Training Books

Like all the titles in Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series, book 10 Side Kick is a comprehensive study of one of the important kicks used in modern martial arts today. The book is incredibly thorough with numerous photos demonstrating the every aspect of the kick in minute detail. Mr. Kovacich knows his stuff and it is obvious that he has spent many hours honing his technique. The book provides an in-depth study of the bones, muscles and mechanics involved in the kicking technique.

In addition, the book contains a wealth of supplemental information on strength, speed and power generating exercises to enhance the technique. There is also a section on stretching as well as the application of the technique.

This book is ideal for any martial artist who wishes to perfect their side kicking ability. The beginner will find a wealth of information to assist in developing proper mechanics while the advanced practitioner will glean some vital knowledge from an accomplished teacher.

Be sure to check out the other books in this series. You are sure to find one that addresses the specific kick that you need work on.

Aaron Hoopes
author of Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation

Shawn Kovacich's next book in the "Achieving Kicking Excellence" is on the side kick. Kovacich is outstanding at explaining precise detail on the method of his kick, which is the more traditional and probably the most taught way of executing this kick. He again writes about what muscles accomplish what, base and support, and how to turn, and most importantly, placements of the legs, knee, feet, at certain stages.

While Shawn's method of performing this kick is a time honored method and works well for many people, I was disappointed, like in his hook kick series, that he did not mention the "Wallace method." Bill Wallace's method, of which Shawn is or should be familiar, is also a battle tested kick and has some advantages over the traditional method (and one may argue there are some disadvantages as well, but I would have liked to see that debate). I think he should have shown both method's or explain why he choose to disregard the Wallace method. Shawn's method takes the added step of coiling the knee at the waist level before swinging up at the midway peak. In the Wallace method, the midway peak is the coil position and therefore, a step is eliminated (and in my opinion, this is generally a benefit).

Some may have suggested that I didn't fault Shawn for not dealing with Wallace's roundhouse kick in that book, since for Wallace, the side, hook, and roundhouse work off the same principle. While the Wallace roundhouse is slightly different, for sport or combat, that kick, unlike the side or hook, does not really need a Wallce method; unless, of course, one likes practicing the triple kick combination, but fo rsport or self defense, that is a poor combination. Both versions of the side kick have adavntages and disadvantages and in such an otherwise excellent book, I think Shanw should have mentioned it, since after all, it is not some unknown method; however, one does get a glimpse of this method photo wise on 164-165.

Besides that criticism, I find his series to be outstanding and I still highly recommend this resource. I spent more time on the criticism, because his book and the rest of the series are really spectacular books and my criticisms have been scant. I think this book on its own still fairs extremely well and is a nice collection to any martial arts library. The photos in Black and White, while lacking a photo-finish quality, do show a quality of martial technique superiority.

His trouble shooting guide is great.

Achieving Kicking Excellence

If you are a novice martial artist, a kick-box exercise video nut, or someone who wants to advance their knowledge of martial art kicks, this book looks as if it would be very helpful.

The series of books is organized by type of kick: back, wheel, axe, crescent, reverse crescent, front, hook, hatchet, roundhouse, side kick. Ten books in all.

The volumes are absolutely loaded with pictures of not only kick technique but also of helpful strength-with-weight exercises, especially gym exercises with machines like the hack squat and leg press sled and of course the all-important lunge. So you get not only a discussion of how-to, but of what exercises can improve overall performance by gaining muscle strength. There are pictures with overlays of angles and axes, giving you an idea of proper form, though there is no substitute for a sensei giving you real-time feedback, of course. So these books are a good adjunct to martial arts class in the dojo; something to read and then take to practice and work on with real-time help.

There is a section on sparring--right and wrong. There is a suggested reading list in the back. A very complete series.

The only thing these volumes suffer from is slightly dark and low contrast black and white photograph reproduction due to pictures being on paper stock and not glazed plate stock, in order to keep costs reasonable for publishing. And the cover photo is wonderful but the graphic design (showing the title being shattered by the someone doing the title kick) was a GREAT concept but you can't read the title on the front cover (because it's being kicked to bits!) This is annoying; you have to read the spine to see which kick the book is about. If this bugs you, it's easily fixed: get some stickers or a Sharpie and mark the front cover with something like SIDE KICK VOL 10 or whatever works for you.

Author Kovacich is a black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do (which of course is one of the martial arts for which the kick is the premier technique.)

Side Kick was another kick that I thought I knew pretty well. But I didn't like to use it because I was always hurting my foot. I couldn't figure out what was wrong because everything looks like it is supposed to. When I read Side Kick, volume #10 in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series by Shawn Kovacich, I learned that I was using the wrong area of my foot to strike my opponent. I was using the entire side or knife edge of my foot to strike my opponent, rather than just the outside edge of my heel.

That made sense to me, so I tried it the next class I had. Not surprisingly, I performed the kick a lot more efficiently and was hitting the kicking bags harder without the pain that I was used to experience in my foot and ankle. There were a whole lot more things that I learned as well, but since this is my last review for this series of books, I wanted to point out some of the great things that are relevant to each kick that are included in each book. Remember that each section in each book directly relates to that particular kick.

1. Outstanding detail and approach to the principles behind the correct execution of each kick.

2. The mind blowing amount of detail that is included in each book is staggering.

3. The format of the each book is the same and very easy to follow.

4. The "Troubleshooting" section was very informative and answered a lot of questions.

5. The breakdown of each kick to its simplest level in order to enhance the learning process.

6. The "Notes" sections that are found throughout the each book are little gems of wisdom in and of themselves.

7. The additional sections on how to improve your kicking skills.

8. The "Applications" section, although brief is very informative and wets the appetite for the next set of books in the series.

9. The author's technical expertise is without question and the thought and care that he put into his books shines through in every way.

10. Finally, the author's style of teaching is very easy to understand and comprehend.

In closing I would like to highly recommend to everyone that reads my reviews on the books in this series to buy a complete set and see for yourself just how fantastic these books really are. You won't regret it!

This series is a fantastic reference for anyone interested in the finer points of kicking, particularly for those of us whose exposure to this aspect of the martial arts has been somewhat limited. I have been doing this stuff since 1970, for example, yet have focused exclusively on styles that have very little emphasis on kicking applications (e.g., Goju Ryu karate, Kodokan judo, and Matayoshi kobudo). Goju Ryu, for instance, utilizes roughly 70% hand techniques. Don't get me wrong, I have a pretty mean mae geri (front kick) that can rock your world, but there are many other leg techniques utilized by other arts that I am simply not at all expert with--hatchet kicks, axe kicks, and crescent kicks, to name a few.

This is why I was so excited to find Shawn Kovacich's comprehensive "Achieving Kicking Excellence" series. If you are familiar with Kris Wilder's outstanding tome, The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power, these books take a similarly in-depth yet approachable style. Each volume explores one type of kick in great detail, outlining some 50 or 60 technical points (depending on the type of kick), in an easy to understand and utilize manner. At first blush you might think that it would be tough to devote an entire volume to just one type of kick, yet each offering in this exceptional series runs more than 200 pages and is packed with meaningful information.

No dojo darling, Kovacich really knows what he is talking about. A fourth-degree black belt in both karate and taekwondo, he has competed in full contact sparring tournaments (including the prestigious Sabaki Challenge) and is the world-record holder for both endurance- and high-kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Kovacich has been teaching martial arts since 1985 and this knowledge, skill, and ability really shine through in his writing.

The text is clear and comprehensive, yet written in everyday language that just about anyone can easily grasp. No matter how good the writing, however, this sort of topic needs wide-ranging illustrations to ensure thorough comprehension. Fortunately there are tons of them. Regrettably though, the pictures are quite dark and/or grainy in most places (my only real complaint about the series). Despite the fuzziness of the photo printing, however, the pictures themselves are first rate as are the corresponding illustrations. Most of the pictures not only have captions but also reference numbers that align with the text to assure further clarity. There are separate illustrations that show the appropriate foot position and base of support for each movement too. This layout method is really slick; I like it a lot. There is a pretty good index in the back that supplements the table of contents too, so you can easily refer back to anything you will want to re-read later on (and you'll almost certainly want to refer back to much of this information later on).

While the front and back matter are virtually identical amongst the various volumes (such that each one can stand alone without the rest of the series), the core content is unique for each type of kick. This front and back matter (e.g., warm up and stretching) is a bit cursory too, though that is perfectly understandable given the primary focus of the books; truly nothing to be overly concerned with in my opinion. Each volume in the series is laid-out in an identical manner and includes the following topics:

-- Basic anatomy of the kick
-- Warm up and stretching
-- Principles of the kicking movement (e.g., stability, balance, sequence of movements, speed, accuracy, targeting, visualization, etc.)
-- Performing the primary kick (e.g., fighting position, knee raise, coil, impact, follow-through, recoil, knee drop, return to fighting position).
-- Performing variations from the primary kick (e.g., step, switch, jump, spin, cross-over, etc.)
-- Training and practice methods (e.g., skill, strength, speed, and power training)
-- Trouble shooting the kick
-- Kicking applications against an opponent
-- Author's awards and accomplishments
-- Recommended reading

No matter how well written, you cannot learn martial arts solely from a book, of course, but this series is a fantastic supplement for hands-on instruction. It covers important nuances that are rarely described adequately by most sensei (or sifu, etc.). I have found that, in general, books can reach a level of clarity and comprehensiveness that is simply not achievable with DVDs as well. This series is no exception to that rule. Despite a bit of redundancy amongst the various volumes, the technical merits and detailed analysis of the kicks make these books a stellar resource for any serious martial artist. I'm proud to include all ten volumes in my library.

Highly recommended!


Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, Martial Arts Instruction, The Way to Black Belt, and The Way of Kata

Lave's book provdes an excellent overview of the concept of situated learning. If you are looking for a theoretical background, than this is the book for you. Lave provdes several useful case studies to illustrate legitimate peripheral particiation. However, if you are looking for a more practical view of situated learning or are interested in learning how to encourage such participation to occur, you might want to consider another book.

In this academic book, the authors argue that most literature on learning ignores the social character of learning. The initial intention of this book was to "rescue the idea of apprenticeship." The authors studied the apprenticeships of midwives, tailors, butchers, and others. They found that learning, to a large extent, was taking place between peers, instead of coming directly from the master.

This book was written for academics, but has serious implications for practitioners.

Michael Beitler, Ph.D.
Author of "Strategic Organizational Learning"

I wonder if two people have ever had so much fun writing a book together as Jean Lave and Etiene Wenger. Lave's choice of a cover illustration supports my point: she found the artwork at a beer-fest while visiting friends and studying in Europe. Lave and Wenger are world reknowned scholars who would rather spend the afternoon in a butcher's kitchen than hobb-knobbing at the faculty lounge. With "Situated Learning," the reader is invited to follow Lave and Wenger as they ponder the consequences of doors, tables, timeclocks, work schedules, and union contracts on human development and potential.
After reading "Situated Learning," it is difficult to imagine the constellation of concepts that make up our modern thinking of what learning is without Lave and Wenger's contributions. Like the artwork on the book's cover, and the story of its origins, Lave and Wenger's analysis restoke the fires fueling the learning sciences. It is not an overstatement to say that this short, sometimes difficult to follow book, is responsible for a whole new generation of thinking and research on learning and its sociocultural consequences.
Their analytical objective was simple: dethrone the dominant conceptions of learning in the social sciences and everyday life. In their place, Lave and Wenger offer and illustrate a handful of concepts that students of learning across the social and applied sciences are now usings to inspire new insights on the origins of social ascension and strife.
I recommend that the reader, too, pick up this book with the intent of having some fun: let your inhibitions, and intellectual reservations, down for a couple of hours and enjoy the show as Lave and Wenger take off the Emporer's (modern psychology's, that is) clothes. Readers need to approach this book with a light-heart, as its simplicity and substance leave one feeling as if the dominant, 20th century schools of thought on learning have placed a blacksmith's anvil on the center of one's chest. Thank goodness Lave and Wenger have brought our attention to this matter.
Needless to say, I highly recommend the book.

The book is easy to read, extremely interesting and gives a new perspective on learning. In this type of learning the learner models behavior of the teacher. Questions are not asked, behavior is not explained and all of the learning takes place as a result of observation and immitation of observed behavior.

If you are interested in the study of situated learning and social practice theory, this is the place to start - the origin of the terms `legitimate peripheral participation' (LPP) and `communities of practice' employed ubiquitously by researchers developing sociocultural critiques of Enlightenment thinking. The book is meant to open the mind, and one established notion that readers are asked to give up is a literal view of apprenticeship based on a single master and apprentice. The Lave & Wenger framework has received some criticism due to the explicit power structure associated with such a relationship and the uniform learning trajectory that is entailed, but this criticism is no doubt levied by writers who have not read the book, as Lave & Wenger are careful to note that in their quest to find a metaphor for learning that exists outside formal educational contexts and is based on social participation rather than the internal mental processing of the computer metaphor they aim to replace, they needed to take some artistic license. Their aim is to characterize a specific form of learning, LPP, and through their detailed examples, they illustrate types of relationships and forms of participation within which it emerges -- a broader and respecified notion of apprenticeship.

This book is programmatic - a specific metaphor for learning is described, it is elaborated through several examples, and major issues are discussed, but for details, you will need to look elsewhere. Wenger's (1998) Communities of Practice is an analytical treatment that is the antithesis of the light and vibrant Situated Learning, but that is the go-to place to understand LPP from every angle and in all its detail.

For those who hope to capture this genie in a bottle that is LPP, Wenger's (2002) Cultivating Communities of Practice explains how institutions can `plan for' LPP (it cannot be planned or managed, but it can be `planned for' by putting in place the conditions so that it is likely to emerge). But beware, as Wenger warns that few institutional leaders have the wherewithal to maintain the `hands off' policy required for LPP to be sustained over the long term (and the need for facilitative structures is also the basis for Lave's long-held skepticism about this form of learning appearing - at least in a positive form as educators intend it - in formal schooling).

Readers who are interested less in application than in the genesis and epistemological basis of a sociocultural, practice-based theory of learning will find Lave (1988) Cognition in Practice and Rogoff & Lave (1985) Everyday Cognition useful. They lay the groundwork for Situated Learning.

As the only counselor in a middle school of 400 students, I had been searching for a book to help me address the needs of my students. Somehow, perhaps by 'divine intervention' I happened onto Dr. Murphy's book, "Solution-Focused Counseling in Middle and High Schools". It has become my bible. It is something that works in an environment of limited time and unlimited student needs. IT WORKS! It is so rare to find information that is road-tested and really works for those of us who spend our day in the real world of middle and high schools. Thanks to Dr. Murphy for his insight and wisdom. I feel like a very competent counselor and this book is a big reason for that confidence.

Murphy gives great tips and strategies for working with students in middle and high schools. The book is clear and crisp, and it should make wonderful addition to the bookshelf of anyone who works with students in secondary schools.

Great book for school counselor training programs. It offers a realistic, practical theory to complement other teaching. It also provides good examples. I highly recommend it!!

This is an excellent book! It is easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to implement. Any counselor who is working or plans to work with middle or high school kids MUST have this book.

These days lots of schools are worried about how to work with "problem kids." The problem with that, as John Murphy explains in his great book "Solution-Focused Counseling...," is that we focus too much on what's wrong with kids and not enough on their strengths. Murphy's belief in the power of young people to solve their own problems with the right guidance shines through. A clear, entertaining read on a terribly important subject.

If you've ever looked at your pet and wondered what he was thinking, you will love this book! Spike has a great personality and the illustrations boldy show all of his emotions he experiences in reaction to the people in his life. It's my niece's new favorite bedtime story.
We laugh everytime we read it.

Filled with animated characters and colorful pictures, this book is a huge success in my classroom! Every year my students fall in love with Spike and I am thrilled to add her newest book to our collection!

We love Spike....he is so cool! He has great adventures and has such fun. I have two children between the ages of 5 and 9 and they both love to read about Spike and look at the bold and colorful illustrations. We have the first Spike books and were so excited to have a new Spike adventure to read before bedtime!!

Spike in Trouble is yet another wonderful book in the 'Spike' series by Paulette Bogan. My nephew was thrilled to find out what new things Spike has been up to. Spike is his favorite character (and one of mine too). We are both looking forward to finding out about his next adventure (and soon we hope).

Spike is a great character. My kids are crazy about him.
Paulette Bogan is a favorite author and illustrator for my two children. Spike always makes them laugh.

From the moment of staring at the appealing pictures and EYE-POPPING title, I was drawn into the book's methods of training.

This book is a MUST for beginners and of all different levels. In the very beginning, there is a clear cut introduction and information on how the body works, muscle group information, and other tips.

Progressing through the simple diagrams and instructions, I finally come upon the section that explains how to create a program. From factoring in tempo, reps, rest time, & exercises, the author clearly addresses and recommends a variety of programs for different sets of goals.

Overall, a book I still always refer to. Get it now!

I purchased this book on Amazon for less than six dollars. With the bargain price and Everett's sub-par books I'd previously read I wasn't expecting much. Surprised I was indeed! This is one of the best reads on exercise ever! From start to finish I was captivated by Everett's thorough understanding of the body and more so his ability to communicate it. From the bio-motor ability pyramid to the global muscular system, Everett breaks it down. I would've enjoyed some enlightening concepts on program design that were compatible with the exercise templates but that goes beyond the scope of this book. This is the new Supertraining! Buy this one today.

An excellent foundation into the key principles of strength, speed, and power. Clear and descriptive writting, with an abundance of diagrams showing all exercises and muscle groups. Easy to understand, practical, non-limiting, and functional in respect to varying sports and lifestyles.

If you search amazon.com for books about bodybuilding you will get over 700 hits. This is up from about 400 a couple of years ago. Most are just the same old exercises with pictures of different people. This is not a book about bodybuilding per se. There are bodybuilding exercises and much information -- such as exercise safety, tempo, adjusting the rest between sets depending on the training objective be it hypertrophy, strength, or muscular endurance -- that bodybuilders will find useful. The book's bigger audience includes many others who routinely train with weights. For the athlete or the coach, or for the trainee whose objective is fitness for a particular sport this book will be a valuable resource.
Current buzzwords in the field athletic training are "core training" and "functional exercise". Aabergs's book is an excellent introduction to core training and functional exercise.
As in his earlier book MUSCLE MECHANICS Aaberg lists sources of further information. It's probably nitpicking on my part, but some of the texts listed in the bibliography are a little hard to come by (they are not sold by amazon). A search of the internet was necessary to track down sources for purchasing some of the texts. That said, the bibliography alone is worth the price of book.
For the average new trainee this book will probably seem overwhelming. And maybe it is too technical for someone who just wants a routine and a description of how to perform the exercises. As a personal trainer I have clients who are not iterested in why an exercise is chosen or what it does. All they want is someone to lead them through the exercises so they can get the results they want. Such exercisers would not read past the first page of this book. For others, such as myself, the information is critical for program design. However, anyone who wants to should be able to look at the illustrations and read the accompanying exercise descriptions to find many new exercises that will enhance their athletic perormance. Getting the full benefit of this book will require studying the entire book. My recommendation is to buy the book, do the tough reading, apply the knowledge, and reap the harvest of a high-perfmance body.

This book is the best work-out guide I have
seen on the market in many years. There are
many many different exercises for each section
(strength , endurance, speed, agility etc.)
that are illustrated so one knows exactly how
to perform the exercise.

I particularly recommend this book to beginers
and to those who need any kind of rehabilitation
(due to health problems) .

If you are going to spend money on such books,
it is best spent on this one. (From someone who
has used the book and obtained results !)

Very comprehensive excellent handbook on substitute teacher. The number one book recommended by many school districts.

I am just starting out as a sub for grade school and wanted to be well prepared. I saw great reviews on this particular book and decided to go for it. I was not dissapointed. It has a lot of good tips and includes some handy filler/emergency tactics such as games and pages to copy to keep the day running smoothly. It also has lots of handy information that is grade specific so no matter where you go, you will have a reference and appropriate backup to refer to. I highly recommend it.

This book is very handy and has been very helpful in giving a new teacher ideas for use in the classroom. Many activities and reproducable sheets are included as well. While most of the content on being an effective teacher I have read elsewhere in such titles as Harry and Rosemary Wong's 'The First Days of School', this handbook is recommended for teachers who are starting out.

This book is the best resource out there, and is currently being used at the local university. I am an education major and my campus uses this edition as well. There are many helpful bulleted lists for quick reference while in the classroom. Several supply freebies are printed up just waiting to Xeroxed st your convenience. Still, the best features are it's ease of reading and application of little details that make all the difference. This is the kind of "practical magic" you don't receive from a formal education that makes all the difference come game time.

This book provides some real insights and valuable suggestions for how to approach substitute teaching. In fact, I have used the techniques outlined in the book to solve other problems with regards to public speaking and small group leadership.

Overall, I have found the book helpful, although I do have one very minor complaint...Although the book makes every effort to be clear in its presentation (using reminder icons etc.) The headings threw me off. Generally you expect Larger headings to be the main point with smaller headings explaining subpoints; however the headings in this book kind of blurred together using the same fonts, so I had to go back in the reading to determine what the over arching themes were for the chapter.

As I said, very minor complaint!!! Otherwise, I would say...Buy this book first! The others just reiterate the same points, and they don't do it with half the level of thoroughness.

An outstanding and very well written source of information for the prospective as well as current graduate psychology student, this guide provides crucial information on all aspects of a career in psychology from choosing the appropriate degree to mastering a career in one's chosen area of expertise. I especially appreciated the chapters on the development of traditional psychological skills including teaching, psychological testing and assessment, psychotherapy, and consultation, as well as how to get and how to survive an internship. Having been in graduate school myself for over 6 years I also found the chapter on mastering stress quite useful. Information is also provided for students in special circumstances such as minorities, international students, and student couples.

The guide concludes with the prudent advice to keep an open mind and keep your eyes open concerning the many ways in which a degree in psychology can be put to good use depending on opportunities available, as well as the changing needs of society. I would like to conclude by saying I wish I had this book available to me as an undergraduate psychology student, and would like to offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Walfish and to my distinguished former professor Dr. Hess, for making this extremely useful and interesting text available. I will continue to tell as many fellow psychology students I can about this guide.

This book is not only a good guide book for the freshman or sophomore plotting his/her strategy to get into highly competitive psychology graduate programs, it also tells the student what to do once he/she gains entry. The book covers topics many other guide books neglect, such as what skills one needs to obtain while in graduate school, the politics of graduate school, stress management techniques, et cetera. The best guide book I have purchased and a great deal considering it guides the student from his/her undergrad years to the doctoral phase and beyond.

This book was one of the best books I read about grad school in psychology. What I loved about it was that it not only has useful information about applying and interviewing (which is why I bought it), but it also has chapters on many other aspects of grad school, including a few candid chapters that discuss departmental politics (a rarely broached topic). Another great chapter discusses how to juggle relationships and academia, strategies for landing jobs when your spouse is also an academic, etc. There's also a chapter on the clinical internship process, yet another topic that I have not read about in detail anywhere else.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to read more about what grad school is really like, and to hear great solutions to various hurdles that grad students face. Knowing more about the process, warts and all, made me all the more confident that I was making the right choice for myself.

At the recommendation of a teaching assistant in one of my classes at Dartmouth College,I purchased this book. I was really surprised about how little I knew about the application process to graduate school. If you have a friend or relative who is applying to graduate school in psychology (the toughest programs to get into, esp. clinical), you need this book to minimize the number of rejection letters you will receive in April. One note though: The authors need to include material on how to do a thesis.

The editors of this text have done a remarkable job of putting together a comprehensive user-friendly guide to assist anyone who is considering a graduate degree in Psychology or other areas within the helping profession. This guide addresses and clarifies the often complicated and ambigious process of selecting, applying, and untimately succeeding in a graduate level psychology program. I purchased a copy for a family member who is currently applying to graduate programs in psychology. She recently commented that the information in this book helped her to make some critical decisions about programs, and what options she will pursue as a graduate student and beyond. It is also an excellent resource for students already enrolled in or just completing their graduate studies. This is a must have resource for anyone considering a graduate program in psychology

Absolutely must for an IMG, has a lot of stuff starting on how to prepare a good application and also tips on writing personal statement and dos & dont,s for recommendation letters. I found it very useful and would definitely recommend it.

I bought this book on June/06, just prior the match season started. It totally changed my original plan. I was full of the info that is on the internet, the same that the thousands of applicants use. This book gives you in detail what you have to do in order to outstand from the rest. Focusing on the difficulties that an IMG has while trying to get a residency, set the profile of the SUCESSFUL IMG, and explains you how to become one. I relyed on this book only and obtained 10 invitations out of 30 applications, all from top centers like Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, or Mayo Clinic. Definitively, the best tool for IMG's.

I would swear and curse with joy, but I shall hold back!

The author of this book is to be commended on the exemplary structure and layout of this little gold-mine... I was hoping to find this work earlier, and I am only thankful that I have it in my hands right now!!!

Getting to the US, into a top-notched residency programme, while being a foreign medical graduate are all difficult things to combine and accomplish skilfully. It is absolutely wonderful to see a physician who made it, and who made it BIG.
I found this book thoroughly informative, believe it or not, on ALL the major steps required for that arduous process. Most texts offer scarse little tid-bits of already well-known facts that I needed to add MUCH more to. This book does that splendidly.
I particularly enjoyed the Seventy-Thirty rule.

Guys out there looking for more than JUST a book on getting through the hurdles?... this book is for those who want to do it and do it WELL. It's plain, and simple, and easy to read. I recommend it above ANY of the other books on the market. THIS ONE is the ONLY one of it's kind...

Thank you to the author. A tremendously honest piece of work. Congratulations.

It's a very comprehensive book and the tips it gives are really great and deal with real life. The LORs and interview sections are marvellous. The author has an indeed deep understanding of the successful application process for a residency in the U.S. What might miss from this book: maybe how can IMGs find an observership in the U.S for which he/she wouldn't have to pay, just like it is possible in Europe!
I recommend the book in highest terms to anyone applying for residency.

This is THE book for IMGs. Forget first aid and others. Nobody explains the finer details, the minutae that can enhance your competitiveness better than Anagh Vora. The book is a truly outstanding read and will help the readers in the process of obtaining a US residency.

Best would be to buy it by the 2nd-3rd year of medical college and utilise all the guidelines mentioned. Its 140 pages of information for just IMGs, so very much detailed as to what to do and what not to do.

Buying it will be the best decision in you quest for a US residency.

I am so glad I started with the book before moving on to the DVD. I was able to learn all the exercises and keep up with the DVD better than I otherwise would have. After two weeks with this book, I felt more limber and like I was really doing something good for me. After two months people started to notice-- I was toning up. These exercises really work for quick results-- and it's not too big of a time commitment. I'm working out with Minna Lessig 20 to 30 minutes a day, 5 times week. After 10 months, I can definately say I love the improvement it's made.

This exercise book is comprehensive. It has a good variety for novice, skilled and master levels. These exercises can be done at home or a gym!

Great book, easy read, and great tips on how to get a more toned body.

As Summer approaches, there's no better time to freshen up your workout. With this in mind - Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom is as fresh as it gets. Created by sought-after personal trainer and fitness supermodel, Minna Lessig, this book takes you step-by-step through a fabulous fitness makeover. Once committed, she'll show you how to use her book as your training manual. Too, you'll choose from workout options for every fitness level - all without stealing precious time. This Spring why not let Lessig help you give your fitness program an overhaul? Here's 5 simple ways you can use her book to get your body in fighting shape just in time for Summer.

One: Freshen Up Your Warm Up and Stretching Routines:

First, let Lessig walk you through several of her 3 minute warm-up routines. You will have the opportunity to choose your favorite based on preference for general exercise or a more delicate Yoga and Pilates style. As you already know, a solid warm up is your most important base-line for a fluid, injury-free workout program. Therefore, regardless of how long you've been working out, it never hurts to take the time to revisit your pre and post workout exercises. That said, you will also want to take time to review Lessig's stretching program - this will give you stretching options for in-between exercises; an important step in depleting the lactic acid that can lead to days of muscle soreness.

Two: Remodel Your Cardio Fitness Routine:

Next up: A makeover to your cardio program. Here Lessig gives you an array of options, as well. Begin simply by choosing exercises you like and will stick to. You will also find her time suggestions similar to what you probably already know: perform one half-hour cardio program, three to four times a week. Moreover, if you're like me and the treadmill is your choice for cardio - you're in luck. Here, Lessig helps us give our workouts a fresh look. As an example, I've given my cardio workout a spring cleaning using the interval program she suggests: a tri-weekly, half-hour routine adjusting speed intensity in an interval format. If you've never tried interval training before, its great for burning calories and fat. In addition, if you are in a time pinch, interval training has all the trappings: its fast, easy and fun.

Three: Overhaul Your Resistance Training Workout:

For my first week with Lessig's program, I devoted much time to learning and becoming comfortable with my new cardio workout. By the second week, however, I was ready to add some resistance training to the mix. Lessig's got it covered. What's more; she gives options based on one's current fitness level: Novice, Skilled or Master.

For me, I took the middle path approach to the program. Using the Training Log pages Lessig provides, I carefully chose my daily routines for one month based on her "Skilled" resistance training suggestions. Once I made the commitment to this exercise program, I spent the next week going through each exercise in my routine slowly and without weights. I then progressed by adding weights. For me, this approach increased my self-confidence and comfort with the exercises. Thus, if you try this practice for yourself, I think you'll find your resistance training routine will never get tired or boring. As you progress, Lessig gives you options for both changing up the workout, as well as offering advanced moves to keep you moving in a forward direction.

Tune Up Your Nutritional Program:

The final addition to any solid exercise program? Tips for sound nutrition. Here Lessig's got your back, as well. She'll first give you an overview of her suggestions which do not include "dieting." She shares the same vision that most in the exercise realm "who get it" do: It is more important to work toward lifestyle change then to deprive your body of nutrients which could lead to unhealthy eating habits later. Therefore, each week for four weeks, she'll give you an insightful, easy way to tune up your nutrition program all with common sense helpful hints that you can accomplish. It's fun to use them to slowly make healthy adjustments to your current eating program. Too, Lessig offers great recipe ideas, as well as other simple tidbits to help you enhance your workout. An example? Lessig will teach you the difference between appetite and hunger - the distinction could help you curb the "emotional" eating that leads to excess weight.

Add A New Dimension To Your Body Shaping:

The added bonuses to Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom, besides the obvious? Affirmations and creative visualization exercises. These are the intangible keys to health and fitness. Lessig understands that for changes to take place in the body it is just as much an inside job as an outside one. Therefore, she'll help you understand how to reshape your body by using some excellent tools: creative visualization and positive affirmations. Saying statements to yourself such as "I love my body," daily or carrying note cards in your pocket with power statements that can be reviewed when negativity arises - can all pay large dividends when it comes to body change. Hurray to Lessig for understanding this underestimated practice!

I followed the 4 week guide and it worked great. My friends all saw results in the first four weeks. It was really amazing. Its a great book.

After reading Gebhard's book, I decided to see what others thought about the book. I was quite surprised to see one reviewer give the book only one star. But, then I read the review and realized that this person had not actually read the book. He simply decided that he did not like the book because he thought the author had friends write the reviews. His review without reading the book is like not liking a person because someone told you a few things about her.

I like Gebhard's book because he does not claim to know the best way to teach. Rather, he wants us, as ESL teachers or future teachers, to learn how to make our own decisions about what to do in the classroom. He gives lots of examples of things we can do as teachers. (I especially like his section chapters on teaching skills -- conversation, listening, reading, writing -- and his chapter on culture and teaching.)He also provides real problems that real teachers have, and gives multiple examples of activities and materials that experienced teachers use. But, he does not tell teachers how they should teach.
The book is full of ideas and easy to read. As an ESL teacher, I can highly recommend it.

This is an absoulute work of superb scholarship. Dr. Gebhard is obviously speaking from years of both research and real-life experience. In an area filled with dull and lifeless preachings by secluded scholars tucked away in ivory towers, this work stands out as a testament to thorough reaseach complimented by understandable and readable conclusions. A must read for anyone in this field!

Excellent resource. I teach ESL to the Hispanic Immigrant Population in Anniston AL and have found this book full of useful suggestions and techniques for the classes we teach.

Have you been asked what TESOL is? This book gives you all the keys you need to understand teaching English to speakers of other languages. It works as an introductory texts for those majoring TESOl or will work in the ESL EFL arena.

This is a book on language teaching for language teachers. The book takes the view that language teachers must be responsible for making the ideas in the book real for their own particular contexts. The book starts with self-development as a theme and then moves on to teaching skills. Jerry Gebhard is careful to point out that he is not providing a bag of tricks as each application is backed-up with a sound theoretical perspective. The references in each section are excellent if the busy teacher has some time to read in more depth. Also, each chapter has activities that teachers can explore in order to apply the chapter information to their own particular context. What I especially like is that these activities encourage teachers to talk to other teachers and colleagues. This is where real self-development starts. This book, then, is a welcome user friendly addition to the field of English Language Teaching. If the user is a teacher, you have found the right book!