Resources Books

I've read my share of books on Mormonism over the years, having found myself living among the LDS for six years. Looking at their religion forces you to consider what it is about Christianity that makes it distinctly "Christian", and I found the historic Christian faith to be richer and more intensely beautiful than I had formerly known it to be. This book explains the differences.
I have several wonderful Mormon friends and they believe with their whole LIVES that Joseph Smith really was a prophet. They are neither stupid or particularly gullible. I do believe that they are LOST, something Christians should more readily keep in mind. So many books on Mormonism seem to center on efforts to belittle Mormons and their beliefs. This book does neither. It will help you to think of Mormonism as a kind of "spiritual Titanic"...looks like an unsinkable ocean liner...plush, comfortable, but it won't get you to other shore. This book gently reaches out with "rowboat"-style truth. Pay special attention to the portion about "defining terms". The LDS and Christians often share a surface vocabulary but you'll quickly find that certain terms like "grace" and "salvation" mean totally different things to each.
Buy this book, in fact, buy two copies. Give one to your public library.

This is an excellent book for anyone who may not fully understand or are curious about the fundamental Mormon beliefs. The author, then in turn, shows compassionate and thought provoking methods for sharing the truth of the gospel of Jesus with Mormons. Highly recommend!!

There are any number of books that cover the religion of Mormonism, but Cares' is one of the best. He deals with pertinent issues that don't fly over the average layperson's head. In addition he provides specific references that anyone can write into their Bibles (along with other LDS scriptures) in order to become efficient in sharing one's faith. Cares' attitude of "sharing in love" is also appreciated, as it is evident that he has no bone to pick or desires an "anti-Mormon" label. I have only two minor complaints. 1) There are a number of grammatical/ spelling/ layout errors that could easily be cleaned up with a good editor/ proofreader. 2) The book doesn't appear to be on a publisher's current list...this is a timeless piece that somebody ought to pick up. For Christians hoping to have a healthy dialogue with their LDS friends and neighbors, I suggest this as one of the books you purchase.

Over the past two years, my wife and I have read literally dozens of books about and from the LDS church. This is one of, if not the best I've read.

I appreciate Pastor Cares informative, yet sensitive approach-emphasizing both knowledge and compassion for friends, neighbors and even family members in the LDS church. While many Mormons are great, moral and upright people, they are in bondage to a religious system that demands perfection. Therefore, I also appreciate his caution not to argue theology, especially by "Majoring in the minors," but to share our witness as Christians in God's Law (those demands for perfection that can never be met) and Gospel (God's perfecting unconditional love-grace- in Jesus that has made us perfect by his life, death and resurrection).

I highly recommend this book to any one who either wants to know more about their neighbors' faith. I especially recommend this book to those who wish to go further and share the hope that is within them in the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This book was SO eye-opening. I've read about 10 other Mormonism analysis books and I've had discussions with Mormons for over six months. This one is definitely the best book on the subject.

This book changed everything for me. My eyes were suddenly opened to the idea that I was approaching witnessing entirely wrong. I was getting bogged down with logic and minutia and taking my focus away from Christ. Clearly, that's how our discussions should focus, as with any Christian witness. I still pray for those Mormon boys that I had discussions with, and wish I had it to do over again, knowing what I do now. This book was an emotional read for me.

Of course, it's good to be prepared by knowing how Mormons think. They have different different definitions of generally accepted Christian words, so right away we're speaking a different language. Simple words -- like salvation, sin, heaven, eternal life -- have very differnt meanings under Mormonism. This book will enlighten you on those, and others.

Other books have more information about Mormon beliefs and more details and more rebuttals to their arguments, but this one gives you the best ammunition. Don't tear down a Mormon and leave them with nothing to believe in. Focus on Christ, and him crucified.

A simple book with a fantastic message. Great training tools. Fantastic way wich the authors lead us to discover the book.

For those of you in the training industry (or those contemplating becoming a trainer) READ THIS BOOK! It contains many important examples and instruction on how to become a more effective trainer. I just finished reading this book for the third time, and it seems to get better every time I read it!

Post-training evaluations tell us a bit about our training delivery, but these do not always reflect our effectiveness in the training; in many cases, we are training people that know very little about the subject we are training about. So often times, our evaluations reflect how the training attendees "liked" our training; not necessarily how much they learned about our subject matter.

The most important lessons I learned from this book were:

1) Making certain that your training will improve workplace performance. This is a key to ensuring that your customers invite you back for future training sessions. If your trainees are able to "hit the road running" right after the training, your value as a trainer will be magnified many, many times...

2) Using the five-step model to retrofit existing training sessions - how to make your existing training program even more effective.

3) Repetition Techniques - how to improve your training for better retention.

4) How to create effective training "tests" - I've always struggled with the testing portion of the training and this chapter is key to providing the trainees with feedback on what they are learning.

5) A table listing the different types of training tools with the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

This book manages to deliver what you need to know to develop and implement training, based on current research and still be readable and enjoyable. For once the trainers seemed to have followed their own advice -- keeping the learner active and engaged.

Good overview, may use it as the basis for my own train the trainer course.

Excellent book for all trainers. Many useful concepts and I especially like the parts about how our brian processes information. It's fun and easy to read and more importanly, a lot of what is written is based on lots of research. So the stuff in there is validated. I used this as a complement to Bob Pike's Creative Training Techniques.

This is an excellenet resource for both beginning Trainers as well as those who have many years experience. It is not only a "how-to" book, but a "why" book; explaining the adult learning process and how training adults has to be more performance and job-centered. The book is well written, engaging and gives the reader opportunities to practive the techniques discussed in the book as you are reading. It provides an excellent Training Session Planning Sheet and Training Session Scripting Sheet. It discusses how adults learn, how to get them motivated, how to reinforce the remembering process, how to develop training activities and then evaluate the students ability to perform the task.

Any Instructor or Training of Adults will benefit from this book, whether you are just starting out as a Trainer or have many years experience. I am now able to understand why some of my students seem to "get it" while others never seem to grasp the concepts. I have learned some valuable new skills and will now make my training sessions more learner-focused.

This book is very helpful with lots of activities to help kids. Also helps teachers to understand how kids process and learn mathematics.

A fantastic book and reference for bringing the world of mathematics to kids of all ages. Absolutely great.

This is a great resource for anyone who teaches math to elementary or middle school students. It is full of useful information and ideas for lessons.

I received the text book in a reasonable amount of time. The information in this book is extrememly helpful for those who are in the teaching field, or even for those who have children and want to help with math homework.

I love this book! It is a great resource with ideas for getting kids interested in math and what questions teachers should ask themselves as they teach. It also points out common mistakes students make and their thought processes for getting there. It is divided into sections by mathematical topics and also has dozens of lesson plan ideas, both for full lessons and those quick time-fillers. This is the most reader-friendly textbook I've ever had to read for a class--it's so easy to read!

I bought this book after downloading the sample from the publisher's website and my kids LOVE IT!! Even my 11 year old is having fun after each lesson doing the postcard. I have 2 children 9 & 11 and this is the only subject we truly do together and it's quick, easy - but in-depth. They ran around yesterday telling people that they were in the troposphere (which many adults didn't even know). So it's fun, enjoyable to read to them and even more fun that they sit back listen, ask good questions, and understand at the end of the chapter.

I love that "A Child's Geography" is written so simply, yet gives a wonderful depth of relavent information that leads the teacher and student on a wonderful journey through the world. It gives hands on activities and lists other outside sources that draw the student closer to the subject, tying the student to the place being studied. Some of the activities include notebooking & mapping activities, and "Excursions" that bring it to life, with text that is written with the curious student in mind, so they may practically apply it to their life. CD at the back of the book includes maps, quizes, postcards, and a Plate Tectonic Puzzle. Love it!

My daughter loved, loved, loved this book. She loved the readings, activities, notebooking, and especially the projects. She used it when she was 11 and was able to do most of it independently. This book makes learning geography fun.

Our family enjoyed this book last year in our homeschool. It gives a wonderful, rich, homey feel to the study of the earth and its geography. It is written directly to the reader and makes an excellent read aloud. The explanations of difficult to understand concepts (such as why it is hotter in the summer when we are farther from the sun, and colder in the winter while we are closer to the sun) actually clarified some of my own thinking. One of our favorite projects was tracking the "ship wrecked shoes" using lattitude and longitude. Talk about making a dry subject interesting. This is a lovely book that will appeal to many people (especially to those following a charlotte mason philosophy) and has been an asset in our home.

This is more than your typical geography book. In addition to such mundane terms as the equator and the hemispheres that we are all familiar with, you'll learn about the atmosphere, seismic waves, the hydrosphere, cartography...166 pages may not seem like much but this book has a lot to offer. Its conversational style and well thought out activities will make it a welcome addition to your homeschooling library. Examples of activities are making a model of the atmosphere, making an edible earth out of ice cream, investigating the earth's plates with play dough (including a recipe for making your own play dough), making a clock to tell the world's timezones, and much more. It includes a CD with templates for some of the activities as well as copywork.

But what I love about this book is its focus on the fact that this is God's world, not ours and how awesome His world is. The quality of the book itself is very good, the pages are thick and glossy, and full-color pages are alternated with black-and-white pictures.

My only real qualm is that this book is not available in hardcover, preferably a library binding, because I know I'll be using it for many years to come!

I'm an ESl teacher and thought this book would be pedagogical. It's mostly about the current state of bilingual education in the US. It is informative about the history and legislation of ESL and bilingual ed. I would recommend it for anyone in the field who needs to polish their knowledge base or those interested in entering the field.

This book is great! It is very informative; it answers varies questions about ELLs. It provides a lot of knowlegde about ELLs, very detailed!

This book addresses all your questions about English Learners in a practical and concise book! It's also written by two incredible authors that are always up to date and informed about bilingual education. Everyone should own this book!

This quick reference covers all the basic facts behind educating English Language Learners (ELLs). It is good for educators who are new to educating ELLs. This book also is great for supporting educators learning to become advocates for ELLs with colleagues in their communities. This book provides quick answers to the most common questions from scholars known for their advocacy for ELLs.

This brief, well-documented outline of essential research information is invaluable to parents, teachers and policy makers.

Using contemporary data and years of coaching experience, the authors offer a robust tool for guiding the coaching process. Experienced and beginning coaches will find gems that will enhance their coaching effectiveness. This book is a focused, no-nonsense guide to effective leadership coaching and development.

Executive coaching for results provides an interesting insight into the world of executive coaching across the US. The authors and their contributors have condensed into this volume much of the coaching research on what makes for effective coaching, coach matching and coaching impact. These research elements are mixed with excellent short real life case studies which illustrate the points made from the rsearch.

Overall this is an excellent read.

Executive Coaching for Results provides an invaluable service to the field of talent and management development:direct information from dozens of top flight corporate leaders and practitioners of executive coaching.
Quite simply there is nothing else like this book in the marketplace and anyone who wants to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the state of the art of this ever dynamic field and area of practice needs to purchase a copy today.

This book is a helpful and practical guide with stories, research and ideas. The authors describe how organizations successfully implement coaching. A must read for any leadership development professionals!

This book belongs in every internal and external coach's library! Leadership Development, Talent Management and Human Resource practitioners, who play a direct or indirect role in leadership development, would also find it greatly beneficial.

This very comprehensive and easy-to-read resource covers all aspects of executive coaching. The research, authors' experience and organizations' first-hand learnings and best practices are insightful and invaluable.

This is the best reference I have read about Executive Coaching - how to manage your own stuff when you coach, the best models to apply and how to create lasting shifts. A must for every coach's bookshelf.

I found several concepts very helpful, especially the Three Key Factors model for executive coaching and the description of the Client Responsibility Model. Mary Beth O'Neill also shares, with examples, how to help a client identify habitual behavioral patterns that might not be effective and a methodology to recognize those patterns and create new, more effective ones. This book is filled with insightful wisdom...a real gem.

The combination of theory and practice lends well to readers of all levels (from graduate students to seasoned professionals). The author's systems perspective focuses on the executive as part of a greater whole within the organization and the importance of understanding the influences that are impacting his/her behaviors. O'Neill also focuses on the importance of a results orientation (a topic often lost in other coaching books). She discusses the importance of thinking like an executive so that you (as a coach) can produce at a level that executives expect - increasing the likelihood of establishing rapport, a long-term relationship and, most of all, bottom-line results.

I highly recommend this book to new and seasoned coaches. Not only is it enjoyable to read, but the author presents a clear description of the application of systems theory to executive coaching. There are a number of coaching books that describe coaching skills, but O'Neill's book provides a solid theoretical framework for applying these skills.

Sabrina Starling Schleicher, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Executive and Life Coach

This is a well written and thorough resource which aptly combines theory with practical application of the systems theory to executive coaching as well as advice and tools to use. The book is very useful in translating the systems theory to readable and useful frameworks, pragmatic tips and case studies.

The author methodically explains the four phases of coaching process namely contracting, planning, implementation and debriefing. She explains that coaching is a complex process which involves the application of the principles and methods of psychology, leadership principles, business management and organisation development, among others, to assist the executive and the aspiring executive improve their effectiveness.

The book will assist the executive coaching practitioners, business executives and managers who need them and offers a practical guide to developing the effective communications and relationship expertise needed by business managers to run effectively their organisations in the highly competitive operating environment.

Read this book and you will have a comprehensive understanding of this emerging new field.

Remember the old Broadway song, "You gotta have a dream, or how you gonna have a dream come true?" This is the executive version. Author Leslie L. Kossoff maintains that executives must have - and must clearly and enthusiastically articulate - a dream of what a company can be in order to get everyone else in the company excited, aligned and active. As an executive (or as a climber of that ladder), you may find this a pretty reasonable introduction to leadership, though it could also sound fairly simplistic. Kossoff offers a few non-specific examples, either citing news stories or alluding to individual executives, but primarily she tells us how she thinks successful executives should behave. Like the content, the book's tone also is a little reminiscent of a show tune -not too challenging and enjoyable to hum - but its attitude is sincere. We at getAbstract recommend this refresher as a philosophical pep talk that reminds executives how their approach to their jobs affects the realization of their dreams.

Dream, Vision, Mission: Achieved - Begin to think like an executive with dreams. Organizations exist based on and because of dreams. Dreams of success. Dreams of product or service differentiation. Dreams of creating an enterprise the likes of which have never been known before. In Executive Thinking, the Executive Thinker, rising through the ranks, leads an executive team with ambassadors, working ambassadors and associates, ultimately leaving an executive legacy. A good read.

Kossoff delivers in this book. She not only shows you how to dream, she shows you how to reach and realize the new vision of your organization and your place in it. In clear, graceful and logical writing, she gives you step-by-step guidelines for creative, "out-of-the-box" thinking and the means to harness the ideas that emerge. Using compelling case studies, she reveals how this technique energizes management structure to move ahead, empowering individuals throughout the corporation. The book will have a significant impact in maximizing operations. A MUST READ FOR EXECUTIVES ON EVERY LEVEL.

Leslie Kossoff shares with us in clear, easy to follow words, the secret of successful executives. It is like being invited inside the heads of our corporate leaders both today and from yesteryear. The principles in this book are tried and true, yet nobody discusses the thinking process of success. There are no management fads or latest buzz words in here - This is the guide of how to turn dreams into reality. Today's business world is changing at light speed. To succeed in these topsy turvy times, now more than ever we have to understand the thinking proces. Ms. Kossoff has done this for us. No other management book comes close. This is THE book for today's and tomorrow's leaders.

If you've a business that seems to have grown like topsy very likely this little book is for you. Have you been told that communication within your firm is a problem? What does it mean and more important what do you do about it? Call a general meeting only to find that with 200 or more employees things it's different than when there were only 15 or 20. Employees no longer know you, worse they may no longer trust you. Or maybe you decide that a better e-mail system can help. I'd laugh but I've been there. If any of this seems familiar Leslie Kosoff's little book should help. I've just ordered a copy for each of our supervisors. I tired of hidden agendas and office politics, maybe we can finally begin to pull this firm in the same direction.

This book was very gripping. It was also a good book to read if you wanted to be a veterinarian because it gives you good information. The cool thing is these books are true. This book also tells you a lot of things that you need to do when you are a vet like how to clean cages. I think this book is definitely good for anyone who wants to be a vet. I think that because this book is about a girl who helps around the clinic.
This book is all about a girl named Maggie who helps her grandma with the vet clinic, but now her grandma thinks that she needs to bring her grades way up, and until then she can't help in the clinic instead she will hire volunteers. Then on top of that her cousin Zoe is coming, and then on top of all of that sick puppies keep coming to the clinic and they might be coming from a puppy mill! What will she do? How can she save those pups?

This book, from my opinion, is really sad and heartbreaking, i mean, someone torturing and starving dogs to death, not to mention dogs dying, is bound to break anyone's heart. However, the book has its happy parts, which i enjoy.

This book changed my life!
It really made be want to go out and save every little puppy. But I realized it's impossable to change every puppy's life, so I should just try to be the best possable pet owner I can be.

Thank you so much for writing that novel. It was heart breaking and heart healing at the same time.

Eleven-year-old Margaret "Maggie" MacKenzie has grown up around animals. Since the death of her parents when she was a toddler, Maggie has lived with her veterinarian grandmother, Dr. Mac, and helped out around her clinic. It has always just been her and Gran - along with a younger veterinarian named Dr. Gabe - working side by side. But, suddenly, Gran has given three new kids from school - Brenna, David, and Sunita - along with her starstruck cousin, Zoe, the chance to volunteer alongside them. Maggie, however, has been placed on an extremely short leash, and been banished from the clinic until she pulls her grades up. Maggie couldn't be more disappointed. She knows everything about animals, while these new volunteers couldn't tell a lab from a golden retriever. It doesn't hurt that she's amazing with animals - especially dogs - and knows all the tricks to keep them calm, and make them happy. Unfortunately, with her homework so out-of-control, Maggie is forced to obey Gran's rules, and steer clear of the clinic. That becomes quite difficult, however, when various puppies begin making their way into the office, brought in by concerned owners. Each puppy is much too small to be away from their mother, and all are extremely sick. Maggie can't stand to see the puppies so close to death, and knows that there must be something she can do to save each pup. But the fact that she's just a fifth grader makes her feel as if there's nothing she can possibly do. As more and more pups pour in, however, Gran begins to suspect that something fishy is going on. And, with a little investigating, she discovers that each puppy was purchased from a scraggly old man at the Penn Street Farmer's Market. It's obvious that each of the dying puppies are malnourished, and mistreated, and Gran is convinced that the man is running a puppy mill. Maggie can't stand to see anymore pups end up hurt. So, pushing all thoughts of homework and extra-credit reports out of her mind, Maggie begins to devote her time to locating the puppy mill owner. While she's displeased to be forced to work with other volunteers, Maggie knows that one person can't solve a mystery as big as this one alone, and enlists the help of her new co-workers to help her track down Mr. Evil. But as she hits more and more dead-ends, Maggie begins to panic, and becomes convinced that, if she doesn't locate the puppy mill soon, more puppies will die!

Aside from Ben M. Baglio's ANIMAL ARK series, it seems that there are so few book series for middle readers that revolve around kids helping animals. Laurie Halse Anderson, however, changes that, with the release of her VET VOLUNTEERS series. While the lead character of FIGHT FOR LIFE, Maggie, seems slightly spoiled, and self-involved, the reader can certainly see where she may feel displaced by the introduction of new volunteers to the clinic. Her evolution from beginning to end is a large one, and certainly shows how much she grows throughout the course of the book. Maggie's compassion for animals, paired with her resistance to do homework, will certainly appeal to readers - especially those who find themselves on a crash course with bad grades. While Maggie's interactions with the other volunteers, as well as Dr. Gabe and her Gran, are quite enjoyable, and really give the reader the chance to choose a favorite character. I really must commend Anderson for her interest in penning a series for young/middle readers, that teaches the importance, and value of an animals life. With all of the animal abuse cases in the news nowadays, Anderson creates an outlet for animal lovers, that shows that they are not alone in their determination to save their four-legged friends. Her characters are interesting, and the dialogue is perfectly age-appropriate. Even more wonderful is the fact that Anderson includes a wide array of information regarding animal rights, puppy mills, and various animal rights laws that give readers the chance to learn more about the subject discussed. While the subject of puppy mills is fairly heavy, and the content of FIGHT FOR LIFE is oft-times gut-wrenching, it is a subject that needs more attention brought to it, and Anderson does just that within the pages of FIGHT FOR LIFE. A tear-jerking story perfect for animal lovers!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I love this book because I love animals and especialy dogs. If you like or even love animals you should read this book. Right now my teacher is reading it to my class because of my reccomondation. If you get sad about animals dying you might not want to read this book.

This book will explain what you can do to help the environment as one person or family.I thought it was time to make a difference in this world and this book helps with that. It gave me many idea's.

His book looks at 6 area's in our lives we can be more efficient.The Home,transportation,energy;garden and kitchen;clothing and hair;skin care. He has also included a workbook of questions that you can answer with your own life styles and how to improve it, helping the earth.

This book is great. It's very easy to read, helpful, and interesting. Ed & his wife explain a variety of home improvements one can make and provide logical explanations for all of them. This book makes me want to do everything i can to live an eco-friendly life.

This book is a pretty decent reference guide. Begley breaks his book up in six areas that he (as well as we) can do to make our lives greener (in the home, transportation, recycling, energy, garden and kitchen, and clothing/hair/skin care). You can get as much or as little as you need from the guide. Basically each area is an essay by Begley that has the main points highlighted throughout with a legend of a tree plant that shows it's significance (price and impact wise) environmentally. He also allows some companies, that he does business with, to give the reader a pitch about the products or services they provide. Even his wife throws in her "two cents" throughout the book (which is basically what it's worth because she only made herself sound like a shallow bimbo with a smug sense of self-satisfaction.)
Now don't get me wrong, I've watched Living with Ed and found it entertaining and informative. And for the most part, I like Ed Begley, Jr. I can appreciate a guy who can make fun of himself from time to time (ex. Cameo'd on the Simpsons driving a go-cart powered by his own "sense of self satisfaction"), but I found the essays a little preachy. Maybe the guy has to get defensive because he's probably had to be that way for the last 30 years or so, but I don't feel like he has to be that way to readers. If you pick this up, you're basically looking to "green up" your living, but Begley talks to the reader like he's expecting a fight. Chill, man, you're in good company. He uses alot of scare tactics that made me feel guilty about the life I've been leading, not positive of the way I'm changing my life. He also had a tendency to rant on and on, and that was off-putting. Okay Ed, I got it. Solar is good, let's move on, shall we?
This book is mainly written by Begley based on what Begley knows, so he often makes references to services offered mostly in California (or NYC) so if you're not in those areas, that just means you may have to do more research. At least he gives the reader a starting off point.
And in terms of ways to "green up" your life, this book isn't as insulting as some (you mean turn out a light when I leave a room saves energy!? And I paid $16 for you to tell me that?! Doy!) but not as wacky as others (I just can't save up used bath water to water my lawn. Maybe someday, but not today). And the ways range from uber cheap to long shot expensive. So I think a multitude of readers can get something out of it. It had a nice reference key for those recycling numbers on the bottom of plastics. It also has a small "workbook" to use if you implement his suggestions so you can see the progress you make.
And if you're interested in this book because you're a fan of the show, it makes lots of references to it. Begley and his wife play off each other throughout, and some of the companies that are featured in the book are some of the products on his show. He also provides us with a few recipes that he's used on the show (Birthday episode Lentil soup and tofu brownies, etc).
Overall, it was informative, but the writing just wasn't for me. At least you can skip the rants if you want.

I read this book in about two days and have already started applying much of the suggestions given. I liked how Ed organizes his advice by the cost and ease of applying his recommendations. Most are free, ie, vacuuming your refrigerator coils, some are low-cost buying organic cotton, few are big ticket like getting solar panels. Most are just equal trade-offs such as buying energy efficient light bulbs instead of incandescents. I was able to put many into effect right away and some are on the back burner for when I need to replace things I already have. There is even a checklist at the back which allows you to monitor your changes to compare your gas bills, electric bills etc., which I will really like to see. Overall, the book is an easy-read; no-pressure, just great advice that is easy to apply.

Ed Begley Jr. really walks the walk! I really like the way he sets up the book. He tells you how to do the easy things and the more expensive things too. There is something everyone can do and Yes, everything does make a difference. It will save your energy bill, and help to save our planet.