Resources Books

I discovered Designing Powerful Training in 1999 in a graduate program on instructional design. I was a good designer before I began using this book...and it totally transformed my design ability for the better. In fact, it gave me the confidence to become a full-time instructional designer, which I have been doing ever since, and an instructional design coach.

The book focuses, in great detail, on HOW to think about design. It gives a step-by-step process for doing this. Instructional design requires discipline and this book hands it to you on a silver platter. It does NOT address in any detail how to conduct a needs assessment, how to evaluate training, how to work with graphic design, or how to create learning materials. What it focuses on, though, is superb and it has been one of the primary influences on my career today.

This book is exactly what I was looking for to design a more impactful training. I reccomend it if you are looking for a step-by-step approach to get you started.

I have been designing and presenting workshops for many years but "Designing Powerful Training: The Sequential-Iterative Model" by Michael Milano and Diane Ullius is the most crisp, clear, and concise "how to" and "why" book that I've read on the subject. Theory and practice are consistently presented hand-in-hand. I particularly like the way Milano and Ullius honor all varieties of learning styles. They do this in the design process as well as in their explanations. The result is that I felt included as a colleague and as a co-learner. The book has actually motivated me to redouble my own commitment to design training events with the same sensitivity. But what I like most is the presentation of a process that is both sequential and iterative. To me that means a process that is both disciplined and flexible, invariant yet creative. The five point model helped me recommit to the importance of paying attention up-front to writing ! out complete goals and objectives. The authors do a great job of demonstrating why this is so essential. For me, the book functions like a disciplined and experienced teacher. The method demands discipline but within that discipline there is space for spontaneity and fun.

I have been in the training profession for about 15 years and have looked for a resource like this for a long time. As a training professional I have been asked to develop training materials for numerous learning styles and levels and have struggled to interpret what my customers are needing. This book details very simply what it takes to develop training materials and how to be an effective consultant in a timely manner. I found the concepts to be extremely effective and realistic and usable. I manage a training department of 8 trainers who have tremendous training responsibilities. Because this book is such an excellent resource I purchased it for each of my training consultants and they have used it many times over. I really appreciate the creative methods detailed by the authors in creating that "powerful" training program that our customers expect.

Fast read, easy to understand concepts of church leadership being presented, seems to speak mostly to ministers. Probably could have been done in half as many pages.

This book leverages the "Leading Change" model of John Kotter in a highly effective manner within a ministry context. Paul speaks as a real leader with successful experience in coaching, equipping and releasing real leaders in the mission field.

If you have never visited an organic church this is the place to begin! And even if you have visited or belong to an organic church this is the book to help you better understand and implement the effective, yet fluid, approach to ministry that is producing so many fruitful disciples and churches. Dr. Whitesel gives an academic, practical, and applicable introduction to twelve emerging organic congregaions from across the U.S. with examples from England and Canada as well. As a pastor and former youth minister and Christian school teacher, I greatly appreciate the author's insights into philosophic background, worship style, and church growth mechanisms of these multi- and younger generational churches that are effectively reaching the post-modern thinkers. Having just spent a week with thirty other church leaders in the San Franciso area of California studying and experiencing emergent worship and ministry with Dr. Whitesel, I can say this author lives out and teaches with an authentic passion to help all Christian leaders communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a culturally relevant way without marginalizing the Biblical message of redemption. Everyone interested in growing the church in a post-modern and often, post-Christian society needs to read this book!

Few in the North American church scene have as much experience with local church turnaround as Paul Borden. What makes Direct Hit so useful is that Borden addresses why turnaround is so often talked about, but so rarely achieved. He gives very clear rules about: the timing of turnaround, the role of pastors and leaders, using outside help, and the necessity of mission. Many congregations do not look to the deep issues behind why their church is the way it is. Not so with Direct Hit. Borden is up-front and passionate about his subject. A previous reviewer has put in this space a review of some other book about "Organic Church", not by Borden. There are a few typographical and syntactical errors here, but a lot fewer than his previous book Hit The Bullseye. The Appendices are worth the purchase price alone. Five stars.

Lots of good ideas and encouragment for teaching adult classes. Great for new teachers or old ones who want to brush-up their skills. Very Biblically oriented -- not just a new fad on teaching, but a good balance of true Biblical discipleship and fresh, up-to-date ideas. WORTH READING!!! I plan to keep my copy to refer back to it in the years ahead.

Josh Hunt has done an excellent job with this book. Two very strong benefits the reader will glean from this book are 9 Types of Questions and what it means to Review in a Bible Study context. The benefits from understanding and applying these two sections of Hunt's work will be great and teachers will find they are becoming more effective in teaching the Bible.

I think Josh has hit the problems in Sunday School on the head. This book will encourage teachers to be prepared but alse develop a strategy to grow and multiply other Sunday School or Adult Bible Fellowships. He know that we are called to make disciples and this book will help any teacher to start to thing and change inorder to accomplish the Great Commission

Josh Hunt has done an excellent job with this book. Two very strong benefits the reader will glean from this book are 9 Types of Questions and what it means to Review in a Bible Study context. The benefits from understanding and applying these two sections of Hunt's work will be great and teachers will find they are becoming more effective in teaching the Bible.

Robert Walter has managed to state in very understandable terms exactly what people, teams and organizations must do to achieve operational excellence. This little book will have you raising your eyebrows and nodding your head as you discover operational discipline. Ideal for self-study, group training, motivation, reinforcement or as a quick-read reference tool. We used it, very successfully, to support an eight hour training program on performance management. It was well received by 50 frontline supervisors and managers in a manufacturing setting. I still see it on many of the attendees desks, six months after the training occurred. A simplistic approach with a rewarding outcome.

Vast sums of money are paid out every year to management consultants because managers can't keep up with the continual flow of new business fads and fancies.

Worse yet, when managers find that they can't keep up with this flow they often tend to worry that it's their fault and that *they* are the ones who have somehow come up short.

Okay, now put all of that BEHIND YOU. Get yourself a copy of Bob Walter's book "Discovering Operational Discipline" and rediscover one of the REAL secrets of success: The best solutions are usually the simplest.

At first glance you might well assume that this book doesn't amount to much. The cover design is excellent, but the text is only 78 pages from cover to cover (including acknowledgements, Table of Contents, etc.). Moreover there is plenty of "white space" on nearly every page.

It's only as you begin to read the book, structured around Walters' 15 key characteristics of Organisational Discipline, that you begin to realise how powerful these characteristics can be.

In the last section of the book, Walters describes complete programmes for introducing Organisational Discipline to your company and/or your personal life, based on getting people to buy-in to the philosophy rather than trying to impose the process from above (though a highly placed "champion" is always a bonus, of course).

Just imagine how things might be different if everyone in your company/department/team was consistently committed to taking "personal responsibility for their actions", if everyone was driven by a "desire to use resources efficiently", and if the practise of "repecting and understanding each others' worldviews" were the rule rather than the exception. (Just three of the 15 characteristics.)

Better yet, imagine it, then buy the book and start putting it into practice.

Most of us have heard and used the phrase "Operational Discipline", but, until this gem of a book came along, how many of us had an operational "definition" of what it really means? In a simple, straight-forward, easy to understand format, Mr. Walter creates a framework of principles, attitudes and values that we can use to measure how well we are really doing in our journey toward true operational discipline. This is a book for everyone in your organization, not only for a good read with sound, applicable ideas, but for on-going discussions in teams and small groups. If business excellence is really your goal, the learning from "Discovering Operational Discipline" will be core to achieving that goal.

This is an exceptional read for anyone interested in taking their business, organization, or personal life to the next level.
The priciples of Operational Discipline expressed in this jewel of a book are as profound as they are simple. An absolute must-read for anyone seeking a better path to success.

Any CEO or Manager looking to "raise the bar" of excellence in their organization should look no further.

Dave Fleming unravels modern church dynamics with raw honesty and brilliant insight! The approach used in Dynamic Dialogue will invite and shape conversations that take you on a Quest to unfold your church's unique mission and emphasizes how each member, from pulpit to pew, is vital to its' success.

"Wow! Essentially 'Emotional intelligence for Churches.' Dave Fleming's book is the long overdue guide to churches behaving--and functioning--well. If you're ready to disarm your congregation's patterns of conversational sabotage, control, manipulation, stonewalling, monologue, etc, look no further. A five-star manual that deserves to be frayed around the edges, dog-eared, and underlined in technicolor." -- Sally Morgenthaler

"Everyone talks about doing ministry as a team, but Dave Fleming shows us how by fostering healthy focused conversations that create team glue the leads to greater effectiveness. I plan to use these ideas in our church." -- Alan Nelson

"Dave Fleming has written this book to give the church a new roadworthiness. Fleming challenges the church to trade in its tourist mind-set for a missional seriousness and sensibility. But he backs up his challenge by offering more than filled-in potholes and resurfaced cracks. He paves a new road for the church to take into the future, a road of conversation and dialogue in which dialogue is more than an exchange of ideas." -- Len Sweet

The development of meaningful discussion is central for Dave. He works almost exclusively Out-of-the-box. Dynamic Dialogue is filled with tactical ideas in the form of conversation starters and something Dave calls `Experiencercises". If you are facing questions like: How do we get to the next level? How can we foster authentic life? How can we sustain this momentum that is emerging? Dynamic Dialogue should prove to be very helpful. Essentially, it is written as a practically principled deployment handbook, not your typical technique focused `how-to'. Dave assumes you already `get it', but you just need some practical applications along the way, but don't be fooled the down to earth philosophical implications won't be missed! While the book is a sort of quick read really . . . for me Dynamic Dialogue will undoubtedly become another of my well worn reference books that I routinely pull off the shelve for a quick fix. This book approaches everything from the dynamics of creating space for discovery and creativity in the decision making processes with team members, to the temptation of replacing heart with technique and becoming another church clone. That's not to mention the healthy approaches to discussions about money, I could go on and on and on . . . this is not the same old double wide church trailer with different siding! It's a fresh benchmark. Dave is on the growing edge of the emerging church. And his philosophical assumptions are in the company of Leonard Sweet, Brian McLaren, and Stanley Grenz. However, his concrete approaches to methods of initiating real dynamic dialogue singles him out.

Dave Fleming understands that the great resource in the Church
is the people that God had brought together! His book not only
explains the rationale for "creative conversations", but literally guides you in the "how to's" of making it happen.
This could be a "manual" for bringing out the best ideas in your small groups, student leaders, and pastoral team. Great read!

Dan Brown's book is fiction, but there are claims that he makes that have confused some of the basic issues of Christianity. This thoughtful and well produced video curriculum will help to dispel many of the myths and untruths spelled out in the novel. I used this in my church and we found it very useful in opening dialogues with those who have read the book or seen the movie.

Exploring the Da Vinci Code with the dvd is absolutely great for exposing the lies of the book by Dan Brown.

Lee even includes the FAQ and Evidence for the identity of Jesus based on discussions with real historians in this area of history.

I recommend everyone get this and use it to share the truth with followers of Dan Brown of those duped by him.

The Discussing the Da Vinci Code Curriculum Kit by Lee Strobel and Gary Poole contains three items: a DVD, a group discussion guide, and the book Exploring the Da Vinci Code by the same authors. In this review I will cover the DVD and it's discussion guide. The accompanying book will be reviewed independently.

This curriculum was put together with "seekers" in mind. "Since the primary audience for this guide is the not-yet-convinced seekers, the ideal place to use Discussing the Da Vinci Code is within the context of seeker groups." (10) The emphasis is group discussion such that if the proposed schedule is followed participants will spend about 17 minutes watching the DVD and 43 minutes conversing per session.

The DVD and discussion guide are broken down into four sessions in which Lee Strobel visits some of the historical locations utilized in The Da Vinci Code and interviews contemporary scholars. In the first session, the topic of historical analysis is discussed with historian Paul Maier. The second session poses the question "Can we trust the four Gospels?" to New Testament scholar Scot McKnight. Strobel interviews Kathy McReynolds in session three about the role of women in Christianity and Jesus' relationship with Mary Magdalene. The final session deals with the divinity of Jesus with scholar Mark Strauss.

Considering the proposed "seeker context," the discussion guide is very well done. It provides great questions for discussion while provided many quotes from scholars, Dan Brown, and facts throughout the booklet. In the back of the guide are several appendices that recommend further resources, state the facts, and give arguments for the true identity of Jesus that is affirmed by historic Christianity.

While it's neat to see Lee Strobel "on location," he doesn't really engage the sites he visits, so that seemed somewhat pointless. Strobel is more known for his investigative journalist approach, which he applied well on the DVD. He asks good questions that provoke good responses form the reputable scholars.

The DVD also has some promotional trailers, which could be shown to get people interested in joining the discussion group. The graphics and navigation of the DVD are extremely well done. The DVD together with the group discussion guide make Discussing the Da Vinci Code a thought provoking curriculum that will be useful for seekers and curious Christians alike.

I was really impressed with the material. A bonus that is not indicated on the material package or on the DVD is that it is CLOSED CAPTIONED CC for the hearing impaired. I am Deaf and really liked the fact it IS CC but Zondervan should indicate this on the packaging.

This book is a great reference book for basic science information. We also use it as a science text book for the kids when they're kindergarten through about third grade. It is well organized, has great pictures, and is easy for the kids to understand. There are many times when I ask the kids to pick out a book to read. They'll pull this book off the shelf and pick a subject that they want to read about. It's a great book for all ages. The pictures help keep the little ones interested, the information on each page is easy to understand, and they give just enough information on each subject to answer the questions my kids have.

I love this book almost as much as the original E.Encyclopedia.
It's highly educational, in my opinon. Parents and Kids will love it. I could spend hours reading this, and you may too.

This is the second joint project after the reference book e.encyclopedia was published in October 2003. Both books feature websites enhanced by Google. Keywords in this book direct children to exclusive DK/Google websites where they connect to pre-selected relevant and authoritative websites.

The DK/Google e.encyclopedia science website is free and children can access information once they have this book. Once they get to the sites they can watch videos, listen to sounds through sound buttons, take virtual tours, read real-time reports, access databases and take interactive quizzes.

There are 8 core sections to explain and explore over 220 science topics.

Matter and Materials
Forces and Energy
Electricity and Magnetism
Space
Earth
Plants
Animals
Human Body

This has to be one of the most beautiful books DK has ever created. The colors are vibrant and the section on Space is bursting with spiral galaxies and pictures of space exploration. If you are interested in Volcanoes, you can turn to the Earth section. You can read about the eruption on Mount St. Helens and see pictures before and after volcanic eruptions.

In the Health Section, children can learn about exercise, hygiene and diet. I found the information on the futuristic nanorobots in the bloodstream fascinating.

Every section has a bold heading and interesting definition. Then, there are pages and pages of full-color pictures that can keep your attention for hours at a time. I wish we had owned a book like this when I was a child because it would have given me an information base to build on in future years. Although I must say, I think adults will find this equally fascinating. Children are always asking questions and now you can find all the answers, complete with pictures.

Fascinating Pictures:

Mangrove Roots growing upwards in coastal swamps
Tigers
Monarch Butterflies
Cross-section of a Tide Pool
High-Tech Imaging
Eye of the Storm - Hurricanes
Limestone Caves

This book also answers the following questions:

Why can an opera singer shatter glass with a single note?
How do sea organisms make their own light?
How can we reduce pollution by using Renewable Energy?
What is the lightest substance on earth and why can it float on air?

I can highly recommend this beyond amazing book to parents, teachers and librarians. E-encyclopedia is a learning resource that is not limited to just the book. While the book provides a solid grounding and interesting facts, it is actually a springboard to the Internet Universe.

~The Rebecca Review

I bought this Science Encyclopedia along with their basic Encyclopedia and I truly love it. My kids are always reading it whenever they get the chance. I have a 5 minute session after lunch before my class leaves to go to "specials." During that 5 minute teaching period I have been letting them pick out one subject area from one of the encyclopedias and then we review how to read nonfiction while looking over that subject briefly. I am amazed to see the sparks that start flying and how interested in all of the subjects the students have been. The pictures are wonderful and help students to connect with the information they are reading. I will buy more sets for my classroom because they are always in use!!!!

This book was very informative! I learned a lot from reading this!

Enjoyed reading the options and information this book offered.

very inforative book, enjoyed learning options and information.

This book is an excellent resource!

This is a great book for new front-line managers (or managers of new front-line managers). It looks at the job from a number of angles. Readers a given a foundation of what leadership is followed by examination of the roles and duties of the front-line manager. The author uses character and principles as the foundation for his philosophy on management.

In this book, one can find practical advice for things ranging from managing staff and project manangement to customer interaction. Having spent two years as a front-line manager before being promoted, I can say that what Dr. Peeling has written rings true based on my experience. I also really liked that he gives not only the what, but the why as well. It is an excellent experience based guide that people can return to as the need arises.

Dr. Peeling's Principles of Management: Practical Advice For The Front-Line Manager by Nic Peeling is a practical survival guide for the tenacious transition of learning how to become a manager. Ranging from practical advice on determining salaries; to handling key team members, under-performing team members, and low-value, high-maintenance team members; to various project management styles and roles; and more, Dr. Peeling's Principles of Management is a sound and "reader friendly" primer which is particularly recommended for the novice manager.

It does 'exactly what it says on the tin' - giving practical and down to earth advice for managers, whilst insightfully highlighting the main issues.

Essential reading for new and experienced managers. My only question is why has no-one written something like this before?

I have done my share of manager bashing, both those I have worked under and in IT in general. However, in their defense, a manager of software development has one of the most difficult jobs there is. To be successful, not only do they have to understand the mundane details of filling in the forms, kissing the appropriate body parts of superiors and all the other details of greasing the process, but they also must know a great deal about software development. Developers are also a difficult group to handle, while some of it is on the par of an urban legend, the stories of their quirks and eccentricities are only slightly exaggerated. Finally, the range of skills between developers is probably greater than that in any other area. Some anecdotal evidence is that the best are thirty times better than the worst, but the most believable is that the ratio is ten times better. Given all this baggage, no wonder managers are strained and they are blamed for project failures.
While Peeling has a doctorate in computing and is a manager of software developers, most of the advice can also be applied to other managerial scenarios. Independent of the context, it all comes down to the people being managed and what they can do. Even though one can buy new tools and go through many gyrations to reduce cost, the best way to increase the numbers on the bottom line is to get more out of the current human assets. That does not always mean working them more hours, but getting more out of the hours they work. Peeling describes many ways to do this, demonstrating a practical sense that all good managers possess in abundance. The best managers know when to mold `em and know when to scold `em and Peeling is clearly an expert in making that type of choice.
Managers that understand the psychology of developers and the technical details of what they do are very rare, and Nic Peeling is a member of that group. In this book, he passes on some of that wisdom, and all managers can benefit from reading it.

This book is great for someone who is interested in learning more about Cast Iron and Dutch Oven cooking. It has all the basics; How many briquettes to use for a dish, placement of briquettes, recipes for the beginner and an equal section for intermediate cooks and even an advanced section. It your are really interested in Dutch Oven cooking there is even a section on how to be a judge at a Dutch oven cookoff. The most iinformative Dutch Oven cookbook outthere and more importantly, a resource.

I was amazed at how easy to follow and comprehensive this book is. I love the detailed history of Dutch ovens they give -- and the insights into all the different ways to cook with cast iron. I love to cook on my Camp Chef propane stove, but now I can also use my home oven. Amazing tips and ideas.

This book is great for someone who is interested in learning more about Cast Iron and Dutch Oven cooking. It has all the basics; How many briquettes to use for a dish, placement of briquettes, recipes for the beginner and an equal section for intermediate cooks and even an advanced section. It your are really interested in Dutch Oven cooking there is even a section on how to be a judge at a Dutch oven cookoff. The most iinformative Dutch Oven cookbook outthere and more importantly, a resource.

Gerry and Chauna Duffin, in conjunction with the Camp Chef people, have produced a great book that will assist Dutch oven cooks and other outdoor cooks as well. The second paragraph of the introduction explains the book: "This book is not just a cookbook; it is a resource guide." The Dutch Oven Resource should be used with that in mind. Yes there are recipes, but the authors have seen fit to include a section for beginers, intermediate and advanced cooks. Yes the authors cover seasoning and care of Dutch ovens, as every Dutch oven cookbook must. But this book also contains additional information that answers questions about the International Dutch oven society, how to organize a club or a cookoff, what a contestant can expect at a cookoff and more. Every Dutch oven and otherwise outdoor cooks will find useful tidbits in The Dutch Oven Resource.