K Books

If you're facing a tough challenge in your life, this is a good way to start down the road to facing it. It doesn't have all the answers, but it makes some good points along the way. It also let's you know that you're not the only one facing difficult times.

No wonder Rober Schuller with his inner wisdom shares his thoughts to show you how to build a self image with positive thoughts and know the truth that after every storm, there is a calm! Every problem has a solution. Tough times never last..is a Gift giver to self and others. It's the attitude to get going when the going gets tough as you face the challenges in life and struggle to face obstacles that rob your mental or physical peace. I gave this book to my hubby during his worst trial period of life in his career and he came out with positive influence to be a sane and wise decision maker to start a business on his own and reach to heights of success today! There is always a twist n sharp turns in life and Rob's book with his dynamic principles in life makes you build positive self image and turn out to be a success. Life isn't a tempest nor a midsummer night's dream, But a comedy of erros, Take it As you Like it!!! A Spiritual Motivation - another bedside shelf book to peek-a-boo to boost your spirits. After all, tough times never last, tough people do!

This is a book full of time tested techniques for dealing with adversity.

If he had written the book today, I think that he would have focused more on the development of resilience. That concept was in its infancy when he was writing, but in fact many of the practical methods in the book form basic biulding blocks of this important personal attribute.

Not just a book for people in trouble: it wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark!

Great book! Very inspiring! If you use the book's bottom line, to never give up, and repeat it to yourself so you eventually believe it, the book will work miracles! It is a must read!

"Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!" and the "Be Happy Attitudes" are the best of Robert Schuller. I give out the Tough Times book to friends in tough times. It was a real help to me, and the folks I talk to find it helpful. Easy to read, easy to remember, and easy to apply. This book has the 'how tos' that are needed in the real world -- not high sounding theory.

I read this book and tried to hold back tears through a lot of it. Its hard to imagine that a human being could be that cruel to another human being. Its also hard to believe that it went on as long as it did and nothing was done to stop it. Its hard to imagine someone surviving all that and then going through everything afterwards. Though this would be a hard book to read without any emotion, it was extra hard for me because I am good friends with her brother Chiefy and his family. Knowing what happened to him and his siblings brought an extra tear to the eye because it felt more personal. I am glad that all the birth siblings of the author and Mrs. Thomas herself all moved on and started families of their own and found eachother. It really puts a happy ending to a nightmare begining.

This book was written very well. The story it tells comes across very honest and candid. The most important message it conveys is that we should never ignore the warning signs of child abuse.

...like so many others I was unable to put this book down. It is a book that I keep on my desk at home and refer to often. I have highlighted many words as they are what I have been trying to put into words for years. There was no sexual abuse, starvation or foster care in my childhood. I instead suffered only physical and emotional abuse untill my teenage years. Like Kim I blocked those events from my memory. I am 48 and only remember my life clearly from April of 1974 when the person I thought was my "MAMA" died. I have two sons and an ex-husband that don't understand why I keep telling everyone "I want to go home." I met Kim in March of 2004 and consider her my best friend I will ever have. We don't talk or see each other often but I knowthat she is the only person I have met to date that truly understands what I feel inside. Kim has the strength and courage to pursue what I have only dreamed about. My heart is with her and those that are still hiding secrets of thier past. With Kim's determination and support from her books I beleive we all can "go home" someday. We can make peace with that fact that we are not to blame for the actions of those we trusted with our futures. We are victims and we can speak out to prevent the abuse cycle. Thank-you Kim for letting the world see abuse thru the " eyes of a child."

Takes a brave woman to tell her story, she is no doubt a remarkable woman. Unfortunately for me, there were a few stories that she shared, that I myself remember as a child and I realize that I do not have to courage to reveal those secrets...Thank-you for sharing your story with myself and others. I have passed this book's title along and several of my friends are reading it.

I live in the same town as your brother Chiefy, at least when he is not on his ship. He spoke to me off and on about his childhood and it was just so sad,then I read the book and there were parts when I couldn't help but cry and there were parts that just disgusted me. It's so hard to believe that a human being can be that sick in the head-and to think he got away with it just revolts mee. Chiefy told me he has passed away though, so I'm sure now he is paying for what he did. I certainly hope so because no human being deserves to go through what all of you did. I'm surprised and glad that you all kept your sanity and are normal people today. You all deserve alot of credit. You're a good writer. I can't wait to read your next book.
Mimi M
Lakeside,CA

Ten years later, this book still comes in handy! Everything from accent reduction to improving the quality of your speaking voice is covered in Dr. Crannell's text. I highly recommend this book to anyone who uses his/her voice often- particularly for work. Voice and Articulation would also be extremely useful for a person studying English as a second language. This is one book you need when it comes to the voice and how it is used/misused.

This is an outstanding step-by-step guide to voice improvement. Each chapter includes clear explanations and instructions, illustrations, and loads of practice sentences to help one develop "career" speech. I have used this book as a student, instructor, and actor for many years with great success. Although most people may use this textbook to improve vocal tone and articulation, it is also an outstanding resource for actors who need to acquire an accent or dialect for a role. The large section on stage dialects and foreign accents shows the appropriate sound substitutions needed and includes practice exercises for each accent; actors will find this particularly useful. So, whether you want to improve your voice, or instruct a course in voice and diction, or prepare for the stage or screen, this is the one book you must have.

If there is any one book that can help anyone improve the quality of sound and articulation of the spoken word,this is it!If you apply yourself to practicing along with the tapes you will notice a difference in making your communication more effective. If your in any college studying voice and articulation and do not have this book go and purchase this text and share it with your classmates and professor. You will be glad you did!

If there is any one book that can help anyone improve the quality of sound and articulation of the spoken word,this is it!If you apply yourself to practicing along with the tapes you will notice a difference in making your communication more effective. If your in college studying voice and articulation and do not have this book go and purchase this text and share it with your classmates and professor. You will be glad you did!

This text has become the guide and standard that other authors are using in updating their books on the same subject! Crannell's analysis and exercises for accent reduction have been especially helpful to me in my work with international clients. The additional material on voice and presentation is of great value for everyone looking to improve their oral skills. The format of the book provides "lectures", vocal exercises, listening skills and practical homework to habituate new skills. This is a real gem for educators, performers or business communicaton professionals.

As a minority faculty in the academics Frances Conley's book vividly portrays the reality of the ivory tower that, though pretentiously progressive in ideas, is way behind the iota of gender equality that exists outside the academe. I, sometimes, feel I am living in the medieval period when entering the academe.

When I first came across this book I thought this must have been written in the seventies and I could share it with my students as a historical autobiography of sexism in an academic institution. I was horrified to find that it was written in the nineties about one of the most prestigious institution in California.

I have always felt alone, alienated in the academe and of course disconnected from other women who were struggling too much to bother with the problems of their women peers. This book validated my experience and helped me understand where my alienation was coming from.

I wish this book could be a standard read for all freshman students in all universities. Only when women who appear to be in power tell their stories of powerlessness and abuse can we act collectively to stop the misogyny that exists among our men and more particularly among our elite men.

Frances Conley offers a compelling indictment of gender discrimination at Stanford Medical School, past and present, focussing on her own recent experience. I started this book at midnight and could not put it down until finishing it at 4 a.m. Conley provides case after case of medical school professors given virtually absolute and unchecked power over their subordinates and their subordinates' careers, abusing that power, and the medical school administration covering up that abuse. While she never addresses the issues of solidarity in the face of sexual harassment, her cases all indicate that when one woman protests, she loses, and only a pattern of abuse reported by multiple women leads to any punishment of the harassers at all. Conley was fortunate and grateful that 37 others came forward to support her claim that Gerald Silverberg engaged in inappropriate sexual contact and other activities counterindicating his capability for leadership. I'll be passing this book onto many women who have had the choice to be treated at Stanford Hospital and may well now rethink that choice.

Men groping women. Men coming on to women, and making incredible jackasses of themselves in the process. Men getting drunk and acting like barbarians. Men with one thing in mind. Men whose compulsion to talk about sex is so strong that they do it at highly inappropriate times in public. Men who think that pressuring women is their God-given right. If you think that what I just described is a high school football team on an overdose of steroids, you're wrong. These sexual antics weren't perpetrated by adolescents with testosterone bubbling out their ears, they were committed by male doctors at Stanford University. Not being stupid, these demigods put two and two together and realized that they could use their power to pressure women. One of these men made a fatal mistake, though: he pressured Dr. Frances Conley, a topnotch neurosurgeon and renowned researcher at Stanford. Bad move, fella. I suppose that guy never learned that if you're going to pick a fight, you don't provoke someone who can whack you back so hard you just might rethink whether it's wise to be a bully.

As publicity spread about Dr. Conley's fight, more and more women came forward to reveal their stories. This was certainly an eye-opening book. Before reading it, I'd never given much thought about the sexual harassment of women in medicine and allied healthcare fields. Perhaps we're more civilized here in Michigan, because I've never seen or heard of any such hanky-panky. Well, let me revise that last statement: I have witnessed a lot of sexual inducement, but what I saw was women chasing men not the other way around. But everyone knows that those California folks are trendsetters.

Dr. Conley never envisioned herself as a trendsetter, though. For years, she passively participated in the abuse until a concatenation of events convinced her that it was time to draw a line in the sand. To make a long story short, the men didn't believe she'd put up much of a fight, but she did, and they lost. Big time.

(...) Perhaps the most chilling message in this book is that some men in positions of power are willing to use that power to stifle the careers of women. So what is an attractive woman to assume? That if she goes into medicine her pulchritude will serve as a magnet for sexual harassment? Perhaps this abuse is, unbeknownst to me, more pervasive than I think. I suppose because most of my friends are women, I can't understand men who view women as being somehow inferior. However, you shouldn't necessarily construe from that statement that I think women physicians are as competent, on average, as male physicians. There's no doubt that some are, and there's no doubt that Dr. Conley is a superior physician, not just competent. (...) My only major criticism of the book is that it is too focused upon abuse of women by men. Since the core of this book is hinged upon some of the depredations that ensue when power is abused, I think she could have achieved a more balanced perspective by pointing out that powerful people often use their power against men, too ý not just women. I've seen male docs fight one another with such a vehemence that it made the stories in Dr. Conley's book seem as pleasant as afternoon tea and cookies with a neighbor. Consequently, while I don't intend to trivialize the unfortunate reality of the abuse Dr. Conley documents, it's important to keep in mind that this abuse is but one aspect of a much larger problem. In defense of Dr. Conley, broadening the scope of this book to include other aspects of hospital politics would have diluted the message she wished to inculcate, and it would have made for a very unwieldy book. With that in mind, I suppose I'm on shaky ground by wishing that her book had a wider focus. Her book, her demeanor, her dedication, her resolve, and her competence are commendable. Dr. Conley is a great doctor and I am happy to have met her, however indirectly, by reading this book.

Review by Kevin Pezzi, M.D.

I'm not an MD or a PhD; I don't work in a hospital or academia. Yet I too have experienced sexual harassment, and I too have consulted the EEO department that is supposed to get involved in handling these issues, and I found that they were disinterested, that they gave subtle and obvious messages that the problem was "my" problem and not the corporation's, and that they relied on my being too timid or unmotivated to initiate a lawsuit so the whole thing could be, well, ignored. Sexual harassment exists because the society permits men (even encourages men) to expect that it is their right to harass women. Not all men harass, and not all men admire harassers. In fact, it is quite the opposite, but those who possess the attitude that women who dare to compete must be put down through sexual threat or debasement will harass (they also enjoy and even need it, since these men have very real problems). Through her description of her own experiences, the author illuminates the social mechanism of harassment. She also brings to light the story that all we women know -- what it feels like to be the victim not just of a troubled person but of an organization that insists she accept the role of victim. When we are harassed, we women discover the battle we are in, not against one man but against all those societies which are founded on (this does sound harsh, I know) the hatred of women. This is a marvelous book -- hard to read at times if you've been there -- but it is important that women know what we are facing (especially our daughters, who like us may have been programmed to think that all men will be nice to us, will treat us fairly, and that if someone is abusive, it is our own fault, there is something wrong with me, etc.). Important too is having the author detail the steps she took to handle the harassment. This is a very supportive book for anyone enduring just such a situation (harassment as well as gender discrimination, which is a lot more rife and a lot less obvious). I'd recommend this to any woman who is willing to step outside of the traditional role, because we all need to know what we are up against, how the system is going to fail us, and especially all the steps we are entitled to take to combat this problem so that we change society's viewpoint and not just our own. I'd also recommend this to men, because there are many who are supportive of women in the workplace. Our husbands and boyfriends need to read this book to know how difficult it is for women, because in the end we can only effect a change if we all stand together.

Sadly, any woman who's achieved a doctorate (& not just in medicine) will relate wholeheartedly to this book. I greatly admire Dr. Conley's unbelievable courage in standing up to the Boys' Club & trying to make things better for women in academia. Hopefully this book will encourage ALL women to stand up to the misogyny & be heard.

As a middle school English teacher, I deal with young people and their struggles to understand themselves and focus their lives daily. What Do you Really Want? is the perfect resource to help teens do just that! Presented in an easy-to-read and manageable format with a positive, upbeat tone, the book makes the lofty and overwhelming task of "getting what you want" a simple, sytematic process that untimately leads to personal satisfaction, self-esteem, and, of course, happiness. I plan on using the book and its many wonderful activities, quotations, empirical examples, inspirational quotes, and self-reflection techniques in my classroom on a regular basis. This book is an outstanding resource for any teen, but as I read the book, I couldn't help but think that Ms. Bachel may have marketed the book incorrectly. It's down-to-earth tone and empowering message is as relevant to adults as it is to kids! I wish that I would have discovered it sooner to help me in my daily life. I have recommended (and will continue to recommend) the book to friends and students alike!

Bev Bachel's friendly book helps teens -- even adults -- understand what it takes to get what you want from life. She shows how to decide what you want, determine what steps you can take to achieve it, and cheerleads you along the way. A must for any teen -- or anyone -- who wants to be more successful but has doubts about their ability to achieve.

I find this book to be a practical, no-frills guide on Goal Getting for teens. There are only 100 odd pages. Paragraphs are inter-laced with inspiring quotations as well as personal anecdotes.

The author goes straight into the jugular. No fancy theories...Just what you need to get started. There are also nineteen useful, reproducible forms for goal getting. 'Think It & Ink It' journaling exercises are also included to help you think more deeply about what you want & how to get it.

At the back of the book are some goal-getting resources.

This wonderful book comes from Free Spirit Publishing. Please check out their website if you are seeking useful resources for teens & kids. Parents, please take note.

As a father of three teenage girls, I'm always looking for ways to help them reach their full potential. What Do You Really Want has really given focus to my daughters' everyday lives. Like so many teens, my girls have great hopes and dreams but aren't sure how to make sense of them. The book's fun worksheets and journal exercises helps teens decide what's truly important to them and takes them step by step through the goal-setting process to help them achieve those goals. What's more, it's a book they can carry with them for the rest of their lives and continually turn back to for guidance. I recommend this book to any parent or teacher looking to bring direction to teens they care about - or even themselves. I was surprised at how much I've incorporated what I learned about goal setting in my own life!

In What Do You Really Want?: A Guide For Teens, motivational and communication expert Beverly Bachel, shows adolescent and young adult readers how to set a goal for themselves and effectively pursue whatever they have targeted! A down-to-earth, "user friendly" self-help guide which is written in simple, direct language, What Do You Really Want? is as practical and effective, as it is informative and inspiring. Enhanced with self-tests, resources, and exercises, What Do You Really Want? is a superbly presented and highly recommended introduction to focusing one's life and contains numerous lessons for that could profit readers of all ages!

Hello
Like many of you, I love to read. I often get lost in books for hours and dream of one day writing one of my own. I was online one day looking for volunteer opportunities in rape crisis centers, shelters, etc. and I stumbled across www.watchyourdrink.com. I read the details on the website about the book, "Who's Watching Your Drink?" and immediately sought contact with the author. When I received the book a few days later after having asked her to send me a copy, I read it in one sitting. I was suprised, upset, crying, laughing - it was a mix of emotions because I could relate. When I was 15 I was date raped and that person had used GHB. To this day I still don't know everything that happened. It was comforting to know, though, that his woman was dedicating her time, money - life - into spreading awareness of these horrible occurrences. I would strongly suggest that every person buy this book. Statistics show that somewhere (now, don't quote me on this) around 1 out of every 4 women are sexually assaulted - before the age of 18! If you are one of the fortunate ones you haven't experienced this terrible assault, chances are you probably know someone who has. This book contains information on date rape drugs as well as the author's horrific experience. You will be shocked to see just how easily men and women fall into others' traps when they accept a beverage they themselves did not pour, or if they consume a drink they temporarily left unattended. Ms. Jackson wrote this book to educate others. Please check out this book. It helped ME to know I wasn't alone, and it also educated me. Hopefully, it could do the same for you.

Once I began reading the book, I couldn't put it down. It is more than just an ordinary book to read. It is a true life story that really happened. It made me realize that it could happen to anyone, including myself. I admire Sharon for having the courage to bare her soul to the world by writing this book. While reading I tried to imagine what it was like and simply couldn't get to that point. It was too difficult to even imagine some of the things she shared in the story.

I would encourage everyone to read this book. Mothers should read it and pass it on to their daughters.

Hats off to you Sharon for sharing this experience with me and the rest of the world!

I am a male and was totally captivated and amazed at what we do to each other. Sharon is one of the most courageous women in the world to share this incredible story.

It is remarkable how our minds work and how much Sharon was able to recall after so many years. She includes a free coaster with the book so that your loved ones don't go through what Sharon did.

Sharon, you are deserving of the greatest rewards that come your way for caring enough to share your story with others. I hope your foundation takes off in great multitude for men and women alike. I have an 8 year old daughter and when she gets older, she WILL have one of your marvelous coasters to protect her from what you went through.

What an incredible story and tremendous lesson of forgiveness and determination! Amazing author and an amazing story!

This is a great book to read whether you are male or female. If you have daughters, be prepared to be very angry and extra protective!

Sharon Jackson's 'Who's Watching Your Drink?' is not an easy read, but it is a 'must'read. You will be stunned, outraged, angry and then thankful that Sharon was courageous enough to tell her story so that others could be warned of the increasing dangers of date rape drugs in our society. Mandatory reading if you are a parent! The drug coaster to test your drink that comes with the book and can be re-ordered is a stroke of genius! I now make the coasters available and emphasize date rape drugs at the monthly Reality Tour Drug Prevention program I direct in Butler, PA. This book will change lives and save lives! Give the book to students going off to college. I only wish the circumstances endured by Sharon were extremely rare. Her tools for recovery are just as remarkable as her willingness to suffer the sharing necessary to write the book.
Thanks Sharon!

Sharon's book is wonderful! Once I began reading, I could not put it down! All of the different emotions I had while reading this book was unreal. I felt sadness, anxiety, tension and most of all compassion for Sharon. This book is a must for all adult readers! Thank you Sharon for having the courage to tell your story to people like myself!

What a great novel about friends getting together with good food and spirits discussing their experiences. A must read. Truly a page turner, I couldn't put Wisdom down. Karen thanks for a wonderful read.

Karen has written an excellent novel on friends and sharing. Bringing other women together to introspect and share some of their innermost feelings, is so true to life for some sistahs. Karen also keeps upfront, the spiritual aspect of what life's experiences can mean to an individual. This is a MUST READ!

Looking for a cast. A producer. A director. A sound track. I WANT TO SEE THIS ON THE BIG SCREEN! This is how much I enjoyed this novel. Fabulous! Absolutely, Fabulous!

Karen E. Smith did a wonderful job in bringing together ten totally different women on one day at a birthday party to share the wisdom gained from their life experiences. There is a single career woman turning thirty (Sharlisa). A happily married woman with a child (Monique); A divorcee (Denise); A woman in an abusive marriage (Lynnese); A woman involved with a married man (Celeste); A single-parent (Alexis); A thirty-something college student with a family and a dream (Eunice); A gold digger (Claudia); A spiritual woman (Shannon); And my favorite, a promiscuous woman named Rachel. (NOT that I can relate to her philosophy about life, but she is just too funny.) Wow! Like I said... ten totally different women. I found myself thinking about the stories these women shared and comparing their lives with my life and the lives of some of my friends LONG after I finished the last page.

Monique's story will renew your faith in true love. Shannon will make you think twice (maybe three times) about your life choices. Denise will have you looking at flowers and trees for answers. Sharlisa will help you to remember that GOD IS GREAT! I applaud this author for bringing something so real and spiritually based to the literary arena. Great job!

This book is a MUST read. I read it in one sitting... I just could not put it down! If you "liked" Waiting to Exhale, you will absolutely "love" Wisdom from Experience. If you want real.... it doesn't get any better than this! (I hope there is a sequel!)

....Let me say that this is no ordinary novel. Yes, it is about a group of women meeting to celebrate one friend's 30th birthday,but on the other hand, I also wanted to underline some of the things that the ladies were talking about in the book. A lot of great points were brought up dealing with sex,love,marriage,single parenting,education,children,and more. Not only that, the book is good,clean and very enlightening. And I recommend the book to all who are at a crossroads in life,or just looking for answers.

Book is in like new, great condition. This is a well written book, excellent for reading during individual quiet time or time of prayer.

Many devotionals are too brief, being only a few paragraphs long. These daily readings are a few pages each, so they have more meat to them. Each devotion begins with a scripture reference followed by Emilie's application of the scripture, some suggested action steps, and a brief prayer. In the scripture applications, Emilie focuses on her personal experiences and experiences in the daily lives of most women. She encourages readers to apply God's principles in their roles as wives, mothers, friends, and professionals. I have recommended this book to many women, and I passed my copy along to a friend. I wish more devotionals followed this format.

This book has revived my quite time with the Lord. God has used her writings to bring me back to a desire to be with Him everyday for time alone. She uses real life, down to earth situations to show us where God is working and how we can better follow His ways. Excellent book!

This book was very uplifting and I really enjoyed it. I felt that my walk with God deepened. I liked that you can skip around and do which ever one you want to do. I did alot of journaling with the thoughts for action. I also liked that it had additional scripture that deals with the same topic.

Not only is this a wonderful devotional but it is so inspiring! Emilie includes wonderful tips and ideas for making family times special times! It really does only take 15 minutes "Alone with God" each day to make a difference in your life! Once again to Emilie Barnes I say, Thank you!

Genre: Travel

Title: 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park

Author: Larry K. and Lorna Collins

How do you prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Japan? Every step is a challenge, from procuring the turkey to making the pumpkin pie. But Larry and Lorna Collins of California thrive on such adventures, and they've written an enthralling account of the joys and frustrations of their "31 Months in Japan."

Larry worked as an engineer on a major theme park project in Osaka. He writes about topics such as unexpected engineering challenges involving dinosaurs and sharks, field-testing the park's rides (and restaurants!), surfing Japanese-style, and the bureaucratic hassles of buying a car. Meanwhile Lorna delighted in the people they met, and she writes with warmth and enthusiasm of cross-cultural experiences shared with new friends. She also devotes a chapter to typhoons and another, perhaps even scarier, to driving in Japan.

This is a super book that radiates joie de vivre. You'll be inspired as you read of life-enriching episodes, and a little overwhelmed as you learn about the many small misunderstandings and irritations of expatriate living. At times humorous, surprising, and moving, "31 Months in Japan" is a must-read for all travelers, armchair and otherwise.


Highly Recommended by Reviewer: Julie Falkner, Allbooks Reviews.

This book accurately captures the experience of the working expat in Japan - coping with culture clashes in the office as well as adjustment pains in a foreign land. Larry and Lorna Collins tell the story of their trip to build Universal Studios Japan - the preparation, the work, the life in Japan and then the return.

As a reader with similar experiences, there were many, "The same thing happened to me" moments as they peeled the onion of Japanese culture, encountering and then digging through stereotypes. The book also provided quite a few "I wish I knew that back then" lessons. The old Japanese hand will also note the odd ironic event here and there, for example, being complimented on using chopsticks is a universal experience.

The mix of good nature and naive wonder experienced by Larry and Lorna come through strong. Perhaps the sincerity is why they made so many connections. Of course the cultural cynic won't be able to finish the book.

Worth the read, and makes me want to return to Japan.

I was utterly charmed by the experiences related from the viewpoint of the author husband and author wife. Not only were the glimpses of the Japanese culture intriguting and fascinating, but I was also awed by the descriptions of the different places visited by the authors. The insights into the actual building of a theme park in a foreign land kept me turning pages.

Having had the opportunity to see the authors at the recent Epicon made it even more interesting as I could imagine them as I read their words.

This is definitely a book for anyone who likes to read about new places and learn more about a different culture from first hand sources.

Thank you for many pleasant reading hours.

Marilyn Meredith, author of Wingbeat, latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series.

From the very first chapter, "31 Months in Japan : The Building of a Theme Park" by Larry K. and Lorna Collins, immerses the reader in a fascinating discovery of Japanese culture and the ingenious secrets that make the magic of a theme park real. This detailed and personal account of the trials and surprises involved in creating Universal Studios Japan is told in a warm familiar voice that many times had me musing that I would have reacted the same way as the narrators.

The Collins embark on their adventure with enthusiasm and open hearts, and this attitude enables them to make meaningful contact with their Japanese hosts, not just in the workplace where they face the challenges of turning dreams of an exciting theme park into smoothly-functioning reality, but also on the busy and often confusing streets of Osaka. If you wish to experience a view of another culture that goes beyond rapid tourist impressions or the surface veneer of international negotiations, this book is for you.

Another wonderful layer of the book is the intriguing behind-the-scenes perspective of the complicated mechanics that make all the parts of a major theme park mesh together to form a magical world of imagination come to life. I was spellbound by the innovative solutions that the team of engineers used to solve the complex problems involved in making giant mechanical dinosaurs and sharks interact with an artificial landscape and waterscape to produce a living theater capable of thrilling visitors again and again.

By the time you finish "31 Months in Japan" you will know the Collins well, and will appreciate having joined them on their rich journey to Japan and back. The theme park they helped create is a testament to how drawing on the strength and vision of many individuals and even different cultures can take a project to admirable and unexpected heights. I strongly recommend this outstanding book.

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (3/06)

Co-author Larry K. Collins was a project engineer assigned to the construction of the amusement park Universal Studios Japan, and Lorna, his wife was in Document Control. For 31 months, Larry and Lorna lived in Japan during the building of Universal Studios Japan, moving to Osaka in August 1998 from their permanent home in Dana Point, California until the park opened on March 31, 2001. "31 Months in Japan" is the story of the culture shocks the Collins encountered, the wonderful friends they made, and the sharing of their many interesting challenges and adventures, beginning with the first obstacle in May 1998 when they learned their building site was contaminated and the subsequent 18 month clean-up.

"31 Months in Japan" will entice those curious about traveling to or possibly living in Japan. The behind the scenes work that goes on during the construction of a theme park is also covered, so if you are enthralled with all the plans that go into building a theme park from the obtaining of the land until the gates are opened to the public, you will be entertained.

The book is written like a journal, Larry writing about his encounters as a project engineer, working on the Jurassic Park and JAWS water rides, along with the Water World show, then Lorna sharing her experiences with obtaining housing, cooking and working in Japan. They cover the gamut in telling us about Japanese fashions, home furnishings, festivals, holidays, weather, roadways, maps, parking, waste removal system, communal bathing, golf, rituals, work ethic, appropriate social behavior, and obtaining and preparing familiar food.

At the beginning of each chapter, a new Japanese word is introduced with its pronunciation and meaning, and we are then told a story of how that Japanese word relates to an encounter shared by the Collins. By the end of the book, we should have a few Japanese words in our memory.

The differences between America and Japan were eye opening. Larry experienced driving with only ½" between his left front tire and a three foot ditch running along the side of the road. When passing another vehicle, Larry relates there would be only a scant 1/4" space between the two vehicles door-to-door. Also, before purchasing a car in Japan, the Collins learned one must first have an assigned place to park it. A final random thought I found interesting was that American pizza in Japan has corn atop, is drizzled with mayonnaise, and has toppings of seafood and seaweed.

The Collins eagerly and enthusiastically share with us their experiences of Japan. They tell us about Jurassic Mark, Raouf Iskander, the Nihon Cowboy, their Japanese "daughter" Yasuko and Jurassic Jack. The Collins came back changed individuals but only for the better. It is obvious of the great love they felt for the many special friendships solidified by their times in Japan. The Collin's book is a tribute to the great number of colorful personalities that came together to make the building of Universal Studios Japan a success!

This is probably one of the most useful books I have for Greek and overall one of the most comprehensive verb guides for any language I'd studied. Spend the money if you want to learn Greek.

Very well laid out, easy to use format. Each verb in all its forms is on a single page. By viewing all the tenses of the verb on one single page, one can begin to feel comfortable with "how" and "why" a verb means what it means. The forms and patterns become visible, predictable and understandable, as do any exceptions. Quite impressive.

It's a very good book! Now is my best friend!!! Everytime that I need some help with Greek, I ask his help.

This book is an excellent reference for Modern Greek verbs. This book is not for beginners, but is an excellent reference for the serious student.

This is an outstanding reference guide. Easy to use and very helpful with conjugations in all tenses. Definitely recommend for anybody, from the beginner to the advanced student of Modern Greek.