Inspired by the many readers of Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul(one of many in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series), the authors decided toreach out to young people at that incredibly confusing, exciting chapter oflife, the preteen years. Readers between the ages of 9 and 12 (give or take ayear) sometimes felt that the book for kids was too young, while the edition forteens (Chicken Soup for theTeenage Soul) was too old. In this warm, supportive anthology of truestories by and about preteens, the very issues that seem so complicated andinsurmountable are addressed with intelligence and openness. Divorce, violence,death, friendships, school, family, attitudes, changes, dreams... preteens havea lot to offer and a lot to learn on these subjects. Many of the brief essays,cartoons, quotations, and introductions are witty as well as wise and touching;readers might devour the book from start to finish, drop in for a story here andthere, or focus on a concern that is most important at the moment. The preteenyears seem to be the perfect time to reach kids, before they are lost in teenangst and coolness. And who better to learn from than their own peers? For someadded incentive to read, celebrities such as Mia Hamm, Karl Malone, and 'N Synchave contributed essays as well. (Ages 9 to 13) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

Great Book
Recently I purchased Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul. I have just turned 11 years old. So far, I have enjoyed my newest Chicken Soup book. I have already received Chicken Soup for the Kids Soul as a gift, but now I believe I am growing out of it. I am almost a teenager who is going through her preteen years. This book has helped me find myself inside myself. I really love the authors who write Chicken Soup and the contributors who send in their funny, sad, and meaningful stories. This book talks about changes in life, getting older, the tough stuff we go through as preteens. My favorite stories are the ones of the people who are actually in their preteen years and how they deal with this tough time in their lives. Overall, I enjoy the book very much.

Thoughtful, hard edge realism
I purchased this Chicken Soup book for my eight year old son, although the book states 9-12. The younger version for kids seemed too "slight." And his teacher had read a few stories from this version, so we decided to buy it for him as an Xmas 2000 book.

I have found it riveting, and many of the stories can bring tears to your eyes. The stories are concise. The writing is fluid and easy to understand. I was struck, however, by the intensity and hard edge realism of some of them. There is a section on death and a number of the other stories touch on grief, divorce, loss and death. My son just lost his grandmother in March (my mom) so I believe some of these tales will be helpful. They touched my own heart. Parents should be aware however that there is a heavy dose of despair--albeit overcome by strength and love. Also some nine year olds are more mature, wiser and perhaps less innocent than others. A nine year old from an otherwise happy, intact family who has yet to face a great deal of loss or grief may be taken a back, perhaps even a little frightened. This is a good work that should be reviewed first by a parent. Certainly consider the age prescribed. Also examine your own views on death, dying and marriage dissolution. These stories may helpfully support them, or they may not.

As a consultant in the child and youth development field, I would be more likely to steer the 11-13 year old grappling with specific issues to this Chicken Soup.

Awsome stories
The book contains loads of stories of tennagers who survived all this stuff, and acomplished dreams. It's really cool that such book exists that we can read stories of all these adolecents who want to share a storie with us. Some are funny, some are life learning. There are mostly sad stories in the book than anything else, but there good ones! Justdont get me rong, they dont soak the book. It's a nice book and I thing all the teens should read it, to know that there not alone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children   2. Children's 9-12 - Inspirational   3. Children: Grades 4-6   4. Conduct of life   5. Juvenile Nonfiction   6. Juvenile literature   7. Preteens   8. Religion - Inspirational   9. Social Situations - Abuse   10. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Applications for positions   2. Business & Economics   3. Career changes   4. Career-Changing   5. Career/Job   6. Careers - General   7. Careers - Job Hunting   8. Careers / Job Opportunities   9. Job Finding   10. Vocational guidance   

Customer Reviews (3)

The ONLY book on Group Policy... Period
Mark Minasi showed his enormous intellect when he gave his endorsement to Jeremy Moskowitz for a new book dedicated to Group Policies. I have both editions of this book and it stays open on my desk at all times. The sections on Deployment, GPMC, and ADM Template Management are golden. You may think you know AD but you don't until you know Group Policies and how much time they can save you managing your enterprise, and how under utlized group policies probably are in your enterprise. Oh...and if you can't find it in the book, check out Jeremy's website www.gpanswers.com with forums that Jeremy responds to personally.

If you have any involvement in a 2000 or 2003 Active Directory environment put this book in your shopping cart and proceed immediately to check out. You'll be darn glad you did.

Saved my bacon
If Dan Holme recommends it then it's gotta be good. He's a damned good techie and writer too.

I'm an experienced MCSE with an International W2003 forest. I've read the best books (Boswell & Minasi & MS Press) but I always found there was a need for a dedicated book on GPO, etc.

Jeremy was kind enough to let me have a look through his book around 6 weeks ago when I was at one of his talks. It looked good so I got it here on Amazon.

It's a great balance of intro and advanced material. Import notes and "gotch-ya's" are highlighted. Hard-to-find tips and tricks are littered all over the place.

Speaking fo which.... I was reading the a section on how to recover the default policies of a domain and the DC OU on the bus one morning. That day, during some random checks I was stunned to find one of the default GPO's was corrupt. The few $'s I spent on this book save me a call to MS Support.

It's an informative and humorous read. Jeremy seems to understand the daily toil of an overworked admin. I recommend this book to novicxes and especially to experts who will make the most of the advanced tips.

Phenomenal!
This book is an unbelievable resource for anyone needing "The Word" on Group Policy. Incredibly clear, highly detailed, and well organized! This goes way beyond any documentation that has been produced--Jeremy clearly spent a LOT of time digging through the guts of Group Policy and testing EVERYTHING. There is information here I haven't seen anywhere else--I would not be surprised if Microsoft's own Group Policy team learned a few things from reading this book. If you are planning, deploying, or troubleshooting Group Policy, do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Operating Systems   2. Computer Books: Operating Systems   3. Computers   4. Operating Systems - General   

Customer Reviews (136)

Amazon you need to give more stars. On a scale from 1-5,
This book is at least a 10.

Seriously, I have long been a fan of both Mr. Allen and Mr. Hansen. This book is great. It combines both fiction with non fiction and as a result you have a mega best seller and super book that can create powerful results for people who actually read and use the concepts in the book.

The fictional story is inspiring and really not that far off what others have done. It reminds me of Allens excellent book "The Challenge", how Allen took three people straight out of the unemployment lines. People who were broke and frustrated and showed them how to earn $5,000 in real estate in three months.

So the fictional part is no really so fictional at all. The non fictional part is the best of Allen and Hansen and delivered in a new and exciting way. You'll learn how to use the internet, real estate and n etwork marketing.

Overall, a great book. Inspiritional, motivational and educational. Certaintly better than reading JBQ's antiquated and boring nonsense.

Good book. Highly recommended.

Powerful and inspiring
Robert Allen and Mark Victor Hansen have scored another winner with The 1 Minute Millionaire. I have many tapes from Hansen that were promoted by SMI many years ago. And I have read some of Robert Allens books, most notably Multiple Streams of Income, Nothing Down and Creating Wealth.

I'm in network marketing and am h appy to see prominent people like Robert Allen, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Kiyosaki, Brian Tracy and others promoting this concept of wealth creation.

As everybody knows by now, The 1 Minute Millionaire is both fictional and non fictional. The fictional part is a story about a mother who must create income quickly. The non fiction part showcases Hansen's and Allen's most famous strategies. As a result this book is both inspiring and educational.

I recommend The 1 Minute Millionaire for anyone. It can change your life.

Six degrees of separation
This book is better than the Wealthy Barber or any of the Kiyosaki books that are written in this type of "make believe" style.

However I was left with two questions: Where do you get a mentor like the one in the book for free? Not to mention, friends like that? Friends that will work for free and support you unconditionally

2.5 - 3 stars - It has some good points ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics   2. Business / Economics / Finance   3. Business Life - General   4. Millionaires   5. Personal Finance   6. Personal Finance - General   7. Success   8. Success in business   9. Wealth   10. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General   

Customer Reviews (27)

Simply The Greatest Golf Book Ever Written
Mark Frost takes you back to the beginning of the American golf boom. The inspiring detailed account of Francis Ouimet's 1913 US Open is just one part of this wonderful historical book. Frost takes you through Harry Vardon's career and Francis Ouimet's childhoods, with background of all the great British golfers at the turn of the century. He then traces the growth of American golf, with the stories of John McDermott, Long Jim Barnes and a young Walter Hagen. All participants in the 1913 US Open.
Until reading this book, I never understood the impact of Ouimet's win on the careers and lives of Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones and Francis' caddy, Eddie Lowery, and American golf in general. This book belongs in the hands of every young golfer, just as Francis Ouimet grew up with and was inspired by Harry Vardon's "The Complete Golfer".

An absolutely fabulous narrative
It would be hard to come up with a more obscure topic for a book. The 1913 US Open? Are you kidding? Who wants to read about that? It was only because I heard a positive review of this book over the radio that I even considered picking it up. I am most gratified that I did.

The first section of the book, which discusses both the rise of Harry Vardon to golf superstardom and the childhood of Francis Ouimet, is riveting. Two individuals, raised half a world apart (although in similar economic circumstances) make their way through their respective worlds. It seems totally unlikely that their two paths will ever intersect.

The second section of the book, which covers the qualifying & final rounds for the US Open, was to me a little less engaging, at least until the final playoff round between Ouimet, Vardon, and Ted Ray, where the 20-year-old Ouimet shocked the golf world by defeating the seasoned British professionals. His victory announced the arrival of American golf, and ranks as one of the great upsets in sports history. Ouimet was the first US amateur to win the US Open. The stroke-by-stroke description of the final round is a true page-turner.

The book only bogged down when the author attempts to describe the era in which the game is set. He gushes over Teddy Roosevelt & castigates William Howard Taft, whose term he describes as one of the most disastrous in history. This section not only seems unnecessary, but clearly shows that Frost is not exactly a student of US history. Taft may not be one our great presidents, but his term was not exactly a fiasco. Why Frost spends as many pages ripping into Taft is a mystery to me.

All golfers should read this, if for no other reason than to be humbled by the description of the equipment & conditioins under which these golfers played. In a day of graphite shafts & over-sized heads, where duffers can launch the ball great distances, it is almost inconceivable that men could play with any accuracy with wooden shafts & gutties. One is left with the impression that Harry Vardon would massacre most modern-day professionals if given half the chance. It is very depressing for hackers such as myself, but then one has the example of Francis Ouimet, who reminds us why we love the game so much.

Ouimet Book a Winner
A thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable read. Mark Frost does an excellent job of taking a number of names from golf's past, fleshing them out and bringing them back to life nearly 100 years after the event. Frost's descriptions of the final rounds and the playoff are so detailed and comprehensive you will feel that you watched them on television. This is a real treasure of a book, and well worth your time and money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1870-1937   2. Golf   3. Golf - General   4. History   5. Ouimet, Francis   6. Sports   7. Sports & Recreation   8. Vardon, Harry,   9. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Customer Reviews (20)

Traditional Courage
Senator McCain puts together a plethora of real-life stories from a diverse collection of courageous people to illustrate the application of courage and how you can learn to function with fear as a part of your life. While his examples are drawn from circumstances beyond the scope of most of our lives, (military war heroes, explorers, Civil Rights movement leaders, Native Americans, religious leaders, and Burmese dissidents), his intent is to teach the reader how to face the daily challenges of life bravely.

This book is a reflection of Senator McCain's life, which he admits has not always been up to the level of courageousness he would wish (referring to his Vietnam experiences). By telling the stories of how others handled difficult situations, McCain succeeds in teaching the reader how to face fear. His book extols the honor of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, and defines courage as "the capacity for action despite our fears."

Regardless of your political beliefs or opinion of McCain, this book is worth reading and sharing with others.

Sen. McCain is arguably the most popular politician in...
...modern day America. He is one of the few remaining political leaders that is able to captivate citizens regardless of party affiliation. This relatively short book is just another example as to why he holds such universal appeal. The book itself is simply a collection of stories about folks who McCain thinks has demonstrated some form of courage. They range anywhere from physical acts of courage on the battlefield to the moral courage to stand up for what is right. He scatters throughout the book his personal thoughts on fear and courage, morality and virtue, and asks some open-ended questions which are not easy to answer. Despite the fact that he doesn't spend too much time discussing his experience as a POW, his thoughts and the stories he's chosen to share are just another example of why Sen. McCain continues to be such an inspirational public figure. Definitely worth the read!

The Meaning Of Courage, From A Man Who Knows
This extended essay on courage comes from a man who has displayed it in abundance, although not surprisingly, he seeks to deny or minimize that. Senator John McCain endured years of physical and psychological torture as a North Vietnamese prisoner of war and has gone on to display courage of a different, but no less real sort, in the political arena.

McCain introduces us to a variety of people who have displayed the dimensions of courage--Medal of Honor winner Sgt. Roy Benavidez, who rescued eight of his comrades in Cambodia despite suffering grievous wounds that would leave him hospitalized for months; Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who has endured house arrest, separation from her family and other depravations in her battle to secure freedom for the peoples of Burma; civil rights leader John Lewis; a Baltimore mother who paid the ultimate price for fighting the drug dealers in her neighborhood; and others, both famous and obscure.

Courage is not easy to define, McCain suggests. For years he thought Hemingway's famous phrase ("grace under pressure") might be as good as any, but explains how decades of thinking and experience have led him to a deeper understanding, if not a more precise definition, of this significant human quality. Courage has many dimensions, he suggests; though physical bravery is often an element of it, it's not a necessity. What does seem to be an absolute, in McCain's view, is that for an action to be truly courageous it must be grounded in firm moral beliefs. Senator McCain has given us a worthwhile, empowering book.--William C. Hall ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies   2. Courage   3. Ethics & Moral Philosophy   4. Inspirational   5. Motivational & Inspirational   6. Normative Ethics   7. Philosophy   8. Religion / Inspirational   

Customer Reviews (121)

AMAZING WORK!!!!
I read this series a few years ago and absolutly loved it. i finished Voice in 3 days and was so excited about the next one that i drove to a really far bookstore at 5 in the morning so i could be there as soon as they opened to get the next book i was really inspired be Rivers writing so much so that i read about the bible character Haddessa that inspired the book character and her faith is so admirable that i want to name a child after her (the bible character not the fictional)these books were so good i passed them to all my friends and they loved them too i now have to replace them because they are literally falling apart!!! thay've been read so many times these books will change you they made faith come to life in me in such a way with prayer and living my faith so that others are impacted in a possitive way im so happy to have an example of how to weather rough times with god leading and not trying to do it myself my point being that its nice to have a female example of christianity where the example has always been a males faithfulness anyway im just really pleased with the mark series and recomend them for everyone but a warning if you are not straight in your walk with Christ this book with convict you to get striaght with God it convicted me

Completely enthralling! The best books I've read in years!!
A friend recommended Francine Rivers' "Mark of the Lion" series to me, and I am so grateful!! I love to read, but it is not often that my life is enriched by a work of fiction. From the very first book I found myself not only engaged, but challenged. Rivers begins by challenging her readers to a life committed to sharing the gospel and living Christ's love, through her main character, Hadassah. The second book takes an honest and powerful look at forgiveness, as God would have us forgive and love those who have hurt us most deeply. Finally, "As Sure As the Dawn" takes us into the heart and mind of an unbeliever who is chained by his anger. As I read of God's work in this man's life, I felt I was seeing an eye-opening perspective of my own life. Each book became so personal to me. The writing and research into each book is absolutely incredible. As a person with degree in English literature, it is so nice to read a book that I don't find myself editing as I read it!! I am certainly a new fan of Francine Rivers, and look forward to reading the rest of her work!

Simply the best
This book series is one that takes the era (approx A.D. 70) and makes it jump to life! It takes the scriptures and brings a dimension that I'd never seen. This book is an absolute page turner! I loved every minute of it. Way to go, Francine! I am your newest fan. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction   2. Fiction - Religious   3. Religious - General   4. Religious - Romance/Historical   

Customer Reviews (8)

Another great tool for the practioner's tool box.
Research suggests that an ever increasing number of practioners are relying on tools such as this to help formulate treatment plans.

As a graduate student, what I find useful about this book is that after you study a particular disorder---from the DSM-IV-TR itself, a good psychopathology text (see Davison & Neal's Abnormal Psychology), and the DSM's Diagnostic Criteria handbook, The Adult Psychotherapy Treatment Planner completes the loop.

I bought this book after taking a case studies class where the instructor did an absolutely miserable job in showing us the rhyme and reason behind a good treatment plan. Not satisfied that I knew enough about this critically important piece in the counseling process, I did some research and found this book to be the most highly regarded in this genre.

As subsequent classes deal with child and adolescent psychopathology, family psychopathology, etc. etc. I will be getting the treatment plans that correspond with these issues.

Thank You.
Just what I needed, such a time saver now I can actually use my brain power to help not just write about it--Thanks again.

the best book
If you are in the Human Service field. This book is a must. It has helped me so much. I've had this book for over 7 years and if you are learning to write service plans, you will need to get this book and the others as well. Believe me, get this book. It is worth the price and beneficial as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc   2. Planning   3. Practice Management   4. Psychiatric records   5. Psychiatry - General   6. Psychology   7. Psychotherapy   8. Psychotherapy - General   9. Behavioural theory (Behaviourism)   10. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory   

This book, the latest in the hugely popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, contains stories,poems, and cartoons relating to the specific troubles that traumatize teenagers everywhere. There are plentyof stories about dating ("HE KISSED MY TEETH!"), friendships (don't gossip), and school.But Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul doesn't shy away from the big issues either, with essays onsuicide, dying young, and drunk driving. This book stems from the knowledge that teens know their ownconcerns best—thus, much of the book is written by teens themselves, which gives the book a veryaccessible, informal tone. Also, the authors had each piece evaluated by as many teenagers as possible. Thecare shows. Teenage Soul is always respectful, and doesn't minimize any of the dramas ofadolescence. It does, however, mete out plenty of perspective. This wise, tender, funny book is filled withwisdom useful to teens (and everybody else, too). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (449)

Amazing
"Chicken Soup for the Teenage soul" is about teenagers who go through some bad & good times. The book is also about teen love, friendship, sad poems and also some stories. The book helps other teenagers realize that they're not the only ones who go through rough times. It also tells teenagers to not take life for granted, and that there is only one life to live. If you mess up you can't go back. The book has teenagers who tell their stories about bad times and it gives them inspiration to keep on trying. The stories & poems the teenagers write show other teens that life is not always fair and can be difficult at times, but no matter what they always don't give up.

To Me this book is a really interesting and fun book to read. This book has also taught me that everybody has problems no matter what it is. The book has also taught me to share what I feel and how to express my self. This is why I like the book "Chicken soup for the teenage soul letters" so much. I would really recommend other teenagers to read this book, because it tells you how to deal with your problems with out hurting your self or others around you. I really don't hate anything about this book, it is very good to read, and it really does help you. I think the Author wrote a very good book. I will be reading all of the books they publish. The book really touched me, and made me look at life from a different point of view.

The Most Touching and Inspiring book I've ever read!
When I first heard about Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul, I was not in a hurry to purchase or even read it. Later though, my freind bought it and I read a story he told me too. WOW! That one page of what he went through totally changed my perspective on life. I went home and bought the book that night. When I began to read it I relized what I had read was just the beginning of a renewal on the way that I treat and look at my life. Day after day I read a few stories at a time. There were stories that caused my to laugh, cry, smile, frown, get scared, think, and love. If there were more stars beside just 5, I would give them to this book. I feel like this book has renewed so many things in my life that I believe i am a different person. I also have learned many lessons about family, life, freinds, and many many other things. I would recomend this book to anyone that needs a little hope, inspiration, renewal, or just a nice read. Thank yo for your time and if you read Chicken Soup for the Teenage soul I hope that you enjoy, wait, I know that you will enjoy every story in there. Thank You!

Very good
This book is oacked with awesome stories about growing up. I recommend it to all teens. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Inspirational   2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)   3. Conduct of life   4. Juvenile Nonfiction   5. Religion - Inspirational   6. Social Situations - Abuse   7. Teenagers   8. Family & Relationships / Adolescence   

Customer Reviews (11)

Thorough, well-thought-out and well-written.
This is the best book on jazz theory I've encountered; would be one of my five desert-island music books. He's formatted the book like this: each chapter begins with a short transcribed passage that demonstrates, say, a particular type of voicing or scale in context. The musical concept behind the example is then explained and expanded on. Mark's brevity makes for a book that's dense with information, and the style is not so much prescriptive -- "play this and this and you're playing JAZZ!" as it is descriptive -- "Here's what you're hearing when you hear, e.g., this characteristic Bill Evans sound". The result is a book that covers everything, but still relies on the reader to listen to lots of jazz music, experiment, and practice.

Which is exactly how it should be. For the serious student, this is by leaps and bounds the best study guide to mastering the vocabulary of jazz piano as played by the musicians who've helped shape it over the last half-century-plus, and a great stepping stone toward developing one's own style.

Valuable Learning Resource for the Aspiring Jazz Pianist ! !
Before Mark Levine's Jazz Piano book came out, choosing a book on how to play piano was a lot like selecting a presidential candidate - - you may not have been crazy about the choices but... (blah blah blah) What makes this book different is that it walks a fine and brilliant line between theory, application and stylistics and it is never dry, and further it is contemporary. By chapter 10 and beyond he's getting into fourth chords, upper structures and "so what" chords. Most books sort of finish up just when Bud Powell is hitting the scene. This book however will take you up to McCoy Tyner and Kenny Barron. - - Unlike other books, his book also sites practical song examples and specific listening examples.

If you're entirely on your own, I think this book, along with a few Aebersold play-a-longs and Amadea's Harmonic Foundations for Jazz and Pop Music would really take you a long way. Your ultimate goal should be able to sit in at Jam sessions and with real players... that's where the real learning begins. Do what you have to do to get to the point that you can hang with a blues or Real Book standards.

(Regarding suitability for beginers vs. advanced players : This book is pretty good for players of all levels, though if you're starting from scratch another book to consider is Brain Waite's "Modern Jazz Piano : A Study in Harmony" or Amadea's book, then this.)

Just do it !
I bought this book about 8 months ago and I must say that I have not spent one day since without working with it, and I have made considerable progress. It is a excellent toolkit. Each chapter shows you a concept (so that you can hear it by playing it) and then gives you all the stuff so that you can actually understand it, learn it, practise it and get it definitely. It does not spare you to work a lot of course, but it gives you very solid foundations to play jazz (and other) tunes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. Music   3. Musical Instruments - Techniques   

Customer Reviews (20)

Best Jazz Theory Book Ever!
Concise and entertaining text; Clear analysis with excellent musical examples; The section on Chord/Scale applications alone is worth the price; Check out Levine's analysis of Coltrane changes: he makes this complex harmonic device comprehensible, and even manageable! This is the last theory book I'll ever need.

Exceptional Theory Book for All Jazz Musicians
This is easily the best jazz theory resource I have ever seen. The book is exceptionally well written and is liberally sprinkled with numerous musical examples. The basics are covered here as well as some quite advanced topics.

Players of all instruments can benefit from the information presented in this book. Music reading ability in both treble and bass clefs is required.

BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!
By all means, if you've been confused with theory in the past, buy this book! I could have easily saved myself several hundred dollars I've spent on other materials that only left me as confused as I was when I started or at best taught me fragments of theory that I couldn't piece together in a cohesive manner if I'd just bought this book first. Levine's book shows you the how and the why in a way that is easy to understand and builds on itself so that you "get it" and can apply it. I can't recommend it highly enough! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. Music   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance   2. Business Life - Inspirational   3. Christianity   4. Christianity - Christian Life - Business   5. Inspirational - General   6. Motivational   7. Religion   8. Religious aspects   9. Success   10. Religion / Inspirational   

Customer Reviews (8)

A book of uncommon wisdom
I must admit that I don't usually purchase or enjoy very many "leadership" books, but this one is truly different. This book is written in a quick-read style and is very easy to understand. The principles are easy to remember and hard to apply, but have had a transformational impact on my life. I believe readers will find that if they have the guts and discipline to consistently think about ways to apply these principles, they will see a major shift in how people respond to them in their family life, business life, or church life. I have already shared my copy of the book with others, and they have each pointed out specific aspects of the book that they say completely changed their way of looking at the world.

I think this book makes great gifts for people you work with or family members. Don't be surprised if some folks don't "get it"...it's the people that do "get it" that are going to find amazing ways to apply these principles and impact the lives of others!

Leadership
I recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position. I found the book to be an easy read, yet strong in content. I look forward to implementing the "SERVE" model at work and in everyday life. Thank you Mr. Blanchard and Mr. Miller for your insight into leadership.

Leadership Lessons
This is the story of Debbie, a struggling and a failing leader, who learns the lessons of management from her Boss. Miserable with her poor performance, the character of Ken's Book, joins the Mentor Program offered by her company and incidentally, Jeff, the president of the company happens to be the trainer. She thoroughly undergoes the training sessions where she realise her mistakes. She is taught to be a 'Serving Leader' rathar than a 'self-serving Leader'. She learns the secrets of success with the five steps :
* Seeing and shaping the future
* Engaging and developing others
* Continuously Reinvent
* Value results and relationships
* Embody the values
Debbie learns whatever is needed to be a good leader, analyze her progress with examples, excercises and tips. In process with Debbie's example, Ken Blanchard has made successful attempt to teach the Leadership Lessons to all successful as well as troubled and failed Leaders. The Book provides a guide to solve problems that seem complex and make it easier with the concepts clear - A choice to Serve. Not always I guess, because while Serving too without being self-served, the Leader becomes a struggler if the Company policies and the Boss Attitude and vision is not focused. Sometimes wavelengths do not meet. However, based on the author's experience and drawn from examples of best leaders, this book gives an insight to improve upon one's own abilities and in serving others, tackle the situations with ease without struggling lamely. Ken Blanchard's experience speaks in volumes. A good Pick. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics   2. Business / Economics / Finance   3. Business/Economics   4. Economics - General   5. Leadership   6. Leadership In Business   7. Management   8. Management - General   

Customer Reviews (10)

The Best
This is the best book. Our family absolutely loves it. The pictures are fabulous and the story is very cute. You will NOT be dissapointed. It is one of our top 5 favorite children's books. My 3 year old loves looking for the hidden pictures in each page and added bonus to a truly amazing book.

Delightful story and pictures
This is a delightful book. My grandson (age 4) and I both love the pictures and the cute story. It's one of our favorite bedtime story books.

All that's missing is a corn cob pipe
A far happier idea of what happens to snowmen than "Frosty the Snowman". Author Caralyn Buehner and her husband Mark Buehner (the book's illustrator) woke one morning to find that the snowman they'd created the night before had surreptitiously moved several yards closer to their front door. Inspired by their snow creature's apparent desire to move around and about, the Buehners started speculating on the eventide activities of snowmen in general. The result is the lovely and ludicrous "Snowmen At Night".

As the young boy narrator tells it, one day he made a snowman with coal eyes and mouth and a carrot nose. The next day he returned to his fine creation only to find it looking all saggy baggy. This causes the boy to speculate, "What do snowmen do at night?". The answer is clear. Snowmen like to go to the park drinking ice-cold cocoa made by (and here it gets a little odd) "snowman mothers". Hm. Then they start to participate in their own very particular games. These include races, skating on the frozen ponds, making snow angels, and having fabulous snow fights. There's even some big time sledding down monstrous (but not too scary) hills. Towards the end, you really can't blame the snowmen if they've lost an eye here or a mitten there. Maybe they look a little bit worse for wear by the morning's light, but rest assured that they've definitely had a good time while you slept.

It's difficult for a person of my generation to read a snowman book and not instantly think of old "Calvin and Hobbes" cartoons. The snowmen pictured here are actually not too different from the ones pictured in Bill Watterson's strips, but they're significantly less scary. I think you'll instantly gravitate to this book the minute you see the cover. On the top half stand the serene smiling snowmen in the bright noonday sun. On the bottom half they're cavorting in a kind of makeshift conga line. Kids will warm to the idea of snowmen (something they themselves have created) having lives entirely of their own. It doesn't hurt any that the guys definitely seem to be having the time of their lives. Caralyn's text is well complimented by Mark's illustrations too. There's even been the extra added element of hidden shapes for kids to find in the pictures. If readers look carefully they might be able to spot a cat, a rabbit, a Santa face, and more. I appreciated that these images never once drew inordinate attention to themselves or distracted from the pictures. That is the mark of an expert illustrator.

The back flap of the book shows a photograph of the rogue snowman that inspired this book in the first place. The book isn't the most original in the world and its illustrations aren't going to blow you away with either their wit or their artistic merits but it's certainly a great wintertime tale. There are five million books about toys coming to life at night, so why not snowmen too? If you want a picture book that takes away the sting of snowmen melting, I suggest you definitely check out and read the jaunty flouncy "Snowmen At Night" and read it to your loved ones. It's a book with pep in its step. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   2. Children: Preschool   3. Fiction   4. General   5. Humorous Stories   6. Juvenile Fiction   7. Readers - Beginner   8. Snow   9. Snowmen   10. Sports & Recreation - Winter Sports   11. Stories in rhyme   

Subjects:  1. Female friendship   2. Friendship   3. Inspirational   4. Inspirational - General   5. Motivational & Inspirational   6. Personal Growth - General   7. Personal Growth - Happiness   8. Self-Help   9. Social Institutions   10. Spiritual Healing   11. Family & Relationships / Love & Romance   

Merck Pharmaceuticals have edited a clear and comprehensive reference for older adults.Dr. Mark Beers begins with the age-old questions: when does a person become old and why does the body change? The remainder of this guide is divided into preventive and active care for self and others. The list of topics is a virtual everything you want to know about aging: nutritional needs, finding a doctor, understanding tests, surgery and rehabilitation, and long term care. More than one hundred specific medical conditions including fractures, constipation, tinnitus, dental disease, and dementia are explained and cross referenced with useful details. Although a clinical explanatory model prevails, non-traditional methods such as acupuncture and homeopathy receive honorable mention. The guide takes an unflinching look at sexuality, end of life decisions, and mistreatment of elderly adults. Other practical c! hapters are devoted to driving dilemmas and navigating the Byzantine financing of health care. This information is punctuated with essays from older adults--including a cheeky Max Sendak cartoon. The essays, along with charts, photos, and illustrations help to lessen the book's encyclopedic tone. Many older adults and the people who care for them will welcome the well-organized format and richly detailed information of this guide. --Barbara Mackoff ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging   2. Aging - General   3. Diet / Health / Fitness   4. Diseases   5. General   6. Health and hygiene   7. Healthy Living   8. Medical   9. Older people   10. Medical / General   

Customer Reviews (9)

Intelligence: From Secrets to Policy
This is the one book you should read if you want to understand how the complex process of producing intelligence for the U.S. Government really works. The work is clearly intended to be used as a textbook for college level courses on intelligence, but I strongly reccommend it to anyone interested in the subject. You get a lot for your money including a very good reading list at the end of each chapter which is very helpful if a particular chapter topic interests you. Also, rather surprisingly, the author, Mark M Lowenthal, is quite a good writer and stylist so that the book is not only informative, it is a good read.

I do have one caveat about this book. Lowenthal has spent his career fairly far up the intelligence food chain which has good and bad effects on his book. The good effect is that he understands and explains with wonderful clarity the complete intelligence process from requirements to finished intelligence for policy decisions. The bad effect is that he is not that well informed on the specifics of collection, processing and exploitation which are at the heart of the process. Indeed he is guilty of some mistatements on this aspect of the process. On the other hand he is fair and accurate in his overall treatment of collection and processing, which for this book, is probably more important.

In sum, this is an excellent book which which I think even old hands in the intelligence world would benefit from reading.

Primer for Presidents, Congress, Media, and Public

Mark Lowenthal, who today is the Associate Deputy Director of Central Intelligence for Analysis and Production (ADCI/A&P), was briefly (for a year) the President of OSS USA (I created OSS Inc., the global version). So much for disclosure and "conflicts of interest". The previous review, after a year of being irritatingly present, needs to be corrected. Dr. Lowenthal was for many years the Senior Executive Service reviewer of intelligence affairs for the Congressional Research Service, then he went on to be Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence & Research (Analysis), and then he became the Staff Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he supervised one of the two really serious really excellent studies on all that is wrong with intelligence and what needs to be fixed. OSS was lucky to have him contribute to its development for a year before he moved on to another corporation and then to the #5 position in the US Intelligence Community. He needs no help from me in either articulating his ideas or doing good work.

What the previous reviewer fails to understand is that Dr. Lowenthal's book represents the *only* available "primer" on intelligence that can be understood by Presidents, Congressmen, the media, and the public. While my own book (The New Craft of Intelligence) strives to discuss the over-all threats around the world in terms meaningful to the local neighborhoods of America, Dr. Lowenthal's book focuses on the U.S. Intelligence Community itself--the good, the bad, and the ugly. He is strongest on analysis and the politics of intelligence, somewhat weaker on collection and counterintelligence covert action. There is no other book that meets the need for this particular primer, and so I recommend it with enthusiasm. It is on the OSS.NET list of the top 15 books on intelligence reform every written.

A good basic text on the subject
Mark Lowenthal knows the intelligence community and the process of producing intelligence. His works are recommended reading and occupy shelf space throughout the government.

My only caution is to take the review written by Mr. Steele with a grain of salt. Mr. Steele is the CEO of Open Source Solutions, the same company that Lowenthal is the COO for. Can you say conflict of interest? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage   2. Intelligence service   3. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage   4. Political Process - Leadership   5. Political Science   6. Politics/International Relations   7. U.S. Government - Intelligence Agencies   8. United States   

Customer Reviews (59)

Shows traders how to make their emotions work for them.
Every trader knows that mastering your emotions is key to success in the market, and every would be trader has heard or read this. "Trading in the Zone" is sort of an "inner game" book for trading stocks and commodities, but far superior to other such books that I've seen. Mark Douglas gets into detail about how our beliefs, attitudes, etc, originate from our experiences, control our perceptions of the world and shape our actions in ways that may be contrary to our best interests, and then tells how to overcome these negative influences to produce positive results in the market. But, unlike most books of this sort, it isn't just "tell yourself that you're good". He lays out a specific plan for developing your "game" of trading, so that you learn how to develop a proper emotional state along with your technique. He stresses low risk trades, so that you have time to learn without being wiped out in the process. And he stresses paying yourself as the market makes profits available, so that you can enjoy positive results and their psychological benefit even if the overall trade result is negative. I think this book is also useful for life in general. I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 because I felt that he used too much repetition, no doubt in an effort to drive home his point.

Picks up where every other book leaves off
     If you are like most people, after your first few losing trades you set about to learn better market analysis. After your next string of losers you learned about risk management. But there's still one more challenge to conquer; yourself.
     That is the major premise of this book. If it sounds like wishy-washy psycho-babble to you, I'll only say that I would have agreed -- four months ago, before I quit my 20-year technology career, obtained a Series/7 license and joined a professional day-trading firm. I now believe most people would lose money if you gave them 50/50 odds on whether or not it was going to rain tomorrow.
     In other words, successfully forecasting the market is not enough. Why not? Well, this book explains why not. It has to do with one's sense of self-worth, one's moral judgment of money, one's work-ethic, one's tendency to focus on good news while ignoring bad, and other things.
     "Zone" was recommended to a friend of mine by a professional floor trader who told him, "I wish I had read it before starting two years ago. Don't place another trade until you do." Well said. Does this apply to investors as well as traders? Oh, absolutely! If you have ever said to yourself, "I'm not selling that stock while it's down, I'll wait until I have a profit in it," then for the love of money, read this book.
     Finally, read "Zone" before Douglas' earlier work. If you still want more then read "Disciplined Trader" for a general review plus a deeper exploration into the author's philosophical and meta-physical theories.

Emotions Kill In Trading
I thought this was a well written book by Douglas. He constantly hammers the point of getting your emotions in check before trading. He says this in every single chapter in one form or another. Learn through repetition.

Wished I had read this book first many, many years ago before I lost bucoo $$$$, but now I've learned the hard way. The book is also easy to read and hits home on many things regarding one's emotions. They do NOT belong in trading (unless you want to lose money).

Found that greed and fear were my 2 biggest enemies. I don't have specific examples to give you of what he talks about since I read the book awhile back, but this book is definitely worth reading again and again, just to remind yourself the market plays no favorites and doesn't care who you are.

Learning to get your emotions under control as a stock trader or investor is of greatest importance, if you want to make money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics   2. Business / Economics / Finance   3. Business/Economics   4. Investment Finance   5. Investments & Securities - Stocks   6. Personal Finance - Investing   7. Speculation   8. Stocks   9. Master the Market with Confidence, Discipline, and a Winning Attitude   10. Business   11. Personal Finance   12. Investing   

Customer Reviews (19)

Great fun
Mark Obmascik can write! His wit and writing skills make this book a delight to read, even if birding is not your sport.The three competitors in The Big Year are so different, but so compulsive and colorful that they totally captivate you. Suspense and fun are all part of this charming book. I might just try my hand at birding.

Obsession is universal
To categorize "The Big Year" as simply a birding book is to sidestep the universality of this crisply written narrative. Three men spend 365 days to satisfy a burning desire to observe more species of birds than anyone else in North America. The ultimate prize is no more than bragging rights and a place in the record books. This is obsession, nothing more or less, at its finest.

How many people are actually able to pursue their dreams? Going after a big year record takes the willingness and ability to hop a plane at a moment's notice, to travel to the kind of locales that people a little less loony would eschew, to spend copious amounts of time and money pursuing birds who very well might not be there by the time you arrive.

Obmascik captures the whole picture in a lively book that reveals the occasionally desperate spirit of the competition, the nature of the competitors and, with finely researched science and historical writing, enough background information to help the new initiate understand just why this particular sport is interesting and how it came to be. This isn't simply a book for birders. It's an actively written account that transcends birding, one that offers up a unique slice of humanity to the interested reader.

The Obsession of Birding
Mark Obmascik has documented the "Big Year" of three extreme birders - Sandy Komito, Al Levantin and Greg Miller - as they try to beat a record and each other during 1998. This is more a sporting competition than natural history or science. They could just as easily had been train spotting for the largest number of different boxcars. The goal is of course to record the largest number of bird species seen in one year and they have a tough standard to play against. James Vardaman had recorded 699 birds in 1979, Benton Basham had seen 711 in 1983, Komito himself had gotten 721 in 1987, and Bill Rydell had gotten 714 in 1992. In 1998 all were trying to beat 721 and all were unbelievably driven. I won't tell you who won, but it certainly is a remarkable tale indeed!

As a sometimes birder who is a professional biologist I understand the thrill of the chase and at least these listers are not killing their quarry. However, I am a bit astonished at the amount of money and time some of these extreme birders will spend to get over 700 birds on their list in a year. I have only about 250 birds on my life list (I'm not against listing) and I doubt that I will ever make 500 for my life.

The story of their competition to reach over 721 birds in a single year is gripping, but I tend to agree with at least one of the left behind wives that they are also a little bit out of their minds. Everybody has a right to follow their dream (as long as they don't hurt others in the process) and birding is relatively harmless. I personally would prefer to get to know the birds a bit better than that. Perhaps that is a bit of academic snobbishness, but it is also my individual taste.

In any case I recommend this book to anyone who would like to try to understand the drive to record the maximum number of birds seen in a year. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes   2. Bird watchers   3. Bird watching   4. Birds   5. Birds & Birdwatching - General   6. Counting   7. Essays   8. Nature   9. Nature / Field Guide Books   10. Nature/Ecology   11. Nature / General   

Any program promising better health is only as good as the work you put into it, but Ultraprevention authors Mark Liponis and Mark Hyman, co-directors of medicine at Canyon Ranch, have designed their program so that not everyone must follow every little detail to the letter. Their six-week program is divided into three stages, but you can decide which suggestions will help speed you towards your goals. They begin by simplifying illness and reducing the various causes to five possible categories: Burnout (metabolism), Heat (inflammation), Rust (presence of free radicals or absence of antioxidants), Sludge (nutrition), and Waste (poor detoxification). These five categories are individually complex, but it's not at all difficult to find a few simple steps to take in the direction of healthier living. Some choices--filtering drinking water via reverse osmosis, improving your sleeping habits, or choosing specific supplements to add to your daily regimen--are quick and painless. Others, such as weaning yourself off prescription medications (like anti-inflammatories) and replacing the drugs with micronutrients, are best done in consultation with your own physician. Balancing general suggestions with a deep understanding that people vary greatly in their habits, Liponis and Hyman present a range of possibilities for every age and level of fitness while simultaneously addressing the specific needs of particular illnesses.While the terminology is potentially overwhelming to total novices in complimentary medicine, the book offers clear and excellent possibilities for those who are willing to look outside the box for improved health. --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Don't knock it till you've tried it.
My husband and I transformed our life through Ultraprevention. And we've completed only part of what is recommended so far. We are gradually continuing on the path because it works. As patients of doctors Liponis and Hyman, it is hard to overstate their genuine caring and desire to help their patients live as fully as possible. How terrific that everyone can try their program through this book, not just those fortunate enough to be able to go to Canyon Ranch. The most important points we've learned from our experience: 1) Take charge of your own health. You cannot count on today's harrassed, malpractice-threatened, inappropriately incented doctors to do it for you. Even those with the best of intentions are hamstrung by the system. 2) The smallest steps in the right direction can bring significant rewards. The program is not overwhelming and complex when you think of it incrementally. Just take one bite at a time -- it's not an all or nothing exercise.

If I could give this book 10 stars I would...
After hearing about this book and its authors I felt it would be helpful in my search to take better care of my family's health. My expectations were low to say the least. It has, however, become one of the most influential books/studies of my life. I very quickly went online and purchased an additional 6 books to give to friends and family. Everyone should know what these men are trying to tell us. The book is written in common sense English, and gives very moving examples of how others have come to benefit from their studies and practice. It has forever changed the way I look at oils, fats, sugars, carbs, and dairy - especially dairy! You will be doing yourself the greatest favor to buy this book and read it right away. Good reading, and good health.

Best book to read for staying healthy!
I have read many books on how to stay healthy, and by far, this is the best book that I have read on the subject. I suggest that anyone who is interested in taking control of their health destiny to sit down and absorb what these two very informed doctors have written on the subject. We need more doctors who, "look outside the box," and desire to educate people as Dr. Hyman and Dr. Liponis have undertaken with their wonderful and enlightening book. It is a must read for everyone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness   2. Healing   3. Health   4. Health & Fitness   5. Health promotion   6. Health self-care   7. Health/Fitness   8. Healthy Living   9. Personal Health   10. Popular works   11. Self-care, Health   12. Health & Fitness / General