Ron Fournier

Tyler and I inch toward the Green Room, in line with blow-dried TV anchors and stuffy columnists. He's practicing his handshake and hello: -It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. President. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. President. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. President.- When the couple in front of us steps forward for their picture, my teenager with sky-blue eyes and a soft heart looks up at me and says, -I hope I don't let you down, Dad.- What kind of father raises a son to worry about embarrassing his dad? I want to tell Tyler not to worry, that he'd never let me down. That there's nothing wrong with being different. That I actually am proud of what makes him special. But we are next in line to meet the president of the United States in a room filled with fellow strivers, and all I can think about is the real possibility that Tyler might embarrass himself. Or, God forbid, me. LOVE THAT BOY is a uniquely personal story about the causes and costs of outsized parental expectations. What we want for our children--popularity, normalcy, achievement, genius--and what they truly need--grit, empathy, character--are explored by National Journal's Ron Fournier, who weaves his extraordinary journey to acceptance around the latest research on childhood development and stories of other loving-but-struggling parents.

In this era of technology, terror, and massive social change, it takes a deft touch to connect with Americans. "Applebee's America" cracks the twenty-first-century code for political, business, and religious leaders struggling to keep pace with the times. A unique team of authors -- Douglas B. Sosnik, a strategist in the Clinton White House; Matthew J. Dowd, a strategist for President Bush's two campaigns; and award-winning political journalist Ron Fournier -- took their exclusive insiders' knowledge far outside Washington's beltway in search of keys to winning leadership.They discovered that successful leaders, even those from disparate fields, have more in common than not.Their book takes you inside the reelection campaigns of Bush and Clinton, behind the scenes of hyper-successful megachurches, and into the boardrooms of corporations such as Applebee's International, the world's largest casual dining restaurant chain. You'll also see America through the anxious eyes of ordinary people, buffeted by change and struggling to maintain control of their lives.Whether you're promoting a candidate, a product, or the Word of God, the rules are the same in Applebee's America.- People make choices about politics, consumer goods, and religion with their hearts, not their heads.- Successful leaders touch people at a gut level by projecting basic American values that seem lacking in modern institutions and missing from day-to-day life experiences.- The most important Gut Values today are community and authenticity. People are desperate to connect with one another and be part of a cause greater than themselves. They're tired of spin and sloganeering from political, business, and religious institutions that constantly fail them.- A person's lifestyle choices can be used to predict howhe or she will vote, shop, and practice religion. The authors reveal exclusive new details about the best "LifeTargeting" strategies.- In this age of skepticism and media diversification, people are abandoning traditional opinion leaders for "Navigators." These otherwise average Americans help their family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers negotiate the swift currents of change in twenty-first-century America.- Winning leaders ignore conventional wisdom and its many myths, including these false assumptions: Voters only act in their self-interests; Republicans rule exurbia; and technology drives people apart. "Wrong, wrong, and wrong."- Once you squander a Gut Values Connection, you may never get it back. Bush learned that hard lesson within a year of winning reelection."Applebee's America" offers numerous practical examples of how leaders -- whether from the worlds of politics, business, or religion -- earn the loyalty and support of people by understanding and sharing their values and goals.

Winner of the prestigious Moto Award for "Best Technical How-to Book" in 1984, the Metal Fabricator's Handbook applies master metal craftsman Ron Fournier's unique metal fabricating skills—developed during years of building Indy cars, drag racers, stockers, custom show cars, and sports GT race cars. Covers MIG, TIG, arc- and gas-welding, fuel and oil tanks, exhaust headers, and much more.

Imagine transforming a flat sheet of aluminum alloy into an attractive hood scoop. Or designing and making your own aluminum wheel tubs, floorpan and dashboard for your street machine. How about learning to design and build your own body panels, manifolds, brackets and fuel tanks? These are just a few of the many tips and techniques shared by master metal craftsman Ron Fournier.Author of HP's award-winning Metal Fabricator's Handbook , Fournier packs decades of experience designing and shaping sheet metal components for Indy cars, drag race cars, road racers, street rods and street machines into 144 pages. You'll find tips · Setting up your own shop· Selecting and using basic hand tools· Proper use of English wheels, beaders, rollers, brakes and power hammers· Pattern design and proper sheet metal selection· Basic metal shaping techniques· The art of hammer forming· Proper riveting techniques· And finally, tips on restoring original sheet metalWhether you're restoring a '32 Ford, constructing a race car, building a show-winning street rod or street machine, or perhaps developing your skills for work in the metal industry, you'll find the information in this book invaluable, and a perfect addition to any home automotive library.

Winner of the prestigious Moto Award for "Best Technical How-to Book" in 1984, the METAL FABRICATOR'S HANDBOOK applies master metal craftsman Ron Fournier's unique metal fabricating skills--developed during years of building Indy cars, drag racers, stockers, custom show cars, and sports GT race cars. Covers MIG, TIG, arc- and gas-welding, fuel and oil tanks, exhaust headers, and much more. Race & Custom car & restoration ? Metalworking tools & techniques ? MIB & TIG arc welding & gas welding ? Fenders, scoops & spoilers ? Roll bars & roll cages ? Fuel tanks & oil tanks ? Practical data, formulas, & instructions There are illustrations & photos throughout the book.

In this era of technology, terror, and massive social change, it takes a deft touch to connect with Americans. Applebee's America cracks the twenty-first-century code for political, business, and religious leaders struggling to keep pace with the times. A unique team of authors -- Douglas B. Sosnik, a strategist in the Clinton White House; Matthew J. Dowd, a strategist for President Bush's two campaigns; and award-winning political journalist Ron Fournier -- took their exclusive insiders' knowledge far outside Washington's beltway in search of keys to winning leadership. They discovered that successful leaders, even those from disparate fields, have more in common than not. Their book takes you inside the reelection campaigns of Bush and Clinton, behind the scenes of hyper-successful megachurches, and into the boardrooms of corporations such as Applebee's International, the world's largest casual dining restaurant chain. You'll also see America through the anxious eyes of ordinary people, buffeted by change and struggling to maintain control of their lives. Whether you're promoting a candidate, a product, or the Word of God, the rules are the same in Applebee's America. • People make choices about politics, consumer goods, and religion with their hearts, not their heads. • Successful leaders touch people at a gut level by projecting basic American values that seem lacking in modern institutions and missing from day-to-day life experiences. • The most important Gut Values today are community and authenticity. People are desperate to connect with one another and be part of a cause greater than themselves. They're tired of spin and sloganeering from political, business, and religious institutions that constantly fail them. • A person's lifestyle choices can be used to predict how he or she will vote, shop, and practice religion. The authors reveal exclusive new details about the best "LifeTargeting" strategies. • In this age of skepticism and media diversification, people are abandoning traditional opinion leaders for "Navigators." These otherwise average Americans help their family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers negotiate the swift currents of change in twenty-first-century America. • Winning leaders ignore conventional wisdom and its many myths, including these false Voters only act in their self-interests; Republicans rule exurbia; and technology drives people apart. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. • Once you squander a Gut Values Connection, you may never get it back. Bush learned that hard lesson within a year of winning reelection. Applebee's America offers numerous practical examples of how leaders -- whether from the worlds of politics, business, or religion -- earn the loyalty and support of people by understanding and sharing their values and goals.

A unique team of authors -- Douglas B. Sosnik, a strategist in the Clinton White House; Matthew J. Dowd, a strategist for President Bush's two campaigns who has recently broken publicly with the president over the direction of the administration; and award-winning political journalist Ron Fournier -- took their exclusive insiders' knowledge far outside Washington's Beltway in search of keys to winning leadership.