Projects Books

This book reads like a genuine sci-fi thriller. Great characters and plot are mixed with truly original genius. I only wish the author would write the sequel. I'm glad I read the actual book before I saw the review comparing it to the Matrix!

A very fast-paced and exciting story, with an intricate and believable world and thought-provoking ideas. The plot twists will keep you turning the pages!

I am about half way through this book, and I cannot believe how great it is. Lately all I can think about is reading, and I promise that has never happened before.

I was ready to break into hives in this, because I guessed early on that it might be some religious book - so I expected it to degrade into nonsense. It didn't. What little there was, was more like new age thinking, which is like watered-down Buddhism, which is acceptable to me. No attempt to preach or to convert.

While the structure might need a little architectural shoring up, the story is still a fun thrill-ride, with several surprises and twists that actually made me gasp - took my breath away. Post-apocalyptic sci-fi is practically its own genre (not original to the Matrix, or even to Blade Runner) - it's a staple of science fiction, and that should not be held against this writer.

She's refreshingly original, and amidst all the inventiveness of the plot there was also humor, which sets this story above and apart. I do agree with the Amazon review, however, that the author brings up many intriguing ideas that might have been interesting to investigate. In this story they're more like a haunting perfume, or a melody heard on the wind - food for thought, as concepts which might soon affect our actual, not just virtual, reality. Questions about the nature of life, when does something cross the line and become a life-form, what is free will, will tease the readers mind as reality evokes haunting moments from this memorable book. If this is a first book, it's an impressive debut.

I can only assume the Publisher's Weekly reviewer above is unfamiliar with SF as a genre. If every story with a plot that revolves around the conflict between advanced technology and what it means to be human is derivative of the Matrix, then so is E. M. Forster's "The Machine Stops" (machine takes over the world unbeknownst to humans, keeps humans in little individual rooms where it provides everything they need virtually, machine is battled by last few remaining free humans in the deserted wastes of Earth). Except that Forster's story was published in 1928.

The most significant difference between the Matrix and the Personifid Project is that the technology in Personifid is not self-controlling and self-motivated - it is under the control of humans who have very human motives, which presents us with a completely different set of moral/intellectual issues than stories containing self-aware/self-determining technology. And Bartlett is nice enough not to present us with pat answers to those issues, trusting us to do our own thinking and come to our own conclusions.

Another nice thing is that, unlike much fiction containing overt spiritual material, nobody in Personifid goes from sinner to saint in one easy step, and we never all have to choke on the sugar coating. The emotional and spiritual struggles are believable, and Aphra doesn't undergo tremendous leaps of personality development that no real person could match, so we can identify with her.

So, while the story does follow certain of the SF conventions, that's because... it's SF. What really matters, in this story and every other, is how the conventions are fleshed out with the author's own beliefs and characters. This, The Personifid Project does very well.

Superb diagrams. Very easy to understand and follow.
Very tasteful projects. An excellent how-to book for moderately experienced beaders.

I cannot express how pleased I am with this book...it provided good wasy to follow directions AND the phoroas were very inspiring!

Love this book - most of the publications I end up buying I only work two or three projects, but there are only two or three in this book that I'm not interested in trying. They glaze over the odd count peyote stitch a little and focus on knot tying a little excessively, but it's still an excellent and inspirational book in a world where it's challenging to find much about peyote.

I liked the pictures, but haven't taken the time to actually do the projects. I would recommend this for anyone wanting to learn this aspect of beading. I've done a little of it before, and it can have some spectacular results.

I enjoyed paging through the book and looking at the great photos as well as trying the projects. A new beader will find the book very helpful and seasoned beaders will be able to do the projects handily and take off on their own from there. A great all-around addition to a beader's library.

Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener is an impressive collection of seven very brief, yet quite moving, short stories by Joylynn M. Jossel, an African-American writer with a very special gift for conceptualizing and presenting the essence of the human dilemma. Humor, harsh choices, pathos and the struggle for perfection fill these memorable and highly recommended tales. The individual stories include Even Snowflakes Have Flaws; Eyes Like Mine; Sweet Potato Pie; What Goes Around; Nothin' Worse Than An Unmade Bed; Daddy's Little Girl; and You Ever Seen A Grown Man Cry.

I was first impressed with the beautiful cover of this paperbook. After reading on I became more intrigued. The compilation of the seven short stories found in this book will leave its reader thinking. The author Joylynn M. Jossel, provided her reader with a sense of realism, truth and clarity.

Each story was easily read and ultimately contained powereful messages of wisdom. I suggest anyone looking for a quick entertaining uplifting book to read check out, "Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener." Ms. Jossel writes the story, and in return the story speaks for itself in the mind of its reader.

Thanks for the pleasant read. I look forward to reading more from this author. Keep the Creativity Flowing

CA Lindsey, Nubian Sistahs Book Reviewer

Everyone knows how it is to purchase a book and let it sit for a while as you read another. Well, I did just that and I was upset with myself for not reading Joylynn Jossel's book first. It is fantastic! It left me speechless. The rhythm that this author's words are written in has a flow unlike any fiction I've read. When you start reading it you'll see what I mean. These stories are so deep and emotionally touching that they warmed my heart.
The second story in the book "Eyes Like Mine" was my favorite until I got to the next story which is "Sweet Potato Pie". To my knowledge, the author only has one book, but I can honestly say that she's one of my favorite authors because her writing style is just so "different". She is so classy with her words, witty with her characters, convincing with her insight, and extremely sharp with her creativity. This all adds up to a dynamite writer that we all will be hearing great things about! I can't wait for her next book, but you better read this one.

"Please Tell Me If The Grass Is Greener" is a beautifully written collection of short stories, written with a poetic twist. Joylynn focuses on issues that are real, and brings about valid points, while allowing the reader to "feel" her every word. I highly anticipate reading more from this fresh new voice in the writing community.

Raw, Real and explicitly written, Joylynn's book is sheer "flo-etry", written with potent words creatively reading as poetry in rhymne. These 7 short stories seize the true spirit of unbrashed knowledge and potent wisdom, creatively woven into the written words. No stone was left unturned... no secrets remained... and every pain/shame is revealed.

Joylynn has written this book with the grace of a peacock, carefully and skillfully portraying the stories of human life.

It's a mixed human gumbo evolving their mixture of emotions: violence, turmoil, desparation, humiliation, disappointments, betrayal, love, obsessions, sacrifices, frustrations, failures, tragedies, pain and pride. The book exemplifies the "daily struggles" encountered by ordinary folk who travel along the bumpy road of life.

As I read this book, I felt as though I was intruding on the privacy of the characters as they dodged through their inflictions and conflicts. The stories contained predicaments that was heart crushing and pained as acid on the nerves. Two of my favorites (if I had to choose) were "Eyes Like Mine" & "Ever Seen A Grown Man Cry".

This book is immeasurable on the exposure of emotions and a zealous work from the author/artist.


Star Rating:*****5 (...and then some!)

This is a lovely book. It's a book that I highly recommend to girls around third grade level. I found a few areas where the main character used words and phrases not usual to that age group --- more adult. But I expect girls today are more sophisticated than when I was a girl a few moons back.

Girls have an awful time because they have to compete just like boys. Our little trooper just wants to win a contest. Most girls are not perfect. Having to compete with the "perfect" girl is a nightmare that all girls face at one time or another. This little book will give the girl a true look at life as it is and how she can handle the will to win and yet stay true to herself.

Highly recommended.

You won't believe how much good stuff
Is in this tiny book
And if you have a little girl
I'd say it's worth a look

The story's about two young girls
As different as can be
Cynthia's the perfect one
While Paula's more like me

Cynthia's always neatly dressed
Even her scrunchies match
Paula looks like she's been dragged
Straight through a briar patch

A poster project's been assigned
Only one child can win
Guess who's done and sent it in
And who's yet to begin?

Paula knows she's got a shot
She has a master plan
When "just as good's" not good enough
It must be "better than"

Slowly the project's taking shape
As she works out the kinks
"It's going to be a masterpiece"
The little artist thinks

And when the big day comes around
There is a big surprise
It seems that friendship can be found
Before your very eyes

With Craft and Science for your child
(And very funny too)
Buying this one I would say
Is something you should do


(Rated: 4.5 stars and recommended for young readers, especially girls, from about grade 2)



Amanda Richards, November 28, 2007

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Poster Girl is a very special book, one that actually has a reason to read to your child or give as a gift. It is absolutely child safe.

Paula wants to build the best poster for the Open House, except she has waited until the night before it is due to start. In the search, she learns many things about trees and plants, and this information is easy for a child (or a forgetful adult) to comprehend because many details are discussed. She does get her project in on time, one day after Cynthia's.

Her arch enemy's, Cynthia, poster is chosen for the place of honor in the Open House, but the principle is so impressed by Paula's work that he decides to display both because they complement each other. Paula is not excited about this because Cynthia was a close friend three years ago, but no longer.

Now Paula finds that she must stay with Cynthia to greet people who come to the Open House. Both answer questions about their posters.

Anne J. Emerick uses this venue to open minds and teach: communication is necessary -- if you have a question, then ask; what seems to be true and painful, probably isn't; face your fears and you will overcome them; don't be so hasty to judge. There are other lessons, and each is revealed with the skill of an educator.

This is a book that I intend to read to my little frieds, ang give it as gifts to other children.

Anne J. Emerick is not a one book flash, which is evident by reading the a few pages of her next book. Poster Girl is Book One of the Friends Along the Way Series, and I highly recommend it.

Get it for the kids in your life, you won't regret it. If your child can read, then this is a book for their library; if they are too young to read, then read it to them.

With her first novel, Anne J. Emerick raises the bar for every other author of children's fiction. Her characters are very real for her target audience, and they suffer the pangs of growing up that adults can well remember, thereby opening the lines of communication about friendship, jealousy, fear of failure, procrastination and more. How wonderful for young readers to discover that other people feel the same way they do -- and that happy endings are possible!

The introduction of scientific information as part of the story was masterfully handled and will stimulate further research and the discovery of new interests!

I anxiously await Anne J. Emerick's next book, and I urge parents and teachers to purchase Poster Girl!

In this charming book by author, Anne Emerick, we meet a young girl named Paula. Paula is a free-spirited girl, one who may not always match her hair bobs with her clothes, but that shouldn't matter anyway. She didn't have to be like Cynthia that always looked perfect, and always was the pride of the teachers. The class must prepare a poster for a science project and she is determined hers will be far better than that snotty Cynthia's. After all, why should Cynthia always be number one. No, not this time. Paula decides to do a poster about the changing colors of leaves, surely hers will win. Or will it?

Written in a true style for the age it is presented, young girls will feel comfortable reading this book. They will relate not just to the characters, but to the quest of being recognized for doing a good job on a school project. They will learn, in a fun way, the reason leaves change colors in the Autumn. They will also learn that people are not always the way they may perceive they are, and who we think are our enemies may well be our friends. A wonderful story that I am proud to recommend.

I love this book and the stories that go with it. If you love quilts you will love this book.

The book arrived well before the promised time and in excellent condition.
Vicki R.

Just opening this book draws you into our pioneering past. You will find a mixture of photos of pioneer children and families along with delightful quilts in the fabrics and styles of nineteenth century America on the move.

The excerpt for the diaries by pioneer children will both charm you and help you realize the hardships these children went through. The information in each chapter will get you in touch with what life was like for these children.

But this isn't just a history book. There are patterns for the quilts and other projects that are related to the aspects of pioneer life described. All of Kathleen Tracy's patterns include clear and complete instructions so that even a beginner can make these lovely little quilts.

Some of the patterns would be perfect for a child making his or her first quilt. Others could be a joint mother and child project. But of course grown ups will have a wonderful time making this quilts either for the children in their life, for their doll collection or just for fun.

What a lovely way to learn about the early American pioneers and also learn how to make some small quilts. Our local quilt group is using this book to produce some miniature vintage quilts, with beautiful results. We are also gaining more understanding of the trials and accomplishments of our ancestors.
The book contains professional photographs and easy-to-follow instructions for 14 quilts.

Kathleen Tracy's PRAIRIE CHILDREN AND THEIR QUILTS offers some fourteen small 'prairie quilt' projects which feature antique styles and designs of the 19th century. Vintage photos and diary entries from pioneer children accompany this unusual crafts guide to producing vintage-looking items from modern resources.

This book is excellent for use with our group of gifted students (3rd through 12th grades), as it provides the step-by-step strategies for teachers/facilitators to consider as we delve into 21st century real-world projects which connect with standards. Excellent service and product provided.

The Buck Institute's PBL Handbook is a great resource for any teacher who wishes to create a more meaningful educational experience for students. Very few teachers have had any experience or training in implementing content based projects and this guide provides step-by-step instructions in developing PBL units. The handbook is also full of examples and ideas that come from the classroom. We use the PBL Handbook extensively in training all of our incoming staff members.

----------------
Paul Curtis
Director of Curriculum
New Technology High School / New Technology Foundation

As a high school social studies teacher, I used this handbook to develop units and units of curriculum in World History and Economics. It first helped me to understand the essential elements to successful projects. Then, it taught me about ways to push kids to learn more through projects than traditional methods. I used to think that project-based learning was just more "fun," but now see its potential for IMPROVING student achievement.

Thanks to the author for opening my eyes to this out-of-the-box way of looking at teaching.

Trent Kaufman
Assistant Principal, Dublin High School

The Project Based Learning Handbook is an essential tool for any educator looking to design more rigorous and relevant curriculum. Markham and associates take the educator step by step through the design process - explaining concepts, offering examples and encouraging the educator to apply their learning. The handbook serves the needs of both the novice and the more experienced teacher. The novice will devour each and every section while the veteran can hunt around to find resources, templates and high quality examples that they can adapt for their classroom. The PBL handbook is required reading for all new teachers to Envision Schools, a San Francisco Bay Area cluster of new, small, innovative high schools dedicated to implementing academically rigorous project-based learning. While the handbook is focused on PBL, the instructional design strategies are sound practices for every type of instruction.

Bob Lenz
Chief Education Officer
Envision Schools

I taught for ten years as a high school math teacher between 1990 and 2000. During that time, I was constantly trying to bring the 'real world' into my classroom by creating projects and problems that replicated reality and engaged my students with as much passion for the subject as possible. I often got plenty of passion, and lots of great mathematical reasoning. I often had the kids writing math papers so that they had to explain their reasoning in detail. However, I was frustrated when trying to teach them to prepare more thoroughly for their oral presentations, or to work more cooperatively and produce equal effort in their groups.

If only I had had this Handbook on Project Based Learning. There are very clear guidelines on how to take ideas for a project that you already have, or to create one from the curriculum you already teach, and to then map out a highly focused, thoroughly engaging, tightly managed, standards based project, including ideas for authentic assessment through artifacts which support the student's time and effort(phone logs of group communication, meeting notes, library research logs) as well as rubrics and forms for planning, managing and assessing the work throughout the project.

You will be amazed at the work that your students produce when you add only some of the ideas in this book.

The book is so rich with material that each year you can add a few more of the suggestions to your project until it is a dense, rich, powerful learning experience that your students will talk about and remember for years.

This has to be the easiest and most simple way to learn HTML or to plane out enhance your site I love this book so much I'm going to buy The Project Cool Guide to Enhancing Your Web Site so I can enhance the already wonderful website I made by reading this book.

The Project Cool Guide to HTML is the greatest book I have ever seen about creating webpages. I have brought much more expensive books (upwards of $70.00), but they did not come close to giving me the understanding I gained from this title. It is written at an understandable level, and talks about some pretty cool things. It is also the cheapest HTML guide I have EVER seen. Well worth the money.

What an outstanding guide! I was writing HTML links and tables in less than one day. The interactive Web site makes this book invaluable!

This book is absolutely the best html book geared toward the beginner. The authors assume the reader has no knowledge of html and start teaching from the ground up. I was an early user of aol's personal publisher and felt limited by it. I bought project cool and knew enough about html to make very nice looking sites in less than a week. I hear PROJECT COOL GUIDE TO ENHANCING YOUR WEB SITE is on its way. I'll be the first to buy it!

I bought this book for my homeschooled daughter to use as a html textbook. It took a few days (chapters 1 & 2 are background/basics), but once she reached chapter 3 she was hooked and has been spending hours at it each day. I am amazed at what she has learned--all on her own. Most books promise more than they deliver, but this book, with the marvelous web site practice area, delivers more than expected. I would highly recommend it to any beginner.

It took me a while to get into Lonnie's book. The book will be of most use to seasoned PMs and of incremental value over time to new PMs. The information Lonnie puts rings a bell in project situations you have been through and fosters thinking in those you have not been through. Lonnie did put a lot of effort in making the book as amenable as possible and he's done a very good job indeed. The apparently light-read has profound implications very appreciable if you have been there. Each topic evokes in me a lot of additional thoughts.

I recommend the following way of reading the book:

1) Select a chapter (any one)
2) Read all the headings
3) Make yourself a mental picture of the following:
3.1 - what you would put under the heading
3.2 - what headings Lonnie may be missing that you would add
4) Read the text for specific headings you want to drill-in further.

All in all this book is very good as an aide-memoire as well as fostering thinking in situations you have not been through.

Regardless of whether you're managing your first project, or have the battle scars from many, this excellent book will be an invaluable resource.

For the new PM the 18 "Screw-ups" cited will give you ample warning about the most common pitfalls encountered in any project. Note that this book is more slanted towards software development projects, but the 18 pitfalls apply to any project type.

Seasoned project managers will recognize every one of the pitfalls cited. Even though this readership may have developed techniques to prevent them after years of experience, many will find the list to be an excellent review before initiating any project. One of the best uses of this book for seasoned (and even new) PMs is to share copies of this book with key project team members and all major stakeholders before the project is initiated. This will communicate awareness of the most likely things that can go wrong, as well as build a collaborative environment.

I particularly like the format used to present each "screw-up" - "How it happens", "Warning signs", "Turning it around" and "Takeaways". This format casts each of the 18 "screw-ups" as a pattern of sorts, and presents each in a consistent manner. I also liked some of the artifacts depicted in the book, such as the example progress report. This (and additional material) can be downloaded from the site supporting the book (paste the ASIN - B00061GLJ2 - into the search box on this page, select All Products, and click the Go button).

The wisdom contained in this excellent, easy-to-read compendium is invaluable. I personally love the book and highly recommend it.

The Project Manager Advisor: 18 Major Project Screw-ups and How to Cut Them Off at the Pass is an excellent read for both new and experienced project managers alike. Pacelli shares his experiences gained from a combined 20+ years at two premier, project-oriented organizations; Accenture and Microsoft. Although geared more toward technology-oriented projects, Pacelli provides examples outside of technology including his own prepared food service business and the lessons learned from these experiences can be applied to almost any type or size of project.

If you are about to initiate a project and are lucky enough to be the designated project lead or are just a team member the title alone entices you to find out what you can do to avoid the most common pitfalls. Alternatively, if you are currently knee-deep in a program curiosity begs you to check your own project for what Pacelli calls the "warning signs". He takes a potentially dry topic and makes it engaging and light to read.

New project managers will find the Advisor easy to navigate making it easy to refer to again and again. The "screw-ups" profiled loosely follow the chronology of a typical project life-cycle from not "addressing the right problem" through not "reporting project progress" to "tripping at the finish line". Each of the 18 chapters highlights a different screw-up and gives the reader ways to identify the traps, how to read the warning signs and what to do to turn it around. The key takeaways are conveniently summarized at the end of each chapter. This organization makes it a great airplane read which is where I initially read the book.

Most of the big failure traps are covered such as lack of sponsorship, scope creep, limited user involvement, project cost, poor communication and inadequate testing. Less attributed traps, but sometimes just as inevitable, are also covered including poor teaming, inadequate risk management, ineffective customer training and no contingency. Even the topic of "pulling the plug" on your project is addressed... one of hardest to actually execute. Many of these issues will be familiar to experienced project managers. But what's different about this guide from the generic, theoretical, "Project Management 101" handbooks is that Pacelli describes his real-world experiences of the subtle warning signs (or obvious ones as the in the case of the project sponsor that doesn't return phone calls) that are often overlooked when you are in the "heat of battle". He combines these warning signs with innovative, but practical, techniques for mitigating these issues. For example, to address the issue of "designing the wrong thing" he suggests clearly defining scope along multiple dimensions (functional, geographic and organizational) including defining exceptions to scope.

I was intrigued with the description of getting the right Sponsorship where Pacelli suggests continuously clarifying expectations, right-sizing your time with the project sponsor, and being explicit on what you need from the sponsor are all ways to help ensure your sponsor is engaged. It resonated as one of the toughest areas to address and Pacelli covers off on the topic with easy-to-follow, common sense approaches. Another chapter I found especially insightful was Screw-Up #10 "The project cost much more than expected" which doesn't focus on cost management techniques but probably more important techniques in managing through the problems including use of contingency fund, tradeoffs on remaining work and requesting additional funding.

Seasoned project managers will sympathize with Pacelli as he chronicles some of his own "failures" and war stories including poking fun at himself in the role of the "overzealous project manager". Pacelli carries the "have some fun" theme throughout the book especially in his chapter on "The team didn't gel" which includes the advice of playing the occasional practical joke and "Go out for a milkshake".

Sprinkled throughout the Advisor are also some sample deliverables that he has used and refined in his own experience running projects as consultant, project manager and business owner. Readers will find excellent updated versions of the standard "project progress report" and "communication plan" that have more relevance in today's corporate environment where competition is keen for management attention but yet so critical for success.

Although it's great flight-time reading, I found myself continually coming back to the Advisor reflecting on my own projects. At a minimum, this book is an excellent quick-reference prior to beginning a project as well as a periodic refresher during the project. However, many readers will find the Advisor a required checklist and invaluable practical, experienced-based resource to organize a project for success.

Pacelli also offers up additional resources and templates for project success that will be maintained on his website to supplement the book. Pacelli also gives an opportunity to share your own "screw-ups". I'm looking forward to this supplement to the Advisor.

So, before you start your project be sure to pick up a copy of The Project Manager Advisor: 18 Major Project Screw-ups and How to Cut Them Off at the Pass. You will certainly learn about what to avoid. And it's a fun read.

This book is remarkably concise and meaty. It highlights trouble spots that occur again, and again, and again, in project management. Each chapter is about a 5- to 10-minute read, but impart years of wisdom.

What's the $6K? That's the raise that I got because this book gave me the answers that I needed in a tight spot! Thank you, Mr. Pacelli!

I thoroughly loved the writing style and content of this book. The content is geared toward anyone managing a project and what pitfalls to avoid along the way--I saw many of my past mistakes in this book and then wished I had this earlier so I didn't have to learn the lessons the hard way.

This book is a must have for anyone managing a project, large or small.

This book is a fantastic resource for Business Analysts and Project Managers alike. I've recommended this book to several of my contemporaries, and use variations of many of the tools discussed in the book. If you've ever had a creative block on how to demonstrate good analyses, this set of tools will provide you with the spark you need.

Traditionally, project management tools and techniques have been seen as vehicles for reaching an objective or, more specifically, a project deliverable. However, most project management literature just describes individual tools and, at best, loosely gathers them into a quasi-toolbox to aid the project or program manager in doing the job more effectively. Thankfully, the business community finally has Project Management ToolBox by Dragan Z. Milosevic, not just another review of available tools and techniques, but the most comprehensive text ever published on the subject. The author makes a strong case for the need for a more systematic and pre-constructed project management toolbox, one that is of significantly more value than the simple sum of its individual tools.

Within the book, Milosevic develops a new role for project management tools and the toolbox in three distinctive ways. First, the book provides a clear roadmap for how to deploy and customize each tool depending on the specific project and company environment. Second, the book goes beyond individual tools by offering a more effective approach, i.e., constructing a toolbox, unique to an organization, which gathers together a predefined set of tools, thus supporting not only individual project management activities and deliverables but also the complete project management process. Finally, the book spells out how to customize the toolbox. Constructing a generic project management toolbox has value, but customizing it to fit a company's competitive strategy significantly enhances that value.

The book content is clearly and logically organized by project management process - initiating, planning, implementing, and closing - and then by practical applications. This helps users locate tools according to use, i.e., to support one or more specific deliverables in the project management process. Also, it reinforces the applications aspect of the toolbox for a standardized, company-specific project management process.

In summary, the Project Management ToolBox is not just the resource for a collection of project management tools and techniques. It offers an extensive set of tools that goes beyond the limits of generic domains and also takes the guesswork out of when and how to use them in order to support the project management process and to deliver concurrent projects as dictated by a company's strategy for competitiveness and profitability. It also describes how to link project goals and practices and the organization's mission, and it offers much value to managers of organizations of any size or endeavour. In short, it is a must-have book for the project manager.

I don't share many of my consulting "know-how" secrets, but in this case I will, because I think the field of PM will benefit from the ideas presented in this book. After working 20 years in the consulting and project management field, I felt I was as knowledgeable as one could be about managing projects. Then one day, I came across Dragan's PM ToolBox. WOW! Every page is an eye opener. And this book really is a toolbox because its filled with detailed examples, report layouts, checklists, and figures which I have personally incorporated into my projects management and documentation. And those work examples have helped me win additional PM business many times over.

If you think this is just another "Here are the PM process steps" book, then click on by. But if you do, you will miss out on the chance to reach a higher level of excellence in the field of project management that will set you apart from the rest.

Thanks Dragan for a job well done!!

I must say I was excited to discover this book: finally a book holding a comprehensive set of templates! For each tool/template, the author provides answers to practical questions that most people face and provides a short case study to illustrate its usage.
Good Job ! It is to be used as a reference material, not to be read cover-to cover.

If you're a project manager, this is one of those invaluable resources to add to your personal "toolkit".

This is a very practical reference book to keep close to your workspace. It contains more than 50 tools you can incorporate into your practice.

When that moment arrives in the project where one of your managers demands some additional piece of information presented in a particular way (as Murphy's Law describes - always at the busiest, most hectic, time), and perhaps it's one of those things you've never personally done before ...

Don't panic, just reach for the "Toolbox".

Each tool is described clearly, most including a table, diagram, or sample of the tool, along with instructions as to best practice use of the tool, e.g.:

o When to use it

o The best place in the project life cycle to use it

o Its benefits (in case you need to "sell" its use within your organization), and

o Advantages/Disadvantages - enabling you to make smarter choices among the tools, and more effective application of the one you select

One suggestion for future editions: I'd like to see more correlation of these tools with the Project Management Institute (PMI)'s PMBOK - both in terms of consistent language and project phasing. (The author does include a short appendix that attempts to do some of this.)

Notwithstanding, I still consider this book a valuable resource for my practice.

Bought 3 copies for my granddaughters for Christmas, they will love it as much as I do!

Very nice, I shared it with granddaughter so she may get b'into' quilts. Thanks so much!

I've used this book in my fifth grade classroom for many years--and for quilt ideas at home. I'm purchasing another copy for a friend who is just starting her career as an art teacher--and she is also an avid quilter! Projects are great and can be adapted for every age level--highly recommended!

I bought this book for my 1st grader who is starting to quilt. It has a nice, very basic history of the westward movement & how quilts tied in with it & were used at the time. The craft projects in the book are very nice, & would make nice small gifts for children to give whether or not they have any acess to sewing equipment. They may also inspire interest in starting to quilt in some, and the squares shown are a nice selection of begining squares to choose from for a child to make their own first sampler.

Overall excellent & a great book for hopefully starting younger kids on a a folk art form we don't want to lose. My daughter is very excited that something she does was done by the pioneers & that she can do it herself, just like them.

(A nice aside is that the book also points out that kids actually had to do chores & lots of them back then, rather than park it in front of the TV all the time-doesn't make what I ask seem so bad by comparison :)).

I was asked to present a quilting demonstration for 144 4th graders during their "Pioneer Day" study. As references I secured several books, magazines, articles, etc. The Quilt Block History of Pioneer Days was by far the best. The projects outlined in the book for children to do corresponding with the story were easy to do and could really help today's child relate to life in pioneer times.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in quilting history, but especially for adults working with children.