Languages Books

Mark Ortman's "simple guide" is an easy to read, comprehensive look at the various aspects involved in self-publishing, including preparatory steps (copyright, ISBN), printing, marketing, and distributing. He offers lots of references to resources which will be useful, and he provides some tips as well.

Brevity is the chief positive attribute of this book, and it is also a weakness. You might want more about each of the subjects that Ortman raises. Another problem with the book is that much of the information involving technology is outdated, although most of the rest of the book is up-to-date.

Not everyone will want to read this book. But the beginning writer can certainly benefit from it.

Back in the late 1980's I had the privilege of attending a self-publishing workshop with Mark Ortman, the author of this excellent how-to guide. I purchased "A Simple Guide to Self-Publishing" and used the knowledge I gained to successfully publish and market my first book. I've recommended this book many times over the years, since it provides a perfect introduction to the topic. I'm happy that Mark has kept the book up to date, and that the Third Edition includes helpful information on On-Line Publishing.

This book may be a handy ADDITION to your publishing library, but it is definitely not "the" source book for marketing. In fact, in the rapidly changing world of publishing, I found that most of the information I did want to use was already out of date.

This book helps you compare regular publishing with self-publishing to see if it's right for you.

Three main questions underlie the process:
Why do you want to publish your book?
Who is your audience?
What makes your book different or unique?

Chapters cover such topics as:
Learning about the industry and preparing the manuscript
Printing
Announcing your book
Distribution
Creating a demand, touring, marketing--by far the longest chapter

This book has lots of great suggestions, but he doesn't go into any very deeply. At only 62 pages, this is useful as a handbook. It is geared toward writers who needs an overview of the process, particularly those wanting more traditional paper publishing for their books.

This simple guide is exactly that, the bare bones basics for those who don't want to wade through hundreds of pages. You can get more than three times the information for only twice the price in a book like Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual, but more is not always best for everyone. If you are the type of person who wants "Just the facts" this book could be your ideal introduction to self-publishing.

Great book ! Photos are clear, the content is extremely useful. I would recommend this book to holiday makers or residents of spain.

I LOVE this book so much that I have bought it over and over - giving it away as gifts to so many Spanish learners and even Spanish speakers who are not so fluent that they couldn't benefit from a book that provides English, Castilian and Mexican usage for thousands of very specific pictures. Inflatable dinghy? reduced-fat milk? extension cord? after-sun care? It's all here, with DK's characteristically beautiful photos. It's a bit heavy to cart everywhere, but it's so engrossing that it makes any long wait (at the supermarket or doctor's office)an unexpected pleasure.

Oh, this dictionary is so awesome! I have so much geekish fun with it you wouldn't believe it. A genius-like idea (words grouped by theme, each with a matching picture), flawlessly executed.

Though a slightly worrying side-effect is that one starts to lust after the items in the pictures (not the people, who are all remarkably healthy, (except if you're looking at the section about going to the doctor, or being in the hospital), but in a completely cheerful, non-erotic kind of way).

But the things. Everything is so top-of-the line. If DK include a photo of a bathrobe, it's so klassy you immediately start to krave it. Their pastry display makes you drool. You don't just want to know that "la masa brisa" is filo pastry, or that "trifle" is "el postre de soletillas, gelatina de frutas y nata", you want the damned trifle itself. Even the fast food ("comida rapida") looks uncommonly mouth-watering. The "albaricoque" picture is of the most perfect apricot you have ever seen. Even the ugli fruit ("el ugli") is beautiful. Over in the section about the bank, "el director de banco" is kindly and avuncular. "Las plantas podadas con formas" (topiary) are uniformly exquisite. Even the watering can ("la regadera") is an aesthetic delight. "La montaña rusa" (the roller-coaster) is a canonical example of roller-coasterdom.

You get the picture. Actually, you get thousands of them, each more attractive than the next.

The only slight disadvantage is that verbs don't quite get the emphasis they deserve.

File under dictionary-porn.

This is a small book but it is packed with visual images and the Spanish words for them. So many useful items are in here, you will not need much more than this. It is small enough that I took it with me to Spain and plan to take it to Mexico. It is also well organized and handy to use so you can find the word you need quickly and easily. I think this an essential book to your Spanish learning.

he conocido este producto al comprar el diccionario inglés - francés.

Lo encuentro muy útil, ya que es todo el vocabulario cotidiano el que aparece, y addemás es ilustrado, lo cual identificas exactamente loq ue quieres buscar.

Estoy muy contenta y se lo recomiendo a todo el mundo.

A couple years ago I just happened to be browsing the music section of my local Borders, looking for some inspiration, and stumbled upon this book. It is truly great, and has had large effect on my outlook (and skills.) I read through it regularly, write in all the margins, and should really be putting more effort into mastering these ideas. Buy a copy if you can, even at the current used price of $45. It's worth it, if you can only see the knowledge it contains and truly adopt this performance outlook for yourself.

If you want to "entertain" an audience, Liv can tell you how to do it. This book is concise, entertaining, and a MUST read. The author provides some real-world reality checks, shows you how to engage the audience, and does it all with humility and good humour. It is truly unfortunate that the book is out of print. It shouldn't be.

Buy it, if you can find it. Borrow a copy, check the library, but definately READ this one! It is short, to the point, and it is even a FUN read! I would sell my copy to you, but I want keep it so that I can read it again!

RHB

I have seen Liv live on a number of occasions. He is an amazing performer - not as technically proficient as, say, Vince Gill, but he never claims to me. One walks away from his concert feeling as though their emotions have undergone Ty-Bo.

He mixes grace, humor, and modesty in a way that few have managed to master. For the new (or experienced) performmer, this book is a great way to begin that Mastery process.

Highly recommended, to say the least.

Excellent, engaging, compassionate, humorous, with lots of useful information on myriad facets of the music business. This material is the fruit of 30 years of experience, and is laced with gritty, funny anecdotes that bring each of Taylor's "lessons" to life. I'm buying another two copies for friends.

Liv Taylor's book is an excellent resource for all musicians and performers who engage in live performance or touring. As a writer, Taylor brings the reader into his Berklee College of Music Stage Performance Class, where assorted characters (based on real students) receive coaching and wisdom Liv has garnered from his 30+ years of performing and touring experience.

Taylor's primary message is one of cultivating a sensitive and attentive relationship between the performer and his or her audience. He also presents useful thoughts on stage presence, performance anxiety, audience interaction, life on the road, and the requirements for maintaining a viable performing career.

Though Taylor's book is primarily targeted at young, aspiring popular musicians at the beginning of their careers, more experienced artists, musicians from other disciplines, and even actors and public speakers can benefit as well.

-Doc Wallace, Faculty, the Juilliard School

I found this book very detailed, especially on Ch3 which will basically take you by the hand and explain slowly how subnetting and subnet masks work. In addition, The author will summarize after all the facts that were presented and use a real-life experience to help you understand. Very good book.

While this book alone will not help you pass the TCP/IP exam, I still recommend it whole-heartedly for understanding the material on the exam. This book provides a truly rich, no-nonsense, brief, but detailed explanation of the subject. I suggest supplementing this book with a practice exam (Transcenders, or Measureup.com). That should be all that you need. One thing for sure is that you WILL understand subnetting by the time you read through this book. It sure beats reading those 700 page door stomps, in my humble opinion.

Study Guide? -I'm not so sure; The book doesn't ha ve a Glossary, or questions at the end of each chapter. For anyone wanting to understand subnetting, the author has devoted no less than 70 pages toward this subject(Chap. 3). The author has a clear and concise writng style, for easy transition from "page to brain". But I will still give it 5 stars!

The title of this book is misleading, you cannot and WILL not pass Exam 70-059 by studing this book alone. That's the bad part...

What you'll get though, is an astonishing detailed, accurate, and REAL world examples of how TCP/IP and Subnetting/Mask truly work. How many books have you read but only to be disappointed by lack of Subnet/Mask explaination?

I personally have read through more than a dozens of them but NONE can really explain TCP/IP, They CLAIM they know -- BUT where are the explaination and notes? Two pages? Get real! None comes EVEN CLOSE to this book. Some of the books just explain the "concepts" rather than any real world knowledge how it actually works.

For the first time in my life, I TRULY understand how TCP/IP, Subnetting, Subnet Masks, and Router all work together, Dave Kinnaman deserves the highest recoginition for his work. You've earned my respect for life. Please keep up the excellent work.

Even though the TCP/IP exam is being retired, this book is a classic that should be republished. (Maybe with a new name --"Everything You Need to Know about TCP/IP".) I used this book while setting up a network with two subnets. It has real-world advice, not just exam-cram factoids. My copy is dog-eared, highlighted, and well-used.

Subnetting is not easy to learn. Read and re-read Chapter 4, "Subnets and Subnetting." It is the heart of this book, and an excellent tutorial. If you're having trouble getting a handle on subnetting, this book is for you.

This book is exceptionally well-organized and comprehensive.

I am a volunteer tutor for GED students. Their needs and backgrounds vary greatly. Many students do not read well. They typically have gaps in their knowledge of phonics decoding. Many have not learned to pronounce words correctly.

There are a few resources for adult learners. They cover phonics but are targeted for those who have never read. This book has a much better set of words lists for each sound. I have also used the word lists for ESL students who are working on phonemic awareness.

The syllabication rules are helpful. These rules are usually not discussed in other books. The ESL students benefit from these, too.

The author's list of other resources (ex. The Wilson Reading System) has also been very helpful for me.

wonderful resource and word lists are great; good to adapt to all ages;great activities and games;

This book provides a resource for teachers of phonics or struggling readers. The presentation is user friendly so busy teachers will want to use it. This has excellent information on phonemic instruction. It has great resources like lists of prefixes, words, roots etc. This book is a tremendous time saver.

This book is an excellent resource for teachers who teach reading to all readers, but especially those who are struggling to understand "the code."
Word lists are very helpful, as are the activities and teaching strategies presented. Only wish there was an index!

Teaching Phonics And Word Study In The Intermediate Grades by WILLY BLEVINS

Author Willy Blevins has created a very sophisticated introduction to Phonics, but this books is also a WORD STUDY TEXT, emphasizing:

p. 51 Most Frequently Used Words in English Language.
p. The Dolch Word list (250 words)
as well as words classified according to suffix, prefix and word types, and Greek and Latin word Roots.

The Phonics instruction is in the first 50 pages and it is very complete. The entire book is designed with large pages and there are a number of exercises in the book that can be cut out or photocopied.

The book is directed at the elementary school student between the Third Grade and Eighth Grade. I got my copy to use in tutoring a single adult male from Mongolia.

I looked at nearly 20 books on this subject in the store, and bought several. This is the best of all the books I found. It is a complete course within itself.

I had the opportunity to attend one of Ellen Sandler's lectures, recently and was impressed by what she had to say and had to know more, so I bought her book at the event. Best tv/screenwriting book, I have bought in years. This is one that I will continue to reference as needed. It is written in a voice so entertaining, that you can understand why she has been so successful in her career as a tv writer. I recommend this book to anyone who is starting out and to anyone who needs a fresh prospective.

I feel like I am in a Master Class and teacher's pet! Ellen Sandler provides a friendly and in-the-know work guide in how to write TV scripts. She offers exercises that had me laughing hysterically at my OWN details/specifics that will be used for my characters. The 7 deadly sins became that evening's "dinner topic" with a group of journalists that not only livened up the night but provided MORE embarrassing, sensitive and humiliating inspiration. I have more to read and to study but I knew I was in wise and experienced hands from the first few pages. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I rarely make a recommendation, but this book is the most helpful I have ever read on TV writing. It offers a very practical process that is like a key opening a door to your own creativity.

This is by far the BEST TV writing book I've ever read and I have nearly all of them. Sandler doesn't just tell you the steps necessary to write a fantastic spec script, like all these kinds of books do, she guides you through the creative process of mining story material for it. And she tells you how to fashion subject matter that has the most emotional meaning for you, the author--which is the benchmark of great writing. It was a concept that until now, that no matter how many books I read, or how many harsh notes from execs I received on all my previous specs (or so I thought, now I FULLY understand their notes!) that I didn't grasp until now. TV Writer's Workbook, has provided the creative lightbulb I needed to get me out of my sucky spec script darkness. Highly recommended!

I've been using Ellen Sandler's book as a guide for the last few weeks, and I feel I've done much better work in that short time than I did all last year. The book is mainly geared towards sitcom writers, and for those interested in writing a comedy spec, this book is the one to get!

I repeat, this book saved my job. I'm now in DBA training

I've owned this book for only 48 hours and have read it from cover to cover and I am starting with it all over again!

The Author covers ANSI SQL clearly and in-depth with good examples!

I would recommend this for anyone who wants to learn SQL and have an accurate reference.

It's for beginner to advanced SQL folks!

As a professional Visual Basic, SQL, and Pascal developer, I really needed a reference manual like this one! You know, for those times when you're in the middle of writing some SQL code and ask yourself a question like: "Now how do I format that 'Select' statement?"

I've tried a couple of the "SQL For Dummies" books and returned each of them! I really did not think that a book like this existed, but here it is!

Get this book!

I'm a newbie to SQL, and borrowed a copy of this book from a coworker a few weeks ago. I was hooked from chapter 1. I'm already creating and dropping tables and manipulating data, and understanding everything! This book is wonderful, and I urge anyone who wants a good solid understanding of SQL to get a copy and just sit down and start reading. The examples are easy to follow but not patronizingly so, and there are short quizzes at the end of each chapter to reinforce the main concepts. This is going to be an invaluable resource for me as I continue down this path. Five stars aren't enough!

As a full-time student, I was after a book to compliment course notes that I recieve and get a better understanding of more advanced SQL. The other customer reviews swayed my decision to choose this book and it was everything and more than I expected. Keep those reviews coming.

This book offers the basics to the first part of advanced. It is great in that all of the explinations are followed by many examples on a working database (downloadable). It is quite an amazing and very much worth while book for both reference and beginning SQL

When this book arrived in the mail, I sat down to thumb through it. My 3 1/2 year old noticed the kids on the cover and came over to see what I was looking at. I read her one of the poems and she was immediately drawn in. She kept asking for more and more. We spent an hour with the book on that first sitting and return to the book with great frequency.

There are illustrations, photographs, paintings, something visual on every page. I've been speaking the rhyming poems to my toddler who enjoys them as well. I am very impressed with this book, will be purchasing the two workbooks and look forward to the books for for each progressing age.

This is exactly what I needed to fill in the gaps of convenient cultural resources.

Give your child the background on which the rest can be built.
Teach them the contents of the needs-to-know series, then the school text books will make sense.

We've been using this book series since our oldest child (now in 5th grade) entered Kindergarten. We've now gone back and purchased this book for our 4-year-old.

We send our kids to the local public schools, and I find these books to be a fantastic supplement. Reading these books with my older son has made it so much easier to find out where there are holes in his education, and have sparked some very interesting conversations. I quickly figure out where he's picked up some misconceptions, and I'm able to dispel those easily, especially since the books often have exactly the information he's looking for.

Don't be surprised if your child is confused by the rhymes at first. With enough exposure, they'll start to understand them. But the sentence structure of poetry, and its subtle messages, take a while for young children to appreciate. The pictures certainly help.

These books can also be used as the basis for a home school curriculum as there are several citations of outside resources that can be used to expand upon topics introduced in the book.

Fantastic series!

Set up like a textbook. Very easy to read a few pages out of each section daily. Fun book!

This is a great book. My son is two and a half and loves the songs and rhymes (although I do wish there was a CD of music since I can't remember the tunes for some of them). I love the history, science and art. We pick a few things to do or read everyday. He has fun and I feel like I'm making more of our time together.

I teach an ESL class to immigrants and use this book constantly. My students like this book becuz of the pictures, conversation ideas at the bottom and translations in several languages. I've had to order books (in Spanish, Chinese, Korean) for my students who want their own copies. We love this book!

I'm very lucky to find this book, because it will helps me to learn English. But I think it's good also for everybody because the book teach us the correct name of the things that we need day by day.
It's my second by at Amazon and I'm very happy
Cordially,
Luzia

This is the kind of dictionary I needed. When you want to know how to say a concrete concept you will understand better if you use this picture dictionary.

Please review the book I ordered its call word by word picture dictionary, second edition

I was lucky enough to be in a situation where my adult ESL classroom had enough in-classroom copies for all students to use during classtime. I used this almost everyday. It's a fantastic way to teach new vocabulary, especially when you combine its use with other teaching tools, such as acting out motions. I often had my students use the books to quiz each other. This is a good resource, and if you can get enough copies for everyone in your class to share, DO IT!

I have seen a lot on the internet and read a lot concerning Y2K. You are the only one I have seen put together checklists -- a very valuable piece of information

I liked the book but i mean, I'm 13 and I need a lot to understand these tihgns... I'm a quick 13 yr old and i didn't even learn about what Y2K means...

This book is worth buying for the resource guide alone! It has the most complete listing of "Y2K preparedness" supply companies that I have ever seen. The authors have clearly done exhaustive research and they do a superb job of distilling the information into plain language. One does not have to be a computer science scholar to utilize this book! The "what-if" scenarios are sensible, not sensationalistic, and the suggestions for appropriate action are thoughtfully presented.

If you are serious about y2k and want one book that covers the subject, Resource Guide" by the Millennium Information Group and published by Sun Publishing, is the book for you. The first section covers what the computer bug is, how it happened, and how it may personally affect you. The second section covers what we can do to prepare for the unknown that y2k may bring. The book emphasizes preparedness, not fear! It includes many web page references for those with Internet access, worksheets for the many different areas of preparedness, and sources for additional information and supplies. Although the price of the book may seem a little high, it would be a small price compared to making a mistake in your preparation planning and implementation

Written in an easy to follow format. A must have resource for anyone concerned with getting it together in time for Y2K. No where else have I seen such a complete list of references regarding this subject.