few years back, I wasn't a huge Marilyn Manson fan at all. Rather than admit I'm not as cool as the other dopplegangers, I will admit that I grew to acquire a taste for the whole package that Marilyn and the boys bring to the table. This one not only spent an unexpected amount of time on the national bestsellers list, it was the text that won over a world wide audience because of its clever use of photomontage combined with a collection of dairy like glimpses into Marilyn Manson as a personage, an artist, a band, and a commercially calculated production for the masses.
     In this age when print is giving way to digital media, this was an unusually artistic piece of pop culture literature, if you have never seen this book...at least open it up and admire the amount of hours spent in photoshop and illustrator just doing the text layouts. When released it was state of the art and expensive to print I have no doubt, being printed in a combination of black & white / with gradient color undertoning for the cover art.

     This book is co-authored with Neil Strauss, who is a master of the biography genre, Strauss's name may encourage some literary readers to give it a whirl. As good as any reason to be able to say you read it and not because you are  a Manson fan. In the genre of  autobiography this is a modern masterpiece and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes reading about life in the fastlane with rock mythology. 

     "One doesn't usually think of rock stars as insightful, but, against all odds, glam-trash superstar Marilyn Manson has written a book that is actually an intelligent look at growing up. This autobiographical bildungsroman brings out the creepiest aspects of childhood, conveying the terror and fascination that young Marilyn (then called Brian) felt when looking through his grandfather's pornography, getting his first French kiss, and being taunted by the girls he wanted to "date." Manson has the benefit of having grown up as an outcast and loser and then having become a star without forgetting what he went through. This gives him an incredibly broad perspective, which he brings to bear on his ordinary life in order to convey the more potent and frightening moments that shaped him into the pale-skinned weirdo that the Christian Right loves to hate. Best of all, Manson is shockingly honest, and portrays himself as occasionally stupid, self-centered, over-sensitive, ignoble, and, mostly, highly fallible and human. It's a long way from the auto-hagiographies that other stars have written, and it's easily one of the best reads in celebrity bio." --James DiGiovanna (Amazon.com)

     Here is just a sampling of what the wider press and reveiws of the day had to say about Manson's book...and not the pendullum swining between dislike and jumping on the bandwagon to not alienate the younger readers and their music idol.

     "Makes Madonna's infamous SEX seem downright wholesome by comparison." -- Elle

     "Repulsive...well-written and uncommonly addictive." -- Chicago Sun-Times

     "Fascinating, sleazy account of his coming of age and ascent into damnation." -- Us

     "If the Marquis De Sade had a son in a hard-rock band who wrote a book, this would be the book." -- Christian Science Monitor
     The book has plenty of fun and mayhem for the kids. Included in its pages are memoirs of the Antichrist Superstar tour. With many noteworthy momments that come to mind in reflection. Such as a question and answer quiz to determine of you are a drug addict, a backstage story about how a singer can get so bored on tour that he decides giving fellatio to his band mates is a good time killer, and why you should never listen to music by Morrissey or the Smiths ever again. There are points of metaphysical note, schizophrenic fever, and dark comedic relief that should entertain the high and low brow alike as readers.

     But why say it with excessive words when the fans say it best themselves:
     "It's good for anyone who reads. If you hate him, this book will educate you on why you're an idiot.

If you hate his music but like his ideas, then this would be a good read. " - Lori A. Yoder , USA

     "The Long Hard Road Out of Hell reveals that Marilyn Manson is not a product of his environment. Everything that you believe about him is the result of a carefully calculated plan to become the world's most shocking musical and visual artist. " - Nadeem Muaddi , Washington DC

     "If you're unfamiliar with the genius of his music the book is still worth reading; if you're unfamiliar with the use of recreational products then you may miss some of the more salient points." - Edmund Zielinski, Kosovo

And I leave you with these two last quotes that made me laugh as they were unexpected perspectives to find.

     "I will probably give him a hug if I ever meet him just not caring what he has become." -  J.R. Key, GA

     "I bought this book for my son and he loved it. I decided to read about this strange man and enjoyed it. He is really an interesting man. " - C. Wilcox, Ottawa Canada

     See Marilyn Manson is bringing families closer with every million selling copy that flies off the shelves.

(And for those who are left wanting more, or have never really experienced Marilyn Manson. Below is the YouTube window ready to play 'The Long Hard Road Out of Hell' for your viewing enjoyment. After it finishes, there are a selection of 8 more videos from the band if you like what you see. Be warned 'Hell' is a visually suggestive and somewhat disturbing video to the unprepared. But it is after all Marilyn Manson)

Long Hard Road Out of Hell 1ST Edition Signed
The Long Hard Road Out of Hell (Paperback)

The Long Hard Road Out of Hell Marilyn Manson (Hardcover)
La Larga Huida Del Infierno/ The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell (Spanish Edition)

 

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven (Paperback 1999)

"How to Wrestle Free from an Alligator: 4. If its jaws are closed on something you want to remove (for example, a limb), tap or punch it on the snout..."- quote from 'The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook'>

     I bought this in an estate sale buy a number of years back, and despite my low expectations found this to be a funny and informative read that I have to give some praise. Not many books actually impress me in their sense of humor for their subject matter.
     Upon first reading, I did literally LOL.
     I even myself bought the phone / address book edition later down the road, because I enjoyed the original 'Worst Case...' Book so much. Terrible isn't it.

     Mitchell, Leary (From the Arizona-Nevada state line). Had this to say about it on Amazon : "Wow, what a book. Contains all kinds of cool stuff I've always wanted to know. Heres a partial list of whats in the book:-How to jump from a bridge into a lake or river.-How to jump from a multi-story rooftop into a dumpster.-How to run on top of a speeding train.-How to leap from a motorcycle into moving car.-How to deliver a baby in a taxi cab.-How to land an airplane.-How to survive if your parachute fails to open.-How to survive machine gun fire from a passing car.-How to get to the surface if your scuba tank runs out of air.-How to escape quicksand (even if your up to your neck).-How to ram a car.-How to break down a door (exactly where to kick.)-How to break into and hotwire a car.-How to do a 180 degree turn with your car (also known as a bootleggers turn).-How to fight sharks, grizzly bears and mountian lions without any kind of weapons. -How to beat the living hell out of an attacking alligator (where to hit him that will stop him instantly).This is dead serious material. I have no idea why it would be in the humor section of the bookstore. Buy it, learn the material, weave some fantastic tales for the grand kids and become the family legend. I enjoyed this book so much I bought 3 copies for my 'very tough' beer drinking buddies. "

     The series of books Piven has since published appear to be in the same fun thinking vein to which readers have become accustomed. Always good for a gift, in my opinion.

    Since I actually spent money on this, I thought it would only be fair to post a good reveiw on the blog.       
    This review is going to be short and sweet, because that is what I mainly have to say about Piven's work.  Peace out.

Advertising Profits From Home by Anthony Morrison (Hardcover 2009)

Have you heard of Anthony Morrison?Well he is young and making a lot of money is one way to look at it.That he is a scam artist and owes many people back money for both his books and advice, is another way.

     There has been a very divided and two sided bit of controversy about this gentleman. This is his second book. The year 2008 sees Anthony expanding into the world of publishing with his first book, 'The Hidden Millionaire: Twelve Principles to Uncovering the Entrepreneur in You'...Part memoir, part inspirational tale and part instructional tome, The Hidden Millionaire brings Anthony Morrison s template for success to an entire new audience. In 2009 'Advertising Profits From Home' was released along with a huge infomercial campaign, a book / dvd / and special marketing system set going by the same name is released, and of course lots of press making Morrison a target for praise and antagonism.

     Now this is what the author himself ( yes I am saying that his company decided to do a review of his own book on Amazon...okay you can judge that fact for yourselves ). Here is what it says :

     "The is THE MOST AMAZING SYSTEM for making loads of money by learning how to do Affiliate Marketing on the Internet from your home computer. But in order to get the most out of it, it is best to have the whole system, which tells you on video the 3 steps on how to set up your web page in 3 Steps to Earn Fast Profits, and the 3 video set which helps you master the Internet marketing system and maximize profits. The complete system also includes 3 booklets for how to set up advertising with Google, Yahoo!, MSN, MySpace, Twitter, & Facebook (and others). This system is so great for someone who is disabled, home-bound, or works part-time, and wants an additional income. It is simply just a GREAT home business opportunity for anyone who wants to MAKE MONEY ON THE INTERNET QUICKLY!"  -  Essential Cub "Money Maker

     Now the internet is alive with a slew of anti-Morrison posts and reviews. Most of which go a little like this, in fact these two were posted in response to the self proclomation quoted above.

      "I can't BELIEVE some people have NO SHAME. (sorry couldn't help but mimic your shill) But seriously, I think there's a circle in Dante's Inferno reserved for publishers who post ad copy as a 'review'." - Anonymous, Been There Done That

     "wow, if reviewing your own product was a crime this guy would be in handcuffs right now. its so blatant. and twitter doesn't even have advertising. this is a SCAM. stay away." -  J. Payne

     Okay, only the reader can decide how to vote on the author or his work. For those who don't know much about Anthony Morrison, here is a little info about what motivated and shaped his business thinking, and what experience he has with inernet / entrprenurial ventures prior to 2009.

     "Anthony Morrison is a driven and focused online marketing mastermind who is always ahead of the crowd. Anthony launched his internet empire for a reason that many people would not expect. His venture into online revenue streams came as a result of a horrible event that sent his family into a financial crisis. While in college studying to be a doctor, Anthony's family lost their entire life savings when "WorldCom" went bankrupt and their stock value plummeted. His father, Roger Morrison, was 64 years old at the time and had no way of supporting a family of 5 people.

     Anthony wanted to help. So while in college he started his first internet business. He has since launched other internet businesses, and has been able to generate millions of dollars right from his bedroom.

     He said, "I wanted to help my family. I have always been a focused and driven person. I never that about failure or the "what if" factor. That's what I challenge many of my students to do today."- http://www.anthonymorrisontv.com/

     But there is a darkside to his promises and the book / system that he has been marketing. As this woman on http://www.youngmoney.com/ so clearly explains.

     "I just watched Anthony morrisons infomercial for the first time late last nite..I was actually sold into his “nice guy” routine..and was considering using my last little bit of money on my pre-paid debit card to purchase his books and cd…but Im a skeptic..so I decided to google him first..which brought me to his website..then I started looking at the posts of the members on his site…just to see what people were saying about his products and if they were truely making any money with this advertising profits from home…post after post I read, regarding ppl from all walks of life that read the book or were reading the book…and you know what??? 99% of the ppl who posted said pretty much the same thing…great book, but I still dont have a clue about how to make this money….or nice book but I wish there ws some sort of step by step guide on how to get started…..then i read a post that someone said he was in ca-hoots with some guy named donald barrett who is a known felon and scam artist…….which lead me to google him again, this time adding this other guys name along with it….

     Trust me when I say, I am a devils advocate about nearly everything..but I do not believe in this so called “system” that Mr. Morrison is selling anymore. I too found discrepancies in his story “time-line” of events (when he started his business, etc;) he contradicts himself several times regading info that he should know by heart if it were true.

     That old saying if it sounds too good to be true then it usually is. ..yeah….I believe whole heartedly that this applies to this so called system that Mr. Morrison is selling…..its not a system that he’s selling..its books…with a bit of added inspirational and heartfelt words to keep you encouraged and keep you reading. I DO however believe that he can inspire some of those buy into it..but its just like he said..you wont be a millionaire…." Cherie B. , VA

     Well I am not one to promote or endorse most internet based business books or programs. But in the interests of this blog, I thought it was only fair to give this book a good review from my end. I have found that it genuinely has helped me overcome my internet learning curve. It expanded my view of how to use social networking, how my internet business could benefit from affiliate advertising, taught me more about blogs, point click marketing, and google advertising - and overnight I began implementing various strategies that I had read for the first time in his book.

     The number one reason I am giving this book a positive review is simple, most books on the subject of internet marketing strategies are written very poorly and are technically so hard to understand for the novice reader that they are useless. Now I am no Black Hat, Red Hat, or really even a neo-hacker - but my internet savy is not that of the village idiot either, I find Morrison's book an easy read that you can apply its ideas simply if you follow the directions. And the book does lay out its strategy in a plan of steps that if followed do at least meet with the promises of Morrison and his corporate endorsements on TV.

     Now for the nay sayers, I am not a member of his site, nor endorsing anything except my own experience with his book and information. In fact the are other ways to find this infomation. Yet sometimes the best business advice does come from the devil himself, I advise those who want to know more about Anthony Morrison just google him. I think he gets paid when you do anyway.

For this book :

Advertising Profits From Home

Those who like this book might also want to check out :

The Hidden Millionaire: Twelve Principles to Uncovering the Entrepreneur in You

Adult Children of Alcoholics / Dysfunctional Familes (Adult Children of Alcoholics - Basic Text) by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization (Hardcover 2006)

"As recovering members of the ACA program we can begin to shape our lives based on what Rachel Carson so poignantly described: 'If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in." - Anonymous, CO
     The Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization have taken on quite an achievement in this the 2006 (aka 'Big Book / Red Book') for ACA, one that is noteworthy and likely to be historical in self-help publishing.  It has been several decades of work for this book to come together in this form. Being a work of love and hate for the Twelve Step community, A.A., Alanon, and ACA groups have long faced differences of philosophy and what is sanctioned literature for their individual groups - and like the A.A. Blue Book, or One Day at a Time for Alanon Family Groups; the ACA Big Book falls into the ranks of its predecessors in modern self-help literature.
     There are many new and old traditions being fused within this text, many having been thought radical in the early growth of the ACA movement. Yet it is not dogma or rhetoric which makes this book special and new in its genre. So rather than speak for ACA / Alanon members, I will let a few well spoken quotes from the Amazon site say it in their own words.
     "For people touched by alcoholism or family strife, this book will shed a lot of light, especially on your self. I would recomend it as reading for anyone in AA or Alanon. Be forewarned that it covers a lot of ground. Based on the 12 steps and ACA principals, it provides the path to those who are willing to look at themselves. " - M. Mclaughlin, MI

     "Every page is filled with so much information that it is more easily digested by the paragraph. Self help for Adult Children of Alcoholics. This one keeps the focus on the recovery rather than the symptoms. As relevant as the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. An inspiration for the spiritually hungry. " - L. Carter, Boston

     "The ACA "Big Book" is a must-read for anyone whose life has become unmanageable as the result of living in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family. Quote from Chapter One, page 4: "It is not uncommon for an adult child to be acting out in one or more addictions or compulsions at the same time. This 'addictiveness' is our nature as adult children." Sound familiar? Chemical dependency, alcoholism, co-dependency, workaholism, compulsive eating, sex addiction, drugs, and many other compulsive behaviors... Reading the new ACA big Book, and attending meetings, will provide many new choices and solutions." - Anonymous, CO
     "Finally the ACA crowd has created the book that no one else would...or could. To say that this book is great and astounding is putting it mildly. Many people in the world of Twelve Step meetings, if and when they read this book, are going to be in for the shock of their lives because they are going to be confronted with truths that many of them are not going to know what to do with. Many others are going to get on their knees and give thanks with tears of joy and say "finally, someone has finally told the truth." -  S. Shuman, MA

    This book explores the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in greater detail than has ever been in a single text. It has also evolved out of other ACA literature, workbooks, and brings the best ideas to the table concerning recovery. Included in this are new program relative ideas like 'The Laundry List' and 'The Solution' which will be of great interest to many - and much of ACA origin.

     Although A.A. and Alanon Family Groups has differences with some ACA ideology, there can be no denying that this is likely to be as important a piece of literature to the Blue Book and One Day at a Time (ODAAT) in retrospect - as the Koran is to the Torah and the New Testament. Yes I am willing to go out all the way on the limb to say it, just like that....this is a new look at recovery for a new millenium of readers.
     The Twelve Steps and Traditions are once again a work in progress, and of literary prowess.



Other editions :

Adult Children Alcoholic/Dysfunctional Families (Adult Children of Alcoholics - Basic Text)

Adult Children Alcoholic Dysfunctional Families

BLAKE4D

http://www.abebooks.com/bookseller/BLAKE4D

OAHSPE - Seven Books of Spiritual Wisdom by John Ballou Newbrough & David A. Cardone (Paperback 2009)

OAHSPE is a book with very signifigant ties in the New Age, esoteric Christianity and modern Occultism. It's influence is less well known than it probably should be, considering it has great bearing on the undercurrent of modern philosophic thought on Western mysticism as a whole, and also is a very huge reason for many Christian cults indirectly in the twentieth century.

     It was authored in 1882 by John Ballou (Newbrough) under the title OAHSPE, a true channeled book. It has since been published as OAHSPE; A New Bible, in the Words of Jehovih and his Angel Ambassadors, OAHSPE; A Kosmon Bible, in the Words of Jehovih and his Angel Ambassadors...and also recently as OAHSPE - Seven Books of Spiritual Wisdom. The book has a decidedly Biblical tone, so that the locals in the Bible Belt to which it was originally marketed, would be encouraged to read it. The choice of how to interpret OAHSPE is not unlike Biblical interpretations of sacred scripture, very wide open and varied with the reader and their intentions.

     This is the quote from the cover page:
"Oahspe, a new Bible in the Words of Jehovih and his Angel Embassadors. A sacred history of the dominions of the higher and lower heavens on the Earth for the past twenty-four thousand years, together with a synopsis of the cosmogony of the universe; the creation of planets; the creation of man; the unseen worlds; the labor and glory of gods and goddesses in the etherean heavens."
     Amazon describes this item as thus on their site:
"Oahspe Seven Books of Spiritual Wisdom is more than a book. It is a way of life. Filled with inspiration and spiritual truths. Oahspe is pronounced: O as in o'clock, AH as in father, SPE as in speak. Oahspe means SKY, EARTH and SPIRIT. Oahspe Seven Books of Spiritual Wisdom teaches mankind to recognize oneness with the "infinite spirit of the universe", and accept this infinite intelligence, as a guiding light and inspiration. It contains the highest ethical, moral and spiritual teachings. This book answers many questions, explaining many profound mysteries. It floods the mind of the new reader with "New Light" on subjects life and death and is a miracle in itself. " Wow that is a mouthful!
     For readers of esoteric and cryptic occult and new age literature this is assured to be of interest. OAHSPE covers many topics including but not limited to; reincarnation, the interaction of aliens with humans and human cultures, pole shift history, details the pole shift that sunk Atlantis describing why Atlantis was doomed to destruction, portents the coming pole shifts, predicting of a Planet X or the Red Star, what is called the Aftertime (with its many orphans) is described, along with the polarization of the good hearted from the selfish of mankind into different camps and why the US Government was assisted to become a democracy in the past with the influence of alien and human cultures. The Oashpe is not easy to read, due to its style, but its meaning is clear enough...to those whom are looking for an alternative outlook on sacred texts and human history.
     OAHSPE offers is the insights into New Age and occult ideas of Angelic spirit guides and this is gone into with great details. For example OASHPE descibes several levels of spiritual development in it's Glossary :
"Es'yan : A newborn spirit. When a mortal dies, and his spirit departs into Heaven, it is called an es'yan. An infant spirit.
Chaotics : Deranged angels, such as are killed in war or in anger.
Asaphs : Angels in Heaven whose office it is to receive the spirit when a mortal dies, and bear it to the place prepared for it. Their rank is next below Ashars.
Ashars : Guardian angels who are appointed over mortals, to be with them during life. They deliver the spirit in time of death into the hands of the Asapha. They also keep the record of the mortal, which is also given to the Asapha in Heaven, along with the newborn spirit, which is called an es'yan for a certain season. Ashars are next in rank to Loo'is.
Loo'is : Angels who provide the pre-natal condition for such mortal births as are designed for especial work by the Gods or Lords.
Daveas : Bad angels, spirits that deceive and tempt. A prince of liars."
     OAHSPE also has ever been acclaimed for it is prophetic and predictive as a contemporary text. Newbrough in the original editions (from the Book of Judgement) of OAHSPE, "But this shall happen unto many : leaning to speak by entrancement or by inspiration, they shall imagine themselves controlled by certain angels, when, in fact, it is only their own spirit, eliminated from the corporeal senses. Others, being influenced, shall imagine it is themselves and not an angel, whereas it is an angel speaking through them. To them, that have not experienced elimination of the spirit-self from the coporeal self, all speech is believed to be of the corporeal senses only, or of a diseased condition. For many such, even after death, will not admit they are dead, because of the darkness upon them. Let no man say that only seers and prophets and such persons as work signs and miracles are under the influence of spirits ; for even as much as these, so are other mortals under the dominion of spirits. Yea, the infidel, the disbeliever, the philosopher, the lawyer, the judge, the preacher, the fanatic, and all others, are more controlled by the spirits of the dead than by their own personal spirit."
     A new world is predicted that will have no need of managers, salesmen, lawyers, accountants, stock brokers, bankers, or soldiers...instead (in the Book of Jehovih's Kingdom on Earth) there will be needed : "Thereupon, different persons spake, and the sum of their wisdom was that there should be: A group of architects; A group of clothiers; A group of dietitians; A group of engineers; A group of manufacturers; A group of horticulturists; A group of agriculturists; A group of botanists; A group of nurses; A group of physicians; A group of artists; A group of musicians..." With the size of OAHSPE in print, it is amazing that there will be no need for a group of printing press workers and publishers still on Earth.
     Note to all potential readers, OAHSPE has many aspects, and it is to be taken with a grain of salt for most. But is a very interesting read none the less, and is a little known work for its legitimate scholars and conspiracy theorists alike. If this sounds like you're cup of tea, then please enjoy.

Other editions of Oahspe:
Oahspe; A New Bible, in the Words of Jehovih and his Angel Ambassadors.

Oashpe a New Bible in the Words of Jehov
Oahspe Seven Books of Spiritual Wisdom

Site links where you can purchase books from me

online via third party sites. To find some great dealsplease tell your friends, family, and book lovers :

Thanx for your business,

http://shops.half.ebay.com/mrluckystars

http://www.abebooks.com/bookseller/BLAKE4D

http://supercool.fastdeals.us/

                                          

http://www.mylot.com/

myLot User Profile