Seven Books

Paige Covington, a spoiled 17-year-old young woman (a modern day scrooge), thought only of one thing in this life-herself. She made selfish choices with little consideration or thought for others around her. Selling her loyal bay gelding simply because he did not bring home the first place ribbon after a jumping competition or walking out of store with unpaid merchandise when she felt the sales clerks were wasting her valuable time, were just two examples of the way Paige lived her life.

To her surprise, she was arrested for the shoplifting, and fortunate for her, the judge did not care that her intentions were to send the money via mail with a nasty complaint letter regarding the slow service of the store. He sentenced her to 60 hours community service working with the handicap at a hippotherapy clinic.

Between this experience and a developed friendship with levelheaded kindhearted 14-year-old Lindsey, Paige found herself challenged. By the time her community service was completed, Paige discovered there was more to life than simply thinking of herself resulting in one special memorable Christmas.

A Tuff-To-Beat Christmas is a warm heart-felt story that will surely reach anyone who reads this book. Once I started, I could not put it down until the last page read. Betty Briggs is an inspiring visual writer worthy of consideration and I highly recommend this young adult book.

I really liked the author's light, engaging style and her use of humor and dialogue. I don't know much about horses myself, but Briggs skillfully weaves in everything you need to know to appreciate the story.

A very cute book. Paige is a teen ager who parents has given her everything she want, because of being an only child. Paige learns a very valueble lesson by sharing with others who haven't much. It is a good book, I throughly enjoyed it. I'll put it on my list of Christmas books to read.

I really enjoyed this book. Very cute! A great story on service, which showed how the one serving is often the one more blessed than those they serve.

What a great Christmas book for any age! I truly enjoyed reading this and now my three girls will take turns, as well. :) The photographs were a fun bonus and I dipped my toe into an area that I wasn't too familiar with--horses!! I was also reminded exactly what the true meaning of Christmas is all about and that warmed my heart! :)

I think Dave Morris and Jamie Thomson have started something that won't stop until they've created a whole universe. The game is a little hard at first, but that's not enough to lose it any more than one star. It's a really great idea. They've actually produced something that no one has ever thought of before.

I once owned "war torn kingdom" and "cities of gold and glory"
but I lost them both in a house fire. I have always wished to own the entire series. But I would be happy with one for the time being. Info on where to get any would be great.

You're right, these books are genius. Books 1-6 in the series were released in the UK under the name "Fabled Lands". I own books 1, 2, 4, and 5 and would be very interested to know where i could get 3 and 6.

I got this book for my birthday, but didn't play it until 3 months later. I loved it!!!! I found out that Cities of Gold and Glory are part of the Series, all I want to know how many more their and and where I can get them and their name!!!!

My wife found this in a clearance rack at our local Safeway store and thought I might like it. I actually forgot about it until 2 months later. I was drawn into it last week, and could not put it down. I think it is a wonderful role-playing adventure. I only have this one, and am searching for more books. There was a web-site that had the entire series, but it was taken off the web. If anyone can, please let me know where I can find more in the series. Thank you!

I missed the humor that was so evident in the first book in this series House Of Dark Shadows,but my interest never wavered in this second book despite it's noticeable absence.

There are plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments,and some very interesting twists to the story,plus the father's history with the house,was appreciated.

My only complaint is with that cliff-hanger of an ending,LOL!

As Mr. Liparulo's books marketed more for adults don't really interest me,with the excessive gore warned about for Comes A Horseman,for example,I am hoping that he will write many more YA series like this one.

Watcher in the Woods picks up the eerie, engrossing story begun in House of Dark Shadows, which saw the King family move from Pasadena to the small town of Pinedale when their father Edward accepts the position of principal at the high school, and into a house with a dark history. From the first page of this Christian-published young adult novel we are plunged once again into the high intensity, rapid fire setting of the first. Liparulo cuts to the chase, providing a bare minimum of exposition in the first chapters to remind readers of where the story left us at the end of book one.

This series is one that builds upon itself, adding question upon question, layer upon layer of mystery and uncertainly to the storyline, while revealing few answers. These titles do not stand-alone; each is an integral part of the story. Each book needs to be read in sequence in order to follow along.

David and Xander, the King brothers, throw themselves fool-hardily into the search for their missing mother. Frustrated by their father's lack of action they take matters into their own hands despite their father's cautious prohibitions and warnings. This rebellion against their father marks the initiating of the downward spiral of the King family into the darkness that becomes more palpable throughout this title.

The King family struggles to maintain a somewhat normal façade (with little success) when dealing with the townsfolk of Pinedale. Edward King starts his new job and the King siblings enter the school year in unfamiliar surroundings. Together the family embarks on a plan of deception, and outright lies to mask the disappearance of their mother. I was so dismayed to see this plan being carried out with little concern for the word of God. This is only book two of the series, but as the characters involved are professing Christians I hope to see God dealing with this blatant sin in their lives before the series comes to an end.

Watcher in the Woods is not as cohesive a tale as the first book. Liparulo includes a lengthy scene which appears unconnected from any other events in the series to date. This odd scene seems only to serve as a respite from the relentless action. I am surmising that he will further explain the meaning of this incident in future books and is only starting to weave this thread through the story.

New characters, mysteries and challenges arise but few are solved. The King family learns some rudimentary operations of the portals in their new home, but so much remains to be discovered. I feel that we are barely at the beginning of learning how and why the house and portals work, but this installment hints at a fuller explanation in the near future.

While the ending of the first novel left us hanging with the disappearance of the King's mother, it pales in comparison with the monstrous cliffhanger Liparulo works up to this time. Anyone who has taken a creative writing course can tell you that the climax ought to occur approximately 80 - 90% of the way through a story, leaving the author time to wrap up loose ends and come to a conclusion. You can't expect that sort of formulaic tale telling with this series.

A frenzy of action builds up to the climax, and Liparulo leaves us there with no conclusion. Three dramatic, time-sensitive events occur simultaneously at the end of the novel, bringing stress levels to a crescendo before cuting us off abruptly with the words "NOT THE END". Whew, what a ride. Dreamhouse Kings fans are looking longingly towards the January 2009 release of Gatekeepers, the third title in the series; harbouring the distant hope of a conclusion, an ending, someday.

Okay, this guy named Robert Liparulo decides he can write thrillers. He gives us some great page-turners, then thinks that qualifies him to write YA books, as well. I figure I'll give the series a try, and I speed through book one, "House of Dark Shadows."

Well, this pesky Liparulo fellow leaves me hanging, so I pick up book two right away--which I rarely do when reading through a series--and I race to the end of that one even quicker. Yeah, this writer's that good.

Starting where book one left off, "Watcher in the Woods" churns through more adventures, more conflicts (with police, Civil War soldiers, and WWII tanks), and troubles between the King family members. We also meet a mysterious stranger, who tends to spy on the Kings from the neighboring woods. The Kings have moved into an old home, but find themselves caught in a whirlpool of portals into history. They've lost something very important, and they must figure out how to get this precious thing back without losing their trust in each other.

Although I, just like the story's teenaged Xander, got impatient with the family's plodding approach toward their problem, I began to understand the father's reasoning. Maybe Liparulo just had me tied into too many knots to believe that anyone could approach something so emotional so logically. Either way, "Watcher in the Woods" sucked me along in a few short readings, and left me hanging once again in anticipation for book three, "Gatekeepers."

Phaw! And that Liparulo guy thought he could write YA books. I'll have to keep reading these things until I can prove him wrong.

Sometimes when you know, you know! Right? Like when I first read Robert Liparulo's "Comes a Horseman," I KNEW I'd found a new favorite. You know, forget the fact that he had "Germ" and "Deadfall," along with a couple Young Adult books on the way. I was pretty certain I'd found another author to put near the top of my list. I think he's that good! Ted Dekker endorsed the first 2 books of this series, "Dreamhouse Kings," and Liparulo is creeping right up to Dekker. That's because he's almost as good! That's saying a lot right there. So, how about it? Are you ready for adventure with the King family? And by the way, don't even think about setting a cruise control, the setting is all or nothing!!

If you met the Kings, Xander, David, Toria, along with the mom and dad, you realize that they have a lot going on. Especially with this new house. And in book #2, Mom is missing, and Xander will stop at nothing to find her. And David is just as committed. But somebody else is just as committed, and he's always lurking in the shadows. And right when they meet this stranger, Dad immediately doesn't like him. Adventure, madness and mayhem is the name of this game, but it's really no game to the Kings. But if it is a game, then they have to play along to the rest of the world to assure others that everything is just fine. Does that sound like an adventure you'd be interested in?

Robert Liparulo has caught the attention of many, and he's shocked a lot of people with great writing! Tess Gerritsen, Michael Palmer, James Rollins, Steve Berry, all those authors are bestsellers, and they ALL give Liparulo a seal of approval. I give him nothing but the best, because he IS one of the best today! That's no surprise to me. But the world better watch out, because Liparulo has a ball rolling. And that ball is just rolling faster and gaining amazing speed!! AWESOME!

This story picks up as if it's just the next chapter of "House of Dark Shadows." That's good, if you had "Watcher in the Woods" handy, because you're going to want to go from one to the next asap. That's also the drawback, when you finish "Watcher" you're even more so going to want the next installment - and it comes out in January 2009. Write faster, Bob! Just kidding, I'm sure he's doing everything he can to keep us going.

I have come to really enjoy this family - they bond and grow together throughout this book, and they way they pull together seems to be the antithesis of the disfunctional family we all read about.

The adventures in this book become more recognizable by period and character, and I really look forward to the next 2-3 books as I'm sure you will if you buy these books.

i grew up in the 70's and 80's and was fed with hotdogs and other processed foods. as a result, i grew up hating vegetables. what color is your diet convinced me that eating vegetables is really good for the health. it opened my eyes to the many benefits of eating colorful meals each day. now, as i look at my meals, i become conscious if what i am eating is healty or not. unlike before when i just chomped on all my favorite foods which were all beige and unhealthy.

This book has changed my approach to food. I feel great.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. Almost a year ago, my husband decided he needed to lose weight (his doctor had been telling him to do so for years; he was verging into diabetes despite being on Glucophage, Glucotrol, and Lipitor). My husband's one criterion was he wanted a diet that allowed him to eat frequently during the day because he didn't want to be hungry. Enter Heber's book!

Merely by increasing the number of vegetables and fruits that my husband ate, he crowded out the crap he'd been obliviously living on. He began to count calories because the results from merely eating more healthily a la Heber made him feel very positive. In six months, he lost sixty-five pounds. His cholesterol went from 220 (a number achieved with the help of those meds) to 125. He's kept the weight off five months now, but we are determined that he will be eating this way for life. We have a word in our household: Heberific. My husband's Park Avenue doctor phoned me and said: "I didn't recognize your husband from his numbers [meaning his blood test numbers]. They've never looked like this! You've added at least ten years to your husband's life, and really fifteen quality years. You are a hero!" I accepted the compliment because it's I who do most of the food preparation.

Now I go to the fruits-and-vegetable market almost every day. I too have made a game of tracking what color fruits and vegies my husband is eating (I composed a daily chart; I've noticed another reader said he did the same thing). I keep meaning to write Dr. Heber a thank-you letter but then I thought perhaps I should simply post my praise on Amazon.

I know Dr. Heber formulated this way of eating primarily to safeguard people from the major chronic diseases (heart disease, cancer) that are diet related, but this way of eating is fun and has had extraordinary results in my family. I've given this book to my parents (who are not overweight) and recommend it incessantly. I am not being hyperbolic when I say that five stars for this book isn't enough.

What color is you diet is a great book. Dr Heber hit th nail on the head with this one. My eating habits are forever improved. Thanks Dr Heber!!

Everyone is talking about how we should eat more fruits and vegetables, because it is better for our health. This book explains what and why in easy to understand language. I am getting copies for family and friends, because we were so pleased with it. I have read other books on the subject, but I feel that this one is an easy referance as well as accurate information.

I am a third grader in Houston. I'm not a computer geek but I'm realinterested in technology and know a lot about computers for a kid myage. I love to read as much as I like to play sports. I think theInternet is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It's sort of the Michael Jordan of inventions.

Willie & the WWW is an incredible book. I usually read chapter books. This picture book is extremely cool and kids in all the grades here read it. Mr. Geissen was invited to our school and spoke about his book. I'll always remember meeting him. Some famous authors come to our school. But a lot of their presentations are boring. And these authors are usually sort of stuck up. The digital presentation Mr. Geissen did was awesome. Our librarian told me he is younger than most of the authors who write kid's books. I think this is probably why he is more with it when it comes to knowing a lot about the Net, and he knows how to talk to kids. He's just a nice guy. He told us all that the attention he's gotten because he came up with idea for Willie & the WWW, the ideas for illustrations, and wrote it doesn't make him special or better than anyone else.

Mr. Geissen talked to my dad and me about computer technology and writing and answered all the questions I had. Mr. Geissen isn't a computer geek either. He has written about computer technology for a long time and knows a lot about it. He said he included the basketball parts in the book because he loves this sport and has played basketball and tennis almost all his life. He's the only author who has come out to our school who can dunk a basketball.

I think he should write a sequel to Willie. He told me he didn't plan to write a sequel. That he just wrote Willie & the WWW for his son. He has gotten a lot of emails from parents and teachers asking for sequels. He said he would probably come out with two more Willie books after he publishes a chapter book called "The Blue Leaf Sled". This is going to be an awesome book. He read part of it at our school. My Mom and Dad encouraged me to write this review to tell other kids about the Willie book. They think other kids and parents will like this book as much as I do. And my Mom and Dad also want a sequel.

This book is a big hit at my daughter's elementary school school, where the teachers, library staff, parents and the community have worked together to incorporate the Internet into the curriculum as a resource for teachers and children.

The author contrasts the themes of reality and virtual reality against a backdrop of the digital frontier of the Internet, and uses the techniques of traditional fables along the way. My only criticism is I think the publisher would have produced better art by using an artist who specializes in digital imaging techniques to produce illustrations that were less static. This is a story that could use more complex images, which better convey movement and better accompany the vivid imagery the writer uses.

I highly recommend the book, though. Particularly after seeing the teachers' and kids' reaction to it. The Web is a new frontier. And the space metaphors and the character of Evelyn, the astronaut who advances the plot (and seems to be based on Amelia Earhart), fit perfectly with the book's theme of moderation and the need for a healthy balance between things in the digital world and the "real" world. I think this is an important issue for parents raising kids today. Overall, this is an imaginative and memorable book for elementary kids of all ages.

As a parent of two and a founder of a Silicon Valley-based startup Internet business, this unique book caught my eye. It's the only picture book for elementary children I've seen that features a Web theme.

The story captured the imagination of my children. And I was surpised to find myself reading a picture book on the Internet that was entertaining for young kids, yet did not condescend to them (or me). This book cleverly provides a window into current and future information age themes -- the very issues we in Silicon Valley confront each day and that are profoundly changing our society.

I highly recommend this book, particularly to people interested in prompting their children to think about the pros and cons of technology, the choices technology requires us to make, and how we can best use it in our lives.

I'm a children's literature professor and our students use this book to introduce students at elementary schools in Los Angeles to Internet concepts. The children love it. The conversations it stimulates are wonderful! The author cleverly uses many metaphors to address issues the Net is raising in society. Often children pick up on more of the metaphors than the adults who read it. I recommend this book to parents and educators who are looking for a good way to start interesting discussions among children about the Web.

As a librarian at a large library in NYC whose been fortunate enough to have the resources to acquire a wide and comprehensive collection of wonderful children's picture books, I and my colleagues whom I most respect tend to be reserved in our praise of new picture books. Today, many of the best visual artists are producing striking and inventive books. They now grace the coffee tables of fashionable homes and corporate offices. All this, in my opinion, is wonderful. For all their artistry and polish, though, even the large publisher's top-list picture books often fall short when it comes to combining artistry with an intelligent and meaningful narrative on important current events.

Willie & the World Wide Web is gaining a cult status among children's librarians, especially among librarians who embrace the responsible use of the Internet, for a good reason. The author uses lucid prose to explore the key issues that are the subject of much debate as the Internet becomes such a powerful force in society. Don't turn to this book for the sort of stunning fine-art illustrations that are on the level of picture books illustrated by the well-known visual artists who work in the picture book field. The images here are fine, though, and complement the text as they should. I read a feature article in which the publisher said future editions will include more sophisticated illustrations. The total effect of the first edition of this book is what makes it special.

First, I and a group of elementary children found ourselves enjoying the whimsy and subtle humor of this book. On a closer reading, I saw the author had carefully woven a thread through this story that explored issues ranging from the complexities of reality verses virtual reality, the seemingly infinite possibilities the Internet provides for innovation, the addictive power of interactive technologies, the convergence of new media and traditional media, the Net's great potential as an educational resource, privacy in the information age, the pros and cons of electronic commerce and new forms of global communication, the fact that the Internet can and is being used for good as well as bad, and that our society is being challenged to confront a number of new and difficult choices as this technology becomes more powerful and pervasive by the day.

In my view, Mr. Geissen wrote this book to say we are in store for a great adventure. He poses many of the large questions. And he poses them well and in an engaging way that intrigues his young audience. How will we respond? How will our kids respond? I couldn't agree more that these issues need to be discussed among elementary children. The author challenges children to consider these issues and ask questions. And with a little good guidance, the children who read this book do. Their insightful questions and answers about Internet issues are ones adults should pause to consider.

The book's use of the motifs such as outer space images and Amelia Earhart's airplane are creative and wise. The story ends right where it should, with a relevant inversion of the "was-it-all-a-dream?" technique of traditional fables. That all this is done within the context of 32 pages of fiction, which doesn't waste words, and that appeals to computer-savvy kids and stimulates their imagination is what makes this book stand out from the crowd. Every library should have a copy of this remarkable picture book for children.

The Wright brothers were an amazing team. Working part time, these two previously undistinguished bicycle dealers from Dayton, Ohio, solved a problem that had baffled, frustrated and defeated (sometimes fatally) some of the most well-educated, well-capitalized and well known scientific entrepreneurs of their and all prior time. The story of how and why they succeeded in creating and flying the first airplane is not only fascinating, but also rich in didactic value for parents, teachers and businesspeople. Author Mark Eppler does an admirable job of drawing you into the story of the Wright brothers. We relishe the problem-solving principles he defines, which are, at times, refreshingly unorthodox. He abstracts these principles well and phrases them clearly, but the best demonstration of the principles lies in his retelling of the Wright brothers' absorbing story. A very good book indeed.

The Wright brothers were an amazing team. Working part time, these two previously undistinguished bicycle dealers from Dayton, Ohio, solved a problem that had baffled, frustrated and defeated (sometimes fatally) some of the most well-educated, well-capitalized and well known scientific entrepreneurs of their and all prior time. The story of how and why they succeeded in creating and flying the first airplane is not only fascinating, but also rich in didactic value for parents, teachers and businesspeople. Author Mark Eppler does an admirable job of drawing you into the story of the Wright brothers. Relishing the problem-solving principles he defines, which are, at times, refreshingly unorthodox. He abstracts these principles well and phrases them clearly, but the best demonstration of the principles lies in his retelling of the Wright brothers' absorbing story. A very good book indeed.

I have made it a point to read all the best selling business books to keep abreast of any new concepts in selling and management. Most books are long on theory and short on application. Or worse, very entertaining, but lacking enough detail do to anything more than enjoy the read!

The Wright Way is masterfully written to offer the reader problem solving principles related to issues that companies are experiencing NOW along with an added bonus of historical context and current events that emphasize relevancy. Technology has made it possible for companies of all sizes to become global thereby increasing the challenges (problems) a business can face. Mr. Eppler presents the reader with an outline that companies can employ whether the problem be related to technology, product lines, facilites, mergers, markets or culture within the organization. The Wright Way is not only a read, but a re-read!

It is not often that you can pick up a "managment principles" book and find it to also be entertaining and inspiring. This book is. One might think, or expect, that The Wright Way would be a "gimmick book", rehashing old managment principles with a Wright brother's twist, just to capitalize on the publicity surrounding the 100th anniversary of the first heavier than air flight. Not so. The obvious exhaustive research that went into this book reflects the authors passion about "how" the Wright brothers did what the did, not just what they did. As the CEO of a $6 million not-for-profit business, the "seven principles" struck home for me. For starters, from now on I'm going to tackle the tyrant at the get go! Enjoy this eassy, fun, and useful read.

This book is a great idea! Take one of the greatest inventions of the 20th Century and breakdown the framework that lead to its creation.

The book is well researched and the author's conclusions about the Wright Brothers appear to be firmly grounded in fact and history. My only criticisim, and it is minor, is the book would have been a 5-star if the author had included more modern business management examples to support his 7 problem solving techniques. Curent business solution stories that parallell the Wright Brothers techniques would have really hammered the points home.

Overall, excellent book.

We have really been happy with this Bible for our daughter, age 13. It has explanations of the books of the Bible as well as additional blocks of age-appropriate explanatory information throughout the chapters. Well-laid out and very attractive to use. Very informative and educational.

We purchased this Bible for our 7 year old daughter for her Baptism. It's AWESOME! Easy to read- nice little devotionals throughout - and it's a Bible that she can use as she grows.

I purchased several of these biblesYoung Women of Faith Bible (NIV) as gifts for a group of inner city girls I am ministering to. These are awesome Bibles for young girls/women. They have gone from the "dread" of reading the Bible to looking forward to it. This helps to make the Bible relative to their lives today. It is beautifully packaged and includes notes that relate to them well. A beautiful Bible.

We like the Bible itself but the paperback cover started curling immediately and we are very disappointed with that. My daughter doesn't like the Bible so much as a result.

My daughter gets much use out of this and she does not have a hard time understanding it as she has with past Bibles. Highly recommended.

Where would we be without humor in the world? Would you want to live in a world without humor? I don't think so!

The author begins by giving us a definition of a "highly humorous person". He describes this type of person as someone you will be drawn to and want to spend time with. You will enjoy their company no matter what your surroundings might be. Most people possess these traits; however, few reach their potential of being a highly humorous person.

The author then goes on to explain the 7½ habits of highly humorous people. You will find it interesting that the first one listed is only "The Half Habit" - Mastering your thoughts. David explains that you don't need the whole habit in order for it to be effective.

On a very personal note, when the author talks about the ½ habit, he tells the readers that ten years ago psoriatic arthritis seized many of his joints and as a result changed his self-image. He entered a bicycle race which was a fundraising event and managed to cross the finish line after 115 miles. He received the Jim Elliott Award which is given to someone with a chronic illness who is not the normal type of person to compete against healthy individuals. David also received a silver medal. Due to all the media attention, he was considered the person the next year to win the gold medal. However, on David's first training ride the next year, his knees and back prevented him from going past one mile. David began to feel depressed. After all, he was the inspiration to many and now he could not ride the bike for more than a mile. Also, his ego was involved. For a moment, David felt his only choice was to give up. This was a negative thought and he had to bring in some humor to help him out of this situation. It didn't take David very long to come up with the idea of riding a unicycle in the race. His goal was to ride the unicycle 50 miles. It was difficult because of the cold and wind and after 48 miles his body told him it was time to quit. Did he? No way. David's humor came into play and he told himself to go another couple of miles and he could laugh and tell his grandchildren about this one day!

I found the chapter on Self-Effacing Humor very interesting. The author states that you should know your weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Poke some fun at yourself in order to open some communication. When you laugh at yourself, it is a very healthy form of humor.

There are many other interesting parts of this book but I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I will stop here.

As soon as I saw the cover of this book, I knew I was in for a treat! Did you ever give much thought about the meaning of humor? David M. Jacobson has written a guide to humor and this book shows the reader just how talented this author is when it comes to writing. As you go through each section of this book, you will find them both funny and serious at the same time. The author has delivered a book that is written in a very clever manner. He has incorporated some ideas that I never would have thought of doing such as adding a backward instead of a foreword, a preface that lists things we can do with this book if we don't like it, a postface and a fast foreword. David Jacobson does an excellent job of showing the important role that humor plays in our lives. This is a very well written book. What I really enjoyed most about it is the way the writer includes many of his own personal obstacles in life and added the results of how humor has helped him work his way through it all. It just goes to prove that no matter what happens, we need to just sit back, relax and try to put some humor into our thoughts. Maybe things won't look so bad after that. As you read through this book, you will come across many statements made by David that make so much sense. You will find yourself thinking "Wow! That is so true." This is an inspirational read as well as one that you will find thoroughly entertaining. This is a fast paced book that you could read in a couple of hours so get ready to sit back, relax and enjoy David Jacobson's humor "therapy". I highly recommend "The 7 ½ Habits of Highly Humorous People".

I could tell by the silly man on the cover of the book, it was an unusual book -112 pages of extremely good advise.
The reader needs to know this is not a joke book. There are plenty of them in bookstores. No, this is a serious humorous book, if that is possible. Jacobson has been a very ill person and he used humor and other special qualities to get him through to where he is today: brilliant, vibrant and living a life of "helping others" and making people laugh.
He believes that humor can change your life for the better; that humor can get you through the most catastrophic events of your life. Jacobson says that "a highly humorous person is the most resilient person on the planet."
The 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Humorous People will make you smile, laugh and find more inspiration than you can imagine. For many occassions buying a few of these books will be the "perfect" gift!

Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (3/08)

David M. Jacobson, MSW, LCSW is a professional speaker, licensed psychotherapist and social worker. He is a self-proclaimed international expert in humor and health and is also President of Humor Horizons. Among his other affiliations is the National Speakers Association. David received the National Hero Overcoming Arthritis Award and the Arthritis Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been presented with the "Joy Mask" for his work with the Korean Broadcasting System, The President's Award from Flashnet Marketing and the Jim Elliot Award for his fund-raising, 50-mile unicycle ride. David also served on the Arizona's Governor's Office for Children's Justice Task Force.

Mr. Jacobson's book was a pleasant surprise compared to some of the other comical editions by others. His mixture of poetry and prose brought a refreshing tone to this little 120-page volume.

David explains the seven and a half habits in this way, beginning with "The Half Habit." "The half habit: This is a half habit because you don't need the whole habit in order for you to be effective." He goes on to say that it is the most difficult habit to maintain because it is the habit of changing your thoughts.

Habit number one he says is to treat humor as a necessity. As much as using the bathroom is a necessity, so is humor--placing an importance on treating your sense of humor as high up as a basic bodily function.
Habit number two is termed "Use Self-effacing humor."
What it is and how to use it, when making yourself the butt of a joke.
The third habit is very self-explanatory. "Keep your eyes open for humorous situations or create them with your imagination."
Habit number four begins with a cute poem and is titled, "Use the Power of Humor and its positive influence on your own self and that of others."
Habit five goes into detail on how to use your humorous imagination to improve your communication. This chapter deals with the ability to communicate with others.
In habit number six, David throws in his own words that are not in Webster's.
"Humorize with Humorgy," he professes that your whole life will change.
The grand finale comes in habit seven when David says, "Act like the highly humorous person you've become or are becoming."

I enjoyed "The 7 ½ Habits of Highly Humorous People," and think it would make a nice addition to a library. It's a well-worded, funny little book that would make great reading on an airplane. I gave it a B and that was only because I did not find all the photos as funny as the verbiage.

The book "The 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Humorous People" by David, M. Jacobson is good reading and very funny. I enjoyed reading it and it is improving the quality of my life every day by looking for the humor in stressful situations.

Life is funny if you let it be. Even when you feel like it shouldn't be, deep down in your spirit there is humor waiting to giggle out into the world. David M. Jacobson reminds us to let the laughter loose in his book, "The 7 ½ Habits of Highly Humorous People." It isn't a joke book, but it is a delightful reminder to watch for the jokes in life, even, or maybe especially, the ones that are on you.

David has had his fair share of jokes played on him. Is he bitter? Not that I could tell. He emits happiness through the pages of his book. He shares joy and it's contagious. Be warned that you will not be able to read this book without cracking a smile and likely will come away from it a better person. Of the 7 ½ habits you'll learn about, I think the half habit is the most important and the best way to get started on changing your life. Simply, it is to change the way you think. Not a simple task! Turning the negative thought into a positive one is challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable. What finding the positive does for yourself is life changing, and the thoughts you share with others can have a profound influence on them. The other 7 habits are equally reflective and uplifting, from realizing that humor is a necessity to humorizing with humorgy (you'll have to read the book to find out what that means!); the lessons within this book are not meant to simply help a class clown to develop his style but to show the world the power of laughter.

David uses his self proclaimed necessary self-effacing humor to open his world to the reader. It becomes very easy to understand how he needed to let out those giggles and how it changed his life. Throughout the book he throws in one liners and obtuse observations and this made me laugh out loud. It is a funny read, but also a wonderful life lesson guide. Would you go to a guru who sits atop a unicycle? Maybe you should. This book is well written and easily accepted as truth. It holds deep insights regarding inner spirit and higher powers, and interpretations of classic comedy. This is a mix you cannot miss! (this book review was written by another person ... i found it on the internet ... but you must buy this book today ... it is a must read!!!)

This is a great book to renew or discover an appreciation for the Blessed Sacrament.

This book gives a simple yet profound explanation of the Eucharist. Although thought provoking, it is easy and relaxed reading. It is truly a book you will read over and over again!

I bought this book based solely on Fr. Benedict Groeschel's praise, and he is absolutely right. This can truly be a life-changing read, and although it can be read very quickly it deserves to be pondered prayerfully and deliberately. It is not a theological treatise on the Eucharist, nor is it a history of Eucharistic devotion or doctrine, so it is not the best place to start for someone who does not already have at least a basic understanding of what the Eucharist is all about. I would not, for example, recommend it to a non-Catholic friend who wants to know why Catholics believe Christ is truly present in the Eucharist or someone who is looking for an introduction to the theology of the Eucharist. But, there are tremendous riches in these pages: Vinny Flynn has, in effect, summarized centuries of the best Eucharistic theology and presented it in a deeply personal and spiritually charged way. If you are looking for a book that will light within your heart a new fire of devotion to Christ in the Eucharist and inspire you to share that love with others, this is the place to start. I expect to return to this book many times in years to come, especially at those times when I feel myself growing spiritually lukewarm.

If you are a Director of Catholic faith there can be no greater gift that you can purchase for your teachers as the 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. This book makes you take a complete look at yourself and the way that you previously celebrated the Eucharist. You will never beable to celebrate the Eucharist like you did before you read about the 7 Secrets of the Eucharist. This book is a must for all catholic families.

I purchased this book for myself and after reading I purchased extra copies as a Christmas gift for all of my Catechist.

I love the book. But I'm sure the author knows more secrets. It's interesting that a book like this should eminate from a layman.-- Not surprising but interesting. Give us more, more more.
Jack

I have been in real estate since 1979 and after reading this book I have found from the interviews new ideas and ways how I can do things differently in my own business. It stimulated my thinking reading about the success many of the professionals that were intereviewed. I truly believe that this book should be given to every new licensed agent to read and find out from the success of others how they can also be successful. We forget that new licensees need a road map about how to do their own business and they need to see from examples what it takes to make it.

I want to thank the writer, Dr. Margot Weinstein for taking the time to interview these seasoned and successful professionals and giving me new ideas how to do things differently. It is an inspirational book and easy to read. It is a great guide for all real estate brokers to teach their new agents on their team or in their office how to do business in real estate.

I only wish I had this book when I was starting out in real estate but even now, I share it with others and I'm proud to have met the author Dr. Margot Weinstein. I have also been at a conference where she has interviewed the FIABCI World President, Owen Gwyn. Dr. Margot Weinstein is a success in her own life and she is now sharing it through writing about other successful people. Thank you and a Great Job! Sincerely, Dagmar C. Sands
Broker/Owner of Real Estate International, Inc.
President of Heart Smart Properties, LLC
CIPS,FIPC,FIREC,ABR
www.DagmarSands.com
www.WorldClassRealEstateBroker.com
www.HeartSmartProperties.com

Margot Weinstein succeeded in extracting a number of important career development competencies from practice. This book is not theoretical in nature, which makes it very accessible. It takes real life situations and problems as examples and builds on these in order to define and enhance career success. A good read for anyone interested in expanding their own career potential.

Dr. Weinstein uses her talents as an introspective interviewer to offer a roadmap to successful career development. As a doctoral student, I have used this book to carve out my own niche in my industry of choice and have recommended it to several people who are considering a career change or are just getting started.

I consider this required reading for anyone that is still searching for that perfect life balance.

One thing this book did for me was to push me past the fear of how hard it may be to be successful. As I went from chapter to tchapter and did the exercises, there were times I wanted to put the book down, veg out in front of the television and try to creep back into the phoney satisfaction of having a job that just gets me by financially. But I knew I craved something bigger and more lucrative that I could pour myself into.

As I journeyed through Dr. Margot's book, I began to discover more about myself, my passions and a career I needed to pursue. I became motivated to organize my life and set aside time to contemplate my career change. I chose a different form of education because I realized the path I was on was not one I was passionate about.

I'm still on this journey, but I am definitely more equipped to make choices that are better suited to my personality and dreams because of reading this book.

Simply The Best
Thank You, Margot for writing this book. In these changing times with all the downsizing, mergers and job losses, your book truly gives an individual a roadmap for finding that perfect career in these uncertain times.