Training Books

It seems to me that The Fifth Discipline (the previous publication of the series) is more attacting to me. The second book can be more precise and concise in content. Generally speaking I still like these two books as a foreign reader.

The Fieldbook attempts at making the esoteric concepts of the fifth discipline more down to earth and contains a treasure trove of strategies, tools, methods and explanations on how to make the learning organization into a reality.

Thus people who have read The fifth discipline will gain the most from this book. It's a must read for people who want to make their organizations transition into a 'learning organization'

This book is a collection of theoretical summaries, reports, analyses, and strategies all quite useful to anyone interested in generating some thinking and action around change. The team of five writers (Peter Senge, Richard Ross, Bryan Smith, Charlotte Roberts, and Art Kleiner) provide some original work, but also serve as editors to a vast quantity of material drawn from practitioners, theorists, and writers in the field of organizational improvement. According to Senge, "great teams are learning organizations - groups of people who, over time, enhance their capacity to create what they truly desire to create." (p.18) This book is really about creating and building great teams. The learning organization develops its ability to reflect on, discuss, question, and change its current and past practices. To do this, people and groups in the organization need to meaningfully pursue the study and practice of the five disciplines - personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, team learning, and systems thinking.

The learning organization - Senge's vision for the productive, competitive, and efficient institutions of the future - is in a continuous state of change. Four fundamental questions continuously serve to check and guide a group's learning and improvement (see page 49): (1) Do you continuously test your experiences? ("Are you willing to examine and challenge your sacred cows - not just during crises, but in good times?") (2) Are you producing knowledge? ("Knowledge, in this case, means the capacity for effective action.") (3) Is knowledge shared? ("Is it accessible to all of the organization's members?") (4) Is the learning relevant? ("Is this learning aimed at the organization's core purpose?") If these questions represent the organization's compass, the five disciplines are its map.

Each of the five disciplines is explained, and elaborated in its own lengthy section of the book. In the section on "Systems Thinking" (a set of practices and perspectives, which views all aspects of life as inter-related and playing a role in some larger system), the authors build on the idea of feedback loops (reinforcing and balancing) and introduce five systems archetypes. They are: "fixes that backfire", "limits to growth", "shifting the burden", "tragedy of the commons", and "accidental adversaries". In the section on "Personal Mastery", the authors argue that learning starts with each person. For organizations to learn and improve, people within the organization (perhaps starting with its core leadership) must learn to reflect on and become aware of their own core beliefs and visions. In "Mental Models", the authors argue that learning organizations need to explore the assumptions and attitudes, which guide their institutional directions, practices, and strategies. Articles on scenario planning, the ladder of inference, the left-hand column, and balancing inquiry and advocacy offer practical strategies to investigate our personal mental models as well as those of others in the organization. In "Shared Vision", the authors make the case for the stakeholders of an organization to continually adapt their vision ("an image of a desired future"), values ("how we get to travel to where we want to go"), purpose ("what the organization is here to do"), and goals ("milestones we expect to reach before too long"). The section offers many strategies and perspectives on how to move an organization toward continuous reflection. In "Team Learning", the authors rely mostly on the work of William Isaacs and others, and make a case for educating organization members in the processes and skills of dialogue and skillful discussion.

This book is enlightening and informative. It has already found a place on my shelf for essential reference books.

Peter M Serge, The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook

To quote the first few paragraphs at beginning of book:

Among the tribes of northen Natal in South Africa, the most common greeting, equivalent to "hello" in English, is the expression: Sawu bona. It literally means, "I see you." If you are a member of the tribe, you might reply by saying Sikhona, "I am here." The order of the exchange is important: until you see me, I do not exist. It's as if, when you see me bring me into existence.

This meaning, implicit in the language, is part of the spirit of ubuntu, a frame of mind prevalent among native people in Africa below the Sahara. The word ubuntu stems from the folk saying Umuntu ngumuntu nagabantu, which from Zulu, literally translates as: "A person is a person because of other people."


"I bow in honor and reverence that place within you where to the Universe resides, when you are in that place within you, and I am in that place within me, there is One." ~namaste


The five disciplines are at the CORE of a Learning Organization

1) Personal Mastery: expand your personal capacity and ability

2) Mental Models: see how our internal pictures of the world shape action and decision

3) Shared Vision: group commitment

4) Team Learning: group ability is greater than the sum of individual talents

5) System Thinking:


"When we try to bring about change in our societies, we are treated first with indifference, then with ridicule, then with abuse and then with oppression. And finally, the greatest challenge is thrown at us: We are treated with respect. This is the most dangerous stage." --A. T. Ariyaratne (Speech made at International Community Leadership Summit, Winrock, Arkansas, March 1983. This quote paraphrases and expands upon a well-known statement made by Mahatma Gandhi in his book Satyagraha in South Africa, 1982, 1979, Canon, Me.: Greenleaf books)


"An [organization] is not a machine but a living organism." --Ikujiro Nonaka /****
Fundamentals of epistemology: what is knowledge, the nature of knowledge, and what constitutes learning.
understanding is achieved after internalization.
Without experience, we cannot truly understand.
Internalization: transformation from explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge, habits and culture that we do not recognize in ourselves.
Innovation is a process to capture, create, leverage, and retain knowledge.
What is your belief? A belief about images of the world - you may call it a mental model - is a very subjective thing

information is the flow of a message, while knowledge is created by accumulating information. Thus, information is a necessary medium or material for eliciting and constructing knowledge.

The second difference is that information is something passive. When we switch on a TV set, information comes regardless of my commitment. But knowledge comes from my belief, so it's more proactive.

And the organizational knowledge or intellectual infrastructure of an organization encourages its individual members to develop new knowledge through new experiences.

This dynamic process is the key to organizational knowledge creation - that is, socialization (from individual tacit knowledge to group tacit knowledge), externalization (from tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge), combination (from separate explicit knowledge to systemic explicit knowledge), and internalization (from explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge) [...].

[...]

Three Guiding Ideas

1) The Whole. When you are pointing a finger at the problems, notice how many fingers are pointing back at you. If you fixed the symptoms and ignore the root causes, the problems have not gone away. Another way to look at this is treat the person, not the disease. Of course treat the disease if the patient is dying, but know that the patient will get sick again because the "root causes" are stil there.

2) Community. The self is "a point of view." "The essence of being a person is being in a relationship [with] other people." You will not believe this, but each person before you is there for a reason. The reason this person is there at this moment is for you to learn something about yourself. If you ignore the person, do not ignore or forget the lesson.

3) Language. The map is not the territory. We cannot contain every bit of information that comes to us in the world, so we have to create a "map of the territory" and then refer to the map for our information. By changing a person's map, we change their reality. Language is the map, not the reality.

Senge's second serving of the Learning Organization is filled with practical tips and real-life examples from companies and organizations that have embraced the teachings of the Learning Organization successfully.

The Book is a collaboration of several writers who do a superb job of unraveling the web that is the learning organization. At times, it may seem to the reader that the book is a labyrinth of disjointed concepts and ideas. However, if you have read `The Fifth Discipline' you will find no problems following the concepts introduced. In fact, you will even understand why the writers have chosen to introduce them in that fashion. If you have not read "The Fifth Discipline', do not despair, it will take a little longer to get `the whole picture'.
The Book is divided into 8 main sections:

1) Getting Started addresses the basic concepts and ideas of the Learning Organization.
2) Systems Thinking (the fifth discipline) - Many people have argued that Senge should have delegated the fifth discipline until the end, however, without Systems Thinking, your vision is disjointed and incomplete.
3) Personal Mastery covers the area of individual development and learning. The chapters here are among the most valuable in the area of self-growth and self-improvement.
4) Mental Models - These are the pictures that you have in your head which represent reality.
5) Shared Vision - You've seen the whole picture, you've developed and you understand how you see the world. Now you need to find a common cause with the rest of the people in your organization, something that you all work for.
6) Team Learning - As you work with other people in teams or groups, you need to pass the stuff that you have learnt and the wisdom you've acquired to others. At this stage, the learning is no longer that of the individual, but the group.
7) Arenas of Practice - (Self explanatory)
8) Frontiers - Where do we go from here.

If you are interested in development, learning, growth, leadership, gaining a competitive edge whether at an organizational or personal level, then this book is for you. In fact, I'd venture to say that this is book is for everyone.

I am a beginner golfer. The book is very helpful. I checked out many different golf books, but this is the far better golf book with a lof of pictures. The pictures explain far better than expainning with a lof of words for beginners.

Great book,the instructions are easy to follow and don't try to revamp your whole swing. I feel like I have cut at least a couple of strokes per round. I have a 9 handicap,but I am always looking for improvements.

It contains anything you need to improve your game if you are beginner to intermidate.

This book has definitely helped me focus on my grip, swing, and other areas that I need to improve my game. Would have like to have seen a better dvd associated with it. The dvd lessons are quite short, otherwise the instructions in the book are great and the pictures they use are quite clear. Good book for those looking to improve their game!

I have been playing golf for 2 months (took lessons,pored over videos on internet,read many books including Hogan's,Hank Haney's,Leadbetter's, read golf magazines such as Golf Digest and Golf Tips) and I would say this book is one I take to the practice range. At the end of each practice session,I write down a list of what went right and what went wrong. I then flip through the section that covers my problem (the book is well organized for that),learn the drill,fixes and comments on that. Next session,I implement it. It almost always helps.
2 points:Since still pictures and wording can leave a few things unclear, you might have to look up additional sources such as another book/video/professional once in a while. Secondly, as another reviewer noted, in one or two places in the book (of nearly 150 pages),there is what seems to be contradictory advice (one instructor says start high, another says low). In a few other places where you think the same thing's happening,upon careful reading,the shots are slightly different.
Overall, an excellent bargain. You can buy the book alone without DVD for less than 12 bucks. Even better deal as the DVD is limited.

that's new edition (39ª) is diferent of the 37ª. in this new edition the anatomy is broached in chapters of topografical anatomy and not sistemic anatomy. Topografical anatomy is most interesting for a medicine.

The 39th edition of Gray's Anatomy covers all aspects of human anatomy as well as integrating a comprehensive amount of additional information including histology, embryology, physiology, and pathology. Put together by renowned scientists and clinicians, this iconic book is a must for any medical student. This book is IT!

i bought a used copy and its such a big book that its spine does take a beating and its worth getting it new and with the dvd and the subscription. if your gonna use all the resources its so worth it, but the book is well laid out and easy to use, the pictures are well done and the text is well easily scanable for fast reading

This is an AMAZING book to say the least. I have to say, that this book is not for someone who is just starting in the medical field, as it is written in complex medical terminology. However, if you are in the medical field, than this book is a great reference. Every section of the body is broken down to the most minute detail. And the illustrations/pictures are absolutely amazing; they make learning anatomy fun and a little easier. I have to give kudos to all the authors and illustrators of this text... well done! It's also good to do exercises with ;)

Totally distinct from earlier editions is the radically different organization of this classical textbook: the human body is no longer described as containing different systems - the skeleton, the vascular system, the nervous system,...- but the body is now divided in regions. The reason for this radical change, chief editor Susan Standring (King's College, London) explains, is that in the real world, practising clinicians in their daily practice use a regional approach, rather than a systemic view. Therefore, it is understood that the new, 39th Edition of Gray's Anatomy is more adapted to the needs of surgeons, radiologists and other clinicians, than to medical students or scientists interested in the area of human anatomy. However, there is some consideration of the editors for a section `systemic overview'. So, the endocrine system, the blood (haematopoietic) and immune system are not entirely overlooked.

In particular, when regarding the master gland of the endocrine system, namely the pituitary, readers should know that this organ may be found in the `region' of the diencephalon (Section 2.1.). So, neuroanatomists may rejoice that they finally regained control over the capital region of the human body, and over all body functions regulated by this region. Unfortunately, unlike the 38th Edition, the editor of this section has decided to relapse into a terminology that was already obsolete 15 years ago. `Chromophobic' cells belong to the dark ages when new imaging techniques were still looming for their curious but ignorant discoverers. Bibliographic references are reduced to a baseline level. This would result in insufficient source material for research purposes, but, on the other hand, the references are concise enough for users that may feel comfortable with a general slowing down of scientific progress.

However, many, many advantages of the newly revised topics may be found in this 39th Edition. For those interested in the anatomy of the pelvic floor, the inner ear, or the organization of the peritoneum, Gray's Anatomy will meet their expectations. Also shortcuts to topics like assisted fertilization, preimplantation embryology are included, although it never has been easy being both at the cutting edge and also a textbook that bridges the generation gaps. Therefore, together with many, I will be looking forward to the 40th Edition.

Wilfried ALLAERTS
Biological Publishing A&O
The Netherlands

Darlene Arden, who usually specializes in giving advice about small dogs, has described some general problems for the average dog owner whose dog hasn't tried to kill the mail carrier, but sometimes may be not so well behaved. She does this with wit and a deep empathy for our quadrupedal friends and their sometimes frazzled owners. This is a small, inexpensive book that should be on dog owners' shelves.

Dogs, like children, each have their own personalities. Consequently, much to their owner's chagrin, they can "act up" unexpectedly and usually when they have an "audience". Fortunately, I happen to have an unusually well behaved dog, I can't always say the same for my children! The title of this book caught my eye, however, and I wasn't disappointed. It is extremely well written, funny and at the same time, offers expert advice. (I'm thinking of trying some on my kids!)I now also have a new appreciation for my Kaos. She comes off as the canine Emily Post in comparison to the dogs in this book! Thank you Ms. Arden!

I think I've read all of Darlene Arden's books. And that includes the ones on toy breeds, even though I have Giants!! Her style is so easy to read that she can give the most important information in a way that you're having such fun, you don't even realize you're learning! Every one of us has had THOSE days when we wonder why we got that dog in the first place. Darlene explains those terribly embarrassing and frustrating behaviors and explains how we can correct them to make our dogs better pets and companions! I recommend ALL of her books, but especially this newest, to any dog owner, new or experienced.
Lynne Rutenberg

With an engaging writing style, hysterical anecdotes and illustrations, Darlene Arden educates owners on solutions for dog behavior problems. From basic training to serious behavior challenges, this comprehensive book presents complex information in an easily understood way. The book's layout also greatly facilitates use as a reference. As a professional trainer and behavior consultant, I'm always looking for ways to make training fun for my clients. While there are many dog training books on the market, it is a true rarity to find one that is entertaining as well as informative. What a great resource this will be for my clients!

Anyone can write a about the niceties of the human/animal bond(ad-nauseum).
Anyone can write a"how-to" book on animal behavior problems,a-la Popular Mechanix--dull and trite.
But it takes a Darlene Arden-- a special, genuine, confident connoisseur to pull off a bold, informed,and humororous book with THAT TITLE. Just like Smuc kers---"It's got to be good". And indeed it is-- better than we could have anticipated. What a joy to have such a valued authority like Darlene--- a certified animal behavior consultant come forth with such an authoritative book dealing with the dark side of human/animal relationships with such taste and gentility, and with such deep and welcome humor.
I have had the good fortune to know Darlene, not only as a friend and admirer, but also, uniquely, as a client. As such, I have had a rare opportunity to witness her profound feeling and compassion for animals, her deep well of knowledge of their traits, normal and aberrant, and her insightful and intelligent manner of dealing with such pathologies. I know her then from two vantage points--- as a devoted reader, and from a close doctor-client relationship. On both levels, she merits and has earned accolades. She is so good at what she does, so forgive me if I wax enthusiastically--- it is deserved. Who else would discourse about inappropriate behaviors so blithely and a productively.
My hat is off to my very dear friend--- I revel in her achievements and the wonderful receptions she has received. At last, I have a point of a reference I can turn to when an embarrassed client comes to me with noisome problems, and I can refer to Darlene's new book with pride and authority.
I look forward to her future efforts with great anticipation---they are not only good reads, but I have learned so much from them, in addition.

Sincerely,

Ray Russo, D.V.M.
Kingston,MA.

I am a new agent and found this book very helpful. It is an easy read, with very down-to-earth advice about how to start your business.

I read many books written on the topic of how to be successful in real estate. This book was by far the most practical, helpful and fun! The style is engaging and easy to read. Many of the other books had a very negative approach to the business and (in my mind) had a creepy air to them. This book was different. I honestly loved Jennifer's approach to the business of real estate. Her approach is positive, client centered and respectful. She defined how you can be successful in RE and still hold your head up high! If you want to have a successful career that focuses on helping people instead of the negative stereotypes associated with the profession of realtor, this is the book for you. I definitely recommend it.

As a green bean real estate agent who just passed her exams, I was going through an "oh no, what am I doing????" phase when I read this book! (Brian Buffini's websites list of top books to read). WOW. SO GLAD I PICKED IT UP! The gut honest input to multiple situations was so appreciated and actually helped restore my excitement and enthusiasm for this next step in my life. I'm a "take the high-road" girl and reading how you provide ethical-do-the-right-thing-always-extraordinary customer service resonated deeply with me. Thanks for sharing the personal ouches as well as the professional ones. I'll read this book again and again--and can't wait to get started in my new career!

As I read the first couple of chapters, I started to wonder if Jennifer had been somehow monitoring my progress in real estate sales! I got into it for the same reasons she did, made most of the same mistakes, and came up with some of the same solutions. Somehow I muddled through my rookie year and became successful. But if I'd read her book then, I would have made fewer mistakes (and wasted less money on just-sold postcards!). Even experienced (and extroverted) agents can benefit from the creative ideas in Jennifer's book. I am glad I found it now, and I heartily recommend it.

I am a charismatic introvert who became bored. I have made it a central pursuit in my life to find a way to work in the world that meets my intellectual demands, but that allows me independence and flexibility since I am easily drained. I had always thought that a career in real estate might satisfy my needs, but was afraid of turning into a jerk. Jennifer Allan's book changed my thinking entirely and made me realize how short-sighted I had been. It is not the job one does, but the intention behind it. How revelatory to understand that even a career in real estate could be akin to a ministry! This isn't a self-help book, either. It's the author's actual experience, and she is a very trustworthy source. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for those wondering if they can work in real estate in such a way that they're actually in it to be of service to others or for those who have been in real estate who want to inject their careers and their lives with soul.

While reading this book, it occured to me that I could have been sitting in the course - that's how verbatim the majority of the book was written. I certainly walked away with the concepts of EST but without the experience of people who have actually taken this course. For anyone who has taken The Landmark Forum (EST's predecessor), this is a great book to remind you of some of the exercises and concepts covered in that course.

This book is the real deal. It's more hardcore than the Landmark Forum, but it does contain many of the distinctions that are at the core of what makes the Landmark Forum so effective. I am dismayed, however, by those reviews that use the context of a book review to opine on something they have no clue about. Landmark Education is a for-profit business; yes, it has programs to sell; no, it doesn't hide that fact. I can tell you that Landmark Education operates with the highest integrity. Yes, its representatives believe that its programs are the best. Many business professionals believe totally in what they sell. As for the guy who said that est and Werner ruined his life and his life, I say "BS." He ruined his own life, if he could only take some responsibility for his participation. As I wrote in a similar review, read the reviews and then make up your own mind.

...and was actually convinced never to go near est or any of its incarnations. I like to think I'd be one of the few who in the first session, upon being offered their money back, would go to the back of the room and claim it on my way out. I give this book five stars, but for the opposite reason that many reviewers did.

The Book of est is like attending the Landmark forum. I found it to be a great reminder of what I got out of the course I attend in 1999. I got something different reading this book than attending the forum. It really can be stated from my experience that it is an opening, a clear slate, an observing viewpoint to experience and see events unfold and not be the at the controlling force of people or events.

You can review many of the topics of how you create your own experience of life, how to discover what is behind some issues that you struggle with and how to get beyond those issues or transform your approach to issues in your daily experience. You will still struggle with things in your life. This book does not fix you, you are not broken.

This is a must read for anyone that finds themselves stuck and is looking for a new point of view and breaking through self-imposed barriers.

Some people have problems with Landmark. I myself do not like the experience of the marketing but as they say "take what you get" what I got from the training I would have paid for it again.

I have taken the Forum and have had many additional breakthroughs from reading this book. This book is much more focused on opening up to your experiences the the Forum was. This re-creation of an EST event is more harsh then the Forum with the leader addressing people as A-Hole directly. I had a racket (Est/Landmark jargan) about this at first but then I got the distinction made in the book. An A-Hole is someone who thinks he/she is not a machine (more Est/Forum jargan) and resists in the name of their so called freedom. They do not take responsibility for their experience and this keeps them small. A non-A-Hole is someone who gets they are a machine, accepts it, rolls with it, observs it, and is free as a result. When the arguments between participants and the leader were recreated I felt like I was back in my forum all over again. One of the most powerful breakthroughs for me when reading this book was that I stop resisting and I Take What I Get and I Don't Take What I Don't Get. I was no longer resisting. Resisting what you may ask? Feelings, stories, experiences, being present to others, etc... By not resisting and taking what I get, I feel so much lighter. This is such an important concept as for one, what you resist will persist and number two, if you experience something to its fullest, it will disapear and that is a very freeing feeling. Concepts from the Landmark Advanced course are also covered yet with a different spin, such as the Ultimate test for knowing what is Real. The Forum states that Physicallness is the ultimate test for reality yet the focus in this EST book is that experience is really what reality is. It is all how you experience it. One quick example from the book is if you are hit by a bus and you don't know its a bus because your eyes were closed, AND (big "and" here) you experience it as being run over by GOD, then to you it was "really" GOD that hit you. You created your experience and it was real for you. Incedentally, since you create your own experience and are responsible for creating all of your experiences, this makes you a God as well. The paradox that is pointed out in this book is that not only are you a God but you are also a machine as you are not in controll of your thoughts all of the time. Simply close your eyes and try to think of nothing for over 3 minutes and you will probably find this imposible. No matter how much you will it, want it, try for it, controll it, thoughts will still pop up and so you are not in controll. What you are left with is the power to Choose freely. Often, I have found myself having to put this book down so I can apply what I have read to my life or just observe the distinctions created happening out in my life. It is definitly a different flavor of the Forum so if you have taken the Forum and want to get a wider scope of freeing and enlightening perspectives, this book is well worth the price.

Outstanding Service, received book very quickly and the book was in better shape then described. Would do business again with Marla

My daughter is 4 and she is too young to understand it.

My son who is almost 7 has always wet the bed. It was a non-issue in our house as we knew he couldn't help it. He wore Pull-ups nightly. But about a month ago, he came to me expressing his desire to stop. I researched the various methods which can help children become dry. I was intriqued by the reviews for this book that I read on here, so we decided to buy it. We also bought a Wet-Stop bedwetting alarm. My son loves this book and we happily reviewed it every day. Within days of using the alarm and this book, he started having a few dry nights. This is a child that had only one or two dry nights a YEAR before we started this. It is now almost a month since we started this program and he has had 14 totally dry nights in a row!! We are ready to stop the use of the alarm tonight and he is so, so excited and proud! We will look at his book together until he decides to stop (he likes it so much, I'm not sure when that will be!) Of course, since we used the two methods, it's not totally possible to say how this book would have worked for us by itself, but I have an inkling that the book helped the most. It is also very good for a child's self-esteem. We are so very happy with this wonderful book and want to thank the author, too! Because of a family history of bedwetting, we assumed that my son would probably go on bedwetting for years. What a wonderful surprise for us and especially for him. This book has helped turn this whole thing into a positive experience for my little boy. He feels confident and now feels that he has control over this part of his life.

I tried this on my four-year-old daughter, although only half-heartedly because I did not want to pressure her. First, she stopped wetting during her naps. Then she would stay dry at night on and off. Then she said she wanted to stop doing the chart. ANd then she stayed dry night after night. That was six months ago and she doesn't even have accidents.

What I love about this book's approach is that it empowers the child to have control over their bladder. I find other approaches, such as alarms, to be a bit punitive and makes the child feel like it's their fault for wetting at night. The author obviously understands and loves children. Her compassion shines through every page.

Thank you very much, Alison Mack!

I used to wet the bed, but after reading this, I stopped!! I thought that after 16 years of bed wetting, I was doomed to a life on wet lonliness, but no longer!! Thank you David Wilensky, you've saved my life, now I can share a bed with other people!!

I would definitely recommend this booklet for any one who practices or intends to practice ems. Its very detailed and great illustrations and not to big to carry in your pocket.

This is a great reference book for anyone in the ALS field, Easy to read and understand. Lots of helpful info. Would recommend to anyone!!!

This product is excellent for providing a quick reference to different medications. I love that I can turn to the medicine page and find out why the patient is taking that medicine. There are to many available medications to easily remember.

The pediatric reference section - for typical HR, kg and such for a certain age, is also wonderful.

Great reference book to have at 3 a.m. when you're brain may not be functioning at optimum capacity.

I've been using the EMS field guide since I graduated as a Paramedic in 1990...

Important and useful data is presented in a clear and concise format.

The guide is constantly updated to reflect the latest AHA guidelines.

Well designed, rugged and small enough to fit in a shirt pocket - who could ask for more ?

P.S. I live and work in Israel - I am not affiliated in any way with the guys who publish the EMS field guide...

THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE INVOLVED IN EMS OR ALS EMERGENCY CARE!! BUY IT! YOU'LL NEED IT!!

This set is the best compilation of beginner exercises and meditations I have seen yet. He combines instruction with information to help you learn as you practice. Definitely worth the buy.

Ken Cohen is clear in his descriptions - knowledgable of the material - useful in the information and exercises he describes and practices and models in the CD's, DVD's and book. The practice of qigong can be learned well through this material. He is down to earth in his explanations and demontrations, making understanding very accessible.

I bought this thinking that it was a workout DVD set. I was initially disappointed that it wasn't, but as I watched the DVDs, listened to the CDs, and read the enclosed booklet, I was pleasantly surprised. This was actually so much more. The instruction is more detailed than you will ever get on an exercise DVD. It answers a lot of the questions that have been turning over in my mind. I didn't know it ahead of time, but it was just what I needed.

This course is well organized and easy to follow. The 100 day progression is nice, and the material is organized such a way as to allow you to progress at your own pace. There are some nice guided meditations on the CDs, and the video is very easy to understand. Note that this is not like an exercise DVD. You're not going to do your Qigong along with the DVD except for to learn the moves. I would recommend learning a few techniques at a time from the DVDs, and then practicing elsewhere at your own pace and for as long as is comfortable. There is so much information out there on Qigong. This course is a great way to start!

Without a doubt, Mr. Cohen has contributed, and continues to contribute, to the expositon of Eastern philosophy within Western culture. The walls are slowly crumbling and giving way to the world of self-development and personal evolution. There are two things I would have liked to have experienced from this program. The first would be a less affective tone from the narration. In its place, I would have preferred a more vibrant, inspiring, less-coddling tone. There is too much breathiness in the narration that distracts from the presentation of the basics and has the potential of turning away readers with a more energetic vibration in their hearts. Perhaps a discussion of the more aerobic forms of Qi Gong, such as Nei Gong or Nei Jia, would have been appropriate, but the tone would have contradicted the energizing power behind these forms. Let us not forget that first, and foremost, Qi Gong was a martial art practiced by the warrior classes. It eventually evolved as a spiritual monastic practice, but the monks themselves were warriors by default. Under the despotic rule of unenlightened emperors and warlords, China's priests had a need to develop a martial defense system. As a Qi Gong and Tai Chi instructor, I find that it is a constant struggle to explain to students that Qi Gong and Tai Chi are not practices that are limited to senior citizens. Once I demonstrate Nei Gong, and/or Tai Chi fighting form, students do begin to understand what these ancient practices have to offer. The troubling thing is that most people walk about with a misguided representation of Qi Gong before they are illuminated otherwise. The second experience I would have enjoyed would have been a more global discussion of Qi Gong history and its evolution. Mr. Cohen presents his style without mentioning that there are thousands of different forms of Qi Gong in existence today. To his credit, Mr. Cohen does recognize this fact elsewhere, but not within the scope of this program. That's fine, not a problem, but the consumer can easily walk away thinking that there is only one style of Qi Gong...Cohen Qi Gong. The reader should also note that some of the exercises are incomplete and only offer an introductory sampling of the tip of the iceberg that is Qi Gong. It is understandable that there is a general, economical need to appeal to a wide audience, but the narration and title should explicitly state that all chapters are simply introductory. Nevertheless, there is much merit and reward to be garnished from Mr. Cohen's work. Practice his way and the reader will definitely see an improvement in health, strength and vitality over time. Although not a seminal opus, this product is the culmination of a highly important, and sorely needed, educational service. I encourage all teachers, readers, students and practitioners to allow this introductory work to be a guide towards a deeper practice.

I purchased this atlas for anatomy lab because it was recommended by my professor. Looking through the book, it has wonderful pictures and really simplified structures so you can actually see what you are looking at rather than a portion of it and the rest hidden behind other structures. However, it is not a very complete atlas. The most glaring example - there is nothing about the head and neck. I had to buy another atlas just to get through this past test. I personally recommend Netter's as a reference atlas because it has EVERYTHING in it. I know the pictures and millions of lines coming out can be overwhelming, however, if you are looking for a specific structure you are way more likely to find it in Netter's.

Thieme is awesome. I am a chiropractic student and my anatomy teacher recommended this atlas. It is beautifully illustrated and very clearly shows the layers of muscle. Bones are shown in different planes. Nerve paths, dermatomes, biomechanics, even bursae are depicted. A great reference!!

Honestly, I find studying A&P tedious and generally boring. Purchasing Thieme's was the best move I've made. The plates are so beautiful that I want to linger on each page for a long time. Every person whom I've shown this book to said they wished they had bought it instead of Netter's.

This is a great book, and I recommend all three if you can afford them. Otherwise, just get Netter or Grant.

This book has one major flaw (caused me to miss an exam question): On page 503, there is an illustration of the medial malleolus and associated neurovascular structures. The illustrators got the order wrong that these structures pass behind the medial malleolus and deep to the tarsal tunnel. From anterior to posterior, they should be: Tibialis posterior, flexor Digitorum longus, posterior tibial Artery, tibial Nerve, and flexor Hallucis longus (Tom, Dick, AN' Harry). However, the artery and nerve are posterior to the flexor hallucis longus muscle in the illustration. Minutia, I know, but just FYI for you M1s.

Also, the fact that these atlases are in a three book series means that when you are covering the thorax, you have to use two books to cover everything on the test. It can be a little tedious, and Netter and Grant atlases have it all integrated into one book.

This book, however, has a lot of cool information in the writing, and together with the outstanding and NUMEROUS illustrations, make it perhaps the best choice for any student in the medical field.

By far, this is the best atlas series available and as a medical student, I would recommend the three atlases to anyone who studies in the field of anatomy. Trust me, this is THE book you keep for life!