Tools Books

This book has lots of good ideas in it.

Well worth the money.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this book. I was amazed at how well thought out the "hacks" were and the authors take the time to explain the why of the "hack" with plenty of detail. Their handling of the different topics are from the perspective of what they found works well, but they take the time to address alternate viewpoints and the relative merits of each (an example is their handling of the red-dot sight vs Telrad vs Rigel Qwikfinder debate, some very useful information there!).

This is a definite "must have" book for any telescope owner (they handle dobs extremely well in this book), and is the second book you need to buy after choosing a good observing guide.

My wife gave me a decent telescope for Christmas and by luck got one that's pretty good. This book makes some specific recommendations that would have been useful to have read first.

A must have book for anyone getting into astronomy, whether with binoculars or a telescope. It's also a good to buy and read before you buy binoculars or a telescope, as it helps you decide what need to get. I was very impressed with it, and couldn't put it down, which says a lot about a technical book.

Gazing at the night sky is part of our nature. Whether for scientific and/or aesthetic purposes, we humans are fascinated by the enormity and beauty of the heavens.

The authors explain how astronomy gives them an "unchanging framework that places us in context within the universe. We look at the Great Orion Nebula, for example, and realize that the light we see tonight began its journey about 1,550 years ago, when the Roman Empire was in its final days."

This book is a comprehensive (almost 400 pages) guide to getting the most out of your nocturnal viewings. It will be useful for the complete amateur, the hobbyist and even offer some tips for the seasoned astronomer.

Don't be frightened by the word "Hacks" in the title. Like other O'Reilly Hacks books, this is not a compilation of illegal or unethical computer programs. It is a reclaiming of the original meaning of the word "hacks." Before the media started using the term hackers for everyone from mischievous teens to dangerous criminals, a Hacker was someone who used a creative workaround or discovered a more elegant, or quick-and-dirty, solution to a problem.

You probably won't read this book from cover to cover. Depending on where you are starting from and where you want to go, you will find sections that pertain to your interest and experience. Early in the book is a guide to choosing binoculars and telescopes. I like the hack that explains how to measure your "entrance pupil size" using Allen wrenches. This will suggest the optimal telescope for my eyes.

The book also gives tips, guidelines and even etiquette for venturing out alone or with others on an observation trip.

There is some solid information as to how our eyes function in the dark. If you are eager to see stars, you can skip some of this but I found it interesting. Especially the explanation of why all cats are gray in the dark.

After about 100 pages you will get into star identification and cataloging. It begins with the Bayer Catalog, (Johann Bayer published the first comprehensive star atlas in 1603) and then includes more modern catalogs.

The authors provide lists of, say, the 88 modern constellations and include a pronunciation guide so you don't sound like a newbie.
As an "urban observer" (about 8 miles from downtown), I have different equipment needs and techniques than a country dweller. There is a whole section dedicated to Urban Observing Skills.

For the adventurous, there is a game plan to complete a Messier Marathon (seeing and logging all 110 Messier Objects in one night.

Astronomy has long been linked to photography and there are a lot of hacks dealing with taking pictures of the images you observe.

Those who have gone beyond the beginner stage will appreciate all the hacks and modifications you can make to your telescope and other equipment to improve your experience. And the book concludes with hacks to make your PC a better tool in your observations.

This book provides a nice starting point for people interested in the night sky. But it's not a beginner's book. As your skills and interest grow, you will continue to uncover new and useful ideas from this book.

There is so much to ProTools, Gina puts it into perspective! Her writing style is outstanding, and if you are like me who thinks the technical instructions and white papers seem to require a degree, this book is for you! I am currently on Chapter 5 and in one week, I have surpassed what I learned on my own with the "manual". Her additional downloads and assistance goes above and beyond!
As far as a response to the previous "click track" comment, with respect. I have talked to several studio musicians, and they all say they record with a click track, drummer, pianist, and guitarist.
If Gina comes out with an "advanced" ProTools guide, I will purchase it immediately!

I bought this book because I needed to learn to use Pro Tools fast and because I learn best through tutorials (like the Apple Pro Training Series books). This book got great reviews so I chose it. Unfortunately, I need to learn Pro Tools in reference to working with film soundtracks. This book doesn't address film so you'll need to look for another book if you want that aspect. I still gave it five stars because it is a very well designed and well written book - similar to the Apple Pro series. The tutorials make sense and all of those 'but what about' questions that often pop into your head while working in tutorials are answered. Concepts are clearly explained so that you can actually apply what you learn to other situations within the software. The focus of the book is on live recordings and working with loops. If that is what you are looking for this book is A+ and I kept it as a valuable reference for my library.

I admit that I hate to read a manual.
I am a visual learner: I can watch someone else operate, say, Final Cut Pro and get the general grasp of the work environment.
If I have to wade through text, it doesn't seem to click as easily.

Having read several books on Pro Tools as well as countless instructional web pages, I was still struggling with my Pro Tools LE system.
That's where Gina Fant-Saezs' book comes into play.
I took a chance and spent the money.
And it was money well spent, for someone with my learning curve.

Easy to use, fun to read and plenty of visuals.
Where other books explained Pro Tools in word, Gina's book augmented the text with excellent images.

I highly recommend "Pro Tools for Musicians and Songwriters" for beginners as well as those who need something more than just words on pages.

The best purchase for Pro Tools rookies. I had no prior experience with Pro Tools before reading this book and I feel completely comfortable navigating both the editing and mixing modes. Gloria explains her information in a totally easy to understand format while directing you to record and patch songs together in various different ways so you can determine what method you personally prefer. I was up to speed and recording professionally sounding CD's in days! Thanks Gloria!!!

This is a good book for getting started in Pro Tools. It covers pretty much what a musician would need to know to start making songs.

The author is really good at making complex concepts and procedures understandable. She even uses a blog where she will personally answer your questions if you get stuck.

That said...
The book is using Pro Tools version 7, and because I was using Pro Tools LE 7.4, there were quite a few discrepancies between what was presented in the book, and what I had in front of me, and the reader is required to extrapolate from time to time. All this will probably be fixed if the author ever revises the book. Then she can specify exactly what version is being used.

Also, in the revision, I hope she uses XPand, the free (and extremely cool) sampler from Digidesign, and not the $600 SampleTank, which you can only try for 10 days before buying.

Another thing I think would be very beneficial to new users and should thus be included in the possible revision. is a whole section of the book on creating your own loops, right from the beginning.

Thanx Gina

I picked this book up out of sheer curiosity and read it to its entirety in one sitting. Jenning's presentation style and narration are excellent - the book flows perfectly and many of the points brought up can be taken and applied.

Stories of successful businesses fill this book. The author got "down and dirty" and did in-the-trenches research to find the best performing companies in the world. Then he spoke with the CEO's to find out what makes them and their businesses tick.

This book is an excellent example of the types of practices and procedures almost any company can follow to be successful both financially and ethically.
Jennings cites numerous companies who have carved out success while still remaining true to their customers, their employees and their values.
Not surprisingly, few of these companies are ones that so called pundits regularly review.
As the other reviews have noted, these companies are very successful financially, but they get there by asking the really pertinent business questions, and not by hiding behind an air of executive invulnerability. The leaders are real leaders, more focused on growing the company, serving customers, and doing right by employees.
What vividly differentiates these companies from the "name brands," is that in the "name" companies, executives are more concerned with their own compensation, preserving their own existence, and with profits at all costs, than long term success.
The questions you should ask yourself after reading this book are, "Where have all the leaders gone?" and "Why don't all companies follow many of Jennings' researched best practices?
After that, I would run, not walk, to one of these companies and see if you can start at the bottom and learn what it's like to work in a real company.

This is not just another book about the secrets of famous companies. It is, instead, a book about the secrets of somewhat obscure but great companies. The principles that author Jason Jennings propounds are familiar enough, but most of his examples will not be familiar to the general reader. That is no drawback. Although some of these companies are less well known, they have all achieved great business success (if not fame) by applying some of the most tried, true and proven axioms of management. Treat people with respect, pay them for performance, focus on one clear and understandable mission - there is nothing new about these principles, except that they keep proving their efficacy even in the unlikeliest places. Do not look for a deep examination of management here. The book provides frustratingly scant background information about the companies themselves. But we assure those seeking a handbook of solid if venerable management advice that you will not go wrong with this interesting little book.

This spring, I had a night-flight from Houston to Europe. I never got any sleep due to this book. It reads like a fiction novel while the focus is very much on the softer issues of productivity businesses. The well-written behind-the-wall stories and interviews with successful top executives give us insight to many issues that usual case stories do not explain.

Business magazines often glorify top executives by telling about the grand strategic plan behind the success. This little book shows us a different story. It provides insight to the many seemingly small traits of the lean culture that only works because they taken serious by the organization and used in combination. These are the 11 traits required for the leader of a highly productive enterprise: attention to detail, high moral fiber, embracing simplicity, competitiveness, long-term focus, disdain for waste, coach leadership, humility, rejection of bureaucracy, belief in others, and trust.

I'm sure you're really not impressed of this list. Neither am I. But try challenging some of the advice. Humility? When was the last time you saw a big company using this as a standard. When you hear the story of many head offices visited in this book, you'll understand humility. Often you'll find a very simple and humble office building for a huge company. No art on the walls! No lavish entrance hall! In these companies, you don't find huge corporate staff creating immense bureaucracy and all sorts of information requirements from their operating companies or business units. These organizations do actually "walk-the-talk" on lean - unlike many fad-driven major firms who's paying lip service to a lean culture.

PERSISTENCE is a word missing from the 11 traits, though attention to detail and long-term focus do include some of it. They never lose sight of their BIG idea or focus. It includes their performance measurement. "Everyone who works for SRC gathers once a week in their respective lunchrooms and takes part in a review of the business's financial performance for the previous week. By DOING IT WEEK IN WEEK-OUT FOR MANY YEARS the exercise has also become a system".

Okay, I'm sure that the book's research on productivity could have been better. And some of the firms reported on may experience difficulties, though most are still flourishing. But don't read this book for the hard stuff. Read the soft issues that over time usually turn out to be the hardest to beat.

I agree that it resembles "In Search of Excellence" to some degree, but remember that this book is on the lean culture of Cost Leadership firms (my interpretation, not the author's).

Peter Leerskov,
MSc in International Business (Marketing & Management) and Graduate Diploma in E-business

I purchased this kit to be given as a gift to a child who is just starting sewing. It would also be good for a beginning adult, but if you have experience, you will still appreciate the enclosed patterns.

This is a great kit for beginners. I sewed my first patterns easily and plan to do more.

I LOVE the stich it kit... I got one for myself back when they first came out.
This one is a gift for my neice. She opeend it the other day & we started right away, she loved the kit. The book has great stich diagrhams & the patterns are fun & up to date.

I have never emboridered in my life. This book showed in a short sweet step by step work up of how to get started. It touched on the diffrent threads.

I also loved the patterns included!

LOVES IT!!!! BEST GIVE EVER!! I HAD A COMPLETED PROJECT IN 2 HOURS... GREAT CRAFT BOOK!!! WISH I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT YEARS AGO!!! ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES AND PROJECTS.

Everything you wanted to know about sharpening. This book is very thorough in describing in some detail how to sharpen pretty much everything in your house and garage. It is a good balance of enough information to get started without going too overboard in topics that are not of interest. I think that the book is worth reading, especially if you can only pick one book.

This book provides a very detailed look at the physics behind sharpening blades. I would highly recommend this to anybody who wants to learns the fundamentals of sharpening.

What should I say? No need anymore to write other books on sharpening. It is well written and very informative on every detail. If you would like to know everything about sharpening, buy this book and you're done.

I was looking for more of a how to book. This book does have a lot of information, different angles, types of stones and hones, and a method of sharpening for any edged tool or knife. It just doesnt really show how to do it all.

You have to admire the author. He packs a huge amount of detailled and easily read information in this book. The electron photomicrographs, showing various sharp (and not so sharp) edges using various abarasives are excellent. Leonard also seems to know everything there is to know about the history of steel making, and abrasives. There are excellent chapters on just about every kind of woodworking tool imaginable, with plenty of excellent photographs. If I were a woodworker I would regard this book as being the one and only complete reference text.

BUT... my personal interest is in sharpening kitchen knives. And the chapter on knife sharpening is the least informative in the book, and really tells the reader nothing new that is not already available on many web sites. In fact the Mr Lee actually says he only included this chapter because nobody would take his book seriously if it didn't have a chapter on knife sharpening. As a result, the chapter is not not very good. and in fact contains some wrong advice. eg using plastic book binders as edge guides: - Sorry Mr Lee, but they just do not work.

For a complete knife book, you would be far better off with Chad Ward's new book "An Edge in the Kitchen", far better than this book by Mr Lee.

I don't mean to disrespect the author, or this book. But it is really for woodworking tools, not kitchen knives.

I WAS EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THIS PURCHASE. THE BOOK (THE PRAISE AND WORSHIP FAKE BOOK) WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. IT HAS CLEAR TYPE, SIMPLE EASY TO FOLLOW WORDS AND MUSIC. IDEAL FOR ANYONE WITH A FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC. IT WILL GET YOU UP AND RUNNING REAL QUICK. IT WAS JUST WHAT I'D HOPED FOR. I LOOK FORWARD TO USING THIS BOOK FOR YEARS TO COME, THANKS - AND GOD BLESS!

This wonderful collection of worship and praise songs makes it possible to do the songs you have heard and want to learn for yourself. Indispensable and enjoyable!

Lots of great songs. They have packed too many pages in a binder that barely holds them. I ordered a larger diameter binder and will replace the existing one so that the pages have more room to be turned without catching and tearing the little cutouts.

Great transaction for a great book. This was a gift for my wife who is the musician in the house. She loves the book and having so many songs in one book.

I haven't gotten my guitar skills to the point where I can play along with my singing, but this book has tons of really good songs. It's easy to use and I can't wait to start using it regularly in my Bible Study!

This resource is for anyone desiring to deepen their faith in Christ and receive a deeper understanding of the knowledge of the Truth of God's written word.

This item was delivered in a timely manner in very good condition as was stated. I am very pleased - Thank you

This book has been an excellent resource for my bible studies. It's very informative and priced reasonable. I recommend it to all who study the bible. I appreciate the preview on the store site, it sealed my purchased. I'm not disapointed I bought this book.

This is the best bible dictionary I have ever purchased. The definitions
are easy to understand. It is well worth the money.

What a difference when used in conjunction with your Bible. This is an excellent tool for study

Normally these kind of books, I end up reading the first couple of chapters and putting it on the shelf to collect dust. I actually brought this into the office one slow day, and was 3/4 of the way through the book in no time, and taking notes!

My router (used) actually didn't come with a manual. With this book I was able to get by just fine. The book teaches you the fundamentals of the router, and in doing so is teaching you how to safely operate it.

I did buy into the Eurekazone System which I highly recommend that you look into. This will save you from buying a router table, combined with this book, it'll save you a lot of money.

This is an excellent resource for the beginning woodworker interested in learning about the router.

I'm a total beginner in woodworking. I purchased "Woodworking with the Router", to get a basic understanding on how a router is constructed and how it operates. The 1st few chapters were just what I was looking for. What I expected next was descriptions of the most commonly used bits, and how to use them. Instead I got jigs. Ultimately, this book is going to be a valuable reference for making your own jigs, but in the meantime I've got to find out what to do with the bits.

One of the reviews I read here said that this book was all about making one's own jigs and not buying commercial jigs. I wanted to make dovetails but really didn't feel like spending a ton of cash on a jig and a bushing. So I bought the book primarily hoping to find a good way make dovetail jigs or even a trick for cutting them by hand. Well, the book told me to buy a jig. I guess I should have just bought one, it's just that it's awfully hard to spend almost $100 on something that will be used so infrequently.

One the positive, the book had plans for a small table-top router table. It worked out very well and even though it was a very simple design, I sure didn't think of it. That was a good find.

If I ever wanted to really get into woodworking, I think I'd find the book more useful. While I enjoy woodworking quite a bit, I don't have time to really get into it. Most of my woodworking is done as part of larger projects. I think that limits the usefulness of the book, at least for now. But I'll keep it around and who knows, I might find more goodies when I am ready for them.

I like this book for a lot of reasons. That includes clear and enjoyable writing, good pictures that support the text, minimal non-usable material, and content that extends my vision. This is not really positioned as "Router 101" type of book. While it does have some introductory material in the opening chapters, it doesn't stop there - far from it, in fact! The number and types of jigs the book covers is just amazing, plus it manages to convey how to build them without wasting enormous numbers of pages on unnecessary details. Multiple approaches to many jigs are also presented, too. There is useful advice embedded throughout the book, ranging from bit selection to the depth of carcass sliding dovetails. I particularly appreciate perspective advice like the latter, as a simplistic presentation of how to cut a sliding dovetail alone will get you plenty frustrated once you try fitting one a half-inch deep and 12 inches long!

This is a Reader's Digest book. Don't let that hold you back. They've had some pretty good woodworking titles, and this book is well-made in addition to being really well-written. Another is Bob Flexner's Understanding Wood Finishes book. I used to regard Taunton as the gold standard in woodworking books. Lately it seems as though 90% of what they publish is retreads of Fine Woodworking articles.

What happens to you on the inside -- your thoughts, emotions and imagination are reflected by what's happening on the outside - more sales, happiness, excitement, etc. If you try to change the outside without first aligning what's going on inside of you, only temporary change will happen.

Jeb's book is a master class in getting your inner game in order. He takes you through the program step-by-step. If you follow his guidance and are consistent with it, you will produce results. And great results are what makes selling fun. It is the best paid fun work there is.

Jeb Blount has captured the pure essence of success with Power Principles. He not only gives you the map to success, he shows you the steps to get there as well.

Power Principles is an absolutely Amazing read. With real life stories that we can all relate to, Jeb really hits it out of the park with this book.

It is more important than ever to have a clear understanding of how to achieve your dreams. Jeb Blount gives you everything you need and more with Power Principles.

Curt Fletcher, author of How to Sell More Homes and Increase Your Income

LOVED IT (sage and energizing advice packed in a quick little read)! This book inspired me to put important planning in place that I had been putting off because I was "too busy." It helped me shift and refine my focus and I'm sure results will follow and everyone in my company will benefit.

Power Principles is a book I will reread many times and I'll definitely be buying copies for my staff.

If you have ever met Jeb, you understand why this book is so great! He will teach you more in a hour than others can teach in a life time! This book is what I call "shelfable", meaning I will kept it FOREVER and read it again and again! What's next Jeb? Sign me up!

Who said it takes a three pound novel to get you what you need? Read Jeb's new book! You will quickly discover this book is not written by a consultant or researcher with book knowledge but by someone that has been there and done it successfully.

The book does away with the fluff and is perfect for busy salespeople and sales managers not interested in wading through a swamp of hard to read words. Discover what professionals in sales, sports and business know. Success is about drill and practice on the right stuff. This book is how to develop yourself using secret powerful principles that will jump-start your career and get you to top performance.

What you didn't learn in school and what your company can't help you with is that personal success is what you must do for yourself. It does not come in a little blue pill or by going to weekend sales retreat climbing ropes. Selling is based on Talent, Skill and Desire and you must be willing to invest in yourself and your own education.

You can read this book in an hour. It will take a lifetime to digest. The genius of this book is in the simplicity and power of the 5 Principles.

Excellent reading for old pros and new sellers alike. A reference guide for sales managers and a must have for any sales library. Jeb's website is a fantastic resource for sellers and sales managers, check out Sales Gravy for the latest in sales strategy, jobs and networking.

I listen to Hayhouse radio all the time and I kept hearing Trust your Vibes over and over. Finally, I bought it to see what it is all about. I have been working on self-help happiness, peace, & joy for years. I love Wayne Dyer, but this book truly took me where I needed to go. I drowned out my instincts for years, I would sleep with my TV on (to spongebob, can you believe it) so I didn't have to worry, hear my thoughts, and deal with my anxiety. The more I ignored my thoughts and my instincts the more miserable I became. I started to get really jealous over nothing. So I was desperate. So I bought this book and I also bought the Trust Your Vibes Oracle Cards. Well needless to say - this book saved my happiness and my husband loves my new attitude, I stopped drowning out that voice in the back of my head that was telling me the right path to take. I stopped listening to my lying EGO who was always afraid to make a decision, I think this is what I have been searching for --the last piece of the puzzle to move on and enjoy life. I wasted so much time. Also,everyone I work with wants me to pull them a card everyday. I don't even care what people think of me anymore, I even talk about my intuition and intent all the time. The craziest things have been happening and people are flowing into my life. Check out the Green Fire in the book - it will help you start a new begining.

This book and oracle cards have been a blessing for me. I can't get enough of it.

Sonia does a wonderful job of guiding us back to trusting our instincts and living a fuller life as a result. She helps us weed out the static of everyday living. I first read this book four years ago and have since gone back and re-read it at times when I felt I needed to get quiet and "re-center". Reading a day at a time makes it very manageable and gives me time to think about the message. I think this book could be very beneficial to people in any walk of life. Even in the business setting. It's an easy, interesting read and I highly recommend it!

Sonia Choquette holds out the promise of a place where you are free. Where the spirit within you can emerge and you can actually be happy in this troubled world. But you have to follow your 6th sense, live by your intuition and your spirit, not by your ego and your 5 senses, as the ego causes pain--anger, jealousy, resentment, but the spirit is loving, forgiving and healing. Using examples from her clients, Sonia illustrates how people who trusted their vibes were able to free themselves from unhappy and confining situations, enjoy life and experience peace.
Writing with clarity and honesty, this down to earth pychic also has a great sense of humor, and never allows you to take yourself too seriously.
Instead of worrying and fretting over every little thing, which your ego and your reason urge you to do, she advises you to be lighthearted, spontaneous, and to go with the flow. By living in the spirit, doing what you want to do, and not what others would have you do, your life can turn around and you can become the person you were meant to be.

this is a really good book for anybody - not only for those who want to find their intuition. Ms. Choquette very nicely sums up how to percieve the world. So, control freaks of the world read this book and see what you are missing. :)

I fell upon Sonia's works and ordered this and another of her books together. I loved them both and will now read whatever else she has written. She is very down to earth, easy to read and gives practical, do-able tasks for anyone wanting to fine tune their six sense. For those of us who have lived with "premonitions" or good "instincts" it was nice to have someone help us feel more comfortable with our inner voice.