Bob C. Cleckler

Award winning author, Bob C. Cleckler, dedicated this edition of "Let's End Our Literacy Crisis" ...to the hundreds of millions of students around the world who tried - and failed.

Part One discusses the impact of illiteracy on employment, crime, standard of living, consumer rights, citizen's rights, education, lifestyle choices, and health risks. Cleckler talks about the size of the problem and the reasons this is not acknowledged. He provides facts and figures on the monetary cost of illiteracy and its causes worldwide.

In Part Two Cleckler offers a blueprint for a solution to our illiteracy, the logic, and how to implement the proposal. He challenges the reader to join in a proposal for a grass roots campaign concerned with putting into motion proactive steps to solve the literary crisis.

Cleckler has invested 22 years in a program of phenomenal personal research. The book is filled with helpful charts, graphs, figures, and tables which re-enforce the narrative. He has also devoted over 100 pages to a number of comprehensive appendixes, bibliography, a full index, and other valuable tools such a list of pertinent websites.

"Let's End Our Literacy Crisis" is made up of convincing evidence of the crisis we are facing worldwide with illiteracy. Cleckler's writing is clear, relevant and is a wake up call to educators, anyone in public office, and to all who are impacted directly and indirectly by this alarming crisis.

A 5-star review by Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) Amazon top 500 reviewer

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America, according to this book, is in a literacy crisis. American students, declared George Bush Senior, are placed `dead last amongst the industrial world' in scholastic tests. If this was true (and still true), then why is it so? The Salt Lake Tribune reports that when American children finish their schooling, nearly half of them will `read and write so poorly that it is difficult for them to hold a decent job'. Leaving aside what might be defined as a `decent' job, functional literacy is surely one of the objectives of education? As is pointed out in this book, illiteracy costs the individual, their family and the broader community.
How can this literacy crisis be solved?

In the first part of this book, Mr Cleckler outlines the impacts of illiteracy and talks about the size of the problem as well as some of the reasons why this is not acknowledged. In the second part, Mr Cleckler describes a solution, as well as issuing a challenge to the reader. Bob Cleckler makes a case for spelling reform, which is articulated clearly and documented meticulously in this book.

Many people would agree with Mr Cleckler. Sure, there are those of us who enjoy the challenge of English's idiosyncratic spelling, but most of us prefer modern English to middle English. And few of us would be disadvantaged if the spelling of English underwent further reform.

This book is focused on America, but the problem is far more widespread. I'll be passing my copy of the book on to other Australians with an interest in literacy. This book is well worth considering by anyone with an interest in the causes and consequences of illiteracy. And it is up to those of us who are functionally literate to make a difference.

A 4-star review by J. Cameron-Smith (ACT, Australia) Amazon top 500 reviewer

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This book, I have come to learn, is the first one to both present the alarming extent and consequences of illiteracy in the U.S. AND to propose a real solution to the problem. If the author had laid out only the problem, the reader would be left depressed. If Cleckler had given only the solution, the reader would wonder, "Why bother?" But the 2 together make a solid case.

There's an abundance of documentation and detail, in places too much. Just skip over the heavier tables and graphs. Better too much detail than not enough. I don't agree with Cleckler about renaming the letters of the alphabet, or including 35 pages of sample text in NuEnglish when 5 pages would have been plenty. And that sample text showed inconsistent and sloppy use of NuEnglish, but that criticism is more of a quibble when considering the scope of his work. We need to roll up our shirt sleeves and start applying the solution!

A 5-star review by Gary Sprunk, M.A. English LInguistics (Phoenix, AZ)

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As one who has been on a 30 year journey from illiterate to author, I was stunned by this book. Bob hits the nail on the head and it is an incredible read full of facts and solutions, which blow your mind to the problems of illiteracy and how it affects everyone.

This is not just a problem for the U.S.A but any English speaking country and for those learning our language. It is a book you have to read from cover to cover and as you question, Bob gives you solution leaving you wondering why governments will not implement ideas that would benefit us all.

Bob also reveals the feelings of those affected by illiteracy, things we would not dare confess, yet we should, if we are to get support and change to this epidemic. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, as it affects everyone. I would especially recommend this book as a must read to authors of any genre, as it will answer why there is a decrease in readers, which we can do something about.

Hope this book gets on Oprah!!! And in the hands of those who have the power to implement change!!!

A 5-star review by Christine Jones (Australia) Author of the Mariard Volumes

There are four other reviews of this book on Amazon.com's detail page, http://www.amazon.com/dp/1589824970. They are all 5-Star reviews.… (altro)