Training Books

Like all the titles in Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series, book 3 Axe Kick is a comprehensive study of one of the important kicks used in modern martial arts today. The book is incredibly thorough with numerous photos demonstrating the every aspect of the kick in minute detail. Mr. Kovacich knows his stuff and it is obvious that he has spent many hours honing his technique. The book provides an in-depth study of the bones, muscles and mechanics involved in the kicking technique.

In addition, the book contains a wealth of supplemental information on strength, speed and power generating exercises to enhance the technique. There is also a section on stretching as well as the application of the technique.

This book is ideal for any martial artist who wishes to perfect their axe kicking ability. The beginner will find a wealth of information to assist in developing proper mechanics while the advanced practitioner will glean some vital knowledge from an accomplished teacher.

Be sure to check out the other books in this series. You are sure to find one that addresses the specific kick that you need work on.

Aaron Hoopes
author of Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation

The next book in Shawn Kovacich series, "Axe Kick," covers just that, the axe kick, from about every angle one could possibly approach this subject. Shawn if anything, is consistent, which aids this series. The reader knows what to expect, details about muscle groups, target areas, and proper technique are standard in his "Achieving Kicking Excellence" series.

Now, I must state my bias: I have never been much a fan of this kick and taught it as part of the curriculum knowing some other student my fall in love with the kick. In all the years of competition, full contact or point, I only saw one person who could use this technique properly (Tomas Kurowjoski spelling - Shidokan Open). Shawn has a picture of him using this kick in the same tournament, whether he was successful with it, I don't know; however, what I do know is that he has mastered the technical knowledge on all the workings on learning, teaching, and applying this kick.

He demonstrates both the in and out axe kick and adds other photos such as a man using an axe and constant use of a protractor showing peak points. Each muscle group is mentioned and how it applies to this maneuver. His application section works well These books excel as instructor's aids and out of the three I have reviewed so far, this book has provided the most information about a certain kick and how each muscle is working to make this kick excel. This series is quickly turning into a reference set for instructors and students alike.

This is Volume Three of ten books devoted to mastering kicks. Shawn Kovacich devotes this book to the axe kick. This review examines Shawn's book from a practical stand point--how well does this book enable me to learn the axe kick?
Shawn likens a properly executed axe kick to a lumberjack's axe splitting wood. While only right leg techniques are shown, Shawn doesn't think you've mastered the kick unless you can apply it with either leg. This book is geared towards executing the perfect axe kick.
I'm 50, 6'3" tall and 220 pounds, but I'm not an athlete--just healthy. I cannot perform the axe kick higher than my own waist right now--I'll need to improve my flexibility. It isn't too much of a handicap for self defense--or active military service--but for those of you involved in karate matches, you need the high kicks for the match-winning points. Of course, if I fall to the ground or can hold onto something, my kick gains stability, height, and power--at the cost of being fixed in position for an instant. The axe kick uses the heel bone--the back center of the heel bone. Target areas are the head, shoulders, and collar bone.
I have training prejudices: I like to employ mirrors, a video camera or two, a minimum of one sparring partner, and at least one referee when I train. Multiple sparring partners are to keep me from getting stuck kicking at the same height each time, and because in the real world, my problems usually come in bunches. Often, I must train alone or not train at all, so I have to limit my training intensity for safety. A second set of eyes can help spot flaws--and prevent injuries. It is very hard to dial 911 when one's back is thrown out. These kicking techniques can injure the practitioner if done incorrectly. I like both mirrors and video because when I initially practice, I can watch myself in the mirror. For realistic practice, I need to concentrate on technique and the target instead of watching my own reflection--instant video playback aids me in spotting what happened. I can even figure out if my kick was in the right place or not! Shawn wrote about the "crawl, walk, and run" phases of training and the basic and advanced kicking techniques are covered in detail. Exact detail. Train at your own risk. I perform a risk reduction prior to training--assess the risk level and employ risk reduction techniques to make training safe. Remember that training is synthetic reality, intended to be less expensive than gaining real-world experience.
I think that "Achieving Kicking Excellence: Axe Kick" is well organized. There are twelve chapters. The introduction defines the kick and advises how to use the book. Chapter One is kick anatomy: bones and muscles. Chapter Two recommends warm up and stretching exercises. Chapter Three is Basic Principles: striking surface, target areas, and 11 other key points. Clear graphics left me with little doubt about what part of the foot to apply and where to hit my opponent. Chapter Four covered the primary co-kick technique, "out-to-in". Again, the graphics are very clear. They include "dance step diagrams" showing where the feet go--footwork is critical to effective kicking. The photos have numbered labels stressing correct positioning of each part of the body. Chapter Five is variations of the primary technique. Chapter Six is the "in-to-out" co-kick technique and Chapter Seven covers variations. Chapter Eight covers training and practice techniques to achieve skill, strength, speed, and power. Chapter Nine is a trouble-shooting guide. Chapter Ten is applications: how to use this in competition or combat. Chapter Eleven is Shawn's awards and accomplishments. Chapter Twelve previews the next volume in the series. There are a table of contents, a recommended reading list, and an index.
This is an excellent study guide. I can train some now, on my own, and when I find training partners (sparring partners and a referee) I might even get proficient!

The third volume of Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series is Axe Kick, and like the first two it is an excellent resource regarding this specific kick. Like other books in this series, Kovacich wrote a text with detailed explanations on the execution and application of the axe kick and its variations. Also like the others in the series, this is the most complete written description with photographs of the axe kick that I know of, and is an excellent addition to any martial artist's library. It will be especially beneficial to those that teach the axe kick and variations in their curriculums.

The author, Shawn Kovacich, set two world records for endurance high kicking that were certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, and has an impressive record in the tournament circuit having competed in tournaments such as the Sabaki Challenge among others. With those credentials, I expect him to provide solid instruction on the execution and application of kicks, and he definitely delivers.

Axe Kick includes brief chapters on basic anatomy, warm up and stretching, strength, speed, and power. Many martial artists, especially instructors, will have more complete references on these topics. However, it is nice to have these brief chapters that have the basics all in one volume, especially for those that do not have a large martial art library. I feel it is important that Kovacich includes these if for nothing more than to introduce the basics and encourage the reader to seek out more instruction on these important elements to kicking. I have said the same thing about the other volumes in the series, but include it here as well to make this review stand on its own.

The reason to include this book in your library is for the instruction on the axe kick. Kovacich starts out with a very good description of the basic principles of movement for the axe kick including target areas. He then delivers an excellent description with pictures of how to perform the out-to-in axe kick. I don't think a person could give a better explanation with pictures in written form than Kovacich does here. The next chapters teach variations of the axe kick including: Back Spin Out-to-In Axe Kick; Spin Back Out-to-In Axe Kick; Off-Setting Out-to-In Axe Kick; Switch Out-to-In Axe Kick; and the Step Back Out-to-In Axe Kick.

After the descriptions of the variations, Kovacich gives detailed instruction with pictures of the In-to-Out Axe Kick. This chapter is followed by the variations: Off-Setting In-to-Out Axe Kick; Cross-Over In-to-Out Axe Kick; Hop/Slide Forward In-to-Out Axe Kick; Hop/Slide Backward In-to-Out Axe Kick; and the Switch In-to-Out Axe Kick.

Kovacich includes training and practice methods, a trouble shooting guide, and axe kick applications in subsequent chapters. This rounded out the book to make it a complete stand alone volume on the axe kick, and by far the best resource out there on this difficult technique.

One of the things I really enjoy in this series of books is the notes. Each chapter has notes and in these you find excellent gems of wisdom. Not only will they help your kicking on the described kick, but are relevant to other kicks too. For instance, in this volume, one of the notes states, "The ability to effectively and efficiently utilize high section kicks depends primarily on the following four factors. A: Your expertise in kicking. B: Your overall flexibility and physical condition. C: Your environment at the time. D: Your opponent." I wrote about similar issues in the kicking chapter I wrote in Fighter's Fact Book 2 with Loren Christensen.

Like Back Kick and Wheel Kick, the first two books in this series, a person could criticize this text regarding the repetitiveness of some of the pictures and descriptions of the wheel kick variations. If you are reading this book straight through cover to cover, yes, the repetitiveness could become boring. If you are using the text as Kovacich intended, as a learning tool, this should not be a factor. I much rather have each kick explained in its entirety, rather than be referred to a different part of the book for the elements that are similar or the same. There is a big difference in a book intended to be read from cover to cover and a book intended as a resource guide. The Achieving Kicking Excellence series are guide books, and the format is perfect for this kind of instruction.

Shawn Kovacich's Axe Kick is the third book of the series and an excellent instructional text for any student or instructor of the kicking arts. Its detailed descriptions and photographs are clear and easy to understand, while his kicking notes provide quality instruction and advice to improve one's training and execution of this important kick. I am definitely looking forward to future volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series!

Alain Burrese
Hard-Won Wisdom From The School of Hard Knocks, Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, and the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series.

Achieving Kicking Excellence

If you are a novice martial artist, a kick-box exercise video nut, or someone who wants to advance their knowledge of martial art kicks, this book looks as if it would be very helpful.

The series of books is organized by type of kick: back, wheel, axe, crescent, reverse crescent, front, hook, hatchet, roundhouse, side kick. Ten books in all.

The volumes are absolutely loaded with pictures of not only kick technique but also of helpful strength-with-weight exercises, especially gym exercises with machines like the hack squat and leg press sled and of course the all-important lunge. So you get not only a discussion of how-to, but of what exercises can improve overall performance by gaining muscle strength. There are pictures with overlays of angles and axes, giving you an idea of proper form, though there is no substitute for a sensei giving you real-time feedback, of course. So these books are a good adjunct to martial arts class in the dojo; something to read and then take to practice and work on with real-time help.

There is a section on sparring--right and wrong. There is a suggested reading list in the back. A very complete series.

The only thing these volumes suffer from is slightly dark and low contrast black and white photograph reproduction due to pictures being on paper stock and not glazed plate stock, in order to keep costs reasonable for publishing. And the cover photo is wonderful but the graphic design (showing the title being shattered by the someone doing the title kick) was a GREAT concept but you can't read the title on the front cover (because it's being kicked to bits!) This is annoying; you have to read the spine to see which kick the book is about. If this bugs you, it's easily fixed: get some stickers or a Sharpie and mark the front cover with something like SIDE KICK VOL 10 or whatever works for you.

Author Kovacich is a black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do (which of course is one of the martial arts for which the kick is the premier technique.)

I am so glad I found this book. I was told but never really understood the roller coaster ride I experienced the first six weeks of my daughter's life. This book reminded me to "hold on and enjoy the ride." Every evening before bed (when I would tease myself to believe I was going to get some sleep...really my daughter called me out of bed soon enough) I spent some time with this book. It reminded me what kind of woman and what kind of mother I wanted to be during this time. It grounded me and reminded me what is really important. It helped me realize I am not the only woman ever to live through this ride and that I am not alone by any means in this journey. I even wrote in the margins what was happening that day with my daughter. I know I will pull it out for the next baby and I am looking forward to reviewing my notes. When my daughter was six weeks old, I was sad to come to the end of this book. Now, we just need the author to write one for the first 18 YEARS!!

This book was fantastic. I received it when I gave birth to my third child, and found applications that were useful for all of my children. The chapters are short and easy to pick up and put down whenever you have a spare minute.

This book is very uplifting and encouraging for such a significant life change.

As a brand new mother, I received such encouragement from this book. I realized just how precious a privilege it is to be entrusted by God to raise one of His special gifts. I felt overwhelmed and underqualified as I realized how much my daughter will look to me. Even in the "hard" times of sleepless nights and fussy days, this book helped me see the joy and amazement in every moment. My only complaint of the book is that it ended too soon!

This is the best devotional I could have asked for as a new mother. I love her stories (from her experiences), ideas, and most of all, Godly advice and encouragement for new mothers. I can not say enough good stuff about this book. I am keeping it to give to my son's wife when they have a baby (he's 4 mos. old!)...it's that good! And I ordered some for all my pregnant friends.

THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT FOR COACHING AT ALL LEVELS. I HAVE OTHER GREAT COACHING BOOKS AND I'M COMPARING THIS BOOK TO MY OTHERS. THIS CONTAINED THE BEST SHOOTING CHAPTER SINCE BILL KUTCHARS BOOK ON HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL.

This book tought me a lot of fundamentals. It has many illustrations

"Hal Wissel shares the personalized techniques he has mastered teaching players from NBA to youth level. Coaches and players will gain from his steps to success." Chuck Daly, Coach, 1992 Olympic Basketball Team

"Hal Wissel is an astute basketball architect. This book will help players improve and enable coaches to teach the game better." Jack Ramsay, PHD Television Analyst for ESPN and Miami Heat

"Basketball: Steps to Success has the innovative instruction and drills you need to master the fundamentals that will improve your total game."

This book has been very helpful in designing lessons for teaching students to become more proficient, creative writers. I highly recommend it for anyone who teaches upper elementary! The CD contains an abundance of great prompts!

This book is well worth the price!! I was able to turn average writers into stronger, self confident writers. Students buy into the ideas presented in the book, and take off in their writing. For the students who just need a little boost, for dramatic flair in their writing, this book is the ticket. Start today! Your students and parents will thank you for the metamorphsis they see in student writing. Share with colleagues and you'll be a star.

After my first year of teaching and experiencing the stress associated with preparing for the state writing assessment, I knew I had to find something that would help me know how to prepare my students for this important test. As I stood in the middle of a teacher's store, I spotted this book. I wondered if this would be of any help. Since I was open to any ideas, I decided to take the chance and make the purchase. Happily, I admit, this was perhaps the best purchase of my entire teaching career. Mrs. Kiester's simple four-step plan was a "God-send." She puts into print each step a teacher should follow to help her students became extremely proficient writers. I have followed her plan for several years and have had great success with my students. I believe my students truly understand the writing process, and it is all due to Mrs. Kiester's Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test book. Hooray, Mrs. Kiester!!! This is the answer we've all been looking for!

This book, along with other tools for your classroom, is yet another excellent source to turn your mediocre writers into advanced writers. The strategies are also excellent for empowering your students to pass your state writing assessments.

This is just what I was looking for: a step-by-step writing program that includes examples of student writing that I can share with my students. I couldn't be happier.

Breakthrough! An Excerise in Serenity is an inspiration to anyone who reads it! Jeff's story is one of strength, courage and determination. To have overcome all of his personal struggles and addictions and then to help others as a result of his own personal experience is a remarkable accomplishment. His program is motivating and effective in treating both mind and body.

found that the exercise program in Jeff's book has renewed confidence
within me.  His inspiring story helped give me hope when I was very low
and filled with depression.  In time I began to feel my sad spirits
lift.  With Jeff's system I was able to find an outlet for my poor
emotional states.  My energy picked up, my self image improved, and my
overall quality of life was enhanced.  I recommend his book to all my
friends.
Thanks for writing Breakthrough! An Exercise in Serenity
Joshua Aaron

I've used weight training for a number of years to help me climb out of the dark abyss of depression. It has been much more effective for me than medication which I finally gave up on. I am very excited that someone has finally written a book that dispenses with the meat-headed "no pain no gain" attitudes and presents a sensible, simple plan focusing on consistent, gentle strength training. This book fills a huge gap.

Jeff Rutstein's personal story of using exercise to break the cycle of addiction is very inspiring, and he shares his hard-won wisdom in this clear, easy-to-follow book. His emphasis on "mindful movement" to reduce stress and feel better is a refreshing and welcome change from many exercise books that focus solely on appearance.

After reading "Breakthrough", I now have a different take on Exercise. Historically, my motto has been "no pain, no gain" which got me no place fast. I know now that having a connection between mind and body is the only way to live in serenity. This book has showed me that exercise is a lifestyle involving both mind and body. I will use this tool daily and encourage others to do so as well. Finally I'm able to breathe and exercise!

Jodi N Marcus
Occupational Therapist
Prince Edward Island, Canada

This beautiful book should be required reading for every business student, politician, and employer in the U.S. It wouldn't hurt parents a bit to read it and work it as well. We all have occasions in our lives to exert power over someone else, and too often we act out of emotions that end up causing trouble for us, problems we never saw ahead. Chagdud Tulku's Socratic method opens our hearts as it quiets our minds. Glimpses and examples of compassionate resolutions to conflict are inspiring. I plan on giving this book to Mark Greif, a high school principal in Oregon who annually alienates students and staff at his school with his bullying, paranoid management style. The beauty of the Tulku's message is that even the karmic damage someone like Greif self-inflicts is reversible through compassion and greater awareness. Chagdud Tulku writes with a poet's insight, a spiritual mentor's heart.

--Robert McDowell ("The Poetry Mentor"), author of the forthcoming book, Poetry in Your Spiritual Practice)

When all the huffing and puffing won't make your life the way you would like for it to be, read Change of Heart. It will shake up your thinking about the world and those in it. Change of Heart is an outstanding book consoling readers with knowledge, instruction and inspiration for living a radiant meaningful life. The reader, looking in the rearview mirror of their past, will be able to determine how the unplowed ground of the future will be. Change of Heart is broken down into three parts along with a list of meditations.

The compiled teachings takes you on a voyage of discovering areas of yourself you had never been keenly aware of before as you stride toward spiritual freedom. The book outlines a course of instruction called Bodhisattva Peace Training, which is friendly to all faiths. The reader will find help for troubled relationships, family, workplace, community, and/or world problems and situations. Bodhisattva Peace Training "is meant to serve as a mirror with which to examine ourselves". It explains how fear, self-interest and impulse toward self-preservation attracts negative energy. The book continues on to outline and teach you how to make "good heart" the foundation of all your commitments.

Statements like "awakening good heart is like finding a precious gem in a mound of filth" and "commitment to free all beings from suffering" are simply teasers for the mound of philosophical information to be had by reading this book.

The shared conversations with Rinpoche are unforgettable and chronicles the questions about life and soul proving the more crowded life gets the more insulated people make themselves which leads to a life of boundaries rather than freedoms. As the book points out the choice is ours. It goes one to explain about karma, being in hell, and the hungry ghost realms.

I found particularly interesting the four powers of purification which are support, acknowledgment, taking responsibility, not repeating mistakes and purification. The intense and direct conversations about karma are awe inspiring and engaging. As the book states wealth and poverty are a state of mind. When you finish this book you know that something of importance is at stake - you. Change of Heart shows you how to live your life with courageous honesty. I learned a lot from this jewel of clarity and insight and will re-read it many times.

Sherry Russell GMS
Author/reviewer
Midwest Book Review

Regularly, I am reminded of the depth and breadth of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche's genius. His project, the Bodhisattva Peace Training, is a very good example of this. Lama Shenpen has done the world a genuine service by organizing these teachings into an approachable text, and by keeping the training going for professionals and others interested in helping. Chagdud Tulku not only generated the Peace Training, but also trained lamas such as Lama Shenpen to keep his work going and to help it grow. That is practical genius, motivated by a genuine desire to be helpful.

To be quicker: the Bodhisattva Peace Training has real intelligence behind it. It's the real deal, and I believe it can be of real use to people and the planet.

Gratitude!

"To bring forth good heart," explains Chagdud Tulku, "we must use spiritual methods. We are never too old or too young to do so. One of the key points of these teachings is that everyone can apply them." Change of Heart is a compilation of the Bodhisattva Peace Training sessions of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, a beloved Tibetan lama who passed away in 2002. Tulku's stories and analogies to teach us how to counteract old habits through meditation. The practical and effective meditation exercises increase our awareness of our connectedness and expand our capacity for love, joy, and compassion.

As Westerners, we might find it difficult to relate to some of the Buddhist concepts regarding karma, suffering, past lives, and impermanence. It's not necessary that we embrace these concepts, only that we contemplate them. The purpose of these teachings is not to impose the Buddhist beliefs upon us, but rather to provide a method for increasing outer and inner peace for all beings. It doesn't mean we need to retreat from the world or abandon our normal lifestyle. "It is a matter of bringing love, compassion, and awareness to everything we do," says Tulku. "The merit of helping others, dedicated to all beings, is boundless and becomes a powerful force for positive change. Continually contemplate impermanence and cultivate nonattachment. Practice contemplation and relaxation. Review your day, reflecting on the virtue and negativity. The point of our practice is not to have visionary or clairvoyant experiences, but to reduce mind's poisons and enhance our positive qualities. Ultimately, change is the key - to change the heart, to discover mind's true nature."

Tulku advocates a meditation technique that alternates between a state of contemplation and relaxation. "Contemplating without resting is like stirring the sediment in a pond. On the other hand, resting without contemplating is like practicing archery without a target. We cut through mental dullness and attachment to emptiness through contemplation. Then we cut our attachment to concepts by letting the mind rest.. We go back and forth, so that we are neither consumed by swirling concepts nor lost in a dull or comalike state of free thought." One of my favorite exercises is to contemplate that we have all known each other during at least one lifetime. It helps me dissipate the tension that can arise when I'm around people who are angry, prejudiced, or resentful. "There are no real strangers anywhere;" Tulku theorizes, "we have previously been intimate with every being as we have been with our own mother in this life. No matter what role someone plays now, that being has at one time been our parent."
Regarding parenting, Tulku encourages us to be sincere with our children. Young children respond well to stories that convey a lesson. And above all, he advises that "The most effective way for parents to teach their children spiritual values is to live them - to demonstrate respect, loving kindness, and compassion."
Acceptance and compassion are the foundation of effective communication and relationships. "When we work with others," Tulku reminds us that "it is most important for us to be accepting. No matter how right you may think you are, trying to impose your opinion on others is wrong."
The Western world is a self-centered society. Many people remain focused on our own well being and take little action to ensure the well being of the world community. This is manifested by our obsession with the acquisition of material goods, supersized homes, and exclusive ideologies. Tulku comments that "To be of greater benefit, we must develop equanimity, an equal regard for all beings; compassion, the wish that all suffering come to an end; love, the aspiration that all beings find both temporary and lasting happiness; and the ability to rejoice in others' good fortune. Our challenge is to let go of our judgements and biases, including the distinctions we make between victim and aggressor."

The Bodhisattva Peace Training of Chagdud Tulku is an excellent tool for cultivating inner peace and helping us removing the veil of our misperceptions. "We have a deeply ingrained habit of believing that our everyday reality - this long dream we call life - is inherently true. This is ignorance. Because we don't realize that we're dreaming, we have attachment or aversion to the different circumstances that arise. The mind is like a television's remote control," observes Tulku. If we know how to change channels, we can change the picture."

We don't all have the good fortune (karma) to meet a great Tibetan Buddhist teacher much less receive their teachings. With this book, Lama Shenpen Drolma has provided many of us with that precious opportunity. Here in straight forward terms are the basic principles we all need to understand how we can cultivate peace in our lives and in the world. After reading it front to back, I flip open the book almost daily as a practice for establishing a more contented life. This happiness is not just for me but also for all of the people that I encounter. Try it - you'll be surprised at how quickly you can make this change of heart.

I've coached for over 30 years and Chuck's book is clearly one of the best I've read. A must read for any tennis coach - high school, college, or private coach.
Well done Chuck,
Rich Berman
Owner/operator, Rich's Tennis School

This book does an excellent job at covering all the aspects of playing and coaching tennis. He divides tennis into 3 parts: the physical, the mental, and the emotional and he covers all three areas well. For example, he writes about your "role" when you play someone: are you the underdog or the favorite (he gives several other roles too)? He explains how to be comfortable with your role and how to excell in your role. He also writes about the different types of player personalities and how to best motivate them as a coach. I thought this book was just great.

This book is great for the beginner, intermediate or even an advanced coach/player. No matter what level player the reader is, Kriese gives good advice on getting mentally and physically ready for the game. His advice covers stretching and physical training, advice on how to play the game against many types of players, (ex. players with good forehands and weak backhands, players who are fast and come to the net, etc.), drills to prepare for the game, photos of techniques, diagrams on drills...and I could go on. I've been using this book for almost two years to get tips on drills and techniques as a player/coach. It's helped improve my game and the players I teach. I highly recommend it!

As a lifelong tennis aficionado, I try to read a bit of everything that has to do with the sport. I must say, this is the most thorough and fascinating tennis book. Kriese covers everything that a player needs to know: The fundamentals for beginners and more advanced strategies for professionals. I found the sections on "directionals" (where to place the ball) and "pecking order" (how to play against opponents of different rankings) to be the most helpful. And not only is it informative, but very entertaining as well. Kriese spices the text with personal stories and antidotes that he has collected throughout his long career as a teacher. And it's less than the price of a single tennis lesson.

This is an outstanding book that deals with every aspect of coaching tennis. The book is very easy to read and includes charts, diagrams and photos to supplement the excellent techniques described. A must for any successful tennis coach!

I am in charge of training a group of 12 sales people in our company; some are brand new and some are seasoned sales professionals. All 12 of this sales force are reading The Complete Guide to Successful Selling and I'm hearing back some tremendous results. After reading even the first chapter several trainees told me they have increased their ability to talk to customers and also in knowing the exact right issues to be addressed with customers or clients.

And there are great tools on handing the more tricky customers. Our sales force is now doing better at taking these and even building these into stronger long-term relationships. And, best of all, the principles are very simple to learn to use and remember.

I would recommend this book to anyone involved in sales or a sales-related activity.

I really love this book on selling -- and I have read many, by a variety of authors -- because it is:

1. Easy and fun to read.
2. Very professional in it's layout.
3. It has advice on how to study and assists to learning the material.
4. It has breakthrough after breakthrough on selling which are simply not covered elsewhere.
5. It's contents and ideas that are immediately applicable

It is at the top of my list of books on sales and selling. A rare find that is worth it's weight in gold.

This book gives the key points to know and use in selling anything! It is easy to understand yet powerful in its application. Since reading and using the data in the book, I have had my highest month of sales. It has helped me see where I have sales strength and where I need to be stronger.
This book is perfect for people just starting out in sales or the "old hands" who wish to improve their game.

I had heard about this book and got a copy as soon as it came out. I've been using these techniques for awhile now and the results have been pretty spectacular. In a few hours per month I sell enough business to keep my business consulting firm booming. I've recommended The Complete Guide to Successful Selling to clients for their salespeople and that has also resulted in excellent results for both the new guy and the veterans. This is not the same old stuff you see in all the sales books rehashed. It is new and vital technology that gives the honest salesperson a real advantage. I highly recommend it.

The Complete Guide to Successful Selling does factually provide a salesperson what they need to know to take a prospect from first contact all the way through to a completed sale with all parties happy with the outcome.

You won't find gimmicks in this book, but you will find a vast number of proven, workable tools that a salesperson at any level can use.

Get yourself a copy. It will not disappoint.

Richard Alderson has written a practical guidebook for singers and especially teachers of voice and choral directors who would like the wise advise of a professional singer and teacher. As a professional teacher of voice, I recommend it highly!!

This book is to a singer what pornography is to an adolesant teenage boy. a must have! all the info that would turn any singer on, and you don't have to hide it from mom!

I find this book really helpful and insightful regarding all the aspects of singing, breathing, producing sound in general, etc. It not only helps with singing, but it for instance also helps you learn better breathing habits. I'd recommend this book to anyone.

I should probably also add that to learn to sing you need a teacher too, but for as far as books go, this is possibly one that I would have to put on my list of favorites. I find it hard to imagine that any other book will provide more insight.

For people who need to do without a teacher I'd most certainly recommend this book. You might want to search for CD's or DVD's as an extra learning aid too, to help you visualise/audiolise things if you find this hard to do. An instrument might be nice. You probably need something to produce the desired notes so you can sing along with them. This will be a great help when doing the suggested exercises. But even without such help, the book contains plenty of practical info.

At first I was turned off by this book's textbook appearance, once however I successfully pushed myself past the cover I was fascinated. Like most voice teachers, I've read my share of "This is the Only Way to Teach Singing" books. I have found that the more truly knowledgeable a person is, the more they recognize how many variables exist and how many approaches may be necessary in order to arrive at the desired destination. Rather than pontificating on his particular brand of vocal technique, Richard Alderson focuses on indisputable physical activities and his discovery of vocal mechanics through experiences with his students. Alternating between descriptions of functional concepts and first-hand stories of their application, this book was a pleasure to read. I often found myself unable to put it down. - Okay, but what can I say... I love voice :-)

This book is another of the many great books out there on vocal pedagogy.

Richard Alderson, a professional singer voice teacher and choral director taught at Northwestern University. Taking a very practical approach, Alderson introduces the principles of voice teaching. Later chapters cover breathing, voice production, resonance, vowels, registers, articulation, and several chapters on choral voices and changing voices (boys' and girls').

Alderson is informed about proper vocal technique, and the book's bibliography demonstrates his reliance on the best sources. Alderson's book seems much more pragmatic than other books on vocal pedagogy like Richard Miller and others. Alderson also makes many analogies to many other fields, especially athletics. Many teachers will find this helpful--it can be very difficult to explain to students what they should try to do to correct their singing.

At the expense of his practical explanation, some voice teachers may miss some of the "nuts and bolts" as to what is really going on in the voice. This handbook does not explain all of the inner workings of vocal production. Better sources can be found in books by Clifton Ware, Richard Miller, and Oren Brown.

Fans of good aesthetics will probably also wish this book had a different cover (this one shouts, "Welcome to the 1970s!").

All that aside, this is a useful book and voice teachers will find it helpful. I would also recommend James McKinney's book as another great resource. Enjoy!

I am still a month away from my first triathlon but I have found this book to be a very, very sound guide. The advice provides has been perfect for me both in scope and depth.

I was completely please with this seller. The book arrived quickly and in excellent condition as described.

I have purchased quite a few books on beginner triathlon training and this is the best one I have found to help the first timer go from 0 to Sprint distance tri. Very concise and easy to follow.

I found this an easy to read and understand resource for the sport of triathlon. I have done a few shorter distances and this book has both peaked my interest and given me confidence to take on the next distance.

I like how it is organized... covers all the bases with good tips and photos throughout.

Highly recommended!

Allen

I've done 2 Ironman Triathlons and scores of sprints and 70.3's. This is the best book I have read about how to get started and keep going. It's easy to understand,and most important, correct. Everyone considering doing a triathlon, and people who are in it to stay should make this a must read.