R Books

Containing an excellent portrayal of Worf, this novel manages to pull together a number of loose ends of his life after the war, and coming to terms with the death of Jadsia. He is now a diplomat for starfleet, and is sent to resolve a conflict of a world which is under Klingon rule, much to the dismay, and anger of this worlds inhabitants. His old friends on the Enterprise make an apperance as they escort him to his mission, but do not take part in the mission byond that. Worf must manage to pull off a settlement which is agreeable to the Klingons, who will accept nothing less than Klingon rule continuing, and the factions on the world who will accept nothing less than freedom, and Klingons leaving thier planet for good. Among this the constant harrasment by other Klingons and challenges of his honor are present. A good read.

This may be DeCandido's best book so far. The plot is intricate: Worf has to find a middle path between the demands for independence of the natives and the political necessity of keeping the Klingon Empire intact. The Captain of the Gorkon doesn't trust him, the local governor is a ruthless, arrogant incompetent, and the natives are less than ecstatic to discover the Federation representative is a Klingon. There is a fair amount of action scenes in this book, both space and ground combat, and they are very good, although not to the level of the best in the Gorkon books. The dialogue and the character interaction are where the book really shines. The language is witty and incisive and wonderfully entertaining. All the characters are vividly and thoroughly portrayed, including several that lack such vividness in the Gorkon series.

After a long string a reading mediocre books (like Do Comets Dream?), I find myself looking at one that is truly a pleasure to read. Keith R.A. DeCandido has certainly outdone himself here. This was the first time I've had the experience to enjoy his work, but I will definitely be getting more of his titles, namely the upcoming I.K.S. Gorkon duology and Gateways - 4 of 7 - Demons Of Air And Darkness.

Now, there are two main things this book is about. One is to introduce (I think anyway) the I.K.S Gorkon crew, which is a new ship in the Klingon fleet. The other is to show some of Worf's new challenges as Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire. For the former point, Keith goes past the typical Klingon archetypes and really makes this crew come to life. In fact, the Captain (Klag) reminisces about how strange and unique his crew is compared to typical Klingon vessels. The crew is very likeable and is engineered so that interesting and natural conflicts arise throughout the story (and, no doubt, future stories). For the later point, we get to see how Worf deals with the losses of the Dominion War and accepts the new challenges that await him as ambassador, which provides a lot of rich character development throughout the story. Even in diplomacy, his honor and his ability to remain a warrior are constantly tested. It's interesting that a quote from season 4 (spoken by Curzon) says, "The only people who can really handle the Klingons are Klingons". That is very true in this book, making Worf a very logical and natural choice to handle the intense diplomatic situation that unfolds.

What makes this book really special is not just the plot (which is very good), but that it's true to the characters (old and new). When you read the words of Worf, Martok, Riker or any of the other characters, you can really hear the actors speaking the dialog in your mind. Keith goes much further than that, though. While the story remains in the 3rd person, Keith does a great job letting you know how the characters think and reflect on the situations around him. Even Riker's experiences aboard a Klingon vessel in TNG's season 2 are of key importance to his actions in the story. Most of the time, I couldn't help but smile as I was completely absorbed and convinced that these characters were exactly as I remembered them from TNG and DS9.

The book is also true to established continuity as well. There are many times where Worf reflects on the death of Jadzia or Kah'lar, as they have a direct and significant impact on the story itself. Worf's history in Starfleet and the aftermath of the Dominion War are also big events that this story has drawn from. It makes everything fit into place very nicely as you get the feeling that the story is a logical consequence of these events, yet interesting enough that you'll want to read about it.

Commander Riker and Dr. Crusher also make appearances, as they do have a history with several of the crew members of the I.K.S Gorkon. Rather than some books just putting them in for the sake of familiarity, or perhaps for marketing reasons, Keith takes a different approach. Since this is a book about Worf and the I.K.S. Gorkon, the author makes sure he develops the *right* characters. In each case, Crusher helps bring out the passions of B'Oraq, the Chief Medical Officer aboard the ship, and likewise, Riker helps make Klag into more than just a one-dimensional character (which seems like a one-purpose adversary to Worf at the beginning of the book).

Another aspect that I really like the book is that every paragraph is important to the plot or its characters. I'm not a big fan of books that use so much description that you could just remove it from the book and it wouldn't change a thing. I think the English language can be somewhat clumsy if it's used incorrectly, trying to describe every detail as if you were really trying to show a picture or a movie. But no, Keith doesn't do that. Every paragraph is relative to the plot or explains why the characters are reacting or thinking the way they do. Every plot point is intelligently graphed into the whole. I guess the best to describe it is that it's efficient yet emotional and captivating at the same time, which is typically the writing style I enjoy best.

So if you haven't read Diplomatic Implausibility now, you should definitely pick it up. While I'm not sure if the plots in this novel correlate to the Left Hand of Destiny (which I'm reading that now), there is lot to like here and it's an excellent addendum to the shows. This could have been very well been a real episode, as there was no indication that it was a case of bad fan fiction or contrived storytelling at all. This is one is great.

This novel is great for a couple of reasons. First is Worf's great portrayal. I liked his discomfort with the Ambassador title and him dealing with his diplomatic responsibility. Second, the wonderful crew and captain of the IKS Gorkon. This crew, especially Cpt. Klag, grew on me, and as a result I became a sucker and went out to buy the other adventures of the IKS Gorkon in the Brave and the Bold Book 2 and the other two Gorkon books.

DeCandido is a great author. I first read Demons of Air and Darkness by him, and then a couple SCE stories, and then went back to his first book to check out where Worf had gone after the DS9 finale. In fact I read this book knowing it was, in sorts, a continuation of DS9 in the Relaunch form. Having read up to the Gamma books, it was a welcome change to see another DS9 crewmember that had gone a different way. (Now where's my Rom story!)

The plot deals with Worf having to confront his allegiance between the Federation and Martok and the Klingon Empire. My only confusion is why Worf would have overall command of the mission being a Federation, not Klingon, representative.

So Captain Klag is an awesome character that prompted me to wanna read the rest of his adventures. His crew is interesting, and the Klingon characterizations are fitting. Worf is particularly spot-on, especially with some of his classic one-word responses.

The story and characters flow naturally; nothing is forced. The battles are good; the story is decent when compared to awesome plots like in the DS9 "Millennium" Trilogy. The conclusion sort of came on me too fast to appreciate it, and the lack of twists or climax is what made me rate this a 4 and not a 5. Keith should have written another 30-50 pages to create a totally unique, intriguing conclusion.

Characters from the Romulan prison that Worf rescued are on board the Gorkon... as well is Worf's mind-altered brother Kurn, now Rodek. His pathetic character makes one want to know wtf is bugging him, which is another reason to buy the other Gorkon books. It was great seeing Worf in his holosuite program from Season 1 TNG, seeing Beverly with an old Klingon radical doctor, and Riker reunited with Klag getting hammered despite taking an alcohol-suppressant. Passed TNG and DS9 characters are well integrated and feel natural and not forced or over-the-top like in other novels. Oh, and then there's Martok's pathetic son who Worf beat up on DS9... his character is intriguing. I also liked the continuity with the Emperor of the al'Hmatti and how he didn't just have a miraculous change-of-heart, but fit in with his character until his end.
The good thing is the tension between the crew, just as I would expect from a unique Klingon vessel with distinctive people. Most evocative is Klag's distrust of Worf due to his perception that Worf got his position only for being in Martok's house. It's also good to see Worf still mourns Jadzia's loss. The thing about DeCandido that I've come to realize is you really get into the heads of his characters, and for those we have seen on the screen, you will have no problem visualizing the different people speaking (in their unique voices) the words Keith has written. Kudos to the author indeed!

All in all an excellent cast of new and old characters, with a decent plot and some fun solid action. Reading it definitely makes one want to keep reading the adventures of the crew of the IKS Gorkon, especially with its one-armed Captain!

One missed opportunity: More involvement from the Enterprise crew with Worf. They were pushed to the background, but seeing as this is a Worf novel it was somewhat suitable. However, it is excellent to see that Worf, alone, solves the crisis on taD, and that no one from the Enterprise comes to his rescue. Chalk one up for Worf the Diplomat.

Oh, and those claiming this should be a DS9 book and that it was labeled TNG cause it sells better are mistaken. DS9 is hardly in this novel; TNG is. And in all fairness Worf was aboard TNG longer and keeps joining the TNG crew in the movies. So shutupa yer face about marketing ploys.

In conclusion, I recommend this book for TNG, DS9, Klingon and Worf fans. But also, surprisingly, for non-Trek fans, since the author does a good job recounting the crucial parts of Worf's history in a continuity that is quite suiting for the novel.

This work, though easily read as a standalone, does feel like a pilot book introducing the IKS Gorkon. But for me, that's okay, because it makes me want to read more about them. I'm glad characters weren't fully developed and resolutions didn't just appear out of thin air. I can hardly wait to read more from Keith in the future. I do agree the Rodek-Kurn/Worf relationship needed to have some conclusion, even if not complete, because it does beg one to ask what Worf felt about the whole situation. I sincerely hope it is resolved, or at least addressed in future novels.

Worf is definitely one of the most interesting Trek characters, yet in reflection I find myself comparing this novel to Garak's, "A Stitch in Time", and I find that as standalone novels basing itself mainly on one main character, Garak's novel is vastly supreme. Then again it is much longer. Thus, it is with great difficulty that I rate this novel a 4 and not a 5. Had it been slightly longer, I know it would have given me reason to rate it perfect.

PS, the glossary of Klingon terms is reason enough to buy it!

"Diplomatic Implausibility" is author, Keith R.A. DeCandido's first full length novel in the Star Trek genre. From his work in the Star Trek S.C.E. (Starfleet Corps of Engineers) e-Book series one could tell that he was going to become a major influence in the Star Trek genre which has proven quite true given his breadth of work since this, his first outstanding Star Trek The Next Generation novel.

DeCandido's work stands out with great flare as its originality in the story telling is quite clear, his knowledge of the Star Trek universe is extensive and most importantly, the story is extremely well balanced between pace and narrative!

Pocket Books has done a great job over the last few years in bringing in authors such as Keith R.A. DeCandido who are not only authors but fans of Star Trek which, in this reader's opinion, is quite integral in the pursuit of being able to write a decent Star Trek story such as this novel.

The Premise:

Fresh off the heels of the events depicted in Star Trek Deep Space Nine's final episode, "What You Leave Behind" where Lt. Commander Worf, after defeating the Klingon High Chancellor Gowron and giving the Chancellorship to General Martok, is then offered the opportunity to be the Federation's Ambassador to Klingon which he gladly accepts.

Some two hundred years ago, a mineral rich world known as taD was conquered by the Klingon Empire and its inhabitants became slaves of the Klingon Empire. When the Klingons were mislead by the Dominion into attacking the Cardassians the people of taD, seeing a shortage in Klingons guarding their world, seized the opportunity and retook their world for their own and called upon the Federation for assistance however, the Federation could not and would not intervene due to the potential political ramifications.

With the end of the Dominion war came the Klingons retaking of taD and its inhabitants renewed efforts to gain protection from the Federation comes the need for Ambassador Worf who is now called into the situation to negotiate between the Klingon Empire, the Federation and taD's inhabitants...

I highly recommend this numbered Star Trek The Next Generation novel as you will find it to be among the best of the numbered novels and in it, a truly knowledgeable and crafty author who stands out in the genre. {ssintrepid}

This book is a must read for anyone who has trouble getting started. The mantra that has been beaten into my head over and over by most college professors is the importance of writing everyday. However, that's often easier said than done. Outside of CW courses, class assignments and workshops, it's been very difficult for me to get started and I've never been big on journaling. This excercises in this book have provided me with countless "assignments" to help get the creative juices flowing. If you find that you need a little push to get going, this book is for you.

The book arrived in excellent condition within the scheduled delivery time.

This book is terrific, well written, an excellent resource. Understandable and practical. Bravo!

Thank you,

Francine Keehnel

I have taken several classes lately and with them gotten several books. Most of them have at least some valuable information to make one a better writer with modern examples, but this book is unique in that you never feel like the author is giving you lines in which you are supposed to color inside of to make a good picture. You never feel pressured either. Since I am a beginning writer, this was the perfect atmosphere for me because there was room to learn new things, and reject some things without feeling I am suffering long-term as a writer. If one feels a strong sense of personal voice, this is the best book to acquire and develop new skills (as well as refine existing ones)

Once you have read an introductory book like Brayfield's Bestseller or Kings 'On writing' this is the book to buy and use.

Novakovich covers there basic elements: Setting /Character/Plot/PoV/Dialogue & Scene/Begins and endings / description/ vice and revision. He uses numerous examples form published literature and each chapter concludes with a number of good exercises.

One topic Novakovich does not cover is writers block. Maybe that is because he provides the solutions. Writers block is either due to lack of ideas or anxiety about one's writing. Novakovich provides the solutions - a chapter on the sources of fiction and a reference book to dip into every time one feels a anxious.

The beauty of Fiction Writers Workshop is the exercise - do them - and that all aspects are covered in one short book. That is also its disadvantage. Successful writing is complex, it requires fluent and adaptive use of a number of skills. To become fluent you will need to read and practice each in greater depth than can be provided in one book that covers them all. Don't make the mistake I made of going in depth on one skill first. It can lead to imbalance. Start with Fiction Writers Workshop and you will gain a balance.

Readers of this review can review it - tick the box 'useful' or 'not useful'. There is something I have noticed in those reviews. If reviews are critical then people are less likely to tick the box - 'useful' and more likely to tick the box 'Not useful'. What they are in fact saying is 'It was a nice review'. For a writer that is the worst kind of review. It leads you up the garden path. An author needs is honest candid review.

I'm not being nice about Fiction Writer's Workshop. It is that good.

just Jack

This gives you the how and the why and what you must do to accomplish what you wish to accomplish in your writing. Worth every penny.

I took the book to the beach and couldn't put it down. I was riveted from the very first sentence. The author led us with such skill to the character Reb Michael Klimrod that you are hooked immediately.

Paul-Loup Sulitzer is a master storyteller. His skill and thought provoking insight into this complex character gave us an entirely different prospective into this tragic time. He lifts your soul and fires your imagination with imagery that has you holding your breath in anticipation of what comes next. This book will make you stop whining about your life and look outside yourself to the possibilities available. I'm not a person that likes to read a book more than once but with The Green King I find myself reading it once a year and feeling like it is the first time every time.

Do you have a teen that feels life is boring or that you know needs to be challenged? This book has the power to bring on a change in thinking. I read several novels weekly but this is a book you will want to read slowly and savor every word.

Movie Makers Take Notice - the world needs a thought provoking movie and this is it!

The green King is without any doubt one of the best tales ever told, about the life of a person with so much to give to the world, and so much to do and explore.For me it was amazing from the beginning, the tall blonde boy with the anger and pain of the concetration camp to the nearly end, Reb the one of the richest man alive fighting for a good cause. Read it love it, please someone do a movie about this extraordinary Man.

i read The Green King in its Russian translation 12 years ago and it remains my most favorite book... i still keep it and it is much beaten up by now... i can definetely say that the power of this Sulitzer musterpiece was a major factor in shaping my adolesent character... now i am grown up and unfortunately find it impossible to have a strong figure in my life who i would want to be like, but there is something in The Green King that will make you either rediscover the feeling or help find it for a first time....

I found a copy of the hardback English translation at a "friends of the library" sale. The tale of Reb Michael Klimrod is an improbable one, although riveting. With the start of the book with Klimrod rescued from Mauthausen concentration camps during the war, he survives amid a sea of bodies, pulling on some inner strength and self-image that allows himself to function in horrendous circumstances without letting it attack his spirit. He then goes on an adventure to find what happened to his family and their wealth, makes connections in cigarette black market trade that finance his eventual stalking down of the Nazi who tortured, filmed and killed his father.

From that tale of vengeance the book propels us into the Amazon, where Klimrod again survives a hostile environment and develops a bond with the natives in Amazonia. After emerging from there, he heads to New York where he again flourishes in the hostile environment of big business, using powers of persuasion and an incredible memory to create a number of businesses in a short amount of time and surround himself with loyal followers that become known as "the Black Dogs."

Klimrod falls in love with the unstable Charmian whose ups & downs captivate him. The scene on the boat where she actually shoots him is a profound chapter on the power of love.

Having amassed billions, Reb turns his attentions to Amazonia, creating a culture in the heart of the jungle. The secrecy and silent attraction of others to Reb make him an enigmatic lead character, one that holds our interest until the end. The ending at the United Nations where Reb, the unknown billionaire, is going to try to "come out" against boarders and nations is foiled and the novels seems to dissipate as much as climax. Denise Raab Jacobs' translation from the French reads and flows well. All in all, this is a memorable story, one that grabs you in the first few pages and takes you in numerous unpredictable directions. Enjoy!

The Green King is my all-time favorite book. I read it for the first time when on vacation in Aruba in '85 and have read it at least three times since. I found a first print in hardcover and it is the jewel of my book collection.

Reb Michael Klimrod's journey from a nazi death camp to the richest man in the world without anyone knowing him is remarkable. The detail that Sulitzer maintains in his book of the men that kept this secret is breath taking; the web of financial companies and transactions is exhilarating. This is a great book for anyone that enjoys high finance and a desire to fulfill a dream. 5 Stars are not enough for this book.

Avery James is left in the basement of foundling home by her young and frightened mother. Through many twists and turns of fate Avery slowly discovers who her mother is and more importantly, who Avery is herself. This novel is jam packed with a diverse assortment of vivid and fascinating characters. As an added bonus, you will be exposed to the culinary, cultural and artistic flavors of New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment".

Anyone who has ever thirsted to learn more about themselves, what they wanted and where they were going, will find something to identify with in this book.

I did enjoy it, but thinking about it later I'm not sure why. Judith Hendricks is such a comfortable writer I find myself.... just reading ...... it is comfortable reading her books. I missed the recipes though. I loved Bread Alone and will continue buying her books hoping for another Bread Alone

This is the first of Hendricks' books that I have read. I enjoyed the story line. Some of her descriptions made me read them twice as they were a little over the top. For instance: " Friday night there's a waxing moon, and when I first see it rising up over the hills to hang like a silver apostrophe in the pale blue twilight, I know right away what I have to do." This is a relaxing book to read and I may try another of her books. I am in a book club and this was not on the list. Many of our books are more difficult reads and the subjects depressing. If you want an enjoyable and light read I would recommend this.

Great book I waited till I had the time to read it in a weeks time . Her books are hard to put down. I find myself reading at 1:00 a.m.

Not many writers can weave so much emotion into their passages. But Judith Hendricks does this very well. She has combined real, likeable characters, a story packed with emotion, complicated relationships, and incredibly strong, inspiring female characters. The thing that makes this book, and this author, stand out even more is that Judith Hendricks knows the power and magic of female relationships. And she is a genius at portraying these things in words. I really felt like I understood Avery James in ISABEL'S DAUGHTER, I cried for her. But even better, I loved this story of healing and perseverence and the strength that a woman gathers from within herself and from the women in her life.

King Fortis the Brave was a fun book to read. The first chapter was a little slow, but the pace quickly picked up when Rodney and Aimee made it to Daak, and there was no looking back. From the Dismal Forest to the castle of Haeron, every page was an adventure. The book itself read like a movie, I could picture every scene in my head and know that someday this story will make a great movie. My only complaint is that it ended too soon. I WANT MORE!

My daughter isn't much of a reader, and I almost hesitated picking this book up, but I had heard good things about it from a friend who is a teacher. I gave it to my daughter for her birthday, and she carried it around with her everywhere until she had finished it. I've rarely seen her as captivated by a book as she was by King Fortis the Brave

I loved this book. I can't really wait until the next book comes out. I think Ward was the funniest character and made me laugh. Ward and Rodney made good friends. That is why I really liked this book.

I read this on recommendation from a Harry Potter fan, trying to read something else while I anxiously wait for the next one. I thought the story was pretty good, not good or great, and though I tired of reading it once or twice, I was generally swept through the story.

The only gripe I have is that there are obvious misspellings and incorrect words used, which distracted from the story as I had to figure out what should have been used and how it was intended to be read.

Overall a good read, but the author needs to get a new editor!

I have long been a fan of fantasy and science fiction but usually avoid those that I feel are "young adult". So, when my niece coerced me into reading this book, I was delighfully surprised by how good it actual was.

The characters are well-developed and portray a morality that has been missing in the genre since the Wizard of Oz.

The authors pull no punches to suit the politically correct. This is a tale of good versus evil, of tenderness and brutality, of loyalty and betrayal. But the scenes, while very well detailed, are not filled with the gore or the kitsch that is the trap of all new authors.

This is a classic story in the classic sense.

Buy it, read it, enjoy it. I did.

Lester Brown gives us a solid plan to save civilization from the ravages of Peak Oil and Global Warming. But at $190 billion a year, it just sounds too easy.

In fact Peak Oil is now becoming Peak Everything (the title of Richard Heinberg's latest book), driving huge price increases in many key commodities. This means that the actual cost is likely to become twice Brown's estimate or more, the longer we delay, the higher the price. To keep costs down will take a global mobilization, with many agreements like the proposed Oil Depletion Protocol (subject of another Heinberg book) and massive rationing or taxation of non-essential consumption.

One way or another global economic decline is in the offing. This is a scary issue, especially for politicians, but it needs to be faced. This is because there is a huge difference in how this decline occurs. Business-as-usual decline (Plan A) will lead to collapse, possibly by mid-century. Decline imposed through mobilization (Plan B) will lead to survival, though with far less of many of today's luxuries.

Here's how decline will hit home, even with mobilization. Brown, along with the Apollo Alliance and many others, are now talking about a new economy of "green collar" jobs, with re-localization of much outsourced productive activity. What they don't tell you is that most of these jobs will pay far less in real purchasing power than most white and blue collar jobs in today's top industries.

But good people will take these Walmart-pay type jobs anyway because of layoffs that will skyrocket in the coming decades. That is, today's wealth is based primarily on cheap energy, so with many more people competing there will a lot less wealth to go around as we head down the Peak. Much of Plan B amounts to learning how to live with less. Many of those who've looked carefully at the numbers don't see the resources to build and maintain the renewable energy we'd need to replace all of today's fossil fuels.

This brings up the population issue. Brown says that we must stabilize at eight billion people. But will we really have the resources for 8 billion people to live sustainably and with at least basic middle class amenities (decent food, clothing, housing, health care, education, transportation, ...)? Some people are now saying that we need to think two billion or less.

Radical population reduction seems impossible without invoking the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But it's actually very simple in concept: Women have only one child, on the average, and that child is born in the woman's mid thirties, again on the average. Mathematically this will reduce the population by a factor of 4 in 80 to 100 years. Sure, this would take a global cultural mobilization, but it is possible. As Brown points out, Iran cut its population growth rate in half in less than a decade, and Thailand did too. Perhaps we need Al Gore to show the world the kind of Apocalypse that happens when an exploding population uses up all its resources.

This book does a good job of suggesting that the United States trims it's military budgets from the largest to a very slim one.

and demonstrates how necessary it is to move away from oil, thru the use of windmills and electric cars.

It does a good job of putting into laymans terms facts which most people do not consider in their daily grind, and how decisions made by super powers when it comes to (over)population levels, econimic models, and the environment must be addressed.

According to the book, every single member of the US Senate was given one copy hopefully they read it so they can grasp the issues discussed.

The numbers don't lie. Lester Brown has presented a very informative synopsis of the most pressing issues facing our planet. The trends are all pointing in the wrong direction as far as the environment. He does offer an extremely innovative solution to get us back on a sustainable path. The scary thing is the narrow window of time in which we have to make some monumental changes in the way that we live. This is especially true for us Americans. We need to realize that there are another 6+billion people on the planet and that we all can not consume and waste as Americans collectively do. Great job Lester. I bought 8 copies of the book, which I never done before in my life to circulate to people to get the word out. Buy this book, you will not regret it.

This is a difficult book to get wrapped around. Which is good news, and then again it is bad news.

The good news is that this is an excellent and wide-sweeping run-up to the current health of our Earth.

Such topics as Our Socially Divided World, Eradicating Poverty, Designing Cities For People, and The Great Mobilization are spread over 287 pages of dense statistics and research, backed up by nearly another 100 pages of footnotes.

The bad news? There is far more content than is of interest to me - the motivated renewable energy reader. Some day I will wade through the less interesting parts, and then leave the remainder as a source reference.

The book cover heralds "REVISED AND EXPANDED". Actually, I would have preferred the less-is-more previous edition.

Then you must read this book. It clearly lays how mankind is on the road to ruin if we don't change our ways and the U.S. is no ways immune. It is hopeful also to read about tangible plans on how we can change our ways and build a world for all of us to thrive in, maybe compramising just a little bit for the better well-being of all of us. The book is extremely well writting and the documentation of sources is impressive. My only complaint is that some of it is unessecarily redundant, but I don't blame the author for trying to hit home key points. Anyone with any concern for the future needs to read this book, and take some action, even if just a little.

Hey there,
This book is unbelievably good. It has essential covering on a wide range of topics. Like shame/guilt, pain, sexual healt aspects. I haven't found any week spots in it.
It has concrete action suggestions, is written clearly and with a relaxed tone that can only come from someone who is educated, has great experience and has got it together completely. It is down to earth and couldn't be better for a non-expert self-healer and one doesn't have to be a genious to use it.
I respect the author much and feel grateful towards him.
By the way I find the book very helpful from time to time on various issues.

This book is written in an easy to read style and is full of information about PTSD which therapists and sufferers alike will find very useful in increasing their understanding of this distructive disorder.
Furthermore, a section of this book covers treatments for PTSD. Of particular interest to me is Chapter 23 entitled Thought Field Therapy. While little is known of this technique in some therapuetic circles, TFT or 'psycholocial acupuncture' is currently being used to successfully treat sufferers of PTSD in places like Rwanda.
If readers of this book try this technique for themselves by closely following the simple steps as described in Chapter 23, it is likely they will find relief from stress and anxiety.
I highly recommend this excellent book for the inclusion of this groundbreaking technique alone.

I'm a counselor and have found this book to be extremely helpful with clients suffering with PTSD. I highly recommend it.

As clinical and forensic psychologist I use this book in my practice with my clients who have experienced a trauma and are suffering from PTSD. This book is an excellent tool to educate trauma survivors about the symptoms they are experiencing and gives step by step tools and lessons to help overcome the symptoms of PTSD. After one experiences a trauma the psychological symptoms that come afterwards, often times months afterwards, can make the person feel as if they are going crazy. This book helps the trauma victim understand the predictable symptoms, the reason they exist and what to do to cope and eventually overcome them. This book helps trauma victims move from victim to survivor.

This book helped me to realize that I was not crazy. I was in a car accident in 2006 where I had to helplessly watch my friend die right in front of me. I was not injured in the wreck which caused me lots of guilt. I thought my life was falling apart until I saw a therapist and a psychiatrist and learned that I was suffering from PTSD. I am still suffering from PTSD but this book is teaching me that I am not the only person who has ever gone through this and that I just might get better from this. I keep this book beside my bed and read it every night. With this book and continued therapy and medication, I hope to be able to live life again some day.

the title attracts you, the rest will surprise you, and may lead to a very different understanding of power...

I bought this book not knowig what to expect. I just did a lookup on Leadership and it came up. Then I thought, what not.
What I found was the Tao! A philosophy that is life changing; I recommended this wonderful translation by R.L. Wing to anyone who wants to see truth. It is the best translation that I have read of the Tao Te Ch'ing.

It is a perfect read for getting ready for work. Gives me a sense of calm and purpose.

I bought an older edition of this book years ago, and its time I pay tribute to the author for his remarkable work. Like many others, I have read several versions of the Tao Te Ching, and I think R L Wing's The Tao of Power is definitely the best, quite simply because his commentaries and explanations are easy to understand yet sharp and to the point. Wing's commentaries are so good that the reader will be inclined to read them first, before going through the original text of the Tao Te Ching.

Quite frankly, I think Wing's interpretation of this Chinese classic should be required reading at every school.

I also have Wing's other book - The Art of Strategy, which is Sunzi's Art of War, again nothing but praise. I've been searching more of Wing's books over the years, I sincerely hope he keeps up his excellent work and release more books.

The author of Tao Te Ching can never be found out with a hundred percent surety. But what is said is important not the one who said it. Tao Te Ching is basically a book that has great philosophical depth. Only religious books like "Bhagavad Geeta", "The Bible", "The Quran", "The Dhammapada" come close to Tao Te Ching. I personally feel The Bhagavad Geeta comes closest to this work. It is always a good idea to read these books in comparison.When you read the books in comparison, you will understand what the books are saying. What is clear in one book may not be clear in the other or vice-versa. Or you might find it easier to understand in another book. For example, there is a line in Tao Te Ching That says "Act without action." It needs great insight to explain that line. The Bhagavad Geeta speaks of acting without expecting reward. It should be understood that Lord Krishna or whoever wrote the Geeta is not talking about philanthropy. It is to act from a state where the one who is acting does not exist but the action goes through him. And since the actual "actor" does not exist he is not worried about the result or reward. I request you to read the books, "Tao Te Ching" { R.L. Wing's version is very good.} The Bhagavad Geeta { Paramahansa Yogananda's Translation is very good } & Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi (Penguin Books). I am sure you will never regret buying these books and if you read them properly they will change the way you look at the world.

Coach Wooden is the Monet of coaching. His philosophy and work ethic, both as a player and a coach, are unparalled. This book will instruct anyone on how to deal with adversity both on the court and in the game of life.

You can't miss with Wooden's thoughts, words and advice. If you're coaching yong people, he hits home lessons that every player and coach should know and understand. Even if you're just a parent or someone's business supervisor, read this book to learn how to better deal with and motivate those who rely on you for leadership. Don't let the coach down and pass these wonerful skills on to the next generation. Wooden's vision will live long past his coaching days. Find out all about it right here.

I purchased this book as part of a Ph.D. level class as a lesson in leadership. Coach Wooden shows his ability to lead and educate through his expertise in the fundamentals and the basics. He demonstrates his ability to change tactics and styles with different individuals, which is essential in good,effective leaders. I would recommend this book on several levels. At face value, it is an exceptional story about an exceptional coach and man. At a deeper level, I think it portrays a good example of how to lead and and how to set an example for those you are trying to lead.

Excellent book examining the life , philosophy and thoughts behind a great coach. Not just about basketball but good for anyone coaching any sport or anyone wanting insight to a great life.

John Wooden is perhaps America's greatest coach. His UCLA basketball team won ten national championships, including seven in a row. Concomitant with winning was his insistence on character and virtue rather than getting caught up with results.

This autobiography is a fascinating glimpse into Wooden's extraordinary life. It chronicles his life as a player (many forget that Wooden was elected to the basketball hall-of-fame as a player and coach), his coaching days (mostly at UCLA), and a little bit about his activities after his retirement. Interspersed in all of this are Wooden's coaching philosophy, pictures, box scores of the national championship games, and Wooden's opinion on how to improve the quality of NCAA basketball.

They Call Me Coach is tremendous for any sports fan, especially basketball. It can also be enjoyed by those who enjoy reading about what it takes to achieve success. Wooden was not a dictator, but imparted his insistence on doing one's best to his players with meticulous detail.

TCMC is not a complete autobiography, and it omits many aspects of Wooden's life. It is certainly not a "tell-all" account, nor is it perhaps the best book on articulating Wooden's coaching philosophy. For that I would recommend another of Wooden's books, appropriately titled Wooden. There are also others out there.

They Call Me Coach is a wonderful account of a man who as achieved true life success, and you will enjoy this read regardless of your previous knowledge on Wooden or college basketball.

Arguing persuasively that measurement as a positive accountability tool can transform an organization and its competitive performance level; consultant Spitzer presents the how-to's for socializing performance measurement into the fabric of an organization in a positive way. Showing how performance measurement can be used to direct behavior, focus attention, clarify expectations, enable accountability, increase alignment, motivate, etc. by utilization of four keys - Context, Focus, Integration, and Interactivity, the author makes a valid case for balance between the technical elements and the social aspects of performance measurement, be it reported by scorecard, dashboard or traffic signal.

Identifying `Context' as the most important of these four keys, Spitzer demonstrates how the purpose for which measurement is being used - to provide real understanding, helpful feedback, and to foster learning and improvement; or for justification, reporting, judgment, control, and reward - sets this `Context' and determines the employee reaction to and transformational benefits of any system, no matter its level of technical sophistication. The theme of this book speaks volumes about the importance of replacing fear with a supporting environment if you want to get transformational benefits from a performance measurement system. And, it is easy to agree with the author when he says, "When performance measurement is done the way advocated in this book, the organization itself and the people within it will be impacted positively." If your performance management system is using measurement primarily as a reward and punishment tool, this book will be a valuable read.

I very much liked what Spitzer had to say in this book; unfortunately I did not very much like reading it. Distracting from the impact of such a powerful theme is the redundancy contained within the chapters and the extent to which the author bolsters his argument with quotes and references from others - the book contains more than 250 notes (more than one quote per page on average) and shows a bibliography of 220 books or articles. Written as a 100 page how-to manual on the development and management of a performance measurement system this should be a best seller.

Dennis DeWilde
The Performance Connection

This book is an excellent example of thought leadership. The concepts presented on performance measurement places a whole new lens on the subject. I congratulate Dr. Spitzer on an excellent piece of work.

I just wanted to add my congradulations to Dean Spitzer for writing the best book I've read on performance measurement. Every page is filled with insight that will help you help your organization overcome fear and transform how people think about and use measurement.

After 10 years of development in operations finance and organization design, I am in a position to say unequivocally that Dean Spitzer has articulated my experience and conclusions on every page of his master work. Anyone who aspires to be an effective leader in today's market environment had better begin deepening their capacity to drive this kind of change, and Dean has offered a powerful set of insights, tools and guidelines that I intend to begin using immediately to support and augment my own toolkit. Bravo! Can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

I confess bias on this subject, as I head up a software company laboring in process intelligence ... So as someone keenly interested in how measurement is used in the enterprise, I find Dr. Spitzer's book to be essentially the bible on the subject. It is extremely balanced, thoughtful, and in my opinion, prescriptively correct. Hopefully, in the near future, prompted by this book, there will be more than just a few, "Chief Measurement Officers." And each one of them will be indebted to Dr. Spitzer's pioneering. But, the future on measurement is by no means certain. Yet the future of data has never been more exciting. The "data web" is just around the corner, and soon we will be accessing data with the ease that we access documents today. Right now it seems that gaiting factor to exploiting the "data web" is our social organization around measurement. Let's hope Dr. Spitzer's advice is followed.