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Contemplations: Seventy-Seven Points to Ponder
This book is a collection of seventy-seven short essays written by Dr. Allen W. Smith that borrow bits of wisdom from throughout the ages. The essays, which start with a short quotation to set the theme, are designed to inspire and comfort readers, as well as to stimulate some deep thinking about some very ordinary ideas. The essays were previously published as installments of Dr. Smith's weekly syndicated newspaper column, "CONTEMPLATING LIFE," which was first launched in July 1994 and was appearing in 14 newspapers in seven states at the beginning of the new millennium. The essays can be read in any order since each one stands alone. Readers who are looking for something specific can get a general idea of the content of each essay from its lead quotation. A list of the theme-setting lead quotations is provided at the beginning of the book. Below are a few "Each day the world is born anew for him who takes it rightly."--James Russell Lowell "There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed."--Albert Schweitzer "I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something."--Helen Keller "Learn the sweet magic of a cheerful face--not always smiling, but at least serene."--Oliver Wendell Holmes "Love is the only service that power cannot command and money cannot buy."--Serbian Proverb
168 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 1996
About the author
Allen W. Smith
26 books1 follower* Source: Amazon author page
Allen W. Smith, Ph.D., has devoted much of his adult life to battling economic illiteracy and promoting economic education. He taught economics to college students for 30 years before retiring as Professor of Economics at Eastern Illinois University in 1998 to become a full-time writer. Over the years, Smith has written numerous books in his effort to help readers understand economics and government economic policy. Understanding Inflation and Unemployment, Smith's first book, became an alternate selection of Fortune Book Club when it was published in 1976. Understanding Economics, published by Random House in 1986, was used in more than 600 schools in 48 states.
In recent years, Smith has focused his research and writing on government finance and Social Security. He published The Alleged Budget Surplus, Social Security, and Voodoo Economics in 2000, The Looting of Social Security: How the Government is Draining America's Retirement Account in 2004, and Social Security: The Attempt to Kill It in 2005. In 2008, Dr. Smith published a third edition of his popular layman's guide to economics, Demystifying Economics: The Book That Makes Economics Accessible to Everyone.
Dr. Smith has discussed economics and Social Security on national television, and he has been a guest on more than 100 radio talk shows. He holds a B.S. in Education degree from Ball State University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Indiana University.
Allen W. Smith, Ph.D., has devoted much of his adult life to battling economic illiteracy and promoting economic education. He taught economics to college students for 30 years before retiring as Professor of Economics at Eastern Illinois University in 1998 to become a full-time writer. Over the years, Smith has written numerous books in his effort to help readers understand economics and government economic policy. Understanding Inflation and Unemployment, Smith's first book, became an alternate selection of Fortune Book Club when it was published in 1976. Understanding Economics, published by Random House in 1986, was used in more than 600 schools in 48 states.
In recent years, Smith has focused his research and writing on government finance and Social Security. He published The Alleged Budget Surplus, Social Security, and Voodoo Economics in 2000, The Looting of Social Security: How the Government is Draining America's Retirement Account in 2004, and Social Security: The Attempt to Kill It in 2005. In 2008, Dr. Smith published a third edition of his popular layman's guide to economics, Demystifying Economics: The Book That Makes Economics Accessible to Everyone.
Dr. Smith has discussed economics and Social Security on national television, and he has been a guest on more than 100 radio talk shows. He holds a B.S. in Education degree from Ball State University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Indiana University.
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