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Beginning in 1986, I started my career in safety and health management. Beyond the "basic industrial safety classes" being taught at the time, a few innovative and creative individuals were looking at safety and health management in ways beyond making "physical and engineering changes" (a technique that had dominated safety program management since its inception). In 1995, Values-Based Safety Process emerged as a go-to reference for me. It is a wonderful and enduring book!

One of the chapters that I go back to regularly outlines a clear strategy for sustaining the safety management and culture process. Terry's book has endured as a benchmark in our consulting practice and approach to safety management today. I highly endorse and recommend his book, and believe it has helped immensely in the prevention of injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

Steve Thompson, President
Aspen Risk Management Group [...]
Coauthor, Workplace Safety: A Guide for Small and Midsized Companies

Dr. Terry McSween has written "The Values-Based Safety Process" what many have described as the "most practical book on how to actually implement behavioral-based safety and troubleshoot organizational and system problems within an organization". This book is an essential working reference for every executive, manager, supervisor and safety professional responsible for for helping protect employees, the environment, and property. A very positive review of the book was published in the July 2001 issue of Professional Safety.

This book can help you get a proper perspective of how Behavior-based safety can be an additional element (but not a replacement for) a fundamentally sound total loss control program to protect people, the environment and property.

Larry Bailey, CSP

This is a great, great book. Having studied safety culture management for many years, this is the best book I have seen on the subject. A practical, meat and potato's guide to establishing a successful, high-performance safety culture, with a proven method that absolutely works. McSween holds your hand and takes you right down the road where you need to go with a clear, understandable writing style that starts at the basics and takes you all the way through how to celebrate your success. The second edition has lots of case studies and a great section on safety leadership. Buy this book! Also, read some great safety articles at McSween's website "Quality Safety Edge".

I have worked in this field for several years and observed Fortune 500 companies in every phase of implementing behavior-based safety into their organizations. I have witnessed first hand all of the major consulting companies installing BBS initiatives using the books of other authors in this field. I can unequivocally recommend Dr. McSween's book as the most successful and practical.

Above all, Dr. McSween has used his 20 years of hand-on safety consulting experience to design a behavior-based safety process that incorporates employees into the design and implementation of the process - and thereby creates all the necessary elements of acceptance and long range success. Unlike other BBS methodologies, Dr. McSweens process allows employee design teams to integrate BBS into the existing safety culture in a mannner that ensures its strengths will be sustained and effective.

Dr. McSween has used his clients feedback and his experience to design a process that minimizes administrative busy work and time off the job, yet includes the powerful tools and activites that BBS brings to the safety management process. Above all, Dr. McSween is a professional widely known for his integrity and client dedication - traits that are reflected in the honesty and practicality of his book.

After many years in the BBS business as an employee of Dr. McSweens competitors, I can truthfully say that Dr. McSween's book and his process are the most successful and that Dr. McSween is the best BBS consultant practicing in America today.

I reviewed this book along with four others by other BBS consultant authors and I find this to be the best. Terry McSween has written a very usable book complete with forms, checklists. and essential elements necessary for doing your own process, if you are intending to anyway. I also found the section on safety incentives to be very helpful and neccessary. One is likely to do a poor BBS implementation unless they address the important organizational interface between the popular but controversial safety rewards programs and a new BBS effort. McSween's appreciation for manufacturing organizational cultures seems to me to be on the mark.

Loved that the Thesaurus landed on my desk within three days. And in perfect condition. Thanks!

The efficiency of your operation is so rare these days; it's greatly admired and appreciated on this end.

Well done and keep up the good work!

Excellent book, bought it for my grandsons who love to write, and I figured they could use it for school.

This thesaurus that i purchased here is very helpful,i had some predicaments before to write a well- written essay like a student in college because of my simple words.My essays were very simple because the words make them simple and boring.From the moment that i brought this thesaurus,i did improve my self and my essays are more interesting to read with my varaition using the words.

Everyone in the family has used the New World Thesaurus at one time or another since our purchase. It's easy to use and complete. Anyone with kids in school or adults who have to develop content in their jobs will find this book a valuable resource.

A most complete resource for writers or closet linguists.
I can hardly find the words to describe this book

This is extraordinary and inspiring for all! While reading this book, the first thing that hit my mind was "think outside the box", a term used pretty frequently in the corporate world. This is something that should now be reconsidered by execs, board of directors and investors everywhere, no matter how long you've been in any industry, what type of box have we been referring to, traditional or value-centered? Mr. Parker's remarkable book, "Who Said So?" challenges companies to step outside of the "traditional box", which has been the foundation of companies for decades because "they traditionally said so". To be truly honest with themselves, their colleagues AND most importantly the CUSTOMER, to ask the question, are we truly focusing on what the customer values versus what we think they do or should value, have we founded our company on traditional values or a effective and efficient, lean, value-centered culture? This book will cause you to consider that there could just very well be a better way than what and how we're currently doing things.....well here it is right before you in this book....not only can Value-Centered Management take you to the highest level of success as a company, it can take you to the highest level as an individual, providing you successful concepts and tools that you'll carry with you no matter where you currently are or will end up on your personal and professional journey.

Who Said So? is an awesome guide for all us in Corporate Setting who are stuck! Its nuggets of wisdom, creative suggestions, and reader-friendly format make it a perfect resource/tool for promoting new ideas and logical change in the work environment. It hits many of the major areas of apprehension I see among leaders and team members daily... You will not find anthing available elsewhere of greater insight, scope and value. For once someting corporate American needs!

I just wanted to say that I felt this book had a feel good effect on me. I really appreciate that my business self-esteem has increase. I feel very powerful applying the concepts to my professional career. Reading this book was spiritually stimulating. It was very difficult to put it down. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more books like this one.

This book is a must read! It is straight-forward and honest in its approach and evaluation of corporate structure. The author focuses on what the customer values as the driver of what should be an ever changing corporate alignment to accommodate it. He is able to show simply and without a lot of excess what every organization can do to be a success in competitive marketplaces. I will definitely implement the concepts and ideas in my workgroup at my Fortune 100 company.

I read "Who Said So?" this weekend. Needless to say it is outstanding! Having read the "Goal" by Goldratt, which is the gold standard, I know what a quality book looks like, and Who Said So is definitely quality.

I just returned from the annual ASQ Lean Sigma Conference in Phoenix, where a lot of content-rich subjects were discussed. A question raised during the Master Black Belt dinner, "What is the next evolution in Quality?" I'm sure we know what that is! Also, the book set the stage for sequels to follow, to further drill down on the concepts.

It is a masterpiece!

Of all the business books I've read, and I have read a great deal more than most for my job, this is simply one of the best. It is well researched, yet also well written. Its lively, yet detailed, historical analysis brings out the lessons of business that are usually lost to time. This book has more intelligent things to say about the true sources of business success than ten of the best sellers combined, and is just as fun to read as any of them.

Gerard J. Tellis and Peter N. Golder methodically and empirically demonstrate that pioneers are rarely rewarded for their efforts at the end of the day. The confusion between pioneers and current market leaders lies in the exclusion of failures (survival bias), tendency for managers to refer to their own firm as the pioneer (social desirability or self-reports bias), and self-serving market definitions (self-serving bias). For example, the Gillette Company is the oldest surviving firm in the disposable razor market. However, the Gillette Company was not the firm that first commercialized the razor. Similarly, Intel was not the firm that first brought the microprocessor or CPU to the market, even it has been perceived as the pioneer in that industry.

Tellis and Golder brilliantly build on over a decade of in-depth research to show that vision, persistence, relentless innovation, financial commitment, and asset leverage are the real factors that drive the superior performance of enduring leaders like the Gillette Company and Intel.

1. In their examination of "Vision", Tellis and Golder take their distance from the traditional definition of that much abused business term. Often, vision is indeed synonymous with broad mission statements used to excite and inspire stakeholders of an organization. In Counter-intuitive Marketing, Kevin J. Clancy and Peter C. Krieg concurred that most companies do not have much of a vision (See especially pg. 74 - 86). Vision has two key components according to Tellis and Golder: 1. A focus on the often-decried mass market with its dynamic and evolving needs and 2. A unique perspective of serving that mass market. For example, in contrast to its top competitors, AOL has stressed from the beginning convenience, ease to use, community, and ubiquity. Similarly, McDonald's has stressed from the onset quality, service, cleanliness, and value to build a worldwide network of mainly franchisees for bringing fast food to the masses. In Product Strategy for High Technology Companies, Michael E. McGrath gives a good complement to Tellis and Golder's definition of vision by explaining it as an answer to three key questions: 1.Where does a firm want to go? 2. How will the firm get there? And most critical 3. Why will the firm be successful? (See especially pg. 12, 306, and 317).

2. In their analysis of "Persistence", Tellis and Golder debunk the myth that enduring market leaders usually achieve their success through luck or sudden breakthroughs. In fact, visionaries have the will to persist in their efforts through seemingly insurmountable obstacles, slow progress, and long time efforts. The origin, early struggles, and ultimate success of Federal Express showed how important the vision and persistence of Fred Smith, its founder, made the difference at the end of the day. Similarly, the ultimate success of xerography after 13 years of research was due to the unwavering faith of former Xerox (Haloid)'s CEO, Joseph Watson in the underlying technology.

3. In their approach to "Relentless Innovation", Tellis and Golder remind their audience about the importance of firms not resting on their laurels. Technology and consumer tastes constantly change. Tellis and Golder rightly identify complacency with past successes, bureaucracy, managerial occupation with current customers and competitors, and fear of cannibalizing existing products as the four enemies of the relentless pursuit of innovation. For example, the earlier history of the Gillette Company clearly indicated that its success led to complacency and arrogance detrimental to its market leadership several times. Quoting Andy Grove, one of the founders of Intel, "Only the paranoid survives." In Product Strategy for High Technology Companies, Michael E. McGrath gives a good complement to Tellis and Golder's examination of both time-based and cannibalization strategies (See especially pg. 219 - 234 and 257 - 271).

4. In their study of "Financial Commitment", Tellis and Golder demonstrate that visionaries show persistence in their ability and willingness to raise and commit financial resources whatever the obstacles in their way. For example, Federal Express was on the brink of bankruptcy for years before it finally took off. Similarly, King C. Gillette, one of the co-founders of the Gillette Company, struggled not only to launch the eponymous company but also to raise the capital necessary to commercialize his disposable razor for years.

5. In their dissection of "Asset Leverage", Tellis and Golder look at how generalized and specialized assets can be mobilized for dominating a product category. Tellis and Golder rightly identify the extent to which the new product category does or appears to threaten the old product category, a strict focus on costs, myopic view of markets, and bureaucracy as the four major hindrances to leveraging assets. Xerox squandered more than one opportunity to leverage its assets to adopt and commercialize the revolutionary discoveries of its Palo Alto Research Center for years. In contrast, Microsoft showed sacrificing several products in development as the way to catch up with the competition after it had initially misjudged the potential of the Internet revolution.

Tellis and Golder also remind their audience that the relative importance of the five factors mentioned above varies by firm and market characteristics: new firms, established firms competing in established markets, and established firms entering new, yet unrelated markets (See pg. 265 and 266).

To summarize, Will and Vision by Gerard J. Tellis and Peter N. Golder is like The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen a major contribution to a better understanding of how markets really work.

In Will and Vision, the authors refute the theory that first-movers have an overwhelming advantage, and replace it with the idea that seven factors, that can be summarized as will and vision (hence the title of the book) are instead the factors that permit companies to dominate markets.

First, the author performed an in depth empirical study that included 43 different industries at different times in order to show that the original entrants in many markets were not in fact the current leaders. Instead, the authors offer the following seven factors as the main ones in determining whether firms became leaders in their markets:

* Envisioning the Mass Market - Examples include P&G with Pampers disposable diapers for everyone instead of for travelers only and Kodak with photographs for the non-professional.
* Uniqueness of Vision - Examples include Tim Berners-Lee and the development of the WorldWideWeb and King Gillette's view of the razor market.
* Persisting Against All Odds - Examples include Bill Gates' persistence that landed him the operating system contract with IBM and Haloid's persistence over a decade that created Xerox.
* The Need for Relentless Innovation - Examples include Moore and Noyce leaving Fairchild Semiconductor to found Intel and the relentless pace of innovation there, and Gillette's close brush for lack of innovation in the 1960s and its ensuing fast pace since.
* Organizing for Innovation - Examples include HP's organization beating Xerox and IBM at the laser printer market, and Netscape beating Mosaic by taking talent and rewarding it.
* Raising and Committing Financial Resources - Examples include Fred Smith's almost bankruptcy to keep FedEx alive and Amazon sacrificing profits for a long period in order to achieve its envisioned mass market level of service.
* Leveraging Assets Despite Uncertainty - Examples include IBM losing the PC battle because it did not want to hurt its mainframe sales, and Charles Schwab's leadership in web trading after it chose to focus on it and sacrifice off line higher margins.

Overall, I found it a very good entertaining book, with anecdotes that help support the ideas the authors suggest. I strongly recommend it.

This book comes out with a hypothesis challenging conventional thinking which assumes that pioneers dominate markets. Collecting and analyzing historical data from over 66 industry segments the conclusions by the authors is baffling. This is not a case where statistics is used conveniently to support untested theories using available tools to prove a point. The approach to understanding market dominance and the role of pioneers and followers is path breaking. Contrary to common belief, data shows that in many cases the pioneers have as little as 9 % market share. The ingredients for success are therefore not being there first, but doing the right things.

Five factors that emerge as key to ensuring long term success and market dominance are Vision, Persistence, Financial Commitment, Innovation and Asset leverage- factors that are structurally related in a causal chain starting with a clear vision for a mass market. There are innumerable examples and detailed cases where the inability to see a mass market for innovative products has resulted in late comers grabbing the market from incumbents. Fear of cannibalization of existing products, bureaucracy, complacency, are some other causes that stifle growth.

After explaining the hypothesis, a good and crisp summary of the conclusions from the historical data, every chapter proceeds sequentially to substantiate the findings. This is a rare combination of business history, statistical analysis and strategy. It is this unique combination and the unconventional wisdom that is bound to make this book a classic in its own right. The range of products covered varies from diapers to couriers and computers. IBM, Microsoft, Fed Ex, Xerox, Gillette are some companies that are discussed in detail.

Comparing it with other books on similar research, my prescription for business would be:

Innovators Dilemma + Will and Vision + Built to Last + Good to Great = Road to Market dominance.

Highly recommended.

Few business principles engender as much faith among people as the principle of the pioneer's advantage. For example, Ries and Trout, in their book on the 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, boldly state the "first immutable law of marketing" to be "It's better to be first, than it is to be better." Brand recognition, brand loyalty, consumer inertia, network effects, experience effects, access to distribution channels - these are all reasons for why the first movers in a market could have an advantage over others in the quest for market domination. Consultants, academics, and managers note the many examples of pioneers who appear to have done very well in their markets. Look, they say, at Gillette (in safety razors), Hewlett-Packard (laser printers), Microsoft (PC operating systems), and Amazon.com (online bookselling). All of these cases appear to prove the pioneer's advantage.

Tellis and Golder argue quite convincingly that these examples prove exactly the opposite: pioneers are much more likely to be cursed to failure than blessed with long term success! The authors show that the real pioneers in the markets listed above are not the current market leaders. Gillette entered the safety razor market in 1903, but a company called Star, they find, had already introduced a safety razor in 1876. H-P entered the laser printer market in 1984, but IBM had one on the market in 1975. Microsoft introduced MS-DOS in 1981, but Digital Research had introduced its CP/M operating system back in 1975. Amazon.com entered the online bookselling business in 1995, but Clbooks.com/books.com was selling books online in 1993. Most of these pioneers are forgotten now - many are long dead. Yet the myth of the pioneer's advantage lives on.

Using new and detailed historical research, Tellis and Golder systematically debunk the myth of the pioneer's advantage. The book refutes much conventional wisdom, and wonderfully weaves together hard data and vivid business stories to argue its thesis. Tellis and Golder are two of the world's leading experts on market entry and long term success. Their prior research has had a major impact on the academic business community. Yet if current and recent business practice is any indicator, few managers seem to be aware of the lessons that emerge from this remarkable stream of research. One only needs to think back at the Internet gold-rush to see this point.

The bulk of the book is on the question: If pioneering does not explain market dominance, then what does? Again, Tellis and Golder bring fresh, unorthodox insights to this question. They organize the answer to this question along two dimensions: Vision and Will. Their arguments force one to rethink several common precepts. For example, they challenge the very notion "vision" as it's currently understood. Similarly, they point out that dominance is often seen as a function of luck, or being at the right place at the right time. In fact dominance is more a function of small, incremental innovations in design, manufacturing, and marketing over many years. Indeed, it took Procter and Gamble (a latecomer) 10 years of persistent planning and research to find success in the lowly disposable diaper market.

Overall, the book is provocative and compelling, meticulously researched and highly practical. The case studies alone are worth the price of the book. But the novelty and persuasiveness of the insights make it one of the finest works on business strategy.

What a great novel about friends getting together with good food and spirits discussing their experiences. A must read. Truly a page turner, I couldn't put Wisdom down. Karen thanks for a wonderful read.

Karen has written an excellent novel on friends and sharing. Bringing other women together to introspect and share some of their innermost feelings, is so true to life for some sistahs. Karen also keeps upfront, the spiritual aspect of what life's experiences can mean to an individual. This is a MUST READ!

Looking for a cast. A producer. A director. A sound track. I WANT TO SEE THIS ON THE BIG SCREEN! This is how much I enjoyed this novel. Fabulous! Absolutely, Fabulous!

Karen E. Smith did a wonderful job in bringing together ten totally different women on one day at a birthday party to share the wisdom gained from their life experiences. There is a single career woman turning thirty (Sharlisa). A happily married woman with a child (Monique); A divorcee (Denise); A woman in an abusive marriage (Lynnese); A woman involved with a married man (Celeste); A single-parent (Alexis); A thirty-something college student with a family and a dream (Eunice); A gold digger (Claudia); A spiritual woman (Shannon); And my favorite, a promiscuous woman named Rachel. (NOT that I can relate to her philosophy about life, but she is just too funny.) Wow! Like I said... ten totally different women. I found myself thinking about the stories these women shared and comparing their lives with my life and the lives of some of my friends LONG after I finished the last page.

Monique's story will renew your faith in true love. Shannon will make you think twice (maybe three times) about your life choices. Denise will have you looking at flowers and trees for answers. Sharlisa will help you to remember that GOD IS GREAT! I applaud this author for bringing something so real and spiritually based to the literary arena. Great job!

This book is a MUST read. I read it in one sitting... I just could not put it down! If you "liked" Waiting to Exhale, you will absolutely "love" Wisdom from Experience. If you want real.... it doesn't get any better than this! (I hope there is a sequel!)

....Let me say that this is no ordinary novel. Yes, it is about a group of women meeting to celebrate one friend's 30th birthday,but on the other hand, I also wanted to underline some of the things that the ladies were talking about in the book. A lot of great points were brought up dealing with sex,love,marriage,single parenting,education,children,and more. Not only that, the book is good,clean and very enlightening. And I recommend the book to all who are at a crossroads in life,or just looking for answers.

The Witness is an exciting read from beginning to end. Only a skilled author could weave the themes so carefully as well as keep the pace moving. Her characters are real. The message within the story is one you'll need to discover for yourself. I highly recommend this book.

Fasten your seatbelt and hang on as Philip Lansing fulfills a deadly vow, catapulting himself and his daughter Jenny into a fast- paced dance with the Mafia and the Witness Protection Program. Can FBI Agent Alex Kendall protect Jenny in their cross-country race against time? Will a catastrophic earthquake destroy their growing relationship?

In The Witness, Margaret Johnson employs crisp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and riveting lead-ins to create a strong flow between chapters. She introduces characters in snapshot fashion until they merge into one finale. No loose ends. No wasted moments.

The Witness-read it!

This is a real page turner filled with twists and turns. The characters are wonderful!

Jenny Lansing receives a telephone call from her father, Phillip, who is part of the Witness Protection Program. Phillip wants his daughter to bring him an envelope to Los Angeles. Determined to leave the program, flee to another country, and start a new life, Phillip puts his daughter in immeasurable danger.

Stalked by members of the Chicago Mob, for whom her father was holding money, Jenny heads to L.A., in the company of FBI Special Agent Alex Kendall. Before she can meet her father she and Alex are accosted by the hit man, sent to take care of her and her father, and her briefcase, containing the precious envelope, is stolen. Phillip is kidnapped and Jenny and Alex are trapped when a tremendous earthquake strikes. In spite of the trials, Jenny is determined to rescue her father but her determination is challenged by her growing attraction to Alex.

Tightly woven, THE WITNESS is a dynamite read. Margaret Johnson gives readers a peek into the enclaves of the Federal Witness Protection Program as well as into the workings of the mob. Alex and Jenny are immediately attracted to one another, but have little time to persue their relationship deeply because of the constant hurdles thrown into their paths.

I only had one teensy little gripe, which probably won't phase most readers. Ms Johnson called The Magnificent Mile (Chicago's Michigan Avenue) Michigan Boulevard. As a former Chicagoan that jumped out at me. Other than that one gaffe I found THE WITNESS a quick, enjoyable read. There are definite inspirational themes, however they in no way overshadow, or overpower, the enjoyable suspense theme.

Margaret Johnson is the author of ten books, including EIGHTEEN NO TIME TO WASTE, the story of her daughter, Kathi, who was killed in an automobile accident. If you have teenagers be sure and include a copy of EIGHTEEN in their Christmas stockings. It may change their lives.

Approached by the Chicago Mafia to hide their drug money, Philip Lansing gives in to the temptation to siphon some off for himself. He then proceeds to wire funds to his new Swiss Bank account. When the mob is caught, Philip, a successful business and family man, is given a spot in the Witness Protection Program for testifying against the mob.

His life becomes a nightmare, alone and lonely, separated from job and family. When he is moved to his third 'safe house,' Philip, against all rules, calls his daughter Jenny to meet him in Los Angeles, and to bring a sealed envelope with her. Jenny, however, does not know that this envelope contains the key to Philip's Swiss bank account.

Jenny's flight out of O'Hare is delayed due to bad weather. As she waits, she realizes she is being stalked by what she assumes is a mob member. Later, upon boarding the plane, she also meets attractive Alex Kendall, an FBI agent assigned to protect Jenny. But Jenny, unsure about his intentions, is afraid to fully trust him.

Once in L.A. the lives of Jenny, her father, and Alex are forever changed by the Northridge earthquake. Still afraid to trust Alex, Jenny manages to get away from him and sets out alone to try to find her father, once again vulnerable to the mob that is tracking her.

Margaret Johnson has masterfully woven plot twists ans surprises with the turning of every page. This is a good read and hard to put down until the very last word, and one that will become a permanent part of my personal library.

THE WORLD OF THE MICROSCOPE had good information to help my daughter with her science project. The book arrived in less than 4 days.

I bought this and gave it as a gift with a microscope and prepared slides to a 9 year old boy. He loved the microscope and slides, and the book was a nice accompaniment that he could use for reference. The book wasn't used for very long though once he got to using the microscope.

The item arrived in condition as described and it got to me fast

While looking to educate my adopted Chinese son ... only in this country for two years, I noticed his interest in life sciences and chemestry. So, we bought him his first Microscope for this Christmas and were trying to figure out how we can teach him the many things/uses we had forgotten in 42 years since my school days. Well ..... this book is the perfect answer. Not only does it explain the microscope, but it gives great experiments and things to build from household items as tools to carry my son further than I could. The writting will be a little dense per page for his understanding, but any good parent that will use this to help their child will be able to take that child to high knowledge and functionality in the microscope realm.

Wonderful for my 10-yr-old niece's first experience with a microscope. Good pictures, colorful, understandable instructions, useful information. Probably good for any beginner, any age.

Everything that you wanted to know about rigging ships with square sails.
The last part of the book is about ship handling. Now I know the reason the ships are rigged the way they are. You need this book if you build model square rigged ships.

This is a great reprint of the training manual for a Royal Navy officer. It has helped my presentation for living history of a US Navy seaman incredibly.

I bought this book because I am a recreational sailor and ship modeler. I found this to be an excellent source of information on the rigging and basic operation of 19th century military and commercial sailing vessels, and it answered many questions I have had about older sailing vessels as compared to modern ones.

The subject matter is laid out logically, but must be read carefully due to its original 19th century syntax and language, and the tremendous amount of detail discussed.

The book starts with how strands are laid into ropes, how ropes are made into lines, the basic components of rigging (hooks, blocks, hearts, trucks, cleats), description and tying of basic seaman's knots, moving on to constrction and stepping of the masts, spars and sprits, standing rigging, running rigging, sail construction and rigging for each location on the ship, finishing with anchor rigging. As if that were not enough, the second half of the book is a fascinating treatise on practical seamanship of the day, including coming to anchor, when to use certain sails, reefing, laying to, heaving to and other heavy weather techniques.

The book is illustrated throughout with hundreds of highly detailed period line drawings. Truly an 19th century version of the Annapolis Book of Seamanship and Chapman's Piloting combined, it is an absolute must for any model builder or student of sailing ships who wants to know "how it was".

History and ships...
I Love History and ships, and this is simply one of the best and most enjoyable books I have read. I am still reading it, but it is one of those you want to share immediately. My hobby is building 18th century wood static model sailing vessels, and I have learned a few things already (despite my library of 40+ books on the subject). It hurls you back in time, to enjoy details that would have been forgotten, if not for this kind of book. Like the page that tells the strategy that one should use if the wind changed by three points... or taking in a topsail... or tacking expeditiously...
If you are a fan of history and the 1700's sailing... you cannot go wrong with this book (and its cheap!)

Judge this book by its cover! It's exactly what it says it is. This book is full of practical knowledge suited for the young naval officer or merchant seaman. It's one of those books that is just fun to read. Similar to "The Art of Rigging," this book has tons of information about the rigging of sailing vessels not in common use today, but it's fascinating nonetheless. A great volume for those enthralled by the sea, or who enjoy model ship building. Looks great on the coffee table, too!

I am the Publisher of Zee Bees. Roger Staubach, one of America's superlative athletes, has recommended the book. I pass along his comments to all readers who may be interested;

"Zee Bees took me vividly back to my football days...the hard work, the bruises, the excitement, the camaraderie, the emotional ups and downs, ...it's all there. This is an inspirational book that teaches the lessons that team sports teaches so well...how to establish goals, stick to it, work together, ...and succeed! I highly recommend Zee Bees for readers of all ages!"

Roger Staubach
Heisman Trophy Winner Navy 1963
ALL Pro Quarterback Dallas Cowboys

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I had a general idea of what the book was about but once I started reading it brought me back to a place that I have never been, and really never even heard about growing up. You see my dad is Paul Jackola and reading this book showed me how different values and team work was before my teen age years. We all expect things and back then you had to work for them. This book is something that all kids should read, make them think of how it used to be, how it is now and what they can do for the future. This book will be read by my 3 children and then it will be brought to the local schools for teachers to read and hope to teach a lesson for all children of today.

As a foreign exchange student at Zion-Benton in 1961-62 - 7 years after Bob Osmon graduated - I was delighted to read his book about the team and the coach that set out to win the championship - and did! - against formidable foes like Lake Forest and New Trier. You don't need to understand the rules and tactics of American football (I frankly don't) to enjoy this fascinating story. And you don't need to know Zion - which springs to life even 50 years later - because this could be any small community anywhere in the USA. A book for grown-ups and youngsters - everyone will want to immerse themselves in this tale of challenge, frustration, team building - and winning.

"Zee Bees" by Bob Osman is an exceptional read. The story about a group of young people, a football team and their friends(girl friends and teammates)is a great portrayal of growing up in America in the 50's. It has many lessons about friendship and working for your goals that would serve any generation of young people. Once you start reading the book you can't put it down. I recommend it to young people of any age. You will enjoy it. My son and daughters read it and enjoyed the story and it was not just because their mother is the girl that swept Bob off his feet in the book and the star center on the team is their uncle. It is a good story and one all of us can relate to regardless of the generation in which we grew up.

This is an excellent book. I couldn't put the book down! It tells about how people lived in this small town of Zion, IL and the values they had which rubbed off in their high school students. It tells about the football team who had their dreams of championship and persevered toward it. The high school students had respect for their coach no matter how they were treated, they could see, they all had one goal in mind. That is pretty difficult for teenagers, sometimes. The book will make you laugh and cry and bring you right into that small town. The descriptions of the football games and the sights of that town are so real! This book should be read by everyone who wants to make a difference in thier lives by overcoming any problem. Work hard and have respect.

As a mother and professional working with young kids, I always like to look outside the box for special literature and art for children. And it has paid off over the years in how much more expanded their minds became. I loved the fun rhyme in this small book. The words splashed and played, and made you want to recite them aloud! I look for such books because rhyme, alliteration, and so forth, are very good developers of the whole brain, allowing right and left hemispheres to communicate and strengthen their synchronicity together. I wish major publishers weren't so afraid to do this type of thing more often. I much prefer books like this to books published by major publishers with movie and TV-character tie-ins! The drawings were lovely, and made you want to look closely amidst the ocean to see something no one else sees. A nice relief from a screaming, loud, video game world.

This little book packs a wallop: beautifully written lines and elegant pen drawings ebb and flow like the ocean, and perfectly capture the idea that the ocean waves are like thousands of wild horses. The author suggests reading it aloud, then having your child read it out loud as well--when spoken aloud the rhythmic verses really do resemble the sea. Definitely recommended.

In Betsy B. Lee's book, a little girl plays at the shore, imagining that 10,000 WHITE HORSES take her up and over the roaring waves. She giggles as they race up her back, nagging her to play. The girl tries to float on the white horses and doesn't give up as her mother lovingly watches from the shore.
Lee's book teaches children to try, try again using rhyming, playful text. Catharine E. Varnedoe, from Savannah, Georgia, sketched the charming illustrations that add a visual flair to the wonderfully written children's storybook.

10,000 WHITE HORSES would make a wonderful addition to any library, classroom, or day care center, and comes highly recommended by this reviewer.

What a fun, vivid story full of summer fun and memories. Children ask to hear this rhythmic story again and again. The illustrator did a great job of making the images leap off the page while hiding the horses in a unique way that adds to the reading experience by encouraging kids to seek and find the frolicking foals among the ocean foam. The writing style and tempo provide a great educational style that allows children and adults to not only read the words but to also feel the excitement of a day at the ocean. For those who love horses, live near the ocean or visit the ocean, this one is sure to gallop into your heart.
Review by JoAnna Carey, Author of Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life

Picture a clear blue sky along the coastal beach, miles and miles of the mighty ocean offering up her latest show just for you. A spectacular panoramic view of breathtaking waves of imagination, will give you memories to last a lifetime.

In this poetic story a young girl experiences some of that feeling during her outing at the beach. Having missed the first wave, is dunked by the second one, and then finally catches the third.

While on her floater, from the white caps of the roaring sea waves arise 10,000 White Horses, some unique guest members of the aquatic world. Running along the waves, pushing and shoving, as they playfully race for the shore. For one heart pounding moment upon reaching the sandy beach they jump through darkness and disintegrate back into the sea.

10,000 White Horses is a great adventure and a way to introduce young children to the wonders of nature, gaining a deep appreciation for these cosmically remarkable creatures.

This is an excellent starter book for both English and Spanish speaking children and an instrumental teaching tool for teachers and parents.

Reviewed by Betsie