Personal Books

This is a great self-help book. If you complete the exercises you will learn a lot about yourself.

This is another excellent book by Harville Hendrix in which you can learn a lot about what makes you do the things you do in a relationship, and why others do what they do. I found both this book and Hendrix's Guide for Couples extremely enlightening and I've read a lot of self-help books! (The Guide for Couples is fine for Singles, by the way)

I found this book quite disappointing, because I found the author's writing style quite dry and not applicable to my life, because it tried to dissect everything down into pieces. Measurements alter the state of the system, and I think this is especially true for relationships: Don't think *too* hard about them, or you will forget to have fun. Which relationship can survive if you don't primarily enjoy being together? So I think this book will help grow the already overly large group of over-thinkers.

I read this book 4 years ago when my marriage of 11 years ended. My goal was to understand what happened in my relationship and make sure I didn't make the same mistake again. This was one of about 20 books I read and literally the only one that I still practice what I learned everyday. I would love to boil it down to the key elements, but I strongly recommend taking this book to heart and going through the entire process. Also, it is important to be honest with yourself when Hendrix asks the tough questions. I also advise keeping this book and the notes you will write in a private place. If you're honest with yourself, you will be looking at yourself from the outside in. You will be completed and "whole" yourself and ready to be in a relationship. I also recommend that when you do find that next person, to encourage them to read this book, if not, at least employ some of key tactics, which you will pick up through reading the book. This is truly one of those books that has had a dramatically positive affect on my life.

If you are really committed to personal growth and to not repeating the same old mistakes in your next relationship, then this is the book. it is not an easy read. I was recommended this book by my therapist and it's the most intense self help book I have ever worked through (and I have been doing this for some time).
Doing the exercises in the book has helped me to bring all kinds of thoughts and habits that I wasn't aware of into consciousness where I stand a chance of healing them and doing things differently in the future. The process has been painful and uncomfortable at times and I had to take breaks and come back to it, but it has accelerated my personal growth dramatically. Really worth it.

After reading this book, I feel ready to go out and create my own destiny. This is a wonderful account on how everyday actions and decisions can create the life you want.

Peter Morgan Mash seems to be one of those people upon whom good fortune shines. Just when he's about to lose a big deal, chance rears its beautiful head to help him on his way; just when he's about to give up on meeting a key potential investor, he ends up stuck in the elevator with him. To what does Mash attribute his good fortune? Simple kindness, integrity and personal values. By stressing these personal attributes, he says that anyone can benefit from the kindness of life. We from getAbstract recommend this book to anyone convinced that the universe is a basically friendly place.

Peter Kash was my father's intern at EF Hutton when I was a little girl. His warmth and zest for life come through in this book, as well as his sharp business acumen. His principles are sound; his writing style, delightful. I'd recommend this book to anyone searching for the courage to follow their passion and find success.

I have to say that I pick up a lot of books (from personal success to mathematical tomes) and read them over a period of a week to a month, but not this book. This book is so engrossing that I finished it in two days! Peter Kash really hit a note inside me when he talked about the coincidences and serendipity in eveyone's life. When you look at the world the way Peter Kash does everything begins to become clear and you can't help but to look forward to everyday, to meet new people and to appreciate your family and the people you know well. I have recommended this book as a Must read to all of my friends and I recommend it to anyone who is trying to get a "lucky break" on their way to the top! I can assure you that this is not "fluff" or New Age "Gobbledygook". This is a book written from the "gut" from a solid, successful, entrepeneur, who comes across - not as a know it all - but of someone who has learned a lot of secrets on how to make your own luck. Truly a life altering book for this reader.

Make Your Own Luck is a practical guide for getting the most from what you have. Make Your Own Luck is really a feel good kind of book not based on heavily researched scientific fact.

The author reminds the reader of old platitudes and gives antidotal evidence support these platitudes. Yet in the hustle and bustle of everyday life these reminders are welcome and help realign the compass guiding our lives.

The author reminds us the life is full of unexplained coincidences. If we notice and engage (rather then ignore) these coincidences we can usually find opportunity knocking. Make your own luck covers topics such as failure (required to succeed), rejection (required to succeed), finding a purpose in work and specialization (which can be a path to success).

The underlying tone is the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The author adds the concept of the "web of life", which could be described as "what goes around comes around".

I would recommend Make Your Own Luck. Although the concepts are tried and true they are still important to consider and pursue. In a busy world we need to be reminded and make sure we are following our compass.

I am new in the speaking profession. This book was recommended to me by a close friend. I have already put some of the techniques into practice and they have improved my workshops by 50%. This is a valuable resource to anyone hoping to become a speaker or to improve as one.

The author's bloated arrogance blocks the few good ideas he presents. If you can get past the hubris, then there are a number of worthwhile items.

First of all, the production quality of this book is crap. The thing was falling apart the first time I opened it. I dont like having to be careful with a book like this, particularly one I want to mark up, highlight, go back to time and time again.

Now then, we are getting to the point of the book in the first place. I wouldn't care if this thing was in cuneiform pressed into wet clay tablets. There is more practical and useful information in this book on how to strategically set up your speaking career than I have seen in any of the dozen or so other books that I have read. You could literally take the advice in this book - and virtually nothing else - and plan out your speaking career for the next ten years.

The author's practical trashing on some of the 'rules of thumb' of the game (e.g., raising fees) are not mere opinions: this guy has lived this and has the income history to back up his claims.

Some of the references are outdated (the book is nearly 10 years old as of my writing) so you have to get passed that. The info on how to establish yourself as an expert through writing books and creating other income streams through developing info products is sound but has been superseded by far more complete and recent writings (Stephanie Chandler's book "From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur" is a great reference for that).

The exercises on 2 PAGES (35 and 46) alone made reading this worthwhile.

The focus on offering value is the key. This is what I focus on in my own coaching and speaking and, for that matter, what I spend a lot of time teaching to my clients.

VERY highly recommended.

When I found this book, I got it from Library and after checking it out numerous times, Alan Weiss book has found a permanent place in my Library.
First of all, his writing style is frank and to the point. This book is all substance and no fluff. He focuses on speaking as a profession that provides a service. All of his advice is real world relevant. He gives straight advice regarding speakers bureaus, marketing material and his insight on how to get booked for speaking events. Out of all of the hundreds of books written on making money speaking-This is the definitive guide.

Thanks to the ideas in the book Money Talks and the training from Alan Weiss I have added an extra $100,000 to my income this year. But understand, Alan Weiss is a contrarian and if you are afraid of trying bold strategies that will separate you from the pack, then don't bother. If you want to make real money as a speaker, author, and consultant, then you need to apply his teachings today. I recommend him to all my students and workshop attendees. I am not a newbie at this. I am the author of the books Self-Marketing Secrets and Client Seduction and I teach marketing at UC San Diego and the New Client Marketing Institute. I read Money Talks over and over again to get new ideas.--Henry DeVries

This book is so thought provoking that I plan to buy 5 more copies and share with important people in my life. I enjoyed the insightfulness of Matthew Kelly--this was the first book I have read of his and have moved on to Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness.

If you are looking to examine your life and ask yourself some questions about how to move forward and become a person of greater character this book is for you.

The Rhythm of Life books are awesome, in great shape and arrived promptly. Thank you!

I have incorporated the teachings in this book to my life and highly recommend it for all ages.

I am a fan, this purchase was actually a gift for a friend, the perspective while not entirely unique, almost feels like it is, because it touches on the core issues that many of us identify as the true obstacles to personal , spiritual and emotional health. 5 stars becuase of the integrity and depth of the message... you can "tell' when the message is the result of a personal desire to identify ,and more importantly "share" via effective communication practical tools to change and grow

I've heard Matthew Kelly in person and was intrigued by what he had to say. I agree with other reviewers in that you do have to be open and receptive to what is being presented, but isn't that the case with anything? Although the concepts are sometimes obvious, they are presented well and encourage you to think about how your life can make an impact in a world that needs help. This book hits home and helps puts life in perspective.

As a full time visionary and change agent, for organizations and individuals, I enjoy sharing Steve's message with clients and people: to engage and guide people's priorities, passion, and purpose. In life, relationships are the beginning, the middle, and the end. Steve's message is a guide and tribute- to staying committed and authentic during the process of building relationships.



Steve's synergizing stories provide us every day practicalities toward relationship management. He encourages us to think differently and alter our behavior for the benefit of a long term relationship.



The Ripple Effect provides an organized mindset as to how and what steps should be taken for creating purpose with people.



Michelle Ewalt
Founder/President
Team in Transition
[...].

The Ripple Effect: Steve Harper.

This book is a must have whether you want a quick refresher on networking or a practical "how to guide". We all think we have the answers and necessary approach on how to network but I can promise you that we don't have the tools to "Ripple" Anyone can network but it takes the committed and aware to Ripple. You have to network to be successful in today's competitive business climate and Steve Harper's approach takes us back to the basics. Treat people like the most important resource. So stop smoozing it's loosing its impact; I suggest you "Get Your Ripple On" think beyond the lead/business outcome and to the relationship. It's amazing when you network with relationship based intent how fulfilling the human interaction can be!

This book is creating quite a Ripple in networking groups across America. Steve Harper helps us to understand it's about the person not about the labels that we attempt to use to define our self worth . Go ahead, Get Real and Ripple On.... You will be astonished at how this book will change your perspective on how to network in today's environment. I personally have used it to train several of my direct reports in a corporate environment and today many of them hold leadership positions because of the critical skills this book provided to each of them.
This book is a must have whether for the college graduate, new manager, or your friends and family it's a book that if the recipient is ready to receive will change their perspective forever.

Steve Harper reminds us how it is often the simplest things we do that determine whether or not we succeed or fail. The Ripple Effect provides insight on how to improve and build relationships in order to be successful for the long term.

After reading The Ripple Effect, I kept thinking of more people to share it with -- so, I bought a case of books to share with associates. I have found the knowledge I gained from reading the Ripple Effect to be instrumental in building my business and in maintaining my personal relationships.

This is not a book just for adults or business people but for anyone looking for ways to have better relations with others

Imagine living in a community where people focus on the greater good of the community: caring supporting and nurturing positive relationships. Everyone looking out for each other, investing in one another. With this incredible intentionality, the community would thrive! Yes, even you. Would that be a place you would love to live? Sure, you say, but how? How could I start the process - create the first ripple? Here's a simple way: Buy eleven copies of The Ripple Effect NOW, read it, and live it in your relationships at work, with family and friends, in your church, circles of influence, anywhere you interact with others. When people ask you (and they will) what created the change in you, give them one of the ten extra copies you purchased. They'll love it, buy ten books, and give them to everyone they know. These people will, in turn, read it and buy more ten copies each and give them away to everyone they know. And so on and on. Can you imagine living in a community where everyone "gets it", where everyone is committed to creating ripples in each other's lives? Wow, that would be powerful! I want to live in that community. Let's get started.

No, I don't work for the publisher or the author, but I do love to spread the word when I find a real gem and I love to give valuable books to people purely for the opportunity to build something magnificent. This book is a great resource for building lasting, genuine relationships and communities. Read it, follow it, and thrive! I have met Steve and The Ripple Effect comes from his heart - he lives it daily. Ripple On!

It's easy these days to feel adrift in a soulless world, where cynicism and selfishness reign and those who care about something other than quick sells and profit margins are considered weak and naive.

The Ripple Effect is a reminder of what life is really about -- helping each other and leaving a positive legacy. But not only does the book explain why our relationships with others deserve our conscientious attention, he goes on to provide practical tools and concepts to help readers make tangible improvements in their businesses and in their lives.

Part I, "Developing a Relationship Mindset", discusses the "science of ripples" and the innumerable and unpredictable opportunities, both personal and professional, that are possible in any given relationship. It also provides a simple personality model that makes it easy to tune your interactions with others to best maximize their potential.

Part II, "Planning A Relationship Strategy", gets you thinking about how you could explore the relationships you already have and how you could start cultivating more. It goes on to differentiate between good and bad networking and gives experienced advice on networking groups and identifying people whom you should seek out and those you should avoid.

Part III, "Practicing Relationships", defines different levels of relationships and discusses how to deepen them. It details a practical plan for overcoming inertia and starting your own ripples for everyone's benefit. The book wraps up by providing several inspirational stories of rippling and a final dose of encouragement and motivation.

The Ripple Effect will open your eyes to the wonderful possibilities of a life lived in cooperation, not competition, with others, and give you the tools you need to seek success in the world without selling your soul. Though some of the core concepts may seem like common sense, it's helpful to be reminded of them in such clear and pragmatic terms, and inspirational to know that there are a lot of people out there who want to join you in making the world a more fulfilling place to live.

It's an easy, sincere, engaging read, and a nice bookshelf filler -- every time your eyes glance past it you will be reminded of the karmic goodness it has brought, and continues to bring, into your life, and the lives of those around you. As Steve Harper says, "Ripple on!"

I bought this book one week before I passed CA State Exam. I'm loving it! It gives all the nuts & bolts to a rookie for a quick & sound start in the business. This book is a must-have on the shelf for every new agent, period!

New or 'aged' agents will get many valuable tips from this book. It is just packed with useful information that a successfull real estate agent (Dirk) has learned over the years. Don't make the same mistakes. Learn from his experience and be a top producer.

This book is a must read for anyone considering a career in Real Estate as well as a refresher for experienced agents trying to get their business back on track. Dirk Zeller manages to distill a vast amount of experience down into a basic plan for success. (No magic bullets are promised: It involves honest work, but this book will help you manage your time better and allow you to concentrate on revenue producing activities.) For me personally, my biggest problems as an agent have been time management and spending too much time on non-revenue producing activities. These two areas of the book are worth the price alone. Highly recommended!

This is a very comprehensive book for beginners and experienced realtors. It seems to be losely based on the teachings of Mike Ferry by an experienced agent who actually did what he writes. I highly recommend it with one reservation: much of it is very similar to the book The Champion Real Estate Agent written by the same author. If you buy one of the books you don't really need to buy both.

This book does have some usful tips. However, the author is obviously a career salesman. He appears to have grown his career from real estate sales to selling his own products ( seminars, web sites, and sales coaching). He equates financial success by selling, to being a quality agent. His focus seems to be on the typical salesperson's perspective ie. ABC (always be closing), not matching the client to the property they want, like and can aford.

Having already read Think & Grow Rich, I didn't think that there was anything more that I could learn about PMA. I figured that this would be more of the save only on a different cover. Boy was I surprised!

W.Clement Stone and Napolean Hill joined forces for this text. W. Clement Stone used the principles in Think & Grow Rich to amass a personal and self made fortune in excess of $400,000,000
when that was worth $400,000,000.

I found chapter 2 particularly interesting. How Robert Christopher was able to travel around the world in 84 days with only $80 merely as a result of setting it as a goal, conceiving, believing and then achieving it is impressive.

Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude is divided into five parts, 19 chapters and over 300 pages. It's a fun, easy read and provides powerful strategies i.e. pilots to succeed.

In 1990, I met a very successful businessman who told me he went from unemployment living in Tampa, Fl to over $2.5 million and moved to Hawaii where he bought a boat and retired in only 18 months using these principles along with the right opportunity.

The first batch of significant books that had the greatest influence on me in terms of attaining personal achievement includes mostly Napoleon Hill's books:

- The Law of Success;
- Think & Grow Rich;
- The Keys to Success;
- Success through a Positive Mental Attitude;
- Succeed & Grow Rich through Persuasion;

The others were from Clement Stone, Dale Carnegie, & Earl Nightingale.

That was the early 70's when I had just started work as a young engineer.

The author, Napoleon Hill, had impressed me most by his relentless dedication in spending some two to three decades of his life in pursuing & researching the success secrets of the rich & famous...with a little help from Andrew Carnegie, of course.

As matter of fact, many of the famous people he interviewed were also favourite role models of mine e.g. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, just to name a few

Till this day, I have never forgotten what he said:

"The most powerful instrument we have in our hands is the power of our mind."

I have never ceased to be fascinated by the simplicity & the potency of his ABCs of personal achievement: CONCEIVE, BELIEVE & ACHIEVE!

It is certainly enlightening to note that even Stephen Covey had drew inspiration from Napoleon Hill's work even though he never made that credit. He only admitted that the 7 Habits had its origins from "200 years of success literature in the United States." That remark itself is self explanatory.

Anthony Robbin's Mastery program as embodied in his books as well as his audio/video resources is no exception, even though he has been influenced in larger extent by NLP.

If you look at & compare the 17 principles of personal achievement in 'The Law of Success' &/or the 13 Steps to Riches in 'Think & Grow Rich', one can obviously see the uncanny resemblance of the 7 Habits & the Mastery principles...in one way or another.

At this juncture, let me outline the principal theme of each book:

The Law of Success: the original course on the fundamentals of success - all the seventeen essential principles of personal achievement;
Think & Grow Rich: The seventeen essential principles are reframed & condensed in terms of thirteen concrete steps to wealth creation (in actuality, this is a condensation of the Law of Success);
The Keys to Success: a further elaboration of the seventeen essential principles with concrete suggestions, exercises & advice;
Success Through Positive Mental Attitude: joint authorship with Clement Stone, with a further emphasis on developing a positive mental attitude;
Succeed & Grow Rich Through Persuasion: joint authorship with Clement Stone, with a further emphasis on developing master salesmanship & networking;
[It is pertinent to note that Clement Stone actually built his insurance business empire with these principles.]

My most productive, personal learning experience from Napoleon Hill's work is the understanding - application - of his success principle #1: Develop Definiteness of Purpose.

[Very surprisingly, J Y Pillay, former Chairman of Singapore Airlines, - who had been credited for building the airline to what it is today, A GREAT WAY TO FLY! - also credited his work axiom to this same success principle, but he attributed it to an ancient Hindu scripture known as Bhagavad Gita.]

I am certainly gratified to note that Napoleon Hill's work had casted so much influence on - & empowered - so many people in the world, including myself.

This is unquestionably one of the very best books on the science of personal success. Written in the same vein as the Napoleon Hill classic, "Think and Grow Rich," this book is full of inspiring examples of how focusing the mind upon intended positive outcomes can be the catalyst to great accomplishment and personal growth.

The message is extremely powerful and its strict application MUST invariably lead you towards the fulfillment of whatever aims you focus its principles towards.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should say that I am a speaker, trainer, and author of another unique and highly valuable learning tool that can also be found here on Amazon: The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Personal Wealth Creation (Combo Audio/Data CD): Audio Seminar With Downloadable 40-Page Action Manual and Active Link Library. It is a straight-forward discussion of the art and science of personal wealth creation and should be considered by anyone serious about wanting to learn more about the right way to get started on the road to personal wealth creation and financial freedom!

Other "WealthLoop Series" tools of worth looking into include:

The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses: The Foolproof Roadmap to Real Estate Riches Without the Risks and Hassles of Landlording

and

The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses (Combo Audio/Data CD): Author's Audio Commentary Plus Downloadable 32-page Marketing Manual, Checklists, Spreadsheets, and Forms.

I've read Think and GRow Rich at least 20 times, and now Read this one at least 2times going on Three now..I received Spiritual blessings because of these principles that cannot be measured in money or material things.. only in the eternal. Now I am being prepared for My wealth, My Million dollar ideas to manifest into reality. I am now practicing these principles daily and look forward to the physical manifestation which has been prophesied by prophets, preachers, and people who don't even know me..The seed was planted years ago now What has been sowed is being reaped. Wealth is circulating in my life, this wealth flows to me in avalanches of abundance. All my needs, desires, and goals are met instantaneously.
Carl Ray Marshall

postive mental attitude...I liked this book, when i was getting down on myself i found that reading this book lifted my spirits somewhat. I just didnt like the printing and size of the book. Other than that...the material was pretty good. buy it used...

THIS BOOK IS LIFE CHANGING. I THINK THE RABBI HAS HIS THUMB ON THE TRUE WAYS TO GET WEALTH. IT IS A BOOK FOR THE WHOLE MAN AND NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY.

While this author has some good points and wisdom to share it is a very difficult read because it is horribly wordy. The author seems to go on and on and on about each topic/point. I found it very boring and difficult to read (and I love to read self-help books and have quite a collection of them). I think that the author should have either hired a ghost writer or the editor should have done a better job of cutting the wordiness out of the text. I finally started reading the summaries at the end of the chapters instead of the chapters itself. This had the potential to be a good book if it had been written in an easy read format. It would have been a much shorter book, though.

This is a wonderful book about human culture and the beliefs, attitudes and culture of wealth and prosperity. The book is full of basic wisdom and is an enjoyable and educational read for anyone, regardless of race, creed or national origin. I purchased several copies and gave them as gifts with enthusiastic responses all around.

I believe the world is a better place if we all prosper, and according to this book, we can.

He has done an impressive job in presenting how the Jewish people view making money. Truly, it's in how you view your contribution to others that both can be in a win-win situation. Intense reading, take your time in absorbing the information.

Rabbi Lapin begins by debunking the myths of why Jews are disproportionately successful in business. He then provides a powerful set of principles - the 10 commandments of making money - that can be applied by anyone. What is particularly powerful about the presentation are the spiritual links that Lapin provides from the Torah and the Talmud, as well as a sprinkling of teachings from the Kaballah. After reading this book, you have a strong understanding why business and making money are fundamentally spiritual undertakings. There also interesting and revealing teachings, especially for non-Jews, about the role of Hebrew in the Jewish faith, the meaning of the Star of David, and much more. If you want to grow financially and spiritually, read this book.

I can't say enough good things about this young woman. I inhaled this book and loved every page. Her story was inspiring and completely heart felt! A must read for anyone wanting to learn more about foster care, anyone that loves a good memoir or anyone who appreciates great writing.

I read this book a few months ago. It was very inspring to me. I had a pretty great childhood minus my father drinking a little too heavily but he was never a bother. But this book has completely opened my eyes to the horrible things children sometimes face. I hate that most children have been failed by the system. I have read many memoirs lately about child abuse and it has sparked an interest in me to go back to school for social work or even abnormal child psychology. I want to help stamp out child abuse of every kind. I have a two year old little girl who is my absolute life. I would never in my wildest dreams think about ever hurting her in anyway. Three Little Words is very well written and is very heartbreaking. I am glad that Ashley was able to rise from a horrible childhood and become a healing tool for children and adults who have and are still going through the same ordeal. I very highly recommend this book. It will change your life!

Ashley Rhodes was only three when she was taken from her mother and put into the foster system. No one bothered to explain the whats and whys as the little girl and her year-old brother Luke were passed from home to home over the next decade.

In some homes, Ashley was merely neglected; many of her "parents" were intent on merely making money off the system, and had way too many children to manage. But in other places - most notably the Mosses' - Ashley, Luke and over a dozen other children were actually abused. In the court trial that followed, the Mosses' former charges testified of horrors ranging from having hot sauce poured down their throats to being forced to squat for hours at a time.

At 12, young Ashley had gone through more families than she could remember, and was actually relieved to have landed at a children's home, where she could retain some semblance of routine and normalcy. Then Gay and Phil Courter came into her life, wanting to adopt her.

Even after the adolescent had made her home with the Courters, she was still unsettled. Adoption meant nothing to her; after all, she had seen countless other children, including her own brother, get adopted and eventually returned to the children's home. So Ashley continued to test her new parents, daring them to send her back. How much would it take? Where was the line? She felt sure there had to be one.

Now in her early twenties, Rhodes-Courter strives to educate others about the realities of foster care -- one of her chief reasons for writing her memoir. She is an inspiration to all, and her book is an engrossing, witty read not to be forgotten.

Lorraine Rhodes was a single teenage mother who shared parenting duties of little Ashley with her twin sister. They lived in a trailer and worked different shifts. Their home became the cool teen party hangout since there were no real adults around. Lorraine's maternal instincts were casual (when Ashley was a toddler, Lorraine strapped her into a car seat but not into the seatbelt; Ashley once fell out during a drive). Lorraine hooked up with an abusive boyfriend named Dusty, and was soon expecting. That baby died, but Lorraine became pregnant once more, delivering Ashley's brother, Luke.

The family moved to Florida when Ashley was three. There, Dusty ran into trouble with the law, and the two children were taken. Ashley was too young to understand that she would never live with her mother again, as she and Luke entered a foster home --- the first of 14 she would live in over the next nine years. No one explained to the three-year-old why she couldn't be with her mother. When she did finally see her mother, Lorraine said they would live together after she found a nice home and a good job. Ashley yearned for her mother constantly as she was moved from foster home to foster home, sometimes with Luke and other times alone. Lorraine visited occasionally, always promising that Ashley would live with her "someday."

Ashley and Luke were able to stay at their grandfather's house in South Carolina where they were relatively happy, thanks to their grandfather's live-in lady friend, Adele, who enjoyed mothering them. Yet they lived in fear that they would be removed from that home because Adele and their grandfather weren't married, and because Grandpa was frequently in jail and had a history as a wife abuser. Despite the instability of the situation, Ashley was so happy she felt like she was in a dream.

But when Grandpa got shot during an argument in front of the children, they were removed and sent back to Florida, where they entered Ashley's seventh home in two years. Their new "home" was packed full of foster kids, reeked of filthy diapers and was reigned over by screaming parents (as grim as this sounds, it was not their worst foster home, not by a long shot). Needless to say, Ashley and Luke were thrilled when they were sent back to Adele in South Carolina, where they were content until once again they were returned to Florida. During Ashley's nine-year stint in 14 foster homes, she encountered 44 caseworkers. None of these people, paid to help foster children, saved Ashley from living through sickening abuse at the hands of foster parents.

Finally, one woman, a volunteer named Mary Miller, took a special interest in Ashley. Eventually, Ashley was adopted by a loving family, although she agreed to it with major reservations (the three little words from the title were her "I guess so" when the judge asked if she agreed to the adoption). Ashley believed that the adoption could never last; she is frank about her problems adjusting to her new life after years of hopelessness.

Ashley Rhodes-Courter, who sued her most abusive foster parents, works tirelessly to help children in the foster system. She has spoken to the Senate, and many other groups, about the need for foster care reform. And in this excellent page turner, she gives vibrant voice to those voiceless, helpless children caught in this nightmare, giving us insight into a national tragedy. I highly recommend her heartbreaking and inspiring memoir.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon

Excellent book that describes what is both wrong and right with the foster care system. Reading this book should be a requirement for all social work students. This book is one of those "hard-to-put-down" books that is both informative and enjoyable.

Hands down this is the best basketball philosophy book. This tells exactly how Wooden ran UCLA's basketball program and explains why they won 10 national championships. To truely understand the mind of one of basketball's greatest coaches, you must read this book. From discipline to practice planning, Wooden on Leadership has it all.

It is one thing to read a successful coach's leadership story written by the coach, but it is quite another experience to read the personal accounts of a coach that other coaches look up to, and to have those accounts reinforced and complemented by commentaries from peers, players, competitors, and assistant coaches from throughout that revered coach's life and career. This excellent book is that other experience about a once-in-a-lifetime man, coach, teacher, mentor, leader, and winner in the most important game of all - the game of life.

The book's fifteen chapters are organized into three parts ("The Foundation for My Leadership" (Wooden's legendary "Pyramid of Success"), "Lessons in Leadership," and "Lessons from My Notebook"). Each chapter finishes with a summary called, "Rules to Live By," which did a great job of highlighting the chapter's main points. Particularly enjoyable were the many great inspirational quotes, passages, and anecdotes that perfectly reinforced and complemented Wooden's text. Also, while the third part was completely devoted to Wooden's famous notebooks, excerpts from those notebooks (typed and hand-written) were included throughout the book and added a great 'personal touch' to the overall contents.

There are many "So-and-So on Leadership" books in the market, but none can match the richness of character and the unequalled quality of the lifetime body of work specified and implied in the simple title of "Wooden on Leadership."

Anyone who wants tips on living on and off the court must read this book.

John Wooden is a qualified success and his book demonstrates how others can be successful. Wonderfully written and well documented with examples of Wooden's method and how to apply the pyramid of success. If you want a map for success, this is the book to read.

After taking a class where much time and focus was spent studying leadership I began reading John Wooden's book titled Wooden on Leadership. I found this book extremely interesting as Hall of Fame coach, John Wooden, allowed readers to understand his very own philosophy of leadership.
As many may know, Coach Wooden is a legend. As a basketball coach at UCLA He coached four perfect season and led his athletes to ten national champions in twelve years. With many accolades bestowed upon him it is interesting to see just how he become so successful and what actions helped him to reach his goals. This Coach of the Century (named by ESPN) and basketball hall of famer explains just how he reached success throughout his entire novel Wooden on Leadership.
Filled with personal beliefs, lessons, and excerpts from his personal notebook Wooden and co-author Steve Jamison work together to explain the leadership qualities Wooden used on the basketball court that can help make any business successful.
The novel begins with his attempts to reach "Competitive Greatness" by explaining his "pyramid of success" which include his fundamental leadership qualities and characteristics. He also thoroughly discusses such aspects of teamwork, desire, confidence, and improvement.
Wooden on Leadership focuses mainly on key points Wooden has derived from coaching basketball for many years of his life, but such aspects explained in the book, he insists, can help make any team, business, or corporation a success. This book is filled with great lessons, notes, and even stories about how and why Wooden believes what he does.
I considered this book a very easy read. At times, I found myself so thoroughly into his lessons that I found it hard to put down. Each chapter starts with a new lesson to help lead any business to success and ends with personal recollections from those who have been under the guidance of Coach Wooden in the past. Each recollection provided by those who have worked with Coach Wooden serve as direct support in the belief that his lessons and methods have worked in the past and if applied correctly, will continue to bring about success in the future. All aspects of this book were, as a coach myself, easy to relate to and understand. Wooden on Leadership also provides many great quotes and phrases to help inspire or motivate the team you work and communicate with.
I would recommend this book to any leader, coach, or teacher who is responsible for guiding those around them. It provides first hand insight on leadership and direct lessons to cultivate success. This coach is one of the most winningst coaches in basketball history and can now add another `success' to his lists of accomplishments with this particular book!