Resources Books

As is frequently the situation, I read this book in combination with another, Return on Learning, in which Donald Vanthournout and his associates on Accenture's Capability Development team explain how their firm achieved an ROI of 353% on its commitment to enterprise learning. I highly recommend both Return on Learning and this book and, if possible, read in combination. In the Introduction, Jay Cross makes a number of crisp assertions, several of which are certain to generate controversy. For example, "Workers learn more in the coffee room than in the classroom." Rather than take this out of context, I continue the excerpt: "They discover how to do their jobs through informal learning: asking the person in the next cubicle, trial and error, calling the help desk, working with people in the know, and joining the conversation. This is natural learning - learning from others when you feel the need to do so." So far, no pyrotechnics. Cross continues: "Training programs, workshops, and schools get the lion's share of the corporate budget for developing talent, despite the fact that...," and then, "this formal learning has almost no impact on job performance. And informal learning, the major source of knowledge transfer and innovation, is left to chance."

Presumably several of those who read this review agree with Cross (as do I) that the value of formal learning tends to be exaggerated when, in fact, much of it has little (if any) enduring impact; and, that the value of informal learning tends to be underestimated when, in fact, the extent to which an organization achieves its objectives (whatever they may be) is determined almost entirely by how effectively those involved (at all levels and in all areas) communicate, cooperate, and collaborate (i.e. the Three Cs) on what must be done to achieve those objectives. For those in need of a single source to guide and inform their design and implementation of a knowledge exchange program that maximizes the Three Cs, Cross has written it.

Here are a few of the key points he makes throughout his narrative:

"Formal learning is like riding a bus: the driver decides where the bus is going; the passengers are along for the ride. Informal learning is like riding a bike: the rider chooses the destination, the speed, and the route."

Comment: That said, all organizations need traffic control, once the ultimate destination has been selected.

"Formal learning takes place in classrooms; informal learning happens in learnscapes, that is, a learning ecology. It's learning without borders."

Comment: That said, it seems reasonable to expect productive and beneficial application of what is learned to avoid what Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton aptly characterize as a "knowing-doing gap." Cross duly notes, "Executives don't care about learning; they care about execution."

Meanwhile, we are well-advised to keep in mind what Peter Drucker observed in 1963: "There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all."

"It's not who you know that's important; it's who those others know."

Comment: Obviously, ever-expanding networks of contacts is very important. Those we know can connect us with those they know. We are also obliged to reciprocate.

"Most training is built atop the pessimistic assumption that trainees are deficient, and training is the cure for what's broken."

Comment: I agree. However, there are formal training programs now available as well as superb instructors to conduct them that can substantially improve various skills that include reading, reasoning, writing, public speaking, decision-making, problem-solving, and situation analysis.

"Created long before knowledge work was invented, accounting values intangibles such as human capital at zero and counts training as an expense instead of an investment."

Comment: In most organizations, that is true but thanks to Peter Drucker, Howard Gardner, Peter Senge, Thomas Davenport, and others, the situation is changing (albeit too slowly) and recently published books such as this one and Return on Learning will accelerate the transition to enlightenment at the governing board senior-management levels.

Years ago, after a substantial tuition increase at Harvard had enraged many parents, then president Derek Bok responded with a suggestion: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."

"Imagine having an in-house learning and information environment as rich as the Internet. You'd have blogs, search, syndication, podcasts, mash-ups, and more. You'd also have a platform just about everyone already knows how to use."

Comment: And imagine such an environment that also provides formal training programs that strengthen various skills (i.e. those relevant to learning, communication, management, and leadership) of all who share that environment so that each can take full advantage of all the opportunities available. What about the bottom-line? "Management must assign enterprise-level accountability for learning." Cross is dead-on: Without proper governance, there would be chaos. Is Cross recommending a balance of learning with work? No. "As work and learning become one, good learning and good work become synonymous."

Don't stop there. Why not establish and then sustain outstanding learning that occurs both formally and informally? In that event, outstanding learning and outstanding performance become synonymous.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out the aforementioned Return on Learning. Also, John Hager and Paul Halliday's Recovering Informal Learning: Wisdom, Judgement and Community as well as Corporate Agility: A Revolutionary Model for Competing in a Flat World co-authored by Charles E. Grantham, James P. Ware, and Cory Williamson, Kevan Hall's Speed Lead: Faster, Simpler Ways to Manage People, Projects and Teams in Complex Companies, Dean R. Spitzer's Transforming Performance Measurement: Rethinking the Way We Measure and Drive Organizational Success, and Enterprise Architecture as Strategy: Creating a Foundation for Business Execution co-authored by Jeanne W. Ross, Peter Weill, and David Robertson.

The value and ubiquity of informal learning is presented clearly and passionately by e-learning champion Jay Cross in this book. The notion of informal learning is very familiar, and most of us will understand immediately what Cross is getting at: every conversation, web site, conference, or collaborative enterprise tends to yield some new insight into the world. We are simply learning all the time.

The title of this review relates Cross's notion to one of my own observations about ubiquitous learning - namely, the "educational economy". Every one of these informal learning events is like a "transaction" in which some knowledge is shared, and in return the understanding or even reputation of the sharer is increased. The "real" educational economy, is very difficult to formalize, so what Cross would call "informal learning" is (to me at least) the portion of the educational economy that we have had trouble accrediting or otherwise keeping tabs on socially. Formal learning describes those artificial mechanisms, such as courses, (which Cross loudly proclaims are dead), that are easy to keep tabs on and can yield some educational benefit.

Informal Learning is, at its heart, a book rich with discussion of how we learn best, and what situations contribute to organic, self-driven learning - particularly in the workplace, but the ideas presented are really universal. Jay appropriately spends time discussing how the Internet has become the ultimate self-education tool, pointing out that "...my son and his peers [learn] everything from homework assignments to network administration on the Web. [That's] also where he learned a lot more than his dad ever did about meteorology, PERL, San Francisco politics, environmental action groups, obscure singers, and much more..." (166)

I'd like to sum up here just by sharing a quote from the book that I included on SR's website: "Many learners today are not self-directed; they are waiting for directions. It's time to tell them that the rules have changed. It's in their self-interest to become proactive learning opportunists." (175)

I've read articles by Jay Cross for years, and was pleased to get his book on the seminal topic of Informal Learning. Jay has a history of identifying trends and technology use for learning (he was among the first to use the term eLearning) so I was keen to read his thoughts on informal learning.

Widely acknowledged as the lion's share of corporate learning, informal learning is a difficult subject because it is even more nebulous and difficult to measure than formal learning. While there is a body of work on how to measure formal learning results including Kirkpatrick's levels, we have yet to determine realistic methods or measurements for informal learning. This book helps guide the learning industry in the right direction.

Formal learning is like riding a bus, it goes, starts and stops when & where someone else decides (bus driver and urban transport committee) - informal learning is then like riding a bicycle, you choose the time, route and destination.

Way more learning happens in the coffee room than the classroom, but firms continue to spend way more on formal training than informal learning - there is a huge disconnect right there. The theme is similar in KM - formal structured tools, top-down mandates, ROI and the smells of project management dominance, do little to enhance agility, awareness, creativity, shared understanding and meaning - which add the real value.

Jay talks about unblended learning, emergence, grokking, envisioning, unconferencing, connecting, conversation, community, web2.0 and JDI (just do it). He makes the point that classes are dead, that every learner needs to cultivate an ecology, share via voicing, communicate using stories and build common text by collaborative editing (wikis).

Jay has written this timely book in the form of short stories and vignettes, recounting his experiences and perspectives. I did not find much new stuff, although there are many interesting examples and truths, but Jay managed to hit the high spots so often, I was nodding in agreement as I read along. Clearly we all have to assume responsibility for our own awareness, learning and critical inquiry. Jay neatly illustrates the tools, hints at the practices (which need more refinement) and paints the landscape.

http://informl.com/

Jay Cross has written an invaluable book here for many reasons.

It can be hard to face up to, but the medieval basis of our education is suddenly and starkly out of touch with the needs of a post-network society. After reading this book, it's hard not to face up to that fact, because we now have a compelling, if nascent, alternative. The web enables a wholly different, but infinitely more effective approach to learning - through self-direction, and peer collaboration, motivated by individual choice, for example. As Jay points out, given the complexity and pace of change of 21st century life, we simply must change. (I have an 8 year -old daughter in school and it pains me to see what she's going through when it will all become obsolete in just a few years.) He outlines a kind of proto-pedagogical alternative, taking 'natural' learning as its starting point. He blends online/offline ideas with ideas from design, motivational psychology, etc, but is careful not to lose sight of learning objectives.

As an educator/trainer of over 20 years myself, I believe the book succeeds. Jay isn't a tremendous stylist, nor are his ideas wildly original, but he does exactly what is needed. He makes the case for alternative approaches to learning in a clear and simple way with plenty of diagrams, and examples. Although his focus is on corporate training, rather than traditional education, the implications reverberate. He brings years of training experience, together with an optimistic outlook to practice what he preaches. Having read his blog o ver the course of severalk months it has left it's makr on my own

The book is almost a metaphor for the kinds of challenge we face: hard to pin down, constantly changing, yet sometimes so obvious that we fail to see the significance. Jay doesn't have all the answers because that is the kind of (medieval) certainty he cautions against. He has brought an important discussion into the light of day. I don't know anyone who wouldn't benefit from this book.

Ken Carroll

This much-needed book fills a gap in intelligent Christian thinking about being male and being Christian. Herbert Anderson is a highly regarded pastoral theologian who was invited to write a book about men. He accepted, as an opportunity to reflect on being a man in the midst of a gender revolution. Then two significant things happened which deeply influenced his thinking without distorting the book from its original focus: he became a grandfather, and was diagnosed (and successfully treated) for prostate cancer. The book is readable and practical, drawing on many men's experiences. The title refers to Jacob's wrestling with God and subsequent lifelong wounding. Anderson draws on events in Jacob's life and relates them to themes common in men's lives (such as disappointment, vulnerability, and aggression), and develops perspectives on themes underplayed in most men's lives (such as nurturing, grieving, and sharing power). Although published four years ago, it is strikingly relevant to the lives of Christian men and women, and a mighty contribution in the true Herbert Anderson style. Fr James McPherson, Anglican priest in Australia

I met Herbert Anderson at a men's retreat sponsored by my church and he spoke on just one chapter of this book. I purchased a copy that weekend and read it cover to cover in a day. I found myself moved by his story and the connections his words, and the story of Jacob, made in my life. I heartily recommend this book to every man who is a father, grandfather, husband, friend, colleague. It is an insightful and compassionate book that will help you along your spiritual journey. Well done Herb!

There is no other book like Jacob's Shadow which addresses the unique issues of a masculine practice of faith. Among so much "trendy" books on the subject of spirituality, Anderson shares himself as man, son, husband, father, and pastor in a way that is disarming, authentic and penetrating. Built around the Biblical narrative of Jacob, son of Isaac and brother of Esau, the book sensitively help us all lower our defenses and enter more fully what it means to be a male created in the image of God. This book is without peer!

I read Jacob's Shadow on the recommendation of a friend and came to it with the scepticism that a man who in fact needs a book like this might be expected to bring to it. I found myself seduced by its clarity and was grateful for its lessons. In ten chapters the book covers ten areas of living in which men might well encounter challenges and benefit from wise advice gently offered. The need for men to acknowlege vulnerability and then confront that vulnerability with courage is both a chapter and an overall theme. In fact, in writing Jacob's Shadow Herbert Anderson made himself vulnerable and in doing so has given the reader a gift which is more than mere words.

Anderson does an incredible job of reflecting on the many facets of being a man and a man who loves and serves Christ. He challenges men to delve deeper into their lives exploring relationships,emotions, loves and friendships and their impact on self and others. He challenges common notions of "Christian Man" and their behaviors, feelings and reactions. He examines everyday events that happen to men and opens up a new dimension on how men can learn and interpret from those experiences. It has truly challenged me to examine myself, my relationships and the fullness of being a man, and a man who serves Christ.

In this book Carol Hacker has given the job hunter a powerful tool - true knowledge. Unlike many dense books on job search, she made the book easy to read and to understand. It's very much like sitting down over a cup of coffee with a senior executive and finding out what's REALLY going on. Whether you are an experienced executive or entry level newcomer, there is a lot you don't really know about job hunting and won't until you read this superb book!

I lost my job and found this book to be invaluable in helping me figure out what I wanted to do from this point on. It's practical and filled with lots of information that I could put to use immediately. Now my wife is using it in her job search.

This book gets to the heart of what it takes to get the best job available. I was enouraged by the information offered to the reader. I don't read a lot because I don't like to read, but this book was recommended to me by my brother and I found it to be very valuable.

I recently purchased this book and found it to be well-written. The author appears to know what she's talking about. I got some valuable ideas that helped me in my job search. I started a new job 3 months ago and attribute some of the good decision-making I made, especially in the area of negotiating salary and benefits, to Job Hunting in the 21st Century. Happy reading!

I bought this book and several others on this subject as I'm looking for a new job. This book is by far the most comprehensive and useful. It's easy to read and has a lot of ideas that I hadn't thought about. I know that my college-age children will benefit from this book as well. I'm happy to have it as part of my personal library.

In my opinion this novel, Last of wanderers, that I bought from local shops, knowing author of it famous for his political thriller, hesitantly I bought though the subject looked so unfamiliar, when read I found it astounding. I hail from rural areas and now is in metropolis for my higher education, I could identify my own past with this novel that talks about primitive times. I too had to suffer same psychological pains while adjusting with urban societies in an attempt to learn strange customs that never did prevailin my rural life. Same time I never wanted to break my lineage with my past...and so brutally this novel reminded me of what I did lose in my endeavor to become a urban man and then a global man.

I think this is strength of any literary work. Sanjay Sonawani does the magic skilfully in this novel and in so simplicity.

To say the least this novel is not only poetic the way Sandra says, but in fact is brutal in its ability to rake up forgotten past.

I enjoyed this novel. Sonawani excells contemporary authors. He is light of India.
Looking forward to read more of this author.

I loved this book. It is poetically brutal. Reminds me of dark era when mankind was yet to settle. This book takes us in that era. And so contemporary and relevent it is even today.

In my opinion this novel, Last of wanderers, that I bought from local shops, knowing author of it famous for his political thriller, hesitantly I bought though the subject looked so unfamiliar, when read I found it astounding. I hail from rural areas and now is in metropolis for my higher education, I could identify my own past with this novel that talks about primitive times. I too had to suffer same psychological pains while adjusting with urban societies in an attempt to learn strange customs that never did prevailin my rural life. Same time I never wanted to break my lineage with my past...and so brutally this novel reminded me of what I did lose in my endeavor to become a urban man and then a global man.

I think this is strength of any literary work. Sanjay Sonawani does the magic skilfully in this novel and in so simplicity.

To say the least this novel is not only poetic the way Sandra says, but in fact is brutal in its ability to rake up forgotten past.

This book starts out with a warrior in flight, whose thoughts, physical and emotional pain, and surroundings are described in a liesurely, almost poetic, detail. But, once the reader has been introduced to a nomadic tribe, the Kushans, and their leader (the warrior in flight), the book gradually picks up speed until the tribe's journeys across vast distances and expanses of time are sometimes covered in only a few pages. The narrative, however, does pay careful attention to the thoughts and motivations of two tribal leaders--the leader of the Kushans, and the leader of a sometimes rival tribe, the U-eches. Since these tribal leaders are obsessed with revenge, or with the survival of their tribe (so that revenge ultimately may be achieved), it is tempting to dismiss this book as a light fantasy. But it will give serious readers more insight than they ever bargained for.

Most people have a vague familiarity with the wandering tribes that inhabited much of the Eurasia land mass from the bronze age until the middle ages. For example, the words, "Barbarians at the gate", will, in most people, invoke images of ferocious Goths and Visigoths about to pour through the gates of a decadent and corrupt Rome--its citizens somehow still in total denial. Or they may see, in their mind's eye, waves of Mongols sweeping across the steppes of Russia, penetrating deep into the heart of Europe, or the barbaric Dorians sacking, and overrunning, the cities of bronze age Greece.

But these are vague images. In books and in films there is almost no effort made to provide insight as to why these people were the way they were. There has been two dark ages: in the wake of the crumbling bronze, and classical, ages, respectively. But one question that is seldomed raised is this: Who were these wandering tribes of warriors that overwhelmed the centers of civilization, and why were they willing to accept such heavy losses?

We are told that a civilization decays from within. That may be true as far as it goes, but what is the conceit that allows a civilization to underestimate its adversaries? Is it it's belief that it's citizens are stronger? No, because it is known that the lot of a primitive people is hard lot, and it is one makes them strong. Is it a civilization's collective belief in it's advanced technology? It is not even that, because history tells its citizens that a backward people will someday build everything they have--and more.

The conceit of a civilization is something even more fundamental: It is an unshakable belief in it's own moral superiority. And it is this conceit that the author deftly and skillfully punctures.

Civilized people see themselves as above certain barbaric practices (such as hacking to death), and more enlightened about the rights of individuals. But a civilization requires the dividing of its citizens into a 1001 subdivisions. This results in striving, shadiness, and citizens carving up each other in civilized ways--and then trying to kill the pain by immersing in petty vices. Thus, a civilized people becomes weaker and weaker, all the while believing they are morally superior.

Mr. Sonawani brings together, not as enemies but as allies, the respective leaders of two decaying civilizations and two nomadic tribes. An alliance is formed between a corrupt local Greek ruler and the leader of the U-eche tribe (which is by now struggling to survive as a people). And another alliance is formed between a reformist Hindu King and the leader of the Kushan tribe (which is also struggling to survive). In this way, each of these four leaders is able to objectively look at the good, and the bad, in another way of life.

And, not so incidently, the reader is provided with four perspectives that he or she probably never had before.

Author: Truskie, Stanley D.
Title: Leadership in high-performance organizational cultures / Stanley D. Truskie.
Publisher: Westport, Conn. : Quorum Books, 1999.
Edition Date: 1999
Language: English
Physical Details: xv, 147 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
Subjects: Leadership.
Corporate culture.

If you are an executive, business owner, or manager, this book will help you. I always believed company culture was important, but I had no idea about how to create the right culture. This book provides an easy model to follow that makes sense, plus it offers leadership guidelines to make it happen. I have already instituted some of the ideas presented in the book and I have seen significant positive performance results already. I would definitely recommend this book to any leader who wants to improve the performance of his company.

"I have really been struggling with how to shape my company's culture to ensure I am building an effective organization until I read Dr. Truskie's book. His culture model is so clear and makes so much sense that its logic jumps out at you once you realize that there is a "right" organizational culture. I have heard so often that there is no right or wrong culture, but this book's compelling argument clearly dispels that notion.

I have read other books on organizational culture, but quite frankly, they created more questions than provided answers. I did not know whether I wanted a strong culture, an open culture, a sales culture, a driving culture, or a friendly culture. Plus I did not know where to start. Dr. Truskie helps you understand that as a leader, you must establish the direction first, then shape the right culture to achieve your strategic goals and objectives .

At least now I have a model that will help guide me in creating an effective culture ( Dr.Truskie calls integrated and balanced) within my organization. He also provides excellent examples of unbalanced cultures and explains how they negatively affect performance. The changes we now have under way within my company have already resulted in positive performance improvement. But as Dr. Truskie points out, this is a journey, and not a destination so we are still working toward building our high-performance culture.

This is definitely not a "quick" read book but one you should read a chapter at time, think about the message, then read on to the next chapter. But I can tell you it is well worth the time...one of the more meaningful books on leadership available in a crowded market."

I teach Organization Theory and Organizational Behavior. Teaching leadership has the challenge of finding a way to put the theories into practice. Dr. Truskie meets this challenge and offers a reasonable solution to this decision maker's need.

At various points throughout the book, Truskie cautions that there is no one "ideal" style, nor an infallible "model", nor any single combination of leadership traits, characteristics and behaviors which are most appropriate to all organizations in all phases of their development. He urges his reader to absorb and digest the contents of Leadership in High-Performance Organizational Cultures with care, of course, but also with some degree of critical detachment. Then, correlate his observations and suggestions with the specific circumstances of the reader's own organization.

Truskie suggests that "there is a direct link between leadership, organizational culture, and performance." According to his research and analysis, the most effective leader has an impact on "forming the culture of an organization, which further can have an enhancing effect of improving the level, ensuring the consistency, and sustaining the organization's continuing performance improvement." Truskie believes that many leaders are preoccupied with identifying and then manifesting an "ideal" style of leadership when, in fact, no such style exists. That is to say, even the most effective leaders have significant human imperfections; however, they are aware of these imperfections and make every effort to ensure that these imperfections do not have a negative impact on their respective organizations.

For this reader, one of the greatest benefits of Leadership in High-Performance Organizational Cultures is Truskie's explanation of the potential, beneficial implications of the L4 Strategy with specific relevance to creating and then sustaining a high-performance organizational culture. Leaders as well as those whom they lead must constantly monitor the balance of four aforementioned cultural patterns. Imbalances are inevitable. Although Truskie does not discuss it, he would probably agree that an early-warning system of some kind is highly desirable. The model he provides suggests all manner of ways by which to recognize and then respond effectively to symptoms of such imbalances. For the foreseeable future, change will be the only constant. Given that reality, Leadership in High-Performance Organizational Cultures can be of even greater value as all organizations (regardless of their size or nature) proceed into an otherwise uncertain future.

This work hits on a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Animals have played a very important part of my life for over sixty years now and they are just as important to me now as when I received my first puppy when I was about three years old. My wife and I have been very involved with our local humane society for many years now. That being said....

This work takes the reader for an inside look at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary located Southern Utah. Thousands of animals have been helped through this organization and Ms. Kelsey has given us a child's eye view of its workings, mission, needs, and indeed, delights. The book is designed to be read to children, and more specifically, is ideal for groups of children, although it is an absolute delight for the adult reader also. The photographs are quite professionally done and are works of art themselves. The author's easy style, humor and obvious enthusiasm for her subject shine through on ever page. She takes us on a verbal tour, supplemented by wonderful photographs, through this great organization. The author takes great pains in explaining the socialization process of these animals, stressing not only their physical needs, but emotional as well. This is a bit different than some of the works in this genre. We are given a peek at the different areas of this sanctuary, the bird house, horse area, pigs, dogs, cats, et al. Some individual stories of these critters are told as well as the source for many of the animals helped here.

This book is certainly designed for the class room. Its easy reading style and humor will be appreciated by the children. Each page is full of useful information and the photographs are well coordinated. Many questions are asked which are ideal for taking the children into a discussion. The author has also provided pages full of ideas for class projects, given some great web sites for further research, and above all, has infused an enthusiasm into her work which is rather contagious. Volunteerism is stressed here and the point is well made that everyone can do their little share to change what has become almost a national tragedy. Now don't misunderstand that statement. This is not a "sad puppy book," something that I find difficult to read to younger children. Everything here is upbeat and positive while still being quite truthful about the plight of these unwanted animals.

A WORD OF CAUTION: I am retired now and spend most of my days acting as a substitute teacher in local schools. We live in an area, Southern Missouri, which is more or less the puppy mill capital of the known universe. This is something my wife and I have fought for years and years. The author is quite harsh, and well she should be, when addressing this subject. The problem comes, in my case, where I will have a room full of about 25 students, and out of that 25, at least six or seven will have parents or grandparents who make their living as puppy mill owners. I plan to use this work at those schools, but I also plan to do a bit of verbal editing when this portion of the book is read to the students. While they need to know about such things, I am not about to be critical of their parents in front of their fellow students. Goodness knows I have had many heated conversations with the parents of these kids on this subject, indeed having been instrumental in shutting a few down, but don't feel the children should be subjected to the same line as I would give their mom and dad.

That being said, I cannot recommend this work highly enough. It is an absolute wealth of information and a delight to the ear and eye. The author has done a wonderful job here. I do wish there were more organizations out there like Best Friends...we certainly need them.

This colorful, friendly book is designed as a tool to help children, ages about five to eight (my guess), to learn about animal sanctuaries, animal shelters, and, in a subtle, gentle way, about the ugliness of animal abuse. I can easily imagine this book being used in a classroom of first-graders or second-graders.

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is an enormous refuge, for abused animals of all species, located in Utah. This book basically explains the nature and purpose of that sanctuary and, by extension, the nature and purpose of animal shelters and sanctuaries everywhere. The book, which is fifty-two pages long, accomplishes this by providing a verbal and photographic tour of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, describing the animals there, giving you the stories of how they ended up there, and how the animals are cared for, while they live there. I appreciated how the photographs and the text definitely emphasized the animals. The book did not end up being a piece of promotional literature, that glorified the one facility, as if they were the only facility engaging in the support and caring of animals that have been abused or neglected.

Most of the book, if you calculated the area covered by writing versus photographs, is dedicated to beautiful photographs, with the written explanations and captions being smaller. However, the writing is clear, concise, and worded in ways where children are going to understand the ideas, without feeling that they are being talked down to. The writing also does a nice job of giving children enough information about how animals are sometimes mistreated or neglected, without getting so graphic that the children might be traumatized. The tone of the writing is that it assumes that children will usually care about, and sympathize with, animals, and I see that as accurate.

The photography is also fairly balanced, in that it does not portray the animals at the sanctuary as a collection of perfect specimens of petdom. It shows, and talks about, some of the difficulties that a potential adoptive family might face if the animals were brought into that family. I will that the photography is done in such a way that many children will likely, after seeing this book, want to bring a pet into their home. There appears to be a large number of highly photogenic animals at the sanctuary, or else the photographer did an excellent job of being patient and catching the animals at their best.

As I stated above, this book is meant to introduce us to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, as well as to a series of books, with the same photographer, writers, and source material, but aimed at different topics.

There is a section, near the end of the book, that describes different kind of projects, for children and school classrooms to do, to help local animal shelters and sanctuaries. I really like that this section was included, as I can see children understanding and appreciating the book a lot, and immediately wanting to know what they can do to help. The section was done well, as all of the ideas mentioned are very feasible projects for a classroom or a school to do.

I am hoping, and suggesting any who might read this, who is connected to this series, that future topic for books include:

A description of good animal care, especially from a child's point of view.

A discussion of what children can do, if they believe that animals are being abused or neglected.

If I had a list a flaw, there is one small omission. When the book describes how people come to own dogs, it describes pet stores and "puppy mills" (not favorably) and animal shelters (favorably), but makes no mention of puppies obtained from responsible, caring breeders. I can imagine a child, whose family owns a dog obtained from a good breeder, wondering if his or her family obtained their pet in a good way or a bad way. That is a small point, that a teacher or parent could easily explain, but the book could have easily mentioned it.

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located in Angel Canyon, (Southern) Utah. This oversized book reads like an interactive bedtime story for children and is utterly delightful. The sanctuary receives around 20,000 tourists each year. This book entertains children and gives a virtual tour of all the animals living on the sanctuary. Since many of the animals living at the sanctuary have been rescued from bad people or are survivors of disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, readers learn how much care goes into helping them. The book helps children understand why some animals are nervous, shy, or scared of humans. It also explains how people can help care for animals.

As children read or listen to the stories, their eyes and imaginations are tantalized with large, colorful photos of animals found on every page. A couple of the back pages tell how kids can help the animals in their area.

***** All-in-all, I found this to be an exceptional book, perfect for any time of the day or night. Though great for bedtime, I believe it would perfect for class time as well. Teachers should seriously consider picking up a copy to determine whether they could fit this in their class schedule. It is well written with simple, easy to understand, words. Best of all, kids will learn from an early age how to act around and care for animals. Kids will read about all types of animals from plucky duckies to bunnies, from cats to dogs, from horses to pigs, and many more. In a word, "Bunnyreffic!" *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I really like this book. It is a wonderful way to educate kids (and adults will enjoy it as well) about love, compassion, and respect for animals.

We need to teach our kids while they are young, to treat animals the way that they themselves would want to be treated.

What we sow in our children today, animals will reap tomorrow.

So if we want to end animal abuse, animal cruelty, animal murder (euthanizing healthy animals) etc, in the future, it will ONLY happen, if we teach our kids TODAY, that animals are living, breathing, feeling, loving, soul-filled children of God, just like we human animals are.

Trust me when I say that getting this gift for your child (or a fellow adult) will be a gift that keeps on giving and giving......because this book is about love, compassion and living in peace with, and taking care of, our animal friends.

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Animals are a huge part of our society; but, far too often, they are mistreated and cast aside. Luckily, there are sanctuaries across the nation who provide these particular animals with lifelong homes where they can live in peace and harmony with loving caregivers, and fellow animals. Nora Lee Kelsey takes us behind-the-scenes of one of these particular sanctuaries - Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Over the years, southern Utah's Best Friends Animal Sanctuary has become one of the biggest animal sanctuaries in the nation. Home to dogs and cats, along with the less typical rabbits, horses, ducks, pigs, sheep, and many more, Best Friends makes a difference in the lives of animals on a daily basis. While many visit the location each year, others don't always have the means or time to make the trip. With Kelsey's LET'S GO VISIT BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY, readers have the opportunity to do just that - from their very own homes!

Laden with gorgeous color photos, LET'S GO VISIT BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY takes readers on a trip to Horse Haven, the Bunny House, Feathered Friends, Cat World, and Dogtown. At each stop, you have the opportunity to meet and greet with some of the residents of each area, learning their likes and dislikes, and glimpsing bits and pieces of what they do on a daily basis. After the trip is said and done, some of the Best Friends residents provide readers with tips on what they can do to help animals - even going so far as including websites you can visit.

I have loved Best Friends Animal Sanctuary ever since I learned about it more than ten years ago, so I was thrilled when I learned that Nora Lee Kelsey had taken the time to pen a gorgeous book about the location. The many pictures bring the animals to life; while the information packed onto each and every page provides the reader with enough facts to become a Best Friends Animal Sanctuary wiz! Perfect for animal lovers to read at home with their families, or as an instructional tool in the classroom, LET'S GO VISIT BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY is a necessity for all. I could not have imagined a more perfect book. Two paws up!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This book is unique in that the author did a great job of honestly talking about his successes AND failures owning and running an amazing diversity of businesses and what he learned along the way. The experiences described in the book range over many years and many different businesses including day care, plumbing, dentistry and lawn care. All of the stories are written in a light-hearted self-deprecating style and are a quick enjoyable read. Every one of stories has at least one important business lesson. Unlike so many other business success books, this one gives you the good, the bad and the ugly and is next best thing to having a wise, experienced business adviser at your side. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to start or buy a business or someone just interested in being entertained with a few business war stories.

Whether you are just starting a business or are a seasoned entrepreneur, this book is a must read. Within its short, often humorous stories it is packed full of knowledge and learned wisdom from an experienced business man. The tools presented in this book are a must for anyone in the business world. Entertaining and insightful, I highly recommend this book to anyone in the high paced world of entrepreneurship.

The author's vast knowledge through experience not only highlights the practical aspects of finding, starting, maintaining and exiting a business venture, he also demonstrates the personal strength of character that is needed to weather not only the successes but also the failures he encountered on his journey. The journey is 'Inspiring'! A truely 'American' story!

The real bonus the author has provided to those who purchase this book are the appendixes. The appendixes provide a logical proven blueprint to help evaluate, operate and exit a business venture.

It is so refreshing to read a book about an entrepreneur who is so candid about his successes and failures. I like to hear stories about what it takes to make a business work and some of the pitfalls. Lee is not above speaking about his mistakes. The great thing is that he learns from his mistakes.

Since most new businesses that are being created today are going to remain a small business for their lifetime, this book speaks directly to those business owners, like myself.

This is a wonderfull book and the perfect give for the budding entrepreneur.

This book is a great example of learning through stories. If you are a manager, employee, entrepreneur, or looking to learn more about business and working with people, this book will teach you the secrets. Written in sequence with the author's life story, the reader gets the tips that will save your career and business. Definitely the things they don't teach in colleges today. Lee Thomas is a true entrenpreneur and tells not only how to succeed but what not to do with fun, fast moving, and true life stories.

This book also has a great list of quotes from about 20 of the best books on these subjects, and will remind you of what you already know, and give you the insight and the confidence that you can control your life, and be a part of your own business.

I have given 3 copies as gifts and this book will appeal to everyone that wants to better themselves and doesn't want to make BIG mistakes in the process.

This was a very helpful book. I consider this book more as a manual on ministry to be referred to again and again. This is not a book that you read once, say "I got it", and never pick up gain. I highly recommend it for leaders and future leaders of churches so as to pattern ministry after the Bible, rather than the shifting sand of culture's preferences.

The introductory title says it all "Shepherds and Construction Workers." Right from the start, MacArthur sets his paradigm against the popular opinion of what church leaders should be doing. Church leadership is not management and is not glamorous. Rather, it is spiritual ministry (Jn 13:3-17) and spiritual construction with God to build the church (1 Cor 3:9-11).

This book is divided up into 3 parts not including the appendix.
Part 1. The Anatomy of a Church: MacArthur walks through the scriptural analogy of the Church being Christ's body with Himself as the Head (Col 2:19, Col 1:18).
a. The skeletal structure. The "skeletal" structure of the church is the critical components to being a church; if it yields, it is no longer a church: A high view of God, absolute authority of scripture, sound doctrine, personal holiness, and spiritual authority.
b. The internal systems. The spiritual attitudes necessary for church vitality: Obedience (he writes, "the all-pervasive attitude that makes all other attitudes possible"), humility, love, unity, willingness to serve, joy, peace, thankfulness, self discipline, accountability, forgiveness, dependence, flexibility, desire for growth, faithfulness, and hope.
c. The muscles. That which enables the body to function: Preaching and teaching, evangelism and missions, worship, prayer, discipleship, shepherding, building up families, training, giving, and fellowship.
d. The Head. The most important part. The Head of the church is the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Then, he points to Christ the Head as Savior, Shepherd, Sovereign, and Sanctifier.

Part 2: The Dynamic Church
a. The Pattern of the early church. He discusses the founding of the church, the ministry of the church, and the leadership of the church.
b. Elders, deacons, and other church members.
c. The Thessalonian model. A surrendered, soul-winning, second coming, steadfast, and submissive church.
d. The Marks of an Effective church: Godly leaders, discipleship, an emphasis on penetrating the community, active church members, concern for one another, devotion to the family, bible teaching and preaching, willingness to change, great faith, sacrifice, and worship.
e. The calling of the church: Called BEFORE: Election, Called OUT: Redemption, Called TO: Sanctification, Called TO: Identification, Called UNDER: Revelation, Called WITH: Unification, Called UNTO: Glorification, and Called FOR: proclamation.
f. The Lord's work in the Lord's way: vision for the future, sense of flexibility, commitment to thoroughness, commitment to present service, acceptance of opposition as a challenge, a team spirit, and a sensitivity to the Spirit's leading in others.

Part 3: Qualities of an Excellent Servant
a. Understanding the seducing spirit
b. Understanding the duties of ministry
c. Shepherding the flock of God

The book also has a huge appendix of 150 pages. It answers:
1. Answering the Key Questions about Elders
2. Answering the Key Questions about Deacons
3. Qualifications for Spiritual Leadership
4. Elements of Church Discipline
5. Restoring a Sinning Brother or Sister
6. Should Fallen Leaders be Restored?
7. The Danger of False Teaching
8. Why I still Preach the Bible
9. Why Personal Integrity is Crucial for the Church
10. Why I love the Church
11. Why Doctrine is practical

Very thorough and to the point in so many aspects of the church. From backing up why a plurality of elders to church discipline. A very good read that will point the reader of what God truly wants from His church based on the biblical model set forth in the New Testament. I extremely liked the area describing the elder; his qualifications and disqualifications based on what the Greek text provides.

In the back of the book in the appendixes he then tackles questions regarding different aspects of the church, such as major questions regarding elders and deacons. He defends many topics including having one of the elders being the lead (teaching pastor) to why the elders can, but not as a rule, be paid.

I would recommend this to anyone wanting to reconfirm what the Bible teaches on the church and not our traditions passed on generation upon generation. Very big help!

MacArthur's plan for the "church" is extremely sound. His preceptions are based on origional language of the Bible and will work for anyone committed to establishing a God honoring body of believers.

John MacArthur has done an excellent job explaining from the Scriptures the plan that God has ordained for the local church. He teaches what the Bible says about elders, deacons, women's roles, church discipline, preaching, etc. Very scholarly without being dry. Excellent exegesis.

Although the "Master's Plan for the Church" (MPftC) came out before "Ashamed of the Gospel" (AotG), I recommend reading AotG before MPftC. AotG presents a broader base for what problems exist (e.g., watering down the gospel) and why they exist. MPftC is more of a practical application -- now that AotG has shown what to avoid, MPftC shows a better way to implement things in your church. Our denomination (CRC - Christian Reformed Church) has most of those things in place and does a pretty good job of staying true to how a church should be run. MPftC helps keep our minds in line with doing the right things and not just things because "we've always done it that way". Most of the chapters and appendixes are taken from sermons at the author's church. The format is easy to read and well organized. The appendixes fill the final one-third of the book and are required reading. I recommend getting both books for your church library (we have AotG and probably will get MPftC soon).

I spent my summer researching mentoring as an independent study project for my PhD program. This guide incorporated much of what I found to be essential in an effective mentoring program: incorporation of adult learning theory, focus on the responsibilites of the mentee, practical exercises and reading for the mentors, and much more. I have used the exercises with great success and highly recommend this book to anyone considering implemeting a mentoring program.

This book provides the best definition of a mentor that I have come across thus far with the statement "...and at there best they inspire us to reach beyond ourselves; they show us how to make a positive difference in a wider world". It is an easy to read reference tool filled with applicable information about how to prepare for and what to watch for during your journey as a mentor. The author does an excellent job of inspiring a can do attitude by giving the reader the ability to use this book as a workbook to be able to work through real life experiences. This book is a must have for anyone desiring to be in a mentoring relationship.

I just finished my thesis on mentoring child care center directors. The Mentor's Guide was the best resource. My thesis quotes many authors but there was non better than Lois Zachary. Her book is the easiest to read and she puts into words what I was thinking. I can't say enough about the wealth of information, ideas, quotes and straight comments that I found useful in this book. If you are embarking on a mentoring relationship this book is a must read. Thank you Lois.

This book provides mentors the tools they need in order to develop and maintain a mentoring relationship. In order to develop a successful mentoring relationship, it is important that the mentor have a good foundation in the purpose of the mentor/mentee relationship and then how know how to develop the relationship. The Mentor's Guide, by Lois J. Zachary, gives mentors this foundation and provides them with support in developing the mentor/mentee relationship.

Lois goes on to provide mentors with the information they need in order to be successful. Learning, according to Lois, is the primary goal of the mentoring relationship. In order for learning to occur, the relationship must be learner centered. The book provides guidelines on creating a learner-centered environment.

The book provides information as well as worksheets that help mentors develop their mentoring skills. Worksheets on developing goals and priorities, confidentiality, boundaries, planning, cross-cultural mentoring, assessing the quality of interactions, skill assessment, as well as strategies to develop successful reflections are a few of the worksheets provided by the book.

This is an excellent book that provides mentors will the tools they need in order to be successful.

This book provides mentors the tools they need in order to develop and maintain a mentoring relationship. In order to develop a successful mentoring relationship, it is important that the mentor have a good foundation in the purpose of the mentor/mentee relationship and then how know how to develop the relationship. The Mentor's Guide, by Lois J. Zachary, gives mentors this foundation and provides them with support in developing the mentor/mentee relationship.

Learning, according to Lois, is the primary goal of the mentoring relationship. In order for learning to occur, the relationship must be learner centered. The book provides guidelines on creating a learner-centered environment.

The book provides information as well as worksheets that help mentors develop their mentoring skills. Worksheets on developing goals and priorities, confidentiality, boundaries, planning, cross-cultural mentoring, assessing the quality of interactions, skill assessment, as well as strategies to develop successful reflections are a few of the worksheets provided by the book.

This is an excellent book that provides mentors will the tools they need in order to be successful.

As a Training Manager for a large wireless company I was charged with rolling out our online learning system. As you would expect, I and my company, did a good deal of research before we purchased our system. Michael Allen's book was very helpful in identifying the questions we needed to identify, as a company, before we took the step.

I highly recommend this book. Even though you will likely experience some frustration in your search for the most effective online learning system, his book will make the process less painful.

The book really focuses on the "how to" of developing and designing your online courses. It honestly lays out the pros and cons of online learning. You will find it helpful.

This book is a must have for the aspiring e-Learning developer. It reviews enough theory to make the point and directs the reader quickly through the logic and science of good e-Learning design.

This book takes e-learning to its core mandate, that of engaging and involving the learners, so that they learn the key skills and knowledge required.

An excellent and easy read, with lots of good examples and non-examples, nicely compared side by side.

Dr. Allen is a champion of learner-centric design - and has written a refreshingly reader-centric book about the topic. He understands that learning is an "internal, personal, and ultimately individual act." His words reveal his passions and opinions in such an authentic manner that you can quickly understand his perspective, and extract points of meaning that can directly apply to your work. As a producer and designer of interactive media, I continually find his insights an inspiration.

I purchased this book as I was beginning to design an eLearning curriculum for my company. The book was a great jumpstart to helping me structure the program, consider ways to involve the learners in eLearning, and remember to find ways to make the course material memorable. I found the accompanying online and CD-based demos to be good stimulators, too. Although I won't be using an authoring tool like the one Michael Allen invented, it was easy to take and apply several of Allen's ideas to my project.