I have toyed and struggled with the thought of compiling this book for a long time; almost 35 years, in fact. Since graduating from West Point in 1974, I have visited over forty countries in my military and business career. Everywhere Ive been I have looked for articles or stories that I could include in this book. Many short stories came from friends and sources marked -Unknown. This book is dedicated to young people everywhere and written for their benefit. I realize that many young people today would rather buy a CD or DVD rather than a guidebook or an owners manual- a book about how to improve their lives from just an average Joe. Some young people will only get this book if a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or probation officer gives it to them as a gift. I hope it is a gift worth keeping and sharing. Today, young people struggle with finding good examples of role models. My first role model was David Cortez while attending Rhodes Junior High School in San Antonio, Texas. David was a ninth grader and our Student Council President. He helped me with my successful political campaign to be the next Student Council Secretary. I thought David walked on water. David came from a strong family. He was smart, athletic, and good-looking. He had a beautiful girlfriend. Davids story has a sad ending. He went on to Jefferson High, where he also excelled. He married his girlfriend- the girl of his dreams. A few years later, she tragically died in a car accident. Not much later in life, David, still a widower, died of a mysterious illness, leaving behind two young daughters. Parents should be their own kids role models, but sometimes we, too, fall short of setting the good example for our kids. Parents lose credibility and respect because, from their kids perspective, it seems like we were never young and rebellious. HELLO!!! We were. It is hard to believe, but we were and it was tough back then, too. It may actually be harder now in many ways- more distractions, more toys, more peer pressure, more drugs, more gang violence, more graffiti, more sexual promiscuity, more TV, more video games and cyberspace but less family interaction and influence. Teachers, who genuinely care about their students future success, are also rare. Teachers can be excellent role models and I applaud anyone who goes into this most honorable profession. In the business world, prudence is ignored and now takes a backseat to personal gain at any cost, recklessness, corruption and greed in some of our largest banks and corporations. In politics, the candidates tell the electorate whats popular rhetoric: who can be against better healthcare for all, better education for our children, and a strong defense. Once elected or defeated they find it difficult to work with the opposition for the benefit of our communities and nation. Todays politicians are no longer statesmen but socialists bent on ridiculous spending programs and bailouts of mismanaged banks, companies and corrupt governments around the world at an exorbitant cost to American taxpayers. Having said all this, I am still optimistic about our country and about many of our youth and their positive impact on our society and our world. I wish I could say that I am optimistic about all of them, but unfortunately, it will be just a few of them that will make a difference. But these few will be the leaders of tomorrow, the peacemakers, the inventors, the farmers, the space explorers, the scientists, the teachers and the caregivers that will make all the difference in our world. Their answers to our worlds problems and challenges will come from within- from a strong sense of leadership, character and responsibility, self-discipline; and respect for self, the unborn, the elderly, religious freedoms, strong families, authority and the environment. This book attempts to inspire & motivate more of to

Are you an Average Joe or Plain Jane who feels trapped by your current circumstances and in search for more out of life? If you are than Average Joe’s Story is your story. Average Joe’s Story is the real time account of Christopher L. Hedges, aka Average Joe, as he fights his way free from the adversity that has ensnared him. Like you Average Joe’s views were shaped at a young age; but his experiences were uncommon. Average Joe’s real world life experiences are those of Hollywood fantasy, and like any epic story Average Joe is confronted by great adversity. We are all given opportunities in life and the decisions we make determine where we go, how long it takes us to get there, and how painful the journey can be. Sometimes you may need to take monstrous steps backwards in order to have the chance to trek your way up to the summit of success. Average Joe knows from first hand experience that when you peel away enough layers there is little difference between an oil baron and a gas station attendant. Which would you prefer to be? Take a journey with Average Joe from as bad as it gets to where you want to be. If you are looking for directions to something better than this is an Quest you need to experience. Point A is where you currently find yourself. Take the trip with Average Joe to Point B, where you want to be. Average Joe is waiting for you. Do you have the courage to join him at the top?

Charm is the ultimate social lubricant. It puts people at ease and soothes tensions in any situation. Charm can stop feuds, create friendships, and even spread joy. It's what makes people laugh and want to be around you. With enough charm, you'll move forward in academia, achieve business success, and enjoy happier, more satisfying relations with loved ones. The Machiavellian's Guide to Charm breaks down the individual components of the sometimes elusive trait of charm and reveals the secret to putting it to work for you. With his unique brand of humor, author Nick Casanova delivers examples of how different personalities-a stiff, a boor, and a charmer-would react in various situations and shows you how to harness the power of charm by focusing on five key elements: Flattery Empathy Self-deprecation Humor Calmness It's entirely possible for anyone to master the art of charm. The principles outlined in The Machiavellian's Guide to Charm are timeless and can be tailored to fit every individual.

The first book to go beyond the scandal and distraction of the world's most infamous local politician, and reveal what drives Rob Ford and the many voters who steadfastly support him. Eye-opening and at times frightening, The Only Average Guy cuts through the uproar that followed Ford everywhere. A journalist before entering politics, Filion peels back the layers of an extremely complicated man. Weaving together the personal and political stories, he explains how Ford's tragic weaknesses helped propel him to power before leading to his inevitable failure. Through Ford, the book also explains the growing North American phenomenon by which angry voters are attracted to outspoken candidates flaunting outrageous flaws. For fifteen years, Toronto city councillor John Filion has had an uncommon relationship with Rob Ford. Sitting two seats away from the wildly unpredictable councillor from Etobicoke, who served as mayor from 2010 to 2014, Filion formed an unlikely camaraderie that allowed him to look beyond Rob's red-faced persona, seeing a boy still longing for the approval of his father, struggling with the impossible expectations of a family that fancied itself a political dynasty.

The "Address" to the nation was once about the true state of our nation and was based on true statistics and situations. Now, a nation of disenfranchised constituents who realize we are being misled by our government and that our liberties are now in jeopardy. The constitution is being ignored to further the agenda of Socialism, in our country. This "State of the Union" address is more about the truth pertaining to the state of our economy, our families and our faith, written by an average guy with some common sense. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to The Wounded Warriors Project, on behalf of Spec. Joshua Lee Plocica---- DOB 10/18/1988 and KIA 06/25/2008.

A Far-From-Average Sports Book for the Average Joe Go beyond the 24/7 online highlights and celebrate the hilarious humor and heartwarming heroics of the sports world in this all-star collection of trivia, quotes, and anecdotes. For example... Did You Know? The Chicago Bears were originally known as the Staleys before being moved from Decatur, Illinois. The Decatur Staleys, as the team was known, was the pride of the city that holds the motto, "The Soybean Capital of the World." Houston Astros infielder Julio Gotay played every game with a cheese sandwich in his back pocket. Others had less cheesy items in their back pockets. Pitcher Sean Burnett had a poker chip in his, while pitcher Al Holland opted for a two-dollar bill. While accepting his NBA MVP award in 2014, basketball star Kevin Durant focused his remarks on his mother, Wanda Pratt. "The odds were stacked against us, a single parent with two boys by the time you were 21 years old," Durant said. "You made us believe, you kept us off the street, put clothes on our backs, food on the table. When you didn't eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry; you sacrificed for us. You're the real MVP." Packed with incredible facts, quirky moments, and heart-warming stories, The Average Joe's Super Sports Almanac will delight fans of all ages and makes a great gift for the sports buff in your life - whether superfan or average Joe.

An Average Joes Pursuit for Financial Freedom offers a different perspective on money than what is traditionally taught by our parents and in our school systems. The reason there is such a discrepancy between the wealthy and the poor is due to the difference in the way money is perceived. We are not born with the ability to maintain wealth: it is something that is learned. The knowledge of knowing how to make money work to generate passive income is something that anyone can learn as long as they are disciplined. An Average Joes Pursuit for Financial Freedom is based on practical concepts and discusses the problems that the majority of us face with our personal finance. The concepts in this book are based on theory by an author that practices what he writes about.

My poems are all about the things we all see, hear, feel and experience as human beings. Full of emotions and tensions that drive our lives and our existence. My poems are about what I experience and feel and what I go through in life.

The social landscape has radically changed over the past fifty years. Christians were once respected, sought out, and trusted. Now we are blamed, marginalized, and viewed with suspicion. In this book, David Rietveld explains what, how, and why this has happened, in a way that the average person can understand. He begins with Christendom, where both Christians and non-Christian held shared beliefs and values. He explains the church's role, and how evangelism and discipleship worked in that era. He then tracks the changes that have occurred and clarifies what and why things are now different. Insightful, broad explanations are illustrated by real-life examples, and woven together so that readers can see the patterns in the new twenty-first-century Western landscape. If you are seeking a thoughtful overview of what is going on in our world and how this relates to being a Christian in a local church, this book is a great introduction.