From a five star review:
“This book is a true recounting of what it was like to fly training aircraft, both prop and jet. The anxieties of both daily danger and lurking Viet Nam duty made for some tenseness in the life. But nothing is more exciting than high speed, high G-force air to air combat in identical aircraft except maybe high speed, low altitude terrain following flights over west Texas.”
The riveting story of a young man caught in the crosshairs of the Vietnam conflict. Freshly out of ROTC, a virtuous Ensign German signed up for the Navy Seal program with fine intentions and an infantile lack of good sense. Starting his career with this poorly considered decision would lead to a year on a backwater Destroyer, relegated to a humiliating stint as Laundry and Morale officer. One wintry day among the swells off San Clemente Island, the clouds parted for an auspicious moment.
A sleek and speedy emissary from the heavens appeared with a roar. For a split-second, a brilliant light flickered upon its grey fuselage and illuminated the Star Insignia of our vaunted U.S. Armed Forces. His once murky future had in that instant, acquired an ambitious objective. “What if I could become a Navy pilot?
The answer was yes. During a year filled with peril, excitement and more than one heart-stopping romantic encounter, German inched toward his goal. Little did he realize that his mission to win the coveted “Wings of Gold” would put his own life at risk, expose his weaknesses and test his propensity for living toward the edge. Embarrassing stumbles are fully described, as is the subsequent artful plan to attain an elite position in his squadron. The essence of this book? Moving past failure.
Bill- I just finished reading the book and I think this may be your best yet!!!!! I can’t wait for the next!! Write faster.
...Connie R., Houston
Comment from a participant:
While I am nowhere near done I can fully appreciate the talent you exhibit - I love your style and the humor you inject makes an already intriguing read even more palatable. Yours is an "I can't put it down" book.
Did I skip ahead a bit? Perhaps and if I did, I might have rediscovered that moment in time when two people shared a very special relationship - which - at least on one of their parts - has surpassed that moment and will always linger in her being.
Again thank you for that dear author.
Here’s your chance to step into the shoes of a worldly-wise man, to ingest his exciting life experience from the comfort of your recliner.
The author has not been down in a coal mine, nor journeyed to the moon. He has been to jail, but not to prison. He has embraced the proper 9 to 5 routine of a businessman, while simultaneously enjoying the romantic nightlife of a roue.
He was comfortable at the controls of a supersonic jet aircraft, strapped into a rocket-propelled ejection seat, sucking up oxygen to cure his hangover. He has island-hopped through the Bahamas sitting next to his demented student pilot friend Blake.
A semi-biographical book with the boring stuff omitted. How many troubling incidents can befall one man in his foolhardy life? You won’t believe half of these shenanigans. Lavishly illustrated.
Warning. Contents may be too strong for gentle readers.
From a five star review:
“Very straightforward, great insight into successfully navigating one's way into the business of architecture. Must read for those transitioning from acadamia to the world of employment.”
A valuable resource to contemplate initially and keep handy as a reference to revisit over time. Well written and illustrated!
"This is a book to buy, study and then use as a reference throughout your career. Mr. German has openly shared his formula for getting ahead in any architecture firm, large or small. Immerse yourself in fascinating tales of inner office machinations. Read about the successes and failures of a professional driven to make himself and his firm an undeniable center of creativity, competitiveness and profitability. The use of clear and simple language is a pleasant surprise coming from a pragmatic and successful practitioner of almost 40 years. Recommended for all levels, interns to proprietors—designers, managers, and those in the trenches."
Sound intriguing? There are many more riveting tales scattered throughout the book itself. Check the Contents, place your order and polish up those reading glasses.
A smallish book with good advice.
Are you interested in upgrading your person-to-person communication skills? Are you willing to invest a little effort in learning a new language?
Mr. German is a retired architect who recognized early in his career that the building of client relationships was a huge benefit to his business. Yet, he says, none of what he describes as “The Tools of Success” were taught in his seven years in college. This giant omission in his education inspired him to write his first book: Architect Survival Guide.
What, Me Happy? is his fifth book, and again focuses on interactive relationships.
Inside this well-researched tome are the many Personality Enhancements he recommends to re-focus your career, your life, on a proven path to personal prosperity.
Included is advice on cementing friendships, adding new friends, aging gracefully, and acquiring the happiness you deserve. Will it take some effort on your part? Will you need to learn to become a listener, to pay attention to what you wear in public? Are you up to taking a chance on pushing yourself? Are you an introvert, happy within yourself, yet looking to improve your interpersonal skills?
The fun thing about this book? As you ingest these concepts, you will discover a plethora of tips and tricks that you can put to the test. Using the techniques and watching them work will bring a big smile to your face.
Ever wanted to be more popular? More likeable. Even charismatic?
Need a dose of Happiness?
You’ll find what you need to make progress starting right around this cover. It’s an easy read. Skip around if you wish, it’s meant to be a self-helper.
Amazon discounts my books quite often.
FIRST a hearty "happy thanksgiving" holiday wish from us - to you and your household there on a beautiful hill in Colorado Springs.
We are good here in north central Arkansas - digging out from the leaves coming down from our oak-ash-pine-elm-walnut woods... and generally enjoying life. I write specifically about "Hardly in Harm's Way"... and the impact it is having around the world.
A few years ago - I gifted a copy to a close friend here in the neighborhood - a fellow pilot whom I often meet for lunch and other activities around the airport. He mentioned this week that he had finally picked up your book - and started to read it. He enjoyed it very much - especially the first section on the circumstances around entering the military - the attempt at "SEAL" training - and subsequent rebound to the highest levels of Naval Aviation as an IP.
He specifically asked me to contact you and relay how much he enjoyed the book - how entertaining it was - and how much he looks forward to finishing through the "technical stuff" and Parts X forward. This guy is not easily impressed by anything (a PhD in education and a former university professor - has built his own airplane from a kit (a Zenith STOL type) - that he hangars near my ..now Cessna 182T at our local county airport.
... and he founded the www.leadingedgeaviationfoundation.org that continues to expand aerospace/aviation industry career opportunities for youth in our area.
So it makes me particularly proud to be the recipient of several autographed copies of this master work that you describe as - your "second book, but not my last."... and follow that with the statement "I am certain it will entertain you." Apparently you were right!
Good job, Bill... I wish I had been in your high school class, instead of two years behind.
Best wishes, Gere G., Arkansas. (retired AirForce pilot and former HS classmate from the last century)
See endorsement at bottom!
