|
Publications
Rave Reviews of our Publications
What
others say about our publications
Common Sense Rules of
Advocacy, by Keith Evans
Congressional Deskbook,
by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider
Congressional Operations Poster
Legislative Drafter's Deskbook,
by Tobias Dorsey
Lobbying and Advocacy,
by Deanna Gelak
Media Relations
Handbook, by Bradford Fitch
Persuading Congress,
by Joseph Gibson
Real
World Research Skills, by Peggy Garvin
Testifying Before
Congress,
by William N. LaForge
By Michael L. Koempel and
Judy Schneider
Contributing Authors: Eugene Boyd, Peggy Garvin, Bill Heniff
Jr., Henry Hogue
 |
2006
Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist |
"The Deskbook is a highly readable,
timely and comprehensive resource on Congressional
operations and procedures. It is a consistently
reliable tool for any student of Congress and any
legislative practitioner, regardless of their level of
experience."
-- Martin B. Gold,
Covington & Burling,
Washington, DC
"The
Congressional Deskbook is almost too good to be true.
The breadth and depth of its coverage of Congress and of
the institution's innumerable rules and practices are
truly extraordinary. Most importantly, such
detail is presented in an exceedingly accessible and
efficient fashion. I have no doubt that the Deskbook
will become an indispensable teaching tool and reference
volume in my teaching and research pursuits."
-- Sarah Binder,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Political Science,
The George
Washington University
"It is hard to imagine an interested
citizen or policy practitioner who would not learn something
from the Congressional Deskbook."
-- Steve
Frantzich, Professor,
Department of Political Science,
U.S. Naval Academy
"The Congressional Deskbook is
a treasure trove of practical information on the U.S.
Congress. It can be used effectively as a basic text on the
operations of the legislative branch and as a reference guide
for answers to simple and complex questions about the first
branch of government. An essential resource for those working
within, reporting on, lobbying, or just trying to understand
our very complicated and essential national legislature."
-- Thomas E.
Mann, W. Averell
Harriman Chair and Senior Fellow,
The Brookings Institutionn
The Congressional Deskbook is
perfect for anyone who wants to understand how Congress
works. It is concise, clarion clear and comprehensive all at
once. It is spare and crisp -- but it never oversimplifies. It is written in
lay language, but it never 'dumbs it down.' The Congressional Deskbook is
a unique tool, one that I use regularly"
-- David Hawkings,
Senior Editor, Congressional Quarterly
"The Congressional
Deskbook puts between two covers what would take
most people hundreds of hours to track down separately
(let alone decipher). It pulls it all together by using
concrete examples and documents to make things easily
understandablee--no mean feat given the labyrinthine
ways of Congress."
-- Don
Wolfensberger,
Former staff director, House Rules Committeee
"The Congressional
Deskbook is the perfect one-stop reference tool for
anyone seeking information on the legislative branch
of government. Beyond the valuable information about how
Congress works and how bills become laws, the
Congressional Deskbook takes the reader inside the
Capitol, explaining the customs and power structuree.
If you want to know how House and Senate leaders are
chosen or if you are searching for a list of those who
have lain in state or in Honor in the Capitol Rotunda or
how federal spending decisions are made, this reference
book has all that plus more."
-- Gebe Martinez,
Reporter covering Congress and politics, The Houston Chronicle
"I first
came across the Congressional Deskbook in the spring of
2004 and can't imagine getting along without it in the
future. The Deskbook contains an amazing amount
of highly useful information for anyone who deals with
Congress or wants to fully understand its workings.
It has clear and pertinent information on legislative
procedure and organization, how to contact members of
Congress, committees, and subcommittees, and includes a
chapter on the budget process, a chapter on "How to
Monitor and Research Congress," and a comprehensive
glossary of legislative terms. The Congressional
Deskbook is of great value to academicians, public
administrators at all levels of government, politically
engaged citizens, lobbyists, and policy advocates. I
know of no other book that explains the people,
politics, policy, and procedures of Congress so
completely, clearly, and skillfully. The authors are
to be commended and thanked for giving us an all-in-one-place fabulous guide to Congress."
-- David H. Rosenbloom,
Distinguished
Professor of Public Administration, School of Public
Affairs, American University
"The
Congressional Deskbook is an excellent and user-friendly
compilation of helpful information about Congress that
provides valuable insight into the legislative processes on
Capitol Hill. I use it in my government relations practice,
and it is required reading in the graduate school course I
teach on business representation and lobbying."
-- William LaForge,
Winstead Sechrest & Minick,
Washington, DC
"A
valuable, detailed, and highly functional synthesis of
information about the legislative branch. Summing Up:
Highly recommended. All collections."
--
CHOICE (click for full review)
"An
excellent resource for individuals seeking to learn or
expand their knowledge of Congress and our system of
lawmaking. What's best about the book is that it puts
so much valuable information into one place and provides
hundreds of additional resources, should the reader
desire to learn more."
--
Wisconsin
Lawyer (click for full review)
"No
personal, professional, academic, or community library
political science collection can be considered complete
without the inclusion of the Congressional Deskbook."
--
Midwest Book Review,
February, 2001
back to top
By Peggy Garvin
"It is a valuable tool for a wide variety of searchers
interested in polishing their information gathering skills. Summing up:
Recommended.
All levels."
--
CHOICE (click for full
review)
"This gem
is not too overwhelming for a novice, yet librarians and
practitioners will also find it to be a very practical
and valuable resource. It will prove its worth
in gold at the reference desk."
-- Deborah Lynne Wiley,
Online,
Jan/Feb 2007, page 63
"Peggy Garvin is the 'go-to' Washington expert on how to effectively locate, evaluate and leverage information from federal and state government websites.
If you buy one book this year to assist you in researching on the web, make it this one!"
-- Sabrina I. Pacifici,
Founder, Editor, Publisher, LLRX.com and Author of the blog on law and technology news, beSpacific.com,
Washington, DC
""Real World Research Skills helps web searchers target their research to some of the most reliable information sources -- government statistics, reports and analysis. It's
a great pathfinder through the thickets of federal and state government resources, written in a format that makes it
an essential desk book for the serious researcher."
-- Mary Ellen Bates,
Bates Information Services Inc.
"This is an excellent basic resource for anyone in need of government information. It's
very well-organized, with a good Scope note that clearly lays out the book's objectives.
It includes important basics - how to think before you begin your research; how to work on unfamiliar topics; what to search and how to evaluate the results - which are not always included in books of this type. There's
good advice on using advanced search options, understanding Boolean logic, and making a FOIA request, as well as a reminder that not everything is available online and print sources are still important.
The layout is clear; charts and boxes make the information easy to find and use. The sections on state and international information are brief, but contain all the essentials.
Though this book is aimed at those needing 'basic advice and techniques,' even experienced researchers can find a new resource or a bit of helpful advice.
It will prove useful for information professionals, librarians, and anyone who needs to access government information."
-- Kee Malesky,
NPR Reference Library
"Ms. Garvin's Real World Research Skills is a real find. As a professional researcher and professor, I found her book to be
clear, concise, and supremely easy to use. Her examples of how to use the Internet to scour for accurate information on governmental sources are true gems.
This handy little book will enhance the research skills of even old pros."
-- Alphonse Vinh,
Adjunct Professor, School of Library & Information Science, The Catholic University of America
"While Real World Research Skills is a treasure trove of specific repositories and sites for information, of particular interest to me are the descriptions of the thought processes needed to obtain the information necessary for a research project. Also valuable is the discussion of the mindset needed when talking to an individual source, e.g., qualifying them as being a legitimate source, and making sure the researcher has a working knowledge of the issues so the source doesn't have to give a basic education. A valuable tool for high school and college students."
-- Davis Scott,
Chicago, IL
"This gem will prove its worth in gold for those researching government topics."
-- Deborah Liptak,
debsinfo2go.us
back to top
By Joseph Gibson
"We are all -- every one of us -- members of several
'special interests.' By providing a practical guide to
lobbying, Persuading Congress demystifies the ways in which citizens can influence legislation and achieve their public policy objectives.
Anyone who wants to make a difference through legislation -- not just executives -- needs to read this book, master its lessons, and keep it handy."
-- F. Christopher Arterton, Dean, Graduate School of Political Management, The George Washington University
"This revealing book pulls back the curtain on the Congressional decision-making process and, best of all,
provides invaluable advice to corporate executives on effectively influencing not just national and local legislation but the corporate environment as well."
-- Robert Clements, Chairman & CEO, EverBank Financial Corp
"The Constitution gives Americans the right to petition their government for a redress of grievances. And no legislature is more accessible to its own people than the United States Congress. But rights and access alone do not translate into effective engagement or useful political action. In
Persuading Congress, Joseph Gibson, a longtime veteran of Capitol Hill, offers
masterful counsel to anyone who wants to work well with Congress. In Washington, there are well over 10,000 registered lobbyists. Very few grasp and convey the keys to successful advocacy as well as Gibson does."
-- Martin Gold, Covington & Burling, Washington, DC
"Persuading Congress could be a text
for a civics class as well as a manual for
advocates."
-- Dawn Chase,
Virginia Lawyer, June/July 2010
(complete
review with permission 1-page PDF)
back to top
By William N. LaForge
"Previous victims of the
congressional hearing root canal
will ask themselves, 'Where was this invaluable book when I
needed it?'"
-- Mitch Daniels, Governor, Indiana
"Testifying before Congress isn't a fair fight, and there are few rules to protect you. Bill LaForge has packed years of experience, seeing
congressional hearings done well and done very badly, into this practical book,
Testifying Before Congress.
If you are a corporate leader summoned to testify before Congress and you want to survive what could be one of the most horrible, and dangerous, experiences of your career, you must read this extremely valuable book. If you are a lobbyist or government affairs professional advising a client who will be testifying before a congressional committee, you must give them this book before they dig whatever hole they are in even deeper.
If you want to make the fight fair, prepare yourself and read this book."
-- Charlie Cook, Editor and Publisher of The Cook Political Report, Political Analyst for the National Journal Group
"Bill LaForge has written a thoughtful guide for those who are called to testify before the House or Senate. His
insights are right on target."
-- Thad Cochran, United States Senate
"Testifying before Congress is a critical opportunity to tell your organization's story, but to do it effectively, it pays to have the advice of an old pro. Bill LaForge's excellent how-to guide to the hearings process and preparation of witnesses is
a 'must-read' for any executive called to testify on Capitol Hill."
-- Susan Neely, President & CEO, American Beverage Association
"Bill LaForge has written the perfect resource for anyone
who wants to understand the congressional hearings process
or who is preparing to testify before Congress. This book
opens the door to the world of congressional hearings, and
lays out a path to excellence for witnesses testifying on Capitol Hill."
-- Charles A. Bowsher, Comptroller General of the United States (Retired)
"Being called to testify on Capitol Hill can be a career high point or a disaster.
Whether your organization is a not-for-profit or a Fortune 100 company, you will want this practical guide by Bill LaForge at the ready when you face one of the most important moments in the life of a citizen."
-- Dan Perry, President & CEO, Alliance for Aging Research
"Testifying Before Congress
by Bill LaForge is a gold mine for anyone engaging in the
congressional hearings process."
-- Richard E. Wiley, Managing Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
"Testifying before congress is a new but increasingly necessary experience for most business leaders. Bill LaForge's book,
Testifying Before Congress, is a practical and comprehensive how-to guide that should be required reading before your first experience on the 'hot seat' in front of a congressional committee."
-- Chad Holliday,
Chairman, Bank of America
"Testifying Before Congress is the bible for anyone engaging in the
congressional hearings process and the preeminent guide for any witness preparing to testify before Congress. This deskbook
'picks the lock' of the congressional hearings process and the preparation of witnesses. Everything you want to know to prepare your client or the head of a federal agency to testify before Congress is thoroughly discussed in this exceptional guidebook. This informative
'how-to' guide should be required reading for every new congressional staffer and for the
congressional relations staff of every federal department and agency.
Bill LaForge's book is a very useful, one-of-a-kind, comprehensive treatise that provides an excellent road map.
Private and government practitioners -- and their clients -- will be well-served by consulting this valuable guide before going to testify on Capitol Hill."
-- Lawrence Baca, President, Federal Bar Association, and Deputy Director of the Office of Tribal Justice in the Department of Justice (Retired)
"This insightful and instructive treatise is ideal for mayors and other municipal officials who deal with the U.S. Congress and its committees, and it provides excellent background and preparatory guidance for those testifying or preparing witnesses for testimony before Congress."
-- Susan Narvaiz, Mayor, City of San Marcos, Texas
"I wish I had a book like Bill LaForge has produced when I first testified before Congress. The year was 1958; I was testifying on behalf of the Methodist Student Movement; and Bill was still in short pants. Now LaForge is sharing his years of experience with us, and he has turned out
a unique manual for anyone who wants to, or must, appear before a
congressional committee, from ordinary citizen to experienced advocate. This book can become for
congressional testimony what
Robert's Rules of Order has become for legislative procedure."
-- Richard F. Celeste, President, Colorado College; Former Governor of Ohio, Peace Corps Director, and Ambassador to India
"Testifying Before Congress is a superlative work.
The book has the depth of background and the precision of practicality to make it a helpful treatise for the practitioner as well as a thoughtful textbook for use by professors in classes on Public Policy or Congressional Oversight.
It should be on the bookshelf of anyone who follows the business of Congress."
-- Jim Rosenblatt, Dean, Mississippi College School of Law
"With Testifying Before Congress, Bill LaForge has provided
an invaluable and comprehensive resource for law school faculty, students, and researchers interested in gaining an in depth understanding of how
congressional committees organize hearings and how witnesses prepare for testimony."
-- Judith Areen, Paul Regis Dean Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus, Georgetown Law
"Bill LaForge’s excellent treatise,
Testifying Before Congress, is the ideal 'one-stop-shopping,' easy-to-use reference for any witness preparing to testify before Congress. For example, Chapter Four focuses on the details of preparing the witness to testify. It discusses in practical detail the use of prepared materials and witness preparation, including making certain the witness knows what to expect.
Every corporate and association executive should have this valuable resource tool available before venturing into the
congressional hearings process."
-- Larry D. Thompson, Senior Vice-President for Government Affairs and General Counsel, PepsiCo; former Deputy Attorney General of the United States
"The congressional hearings process with its tough questions, full media coverage and complicated array of participants has become a bewildering spectacle. In this book, Bill LaForge draws on his experience as a congressional staff member as well as a lobbyist to bring coherence to the process and much needed advice for those charged with providing testimony.
He sets these hearings nicely within the legislative process to highlight their importance for the development of public policy. He is an excellent coach for witnesses in preparing effective testimony, delivering it successfully and responding to difficult questions.
His experience as an adjunct professor in the School of Business at
The George Washington University has broadened the targeted audiences to include faculty and students involved in courses in the American legislative process, business and government relations and business representation and lobbying.
Both practitioners and academics will find this book enlightening.
It is an enjoyable read as LaForge includes examples throughout to bring the Congressional Committee rooms to life with conflicting interests often waging heated battles in shaping public policy."
-- D. Jeffrey Lenn, Associate Vice President for Academic Operations and Professor of Strategic Management & Public Policy, The George Washington University
"Testifying Before Congress should be on the
desk of every government relations professional in the
corporate, association, agency and private firm arenas."
-- Jack Gerard, President and CEO, American Petroleum Institute
(API)
"This is a time when the interest in understanding the workings of Congress is particularly acute. For those of us who have spent time in the halls of the House and Senate and now have an interest in helping others understand how these institutions function, their relationship to the other branches of government and the changing patterns of power, this book could not come at a better time. Bill LaForge has given us
a new tool to use in helping students truly understand the greatest deliberative body in the world."
-- Sheila Burke, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
"Bill LaForge has written an important treatise on
congressional investigations and the legislative process. It
blends a thorough understanding of the purpose of congressional investigations in gathering and evaluating information on a wide range of issues with an informative and practical guide to the preparation for and participation in the hearing process. With its step by step approach to dealing with the preliminary fact finding process, the Committee hearing and the legislative report, including the nuances of an uneven playing field, it is must reading for lawyers and witnesses involved in this critical governmental function."
-- Mark H. Tuohey III,
Partner,
Brown Rudnick
"I wish I had this book before I testified in front of a Senate committee examining eye safety and computer use. I sat at a table with two academicians and peered at a group of Senators sitting above us - quite an intimidating experience. What you see on the evening news or C-SPAN doesn’t reflect the reality of testifying before Congress. As physicians we were prepared with the facts but totally unprepared for dealing with the process.
A must reference for associations or NGOs!"
-- William L. Rich III, MD, FACS, Medical Director of Health Policy, American Academy of Ophthalmology
"Testifying Before Congress is the best
'how to' resource that I have seen -- it is well-researched, experience-based, and thoughtfully written, with a dash of humor added for good
measure."
-- Samuel M. Davis, Dean of the School of Law, The University of Mississippi
"For anyone or any group delivering testimony to Congress, Bill LaForge's book should serve as the
bible for preparation and delivery of the message. It is a must for those who approach this sometimes intimidating experience."
-- David Pryor, Former U.S. Senator (D-AR), Dean of The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and Director of The Institute of Politics, Harvard University
"Bill LaForge has penned the definitive treatise on the preparation and delivery of
congressional testimony, and a valuable resource for scholars, researchers and staffers. Packed with how-to insight, it's leavened with humor."
-- Charles Babington, Congressional Reporter, The Associated Press
"Testifying Before Congress captures the magic formula for successful advocacy inside the Beltway. Bill LaForge provides a masterful road map to help you navigate the congressional testifying process and identifies every opportunity to make concise and compelling arguments to achieve your desired
result."
-- Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President, Western States Petroleum Association
back to top
"The Congressional Operations Poster is the best
description of how Congress works in a single poster. I
recommend it to anyone who needs an up-to-date, concise, and
thorough depiction of Congress."
-- James A. Thurber,
Director,
Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University
"The
Congressional Operations Poster is the best single
source I have seen for a quick, accurate, at-a-glance
understanding of the federal budget and legislative
processes."
-- William LaForge,
Winstead Sechrest & Minick,
Washington, DC
back to top
By Deanna Gelak
"Deanna Gelak tells it all, in a
comprehensive, straightforward, and easy-to-use book on the
art and science of lobbying in the US Capitol. Deanna
herself is one of the most highly respected lobbyists in
this town: effective, ethical, and enthusiastic.
This work is
required for all who make their living 'petition(ing)
their government for redress and grievances.'
It is a
clear road map to success in Washington, DC."
-- Steve Bartlett,
President and CEO, The Financial Services Roundtable (former Member
of Congress (R-TX 1983-1991) and Former Mayor of Dallas, TX
(1991-1995))
"Lobbying and Advocacy by Deanna Gelak is a great resource for anyone who
works in Washington or who wants to know how public policy advocacy really works.
Deanna has seen the 'sausage being made' while both working in the Government
and lobbying, and her book combines the history and the how-to's of lobbying
in one place. This is required reading for students and experienced lobbyists."
-- Andy Mekelburg,
Vice President, Federal Government Relations, Verizon
Lobbying and Advocacy is
loaded with practical tips and resources for effective and ethical lobbying on Capitol Hill and in the executive branch. This book is useful whether you are overseeing a government relations function, launching a lobbying effort, building coalitions, or monitoring public policy. While many books discuss lobbying and advocacy, this book concisely highlights the most effective ways to do so.
Lobbying and Advocacy is the ultimate lobbyist's handbook."
-- Randel K. Johnson,
Vice President, US Chamber of Commerce (former Congressional committee minority counsel and former executive branch official)
"There are lots of books on lobbying, but, until now, none has provided a comprehensive treatment of what lobbyists do and how they can best do it. Deanna Gelak's
Lobbying and Advocacy exhaustively covers the basics of lobbying history, legal framework, congressional processes, and ethics. But
the strength of this volume is in its practical advice, checklists, and collection of best practices covering direct advocacy, media relations, grassroots organizing, and coalition building.
It is a unique volume and should be on the bookshelf of both
beginning lobbyists and senior government relations
executives. College and law school professors also now,
for the first time, have a single textbook for lobbying
courses."
-- Thomas M. Susman, Director, Governmental Affairs Office, American Bar Association
"In Lobbying and Advocacy, Deanna Gelak has combined her lobbying experience
and extensive research with a vision of open, ethical, and transparent
advocacy. The result is a resource sure to empower both lobbyists and citizen
activists. This powerful guidebook offers step-by-step instruction for influencing
policy, tracking legislation, and holding representatives accountable. Lobbying and Advocacy provides both practical guidance and social and historical
context, and is a unique illumination of the mechanisms of power in Washington."
-- John Wonderlich,
Sunlight Foundation
"Lobbying and Advocacy by Deanna Gelak is
a great primer and a thorough
resource, full of good, practical advice. It should be in every association's
library."
-- Paul W. Hallman, President, MultiState Associates,
Inc.
"Lobbying and Advocacy by Deanna Gelak is
a comprehensive resource manual on legislative issue advocacy. It is
a one-stop resource for both beginners and longtime lobbyists.
The coverage is thorough. For example, not only does the book debunk the myth that the term
"lobbyist" was coined in the lobby of the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC, it provides examples of specific lobbying efforts and makes them into relevant teaching opportunities. The book also includes pertinent editorial cartoons, primary source data, and relevant historical quotes, hundreds of relevant sources and web addresses for lobbying research on issues, legislators, congressional rules, ethics regulations, potential lobbying vendors and lobbying reporting requirements, making this an incredible lobbying resource.
From the U.S. Constitutional background of lobbying to a discussion of the current federal lobbying disclosure regulations, Gelak's book has it all.
Every lobbying team will hope their legislative opponents don't have this very effective resource.
If you want to gain an advantage for your lobbying team, this book is the one-stop resource necessary to win your advocacy effort."
-- Ned Monroe,
Vice President of Political Affairs, National Restaurant Association
"This book is a gold mine for the new or veteran lobbyist. There is
a wealth of tips and strategies on issue research, media, building coalitions and effective lobbying communications. I wish I had this book years ago when I started out
as it would have saved me a lot of work and prevented many mistakes."
-- David G. Evans,
State Lobbyist (NJ) and Author: Federal and State Guide to
Employee Medical Leave, Benefits, and Disabilities Laws; and Drug Testing Law, Technology and Practice
"Lobbying is as American as apple pie. Benjamin Franklin
lobbied in London for Pennsylvania and other colonies, and the Constitution recognizes our right 'to petition the
government for a redress of grievances.' Deanna Gelak provides in Lobbying and Advocacy
an invaluable guide
for all citizens interested in exercising this constitutional right."
-- Michael Barone,
Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report; Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Co-author, The Almanac of American Politics
"Lobbying and Advocacy
offers an in depth look at the various influences on
the government and is a valuable resource for those inside the federal
government seeking to understand these influences."
-- Captain Russ Shaffer
(Ret.), Former Director, Congressional Affairs, U.S. Navy
back to top
By Bradford Fitch, Foreword by Mike McCurry
Contributing Author: Beth Gaston
"[T]his book will be of
value to students and professionals of political
communications and public relations. Summing up:
Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through
professional collections."
--
CHOICE (click for
full review)
"Although targeted for new media relations staff or ones starting a
new press office, even the most experienced public information
officer can learn from this book."
-- Gene Rose, Director of Public Affairs, NCSL,
in State Legislatures
magazine, December 2004 (click
to see full review - pdf
 )
"Want to become
a media relations ace? Here's expert advice. The
book is loaded with tips for corporate communicators as
well. Impact recommends it highly."
-- Impact (Public Affairs Council), July/August 2004
"Uncertain how to
interest the press in your pressing issue? Having
difficulty preparing your media-unfriendly boss for a
tough interview? Worried about the next communications
crisis and how to handle it? Brad Fitch answers those
questions and many more in this crisp, clear and
completely useful book."
--
Tucker Carlson,
TV analyst,
author
"A seminar from
TheCapitol.Net is one of the best ways to learn from the
experts about how Washington really works. Now all that
insight and information has been packed into this
invaluable volume. I suggest you read it, and become
your own expert."
--
Steven V. Roberts,
syndicated
columnist, TV and radio analyst, college professor
"Brad Fitch has
performed an admirable public service by giving public
relations students and professionals alike an
indispensable tool. His book provides a road map on
both the practicalities and principles of PR, and he shows
that honest PR is not an oxymoron. Now it's up to all of
us in the media and spin industries to keep our end of the
bargain."
-- Ed Henry,
Senior
Editor of
Roll
Call
"This volume is an
invaluable road map to the mean streets of a city where
information is power and power is everything. Brad Fitch
has written a rich 'how-to' lesson for pros and for
novices who must negotiate the competitive landscape
of America's new media."
--
Ann Compton,
White
House Correspondent,
ABC
News
"Media Relations
Handbook is to political campaigns what The Art of
War is to military campaigns: an essential
strategic reference that winners should never be
without."
--
James Carville,
TV analyst,
author
"Great advice for
beginners and experienced media hands. If you are a
media relations professional--either beginner or seasoned
veteran--this is the book for you. Brad Fitch, who spent
many years fielding reporters' tough questions on Capitol
Hill, has written a timely, practical guide to handling
media relations that is filled with solid professional
advice. What goes into a press release? How do you develop
a strategic message? You've got a digital camera and a fax
machine, but what else does your office need to
effectively handle the media? Before you start talking to
a reporter, do you know the difference between 'on the
record,' 'off the record,' and 'background'? When there's
an immediate crisis in your organization, what are the
eight mistakes that you absolutely must avoid? How do you
handle your paranoid boss when he or she has to confront
the press? You'll find the answers to these and many other
everyday problems in this book. Fitch also gives valuable
advice on how to set up an effective website and how to
use e-mail for optimum communications. Excellent book for
professionals who work in federal or state agencies, trade
associations, non-profits, state legislatures or Congress.
It's the only handbook you'll ever need."
--
Dennis W. Johnson,
college professor and former Capitol Hill senior staffer
"Provides valuable
advice for those who flack for a living."
--
Roll Call, April
21, 2004, page 3
and page 22
(pdf)
"A superb
blend of theory and practice, written by
someone who uses words like Gallup uses polls."
-- Steve O'Keefe,
author "Complete
Guide to Internet Publicity" and Adjunct Faculty,
Tulane University College
"Offers a wealth of
practical advice on public relations that will be of
benefit to governmental and non-governmental organizations
alike."
--
Municipal World
"The
'bible' of media relations and a must for anyone charged
with the responsibility of successfully dealing with (and
utilizing) the media for their agency, group, or cause."
-- Midwest Book Review
"In the Media Relations Handbook,
author Brad Fitch effectively presents practical
ideas and tips on how to properly conduct media
relations. ... The book is a comprehensive and
recommended read for anyone interested in learning
more about public relations and how people and
organizations should conduct their relationships with
the media."
--
James J. Casey, Jr.,
Wisconsin Lawyer, April 2006
back to top
By Keith Evans
|
|
2005
Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist |
"When this book was originally written, it bore the title "The Golden Rules of Advocacy," and the previous edition is still available under that name from Amazon.com. I discovered
'Golden Rules' on a trip to England, where I found it on sale at the information desk of the Royal Courts of Justice in London. As a recently retired trial advocate of 32 years experience, I was interested in the English perspective on trial advocacy. I bought the book and read it straight through on the flight home from England and was greatly impressed by Evans' knowledge of the essentials of trial advocacy. When I discovered
'Golden Rules' on Amazon.com, I wrote a glowing review.
Then I found 'Common Sense Rules,' and debated ordering it. I rightly suspected it was
'Golden Rules' under another name. After some time, I gave in to the urge to purchase, and I have not regretted it.
'Common Sense' is 'Golden Rules' revised and expanded, and set forth in a much more user-friendly format.
I lament the change of title, however. The term
'Golden Rules' conveys the high ethical standard set by the book far better than
'Common Sense'. You can have a head full of 'Common Sense' and still be as crooked as a corkscrew. Despite my preference for the former title, I cannot fault the publisher for the change. Either term is equally applicable. Maybe the third edition could be entitled
'The Golden Rules of Common Sense Advocacy'.
Reading this book would profit any advocate of any experience level. Judicious application of the advice contained in the book will make anyone a better advocate."
-- George R. (Bob) Dekle,
Legal Skills Professor, University of
Florida, Retired Assistant State Attorney, Third Judicial Circuit of
Florida (successfully prosecuted Ted Bundy)
"I can't think of one more effective single thing WSBA
could do to advance its skills training goals than to
give a copy of CSRA to every newly admitted
member. ... CSRA is my desert-island book. And
when another lawyer washes ashore, as in a New Yorker
cartoon, I'll be ready. Buy this book."
-- Lindsay Thompson,
Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)
Litigation Law Section Newsletter, Fall 2004
"The rules presented are sound and the book is easy to read. It is
conducive to being read in short increments, as might well be the case
for a busy trial lawyer or for one using it to brush up. I recommend
that trial lawyers have this book on their shelves for use as a
refresher, in preparation for a trial, or as the basis for daily
reflection on trial advocacy."
-- Jason Hanson,
Wisconsin Lawyer, September 2004
"Down to earth advice
for the advocate. Keith Evans' book provides
important, down-to-earth advice and guidance for both the
novice and experienced advocate. Having adjudicated many,
many cases, I wish every advocate would review these
practical rules for effective advocacy. All advocates will
benefit from this helpful book."
--
Jay Grenig,
Arbitrator
"Keith Evans, the
author of Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers,
is an experienced trial lawyer. He has studied the game
from the inside and he has seen things others have missed.
He has distilled his experience and offers it up in the
brisk aphoristic style that brought him his success in the
courtroom. The book is a valuable review for the old
timers and an excellent primer for those who are starting
the climb."
--
Jacob A. Stein,
Stein,
Mitchell & Mezines,
Washington, DC
"Common Sense Rules
of Advocacy for Lawyers is a superb how-to book
for the trial lawyer. The author, Keith Evans, walks the
reader through the essentials of effective trial advocacy,
teaching every step of the way while at the same time
never sounding the slightest bit like a lecturer. The
scope of the book -- everything from what to wear in the
courtroom to writing a trial brief -- is truly impressive,
yet the author maintains a tone that is refreshingly
readable. The author never loses sight of the
underlying rules of evidence, procedure, and ethics, but
his real genius is translating those rules into -- as the
title says -- common sense rules of advocacy. I wish I had
had this book when I was a young lawyer. I highly
recommend it."
--
Karl Tegland,
author,
"Courtroom Handbook on Washington Evidence"
"Advocacy is an art as
well as a skill, and Keith Evans presents the rules of
mastering that art in a very down to earth manner. Filled
with humor and eminently readable, his book is a great
introduction for the new lawyer and a wonderful
learning tool for the advocate with experience."
--
Sherman
L. Cohn,
Professor,
Georgetown
University Law Center
(first national President of American Inns of Court)
"This is a
wonderful 'Bible' for the trial lawyer who wants to win.
If only we had had this in law school!"
-- Browne Greene,
Greene,
Broillet, Panish & Wheeler,
Santa Monica, CA
"Not just for lawyers!
Common Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers contains
valuable insights and practical lessons for anyone who
advocates for a living, including mediators,
facilitators, and others who may not readily admit to
practicing the subtle art of advocacy. Lawyers advocating
in ADR settings will also greatly benefit from Keith
Evans' book, which is why I recommend it in my Alternative
Dispute Resolution course at the University of Colorado
School of Law."
--
Steve Clymer, J.D.,
mediator,
arbitrator, and facilitator with
ACCORD
Dispute Resolution Services, Inc.
"This is a remarkable
compendium of useful advice presented in a
straightforward, entertaining manner. If new advocates
could have only one 'how to' book this would be it."
--
Roxanne
Barton Conlin,
Roxanne
Conlin & Associates,
Des Moines, IA
(first
woman President of Association of Trial Lawyers of
America)
"Keith Evans'
Common
Sense Rules of Advocacy for Lawyers is a delightful
and valuable read for trial lawyers and teachers of every
level of experience. For the novice, it is like having a
seasoned veteran of the courtroom wars as a mentor. It is
full
of sound advice and useful examples. Barrister Evans
will help the greenest litigator look and act competently
before a jury. For old war horses and trial advocacy
teachers, Evans' list of rules is a valuable checklist of
"DO's" and "DON'T's" reminders. Even
the most experienced trial lawyer can pick up some new
techniques here. I will heartily recommend it to my
Trial Advocacy students."
--
Frederick C. Moss,
Professor,
Dedman
School of Law, Southern Methodist University
"This is a terrific
guidebook that should be followed by all young trial
lawyers. While it is true that these rules are based
upon common sense and that most seasoned trial lawyers
will figure them out over time, this book will allow young
advocates to benefit from all the painful lessons learned
by inexperienced lawyers before them."
--
Philip H. Corboy,
Corboy
& Demetrio,
Chicago, IL
"The latest title
in TheCapitol.Net "Communication Series", Common Sense
Rules Of Advocacy For Lawyers by author and lawyer Keith
Evans focuses upon the advocacy role lawyers have in
advancing or defending their client's interests. After
an informative introduction, specific chapters
effectively and accessibly address the dimensions of
advocacy; the mandatory rules of advocacy; advocacy as
"theater"; the psychology of advocacy; the examination
of witnesses; direct examination; cross-examination;
re-direct examination; final argument; written advocacy;
and advocacy in the age of high technology. Enhanced for
the reader with a definitive conclusion, various
appendices, and a comprehensive index, Common Sense
Rules Of Advocacy For Lawyers is a welcome
contribution to professional and law school libraries,
and an invaluable candidate for use as a principle
curriculum textbook, or at the very least, an
important addition to a law student's supplemental
reading list."
--
Midwest Book Review
back to top
By Tobias A. Dorsey
Contributing Author: Clint Brass
"The Legislative Drafter's Deskbook:
A Practical Guide is a masterful work. It is
comprehensive and exceptionally well written. It
is an essential tool for anyone who drafts legislation
or interprets the law."
-- William K. Suter,
Clerk of the United
States Supreme Court
"One of the best features of the book is
that the author does not just tell you the rules for
drafting legislation, he shows how they work; and, even
better, he shows how they can be used to turn an acceptable
draft into one that is more organized and precise."
-- David DeVries,
The Public Lawyer, Summer 2007
(click for full review - 3-page pdf) (chair of the Government
and Public Sector Lawyers Division of the ABA from
2000-2001)
"The Legislative Drafter's Deskbook:
A Practical Guide is exactly that. It should be a part of every Federal practitioner's library. Even the experienced legislative attorney will find things in the Deskbook that he or she did not
know. It is an essential and indispensable book, both as a reference work and as a thorough introduction to Federal legislative drafting."
-- Frank Burk,
Legislative Counsel of the United States Senate 1991-1998
"The Legislative Drafter's Deskbook is an invaluable resource for any legislative drafter working to hone her skills or student seeking to become proficient in legislative drafting. Uniquely among drafting guides, this book demonstrates a sophisticated institutional awareness, devoting substantial attention to statutory methods and techniques that will be used by courts to interpret statutes and to the approach that agencies are likely to take when interpreting or implementing Congress' directives. It is clear that this
Deskbook was written by an expert with experience in actual legislative drafting; it carefully analyzes the role of the drafter relative to the policymaker and includes helpful discussions of professional norms and expectations. Although the
Deskbook is focused on legislative drafting at the federal level, where Tobias Dorsey works in the House of Representative's Office of Legislative Counsel,
the succinct and thorough assessment of good legislative drafting techniques provides a set of
'best practices' for drafters at all levels of government."
-- Elizabeth Garrett,
Sydney M. Irmas Professor of Public Interest Law, Legal Ethics, Political Science, and Policy, Planning and Development, University of Southern California
"Dorsey's Legislative Drafter's Deskbook is the
perfect companion for both drafters of legislation and students of statutory interpretation. It is a
well-written and clear guide to the do's, don'ts and whys of writing effective legislation."
-- Rick Hasen, William H. Hannon Distinguished Professor of Law, Loyola Law School
"Tobias Dorsey has created a valuable and practical tool for all legislative drafters. He correctly notes that much of the drafter's work involves helping the client think through and clarify the policy choices in the request and he provides clear tips on how to persistently carry out that work. His chapters on writing and organizing bill drafts similarly identify common mistakes and suggest better practices. Dorsey's obvious drafting skills play out on every page of the book, as readers will find solid thinking and clear writing throughout his publication. Although the book has a federal perspective,
state legislative drafters will also greatly appreciate this work."
-- Bruce Feustel, Senior Fellow, National Conference of State Legislatures
"Comprehensive yet still accessible, thorough yet
refreshingly clear--Dorsey's new book, the Legislative Drafter's Deskbook, is
a
stellar reference. If you are drafting federal legislation, you need
this book. If you work with legislative drafters, you need this book.
Even if you are just interested in the drafting process generally, you
will want this book."
-- Mary Barnard Ray,
Senior Lecturer and Assistant Director of Legal Research and Writing, University of Wisconsin, and author of "Legal Writing: Getting It Right and Getting It Written," "The Basics of Legal Writing," and "Beyond the Basics: A Text for Advanced Legal Writers"
"The Legislative Drafter's Deskbook is essential reading for both professional and occasional legislative drafters. Dorsey's solid experience as a journalist, lawyer, and professional drafter shines through as he delivers scores of vital tips for successful drafting and provides keen insight into how our laws are made and how they are interpreted by the courts. Highly readable and thoroughly enjoyable from cover to cover, Dorsey's deskbook
offers practical guidance to the aspiring drafter in not only polishing essential writing skills, but also in asking tough questions, spotting thorny issues, and offering creative solutions that will capture the intended choices of policymakers. If each legislative draft is indeed a puzzle, as Dorsey suggests, he has given us in this book the tools by which we can solve even the most vexing of legislative drafting problems."
-- Louis S. Rulli, Practice Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School
"Legislative Drafter's Deskbook: A Practical Guide presents legislative scholars, legislation drafters, and quite frankly anyone interested in the construction of statute with a meticulous exploration of the planning and thought processes that must occur in order for clear, understandable laws to be written. Dorsey accomplishes his desired missions of providing practical advice to drafters and interesting insight to scholars (and normal people) on the drafting process."
-- Curtis Ellis,
American Political Science Association's Legislative Studies Section Newsletter
"The
Legislative Drafter's Deskbook is my most prized possession in my office. I am constantly highlighting and quoting from the book, and I
guard it with my life so nobody walks off with it! We recently went through government reform and transitioned from a tribal council form of government
to a three branch system. The Legislative Drafter's Deskbook has been fundamental in establishing our drafting procedures - thank you for this wonderful resource!"
-- Rebecca L. Hillock, J.D., Director of Legislative Services, Osage Nation Congress
back to top
For rave reviews of
our courses, click here.
TheCapitol.Net is a
non-partisan firm, and the opinions of its faculty,
authors, clients and the owners and operators of its vendors are
their own and do not represent those of TheCapitol.Net. URL: www.TheCapitol.Net/Publications/ravereviewsBooks.html
Last updated:
September 02, 2010
|
