Industrial Books

Admirable example of ethnographic methods to reveal the critical participation of African Americans in the labor movement. Needleman provides new evidence that black leaders were instrumental in breaking down barriers of racial discrimination. In this work, Needleman deftly examines how African Americans took on powerful labor leaders and built autonomous African American organizations to encourage desegregation and the development of inter-racial alliances. The writer is clearly among the leading ethnographers in the field, and this book makes a solid contribution to understanding the movement for racial justice in America. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent exploration of the changing worlds and struggles of black steelworkers not just in Northwest Indiana but also nationally through the 20th century. Needleman sensitively deals with the stories of five black union activists, then expands their experiences in tracing issues of power and race in the steelworkers union to the present. Goes well beyond all previous studies in caputuring not only the personal anguish but also the various organizational dilemmas of black steelworkers struggling amidst very difficult and changing racial circumstances. Highly recommended!!!

Needleman's book is a finely crafted blend of history and human interest. Though it focuses on the lives of five black unionists, there is a message here for everyone, regardless of race. Needleman probes each man's mind, revealing five distinct variations on a central theme. She then relates their experiences to those of other steel workers, putting it all in the context of the evolution of the USWA in a changing industrial climate. Great book. Easy to read. A real lesson in life.

This is an exceptional book with information and insight not found anywhere else. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the civil rights movement, especially in the north, and anyone interested in the history of unionism in the steel industry. Not only did Needleman have unparalleled access to her subjects, she was able to use this access to its fullest benefit in her analysis and narrative. Even the notes in this book are fascinating, and the depth of research is evident in the references and bibliography. An incisive scholarly work, the book is also great reading and holds the reader's interest throughout. A terrific addition to the literature on the subject.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in the early struggles of steelworkers and their fight for unionism and equality. It follows the lives of 5 "freedom fighters", George Kimbley, Bill Young, John Howard, Curtis Strong, and Jonathan Comer and what they went through in the early years of the black steelworkers quest for equality. It continues up to the present day and details the struggles we are currently involved in. There were many years of interviews and meetings with these individuals as well as other labor leaders to bring out the facts and the details of every aspect of the labor movement during these history making decades. Lots of historic photographs are added to make you seemingly relive the actual times that these events took place. An excellent job by Ruth Needleman and her staff.

This is a forward-looking discussion of the paradigm shift from traditional pyramidal organizations to organic, dynamic enterprises that feature permeable boundaries. The book is a triumphant crusade against fiefdoms and boundaries of all types, and for freedom in inter- and intra-organizational life. It demonstrates how "boundaryless" organizations can increase the ability to respond quickly, creatively, flexibly, and in an integrated fashion to market demands. Case studies of change efforts bring the main points alive. Adding to the value of this work are self-diagnostic instruments, charts, and tables. This book is a rich source of insights about organization plus savvy guidelines for taking action. I highly recommend it.

Checklist can be used to help a manager transition an organization to overcome institutional barriers

The title is a misnomer: Although the authors do indeed suggest how to "break through the chains of organizational structure", they provide an enlightening explanation of four different types of boundaries (vertical, horizontal, external, and geographic) which give definition to any organization. They do not advocate the total elimination of these boundaries (which is impossible, anyway); rather, they suggest how to rearrange them so that an organization can thrive. For the authors, there is what they call "A New World Order":

"In living organisms, membranes exist to give the organization shape and definition. They have sufficient structural strength to prevent the organism from dissolving into an amorphous mess....Like a living organism, the boundaryless organization also evolves and grows, and the placement of boundaries may shift....Because the boundaryless organization is a living continuum, not a fixed state, the ongoing management challenge is to find the right balance of boundaryless behavior, to determine how permeable to make boundaries, and where to place them."

This brief excerpt from the first chapter correctly suggests the purpose of this remarkable book: To explain HOW to meet that challenge.

The material is presented within four parts plus a conclusion. The first explains how to achieve "free movement up and down" by crossing vertical boundaries; the second explains how to achieve "free movement side to side" by crossing horizontal boundaries; the third explains how to achieve "free movement along the value chain" by crossing external boundaries; and in the fourth part, they explain how to achieve "free global movement" by crossing geographic boundaries." Then in the Conclusion, the authors discuss "Making It Happen: Leading Toward the Boundaryless Organization."

The authors also include a series of six questionnaires. By completing each in sequence, the reader is able to determine (a) where her or his organization is now located relative to "the boundaryless paradigm", and (b), what is needed to eliminate the "gap" between where it is now and where it should be. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to read The Boundaryless Organization Field Guide. It contains a a hands-on set of diagnostic instruments as well as exercises and tools, and a disk with presentation slides in Powerpoint format.

I agree with the authors: The most restrictive organizational boundaries are in the minds of those within an organization. Organizational as well as personal wounds are usually self-inflicted.

"Like Marko Polo discovering a new world of trade, organizations today are exploring vast new markets throughout the globe. The process is nothing less than a revolution, breaking down once sacrosanct boundaries of space, time, and nationality...In today's world, there is no longer a dichotomy between domestic and foreign. Global boundaries between companies, markets, and people have become irrevocably blurred...For companies such as Unilever, ABB, and SmithKline Beecham, globalization has become a natural part of their business, an integral part of their culture. For most companies, however, the goal to become truly global in mindset, staff, and market seems a stretch. Although the oportunities are tempting, the effort, knowledge, and skill required are much greater than for running a domestic operation, and the risks-once you probe beneath the surface-are equally enormous"(pp.261-262).

In this context, the authors, in Chapter 8, first put forward the following ten reasons why organizations might want to become more global: competitive survival, cost spreading, trailblazing, rule of three, domino effect, evolutionary forces, technological revolution, search for innovation, ripple effect, and benchmarking against other companies. Then, they discuss seven challenges companies face in making the global leap: (1)Establishing a workable global structure, (2)Hiring global supermanagers, (3)Managing people for a global environment, (4)Learning to love cultural differences, (5)Avoiding parochialism and arrogance, (6)Designing unifying mechanisms and a global mindset, (7)Overcoming complexity.

In Chapter 9, to overcome these challenges, they show action plans, and suggest ways of moving forward, from learner to launcher and from launcher to leader into the global arena as summarized as below:

I- From Global Learner to Global Launcher

1. Human Resources Practices

* Supply language/cultural sensitivity training.

* Standardize forms and procedures.

* Set up an overseas presence via joint venture, modest acquisition, or establishment of a headquarters.

* Engage in extensive cross-border relationship building.

2. Organizational Structures

* Arrange short-term visits and international assignments.

* Staff for more diversity in management and board of directors.

* Use e-mail and videoconferencing to maintain day-to-day contact.

3. Organizational Processes and Systems

* Establish worldwide shared values, language, and operating principles.

* Conduct fact-finding missions.

* Design ad hoc transnational teams.

* Hold global town meetings and best-practice exchanges of information.

II- From Global Launcher to Global Leader

1. Human Resources Practices

* Seek complete liquidity of human resources: recruit outside the domestic base; place foreign recruits within the domestic base; promote the best people to global assignments; rotate people internationally; use twinning.

* Aim for a global structure.

* Map global processes.

2. Organizational Structure

* Provide continuing global leadership trining and regular transnational training to reinforce the global mindset.

* Remove/minimize country managers and replace with global managers and focus on global customers.

* Routinize real-time global communications.

3. Organizational Processes and Systems

* Use global reward systems.

* Multiply ongoing transnational project teams.

* Work for global integration (for example, total global sourcing, global design, global engineering, and global purchasing).

Finally, they write that "Many tools are available to organizations, and we have described a good number of them here (as summarized above). But senior management must have the skill and foresight to use the right tools in the right way, at the right time, and in the right sequence...Each stage requires structures that enable the crossing of boundaries, systems and procedures that drive global behavior, and people who can learn to extend their thinking beyond their present outlook."

Highly recommended.

This is a forward-looking discussion of the paradigm shift from traditional pyramidal organizations to organic, dynamic enterprises that feature permeable boundaries. The book is a triumphant crusade against fiefdoms and for freedom in inter- and intra-organizational life. It demonstrates how "boundaryless" organizations can increase the ability to respond quickly, creatively, flexibly, and in an integrated fashion to market demands. Case studies of change efforts bring the main points alive. Adding to the value of this work are self-diagnostic instruments, charts, and tables. This book is a rich source of insights about organization plus savvy guidelines for taking action. We highly recommend it.

This book was required reading for an MBA class at DePaul University. You know how most "required reading" books go, quite dry and boring. This book, however, is just the opporsite. It's a quick read and informs the reader on so many levles to creating a highly functional, cohesive and creative work group.

Implement this book and the issues of employee satisfaction will disappear!

Well worth investing time and the small price to purchase the book. Keep it as a reference!

Gundry and LaMantia have done an excellent job of putting together this valuable "handbook" on teambuilding and leadership. They do an exceptionally good job of finding very distinctive "experts" to represent each of the ten principals. Each expert brings a different perspective to the book and added depth and life to the words. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to develop their collaborative team-building skills. The authors taught me that dream teams are not out of reach, but rather very attainable with the right tools. This book, I believe, gives you the right tools to be successful whether a team member or team leader!

This book shows how a team can tap into its unique brand of vision and "street smarts" to create a fresh approach to doing business. Not about becoming a well-oiled machine, "Breakthrough" is about doing the personal and collective work (emphasis on work) it takes to support a collaborative spirit that (in the words of poet Wallace Stevens) "is fluent in even the wintriest bronze." The authors know this work is not for the faint of heart, but they maintain a tone of encouragement throughout that just might convince a reader to dip a toe into the stream.

Gundry and LaMantia have done an exceptional job teaching the essence of team collaboration and innovation to achieve unforeseen possibilities. "Breakthrough's" mentoring tone outlines the ten critical principles needed to optimize team and individual creativity, performance and success. The authors' contagious excitement draw the reader in, as he/she is taken through a step-by-step course of how to effectively and simply "breakthrough" in life and in work.

The concepts presented by the Gundry and LaMantia are not new or hard to learn, but two things stand out that make this book important. First, the authors present their material in a comprehensive and unique process that is easy to follow, implement and teach. Second, the authors' consistent reinforcement of key fundamentals and the underlying meaning as to "why it is important" are at the core of collaboration. --Highly recommended.

Breakthrough Teams for Breakneck Times as a title sorely undersells the value of this text. This book clearly understands and beautifully elicits how to unlock, as well as grow, the creative problem solving genius within each of us. Its 10 principles to establish collaborative teams are not mathematically derived or drawn from Meta analysis. As a leader of teams, this book has got its fundamental tenets correct - we all want to be our primal self and contribute all our talents to create and solve problems. By understanding the basic tenets of human nature - honesty with oneself, finding our true passions and living with integrity, Gundry and LaMantia have shown the way.

Although there are numerous `teams' books written, few if any authors have trawled to deeply understand the building blocks of what makes an extraordinarily productive team - individuals who are truly honest with what they want from life, consciously make choices, speak with conviction and integrity, respect, honor and promote those around them. Truly collaborative teams that sustain breakthroughs as well as adapt and grow from adversity require, first and foremost, honest people. Gundry and LaMantia have to be congratulated for not only establishing the human principles required for establishing great teams, yet ask the questions we each should each pose to ourselves to experience a more fulfilling and whole life.

Following significant reflection of this text, the authors are correct in arguing that there is very little we have to learn so as to work together with a high degree of effectiveness. We each have the skills to be honest with what we want and how we wish to work, to listen as well as have fun with our colleagues, to cultivate shared responsibility and ownership, act courageously, live according to a `what if' rather than `thou shall be' guidelines etc.

As stated, what is required is to sweep away de rigueur organizational and society assumptions and expectations regarding the world of work and create new modes of conduct based on what the team desires to be truly effective. The most important task as we begin to collectively mold into a new team is for each individual to reflect on who they are, what are their dreams and passion, what they see as the purpose of the team and what they wish to contribute. They share this openly and honestly with the team, without judgement and questioning.

How refreshing it is to read learned experts in this field discuss the importance of honesty, respect for all viewpoints, courageous action and having fun and periods of reflection and rejuvenation. How wonderful it is to see a `business book' speak of people as breathing, spiritual animals with intrinsic needs who are on a journey of self discovery towards becoming more whole, hence contributing far in excess of what many of us believe is `normal' to contribute in the workplace.

The book is quite right in arguing that breakthrough teams requires people who are whole - they understand their internal direction in life, have considered their values, mode of operating, their passions and come to others in a spirit of generosity, active listening and non-judgment. The true breakthrough that this book delivers is that its teachings are applicable to any domain because it has viewed, questioned and judged people not in a business context, yet in our natural environment of communities. The health of the group stems from the importance of the individual. Dowse the passion and you end up with breakup teams.

This book stands as a litmus test not only for team leaders and organizations, yet for individuals who want to be part of a high performance team and enjoy and grow from every moment of their experience. This text provides the `how to' tools that we all intrinsically have to create breakthrough teams - understand our own unique qualities followed by being honest with ourselves and everyone around us. If so, you will find work to be productive, rewarding, fun and rejuvenating.

You will not find rules for behavior, decision making, rewards etc. The text is littered with succinct tools, helpful hints, guideposts and axioms that get you thinking and most importantly, reflecting about the way of work that is best for you.

This text is quite simple. Its basis is the primal tenets of individual honesty and integrity, understanding our passions and what we want to contribute and courageously outlining these in the workplace. From this true open forum of genuine listening, respect and reflection, team visions, culture and work credos are developed. Resiliency muscles are developed to make the team grow stronger through the inevitable bad times.

The value you derive from this book will be gained upon reflection on the axioms on which it is founded. Its primacy is the sacredness of the individual - their passions, dreams, values and boundaries. Breakthrough teams create a safe environment where people can be truly themselves, verbally and in action. They are contributing what they want, speaking truthfully and take deep responsibility for their words and actions. They listen with compassion and without judgment. Gundry and LaMantia have developed the principles that unlock our true selves, hence contributing our greatest talents and thereby not only developing breakthrough teams, yet also, more content, productive and whole people. Once we are on this road, our fears begin to vanish, and synchronicities begin to happen that help to make our dreams come true.

Breakthrough Teams for Breakneck Times is a call to re-ignite the best of the human spirit. A seminal work that has caused me to deeply reflect about the people that I lead, the responsibilities that I choose and how to mold and improve not only the economic performance of my team, yet to also increase the deep intrinsic and individual satisfaction that I want each person to feel from our work as well as our interactions.

Its time to go beyond vitas and technical qualifications and ask people what fire burns in their belly, where is their life going, what do they want to contribute and in what environment would they like to work?

It is because of Gundry and LaMantia that I now have the `stepping stones' to develop my team into a truly collaborative high performance unit. As well as delivering the outputs, we will also be having lots of fun. Its time.

Jim Grigoriou
Managing Director
Infusion Technology Pty Ltd.

The continuously expanding need to economically move large volumes of data at faster speeds presents formidable challenges to both engineering and business professionals. Understanding Broadband technology and deciphering its complex technical principles is an arduous task in a dynamic and evolving environment. Mr. Louis has once again put together a technical guide that provides an excellent roadmap to better understanding of the Broadband arena. Since the superhighway of projected Broadband ventures is lettered with failure, this most recent "Crash Course" is an important tool for the arsenal of any remaining entrepreneur attempting to succeed in Broadband deployment. ....and once again, all in easy to read/understand presentation.

This book provides valuable insight into the Broadband arena. P.J. Louis has clearly articulated his vision of the future of fiber and wireless. Whether or not one agrees, he earns respect for taking a strong position and defending it with plentiful detail. Louis is clearly a teacher whose aim is to inform and educate with this book. Business leaders would do well to read this before leaping into investments in this area. The book provides a significant level of knowledge to assist in making informed business decisions.

This book is an excellent and unbiased technology assessment for the broadband market, without all of the technical hype and marketing rhetoric. Moreover, the timely interjection of business considerations throughout, reminds the reader that technology and business are not mutually exclusive - only a technically sound and financially prudent solution will be successful. Mr. Louis breaks down the attributes and capabilities for each of the available and emerging broadband technologies in such a way, as to provide the non-technical reader with sufficient understanding to make sound business and investment decisions about the plethora of broadband technology options.

This book will prove invaluable in bridging the communications gap between the "technologists" and the "financier" - a communications gap that, in today's telecom world, has left many bankrupt entities wonder why?

Once again Mr. Louis is right on target both with the emerging Broadband technology subject & the manner in which he describes it. As a telecom industry principal consultant with CommFlow Resources Inc.,this book is a welcome addition to my library. The book is an extremely easy read & speaks with the language & insight of the people working within the industry. This book will be referenced often as a foundation on Broadband knowledge as well as a marketplace development guide. I eagerly await a next publication from Mr. Louis who has his finger on the pulse of technology.

The book provides the business professional with an understanding of the entire spectrum of Broadband technology. This is not an engineering textbook, but a book designed to provide the business reader with a foundation for understanding a very complex technology. Mr. Louis de-mystifies the subject and is able to describe both the technological and business aspects of a very complex topic.

I found the book refreshing in its easy to read and conversational tones. It makes great reading on a cross-country flight. I recommend it to anyone needing an overview of the Broadband arena.

Since 9/11, the security industry has been evolving. The need for standards in the industry is imperative and this book discusses a varity of industries and their standards of care. This book is a great reference for anyone in any industry that is looking for information on security. Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design is a must have.

I'll never look at my clients' nursing home facilities the same as I did before I read this handbook! I'm a healthcare attorney, not an architect. There are some chapters that are more applicable to my role with clients than others; nevertheless, I found this book extremely informative and thought provoking. Clearly this book was a labor of love for Ms. Nadel.

Security from soup to nuts, here it is, in one big book. Big picture ideas, nitty gritty details, many different security concepts. Lots of tips and checklists on how anyone can apply them in any scenario or location. Packed with all kinds of useful information for designers, building owners, security personnel, students, professors, and just plain folks. Well-organized and edited, beautifully illustrated, very user-friendly. Simply a remarkable volume about one of the most important subjects on the planet.

Destined to become the bible for security experts - or those who wish they were!

This outstanding book is easy to read and useful to everyone who wants to build security into their region, city, community, home, workplace, design and construction projects, and daily routine. Topics are clearly divided into sections and chapters. Sections include achieving transparent security (the opposite of designing fortresses and building bunkers), planning and design of buildings (including commercial, institutional, historic, and religious facilities, schools, health facilities, single and multifamily residential, and many others); engineering, technology, construction, cost estimating, codes and liability concerns. A who's who of experts in the design and construction world, government and nonprofit organizations, along with the author/architect, write about security for many situations and building types.

A series of lessons learned from benchmark events, such as September 11, 2001, the Oklahoma City bombing, Khobar Towers, and major natural disasters, are found throughout the book, reflecting extensive research about what went wrong in the past, and how we can learn from previous mistakes. Rarely has such a comprehensive reference been compiled for the public.

For those concerned about home and business security, there are dozens of handy checklists, charts, and illustrations for disaster planning, emergency response, disaster recovery, and even how to handle public relations and the media when your organization is caught in the middle of a crisis. Homeowners, landlords, families, and those involved in residential design and construction will find information about design and emergency management techniques to minimize damage from fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, blackouts, and natural disasters.

Readers will be pleasantly surprised with many impressionist pen and ink architectural drawings illustrating the topics, injecting a creative, artistic touch into serious discussion. Hundreds of checklists, diagrams, top 10 lists, website resources, and photos simplify important concepts and summarize key ideas at a glance. Examples include how to recognize suicide bombers to safety checklists for building personnel dealing with intruders, hostages, suspicious packages and workplace violence.

Not to be missed are the very moving photographs of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon taken on and immediately after September 11, 2001, by those on the scene. They serve as a chilling, yet poignant reminder to readers everywhere why this remarkably comprehensive book is so essential and immensely valuable to everyone concerned with building safety, freedom, democracy, and maintaining a free and open society. Highly recommended, as a must have, must read!

Barbara A. Nadel. FAIA creates the resource for architects for security design. Nadel empasizes owners assembling a security team at the beginning of a project when design professionals can plan for and budget good security strategies. Most of the text is very informative and uses examples as well as compiles articles developed by security consultants in the field. In this unparalleled book Barbara A. Nadel, FAIA creates the source for security design. A must have resource for all architects, planners, landscape designers, lighting consultants and engineers in a security conscious design era; post 9/11.

It's a textbook. That being said, it is filled with extra material, like case examples, a CD-ROM, etc. I didn't look at any of that because my business law class went at such a slow pace we only looked at about 10 of the chapters. If you are buying this for a class, you should come away with a lot of good information from this book without feeling it is too much of a boring chore to read through.

Very fast delivery, thanks I was in a hurry and you have made me very happy.

This is an excellent text at various levels of interest, desire, talent and time. The text is arranged that given the time, the Instructor can dig deeper and deeper into thorny topics. Additionally, curious students can rely on numerous web sources for enhanced views and greater depth.

Further, there are additional sources for the Instructor available through test banks and outlines. This is my favorite text to teach from. It is neither dry with enough cases to stir the imagination of the younger students nor MTV'd and contains sufficient current cases to give older students and retired students pause to consider. 5 stars. Larry Scantlebury

This is an excellent text. It incorporates the law, as well as
legal research methodologies. For instance, a standard chapter
contains an outline, common law sources,constitutional,
statutory and administrative laws/rule-making. The work cites
computerized legal research in WESTLAW and LEXIS. Relevant
international legal citations are listed. The applicable
United States Code is cited by Title and specific paragraph.
In some cases, individual state legal codes are cited. There
are exhaustic sets of historical and statutory notes, cross
references and federal practice notes. Each chapter has a
comprehensive case study with a brief synopsis, cited case
and final disposition. There are teaching suggestions at the
end of the instructor's manual together with discussion
questions, research assignments and an explanation of footnotes.
In addition, there is an exhaustive section on essay question
answers.

Here is a model answer:
Stare decisis is a doctrine that prescribes following earlier
judicial decisions in deciding a current case if the facts and
questions are similar. Courts attempt to be consistent with their
own prior decisions and with the decisions of courts superior
to them. Stare decisis is important because part of the function
of law is to maintain stability. If the application of the law
was unpredictable, there would be no consistent rules to follow
and no stability.

The volume has detailed coverage of the following areas:
o Business Ethics o Int'l Business Law
o Employee Rights o Employment law
o Occupational safety o Accounting and the law
o Securities o Mergers and acquisitions
o Insurance o Real Estate
o Financial institutions o Unfair competition
o Advertising o Environmental law
o Health Care o Sports and entertainment
o Hospitality management o Communications
o Government contracts o Legal representation of business

There are significant software support systems; namely,
o Legal Clerk Research Software System
o Computerized Instructor's Manual
o Computerized Questions/Answers
o Case problems on diskette
o CD
o Lecture Builder Software
o Westest
o A Classroom Management System
o WESTrain
o Transparency Masters
o Sample Moot Court and much much more

This text is an excellent purchase for collegiate law students.

I am using this textbook in several of my classes, and let me just say- it has everything I could have hoped for. The chapters are laid out well, many cases are cited, and the student is given actual cases to figure out, with the citations given at the end so he can find the actual outcome. I've found this to be among the best textbooks. It is so good, in fact that I've reccomended it to several of my friends who are going into business for themselves. This covers nearly everything they'll need to know regarding contracts, secured transactions, warranties, etc.
Love the law!

As an organizational psychologist or consultant this book must be added to your book collection. It really does become a handbook that you begin to depend on.

Personnel Psychology, 2003: As you would expect in a comprehensive handbook, there is something for everyone: perspective, techniques, guidelines, conceptual frameworks, research findings, and comprehensive reference lists. It is a genuine portal into the vast interdisciplinary world of consulting psychology for practitioners, academics, researchers, and students. Bon appetit! Stephen Hrop, Personnel Psychology, 2003, p. 785.

NOTE TO EDITORS: DO NOT LIST STARS WITH THIS REVIEW EXCERPT. THE REVIEW DID NOT USE A STAR RATING SYSTEM AND IT WOULD BE MISLEADING TO DO SO ON LINE.

Wow! Incredibly comprehensive coverage of topics in organizational consulting. Destined to be a "classic" for years to come. Shows what works and doesn't in organizational consulting. Assessment, interventions, ethics, outcomes--it's all here!

The 31 chapters organized into 8 sections are a treasure for any one who serves in a consulting role. The text is written for psychologist but is of extraordinary value for consultants in all domains. Of broad interest are the chapters on "Assessing Candidates for Leadership Positions," "Individual Level Variables," "The Effectiveness of Executive Coaching," "Integrating Individual Assessment, Position Requirements, Team-Based Competencies, and Organizational Vision," "Successfully Implementing Teams," "Proactive Ways to Improve Leadership Performance," and two areas on Organizational Performance. Well worth both the price and the time to read it.

The value of The California School of Organizational Studies Handbook of Organizational Consulting Psychology goes far beyond what the title might indicate. This is a must read for anyone who works in the realm of organizational transformation or who works in a consulting capacity.

We have selected it as the November 2002 Featured Selection for Transforming Education Bookstore and highly recommend it.

Lovely book with pictures that will stir memories in the hearts of all native Washingtonians and those who wish they were!

I was given a copy of this book for my birthday several years ago and spent hours pouring over its prose and its historical narratives. I never grow tired of this book.

Credit for this work goes to its author who has accomplished the near to impossible - an engaging and personal history of Washington DC told through the destroyed architecture and the people behind the buildings and their creation. The illustrations are gorgeous, but its Goode's way with worlds that allows the reader to lose themselves in the history of the buildings profiled.

I would imagine that this type of book in the wrong hands would become an academic tome, dry and technical. Goode brings the people of the District to life for the reader, and compels the reader to look for more.

If the book fails, it is in the lack of a comprehensive map of the whole District of Columbia. If you are not familiar with the streets and layout of the city (itself genius) then the book can be confusing.

Ideally, I would suggest this as a gift to anyone interested in history, city planning, government or historical architecture.

Now in an updated second edition, Capital Losses: A Cultural History Of Washington's Destroyed Buildings by Washington history expert James M. Goode is a carefully presented documentation and chronicle of the great architectural and cultural edifices of Washington, D.C., which have been lost to the endless grind of urban renewal in the years prior to 1978. That was the year in which crucial preservation legislation was passed. Packed from cover to cover with black-and-white photographs, enhancing a text which is extensive in detail, history, unique historical insights, Capital Losses is an exceptional architectural tour and a unique resource offering a kind of "window" into the architectural past of the nation's capital.

As you pour over all the wonderful black and white images and run you eyes over the artistry and talent it took to create most of these long gone structures you can help, but pause and take a deep breath. This book has scholarly, exhaustively researched text that enlighens and educates the reader. I agree with one articulate reviewer that stated that the author did not make allowances for market forces and changing times, but having said that, I do believe that most of these buildings could have been saved and used for other purposes, I mean the retrofited old buildings in NYC and Boston, why not Washington. The destruction of so many buildings is unconscionable, and when you see the buildings that replaced them all you do is stare. I was not around in the sixties so i didnt witness the worst of this senceless destruction, but i know that here in Houston, even today, great old buildings are never totally safe, it's no wonder Europeans don't get us, as an American i don't get us either. Highly recommended..the book and perservation.

Unique and engaging, "Capital Losses" is a scrapbook chronicle of Washington, DC-- not as the "nation's capital," but as a collection of neighborhoods, people, and activities.

The book memorializes dozens of buildings lost to the wrecker's ball. Each edifice is featured in a one- to two-page chapter that includes splendid vintage photographs. The accompanying write-ups always discuss design elements, thanks to the authors' encyclopedic knowledge in this area. The story of each structure is then expanded into a discussion of the designers, builders, and notable inhabitants. "Capital Losses" is a survey of history, intrigue, gossip as well as architectural styles. That's what makes this book so fun.

The authors' sympathy for historic preservation is to a fault. Narratives hardly attempt to recognize the social, economic, and technological forces that so often make demolition inexorable. For example, the advent of central air conditioning initiated the doom of many hotel and office structures that could not be economically retrofitted. In addition, the post-war demise of downtown commercial areas also accelerated the decay and eventual destruction of many classic structures.

To be fair, an analysis of causal forces was not the intention of this volume. It pays homage to Washington's folksier history in an elegant manner. This is a wonderful coffee table book.

Beautifully put across anthology of the evolution of the profession and technology of automotive styling as a major weapon in the competitive battles for the market-place.

It is understood that to better appreciate anything in our modern life we need to go back to its origins. Authors Lamm and Holls did that quite adeptly with a wonderfully organized automotive chronology...with the pages beautifully arranged. Most striking is the contrast and resolution of the black and white photographs, which, as the professional photographer already knows, are often preferred over color for those very reasons. Beginning with a light treatise on shipbuilding as a starting point, our authors lead us on a journey through coachbuilding, the "Nuts and Bolts of Early Automotive Fashion" (Chapter 2) and styling designs of the Big Three Automakers: Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.

This book is not, however, simply an encyclopedia or recalling of events. It analyzes the overall effect that the lives of the designers themselves, and their families, had on our own modern culture. These insights are precisely what sets this book apart from a simple narrative with pictures. Consequently, we can then appreciate how much work is actually instilled into what we drive today. This book basically teaches us that automotive design is at the very foundation of our modern heritage.

Covering 306 pages over fourteen chapters, highly illustrated and perfectly indexed, "A Century of Automotive Style" is practically an education by itself, or more specifically, that of the social and economic impacts of automobile styling on our American culture. Knowledgeable, well-written and extremely detailed, this excellent work is clearly indicative of our author's background at GM's advanced design facility and formal schooling in industrial design. ... My top recommendation for all readers.

Like sweets in a hiding spot, you'll keep coming back just to sample. Open it to any page, and you're immediately swept into the world of car design as you've never seen it presented before - the faces and names behind the cars, the corporate struggles, the hits, misses, and might-have-beens. Peppered with fabulous design sketches and factory photos, there's enough eye candy here to guarantee that even the least auto-savvy among us will never look at a parking lot the same way again. For any kid who drew on the back of his or her notebook, wondered where fins came from, (Not Finland - sorry), or got giddy over riding in the front seat, this is wonderful - heck, required - reading.

Lamm and Holls have hit a home run! This book will provide any car lover with many hours of informative and pleasurable reading.

What Mike Lamm and Dave Holls have done is a truly monumental task . . . to take the history of automotive styling over the last 100 years and compile it into a readable resource that you can (and will) pick up and put down as you move from era to era, manufacturer to manufacturer, and personality to personality. The numerous "sidebars" offer much-needed insights into the people, places and processes that have produced the "look" of what is argueably the most important invention of the century - the car. This is not a book for an evening's diversion, or a straight-through read. It is best digested in small ( say, one-hour ) doses, over a long period of time. The serious reader will no doubt be led by these doses to other books in his library for more in-depth research, and then tomorrow night return for another dose. There will be only one disappointment when you are finished . . and that is the fact that you ARE finished. So put on the tea kettle, mount the La-Z-Boy, and spend some sustained "quality time" with the great cars and their designers. I thought I had a pretty thorough body of knowledge concerning automotive styling, but I learned a lot . . . you will, too. If you consider yourself a serious student of things automotive, you must have this book.

A thorough reference book on charms as art, momentoes and talismans around the world and through the ages. Beautifully photographed, this book shows you that charms are not just decorative bits of silver and gold but also cultural tokens which remind us of people, places, things and significant events. It is clear that the number of charms that you can collect is limited only by your imagination!

Charms and Charm Bracelets: The Complete Guide is a price guide to charm bracelets from the 19th century to the present, illustrated with over 300 color photographs and featuring jewelry ranging in composition from gold to plastic. Written by an enthusiastic collector of antique jewelry, Charms and Charm Bracelets discusses techniques in making charms, trends in charm and jewelry making throughout the decades, factors to consider when evaluating and appraising specific pieces of charm jewelry, and much more. A "must-have" resource for serious collectors, and a treasury to page through for art lovers interested in this unique form of adornment.

Charms & Charm Bracelets: the Complete Guide is well researched and entertaining. This book gets it right! I read plenty of jewelry books and Charms & Charm Bracelets avoids most of my pet peeves. It is well organized and includes an accurate glossary, bibliography, and index. The photos are clear and well composed. Missing are photos that show more background than jewelry. You know the pictures I'm talking about. "Gee, is that an earring, bracelet, or waste processing plant?" Helpful information including measurements, prices, and circa dates is included in the captions. This is a fun and useful book.

This is an extremely useful resource for any one who collects charms. The coverage of the subject is comprehensive and the illustrations are exquisite.

I have every book there is on collecting charms and charm bracelets. This book is the best written, contains the best history, best advertisements, etc. The book has over 300 color pictures of charms, bracelets and advertisements. Unlike other books, this one gives equal time to both gold and silver charms and bracelets. You get a wonderful history of charms, charm bracelets and how they are made - decade by decade.

What really sold me on this lovely book is the fact that it has lots of additional information. There is an appendix explaining metal markings and one showing pictures of actual metal markings with explanations. You also get a nice glossary of frequently used terms, a bibliography, and a wonderful index.

If you want to know the history of charms and charm bracelets, their metal markings, and you can only get one book - get this one. This is great for collectors and for people who actually sell charms and bracelets. The author has done an outstanding job of compiling a lot of useful information and photographs in a wonderful, easy to read guide to the world of charms and charm bracelets.