Consultants Books

This book is a bit dry in places, BUT the content more than makes up for it.
I recommend this to any consultant. It will improve your level of thinking about what you do a whole higher level. Yes, it does have many effective "tips".

I was disappointed in the contents of the book. Although some of the information was helpful, each chapter ended with how difficult it was to be an independent IT Consultant. Also, the book is written from a UK perspective and does not focus on many aspects that are specific to the US, including new legislation (SOX) or sub-contracting.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. It's a sure must for anyone wanting to understand and learn about being an IT consultant. I wish I had this book around when I was a consultant. It describes exactly what an IT consultant is, the roles & responsibilities and attributes needed for this exciting career. Face it, most jobs today are very much IT focused, and we're all into IT in one way or the other. This gets my thumbs-up!

This is a good book - but by no means a classic. It is perfect for its target market - geeks who don't know about business and business value and just want to read a summary of information available from more authoritive sources.

Better books include "Managing the Professional Service Firm" or "Secrets of Consulting" by Weinberg.

Author Rick Freedman spent many years as a consultant and his textbook and accompanying CD offer a lot of orderly advice aimed at both the novice consultant and the veteran consultant who wants to improve. Freedman covers such topics as the business of advice, the IT (information technology) consulting framework and developing superior consulting skills. Freedman's main argument is that consultants should train so that they can be of more help to their clients. Successful consultants, he maintains, rely more on their people skills than on their technical gifts. Freedman also gives aspiring consultants advice on how to remain competitive in securing and keeping clients. He instructs consultants to read a steady stream of periodicals and books to keep up with the vast daily changes in technology. We [...] suggest that you can use his book and CD set to find out everything you ever wanted to know about consulting - including how hard it is - but never knew who to ask.

This book contained some great ideas and information for starting your own business. Very helpful, would definitely recommend.

I enjoyed this book and its simplicity, however, found it was a little out of date.

OK for a how to book. It does not give real world experience.

Very informative. It was a quick read, and gave lots of ideas for places to go for more information. Some of the links listed in the book are out of date, but considering how fast information changes on the web, I'm not surprised. A much better value than many of the other consultant books out there, and an excellent starting point for anyone considering this field.

The book goes in great detail of every aspect( financial work,alliances with certain business, all the little odds and ends for your business ) of starting the business, really really informative if you are serious of starting your shop or service.

Outstanding contant the best of it's type. Easy to read and follow. A major contribution.

More for the advanced beginner, I have learned a lot about blending modes from this but I learned my Scott Kelby basics first.

This is not a book for beginners. Shows blending techniques and effects in a very focused way. Should only be considered by those who are indeed interested in these fields.

I guess it depends on how you learn. This book has recipes for various looks using Photoshop's Blending Modes. The examples generally include several different kinds of photos. The result is that you get to see what happens to photos of things, people, landscapes, etc. using the same or similar recipes. The author also tells you when he did things a little differently for one or two kinds of photos, and why.

I've seen a lot of this stuff before, but found that I learned a lot from how this book is laid out. It should also make it a lot easier to find, and use, a specific technique for a specific problem.

Because I am a digital scrapbooker, I might find all of this a lot more useful than some other people who use Photoshop. I'm not only manipulating photos when I scrapbook, I am also making and manipulating digital papers and elements. These techniques would be extremely useful for scrapbooking.

Of all the wonderful Photoshop books by the O'Reilly Studio, this one rocks solid and gave me things about Blending Modes I never knew were possible. I am still playing around with all the possibilities. They have great internet access to images that go with the 'recipes', and a terrific index with examples of all the different combinations they offer so if you need a type of effect, all you have to do is go to the visual index and pick what you are looking for and there it will be. All have the same single image, so it is easy to find the effect you want. I highly reccommend this book to any level Photoshop lover who likes to get artistic with their photos.

In Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms: My Life in American Politics, Ed Rollins details his careers as a Political Operative learning the trade from California Democratic Speaker Jess Unruh, his philosophical transformation into a conservative Republican, alignment with the Reagan revolution and his time as a Senior White House Staffer and heavyweight Political Consultant.

Rollins delivers this in a entertaining and salty style that seems appropriate given the blue collar background he repeatedly mentions in the book.

Any political junkie will find this a great book, although many of the "saints" of Washington DC are not always shown in the most favorable light.

Rollins gives his take on his time as Political Director of the Reagan White House, and Campaign Manager of Reagan's re-election campaign in 1984. He tells of his break with George Bush (41), when Rollins led the efforts of Presidential Candidate Jack Kemp, who according to Rollins was a more fitting heir to Reagan's crown.

The chaos of the Perot 1992 campaign, controversy of the New Jersey Governor's race in 1993 and Rollins' self-described "redemption" with George Nethercutt's upset of Speaker Tom Foley in 1994, as well as other campaigns give the reader a great insight as to the experiences one may have working as a high level political operative.

Rollins, often a controversial figure, does not pull punches. He gives his open opinions of many well known and respected figures in national politics.

This book is definitely a keeper.

Being a political operative seems like a glamorous profession. While there certainly are perks -- there are an equal number of disadvantages to this career choice. Rollins' depiction of what it's like to be a campaign manager is the truest I've read. It's not always a glamorous lifestyle. Even the best campaigns are full of fast food, headaches and heartaches (now there's a title)! Rollins does a great job of telling "the real" story of being a campaign manager...the good, the bad, and the ugly...

I would love to hear Ed Rollins opinions concerning the present President Bush. His book descibes the problems with the first Prsident Bush adminastration (such as putting a higher price on staff and administrators with blind loyalty to those who knew what they were doing)
Rollins book was very funny and a nice peek at the inside of political campaigns. He was very honest in the way he dealt his stories of former Presidents Nixon and Reagan. he did not try to gloss over the failings of either presidency or try to sugar coat anything. He explained his admiration of both Reagan and Nixon, and making a reasonable explaination for liking Richard Nixon can't be easy in a time when even the Republican party tries to forget him. But Ed Rollins does so in a manner which make sit possible to see that there was another side to the man.

Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms is political consultant Ed Rollins' journey as a political strategist in American politics. First of all you have to read this book just to receive the insight on Ross Perot and his insanity. I read this book awhile ago when I was in High School and laughed for hours about Perot. Also I love just hearing about the day to day operations of a political campaigns. If you are interested in politics or political campaigns this book is a must read and has to be in your library.

Rollins covers working with President Ronald Reagan, Ross Perot, Christie Todd Whitman, Michael Huffington (another great wild chapter) and George Nethercutt. Read this book if you want to hear a great story about Frank Sinatra from the Reagan campaign. It is a great window into the workings and thought of the Reagan administration as well. Another great political consultant read was "Bad Boy" about the late Lee Atwater, this one might even be better. If you are a Democrat or Republican this will be a great laugh and amazing insight. You will not be able to put this book down, and once you finish you will go through serious withdrawls which may include chills, shakes, or foaming at the mouth.

I am a self confessed Democrat and even I loved this book. The author is as about as right leaning as they come, but that did nothing to diminish the enjoyment any political junkie would get from the book regardless of what side of the spectrum you are on. The author has been involved in Republican politics sense the Nixon administration and in this book he givens a well written, interesting and humorous account of what he has been a part of. I would not call this book a kiss and tell, but he does give you the facts in a straight up manner, regardless if it makes his clients or himself look bad.

I found the time he spent on the Reagan and Perot campaigns the most interesting. The Reagan campaign because he really lays out the best way to run a campaign. This section of the book could almost be used as a how to tutorial on how to win a race. I found the Perot campaign info interesting for the exact opposite of the Reagan section. This guy was a flake and the author captures every odd, weird and down right stupid thing that happened. The author also talks about his relationship with the first President Bush and lets just say it is very eye opening. Everything he says about the father can be seen in the son today. His main point is that the Bush family feels loyalty is the most important trait a person can have and if you cross that line you will be paying for it for years.

I enjoyed the fact that the author did not spend exorbitant amounts of time on his pre political history or his family situation, just enough to set the stage. I may be unique in this regard so if you are looking for an in depth view into his family this is not the book for you. Overall I really liked the book. It read fast and it is so interesting I just did not want to put it down. I read a lot of political books and this ranks up there as at least one of the more entertaining. If you are interested in the campaign process or the Reagan and Bush years then I would recommend this book regardless of your party affiliation.

The book can in perfect condition, arrived within the time given. Would order from them again.

I have another one of these memory aide books and they help me remember
information needed for Nursing school. This one is all about drugs and is categorized according to drug classes. I would have liked to have seen a couple of example pages from the book before I bought it, but knew I liked the series so purchased it anyway.

I am a visual learner, and this book helped me remember what class the drugs were from. You can even color in the pictures to help you remember them better. It doesn't have all the drugs out there, but it does have the main ones. Hopefully it will help me for the NCLEX!

This has been a great help for studying. I would recommend this book to all nursing students.

Provides a quick refresher to joggle your mind while immersed in the hectic environment of the clinical area.

If you work in SQL 2000 and do any administration then you are going to love this book. It does not get in depth as some other books but everything is easy to find and you do not have to search hundreds of pages to figure out what you need to find.

Although I've been working in SQL since 6.5 this book still comes in handy when I need to do something that I haven't done in awhile or need to confirm something.

It is a very good book to have for reference. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for answers to SQL Server 2000. It gives good detail on configuration and tuning and it also explains how to set up SQL Mail, which I couldn't find in some books I have read. I pretty much use this book every day on the job.

A lot of SQL Server books give you the same information included already in Books Online. SQL Server 2000 Administrator's Pocket Consultant is an excellent complement for Books Online, TechNet and MSDN. It covers similar topics, but it digs in where necessary, provides best practices, tips to the internal operations, explaining how SQL Server actually works, with unique information only available in this book.

I always want to know how things work because it helps me to understand the behaviour of a system. In many cases if you don't know how things work it could drive you to some misunderstandings. Here is where SQL Server Pocket Consultant helps out and Stanek has excellent teaching skills.

The book is very compact and full of information. It's all in the details. Chapter 2 "Configuring and Tuning" is a real gem. It helped so much with server and database tuning. Chapter 5 "SQL Server Security" is excellent on the security details. Chapter 7 provides deep detail of DTS and BCP. The final part of the book is the best, in my opinion. It covers performance, maintenance and optimization.

The book's small size makes it easy to take with you where ever you go and its good enough that you'll want to. Overall excellent guide ot sql server.

This good and concise sqlserver administration reference manual has a complete online version on microsoft.com/technet.

I haven't found a better book for sql admins. This book is extremely informative. I worked for a year with SQL 7 and have been studying and working with SQL Server 2000 for a year and a half. I passed Exam 70-228 in large part due to what I learned from this book. If you are looking for a how-to book that shows just exactly how to accomplish tasks associated with creating and maintaining SQL 2000 this book is for you. This is an excellent book if you want to understand how SQL Server 2000 works as well.

Developing the skill to conduct workshops and seminars requires a lot of time and effort, but it can lead to an exciting professional life and eventually pay huge dividends. Learning to gain an audience's rapt attention takes dedication and practice, but giving a seminar or workshop is a very effective way to sell your product, service or expertise. Robert L. Jolles offers tips for translating your special knowledge into a seminar or workshop presentation, from organizing your material to getting the right coaching to handling challenging characters from the audience. getAbstract recommends this useful guide; it's a quick course in Professional Skills 101.

Robert Jolles has written a very readable and practical book on the ins and outs, the do's and don'ts of running seminars. He knows of what he speaks, as he has substantial scar tissue as a trainer for Xerox and as a self-employed training consultant. He has directed numerous "train the trainer" courses. Jolles has wit and insight and can help you avoid some common mistakes.

Much of the book, particularly toward the end, deals with the unique setting of corporate trainers and those who train other trainers. Personally, I found this less useful. Those looking for business advice on how to run and market seminars may also be disappointed, since that is not a focus of Jolle's book.

Worth perhaps the price of the book alone is Jolle's advice on how to go about writing a book. One of his early central ideas is that becoming an author of the book is nearly essential for establishing credibility for running your own seminars, workshops, and some of our business. He offers practical and excellent tips that have worked for him in being able to write a book and establish solid credibility.

If you are involved in delivering training programs, either in-house in a corporate setting or as an individual entrepreneur, this book is essential reading!

Robert Jolles describes all of the steps in running your own workshops and seminars or working in the training department. Writing your own book. Developing a process of training that helps the trainer and the audience. Visual aid management. Trainee evaluation. All of the steps are in a simple, easy to read book. There are also parts of the book that will help develop and improve skills for sales professionals.

The book is practical, clear and well written. The writer is clearly very experienced in the field. I like his matter of fact approach with a dry sense of humour.

I bought this book hoping to learn one new thing - I don't want 'tricks' or 'secrets' and I don't need to impress anyone - just facilitate seminars which are effective and enjoyable for the participants. I searched for an idea, process or new way of thinking that I could use, modify and apply in my own work. Sadly, it wasn't there for me. The style and content is not consistent with the title. The style is over-confident - the "know-it-all" style, characteristic of some American texts. The author presenting his opinions as fact. There's no doubt, no alternatives, just do it my way and it will be 'right'. Apart from this approach, some of the content is unhelpful at best. For example his comments (opinions) on how to prepare and use visuals in presentations reiterates the worst habits - more bullet points! As the title suggests the author is writing for people who already know something about this well-worn subject, I would have appreciated buying something more original, less emphatic and better written. I regret buying it.

This book is just what it says, a handy guide that you can carry around in your bag for when you need to check where something is, or look up the syntax of something that has slipped your mind, and you don't have time to waste trying to find that stuff on the internet, or in help (when it is likely not there), or any of that. Occasionally useful.

This is a good little book that has helped me out most of the time. It doesn't have every answer that one would think (or expect), but for a book that small, it's great that it covers the basics.

This is with out question the most valuable book for day to day use that an NT Server administrator can keep with them. For all those times you find yourself trying to remember that little used admin applet or procedure, you will find it here. Microsoft Press has done a great job in compiling this guide. Here's to hoping they print one for all of their products.

This Windows NT Server 4.0 Administrators Pocket Consultant has been a constant companion and has never let me down. For beginners and intermediate LAN Administrators, this book covers 4 main areas: LAN Administration Fundamentals, User Administration, Data Administration and Network Administration. In the era of Windows 2000 Server and XP, this book seems a little anachronistic, outdated and obsolete - its not.

With the wide user base of both Windows NT 4.0 Server and Workstation, it is a most valuable resource. Aimed at high-level users, this book will not be your guide to Kernel and file level troubleshooting - it is not an MCSE reviewer. It will give you a broad overview of networking and will deal extensively with users and resources. I give it five stars for its logical progression. After dealing with why you even need a network, the Pocket Consultant focuses on User Administration and the relation to the Data/Resources. NT is robust not because it crashes less but "sharing" is a really easy method to get users to what they need and fast.

Depending on the configuration of you shop - if you have a high turnover, the printing and network optimization comes in handy. If you have a fairly static staff, the user administration is helpful for user management - as individuals and as `groups'. I found the information on Chapter 10 - sharing files, directories and drives - helpful to understand the key differences between the two. Moreover, there was a few key things that I felt this book missed - the power of the Administrator to manage user machines as the Administrator of the Workstation. Within this framework lies the power of the NT network - a much missed topic in this book. Notwithstanding, I still give handbook a true five stars.

Miguel Llora

I read the wonderful reviews this book got and ran to the store to buy it. I run a small school district network and had several real world issue's I was looking for resolution to before purchasing it . . . this book did not help with one.

This might be an OK book to learn the basics (thus the 2 stars), but it has no troubleshooting tips or advanced network issues that gave me any real world help.

Several hours, 3 NT4 books and 2 cell phone calls from my wife asking where I was later, I left with the Windows NT4 Administrators Survival Guide.

These other reviews must have been written by the authors relatives!

Smart and insightful, this book describes, step by step how to achieve the kind of success most dream of but few accomplish.

Selina Maitreya has written a no nonsense book that outlines the basic requirements for achieving success in one of the most competitive businesses around. Her approach is not only to achieve business and creative success, but to achieve some spiritual enlightenment along the way. In other words, she wants you to make money and create fabulous images, but says that those things do not make us happy without a deeper understanding of ourselves creatively.

The point she makes in the end is, she can give you all the advice in the world but you have to make it happen on your own. She makes that clear with anecdotal success stories of some of her most determined clients who work through difficult times and personal tragedies, not necessarily to reach success beyond their wildest dreams, but to launch their business and begin to find clients who give them the work they dreamed of.

I am re-reading this book again. This book is more than some repeated advice, but it is a book that encourages you to succeed.
I enjoyed the chapters on vision more than any of them. So many books on the business of photography attempt to drown you with negative doubtful comments that you ready to quit before you begin.
Selina on the other hand delivers a honest look at the world of commercial photography, but filters it through a message of positive encouragement and strong faith.

Tim Skipper
Vision Photo Image
www.visionphotoimage.com

This book is so much more than just a "how to" guide. Selina has pointed out many areas that need to be developed if you want to be successful in this field. From Values and vision to faith and persistence there are no topics left undiscussed.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a simple guide to a very complex and confusing industry.

-David Paul Larson
www.davidpaullarson.com

I was led to this book among a few others after asking for advice about how to get in the commercial / advertising industry. Since Amazon wouldn't let me peek inside the book and I couldn't find it locally to get a closer look, I took a chance and bought it.

What a disappointment.

Within the first few pages of the book, Selina states that her book is not a "How To" book. Why then, Selina, would you slap a "HOW TO" right in the f***in' title? Perhaps to sucker in a few more sales.

This is a self-help book.

I hate self-help books.

You see, I believe that confidence and a positive outlook are acquired through specific knowledge of the industry you're in rather than the general suggestion of reconnecting with one's spirituality, something the book hammers on endlessly. Nothing inspires confidence in a photographer more than knowing exactly what to expect at a meeting with an Art Director, how to submit your book, how to price yourself competitively, how to plan a debut in the industry, etc. And besides, if reconnecting with one's spirituality is the only way to success, does that mean an atheist can never be a successful photographer? What about a Wiccan photographer? Or an agnostic photographer? The whole premise seems silly to me.

If you want a simply awesome book, buy "Advertising Photography - A Straightforward Guide to a Complex Industry" by Lou Lesko. The advice there is much more practical and very easy to read. Other books I'd suggest are "ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography" and even "Best Business Practices for Photographers" by John Harrington, although this last one is excruciatingly tedious to read through. Still, all three of these books would be far more useful to any photographer than Selina's book.

This book is aimed at professional photographers seeking assignment work from photo buyers, art directors and the like. It will be of less use to the professional shooting fine art or stock, although someone in one of the latter categories might pick up a few tips. It's also of more value to someone who's already working in the business rather then just starting out.

Maitreya, who is a marketing consultant to assignment photographers, provides a series of essays that are more inspirational then instructive. For example, she tells the assignment photographer that in today's marketplace he or she must provide the client with value and attempts to explain what value is. Perhaps it's my business background, but I always thought that assignment photographers had to provide value if they wanted business, but maybe most don't realize that, or at the very least had never considered that deeply.

The author seems to move from the practical side to the spiritual side. For example, early in the book she tells the photographer that he must have a book (the phrase photographers use to describe the portfolio submitted to customers as part of the effort to influence the client to hire them) that will show the client how hiring the photographer will yield images that enhance the client's campaign. That means showing the client work that is the essence of the photographer, even at the risk of it not being consistent with the client's vision. The author believes that, if the portfolio is essential (my words, not hers) and the photographer keeps marketing, eventually he or she will be successful. She doesn't give many specifics about preparing such a book, perhaps because she has already covered that ground in an earlier book, "Portfolios That Sell: Professional Techniques for Presenting and Marketing Your Photographs".

At the spiritual end she talks of developing faith in oneself, and using affirmations that will reinforce one's faith. Even though it sounds a bit mystical, I think that psychologists agree on the importance and usefulness of such things in marketing.

Whether the author's approach will help the assignment photographer is not clear to me. I'm not an assignment photographer, but I think some of her points make sense even in fine arts photography. Whether the author's message will make sense to the particular assignment photographer, and whether she will convince him or her to try the suggestions, will ultimately depend on the personality of the photographer. On the other hand, for the assignment photographer who is interested in improving his business, this book might provide the necessary inspiration and, even if it does not, there is little to be lost in time or money in considering the author's approach.

Christy Lowry's loving tribute, PAM, is a deeply spiritual journey with many facets. She was blessed, within mere days of her beloved daughter's death, by a clear vision of the child's spirital entrance into Heaven. God's Holy Spirit was inextricable intertwined throughout the course of Christy's grief work, as well as that of other family and friends. Christy's own spirit of steadfast faithh and hope inspires readers -- especially the bereaved -- to embrace the possibilities for joy and new strength as outgrowths of tragedy and despair.
--Dr. Cheron J. Mayhall, author of "The Bridge Is Love: A Journey Through Grief to Joy After the Death of a Child (2006)

Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (1/06)

When I first read the book's cover, telling the true story of a family's dealing with the loss of a 13 year old daughter/sister I simply didn't know if I COULD read the entire story. I was expecting a story of horror, sorrow, and pain. Instead, what I got was a story of faith, love, and in the end, happiness. While some sadness was evident in the beginning of the story, losing a child is traumatic and painful for anyone, it didn't take long to realize this was not a book about death, but about LIFE.

Christy Lowry tells the story of losing her daughter to a pedestrian accident on her first day back to school. At the young and tender age of 13 she was taken from her life here on earth and brought into what many of us have no clue about and so many more of us fear because of ignorance and inability to accept the truths of our Christian teaching.

The story telling doesn't dwell on the sadness of the family and the loss they incurred here on earth but, instead, focuses on the family realizing that their daughter was not only quickly and easily accepted into the gates of heaven but would be there waiting with open arms for a grand meeting with them at another time.

While I must admit I was at first very skeptical about the author's, lets say "sanity", ... it made me begin a discussion with others of my faith. What I came to find was that I didn't truly disbelieve what the author was saying, actually quite the opposite - I actually welcomed the ideas and concepts. What I found, instead, was that I wasn't really 100% sure of my own faith and belief that God would present himself and his ways to us so blatantly. What I loved most about the book was the fact that Lowry backed up her writings and why she felt things were happening the way they were, with excerpts from the Bible. I read the book the first time, ignoring these little end notes but after sitting back and wondering if it couldn't help my ability to believe... I re-read the book using the end notes to help me along. It made a world of difference.

The book itself says it is recommended for those who have experienced loss themselves but I'm not so sure that's the only audience that needs to be targeted. The style of writing is one that, while it shares the experiences of the family and their interceptions with God and his many angels, it also allows the reader to stop and consider their own thoughts on the subject of death and grief. I think anyone with even a general consensus of God himself should read it. It will bring you to grips with many concepts that you may have otherwise ignored or not even bothered to consider. It may also make you question your own faith and ability to accept some things about it. Question if your faith is as strong as it could be and delve into learning more about Life after Death.

My absolute favorite part of the book was found at the very beginning. A poem by Colleen Hitchcock called Ascension. It touched me so much so that I asked my own family to make sure they used it at my own departure here on earth. Part of the short poem is below...
"And if I go,
while you're still here...
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
-- behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith." ...

It made me feel a sense of well-being that I could offer those words to my loved ones at the time of my own death because they mean so very much when you read them in the poem's entirety.

What did I get from this book? A sense of completion. A sense of understanding. Hopefully a sense of God's own love and plan for us all. I would recommend it not only to those who have recently experienced death of a loved one, but anyone who could use a little help in bringing their faith back into perspective and strengthening their trust in God.

My heart goes out to the author of the book but not in sympathy because I didn't feel a sense of sadness while reading the book. Contrary to my initial belief that I would be overwhelmed with sadness, I was overwhelmed with a sense of calm and acceptance. My heart goes out to them for their loss but more so for the fact that they must wait until they are called to be with their maker also. I find comfort in the fact that they know and realize that their daughter is now so much happier and taken care of, beyond words.

Christy Lowry shares deeply moving spiritual experiences which enabled her to cope with the death of her beloved teenage daughter. Grief is replaced by joy and abundant love. One finishes the book knowing that hope, strength and comfort are available to all who struggle with the loss of someone dear and to all who endure any other personal trial.

"PAM" is a literary work that is real and true to grief, but draws so heavily from the spiritual aspects of birth, life, and death, one can't help but feel uplifted as they read it. Christy Lowry's writing style evokes strong imagery that reaches spiritual and emotional places of the heart and soul that are seldom touched by the written word. This literary work is without a doubt a labor of love written from the heart of someone who has been through traumatic loss and used it to find a deeper meaning in life.

Christy Lawry lost her much adored and only daughter, Pamela Joy, in a tragic accident several years ago. No one can read Pam and Christy's story and not be moved. No parents can read it and not wonder how they would cope if faced with a similar loss. Ms. Lawry, gives her readers the gift of allowing them into the heart and mind of a bereaved parent. A talented writer, she expresses her thoughts, ideas, and hard-to-articulate experiences with grace, clarity, and a deep, sustaining faith in a higher power. Despite the profound sadness inherent in this true story, there is a marvelous sense of joy, hope, and comfort for anyone who has lost a loved one, especially for those who have suffered the loss of a child.