Personal Books

Some people may shy away from this book because they think its about basketball. Wrong -- it's about life, about a person who happens to play basketball.

I think every girl should read this book, because it deals with Cooper's issues with self-esteem and confidence, overcoming poverty, and her pursuit of excellence. I also think every mother should read it, because the book shows how effective a role model Cooper's mother was to her. Maybe mothers and daughters should read this book together, and have discussions about it.

This is not an overtly Christian book, but Cooper is a Christian and does not hide her faith. It is not really an evangelistic book, though one can say it is pre-evangelistic.

This autobiography is one of the best, if not the best, that I've read. It's amazing how Cynthia Cooper writes her own story to motivate and make readers have more confidence. She's a real example of a true athlete hero, someone that can be a role model to all. Thanks to her and her success in the WNBA, she's given Women's Basketball a new meaning. Her determination and motivation to become successful is admirable. This book is really an inspiration to those who lack self-esteem and self-confidence. I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone because is really interesting and inspirational. I'm proud of Cynthia Cooper because she's a real good representative of Women's basketball and a great example of determination and success. She also proved that with God's help, anything is possible.

Cynthia Cooper could be a role model for anyone. She knows how to play the game of life as well as basketball: when to hold, when to fold, and a whole lot more.
What impressed me most? Signed to play in Italy, Cynthia didn't hang around being homesick. She took the opportunity to learn and grow.
My favorite scenes:

(1) New to Italy, she'd never even heard of famous cathedrals that someone asked her about. Later, she could have discussed the architectural history and features -- in Italian.

(2) She asked Ford to give her a marketing internship -- and she felt right at home with the men. I use this example a lot when I talk to parents who are concerned that their daughters are more interested in sports than school.

(3) She takes us behind the scenes of the championship Comets.

Hard to put down, well-written, honest -- the perfect gift for any WNBA fan or any young woman looking to her future, in or out of basketball.

Cooper's book has made me relieze that nothing can turninto something. Also Cooper provides a positive role model for anyonewho wants to better themselves and improve their way of life. This is a book that can be enjoyed by all. There was problems growing up, college, overseas (work) love, and death of loved ones. This tells the reader that everyone faces problems at many different stages of life. Also how they could be overcome with the correct outlook. END

This book is about the story and life of a great know person and athletic. It has its good times and bad times. It tells you what happened in her life till the time she published the book. It tells you from her first time she touched a basketball until she became the leauges MVP. If you want to read a great story about a player and her good times and bad times this is the book you should read. It is for sure the best book I've read about a great person and a life she lived. You should get this book no doubt.

This is a beautiful, fascinating book revealing the author's discoveries about a personal path to healing available to anyone, found within one's own dreams and imagination. The body believes in images and if the healing images are personal and come from the self, via dreams, they have more power to heal. Wanda tells use her story and inspires us to pay attention to our own story. She provides healing images we can borrow and make our own, and gives us guidelines on how to work with our dreams. I will give this book to anyone I know who faces a health challenge.

Wonderful book.
For those of us who have very active dream times... this book is so informative and for those who may not be heavy dreamers but are interested in the wisdom that our dreams can bring us, it is a must read. V

Dreaming is healing. Our bodies speak to us in dreams, giving us early warning of symptoms we might develop, showing us what they need to stay well. Dreams give us fresh and powerful images for self-healing. Dreams are also the language of the soul; they put us in touch with wells of memory and sources of creativity and energy far beyond the clutter and confusion of the little everyday mind. Beyond this, dreams are experiences of the soul, and can take us - sleeping or hyper-awake - into realms where we can have direct access to sacred healers and teachers.

These themes and possibilities come vividly alive in Wanda Burch's brave and beautiful book She Who Dreams, which is both the narrative of a personal journey into healing through dreaming and an incitement to bring the gifts of active dreaming into our everyday lives.

I have been sharing dreams with Wanda since early in 1987, and I know the depth of experience and the deeps of dreaming from which this book flows. Her dreams diagnosed a life-threatening illness (breast cancer) a year before the doctors found symptoms. Her dreams guided her choice of treatment, gave her powerful imagery for self-healing and recovery, enabled her to grow a creative relationship with her physicians and awakened her to a deeper life and a vital engagement with the world as a dreambringer - one of those who creates a safe space for others to open to the gifts of dreaming, and can bring a dream to someone in need of a dream.

Her personal story is quite fascinating. Her first dream mentor was her Irish-American grandmother, a "wise woman" of the Alabama hill country. Later she met the dreamers of the Iroquois, one of whom appeared at her back door in the form of a white wolf.

But it is the story of everyday trials, more than the extraordinary elements in this book, that will touch the hearts of many readers and bring them practical guidance that is urgently needed. Wanda shows how dreams can get us through. One of her most valuable contributions to the literature of healing and recovery is to show us how we can use the self-healing tools that flow from dreamwork to support conventional medical treatments, smoothing the process and reducing adverse side-effects. For this alone, She Who Dreams is an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals, therapists, healers and caregivers.

SHE WHO DREAMS is a powerful book. Wanda Easter Burch gives us a beautiful portrait of a life lived on many levels - as we all live - and, by offering the harrowing and hopeful details of her life, inspires us to look at our own lives with the same degree of curiosity and compassion.

With the quality of pacing and skillful foreshadowing that a seasoned novelist would offer, the author lays out her personal story. On one level it follows her roots in the American South to travels in Africa, important interactions with the Mohawk tribe and her home in a rural New York hamlet. We follow her struggle with cancer including her mastectomy, the emotional despair her chemotherapy induces and, ultimately, her path as one who heals. On another level it follows the story of her dreams. Her childhood is guided by a grandmother who understood the power of dreams to foretell and bring healing. Her adult life is blessed with the incomparable friendship of well-known author and dream explorer, Robert Moss - whom she first met in a childhood dream. The author's dreams insistently foretell of a cancer her doctors repeatedly ignore. As insistently, her dreams predict her death at age 43.

By actively following guidance her dreams provide, the author is led - and leads us - through a healing process that proves, beyond a shadow of doubt, the power of the spirit and the mind. And, even more profound, it leads to a rewriting of a life contract that, in its extension, offers us a writer whose unfolding talents provide unique inspiration that inside each of us lies the ability for our dreams to reveal our own infinite wisdom. Reading SHE WHO DREAMS may well change your life.

I confess that I came to this book as something of a skeptic. To my rational, scientific mind, the idea that one's dreams can affect or predict the future seemed pretty iffy. Yet it is hard to deny the truth of personal experience. Wanda Burch has a fascinating story to tell, and I was drawn in by it. She describes her life-and-death experiences in vivid detail, with honesty and insight that leap out from the page. The author is more than a survivor; she is clearly a woman of extraordinary courage.

For anyone who has struggled with special health challenges, or anyone who has wondered what their dreams mean, or for that matter anyone who just enjoys a good original biography, I highly recommend this book.

After reading this book, it's really good to know that we can change our lives for the better, as well as be able to create our miracles at will. To have this book being introduced to me is already a miracle in itself! Highly recommended!

This is an engaging primer on manifestation and the law of attraction. the first section deals with quantum physics and suggests that science supports the metaphysical program offered in later sections. The book provides a program to assist in the manifestation of goals and desires.

While there is nothing new here, it is nicely written and accessible. I liked the fact that the third and final section of the book actually provided an outline of basic steps to manifestation with some helpful examples. It would be nice if authors would put in new stories as opposed to relying on the same, old, tired vignettes. This book provides a nice review of the Science of Mind principles for advanced students. Perhaps more importantly, it provides a solid foundation for beginners.

I have to admit, I was hoping this book would cover far more new ground than it did. The worst thing I can say about the body of this book is that it simply reclycled most of what Louise Hay already covered in her two books, You Can Heal Your Life and The Power is Within You. That said, the premise of this book, even though science hasn't yet been able to fully explain the practical "how," of how energy is transmuted into the "matter," of objective experience, makes it an invaluable read. For anyone who has moved beyond the cultural mythology of religion and is looking for a Cosmic explanation of why prayer works, this is the book for you. The in depth introduction to Quantum physics and it's connection to the realm of possibility is a fascinating read. It can help to claify confused, unfocused thinking and set you in the direction of being able to co-create with this brilliant, creative Cosmic Mind the life of your dreams.

"Pioneering research into quantum physics and human consciousness" is applied to human achievements and the creation miracles in this highly readable look at the law of attraction and human potential. The book is divided into three sections: Why Miracles are Possible, Where You Fit In, and Making Miracles. The authors conclude with an extensive bibliography and endnotes. What I found best about this book was its clarity. For example, on page 121, the authors conclude the chapter with "The real shortcut is in finally knowing what to do and doing it. Don't waste time or limit your life any longer." I highly recommend you read this book.

If you are interested in reading about financial success, you may want to look at "The Richest Man in Babylon," by George Clason, and "The 17 Principles of Creating Wealth," by Phillip Collinsworth.

I've read dozens of books on this general topic and I'd have to agree that is one of the very best I've read so far. It's filled with clear, easy to understand principles coupled with useful suggestions on how to apply those principles to our day to day life. This book is a very helpful "how to" treatment of a topic that's often treated in very fuzzy terms. Studied and applied, this book can help us learn how to take spiritual control of our lives ... how to live the lives we dream of without working ourselves to a frazzle trying to achieve those dreams "the hard way".

I've felt for a LONG time that our "hopes and dreams" reached for things our "abilities to make our dreams come true" just couldn't accomplish without incredible damage to the rest of our lives. Working 90 hours a week, ignoring our families and punishing our bodies can't be the best way to make our dreams come true. This book is one of the best in showing us how to make all our dreams come true in a balanced, healthy, mutually beneficial and "effortless" way.

In any break-up, especially one precipitted by deception, one would excuse any level of bitterness. Yet, Finnamore manages the difficult balance of anger, humor, hurt and bewilderment. She gives hope to those in the same unfortunate situation.

Plus, I loved imagining the second wife's realization that she snagged a man who will never seemingly stop cheating.

As a divorced parent myself, I was struck by the subtitle of this book ("A Memoir of Divorce"). Even though (or perhaps just because) the book is written from a woman's perspective, I decided to pick this up.

In "Split: A Memoir of Divorce" (255 pages), author Suzanne Finnamore gives us her perspectives on how her husband (who is named "N" in the book) leaves her and their small son (named "A" in the book), and leaves her blindsided. The book is divided in 5 parts that are supposed to reflect the grieving-and-healing process (Denial/Anger/Bargaining/Grief/Acceptance). I was surprised how long the author seemingly clung to the notion that somehow she'd gain N back, even though it is clear it will not happen. But when the realization comes, grief sets in. Writes Finnamore: "Much like trains in India, grief is a circular, irrational process with no discernible rhythm or timetable. Here it comes, there is goes." Towards the end of the 'bargaining" phase, when all that is left to do is to figure out go gets what, and other legalities are taken care of, Finnamore is better adjusted. She observes dryly: "'How could you ever forgive me?' N asks, plaintive. I have no answer. Pass. Then I don't hear from him for a week."

I enjoyed Finnamore's writing style. She has a sharp pen, and clear observations. Yet I had trouble connecting emotionally with the book, and with the story. Maybe it is because this is written from a female perspective. I realize that every divorce is unique in a sense, and the divorce described in "Split" certainly very different from what I went through. "Split" is not a bad book, but neither is it the memorable, once-in-a-lifetime read on what it's like going through a divorce.

I left my husband 25 years ago this month, at his request. The child we shared was biologically only his, so I felt he needed to keep the house - and the law figured he needed to keep our daughter. This book - oh, my, it nails it! Every emotion, all the way! I, too, have been blessed - the child was 11 at the time, and my ex allowed me to have joint custody. Today we share a pleasant friendship, chatting occasionally by phone and enjoying family events together. But all those other chapters - I remember them well, and Finnamore couldn't have described them better!

Which, by the way, is another beauty of this book - her great writing style!

If you've been there, if you're there now...if you want to understand what someone you care about is going through - Split is perfect!

I loved this book. I am in the middle of a VERY similar situation in my own life, so this came at the perfect time. I felt validated in my feelings while I read. I want to thank the author personally for the friend she became as I read along. I will keep this book forever to show that we can all recover from a hard situation, regardless of what is thrown at us. And... so will our children. I say... buy this book, you will love it.

I have read every book on this subject (divorce). Although it came out a bit late in the day (decade) for me - or rather for my own divorce - it still provided still needed succor. Funny and beautifully written and studded with sentences you will want to write down. Highly recommended.

"Stress: Living and Working in a Changing World" provides you with the techniques and the inspiration to take control of the stress in your life and make it work for you. The book takes time - it is not a how-to-eliminate-stress in five easy steps, which makes it all the more valuable. We didn't get "dis-stressed" in five easy steps; we will not get "de-stressed" in five easy steps. All the steps are here, plus a wealth of background information to understand the physiology and psychology involved. Read the parts you are ready for, but if you are stressed - and who isn't--you owe it to yourself to read this book.

Manning, Curtis, and McMillen have created in STRESS: Living and Working in a Changing World, a resource that combines a unique blend of theory and practical application that deals with a subject that nearly everyone can relate to. The book contains numerous tools that can be utilized to further one's knowledge and ability to deal with this potentially hazardous phenomenon. With all the "self-help" resources available in the marketplace, it is unusual to find one that is so theoretically based and yet so practically presented. It is certainly going to be part of my office/home library.

James L. Besier, Assistant Director of Pharmacy/ Adjunct Assistant Professor

In the academic arena, some books offer sound intellectual insights; a few present a nuts and bolts approach to a problem. Dr. George Manning's newest book on stress is one of the rare volumes that offers both.

A seasoned and respected psychologist, George Manning has the credentials that demand respect. He also has a way of relating sophisticated truths to the real world of the workplace.

I highly recommend this book for company executives, for teachers, for clergypeople and for anyone else who must work with people who are in the state of "becoming."

John McCollister, Ph.D.

"Stress: Living and Working in a Changing World" is not just another book on stress. It is the only stress book you will ever need. This book is written for everyone caught up in the stress of living and working in a rapidly changing world. It provides insight and wisdom, techniques and strategy, and common sense approaches for dealing with the stress of daily living. Written in down-to-earth language and using real-life examples, complex concepts are easily understood. It is a small price for such a wealth of help - and all at your finger tips - in one volumn.

I found the best time to read this book was whilst on holiday (vacation) and as far away as my normal stress levels as possible. My wife, son and I took an RV to West Virginia and did a little white water rafting, walking and cooking on camp fires. We actually read the book together and I emphasise, not in any particular order. I would read the titles from the table of contents and someone would pick one. The most enjoyable part was taking the many tests together, as a family. Strangely enough, we did not necessarily complete all the tests or even analyse all the results, the biggest benefit was how it got us talking to each other. Often the test was forgotten until a long time later, when we would then go back and finish it. It almost seemed like it was easier to understand the results after following the diverse directions our conversation tooks us.

I spent one evening talking to my son (14) over a blazing and eventually dying campfire for several hours. I know the book inspired us to do this, or at least put us in the right frame of mind. After I had returned from this most relaxing of holidays, I realised that the best form of stress relief was what I had just experienced. Sharing, listening and talking to the family and getting to know them even better. Also reaffirming a long held belief that they are the most important things in life, not my job or house or the other trappings of our materialistic society. I am a great fan of George Manning's, I loved his book 'Building Community, the human side of work'. It defines so clearly the things I really hold to be true and essential for a GREAT working existence. This book(Stress.....) really helped me understand more about the topic and even more importantly, how to manage it. I still haven't read the whole book, but I am looking forward to our next trip together, so we can tackle some more of its' contents, and see where it takes us this time.

I count this book among the best I have ever read. Whether or not you know someone who has committed suicide, this book will touch you deeply. If you do know someone who has committed suicide, this book could help you see how one person unravelled the story behind her brother's tragic, young death. This is a book of enormous truth and humanity, told with humor and obvious love. It is also a closely scrutinized view of one family, how it lives from day to day, the roles of each person within the family, and how it dealt with disaster.
I check Amazon periodically to see if Kathleen Finneran has written another book. Where are you Kathleen Finneran? Your audience awaits.

This book reveals the emotional upheaval that only a suicide survivor can put into words. Ms. Finnerman's story of the suicide death of her brother was unfortunalty a subject I can relate to. It is a well told and sensitive book which shines a light on the topic of losing a sibling in such a tragic manner.

From the first part of the book I was hooked. The author's Mother had experienced some very powerful things in regard to her son..and what made them powerful was she wasn't scared to share those experiences with her daughter--the author. I gave this book to a friend to read and she thought it was very good--and I have since sold it to my favorite used bookstore--I think someday I will buy it (again) and reread it.

I recently read The Tender Land and loved it. I admit that I was somewhat hesitant to read it because of the suicide subject matter. But it turns out to be more of a book of how a family copes with sudden death and the grief that follows. I think anyone could relate to this story. Ms. Finneran is a descriptive author that brings the reader into the story to experience it yourself. I will be looking for more of this author's work.

This memoir is one that I will never forget - it affected me in the way that The Lovely Bones did - it's left me with a profound feeling of heartbreak and poignancy.

Kathleen Finneran is probably one of the bravest of authors as she lays bare many personal feelings and experiences of her own, along with the family tragedy that the Finnerans lived through when they lost 15-year-old Sean to suicide.

She portrays her family, separately and wholly, as tight-knit, strong, extremely loving, but tragically touched by depression and suicide.

I highly recommend this beautifully written, heartrending, precious memoir. It is one-of-a-kind.

My husband has always wanted us to be debt free. I never thought we could and still enjoy life. After 3 months, we have already paid off 3 of our credit cards and cancelled them. We are more careful with our spending now, and we are finding cheaper ways to have fun (while we are getting out of debt)! Excellent reference!

My husband and I LOVE this system! We are giving Dave's CD's for all graduation and wedding gifts. If you are looking for peace and freedom- this is your key!

I've listen to Dave on the radio for months and decided to get the whole truth. This is enjoyable to listen to--Dave actually does the narrating. It walks you through step by step. Highly recommended

If you have any form of debt, buy this book!!! It will open the door for the rest of the Dave Ramsey books. They all educate you on how to navigate the financial market and build peace of mind for you and your family.

Dave Ramsey presents a plan to get out of debt and build wealth in such a simple, logical (and entertaining) way that I can't imagine anyone forsaking his advice. My husband and I listened to his audio book while driving from Indiana to Tennessee this past weekend. From the moment the audio book ended we started planning with excitement how to reach our goals using TMMO. In fact, we would stop the CD to discuss then pick back up. We're finally both on the same page regarding our finances, which for many married couples is difficult to achieve. I believe listening to the audio book together was the best approach. If you read his book and get all fired up, then it may be frustrating while you wait for your spouse to read it -- IF they read it.

The only thing I found just a little annoying was his introduction. I'm sure his inflections were meant to translate into simple animation, but it came across as slightly immature to me. He works his way out of that, though. I also found myself wanting him to "get on with the meat of the plan already" instead of spending so much time in the intro. But be patient because the meat of it does come and it's prime!

Ron "Ragen" Ross is THE MAN!
This book is packed full of useful and easy to understand information for absolutely EVERYONE! I have read many similar books by other authors and they fail in comparison. If you use MONEY, and we all do, you would be doing yourself a huge disservice by not buying this book ASAP!
Go Ron and Reno! You did it again!

This is the most eloquent, most entertaining, and most convincing attack on "beating the market" that I have ever read. The author has a PhD in economics but writes with a journalist's skill. His prose is fluent, readable. I thought the most interesting part of the book was the chart comparing the performance records of golf pros to the performance records of mutual funds -- an extremely effective presentation. Do I think any of his arguments can be refuted? Yes...a few. But on the whole this book is a balloon-bursting attack on active investing.

Very solid book, a great beginner to intermediate education on the market. Not for the novice, but for the fairly familiar person who knows how to do there own investing you would very much enjoy this. If you are a complete novice this would not be the place to start. Check out Suze Ormans book "The road to wealth" and learn the basics on stocks, mutual funds and bonds. Then read this...

This is the best book I have seen regarding investing for retirement. Don't waste your time or money trying to beat the market, just understand Dr. Ross' basic principles for dealing with a volatile market. Forget the "get rich quick" models and come down to earth and use common sense and indexing. The first 2 chapters alone are worth the price of the book.

My career as a retail stockbroker for six years, then for twenty-seven years as an institutional stockbroker selling portfolio analytics and investment research to professional asset managers (pension plan managers, mutual fund managers, and hedge fund managers) has provided me with the opportunity to explore modern portfolio theory, market efficiency, and the investment returns of active managers. I have read many of the books and academic papers Professor Ross uses as resources in this very coherent and thorough explanation of why the attempt to "beat the market" is futile, and fraught with risk.

Professor Ross uses his deep understanding of statistics, economics, and behavioral finance to explain market efficiency. He weaves a tight, coherent, and entertaining explanation of why the statistical evidence (manager performance databases) demonstrate most active managers cannot sustain above market performance for any significant time period. And he explains the risks of believing that the few active managers who have "outperformed" will continue to do so.

Professor Ross' book is the drawstring that pulls the elements of the Efficient Market Theory into a focused, concise, entertaining, and very readable format. I give Professor Ross' book my highest recommendation.

This book is perfect for anyone wanting to understand this controversial subject. It provides a very scientific look into many long-standing myths associated with the plant and drops humorous comments along the way.

Dr. Earlywine's book "Understanding Marijuana" explains the uses of marijuana on a level that can be understood by all readers. Remaining unbiased, he combines the political aspect to the benefits of decriminalization the substance as well as the harmful effects and beneficial uses. The long term research becomes clear as the author takes you into a world not clearly understood by most in everyday society. This book comes highly recommended to those who can benefit from Dr. Earleywine's years of dedicated research into the variations of the legalization of marijuana and in my opinion, the end of the tireless "war on drugs".

I first experienced pot at age 16 and soon learned that what little I was told was NOT TRUE. This book lays it out in all its splendor. It is not a harmless drug- but it is the next best thing. The pharmacology section was very useful as it explained the way THC is produced and broken down by the plant. On the way up to THC Cannabidiol is produced. Cannabinol is produced as the plant starts to break down. The medical section is fabulous. I was not aware of its medical applications fully until I became a Medical Assisting Student and was placed as an intern in a Multiple Sclerosis practice. This drug does wonders for them! Few knew about it. More need to learn about it. That and I just love the look of those leaves! They are Serrated!!

With all of the misinformation circulating about cannabis over the last 70 years its nice to have a refreshing, scholarly, intelligent review of the subject. I wish everybody in the country who had anything to do with the War on Drugs - from both sides of the debate, would stop bantering about unsupported nonsense and old cliches about that vegetation and look at the evidence, the history, and see the nonsense that is currently floating unabashedly about on that subject. Thanks Dr. Earlywine for your significant effort to try to get out the facts. Del

Yep. Another book that's packed full of research to support this incredible little herb. SIGH! We really need to get "with it" and make this available for health and well being for our people and our planet.

It's clear, clever, engaging and informative. It's smart and interesting and packed with great and pertinent information.

Too long we have ignored most of the human brain. Brian Walsh's book clearly shows us how to take advantage of the rest of it.
Parents should read it, too.

Former educator

Traditionally, teachers have relegated students into two camps: those who show potential and those who teachers pass up as being unfit for the academic track. Many schools employ the rout method of learning, and while this serves some students well, for others, this approach leaves them lost in the corridors of our educational system. In comes Brian E. Walsh's, "Unleashing your Brilliance" a book that shows us that with the right tools and ingenuity all students can excel.

Walsh exhibits a breath of knowledge in a text that covers every subject from how your brain learns (left and right hemisphere) to different types of intelligence, such as verbal, emotional, musical and naturalistic. After a thorough explanation of the thought process, Walsh offers examples of various learning techniques that can improve our skills, everything from taking short breaks while studying to jump start our thinking, to what types of background music stimulate our thoughts. Explaining everything from hypnosis to positive thinking, we are asked to change our early assumptions of how we were taught to learn.

Mr. Walsh makes many compelling arguments, the first being that schools adhere to conventional teaching methods that do not meet the needs of all students. He stresses that teachers need to understand the different personality types to bring the best out of each student. Tools to enhance learning can be as simple as making certain that students get plenty of physical exercise, to employing varied teaching techniques in the classroom. For instance, if tension arises in the classroom setting, Mr. Walsh suggests that a teacher..."defuse conflicts by balancing structured and unstructured activities through both inductive and deductive course material." Another topic covered is word-association brainstorming, an exercise that encourages a student to tap their creative energies. Walsh praises techniques like hypnosis and positive thinking. Being a perpetual skeptic, I actually had the opportunity to test this method last week when faced with a daunting project at work. I repeated to myself, "I have the ability to do this job and I will excel." At first I had absolutely no confidence in myself, but as I continued my mantra I actually found the self-assurance to accomplish the project to my complete satisfaction. Walsh offers the reader these as well as a myriad of other skills to stimulate and enhance learning.

The book is mapped out in logical order, beginning with the physiological and ending with practical techniques for learning. Every chapter has topic headings, and each section is broken up with quotes and/or cartoons that reinforce the material and help the reader remember the content. After each theory is explained, Walsh provides a website address, if the reader wishes to pursue the material further. At the conclusion of each chapter is a crossword puzzle with review questions. This is an extraordinarily enjoyable method to help jolt your memory and retain the information just gathered. The writing style is succinct and well thought out. Walsh successfully employs different teaching styles and techniques with his writing style; in short, "Unleashing Your Brilliance," mirrors the creative learning approach he is promoting. The book's premise, that we all learn differently and have the promise to be more effective learners, is a compelling narrative that will change the way you think.

Quill says: A very well written book that challenges traditional learning assumptions.

I've read a lot of books about superlearning, photoreading, success habits, brain functioning, mind mapping, memorizing. But here's a book that brings it all together in one place, full of way more realistic information than I'd known about before. In 273 pages, Brian Walsh gives a practical overview of state-of-the-art learning tools and techniques.

The book was a pleasure to go through! Not academic and heavy and boring, but a fun, informative read. Filled with great quotes, illustrations, internet links, practical information--heavy-duty reality--the structure itself is an example of facilitated learning.

In a sense, the book is a portal: one opening up a host of resources for the mind. Walsh points the reader to all kinds of ways for producing change. We learn how to break negative patterns and how to experience more productive and satisfying lives. He shows us how to best learn--and teach--a second language. He writes about brainstorming, about effectively influencing others, about real listening. We learn how we learn: what works and what doesn't.

It's a handbook for the human brain. I learned a lot by reading it. And I'm learning a lot by checking out some of the other sources referred to. If "unleashing your brilliance" is one of your goals, here's definitely a book to read.

"Unleashing Your Brilliance" by Brian Walsh is a well-written, well-researched book about the great potential each of us has within us. It's fascinating the way in which we absorb and process information. Brian's book gives a thorough, simple and comprehensible explanation of how we learn.

I'm drawn to self-help books that explore the human mind. I think the science of human understanding is vastly changing. Brian points out in his book that more progress has been made in understanding the human brain in the past five years than we had in the preceding decades. Imagine what we will know in five more years.

The techniques Brian introduces to stimulate thinking, creativity and learning are helpful. I used several of them before writing this review. I pinched my right nostril to get more oxygen to my creative, right brain. I cross-crawled (left elbow to right knee, right elbow to left knee) to improve my focus and concentration. I tapped my K 27 to increase the blood flow to my brain.

The book is targeted for teachers, parents and students wanting to improve performance. It is also designed for corporate HR personnel wanting to better understand how employees learn in the workplace. I recommend this book for anybody who has an interest in the human mind and its potential.