G Books

I happen to think the Christ story is worth telling over and over again. Did the writer improve on the story...well...really...who could? Did she succeed at bringing a modern day miracle man to life? She did. Was her writing good? I think it was terrific. I too bought it because the reviews were glowing, I'd have to agree with 5 stars!

A close friend and fellow reader handed me this book last year as a "must read." Must read indeed!!! I could not put the book down. Actually, I have read the book 3 times over the past year. The premise upon which the book is written is interesting, different and inspiring. The story introduces us, in the begining, to a young man who is performing miracles in today's world. Who is this man? From whence did he come? This story is intriguing with various twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The characters are well developed. The plot is both complicated and yet very readable and understandable. Readers, as well as the characters in the book, are taken on personal jouneys of self discovery. There are so many different levels upon which you can read this book. It is a mystery. It is inspirational. It is relavant to the world today and to the world in Biblical times. (with it's many references to another young man who performed miracles.) If you witnessed a miracle, what reaction would you have? I introduced this book to my Book Club and we all read it for the April selection. They, too, loved the book. As you can see, I give it 5 stars and a very definete "thumbs up."

I completely enjoyed this book. It presents a question of great importance in a fast paced, fun filled account of modern life. It is difficult for a book to be both thought provoking and fun to read. This one does it all.

I am not a Christian so when a friend told me the premise of this book and urged me to read it I was hesitant. Luckily, I was finally convienced and was pleasantly surprised.

Sacred Ashes is a fantasy thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat till the very end. The twist and turns in this story were so surprising and shocking that I felt compelled to reread the book when I finished it for the first time. Much like how I felt when I saw the movie the Sixth Sense for the first time.

I would urge any lover of great Sci-fi or fantasy thrillers to purchase this book!!!

I purchased this book because of the very high reader ratings, and because the substance sounded intriguing. Next time I will do more homework than just relying on the glowing reports of other readers. I found the writing in this book to be rather impoverished and flat. As a reader I was not prompted to think or inquire more deeply into the occurence of 'miracles' in our life. Rather, this was a retelling of the Christ story, in a contemporary setting, without any penetrating insight into why certain people are drawn to any given set of beliefs. And just in case the author was 'just' writing a story, I must say that it failed to hold my interest.

I've been searching for books to encourage my daughter to read. She's a big animal lover, so I thought that she would certainly be interested in a book with a hamster on the cover! BINGO!! Now she wants all of the Humphrey books . . . that's why I'm here - to order the rest of them! Humphrey is too precious to pass up. I highly recommend him!

The World according to Humphrey is a great book. I like this book because it was an entertaining adventure book. The author's point of view was told by the hamster Humphrey. Humphrey lived in a classroom and each weekend he slept over with a different student. My favorite part is when he escapes from his cage and puts the picture on the overhead. My least favorite part was when Mrs. Mac leaves the school. I recommend this book because you can learn a lot about yourself by watching another species. I GIVE THIS BOOK TWO THUMBS UP!

This book was a joy to read. We read it for our mother-daughter book club, and Mom liked it as much as Daughter! Good choice of themes for discussion (mother with serious illness, shyness over non-English speaking family members, detrimental effects of too much TV-watching and too little family time), all wrapped up nicely by the adorable protagonist.

This has become one of my favorite books. I've shared it with my fourth grade students, my mom, friends looking for books to encourage their children to read, and anyone who will listen. The humorous, heartwarming tale of Humphrey and the positive effects he has on the lives of his classmates, teacher, principal, custodian... is enjoyable time after time. My students can't wait to reread this book and read the other Humphrey stories. I credit the book for helping my own "Sayeh" to raise her hand and speak up for the first time in class on the day Sayeh in the story first raised her hand. We all love Humphrey!

My favorite book is The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney. The World According to Humphrey is a humor book about an animal who interacts with people.

My Favorite character is Humphrey the hamster. I like this character because he's funny, interesting and I never knew what would happen next. He meets new people and learns things other animals can't.

I like the writing style because it has tips at the bottom of each page of how to raise a hamster. The author made me laugh when she included stories of the children fighting.

I love this book because I love books with humor. I love the small but big adventures that Humphrey had. Even though he was small he had a big goal: To help people with happiness.

I recommend this book to people who like humor.

I got a copy from the local library, read it, then ordered a copy for my collection. It's well-written and difficult to put down once you get started. Buy it!

This is a quick and easy read about the Vietnam War. Focus is on stories related to the the soldier's care in Vietnam and the
critical cases sent to Japan. For those interested in the glamour of war, read this book for the cost of such glamour, crippled men. Since this book was written in 1971, it does not
contain much of the later aspects of the war. Generally it is unsypathetic to the American pursuit of the war.

Dr. Glasser has written a great story on the Vietnam War and the Hospital and personnel envolved. Having read it almost right through it brought back lots of memories stored in the deep of my mind. I had lived a time in a Naval Hospital and was put back together in a wonderful way by many good Doctors and Nurses in the Boston area. I will always remember them and hope that many that have never associated the hospitals with the war will now understand how many men went through those portals in those years. Many to never be the same, God bless them all, and God bless our wonderful country.

This book is a series of short stories detailing personal accounts of US infantry combat operations during the Vietnam War. Fast-paced, vivid and well-written. Stories cover the individual spectrum from the most gung-ho Airborne-Ranger to the most reluctant drugged-out draftee. Helicopter, river, armored, long range recon and regular infantry operations are all part of 365 Days. The book shows clearly the human tragedy of war at a personal level. Recommended reading for the hawk and the pacifist.

Dr. Glassner provides a unique perspective on the American experience in Vietnam -- that of a medical officer responsible for treating the shattered, burned, and exhausted men caught up in that conflict. There is plenty of heroism in his short tales, but usually it is the heroism of brute survival, of adapting to impossible conditions, of enduring the unendurable.

I have heard this book referred to as an "anti-war" work, and one that derides America's involvement in Southeast Asia. I disagree. Glassner simply tells it like it was -- he pulls no punches, so oftentimes reading this book is very unpleasant: how many "John Wayne shoot 'em up" memoirs of Vietnam recount the suffering endured on a burn ward?

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Vietnam War, the continued psychological and physical suffering of combat vets from all eras, or to anyone concerned with the consequences for our sons and daughters when politicans send our troops to war. Should be required reading for college students,...

As much of a panacea as the numereous cures for baldness! The cover is flashy and dramatic but the contents and title are deja vu and the publishing sub-par. To be fair the book is fairly comprehensive and does focus on a few key areas: the résumé as a marketing tool, filling the pipeline and your unconscious competence (what the author misleadingly terms "your genius" or "Unique Skills"). However, there are numerous books that equally convincingly discourage the use of a résumé in a tough job market. People desparately looking for work will try anything! And so there are a lot of charlatans in the unregulated career coach business. So I don't understand how everyone else gave the book 5 stars - perhaps the author coached them privately into doing it or they just coincidently found a job or got an interview after reading the book and attributed it to the book. When all is said and done finding a job is mostly a function of supply and demand. In a tight labor market and with rampant high-tech outsourcing if you don't have exactly what an employer wants or are unable to prove it you don't get the job even if your résumé shines like the sun because there are plenty of people out of work and plenty of engineers in China and India for a fraction of the cost. I would read this book if available free in the library or get a cheap PDF copy from the author's website (www.7keys.org). But don't expect to do everything it says and expect to find a job in 90 days - instead take it with a pinch of common salt.

After many years of growing and managing a successful marketing consulting business, I decided to change gears in late 2004 and return to my corporate roots. The impact of the economic tsunami that hit Silicon Valley - and particularly the high-tech industry a few years back - did not affect me until I started my search for a corporate position. While I knew from my clients that profound changes had occurred in the job market since I last worked on the corporate side, I was unprepared for the cold reception I received initially. After all, I told myself, I am an experienced marketing executive with a shelf full of awards and a portfolio of exceptional work.

Then I came across Dilip Saraf's book, The 7 Keys to a Dream Job. After reading it, I quickly realized that I needed to create a forward looking message that clearly articulates "my genius" (Mr. Saraf's words, not mine) in ways that intrigue hiring managers enough to call for interviews.

The book contains many examples that helped me fashion my message. Despite the fact that I can market high technology successfully without breaking a sweat, I was like the proverbial cobbler's children when it came to marketing me - until I experienced an insightful breakthrough from reading the book.

I refashioned my resume to resonate with hiring managers, and the responses were immediate and substantial. Within six weeks, I had three offers. I now have a full-time job in an industry that I love with company that needs and appreciates "my genius". The bonus from the process is that I discovered my genius and learned how to articulate it to make a difference in how others see me. At this stage of my life, I needed that perspective. So thanks to Mr. Saraf for this gift of self-discovery and for teaching me how to build a compelling value proposition around it.

There are very few handy guides for senior executives that can provide the needed help in their transitions. I am making a major transition in my own career now that needed very specific guidance and battle-tested scripts. I found that resource in Dilip Saraf's The 7 Keys to a Dream Job. The book lays out some foundational material that I found invaluable. It is this material that helped me achieve a breakthrough positioning and attain a transitional momentum that I found rewarding. The book warns of many pitfalls in managing an effective campaign, and if I had not read and taken that part to heart early on, I would have missed out on the multiple offers that came through in a very short order.

The book is rich with advice that is very practical for every stage of the campaign and is often counterintuitive in today's upended job market. Although the work is hard, the rewards make it really worthwhile. This is a life skill. Thanks for a great book!

After many years in one function in large corporations I was looking to make a career change, as well as a change in company. A "double whammy" as people called it! However, I wanted to reinvent myself and break into a new and emerging area that excited me.

The first step was to create a resume. I did this with the help of advisors from placement firms, and had it reviewed by senior managers in the field I wanted to get into. They told me it was a well written resume. I posted my resume on several job boards anticipating immediate responses. Weeks and months went by, but I did not get any calls in response to my postings.

It seemed that the traditional way of creating a resume kept frustrating my efforts to present myself differently. This was due to the fact that my job history did not directly support what I wanted to do in the future, although my unofficial role provided my with the experience in the area I wanted to pursue.

A close friend suggested that I read Dilip Saraf's The 7 Keys to a Dream Job. Once I understood the book's message, I realized what I had been doing wrong for the past two years. Using the ideas, tools, and the examples in the book, I completely redid my resume.

For me the breakthrough was how the book shows ways of doing ones resume, which is forward looking and is based on one's inner voice (one's genius). With a few coaching sessions from the author, and by using the many examples in the book I was able to redo my resume and confidently portray my skills to align with my new goals.

Almost immediately I began to get enthusiastic responses and interviews; something I did not get for over two years! I wish that I had read the book earlier and saved myself all the learning that took too long.

Thank you for a great book. It is inspiring!

I recently was laid off from a major company in the Silicon Valley. I have over 20 years' experience in a variety of industries and have been successful in different roles at senior management levels. I did not realize that this would pose a problem for me when I started going after jobs that seem to fit my background and interests. In most cases I did not even get a call-back, even though I knew that there was a good match and that I could do a great job in the position. After many months of such frustrating experiences, I came across Dilip Saraf's The 7 Keys to a Dream Job: A Career Nirvana Playbook! For me the book's message immediately resonated because it clearly showed how a backward looking resume can limit the power of your message if you want to leverage your past. The book pioneers a great concept of discovering your genius and then using that as a centerpiece of your value proposition. Once I understood that concept I got excited about changing my resume based on my genius and then building my value message with that focus. Although I have a varied background, this concept of showcasing my value around my genius (Unique Skills) allowed me to integrate all my diverse background and showcase my specific value as a highly focused ("laser") value proposition. Voila! That was the break I needed. As soon as I went out with my new resume, I got almost immediate responses that were exciting. I am now interviewing with the companies of my choosing and selectively going after the opportunities that I am interested in. What a difference! I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially for those mid-career professionals who are tempted to bury their past and shortchange themselves during critical career transitions. This book taught me an important life skill and gave my confidence back!

In this "Cat who" installment, LJB does a terrific job of introducing and maintaining tension. It starts out with a sunny premise -- Qwill decides he and the cats need some quiet time to reflect, so that's how he ends up in the bucolic Potato Mountains. The trip begins with Qwill getting lost on the mountain's long and winding roads. The house is bigger and more foreboding than he expected or wanted, and it turns out to be the site of a murder. It rains all the time, often accompanied by power outages. You get the idea. The mystery is intriguing and the story is filled with new, eccentric characters. Best of all, I thought I knew early on "whodunnit," and I was wrong.

James Qwilleran stayed the compulsory five years in Pickax to complete the requirements placed on his inheritance. He is now officially a billionaire. Now it is time to decide what to do with the rest of his life. He intends to go somewhere--a quiet island with a beach or a mountain hideaway--someplace where he can have seclusion and quiet to sort out his options and make plans.

Qwill (as his friends call him) decides on a whim to spend three months in Spudsboro, a small town in the Potato Mountains. It was recommended highly by some friends who camped there recently. Finding a house to rent is always difficult with two Siamese cats as roommates. The only thing he can find is a huge house on the very top of Big Potato Mountain. It was originally built as an exclusive lodge for well-to-do tourists. More recently it was the home of the area's most influential businessman--owner of the local newspaper. It didn't take long for Qwill to discover the house he rented had been the scene of a ghastly murder a year earlier.

I do admire Jim Qwilleran's ability to converse with everyone he meets. He is well practiced, of course, since he made his living for years as an investigative reporter for various newspapers. He knows just how to steer the conversation and just the right questions to ask. He makes people so comfortable that they usually tell him anything he wants to know. Of course, he has an uncanny ability to read people and know when he is being lied to. Within two days of arriving in town, he is sure that the wrong man is in prison for the murder.

The author does an amazing job of making us empathize with Qwill's frustration with the situation he has gotten himself into. He came to the mountains for solitude and a time of reflection. He had no desire to get mixed up in the politics of the region--environmentalists vs. developers. He really had no desire to get mixed up in the mystery surrounding the murder. But...being a reporter for so many years (and truly caring about the innocent man in prison), he just could not resist finding the truth. It doesn't take long. Qwill has learned to trust his instincts--and the instincts of his cat Koko. Together they follow the clues and confront the real murder.

I highly recommend that you get acquainted with Jim Qwilleran through the "Cat Who..." mystery series. You will like him.

This is a great book about a man and his to crime finding clue cat Koko and YumYum. There is a mystery on potatoe mountain on a death of a local well known man. Was the wrong person framed. This book is fantastic except kind of has a dissapointing end. But i loved it anyway. I hope you enjoy this book and look for my other reviews

In "'The Cat Who Moved a Mountain', Jim Qwilleran took a vacation to the Potato Mountains to have a much-needed rest away from it all. It was here he found he had rented a hotel that had been the site of a year old murder. The locals tell him that the man is now in jail. But Qwill finds out that they have the wrong guy! Then, with the help of Koko, he finds the real murderer and lures him into addmitting it was him. Then Qwill has a near-fatal run-in with the murderer. What will happen? I'll let you see for yourself! Enjoy the book!

If you love cats and the mountains, you will love this episode in, "The Cat Who..." books.

Qwill has lived in Pickax County the required five years to make his inheritance official. He doesn't know what to do next. Does he want to move? Does he want to take a job or start a business? He knows he has a lot of thinking to do so he decides to take a journey. He decides he wants to spend the summer on top of a mountain. So he and the cats rent a mountain house for three months.

While on the mountain he learns of a murder exactly one year before. He and Koko solve the murder and make new friends along the way.

I loved this book! You will too!

I think War of the Worlds accurately portrays how humans would react to hostile aliens arriving onto Earth. It paints interesting pictures while using science to back up the story. It is a true science fiction novel. The only downside to the story that I see was that the name of the narrator was never revealed to the audience, referring to himself as "I." It leaves us to question just exactly who he was. I also think that some of the events that happened in the book could have been composed of more detail so that the reader could fully understand what was happening. I admit that sometimes I was lost about what had just occurred, but skimming through the pages before I was caught up.

Other than that minor detail the book was expertly composed of facts and fiction, all strung together by a touch of reality. The story has a good plot, and the conclusion at the end was surprising. I had wondered from the beginning what might kill these seemingly invincible creatures, and to find out that disease killed them, it was entertaining to say at the least. The H.G. Wells's use of language stunned me, as his smooth words made the story seem less boring and more original. The story also shows us how alike we are to the monsters that tried to take over the planet. It shows us that we kill things for hunger and amusement. We take over land which once belonged to the animals and turn it into cities and towns, not taking into account how many of the precious animals' homes we have destroyed.

With the amount of effort that Wells has put into this book, I am interested to read his other science-fiction books, like The Time Machine and The Invisible Man.

It was fun reading the original, after seeing both movies. Lots of details, inner thoughts not possible otherwise. Very thought provoking. Loved the Gory illustrations.

Ellie Lezak
October 9, 2007

This book was no doubt the best science fiction book I have ever read. H.G. Wells does a amazing job recreating a book that has been done by many authors, into the type of story that has you on the edge of your seat, never wanting to put the book down because you just have to know what comes next. In this book, the main character who stays anonymous by name is a normal simple man, not any really any different from any of the other people in this time, but there is one difference, this man happens to know, how to survive. What to look for and what to stay away from, who to trust and who has to go. And how to rebuild something that was destroyed, so that there was nothing left. One normal night but one twist, what seems to be smoke in space coming from mars? For ten days, at the same time every night, the same smoke appears. And exactly 10 days after he 1st say the smoke a green light heading right for earth not to far from his house. Days. The day after the asteroid land no one really pays attention to it but it is mainly the noises inside that attract them. Even if they new what the future had in store for them. There would probably be no preventing fate from doing what was going to be done. Battling the fate of everyone around him this man manages to live, and start over again just like everyone else.

In H.G. Wells's writing, he does a amazing job to capture the seen, and make it so the reader can actually imagine what the situation would be like. And put them self's in the moment. There were only 2 things that I did not like about this book. At some points it would just go on, about the same thing, just a list of different things, and than it would happen again. And the only other thing that I didn't like was the ending. I've always thought that the ending of a book should be fun and exiting, and wrap up the whole story. But the ending to this book wasn't the best it explained a few things and than there was one food scene and it ended. But over all I would rate this book 4 stars out of five and I defiantly recommend it for all ages.

First thing I have to say is what great scientific imagination for a book written in the late 1800's. I mean they didnt even have cars yet and Mr. Wells is writing about partical beams and biological warfare. 2nd is I was actually surprised at how much the recent movie used from the book. I didnt care for the movie as much as I did the original version but it was much more faithful to the book than I'd ever imagined. If you your a fan of either of the two movies or just want a very good sci fi book to read I highly recommend this book. The language at times is dated being written at the turn of the century but it's still a quick and easy read.

I read this book because I was curious how close or incredibly far the movie had stuck to it. I was quite surprised to discover, that while the movie's main character couldn't be more different, the plot is almost identical in spirit. Spielberg didn't create all those different modes of suspense, he just channelled them from Wells. First we have the discovery, then the initial panic, then the mob mentality, then hydrophobic, claustrophobic, and xenophobic situations that are chilling. Granted all these circumstances are updated into the 21st century. I was impressed by how many details were included (the redweed particularly).

The book is better than the movie in two aspects. First off, the scene in the cellar with the main character and curate. I've talked to a lot of people who felt that the execution of Tim Robbin's character in the movie was not just and unnecesary. The book handles this much better-"with one last touch of humanity"

The ending of the movie is absurd. You don't care that the son is still alive because he annoyed us so much with his whining. Then you are let down when there is no true reconciliation between the broken family. In the book (PLEASE STOP HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET) you barely meet the wife, and deep down, you are just sure she is still alive, but their reunion does not seem fabricated, it seems somehow eerie and almost gives you chills.

My primary source for the ABA exam. I passed the 8/05/08 exam!!! A great source. Read it three times before the exam and if you understand the information you will pass the exam. The regional section was particularly helpful.

I will be starting school this fall, and found this book to be a great introduction. It is easy to read, and the highlights and charts made memorization easy. It was easier to read then Baby Barash, as a beginner.

I have to agree with the other 5 star writers. Pound for pound (makes a difference in your backpack) this book is hard to beat. I find it more complete than Secrets of Anesthesia, and more user friendly than Miller. If you want to learn 100 ways to not do something, and read conflicting studies then go for Miller, otherwise "M & M" is king. Besides, I challenge anyone to bring Barash or Miller into the OR with them for a quick reference...

It is a good basic book that covers the essentilas very clearly in not too long chapters. It is a good entry level book for doctors during their first year of residence in anesthesia.
Also for the doctor that needs to update his knowledge.

My personal experience and the reason for buying the book was that I after 5 years i neuroanesthesia needed an update prior to a period as an anesthesiologist in a not specialised department. In this way the book served its purpose well.

I used the third edition of this book for my writtens and orals. I am fellowed in cardiothoracic anesthesia, and boarded in pain medicine. It is more than comprehensive enough for everday practice, and it is more than enough to get you through the written boards, and will certainly help with the orals. Miller, Barash (is there an etc to these two choices?) are much more comprehensive, but they are highly dependent upon the writers of each chapter: while some are great reading, others ramble on incessantly about studies which show effects on giant squid axons, or how 3-74% of rats will react when their tails are clamped. And who can forget the effects of isoflurane on the livers of salamanders? Morgan-Mikhail is put together logically, it is highly readable, and it is extremely affordable, and while it won't give you every answer, it's a good start.

Midshipman Alan Lewrie continues to reveal his inherent talents as a fighting officer in the British navy. Ashore with his beloved artillery at the Battle of Yorktown, he meets the Chiswick family of American Loyalists, forming relationships that will develop throughout the series.

The 2002 McBooks Press version (paperbook) that I bought at Borders has pages 145 through 192 printed twice, and then pages 198 to 241 are missing altogether! I can't imagine how such a mistake could get by. One minute they are setting up in the trenches, the next they are sailing wearily out of the the bay. So...I have no idea what happened and I'm taking it back tomorrow for a refund.

So check it out before you buy it.

Otherwise, great book.

As a strong fan of Dewey Lamdins' books, I've now read them all, The French Admiral was the best. I felt a much greater sense of history and a deeper understanding of the conflict as it impacted the lives of Loyalists, Revolutionaries, and their families. The bloody fighting seemed more in context than the conflicts described in the other books of this series.

I recommend this book very highly.

The French Admiral in paper has been awaited by Alan Lewrie fans since 1990. It is the crucial #2 "missing link" from early in the series of Alan's swashbuckling adventures in the age of fighting sail. Although we know the general events of this long-missing novel about the Royal Navy from references in succeeding books, it comes as a throwback to the exciting rakehell that Lewrie was early in his career. The alleged orphan [] of a scheming English knight, Lewrie has a most modest opinion of himself, although he comes of age as a mariner in the course of this pivotal novel. American readers will be most interested that this novel takes place on the Eastern Seaboard, especially during the crucial siege of Cornwallis' troops at York Town. (From the detailed sailing descriptions in the Chesapeake Bay it's a good bet that Lambdin sails there often.) This story offers a chance for an extended look, from the British point of view, at the vicious enmities and fighting that characterized the American Revolution in the genteel South. It does not, however, offer the least personal glimpse of the French Admiral. That august and triumphant sailor, the shipbound Admiral de Grasse, is instrumental in the series of British blunders and defeats that lose the rebel American colonies to England.

The language is a bit rougher than is the salty talk customary in sea stories by genuine British authors. I wonder if Lambdin chose "Lewrie" as his hero's name because it resembles lurid and lewd, which Alan is, although he's not a scoundrel as well. This is a physically bigger book than the other Lambdin pb's I've read, thanks to the customarily expansive McBooks Press edition (i.e., larger type and better paper than the stubby Fawcett Crest/Ballantine editions).

This is the second installment in what is developing into quite an enjoyable naval series. In _The King's_ Coat, Alan Lewrie, an illegitimate sixteen-year-old London rakehell, was essentially forced into going to sea in 1779 as a midshipman after being framed by his moneygrubbing father and his two half-siblings. He had a very rocky start in his new career but was beginning to learn his trade and had made a few friends, as well as more than a few enemies. He had also managed to come to the notice of at least two men of note, and well-placed interest was always paramount in advancing one's naval future. And there was the gorgeous young Lucy Beauman in Antiqua to whom he began paying court. Now it's two years since he left England and the rebellion in America is drawing to a close, buoyed by incompetence on the part of the British army and navy. And in the process, Alan finds himself trapped like a rat with Cornwallis at Yorktown. He escapes the disaster, partly through chance, partly through the aid of some Loyalist militia, and partly through his own intelligence and unexpected competence. By the end of the book, his future has improved in several important ways, both professionally and personally, and he has become a harder sort of person than he was at the beginning. And there's a new love interest, whether he wants to think so or not. Lambdin offers a welcome antidote to the rather proper style of Hornblower and even Audrey -- his sailors swear fulsomely, his protagonists can be just as narrowminded as anyone else in their society -- but he certainly knows his naval lore. And just when you're settling in to an adventurous episode, something horrible happens to remind you of just how bloody a true civil war the glorious American Revolution really was.

As a professional certified coach, I love this book and use it as a resource in the programs I facilitate on leadership development and business coaching. Tom has such BIG HEART and through this book he provides a wonderful road map on how managers and leaders can begin to create more high performance work teams.

This will become one of your go-to books re: the coaching process. I know it's one of mine! Incredible insights as well as lots of advice, tricks, tips, etc. A must buy for coaches, or those who aspire to become coaches.

In this three-part relational guide for the development of "a performance-focused, feedback-rich organization", consultant Tom Crane offers the reader his insights on three aspects of transformational coaching; the model, the coach, and the culture. The unifying theme, the heart drives relationships, and relationships drive performance, is evidenced by the title of the book and the statement, "If you chose to incorporate any of the practices described, pay attention to how your relationships are enriched and your results are enhanced."

The 'model' part is a three-phase methodology for coaching; starting with connecting, preparing, and establishing expectations (the Foundation); progressing into exploring and issues identification (the Learning Loop); continuing with options, commitment, and follow-up (Forwarding The Action.) The 'coach' element is an introspective piece including communications and style. The 'culture' part covers both `what it is' and seven principles for creating the change.

From reading the book, it is easy to see that Crane believes in intrinsic motivation and in people. He uses a most wonderful term, "positive regard," for how a coach or leader might look upon those they work with. I could not agree more with this sentiment. If you share this feeling, this is a book worth the read, as it gives wonderful guidance for how to bring out the best in people.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

This book does have some good background information about coaching. It is pretty dry though. If you want to learn about coaching, take an accredited coaching certification program. I did, and this was one of our required reads. It happened to be my least favorite and gave me very little practical information to use during a coaching session. If you want to read an inspiring, empowering book, read Breaking the Rules by Kurt Wright.

Tom Crane goes to the true essence of coaching. He developed a comprehensive coaching method to transform knowledge into performance and action into results. A must read not only for coaches, but also for managers and leaders.

This is a classic around our house. My kids love it! The repetitive pattern is great for preschoolers and it teaches prediction skills.

I have looked for this book for years. I had read it in a Pre-K class for my students. Another teacher had borrowed it from her town's library and my class loved it.
Since then, I have looked off and on for years but could not locate it. I now have a 3 year old grandson and we love to find animals, birds, etc. in the clouds. We have read this book several times already and he loves it.

Thanks,
Jeri

This book can be used creatively with kids of all ages! As a speech therapist at an elementary school, this book provides many language development opportunities! I love it as much as the kids do!

This is a great book for pre-school age kids. It's a simple story with lots of opportunities for the kids to participate, saying what each picture is. I know a lot of teachers use this book and then have the kids make their own "ink blot" type images and then say what they see in their cloud. Very cute book.

Great book for teaching shapes and cloud, fun to read with felt board activity.