Training Books

Tian Dayton offers a compendium of useful ways to use improvisation and theater games in a variety of group settings. The ideas are based on psychodrama, the action method developed by Dr. Jacob Moreno in 1921, but the practitioner need not know all about psychodrama to make use of these ideas. On the other hand, it just might start you on a wonderful journey to learn more about how action methods and drama can support growth and change in fascinating -- and even fun -- ways.

I appreciate this collection of warm-ups and great ideas to develop deeper work (with my clients). Thanks Tian for sharing you knowlege.

I've taught theatre arts for almost forty years -- primarily acting and scriptwriting. I also work as a drama coach and often find myself dealing with client's personal (rather than professional) problems. I studied psychodrama in college, but didn't pursue it full time.

I've retired from campus work and now work as a drama and life coach. It feels natural for me to use drama therapy. I've read all the books listed here at Amazon, along with textbooks on the subject. In all honesty, Tian Dayton's simple techniques are the most realistically useful.

Thankfully, the first section of the book contains exercises to be used alone. Many life coaching clients don't have the actor's mentality and don't want to "act out" in front of a group or even a life coach, so these exercises make great homework. The second section of the book is full of great group exercises. Section Three contains guided imagery, which I don't personally find as useful as the first two sections but am certain others love.

None of the games in this book are threatening or go so deep you (or your class or clients) will run screaming into the night. In short, these exercises are safe -- safe for adults and children.

All in all, "Drama Therapy" is a terrific book. Whether you're buying it for your own private use (it's a great self-help book) or for work, you won't be disappointed.

I am an art therapist at a psychiatric hospital. I recently started a psychodrama/dramatic expression therapy group with individuals who have eating disorders. I was searching for a book that would provide some sample psychodrama group experiences. Quite honestly, when I ordered this book, I had no idea what it contained, but I thought it sounded useful. As it turned out, this book is just what I was searching for! The author provides a variety of ideas for both individual and group exercises, many of which utilize the creative modalities of both art and drama. The exercises speak to individuals who come from co-dependent families/dysfunctional homes, and I have found that the exercises can be easily adapted for individuals ranging from children to adults who have experienced the effects of various addictions or diagnoses and are struggling with the resulting emotions. The exercises encourage self-awareness and playful, creative self-expression. Each exercise includes goals, steps, and variations. There is even a section on Guided Imagery. I would highly recommend this book to experiential/expressive arts therapists who are looking for creative therapeutic techniques for fostering self-development!

I purchased this book to help my daughter and I get started with potty training. I found it to be geared more to an older toddler, rather than my daughter who is just under 2. I've purchased some other books that seem to be more of what I'm looking for. Since there is some useful information and the activities look like something she'd enjoy when she's a little bit older, I'm planning to hang onto it in the event we're still training when she's closer to 3.

This was the only resource I found that truly helped me potty train my 3year-old son... He would fight it and have accidents everyday until we began using the ideas supplied in this book... It was fun and entertaining for us both and made training alot less stressful for us both!!! Buy it!

There are hilarious songs, great ideas for rewards, and a variety of activities to help you get your child engaged in toilet training. A great gift for parents!

My daughter is going on 3. She had become uninterested in using the potty. She was back in diapers when I got the book, and I just gave it to her. She was surprised and proud and it worked! We took it with us on bathroom visits and she didn't want diapers anymore.

If you are looking for a comprehensive and well-structured guide to mentoring - this is perfect choice. Presented concepts are intuitive and have practical application. What is also important, the book is fun to read. I recommend it both to new adepts of mentoring as well to those more experienced.

As the Chief Operating Officer for a large medical technology company, I have mentored many junior professionals for years. But until now, I've never found a guide on the art of mentoring that lays out the specific details and skills mentors should master. Imagine my delight at discovering a short but comprehensive resource for everything a new mentor should learn and a seasoned mentor should reconsider. The authors promise a "nuts and bolts" guide to doing mentoring based on the writing style of the classic "Elements of Style" guide to grammar. The authors do not disappoint on this score. Amazingly, they manage to cover all of the key ingredients to outstanding mentoring without resorting to stories or wordy narrative. In reading the "Elements of Mentoring," one gets the sense that he or she is gleaning the distilled wisdom of two master mentors. The book is brief but jam-packed with the crucial details of starting a good mentorship, managing it successfully, and even bringing it through difficult transitions. I was impressed that the authors (both college profs) used lots of research in putting the book together (see the references) without cluttering the pages with it. I am not a frequent Amazon reviewer, but after reading this thorough but brief resource, recommending it to several colleagues, and pulling it down from my shelf already to re-read a section relevant to one of my current subordinates, I felt compelled to recommend it to other managers and leaders. One of the few books on developing junior talent I've been glad I paid for.

i skimmed through this book and was very impressed. it pointed out to me how i should mentor as well as pointing out how i should be mentored. i learned what has been missing in the mentoring that i receive. i am hoping that it will help me ask for the type of mentoring that i want and need.

This is a valuable book. These authors have managed to distill a very broad topic into easily applied principles. As both a mentor and protege I am grateful for this book. I am now ordering this book as a gift for all my favorite mentors in my Harvard post-doctoral program. I recommend you do the same for those menotors in your life.

(Purchased on 05/01/2008) Have wanted this book for some time and found it cheapest at Amazon.
This book is well layed out and organized by disease process and symptoms, good to have on hand for quick reference (but don't leave it lying around the ER, it will disapear fast).
Easy read. I would recomend for med students/residents or ER nurses.

...I just like to read everything about medicine, because I hope to be a doctor one day. I found this book in the medical library at our university, and I liked it a lot. Compared to any textbook I have ever read, it is very clear and basic, but still covers a lot of information, and has a good balance between the weird trivial information that probably comes up occasionally, but is good to know about when it does, and the basic stuff. Also, some of the doctors who write chapters actually have a sense of humor, which makes the book interesting to read. Check out the chapter about bites and stings by Lee Shockley, which is particularly entertaining.

When I started work in an emergency department this book gave me many tips to solve some difficult cases. It is written in a way you can read it for few minutes in between patient visits in your night shift. The readability is high and you never get bored because it fixes every question in few lines (maximum 20 but mostly less than 10).
Obviously it is not really comprehensive, due to the small dimension and the question-response format; but it is sufficient also to study on it for examinations. It requires at least a basic understandig of medicine and it is not interesting for a lay person in many chapters.

This book provides a weath of information, and is a great study guide for residents.

This is full of great background, start and training aids for agility.

We found that there is no substitute for class training with pro instruction. But this is useful for those who want to just do it in their backyard, or as prelude to class work.

Good advice on rigging own obstacles, progression of learning, etc.

Worthy resource for agility interested or those already into this growing activity.

Great book with information for the beginner and expert because we all forget the basics from time to time. Helpful information for easy-to-find substitutes you have around the house/yard to use as jumps, ramps, etc., before you buy and/or make your own regulation equipment. Covers all the basic commands and how-to's on all agility equipment.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is training their dog in agility! It doesn't matter if you're just starting or are advanced, this book will give you some great tips on forming good agility habits, and getting rid of the bad habits. It also gives you good ideas on training stratigies, and how to make your own safe equipment from stuff around the house. Nice pictures too!

I am new to the sport of agility and this book really gives you the neccesary info not only to compete but also to find new ways to play around with your dog. Excellent information on obstacles descriptions and regulations. If you are a do-it-yourself type of person like me, the info is so complete that you can built the obstacles yourself based on the description given by the author. The only down side is the black and white photos. Great introductory book for the sport of agility. It covers all aspects in an easy to read way.

For the record, the quote in my review title is from page 10. "Escaping The Price-Driven Sale" bills itself as being "From the creators of SPIN Selling," even though its author, Neil Rackham, is not directly involved. Rackham is the founder and president of Huthwaite Inc., while "Escaping" authors Tom Snyder and Kevin Kearns are its Senior VP of Strategy and Business Development and CEO, respectively.

That said, my initial impression of the book is that it draws a direct connection to the importance of the "Implication" phase of SPIN selling. In the Implication phase, you work with the customer to review all of the variables, both pro and con, involved with taking or not taking action. "Escaping" points to the "sweet spot" intersection of Industry Knowledge, Business Acumen and Questioning Skills...that spot being "Business Impact (Value) Zone / Customer Discovery Zone"...as the area in which a skilled salesperson can soar.

There are four quadrants to the book:

1). The "Unrecognized Problem"
2). The "Unanticipated Solution"

(both classified as "Consultative Selling")

3). Unseen Opportunity
4). Broker Of Strengths / Cross-Selling

(both classified as "Strategic Selling")

The premise is that if a salesperson is adequately comfortable and skilled in each of these four quadrants and has done their homework prior to approaching a potential or current customer, they are empowered to "escape the price-driven sale."

There are no gimmicks here, no voodoo, and the "methods" are based in common sense. It should not require a massive "paradigm shift" for any salesperson to understand and embrace the principles, but make no mistake about the fact that this approach requires focus, effort, and determination. Readers who are drawn to books on "how to close the sale" or "cold calls that really WORK"...any kind of short cuts, and especially those who think memorizing a sales script is a way to get their foot in the door...are basically order takers and not salespeople. Reading this book would not be the best use of their time unless they're ready to roll up their sleeves and go to work and stop being order takers.

The authors assert that it is too easy for most customers in the modern economy to purchase products or services without the involvement of a salesperson. It's called "The Internet"...look at where you are right now! You're on a Web Site that allows you to purchase products without dealing with a salesperson, cashier, etc. The business world is the same. Your clients have access to more information than you could possibly offer them.

The nuance...and the selling point of the book...is that most customers have access to the raw data but lack the insight to cherry-pick it and shape it into meaningful solutions to increase profit, save money, etc. They are too close to the day-to-day operations, too directly involved, to have the objectivity and creativity needed to find the source of pain and obliterate it. That's the job of the salesperson. Do the homework, connect the dots, THAT is the value you bring to the table.

A powerful book of the 80 / 20 mode. 80 percent of the people who buy it will either put it on the shelf without reading it or will not put the principles into action.

The other 20 percent will "wake up to the new reality." Then 20 percent of THAT 20 percent will be the cream that rises to the top and actually puts the wisdom in this book to good use.

I have literally read hundreds of books on "new" sales ideas over the years. While they usually offer good reinforcement, rarely have I seen anything that was "new." This book, "Escaping the Price Driven Sale" is actually different!

The book goes well beyond simple consultative selling models to bring forth insightful and actionable sales ideas. I like that this is a fact-based and proven sales approach, as it was created from rigorous sales research in a variety of industries. So, regardless of what industry you work in, if you really want to improve your sales success in a competitive marketplace, this is a "must have" book.

We have already begun to incorporate several of the book's sales insights into our practices and they have been very well received by our sales force. Whether you are a sales person or a sales manager, Tom Snyder's book provides you with a detailed roadmap of how to begin to rise above a price driven sales mentality. "Escaping the Price Driven Sale" is an investment in your personal sales success that is well worth the money!

Jim Griesing
VP Sales, The Hartford P&C

Huthwaite, the premier researcher of successful seller behaviors and the creator of consultative selling SPIN Selling, has researched how world-class sellers sell value and create extraordinary profit. In what I consider a landmark book that provides incredible insight and a roadmap for salespeople and sales organizations to incorporate these skills and practices, the Huthwaite organization has once again raised the bar for professional salespeople.

By reviewing thousands of transactions in which buyers did not select the low-priced provider despite the fact that the sellers' offerings appeared to be the same, the authors (both executives with Huthwaite) identified the four value-drivers (Client Insight Creators) critical to successful complex sales.

In an unusually clear and succinct style, the authors explain how the combination of the seller's business acumen, industry knowledge, and questioning skills can drive value by allowing the client to gain insight about Unrecognized Problems, Unanticipated Solutions, and Unseen Opportunities within their business as well as to see value in the salesperson as a Broker of Strengths (cross-selling).

These insights alone would have made it a great addition to any professional salesperson's library, but the authors incorporated the essentials of the business enterprise to enhance the financial literarcy of the reader and to emphasize the point that value at the C-level is created by focusing on business results and creating opportunities.

Finally, Part 3 of the book focuses on a realistic execution plan for both the salesperson and the sales organization to incorporate these value-selling skills into the workplace.

This combination of research-based insight into value-selling, a focus on the importance of business acumen, and a roadmap for implementation that is presented in a convincing and clear manner makes this book a landmark in the history of sales training.

Escaping the Price Driven Sale, by Tom Snyder and Kevin Kearns

For some time, organizations have recognized that products and services continue to become more and more commoditized. As a result, customers want either the cheapest price for these "commodities" or they want something of value above and beyond the products and services. We know this. We have all paid more for the same product when we feel that we are getting that "something extra" that adds value. That may be why you are shopping on Amazon...they may not always have the best price, but you know that you can get great reviews of books (like this one), will receive the book when promised, and be provided exemplary customer service.

In the quest to add value, many organizations have recognized that added value can come from the Sales Process and the Sales Force. Consequently, we have witnessed the tremendous interest in "consultative" selling approaches like SPIN® (the benchmark for consultative selling).

What has been missing up to now is more specific information about what added value customers seek.

Enter Escaping the Price Driven Sale. In this must-read book, authors Snyder and Kearns in an easy to read fashion discuss the recent findings about what customers value. Like all of Huthwaite's work, the content is not based on speculation or theory, but on sound research.

In this book we learn that customers are seeking basically four types of value; 1) value from discovering a problem or issue that was unrecognized, 2) value from discovering a solution to a problem that was unknown 3) value from discovering business opportunities that were unrecognized and 3) capabilities and strengths beyond the product/service.

More that just data, the authors provide specific techniques and practices for salespeople and organizations to build their value to existing and prospective clients. As a result, this book will now be required reading for all of our current and new sales and marketing team.

I strongly recommend this book.

This book will be useful to all of us who are in need of a little training to help our dogs be the good citizens and friends we want them to be.

I highly recommend this book, which gives you the A-Z of raising your dog with mannerism. The book is written for novices in mind and had been a major life-saver when I was at a complete loss as to what to do when I first got my Boston Terrier, Booda. The book delves into the highly effective method of positive training for dogs at length, resulting in my teaching my pup many commands in just days.This book is a must-read for owners who are experiencing problems in obedience training and/or understanding their dogs. Prospective owners who are contemplating what breed to buy and the pros and cons of adopting a dog to complete their lives and homes will also find them useful. I am also a dog foster parent and i use this book with all the fosters that come in my care so that they can be ready for adoption within a short amount of time.5 Stars for Jennifer Bridwell's comprehensive contents, readability and effectiveness!

Our shelter dog, Devo has attended two of her 6-week sessions at the Canine Connection in Milford. In addition, Jennifer and her staff volunteered their time to come and train dogs / volunteers at the Stratford Animal shelter (and donate a few of these books). Jen's techniques are top notch and she is a wonderful person to support. Dog training is a must for anyone who wants to have a high quality relationship with their pooch.

My 11-year-old daughter and our dog have been taking classes with Jen Bridwell evern since our dog joined our family 2 years ago, and I am delighted that Jen has an opportunity to reach a wider audience. She is an amazing dog trainer, and her tips really work. We have a Cairn Terrier who does not jump on people who come to the house, never barks when he is inside the house (even if people come to the door or he sees squirrels out the window), and is the most well-mannered dog we could have hoped for. The book highlights everything that Jen covers in class. I highly recommend it!

We thought that this book was great. It has really helped us since we became new pug owners. It explained about health concerns and potty training, to what kind of toys pugs like the best. I would highly reccommend this book to anyone thinking about getting a pug!

I've read just about everything written about pugs and this is one of the better books. The tips are helpful and if you aren't aware of it, pugs have many health issues. The result of years of breeding makes for some common ailments. A good choice for pug lovers.

Wonderful book replete with information about pug care, i.e. grooming, cleaning their facial folds and finger curling their doubly curled tails when they are still puppies.

You also get to read about training and breeding your pug and overall good dog care specific to this breed. You learn what words and short commands tend to work best for pugs and you and your pug can share in the rewards - limitless pug cuddles. You even get some humorous "pug tales" as well. What is not to love about a pug? Pugs are so lovable!

Great book! Very practical information about what pugs need as far as bathing, skin fold wiping (beware of swamp face), and other general pug hygiene. Very practical training tips, such as belly rubbing to assure your pug that you are dominant (as well as providing a delightful belly rub) and choosing useful words for training, such as "off" instead of "no jumping," so that that your pug can be praised with the same word, for example, "Good Off," which then serves as a built-in reward (and doesn't exhaust the word "No"). Interesting and funny information on pug personalities. What's not to love about a pug?

This book is highly recommended. With your college chm and phy texts handy, this book will prepare for any MCAT chm passage in just a few weeks (the only topics I personally needed my texts for were thermochm. and electrochm.). The 7 concise chapters with in-ch. Q's are highly effective pedagogically and for quick review. Combined with MCAT-style, 30 min exams for each ch., you will quickly isolate your deficiencies and improve your score most efficiently.

I had an outstanding chm professor a few years ago (department chair and text author), and I'm sure he would endorse this book for its pedagogical quality. I endorse it for its quality as a review and MCAT study guide. Of all the MCAT prep materials I've used so far (Kaplan, PR, NOVA, ARCO) this is the highest quality. Recommended for all persons preparing for the MCAT.

If you did well in gen chem, then this book will be great for reviewing concepts in a timely manner. The section on acid\base chemistry and electrochemistry are quick and to the point.

This book contains all the info necessary to do well on the Physical Sciences section of the MCAT. Everything is presented very clearly and this book truly gives you an understanding of mcat chemistry. I recently took the April MCAT and I must say that this book and the Examkrackers physics made me feel like the PS was a JOKE! Their materials allow you to understand the mcat science conceptually such that no mcat item is EVER intimidating. Each lecture is complemented with a 30min exam where you can test the concepts as you review. (They're challenging though) Examkrackers all the way with no Imitations!!!

This book is layed out in a fashion that allows you to learn the material in a simple but productive manner. If your going to take the mcat this book will teach you chemistry.

My daughter is an experienced dog agility trainer, and was thrilled to receive this book as it is the series she reads to learn her skills, and this was the next book she wanted. Very helpful!!

In the years since Jane Simmons-Moake's three agility tapes hit the market, I have attended a bunch of seminars held by many different trainers. While I have learned from them all, I still feel that the information Jane presents in her tapes and their companion books is the most basic, easy to understand and to follow instruction around. What Jane promotes is common sense handling that is feasible for all handlers to achieve, no matter their age, ability, background or breed of dog.

The first two books and tapes in the "Excelling at Dog Agility" series cover obstacle training and sequence training. The third book, which was just published in 2002, is subtitled 'Advanced Skills Training.' As was the case with the other two books, a handy reference guide at the end of the book directs you to the place on the tape where the skills being discussed can be viewed. The advantage of having the book to refer to, in addition to the tapes, is that it beautifully diagrams the various practice maneuvers and presents some marvelous course designs for practicing each of the featured skills. As I scanned through the book I made mental note of the courses I wanted to try. They looked like so much fun!

The first topic addressed in this book is advanced weave pole skills. In watching Jane run her own dogs I have always marveled at her ability to send her dogs into the weaves regardless of where the weave entrance was in relation to her. This is a vital skill for anyone involved in USDAA or NADAC gambler classes in addition to often being the difference between a Q and an NQ on any course.

This chapter carefully details the steps that will lead to a dog who doesn't need babysitting on the weaves. It also includes a number of suggestions on how to proof your dog so he will remain in the weaves, regardless of your enthusiastic praise or the distractions at a show.

Advanced pause table skills might not seem necessary once your dog has learned to get on the table, but could your dog handle a wet slippery table at top speed? Jane writes, "If you have not taught your dog to grip the top of the pause table to keep from sliding off, you have yet to address an important part of his training." Also included in this chapter are ideas on how to maintain the sit or down.

Two vital skills for anyone needing to make up for a slow dog or catch up with a fast one are the ability to (1) send and run and (2) layer. The first occurs when you send your dog to a jump or tunnel but you, the handler, continue to run ahead to where you need to be next. Layering is similar in that you send the dog to an obstacle while you run a more direct line to where you are headed, even if there is an obstacle between you and the dog.

Other topics addressed are obstacle discrimination, the 'get out' command, pinwheels, zig-zag rear crosses, 'heel and side' commands and advanced distance skills. The latter chapter includes a number of pages devoted to how one should prepare for gamblers.

Each chapter in the book starts with a section on 'How to Begin,' continuing with 'How to Progress,' interspersed with what to do 'if you have problems,' generously diagrammed so you can practice each of the skills you are trying to teach.

Finally, if you are one of those who lacks equipment at home and thinks it's sufficient to practice only once a week at class, Jane dispells that theory with a number of exercises you can work on when you're alone. Some you can do with no equipment at all; others are designed for those who have space for only one or two pieces of apparatus.

If you already own the first two books and tapes in this series, I'm sure I don't need to recommend that you run out and purchase this third. If you don't already own any of the "Excelling at Dog Agility" series of books and/or tapes, I would most certainly suggest that you add this to your wish list. Guaranteed, the instruction contained will help you progress.

Simmons-Moake's book offers excellent sequences to practice, and down-to-earth practical information on how to correct problems if something goes wrong. There are many books on the market now about Agility, but none measure up to Moake's. This book is NOT for the beginner, but rather for one training at the AKC Excellent level, NADAC Elite level, or USDAA Masters level.

The 3rd book in the Excelling at Dog Agility can be described with one word: FANTASTIC!

Simmons-Moake wastes no time getting into the good stuff, and starts out this very advanced book with advancing your weave-pole skills. She covers difficult and "impossible" weave entries and how to train them the right way... and succeed! Moving on to the pause table in the next chapter, she explains the concepts behind a perfect pause table performance, namely teaching your dog to "grip the table," get an immediate sit/down, and correct the perpetually sliding pooch.

Other than the weaves and table, the rest of the book really focuses on the handler and developing his/her skills. Learn to "layer" courses designed to trip you up (literally!), perform precise pinwheels and super serpentine sequences. Improve your distance handling with this book, so that gambles are no longer a gamble!

Some really great things about this book:
· Extremely advanced skill taught in an understandable way
· Home practice tips and exercises
· A section on evaluating your handling and training skills, and addressing the dog who is "over drilled"
· The MOST helpful Problem Q&A section I have ever seen for problems ranging from the dog being too fast/slow to control issues and more!

Though this book is definitely not for the beginner and will probably require a professional instructor's guidance, it is a great way to increase your knowledge on the subject and improve your handling skills. Like the two previous books, this is an THE way to achieve excellence, yet a very enjoyable read. Kudos to Jane Simmons-Moake for creating the best books on dog agility out there!