Editorial Reviews

Here's what's been said about current or previous editions of Bluestocking Press titles.

You may also be interested in reading our Reader Reviews.

Uncle Eric's Model
Ancient Rome
Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused?
A Bluestocking Guide: Ancient Rome
A Bluestocking Guide: Economics
A Bluestocking Guide: Justice
A Bluestocking Guide: Political Philosophies
A Bluestocking Guide: Building a Personal Model for Success
Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship Course for Middle School Students
Capitalism for Kids
Clipper Ship Strategy, the
Common Sense Business for Kids
Evaluating Books: What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?
Money Mystery, the
Screenplay Competitions
Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career and Financial Security
Whatever Happened to Justice?
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?
World War I
World War II

A Bluestocking Guide: Ancient Rome

The guide offers several benefits for the homeschooling family. First, it provides the opportunity for written work and a final exam to check comprehension and to document school credit. Secondly, the essay questions give the family opportunities for discussion of Mr. Maybury's points in light of current events. Third, the additional recommended books and videos allow for a robust study worthy of high school credit. Answers to all short answer and essay questions are included.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

A Bluestocking Guide: Economics

A Bluestocking Guide: Economics is a sort of workbook/test book/extra study guide to go along with Whatever Happened to Penny Candy. It includes extra articles to further study and understanding of each chapter in the "primer" (which is Whatever Happened to Penny Candy), as well as discussion questions and tests. The tests include everything from short answers and definitions to multiple choice and essay questions. Further reading lists, charts and diagrams are included, too.

You could read the primer without using this book, but it really helps round out the course.

—Cindy West, March 4, 2011, The Curriculum Choice, http://thecurriculumchoice.com

The Study Guide is one of the best such works that I have seen. [Jane Williams has] made a good selection of readings and arranged them in a logical sequence for children of various ages.

—Bettina B. Greaves, Resident Scholar, The Foundation for Economic Education, Inc.

A Bluestocking Guide: Justice

The essay questions, particularly, lend themselves to deep discussions with parents or peers.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

A Bluestocking Guide: Political Philosophies

The study guide will prove very helpful for families. The questions, of course, provide the student with the opportunity to learn the material, but the real value of the study guide is in starting discussions between the student and his parents and peers.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

A Bluestocking Guide: Building a Personal Model for Success

The study guide for Uncle Eric's book (“Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career, and Financial Security”) has short answer and true/false sections to help cement the material covered, but the guide is particularly valuable because of its discussion/essay questions. These thought-provoking questions are extremely important for parents to consider as much as for the young person studying the book, because they will open new avenues that may never have been explored. A final exam is provided, and all answers are in the back of the guide.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

Uncle Eric's Model

(11 book set by Richard J. Maybury)

Your books (the Uncle Eric books) are among the few I recommend for every high-schooler as 'must reads' before graduation.

—Mary Pride, Author, Publisher of Practical Homeschooling

This model (i.e. the completion of all the books) would yield a politically aware, fiscally intelligent young adult who is ready to move on to the entrepreneurial world or university level studies.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today

Ancient Rome is essential reading for high school students and their parents and will be particularly valuable in conjunction with government, economics, and twentieth century history studies.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused?

Are You Liberal, Conservative, or Confused” is an outstanding primer for political studies. Parents and children will have much food for thought in this easy-to-read volume that covers much more than just terms. Short chapters allow the student to learn the material a little at a time.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

Like our previous Maybury favorites (Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? and Whatever Happened to Justice?) in Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused? Uncle Eric leaps to the rescue firing off 26 thoroughly fascinating letters on political philosophies, past, present, and future. The book is recommended for readers aged 14 and up, but I’d crank it down a few years - Uncle Eric is clear as a bell.

—Becky Rupp, Good Stuff, Home Education Magazine

The entire series should be a required, integral component of the social studies curriculum in all public and private schools.

—William P. Snavely, Emeritus Professor of Economics, George Mason University

Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship Course for Middle School Students

I have been searching for an economics course that would be suitable for middle school students. Much to my pleasure, I found exactly what I was looking for in Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship for Middle School Students by Bluestocking Press!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy was recommended to me over and over, which was what originally led me to the Bluestocking Press site. I was overjoyed to find an entire curriculum set for middle school students that included not only the book I was looking for, but three others!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy is a simply written book of 15 chapters that helps students (and adults like me) understand the basics of the economics system in the United States. Not only that, but it incorporates history and current events in as well.

In real terms that aren’t weighty and hard-to-grasp, your children will finish this book with more information than I was ever taught (even in college) about such things as wages, inflation, recessions, federal debt, and so much more. Even better, there’s a common-sense sort of humor to the book that kept me chuckling all the way through.

Bluestocking Guide: Economics is a sort of workbook/test book/extra study guide to go along with Whatever Happened to Penny Candy. It includes extra articles to further study and understanding of each chapter in the "primer" (which is Whatever Happened to Penny Candy), as well as discussion questions and tests. The tests include everything from short answers and definitions to multiple choice and essay questions. Further reading lists, charts and diagrams are included, too.

You could read the primer without using this book, but it really helps round out the course.

Common Sense Business for Kids is 17 chapters, but only 62 pages of just what it says - common sense. Students learn the ins and outs of what it takes to successfully run a business - things like operating costs, markets, needs vs. wants, changing with the times, keeping inventory, employees and salesmanship.

Since each chapter is only a few pages, the info is not in depth, but instead very to-the-point. I find that extremely refreshing, and I have a feeling your kids will, too!

Capitalism for Kids is subtitled Growing Up to Be Your Own Boss. With a little more depth and a different range of topics, this book continues on the same theme as Common Sense Business for Kids.

Chapters focus on such topics as evaluating what sort of business best suits the child's interests and talents, capitalism vs. communism and socialism, family businesses, investing time and money, gaining education and experience, and even such things as laws and licenses.

Again, I really like the common sense writing that isn't too wordy or philosophical. Quite simply it's written to kids for them to read themselves.

Even though this curriculum is suggested for middle school, I found it to be meaty enough for many high school students. However, if you’re hoping to find a set put together specifically for high school, Bluestocking Press offers two.

1. Economics Course for High School Students
2. Economics and Nature of Government for High School Students

Both contain some of the same books that are in the middle school kit, so you will want to decide which age level you’d most like to purchase and then purchase only that set. On the other hand, all of the books contained in the sets are available individually for those who would prefer to simply go through one or two books.

Loving this!

—Cindy West, March 4, 2011, The Curriculum Choice, http://thecurriculumchoice.com

Capitalism for Kids

Capitalism for Kids is an outstanding introduction to entrepreneurship. Author Karl Hess stresses how a person can earn a profit in business while maintaining the highest possible standards of honesty and integrity. He provides a self-test to determine how enterprising the reader really is. His excellent chapter on ‘Capitalism and Other Isms’ clearly defines capitalism, democratic socialism, socialism, and communism. Although written with young people in mind, many adults will benefit by reading Capitalism for Kids as well. I highly recommend this book.

—Richard J. Maybury, author of the Uncle Eric series of books

Capitalism for Kids is subtitled Growing Up to Be Your Own Boss. With a little more depth and a different range of topics, this book continues on the same theme as Common Sense Business for Kids.

Chapters focus on such topics as evaluating what sort of business best suits the child's interests and talents, capitalism vs. communism and socialism, family businesses, investing time and money, gaining education and experience, and even such things as laws and licenses.

Again, I really like the common sense writing that isn't too wordy or philosophical. Quite simply it's written to kids for them to read themselves."

—Cindy West, March 4, 2011, The Curriculum Choice, http://thecurriculumchoice.com

...definitely the best book I have ever seen directed to children on the theory of how to go into business for yourself... this book is really absorbing reading.

—Mary Pride, Author, The Teaching Home, Publisher of Practical Homeschooling

I don’t want to just half-heartedly recommend this book among thousands of others out there that are worth reading. I want to urge you, as strongly and sincerely as possible, to buy it and read it first for yourself. Only then give it to a kid you like. Karl’s book crystallizes thoughts that most people have had, but haven’t thought out fully. It washes away the foundations upon which fears and guilt are constructed over a lifetime; it replaces them with ideas you always believed in intuitively but weren’t quite sure how to defend. This book is really great. Make sure it is available to your kids and yourself.

—Douglas Casey, author of “Investing In Crisis”

The Clipper Ship Strategy: For Sucess in Your Career, Business and Investments

While Maybury’s ‘lessons’ are valuable for everyone, I especially recommend this book to potential entrepreneurs and businessmen. I would make it required reading for them if I could. (Those who might be employees can also find out how to select a career and/or company to work for that is likely to remain economically healthy!)

—Cathy Duffy, Author, “Christian Home Educators’ Curriculum Manual”

Richard Maybury’s new book, The Clipper Ship Strategy, is an outstanding addition to his series dealing with the subjects of economics, law, politics, business and freedom. His extraordinary ability to present complex subjects in simple, common-sense terms, spiced with humor and fascinating examples, makes this book and the others in the series must reading for both the young and adults, alike. In fact, the entire series should be a required, integral, component of the social studies curriculum in all public and private schools. This would bring a quantum leap upward in the quality of citizenship in this country in a single generation.

—William P. Snavely, Emeritus Professor of Economics, George Mason University

I use it [The Clipper Ship Strategy] in my business and investments. It works great!

—Barry Conner, President, The Home Place, Inc.

Common Sense Business for Kids

Common Sense Business for Kids is 17 chapters, but only 62 pages of just what it says - common sense. Students learn the ins and outs of what it takes to successfully run a business - things like operating costs, markets, needs vs. wants, changing with the times, keeping inventory, employees and salesmanship.

Since each chapter is only a few pages, the info is not in depth, but instead very to-the-point. I find that extremely refreshing, and I have a feeling your kids will, too!"

—Cindy West, March 4, 2011, The Curriculum Choice, http://thecurriculumchoice.com

Common Sense Business for Kids could just as easily be marketed as a business primer for adults. ...

Children might read it at whatever point they think they want to start their own business. I suspect that ambitious teens would be the ideal audience, eager to learn and with enough life experience to understand the stories and illustrations. Adults thinking of starting their own business might find this a useful reality check before they commit to a venture. Even though written for kids, it's not juvenile or dumbed down -- just straightforward and basic.

—Cathy Duffy, Cathy Duffy Reviews, cathyduffyreviews.com
For full review, please visit: cathyduffyreviews.com/economics/common-sense-business-for-kids.htm

Common Sense Business for Kids is a short book packed full of wisdom and practical advice for a budding middle school or high school aged entrepreneur.

"At only 62 pages long, this book is an easy read while still thoroughly educating young people on common business principles such as operating costs, market potential, research, management principles, inventory, flexibility, sales, and startup investments. Even though these topics can be somewhat confusing and overwhelming, Common Sense Business for Kids lives up to its title by explaining them all in a reader friendly format that just “makes sense”. Woven throughout the book are real life examples that a young person can grasp, such as a financial strategy of investing $100 – something a young person reading this book might actually be capable of doing.

I have several children that have an interest in business – one that is taking college level business classes, and another that is interested in starting a small business while still in high school. Both of them found this book useful and helpful. As a small business owner myself, I found that reading this book gave me a practical understanding of several areas of my own business that previously had confounded me.

Reading this book was a very enjoyable experience, not only for the useful advice that was given, but also for the excellent real world, common sense that was gained. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is contemplating a journey into the world of business, but especially to young entrepreneurs before they get started on their business venture.

—Product review excerpts by Erica Beyea, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC.
For full review, please visit: http://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/product-reviews/?rid=5957

Daniels explains that understanding the basics of business doesn't require college degrees and advanced theoretical training. She breaks down business operation into easy steps, using examples to which any child can relate.

Daniels emphasizes the importance of starting small in business and making sure you have enough capital to carry the business for a while rather than going into debt. She talks about evaluating the need for a particular product by assessing the demand and the competition. Are there other nearby business selling the same product? Would ice cream sell well on a snowy day? Maybe selling hot chocolate would be a better choice. She discusses operating costs, such as building, insurance, wages, and taxes that need to be considered when setting a selling price for a product. She discusses inventory management, diversification, and the traits of a good salesperson. By including concrete examples of these principles using kid-friendly scenarios like selling beach souvenirs, the silliness of choosing to sell furniture in a drug store, and choosing the best market for baby bottles, the guidelines for running a business are made quite simple.
"This book is easy to read and would likely appeal to kids and teens ages 10 and up. In fact, it is likely to inspire a bit of entrepreneurial spirit in your child! The content is quite solid, though, and would be helpful for older teens as well. I am a business owner myself and actually used most of these principles while choosing my product, setting prices, and choosing marketing strategies.

—Product review excerpts by Debbie Lott, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC.
For full review, please visit: http://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/product-reviews/?rid=5957

Evaluating Books: What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This?

Evaluating Books will be an eye-opener for most homeschooling parents. Written in an easy-to-follow format, parents will become much more aware of the slant of many texts and will be able to teach their children to be even more discerning. Christian parents should be particularly interested in Mr. Maybury's ideas as he strongly advocates return to laws of a higher power rather than government laws.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

The Money Mystery: The Hidden Force Affecting Your Career, Business and Investments

While this volume of the Uncle Eric series is a bit shorter and more specialized, it is an important component to the economic success model that Mr. Maybury is teaching. Mr. Maybury's historically-supported predictions are bound to shake business owners and anyone with investments.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

The Money Mystery by Richard J. Maybury is an important addition to his Uncle Eric series of books about economics, law, politics, and liberty. Mr. Maybury presents the complex subject of velocity in clear and concise terms, using fascinating examples from history, making this book, as well as others in the series, must reading for both young persons and adults. The entire series should be a required, integral component of the social studies curriculum in all public and private schools.

—William P. Snavely, Emeritus Professor of Economics, George Mason University

Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career and Financial Security

Homeschooling parents and children can gain much from the wisdom of Mr. Maybury. Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career, and Financial Security will help young people get started on a more prosperous life, and it will help their parents see where improvements can be made in their own lives. This outstanding book is just a starting point for study with its many recommended additional resources. Begin with it and move through the Uncle Eric series for a complete four year, high school study of economics, government, business, 'life skills,' and current events.

—Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com

Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career, and Financial Security by Richard J. Maybury, and all of Maybury’s Uncle Eric series of books on economics, geopolitics, justice, and history...are excellent educational experiences for both children and adults. Just the discussion of the role of ‘models’ in the functioning of the human mind [in] the first book is worth the whole set. While this discussion is not about science, it describes perfectly the functioning of the minds of good scientists. They do not memorize facts against their models – revising the models and checking the facts as they proceed.

—Dr. Arthur B. Robinson, President and Research Professor, Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, commenting on the previous edition of Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career, and Financial Security

Whatever Happened to Justice?

We are drowning in an ocean of crazy laws and litigation. This book is a life preserver, a reminder of the fundamental rules which are needed for a free society.

—Karl Hess, author of Capitalism for Kids, former U.S. Presidential speechwriter, former Associate Editor of Newsweek

The author of Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? has done even better with Whatever Happened to Justice? Maybury has a gift for translating what sounds like tedious information into very personalized examples. He follows the Penny Candy format, where Uncle Eric is writing...to Chris. Each letter is reasonably brief, so students will not be overwhelmed with too much information at once. Use this book as a supplement to American history or government studies. It will not take much time to read through, although it might generate lengthy discussions. No matter what else you use, this book is a must! Highly recommended for reading and discussion.

—Cathy Duffy, author, Christian Home Educators' Curriculum Manual

Maybury challenges the reader to explore the inextricable connections between law and economics, and between economic and political liberty. I can think of no more important subject, and I highly recommend this lucid and thoughtful volume.

—William E. Simon former, U.S. Treasury Secretary

There is a naked clarity to Maybury’s thought that washes over the reader like cleansing rain. His examination of the dynamics of common law is brilliant. As a teacher for all ages, Mr. Maybury is a virtuoso. Bravo!

—John Taylor Gatto, New York State Teacher of the Year

Richard Maybury’s Whatever Happened to Justice? should be required reading for all who hold or aspire to hold public office, as well as for all members of the judicial system. It is a fitting companion volume to his earlier Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

—William P. Snavely, Professor Emeritus of Economics, George Mason University

If our economic and political downfall is to be avoided, we must expose an entire generation of Americans to the ideas found in this wonderful book.

—Ron Paul, member of U.S. Congress

Maybury is right. Our insane legal system is destroying our ability to tell right from wrong. It's ruining our families, our businesses, careers, and investments. We must return to rational law, and soon. Maybury shows the way, and offers specific how-to instructions that will be a great help in every part of our lives from boardroom to schoolroom to nursery

—Gerald Schomp, former editor, “World Market Perspective”

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

The book is excellent... There is a definite need for material about this difficult subject, and this book should be added to all collections serving middle- and intermediate-grade readers.

—School Library Journal

Highly recommended.

—Mary Pride, Author, Publisher of Practical Homeschooling

A brilliant book.

—John Taylor Gatto, New York State Teacher of the Year

This one slim volume can and should replace at least one full shelf of weighty tomes.

—Karl Hess, author of Capitalism for Kids, former U.S. Presidential speechwriter, former Associate Editor of Newsweek

I have been searching for an economics course that would be suitable for middle school students. Much to my pleasure, I found exactly what I was looking for in Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship for Middle School Students by Bluestocking Press!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? was recommended to me over and over, which was what originally led me to the Bluestocking Press site. I was overjoyed to find an entire curriculum set for middle school students that included not only the book I was looking for, but three others!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? is a simply written book of 15 chapters that helps students (and adults like me) understand the basics of the economics system in the United States. Not only that, but it incorporates history and current events in as well.

In real terms that aren’t weighty and hard-to-grasp, your children will finish this book with more information than I was ever taught (even in college) about such things as wages, inflation, recessions, federal debt, and so much more. Even better, there’s a common-sense sort of humor to the book that kept me chuckling all the way through.

—Cindy West, March 4, 2011, The Curriculum Choice, http://thecurriculumchoice.com

Must reading for anyone who wishes to understand the basics of our free enterprise system.

—William E. Simon, Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

Probably the best short course in economics around... Buy a dozen and give them to friends. This is a great book!

—Douglas Casey, Author “Crisis Investing” and “Strategic Investing”

You’ll be looking for someone to share it with as soon as you’ve finished it.

—Barbara Brabec, Editor “National Home Business Report”

This book has been endorsed by educators, authors, and government officials for its unique contribution to the education of consumers from childhood to adulthood.

—PTA Today

World War I: The Rest of the Story and How It Affects You Today

Richard Maybury is a great author! In his two-volume world war series, World War II along with the companion volume World War I, Maybury will give you a new perspective on wars and history, filled with facts of interest rarely mentioned elsewhere. “Uncle Eric” writes succinctly and in a way to be understood. Highly, highly recommended!

—Jim Cox, Author, “The Concise Guide to Economics,” Associate Professor Georgia Perimeter College

World War II: The Rest of the Story & How It Affects You Today

The best book I’ve read on World War II. It provides genuinely original insights on why the U.S. didn’t need to become involved, and destroys many myths that persist about the war. Maybury ties the misunderstandings about World War II to the misunderstanding about today’s U.S. foreign policy. I also strongly recommend his books World War I and Whatever Happened to Justice?

—Harry Browne

Richard Maybury is a great author! In his two-volume world war series, World War II along with the companion volume World War I, Maybury will give you a new perspective on wars and history, filled with facts of interest rarely mentioned elsewhere. “Uncle Eric” writes succinctly and in a way to be understood. Highly, highly recommended!

—Jim Cox, Author, “The Concise Guide to Economics,” Associate Professor Georgia Perimeter College

Screenplay Competitions: Tools and Insights to Help You Choose the Best Screenwriting Contests for You and Your Script

"An in-depth and specific guide to how screenwriting contests operate."

—Dave Trottier
Author, The Screenwriter’s Bible
www.keepwriting.com

"Writing for the screen is a fiercely competitive enterprise. In recent years, dramatic writing competitions have exploded. They represent a new and effective tool to win the attention of agents and producers. But how do you know which contests are legitimate? How does a writer determine whether or not a particular offering merits its entry fee? With her hands-on, nuts-and-bolts, information-packed volume, treating an oft-neglected aspect offering strategies to launch writing careers, Ann Marie Williams provides a welcome new addition to the literature."

—Professor Richard Walter
former Screenwriting Area Head, Associate and Interim Dean
UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television

"While running a competition has become second nature for me, Ann Williams’ book surprised and delighted me with her acuity on this side of the film industry which is not explored nearly enough. I was amazed with the depth in which she pulls back the curtain and sieves through everything from preparing your script for submission to what judges look for in scripts. Screenplay competitions have always been a valuable opportunity for aspiring writers and Screenplay Competitions should be required reading for any prospective entrant wanting to seize their moment. I highly recommend reading this before clicking SUBMIT."

—Matt Dy
Director of Script Competitions
Austin Film Festival

"Screenplay Competitions is a strikingly thorough guide for anyone interested in pursuing a career in screenwriting. Ann Williams’ comprehensive work answers any possible question one might have about the business and creative aspects of screenwriting competitions. Her colloquial style and tales of her own journey through the competitive process gives the reader a sense you are hearing from a good friend who just happens to be an expert in the field. Very readable and utterly informative."

—Professor Harry M. Cheney
Chapman University
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

"[Screenplay Competitions] is a great book that is so in depth and provides a lot of guidance. For someone who has never personally entered a screenplay competition, I feel that I would be pretty well prepared to enter one after having read it."

—Taylor Braun
Film Festival Specialist
Chapman University
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts