The Bum's Rush: The Selling of Environmental Backlash

This entertaining and informative book is a resource on critical thinking and persuasive language. Using the oratory of America's talk show host, it unmasks methods of persuasion that can lead to false conclusions. See why it has been endorsed by environmental groups and critical thinkers alike.

Don Trent Jacobs believes in telling it like it is. He wrote the first book exposing the need for improved fitness among the nation's firefighters after learning the only reason this occupation was the most hazardous profession in the United States was because of their high rate of heart attacks. (NFPA, 1976 ,81 & 91). He wrote the first book demonstrating the economic advantages of employee health programs. He wrote the first book designed to motivate young children toward healthy lifestyles, teaching them not to believe the powerful advertisements enticing people to smoke, and eat sugar-concentrated products. (World, 1981; Legendary, 1994). He wrote the first textbook describing how certain kinds of language can influence patient recovery during medical trauma. (Prentice-Hall, 1991).

Now, Don Jacobs is the first person to accurately expose the strategies and fallacies of Rush Limbaugh and the 'environmental backlash' movement with his book, The Bum's Rush: The Selling of Environmental Backlash, Phrases and Fallacies of Rush Limbaugh (Legendary Publishing, 1994). As with all of his books, Dr. Jacobs does not resort to emotionalism or name-calling. Just clear, objective analysis of facts, motivations and consequences.

Of course, being first is not without its repercussions. It is said you can always tell a pioneer by the arrows in his back, and Jacobs is not unfamiliar with controversy. Firefighters didn't like being told they were not fit enough to do their jobs. Advertisers didn't appreciate Jacobs telling children not to believe their Saturday morning commercials. Many physicians didn't want medical emergency personnel utilizing "body-mind" concepts. And there has been a furor regarding what Jacobs has to say about Rush Limbaugh and the backlashers in this, his eighth book.

But Jacobs has never been afraid to take on challenges. A collegiate wrestler and boxer, he rode rodeo broncos between college semesters. After a stint as a pilot in the Marine Corps, he sailed the Pacific in his sloop, the 7Ls. In the middle of a kayaking attempt to make the first descent of the Rio Urique River, he traversed the remote jungles and mountains of Copper Canyon to escape unexpected flood waters. Seeking the ideal mount to use in the gruelling Ride and Tie race, he learned to train wild horses. He subsequently authored the book on Ride and Tie, and his training program for wild horses is used by numerous Bureau of Land Management adoption centers. Don and his wife are the 1992 World Ride and Tie Champions.

Jacobs earned his doctorate in health psychology while working as a firefighter / EMT. This combination of experiences revealed to him the power of certain kinds of communication, and inspired him to specialize in the field of psycholinguistics. This led to Prentice-Hall's publication of his text, Patient Communication. During that time, Don was also playing ragtime piano and entertaining in night clubs. After earning his degree, he started a private hypnotherapy practice in northern California. He has been an adjunct professor at U.C. Berkeley, an advisor to the California Governor's Council on Wellness, and Vice-President of the Northern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He has lectured internationally on the subjects of his books and has made numerous radio and television appearances around the country.

Don Trent Jacobs is currently associate professor at Northern Arizona University. He holds doctorates in health psychology and curriculum and instruction. He is the author of ten other books, including Patient Communication for First Responders; and Primal Awareness: Don Jacobs has been a Marine Corp pilot, a rodeo cowboy, a firefighter/EMT, an old time stride piano player, a sport psychologist, and a professor.