Presentations Books

Often when driving through small towns, we come across decrepit buildings or foundations of what might have been the site of a local industry. These structures have given way in the late 20th and early 21st centuries to mass market retailers and suburban residential developers. Those remnants that can be seen speak of a rich local past which often overlooked or unknown in the fast paced lifestyle of today.

Portable and Prefabricated Houses of the Thirties by Paul H. Tedesco and James B. Tedesco shed light of one of these often overlooked local industries. Portable and Prefabricated Houses of the Thirties illustrates the concept and adaptability of the E. F. Hodgson Company of Dover, Massachusetts as it grew to meet the demand for inexpensive homes during the first half of the twentieth century. Combining imaginative engineering, modular designs and quality materials, the Hodgson Company created a product that was well received internationally as well as within the United States. Quality, price and ease of construction made the Hodgston line of prefabricated homes a competitor to those marketed by Sears, Montgomery Ward and others mentioned in the Tedescos' book.

Portable and Prefabricated Houses of the Thirties uses reproductions from the 1935 and 1939 catalogs to lavishly illustrate the Hodgson variations on a residential theme. The catalog clearly illustrates how the Hodgson company developed and expanded their idea for modular construction. Starting with poultry sheds, the basic idea was translated into small cabins and then into custom designed residences. Again, the influence of mass market advertising can be seen in the many testimonials that are common throughout each catalog. Customers were offered the opportunity to purchase a "stock" model or to create their own design using additional modules. The Hodgson modules were used to create meeting halls, schools, government offices, businesses as well as residences in the United States as well as in Italy, Nicaragua, Belgium, Labrador, and Africa. Quality materials, ease of construction, reasonable cost and portability, if needed, made Hodgson buildings popular.

But times and taste change. By the end of World War II, consumers were more interested in Capes, Ranches and Colonials than variations of the bungalow theme that Hodgson offered. There is also a possibility that demand outstripped what Hodgson and others could supply. Nevertheless, the basic concept of a "uniformity system" based on modules as applied to residential construction was a valid one. Witness Levittown and other post World War II residential tract developments.

Little remains beside the unused railroad siding in Dover, Massachusetts where the Hodgson factory once stood. The Town of Dover Department Garage now occupies the site. Fortunately, Paul and James Tedesco have given readers a look at a vibrant local industry that was once there. An added bonus to the Tedescos' book is their interactive website which provides viewers with a chance to find Hodgson houses thorough out the United States and to add newly discovered ones. Equally interesting are the sections on Frequently Asked Questions, photos of extant Hodgson houses, and Houses for Sale.

All in all, Portable and Prefabricated Houses of the Thirties is a very enjoyable book and is a wonderful tool for stimulating interest in local history. So much is available almost literally beneath our feet. As Paul Tedesco once said: "you can see most of American history right in your own local backyard." Portable and Prefabricated Houses of the Thirties nicely illustrates the unexplored richness of the communities in which we live.

In the latter half of the 19th century and their first half of the 20th century the prefabricated house was created, perfected, and increasingly popular for both its ease and rapidity of construction, uniformity of quality and predictability, as well as its relative inexpensiveness when compared with traditional home construction. The E. F. Hodgson Company of Dover, Massachusetts was one of a number of companies specializing in mail-order catalogs to advertise and sell sectional and ready-cut houses throughout the United States. "Portable And Prefabricated Houses Of The Thirties" is a photomechanically reproduction of the E. F. Hodgson prefabricated housing catalogs for 1935 and 1939. A superbly reproduced and unabridged reprint, this catalog showcases the floor plans and blueprints, as well as providing black-and-white photographs of the completed structures. A seminal contribution to the history of American architecture, "Portable And Prefabricated Houses Of The Thirties" is an essential and very strongly recommended addition to professional and academic library Architectural Studies reference collections.

Let me say right from the beginning that I have been writing copy for more than a dozen years. Everything from broadcast to direct mail. And after you read all the essential classics in the field (and those copywriting for less than 5 years MUST first read the classics by Bly, Caples, Ogilvy, and yes Lewis too) I can't think of any other book better suited than this one for refining and fine tuning the more experienced copywriter! Power Copywriting takes us on a wonderful journey through the refinements of the copywriting craft. Things professionals have always instinctively known but LOVE seeing corroborated in print - and - things we've perhaps never considered and will try FIRST THING TOMORROW! Very little actual narrative. It's just pages and pages of sophisticated tips, secrets, and wisdom served to you in bite size chunks. A book not really meant for the novice because it presumes the reader can really tell the difference between a feature and a benefit and already understands all the basics. This book BUILDS UPON the basics. To stay sharp, I've read this book twice a year since I've purchased it. I've seen my copywriting "pull" significantly better after reading Lewis' Power and so will you. If you've already read the classics and have more than 4 or 5 years experience in copywriting - GET THIS BOOK!

I work in the creative department of a New York based advertising agency whose name most in the business would instantly recognize. Lewis's book was recommended to me as an interesting and valuable read. I bought it and found it immensely helpful. Wonderful! Not sure why more people in the "biz" don't know about it! I wholeheartedly agree with the review that appears above....this is an exquisite book. THIS is the book they should be using in graduate level communications courses. On the other hand, forget it. I want to keep my job! A TRUE GEM OF A BOOK - GET IT!

Using techniques I learned from this book, I wrote a press release that earned mountains of praise from my usually edit-happy boss. Instead of edit marks he scrawled "Wonderful! Nice hook! Great job!" all over my copy.

The book is a quick study and it produces immediate results! I look forward to writing and rewriting my sales letters and marketing literature using these techniques.

Like in her seminars, Sue is a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm in this must-read for anyone looking to enhance their range of business skills. An excellent resource.

This is one of the best books that I have ever read on public speaking. It has many ideas on how to do a speech from starting to ending. The book goes to the core of how the process actually works with lots of ideas to improve your skills. It gives many ideas on presentations,questions, structure, organisation. She has a passion for this subject which comes across in the pages I have improved using the techniques. It is not easy speaking in front of groups and we all need all the help that we can get! This is probably the best manuel of speaking that you will find it is packed with ideas which will enhance your skills and make them more effective. I do recommend the audio version of this book because it brings the message more alive; and will give greater appreciation of the subject. All that is required that you put forth the effort and practice!

Dorothy Leeds' Powerspeak is very generous with tips and experience about public speaking and it problems. Solutions are presented from speech- writing, presentation, audience relations, room preparation, working with meeting planners, and so much more. Readers can read these techniques. Public Speaking is a skill to be developed with practice. The reader should be involved with public speaking classes or Toastmaster clubs. This book is worth more than it's cover price and will pay back the reader very generously. The book is highly recommended for the novice and the experienced public speaker.

I found this book to be a very helpful reference tool. I work in two elementary schools as a Literacy Coach. My days consist of presenting reading ideas in faculty meetings, teaching reading objectives and reviewing test taking strategies in grades 3-5. I was already familiar with PowerPoint basics. I have put together several presentations for faculty meetings using a standard PowerPoint format. This book refreshed my memory on how to enhance my presentations by adding video clips, sound, etc... It also showed me step by step how to create PowerPoints to use with students in the classroom for building background knowledge, test reviews, etc... In order to get the attention of today's students, technology is a must. This book helps the teacher stay current.

I am a 10-12 educator with experience in PowerPoint and computers, so it seemed like it was time to expand my ideas and my experience. This book did that. I skipped the chapters for the "newbies" but noticed that the presentation was easy to follow; I appreciated this when I got into the programing part!

I went right to linked slides--making slides with answer buttons that give you a "well done" or "do over" slide. I made a fun presentation on the primary colors of light for my Desktop Publishing class. The students had to pick the primary and secondary colors, read explanations, and see examples. They told me that they liked it. One boy (a WOW gamer) commented, "I get to guess the colors! Cool!" They all liked the independence it gave them--being able to go through the presentation on their own.

My next project was the graded test. Ms. Finkelstein says to give this chapter a generous amount of time; I support that view. However, I liked this part the best. It was a very one-thing-at-a-time explanation. Thank goodness. Lots of titles and subtitles for easy back and forth reading. So I made my multiple choice test on American Transcendentalism! The students liked that, too.

The authors have good chapters on interactive presentations and non-linear organization; these ideas transfer to all lesson-planning. My next dive will be into menu-based projects. I look forward to that!

amazon thank you so much for having this web site the books i bought iam enjoying very much and they are being very helpfull like your self thanks again donna millbern

This book is a GEM. It has earned a place on my bookshelf and I refer to it often when a question arises. This is the first book I've seen that explains the sex link crosses - HOW to produce chicks that are "sex linked" (males white females dark or otherwise distinctively marked so you can tell without question at hatching which to rear for layers and which to feed for meat). So many here keep it some secret as those mixed bred chicks are big sellers here. You can produce your own! And it explains *how* an egg is produced. The explanations within are easy to read and understand and it is done without talking down to the reader. Some of the things in it are in "UK terms" (it's an English book) but is very very useful to the small poultry producer here. From care and rearing of chickens to showing to management to breeding this book has the answers. It's more concise than many US poultry books but is WELL WORTH the money. EXCELLENT reference from a man who KNOWS chickens.

I loved the book. It's message is simple, but strong, and it's steps are easy to follow. I'm looking forward to sharing these tools with colleagues and friends. Dr. Costello teaches us how to develop that special something....

Skilled speaker and consultant Dr. James M. Costello (Founder of "Presence Engineering", a program specifically designed to generate the mindset and energy of success), Presence And Perception: Creating The Energy Of Success is a thoroughly "user friendly" self-help guide to creating a strong, impacting, and magnetic personal and physical presence whether on the job or pursuing personal relationships. From subtle adjustments to one's posture and facial expression to promote positive gain, to creating confidence and controlling tension, Presence And Perception is a highly recommended addition to any self-help, self-improvement reading list.

I've been in sales over 30 years. This book has really helped me present my product (which is a service, and therefore challenging for people to "see" the differences).
I have recommended this book to others in my organization to help them see the fine tuning differences that this book outlines.
Author does a good job with the concept,metaphors. I now look forward to seeing my prospects in the groove (you'll understand more when you read the book) with my presentations!

Presentation Jazz provides readers with a unique visual approach to organizing sales presentations. Undergraduate and graduate students love it! I am using it in all of my sales classes.

Michael Gamble, Ph.D. New York Institute of Technology, New York City.

Truly the artistically challenged presenters friend! The easy to use book guides even those who can't draw a straight line to draw interesting and meaningful graphics. I've owned and used the original book for years and recently purchased the new edition because a CD of all the graphics are now included. Now, if I choose to use PowerPoint, these same graphics can be included!

I am a college instructor with NO artistic talent, whatsoever! This book will give me ideas for making presentations more fun and exciting. You guys think of everything!!

Presenter's EZ Graphics Kit: A Step by Step Guide for the Artistically Challenged to Creating Original and Effective Lettering, Borders, Visuals and Images ... Charts, Overheads and Presentation Software

A very well written book, introducing its material in an argumentative order. Taken from various regions of the roman world, archeological examples are considered in order to prove -or disprove- theoretical arguments. The arguments themselves are ordered by complexity, making the reading easier.
The point of view is clearly architecural for the analysis, while the material data are checked for archeological or static pertinence.
If the bibliography is wide ranging, it suffers from its division following the chapter order: if it is easy to follow during a first rading, it is more difficult to come back to it after closing the book.
Manar HAMMAD

I had always wondered how the Romans calculated the ratio of width to height when designing their columns. This book treats the matter in detail with excellent diagrams and details far beyond just columns. Mouldings, orders, temples, markers, baths, etc., are all covered lucidly and with enough depth to interest both the architectural professional as well as the dilettant.