Works Books

I would recommend "What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body" to any student, teacher, or hobbyest of the Piano or Organ. It is very helpful and informative of just how are body is structured, where our points of balance are, and how we utilize those points to enhance our playing. It discusses key information about how we should think of our bodies as we play in order to produce the best music possible, and especially to avoid, or recover from injury. Through understanding of the concepts herein, one can attain balanced playing where ones body is unified with their kinesthetic sense and with the music itself, as they play with ease and satisfaction.

Very informative book. I have to read it again and consult with a physiotherapist. But as far as I understood, it is an extention of Alexander Technique and it further explains all what is used on piano technique. It further explain forearm rotation which is essential for proper piano technique. It also demystifies wrong picture about fingers, wrists, shoulders. In simple words it's a musthavebook.If there is a BODYMAPING course in area where i live, i would already be on that piano class.

Update, I have just finished the book. All pianists should have this book. I am anxious when they release DVD Video related to this book. There is a VHS version for purchase but i'll probably wait for digital one.

This book contains a great deal of useful information for all kinds of pianists so the name is actually quite apropiate : What every pianist needs to know about the body. And that's exactly what it is. Unfortunately I discovered this book late, but fortunately, not too late; I've just recovered from a injury that's kept me away for over half a year from playing my beloved instrument. Now I know what I did wrong, and also how to correct it. I'm not saying I'm already done, I will need some rereads of the book. Taking in the process some notes to apply to my daily playing. It won't be easy but it will surely be worth it. I reccomend this book to everyone interested in not just recovering from injury, but also to everyone interested in improving their technique.

I am becoming so much more aware of my body in all of my life and also a much better piano teacher. It will help you to be a healthier and happier person if you take it to heart.

I am a 17-year-old pianist from New Jersey. I am almost finished with reading this book, and I found this book very useful for mapping my body and applying it to my own playing. This book is not just for pianists, but every musicians. You will be satisfied, and this book will make your playing easier, freer, and more expressive. You will enjoy reading this book. This book will lead you to better playing and you will be aware of your body movements. This is a very well-written book that deserves not just 5 stars, but maybe 10 stars! A wonderful guide.

I've been an avid reader of Jim's weekly internet column since its inception, and when I heard he was writing a book, I awaited the publication date with much anticipation...and I was not disappointed! Jim has an incredible knack for getting us to savor every moments in life. I now see,for instance, how the simple look of a sleeping child can be a deeply spiritual experience. Also, Jim's writing has helped to show me how we all are truly interconnected to everything else around us. If you are looking for one book that looks deeply into the human soul and presents its message simply, then this book should top your list.

Jim's book sure hit home for me, as the caregiver of my wife a stroke patient. I have done alot of reflecing on moment's when I missed out on sacred thing's.All young parent's should read thisbook.

"where are we going so fast?" is an inspiring, heartfelt, feel-good look at the extraordinary treasures of everyday life. Jim Warda has a wonderful use of imagery and an enjoyable, personal style of writing that connects the reader with the sacred moments in one's own life. This book has inspired me to slow down and find the love, beauty and joy already present in my life.

Jim Warda has been blessed with a tremendous gift. That gift is the ability to touch others' lives with his words. Jim reminds us that your interaction between spouse, chidren, parents and family is infinitely more important than the obsession with a career, new car, big house, trips etc.. Personally, I need constant reminders of how short life really is and how precious each moment is that we share with family and friends. I will keep this book close for many years. Thanks Jim.

I thought "where are we going so fast?" by Jim Warda was a great book. I don't read as much as I probably should, but when I picked up this book, it was hard to put down. Jim writes with a lot of emotion, and a lot of the book was from experience in his own life. Even though there were stories of him in the book, I think every reader could connect themselves to him at one point or another. After reading this book I really do find my self looking at the details in life and noticing things that I would regularly pass by. It really does help you pause...take a breath...and locate priceless moments in what would be a rugular day. Also, in my opinion, it is not a book that you can read just once. It's a great book to read, put it down for a couple of months, and go back and read through it again. I most definatley give this book two thumbs up!

The book is user friendly and offers specific recommendations for pain relief based on the location of the pain in the body. The exercises are quite simple and helpful when one is trying to avoid surgery and/or when other options are not feasable. A real life-saver.

GREAT book and easy to use, has really helped me with my problems. I have shared the book with everyone I know that needs to know how to help themselves at home.

This book is truly a "Do-It-Yourself Pain Relief." I found myself using the book as one would use a dictionary to look up a word but instead I am looking up the right recipe for the terrible pain. The illustrations are very easy to follow as well as the short narrative describing each activity. The book format is user friendly. I highly recommend this book for anyone intersted in learning good stretching techniques.

I am a 100 percent, true believer in the program set forth in this book. I was training for my first marathon with the Team in Training program set up by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society when I was introduced to the book. I had injured my IT bands (on both legs), and was having great pain in my hamstring as it attached to the outside portion behind my knee with just 2 months until race time. These injuries had virtually shut down my training. I was relegated to cardio workouts on my stationary exercise bike.

Being cautious about these injuries that wouldn't go away, I saw an orthopedic doctor one month before the marathon. I was diagnosed with bad IT band inflammation and told myleg muscles were really tight - thus causing some of the additional pain. I was released to go back to running, but told I needed to start stretching my hamstrings and quads. By this time, the pain had subsided a little bit, but not much. When I tried my first run, the pain immediately returned, by this point I started thinking about opting out of the marathon.

Luckily, my doctor had given me the number of Kim Ortloff, one of the authors of this book, to help me stretch. At this point I had already been stretching the traditional way (you know by holding each stretch for 15-30 seconds) with no reduction in pain. I was getting little to no benefit from my efforts so I decided to set up an appointment with Kim.

I was able to professionally work with Kim (3 times before my Marthon) and use the exercises and stretches in this book at home. I was completely surprised, that in a couple of days of following this program I was actually able to start exercising again (walking and jogging 2-3 miles) with greatly reduced pain. During my second session with Kim, and just as a stroke of good luck, she told me that they had just released a DVD version of this book showing the different stretching, exercises and self massage techiniques of the book. I bought the DVD right away.

My injuries had almost completely resolved themselves within 3 weeks of starting this program. I met with Kim one last time, 3 days before the Marathon. By this time my injuries were completely resolved. I was amazed that in three and a half weeks of starting this program I was back to 100 percent.

Less than one month after starting these stretching and exercise routines, I finished the Marathon. I did it my using a technique of walking and running at set intervals, because I felt I had not trained sufficiently and didn't want to reinjure myself.

Additionally, using the techiniques in this book made my post-marthon recover a piece of cake. I was completely recovered from all sore muscles within 3 days. My IT bands are fine, my hamstrings don't hurt at all, and I was walking better than most marathon runners at the post-marathon celebration.

I could not have even thought about competing in the marathon, let alone finishing the marathon had I not followed the techniques that are being taught in this book. I am so excited at the immediate and lasting results that I got from this program, that when anyone asks about my marathon, I make sure to plug this book (and DVD). I even gave 2 copies of the book to my Team in Training run coaches, in hopes that they would employ the principles used in their coaching.

My wife has even used the principals for non-sports related injuries she had in her feet.

As I started off saying, I am a true believer in this program.

"Pain is the No. 1 reasons for doctor visits. If you live with pain, you are not alone--it is estimated that 100 million Americans live with chronic pain."

These various pains, the authors say, leads to $60 billion in lost productivity and missed workdays.

This is a book that will be handy reference for me as it contains stretches, self-massage and exercise, as well as hundreds of pages of sound advice.

The two expert authors have written an excellent guide to help you and me achieve a life that is active, healthy and free of pain and learn to regain control over our health.

When we are in pain, we are not ourselves, and usually are crabby, can't see or think clearly and get stressed out. Our productivity and personal relationships are affected.

Did you know? The human head weighs 7 to 12 pounds, depending on the individual. No wonder neck and shoulder muscles get tired and weak.

Computers, couches and reclining chairs contribute to poor posture and pain. Sitting--which most of us do a lot at work, and then again at home watching TV or on the computer--places eight times more pressure on the lower back than standing does.

Of the two basic types of pain, acute is when you have an immediate pain from injuring yourself. Chronic, such as arthritis, hangs around and sometimes never goes away.

Several of their chapters deal with specific areas of pain. Those particular chapters make sense if first you read, "Why the Body Hurts," and "How to Manage your Pain." Each section helps us become advocates for our own health and pain-free living.

The last chapter, "If Your Pain Doesn't Go Away" includes questions for when you should see a doctor; what to ask; how to work with your doctor; and how to prevent your doctor from putting you off.

Armchair Interviews says: Even if you get one tiny helpful hint toward your pain control, this book is worth it. Their simple-to-do exercises and strategies have proven to be effective in relieving aches and pains in others. Whose body is it anyway?

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and its excellent photographs tied to Biblical excerpts and history. This enabled me to feel like I was there and saw all the important sites short of traveling there to see them. The presentation and color is fantastic.

It is an incredible book, and more people should know about it and purchase it! The colors in the book are so crisp and clear. It makes faith come alive! It shipped very quickly and came in perfect condition.

After I received my initial order and flipped the pages and read them, I realized that the contents were awesome and very easy to follow so I order 3 more copies as presents for my daughters. They are delighted with the book. I recomend this book for all followers of Jesus, as you graphically get to see and read about the places he must have been when he was with us on earth.

In reading the Bible, I find it hard to invision the various places mentioned. This book is wonderful and it is such an inspiration--it makes me feel like I am walking the footpaths as people in the bible. The photographs are absolutely beautiful. I can't find the appropriate
words to explain just how much this book means to me and how it has given me insight to where bible history took place. The words of the Bible now
have pictures.

The book is brilliant - the photography superb and very sensitive. It is inspiring to see many of the places as Jesus would have seen them. I had seen the book before and searched online to get a copy for a friend and was very happy with the process and delivery via Amazon.

As a fiber artist, I am very interested in the history of fiber. Elizabeth Barber's "Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years" is fantastic, both as a history of the use of fibers and as a history of working women. I learned a great deal about women's role in society from her research, and it makes me proud to be a modern woman working with fiber, just as my ancestors did. Highly recommended!

Anyone interested in so-called gender studies, textiles, prehistory, or just in regular people ought to read this book. The authoress, in incredibly simple language (she can't REALLY be an academic, can she?), tells the story of women and the textile work that has (pre-) historically been theirs. Bringing the insight that only a practicing weaver or spinner could have to the dusty world of archeology, she sweeps the reader into the homes of real people. Lots of metaphors, but honestly, it's that kind of book: rich. I only wish I could read it again for the first time.

I ran across this book almost by accident. I was feeling rather glum one day, and I asked my wife to recommend a book for me - something that was out of the ordinary and would cheer me up. She recommended "Women's Work". I was a little skeptical that it would appeal to a techie guy like myself, but soon I was absorbed in Elizabeth Wayland Barber's storytelling.

"Women's Work" tells the story of textiles in human history. In nearly every society, spinning, weaving, and sewing have been done almost exclusively by women, so the history of textiles is also a history of women's work - or one important part of it. That's still reflected in our language, for example, when we refer to the "distaff side" - a distaff being a stick used to hold fiber for spinning.

Wayland Barber tells her story with with wit and clarity. And more than that, she tells the story of the story - that is, she traces not only what we know about textiles in ancient times, but describes how we know it. So, this is not only a fine history, but it's a fine, readable treatise on historiography as well.

I can warmly recommend this book to anyone interested in textiles, or women's history, or how history is written, or who has the blues and just wants to read a darn good book.

Interesting history of some parts of women's work. I enjoyed it very much. Whether you are interested in fabric or not, I think you'll enjoy this book. It is scholarly but still a good read that keeps your interest.

I bought this book on the recomendation of my spinning instructor. I was expecting the documentation of early spinning and weaving techniques, and the discussion of preserved textiles. I wasnt expecting to be inspired to go out and buy a copy of the Iliad and the Odyssey to read about the textile and history references that she brings up! I had no idea that Greek mythologies mention items of clothing that have been found in the area and dated to pre-Greco times....and were stil identifiable items of clothing in the last century.
Basically this book is a textile and history junkies best fix.
If you are a re-creationist,(such as the SCA) or particpating in Lving History demonstrations, you will definately want this book for its discussions of documented cloth finds,
If you like this book, you may also enjoy reading "Salt, a World History" as they mention several of the same places, and historical finds.

Anything by Andrew Murray is great, deep reading. This is no different. Abide in Christ is a reminder of what our life in Christ is supposed to be like, we are to "abide in Christ." In a very readable manner, Murray sets out to show us we are worthy to live a life fully connected to Christ. It is God who grafts us (our branches) onto the vine (Christ). he nourishes us and provides for us and loves us to help us become faithful followers and doers, which leads to us becoming fruitful and prodcutive for the kingdom of God. An excellent, must read.

This is such a precious book! It's one to read in small bits, because it is so chock full of simple wisdom. Love it!

Outstanding treatment on communion with Jesus. Very practical, accurate, useful in helping disciples to walk daily with the Lord.

Andy Murry has a close relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus. He makes the point that we can only experience Christ by accepting that Jesus paid the price IN FULL for our unclean natures. Keeping rules of conduct is only a product of our FAITH. We are saved by GRACE THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST. GRACE IS AN UNEARNED AND UNDESERVED GIFT FROM GOD THROUGH CHRIST. AMEN!

Review by Richard W. Kelsey, PE and Author
Search "Powerful Wisdom for Powerful Writing,"
Amazon.com or AuthorHouse Publishers

I am a great fan of great devotional writing and Andrew Murray's "Abide In Christ" is one of my top choices along with a few, time-tested others (Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelly, The Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon, The Spiritual Guide by Michael Molinos, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer).

I know of no other lesson that is as crucial to every child of God than learning to "Abide in Christ." And yet there is nothing easier than drifting along on a thousand other spiritual currents than "the one thing that is needful." Our lives can thus be so fragmented and parceled among so many competing demands that we have lost sight of Jesus Christ. And to no longer fix our eyes on Him is to lose sight of everything.

One of our greatest lacks today, both individually and corporately, is authentic, intimate, sustained encounter with Jesus Christ. We think all things are well as long as we are continuing to learn more "about" Him rather than "from" Him.

The bible itself has become an obstacle rather than an avenue to greater intimacy with our Lord. Again, we think all things are well as long as we are continuing to learn more about the bible rather than the One whom the bible writes. We think learning biblical principles for living is somehow adequate and what we are called to. But this is not the call of Jesus Christ on our hearts. "You search the scriptures," He said, "thinking that in them you have eternally life, but you won't come to Me that you might have life." But in many instances, just like our forebears, we think it sufficient to eat from the tree of the knowledge of "good and evil" rather than coming to Jesus, our tree of life, our bread of life, our water of life, our "all in all." And on the road to Emmaus, Jesus "pointed out to them all things in scripture that pointed to Him." In all of our bible reading, do we fix our eyes on Jesus?

The deepest longing of Jesus Christ is for closeness with us. In one place it says that Jesus cried with a loud voice saying "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest!" We need to be reminded of this, often and daily.

Murray writes:

And observe especially, it was not that He said, "Come to Me and abide with Me," but, "Abide in me." The communion was not only to be unbroken, but most intimate and complete. He opened His arms to press you to His bosom; He opened His heart to welcome you there; He opened up all His divine fullness of life and love and offered to take you up into its fellowship to make you wholly one with Himself. "There was a depth of meaning you cannot yet realize in His words: "Abide in me."

Just what is this "depth of meaning?" What is this "unbroken, intimate, and complete" fellowship with Jesus Christ? What is this call to "inner communion" into the heart of our Lord? Do read this classic devotion "Abide In Christ" and discover some of the answers. Rediscover the ultimate call and central message of Jesus Christ to all those who have lost their way.

I have read about half the book so far.

One thing that irks me is all the footnotes. I have not counted them but they must total in the thousands. While I agree that it is important not to use somebody else's work without acknowledgement, this book seems to take it to the extreme. I can tell that the author(s) must be English majors because normal people would simply not use so many footnotes. It would have been better to use the "shotgun" approach - a statement something like "some statements in this book are not entirely those of the authors, other works have been used blah, blah, blah...."

As for the content of the book, there is the overwhelming hint of inside advertising for various companies. Examples are good, I agree, but I get the feeling there are many hidden advertisements for various companies.

A lot of the information is common sense. I thought this book would give me more insight into the way advertising works, so far I have been underwhelmed to the point of disappointment.

I can only hope the rest of the book will make up for a lackluster beginning.

If I had to choose one book as a survival book in the adfield, this would definitely be my weapon of choice.
It has down to earth and truthful advertising insights about how things work or don't in the advertising universe.

It really, really is a must have for all us who deal from the agency side or the marketing side of the ad business.
Better if any agency and client read this before to fully understand one another, in working better off as one team aiming to one vision.

This book details and focus everything from the psychological point of view.
This one is definitely a keeper!

I was introduced to this book several years ago when I was in the ad agency industry.
Since then, my issue has been read and re-read, referenced countless times.
My copy mysteriously disappeared (hey who could blame them??) so have just rebought the newest version of this book.
The book is brilliant because it gets behind the psychology of the buyer, allowing you to really and simply understand the thought process behind the buying decision.
Others who have touched on the subject of the psychology of reasons why we buy have made the content too heavy, too theoretical and let's face it - Boring with a capital "B" ... but not these authors.
It has great examples of ad campaigns throughout the book.
Personally this book has helped me design and write more responsive advertising campaigns as the many learnings from this book have stayed.
This is a must-read for anyone in an ad agency, students of marketing and advertising, and anyone in the marketing industry.
Buy this book, you won't regret it.

and you should read it. it keeps it's promise(advertising and the mind of the consumer:what works what doesn't and why).its all there in the book, explained, with plenty of examples and pretty complete. if you are interested in this field buy this book, and then consider other books if you really want to, but dont miss out on this book.simply a very good book. we should have more books like this.

The most clearly illustrated book about the once mysterious mechanics behind advertising. I wish I would have read it ten years ago when I joined the ad. industry.

I've always been a fan of feminist comics. I wrote my thesis in 2003 on underground feminist comix as resistance art and include Arnoldi's work because it's so outside the norm. Autobiographic with stark images of people who've abused her turning into monsters. Her story of resistance and self-preservation is inspirational and moving. Her artwork is simple; it doesn't need to be more complex. Her story has enough complexity. It's a phenomenal read for an adult but it's also a great book to share with teens. I've used it in middle school and high school therapy groups and had a great response. I can't recommend this book enough!

Arnoldi's graphic-novel about a single mother is great. It is not only a direct and clear critique of the problems facing young single-mothers today (an increasingly large demographic in the U.S.), but it is also a hopeful and inspiring story about the way out of those problems -- a way out created by young single mothers cooperating as they find solidarity with one another. Although the story is simply told and very easy to read, it is not a simple story, and she weaves together issues of sexuality, family, and labor union politics.

I'm not a teen mother (or any sort of mother), but after reading a story about her struggles and her decision to put it in a comic form, I was intrigued. Her drawings describe her transition from being neglected by her mother and having no other place to go, other than to live with her sister and abusive brother-in-law. She was raped by a stranger in a car, after she left her sisters house and was again rejected from her mother, which left her to wonder the streets. She had the child from the rape, and she dreampt of leaving the town and attending college. When she was fired from her factory job after exposing hazardous working environments, she took off with her new boyfriend to Arizona. When her boyfriend began beating her, she left him, even camping out in the desert under the stars. Eventually she met up with a positive peer group, and began attending college. Great story, helps analyze the variety of circumstances that can happen to teenage mothers, particulaly alot of the negative social backlash that affects them.

I don't have a lot of experience with graphic novels, but this one is really powerful. It almost moved me to tears in several places. I love the illustrations in which she imagines what's going on in her daughter's brain. A great book to share with teen moms or any young mom who needs some encouragement about pursuing a college degree. Accessible even for those who aren't big readers.

This is the true poignant story of a young woman and her struggles to make dreams come true. Katherine Arnoldi, raped and left with a baby at 17, was forced, out of necessity, to take a dead-end, hazardous factory job. Her dysfunctional family tried to crush her and her dreams; her boyfriend turns on her and beats her. Yet through all of her pain and despair she does not give up. Arnoldi shows, in her comic book form, that if you hold on and pursue your dreams that you can overcome the ugliest past. This book is a treasure. It is simply great. And because it is so good you will want to pass it on. This is a book that can speak to the broken hearts of hundreds, if not thousands, of struggling teenagers, single moms or not. Her enduring love for her child, her courage to change her circumstances, a little luck, and a few kind people, transforms what could be a disheartening story into an inspiration.

This is a well told, touching story. Krabacher's style of writing is fluent and fast-paced. I appreciate her honesty about her own sorrows and mistakes. This is not a guilt-laden book designed to make the reader drop everything and fly to Haiti. In fact, the author says what she does isn't for everyone, but believes God prepared her for this ministry from the time she was a child. I've read at least 20 books in the last six months and couldn't tell you much about any of them, but this one is worth remembering and passing on to a friend.

"Angels of a Lower Flight," by Susie Scott Krabacher
I found this book to be a candid look at the life of a woman who overcame child abuse and life as a Playboy Bunny only to emerge as a saving force in Haiti. The story reveals the harsh realities of life in Port Au Prince, from gang life to corruption and the superstitions that lead thousands of parents to abandon their less than perfect children.

Susie Scott Krabacher landed in Haiti during its most turbulent political turnover in 1994 and began a mission to save children abandoned in hospital wards - children who had not yet been disposed of or sold for body parts or voodoo rituals.

It is a must read for all who are interested in Haitian culture and understanding it from the eyes of a Alabama woman from the Unite States.
Although heartbreaking at times, this story is purely one of triumph and courage.

One can only conclude that she is doing God's work - and that only God could have prepared her for this unique and unselfish role.

I never write reviews. This was a wonderful book. I really know how to pray for Haiti now. Susan writes so well. I couldn't put this book down! I read it in a couple days. We hope to eventually adopt form haiti, or at least to give money to great organzations there. Enjoy!

Susan Scott Krabacher's abusive childhood and stubborn growth into an international caregiver is an inspiring tale about the power of selfless living. Although I felt she occasionally lapsed for too long into stories of her childhood and days spent with Playboy, the narrative redeems itself in stories of the abject poor she ultimately helped by turning her pain into motivation. We could all learn from her story.

Susie Scott Krabacher's book was an excellent read. It's a great autobiography on her life and gives alot of insight of the problems and issues of Haiti. A must read.

With dignity and eloquence, Linda Blachman tells the stories of mothers challenged by serious illness. What they reveal is a gift for everyone: sick and well, male and female, parents and non-parents. The mothers' passion, grief and wisdom elucidates the true meaning of courage and selfless love. I laughed and cried and, in the end, regretted leaving them.

Linda Blachman's project (Mothers' Living Stories Project) is a brilliant idea, enriching the listeners as well as supporting the mothers. As a reader, I became something of a listener too. Another Morning is an important and moving work.

Another Morning is a very powerful, moving and inspiring book. As a retired manager of a radiation oncology center, I believe that this should be required reading for all health care professionals who work with mothers dealing with cancer while raising their children. I admire these mothers for their courage and the volunteers and Linda Blachman for their compassion.

This book slows down and allows the stories of these women to unfold. As each story is told and as each woman goes through their individual journey with illness, the reader is brought into each life and bears witness to the gravity of daily decisions - of preparations for life and for death. Linda Blachman deftly guides the stories, providing insight and context, but allows these real, three dimensional, flesh and blood women to tell their own stories in their separate and unique voices. This book was obviously a labor of love and the time and care taken by the author with each of the featured women is evident from the the first word to the last.

I was able to listen to Linda Blachman at an author reading in Menlo Park. I was struck with her personal history of dealing with pain and of being a mother while undergoing excruciating treatment for her ailments. Here is an author who can listen and convey empathy without being overbearing and who can transmit the stories of mothers, leaving their voices intact.
I am a Stage IV cancer patient with two boys, ages 8 and 11. I have long struggled with the knowledge of my imminent death and how to deal with my feelings of guilt over the abandonment of my kids. Even though I will leave a very caring and compentent father in the care, I still cannot shake my guilt over leaving them motherless. Linda's book has given me the stories of mothers in the same situation and feelings. It has been a great relief for me to find a place where I can find understanding for my own feelings. Linda's book has prompted me to work on my Ethical Will (I have, long ago, together with my husband, signed a Living Will) and to reflect on my own life story and my expectations for my children. Thank you Linda for one of the most worthewhile books I have ever had the pleasure to read!