Training Books

Reverse Crescent Kick is the fifth book of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series by Shawn Kovacich. Just as he did with the other volumes of the series, Kovacich attacked the instruction of the reverse crescent kick with meticulous detail and thoroughness. I have to admit, ever since Billy Jack wopped Posner on the right side of his face with his right foot, I've had a sentimental spot for the reverse crescent kick, and that makes this my favorite book of the series.

This book is the most detailed written description you will find on executing the reverse crescent kick, and should be included in any martial artist's book collection who incorporates kicking into his or her training. This is not a book you just sit down and read cover to cover for enjoyment. It is a resource text to be studied and referred to at various times during your training or teaching. Yes teaching! I think instructors will learn tips on how to teach the reverse crescent kick by reading this manual.

The most valuable sections of this book are the chapters that teach the basics of the reverse crescent kick and then the variations. The variations Kovacich covers include: Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Spinning Reverse Crescent Kick, Step-Back Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Switch Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Forward Reverse Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Backward Reverse Crescent Kick, Front Leg Reverse Crescent Kick, Cross-Over Reverse Crescent Kick, Off-Setting Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Jump Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, and the Switch Turning Reverse Crescent Kick (left leg). The chapters do have some repetition, but this enables the book to be more easily used as a reference tool, since you can pick the book up and review any of the kicks without having to refer back to different chapters. Kovacich uses plentiful photographs and illustrations to demonstrate all aspects of the kick, striking angles, foot placement, and the arc of the kick. As I mentioned, he attacks this with meticulous detail and you will not find a more complete written account of the reverse crescent kick anywhere.

The chapters on strength, speed, and power are the weakest chapters of the book. While it is nice that Kovacich included a bit on these topics, the real strength of this book is with the detailed instruction of the kick itself. There are many other resources out there that cover strength, speed, and power in more detail and depth than Kovaich does here. The good thing is he introduces these concepts and any good martial artist will further his or her study of these to incorporate into their training with different resources.

The trouble shooting guide offers some good tips to better your kicking, and Kovacich also includes a short chapter on reverse crescent kick applications.

If you want in-depth instruction on the reverse crescent kick and ten of its main variations, this book with over 200 pages of text, photographs, and illustrations is a must have addition to your martial art library. It is an excellent resource for any martial artist regardless of style.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.

Author Shawn Kovacich has exploited an important niche in his "Achieving Kicking Excellence" series of martial arts instructional texts.

Shawn is quoted as saying "In an unarmed self-defense encounter, your kicking skills or lack thereof, can be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. In today's society, kicking is not only used more frequently, but it also ranks as perhaps the most versatile and underrated weapon that you have in your arsenal." I agree with him.

I found "Reverse Crescent Kick" (volume 5 of 10 in the series) to be so highly detail oriented that it overcame any presupposition of dryness and boredom to which I initially attributed to it. In short, I was "hooked." Laid out in terms that the novice can easily follow and the practicing martial artist can incorporate into his or her regimen, Shawn starts out with the historical background of the Reverse Crescent Kick and then introduces the reader to the physical and physiological body movements and mechanics associated with the kick.

Providing tips on conditioning and training, Shawn demonstrates foot movement by foot movement the Reverse Crescent Kick's basic principles and then introduces the primary Back Leg Reverse Crescent Kick to his audience and follows with eleven variations; (some of which I have never even heard of!).

Shawn demonstrates the principles of each kick with clear photographs that leave nothing to the imagination. Fortifying the text with chapters on "Warm Up and Stretching," "Training and Practice Methods," "Trouble Shooting Guide," and "Kicking Applications," to name a few, Shawn provides the reader with more than a full understanding of what could and mistakenly be known as a "simple kick."

Totally complete at 212 pages, and chocked with all sorts of valuable information from the "nuts and bolts" of technique description and demonstration to body dynamics, this is without a doubt the "gold standard" by which any examplar of martial arts kicking should be judged by.

This book can stand alone or be incorporated within the series. I rate it at five stars without hesitation or reservation. Well done!

I have just finished reading the last two books in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series. Yes, I know, the Crescent Kick and Reverse Crescent Kick books are actually books #4 and #5 in the series. I read them out of order, which is another good thing about the series; you can read any of the books in any order that you wish. They do not follow a specific pattern, although knowing Kovacich's attention to detail, he had a specific reason behind the order of each book. Which brings me to my next point.

This book leaves nothing out. It follows the same basic format as all the other books in the series. It covers everything including the anatomy of the leg, stretching, vital targets, foot positioning, timing, distancing, and the importance of correct recoil. Shawn Kovacich covers variations on the reverse crescent kick which I haven't considered before, and I have been studying martial arts for 25 years. He also delves into training drills, weight training, speed training, and covers several ways to develop your kicking power.

Reverse Crescent Kick is very well written and easy to follow. So many of the technical martial arts books are so dry and boring that is is a struggle to get through them, but Kovacich uses a lot of analogies and great photographs which makes his books interesting and easy to follow. I especially found the "did you notice anything wrong photographs" and the trouble shooting section to be very helpful. The pictures really helped to drive home specific points and demonstrated specific mistakes, as well has how a good reverse crescent kick should look.

Shawn Kovacich obviously knows his stuff! I am totally impressed with Kovacich's attention to detail and passion about his subject. The whole Achieving Kicking Excellence series is well done and I highly recommend this book to every martial artist who wants to improve his or her kicking skills. Buy it. Read it. Study it. Apply it!

Dr. Bohdi Sanders, author of Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

Like all the titles in Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series, book 5 Reverse Crescent Kick is a comprehensive study of one of the important kicks used in modern martial arts today. The book is incredibly thorough with numerous photos demonstrating the every aspect of the kick in minute detail. Mr. Kovacich knows his stuff and it is obvious that he has spent many hours honing his technique. The book provides an in-depth study of the bones, muscles and mechanics involved in the kicking technique.

In addition, the book contains a wealth of supplemental information on strength, speed and power generating exercises to enhance the technique. There is also a section on stretching as well as the application of the technique.

This book is ideal for any martial artist who wishes to perfect their reverse crescent kicking ability. The beginner will find a wealth of information to assist in developing proper mechanics while the advanced practitioner will glean some vital knowledge from an accomplished teacher.

Be sure to check out the other books in this series. You are sure to find one that addresses the specific kick that you need work on.

Aaron Hoopes
author of Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation

Achieving Kicking Excellence

If you are a novice martial artist, a kick-box exercise video nut, or someone who wants to advance their knowledge of martial art kicks, this book looks as if it would be very helpful.

The series of books is organized by type of kick: back, wheel, axe, crescent, reverse crescent, front, hook, hatchet, roundhouse, side kick. Ten books in all.

The volumes are absolutely loaded with pictures of not only kick technique but also of helpful strength-with-weight exercises, especially gym exercises with machines like the hack squat and leg press sled and of course the all-important lunge. So you get not only a discussion of how-to, but of what exercises can improve overall performance by gaining muscle strength. There are pictures with overlays of angles and axes, giving you an idea of proper form, though there is no substitute for a sensei giving you real-time feedback, of course. So these books are a good adjunct to martial arts class in the dojo; something to read and then take to practice and work on with real-time help.

There is a section on sparring--right and wrong. There is a suggested reading list in the back. A very complete series.

The only thing these volumes suffer from is slightly dark and low contrast black and white photograph reproduction due to pictures being on paper stock and not glazed plate stock, in order to keep costs reasonable for publishing. And the cover photo is wonderful but the graphic design (showing the title being shattered by the someone doing the title kick) was a GREAT concept but you can't read the title on the front cover (because it's being kicked to bits!) This is annoying; you have to read the spine to see which kick the book is about. If this bugs you, it's easily fixed: get some stickers or a Sharpie and mark the front cover with something like SIDE KICK VOL 10 or whatever works for you.

Author Kovacich is a black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do (which of course is one of the martial arts for which the kick is the premier technique.)

I found Ride the Right Horse to be an insightful book, well-written and fun to read. The author provided many meaningful examples to illustrate the various horse personalities as she has defined them. Taken together with the people personalities (as defined by Myers-Briggs) I can see this book being very useful for all horse people, from beginners to highly advanced, regardless of discipline.

I was highly entertained by some of the facts and descriptions of a few of the horses described as well as circumstances leading up to, during and after the "cure". I am familiar with many of these animals and reading about them brought back many a smile to my face as well as the subsequent PAIN in certain incidences! Although my recollection is a tad different sometimes the end results were accomplished and I was very proud to see that Yvonne had finally published the book she has dreamed of doing perhaps all of her adult-life and a great portion of her childhood!
If I know Yvonne, this will merely be her first book, not hardly her last!
Hip Hip Hoorah to one of my sisters!!!

A friend loaned me this book and I loved it. Yvonne Barteau's simple method of identifying horse dispositions and character traits can be easily understood and used by both the novice and experienced horse person. Her case studies make this book entertaining as well as informative. In fact, I recently made good use of a banana treat to successfully guide my sweet, social horse through a training snag thanks to the knowledge I gained from this book. Thanks to Yvonne for helping me understand what type horse will be best for my personality type and rider type.

This was a really fun book to read and I found myself using horses I know and have worked with as examples of the different personalities. Really interesting and entertaining along with some practical info. I highly recommend this book to all

I got this book because of the articles in Dressage Today. I really love the case studies and the training tips. I was quickly able to pick out all three of my own horses and get ideas on how to improve their training. The book is easy to read straight through or once you know your horses type to go straight to the parts that apply to them. I highly recommend it.

I bought this book after hiring a trainer that had a bit of a "rough" approach. The author's approach is all about positive reinforcement so it was a great perspective to get. While we are still struggling with our 14 week old Tibetan Terrier, we have used many of the training guidelines outlined in the book. If you too have a puppy, good luck...you will need it!

This book is fabulous! While being extremely helpful in teaching you how to have a great realtionship with your dog, it is also almost like reading a novel!? It is entertaining, engaging and the advice really works!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals.

Too many people seeing the ideal dog on TV or movies, or maybe a super bright one who does lovely tricks, want their dog to be the `perfect dog'. You know, the dog that *never* digs, that *never* jumps up to lick a child, the dog who would never dream of barking, and maybe even rescue 500 kids from a burning building etc. Honestly, for most dogs of average trainability and intelligence, and most realistic owners who want a well behaved companion, not a human substitute that will thrill friends, this book is the book. You will end up with a mannerly, pleasant to live with dog, and you won't have to spend ages doing it. The approach is sensible, realistic and very simple.

Since getting my 6 week old puppy I have become so interested in dog behavior and training and started reading tons of books. When trying to apply various training techniques I realized many did not work, in fact some lead to my puppy regressing. Any type of physical correction no matter how gentle just did not work. I started realizing that when teaching anything, they have to learn how to do it on their own without any force. We are there just as positive motivators. Thats what this book is able to teach. How to motivate your puppy to do commands, have manors, and follow directions by encouragement and positive rewards. I like that she uses food rewards and toys as rewards, but in moderation. This is a great book and I could tell right away the author understood what so many people do wrong and what we can do right. If you are searching for books to help you raise your puppy, small breed dog, and even larger breed dog I sincerely encourage you to buy this book, it is well worth the money and I only wish the book was even bigger!! I am now teaching my puppy to "drop it" on command, you know how puppies like to put everything in their mouths=). With the technique in this book my puppy has learned it in one day and she didn't even know we were training. When we play with her toys and she is in the middle of chewing it in her mouth, I say "Goober Drop it" and show her a nice treat. She drops the toy right away and I give her the treat. Then I start saying "goober drop it" without showing her ther treat and after she drops it I give her the treat. After a while you can sometimes give her a treat. This is great for puppies to learn and you will learn how to teach this and so much more in a way that is positive and motivational!! This is the first book out of many I read and bought that I highly recomend.

On the subject of raising your voice to your dog, Jody Rosengarten advises, "He can hear a Frito fall at 250 yards. There's no need to yell." When I picked myself up off the floor and did some deep breathing to relieve my belly-laughing- induced tummy-ache, I knew I had found the dog book for me. It goes without saying that common sense is so simple as to often be overlooked. Never is the need for common sense made more glaringly apparent than in this book. If you've never had a dog and are thinking about getting one, read Rosengarten. If you've had dogs for years and think you know all there is to know about their training, read Rosengarten. As a matter of fact, if you think you never want to have a dog, read Rosengarten. She could change your mind and that would be a good thing.

As someone who is both a medical professional and a father, I found this story to be a wonderful one to share with my children.
They know that daddy is training a Therapy Dog to help his patients, so this book was particularly wonderful for them!
Enjoy and have tissues nearby (for yourself!)
Be well,
Dr. Ferraioli
www.drferraioli.com

Rugby and Rosie is a well-done children's book that helps explain the important elements of raising a guide dog puppy. I have read this book aloud to a fourth grade class. The story created good dialog and the children learned about how dogs can help those with disabilities.

A wonderful story w/ beautiful illustrations. Childeren of all ages will enjoy this story of a young boy and his family and the love they share w/ a puppy to raise and send it on to be the best friend and companion a blind person can ever have.

I take issue with the School Library Journal review: "The flat declarative sentences...do not evoke emotion or drama". WRONG! I, a former declared dog-hater, received this book as a gift for my kids. Not only have I read it dozens of times and it has not once failed to make me cry, but it inspired me to adopt a retired Labrador guide dog! This is one of my favorite children's books of all time.

From a puppy raiser, this book it very faithful to the puppy raising experience. It describes, perfectly, all the emotions involved with this process.

Looking for a "manual" of what to do and how to get started in real estate? "Sell With Soul" is the book you are looking for. Jennifer Allan does an excellent job of giving you the practical (and profitable) approach to your real estate career. So many other books give you good ideas to use in your business, but they lack the step-by-step process for prospecting, listing, marketing, and selling. "Sell With Soul" is now the highest recommended book in my brokerage library for new and experienced agents, alike.

~Michelle Fradella, Broker
Pinnacle Real Estate Services
Picayune, Mississippi
www.PRCHomes.com

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (9/08)

Jennifer Allan brings a fresh approach to selling in this updated second edition of her book "Sell With Soul." She encourages those entering real estate as a career to consider respect, competence, enthusiasm, and confidence as the cornerstones of success and principles for maintaining self-respect.

The book is filled with stories, examples, and valuable information for those considering real estate as a career and for those who are just out of real estate school ready to take the next step in their career.

I found the table of contents exceptionally helpful as it is extremely complete. Chapter titles are "catchy" but clearly worded to describe the content of the chapter with additional subtitles which outline the information included. This is helpful in reviewing or rereading topics of special interest to the reader.

Jennifer includes an emphasis for the "socially uncomfortable," the introvert, or the shy. She discusses their first open house, steps to finding that first buyer, as well as walking through the steps leading to a contract of sale.

The format of the book includes important side bars. Jennifer writes using the basic vocabulary of the industry with clear and helpful definitions for many of these terms. Throughout the book are a number of Jennifer's blogs which give insight into her enthusiasm and her unique philosophy of selling and client relationships. I also found the inclusion of contributions by colleagues, or guest authors, added an important element to the book. These contributions reinforce Jennifer's strategies, and her career philosophy.

The chapter on career development is of special significance to those just starting out. These solid suggestions can be adapted by the veteran agent or broker as well. A comprehensive appendix provides sample checklists, resources and a list of those who contributed articles in the book.

"Sell With Soul" by Jennifer Allan is a book that should be presented to every graduate of real estate school or by every broker signing on a new agent. Veteran agents and brokers will find the book a refreshing stimulus to moving on to a new plateau in their career.

Sell With Soul is a refreshing, straight forward, step by step book on how to be a great Realtor. I have read many books and this is THE BEST! Jennifer is enjoyably candid and relates real world experience that's invaluable if your desire is to be a great realtor and have clients instead of customers. This book should be required reading for getting your license!

Well, it was actually its predecessor, but the idea is the same, only updated for today's 'interesting' market. After wondering if I'd make a good real estate agent (#1-later in life, and #2-because I'm shy, and #3-because I'm not a salesy person) I bought the original Sell With Soul, read it...and soon signed up for real estate classes! I got my license in July of 2007 and have clients and referrals...and am having the time of my life! No door-knocking, no cold-calling...no pestering strangers. Just living by the Golden Rule (which I've taught my kids for nearly 20 years) and being a "soulful" person.

Thank you, Jennifer, for the reminder!!

Sell with Soul is a lively, well-written and refreshing change of pace from ANY sales book you've ever read. Jennifer's no-nonsense approach to developing SOI's (Sphere's of Influence) is like nothing I've ever heard before. The book is organized in a clear-cut, well defined, and easy to read format. Jennifer's great sense of humor and her skillful use of illustrative anecdotes and blog stories will gently pull you through every page. Her style is guaranteed to bring a smile as you look at a whole new way of doing business.

If you enjoy time with friends, like to relax at parties, or if you just enjoy chatting with your buddies on the phone, you can incorporate those very past times into a cohesive and systematic way of doing business that will bring you returns for years.

Jennifer takes you to the heart of the matter in the very first chapter. Once that's established, she spends time with the nuts and bolts of listing, presenting, answering objections and other not-so-traditional ways of thinking and working through `traditional' issues.

If you like Real Estate (or any other kind of) sales and want to have more fun making more money, then you will LOVE THIS BOOK!

The Kahnweilers have written a thoughtful, well organized and understandable guidebook for human resources professionals. Shaping Your HR Role, Succeeding in Today's Organizations, however, has a broader scope than careers in human resources. The book is a thoughtful discussion of the role of human resources in organizations and of good management practices. William Kahnweiler describes himself as a "pracademic", and he and Jennifer Kahnweiler have written a book that combines good practice with outstanding academic research. Anyone interested in better understanding the important role of human capital in an organization and how to wisely use it will benefit from this book.
Jim Martin, former Georgia Commissioner of Human Resources. "

Drs. William and Jennifer Kahnweiler do a superb job outlining the competencies required of a contemporary HR professional in this business environment.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

This book provides very helpful advice about how to be successful within the HR field, both for those entering or transitioning to the HR field, as well as for practicing HR professionals.

The Drs. Kahnweiler do an excellent job of providing detailed descriptions of the skills, traits and knowledge needed to successful in HR, and also provide great advice about how to hone your skills and traits, and gain the knowledge to be successful in the field.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of entering the HR field as well as current HR professionals who would like to become more effective in their roles.

Shaping Your HR Role engages readers by providing them with the tools to better understand themselves and how they can best apply their talents in HR.

With outsourcing HR as a trend, individuals in this profession or thinking about moving into HR can learn how they can truly contribute to a company's productivity and find fulfillment in their work at the same time.

Lynn Joseph, Ph.D.
Vice President
Parachute, Inc.

As a student of the HRD program at GSU, I found the book very helpful in providing a starting point for my career. The chapter discussing the various 'hats' that HR professionals wear provided insight into what a potential job in a corporation may look like for a new graduate and job seekers alike. I was impressed with the case studies and the wealth of experience that both doctors shared with their audience. I would recommend all students and practitioners read this book and keep it as a reference.

I came across this book during a very, very difficult time in my life. My wife of 17 years had left me and my children... everything I thought I had built my life to be had crumbled around me.

I read Steve's words and really related to his journey. I have climbed a lot of "mountains" in my life, career-wise and even real mountains including Mt. Rainier, so I could relate to his "mountain climbing" symbolism. But my life was definitely in a desert place, with no map, no compass (other than my own heart), no water, and no understanding of when I would get across that desert... or even if I would SURVIVE thr crossing.

Steve's words helped me. I found myself weeping at the end of the book when Steve shares how he felt his heart breaking... not breaking apart, but breaking OPEN. That was EXACTLY what I was feeling at the time, but I had no words to understand what was happening to me. Steve's book gave me those words, and enabled that heart-transformation to continue.

I recommend this book if you are willing to look past your "mountains" of career, family, image, and keeping up with the Joneses, and look into the desert journey that truly is life. The tools Steve gives you will keep you going, even when the view before your eyes doesn't look ANYTHING like the map in your hands.

Steve Donohue strikes a powerful chord in his book, "Shifting Sands: A Guidebook for Crossing the Deserts of Change" - the metaphor of a desert rather than an upward climb is far more logical and applicible to "everyman's" journey in life. I am not a reader of self-help books or even of much non-fiction, but do some in the course of my work, so in reading Steve's book, I was pleasantly surprised to find an enjoyable and refreshing read. His story, told with humor and pathos, is easy to relate to and very comforting and inspiring. I highly recommend this book to any and every one.

If you are standing at the top of a mountain looking down and wondering how and why you got there? Then this book is for you. Take a compass rather than a map. Seek a topography that fosters change, gives you a soft place to fall and a wide angle view of a never ending expanse The desert metaphor provides the perfect lessons for life in the 6 rules of desert travel outlined by Steve Donahue in this book.
If you have spent half your life reaching for the pinnacle of success and are standing on your mountain top wondering which way to go now, then you will appreciate Steve's wonderful story of his travels through the Sahara Desert. He has woven his true story of his trek across the desert into a guide to help you discover your direction and purpose. It's time to start enjoying the journey, stop at all the oases, travel alone together, step away from your campfire and call the border guard's bluff.

Steve Donohue strikes a powerful chord in his book, "Shifting Sands: A Guidebook for Crossing the Deserts of Change" - the metaphor of a desert rather than an upward climb is far more logical and applicible to "everyman's" journey in life. I am not a reader of self-help books or even of much non-fiction, but do some in the course of my work, so in reading Steve's book, I was pleasantly surprised to find an enjoyable and refreshing read. His story, told with humor and pathos, is easy to relate to and very comforting and inspiring. I highly recommend this book to any and every one.

This book is like a cool drink of water on a desert-hot day for those of us who are trying to make it in a world where the climb to the top doesn't always go as planned -- and the world itself seems topsy-turvy, too!

I picked up Shifting Sands for my husband who's been experiencing the longest mid-life crisis in history. I ended up not only reading it but loving and benefiting from it myself.

Steve Donahue offers an alternative to setting and reaching goals the way mountain (and corporate) climbers tend to do -- the way we've all been taught. I was able to immediately put to use his gentle suggestions for navigating through a world in which change is the only constant (hence the "shifting sands," desert metaphor).

Careers...marriage...parenting...chronic illness -- all are deserts. This book offers some counter-intuitive suggestions for using change and adversity to your advantage.

The story of Donahue's own Sahara Desert crossing makes it an easy and enjoyable read, too. It's a self-help book that reads like an adventure novel...what more could you ask for?

What a great resource. The stories recited in the book are poignant, humorous, and best of all, real. As a director of administrative support services I'm always looking for creative ways to get a point across. Stories work; these stories and the follow-up activities and presentation tips work.

My organization faces two challenges on a daily basis. First, what is the most efficient and effective way to collect, organize, manage and disseminate mountains of information? Second, how do we continue to streamline and simplify our administrative processes to provide more value-added service to our constituents?

The resources Lori and Mary provide through this text have enabled me to communicate more effectively with my staff during our planning and design sessions. The moral of these stories help us keep focused on the expectations and perceptions of our constituent base.

It's a book to be kept on your desk and referred to many times.

I find that I hear myself telling the same stories over and over again to colleagues when trying to make a point. On the one hand, this is good for sending a consistent message. On the other hand, I get tired of hearing the same thing, and need to make my points in new ways.

As the global marketing research manager for Invista (the world's largest fibers company with consumer and b2b brands such as Lycra(r) and Stainmaster(r)), I need to convert data to meaning that helps our leadership to make decisions. That is what the stories in Stories Trainers Tell do for me. When our managers understand the opportunities that stories point out in the research, they are better able to act with confidence and communicate with clarity.

While I contributed to the book, I also use what it offers to make me a better communicator. I can communicate the meaning I see in data more effectively when I have a story to help me out.

I recommend that you check out the book for yourself to learn how you can upgrade your thinking and practice no matter what role you are in.

I am a Director of Training for a fortune 500 company. Quarterly, I look for new resources that my 40 designers and trainers can use when developing and delivering material to our employees and agents. This book was the gem I've been looking for. Story telling is the most powerful thing a trainer can give their students - because the stories last in the mind forever when the technical details disappear. This book details the how, the what, the when, the where, and the why. Recently I bought a copy for each one of my staff - and the incredible results are already coming in!!! Thanks for my best new resource of the year!

To be successful as a project management consultant, it is important to be able to influence people to move in the direction in which they need to go (not always the direction in which they would like to go). The thing about using stories to influence is that people love stories and will listen even if they are resisting other management methods. This book has wonderful, rich content and is very easy to use. The commitment of the authors to help readers succeed is demonstrated by the sayitwithastory web site and newsletter. I am very pleased this terrific resource is available. [By the way, these stories work on family members also!]

Storytelling has been used to convey history and lessons for centuries. Before newspapers came on the scene, story tellers would travel from village to village telling stories to share the news of what was happening in other communities and the world at large...at least as large as it was back then. One could argue that storytelling has become almost a lost art as our communication mode has shifted more to content, facts, polices and procedures. In the corporate world, leaders and managers-and training professionals-have attempted to communicate without really reaching people "inside," where messages can resonate with a mental or emotional picture. It's that inner connection that has the potential of changing behavior and making a difference. To make that connection, communicators need to engage people's minds and hearts to help them "get" the message.

So here's a book on the stories trainers tell. Big book, thick. Whew! That's a lot of fluffy, touchy-feely soft stuff! That first impression will disintegrate as you open this wonderful resource. Sure, there's a treasure chest of stories, mostly from experienced trainers and professional speakers who use them regularly to build the effectiveness of their work. If this book were merely a collection of all those stories, it would be a helpful reference...sort of a Chicken Soup for the Trainer's Bookshelf. Fortunately, the authors have a deeper understanding of what communicators need, so they created an incredible tool kit for trainers, speakers, executives, managers, coaches, parents-the list goes on.

Each of the stories is presented with tips on how to use it, questions to enrich the telling, key point options, and follow-up activities. The stories-short, not long-are set apart in the text by the use of helpful shading. So, now we have more value than just a catalog of stories. But, wait! There's more. The book includes an explanation of different kinds of stories, when and how they can be used, with a cross-reference to the 55 stories. Want even more value? The stories are gathered into chapters that organize the resources for easier access: Appreciating Differences, Communications and Feedback, Customer Service, Influence and Motivation, Leadership, Living Our Values, Performance and Coaching, Problem Solving, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Training Fundamentals.

Are you sensing why I'm enthusiastic about this book? We're not done! I've only told you about what's in the back of the book! "Stories Trainers Tell" begins with an invaluable section on the why and how of using stories to enhance and enrich communication. Page after page of tips and insight educates and inspires the reader, deepening understanding to raise the level of professionalism and effectiveness in communication.

The CD-ROM? Pop this tool into your computer and enjoy an MP3 format delivery of audio dramatizations of the stories in the book. Readers can now learn as listeners also, and most of the recordings are authorized for replay to audiences. Playing a recording of someone else telling a story, then facilitating the interpretation and application of what was heard offers a new dimension to the richness of communication, thought stimulation, and movement to action.

Then there's the reading list and the index. So much! You'll be captivated with a cover-to-cover read, entranced by the stories yourself. This book will sit prominently on your shelf as a primary resource for years to come. I half-apologize for the long review, but this book deserves the accolades.

A safety net for anyone performing orthopaedic procedures weather a trainee or a specialist. Great detail and points out nicely potential pitfalls in a much better and more effective way than similar books. Very expensive but money well spent

Every resident needs to get this book. Excellent information and anatomy gives you a leg up and makes you look good in the operating room.

As a fourth year orthopedic surgery resident this book has been of invaluable help in learning and reviewing the classic surgical approaches to the muskuloskeletal apparatus and its associated anatomy. Its lenguage is clear and concise, further supported by superb graphics. The fact that this book is in almost every orthopedist's library probably speaks for itself. This is an absolute must.

This is a great book with most of the surgical approaches that I've come in contact with. It combines concise descriptions of the anatomy with graphics in a nice, easy-to-access way.

The arthroscopic chapters are a little lame but the classical, exposures are simply a must for any resident that want to learn the different exposures.

When comparing, I find that the latest edition hasn't added that much to the book and I wouldn't recommend getting the latest edition unless your very into colors.

I believe all hospital libraries should hold a copy of this excellent book. The price is rather steep for an individual and therein lies my only crib against this book. I had to fork over almost a month's pay to get my copy. On to what I think of the content.

Clear descriptions aided with crisp colour drawings make most exposures a breeze. This is an ideal book to look through before stepping into the OR. It is also I believe the only effort to approach anatomy from the orthopaedic surgeon's point of view. All good.

Bottom line: Con your hospital/department to buy it for you. If they refuse to play ball, start saving because you want this one on your desk.

Great book on tracking. I discoverd I needed an air scenting book, not tracking for SAR k9 work but if your into tracking its a great book.

This book was interesting and easy to read. Good ideas for training a tracking dog.

For those of you looking to train a serious working dog, this is the book for you.

I have a police service K-9 and utilized the training found here to help my dog (German Shepherd).

But not all dogs can do this so, the selection tests at the begining of the book were a great help.

This book is an excellent resource and a very interesting read. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in tracking.

This book was writtten by the guru himself.All thruout the book which is easy to understand the writer is very confident and shares his knowledge and expieriences.This book is very informative and great for the beginner to the expert.